Nitro #207 – April, Week #3

[John Greatrix]

The show starts with Charles Offord standing in the ring with the Hardcore Title. Offord: “With the reshuffle of the entire roster and titles, Nitro drew the Hardcore Championship. As some of you may be aware, I am not a hardcore wrestler. I am a tag team specialist turned single competitor over the past few years. My show isn’t hardcore and with that said, I would like everyone to give a round of applause for Oyster.” Oyster appears on the stage and makes his way to the ring. Offord hands Oyster the title. Offord: “Since no one on this show can do this title justice, we have come to the hard decision to retire the title and we will be replacing the vacant title slot with a new one. I felt it was only proper to return the title to someone who dedicated his life to the hardcore way. Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask that you please rise as we toll the bell 10 times for this title.” Everyone rises, the bell tolls 10 times and Oyster leaves with the title over his shoulder.

We return from commercial break with Offord still in the ring. Offord goes to speak but Daniel Bryan’s music cuts him off. The new World Champion appears on the stage and slowly makes his way to the ring. Bryan: “Let’s just make one think clear here. No one gave a crap about that title anyway. What people really came here to see was me and since I’m the World Champion, I can do what I want, when I want and there isn’t a damn thing you can do. If you get in my way, well I just might make my way to one of the other shows.” Offord: “Let’s be very clear here, Daniel. You are only the World Champion because Braun Strowman isn’t on Nitro anymore. Now, I could simply take that title from you either by a match or by authority. I think the people want to see you in a match though. Tonight, you find out who the number one contender for the World Title will be.”

Jojo is in the back with Tessa Blanchard. Jojo: “Tessa, after coming so close to beating Kelly Khaos for the Women’s Title at Wrestlemania, do you find it strange to be on Nitro?” Blanchard: “I find very disheartening to be on a show that doesn’t possess the Women’s Title. But, it’s very fortunate that the Women’s Tag Team Titles on are Nitro and I plan on wrapping one around my waist.”

Brock Lesnar vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (World Title Number 1 Contender Match)
Lesnar has introduced Nakamura to suplex city the hard way. Lesnar hits his 5th German Suplex that leaves Nakamura motionless on the mat. Lesnar walks over, grabs Nakamura and hauls him onto his shoulder then goes for The F5. Nakamura lands on his feet, dropkicks Lesnar in the knee then hits the ropes. On the rebound, Nakamura hits The Kinshasa but doesn’t go for a cover. Lesnar rolls to his side then makes his way to one knee where he eats another Kinshasa. Nakamura goes for the cover, 1…2…3.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

Renee Young is in the back with Keith Lee. Renee: “Keith, tonight you compete for the Intercontinental Title. Are you ready for such a huge match?” Lee: “Fortune has smiled on me, Renee. I didn’t get drafted to a different show and the World and Intercontinental Titles are on Nitro. It’s time for Keith Lee to move up the ranks of the Nitro roster.”

Keith Lee vs. Adam Cole (Intercontinental Title Match)
We are 20 minutes into this hard hitting match where neither man appears ready to call it quits. Cole is whipped into the corner where he eats a rough clothesline that sends him to the mat. Lee waits in another corner until Cole makes it to his feet and charges again. This time, Cole moves out of the way causing Lee to crash hard into the turnbuckle. Cole takes advantage and spins Lee around into a DDT then goes for a cover, 1…2… but Lee manages to get a shoulder up. Cole, visibly frustrated, grabs Lee and hauls him to his feet. Lee starts swinging wildly at Cole who bobs and weaves his way around the rights and lefts then connects with a right of his own that staggers Lee. Cole looks about ready to end that match as he walks towards the staggered Lee. Lee grabs Cole and hits Ground Zero (Fireman’s Carry Powerslam) and goes for a cover, 1…2…3.
Winner and NEW Champion: Keith Lee

After the match, Lee is in the ring with Cole. The two men stand face-to-face before Lee extends a hand and the two shake. Suddenly, The Shield appears from the crowd and slides into the ring. Reigns tackles Lee while Ambrose and Rollins discard Cole over the top rope. Lee is then beaten down and in the middle of the ring, The Shield connects with a thunderous Triple Powerbomb to Lee. The camera fades with The Shield standing above Lee with their fists out.