"Show Time Power Hour" TV Taping Number 51 (Week 102)

William Regal: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the finest sixty minutes of pro wrestling in the world, the Show Time Power Hour! I'm your host, William Regal. With me is my hall of fame co-host, Michael Hayes! Michael, we have a huge number one contender's match-up here tonight!"

Michael Hayes: "Yep! CM Punk will do battle with Braun Strowman, with the winner facing Brock Lesnar next week!"

Regal: "Also in the hour, we'll see the return of the North American Tag Team Champions, 'War Machine,' to the program! They'll take on 'KES' in a clash of the titans! Our first match will see 'Gold Standard' Shelton Benjamin square off against Jay Lethal of 'House of Truth,' and that happens right now! Let's go to the ring, where Scarlett Bordeaux has the introductions!"

Match One ~ "Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin with Veda Scott vs. Jay Lethal with Truth Martini and the "Hoopla Hotties"--Shotzi Blakkhartt, Zahra, & Dana Adiva

This was a great back-and-forth match, and the picture-perfect example of a "hot opener." Both men showed their full arsenal of offense. Ultimately, Veda Scott would be the deciding factor. Truth Martini and the "Hoopla Hotties" had her cornered on the outside and began to advance toward her. Veda jumped onto the ring apron at the same time Benjamin was attempting his "Springboard Shooting Star Press." She inadvertently jostled the ropes, causing him to fall face-first onto the canvas. Lethal recovered and nailed "Lethal Injection" for the win.

Winner = Jay Lethal by pinfall in 12:18

Regal: "What an unfortunate ending for Shelton Benjamin, who was done in by his manager's mistake."

Hayes: "That's one of those deals where it probably wouldn't happen like that again if you tried to make it. Bad timing there for sure."

Regal: "In all fairness, Veda was trying to avoid an attack on the outside. Nevertheless, her retreat cost her charge the match."

Benjamin berated Scott after he had recovered. Martini and company stood by and laughed as Shelton went off on Veda. In a shocker, he fired her on the spot. Veda left ringside with her head hung low. Martini, Lethal and the "Hotties" jumped into the ring. Benjamin readied for a fight. Instead, Martini extended his hand and invited Benjamin to join them. After a few moments and some close contact with the "Hotties" at Martini's behest, Shelton shook Truth's hand and the group walked away together.

Regal: "Did we just see Shelton Benjamin join 'House of Truth?!'"

Hayes: "It looks that way. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire!"

Regal: "Fans, we'll take a quick break and be back with more."

When the program returned from the commercial break, the scene was on the rear building entrance, where a cameraman caught Jordan Richards' limousine pulling up. Jordan Richards got out, followed by Maria Kanellis, who was in a serious discussion with the CEO.

Jordan Richards: "Listen Maria, Adam came to me and specifically asked for Britt to be signed to a deal. What can I say? He has been a loyal employee who has gone above and beyond for me? Have you forgotten the who 'Bullet Club' swerve?"

Maria Kanellis: "I understand that Jordan, but Britt Baker doesn't belong here! She's going to ruin everything Adam and I have built!"

Richards: "How is she going to ruin it?"

Kanellis: "Britt is Adam's girlfriend and she will cloud his judgment! She's a distraction, which makes her a liability!"

Richards: "Listen, I'll be watching. At the first sign of trouble, I'll step in. I don't see her being a distraction. Adam seems more motivated than ever. This sounds to me like a case of professional jealousy. Now, you may be Adam's manager, but I'm the one who brought both of you to this company. As your boss, I'm telling you to back off and be professional. End of discussion. Now, let's get in here and take care of business."

Richards walked into the building with intent. Maria was left with her mouth open and her eyes staring daggers into the back of the CEO.

Regal: "Well then, it's clear now that Maria does not want Britt Baker in this company or around Adam Cole."

Hayes: "I hate to play devil's advocate, but I think Jordan Richards is right. Maria's jealous."

Regal: "That remains to be seen. Anyhow, we've got another exciting match coming your way right now!"

Match Two ~ "Worldwide Underground"--Johnny Mundo, "Darewolf" PJ Black, & Jack Evans with "Empress of the Underground" Catrina vs. "British Strong Style"--"Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne, Trent Seven, & Tyler Bate

Another fantastic match-up of contrasting styles. It was the high-flying lucha of Mundo and friends against the bruising European grind of Dunne and his crew. Ultimately, this one broke down to a six-way brawl. The referee was trying to separate several wrestlers. The legal men were Black and Dunne. Trent Seven snuck in a chance and hit his "Seven Star Lariat" on Black. Dunne made the quick cover while Bate and Seven kept Mundo and Evans at bay.

