|
Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 11:56:02 GMT
Originally posted by TGOSitting inside of a toll booth that looks to be on a desolate planet – or maybe not a planet but something else – is our trusty mustached narrator with the long western drawl and tobacco chew filling his mouth. He’s sitting in a toll booth because … ? Maybe he will explain? But he’s wearing his western cowboy hat and has his feet propped up on the counter in front of him. It’s a small toll booth, and it’s unclear whether the barrier that lifts to allow vehicles or spacecraft to pass even works. It’s sitting in a raised position, and the lever that our nameless narrator would pull is pretty worn down.
Oh, and this is also important. In the background of the toll booth is none other than the Magic School Bus, parked on what appears to be blue – yes, blue – dirt, which seems to cover every inch of this planet. Maybe our narrator will give us more information.
“Howdy, y’all. Well, we’re on the moon. Yes, we’re on the actual dang moon. No, it ain’t no metaphor. Yes, this is one of them space operas again. Yes, they’re on the dang moon, like I said
Who is ‘they’? Well, it’s the Menage, that wacky little group of misfits led by ‘ole XYZ. Who else would visit the dang moon? The moon is an oft-visited location for them, and …
Wait, wait. There was no clarification about which moon, was there? Well, shoot. I missed the barrel of whiskey on that one. Earth has one moon, so maybe saying ‘the’ moon was misleading for y’all critters. Let’s rephrase this to ‘a’ moon. They’re on a moon. It’s one of Saturn’s moons, to be specific.
Saturn has 146 confirmed moons orbiting the planet. One hundred and forty-six. Wild stuff, huh? This doesn’t include the thousands of moonlets within Saturn’s rings. Saturn has the most moons of any planet in the Milky Way galaxy. Did you know that? Well, if ya’ didn’t, then call me Miss Frizzle.
Anyways, yes, the Menage are on one of Saturn’s moons. They visit this specific moon because it is blue. Blue? No, really, it is blue. The dirt on the ground is blue. The 100-foot mountains that canvas the otherwise-flat surface are covered in blue dirt and rocks. There’s even blue sand, which is different from the blue dirt. I’m tellin’ ya’ straight.
Whenever the Menage visit the planet, they get blue all over their skin and clothes. Filthy. It doesn’t stink but it’s damn all over. Then they return to the Magic School Bus and sing “I’m Blue” by Eiffel 65. I used to like that song. Now I hate it. Frank is the one who sings the opening lyrics. They go:
‘Yo, listen up here's a story
About a little guy
That lives in a blue world
And all day and all night
And everything he sees is just blue
Like him inside and outside
Blue his house
With a blue little window
And a blue corvette
And everything is blue for him
And himself and everybody around
Cause he ain't got nobody to listen to’
Then everyone else – except for PacMan Bert, who rarely ever speaks – sings the chorus:
‘I'm blue
Da ba dee da ba di
Da ba dee… ah, you get the gist.’
Well, they sing it because they have blue on their skin and clothes. They are blue. Understand, yeah?
Anyways, on this specific trip to the blue moon – let’s call it that for efficiency because the moon’s actual name is pretty unmemorable, kinda’ like Xavien Marshall’s high school football career – everyone is focused on two things happenin’ in the orbit of the Menage
First, it’s Wild Jerry’s first singles match of his FWA career. He has been in a couple of trios-focused matches, but he has not wrestled yet on his own. It’s like when my daddy sent me off to cut my first lawn. It’s a big moment for a pup! Wild Jerry has specifically mentioned his motivations to test the waters of wrestling and see if this could be a future for himself. He will face a debuting Xavien Marshall on Fallout.
Second, everyone in the Menage is giving XYZ his space. ‘Ole X lost his X Championship match against Tommy Bedman at the 18th Anniversary Show – a hard-fought and aggressive match that was another close-but-no-cigar moment for the caped superhero – and has been eerily quiet and to himself ever since.
So, while XYZ mopes and mopes inside of the Magic School Bus and recounts for the 900th time the events of his title match loss to possibly right a wrong for the future, the rest of the group is standing on the blue soil of the blue planet and looking up at the majestic sight of Saturn and its dense, icy, and rocky rings.
Why are they standing on the planet and not doing literally anything else? Well, they’re practicing. Wait, not ‘they’ but rather Wild Jerry. He is practicing, and everyone else is giving him pointers.
‘Practicing what?’ you’re probably wondering. And that’s where I leave y’all. See ya’ on the flip. I gotta get to work and make sure any spacecraft comin’ through pays up.”
The perspective shifts from looking at the narrator with his feet kicked up inside of the toll booth to the Menage standing around on the blue moon with Wild Jerry in the middle. Everyone except for Wild Jerry – and PacMan Bert – is talking, though.
“What you have to do is …” Christian Howard says.
“Put his head in a lock like this and …” Frank interjects.
“Use your speed and kicks – those soccer kicks – to …” Sierra coaches.
“You shouldn’t listen to any of them,” Lizzy Golden, who is now 9 years old and aging a year with each month, says in a defeated tone.
Wild Jerry closes his eyes, obviously frustrated by the commotion and the general discourse happening in front of him.
“Y’all. Y’all. Idiooootas! Shut it!”
Everyone stops, with Frank trying to say that they were “trying to help.” Wild Jerry interjects a second time, though.
“I geeeet it, yo. I get it. You all are tryyyyying to help. One prooooblem, yo! I need help with the pre-taped promo thiiiingy, not the actual wreeeestlin. Who can help with that, aye?”
The four who were so vocal beforehand are now eerily silent.
“Well, I think X would be the one to help with that, but I don’t know if now’s the time.”
“No, now ain’t the time. The boy is sufferin’. Let him fight through his stuff in silence. My troubles ain’t his troubles today.”
“What if we did a skit?”
“A skit?”
“Like a play?” asks Lizzy Golden, who perks up and shows for the first time her interest in the arts.
“Kind of,” answers her mom, Sierra. “We’ll do a skit. You just have to stand there and be pretty. You’ll know what to say when the time is right.”
Sierra smiles as Frank and Christian Howard each look inquisitively at her. But she has a plan, a wry smirk hinting at so.
A few minutes later, everyone in the group is covered in the blue soil. Like, head-to-toe covered. They even put blue soil all over PacMan Bert, who didn't comply or resist. He probably isn't even part of the skit!
“What the hell, gringos? Y’all gone loco on me with this.”
“No, no. You’ll get it as we get going. We’re all supposed to be cops. That’s why we are blue.”
Frank’s explanation is correct, albeit also laughable. It’s so laughable that Wild Jerry begins laughing.
“This is the best we could do. We don’t have a Party City on any of Saturn’s moons to get a cop Halloween costume. Soooo … we’re just covered in blue and you have to assume we are cops. Well, not you. You just sit there and look pretty. You’re gonna play the role of Xavien Mitchell.”
“Marshall.”
“What?” Frank asks.
“His name is Xavien Marshall," Sierra responds.
“I think it’s Xavien Mitchell.”
“It’s not,” Sierra says emphatically and in a way only she could do.
“I thought it was Xavien Martin,” Christian Howard pipes in.
“No, no, you are Officer Martin. The guy’s name – the person Wild Jerry is facing on Fallout – is Xavien Marshall. Marshall. Marshall. Not Mitchell. Not Martin.”
“I thought it was Xavien Moon,” Lizzy pipes in, although she’s smirking, indicative that she didn’t really think this.
“No, we are on a moon,” Frank replies, frustrated.
“Ooooooooooooooooooooooh.”
Sierra looks over to her and cannot help but chuckle, then give a shoulder nudge before a "shhh" hand gesture. Frank looks around.
“Alright. Let’s begin.”
“Wait,” says Christian, “who is Officer Mitchell?”
“There is no Officer Mitchell!” Frank replies. “You’re Officer Martin. Martin. Martin. I am Officer James.”
“Who are we?” Lizzy asks, pointing to herself and Sierra.
“No one.”
“Why aren’t we allowed to be anyone? We’re better actors than you two. Plus, we got all this blue dirt on us.”
Sierra steps forward after saying this and crosses her arms over her chest.
“I didn’t tell you two to do that. This is just the way it is. Let’s move on.”
“Typical men. Liz, remember this. Men are trash.”
Frank isn't fazed by the slight from Sierra. He pretends to grab a phone and hold it to his ear.
“We’re inside of the Ohio Department of Corrections. I’m calling … OFFICER MARTIN,” he says, looking at Christian Howard with the emphasis.
“Oh. Me.”
Christian Howard pretends to pick up a phone.
“Hi. It’s me. Officer Marshall.”
Sierra and Lizzy roll their eyes and groan at the same time.
"Oh my God."
“What?”
Frank whispers, trying not to pile on, “Your name is Officer Martin.”
“You sure?”
“Yes!” everyone says in unison, even PacMan Bert, who never looked up from his handheld game of PacMan.
“Alright, alright. Jesus,” Christian says. He then clears his throat unnecessarily.
“Hi. It’s me. Officer Martin.”
“This is Officer James with the Ohio Department of Corrections. I have an inmate. His name is Xavien Marshall. He’s going on parole. He needs work. Can you help him?”
“Xavien Marshall. Wasn’t he that former high school football player with the forgettable football career that I only remember because I have a great memory of failed high school football players?”
“Yes. That’s him.”
“Hmmm. I have an idea for him! I think he will become a professional wrestler. That will be his job.”
“A professional wrestler? I wonder how being a failed high school football player who then became a felon will translate into professional wrestling.”
“I think pretty well. People do it all the time.”
“Do they? There are a lot of former convicts and football players in professional wrestling."
“Yeah! Well, maybe. I don't really know. I mean, it can’t be that hard. Just a few flips and kicks and you’re good to go. Plus, he’s a convicted felon. So he’s got a violent streak. It fits!”
“Alright, I guess. How much will he make?"
"He will make ... um ..."
Christian looks over to Sierra and whispers, "How much does XYZ make?"
"I don't know if he makes any money."
"Hmmm. More evidence that this place is a dreamworld all in someone's head."
There's a pause as Frank's comment hits a heavy.
"Let's say he will make $35,000 a year."
"That's it. Is that even above poverty?" Sierra, an audience member watching this "skit", asks.
"I don't know. Do any of us know the poverty line?"
"Well, it's different for every city."
"Great. And $35,000 is an entry-level salary. He is entry level. He has no experience. He's also a former convict, so we can pay him less money."
"This is unfortunately true and says a lot about our society. Alright, off you go, Xavien Mitchell.”
“It’s Xavien Marshall,” Sierra interjects again.
“Xavien Marshall. Sorry.”
Then there’s silence.
“Am I supposed to say anything in this?” Wild Jerry asks.
Everyone in the group sort of forgot Wild Jerry was even there, supposedly playing the role of Xavien Marshall.
“I guess not.”
“Great. You idiotas just wasted my time. How is that supposed to be a skit against this Xavien Marshall guy? All you did was affirm why he should be a wrestler! Dios mio! My amigos are TONTO!”
“Sorry. We did our best,” Frank says.
“Yeah. We tried,” Christian says.
“I'll be honest. That was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen,” Sierra opines.
“It’s fine. It’s fine. We weren’t even taping it. I’ll just do some monologue about how soccer is better than American football and be done with it.”
“Oh, yeah. That’ll really get him good,” Frank says, rolling his eyes as he looks over at the rest of the Menage.
“Didn't ask you, gordo. Sierra. Lizzy. We’ll talk on the ride home while these two idiotas sing ‘I’m Blue’ for the 300th damn time. Let's head back. X is probably snapped out of his misery cycle for now.”
Wild Jerry, Sierra, and Lizzy all walk off first. Christian and Frank hang back for a brief moment.
"Hey, I was thinking just now. I think we should pay Xavien Monroe more than $35,000, the more I think about it. Maybe $38,000."
"I'm glad you are trying to fix this societal issue."
Christian Howard doesn't recognize the sarcasm and smiles, thinking he did something good and won some points with Frank. He even does a small fist pump when no one is looking. |
|
|
Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 11:56:23 GMT
Originally posted by Sully.
The Scissors and The Hair
[ATTACH type="full" width="542px" alt="1694406103928.png"]74421[/ATTACH]
As August fades, the days get a little shorter but not a bit cooler. Folks are still wiping the sweat off their brows as they mow their lawns or bring in the late summer corn. Still, the world is turning. The kids are back in school, football is back on TV, and the ladies are looking longingly at the hay bales and cornstalks in the Garden Center at the Wal-Mart. Autumn will be here before you know it.
There'll be decorations aplenty around the world soon enough. If the evil advertisers have their ill-gotten way, and let's be honest, judging from the number of ads everywhere you look online and now on streaming services, they will, there'll be a pumpkin on every porch post within a month. Everyone in the good ol' United States will be sitting in the porch swing and watching the leaves start to turn. Everyone will be gazing out at the fields that are preparing their winter wheat and close their eyes to take in the cool, crisp breeze of the evening as the sun sinks behind the treeline. But that's still a while away, and it's too damn hot to sit in the swing and dream about October.
And there's one person that's actively doing no such thing.
BOOM. CRASH. BOOM.
GOD, FUCKING DAMN IT!
The sounds of chairs being thrown and smashing against the inside of a locket room, the gruff and rough voice of Jack the Clipper echoes through the hallway from his locked locker room door, as his two associates, Barbara and Diana, the scissors sisters shift around awkwardly in the hallway both sharing a matching set of worried frown
Barbara/Diana (?)I think he's starting to calm down.
One scissor sister says to the other. Which one? There's actively no way to tell whatsoever. They've never clarified, so any attempts to give them names would be pure and utter guesswork.
Diana/Barbara (?) You said that, three days ago.
Barbara/Diana: Well, he hasn't punched anyone out today, so I guess one would assume that's a marked improvement
Diana/Barbara: If you say so...I just want it on the record, this shit would have never happened if we were out there to deal with such ruffians. I have to ask, what are we here for if not to assure Jack can spread as much misery as humanly possible?
Barbara/Diana: You heard the boss. Dealing with a failed boxer...and a rookie...He could handle that on his own, easily...so he didn't need us.
Diana/Barbara: He still didn't; they cheated. They disrespected The Clipper and stole his moment for him, and if that child thinks it's over, she has another thing coming. If anything, this is just going to piss off the Clipper all the more, so he's now fired up to deliver ten times the misery he was already going to punish this cursed company with.
Barbara/Diana: That is as may be, but he'll do no such thing if he refuses to leave the dressing room; after all, he has a tag team match to prepare for against Al Bizzard and Madison Gray.
The scissor sister that wasn't talking spits on the ground bitterly at the mere mention of the name Madison Gray
Diana/Barbara: Al Bizzard ain't a problem; he's too busy working on his own issues, but if The Clipper does what comes naturally to him and deals with the little gnat, she won't-
BAM-
The door of the locker room practically flies open as the massive frame of the eternally miserable Jack The Clipper stomps out of the locker room with a wild look in his eye as he looks from one scissor sister to the other.
Jack The Clipper: Do I got mug written on my forehead?
Barbara/Diana: Excuse me?
Jack The Clipper: Are ya going deaf?
Barbara/Diana: I don't think so...
Jack The Clipper: Was I whispering?
Barbara/Diana: Not particularly, no.
Jack The Clipper: So if I ain't whispering and you don't have any problems with ya hearing, it's reasonable to assume you heard what I said, so I'll ask one more time because you seem to enjoy playing silly buggers with me. Do I have mug written on my forehead?
Barbara/Diana: No.
Jack turns his wild eyes to the other scissor sister.
Jack The Clipper: What about you? Do I have mug written on my forehead?
Diana/Barbara: No.
Jack The Clipper: Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure I don't have mug written on my forehead in great big, bold letters? Take a good, bloody look to make sure.
Diana/Barbara: No. Not at all.
Jack The Clipper: Well, then I'm just a tad confused because if I don't got mug written on my forehead, then it really makes no sense for people to think I am a mug, does it?
Diana/Barbara: Not really, no.
Jack The Clipper: Well, that's bloody wonderful; so this raises a question that I need helping out with in that case because we're all in agreement I don't have mug written on my forehead, and people shouldn't be treating me like a mug. Then why do people think they can mug me off? That they can fuck Jack the Clipper around, take what belongs to him and get away with it. The only realistic conclusion I can come up with is that everyone believes I'm a mug, which makes me the smallest bit miffed, because, as previously established, I am not in fact, a mug, and it's getting to the point now where I have to do something pretty fucking 'orrible to stop people thinking that I'm a mug, and-
Jack pauses; he can't help but notice in all of his rantings that his two valets seem to be avoiding eye contact.
Jack The Clipper: What? What's the problem now?
Barbara/Diana: You tell him...
Jack The Clipper: Tell me what?
Diana/Barbara: ...It's your clippers...someone stole them.
Jack looks back and forth between both scissor sisters with an almost incredulous expression on her face.
Jack The Clipper: Well, see, now I'm really bloody confused because going back to my precious conversation regarding who is and who isn't a mug, if I wasn't a mug, then no one would dare do something that insane.
Who the hell would be stupid enough to steal my clippers?
Suddenly, the three are all surprised to find Kleio De Santos standing there.
Kleio De Santos: You have more important stuff to worry about.
Jack The Clipper turns angrily. He holds his fist up in the air, but before he can say anything, Kleio continues talking.
Kleio De Santos: Madison Gray and Al Blizzard. You and I are facing them next week...and if you want to win, then well...you've got to start thinking how.
Jack The Ripper: And bloody how the hell do you think we're going to do that?
Kleio De Santos: By knowing how to beat them. I already beat Al Blizzard once, but Madison Gray...there's more for me to learn. That's why...I need your help.
Jack raises his one eyebrow up in the air.
Kleio De Santos: I need your help, to get a lock of Madison Gray's hair. You're a barber right? Well, I just need you to...snip some off.
Jack The Clipper: SNIP! YES...yes I can snip. I love to snip.
Kleio smiles.
This was easier than she thought.
But suddenly Jack puts his finger up.
Jack The Clipper: Except...what's in it for me.
Kleio gets angry all of a sudden.
Kleio De Santos: What's in it for you? You win the match!
Jack The Clipper: I CANNOT THINK ABOUT A MATCH WHEN I AM MISSING MY FAVORITE SCISSORS!
Kleio has to think on her toes.
Kleio De Santos: Uh...Al Blizzard...he uh...he has some special magic scissors! They're like, legit. If we win, maybe we can steal them off him?
Now that has Jack's attention.
Jack The Clipper: Perfect yes...ok you have yourself a deal. I'll get the hair, you get the scissors.
KDS seems a bit taken back.
Kleio De Santos: Uh, what?
Jack The Clipper: The scissors. I don't want to wait till the match, I want them now. So you go steal the magic scissors, I'll go get the hair. We meet back here, sound good?
KDS' plan has already backfired, but here we are.
Kleio De Santos: Uh...sure. Fine.
And with that, the two shake on it.
The ScissorsKleio finds herself roaming the streets trying to think of how she's going to come up with a magic pair of scissors. Perhaps making them up wasn't the best strategy, but what else was she to do? She wondered how funny it would be if Al Blizzard actually did have a pair of magic scissors. If he did, it didn't help him in the triple threat match at the Anniversary show. In fact nothing seemed to help Al in that match. Kleio De Santos was the clear winner at the Anniversary show, and if there was a clear number two it would've been El Vengador. It was Vengador who put up the biggest fight after all. It was Vengador who Kleio was worried about. Now Kleio gets to face him again, after already proving she was better. The more she thought about the situation, the funnier it seemed to hear. She pondered why Blizzard himself was even booked in this match. Although, she had to partner with Jack The Clipper who lost to Madison Gray. Madison Gray proved she was better than Jack. Kleio De Santos proved she was better than Al Blizzard. And now the both of them are at both a similar advantage and disadvantage over one another. This scissor thing wasn't worth going all out with. Kleio reached into her bag, and grabbed a little pair of travel scissors that she carried with her. Kleio De Santos: You'll do well enough. Honestly, it's perfectly believable that these feminine little scissors would belong to Al Blizzard. As dainty as they are, they fit Al just right. Kleio sat down on a bench and held the scissors in her hand. She had time to waste, as she couldn't very well just come back to Jack that fast. As she sat, and watched the passers by, she began to close her eyes and think about Al Blizzard some more. She couldn't help but laugh at his lack of preparation going into that triple-threat match. Kleio tried therapy, a long time ago. No shrink could help her then, and they definitely couldn't help her win matches. Most would frown upon it. If only Al knew what his true nightmare was. Not that Blackjack, or whatever he thought winning the TV title would do. And no, Kleio wouldn't say it was herself either. Well, not specifically. No there is one thing that Al Blizzard should be afraid of. Disappointment. The more he sets himself up for it, the more it's going to come. Al really walked into the Anniversary show thinking he was going to win, and when you do that, the loss hurts so much more. Now here we are, another show, another match Al thinks he'll win, and another loss. Two losses to Kleio in a row? That's something that'll lay heavy for awhile. With each loss it gets heavier and heavier. It's not a darkness overcoming you Al. It's the sense that you're never going to be successful. Not when you spend your entire time preparing for a match talking about your nightmares, and then allocating one small sliver to focus on the real threats. Kleio wondered if Al even was aware that she was the obvious favorite to win? I mean it was someone with three years of experience vs a bunch of rookies, she was basically being setup for it. Yet the only thing that Al could say about her...was that he knew nothing about her! It made Kleio angry. She has been in the FWA for three damn years now, and Al can't find anything to say about her? He could've talked about King of the Deathmatch, he could've talked about her being the leader of The Coven, he could've talked about so many things. But no. All Al could say was..."Spooky". Was that all she was to people? Spooky? Kleio got up from the bench in anger, and started to say out loud. Kleio De Santos: Spooky, I'll show him spooky. When I'm done with him, he's going to know a lot more than "fuck all" about me. He's going to know that I'm the girl who didn't just beat him once, but twice in a row. I'll show him exactly the right places to look, and because he's going to see the marks every time he looks in the mirror! Kleio clutches the scissors in her hand, and storms back towards Jack The Clipper's. The Hair
Meanwhile, Jack The Clipper was in his barber shop. All while Kleio had been out searching for those coveted magic scissors, Jack was had to get some girl's hair.
Jack wasn't concerned about it.
Jack The Clipper: That bloody gal thinks that getting Madison Gray's hair is going to help us? Please. I know hair, hair is my life, and I can tell you throwing it into some liquid and making juice out of it won't do us any good. But the bloke wants some hair, she'll get some hair.
Jack walks over to his waiting area, and picks out the first blonde girl he sees.
Jack The Clipper: You girl! You're up!
Another man gets a little upset at this.
Male Customer: Hey I was here first!
Jack The Clipper: GET THE HELL OUT!
The man, startled, does exactly that. The female customer is a bit confused, but reluctantly heads over to Jack's chair. Jack treats her with a smile as he shoves her in, and straps her down.
Jack The Clipper: Now, Madison...
Female Customer: Actually, it's Audrey.
Jack The Clipper: NO! It is Madison.
Audrey: No, it really isn't...it's...
Jack The Clipper grabs his biggest pair of scissors and holds them menacingly in front of his face.
Audrey gulps before changing her answer.
Madison: Madison...
Jack The Clipper: Good. Good...now Madison you have some special hair. Some really special hair. Must be special, since you beat me with it! Oh yes, you beat me.
Madison: I did?
Jack rubs his fingers slowly through "Madison's" hair.
Jack The Clipper: Oh yes. I had those blokes dead to rights! But of course, that idiot Taylor had to go and screw it all up. And then what happened? He got pinned by you Madison. You went out, and you STOLE my match from me. You stole my opportunity for a title shot. Now I'm forced to team up with the gal that I should be facing for the title. What sort of cruel twisted irony is that? Her and her little trainer Cindy Weststar or whatever her damn name is are probably over there thinking they're so special! It was probably her who stole my scissors...that wanker!
Jack takes a big snip of Madison's hair.
Snip snip snip.
Madison: Her or me?
Jack The Clipper: SHUT YA TRAP! You know it was you Madison. Now I gotta help Kleio...and why should I even do that? Ok, admittedly I'm new here, not only to this company but to this country, so maybe I'm not exactly sure howI'm meant to deal with this situation. Laugh or cry, laugh or cry...Is this shit, funny or horribly depressed? On the one hand, it's just horribly depressing, that this is what passes for champions in the world's biggest wrestling company, the type of place I've been spending my life trying to get to....but on the other hand, it's just funny. Truly funny, I see ya, wearing black, playin' Sabrina. Doing ya black magic bullshit, and you think that makes you dark, you think that makes you evil.
You ain't evil. You're playing at evil, but I can't really blame you. You ain't the problem you're just part of the problem. Just like Madison Grey, pretending to be something she ain't, pretending to be a badass...the difference between me and her? I don't have to pretend to be a villain.
Jack continues to cut away at Madison's hair, she doesn't even realize just how MUCH he is cutting.
Madison: ...are you talking about me still or Kleio? Or the real Madison?
Jack The Clipper: SHUT UP!
Madison: I'm sorry!
Jack The Clipper: There are 4 things that can make someone a villain. A wound. Blindness. Selfishness. And evil. A wound can make someone wish for vengeance. Retribution. But that is not evil. Pain is not evil. Blindness prevents someone from seeing the truth, and makes them follow the wrong path. Do what they do not know they've done. Trust liars. But belief is not evil.
Snip.
Snip.
Snip.
Jack The Clipper: Selfishness is greed, the desire to harm others for your gain. But desire is not evil. To receive pain and wish it back on others is to wish for everything to be fair. To be blind is to be susceptible to being misguided. To be selfish is instinct, and can be born out of self-interest, or out of love and desire for others' prosperity.
Snap.
Snap.
Jack The Clipper: But evil. Evil is to cause pain, to blind, to be selfish. Not for yourself or for another. Not for prosperity or joy or penance. Evil is to do harm without cause or reason.
Clip. Clip. Clip.
Jack The Clipper: Evil doesn't care about itself or anything else. It is just evil. A villain can be evil. But not all villains are evil. A villain is considered bad. Evil is neither good or bad. Because what is one's good, is another's bad. What is one's support is another's burden. One's dream, another's nightmare. Evil is not bound by these subjective beliefs. It is simply a truth of life."
and believe you me- in hell? Ol' Nick Scratch has a short back and side.
THERE!
ALL DONE!
Jack turns Madison around to face the mirror, and the poor girl is mortified. She looks like Brittney Spears circa 2007.
Madison lets out a blood curdling scream.
Madison: WHAT THE HELL! YOU CUT OF ALL MY HAIR!
The poor girl runs out of the barbership screaming as Jack chuckles to himself.
He picks up a small lock of her blonde hair.
Jack The Clipper: This should do.
Kleio sure enough storms back into the barbershop.
Jack had just finished sweeping up, and had a big smile on his face. Kleio was still angry, getting herself worked up over all the thoughts in her hand, while Jack was enjoying himself after the latest interaction.
Jack The Clipper: That was awfully fast! How the bloody hell did you get those scissors so fast?
KDS has no more patience.
Kleio De Santos: Magic.
Jack stares at her for a minute, before smiling.
Jack The Clipper: Ah right! I forgot, the whole witch thing. Perfect! Well give them here.
Kleio De Santos: Do you have the hair?
Jack The Clipper pulls out a small lock of blonde hair, belonging to the girl who's hair he just cut. The rest of it is in the garbae.
Kleo De Santos: That's Madison's hair?
Jack The Clipper: It sure is.
Kleio smiles and takes the bag, as she tosses the tiny pair of scissors Jack's way.
Kleio De Santos: Maybe I underestimated you.
Jack picks up the magic scissors with a big smile on his face.
Jack The Clipper: YES! AL'S MAGIC SCISSORS ARE MINE!
Kleio De Santos: Yeah, you enjoy those. I'm going to get to work on potion that will help take down Madison.
Jack laughs. In his head he thinks how naive Kleio is...she thinks she has the real Madison Gray's hair, and all the while he has swindled her for some valuable magic scissors. Oh if only it was he who was facing her for the TV Title.
Jack The Clipper: Ah yes, and good luck to you as well.
Kleio walks out clutching the bag of hair.
Both she and Jack believe they got one over on the other. Jack gives her fake hair, and Kleio gives Jack a pair of nonmagic scissors. But, then again, with both of them actually believing that they have the objects they desire...does it really make a difference? For Madison Gray and Al Blizzard...it just might not.
Snip snip. |
|
|
Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 11:56:43 GMT
Originally posted by rawr. FTN
in
Not Another School Setting
It’s a bright sunny morning at St. Golden High. The lawn is freshly mowed, green with fresh dew glistening in the sun. The sky is blue, without a cloud in sight. Mr. Sun is shining down with a smile.
Ten minutes before the bell, a school bus comes to a stop at the front gate. The suspension hisses as the bus lowers ever so slightly and a line of eager students casually make their exit. All wearing drab grey uniforms. White buttoned up shirts, grey slacks for the boys, plaid grey and black skirts of the girls, black leather shoes, with optional tie and blazer inscribed with the school’s insignia on the breast.
Last off the bus were a pair of friends. Two young adults obsessed with semen jokes and after school fights. A boy named Alyster, and a boy named Christopher.
Neither one of these boys could possibly be considered a model student. Alyster’s attendance record was less than stellar, bordering on preventing him from graduating at the end of the year. His uniform was unkempt, his shirt never ironed, his blazer was torn in some places, and his shoes did not conform to policy. Instead of leather black shoes he often wore white sneakers. None of the other students liked him, with the exception of Christopher. Most of his friends attended another school.
