Booking a Jungle Boy TNT Title Reign

On the Thanksgiving edition of Rampage, there's a Ladder Match to determine the Number 1 Contender for Miro's TNT Title. The title match would be on the Dynamite before Christmas (as there would be no Rampage on Christmas Eve). The competitors are Jungle Boy, Ethan Page, Dante Martin, Powerhouse Hobbs, Wheeler Yuta, and Fuego del Sol, who won a Battle Royale on Dark for a Wildcard spot in the match. However, the Dynamite before this Rampage, Jurassic Express beat the Men of the Year, and Ethan Page was injured, so his spot was taken over by Daniel Garcia.

The match is a brutal affair, with Hobbs putting Yuta and Garcia through a table at the same time, Dante Martin doing a Swanton Bomb onto Jungle Boy through a table, and Fuego having a starmaking performance, showing off impressive agility with a Twisting Moonsault onto everybody off of a Ladder. Eventually, Garcia and Hobbs are fighting on top, both going for the briefcase containing the contract, and Powerhouse manages to get land a Superplex, causing both men to crash to the mat. Immediately, Jungle Boy springboards onto the ladder, and before anybody can even do anything, unhooks thr briefcase! Jungle Boy is now the Number 1 Contender for the TNT Title!

The following Wednesday on Dynamite, the show a recap of the match, and a Miro vignette of him backstage plays afterwards. "Jungle Boy, you have this amazing underdog story. You had your little Thanksgiving moment, but you won't have your Christmas Miracle. Christmas is God's Day, and as God's Favourite Champion, it is my duty to gift him with a redemption. Jungle Boy, you're just my unlucky sacrifice."

On Friday, Jungle Boy is in the building for a Luchasaurus match that would be recorded for Dark. While he's there, Alex Marvez interviews him for Rampage. "Jungle Boy, you won the ladder match to challenge Miro for the TNT Title on the Christmas edition of Dynamite. He called you a sacrifice and talked as if you were just another person to redeem. Do you have a response for Miro?" "My entire career, I've been looked at as if I'm too small, do too many flips, too young. And since then, I've proved everybody wrong. But I still haven't done what I set out to do in AEW, and that's winning a title. Miro, you're incredible. But I've made a career out of proving people wrong, time and time again. And this is no different. Miro, enjoy that belt while you still have it."

On Dynamite, we get a match between Jurassic Express (including Marko Stunt) vs. The Wingmen (JD Drake, Peter Avalon, and Cezar Bononi). Jungle Boy secures the win for his team with a Snare Trap on Avalon, and after the match, Miro appears on the big screen. "Jungle Boy, what an impressive victory. You talked about overcoming me, like you have overcomed so many obstacles before. That's blasphemy. No matter how hard you try, no matter what you do, you can not overcome me and my God. This is the word of the Redeemer."

We advance to the following Dynamite, the last one before the Christmas edition. Miro and Jungle Boy do a contract signing backstage. Miro signs his, and goes into a long monologue about redemption, and how he's going to destroy Jungle Boy next week. He doesn't notice that Jungle Boy has quietly signed his contract, and is lining up, preparing to attack The Redeemer! He dives over the table, and both men start brawling, trying to hit each other with the chairs, but officials separate them as they continue arguing!

Rampage comes along, the last show before the TNT Title Match. Mark Henry, Tony Schiavone, and Paul Wight do a panel analyzing the TNT Title Match. They give almost every advantage, aside from agility, to Miro. Size, power, experience, etc. However, Paul Wight still takes Jungle Boy to win. When Tony inquires as to why, the big man says "I don't know, I just don't think the kid is capable of quitting. I feel like if Miro's gonna beat him, he's gonna have to kill him."

