Injuries are a part of professional wrestling. Some are easier to overcome than others. We found out on February 25 that The Scottish Prince Joshua Oglesby and Stoney Hooker were both injured in the inaugural Next Level Title match at Country Santa Clash 4. Oglesby suffered torn ligaments in his ankle only a minute into the match while Stoney suffered a bicep tear. While neither injury required surgery at this time they put the immediate futures of these men, and the Next Level title, in doubt. Commissioner Eric Boughman informed The Scottish Prince that he would have to defend the title on March 25th at Locked and Loaded 2017 or be forced to forfeit the title.
There were other questions surrounding the Next Level Title. Who would receive the first title shot? How would that be determined? In a stunning move, 3 Count Pro Wrestling made major changes to the planned card for Locked and Loaded. Fans left Collision Course 1 expecting to see some scores settled in singles matches. However, Commissioner Eric Boughman has decided to let the bad blood between JC Harper and Austin Jordan plus the rivalry between Ostgard and Tyler Gaines play out in a tag team match with Gaines and Jordan facing Ostgard and Harper. Here’s the catch: The winning team will be involved in the Next Level Title match that night. If Joshua Oglesby is able to defend the title then there will be a 3 way match, but, if he is not, then a new Next Level Champion will be crowned in singles competition.
Why is the Next Level Title so important? The person who walks out of the August show as Next Level Champion will receive an automatic shot at the 3 Count Heavyweight Title in September at the Next Level Show. A new Next Level Champion will be crowned that night in the first ever Next Level match.
Saturday at Locked and Loaded the futures of 5 competitors will be on the line. Has Oglesby recovered enough to pass a physical and defend the title? Will the youth of Austin Jordan and Tyler Gaines triumph over the experience of JC Harper and Ostgard? Will the actions of Collision Course 1 spill over into Locked and Loaded? Who will walk out as the Next Level Champion? Get your tickets now at www.3countpro.com/store.