Chris, as he liked to be called, wasn’t much better. His attendance record was better than Alyster’s, though when he did show up for school he spent a large portion of class time sleeping. His uniform was tidier, his shoes were correct and of the two Chris was more likely to befriend other students, in fact he actually got along quite well with the rest of the school body. That was until he met and began his association with Alyster. Though most people who knew Chris chalked this drastic change of character up to Chris exposing his real feelings rather than any outside influence.
“Another day.” Chris sighs in disappointment.
“I hate it here so much. I just want to ditch again.”
“Nah mate, you’ve ditched too much this year. You’re on track to being held back.” Chris reaches up, brushing his pencil thin, freshly growing moustache with his fingers, “Damn, it’s kinda messed up that I have to be the responsible one out of the two of us.”
“I suppose it’s a good thing I’ve got you to keep me on track. I could be at home smoking and playing video games instead of enjoying paradise at St. Golden High. Speaking of which, why is it called St. Golden when it’s not a catholic school?”
Chris simply shrugs his shoulders.
“It’s one of those things that you’re not supposed to think about too hard right?”
As they step onto the grass their attention is turned toward a scrawny figure rushing past them. A young lad named Harry who was unfortunate enough to provoke the pair’s ire. Chris reached out with his foot, blocking Harry’s path. Harry tripped and fell, rolling over the wet grass, his shirt quickly becoming covered in grass stains.
“Where do you think you’re going you Harry Potter looking mother fucker?”
Harry was on all fours, frantically pawing at the grass, looking for his glasses.
“Where’s the rest of the nerd brigade, Hazzah?” Alyster chuckled at his own feat of witisim, Chris joined him, bellowing loudly.
“Is there a problem here, fellas?”
Alyster and Chris turned to find a very large friend of Harry’s standing behind him.
“Oh no problem at all.”
“We were just helping Harry up.”
Both men grabbed Harry by the arms and pulled him to his feet. As Chris quickly brushed the grass off of his back, Alyster picked up and placed his glasses back on.
“You’re lucky this ain’t fun no more.” Alyster growled in Harry’s ear right before he and Chris slowly backed away from Harry and Thomas, snapping their fingers in unison.
<============================3
First period was spent in the bathroom smoking. The friends fancied themselves a pair of rebels, regularly skipping class in order to break rules and do “whatever”.
Alyster finds himself sitting atop the bench housing the basins, taking a long drag from his smoke and expelling the toxic fumes with a deep sigh. “Fuck, I’m already bored with this concept. Why does everyone have to do something like this?”
Chris is leaning against the wall, flicking ash onto the floor. “What do you mean?”
“This whole school thing, it’s been done before and it’s been done to death. I’m sick of it already.”
“No shit mate, of course you feel like its overplayed, you have to show up five days a week.”
“Yeah but like, shit, I’m bored. I’m bored to tears. I just don’t give a fuck. I don’t care about this school. I don’t give a fuck about the other students.”
“And none of them give a fuck about you.”
“I don’t care what they think of me to be honest. I’ve got one guy around here I can count on and that’s all I need.”
Chris points at himself as if he was genuinely unsure who his best friend was talking about, which elicits an eye roll from Alyster in response. “Ah, and I was beginning to think you didn’t care.”
“That’s what I’m trying to say though. I don’t really care. Not about any of this, it’s a huge waste of time in my opinion.”
“It’s a good thing the world doesn’t operate based on your opinion then. Otherwise all we’d do is shoot the shit and get nothing done. Honestly, we would be even more unstoppable if we were actually somewhat organised in the slightest.”
Alyster grumbles then reaches out, slamming his fist on the hand dryer and bringing it to life and startling Chris who happens to be standing right beside it, forcing him to drop his smoke on the filthy bathroom floor.
“Shit man, just hang in there and I swear today will at the very least be funny.” Chris bends over to pick up his cigarette, he holds it up in the light to inspect it then brushes off some dirt before putting it back in his mouth. “I mean, you saw how we handled Harry this morning. Funniest shit I ever saw.”
“It was sophomoric, there was no substance. It was surface level funny at best.”
“Mate, we’re sophomoric, lacking in substance and surface level at best. You know, people still doubt that we’re even friends.”
“Oh yeah.” Alyster’s tone brightens up as the obvious is pointed out to him. He hops down from the bench and pulls a leatherman from his pocket. With the blade flipped out he begins to carve graffiti into the wooden bench.
Chris walks over, looking at his friend’s handiwork from over his shoulder. “Is that? It is. Bah gawd, it’s a damn cum truck.”
Indeed Alyster has drawn a cum truck, complete with a penis hose shooting out the aforementioned contents of the truck.
“Now that’s just genius. Surface level, substance lacking, sophomoric genius.”
“Thanks bud.”
The good times quickly come to an end as the bathroom door slams open and in steps the principal of St. Golden High. Mr. Snake.
“And just what is going on here lads?”
Alyster and Chris groan at the sight of their principal. Mr. Snake is a constant thorn in their sides, always putting a stop to their fun. They immediately both put their cigarettes out in the sink and toss the butts into the trash while Mr. Snake looks on tutting.
“Smoking in the school bathrooms and ditching the first period yet again gentlemen. This is what, the fifth time this year I’ve caught you in the act. And what’s this?”
Mr. Snake walks over to inspect Alyster’s artwork.
“I hope you’re not proud of this one fellas, it’s completely lacking in substance.”
“We’re already well aware of that sir.”
“It’s still funny.”
“Tell that to the ghosts who dwell in this room. I’m afraid you’ve both earned yourselves an afternoon in my office afterschool, what do you think about that?”
They both roll their eyes, much to Mr. Snake’s chagrin.
“I frankly think that sucks.”
“I second that motion.”
“It’s a good thing this school doesn’t run on your opinions then. I’ll be seeing you two later, now go to class.”
The duo grumble as they follow Mr. Snake out of the room. As they step out they come across a student from their first period class, a goth girl and wannabe witch named Celestia who cracks with open laughter at the sight of the boys.
“Fuck off Celestia.” Chris calls out to her as she strolls past.
Alyster chimes in, “It’s a change of pace seeing you without your sister.”
“Yeah, I thought the two of you were attached at the hip.”
“Pair of siamese bitches.”
Alyster almost leaps out of his skin when Mr. Snake grabs him by the shoulder. “Mr. Black, that is rather misogynistic. You’re coming with me, ISS right now.”
“Ouch dude.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll see ya later Chris you stupid bitch.”
Mr. Snake growls at Alyster. “You’re making it worse for yourself, I’ve never encountered such misogyny in my entire time running this great institution.”
“Come on sir, how is me calling Chris a bitch misogynistic. He’s a man, such a man, he’s a real man’s man.”
Snake shoves Alyster forward, marching him off in the opposite direction from Chris.
“You know sir, if you keep acting like this then I may have to resort to calling you my favourite ‘C’ word.”
Chris can only chuckle before he follows Celestia to class.
The witch strolling in front of him looks back over her shoulder, glaring at him.
“What are you looking at? Listen, I’m not afraid to backhand a witch.”
“Right, just like how you’re not afraid to backhand Thomas West right?”
“Hey, slapping Thomas just ain’t fun anymore. Me and Alyster have taken care of him and his mates anyway. So fuck ‘em.”
“That’s not what I heard.”
“Who gives a shit about what you heard. You, your sister, and that Kleio chick can all pound sand for all I care. Me and my boy run this shit school.”
“God, you and your buddy are the biggest morons here.”
“And we’re proud of it too. Infuriating isn’t it?”
“Well, neither of you are anything special on your own!”
“Oh yeah? Rich coming from you!”
As Chris says that, he nudges Celestia in the back and she walks face-first into an open locker, falling on the floor. Chris cackles to himself and then continues down the corridor towards his lesson, which with Alyster preoccupied, he actually decides he will attend. He takes one last look back at poor Celestia, and another girl helps her to her feet. This is someone that Chris has never seen before, and when he turns around, he bumps into another student.
In his anger, he stuffs the boy into an open locker and slams it shut, “Watch where you’re going, Reagan, you dickhead!”
<============================3
Alyster grunts as Mr. Snake gives him a shove right into his office.
“You know the drill.” The principal grunts as he follows the wayward student inside and takes a seat at his desk.
Alyster is set up in the corner, sitting at a desk that’s illuminated by a single bright lamp. The lamp is pointed right at whomever is sitting at the desk’s face at all times. Alyster suspected that this was a torture technique employed by the school principal to warp and break his students. The slight inconvenience always left Alyster feeling bitter and angry.
“Text book out Mr. Black, get to work, focus up, and hopefully this day can pass without further incident.”
“Come on sir, you’re acting like I’m not your favourite student.” Alyster grins as he pokes the bear.
“As it happens, you were one of my favourite students. Then you started to suck, now you don’t even crack the top 20.”
“As if you could even name 20 other students here. Admit it, you love what Chris and I bring to this school.”
“Hardly, in fact I still don’t quite understand how the two of you are even friends.”
“Have we not covered this topic to death? It’s because we have fun together. Isn’t that enough?”
“You two literally broke out into a fight just last week.”
“I had the time of my life.”
“He threw you off the damn roof. Quite frankly it’s a miracle that you’re not dead let alone here grinding away at my patience.”
Alyster shrugs, which Mr. Snake finds beyond aggravating. The ageing principal grits his teeth.
“What happened to you, Alyster? You used to be one of our best and brightest.”
“You want to know the truth sir?”
Mr. Snake nods his head eagerly, “Go ahead son, I can handle it.”
“Fine. I hate it here. It’s not fun anymore. I feel like I’m going through the motions. I feel like every day is Groundhog Day, you know? I go to bed, I wake up, I eat, and I have to come here and be bitter, miserable, and angry. I have to look the same people in the eye and tell them that I hate their guts. I have to throw hands with the same bastards over and over. And the only thing keeping me going, the only thing that makes me crack a smile, you all judge me for it! You all say that it’s not going to last, you all talk behind my back, crack jokes and you don’t appreciate the effort we put forth.”
“You’re rambling son. What are you talking about exactly?”
“I’m talking about Chris and I, and how this whole fucking school can’t wait to see us fight for real. I’m talking about how every asshole in my class decided that we’re a couple of assholes, and that everything we do is a joke. But they’re not fucking laughing, why the hell aren’t they laughing with us?”
Alyster is left breathing heavily as he turns his attention away from the principal and toward, not a textbook, but a novel. A Stephen King book about a young ostracised girl. He and Mr. Snake sit in silence for a short while before the principal clears his throat and speaks up again.
“Would you like to know what the problem is with you and Chris?”
Alyster rolls his eyes, “I know what the problem is. I just don’t get why it’s a problem.”
“You’re both woefully arrogant and think you’re better than everyone else.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed this Mr. Snake, but everyone here thinks they’re better than everyone else. Chris and I just know it for a fact.” Alyster puts his book down and looks back over to the principal, “If maintaining the status quo makes us bullies, or makes them all hate us even more than that’s fine. If I have to act like a bastard to earn their respect, that’s fine too. Lord knows they didn’t have an ounce of respect for me before.”
Silence again permeates through the room, but not for long. Alyster takes a moment to stand up and stretch, walking over to a bay window that overlooks the grassy field where the P.E classes are usually conducted. Alyster can hear it in the distance, it’s faint at first but gradually increases in volume.
BARK!
BARK!
BARK!
BARK!
BARK!
BARK!
BARK!
BARK!
His eyes widen as he spots in the distance, a small weasel.
“Jesus fucking Christ.”
“Language Mr. Black.”
“But sir, it’s fucking out there, it’s come for me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That goddamn weasel. It’s stalking me.”
Mr. Snake rises from his desk and waddles over to the window, looking out at the grassy field for the intruder.
“I don’t see anything.”
“It’s out there sir, can’t you hear it barking? It’s incessant.”
“Well, we’ll chalk this delusion up to karma. Now sit down and get back to work.”
“Fuck sake…”
Alyster grimaces as the weasel disappears from view. He returns to his desk in the corner, being blinded by the lamp while still hearing the sound of terrifying, incessant, mind-shattering barking.
<============================3
In usual fashion, Chris spends the majority of his science lesson sleeping at the back of the classroom. The teacher, Mr. King, had been teaching at the school for a long time and being such a chill guy, does not care whether Chris pays attention in his class or not. This of course works in Chris’s favour, as he would not be paying attention whether the teacher wanted him to or not.
Also in the class is Celestia, with her sister Blair. The two wannabe witches sit together as usual, and Chris made sure to crack a laugh at Celestia’s nose with toilet tissue hanging out of it after he shoved her into the locker before falling asleep. However, the sun reflecting off of another student’s watch at such an angle that it shone directly into Chris’s eyes wakes him him.
His first order of business is to remove the watch from the boy’s hand and drop it out of the open window. The boy, Cyrus, wails about it being of sentimental value and Chris simply ignores him. It is at this time that Chris decides to listen to what Mr. King has to say, for once.
“Now, everybody listen up. This Friday we have our St. Golden High Science Fair! So, I want you all to partner up with someone and together you can plan what you are going to exhibit for everyone! Come on now, get into pairs.”
“Shit.” This is all that Chris can muster as he scans the room. Frankly, the competition that he would be posed with from all of the other pairs was pathetic, especially in comparison to himself and Alyster. With Alyster not there though, Chris realises he needs to find someone else to work with. Of course, he is more than capable of handling himself, but he can only watch as the pairs are formed. Celestia teams with her sister Blair, Cyrus partners with another loser named Konchu, a prefect called Tommy pairs up with a former prefect also named Chris but with a different bird based last name.
There is no one left for Chris Peacock. It annoys him that Celestia’s comments towards him seem to be ringing true. Whether it was due to his alliance with Alyster or a dormant side of himself has taken over, people simply do not like Chris Peacock anymore. Most of the time, this is irrelevant and meaningless to him. But take Alyster away? Who does Chris have? Is he right to put all of his eggs into one basket like that?
“Hi… Do you not have a partner?”
Chris is taken completely by surprise when he feels a light tapping on his shoulder and he has to stop himself from instinctively turning around and throwing a punch. Everyone knows better than to approach him like that. Ready to eviscerate whoever it was that dared touch him, Chris pauses when he sees who it was that did it.
It is the same girl that helped Celestia earlier on.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Trixie!”
There is a pause when Chris grunts and then watches Trixie take the free seat next to him and she turns to him one more time.
“Wanna be friends?”
Thoughts race around Chris’s mind questioning what is wrong with this girl. Whoever she is and wherever it was that she came from, she surely does not have much between the ears to think that this is a clever course of action.
“What’s your name?”
“Chris.”
“Well, it is really great to meet you. I’m so glad that we can be friends. Shall we start working on our project for the science fair? I’m so excited to get to work in a team with you! Sometimes when I work on my own, things don’t go really well. Hey, what do you think about Celestia and Blair? They’re really spooky, but you know what, I like them. I’m friends with them too. OHMYGOSH! YOU should be friends with them as well! Maybe they’ll let the two of them work with them and we can all present at the fair together! I’M GOING TO ASK THEM!”
Watching Trixie excitedly bounce across the classroom over to the wannabe witches, Chris makes eye contact with Celestia from across the room as Trixie pitches her case. The hateful look makes it clear that she will have to agree to the request. Chris does not want to work with these three, but if it meant not failing, he would do it.
Trixie seems alright, after all.
<============================3
“This is bullshit, dude.”
It is only after Mr. Snake has left the room that Alyster feels comfortable talking to Chris. Yet another bollocking from the headteacher is the worst thing imaginable right now as the best friends sat in detention. However, Chris is too engrossed in writing something on one of the sheets of paper provided by Mr. Snake so the boys could catch up on missed school work. “What are you doing with that?”
Without warning, Alyster snatches the paper. He reads it. His face screws up, as does the paper when he wrinkles it into a ball. Alyster takes a shot at the bin and swooshes it.
“Come on, man. That’s not cool, is it?”
“Not cool? Why the hell are you doing some work for that fucking science thing? You’re not actually planning on going to that, are you?”
“As a matter of fact, I think I was.”
Alyster slams his fists against the table, shaking his head. “Not you as well. PLEASE not fucking you as well! Why is everyone in this school a monumental arsehole, Chris?”
“Look dude, you don’t like anyone. I get it. No one is trying to make you change apart from Snake, though. That being said, it wouldn’t kill you to make a bit more of an effort. You heard what he said earlier on, you could get kicked out.”
“Think I give a fuck about that? I’ll blow up the joint on my way out!”
“It doesn’t need to be this way, Aly. We’re fucking kings here, man. Imagine if we took away the one thing that people can get on our backs about? Bullies who actually do well in class… that shit is hilarious and it will piss Snake off to no end, too.”
There is silence as Alyster considers what Chris has suggested for a moment. Unfortunately, any hopes for Chris’s idea dies as soon as he chooses to speak again. “I can even see if we can get you added to our group for the science fair.”
“What group?”
“Well, I got paired up with someone and then she got us further paired up with Celestia and Blair. Those witch weirdos know a thing or two about potions and shit like that.”
“Who are you talking about? Who is this partner?”
“Trixie… her second name is something French, I think. She’s very keen... but seems okay enough, you know? Like the first thing she asked me is if we can be friends.“
“So she just wants to be friends with everyone? Doesn’t matter who they are?”
Chris nods. It was strange for someone in this day and age to be nice to him. Alyster stands up and starts pacing in between the desks in the room. “No, no. Not again, no fucking way!”
“What are you talking about, dude?”
“This has happened to me before, or to one of my other friends. You know Jake, right?”
Chris nods. It is not long since he had overcome his jealousy towards Alyster’s friend from another school.
“Well, there’s this kid, fucking Jeremy. He starts at Jake’s school and yeah he’s all nice and wants to be friends and hug everyone… turns out he’s a complete fucking psycho. Kidnaps Jake, holds him hostage. The works. It was super fucked up. So like fuck am I going to let the same thing happen to you.”
Alyster wraps his hands around Chris’ shoulders, looking his partner dead in the eye and addressing him with complete sincerity.
“One minute it’s teaming up for a science project and the next you’re swinging from the ceiling of her basement by your balls. So we’re going to take this bitch out now, get ahead of the curve.”
“Did you not listen to what Snake said earlier on? You can’t say that word!”
“I don’t learn anything, ever! Chrissy, we’re going to kill two birds with one stone. We’re going to make sure that crazy psycho doesn’t ever get to the point where she becomes a crazy psycho and we’re also going to teach this piece of shit school a lesson not to fuck with us!”
Alyster reaches into his rucksack and pulls out a small beaker, secured firmly shut with a red lid. Inside the transparent container there is a white substance sloshing around. Chris instantly knows what this substance is.
“I’ve got an idea, a brilliant idea.”
“I hope that idea doesn’t involve me having to fill up a flask of my own.”
“Oh yes, more than one. Have you ever seen the film Carrie?”
“Oh…oh Alyster…no…you, we can’t, no…not with the contents of that flask.”
“And just why not?”
“Because that’s one we’ll never be able to be forgiven for. Everyone will hate us, you can’t Carrie someone with cum. Besides, they didn’t use cum in the film, they used pig’s blood.”
“They used cum in the version I watched.”
A sinister smirk crosses Alyster’s lips as he imagines the chaos that’s about to befall the St. Golden High science fair.
“You’re sick, you know that right?”
“I’m the only healthy fucker here.”
<============================3
The science fair is going just as expected. Students show off their experiments and inventions to mildly interested teachers and parents. Neither of our heroes had informed their parents of the event, namely because they were not remotely interested in participating nor do they want their parents to see what they were planning.
Through the sea of homemade volcanoes, potato clocks and amateur robotics, right in the middle of the school's gymnasium, is Trixie and the Ravenwood sisters. Their group name includes Chris Peacock, but he is nowhere to be found. Celestia and Blair are fully aware that Chris will not show up, but the optimistic and seemingly naive Trixie is clearly still holding out hope.
In fact, all she needs to do is look up. Because right above the mix of potions and other concoctions that the witches had brewed, Chris and Alyster were setting up their own science experiment.
They speak in hushed tones.
“I can’t believe you wouldn’t let me use the cum. I knocked one out at school to get us that.”
“Hey, there’s a line man. We’ve already pushed it several times with the shit we’ve been up to this week. Anyway, if we want it to be like the film, it has to be pig’s blood.”
“It is so annoying how much of a sucker for details you are.” Alyster looks down from his perch to see a crowd gathering at the Ravenwood sisters and Trixie’s display. “Look, everyone is coming to see what they’ve done.”
The two boys watch as a crowd forms around the exhibit and mumbles in an excited but hushed tone. Even from up above they can hear Trixie explaining just what their experiment entails, even though she really doesn’t quite understand it herself. She even stupidly gives Chris credit for being part of the team and her friend.
Chris feels bad for what horror he and Alyster are about to unleash upon her… until he doesn’t. Chris pulls a cord and this releases the buckets of pig’s blood that he and Alyster had gimmicked to drop beneath them.
Screams of horror fill the gym as not only are Trixie, Celestia and Blair covered in the blood, but several onlookers are too. The Ravenwood sister’s are utterly humiliated, staring out amongst the crowd with wide eyes. They’re stunned silent. Trixie immediately bursts into tears, squealing as she shakes and tries desperately to wipe the blood off of her.
“Ew, get it off, get it, off getitoff!”
People begin to look up and they see the two figures above the carnage, hanging from the scaffolding above, in a precarious position but both comfortable, not just with the heights but with all the attention being focused on them.
“Prepare for trouble!”
“Make it double!”
“To protect this school with masturbation!”
“To reach far places with ejaculation!”
“To denounce the evils of work and detention!”
“Were probably going to get a suspension!”
“Chris.”
“Alyster.”
“FTN beat you off and do a little dance!”
“With skills so cool you’ll make a mess in your pants!”
It is immediately clear that no one appreciates the pre-worked routine that Chris and Alyster spent most of the previous evening’s detention working on.
Not surprised by this spectacle are the Ravenwood sisters who have taken Trixie and are desperately trying to comfort her. Poor Trixie had trusted Chris and thought she had made a new friend, only to see his true nature in action. Only to be reminded that FTN cares only about itself above all others.
FTN are wildly proud of themselves, though are quite disappointed that the crowd hasn’t joined in on the fun. Where was the laughter? Where was the humiliation? Was this simply an callous act with no redeeming qualities?
Well yes, but it wasn’t without purpose.
They sigh and then scamper across the rafters out of sight before making their escape with another team left in their wake, embarrassed and defeated.
Because it is true, they are just better than everyone else and no traditional metric is going to show that. What they possess is what everyone doesn’t. The ability to simply not care what people think of them anymore.
School is a place where people say “it is what you make of it”, and that’s true. So Chris and Alyster decided to make it their playground, with everyone inside of it being their toys to use at their disposal. There are times when they fight, as all brothers do. But really, it’s all just for show to keep any crane-necked ill wishers interested.
After a while, it gets boring just being better than everyone else. There are many in this school that would hope to take them down, but none of them will.
Chris and Alyster leave the gymnasium and bump fists. A query crosses Alytser’s mind.
“Hey, so what did you do with my beaker?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
In his office, unaware of the incident at the science fair, Mr. Snake takes a swig from his coffee flask… and grimaces. |
|
|
Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 12:02:12 GMT
|
|
|
Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 12:03:10 GMT
Promo reviews. Originally posted by Rosie. aonYou think you're more Canadian than me, bud? Eh? Let's talk aboot it. I have been to the World Juniors live and in person. I have had maple syrup straight from the tap of a maple tree then covered in fresh snow. The Beaver is a fine animal to me so much so I made it my gimmick for a decade. I have worked at a Timmies as a teen and love me double doubles made with milk. I have seen the beautiful red sand of the Island (must be pronounced Oi-land). I prefer my French fries covered in squeaky cheese curds melted with top quality gravy, to be on the side of a freshly made Halifax Donair. I also don't put milk in a carton, but instead a fresh bag! Buddy, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into, hoser. I will not puck around this time! Sorry 'boot that. --- Originally posted by Sully. @thedevilhimself Blake Taylor: This was a solid #2 promo, and I think had the foundations of a pretty solid monologue promo. I think your biggest skillset is in fact those monologues, as Blake's cocky personality and character shows well in them. His ability to rip opponents apart in them plays out well, and you knew the right ways to attack Sawyer (and apparently did your research by asking as many people as you could for some tips, which is a smart way to improve). Blake comes across as a big tough guy, and while it's almost cartoonish in a way, I do enjoy the character portrayal here as we really don't have a really cartoonish over the top heel like that in the FWA right now. The thing about the tough guy act and telling people you're going to seperate their jaw from their face is, if you start taking Ls it's going to be a bad look...which also isn't a bad thing writing wise if you build off it the right way and twist your story around to fit what's going on in Taylor's wrestling career...which is where those eventually character development points come in. You do a good job referencing current events, including the past triple-threat match and obviously your match with Sayer. I think overall your monologue writing is good, your character portrayal is solid, and I think you put a lot of time in researching your opponents. There are two major things I think are the biggest highlights to work on. The first is with presentation. It can take some time to get the hang of it, and experiment, but I wouldn't be surprised if they knocked you for some presentation points here. There's some simple things you could make sure you handle like spelling errors, or for example the first paragraph of dialog isn't bolded but the rest of the dialog is. Those are simple inconsistencies that you want to avoid. The picture and the title is good, I'm also a big fan of those. I think if I made another suggestion presentation-wise, it'd be to break up some of the dialog blocks a bit more. I felt like some of the paragraphs were a tad too big, and as a reader it low-key gets a bit overwhelming when so many words are clumped together. If you broke them up in half, it'd not only make it easier on the reader, but it'd probably help stretch the promo out and make it look longer too...because it wasn't a short promo, 2000 words is solid for your level, but it looks shorter than it is because of the big paragraphs. The other thing, and this is really hard for a new person to nail down, but I think just overall character development and setting. Character development is the hardest category in general, but it's especially hard for a new character because...sometimes development arcs take several promos to build up to. But I think even in just a standard promo, I like to see characters go from a Point A to a Point B. Think of TV shows and how often times the characters have one mindset at the beginning, and then at the end of all their adventures or whatever, they sort of have a different mindset at the end. Character Development doesn't always look like that, but it's I think one easy format to follow especially when starting out just as a writer. To go into that a little deeper, I also think that eventually, the gym/monologue thing isn't going to get you far. It works starting out when you're sort of showing us these vignettes, but FWA writing is a bit more complex than that. We had a conversation in the Anni show discussion thread about monologue promos, and how in this era of the FWA you just need more. You're writing basic wrestling promos, and in a basic wrestling efed those work. But straight up, in today's current era, this isn't a fed where interview promos and rants at the gym are going to get you wins against big time opponents. I don't think you need to write big elaborate stories like you may have seen around that are so far removed from wrestling sometimes you're wondering why it even belongs in an efed, but you do have to write stories. Think of it like you're writing a book. And each promo is a chapter in your book. Or even if it's a TV show and each promo is an episode. That's the best way I can think to put it. If you get that down, I think you'll see your success skyrocket. |
|
|
Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 12:03:54 GMT
XXXIII: “WHAT IS THE CAPITAL OF BOTSWANA?”
Live from The Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana.
Thursday 14th September, 2023.
After the show's opening pyrotechnics spectacle, we cut to Rod Sterling and Anzu Kurosawa at ringside...
Rod Sterling: “Yo, yo, what's good homies! Rod Sterling in the house with my homegirl Anzu Kurosawa at my side and what a dope show we have in store for y'all tonight!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Uh, okay, but yeah we do have a big show tonight full of action stemming from the fallout from the 18th Anniversary Show and we're not wasting time jumping into the action!”
And now… all of the lights turn off momentarily as a demonic voice speaks out to all who are in attendance. While this intro plays, a bright red spotlight pops in the center of a smoke filled stage where it illuminates over a dark hooded figure. The song begins…
{THE DEMON’S CAROL || BLAQKOUT}[MEDIA=youtube]kHYdLveMYxc[/MEDIA]
…and the house lights are brought back on but flashing in between the colors of red and white. As we can see the hooded individual in an all-black sleeved cloak with dark red trim along with another individual in just an oversized black cloak standing right behind it. The two of them take a slow, methodical stroll down the path to the ring. They never raise their heads to reveal who's under these big hooded cloaks as each hides their identity well. That is until they step up the ring stairs and step between the top and middle rope. Once the first hooded figure positions itself in the center of the ring, the other walks over and stands in front of the first. Standing motionless for a few seconds as smoke surrounds the outside of the ring, the person from behind unhooks the other's cloak. And the evil entity known as Death Walker steps forward to reveal himself to the audience and drops the entire cloak with his arms forming an X at neck level. The crowd erupts in madness and chaos as his music most likely ends by now or replays all over again but Death Walker remains staring out at the hard camera to present fear and panic to whomever.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Meltdown’s opening contest is set for one fall with a thirty-minute-time-limit! Introducing first, from the depths of HELL! He weighs in at 243 lb…he is The Dark Traveler…Death Waaaaaalkerrrrrr!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “That’s one way to kick off tonight’s festivities!”
