Dark Match: Eddie Crowe vs. Huh
(FINISH: Jay accompanies Eddie to ringside, and Cheesecake accompanies Huh. As Huh goes up for the moonsault, Eddie distracts the ref, allowing Jay to shake the ropes and crotch Huh on the top turnbuckle. Eddie goes up for a backdrop superplex, but Cheesecake holds Huh's feet down, and Eddie crashes back to the mat. Huh hits the moonsault, but Jay gets on the apron. Huh knocks him off, and Jay and Cheesecake brawl on the outside. Huh picks Eddie up, but Eddie bats Huh's hands away and twists around, applying a cobra clutch and sweeping the leg, segueing into the Crowe's Nest. After a few moments, Huh taps out.)
Winner: Eddie Crowe
("Neocon" opening.)
David: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Agora Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio! Tonight, MECCA presents Melee, the last stop before we head back to Dayton in six weeks for the MECCA Challenge. I'm David Mills, along with Dick Broccoli.
Dick: And we have three Round Robin matches to take place tonight, as well as two International Invitational matches. First, it'll be the US vs. Japan as the Pyro Twins take on Kaientai Deluxe. And then, it will be Japan vs. The UK as Takemura and Sakota take on the UK Wrecking Crew!
David: In the main event, the Round Robin continues, as Nykk takes on Bryan Danielson, who has to once again pull double duty, starting right now!
("Self Esteem" hits and Bryan Danielson makes his way to the ring.)
David: The Round Robin continues, and Low Ki is currently in the lead at 2-1.
(They show the scoreboard graphic.)
Dick: If Low Ki wins his match against Punk tonight and Danielson wins both his matches, he'll be crowned the MECCA Champion, as he'll have won the three matches needed.
("Wherever I May Roam" hits and Ronin Fox makes his way to the ring.)
David: Fox was put out of the Round Robin by Low Ki a couple of weeks ago on Go Time, as his record is 1-2. However, if Fox can beat Danielson here, then there's still a chance that everyone could tie at 2-2, forcing a five-way tiebreaker.
Dick: Fox is in a must-win situation, as his only chance at getting the title is that five-way tiebreaker.
(FINISH: Fox goes for the Fox Fire, but Danielson counters by kicking Fox in the head. Danielson rights himself and spins around Fox, applying Cattle Mutilation. Fox fights it and slowly gets to his feet and breaking the hold. He ducks a clothesline from Danielson and hits him with a running dropkick. He slumps in the corner in pain as Danielson gets up and charges him. Fox moves and bounces off the ropes, giving Danielson a corner clothesline. Fox injures his own arm, and holds it in pain. Danielson gives him a drop toehold and applies a keylock, and Fox finally gives in and taps.)
Winner: Bryan Danielson
David: Danielson is still alive in the Round Robin!
Dick: Now there's no chance of a five-way tiebreaker for Fox, as he is truly eliminated now.
David: He gave it his all, but came up short. There's no shame for Ronin Fox.
(Fox and Danielson shake hands, even though Fox is having arm pains.)
David: Nice show of sportsmanship there.
Dick: I've had enough of these two. What's next?
David: Up next, the International Invitational continues with the semi-finals of the upper brackets. Four days ago, on Go Time, the UK Wrecking Crew was cutting a promo when it was broken up by Takemura and Sakota.
(Footage from the brawl on the 3/8 Go Time is shown.)
("Blue Blast - Winning the Rainbow" hits and Katsushi Takemura and Keiji Sakota make their way to the ring, waving Japanese flags.)
Dick: It's Japan vs. The UK in the International Invitational, and Takemura and Sakota got here by beating the Ballard Brothers from Canada a few weeks ago.
("Ironman" hits and the UK Wrecking Crew make their way to the ring, carrying British flags.)
David: The UK Wrecking Crew surprised everyone by beating Mexico's Fugitivos Locos of Super Crazy and Psychosis to make it to the semi-finals.
Dick: And this should be an interesting match, since when Takemura first started wrestling in Japan, he was sent to the UK to learn the European wrestling style.
(FINISH: Sakota hits Fletcher with a Roaring Elbow and covers, but Nathans makes the save. Takemura comes in and brawls with Nathans as Sakota picks up Fletcher. He whips him into the ropes, but Fletcher reverses and clotheslines him over the top rope. Nathans hits Takemura with a flapjack, and they signal for the Wrecking Ball. They hit it, but when Nathans tries to cover, the ref tells him neither of them are legal. As Nathans argues, Sakota goes to the top rope. However, Fletcher grabs one of the British flags and nails Sakota with it, stunning him. Nathans runs up the turnbuckles and hits Sakota with London Bridge is Falling Down. Fletcher comes over and gets the cover and the three count.)