It's time for the big night, and Jungle Boy and Miro are main eventing. It's a brutal match, Jungle Boy getting some good high-flying in, but Miro being an absolute beast as usual. Jungle Boy gets busted open, and it's starting to look like a Rocky-style beat down, but Jungle Boy starts to rally. Miro cuts him off and locks in the Game Over, but as Paul Wight said, he just doesn't quit! He manages to force himself out, and transitions into the Snare Trap! Miro passes out, and we have a new TNT Champion! Jim Ross shouts "It's a Christmas Miracle!" as the locker room empties to celebrate with Jungle Boy!

The following Dynamite, Jungle Boy cuts a promo. "This has been an incredible journey for me, and I'd love to thank all the people that cheered me on along the way. That includes all the fans, but it includes the other wrestlers as well. So, I'll be offering TNT Title matches to anybody who has helped me to this point. I'll start with Chuck Taylor. The Best Friends have always been allies with the Jurassic Express, and I want to repay that. So, Chuck, I want us to have a friendly competition for the belt at New Year's Smash Night 2."

At New Year's Smash Night 1, Chuck talks backstage. "I've always known Jungle Boy would go on to do great things, and now that it has come to fruition, I'd be honored to face him in his first title defense. However, even though we're friends, I'm still gonna go full throttle. Friends before the bell, and after the bell, but in between, it's all business."

The following week, Taylor and Jungle Boy have a very fun match, that ends with the champ flipping out of the Awful Waffle, before tripping Chuckie T up, and locking in the Snare Trap, forcing the Kentuckian to tap. They shake hands after the bell.

Jungle Boy continues to do these kinds of defenses on Dynamite and Rampage, going through John Silver, Wheeler Yuta, and Evil Uno. With 5 weeks before Revolution, on Rampage, Jungle Boy beats Dante Martin. Afterwards, Dan Lambert comes out with Scorpio Sky. "For weeks now, you've been preaching all this friendship shit. Back in my day, wrestling was about 2 men who hated each other, trying to kill each other in between those ropes! But you're not a real man, Jungle Boy. You know who's a real man? Scorpio Sky! So what he's gonna do, is he's gonna make your life a living hell until you give him a shot at that TNT Title!" Jungle Boy grabs a mic. "Well, he's not gonna have to wait long. Let's do it in 12 days, on Dynamite!"

Skip to 4 days later, at the Dynamite before the Sky vs. JB match. Dan Lambert is in his press box like usual, talking almost inhuman amounts of trash with Scorpio Sky at his side. "This company promotes 5 foot nothing guys like Jungle Boy, when real men like us are sitting right here! And that's why this millennial, basement-dwelling crowd has a combined IQ of 4. Because they cheer this dweeb, this lowlife, this absolute piece of-" all of a sudden, Marko Stunt rushes into the suite and steals the mic from Dan, before running off! Theu go chasing after him, cutting the segment short.

On Rampage, Scorpio Sky runs through Baron Black, and beats him with the Snare Trap, taunting Jungle Boy!

The title match comes along, and both men show off their athleticism in a fast-paced match. The finish comes when Scorpio tries to suplex JB from the apron into the ring. The TNT Champ slips out of his grasp, hits the Slingshot Tornado DDT, before putting on the Snare Trap, giving Sky no choice but to tap! While Jungle Boy celebrates, Ethan Page returns ,runs in and beats him down, hitting him with the Ego's Edge before posing with the TNT Title as the show goes off the air.

2 days later, on Rampage, Ethan Page cuts a promo. "Remember that Ladder Match that Jungle Boy won to get the TNT Title in the first place? Remember who was supposed to be in it? Me! But Jungle Boy and his big dumb Dino friend injured me, so I couldn't compete! I was out with a knee injury, and now I'm here to get my due."

The following Dynamite, with a week and a half before Revolution, Jungle Boy speaks his mind. "I'm a fighting champion, all Ethan Page had to do was ask. But what I'm really pissed about is him accusing me of injuring him on purpose. Look, this happens in this business sometimes. People get hurt. But to imply that I ever tried to hurt him, and then using that as an excuse to attack me from behind, well that's classless. So, Ethan Page, you'll get what you wish for at Revolution. But remember this: you dug your own grave."