Rod Sterling: “Death Walker may have come up short at the 18th Anniversary Show inside of the Steel Roulette, but he still left an impression with his dominating presence in that match where he wreaked havoc before his elimination , and for that he’s been rewarded with this number one contender’s match for the North American Championship…”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It took FOUR of the other competitors inside of the Steel Roulette to dash Death Walker’s hopes of winning that match, and tonight he faces off against one of those four that was responsible for his elimination…”
{BOW DOWN || I PREVAIL}[MEDIA=youtube]n2EjeMx4bSg[/MEDIA]
The familiar theme song plays and the crowd lights up with excitement as Jackson Fenix steps out on stage. Nate Savage is behind his friend and Jackson looks out at the sea of fans that are cheering him on, and they share a fist bump before walking down the ramp toward the ring. Nate hypes up Jackson along the way and he hypes up the fans as well to get even more behind Jackson than they already are.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “Introducing his opponent, being accompanied by Nasty Nate Savage, from Las Vegas, Nevada and weighing in at 210 lb…he is The Sin City Bad Boy…Jackson Feeeeeenixxxxxx!”
Rod Sterling: “Here comes Jackson Fenix, as Anzu mentioned prior to his entrance, he was one of the four responsible for Death Walker’s elimination in the Steel Roulette. Death Walker gets a chance to exact revenge as well as earn himself a shot at some gold in the process.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Jackson Fenix has been on a bit of a roll this year and much like Death Walker, he left an impression with his performance inside of the Steel Roulette, which has afforded him this match tonight…and it appears as though we’ll be joined by Nasty Nate Savage!”
After Nate shared one last fist bump and a brief hug, Nate has joined the commentary desk as he takes a seat beside Anzu.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Welcome to the desk, Nate!”
Nate Savage: “Thank you Anzu, the pleasure is all mine. Rod, good to see you. I had so much fun the last time I did this I figured I’d do it again. I’m here to provide keen analysis and watch Jax superkick a demon and to make sure none of Death Walker’s weird disciples try any funny business!”
The camera shows some of Death Walker’s Terrors of Darkness and The Dark Guardian at the ringside area in Death Walker’s corner.
Rod Sterling: “It’s a pleasure to have you here, Nate.”
Nate Savage: “Thank god that moron Allen Price isn’t here in his ridiculous perspex box. You two and Jean-Luc are A-okay in my book, but that guy is the worst!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I’m sure you’re just as excited to see Allen get his comeuppance on Fallout this week.”
Nate Savage: “Of course, that should go without saying!”
Back inside the ring, referee Larry Stevens checks both competitors and then he signals for the bell…
FIRST MATCH || 1/30.
Death Walker vs. Jackson Fenix.
Singles Match - FWA North American Championship #1 Contendership.
Match Writer: Jimmy King.
DING! DING! DING!
<< 00:00 >>
After the bell sounds, Fenix comes out of the gate hot and he immediately goes for Superkick Me Baby One More Time, but Death Walker has that well scouted and scoots out of the way in time. Fenix spins around and is met with a big boot straight in the mush! Fenix is knocked off his feet courtesy of the big boot, and he crawls toward the ropes for leverage to get back to a vertical base near a corner, but Death Walker clobbers him with a running lariat that knocks him back into the corner. Death Walker continues to punish Fenix in the corner with several corner clotheslines, and then he takes Fenix by the wrist and whips him toward the opposite corner. Death Walker comes barreling toward Fenix but Fenix moves out of the way just in time and Death Walker hits the corner sternum first! Fenix quickly jumps on Death Walker’s back and he attempts to apply a sleeper hold on Death Walker.
Fenix has Death Walker where he wants and he’s starting to fade, or so Fenix thought. Death Walker starts to come back to life and instead of trying to shake Fenix off of his back, he falls backward into the corner, sandwiching Fenix between him and the corner! Death Walker takes Fenix out of the corner and hits him with a capture suplex! Death Walker then floats over for the pin…
ONE…NO!
The camera cuts to the backstage area where the FWA North American Champion is watching the match on a monitor. Baxter has a smirk on his face while he watches Fenix get decimated…
Rod Sterling: “Triple B likes what he sees.”
Nate Savage: “Triple B?”
Rod Sterling: “Big Bryan Bastard.”
Nate Savage: “More like Big Bryan Bozo if you ask me!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Haha, that’s a good one!”
Death Walker brings Fenix back up on his feet and he sends him off the ropes, but Fenix ducks underneath a forearm from Death Walker and he goes off the second set of ropes and comes back with a sling blade! Fenix is feeling it now as he feeds off of the positive energy from the crowd and he runs the ropes again and this time comes back with a leg drop on Death Walker and into the pin…
ONE…NO!
Fenix springs back to his feet and stomps on the legs of Death Walker before attempting a figure four leg lock on the big man, and just as he’s about to lock it in, Death Walker drives a boot to his backside and sends Fenix spiraling forward! Fenix catches himself before he crashes in the corner and he catches an incoming Death Walker with a back elbow! Fenix then launches himself off the ropes and connects with a springboard enzuigiri! Death Walker is phased but he remains standing, so Fenix runs up to the top rope and leaps off, hitting a diving high knee to Death Walker! Death Walker is staggered and Fenix connects with a basement dropkick that brings Death Walker down to one knee, and Fenix follows up with a shining wizard! Death Walker goes down and Fenix floats over for another pin attempt!
ONE…TW - - NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: “All of that offense from Fenix but Death Walker will not stay down!”
Rod Sterling: “We mentioned it prior to this match, but we all saw how it took four people to take him down in the Steel Roulette, Anzu. Fenix was one of those four but it’s going to take a lot more than what Fenix just did to keep him down!”
Nate Savage: “Come on Jax, you got this!”
<< 05:02 >>
Fenix is backed up in a corner now where he’s sizing up Death Walker and he’s looking for his signature superkick, but as he goes for it, Death Walker slides out of the way again and Death Walker grabs Fenix from behind and he catches Fenix in a rear naked choke! Death Walker tries to tighten his grip but Fenix manages to slip away. Fenix goes for a kick but Death Walker catches him and hits Sweet Revenge! Step over spinning heel kick! Fenix sits up and tries to get back on his feet but Death Walker sneaks up behind him and locks in another rear naked choke! Death Walker wraps his legs around Fenix’s torso like a boa constrictor to prevent Fenix from escaping and Death wrenches back on the hold!
Rod Sterling: “Death Walker has Fenix right where he wants him in that rear naked choke!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “That’s not where Fenix would like to be right now!”
Nate Savage: “I don’t think anyone wants to be on the receiving end of that, come on Jax!”
Death Walker has slowed down the pace of this match and he’s trying to choke the life out of Jackson Fenix and by the looks of it it might be working. Fenix is gradually starting to fade out while Larry Stevens checks on him. Stevens checks a third time after the first two checks, and when it looks like Fenix may be done for, he keeps his arm raised! Fenix is trying to wriggle free but Death Walker’s grip is too right and powerful for him. Fenix is squirming and reaching out for that bottom rope as he’s starting to fade again and just when it looks like he’s out he musters up enough strength to stretch his arm out far enough just to barely snag the bottom rope in time to break the hold! The crowd cheers and Nate Savage breathes a sigh of relief in his headset as he leans back in his chair…
Nate Savage: “That was too close for comfort…”
Rod Sterling: “Do I sense doubt from you in your friend?”
Nate Savage: “What? What on earth are you talking about?”
Rod Sterling: “There’s been some rumblings that there may be a hint of jealousy from you toward Jackson Fenix.”
Nate Savage: “You know what? That’s not the first time I’ve heard that this week and whoever thinks I’ll stab my best friend in the back is just as much of an idiot as Big Bozo Baxter is!”
Rod Sterling: “Triple B catching strays!”
Nate Savage: “I might take back what I said about you earlier, Rod. You’re still cool though, Anzu.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Thank you Nate.”
Back in the ring, Death Walker was berating the referee and he turns his attention back on Fenix as he kneels down to pick him up but Death Walker is caught with a small package inside cradle!
ONE…TW - - NO!
Death Walker kicks out with authority as Fenix springs up to his feet and Death Walker is charging toward him, and Fenix assists in dumping Death Walker on the outside after he pulls the top rope down and Walker takes a tumble on the outside! Death Walker collects himself on the outside but he doesn’t get much of a reprieve as he’s taken down by a tope suicida from Fenix! The fans cheer wildly for the move from Fenix and he tosses the big man back inside…
Fenix has propped himself on the apron and jumps up on the ropes before launching himself off with a springboard dropkick that nearly takes Death Walker off of his feet! Death Walker is sent stumbling back into the ropes and he stumbles forward into a low superkick to the knee and then Fenix follows that up with a Superkick Me Baby One More Time! Death Walker doesn’t go down and Fenix follows up with another superkick!
Nate Savage: “Oops!...he did it again!”
This time Death Walker goes down and Fenix drops down for the pin…
One…two…NO!
<< 11:11 >>
Anzu Kurosawa: “Oh my, I thought that was it right there!”
Fenix can’t believe it but Stevens assures him it was only a two count. Fenix accepts that and he goes to climb up on the second rope…he’s thinking his meteora Kill The Lights fka SMD…he leaps off but all he gets in return is a pop up european uppercut from Death Walker! Walker catches his bearings and shakes that off…he sizes up Fenix…sets him in his sights…The Wright Way! Running high knee! The pin is made…
One…two…THR - - NO!
It takes a minute for both men to get to their feet and once they get there they stand toe-to-toe, Death Walker the height advantage but Fenix isn’t backing down. They start trading blows and Fenix gets the upper hand when he blocks a strike from Death Walker, spins him around and hits a snap dragon suplex followed by a bicycle knee! Double Shot by Fenix!
One…two…THR - - NO!
Fenix rolls over after the kick out but Death Walker catches him in a trap and locks in The Reaper’s Clutch! Fenix starts to flail any which way he can and he starts to wildly swing forearms in Death Walker’s direction. The punches start to get weaker and Fenix is starting to fade away…
Nate Savage: “No, not again, not like this. Come on Jackson!”
<< 15:28 >>
Once again Stevens checks on Fenix and he shows signs of life once more. He reaches for that bottom rope but he’s nowhere near it. He nails Death Walker with several punches that have little to no effect on Death Walker. Death Walker’s grip starts to slip and Fenix slips out of it just enough to flip forward and hook both legs for the pin…
One…two…THR - - NO!
Fenix sits up in disbelief but he’s caught from behind again by Death Walker with a rear naked choke again. Jackson starts to flail again but this time he’s closer to the ropes and he’s able to break the hold…
Both men lay on the floor in exhaustion after having exerted a lot of energy. They both start to stir and once they’re up Jackson goes for his Sin CIty Hangover, but he can’t get Death Walker all the way up and Walker spins around and counters with a backdrop suplex! Walker has found his second wind now and he’s feeling it while the crowd voices their displeasure…
Rod Sterling: “I think Death Walker is looking to end it here…”
Nate Savage: “Don’t count out Jax just yet, Rod.”
Death Walker sends Fenix off to the ropes with an irish whip and he goes for Pitch Black, but Fenix ducks the discus clothesline…Fenix is behind Death Walker…Break the Ice! Backstabber on Death Walker!
Nate Savage: “Yes! What did I tell you Rod?!”
Fenix is feeling it now as Death Walker starts to rise up…Fenix sets him up…In The Zone! Swinging reverse STO! Fenix drops down for the pin…
One…two…THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: Jackson Fenix by pinfall at 19:38.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “The winner of the match…Jackson Fenix!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Just like that, Jackson Fenix punches his ticket to Lights Out!”
Nate Savage: “As if there was any doubt!”
Jackson has his arm raised by Larry Stevens but little does he know that Death Walker is back on his feet behind him…
Rod Sterling: “Yeah…but wait…what is Death Walker doing?”
After a hard fought match, Death Walker stumbles over to one of the available corners. And with his back against the turnbuckle and his arms extended outside the ring, one of his faithful Terrors of Darkness hands him that lead pipe from the Steel Roulette match that took place this past weekend at The 18th Anniversary Show. Death gets that deranged look in his eyes as he sizes up Jackson and then charges at him. But luckily, Jackson’s tag team partner exits the commentary desk. Nate Savage just happens to slide into the ring before The Dark Traveler made contact with the lead pipe. Furious as hell, Nate gets all up in Walker’s face as he pushes him with his chest. They exchange words with Nate being the irate one in this particular situation. Not too long after, some officials and executives come out to defuse the entire thing. The Dark Guardian with a few of the disciples enter the ring to get some distance between Death Walker and everyone else. The demon’s advisor hollers out that everything is alright and nothing happened. Even though he came very close to a heinous attack on The Sin City Bad Boy. During all the commotion, The Dark Guardian gets ahold of a microphone and begins to speak over everyone.
The Dark Guardian: “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa… now he knew the deal when he decided to face my demon. Especially being involved in eliminating him in the Steel Roulette last weekend. He should have thought long and hard b-”
And just when things couldn’t get any wilder, they do because The Dark Guardian is abruptly cut off by Death Walker. The demonic hybrid has covered the microphone with his hand as he stares down both Nate Savage and a worn down Jackson Fenix while men in suits and referee shirts pull them out of the ring. The Death Walker takes the liberty of snatching the microphone out of his advisor’s grasp. Holding the mic up to where his mouth is under that demon mask, he clears his throat a bit and then speaks for the first time in months.
Death Walker: “Ahem… ahem… I would just like to say that… I’M BACK MUTHAFUCKAS!!!”
The crowd goes crazy with shouting and boos as this was a new surprise to the beginning of Meltdown.
DW: “Look, I respect that you came out here to help protect your buddy and all. But at some point… he will… pay. The. Cost.”
And with that guarantee, everyone removes themselves from the ring while The Death Walker and crew hang out in the ring. Pacing back and forth calmly still holding the mic, Death gets his train of thoughts going then goes back to talking to the fans in attendance.
DW: “You see? This is what the fuck I’m talking about. They can sure act all tough but when I wanna turn it up a notch then they need to use help in their battles. Now, several months ago… I returned from HELL as the former Darius Wright. I returned- or I should say that he returned as a shell of a man, a soulless vessel ready to be activated into something more sinister. And man… when I tell you it has felt great coming into this business as Death Walker.”
He takes a moment for the audience to pay attention to his words and his voice.
DW: “For almost a year, I sat back with no voice… none of my own words to share. But I could count on my trusty Guardian here… to provide the words that were necessary. I’ve had quite a bit of the trials and tribulations just being here at FWA and I expect more to come. So many halfwits have tried to use my name and reputation to garner momentum towards their lifeless careers. Well after tonight, there are no more freebies for anyone. If you challenge my progression, you're going to find out the hard way about not crossing Death.”
With that lead pipe still in his right hand, he points out around towards the fans but ends up stopping with it aimed at the backstage entrance.
DW: “I may not get you today, tomorrow or the next day but you can rest assured that I WILL MAKE YOU PAY. We will be the ones to track down and right as you go to close your eyes, thinking everything is good as gold. That is when we will expose you to our Reality of Tragedy… the pain in which will pick apart your trauma, your doubts… your fears. We’ve just got done making a believer out of Reagan Cole and a few others. So to put it bluntly… you all are messing with the wrong muthafucka. And if it takes tens to hundreds to thousands or even millions of tries… WE WILL. Fuck. Your. Lives. Up! Let this be the final warning.”
Death Walker drops the microphone onto the canvas and his theme music begins to play as an arena full of boos add to the song.
{"The Demons Carol by BlaQKout"}[MEDIA=youtube]kHYdLveMYxc[/MEDIA]
The 15 or 20 Terrors of Darkness exit the ring followed by The Dark Guardian and Death Walker. The dark gathering takes their time heading to the back with no remorse whatsoever.
Going backstage for Meltdown 33, we see Meltdown’s backstage interview extraordinaire, Katie Baxter. She has a smile on her face as she stands in front of a pink backdrop for the show. She’s wearing a lovely blue dress as she greets the views.
Katie Baxter: “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we’re expected to decide two championship matches at the upcoming Fallout event from the D.R.C. We already saw the North American Championship match be set in our opening bout, but tonight is the conclusion of the Trios Eliminator Tournament. The winner will be facing The Coven in the first defense of FWA’s Trios Championships. Right now, I’m with one of those teams and hopefully I’ll get some insight into their mindset going into the final and a few other questions. Ririko, Cali Hayama, and Katsu, YOKAI Death Squad!”
The camera pans out to see all three ladies of the trio standing by in their gear. Showing their unity as a team, their gear is all matching colours with a primary purple base, with a neon green trim, this includes the signature fox-mask of Katsu. Each of them have unzipped hoodies, brandishing with their team’s logo. There is a respectable cheer from the fans who are watching live.
Katie Baxter: “First, quickly, I need to ask, do we need a translator here for Ririko?”
Katie asks respectfully. Katsu leans into the microphone.
Katsu: “She’s been practising her English. So if we need to translate, we will do it.”
Eagerly, Ririko shouts.
Ririko: “I am getting good.”
Cali Hayama whispers in her ear.
Ririko: “I mean better.”
Ririko has a smile on her face as Cali gives her a pat on the shoulder, her height towering over her teammates.
Katie Baxter: “In that case, Ririko, you’ve been the member of YDS with the least amount of experience outside of Japan, with Cali being Canadian and Katsu you’ve been here, how long again?”
Katsu: “One year as of Lights Out.”
Katsu answers.
Katie Baxter: “-Wow, time has gone fast. It only feels like yesterday I was interviewing you for the first time, congrats!”
The masked wrestler gives a polite nod and smile as Katie gets back on track.
Katie Baxter: “So Ririko, I have to ask, how's your experience so far with FWA?”
Katsu turns to Ririko and she repeats the question in Japanese just to ensure her friend understands. Ririko starts her answer in English.
Ririko: “Adjusting. Lots of adjusting.”
The powerhouse of the team has a nervous pause. Katsu whispers something to her in Japanese and Ririko, feeling comfortable, answers in Japanese. The microphone picks it up and Katie politely listens. After she’s done speaking, Katsu translates.
Katsu: “Ririko says that being with Cali and I has helped with her adjustment. She is with the two people she trusts the most. She’s found the non-Japanese crowds passionate and more vocal, so when they do give their support it gives her a rush greater than any other.”
Katie nods.
Katie Baxter: “Glad you feel that way.”
Ririko gives a smile and Katsu finishes translating her answer.
Katsu: “She is still getting used to the travel, the different cultures, improving her English so that she may connect to the crowd easier. That is nervous to her but exciting. But in the end, the ring is the same size, and she is with two ladies who have her back and she will work hard. And she really loves American burgers and tacos when she was in Mexico.”
Playfully, Ririko forms a “bun” shape with her hands and “bites” into it, causing a friendly laugh from Katie.
Katie Baxter: “Glad you’ve been having some good food, hehe. We also see that hard work paying off. Tonight you three are in the finals with a win resulting in you making it to Lights Out, any thoughts on the tournament?”
The trio exchange glances before settling on Cali to give the answer. The Canadian leans in.
Cali Hayama: “Look, I know people are going to call me ‘cocky’ for saying this, but I honestly didn’t doubt our chances of making it to the finals and I know we can make it Lights Out.”
The interviewer hums.
Katie Baxter: “Hmm, care to explain?”
Cali Hayama: “Let’s take a look at this tournament. Round one was full of some trios which I can only describe as…”
The Twitch-streamer thinks of the right words.
Cali Hayama: “Low-tier with a good chunk of the matches being over quick with. Once the fat was cut out, things stepped up. Undisputed Xperience, three talented guys with former tag champs, one of which an X Champ, and XX who reps the LGBTQ+ community strong and has serious potential, but maybe need to spend less time finding chemistry in the bedroom and more in the ring.”
The Sky Devil winks.
Cali Hayama: “The Menage who are some Oddities. The crew of XYZ. Can throw you off with their antics but not there yet. Then the Lupones, our opponents tonight. Two big and powerful guys, a sister who is a bit of a wild-character, but still adjusting to trios action. Three good teams but still have some cooking to do.”
Looking at the camera, Cali motions to her and her two friends.
Cali Hayama: “Then you have us, a team who has been teaming together for a couple years now, not just as tag team combinations, but especially trios action. Former CJW Trios Champions. Ririko.”
She points to the big girl.
Cali Hayama: “Sweet as a teddy bear, but between the ropes can crush you like a bear, fellow tag champ in CJW.”
Ririko puts her two fists on each side of her head, having “bear ears” and winking. Katie finds the antics of the big girl amusing. Cali points to herself.
Cali Hayama: “Me? I’m probably the most athletic girl on the roster. Quick on my feet, quick wit, someone like me thrives in a trios environment… Then we got a crown jewel here… a hidden gem in FWA.”
Showing especially strong confidence in Katsu, she motions to her.
Cali Hayama: “Former FWA TV Champ, never pinned to lose her belt, a girl who went to the final four in her first Carnal Contendership, outlasting some of the baddest dudes and girls around, then at Anniversary, after she helped us punch her ticket to the finals, she jumped into the fire again because she ain’t got quit in her!”
Covering her face slightly, Katsu is likely blushing under her mask.
Cali Hayama: “She takes on the FWA Tag Champions by herself, two on one, has a visual pin on Alyster Black, moments away from eliminating him until Chris gets worried, so he breaks up the pin to eliminate the fresher, younger, hungrier Katsu.”
Turning her glance to the camera, Cali exclaims.
Cali Hayama: “Three talented individuals who work like magic as a team. Three girls who know each other’s in and outs who fight as a TEAM. We don’t treat Trios wrestling as a side-show, it’s the goddamn show! Trios wrestling is an art of itself. Champions or not, we’re a team to beat in this division and we’re ready tonight. The Lupones are siblings, but these girls.”
Cali puts her arms around both of her trios partners.
Cali Hayama: “Are like my sisters. We’re taking this tournament home.”
Katie pulls the microphone back. She sees a bit of spice coming from Cali’s words.
Katie Baxter: “We’ll see that later tonight, but you mention Katsu’s singles exploits too, so Katsu, I have to ask after coming up short in the Steel Roulette are you going to put your singles exploits on the backburner?”
Katsu shakes her head.
Katsu: “We discussed this between us three. While we would be willing to sacrifice for each other, we do not need to forgo any singles career success to be strong as a team. We support each other. It would be the same if Cali or Ririko would get a singles opportunity here. The Steel Roulette was unlike any match I have experienced. I took a risk by eliminating Fenix. I saw cracks in FTN, but it barely held together. I lost… But I survived. It took so much work to even get there and that is not over. As we said…”
Holding up her finger, she says.
Katsu: “One year in FWA. A lot has changed in FWA and at home. We have gained friends and lost some. I shed an old mask to become a better version of myself, and now I have my two closest friends here with me in FWA, taking YOKAI Death Squad, something which was created as our own part of the group that brought us together, internationally. This has made me a stronger woman… Still flawed, but I believe in myself.”
Taking a deep breath, Katsu speaks into the microphone.
Katsu: “I know I will be champion again in FWA. Where? We’ll see. Tonight, I know we will be able to claim our spot at Lights Out, but I am not going to ‘stay in my lane’ in the Trios division. I have no issues teaming with Ririko or Cali as a tag team. I have been a singles champion before and I know I can become one again! Katsu, YOKAI Death Squad, will only get better!”
Cali leans towards the microphone.
Cali Hayama: “And how about we try this one on for size?”
She raises her pointer finger.
Cali Hayama: “Control…”
Then her middle…
Cali Hayama: “-Alt”
Finally her ring finger as all three girls put down an “M” hand gesture.
Cali Hayama: “-Delete.”
???: “What’s that I hear? Someone talking about being a champion?”
The camera pans over as Big Bryan Baxter walks into the shot, his FWA North American Title draped over his shoulder. He stands firm and proud as he specifically eyes Katsu.
Bryan Baxter: Let me guess? You want to add your name to the long list of people who think they deserve a title shot? I mean, sure, why not… apparently around here you can lose matches and still be in title contention… I mean… Jackson Fenix… Death Walker… much like yourself… all losers in the Steel Roulette Match. But yet somehow I’ve gotta deal with that jackass Jackson Fenix again. It’s getting a little ridiculous, quite frankly!”
“Eeeevvverrryooonneee wants a shot at the Bastard. I get it. But who really deserves it? I suppose you think you do, Katsu? And what would those credentials be? Would it be making it to the Semi-Finals of the F1? No wait, didn’t do that. I suppose you’ve perhaps pinned our so well respected World Champion in the past? No? Oh. Well, you have been a champion before at least. We both walked out of last year’s Lights Out with title shot… a North American Title shot for me and a TV Title for you, right?”
Baxter pats the North American Title. Katsu cuts a glare to the Bastard North American Champion. Her friends are already stepping between them out of precaution.
Bryan Baxter: “Ain’t she a beaut. Let’s see your title? OH wait… that’s right. You lost in your first and only title defense. Meanwhile, we’re coming up on one year of DOMINANCE by BIG BRYAN BASTARD. You want some more singles gold? That’s fine. But for your own good, maybe look elsewhere besides this one. Just stick to your support system and leave the spotlight to me.”
The masked woman whispers something to Ririko who steps aside. Katsu tries to remain calm in the face of the big bad bully.
Katsu: “How fragile your mind must be to rush over at the single idea of any threat without even being mentioned? Baxter, you have changed so much as a champion and some of it has been for the worst…”
Upon hearing the last name ‘Baxter’ Ririko tilts her head and points to Katie and Bryan.
Ririko: “You… related?”
She says in her broken English, the interviewer quickly shakes her head,
Katie Baxter: “No, not at all…”
Katsu: “Ririko, not now…”
Katsu looks up at Bryan. There is for sure a major size difference between the two.
Katsu: “Where was I? Oh yes, I know I lost the FWA Television Championship early. I know F1 was a rough tournament for me last year. But I did all of that within the first few months of joining FWA and you had almost a year before that. This 22-year old masked girl within her first few months in FWA did just as much as you have in one year…”
She steps forward, trying to show no fear of the big man.
Katsu: “-And while I have gotten better, what has happened to you? You have a man mad for his power! I didn’t specify what championship to go after. I could reunite with the Television Championship, returning to it a stronger champion to maybe right the wrongs of the past. I could step out of my comfort zone and fight in the X Division. Maybe as World Champion, because I held my own in Steel Roulette… Something you might have forgot about. But, if you insist…”
Katsu points to the North American Championship on Baxter’s shoulder. The champion gets defensive, covering the main plate.
Katsu: “How about I become another person to take aim at the target on your shoulder? This Japanese woman proving she belongs in North America as FWA North American Champion?”
Baxter smirks and shrugs his shoulders.
Bryan Baxter: “So defensive! But that’s fine. I know I haven’t made a lot of friends here… but that’s because I’m too busy winning to make friends. Because you see… right now… I’m just Big Bryan Baxter… sure, people don’t really like me and yeah, I’m not that pleasant to be around. But I’m human. I have flaws. But when I step into that ring… the Bastard comes out to play. Big Bryan Bastard has no flaws. And there will be no remorse. There will be no pity. So, I just wanted to give you fair warning… call it a bit of friendly advice… a little bit of compassion I have left over from the time I’ve spent with Jeremy. Because coming after this title… it could be bad for your health. Just ask Mike Parr.”
After threatening her friend one too many times, now Cali steps forward and gets in the face of Bryan Baxter. She’s seething.
Cali Hayama: “Oh fuck off, you ain’t doing that!”
Katsu grabs her arm, holding to get Cali to step back, but it is of no use.
Cali Hayama: “We get it, you’re big, nasty, fat, angry, constantly on PMS. We’re not doubting that you’re good. But I think you’re losing the plot here. You’ve gone fucking mad, and whether it’s Katsu, or Crowe, or anyone else you seem to be dead-set on pissing off, it is going to be so fucking fun to see someone knock you off. And there ain’t no way you’re taking out Katsu that easily. She’s one of the toughest women I know and each time she’s knocked down by an asshole like you, she gets back up! The ‘Bastard’ isn’t as flawless as you think, just unwanted…”
Now the words are starting to strike a nerve with the powerhouse champion. He steps forward, but Cali, clearly her trash talking is one ‘your mom’ joke away from being at home in a Call of Duty lobby, is not backing down.
Cali Hayama: “I mean, after all, hasn’t half your title run been overshadowed by your stalker friend-”
Now she’s going after HIS friend, and that is one step too far. In one swift motion, Bryan grabs his big hand and face washes Cali Hayama down to the ground!
Ririko quickly catches her and security quickly rush in. Cali yells obscenities at Bryan and Katsu is seething as the FWA North American Champion backs up, raising his championship with one hand and his middle finger with the other
The audience, watching this, jeer along as the champion is seen on the screen. The camera goes back to YOKAI Death Squad and Cali is held back by Katsu.
Katsu: “Easy. We got the Trios eliminator first… Save our energy for them. Then we deal with Baxter.”
The commentary team, watching this display, chime in.
Rod Stirling: ”Bryan Bax, Bastard has just put another target on his back, now with Katsu and the rest of YOKAI Death Squad, now eying up the FWA North American Champion.”
Anzu Kurosawa: ”The champion thinks he’s unstoppable, and I think Katsu, along with Chris Crowe, the new number one contender, Jackson Fenix, a lot of people are gunning for him.”
Rod Stirling: ”But Katsu also is wrapped up in the Trios division, so will she also be biting off more than she can chew?”
Anzu Kurosawa: ”I’m not certain, we’ve seen people dip their toes in multiple divisions at once in recent FWA history. It’s possible, but never easy, especially standing across from someone like Bryan Bastard.”
We cut to the ring where Jon Russnow is standing by with a large grin on his face, in front of him a table has been set up. It’s decorated with a black cloth and has two steel folding chairs sat at either end of it with two contracts, and two microphones sitting on it. The camera zooms in close enough to read the bold title at the top of the page.
FWA LIGHTS OUT
ALYSTER BLACK
vs.