Winners: The UK Wrecking Crew
David: The UK Wrecking Crew picks up the victory, and is going to the finals of the upper brackets. Dastardly!
Dick: Talk about calling a flag. Fletcher nailed Sakota with that flagpole, and Nathans was able to hit that uranage suplex from the top rope for the pin. That means Takemura and Sakota now go to the lower brackets to face Fugitivos Locos.
David: And the UK Wrecking Crew faces the winners of the Pyro Twins/KDX later tonight. But up next, the Ladies' Title is on the line. Lisa Letty defends against the "Sensation of Submission" Gail Kim.
(A video recaps the events leading up to Letty vs. Kim.)
("Brackish" hits and Gail Kim makes her way to the ring.)
David: This contest is for the MECCA Ladies' Championship, and here comes the challenger.
Dick: Kim got a non-title victory over Lisa thanks to LuFisto a few weeks back, but LuFisto's not here tonight, so Gail's going to have to do this on her own if she wants to pick up the victory.
("Edge of Seventeen" hits and Lisa Letty makes her way to the ring.)
David: This will be the second title defense for Lisa, who won the belt back on our very first show.
Dick: She's really made an effort to diversify her game in the past couple of months. Kim needs to watch out for the Letty Driver, and though she's the Sensation of Submission, she also needs to avoid the Letty Stretch. Both are very effective moves that could end the contest.
(FINISH: Gail locks in the Christo, and Lisa starts to drop to her knees. However, she fights out of it and manages to unhook Gail's legs from her head, throwing her to the mat. Lisa staggers, and Kim immediately sweeps the legs. She goes for a figure four leglock, but she bens over too far, and Lisa manages to hook her arms, forcing her to release the hold. Lisa forces her to her stomach and applies the Letty Stretch. However, Gail is too close to the ropes and grabs them. Lisa releases the hold and picks Gail up, only to get poked in the eyes. Gail grabs Lisa's arms and climbs the ropes. She goes for a hurricanrana, but Lisa doesn't go over. She hooks Gail's head and legs, and hits the Letty Driver, covering for the three count.)
Winner: Lisa Letty
David: Lisa is successful once again!
Dick: I don't know how this little girl does it sometimes, but she managed to make Kim deviate from her submission based strategy, and caught her. How's Gail going to explain this one to LuFisto?
David: Up next, the International Invitational continues.
(They show the brackets.)
Dick: The Pyro Twins are heavy favorites in this tournament, but they'll have to go up against the Japanese contingent of Kaientai Deluxe to advance. Whichever team does win will face the UK Wrecking Crew in the finals, and the losers will drop the lower brackets.
("Entre dos Tierras" hits and Kaientai Deluxe make their way to the ring, along with David Caldwell, who is carrying the Japanese flag and wearing a martial arts-style headband.)
David: Look at that scab David Caldwell. He's not even Asian, let alone Japanese!
Dick: Hey, his team is from Japan. He's just supporting his guys, that's all.
David: KDX beat the Eccentrics to get here, thanks to Caldwell, who's had it in for them for about a year now.
("Burning Times" hits and the Pyro Twins make their way to the ring, wearing their new "red, white and flames" shirt.)
David: It's hard to feel sorry for the Pyro Twins because of their past actions, but they have been through a lot. We found out at Bloody Valentine that the reason they turned on their longtime friend Nykk was that they want to keep close to Jay's brother Eddie, who is under C.M. Punk's control. He then told the Pyro Twins to throw this tournament so that they could help SELF get off the ground.
Dick: I don't see the Pyro Twins throwing this match or any other, but Eddie Crowe's impact has been felt across this organization, affecting both the International Invitational and the Round Robin alike.
(FINISH: Togo hits the Senton Bomb on Jay and covers, but Dusty pulls Togo out of the ring and rams him into the guardrail. Teioh tries to attack, but Dusty sends him into the ring post. Dusty spots the Japanese flag hanging from the corner, and goes under the ring. He comes back out with a blowtorch, and lights it. Just as he's about to burn the flag, David Caldwell snatches it away and wraps himself in it. Dusty shrugs and goes after Caldwell. Togo and Teioh get in between them, pleading with Dusty. Jay grabs Teioh from the outside and drags him in, distracting the ref. Dusty turns off the blowtorch and nails Togo in the head with it instead. He gets back in the ring as Teioh lifts Jay for the Miracle Ecstasy. Dusty sweeps the legs as Jay kicks outward, doing a modified Final Darkness. Jay covers and gets the three count.)