We advance to the next Dynamite, and Jim Ross conducts a sit-down interview with Ethan Page and Jungle Boy, over satellite so they don't attack each other. As JB sits down, Page says "Hey, I guess Dan Lambert was right, you're not enough of a real man to face me in person. Too afraid?" "Ethan, AEW instructed me to do this, I'd love to be sitting in front of you ready to kick your ass, but that'll have to wait for Saturday." "Jungle Boy, you put on this whole tough guy, man of the people act. You're nothing like that. You didn't grow up in the wilderness like your name suggests. You grew up with a rich dad, living the good life in Los Angeles. You were privileged. And now that I'm living that kind of life, you resent me for it?" "I don't resent you for that, I resent you for the fact that you attack people from behind and then act like you beat them with skill. You brag about your ego to hide the fact that inside, you know that you talk way too much shit for someone who wrestles like you. You're a middle-of-the-road guy who talks his way into big matches sometimes, and your ego can't handle that." "I didn't come here to be insulted, I'm done." Ethan Page disconnects as the TNT Champion says "Yeah, who's afraid now?"

On Friday, the day before Revolution, we get a video package showcasing this feud. At the end of it, Ethan Page says "I've been grinding in this business for years, wrestling in gyms and little dilapidated buildings, and this kid gets the fast track to stardom because of his family tree! Well, he has something important to learn. No matter who you are, no matter where you've been, sooner or later, "All Ego" will cut you down."

It's time for Revolution, and Page vs. JB opens the show. It's a very physical contest, with Scorpio Sky and Dan Lambert trying to interfere, but Aubrey Edwards throws them out! Ethan has to fight by himself now! He actually matches some of Jungle Boy's incredible agility, and gets the upper hand, before getting a chance to hit the Ego's Edge. The champ uses to momentum to hit a Hurracanrana, before rolling through and locking in the Snare Trap! Jungle Boy retains here at Revolution!

There are now 12 weeks before Double or Nothing.

The Wednesday after Revolution, Tony Schiavone interviews Jungle Boy in the ring. We're in Los Angeles, Jungle Boy's hometown. Tony starts off with "Los Angeles, please welcome your Hometown Hero, the TNT Champion, Jungle Boy!" "Thank you Tony, and what's up LA! It feels good to be home, but let's cut right to the chase. I've had this belt for a little while, and I'm not sure what I'm gonna do next. So-" 2point0 come walking out, Matt Lee holding the mic. "I'll tell you what you're going to do next, Jungle Boy, if that is your real name! You're going to face the man behind you, Daniel Garcia!" Jungle Boy turns around, and Garcia is there to beat him down! He chokes the TNT Champ out, before lifting the belt to a chorus of boos from the LA audience.

The following Wednesday, it is announced that the next Dynamite would feature the title match between Garcia and JB. Afterwards, they air a promo from Jungle Boy. "Daniel Garcia, I'm a fighting champion. You could've asked me to my face for a title match. But instead, you had to ambush me and choke me out in front of my hometown, my friends and family. Well I can't let that slide. Next week, you're going to wish that you never decided that you wanted this belt. You get what you wish for."

On Rampage, Daniel Garcia faces Lee Johnson, with 2point0 at ringside dressed like Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus (they also have a baby doll labeled "Marko"). Garcia gets the win with a Sleeper Hold, and afterwards, Jungle Boy comes out on stage, lifts the TNT Title, and goes to the back.

Dynamite comes along again, and the Garcia-JB match is highly anticipated. It's a very technical battle, and it seems like Garcia is more well-suited towards this style of match, so Jungle Boy makes the pace faster, gaining an advantage, hitting plenty of dives. He hits 3 moonsaults in a row, before locking in the Snare Trap. Garcia taps out, and Jungle Boy retains yet again.

There's now 9 weeks before DoN, and Jungle Boy announces his new system for title defenses. "My AEW career has been thriving lately, and I couldn't be happier. But when I started here, I still had a lot of work to do. I lost quite a few matches, and I'd like to go back and avenge some of those. Anybody that has beaten me in the past, whether it was singles or tag, whether I like them or not, it doesn't matter. They've earned their shot."