CHRIS PEACOCK
{Try A Little Tenderness || The Commitments}
The opening lines of the song play to a somewhat hostile response from the crowd. A chorus of boos ring out but there is still a vocal minority cheering and singing along to the words.
The song plays out as it always does until the entire band begins playing, 2 minutes and 38 seconds into the song. Enough time for the vocal majority booing the song to have almost worked themselves into a frenzy, only for them to quickly calm down as Alyster Black steps through the curtain on his lonesome. He takes pause at the start of the entrance ramp for a few moments, allowing the relative peace and occasional cheers to wash over him before the booing resumes as he’s joined by Allan Price.
Rod Sterling: “Here comes one half of the world tag team champions Anzu.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “One half of the world tag team champions, and the number one contender to the world championship that’s currently being held by the other half of the world tag team champions..”
Rod Sterling: “FTN are such belt hogs, you’d think that someone else would be given a chance at the gold. You know, to spread the love around.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Double champions are all the rage these days.”
Allan gives Alyster a pat on the shoulder and a big thumbs up before the duo make their way down the ramp and toward the ring.
Rod Sterling: “What do you think we’re in for here Anzu? These things don’t usually go off without a hitch, but I don’t see this contract signing getting out of hand. Not with how close Alyster Black and Chris Peacock have become.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I wouldn’t be too sure about that Rod. You saw what happened at our Anniversary Show, what lengths Chris Peacock went through to defend the FWA World Championship from Alyster Black. Being tackled from the top of the pod and through the ring cannot have been good for their relationship.”
Allen ascends the steps while Alyster slides into the ring. The masked man greets Jon Russnow with a nod as he takes his position at the head of the table, overlooking the entrance ramp whilst Allen is busy barking a few words Jon’s way.
The music slowly dies down and the moment it does Allen bolts out of the ring and sprints up the entrance ramp. He disappears behind the curtain and a few seconds later the theme music of the World Champion begins playing.
{Try A Little Tenderness || The Commitments}
Another 2 minutes and 38 seconds pass. But this time the time has been passed by Alyster Black ascending the ropes and conducting the crowd, singing at the top of his lungs and encouraging the people to join in. This round goes slightly more smoothly than the first, having gotten most of the jeering out of their system the crowd decides to have a little fun and sing along.
That is until their world champion makes his appearance. Stepping through the curtain with Allen Price in tow. Chris Peacock smirks as the singing subsides and hate filled jeers are thrown his way.
Rod Sterling: “Our World Champion has not done anything to endear himself to the people as of late.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Back in Business was a turning point for Chris Peacock, especially with the way he embraced Allen Price’s actions afterwards.”
Chris saunters down to the ring, mouthing the rest of the words to the song. He and Alyster make eye contact as he reaches the bottom of the ramp, they point at one another and sing the chorus together, shaking their shoulders and heads as they do.
Before long the song ends with Chris and Alyster both shrugging. Chris can audibly be heard swearing loudly and demanding that the production team restart the song as he hasn’t finished his entrance yet. Jon Russnow is forced to intervene, working with Allen Price to calm down the champion and get him into the ring.
Chris and Alyster meet in the centre, going nose to nose as they stare each other down.
Both men are breathing heavily and neither blinks. Alyster steps back for a moment, he reels back with both hands and shoves Chris and lightly as he can. The Champion takes a wild step back, he slowly falls down and does a backward roll, springing up to his feet and immediately shoving Alyster back in slow motion. Alyster begins spinning his arms in the air, desperately trying to maintain his balance but seemingly fails as he slowly but surely tumbles down to the mat. Making sure to bend his knees so that he lands as softly as possible before splaying out and laying flat.
He’s helped to his feet by a laughing Chris Peacock and both men take their seats. Jon Russnow shakes his head before raising a microphone to his mouth.
Jon Russnow: “I hope you boys have gotten that out of your system because this is some serious business right here.”
Both Alyster and Chris nod their heads in response.
Jon Russnow: “Good. You know the drill fellas, you’ve both been here before. What you’ve got right in front of you is a contract for the main event match at Lights Out. Alyster Black versus Chris Peacock for the FWA World Championship!”
The crowd pops wildly for the match, so much so that Chris Peacock is surprised. He looks out amongst the crowd, motioning to himself and they begin showering him with boos again.
Jon reaches into his breast pocket and produces a pen, he hands it to the challenger first.
Jon Russnow: “Now Alyster, please take a moment to read the contract then when you’re ready please sign at the bottom.”
Alyster holds up his copy, carefully scanning it before reaching out and picking up his microphone.
Alyster Black: “This looks good to me but I’m going to need my manager to take a pass at it. Allen?”
Allen Price quickly springs over, taking the contract from Alyster and quickly scanning it. He gives the challenger a thumbs up.
Allen Price: “Looks good to me Aly, shall I do the honours?”
Alyster hands him the pen and Allen signs for him. Allen then walks over to Chris and signs his copy of the contract. He then walks over to Chris’ side of the table and signs the other copy.
Jon Russnow: “Wonderful. Now Champ, it’s your turn.”
Chris doesn’t bother reading the contract, he lazily hands it off to Allen who takes as much time reading again as he took the first time.
Allen Price: “Looks good champ, shall I do the honours?”
Chris nods and Allen proceeds to sign both copies of the contract.
Jon Russnow: “Wow, this went rather painlessly. Usually a big fight breaks out at these things. Are you sure you two don’t have anything you’d like to say to each other going into this match?”
Chris and Alyster both shrug their shoulders before rising from their chairs and meeting each other in the centre of the ring again. They reach out and begin shaking hands. But as Chris tries to walk away Alyster doesn’t let go, pulling Chris back in and staring him down.
Alyster then tries to walk away, only to get pulled back in by Chris.
Both men continue their intense staredown, neither man willing to be the first to let go of the handshake.
Alyster reaches for the desk with his free hand and picks up the microphone.
Alyster Black: “You know what, I do have something to say to you before out match at Lights Out.”
Chris Peacock: “What’s that?”
Alyster Black: “Good luck.”
Chris Peacock: “Thank you, good luck to you too.”
Alyster Black: “Thank you! I hope we can still be friends after I win.”
Chris Peacock: “Nah, I hope we can still be friends after I win.”
Alyster Black: “Now hold on a second there bud, do you really believe you’re going to beat me?”
Chris Peacock: “Alyster, buddy, pal, frienderio, broski. I know I’m going to beat you at Lights Out. Because I am the greatest FWA World Champion who has defended his title time and time again, while your experience with this belt has been heartbreaking. They used to make jokes about me coming in second, but you my friend, you’re the real choke artist. I mean, remember what happened at Lights Out just last year?”
Alyster goes silent for a few moments as the crowd hushes with anticipation. Chris Peacock has crossed a line and they want to see Alyster Black take him down. Instead, he raises the microphone to his mouth.
Alyster Black: “Yeah, well you are in desperate need of being knocked down a peg. And who better do it than your best buddy. Who better to do it than someone who was actually able to beat a weasel? Who better to do it than someone who hasn’t lost a match in the Warehouse!”
Alyster grabs Chris by the shirt and both men go down, rolling over one another and lightly clawing at each other.
Rod Sterling: “Oh my God…do I have to say it?.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I certainly am not going to.”
Rod Sterling: “CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT! CAAAAAAATFIIIIIIIGHT!”
They roll around on top of one another, making a mockery of the contract signing ceremony before eventually rolling over Allen Price who is trying to break them up.
After running over poor Allen the pair get back to their feet. Alyster pulls Chris’ head down between his legs, he lifts the champion up, looking to powerbomb him through the table…only to safely set him back down to his feet. Both men openly laugh and then hug, much to the dismay of the crowd.
Chris Peacock: “God, could you imagine if we were actually at each other’s throats like that?”
Alyster Black: “As if I’d ever do anything to really hurt you mate. Especially right before a match.”
Chris Peacock: “Right? I mean if you put me through that table I’d probably be in no condition to fight tonight.”
Alyster Black: “After going through the ring at the Anniversary Show I doubt either of us would survive going through a table, we’d probably not be able to show up on Fallout either.”
Just then a lightbulb goes off in Allen Price’s head. He walks over to Alyster Black and mumbles something quietly, but isn’t careful enough to not say it away from the microphone.
Allen Price: “Can you please put me through the table so that I don’t have to wrestle on Fallout? I do not want to go anywhere near those psychos.”
Alyster shakes his head, as does Peacock. But Allen isn’t deterred. He quickly steps up onto the steel chair then on the table, walking to the centre, he closes his eyes then counts down from five before leaping off of his feet and landing flat down on the table, which doesn’t break.
///ADVERTISMENT\\\
FADE IN: Laughter and cheerfulness in the background, as a vaguely middle-aged twice-divorced man kneels in front of a kitchen stove, confusedly twiddling and turning the knobs. Behind him, two men with better hairlines observe, as the first man gets his stove going.
MIDDLE-AGED TWICE-DIVORCED: See, just needed some fine tuning, it's still alright.
BETTER HAIRLINE #1: You sure man? Thing is about those stoves, sooner or later they get outdated.
BETTER HAIRLINE #2: Yeah, gotta upgrade and keep with it, or your cooking'll get pretty stale.
MIDDLE-AGED TWICE-DIVORCED: It's just a stove, guys. Can't improve on perfection, y'know?
Suddenly, two more people enter the frame - a vacant-eyed woman body, and a precocious pre-adolescent child.
PRECOCIOUS PRE-ADOLESCENT: Hi Carl!
MIDDLE-AGED TWICE-DIVORCED: Hey sport! You know you can call me dad, right?
PRECOCIOUS PRE-ADOLESCENT: Okay Carl.
VACANT-EYED: Carl, I cannot be with you anymore. Your cooking is stale and the winkles in your face resemble that of a minotaur's labyrinth.
PRECOCIOUS PRE-ADOLESCENT: Boy, if only you had a modern stove that made your cooking less stale. See you every second weekend, Carl!
Middle-aged twice divorced sighs, as Better Hairline #1 & Better Hairline #2 pat him soothingly on the shoulder.
BETTER HAIRLINE #1: Don't say we didn't warn you.
FREEZE FRAME VOICE OF GOD: Has this ever happened to you?
A suit enters frame, head poorly CGI'd onto the body.
VOICE OF GOD: Did you know that 83% of all leading causes of divorce worldwide can be traced back to faulty or out-of-date cooking appliances? It's true! And you can take my word for it, because this is a TV commercial, and since when has TV lied to you? If what you just witnessed seems familiar in any way, then you need to call me, right now, and order the latest in kitchen appliance technology - The Elizabeth Stove!
Middle-Aged Twice-Divorced's stove is suddenly replaced with a sleek, updated model with a bright, blinding flash. By the time the flash subsides, Better Hairline #2 has been vaporized into a mere shadow on the wall in the background.
PRECOCIOUS PRE-ADOLESCENT: Wow! Is that the Elizabeth Stove, dad? I hear it cooks everything in a twenty foot radius using the power of the forbidden realm and expired batteries to the point of delicacy perfection!
Vacant-Eyed suddenly gasps, pushing precocious pre-adolescent to the floor with violence as they rush to embrace Middle-Aged Twice-Divorced.
VACANT-EYED: Oh Carl! I knew you truly cared! Ravish me.
Middle-Aged Twice-Divorced winks at the camera. His hairline suddenly returns. The commercial abruptly ends with no indication of how to invest in an Elizabeth Stove or what actual benefits it has.
\\\END ADVERTISMENT///
Returning from the commercial break and back into the ring, Allen Price is still trying to put himself through the table that has been set up in the ring, but no matter what he attempts, he simply cannot break through. In fact he shows an impressive repertoire of moves, with elbow drops and leg drops… but the table simply won’t break. Alyster Black and Chris Peacock stand with their hands on their hips, shaking their heads and almost laughing at the ridiculous attempt to get out of the Fallout 033 main event. Jon Russnow, by the way, is long gone.
Rod Sterling: “Welcome back to Meltdown XXXIII, and I am afraid that we have sat and watched several minutes of a man trying to put himself through a table, after signing the contract for arguably the biggest match of the year on behalf of both participants. I really, really do not know what to make of this, Anzu.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “There’s a reason why neither member of FTN are trying to stop him, despite how disappointed by this turn of events they appear to be. This is just making a mockery of the whole concept, and really, I think that is what these two stand for.”
Somehow, Allen Price manages to pull of a Senton Bomb from the chair onto the table, but it still does not give. Allen drops to the mat, holding his back and he motions for Chris Peacock to try, but Peacock refuses. There seems to then begin a discussion between Peacock and Black over who will be the one to try and put themselves through, but neither want to.
Anzu Kurosawa: “I genuinely think that they will do this all night if no one stops them. In their minds, this contract signing cannot end until someone has been put through that table!”
{WE WANT THE FUNK || GEORGE CLIFTON}[MEDIA=youtube]R4cJpoqX7KU[/MEDIA]
Rod Sterling: “Just when you thought this couldn’t get any worse…”
The camera zooms in on the suddenly rage-filled eyes of Chris Peacock and he looks to exit the ring and walk up the ramp, but he has to be held back by his tag team partner. The crowd begins to boo loudly even more as Funky Fedora walks out onto the stage excitedly, whooping and hollering as loudly as he can.
Anzu Kurosawa: “What is this idiot doing out here? What has he got to do with the main event of Lights Out?”
Rod Sterling: “Not the Lights Out main event, per se, but if you remember on Fallout 032, FTN destroyed Funky Fedora’s merch stand! They drove that damn truck of theirs straight into it! Maybe Funky is holding a grudge!”
Funky struts down the ramp and then enters the ring where he looks on at the three men inside for a moment… and then breaks into a dance! As he dances, Funky points straight at the FWA World Champion.
Anzu Kurosawa: “I think he’s challenging Chris Peacock to a dance off! Peacock is a sixty-nine time disco dancing champion in New York - they have dozens competitions each year - this may not be the smartest move!”
Continuing to dance, Funky motions once more for Peacock to join him. Peacock seems too heated to get involved at first, but with Black’s encouragement, he steps forward. Chris starts nodding his head in time with the music and then tapping his foot and before long he is busting some moves in the ring with Funky Fedora! Funky tries his best, but no one can keep up with the greatest dancer in wrestling history and Peacock seems to quickly begin to start dancing rings around him.
This prompts Funky to start attempting to dance with Peacock as opposed to against him and he stands behind Chris and starts to mimic his moves. Peacock does not seem to mind at first, swaying from side to side and kicking his legs out. He nods at Funky, indicating that the big finish is coming up as the music starts to crescendo… AND PEACOCK SHOOTS HIS FIST UP, CATCHING FUNKY IN THE JAW WITH FIGHT FEVER!!
Rod Sterling: “That was only going to last for so long - and here FTN go. It is three-on-one on poor Funky Fedora, but I don’t see anyone coming out to help him.”
Even Allen Price joins in as both Peacock and Black begin to put the boots to Funky and Black rips the fedora from his head and wears it on his own over his mask. Peacock motions for Black to lift Fedora up from the mat and Peacock wraps his hand around Funky’s throat, and Alyster does the same. FTN nod at each other… and they lift Funky up… DOUBLE CHOKESLAM THROUGH THE TABLE!!!
The crowd cheers as they always do when someone goes through a table and the camera catches an unconscious Funky Fedora in the table wreckage and then a distraught-looking Allen Price. Black tosses the Fedora into the crowd, and a fan throws it back, but Alyster chooses not to try again. Peacock nudges Funky out of the ring with his boot and then crotch chops in his general direction.
{ TAKE ME TO CHURCH (MILCK COVER) || HOZIER}[MEDIA=youtube]f4UhdgBVtVc[/MEDIA]
Things in the ring get cleared up and Funky Fedora carted away, which is good timing as it seems that FTN’s opponents for tonight have heard enough and there’s a good reaction for The Coven as the group walks out together. The only person missing from the contingent is Kleio De Santos - so both Blair Ravenwood and Grandma Ethel accompany Celestia Ravenwood and Bellatrix Bordeaux out to the ring.
Trixie makes a point of waving at Chris Peacock, who does not offer anything back and he watches on as Allen Price fumbles to get everything out of the ring from the contract signing.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “The following contest is a non-title tag team match scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. On their way to the ring and being accompanied by Blair Ravenwood and Grandma Ethel… representing The Coven, they are two thirds of the FWA World Trios Champions… CELESTIA RAVENWOOD and BELLATRIX BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRDDDEAUX!!!”
Celestia is shown patting the Trios championships around the waists of herself, her sister and Trixie and then motioning that she wants some more and pointing towards FTN in the ring.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “Their opponents, already in the ring… accompanied by Allen Price-”
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “They are the FWA World Tag Team Champions… “Black Jesus” ALYSTER BLACK and the FWA World Champion… CHRIS PEACOCK… THEY ARE F! T! N!!!!”
Rod Sterling: “You saw it there, people, The Coven know what a victory tonight could propel them to; they’d have to be considered for a shot at the tag titles if FTN make it past Cyrus and Konchu at Lights Out.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “They’ve got to worry about defending the Trios Championships against either YOKAI Death Squad or The Lumberjacks, first! That being said, The Coven could be a smart bet tonight. There’s no way that Alyster Black is one hundred percent after the Anniversary Show and young Trixie there is undefeated in tag team matches.”
Rod Sterling: “One of those victories came alongside Chris Peacock… and as you can see, Trixie seems to be looking back at that memory rather fondly.”
In the ring, Trixie is positively giddy about being around Chris Peacock again after their times working together prior to his becoming the FWA World Champion. Meanwhile, Peacock is deep in discussion with Black and Price and the three of them share a nod. Allen Price jumps down from the apron and then makes his way over to the commentary table…
Anzu Kurosawa: “He’s not going to come and join us, is he? After that protracted contract signing, I really thought that we’d heard enough from him. I really can’t be fu- Allen! How are you?”
Allen Price: “I’m very well, thank you Anzu. I think you’ll all agree that I oversaw that contract signing with fabulous skill. So I thought I’d come and enjoy this match with two of my best friends.”
Rod Sterling: “Are you going to be okay without your protective box? What if Cyrus Truth comes out here?”
Allen Price: “With the two toughest sons of guns out there watching my back? He won’t even try! Anyway, I’ll be dealing with Cyrus myself on Saturday night. Main event Allen Price, woo!”
As Chris Peacock steps forward for FTN, stepping in for the semi-injured Alyster Black, Trixie Bordeaux is insistent that she gets to start the match with him. Celestia is happy to acquiesce. Therefore referee Matthew Dean calls for the bell!
SECOND MATCH || 1/20.
FTN (Alyster Black and Chris Peacock) vs. The Coven (Trixie Bordeaux and Celestia Ravenwood).
Tag Team Match.
Match Writer: Man.
<< 00:00. >>
Peacock and Bordeaux approach the centre of the ring, and Trixie nods her head and extends her hand to the man that she has worked with in the past and considers a friend. The FWA World Champion has a blank expression on his face and he looks around to his partner who simply shrugs because he doesn’t care. Peacock then extends his hand and the two of them shake, to a good applause from the crowd, which quickly turns into boos AS PEACOCK PIMP SLAPS TRIXIE ACROSS THE FACE WITH HIS OTHER HAND!
Allen Price: “HAHA! Got her! Come on, Trixie, why would you think something like that would work? Have you not been paying attention?”
Rod Sterling: “Definitely not the wisest move on the part of Bordeaux and she is now at an immediate disadvantage because Peacock brings her in and knocks her down flat with a big Shoulder Block!”
With Bordeaux down on the mat, Peacock grabs a fistful of her her and brings her up as the referee scalds him. He drags Trixie over to the corner and slams her head into the top turnbuckle and then goes to do it again, but Trixie gets her boot up and stops him. Peacock tries again, but once again Bordeaux blocks it. She turns around and screams and then slaps the FWA World Champion across the face!
The crowd cheers and gasps and Bordeaux realised instantly what it is she has done and Peacock then aggressively grabs her by the head and doubles her over, driving her face-first into the mat with a Famouser! Peacock flips Trixie onto her back and presses her shoulders down;
ONE… TWO-NO!!
The pin is broken up by Celestia Ravenwood with a stomp on the back of Peacock’s head. This allows Trixie to slither out from underneath him, and then she sends Peacock into the mat with a Famouser of her own! Trixie then grabs Peacock by the wrist and drags him as close as she can to The Coven’s corner, where Celestia tags herself in.
Anzu Kurosawa: “The Coven are going to do what they can to wear down Chris Peacock, and there’s probably something he is actually enjoying about being dominated by two young women.”
Allen Price: “That’s one of his specialities - he let me watch once!”
***
<< 03:16. >>
Alyster Black is now legal in the ring with Celestia Ravenwood, after getting a tag in from a frustrated Peacock, who now pouts on the apron. It is evident that Black is not at fully operating capacity, and he gets his head spiked into the mat with a Jumping DDT! Celestia does not go for a cover and tags in Trixie, instructing her to get in position in the corner.
Rod Sterling: “The Coven seem to be plotting something here and I don’t think it is going to be something that Alyster Black is going to enjoy!”
With Trixie having her back to the turnbuckle, she nods and indicates with some trepidation that she is ready for whatever it is that Ravenwood has in mind. Celestia stands in front of her partner and jumps into the air… CELESTIA MONKEY FLIPS TRIXIE… WHO LANDS ON TOP OF BLACK WITH A 450 SPLASH!!!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Woah! What a move! Great athleticism from Trixie, although I’m not really sure she knows what it was that she did!”
The crowd cheer and Trixie seems more shocked than anyone that she was able to pull that off. Bordeaux goes for a pin, with Celestia watching on;
ONE… TWO… NO!!!
The count gets stopped by Chris Peacock elevating himself off of the pin and then taking down Celestia with a Glitterball Drop!
Allen Price: “You want to talk about athleticism, Anzu? That right there, THAT is athleticism like no other on display by the FWA World Champion. Yeah, go on Chris!”
The FWA World Champion laughs as Celestia rolls from the ring and she is helped by her sister. Peacock ignores the jeers and mocks them, prompting Grandma Ethel to rise up onto the ring apron! Ethel starts scalding Peacock. He nods his head and seemingly accepts the criticisms… and Peacock then rocks Ethel with a forearm, knocking her down to the floor!
Rod Sterling: “No class, whatsoever.”
Chris continues to revel in his wickedness, but when he turns around he has Trixie back up and in his face. She tells him off some more, but this allows Alyster Black to approach her from behind and ter Black to pull Trixie back and drive her down into the mat with a Russian Leg Sweep! With Trixie down and holding the back of her head, the referee tries to reestablish order and makes Peacock vacate the ring.
***
<< 07:11. >>
Alyster Black wrings the arm of Bellatrix Bordeaux, and he then tags in Chris Peacock, who climbs up onto the middle rope and measures her… and he drops a Double Axe Handle down onto Trixie’s head! Bordeaux drops to the mat and Black leaves the ring to allow Peacock to take over.
Rod Sterling: “FTN are just having their way with poorTrixie now, and you can see the concern etched onto the faces of the other members of The Coven. Celestia wants a tag-”
Allen Price: “Did you see that move?! That, right there, is the BEST Double Axe Handle in the business! Honestly, no one is going to hit that move as cleanly as Chris Peacock does.”
With Trixie down, Peacock takes a moment to taunt Celestia Ravenwood by gyrating in her general direction. This causes Celestia to try to enter the ring, but the referee cuts her off, and as such, Peacock drops down and begins to choke Trixie with both hands around her throat. When the official does turn around, Peacock relents and lifts Bordeaux up from the mat and sets her up in the corner.
Peacock steps up onto the middle rope and holds Trixie’s head in place and begins to land punches on the top of her head. Where the crowd would once count along, they are silent and Peacock shakes his head, giving the fans a one fingered salute. However, Bordeaux takes this chance to scurry down between Peacock’s legs towards the middle of the ring. Trixie tries to reach Celestia, but Peacock cuts her off by grabbing her ankle.
Hopping on one leg, Trixie realises that she cannot reach Celestia so she spins around and cracks Peacock with an Enziguiri to the back of the head… and Peacock stumbles back down and lands in a seated position in the FTN corner. Alyster Black reaches down and tags back in, but this is just as Trixie leaps in the air and gets the tag to Celestia!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Trixie made it, what can The Coven do here? A win against the tag champions would really do a lot to boost their credentials heading into Lights Out!”
It is in fact Trixie that goes to meet Black first, but she ducks his attempted forearm strike and continues… and hits a Baseball Slide to Peacock in between his legs! Black winces and then turns around… and Celestia takes him down with a Diving Crossbody! The air time was very impressive and she gets to her feet and measures the former X Champion… and knocks him down with a Spinning Wheel Kick! Celestia goes in for the cover;
ONE… TWO… NO!!!
***
<< 11:11. >>
Rod Sterling: “The Coven had established somewhat of a foothold in this match, but the FWA World Tag Team Champions seem to have had an answer for everything that they have tried to throw at them and taken every advantage presented to them along the way.”
Allen Price: “That is just the champion mindset, Roddy! We wouldn’t expect someone like you to even begin to understand!”
Black lifts Bordeaux back from the canvas after a Saito Suplex and sends her into the corner roughly and charges in immediately, clattering into Trixie with a running elbow smash. With Trixie then set up in position, Alyster Black begins laying into her with heavy strikes - HE’S HAVING A VIOLENCE PARTY! Poor Trixie has no sort of defence for the barrage and Alyster eventually stops smacking her around at the behest of the referee.
Taking a position in the middle of the ring, Black motions for Trixie to come and meet him, but she does not. In frustration at waiting, Chris Peacock enters the ring illegally and shrugs off the referee to lift Trixie up and he motions for Black to run the ropes. Alyster does, looking for the ONE SHOT KILL - BUT CELESTIA GRABS TRIXIE’S ARM AND PULLS HER OUT OF THE WAY - AND ALYSTER STOPS JUST SHORT OF HITTING HIS OWN PARTNER!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Close call for FTN, there! Here’s Celestia from behind though with a Dropkick to Peacock’s back - and there’s a meeting of the minds for the tag team champions!”
Peacock and Black clunk heads, and the FWA World Champion rolls over towards the ropes and winds up on the apron. Whilst Black teeters on his feet for a few moments… but TRIXIE HITS HIM FROM BEHIND WITH THE HOCUS-POCUS!! The crowd begins to cheer loudly as Black is planted on the back of his head, and Bordeaux crawls into the cover, hooking a leg…
…
ONE!
…
…
TWO!!
…
…
THREE-NO!!!
PEACOCK BREAKS IT UP JUST IN TIME!!
The crowd are not best pleased as FTN survives for long enough to stay in the match, but Peacock then gets grabbed by Celestia and thrown out of the ring. Ravenwood gets back into the corner on the apron and gets a tag from an exhausted Trixie.
Rod Sterling: “Alyster Black is in perfect position here for Celestia Ravenwood… all she has to do is get up on the top rope and if she can hit that Hex Bomb, that’s got to be all she wrote!”
Celestia pulls herself up onto the top rope and steadies her footing, but before she can take flight, Alyster Black grabs the referee by the collar and pulls him down on top of him! More boos emanate from the watching crowd, but Black’s action prevents Celestia from hitting her move, which would surely win the match for The Coven. Celestia holds her arms out in protest, demanding that the referee move, but this allows Peacock to get back up onto the apron with his Singapore Cane… AND HE SMASHES THE CANE OFF OF CELESTIA’S BACK!!
The harsh shot causes Celestia to drop to the mat and Peacock is immediately accosted by Blair Ravenwood, but he drops the cane and calls for the referee’s help just as Alyster lets go and all the official sees is Blair getting in the face of an active competitor! Now, Dean demands that Blair back off as he leans through the ropes. With the official distracted again, Peacock slides the cane in to Black and ‘Black Jesus’ measures Trixie Bordeaux… BLACK CRACKS TRIXIE IN THE TOP OF THE HEAD WITH IT!!!
Rod Sterling: “FTN were on the verge of losing this match, people… they’ve managed to do it again. This cannot stand for much longer, surely.”
Allen Price: “Rod, you’re so salty! Everyone has complained that I have helped FTN win their matches, and now they’re doing it on their own, you’re still complaining. You fickle, ignorant baby, Rod Sterling.”
Alyster disposes of the evidence as Chris slides back in the ring. After Chris checks up on Alyster briefly, he helps his partner get Celestia up… AND TOGETHER FTN HIT RAVENWOOD WITH THE LOAD BLOWER!!! The Powerbomb/Lungblower combination hits the mark, and Black goes for a pin;
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
{RESULT}Winners: FTN by pin fall at 14.02.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”Here are your winners… Alyster Black and Chris Peacock… F… T… N!"
Black and Peacock both suck in deep lung-fulls of oxygen in the middle of the ring, the match behind them but the effects from it still lingering. The Coven roll out under the bottom rope, regrouping on the outside and licking their wounds before making their way up the ramp. Alyster and Peacock bump fists before the official lifts both of their hands in victory, Try a Little Tenderness blaring out around the arena once more.
Rod Sterling: "An impressive victory here in Botswana for Black and Peacock, defeating two thirds of our current FWA Trios Champions."
Allen Price: "More than impressive, Sterling! World class! FTN are unstoppable!"
Peacock and Black continue to celebrate in the ring, the audience on their feet and launching into a chant of the team’s initialism… which is cut short, suddenly, as the Commitments’ warbling comes to an abrupt halt. The big screen above the stage also shifts from its depiction of events in the ring, to a backstage area, where a young woman - instantly recognisable by the green mohawk on her head - struggles to get to her feet.