Winners: The Pyro Twins
David: Well, the Pyro Twins certainly didn't throw that match. They're now in the finals of the upper brackets against the UK Wrecking Crew!
Dick: Brilliant strategy by Jay and Dusty, using their opponents' own perception of them into faking them out.
David: KDX now falls into the lower brackets to take on Reckless Abandon for one last chance in the tournament. If they lose again, they're eliminated.
Dick: It's not a good night for the pride of Japan.
(The Round Robin scoreboard graphic comes up again, adding in Danielson's win and Fox's loss.)
David: The Round Robin continues now, with C.M. Punk vs. Low Ki. If Low Ki wins, he'll have the three wins needed for eligibility for the MECCA Championship. If neither Nykk or Bryan Danielson get three also, he will be crowned the first champion.
("Miseria Cantare" hits and C.M. Punk makes his way to the ring.)
David: Thankfully, all extras have been banned from ringside in these Round Robin matches. That means no Straight Edge Lifestyle Foundation to interfere.
Dick: Punk needs this win over Low Ki to keep in the tournament, after losing to Ronin Fox a few weeks ago on Go Time. He also needs to beat Nykk when they finally face off again.
(Punk gets a mic.)
Punk: You know something? All I've been hearing about in the past week is how Low Ki is going to win his third match and take the MECCA Championship. There's just one problem... I'm the man that he's facing. I'm the guy who beat Bryan Danielson a month ago, yet Low Ki gets all the credit for injuring his neck and taking him out for a few weeks. You never would have done that if I hadn't softened him up, Low Ki! When I beat Low Ki tonight, you're next, Nykk. I will be the MECCA Champion, and you'll all have a champion who carries himself as such, first class all the way!
("Fighter's Passion" hits and Low Ki makes his way to the ring.)
David: I'm sure Low Ki took exception to those words, and this should be an intense, stiff contest.
Dick: Low Ki's ready, and so is Punk. I can't pick a winner here.
(FINISH: Punk manages to hit the Pepsi Plunge, but is unable to make the cover in time to get the three count. He whips Low Ki into the ropes, but Low Ki vaults off the second rope with the Tidal Wave. He goes for the Ki Krusher, but Punk escapes and tries to counter with the Anaconda Vice. Punk finally gives up, and settles for a snap mare, but Low Ki kicks back at his face. Ki goes for a rolling koppo kick, but Punk catches his foot and cradles Low Ki, vaulting over his body and bridging for the three count.)
Winner: C.M. Punk
David: What was that? Out of nowhere, Punk bridges and gets a surprise three count on Low Ki!
Dick: Low Ki was so intent on crushing Punk that he forgot his basic wrestling. Now Punk has put Low Ki out of contention!
David: It all hinges on Nykk vs. Danielson now. If Danielson wins, Punk will have to beat Nykk to force a 3-1 tiebreaker. If Nykk wins, he'll put Danielson out of the Round Robin and be 2-1 with Punk leading into their deciding match.
(Punk gets his hand raised, and Low Ki finally regains his composure. He bounces off the ropes and tries another Tidal Wave, but Punk ducks it this time and rolls out of the ring.)
David: Low Ki tried to take out his opponent after the match again, but Punk was waiting for it.
Dick: Low Ki is enraged, and eventually he's going to take it out on someone. Who knows who that unfortunate soul will be.
(The camera switches to David Mills and Dick Broccoli.)
David: Ladies and gentlemen, we're just six weeks away from the MECCA Challenge, where we will debut the match of the same name. As we expected, rivalries have really started heating up in the short time that MECCA has been here, and it all looks to come to a head on April 30.
Dick: But we have some big news regarding the event. Due to popular demand and advance ticket sales, the MECCA Challenge will be moved from the Montgomery County Fairgrounds to the Hara Arena! Tickets are on sale now, and the Hara Arena seats 6500, so be sure to bring your friends and your friends' friends.
David: Well, the main event is up next, as Nykk takes on Bryan Danielson in the Round Robin. Right now, Bill Bicknell is standing by with Nykk.