Winners = "British Strong Style" by pinfall in 14:27

Regal: "What a huge win for the British contingent over the Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions!"

Hayes: I'd say that puts them right in line for a title shot!"

Regal: "I would agree wholeheartedly! Fans, we need to take another break. When we return, 'War Machine' will be in action against 'Killer Elite Squad!' Stay with us!"

Regal: "Fans, we're back and it's time for the North American Tag Team Champions!"

Match Three ~ "War Machine"--Hanson & Raymond "Death" Rowe vs. "Killer Elite Squad"--Davey Boy Smith, Jr. & Lance Hoyt with Taylor Gallagher

This match was exactly what you might expect: a smash mouth slugfest. Both teams dropped bombs on one another. with the hammers that were being thrown in this war, you knew it wouldn't last long. Ten minutes in, "KES" hit the "Killer Bomb" on Hanson, but Rowe broke up the pin attempt. Thirty seconds later, "War Machine" hit "Fallout" on Hoyt for the pin, as Smith had been dumped to the floor.

Winners = "War Machine" by pinfall in 10:43

Regal: "That was a brutal affair!"

Hayes: "I loved it! Two teams standing toe-to-toe, knocking the heck out of each other!"

Regal: "Indeed! Fans, we'll take a break. When we come back, we'll have our main event!"

Regal: "Fans, 'SoCal' Val is standing by with the former Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk, and his entourage."

Valerie Wyndham: "I'm here with 'The Power Trip,' who will be represented by CM Punk in a number one contender's match next. What is your mindset heading into this match against the gargantuan Braun Strowman?"

CM Punk: "My mindset is that I shouldn't even be in this match! I should be preparing for my rematch next week! I'm the former champion with a mandatory rematch clause that Ric Flair seems to want to take away from me! well, it's not going to happen! Yes, Braun Strowman is big and bad. He's everything they say he is. But, I'm the best in the world and I'll prove it when I beat that monster here tonight! Then, I'll go on to regain my crown next week against another monster, Brock Lesnar!"

"The Power Trip" stormed off the set.

Regal: "A very upset, but very confident sounding CM Punk. Let's go to Joanna Rose, who is with 'The Monster Among Men' Braun Strowman."

Joanna Rose: "I am standing by with Braun Strowman, who is about to face CM Punk with a Heavyweight Championship match next week to the victor. Braun, you've never faced CM Punk before. What can we expect to see in this match?"

Braun Strowman: "You can expect to see one thing--pain! I don't care who is across from me in that ring! The result will always be the same! They will be left laying!"

Rose: "Back to you, William."

Regal: "An equally, yet much scarier Braun Strowman is ready for battle. Let's go to the ring for this titanic struggle!"

Match Four ~ Number One Contender's match ~ CM Punk with AJ Lee & "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. "The Monster Among Men" Braun Strowman

Punk tried to bob and weave for much of the match. Strowman grew more and more frustrated in his attempts to capture Punk in his grasp once and for all. Once he finally got Punk, he didn't let go. Strowman worked Punk over for several minutes. CM Punk was bounced around the ring like a basketball. Strowman finally hit his big "Running Powerslam" and went for the cover. Before the referee could make the count, this entrance video played on the tron:

Brock Lesnar came out to a roar and cleaned house. He dropped Strowman with three successive "German Suplexes," then turned his attention to Punk, who tried to scurry from the ring. Lesnar sent him flying with a massive "F-5." The referee had already called for the bell, throwing this match out.

Winner = no contest in 11:54

Commissioner Ric Flair came to ringside with a microphone.

Ric Flair: "I am sick and tired of my main events being ruined. Brock, you have no business out here interfering in this match! You ruined what was supposed to determine your number one contender! We're still having a title match next week, like it or not. But, since there is no official number one contender, Brock Lesnar with defend the championship against both CM Punk and Braun Strowman in a 'Three-way Dance!'"

Regal: "Oh my! What a colossal main event that will be next week! Brock Lensar defends against CM Punk and Braun Strowman!"

Hayes: "They're gonna tear the house down, boys and girls!"

Regal: "You'd better believe they will!"

Lesnar smiled as he glared at both of his opponents. Strowman leered at Brock while Punk looked concerned in the corner.

Regal: "Fans, we're out of time. Please join us again next Tuesday on TBS for this big title match, along with much more on the Show Time Power Hour! For Michael Hayes, I'm William Regal, saying, ta ta for now!"