Rod Sterling: "That’s Violet Dreyer! A known associate of Alyster Black and, by extension, FTN…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "… and she doesn’t look in the best shape! She’s been busted wide open!"
Indeed, when Violet lifts her head - a look of uncontrollable rage etched upon her face - we see the trickle of blood from a recent wound. A nearby chair, discarded and dented, explains some of this.
Rod Sterling: "But who by?!"
The shot flashes to the two men in the ring, who stare at the screen with perplexed countenances, their championship belts in their hands. Then, once again to the backstage corridor, as Violet forces herself up onto her feet…
… but she’s wiped out by a busaiku knee kick! A flash of brown fur appears on our screen and crashes into Dreyer, once more knocking her off her feet and sprawling to the ground.
Rod Sterling: "weaselperson!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "We saw weaselperson, or this latest and distinctly familiar version thereof, two weeks ago at the 18th Anniversary Show, where they attacked Alyster Black before the Steel Roulette main event."
Allen Price: "And here they are again targeting the FTN family! This won’t stand!"
It appears the two men in the ring agree, with Black leading the charge up the ramp, closely followed by the World Champion.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Feel free to go help too, Allen."
Allen Price: "… I’ll catch up with them a little later."
As FTN show some urgency and hustle in striding up the ramp, weaselperson wraps Violet’s legs around her own before reaching down and collecting her wrists.
Anzu Kurosawa: "We saw weaselperson attempting this on Alyster Black at the Anniversary Show before security descended on the situation. Looks like they have a little more privacy tonight, though…"
Rod Sterling: "CURBSTOMP!! Violet Dreyer tastes the concrete! We need some help back there!"
Allen Price: "Alyster and Chris are on their way!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "To where, exactly?"
Allen Price: "…"
With Dreyer seemingly out cold, we watch weaselperson crouch on their haunches above her lifeless form. From within the folds of their suit, they produce a plain white envelope, which they proceed to place next to Dreyer’s head. The blood begins to pool and stain the corner of the letter as we fade to black.
The following is a WWE.COM exclusive.
Are you feeling lost? Feeling like you are lacking a purpose or meaning in life?
Do you find yourself stuck at home on many of a lonely evening with only your dick in hand for company?
What if I could promise you a chance to Be a Star?
What if I told you that with my help you could join the WWE NETWORK?
For just a mere price of $199.99 you can join the WWE Performance Center today! And for those of you who are feeling extra motivated for the additional cost of $100 a week, I'll let you become an exclusive member of the WWE universe.
"Ladies and Gentlemen my name is Trevor Walker. Along with being one of the most skilled competitors in all of wrestling. I am the owner and founder of the Walker Wrestling Experience. Which is the premiere training program around for professional wrestling. My original plan today was to sit down and watch the latest FWA exploits and share with you all my vast knowledge and experience of the world of professional wrestling. Unfortunately that will not be happening and I'll tell you why. When I watched the FWA shows, I didn't see professional wrestlers who could compete under the WWE banner. Instead I saw a mixture of Average Everyday Wrestlers or AEW talents for short and a bunch of totally nondescript assholes who couldn't make any form of Impact!"
"As I've said before AEW talents do not have what it takes to make it in the WWE and nor do TNA wannabes. My program and expertise is exclusive to those willing to pay their dues at the simple cost of $199.99 per week. So if you want that opportunity to here why these so called superstars should put on a headlock or work an arm, than you best be willing to make the sacrifices needed to become a WWE superstar. This offer isn't exclusive either I'm looking for a few good men and .... (Walker sighs) women who are tough enough to make this happen. But let it be known I'm a charitable man deep down, so I will be coming by the FWA looking for recruits. So let me tell you something Jack, if you are sick of looking up at the lights and want a different bitch with whom to spend you tomorrow night. Sign up to be apart of the WWE today!"
The camera opens in the office of Jon Russnow, and we see him working on some paperwork at his desk. There’s a knock at the door, but Russnow never even looks up.
Jon Russnow:Come in
The crowd cheers as Tommy Bedlam steps into the frame, the FWA X-Title tossed over his shoulder.
Tommy Bedlam:Russnow.
Jon Russnow:Oh. It’s you. What do you want, Bedlam?
Russnow is obviously not thrilled to see Tommy, lending some credence to what Rocco recently told Tommy about Russnow still not being completely over the way that Tommy took time off following an injury shortly after the launch of Deathswitch Initiative.
Tommy Bedlam:Damn, Jon. Don’t seem so happy to see me. Anyway, let’s just cut through the shit. Lights Out is coming up, I know you’ve been working on the card. I know you’ve already got some stuff lined up, but Rocco says that you still don’t have anything for me. Now, I’m assuming that the fans wanna see another X Rules match, and seeing as I’m the one holding the strap, I do believe I need a dance partner.
Jon Russnow tosses his pen down on his desk and finally makes eye contact with Tommy for the first time.
Jon Russnow: Rocco’s right. I haven’t gotten around to figuring out what you’re going to be doing. I figured that you and Crowe would want to do something together since you both seem to have found one another again, but I’ve got some other plans for him. As far as you go, I guess I need to find a challenger for the X title, don’t I?
There’s another knock at the door.
The enigmatic XYZ appears beside Tommy Bedlam, staring at Tommy and the X Championship before turning his gaze toward Jon Russnow.
XYZ: Bedlam … of the Tommies … you withstood the best I had at the Show of Anniversaries … but that’s not the best I could have.
There’s a pause as now the reigning X Champion squares his shoulders up to face XYZ, who has a teal cloth tied to his neck serving as a cape.
XYZ: I have a little more, a level up, from the blood of the dandelion. Do you … champion of the X … have more you can go?
There’s a momentary pause but before Tommy Bedlam answers, XYZ interjects.
XYZ: UH-UH! You answer too swiftly. Because if you accept, Tommy, this will be my fourth match for the X Championship. And four scores … and seven years ago … the tidal waves of Mount Dora rushed into the ocean’s lips and cast out all the wandering foes. Four … is the limit.
So if you accept, you must know … that if I lose … I will BAN MYSELF … from challenging for the X Championship … as a heroic and noble offering … to a worthy winner.
XYZ bows in front of Tommy and then stands upright, awaiting the response.
Tommy Bedlam: I don’t understand at least half of whatever the hell you just said, but it sounds to me like you just challenged me to another match for the X-Title. If you wanna do this thing again, let’s do it. You and me, Lights Out. X-Title on the line.
XYZ smiles and sweeps his cape across his face before leaving the office. Tommy Bedlam looks back to Jon Russnow.
Jon Russnow:Looks like you have your match for Lights Out, although, I don’t really understand why you both wanted to offer up these things, you asking for a title defense and XYZ saying if he loses he won’t be able to challenge for the belt anymore. Usually, these are forced upon people.
Tommy smiles and as he’s walking away gives a retort.
Tommy Bedlam:You’re right, Jon. There are A LOT of cowards in the FWA. But I ain’t one of them, and that crazy sumbitch that just went out of here ain’t either. Book the damn match.
{DELETE || KUWANANO}[MEDIA=youtube]Xq5nl_Q2GDw[/MEDIA]
The lights of the stage flash a mixture of neon green, purple, with occasional flashes of red to the music. The screens flash an 8-bit skull logo repeatedly. After about eighteen seconds, the YOKAI Death Squad Trio makes their way out. Katsu keeps her hand to her side, cape flowing behind her. Ririko runs to one side of the stage, amped up, as Cali Hayama hops in place. Ririko joins her partners in the middle of the stage as there are sparks of pyrotechnics. Standing next to Katsu, Ririko spins around and holds up the MAYHEM ‘M,’ her masks ‘tongue’ flopping around. Katsu crosses her arms in front of her, holding her hands in a ‘fox head’ gesture as Cali Hayama kneels down in front of them, pointing her hand out like a sideways gun. The Canadian jumps up as all three begin to head down the ramp.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is the final of the Trios Eliminator Tournament… introducing first, representing MAYHEM, the Sky Devil, Cali Hayama, the Crazy Ghost, Ririko and the Kitsune Warrior, Katsu… YOKAI DEATH SQUAD!!!”
The three wrestlers head down the ramp before Katsu makes a break for the hard-cam side of the ring. The former FWA Television Champion opens her cape as she slides onto the apron. Cali Hayama jumps onto the apron and jumps over the top rope as Ririko slides into the ring. Katsu quickly does the spits and slides into the ring. Ririko and Katsu head to parallel turnbuckles as Cali Hayama hooks her leg on the top rope, removing her half mask and showing a smirk. All three put down the ‘MAYHEM’ ‘M’ before they all jump off. The three head back to the middle of the ring and exchange a triple fist bump before heading to their corner.
{THE LUMBERJACK || JACKYL}[MEDIA=youtube]A52p9jc-gOo[/MEDIA]
The positive reaction continues for The Lumberjacks and their sister, Lucy Lupone. Lucy seems more eager to interact with the fans while Dan and Doug mean business as they march down to the ring.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Their opponents, from The Yukon, Canada and weighing in at a combined weight of 750 lb, the team of Dan, Doug, and Lucy Lupone…The Lumberrrrrjacks!"
Rod Sterling: "It’s all come down to this, Anzu! Eight teams entered the Trios Eliminator Tournament, and we’re down to two: the Yokai Death Squad and the Lumberjacks. A shot at the Coven’s FWA Trios Championships at Lights Out in Kinshasa awaits the victors of this highly-anticipated contest…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "But only one of these teams, I imagine, is at full strength. Katsu put in a hell of a performance during the Anniversary Show’s main event, during which she placed third, but in the end she fell victim to the Steel Roulette. I imagine the effects of that match are still lying heavily upon her."
Rod Sterling: "She’ll have to overcome that for the sake of her team, because the Lumberjacks would love nothing more than to cut them down…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "…"
Rod Sterling: "…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "… terrible."
Doug, Dan, and Lucy climb into the ring and stare across it at the Death Squad, who are limbering up in their own corner. As Jackyl fades out, the official conducts his final checks before calling for the bell…
THIRD MATCH || 1/30.
YOKAI Death Squad (Katsu, Cali Hayama, and Ririko) vs. The Lumberjacks (Dan LuPone, Doug LuPone, and Lucy LuPone).
Trios Eliminator Tournament Final - FWA Trios Championships #1 Contendership.
Match Writer: SS.
<< 00:00. >>
The match starts off with Doug LuPone and Cali Hayama, with the latter beginning to circle the ring whilst the much larger man takes up position in the centre of it. Cali comes in with a quick kick to the side, Doug trying to catch the leg but finding himself too slow for his countrywoman, who quickly darts out of reach again. She repeats the task four times, Doug becoming increasingly infuriated with each strike… until he tires of the cat and mouse and runs through her with a shoulder block! Hayama almost dodges, but the glancing blow is enough to send her stumbling. Doug immediately hits the ropes and follows up with a big boot! There are some cheers and some boos in the crowd as Doug hoists Cali up in a front facelock. He lifts her into the air but stalls in a delayed vertical suplex.
Rod Sterling: "The crowd seems somewhat divided here in Gaborone: seems like a fifty-fifty divide between those cheering for the Death Squad and those behind the Lumberjacks."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Fifty percent crowd support for Cali Hayama means roughly jackshit right now, Rod. All of the blood’s rushing to her head, and Doug’s in no rush to drop her."
In fact, he proceeds to carry Cali over to his corner and tags in Dan. His brother climbs in and positions himself on the other side of Hayama, Doug transferring Cali to Dan and climbing out of the ring. The second LuPone maintains the delayed vertical for another ten seconds… and then slamming her down with the suplex! He gets up to cheers from his team’s half of the crowd, but that quickly turns to boos when a trio of interlopers are seen on the stage. The camera cuts to pick them up…
Anzu Kurosawa: "Here come the Coven, who count amongst their number all three of the FWA Trios Champions, but only one of them is out here now."
Rod Sterling: "Trixie and Celestia were just competing a few minutes ago, but it seems the rest of the contingent want to keep a close eye on this match. Unsurprising, considering the winner will face them for their championships in Kinshasa."
Dan LuPone is distracted by Blair Ravenwood, Kleio De Santos, and Grandma Ethel sauntering down the ramp. He watches them with a nonplussed look on his face, ignoring the cries from his brother and sister to focus on the match… and turns around into a spinning heel kick from Cali! It’s enough to knock him back towards a corner, Hayama following up with a facelock and then, after moving towards her corner, a tornado DDT!! Dan is spiked on his head and Cali hurries into the cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
The Lumberjack gets a shoulder up.
Rod Sterling: "Looks like we’re about to have some company here at the booth, Anzu. Watch your manners."
Anzu Kurosawa: "… what’s wrong with my manners?"
Grandma Ethel: "You don’t mind if I join you, do you? I can’t stand for thirty minutes, if they go that long. Hope not. ‘Less broadways, more roll-ups’. That’s what they used to say in my day…"
Ethel settles in whilst Kleio and Blair circle the ring, watching the contest unfold within. Cali tags in Ririko, the Death Squad looking to consolidate their advantage…
***
<< 06:10. >>
Ririko charges into the back of Dan LuPone with a chop block, taking him out at the knees and sending him back to the mat. This has largely been the YOKAI Death Squad’s tactics in isolating the big man, with Cali, Ririko, and very occasionally Katsu focussing on his legs over the opening stretch. Dan clambers to his knees but is caught by a knee lift from Ririko, followed by a swift combo of an uppercut, elbow smash, and spin kick to the gut. He’s doubled over and she applies a front facelock.
Rod Sterling: "Dan LuPone eats a second DDT!"
Grandma Ethel: "Don’t they know any other moves? That one’s almost as old as I am. This is like watching the Menage."
Anzu Kurosawa: "The old ones are the best, Grandma! Ririko goes for the cover…"
ONE… TWO… NO!
Rod Sterling: "Kickout from LuPone, but he’s becoming increasingly in dire need of a tag to one of his siblings…"
Dan rolls over and starts to crawl over towards his corner, but Ririko proceeds to hit some stomps to the back and the head. Dan gets to his knees, and Ririko follows up with stiff kicks to the abdomen, which Dan seems to absorb. He takes a half-dozen of them, and then lets out a loud battle cry in Ririko’s general direction.
Dan Lupone: ”TIIIIIMBEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!"
LuPone gets to his feet, and Ririko replies by sending eight quick kicks to his sides and his chest, the last one a jumping kick to the side of the head. LuPone is only momentarily staggered, and then repeats his cry. Ririko is unfazed, and charges off the ropes behind her…
Anzu Kurosawa: "A blind tag there from Cali Hayama - I don’t think Dan saw it…"
Rod Sterling: "Ririko ducks beneath LuPone’s clothesline and hits the ropes again… and then eats a massive big boot!! She rolls beneath the bottom rope!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "But Dan LuPone turns around into a springboard hurricanrana from Cali! Modern enough for you, Grandma?"
Grandma Ethel: "Please. I was doing that back in the fifties, honey."
Cali hooks the leg…
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Dan kicks up, but a little less emphatically, and Cali looks to grind him down further with a grounded headscissors…
***
<< 12:41. >>
Ririko has Dan down with what is probably an ill-advised reverse chin lock, the referee having checked his hand and him resisting its fall. He clenches his fist and, with his half of the crowd cheering him on, begins to fight up to his feet. Ririko transitions into a side headlock, but senses it slipping away when LuPone thuds into her with elbows to the midsection. She eventually lets go and tries to batter him with forearm strikes, which succeed in backing him up into the ropes. She takes him by the wrist and tries to Irish whip him across the ring.
Grandma Ethel: "What is it the children say? EL OH EL. I think that’s it. No chance of shifting that big boy, sugarplum."
Anzu Kurosawa: "… this is weird, right?"
Rod Sterling: "Watch your manners, Anzu."
Just as Ethel imagined, it’s an easy reversal for Dan, who checks his momentum and then whips Ririko into the ropes instead. She ducks his first attempt at a clothesline, and then leapfrogs his big back body drop, hitting the ropes a third time…
Anzu Kurosawa: "Another blind tag, this time Katsu tagging Ririko as she hits the ropes… and the Crazy Ghost is wiped out by another big boot!!"
Rod Sterling: "Here comes Katsu, and I think that was another blind tag as she entered the room, Cali now the legal woman… a second big boot! This time for Katsu!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And a third for Cali!! Dan LuPone is clearing house!!"
He hones in on Cali, the legal woman, lifting her off the ground like she’s a small child. Then, contrary to what you’d do if this was a small child (hopefully), he hurls her across the ring with a fallaway slam! Dan goes for the cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
The pinfall is leapt upon by Ririko and Katsu! This in turn prompts Doug and Lucy LuPone to finally enter the ring, Doug taking Katsu out with a big boot, whilst Lucy hits Ririko with a floatover DDT!!
Rod Sterling: "The referee has lost complete control here! Doug throws Katsu over the top rope and follows her out, whilst Ririko rolls out and then eats a baseball slide from Lucy!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Looks like we’re getting a little carnage, Rod! You love to see it!"
Grandma Ethel: "Don’t be so gauche, sweetheart. Nobody respects the rules any more. Not like we did in my day…"
The four continue to brawl on the outside, whilst Dan lifts up Cali and backs her into the corner with a big headbutt. He hurls her across the ring and charges in, attempting to squash her with a big splash… but Cali dives out of the way, LuPone hitting the turnbuckles chest first. He stumbles back into the middle of the ring, but has enough where-with-all to duck beneath Cali’s attempted roundhouse. Dan continues to the ropes, going for another big boot…
Anzu Kurosawa: "Not this time! Cali ducks beneath it… and then hits a Pele kick! Dan is sent staggering towards the ropes."
Rod Sterling: "Hayama charges in for a clothesline, but it’s ducked by Dan, He hoists her up and over with a big back body drop, but Cali lands on the apron…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "SHE’S GOT HIM BY THE BEARD!!"
Grandma Ethel: "Good gracious! That’s a man’s beard!"
Cali holds on tight and uses the facial hair to drag Dan down throat-first over the top rope. He stumbles into the middle of the ring and turns to face Hayama… who nails him with a springboard forearm strike!! Dan LuPone is knocked off his feet, YDS’s portion of the crowd finding their voice again.
Rod Sterling: "Dan is stirring, but I don’t know if he knows where he is! This is Cali’s opportunity…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "She sees that too, Rod! Here it comes… ETHER CALAMITY!!!!"
Hayama gets all of the ‘Destino’, and on the outside we see Ririko whip Lucy LuPone into the steel steps. As Cali hooks the far leg, the Crazy Ghost joins Katsu in diving on top of Doug on the apron, stopping him from entering the ring.
ONE… TWO… THREE!!
{result}Winners: The YOKAI Death Squad by pinfall at 15:02.
Cali is slow to climb to her feet, and finally manages to do so with some assistance from Ririko and Katsu. The official joins the end of the line, lifting their hands in victory.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here are your winners… and the number one contenders for the FWA Trios Championships… Katsu, Cali Hayama, and Ririko… the YOKAI Death Squad!!"
Rod Sterling: "Which means, of course, they will face the Coven at Lights Out. Any thoughts on that, Ethel?"
Grandma Ethel: "One can’t sit around thinking all day, young Master Sterling. Things to be done."
With that, Ethel leaves the booth and joins Blair and Kleio on the outside of the ring. They lock eyes with their next challengers in the ring, Blair taking a step forward and polishing the gold of her championship belt with a sleeve. The Death Squad exchange hushed whispers about the champion and her entourage in the ring until they turn away, Blair, Kleio, and Ethel beginning their slow walk up the ramp.
Once more, in the middle of the ring, the YOKAI Death Squad celebrate their tournament win, the whole audience showing appreciation of their efforts as we fade out from the scene.
Static fills the airwaves for a brief moment before the picture is clear and sitting before us is “The Wildcard” Jason Randall. A man that hasn’t been seen since Back in Business. He’s sitting in a dimly lit room. Your basic setting but Randall has never been one for flash and pizzazz.
The Wildcard still looks the same with his facial hair and the hair on his head. He’s wearing a retro Penny t-shirt with a caricature of Penny and her cat Fred on it with the text “Eccentric Dreamer” in dark red lettering, and along with that he has on black Nike branded gym shorts and sneakers.
“For months I’ve heard the questions, where have you been, Wildcard? Where has The Wildcard gone off too? Actually no, no one has asked those questions. It’s been about, what? Two months since I last appeared on FWA television. Back in Business XVII. I lost to Death Walker and XYZ in a number one contender’s match for the X-Championship. XYZ pinned me and then he went on to lose to Tommy Bedlam. The same man that pinned me went on to lose. If it were me I would not have lost, but that is neither here nor there.”
“I haven’t been around since then and why? Why haven’t I been around? I don’t know. Ask the suits in the back. I’ve tried to get on the show ever since Back in Business but they have nothing for me. I’ve been here before, I’ve played this game. Creative has nothing for you. I can’t find my way on the anniversary show when I’ve been here for 8 and a half years! That’s the thanks that I get, huh?”
“I have to sit back and watch as other men and women get opportunities handed to them. People have made returns and new faces that get opportunities handed to them without earning it. Where’s my opportunity? Why can’t I get those same opportunities, huh? You know, I’ve had it up to here. I’m sick of waiting around. I’m not going to sit back anymore, I'm going to take what’s mine. I know you've heard me say that before but this time I mean it. I don’t care who it is but I will be at Lights Out in a match.”
“About a month ago there was a tropical storm that wrecked havoc on my hometown. Well, let me tell you, there’s a storm coming to Lights Out and I’m going to wreak havoc on anyone that is standing in my way…”
The feed cuts out abruptly…
{WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE || BON JOVI}[MEDIA=youtube]8SiS9ZWaCLY[/MEDIA]
The iconic lyrics of Bon Jovi kick in and the crowd gets to their feet, showing their excitement as the FWA X Champion walks out from the back to loud ovation from the crowd. Tommy Bedlam walks out and stands at the top of the ramp, the FWA X-Title proudly around his waist. He takes off his signature black cowboy hat and tips it to the crowd as he is now joined by his manager, Rocco. Rocco high fives Tommy before he makes his way down to the ring, high-fiving the fans who hang their arms over the security barrier along the way.
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen this is your MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! Introducing first, hailing from Sweetwater, Texas… being accompanied to the ring by Rocco Sullivan… he is the FWA X CHAMPION… TTTTTTOOOOOOOMMMMYYY BEEEEEDDLAAAMM!”
Rod Sterling: “The crowd here in Botswana, much like everywhere else we visit, have certainly bought into Bedlamania. And who can blame them… he’s on a streak like he’s never seen before in his career, capped off by picking up the X Championship at Back in Business from Shawn Summers, reunited with Chris Crowe, and picking up a big defense at the Anniversary Show against XZY!”
Anzu Kurosawa: ”He was already on a hot streak, but it seems like the return of Deathswitch has taken Bedlam to that next level.”
Rod Sterling: “But tonight, he is up against a man who has been not only been dominant lately, including extremely decisive victories over Mike Parr and Juan Tothrefor, but Big Bryan Bastard has been on a tear for really the last year, dating back to last year’s F1.”
As Tommy climbs into the ring, he steps up on the second turnbuckle, throws his long, leather duster back, and points down toward his X-Title, throwing the crowd into another frenzy. Tommy jumps down, removes his duster and the X-Title, handing them off to ringside as he awaits his opponent.
{ANIMALS || NICKELBACK}[MEDIA=youtube]DLYwwtPA49w[/MEDIA]
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”And his opponent, hailing from Hickory North Carolina, he is the FWA North American Champion… BIG BRYAN BBBBBBBBAAAAASSSSSSSSSTTTAAARRRDDDD!”
The cheers for Tommy quickl transition into deafening boos as Bryan Baxter, now preferring to refer to himself as Big Bryan Bastard when he steps ito the ring, walks out from the back. Baxter stops on the top of the stage, pulling back his glossy red letterman jacket to reveal the FWA North American Title wrapped around his bulky waist. The back of the letterman jacket now longer reads “Buddy System” and instead reads “BASTARD” across the back.
Rod Sterling: “It’s been a busy night already for Big Bryan Bastard… he started the show off by scouting out his Lights Out opponent and then had a confrontation with Katsu and the YDS.. if you factor in his issues with Tommy’s pal Chris Crowe, Baxter’s enemy list continues to grow by the day.”
Anzu Kurosawa: ”That’s pretty much been the story since his debut here in FWA. He hasn’t made many friends… and the two friends he did have… both are M.I.A. Bill Scorpane was last seen gallivanting with the Nephews while Jeremy Best hasn’t been seen since being buried alive by Krash at Back in Business.”
Rod Sterling: “It hasn’t stopped his run of success, however. What a match this should be. Champion vs. Champion. Two of the hottest acts in FWA right now going at it. And given the style both these men wrestler… this one should be hard hitting!”
Baxter slowly makes his way down to the ring and climbs in. He stares down Tommy, but instead of removing his gear, he asks for a microphone.
Bryan Baxer: “Tommy Bedlam! So good to see you again! If I recall correctly, the last time we got together in a wrestling ring, we were beatin’ the ever lovin’ shit out of a couple of pieces of trash known as Mike Parr and Shawn Summers. I gotta say… that was a lot of fun, wasn’t it?”
Bedlam grins and nods his head in agreement.
Bryan Baxer: “Yeah, yeah… I thought so too, man. And I can’t help but notice… you’ve gone and made some new friends since then… well I guess, reunited with some old ones.”
Once again Bedlam nods, this time with a smirk as Baxter is, of course, referring to Bedlam’s partner Chris Crowe. A man who has his eyes solidly on Baxter’s North American Championship.
Bryan Baxer: “Hahaha - it’s all good, my man. I won’t hold who your friends are against ya. I mean, I’m one to talk. I’m friends with Jeremy Best!”
The mere mention of the name no one wants to particularly speak about sends boos through the audience.
Bryan Baxer: “But Tommy, from our very… very brief time together as a tag team… I developed some respect for you. You’re as tough as nails. You’re a badass. You don’t take shit… you know, much like me. And much like me, I think you seem to be a reasonable man. And also much like me… we’ve both got quite a bit going on in our personal lives these days, now don’t we? Congratulations on the baby boy, by the way.”
Baxter’s allusion to the recent birth of his and Randi’s boy Walker has Tommy beaming with pride in the ring as the crowd shows their own respect with a standing ovation for him.
Bryan Baxer: “Here here! Yeah! Give it up! He deserves it. Absolutely. And I have no doubt in my mind that you’re going to be an amazing father, Tommy. Much better than your own, that’s for sure.”
An “OOOOOOOH” goes through the crowd as Baxter smirks. The smile quickly faded from Tommy’s face.
Bryan Baxer: “And that’s why… that’s why Tommy, I think you’d rather be anywhere than a wrestling ring tonight. Your old man wasn’t around for you as a kid… you don’t wanna follow in those footsteps, now do ya? And quite frankly, there’s no reason we need to have this match. Neither of our titles are on the line. Who cares? What are we doing this for? The fans? If these fans give one shit about you and your new family, then they’d be telling you to get the fuck outta this ring and go be with your baby. So.. .whattaya say, pal - let’s just call it a night early?”
Tommy Bedlam: “You know what, at least part of what you said is right. Yes, I’d rather be back home in Texas tonight, and before you folks boo me outta this building, I promise, it’s got nothing to do with you. I’d rather be at home with my fiance and my son.”
Baxter gets a bit of a smile on his face as it seems like Tommy is agreeing with his idea.
Tommy Bedlam: “I wouldn’t look too happy if I were you, Baxter. Now, as much as I appreciate the congratulations on Walker’s birth, there’s a couple problems with your whole idea of us canceling this little match and me taking my ass back home to Sweetwater. First, I’m already in Africa, hoss. Best I can tell, it was about a 15 hour flight here to Bostwana, and it’s gonna be about a 15 hour flight home. I don’t think me taking off a few minutes early is gonna make that damn big of a difference. Second, these folks went and spent their hard-earned money to come to FWA Meltdown tonight, and I just don’t think it’d be right to send them home without the main event that they paid for. So before I get my ass back on a plane and fly 15 hours back to Texas, I’m gonna give these people what they paid for and let them watch me whip your ass all over this place.”
Bryan Baxer: “I was worried you’d say that. You really are an honorable guy, Tommy. I guess that’s where you and me start to differ. Earlier tonight, I issued someone a warning. I warned them what it’s like to step into the ring with a Bastard. Now at Lights Out… I’m gonna step into the ring with Jackson Fenix and I can’t wait to unleash the Bastard on him. And if I ever step into the ring with Katsu or Chris Crowe… again, more than happy to let the Bastard put both of them in a hospital bed. But Tommy, I do like you. Really, I do. And I feel for your kid. So what I’m gonna do tonight… is for you. It’s not just for you… it’s for your family. Because tonight… you can get on that plane and take that fifteen hour flight back home… and that little baby boy will actually get to see his father.”
Baxter drops the microphone and turns his back to Bedlam before climbing out through the ropes and dropping down to the floor from the apron.
Rod Sterling: “What is going on? Is he leaving?”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It would appear Bryan Baxter wants nothing to do with this match or Tommy Bedlam! He says he’s doing Tommy a favor but I think he’s just a coward!”
As the crowd boos loudly Bryan walks up the aisle. In the ring, Tommy Bedlam is beside himself, lifting up his arms in frustration. Baxter waves to Tommy as he turns and heads up toward the curtains..
Only to be confronted by…
CHRIS CROWE!
Rod Sterling: “Not so fast, Bryan Bastard! Because Tommy’s Death Switch partner… the man Bryan Baxter clearly wants nothing to do with.. isn’t about to let him get away that easy!