Bill: Nykk, you have one last chance to stay alive in the Round Robin. If you beat Bryan Danielson, the determining match will be you against C.M. Punk for the MECCA Championship. What are your thoughts, moments before this match?
Nykk: Bill, as you know, my issues are with Punk and this SELF he's created. I have nothing against Bryan Danielson, and never have, though he may claim that I've ducked him in the past. We both have everything to gain, and everything to lose in this match. I saw his match against Ronin Fox earlier, and I know he's tired. But he's proven once before that it didn't matter that he wrestled once, and still came back to get the win last month. My strategy is no secret. It's to use my endurance advantage to outpace the American Dragon. I'll still do what I have to do to win, but I know that at this point, Danielson is thinking the same thing. When I go out to that ring, there's no more fooling around for this Nykk. I have no stable, no friends to rely on. All you'll see is pure Nykk, and believe me, Bill... that's much more dangerous than reliant Nykk.
(He walks away.)
(In the arena, "Self Esteem" hits and Bryan Danielson makes his way to the ring.)
David: We've reached our main event, the second-to-final match in the Round Robin. Both guys need the win, because the loser is out.
Dick: If Danielson is showing fatigue from his match with Fox earlier, he's doing a good job of hiding it. He's had an unfair hand dealt to him in this Round Robin, but he's persevered before.
("Destroy" hits and Nykk makes his way to the ring.)
David: We've seen a remarkable change in Nykk since the Pyro Twins turned on him. He seems content to do things on his own now, without any help. That could be a blessing or a curse against Danielson.
Dick: It's the American Dragon vs. The Alpha Wolf. This match could win the Round Robin for Danielson.
(FINISH: Both men hit each other with a double clothesline, putting them both down. The ref starts the count, and Danielson is the first up, kicking Nykk in the head relentlessly. Nykk struggles to his feet, getting kicked all the way there. He finally catches Danielson's foot and counters with a dragon screw legwhip. Nykk staggers up against the ropes, and then goes for the Cedarleaf. Danielson won't turn over, and Nykk tries to force him to. He finally forces Danielson over, but Danielson rolls right back over. Danielson hits Nykk in the head with right hands, but Nykk keeps the hold locked in. Danielson tries faking being turned over and quickly twisting the other way and somersaulting Nykk, but Nykk still holds Danielson's legs in position. He rolls over while on the mat and stands up, cinching in the hold. Danielson tries to power out by pushing his upper body up, but Nykk still holds onto his legs and refuses to let go. Nykk jumps and lands back on his feet, forcing Danielson back to his stomach. Nykk steps with his right foot over Danielson's shoulder, so that Danielson is almost vertical. Danielson still won't tap, but is starting to fade away. Nykk applies a body scissors while the Cedarleaf is still on and falls to his left, twisting Danielson's body into a very painful looking position. Danielson can't go anywhere, and stops moving. The ref drops his arm three times and then calls for the bell.)
Winner: Nykk
David: What a contest we've just witnessed right here at Melee! Nykk knew he had Danielson if he could just keep the Bellbrook Cedarleaf locked in. Danielson fought valiantly to get out of it, but Nykk applied several variations, and Danielson finally passed out.
Dick: The American Dragon never gave up, I'll give him that. He wanted this really bad, but now at 2-2, his chances at the title are shot.
David: We now know that Nykk vs. Punk, with both men having tied at 2-1, will decide the first ever MECCA Champion.
(Danielson wakes up, but is in great pain and can only get to a sitting position. Holding his ribs, he still extends his hand to Nykk. Nykk just stares at him.)
David: Unbelievable that Danielson, even in great pain, wants to congratulate Nykk on a contest well fought. What will Nykk do?
(Nykk goes over and slaps Danielson's hand away, raising his arms and turning to the crowd.)
Dick: Well, I guess the old Nykk isn't entirely dead. He just disrespected one of the most respected men in wrestling today.
(Danielson continues to stare at Nykk, hand extended. Nykk stares back at him for a moment, hands on his hips. He then walks over and grabs Danielson's hand, pulling him to his feet. He shakes Danielson's hand and then applauds him.)
David: Oh, Nykk deceived us all again. He decided to show some sportsmanship after all!
Dick: Why not? Three out of five contenders for the MECCA Championship have been eliminated, leaving him and Punk. He's got to be happy about that.
David: That's all the time we have here at Melee. Thank you for joining us, ladies and gentlemen, and please join us again on April 30, for The MECCA Challenge!