"Show Time Power Hour" TV Taping Number 84 (Week 168)

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 are Mauro Ranallo and Jim Cornette! Guys, it's do or die for CM Punk tonight!"

Mauro Ranallo: "Either it's sayonara Punk or he's free at last!"

Jim Cornette: "CM Punk will finally be shut up once and for all! I can't wait!"

Regal: "We'll see about that, Jim! Fans, the big question is who will be CM Punk's opponent?! There has been speculation all week as to which member of 'The Richards Collective' will be selected, but we have nothing concrete at this point. Either way, that 'Steel Cage' match will be our main event! However, we're devoting the entire hour to it, so it will be coming up momentarily after the cage is lowered and is in place. We also have a couple of other matches signed in case there is television time remaining. Before we go to this all important contest, let's go to 'SoCal' Val, who is standing by with CM Punk."

Valerie Wyndham: "I am here with CM Punk, who negotiated one of the most important matches of his life here tonight. He'll be taking on a yet-to-be-determined member of 'The Richards Collective.' How do you prepare for the unknown, especially knowing that this could very well be your last match in an NWA: Show Time ring?"

CM Punk: "I know the stakes are as high as they've ever been. I also know that I've painted myself into a corner with this stipulation. But, enough is enough. I'm ready for any one of those meatheads Jordan Richards can run at me. I've faced them all and I've beaten them all. I can do it again tonight."

Wyndham: "But, the prospect is very real that this will be your last match in the company. If you lose, your contract will expire while your on the sidelines."

Punk: "Yes, and if that happens, I'll go to Japan or ROH or even another NWA affiliate promotion. CM Punk is going to be just fine, one way or another. But, make no mistake, my goal is to win and really stick it to Jordan Richards and everyone in his little group."

Wyndham: "Thank you. Back to you, William."

Regal: "Thanks Val. The waiting is over! It's time for some action! Let's go to the ring!"

Match One ~ If CM Punk Loses, He Must Leave NWA: Show Time For One Year; If He Wins, He No Longer Will Be "Singled Out" by Jordan Richards ~ CM Punk vs. a member of "The Richards Collective"

Punk entered the ring and awaited his opponent. He bounced on the balls of his feet and did his customary Muay Thai wrist warm-up. "Ladies and Gentlemen" by Saliva played to bring out CEO Jordan Richards, Karlee Perez, and Commissioner Ric Flair.

Jordan Richards: "Well, well, well, it seems the fated day is upon us. So, the question on everyone's' lips is, 'Jordan, who's it going to be?!' I've thought long and hard about who will step into that cage and dispose of CM Punk. It doesn't really matter who I send in...Brock, Adam, The Rock, Bobby, Ricochet...they're all better than CM Punk. But, I needed to make the smartest pick I could for this particular scenario. Then, I had an epiphany. The perfect choice came to mind in a flash! I'm proud to present your opponent!"

Regal: "What?!"

AJ Lee came out very slowly. She had a distressed look on her face. She begged Richards not to send her into the match.

Richards: "AJ, we've gone over this all day! You are a member of 'The Richards Collective,' and I've picked you for this match. There isn't going to be any more discussion about it! Either you march down to that ring and beat up your husband or I will terminate your contract immediately!"

AJ walked toward the ring dejectedly. CM Punk was screaming at Richards from inside the ring. AJ climbed into the ring and the cage door was locked behind her. Punk began to berate AJ, saying, "This is why you shouldn't be with them! I told you!"

AJ was trying to get Punk to engage her for fear of losing her job. Punk would not touch his wife at first. Richards demanded that they get into it. So, AJ smacked Punk. She cowered after the fact. Punk was clearly incensed, but did not move. Finally, he reached out and grabbed AJ by the hair. It looked as if he might strike her, but he quickly pulled her on top of himself and held her down as the referee counted. AJ tried to squirm away from him, but she could not before the three-count.

Winner = AJ Lee by pinfall in 3:02

Regal: "That was one of the biggest set-ups I've ever seen in my career!"

Ranallo: "Jordan Richards had his ace in the hole and he used it as the trump card!"

Cornette: "CM Punk got outsmarted by Jordan Richards. Jordan knew Punk wouldn't fight his own wife!"