BBB quickly puts on the brakes as he spots Crowe, slowly walking out from the back, cutting off his exit. Thinking fast, Bryan decides to head to the left of the stage. Luckily for him there was more than one exit to the arena.
But before he can make it around to the other side of the arena… blocking is path is KATSU with the rest of YDS right behind her!
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’s Katsu and the YOKAI Death Squad! Baxter might regret that run in with them earlier tonight now!”
Baxter once again stops in his tracks, stumbling backward as he turns and heads back to the ramp where Crowe is still standing at the top of the stage. Crowe wags his finger with a smile as Baxter nearly trips over his feet on the ramp as he now heads to the right of the stage and tries to exit that way.
But once again… he is met with a roadblock.
Jackson Fenix and Nate Savage!
”You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me!”
Rod Sterling: “The Undisputed Alliance are no strangers to run-ins with Bryan Baxter and the Buddy System… but at Lights Out, Jackson Fenix gets his first singles match with Baxter! And he joins the triumvirate of forces keeping Baxter from getting out of tonight’s match up!”
Jackson Fenix and Nate Savage look eager to get their hands on their long time rival, but Baxter once again puts it in reverse and finds himself heading back to aisle once again… he finds himself staring down Crowe, Katsu, and Fenix… but he has forgotten all about his actual opponent… and Tommy Bedlam is going to make sure he doesn’t forget about him as he leaves the ring and charges at Baxter with a big running forearm to the back!
Bedlam spins Baxter around and swings a right hand, connecting right with Baxter’s face before Irish Whipping Baxter down the aisle toward the ring and right into the ring apron!
Tommy shouts out, playing to the supportive crowd before he tips his hat to Crowe, Katsu, and Fenix. ”Give ‘em Hell!” Crowe encourages as he turns and walks back up the ramp. The YDS and UA join Crowe in heading to the back, allowing Tommy to take care of business.
FOURTH MATCH || MAIN EVENT || 1/20.
Tommy Bedlam vs. Big Bryan Bastard
Singles Match.
Match Writer: Dubb.
Baxter rolls into the ring, staggering to his feet as Tommy slides under the bottom rope to enter as well, leading FWA Official Richard Davis to call for the bell to officially begin the match! Picking up where he left off outside the ring, Tommy immediately goes right after the North American Champion with a series of punches, backing Baxter up into the ropes! Tommy takes Baxter by the arm and sends him into the opposite rope with an Irish Whip, but Baxter reverses it! Tommy hits the ropes and bounces back into Baxter with a shoulder block…
But Baxter stands firm, absorbing the blow! Baxter shakes his head at Tommy as if he had just made a serious mistake before he strikes the cowboy with a hard hand of his own in the center of the ring! Tommy stumbles back as Baxter hits two more right hands and goes for a third…
But TOMMY BLOCKS IT! And Tommy instead hits a big headbutt to Baxter! Baxter stumbles back, but so does Tommy.
Anzu Kurosawa: “A couple hard heads colliding there - I can’t tell who took the worst of that!”
Rod Sterling: “I’m not sure either, but if it’s any indication, Baxter just came back and scored a headbutt of his own to Bedlam!”
Tommy staggers backwards after the return headbutt from Baxter. The Bastard continues on the attack as he takes Tommy by the arm and whips him into the corner. BBB follows in with a running clothesline to the cornered Bedlam - all 300+ pounds of Bryan Bastard sandwiching Bedlam against the turnbuckles!
With Bedlam cornered, Baxter lifted up his hand high into the air… and brought it down with a hard and STIFF open hand chop to Tommy’s bare chest. OOOOHs ring through the crowd once again, this time as of the entire crowd winced at once from the sound of the stiff chop from Baxter. But he wasn’t done yet as he lifted up his hand again and brought down another STIFF open hand chop!
AND AGAIN!
A big red handprint the size of BBB’s palm is left on Bedlam’s chest, but once again… the North American Champion isn’t done as he now begins to stomp a mudhole into Bedlam, burying him down to the mat in the corner. With his opponent now seated in the corner, Baxter backed away, proud of his work as the crowd booed him loudly. But he ignored the boos and ran in with a running hip attack to the cornered Bedlam!
Rod Sterling: “Tommy Bedlam got the jump on Baxter to start the match, but the North American Champion has now turned the tide and taken control here early on.”
Still in trouble in the corner, Tommy finds himself with a boot across his throat as Baxter chokes him with his foot against the turnbuckles. One - Two - Three - Four - Baxter breaks it amid threats of disqualification from the referee. BBB turns and barks at official Richard Davis, giving Tommy the opportunity to grab the ropes and he begins to pull himself up.
Noticing Tommy recovering, Bryan charges in… and Tommy drops down, pulling the top rope down and Baxter’s own momentum sends himself over the top rope to the floor! Bryan Bastard pulls himself up, showing some frustration in his misstep, slamming his fists on the apron. Tommy was still trying to shake his own cobwebs off in the ring as Bryan climbed up to the apron beginning to re-enter the ring..
BUT TOMMY RUSHES TO THE ROPES..
SPEAR THROUGH THE ROPES!
Both Tommy and Baxter spill to ringside!
Rod Sterling: “A rare high risk maneuver from Tommy Bedlam! Putting his body on the line there!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “He’s the X Champ now Rod. We’ve seen the Cowboy show a different side of himself since that feud with Shawn Summers and the reunion with Chris Crowe!”
Both wrestlers slowly pull themselves up at ringside with Tommy back up first, he strikes with a big uppercut to Baxter! Baxter staggers backwards as Tommy gets a head of steam… he rushes in with a big flying forearm shot that sends Baxter spilling over the guard rail and into the front row of fans!
The fans at ringside are all about Tommy’s resurgence here as they are on their feet and the fans at ringside give him a multitude of pats on his back as he approaches the guard rail where Baxter tries to pull himself up. Tommy grabs Baxter’s head and looks to attempt a suplex to the big man over the guard rail back to ringside..
.
But the Bastard fights it off! He slams Tommy head first into the guard rail and instead he now hooks Bedlam for a suplex… he lifts the cowboy up in the air… security moves the fans out of the way to clear space…
AS BAXTER DROPS TOMMY WITH A VERTICAL SUPLEX ONTO THE CHAIRS AT RINGSIDE!
Rod Sterling: “Oh jeez! Tommy’s back just bent across those ringside chairs!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Meanwhile, they need to be cognisant of the referee’s count here… there could easily be a double count out here!”
”SEVEN!” was the count from Davis as Baxter rolled himself over the guard rail, leaving Tommy struggling to his feet. Baxter rolls under the bottom rope, saving himself from count out but has no interest in exiting the ring again to reset the count. Instead, he looks prepared to win by countout!
Rocco rushes over and encourages Tommy as he pulls himself up on the railing.
”EIGHT!”
Now aware of the count, Tommy finishes pulling himself up and climbs over the rail. ”NINE!”
Bedlam slides back into the ring and stops the count… only to get stomped right in the back of the head by Baxter!
Rod Sterling: “Tommy Bedlam avoids the countout but he runs right into the waiting attack of Bryan Bastard once again!”
BBB grins as he continues to put the boots to Bedlam, preventing him to get to his feet. He then adds more punishment as he bounces off the ropes and hits a falling headbutt right to Bedlam’s back - focusing in on where he had struck the ringside chairs. Baxter rolls Bedlam over onto his back and makes the first pinfall attempt of the match.
ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Another couple of stomps are delivered to Tommy before Baxter grabs him by the hair, pulling him back up to his knees. Baxter sets Bedlam up into powerbomb position and he walks toward the turnbuckles, looking for his Buckle Bomb…
BUT TOMMY FIGHTS BACK! Clubbing blows atop Bastard and his forehead… slowly rocks BBB and DOWN HE GOES with Tommy landing on top of him! Bedlam reaches back and hooks a leg himself!
ONE! KICKOUT!
But when Baxter begins to get back to his feet, he’s caught by a running Bedlam with a Thesz Press! Bedlam unleashes a flurry of punches to Baxter while he mounts him! The X Champion pops back up off BBB, tossing his arms up into the air - fired up as the crowd roars in approval, but Rocco keeps Bedlam focused from ringside.
Sure enough, Bryan Bastard was already getting back to his feet so Bedlam met him with a series of hard forearm shivers to the side of the head, rocking Baxter back against the ropes. Tommy with the Irish Whip to Baxter, sending him to the opposite ropes. Baxter charges back and he ducks a clothesline from Bedlam! Baxter comes back off the ropes..
INTO A SPINEBUSTER FROM TOMMY!
Anzu Kurosawa: “Oh my! I feel bad for the mat!”
Rod Sterling: “The spine on the pine from Bedlam and now he goes for the pin”
ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Bryan Bastard rolls toward the ropes, grabbing the ropes to pull himself up… but in comes Bedlam with a running clothesline! It connects and sends Baxter back over the rope to the floor once again! Baxter spills to the floor as Tommy climbs the turnbuckles, tossing his arms up as the crowd once again cheers in support of the X Champion.
Frustration is once again evident on the face of BBB as he gets up to his knees at ringside. He tosses the ring apron up and pulls a table out, much to the chagrin of referee Davis, who warns Baxter. But Bryan ignores it and leans the table against the guard rail. While doing so, Rocco makes the mistake of confronting Baxter - who proceeds to grab Rocco by the collar of his shirt! Baxter threatens to put Rocco through the table…
But in comes Bedlam, sliding out of the ring and charging at Baxter with a running back elbow! BBB stumbles backward toward the table…
Anzu Kurosawa: “Baxter is dangerously close to falling victim to his own plunder here!”
Bedlam backs up, measuring up Baxter as he holds himself up using the table… and he charges in.
SPEAR!
NO!
BAXTER MOVES! TOMMY GOES CRUSHING THROUGH THE TABLE INSTEAD!
Rod Sterling: “The tables may be turning here, no pun intended!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Someone needs to tell these guys this isn’t a X Rules Match!”
Pulling Bedlam up from the debris of the table by his head…
AND TOSSES BEDLAM HEAD FIRST INTO THE STEEL RINGPOST!
The cowboy drops to the floor, but Bryan Bastard isn’t done on the outside. He helps Tommy up off the ground, and proceeds to drill him head first to the floor with a PILEDRIVER!
The boos are loud as Baxter pulls Tommy back up off the mat and rolls his lifeless body back into the ring. Baxter climbs back into the ring… pulling Tommy’s motionless body over to the corner of the ring. Bryan slowly ascends the turnbuckles to the middle ropes.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Now what’s he doing?”
Rod Sterling: “The ropes are certainly no-man’s land for Bryan Bastard! We’ve seen him attempt to go up top in the past… and it has never gone well for him!”
While Bryan Bastard does not climb all the way to the top, he does stop there on the middle ropes as he begins to bounce… and he JUMPS UP OFF THE ROPES…
SEATED SENTON DOWN ONTO TOMMY’S CHEST!
Rod Sterling: “It’s a BASTARD DROP if I’ve ever seen one!”
Baxter sits atop Tommy’s chest for the pinfall attempt.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
NO!
Tommy got his shoulder up at the last possible second!
Anzu Kurosawa: “How?! How did he do that! 300 pounds just came off the ropes right on top of him! How in the world did Tommy Bedlam kick out of that?!”
Baxter was clearly surprised himself, thinking his new move would’ve certainly been enough to put the X Champion away, but Bedlam wasn’t going down yet! Blood was pouring out of Tommy’s head from the damage he took outside the ring, it pooling in the corner as he begins to try and pull himself up while Baxter argues with referee Davis.
”I’M DONE WITH THIS!” Baxter shouted as he stepped through the ring out to the apron, jumping down to the floor. He walked over and grabbed a steel chair, folding it up… but Rocco tries to stop him! But Bryan Bastard shoves Rocco to the mat easily before sliding into the ring.
Rod Sterling: “He’s going to get himself disqualified!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I don’t think he really cares, Rod.”
But as soon as BBB enters the ring with the chair, Richard Davis is there to take it from him! He pulls the chair away, surprisingly easily from Bryan Bastard. He then walks away to return the chair to ringside…
And Bastard reaches into his tights, sliding his BRASS KNUCKLES ONTO HIS HAND!
Rod Sterling: “A misdirection!”
Tommy slowly pull himself up… wiping the blood away from his eyes…
AND TURNS AROUND INTO THE BRASS KNUX PUNCH FROM BAXTER!
Bedlam drops to the mat like a sack of potatoes!
Anzu Kurosawa: “No! Come on!”
Bryan Bastard drops down to his knees and makes the pin. Richard Davis returns to his position as Rocco is beside himself at ringside.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Bryan Baxter once again…
WAIT NO! TOMMY KICKED OUT!
Rocco nearly jumped out of his skin at ringside, celebrating the kickout as the fans seemed ready to blow the roof off the building with the kickout. Baxter shook his head frantically as he was now the one beside himself from another nearfall.
Furious, Baxter got back up and began to demand Bedlam to get back to his feet, as he primed himself up for another punch with those brass knuckles.
Rod Sterling: “He’s going to get in another shot here!”
Bryan charges in for another punch with the brass knux… BUT RICHARD DAVIS GRABS HIS ARM!
”WHAT THE FUCK?!” Bryan Bastard yells out at the referee, who proceeds to pull the brass knuckles off BBB’s hand… as Tommy comes in with a RUNNING BIG BOOT TO BAXTER!
Bryan Bastard drops to a knee before slowly pulling himself up into the waiting kick from Bedlam. He hooks Bryan for The Bullseye… but Bryan escapes it with a Northern Lights Suplex reversal! Baxter doesn’t bridge for the pinfall, instead he gets back up as Tommy is also trying to get to his feet and lifts Bedlam up with a spinning sitout powerbomb for the cover!
ONE! TWO! THRE-NO!
Baxter punches the canvas repeatedly after another kick out by Tommy.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Tommy Bedlam will not die! This cowboy looks ready to climb back into the saddle once again!”
The anger and frustration evident on his face, Bryan lifts Tommy up, placing his head under his arms and tossing Tommy’s right arm over his own head… before lifting him up..
BAXTER DRIVER!
But Tommy escapes down the back! Baxter turns around into a boot from Tommy.
BULLSEYE!
CONNECTS!
Baxter’s head bounces off the canvas as Tommy also drops to the mat, exhausted after pulling out a desperation move. Slowly Tommy makes the crawl over…
AND HE MAKES THE COVER!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
NO!
This time it’s Bryan Bastard who gets his shoulder up!
Rod Sterling: “Unbelievable! Bryan Baxter has kicked out of the Bullseye!”
Rocco is in disbelief at ringside as Tommy sits up to his knees, holding his hands onto the top of his head, also in shock as he wonders what it is going to take to keep this man down. Baxter pulls himself up to his knees, and looks right up at Tommy… ”FUCK YOU!” Baxter shouts out from his knees as Tommy rushes over and begins to unload with right hands to Baxter…
But Bryan Bastard staggers to his feet, taking every blow from Tommy and somehow absorbing them!
Breathing heavy, Tommy stared down his opponent as he ran to the ropes and charged back at the Baxter…
LAST CALL CLOTHESLINE!
Baxter drops to the mat…
ONLY TO STUMBLE RIGHT BACK UP TO HIS FEET!
Bedlam charges in, unfettered! ANOTHER LAST CALL takes Baxter back down!
Bedlam stumbles over as once again Baxter is still trying to stagger back up once again… and he… LIFTS… BAXTER… UP… ONTO HIS SHOULDERS………
ALL THREE HUNDRED POUNDS ON HIS SHOULDERS…
Tommy is struggling to hold the big man up… blood rolling down his face… his knees shaking…
But he manages to swing Baxter around into a cutter!
Rod Sterling: “He calls that move the EIGHT SECOND RIDE! Could this be enough! Could this keep Bryan Baxter down?!”
Exhausted, Bedlam drops to his knees, drops down onto Big Bryan Bastard… and hooks his far leg.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: Tommy Bedlam by pinfall at 18:39.
Tommy rolls off of Baxter and onto his back, clearly exhausted from the battle these two just had for nearly the full twenty minute time limit. Both had thrown everything they could at one another…
Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here is your winner… TOMMY BEDLAM!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “What a match and what a win! It looked like Bryan Bastard would just not go down, but Tommy had a new trick up his sleeve as he debuts the Eight Second Ride and that was finally enough to keep the Bastard down!”
Rod Sterling: “And that, Anzu, is only the second time in almost two years Bryan Baxter has been defeated in singles competition. The only other time was by Michelle von Horrowitz in the F1 Semifinals!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Quite the club he joins there!”
Tommy struggles to his feet, FWA referee Richard Davis helping him up and then lifting up his arm in victory, much to the delight of the crowd. Tommy drops to a knee after the official celebration, but pulls himself right back up. He glances over to Baxter, who has started to stir. Bedlam watches as his opponent gets up to his knees.
Bedlam walks over to where Baxter recovering… and he extends his arm out to Baxter in a show of respect.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Well, hey, how about that?”
Rod Sterling: “Bryan Baxter alluded to it earlier… the mutual respect these two had shown after their tag match back at Meltdown XXX… that time it was Baxter surprisingly showing his partner respect with the offer of a handshake… this Tommy Bedlam is returning the gesture.”
Sitting on his knees, glaring up at Tommy, the disappointment is evident on Baxter’s face. He climbs back up to his feet, and stares Tommy in the eyes before glancing down to the extended arm. Baxter snarls and smacks Tommy’s arm away, bumping his shoulder into him as he exits the ring instead. The crowd responds to the disrespect with loud boos.
Rod Sterling: “Well, so much for that.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Bryan Bastard is not one to handle a loss in stride, it would appear. But he’ll need to refocus because now he has Jackson Fenix at Lights Out to worry about… and many others breathing down his neck.”
Tommy shrugs his shoulders as he’s handed his cowboy hat and the X Title. He climbs the turnbuckles and holds both up in the air, earning more cheers from the crowd. Meanwhile, Baxter makes his way up the ramp where Chris Crowe meets him in the aisle. The two stop at the halfway point, staring each other down… going nose to nose… as Baxter scoffs and pushes his way past Crowe, heading to the back without any further escalation between the duo.
Rod Sterling: “A busy night for Bryan Bastard does NOT end the way he wanted it at all… but in the ring… what a night for that man… what a night for the X Champion, Tommy Bedlam! His stock continues to rise here in FWA! For Anzu Kurosawa, I’m Rod Sterling… the action and build for Lights Out continues this Saturday for Fallout! We hope to see you there!”
Chris Crowe climbs into the ring greeting Tommy with a big hug before lifting up Tommy’s arm in victory. Meltdown comes to a close with the continued celebration in the ring. |
|
|
Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 12:04:23 GMT
033: “DEBUTS, DEBUTS, DEBUTS!”
Live from Uhuru Stadium in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Saturday 16th September, 2023.
{SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT || NIRVANA}[MEDIA=youtube]zYxkezUr8MQ[/MEDIA]
We sweep around the Uhuru Stadium in wide shot as a mixed reaction circulates in Tanzania. Sawyer Xavier walks out onto the stage. He doesn’t halt in his momentum, immediately striding down to the ring towards his opponent.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Wrestling fans, your opening contest is scheduled for one-fall with a twenty minute time limit… from Savannah, Georgia… he weighs in tonight at one hundred and seventy six pounds… Sawyer… XAVIER!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Sawyer Xavier bounced back with a victory over Simon Smythe at the Anniversary Show, giving him a 1-1 record since his latest return to the FWA."
Allen Price: "With Lights Out now looming, Xavier will hope to keep his momentum as we head to Kinshasa."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We’ll have an announcement later on tonight from Jon Russnow, shedding light on what Sawyer Xavier and indeed his opponent will have on their plates at Lights Out. For now, though, Xavier will have to focus on a very game opponent, looking to avenge his own loss two weeks ago at the Anniversary Show."
Xavier limbers up in a corner as his music fades out, and is quickly replaced by…
{TILL I COLLAPSE || EMINEM FT NATE DOGG}[MEDIA=youtube]Pi3_Zs-oRUo[/MEDIA]
After the intro and song kicks into gear, Blake Taylor saunters out on stage to a chorus of boos. Taylor relishes in the crowd’s disdain for him and feeds off of their negative energy. He postures a bit before walking down to the ring, making stops along the way to trade barbs with rowdy fans.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… from Las Vegas, Nevada and weighing in at 215 lb, he is The Prodigal Son…Blake Taaaaaaylor!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I mentioned the hardfought loss Blake Taylor experienced at the Anniversary Show, where he was overcome by Madison Gray in a triple threat match that also included Jack the Clipper."
Allen Price: "The Prodigal Son may have avoided the pinfall in that one, but he’ll still be desperate to get his first FWA win here in his second outing. He looks all business as he marches down towards the ring and his opponent…"
Indeed, there’s a sense of purpose about Blake as he stomps down the ramp, his eyes fixating on Sawyer. Xavier paces slightly as Taylor climbs into the ring… and the Prodigal Son immediately charges over and clatters into him with a lariat!! Xavier lands at a high angle on his neck, with the official first shrugging and then calling for the bell…
FIRST MATCH || 1/20.
Sawyer Xavier vs. Blake Taylor.
Singles Match.
Match Writer: SS.
<< 00:00. >>
There are loud boos in the arena, much to the amusement of Blake Taylor, who looms over the downed Xavier with a smirk on his face. After a moment of posturing, Blake follows up with a half-dozen stomps, circling Sawyer and targeting each body part in turn. Finally, Taylor hoists Sawyer up and, after working the body with heavy right hands in the corner, hurls him across the ring with a judo throw.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "The Prodigal Son with the cheap opening gambit in this one, jumping Sawyer before the bell. Already, early on in his career here, we’re getting a good idea of Taylor’s qualities."
Allen Price: "I’d have thought you’d be impressed…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Was a statement, not a judgement."
Sawyer, to his credit, scrambles up to his feet and tries to respond with a clothesline. Taylor skilfully evades beneath it, though, and catches Xavier before throwing him back to the mat with a t-bone suplex! Xavier is slower to rise, with Taylor taking advantage of this to try a lackadaisical cover, a boot placed on Xavier’s chest…
ONE… NO!
Sawyer forces a shoulder up, which only serves to annoy Blake Taylor. He hoists Xavier up and nails a combination of jabs, hooks, and uppercuts, before dragging Taylor into a front facelock.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Blake Taylor goes for a vertical suplex, but Sawyer is able to slip out the back! Xavier lands on his feet behind Taylor… who turns into a backfist from Sawyer!!"
Blake is staggered and Xavier follows up with an enziguri. Blake doesn’t quite go down… but the Stundog Millionaire is enough to do the job! Xavier with the cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Black kicks out, and Sawyer slaps on a reverse chin lock, slowing down the pace.
***
<< 04:12. >>
Sawyer is manoeuvring Blake into position for a hammerlock DDT, but Blake drops down to a knee to block the attempt, and eventually manages to wrench an arm free before lashing out into Xavier’s abdomen with a series of right hands…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Blake Taylor fights his way out of the DDT, and then takes Sawyer up and over with a Northern Lights suplex! Nice bridge for the cover…"
ONE… TWO… NO!
Sawyer gets a shoulder up, the two men quickly climbing to their feet… where Taylor catches Xavier with a spinning backfist! Sawyer stumbles backwards, but the Prodigal Son is quick to clasp him in a bearhug, and then throws him overhead with a belly-to-belly suplex! Blake saunters over towards Sawyer and shoves a forearm in his face whilst sinking into the lateral press.
ONE… TWO… NO!
With Sawyer still grounded following the move, Blake applies an armbar, wrenching at the hold as Sawyer struggles towards the ropes…
***
<< 09:40. >>
After a few grappling knee strikes, Taylor proceeds to back Xavier into the corner with a series of forearms and knife edge chops. He takes Sawyer by the wrist and gives him a hard Irish whip into the opposite set of turnbuckles, Xavier bouncing back towards him with the impact… and Taylor meets him with a roundhouse kick! He goes for a cover…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Sawyer Xavier manages to get the shoulder up again, but you have to think Blake Taylor is succeeding in grinding his opponent down."
Allen Price: "Sawyer needs an opening, and he needs one quick…"
It is Taylor, though, who is looking for an opening of his own, stalking Xavier from behind as he slowly rises to his feet…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Blake Taylor is going for his patented ‘Dream Inducer’ chokehold, but Xavier slips behind! Stundog Millionaire! He gets it at the second time of asking!"
Allen Price: "Maybe the opening Sawyer Xavier needed!"
Taylor is fighting to his feet, but already Sawyer is hitting the ropes, and he runs through Blake Taylor with a shining wizard!! Xavier dives onto him to hook the leg…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Shoulder up from Blake Taylor! But Xavier seems in complete control as he grasps Taylor by his wrists, pulling him up onto his knees…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Sawyer Xavier is setting up for the Kamigoye here, the first part of Obsolete Rebellion…"
Allen Price: "But Blake Taylor catches the knee! Reversal!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Blake Taylor with the leg whip! And then he catches the rising Xavier with a forearm smash!!"
Sawyer, to his credit, manages to block the second forearm smash, but it’s all for nothing, with Blake following up with a massive headbutt! Sawyer is turnbed around…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "DREAM INDUCER!! Blake’s got the choke locked in!"
Allen Price: "And he falls to the ground, his legs wrapped around Xavier! Sawyer’s got nowhere to go!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Nowhere to go but to sleep! He’s out!! Sawyer Xavier is out and the official is calling for the bell!!"
{RESULT}Winner: Blake Taylor via referee stoppage (knockout) at 12:20.
Blake keeps the choke locked in a few extra seconds, eventually releasing Sawyer and pushing his lifeless form away. He climbs to his feet and insists that the official lift his hand, and then snatches it away immediately when he does.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Your winner… ‘The Prodigal Son’... BLAKE TAYLOR!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Taylor may not have endeared himself to the fans here in Botswana, or more generally watching at home, but there’s no denying that performance was impressive…"
Allen Price: "Exactly the response he needed after the disappointment of last week. ‘The Prodigal Son’ announces himself here in the FWA in a big way."
Without so much as a glance back at his downed opponent, Taylor stomps up the ramp and towards the stage. We fade to black.
Jean Luc Watkins: “Ladies and gentlemen, what we’re about to show you is certainly alarming. We have obtained some security footage from Barbados BGI following the FWA 18th Anniversary Show. Madison Gray, who won a triple threat match to put herself in a position to win the now vacant FWA Television Championship was at the airport preparing to fly home. What you’re about to see here is airport security footage, but we have enhanced the audio to try to help the local authorities who are investigating what happened.”
In black and white, we see Laramie hand Madison something, presumably a cell phone before hugging her friend. Madison walks away from the rental car and into the airport, leaving Laramie standing by herself near the car. As Laramie makes her way back to the driver’s side of the vehicle, we see someone lurking in the shadows nearby.
He has on a black hoodie with the hood pulled up, and a black mask pulled up over his face. As Laramie absent-mindedly makes her way toward the driver’s side, staring at the cell phone in her hands, he moves in closer. With no warning, he grabs her from behind, throwing one hand over her mouth. Over the sound of cars, the enhanced audio allows us to hear a man’s voice.
Masked Assailant: “Come with me and you won’t get hurt.”
The masked man leads Laramie away from the car, with one hand on the small of her back and the other gripping her arm as they quickly walk out of the security camera frame.
Jean Luc Watkins: “There is an investigation into what you saw there, ladies and gentlemen. In addition to the authorities in Barbados, FWA officials are also gathering information. We will share more information with you as it becomes available to us.”
We cut backstage where Todd Salum is standing by near the entrance of the stadium.
Todd Salum: “Welcome back to Fallout and it looks like Bryan Baxter has arrived here tonight in Dar Es Salaam. The FWA North American Champion wasn’t expected to be here tonight but after his tough loss to Tommy Bedlam on Meltdown, I want to try and get a word with him…”
Bryan Baxter does in fact walk into the shot, but he certainly does not look to be in the mood to talk to anyone, much less Todd.
Todd Salum: “Bryan.. Bryan… a quick word.”
Bryan Baxter: “Now’s not a good time, Todd.”
Todd Salum: “Just real quick, I wanted to get your comments after Meltdo–”
Bryan Baxter: “You’re playing a real dangerous game. You know that Todd?”
Bryan stares Todd down, the interviewer starting to back pedal a bit, perhaps regretting his decision here.
Todd Salum: “Uh… yes… sorry Bryan… I just thought you might…”
Bryan Baxter: “What Todd? That I wanted to talk about how Tommy Bedlam BEAT me on Meltdown? A match that should’ve NEVER HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE? I’ve got a lot of shit going on right now, Todd…”
Todd Salum: “And a lot of people are targeting that title of yours, right?”
Baxter clenches his fist as his stare at Todd grows even more intense.
Bryan Baxter: “Yeah… that’s why I’m paying Fallout a visit tonight. There’s some people in this building tonight who thought it’d be cute to not mind their own goddamn business on Meltdown… and… well… now it’s time to return the favor.”
Before Todd can try and get a follow up, Bryan cracks a bit of a smirk as he walks out of the shot, allowing Todd to breathe easy again.
We cut to an office in the backstage area of the Uhuru Stadium, Jon Russnow sat behind a large, oak desk with a large, toothy smile upon his face. In the background is his patented dartboard, a series of ideas written on post-it notes around the outside of it. A large number of darts are stuck into a section of the board labeled as ‘battle royale’.
