Hard Case
by Kegler

Seven answers become new words before entry; they each receive 26A.

Across 1 Ask awkwardly about $100 in loot 4 Outlaw vacuous funny slogan for bad soccer plays (2 wds) 10 Story about Meathead's girl 12 Stop the person that argued initially 14 Couple from China knocking back drink and a little lobster? 16 Regret maintaining gym with Indian money 17 As deep as one can go, having no time in counter-debates? 19 Crumpled map is something a roadie carries 21 Raise section of wall if tilted 22 Hit top of beech tree 23 Brief life story starts to become increasingly outlandish 24 She is consumed by endless desire for barflies 26 See instructions 27 Sharecropper taking bite of his fancy entree 29 Returning Oxford fellow's gesture of approval 31 Is out of topics for petitions 32 Very interested by Toni's playing 33 Gladys, oddly, is happy 35 The heartless red round shipworm 36 Ultimately, we rush back in line 38 Speaker manufacturer has interest in Western capital 40 Full regulation's defect 41 Señor upset me, at first, not certain Europeans 42 Originally overlook goner's disastrous state 43 Magician Henning loved concealing ring

Down 1 Traumatize one black beetle 2 Leader of band in grad's picture book 3 Limit includes rare fish 5 Flammable cord starting to ignite delivery company's temporary shelters 6 Welcome alien following test 7 Somewhat slow learner is one who keeps late hours 8 Failed to win, keeping our team most unhappy 9 Go back after shaking hands with underground worker 11 Hawk circles stern of dispatch boat 13 Pale bees flying around cheese (2 wds) 15 Half-bath with wrong washbowl 18 Those helping Lincoln deconstructing torts 20 Going back to that woman is different 25 Without fail, butter up the second of two 26 Mothers fight with dog 27 Look after bar outside of English village 28 Observes egg in messy nest 30 Dingy, tattered, having last trace of beige coloring 32 Pointing the finger at one dent 34 Quit incomplete weight loss program 37 Armed at the outset with 2,000 old bullets 39 Be responsible for limitless power

Solution