Over the course of the next few weeks, Jungle Boy defends the TNT Title against Santana, Ortiz, and Joey Janela (before each match, they air a recap of the time that Jungle Boy's opponent beat him). They're all very good matches, especially the Santana one, but JB wins them all with the Snare Trap, which seems to be becoming one of the most feared holds in wrestling.

There are now 3 weeks left before Double or Nothing, and MJF cuts a promo. "Jungle Boy has been running around facing tag wrestlers that beat him and Marko Stunt. The issue is, all of those guys pinned Marko. Jungle Boy has not faced one person that has beaten him in a singles match. Well, I've beaten him twice, once at Double or Nothing. I guess that makes me the Double to his Nothing. Anyways, Jungle Boy, when you're in that ring, blood streaming down your face, ribs broken, spirit broken, and I'm lifting my TNT Title, you'll have nothing left to do but kiss my ring. And that's because I'm better than you...and you know it."

We advance to the next Dynamite, leaving 2 weeks before DoN. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus face FTR, and although it's a close match, Jurassic Express haven't had a tag match in a little while, so FTR manages to get the win. After the match, MJF comes in from ringside and locks Jungle Boy in the Salt of the Earth, while the rest of The Pinnacle holds Luchasaurus down.

2 days later, on Rampage, Mark Henry speaks to the TNT Champ. "MJF wanted a match, and that's fine, but now he's trying to injure me before our match at Double or Nothing. Well, MJF, I don't think you have what it takes to keep me down. You're real good, and you've beaten me before, but I'm not that guy that you beat anymore. I'm the TNT Champion, and no matter how many of your lapdogs you bring with you, no matter how many times you try to cheat, you're not taking that belt away from me."

On Dynamite, the go-home episode, Wardlow faces Brock Anderson. After Wardlow gets the win, The Pinnacle steps into the ring. But before they can talk, out comes the Jurassic Express, with Christian Cage and the Best Friends! All of them attack The Pinnacle, and Jungle Boy locks in the Snare Trap on MJF!

On Rampage, nothing happens regarding this feud aside from a short video package, so let's advance to DoN. The match is similar to the last match between MJF and JB, although the champ isn't as susceptible to MJF's sneaky pins this time, because he's grown as a technical wrestler. Eventually, the ref goes down, and MJF, tired after this grueling match, kicks Jungle Boy in the groin. He calls Wardlow in. He tells him to beat Jungle Boy down, but the WarDog hesitates. Eventually, MJF pushes him, and tells him "Fine, I'll do it myself you big dumb son of a bitch!" and Wardlow snaps, hitting MJF with a Triple Powerbomb, before leaving the ring to fight back the rest of The Pinnacle! Jungle Boy gets up, not knowing what happened, and locks in the Snare Trap just as the ref wakes up! The withered MJF has no choice but to tap! Jungle Boy retains the TNT Title in a Match of the Year candidate. Meanwhile, it seems that Wardlow has finally broken free from MJF! What implications will this have for The Pinnacle?

There are 14 weeks left before All Out, 8.5/9.5 weeks until Fyter Fest Nights 1 and 2, and 10.5 weeks until Fight For The Fallen.

On the first Dynamite back, Jungle Boy cuts a promo backstage. "I rewatched my match from Double or Nothing, and I noticed a couple of things that I didn't notice while I was in the ring. First of all, that was a hell of a match! I don't respect MJF as a person, but as a competitor, I definitely respect his abilities. Seriously, that was the most intense match I've ever been in. Second of all, I didn't know until I rewatched that Wardlow didn't help MJF cheat. Wardlow, I'm glad you finally noticed that you have too much potential to be a bodyguard. If you had acted on what Max told you to do, I wouldn't be holding this belt right now, so I sincerely thank you. And to repay you, I'll give you a TNT Title Shot in 9 days, on Rampage, if you choose to accept it."