Jon Russnow: “Greetings! I hope you’re enjoying another exciting edition of Fallout, as curated by yours truly. I also hope that you’ve renewed your subscription to the WCNetwork ahead of Lights Out, which comes to you from Kinshasa on Sunday October 8th. I’m here with you now to outline one more piece of that particular puzzle: with the return of the Gunfight Battle Royale. Thirteen men and women, a veritable baker’s dirty dozen, will enter the ring in Kinshasa with the hopes of leaving a winner.”
He takes a sip of water, his beaming smile growing even more beaming as he hears the cheers from the Tanzanian crowd, who seem to be big fans of the Gunfight brand (no matter how hypothetical it is).
Jon Russnow: ”And what will this winner get?, I hear you ask. Well, first of all: there will be winners. Plural. The final two left standing in the Gunfight Battle Royale will advance to the Gunfight Falls Count Anywhere Match at Winter Wasteland in December. The winner of that will take home the Gunfight One Ring…”
Here, Russnow lifts his hand to reveal this trinket: it’s made of two gold bands, overlapping each other to form an ‘X’, with a large diamond gemstone on the intersection.
Jon Russnow: ”Possession of this ring will entitle the bearer to a shot at the X Championship, as indicated by its rather tasteful design. What’s more, the two competitors who survive the Gunfight Battle Royale will also earn a shot at the FWA World Tag Team Champions, whoever that may be, following Lights Out.”
On his dartboard, we notice that one stray dart isn’t clustered with the others in the battle royale section. Instead, it is stuck directly into a post-it note reading strange bedfellows tag run.
Jon Russnow: “As for who will line up in the proverbial starters blocks: some of them, like Sawyer Xavier and Blake Taylor, have already wrestled earlier in the evening. Others, like Brooklyn Steiner, Xavien Marshall, Jack the Clipper, and FWA Hall of Famer Ashley O’Ryan, will compete later on. They will be joined in the ring by two men whose skillsets make them perfect for the X Championship hunt in Death Walker and Jason Randall, as well as a name or two from our developmental brand Next Generation Wrestling. Yet more will be announced as we roll on towards Kinshasa, and Lights Out #3.”
With that, Russnow leaves the desk and collects his darts from the board. We fade to black as he begins to throw them.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing first, making his FWA debut and hailing from Sweetwater, Texas, Bobby Bennett!”
Bobby is already in the ring as he waves to the crowd.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Johnny Johnson, The Great Maru!”
{OUTLANDER || TITAN SLAYER}[media][MEDIA=youtube]jnviyqrmfAA[/MEDIA]
The crowd erupts into a chorus of boos, which are probably aimed more at Johnny Johnson than The Great Maru.
Maru stomps his way down the ramp, his eyes coldly locked on Bobby Bennett. Meanwhile, Johnny Johnson taunts the jeering crowd, seemingly fueled by their vitriol.
Jean Luc Watkins: “Interesting matchup here tonight. Some of you may have seen Bobby Bennett on the Longhorn Championship Wrestling show High Noon. He’s the cousin of current FWA X-Champion Tommy Bedlam, and tonight, he makes his FWA debut. If Bennett impresses tonight, it could be a huge for his career. Oh, well it looks like we are going to be joined on commentary by Johnny Johnson.”
Johnny Johnson walks over to the announce table with an arrogant smirk on his face as he puts on the headset.
SECOND MATCH || 1/10.
The Great Maru vs. Bobby Bennett.
Singles Match.
Match Writer: Tommy.
As the bell sounds, The Great Maru steps to the center of the ring and stops. He doesn’t charge in at Bobby Bennett. No, he just stands there staring at him. Bennett makes the first move and charges into The Great Maru with a shoulder block that doesn’t phase the monster.
Johnny Johnson: “Jean, have you ever seen a cat toy with a mouse before it kills it? That’s what The Great Maru is doing here. He’s just fuckin with this slob.”
Bobby bounces off the nearside ropes and delivers another completely pointless shoulder block. Assuming the third time's a charm, Bobby bounces off the ropes and is met with a massive boot to the face.
Jean Luc Watkins: “The Great Maru may have just knocked Bobby Bennett’s teeth into the third row.”
Johnny Johnson: “He had teeth? Must be the only one in that family. Hey, Jean. Did you know that the toothbrush was invented in Sweetwater, Texas? Did you know that?”
Jean Luc Watkins: “No, Johnny. I didn’t know that.”
Johnny Johnson: “Yea. If it was invented anywhere else, they would’ve called at a teethbrush.”
Maru picks a woozy Bobby up from the mat, puts a giant hand around his throat, and picks him up. He pauses just as Bobby is at the apex before crushing his opponent’s back across his knee. The crowd lets out a groan as Bobby’s lifeless body rolls to the mat.
Johnny Johnson: “Stay on him! Don’t you let up, Maru! Stay on his ass!”
Allen Price: “Johnny, I think it’s amazing the way you’ve taken this young man under your wing and are teaching him how to do things the right way.”
Jean Luc Watkins:”You two are ridiculous. Price, if I were you, I’d be more worried about getting my ass kicked later tonight.”
The Great Maru drags Bobby Bennett over toward the corner of the ring before propping him up face-first in the corner. For a moment, the beast walks away from his wounded prey, until he charges in with a head of steam and delivers a crushing lariat to the back of Bennett’s head.
Somehow Bobby manages to stay on his feet, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Maru grabs Bobby Bennett and delivers an over-the-shoulder reverse piledriver, driving Bennett’s head into the mat.
Jean Luc Watkins: “The Great Maru calls that move The Undertow, and I think it just sank Bobby Bennett.”
The Great Maru goes for the pin, as Johnny Johnson jumps up from the announce table.
Johnny Johnson: “Maru! Hey! Don’t you pin him yet! Do it again!”
Jean Luc Watkins: “My God, Johnson. Just let him end the match.”
Johnny Johnson: “Shut your mouth, Watkins. We’re here to make a statement. My guy Maru can do this to anybody on this roster.”
Maru once again picks Bobby’s lifeless body off the mat before hitting him with a second Undertow! Bennett is unconscious as The Great Maru goes for another pin.
Allen Price: “That’s not a little guy that Maru is tossing around like this, folks. He’s beating the hell out of a man who’s a doughnut away from 350 here.”
Johnny Johnson: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING! DON’T PIN HIM! HURT HIM!”
Before the referee can even begin his count, Maru looks out at Johnny Johnson who is standing on the announce table barking orders. He picks up Bobby Bennett and tosses his lifeless body out of the ring.
While Johnson continues directing traffic, Maru picks up Bobby Bennett, which is no small feat, across his shoulder before driving him back first into the ring post, Bennett’s head bouncing off the steel. Once again, Bennett crumples to the floor as the ref begins counting both men out.
1…2…3…4…5…6…
Maru picks Bennett up and ragdolls him into the safety barrier between the ring and the fans.
Jean Luc Watkins: “Bobby Bennett can’t even defend himself. Stop the damn match!”
Maru begins to deliver a series of stomps to Bobby’s body and head as the referee continues to count.
7…8…9
As Maru kneels beside Bobby Bennett and wraps his mammoth hands around Bobby’s neck, the referee finally gets to…
10!
DING DING DING
Jean Luc Watkins: “Thank God this one’s over.”
Natalie Rosenberg: “Ladies and gentlemen, both Bobby Bennett and The Great Maru have been counted out!”
{RESULT}Result:Doubkle countout at 2:49.
Johnny Johnson throws down his headset and goes over to Maru who is still choking Bobby out and points to the ring. Maru, on command, throws Bennett back under the bottom rope, resuming the beating in the ring.
{THRILLER || MICHAEL JACKSON}[media][MEDIA=youtube]hFoxg4IFtqc[/MEDIA]
The crowd cheers as Juan Tothrefor bursts down the ramp, hitting the ring with a head of steam. He begins delivering a bevy of rights and lefts to Maru as Johnny Johnson slides under the bottom rope. He begins screaming for Maru, who finally manages to push Tothrefor away, creating enough distance to join his handler on the outside of the ring.
Jon Russnow appears at the top of the ramp.
Jon Russnow: “Gentlemen, gentlemen. We’re not going to do this. Johnny, The Great Maru looked good. Hell, he looked unstoppable. Juan, I commend you for stepping up and running in here to save Bobby Bennett. With that in mind, I’ve realized that neither of you have a damn thing to do at Lights Out. So, at Lights Out, we’re going to have The Great Maru take on Juan Tothrefor!”
Russnow turns and walks to the back as Johnny Johnson hurls a line of insults at Juan Tothrefor as he and The Great Maru make their way up the ramp.
Fallout has returned from a commercial break and in the ring is Kung-Fu Boom, who is on the receiving end of massive boos from the crowd. Jimmy Boom Boom seems triggered by the reception while Karl remains much more composed.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Wrestling fans I don’t know what is going on, but I can assure you that this is not on the schedule for tonight.”
Allen Price: “Come on Jean-Luc, let’s give them a chance and hear what they have to say.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You’re just saying that to further delay your match later tonight.”
Allen Price: “Not at all! I’m legitimately interested in hearing what they have to say, no matter how long it takes for them to spit it out. It can take the rest of the show, I can wait!”
Jimmy Boom Boom has a microphone and he’s trying to speak but he can’t get a word out without being drowned out by boos. He’s so flustered, but after some reassurance by Karl he does his best to compose himself.
Jimmy Boom Boom: “Listen-”
BOOOOOOOOOO!
Jimmy becomes flustered again and ignores Karl’s pleas.
Jimmy Boom Boom: “I don’t know what’s gotten into everybody but we didn’t do anything to warrant this kind of reaction! Yeah, we attacked that trash panda or whatever he is at the anniversary show, but he was asking for it! He disrespected us and our mentors Jackson Fenix and Nate Savage! We did what was right!”
BOOOOOOOOOO!
Karl takes the microphone from Jimmy, who is beyond frustrated.
Kung-Fu Karl: “Listen, we had no other choice. Our boss and our mentor Nate Savage told us to take care of business, so we did what we were told to do. We were just doing our job and defending the honor of The Undisputed Alliance. If you should be upset with anyone for what happened you should shift your anger toward Nate Savage, who made the order for us to do that, but in my opinion, Mr. Savage didn’t do anything wrong either.”
Jimmy has his own microphone now to add on to Karl’s words.
Jimmy Boom Boom: “We did everyone in FWA favor by ridding it of a pest problem! That trash mammal didn’t belong here! He was nothing but a nuisance so all of you should be thanking us!”
BOOOOOOOOOO!
Jimmy Boom Boom: “Speaking of thanks, we didn’t get a thanks from Mr. Nate and Mr. Jackson. It’s okay though, I get it. Yeah, they went and hired another intern behind our backs, and they’ve been busy with other stuff, but tonight they don’t have anything going on.”
Kung-Fu Karl: “What Jimmy is trying to say is that now would be a perfect time for Mr. Savage and Mr. Fenix to come out and express their gratitude for all of our hard work.”
Karl and Jimmy look at each other and nod in approval. The crowd still doesn’t care about this at all.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “These two can’t be serious.”
Allen Price: “They sound serious, JL. A little thanks from Jackson and Nate wouldn’t hurt.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I would ask if you can’t be serious but I’m afraid I know the answer to that. The Undisputed Alliance have a lot more pressing matters going on at the moment…”
Suddenly, the lights in the arena go out…
Allen Price: “Fenix and Savage have to make an entrance, what a bunch of egomaniacs!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Something tells me that this isn’t The Undisputed Alliance, Price.”
A spotlight shines on the entranceway, revealing… a dumpster, slowly rolling down the ramp, with an echoing squeak. The lights come back on a touch prematurely, and Kung Fu Karl & Jimmy Boom-Boom look equally unimpressed.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What… Is the meaning of this?”
Allen Price: “Is that a dumpster? We have those out the back. What’s it doing here?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “... I have a suspicion.”
The fans pop, albeit hesitatingly, as the dumpster slowly grinds to halt next to the ring. There is a pause so long you’d think the video stream froze, before Jimmy & Karl glance at each other in shared annoyance.
Jimmy Boom-Boom: “Did we not murder this guy enough?”
Kung-Fu Karl: “Pest control always requires repeat visits.”
Jimmy Boom-Boom nods sagely. Karl always has such wise words. Kung-Fu Boom exit the ring, approaching the dumpster menacingly, banging on the sides of it rhythmically, like that one movie from a few decades ago. You know the one.
Jimmy Boom-Boom: “First lesson is free, second one’ll cost you!”
They throw open the lid of the dumpster, ready to throw fists at whomever may be inside it!
… But it’s empty.
Kung-Fu Boom put the lid back on the dumpster, confused, when-
???: “Oi, bag carriers!”
Attention is drawn to the stage, where a giant grey possum - or a man in a possum onesie, it’s hard to tell - steps into view, to a surprisingly solid pop! All things considered.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s-”
Allen Price: “It’s a giant rat!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Possum. But, sure.”
Mamifero De Basura, or The Trash Mammal if you’re into the more casual thing, peers down at Kung Fu Boom, pausing to curtsey politely at the audience, then mockingly at his arch rivals, before straightening.
Trash Mammal: “Foist off, gotta say - Moi, a pest? Now tha’s just being rude, unnecessarily so. Fer shame, fer shame. Speaking of, pest control? You callin’ this pest control?!? Are ya outta your minds? Yer worse at pest control than you are at carryin’ Nate an’ Jacky’s bags! Gawd, no wonder they’re replacing you with Lava Girl’s sidekick-”
Kung-Fu Karl: “That’s enough out of-”
Trash Mammal: “Oi, buster, wait yer turn! This ain’t one of my world-famous interview segments, I ain’t askin’ you a question, you ain’t givin’ me an answer, capiche? I ain’t interested in what you gotta say! Nate and Jacky, on the other hand, now THERE’S a pair worth interviewin’, an-”
Jimmy Boom-Boom: “Stay away from our mentors!”
Trash Mammal: “... Nah. See, here’s what’s gonna happen, if you got a pen you might wanna take notes. Loights Out. The Trash Mammal, Mamifero De Basura, the breakout star of GZ4, makes his FWA in-ring debut, against you two bozos! An’ once I win, I’ll be interviewin’ everyone on the roster, one by one… Startin’ with ya boys, Nate and Jacky.”
Jimmy Boom-Boom: “You’ll have to get through us first! Challenge accep-”
Trash Mammal: “Oi, Jimbo, what’d I say about waiting yer turn? I wasn’t done yet! Gawd, no manners at all. I ain’t facin’ you in any regular ol’ match, nah. You’re coming into MY turf, in a DUMPSTER MATCH!”
Massive pop!
Trash Mammal: “Oh, and fer the record… I ain’t alone.”
BOOM-!
Seemingly by itself, the lid of the dumpster practically explodes open, with tremendous force. Both Kung-Fu Karl and Jimmy Boom-Boom jump back in surprise and alarm; they both share matching befuddled looks as dry ice starts to spill out from the dumpster like it's a 1960's zombie movie.
Allen Price: "A hell of a lot of smoke coming out of that dumpster...Is Danny Toner in there?"
Concerned, Jimmy Boom-Boom walks forward, looking into the smoke, trying to figure out what the hell is going on-
SMACK-!
A STEEL CHAIR GOES FLYING RIGHT INTO JIMMY'S FACE FROM THE DUMPSTER-!
Jimmy is laid out as Kung-Fu Karl looks frozen in confusion..until finally-
???: "BOO-!"
[MEDIA=youtube]-e-y-1VRZ3I[/MEDIA]
Out from the dumpster jumps HALLOWEEN KNIGHT, WHO STARTS LAYING INTO KUNG-FU KARL TO A MASSIVE POP!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "OH MY GOD, IT MIGHT BE MID SEPTEMBER, BUT THE CLOCK JUST STRUCK THE 31ST OF OCTOBER-! HALLOWEEN KNIGHT! THE LUCHA LEGEND HAS ARRIVED IN FWA!"
Kung-Fu Karl has no answer for the man they call "Señor Spooky-!" as he nails Karl again and again, but Jimmy, clutching his forehead, pulls Knight off his friend, BUT HERE COMES MAMIFERO DE BASURA TO FIGHT HIM OFF. It isn't long before Kung-Fu Boom heads for the hills and makes it to the invisible force field at the top of the stage. They look on with dawning horror as they realize the trouble they've gotten themselves in.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Kung-Fu Boom thought they got rid of FWA's pest problem, but the TRASH mammal had a TRICK up his sleeve. He's brought his friend and tag team partner, the iconic- HALLOWEEN KNIGHT-! TRICK OR TRASH HAS ARRIVED IN FWA, AND THEY'RE COMING FOR KUNG-FU BOOM AT LIGHT'S OUT!”
The crowd pops huge for the inexplicably popular break-out randomly put-together tag team from Ground Zero season four, and that only gets louder as, for the first time on US soil, Halloween Knight does his famous dance of the damned on top of the dumpster! (Which honestly doesn't get as big a pop as it might do in Mexico, but it's still pretty cool.) Trash Mammal, meanwhile, is clearly enjoying the biggest pop of his career, momentarily trying to copy Halloween Knight's ghoulish grooving but clearly gets self conscious about his lack of rhythm as he stops awkwardly before pointing up at Kung Fu Boom, hoping no one notices.
Allen Price: “I’m surprised you’re so excited, JL. I thought you hated stuff like this.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, yes you would be correct Price, but I suppose I caught up in the moment a little. As long as I don’t have to call that match...oh god...I'm gonna have to call that match...bloody hell...”
{A REAL HERO || COLLEGE FT ELECTRIC YOUTH}[MEDIA=youtube]-DSVDcw6iW8[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "Wrestling fans, your following contest is scheduled for one-fall with a twenty minute time limit… introducing first, from New York City, New York… he weighs in tonight at two hundred and five pounds… This… Is… BROOKLYN… STEINEEEEER!"
Steiner walks out onto the stage, surveys the crowd, and then begins his walk down the ramp.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We’re about to take a look at the debuting Brooklyn Steiner, as he prepares to step into an FWA ring for the first time in his career. He’s no stranger, though, to the ring in general…"
Allen Price: "He looks vaguely familiar to me, J-L…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "You been watching the independents, Price?"
Allen Price: "No, that’s not it…"
Steiner slides into the ring and waits in his corner. His music fades out, quickly replaced by…
{THE GAUNTLET || DROPKICK MURPHYS}[MEDIA=youtube]mYalsVzbCXw[/MEDIA]
There’s a pop in the arena as the returning legend makes his way onto the stage. He surveys the rampant Tanzanian fans, nodding his head approvingly, before he begins at pace towards the ring…
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… from Dublin, Ireland and weighing in at two hundred and twenty five pounds… ‘the Irish Switchblade’... Ashley… O’RYAAAAAAN!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Here is a man who needs no introduction, even if Natalie just gave him one anyway. Here comes the FWA Hall of Famer and Triple Crown winner, making his return tonight after years in the wilderness."
Allen Price: "And just listen to this audience! The name ‘Ashley O’Ryan’ is known all around the world - this ovation is nothing less than the moment deserves!"
The Irish Switchblade soaks up the atmosphere at the base of the ramp, before finally climbing up the steps and through the ropes. He stares across the ring at Steiner, loosening up slightly as the official conducts his final checks. Eventually, the referee calls for the bell…
THIRD MATCH || 1/20.
Ashley O’Ryan vs. Brooklyn Steiner.
Singles Match.
Match Writer: SS.
<< 00:00. >>
The two begin the match by momentarily circling the ring, and it looks for a moment as though they’re going to come together with a collar and elbow. O’Ryan, though, shows his veteran instinct in ducking beneath Steiner’s grasp, quickly going behind into a rear waistlock. He bundles Brooklyn forward into the ropes, trying to take him backwards with an O’Connor roll, but Brooklyn grasps the top rope and O’Ryan rolls back without him… and then eats a running knee strike from Steiner! The Irish Switchblade stumbles backwards, but Steiner collects him and backs him up to the corner with a series of European uppercuts. Brooklyn tries to hurl O’Ryan across the ring with an Irish whip, but Ashley reverses and sends the debutant across instead. The Switchblade charges in after him, attempting a cornered clothesline, but Brooklyn ducks beneath it and hoists O’Ryan over the top rope with a big back body drop!
Allen Price: "Impressive agility from Ashley O’Ryan, landing on his feet on the apron…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "… but he’s knocked off them by Brooklyn Steiner! A picture perfect triangle dropkick sends the Irish Switchblade reeling to the outside!"
Steiner slides under the bottom rope and throws O’Ryan into the apron, nailing a quartet of knife edge chops before rolling him back into the ring beneath the bottom rope. Brooklyn spends a moment hyping up the crowd before hopping onto the apron and beginning his ascent towards the top rope. Ashley, though, senses his peril and clambers up to his feet, before cutting Steiner off at the pass with a right hand. After a trio of forearms, Ashley climbs up onto the second rope with him, where he applies a front facelock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Ashley O’Ryan looking for a superplex here, and he steps up onto the very top, dragging Brooklyn Steiner up there with him."
Allen Price: "And there’s the superplex!! Incredible elevation and impact! And we’re less than two minutes into this match-up!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We might be done already -- Ashley O’Ryan goes for the cover…"
ONE… TWO… NO!
Steiner kicks out! Ashley looks to immediately follow up with a Fujiwara armbar, but Steiner is wise to it and drags himself beneath the bottom rope. He takes a moment on the outside, his hands on his hips as he reevaluates his battle plan…
***
<< 05:20. >>
Brooklyn Steiner whips Ashley O’Ryan into the ropes and ducks down, looking for a back body drop or maybe a flapjack, but the Switchblade telegraphs it and connects with a knee lift, before wiping Brooklyn out with a lariat! Steiner hits the mat, and O’Ryan looks over towards the corner, the audience cheering him on as he begins his ascent towards the top.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Ashley O’Ryan is checking out the high-rent district, let’s hope he has a little more luck than Steiner earlier on in this contest…"
Allen Price: "Brooklyn Steiner doesn’t seem to be stirring as the Switchblade steadies himself on the top rope. GOOD LORD! What was that?!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That was a somersault leg drop, Allen… and, more specifically, that was Brooklyn Steiner moving out of the way of a somersault leg drop!!"
Indeed, Steiner rolls out the way, continuing to roll until he’s on the apron, where he stands up. He watches O’Ryan struggling to get to his feet, and when the Irish Switchblade does Steiner springboards in off the top rope before catching him with a hurricanrana!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Incredible agility from Brooklyn Steiner…"
Allen Price: "From both men! And Steiner isn’t done! He’s going back to the top rope!"
Indeed, Brooklyn climbs once again to the top rope, as Ashley struggles up to his feet and turns to face him…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "DRAGONRANA!! Picture perfect, and straight into the corner!"
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Allen Price: "Kickout from O’Ryan! He’s still in this!"
If Steiner has any frustrations, he doesn’t let them show, instead refocusing on the Switchblade
(Ashley missed a somersault leg drop, Brooklyn rolls beneath the apron and hits a springboard hurricanrana, followed by a dragonrana for a two count)
***
<< 10:31. >>
O’Ryan is struggling in Steiner’s Koji Clutch, but has managed - through slow and painstaking movements - to crawl over towards the ropes and hook onto the bottom one. The official insists on a break, which Steiner observes before backing away. Ashley uses the ropes to climb to his feet, noticing that Brooklyn is on the charge again… and he meets him with an eye poke!! The crowd seems on-board with the nefarious tactic, cheering O’Ryan as he follows up with a side headlock and then a springboard bulldog!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Ashley O’Ryan finally gathering some momentum, and now he goes for the cover…"
ONE… TWO… NO!
Steiner kicks out, with O’Ryan following up by dragging him to his feet and backing him into a corner with a series of knife edge chops. He whips him into the opposite set and, upon reapproach, hangs him up on the second rope with a drop toe hold…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "The crowd knows what’s coming next! Tiger Feint Kick! Vintage Ashley O’Ryan!!"
Allen Price: "And the Switchblade quickly hooks the far leg…"
ONE… TWO… T -- NO!
Steiner throws his shoulder up, with O’Ryan grabbing the arm, yanking him onto his front, and placing him in a Fujiwara armbar!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We saw the Irish Switchblade attempt this earlier on in the match, with Steiner wisely squirming away towards the ropes. But not this time! O’Ryan’s got it locked in and he’s wrenching hard!"
Allen Price: "Steiner’s gonna tap! I think he’s done!"
For a moment, Steiner lifts his hand over the mat and, indeed, it looks as though he’s going to give in, but then he clenches his hand into a fist and proceeds to crawl, arm over arm, towards the bottom rope. The crowd are cheering both men on as, finally, Steiner reaches out with outstretched fingertips and hooks onto the bottom rope! The official calls for a break, with O’Ryan releasing his hold at four and rolling away from Steiner. Brooklyn, in turn, rolls out under the bottom rope and to the outside, landing in a heap and clutching his arm. O’Ryan chuckles as the official begins a count…
***
<< 15:02. >>
O’Ryan has a hammerlock applied, working over the arm that has been weakened significantly since the Fujiwara armbar. Brooklyn attempts to fight out with elbows to the side of the head, but Ashley is firm and refuses to relinquish… until Steiner reaches down and picks one of O’Ryan’s legs. Steiner looks to be attempting a Figure 4, but as he turns away from O’Ryan he receives a boot to the backside, sending him chest first into the turnbuckles. Steiner bounces back towards Ashley, who rolls him up with a schoolboy…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Allen Price: "Nothing better than a schoolboy roll-up!"
Both men climb to their feet, but O’Ryan is first to react with an elbow strike, followed by a kick to the gut. He takes Steiner by the scruff of the neck and hurls him shoulder first through the second and third rope in the corner, Brooklyn colliding with the steel post! O’Ryan brings him away from the ropes with a second schoolboy…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We’re seeing a lot of fight here from Brooklyn Steiner in his debut match, showing his resilience as Ashley O’Ryan piles on the pressure…"
Steiner is slower to his feet on this occasion, and O’Ryan is waiting for him when he does with a European uppercut, succeeding in throwing Brooklyn back into a corner. The Switchblade works him over with a vicious series of strikes: more European uppercuts, knife edge chops, and forearm smashes, Steiner unable to respond or even defend himself…
Natalie Rosenberg: "Wrestling fans, this is your… FOUR MINUTE WARNING!"
With less than four minutes to go, O’Ryan shows some urgency, dragging Steiner out of the corner and applying an arm twist. Ashley sits on the top turnbuckle and then climbs up, beginning to tightrope walk across the top rope whilst maintaining wrist control…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "O’Ryan’s going for the Gauntlet! He’s looking to finish this off with that leg drop arm bar combination. With the damage Steiner’s already taken to that limb, this would surely spell the end…"
Allen Price: "But there’s still fight left in Steiner! He throws himself into the ropes!"
O’Ryan is knocked off balance and lands split legged over the top rope, hung up for a moment before Steiner brings him crashing down into the ring with a vicious lariat!!
Allen Price: "O’Ryan’s in perfect position, and Steiner looks to take advantage of it by climbing to the top rope…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But that climb is slow, given the exertions of the match so far. O’Ryan’s stirring…"
Allen Price: "Steiner’s going to go for it anyway!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "SHOOTING STAR PRESS! NO! O’RYAN MOVES!!"
Steiner crashes and burns, and O’Ryan climbs up to his feet in the corner. He stalks Steiner from behind, waiting for him to turn and face him…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "O’Ryan charges in, looking for a tiltawhirl headscissors… the opening gambit for Another Dead Romance…"
Allen Price: "But he’s caught by Steiner!! Brooklyn steps into the middle of the ring with O’Ryan on his shoulders…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "LIGER BOMB! Into the cover…"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "O’RYAN KICKS OUT!!"
Allen Price: "SOMEHOW!!"
Steiner can’t believe it either, and with great difficulty he drags himself to his feet. With a look of focus on his face, he once more begins a slow ascent towards the top rope. His progress is so tedious, though, that O’Ryan gets to his feet as Brooklyn steadies himself on the top rope, causing himself to change his plan and go for a diving cross-body…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "O’Ryan rolls forward! Somehow Steiner manages to land on his feet, and he rolls through too…"
Allen Price: "O’Ryan’s first to charge, though, looking to knock Steiner’s head off with a lariat… but Brooklyn ducks beneath it…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "REDEMPTION SLAM! REDEMPTION SLAM!!"
Allen Price: "In the centre of the ring!! That’s it!"
Brooklyn hooks both legs…
ONE… TWO… THREE!!
{result}Winner: Brooklyn Steiner via pinfall at 18:32.
Steiner rolls away from O’Ryan but is unable to celebrate his victory, instead simply lying back on the mat and take deep, laboured breaths.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Here is your winner… Brooklyn… Steiner!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "An incredible contest here between these two competitors, with Steiner just about securing the win just before the time limit elapsed."
Allen Price: "Surprising to see Ashley O’Ryan succumb to defeat in his very first match back in the FWA, but Brooklyn Steiner more than earned that three-count after nearly twenty minutes of hardfought competition."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And these two will get their chance to lay hands upon one another soon enough, with Jon Russnow announcing earlier tonight that both will be a part of the thirteen-person Gunfight Battle Royale at Lights out in Kinshasa. If that encounter is anything like what we just saw, it’ll be something to look forward to."
The audience may appear surprised, but Brooklyn Steiner doesn’t as he finally climbs to his feet. He doesn’t look short of confidence as the official hoists his hand in the air, declaring him the winner as the scene fades out.
Cut to the backstage area where FWA cameras find Jackson Fenix and Nate Savage in a discussion.