Regal: "The stipulation is binding. CM Punk will be forced to leave NWA: Show Time for one year! I can't believe it!"

AJ was crying and hugged Punk as he walking attempting to leave the ring. Punk walked out of the ring with a look of sheer disappointment.

Regal: "Fans, this is such an unfortunate scene. We have to take a break. We'll be back with more in just a moment."

As the episode was coming back from commercial, the scene shifted to backstage, where CM Punk had his bag and was leaving the arena. AJ Lee ran up and grabbed at Punk.

AJ Lee: "Baby, I'm so sorry! I never meant for this to happen!"

Punk: "I know AJ. It was just business. But, now I'm gone for a year. I hope it was worth it."

Punk walked on without AJ. Jordan Richards then walked up behind AJ. She was not happy with him.

Richards: "AJ, I know you're upset right now. But, it's just business. Your husband needs to go home and think about what is important to him. Don't worry, AJ. Everything will be fine."

AJ walked away with her head down as Jordan Richards grinned scandalously.

Regal: "Fans, if you're just tuning in, CM Punk has lost the 'Steel Cage' match and is now gone from NWA: Show Time for one year. Jordan Richards sent AJ Lee out to be Punk's opponent. Of course, Punk would not strike his wife, and went so far as to pull her on top of himself to force the pinfall. That match only lasted three minutes as a result. As I said at the beginning of the broadcast, we do have matches scheduled to take up television time. Let's go to the ring for another match-up!"

Match Two ~ "Sons of Steel" (Boomer Payne & Brice Anthony) vs. "The All-Americans" (Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable with "Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle)

This was a fantastic old school style tag team match. Gable and Benjamin were better athletically. Boomer and Brice were craftier and more precise as a team. Brice took quick a bit of punishment after Benjamin caught him with a "Hotshot." Gable and Benjamin worked Brice over with "Suplexes" and throws. Anthony looked like he would fade very quickly. He got Gable to miss a dive, which allowed him to tag in Boomer. Payne threw hands and knocked both men down. Even Kurt Angle got "Dropkicked" to the floor after trying to interfere. "SoS" had the match going their way. They set up for "Steel Curtain." Benjamin came in to break it up and the four went at it as the referee tried to restore order. In the melee, Payne went for a "Sunset Flip" on Gable, who held his ground. Anthony "Superkicked" Gable, who fell back into the "Sunset Flip" for the pin.

Winners = "Sons of Steel" by pinfall in 17:48

Regal: "Fans, what a win for "Sons of Steel," who seem to be on a roll since leaving 'Camp Cornette!'"

Cornette: "The sun shines on every dog's backside once in its life!"

Regal: "Indeed. We'll be back with more action in just a moment!"

Regal: "We're back! We have another match lined up tonight, so let's get to it!"

Match Three ~ Kota Ibushi vs. "The Villain" Marty Scurll

This was a clinic in Cruiserweight wrestling. Ibushi was at his best. Scurll was at his most entertaining and sadistic. Scurll very nearly broke Ibushi's fingers with his joint manipulation tactics. He then tried to tear Kota's arm out of the socket with the "Crossface Chickenwing." Ibushi fought his way out and eventually hit the "Phoenix Splash" to win the marathon match.

Winner = Kota Ibushi by pinfall in 29:16

Regal: "Fans, what a match! I'm breathless!"

Ranallo: "Momma Mia, those two put on a show!"

Cornette: "That was a great match! Kota Ibushi is a world class athlete!"

Regal: "So much has happened on this episode! We've potentially seen the end of CM Punk's run in our company! What a sad day! Fans, we'll have more on this next week! Please join us next Tuesday on TBS for more of the Show Time Power Hour! And, don't forget to log onto www.nwashowtime.com to catch After Buzz with Cathy Kelley! For Mauro Ranallo and Jim Cornette, I'm William Regal, saying ta ta for now!"

NWA: Show Time After Buzz with Cathy Kelley aired as normal.

Kelley went on and on about CM Punk's loss at the top of the program. She bemoaned the fact that Punk was railroaded once again. Kelley stated that she hoped Punk would land on his feet in the next faze of his life. With that, Kelley signed off.