On Rampage, the commentary team hypes up next week's Rampage like crazy, talking about how great the JB vs. Wardlow match will be.

On Dynamite, Wardlow speaks. "Jungle Boy offered me a shot at the TNT Title, and I really appreciate that. I know MJF and The Pinnacle will probably be going after me, so I'll have to keep my head on a swivel looking out for them. Jungle Boy, in a couple days, we'll have that match. Once again, it's a really nice gesture to give me this match, but make no mistakes about it, once that bell rings, there's no mercy, no quarter, and a brand new TNT Champion!"

It's time for Rampage, and Wardlow vs. Jungle Boy is a very physical match. Jungle Boy busts out some very impressive offense, showing off his strength more than usual. Wardlow outmuscles him, however, and chains together a lot of offense. Wardlow hits the F10! All of a sudden, though, Shawn Spears appears on the apron, and as the ref turns to tell him to leave, MJF slides into the ring and hits his former bodyguard with a low blow! Jungle Boy gets up, none the wiser, as Wardlow stumbles to his feet. A Superkick from the champ, followed by the Snare Trap, which Wardlow passes out in. Jungle Boy retains after The Pinnacle costs Wardlow the match!

On Wednesday, with 6 weeks left before Fyter Fest Night 1, Jungle Boy speaks. "I know my win against Wardlow was tainted, and I feel terrible about it. However, Wardlow and MJF are going after each other right now, and that's not my business. I'm moving on. So, I was weighing my options the other day, looking through some past title matches, and I decided to go back to what Cody used to do. Next week, I'll be doing an open challenge for the TNT Title. Don't miss it."

Dynamite comes around again, and Jungle Boy is already in the ring. The person who challenges him is none other than Tommy Dreamer! They have a very fun match, but Jungle Boy's speed is just too much for the ECW Original, and he picks up the win with the Snare Trap, like usual.

Next Dynamite, Jungle Boy speaks backstage again. "Last week was one of the most fun defenses I've had yet, and it was an honour to face a legend like Tommy Dreamer. I wanna get a couple more defenses in before Fyter Fest, so I'll do another open challenge next week on Dynamite, and then again 9 days after that on Rampage. These will be can't-miss matches, so make sure you tune in."

We fast-forward to the next week's Dynamite, and Jungle Boy waits. Out comes Laredo Kid, from AAA! These 2 put on a match that's so high-risk and fast-paced that even Excalibur is tripping over his words! Laredo Kid goes for a Springboard Moonsault, but JB catches his foot, before locking in one of the most protected Finishers in AEW, the Snare Trap! Laredo taps out, and Jungle Boy racks up yet another defense.

9 days later, Rampage rolls around, and the show opens with the Champ ready to go. Out comes a man making his AEW debut, a former World Champion, "The Magic Man" David Arquette! He was a friend of Jungle Boy's father, Luke Perry! David actually puts up more of a fight than expected of him, but once Jungle Boy takes control, it isn't long before he slaps on the Snare Trap, causing Arquette to tap immediately. The two men hug after the match.

We arrive to the last Dynamite before Fyter Fest, and Jungle Boy makes an announcement. "I just can't get enough of these open challenges, so I've decided to make my presence felt on all of our upcoming special events. I'll be doing open challenges on Fyter Fest Night 1, Night 2, and Fight For The Fallen. It'll be challenging, but I'm always up for a challenge."

At Fyter Fest Night 1, the TNT Champion is ready, and his opponent is Matt Jackson! The Elite walk out behind him, none of them holding titles (I'm assuming Kenny would've lost his by then). It's a very entertaining match, with Jungle Boy targeting Matt's back quite a bit. The finish comes when the older Young Buck goes for a Superkick, and it's caught by Jungle Boy, who turns it into a Snare Trap, leaving the former AEW Tag Champ no choice but to give up.

It's Fyter Fest Night 2, and Jungle Boy is waiting, sporting a bandage on his back due to the match last week. This time, his challenger is another member of The Elite, Karl Anderson! This is a match that wouldn't seem out of place in a G1, with it's multitude of complex counters. "Machine Gun" goes for the Gun Stun, but JB rolls through, before locking in the Snare Trap, of course, forcing Karl to quit.

Fight For The Fallen happens the following week, and once again, Jungle Boy waits. Yet again, the open challenge is claimed by The Elite, represented by Nick Jackson. Once again, this is a very flippy match, but Nick Jackson gets the upperhand with some dirty tactics. He lifts the champ up for a Tombstone Piledriver, but all of a sudden, Jungle Boy rolls through into a roll-up pin! 1, 2, 3! Jungle Boy has gone 3/3 in the past 3 Dynamite's! But right after the bell, the entire Elite swarms the ring, beating the Champ down. Adam Cole hits a Panama Sunrise, and prepares to beat him down more, but Luchasaurus, Marko, and Christian run them off.

There are now just 3 weeks before All Out, and The Elite cut a promo on Dynamite in the ring. Adam Cole does all of the talking. "The Elite has fallen down a bit, yeah. But to climb to the highest of highs, you must first hit the lowest of lows, and we're ascending again. Jungle Boy talks a lot about being a fighting champion. Well, if that's the truth, then he'll be in the fight of his life at All Out, when Adam Cole wins the TNT Title, Bay-Bay!" That's when Jungle Boy comes out. He tries to fight all of The Elite on his own, but they're too overpowering. Kenny Omega lines him up for a V-Trigger, but Adam tells him, "nah, he's all mine". Cole hits the TNT Champ with the Last Shot, and The Elite poses over top of him.

The following week, Jungle Boy speaks his mind. "The Elite are cowards. I'm not gonna mince words. If Adam Cole wanted a match, all he had to do was ask. If you guys wanna make this personal, turn this into a war, well, I've got my army." The camera pans away, and almost a third of the AEW Locker Room is standing behind him. "I'll see you at All Out, bay-bay" The champ says mockingly.

We arrive to the last Dynamite before All Out, and Jungle Boy has a non-title match against Brandon Cutler. He runs through Brandon, beating him in less than a minute with a Tornado DDT. Immediately, The Elite goes after him, but everyone from Jungle Boy's promo last week comes out to fight off every member, aside from Adam Cole. We're left with just Jungle Boy and Adam Cole in the ring, and they start brawling! They're throwing forearms at each other, and Cole gets the advantage, knocking the champ backwards. Adam goes for a Superkick, but Jungle Boy crouches down, and Cole trips over him! JB cinches in the Snare Trap, and squeezes until Adam Cole passes out! All Out will certainly be can't-miss, especially this match!

At Rampage, a video package plays, detailing Adam Cole's career, as well as Jungle Boy's, and all of their similarities.

All Out arrives, and it's time to get the TNT Title Match started. Adam Cole makes his entrance with the entire Elite behind him, while Jungle Boy has nothing but Luchasaurus, Marko Stunt, and the crowd singing along to Tarzan Boy. The match begins, and it's the definition of a barnburner. Plenty of dives, chain wrestling, and striking sequences. Not once does any member of Jurassic Express or The Elite interfere. The finish comes when the champion goes for the Snare Trap, but Adam rolls through, before getting up and going for a Superkick, which Jungle Boy ducks, before hitting one of his own! He drags Cole closer to the ropes, before going for a Springboard Tornado DDT, but the Elite member Superkicks him out of mid-air! Cole hits a Panama Sunrise, and then 3 Last Shots! Cover! 1, 2, 3! We have a brand new TNT Champion, and his name is Adam Cole, Bay-Bay!

Jungle Boy's title reign would showcase his diverse array of skills, as well as establish him in the main event tier of AEW. Also, it would get the Snare Trap over as a dangerous finisher. Meanwhile, Adam Cole's reign would serve as a way to build to Kenny vs. Cole, as the rest of The Elite would start to treat Adam more like the leader because he has a title, causing Omega to get jealous. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this booking!