Jackson Fenix: You were right, Nate. One door closes and another opens. Lights Out is my open door and this time I won’t let it slip by.
Nate Savage: I knew you could do it and I know Xtacee will beat Crowe tonight. Things are looking up for the Undisputed Xperienx!
Nate rubs his hands together as if he hatched a genius plan.
Nate Savage: To celebrate your win, as well as Xtacee’s win later and then the main event later tonight where we watch that halfwit Allen Price get ripped to shreds, we should stop by catering and pick up some snacks.
Jackson Fenix: We should have Jimmy and Karl do it, where are those guys anyway?
Nate Savage: I don’t know, they’ve been acting weird lately.
Jackson Fenix: I’d suggest Lone Shark but he deserves a break after all the hard work he’s done lately.
Nate Savage: That’s true, we should just get it ourselves. Jimmy and Karl will dilly-dally and find another dumpster creature to talk to, and then by the time they get to catering, the peanut butter cheesecake will be gone!
Jackson Fenix: Love a good peanut butter cheesecake!
The conversation between the Undisputed Alliance tag partners is interrupted unexpectedly by an equally unexpected duo. Approaching Jackson and Nate are the masked men pairing of Sir Sache and Mejor Amigo.
Mejor Amigo: Pardon me, por favor.
Jackson Fenix: Pour four of what now?
Sir Stache: Hey fellas, we were hoping you guys could maybe be of some assistance to us.
Nate Savage: Who the Hell are these jokers?
Jackson Fenix: I’m not sure, but one of them looks… familiar…
Nate Savage: Wait just a minute… you’re right…
Jackson Fenix: Krash! What are you doing here?
Nate Savage: That’s not Krash, that’s the idiot that was hanging out with Jeremy Best! I don’t know who this other jackass is.
Mejor Amigo: Ah! My friend, my name is Mejor Amigo! It is a pleasure to meet you.
Amigo extends his hand out for a handshake, which Jackson accepts briefly until Nate pulls him away.
Nate Savage: Dude… these guys are friends with Jeremy, which means they are friends with Big Bozo Baxter.
Sir Stache: That’s actually why we are here. As you know, Jeremy has been missing since Back in Business…
Nate Savage: Good riddance.
Sir Stache: And Mr. Fenix… we know you two had your differences but we’ve seen that you have felt some remorse for your actions. That things could’ve been different between you two. Well.. what if it still could be? What if there’s still a chance to fix things.
Nate Savage: Don’t listen to these fools, Jax.
Sir Stache: Well, me and Amigo here are on a crusade… a quest.. To find Jeremy and bring him back to FWA. And we could use your help. The help of an old friend….
Jackson Fenix: Look, as much as I’d like to help you find Jeremy…
Nate Savage: Jax, you can’t be serious! You’re actually considering helping them find that little freak?! After all he put you through, what he put us through!
Jackson Fenix: I was going to say that as much as I’d like to help them find Jeremy and bring him back, I’m probably the last person he wants to see. The last time I was face-to-face with him was that Sesame Street fight, and we all saw how that went…you were there…you know
Jax motions toward Sir Stache with a point of an index finger and Sir Stache responds with a slow nod…
Jackson Fenix: I don’t think I’m ready for that yet and I don’t think Jeremy is ready for that. I do wish you both the best of luck in finding him though, and I hope wherever he is he’s safe and he’s happy…
Nate wants to say something but he thinks better of it and pats his friend on the shoulder to console him. Sir Stache and Mejor Amigo appear to be slightly disappointed by this answer, but they seem to understand where Jackson is coming from and try to show some compassion toward him but this tender moment is broken up when suddenly…
WHACK!
A chair collides hard into the back of Jackson Fenix from behind! A caught off guard Nate Savage turns around and the chair is driven right into his gut. Savage is doubled over as BIG BRYAN BASTARD is there wielding the chair! The FWA North American Champion lifts the chair above his head and brings it crashing down onto Savage’s back as he is leaning over holding his midsection, sending Savage down to the ground.
Meanwhile, Jackson is pulling himself back up, but Baxter grabs him by the head and tosses him head first into the wall of the stadium!
Triple B turns his attention back to Nate, who is pulling himself up… and DRIVES THE BLUNT END OF THE CHAIR INTO SAVAGE’S HEAD! Savage falls back over to the ground as Bryan Bastard tosses the chair down on top of him.
Sir Stache and Mejor Amigo look quite concerned as Bryan Baxter gives them a glance and a nod.
Bryan Baxter: “You know, here I was thinking you guys were useless. But that was a mighty fine distraction. Good job, fellas.”
Baxter gives them both a pat on the shoulder as he walks by them.
Mejor Amigo: Qué?
Sir Stache: What distraction?
As Baxter exits the frame, the two masked men kneel down and begin trying to check on and help Fenix and Savage back to their feet.
Madison Gray is in the backstage are and has been given a microphone, so that she can reflect on what was a career-defining victory for her at the 18th Anniversary Show.
Madison Gray: "I want to thank FWA for giving me this time to speak, I will admit that following the show I was lost for words and overcome with emotion. I have been on a tough journey as of late - but that triple threat match, I am certain that is changed my entire career with the click of a finger. Without the opportunity that has now presented itself, I am not too sure what I would be doing with myself for the next few months. I am the Young Lioness and at Light's Out, I intend to live out my dreams and become the next FWA Television...."
Suddenly, Madison is interrupted by Blair and Celestia Ravenwood! They get a mixed reaction from the crowd as the camera zooms in on a wicked smile on Blair's face.
Blair Ravenwood: "Oh sister, look who it is...Maddy Gray!"
Celestia Ravenwood: "Who?"
Blair laughs at Celestia's joke.
Blair Ravenwood: "Exactly! What makes her think she even is worthy of facing off against The Witch Queen? Kleio has been clawing away in the FWA for 3 years now, and this little girl thinks she can come in here?"
Celestia Ravenwood: "All because she won the B Team Triple Threat match. You know the one with all the jobbers in it!"
Blair Ravenwood: "More like C Team! Oh wow, you beat two guys in their first ever FWA match!"
Celestia Ravenwood: "Barely!"
All the while, Madison Gray has just been staring them down intently. The two bullies continue to laugh at Madison until finally, she answers back...
Madison Gray: "Insults. Jibes. Bullying tactics. I respect the situation for what it is and wish your friend Kleio the best of luck. I have everything to gain, whilst she has everything to lose."
Blair and Celestia scoff at the response, angry that Madison took the high road and didn't engage with them.
Blair and Celestia storm off. The camera leaves a smirking Madison Gray as it follows Blair and Celestia, who push past several backstage crew members.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Bryan Bax- I mean Bryan Bastard is making good on his promise so far laying out Nate Savage and his Lights Out opponent, Jackson Fenix. That can’t be good for Fenix, who is heading into one of the biggest matches of his career, but I suppose that was the purpose of this attack by the Bastard to ensure that Fenix isn’t going in one hundred percent.”
Allen Price: “Maybe they'll think twice next before sticking their noses in the Bastard's business!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Be that as it may, the action rolls on with our next contest, wrestling fans…”
{GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL || JASON PAIGE}[MEDIA=youtube]rg6CiPI6h2g[/MEDIA]
Nostalgia runs wild through the stadium with the sound of the music that’s playing and after a few seconds Wild Jerry steps out to a warm reception. He’s flanked by XYZ and his Menage cohorts, Christian Howard and Sierra. Jerry seems a bit less apprehensive than his last appearance, and after some words of encouragement from XYZ, he joins his friends in slapping hands with some lucky fans along the way to the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is set for one fall with a twenty-minute-time-limit! Introducing first, being accompanied by XYZ, Christian Howard, and Sierra…representing The Menage…Wild Jerrryyyyyy!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “We saw Wild Jerry in action, along with his Menage cohorts Christian Howard and Sierra, back at the Anniversary show in an unsuccessful endeavor against YDS, now we’ll see him in solo action tonight…”
Allen Price: “Hopefully that buffoon XYZ taught him more than one move this time! How many suplexes did he hit last time?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m afraid I lost count but have no room to talk, Price.”
Allen Price: “What?! I’ve been training day and night with Rick and Sonny in preparation for tonight’s main event!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Yeah, well, we’ll see how that goes for you later but right now we’ll see how Wild Jerry will fare against one of our latest signees…”
{NAH, BRUH || KING CHIP}[MEDIA=youtube]xYOvW-AxFzQ[/MEDIA]
The unfamiliar theme plays and the crowd is unsure of how to react when Xavien Marshall steps out. The crowd gives him a lukewarm reception at first, but Marshall doesn’t exactly endear himself to them with his mannerisms and the crowd quickly changes their tune toward him.
Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent, making his way to the ring from East Cleveland, Ohio, and weighing in at 218 lb…Xavien Marrrrshalllll!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Wrestling fans, I’m afraid I don’t know much about Xavien Marshall despite my best efforts on researching him. What I do know is he’s recently released from prison and he’s looking to salvage his life and channel some of that anger and violence in the FWA.”
Allen Price: “This is the best place to do just that, JL. Luckily for him, all of that violence he’s about to unleash on Wild Jerry, he can get away with it here and no one will miss Jerry after Marshall is done with him!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Funny, no one seemed to miss you when you were absent at Beach Brawl.”
Allen Price: “Oh, don’t act like you didn’t miss me, JL! You barely managed to call the show on your own that night so they had to send out that hack wizard to help you! Luckily for you, myself and The Diamond Dogs are going to send that same wizard and his washed up has-been friend packing later tonight!”
Jean-Luc doesn’t acknowledge Price’s tirade and chooses to focus on the match that’s about to begin. Referee Theodore Strickland checks both men and then calls for the bell…
FOURTH MATCH || 1/20.
Wild Jerry vs. Xavien Marshall.
Singles Match.
Match Writer: Jimmy.
DING! DING! DING!
<< 00:00 >>
The match begins with Jerry circling Marshall and sizing him up, seemingly looking for an opening, while Marshall seems slightly amused and mostly unimpressed by Wild Jerry. XYZ calls out words of encouragement toward Jerry from ringside, and Jerry listens to XYZ and goes in for a collar and elbow tie up. Jerry has Marshall in the tie up and he seems so pleased with himself that he forgets to execute a move afterward, which allows Marshall to spin out of it and he takes Jerry in for an arm lock! Marshall twists and turns on Jerry’s arm and he drives down a few elbows for good measure before he takes Jerry down with an arm drag! Marshall keeps the arm lock tied in and he wrenches back on it while his knee digs deep into Jerry’s lower spine…
Allen Price: “Did you see that, JL? That dummy had him but he forgot what to do next!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I saw it, Price. I’m watching the same match as you.”
Marshall scowls at XYZ and the rest of The Menage at ringside while he keeps the hold locked in. The crowd begins to rally behind Jerry, who has started to wriggle free, and he rises up while Marshall still has the hold applied. Jerry manages to slip out of the hold and he whirls behind Marshall and he takes Marshall in for a hammerlock, but instead of keeping the hold locked in, he slaps Marshall on the back of the head. Jerry seems pleased with that and the crowd shows their appreciation for that as he plays it up to them with his back turned on Marshall. Jerry turns around right into a pele kick from Marshall! Jerry is staggered and Marshall clobbers him with a running forearm smash that knocks him flat on the canvas. Marshall drags Jerry over for position near the corner and then Marshall connects with a split-legged moonsault on Jerry! Marshall drags Jerry away from the ropes and secures the far leg for the pin…
ONE…TW - - NO!
***
<< 04:07 >>
Allen Price: “Wild Jerry has yet to hit a move and we’re not even five minutes into this match!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “He hasn’t backed down from this fight though, which is more than I can say for you and your attempts to get out of tonight’s main event.”
Marshall has Jerry grounded in a headlock but Marshall gradually transitions that into a rear naked choke. Marshall is barking orders at the referee to check on Jerry, and the referee warns Marshall to watch himself before checking on Jerry. Jerry starts to show signs of life however, and he’s able to roll over enough to reach out and grab the ropes! The hold is broken but Marshall is refusing to release it until the referee starts counting and Marshall breaks it before five. Marshall gets in the face of referee Strickland, and Strickland is known for being by the book and taking no nonsense so he’s reading Marshall the riot act. Marshall eventually brushes him and turns around into the waiting arms of Wild Jerry, who takes him down with a snap suplex!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Wild Jerry with the snap suplex on Xavien Marshall! Seems like that’s the new move he picked up on in training with XYZ.”
Allen Price: “Oh please, that’s as basic as you can get! I can do snap suplexes in my sleep!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m looking forward to you eating your words later.”
Marshall kips up but he’s met with a snap DDT from Jerry and Jerry drops down for the pin…
One…TW - - NO!
Marshall kicks out but Jerry remains undeterred by that as he starts to size up Marshall. Jerry grabs Marshall in a front facelock, and then he has him in position for another snap suplex but Marshall blocks that and counters with his own snap suplex! Marshall quickly follows that up with a bridging german suplex!
ONE…TWO…NO!
***
<< 07:08 >>
Marshall is up on his feet first but Jerry is not far behind him and Jerry swings wildly and connects with a forearm strike! Marshall is staggered a little and Jerry goes for a kick to the midsection but Marshall blocks that and spins Jerry around…Decapitator! Lariat to the back of the head from Marshall to Jerry…
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Nasty looking lariat by Marshall and this may be all she wrote for Wild Jerry…”
Marshall looks over at XYZ and The Menage as he has Jerry set up…The Debt Collector! Marshall drops down and secures the leg for the pin…
ONE…TWO…THREE!!!
{RESULT}Winner: Xavien Marshall by pinfall at 8:02.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner…Xavien Marshall!!!
Marshall has his hand raised and he brushes that off with another brief warning from Strickland. Xavien Marshall exits the ring and heads to the back while XYZ and The Menage tend to Wild Jerry.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “A statement made tonight by Xavien Marshall in an impressive debut. Stay tuned for in-ring action on the way, wrestling fans. Including that main event with my colleague, Allen Price.”
Allen Price: “Wait, is that next?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “No, although I do wish it was.”
Allen Price: “Why would wish such a thing?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I thought you weren’t worried, Price. Get a hold of yourself.”
Allen Price: “I’m not worried about the match, I’m more so worried about leaving you alone to call the show on your own.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Oh, don’t worry about me, Price. I’ll be fine, but I don't know if I can say the same for you after tonight. Anyway, more action on the way, wrestling fans…”
Hours before Fallout comes on the air, outside of Uhuru Stadium, we see two thirds of the now number one contenders to the FWA Trios Championships. Ririko, and Cali Hayama. Both of the ladies have light t-shirts on, trying to keep cool under the hot African sun, with shorts, Cali’s appearing loser, more like gym shorts. Ririko’s hair is down and she has a ball hat with a logo of a little dinosaur on it. Cali’s got a ball cap featuring the logo of the Toronto Blue Jays. They are along the walls of the building, the unique beams of architecture behind them. Ririko stands behind, while Cali speaks to the camera.
Cali Hayama: “That… felt damn good! That win on Meltdown goes to all my peeps back home in Kelowna! We’re cleaning up after some horrific fires, and after a rough visit back home, the win was needed and now YOKAI Death Squad is one win away from being at the top of the Trios division. But I know what some of you are thinking…”
Hayama looks over her shoulder.
Cali Hayama: “Where’s Katsu? Well about ten minutes ago she was called into the office of Jon. I have a gut instinct of what it is about, but I won’t confirm anything. But she said we can go ahead. But we’re happy for her, like any friends would be-”
Her voice drags slightly. She pauses and puts emphasis on one specific word.
Cali Hayama: “And that word, friends, I have a little extra appreciation for it.”
She takes a deep breath, trying to go through some tragic recent memories.
Cali Hayama: “Because walking through the burnt ashes of where I grew up made me think about the people who touched me in my life. It made me think of all the times I was there for Ririko or Katsu. Or they lifted me up in a time of need… To be champion in FWA with them means the Goddamn world to me. But to go through it… there’s another friend we have to go through.”
On her face there’s a slight smirk. She looks at the camera and gives something which FWA fans needed.
Cali Hayama: “Now I know FWA fans are busy peeps, they can’t watch every promotion under the sun, but when Bellatrix Bordeaux entered FWA, she sort of proclaimed a friendship for Katsu… You know, a girl she thought was a legitimate vampire and that Japanese was called ‘Vampire speak.’”
Ririko raises an eyebrow behind her, she leans in and mutters in her rough English.
Ririko: “She think that? Really?”
Cali looks at her friend and can only chuckle.
Cali Hayama: “Long story…”
The Canadian attempts to get her story back on track.
Cali Hayama: “But I think the FWA fans owe an explanation. Why is there this prior knowledge of each other between Trixie and Katsu and myself, because it all starts with me and a particular night in early 2022. I had a booking in a US company and I remember that night vividly for a few reasons. One of which was the fact I was booking in the weirdest damn match I’ve ever been in…”
She shudders at the thought.
Cali Hayama: “And I saw someone on that show making her in-ring debut. Bellatrix Bordeaux teaming with her older brother, indie star Bret. I talked to her a bit on social media before it, Trix' was quite an interesting cat, so I was interested in how she’d do. What I saw was one of the strangest debuts in history.”
The screen fades in and out, showing photographic footage of the match with Bellatrix and her older brother. The majority of the footage has Trixie on the receiving end of offense, or otherwise unsure of what to do. Cali speaks over it.
Cali Hayama: “I saw a girl who didn’t know a headlock from a wrist-lock. Someone in a tag team match who had to be reminded how a tag works. She was scared, at unease. But, she didn’t stay down. She got up…”
The camera zooms back to Cali Hayama continuing.
Cali Hayama: “Whether it was through heart or hardheadedness, she had zero fucking quit. She was knocked down again and again. She was ragdolled by opponents larger than her, tied like a pretzel by people technically sound, outran by those faster than her. She didn’t fucking give. Her and her brother ended up winning against some bad bad dudes and it was in part because she didn’t give. She was beaten down, but so damn happy…”
Cali shows a smirk.
Cali Hayama: “And I was happy for her. There was this little innocence about her. But… that’s the thing. When you’re like her, there’s that risk. It’s easy for you to get hurt…”
Her voice stresses..
Cali Hayama: “Taking advantage by some people. It’s easy to get upset. A genuine passion but one that doesn’t know what lines are. So, I kept in touch with her and her brother. She was on a couple streams on my Twitch channel. She ended up meeting Katsu too…”
Ririko: “But she was never vampire…”
Ririko interjects and Cali chuckles.
Cali Hayama: “Hehe, that’s Trix for ya. But I guess my thought was that in a business which is cruel, sometimes it’s nice to extend some warmth once in a while to someone who deserves it.”
The screen shows footage from Back in Business and the Trios battle royale. It shows YOKAI Death Squad making their first entrance together in FWA, Bellatrix entering with the Coven. YDS working as a team, Bellatrix constantly staying in, Cali hitting a moonsault from a high place.
Cali Hayama: “Then came Back in Business. First time in the ring with you. And that little girl who was scared. She wasn’t there anymore. And you managed to get me out. I was upset, kind of pissed because we wanted those championships. Yet once I got back, seeing you celebrate the championships with your ‘friends,’ I felt proud of ya.”
Cali gives a small smile.
Cali Hayama: “I mean it. You worked hard for it and even if it came at our expense, you were due. Though I can’t say I feel the same joy for your newfound pals from Hogwarts.”
She winks. Ririko steps forward and begins to speak, using her native language with general translations appearing on the screen below. There’s less nervousness compared to when she’s attempting to speak English. A little extra fire.
Ririko: “Bellatrix, Coven. Now it is time for you to learn something important about being a champion. That is you need to be ready for anyone, even a ‘friend.’ YDS over the past three weeks have done everything we can to burn through the competition and had fun doing it, and Katsu still had time to fight to be world champion. We beat the rest for a chance to prove we are the best!”
The bubbly quirky powerhouse shows a bit more spark as she speaks, even through another language.
Ririko: “It is one thing to win a battle royale with many teams. But when it is a three on three competition, that is when a team’s bond matters. Celeste, Blair, they have teamed for a life-time, but their team with Bellatrix is only a few months old. Katsu, Cali Hayama, Ririko, we have been teaming for years now and our bond is not built on broomsticks.”
Cali takes the lead for the final stretch of the promo.
Cali Hayama: “Coven, Trixie, consider this your gut check. A chance to see if you guys truly are ready to be trios champions, not even by winning the match, but by how you deal with pressure. We know how to do it. We fell short in Mexico but got right up and bounced back! Because once we take our spot on top, can you guys bounce back as a team? Can you stay together? Can you wake up in the morning and be able to cope with the fact you’re no longer champion? But most importantly…”
Leaning closer to the camera, Cali has a grin on her face. She says slowly.
Cali Hayama: “Can you find the magic against us again? We’ll see you at Lights Out.”
Ririko leans over Cali’s shoulder. She says slowly in English.
Ririko: “Control… Alt… Delete.”
Both Cali Hayama and Ririko wink to the camera, holding down their fingers in an “M” shape The camera fades with the number one contenders delivering a passionate message.
{JUNGLE || FRED AGAIN…}[MEDIA=youtube]fzSjRfuV6GI[/MEDIA]
The more upbeat music begins to play and Madison Gray steps out on stage to a decent ovation from the fans. Despite the cheers from the crowd, Madison’s face shows some concern after the video we watched earlier tonight showing her friend getting abducted by and unknown masked assailaint.
Natalie Rosenberg:“The following is a tag team match scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first… from Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth and weighing in at one hundred twenty five pounds…she is The Young Lioness…MMAAADDIIISSSONNN GGGGRRRRRRRRRAY!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “There has to be a lot weighing on this young woman’s mind…”
Allen Price: “Yes, she has a big match at Lights Out… a lot to worry about..”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, yes, but I also was referring to the fact that earlier tonight we saw footage from after the Anniversary Show that saw her friend being kidnapped. It has to be difficult to go out and compete tonight with both a big title match looming while also not knowing the whereabouts of your friend.”
Allen Price: “Oh my… we should really hire better security. Crimes seem to happen way too often around here.”
Trying her best to keep her focus, Madison makes her way down to the ring, sliding in as she awaits the other competitors.
{Avenged Sevenfold || Nobody}[MEDIA=youtube]UJcrlx0RDoA[/MEDIA]
The crowd begins to boo as Al Blizzard’s music hits. We see him stroll out onto the stage being accompanied by his brother Jason Quinn as well as Robert Steel. The trio stand on the top of the stage, soaking in the negative reaction.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And her tag team partner, from London, England, weighing two-hundred and forty-six pounds. He is accompanied to the ring by Jason Quinn and Robert Steel... He is ‘The Perfect Storm’... AAAAALLLLL BLLLLIIZZZARDDDD!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Something each of the people in this match have in common is they were all involved in the Television Title qualifying matches at the Anniversary Show… while Madison Gray was victorious in her match, Al Blizzard was not quite as lucky.”
Allen Price: “Blizzard was not pinned however!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “No.. thanks in large part to his associates… his brother Jason Quinn and Robert Steel. And they are here with him again tonight… you can assume they will be making their presence known in this match as well.”
Al Blizzard enters the ring and glances to his partner, Madison, and seems unimpressed. He leans against the ropes, awaiting their opponents.
{SCISSORS || JINJER}[MEDIA=youtube]DZ_WDLA9i7c[/MEDIA]
The stentorian theme fills the stadium and jeers continue for Jack The Clipper. The apathetic Jack looks around at the thousands of fans showering him with their disdain. He remains stoic as he makes his way down to the ring. Walking out to join Jack the Clipper are the identical twins - The Scissor Sisters.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And their opponents, introducing first… from White Chapel, London and weighing in at two hundred seventy three pounds… JAAAAACK THE CCCCCCLLLLLLLIPPPPPPEERRRR!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It was an impressive debut for Jack the Clipper at Lights Out…”
Allen Price: “This guy terrifies me. Keep him away from my beautiful mane.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Yes, luckily you have your little box to protect you, so you should be okay.”
Allen Price: *Breathes a sigh of relief.*
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Despite coming up short in the TV Title Qualifier, Jack the Clipper was still impressive and has a chance here tonight for some redemption… and perhaps another chance at the long blonde hair of Madison Gray!”
Jack the Clipper climbs into the ring, scissoring the air with his fingers while eyeing Madison Gray in particular with a twisted smile on his face.
{TAKE ME TO CHURCH || HOZIER}[MEDIA=youtube]f4UhdgBVtVc[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg:: “And his tag team partner… representing the Coven… from Miami, Florida… weighing in at one hundred fifteen pounds… she is “The Brazilian Witch”.... KKKKKKKKKKKKLEIO DE SSSSSSSSSSSAAAANNNTTOOS!”
A mixed reaction of mostly cheers welcomes Kleio as she walks out from the back alongside Blair and Celestia, who each offer a hug for their fellow witch before they disappear to the back.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And here is the woman who is slated to face off against Madison Gray at Lights Out for the vacant FWA Television Champion… tonight, this tag match serves as a preview for that title match.”
Allen Price: *can be heard rummaging through is box*
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Is everything okay over there, Price?”
Allen Price: “I know I put my crucifix somewhere.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I don’t think that protects you against witches. That’s vampires.”
Allen Price: “Oh… no…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I think Kleio has more important things to worry about, Price. Again, you are fine. You sure are paranoid tonight.”
Kleio makes her way down to the ring, climbing in and joining her partner as both sides prepare to get this match underway.
FIFTH MATCH || 1/20.
Madison Gray and Al Blizzard vs. Kleio De Santos and Jack the Clipper.
Tag Team Match.
Match Writer: Dubb.
<< 00:00 >>
The two opponents for Lights Out that will determine our next FWA Television Champion, Madison Gray and Kleio De Santos, as the legal competitors for the match. The two ladies circled the ring as the bell rang to start the match, feeling each other out. Both ladies with a MMA background, things start off in more of a martial arts fashion as they trade a few jabs that are avoided by both competitors. Gray went for a kick to the thigh, which was blocked by KDS. KDS struck back with a high kick of her down, but Gray showed her own agility as she ducked the attack.
Looking to take advantage of her own evasion, she comes at KDS with a big right cross, but KDS counters it into a hip toss, taking Gray to the ground and immediately locks her into an armbar submission! Gray positions her feet and shows off some of her agility as she kips up to her feet, still being held by KDS in an armbar but drives her knee into Kleio’s midsection to break it up. KDS spin around with a spinning elbow smash to De Santos, rocking the member of the Coven backward.
Gray moves in, ducking behind Kleio and locking her into a waistlock, attempting a suplex but the witch hits a pair of back elbows to escape the grasps of Gray and spins around into a spinning back fist that drops Madison to a knee. But Gray shakes off the cobwebs enough to get right back up, but Kleio takes her down to the mat with a legsweep into a heel hook!
Allen Price: “It’s a real tit for tat to start this match off.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You can see the mixed martia arts influence from both of these women as they go back and forth to start the match. A real taste of things to come for Lights Out when they will compete for the Television Championship!”
Gray is able to position herself quickly to the ropes, breaking up the submission hold from KDS. Kleio releases the hold, allowing Gray back to her feet only to hit her with a front jab as she was getting up and then sends Gray into the ropes, allowing Blizzard to grab a blind tag from the apron. Off the ropes, KDS attempts a clothesline… but Madison ducks and bounces off the opposite ropes. Coming back, Madison ducks another clothesline, as Blizzard enters the ring. Madison leapfrogs over her own tag team partner as he enters the ring and levels KDS with a running forearm!
Allen Price: “Yowzah! Al Blizzard just smashed Kleio right in the mouth! Talk about smash mouth wrestling!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Al Blizzard coming in with probably a chip on his shoulder here after falling to Keio at the Anniversary Show. He has something to prove here, perhaps looking for some retribution as he puts a lot of extra force into that forearm shot.”
***
<< 04:58 >>
Blizzard controls the offense on Kleio until he attempts a fisherman suplex, only to have Kleio manage to escapes, twisting his arm to escape the hold and then taking him down to the mat by the arm, driving her knee down into Blizzard’s shoulder. Getting him down, she attempts to make it to the corner to tag in Jack the Clipper for the fresh tag, but Clipper finds himself distracted by Robert Steel and Jason Quinn at ringside! Clipper had jumped down, confronting the pair… leaving no one for KDS to tag!
Frustrated, Kleio shouts out to Jack but Blizzard instead comes in and clobbers her from behind with a clothesline to the back of the head! KDS falls into to turnbuckles, bouncing back into the waiting “Perfect Storm” who hits her with a German Suplex! Blizzard bridges for the pinning attempt!
One - Two - Kickout!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Some miscommunication from Kleio and her partner Jack the Clipper. While Kleio and the Coven are a bit of a well oiled machine, there is no such familiarity between Kleio and Jack.. .and we are seeing it rear its head here.”
Kleio rolls back to her feet, using the ropes but Blizzard comes in with a big running clothesline to send her over the top rope to the floor! Blizzard takes a moment to taunt the crowd and JTC, causing Jack The Clipper to finally charge into the ring, looking to go after Blizzard, but is immediately cut off by the referee! But the distraction allows Jason Quinn to sneak in a cheap shot to Kleio at ringside! Quinn gives Kleio a stiff kick to the ribs as she tries to get to her feet before tossing her into the steel ring steps!
Madison Gray actually seems frustrated by the outside interference from her partner’s associates, so she tags herself in and enters the ring… and hits the ropes, diving through the ropes and hits Quinn with a baseball slide kick! Blizzard doesn’t seem pleased, but he heads back to the apron as Madison briefly stares down Quinn before grabbing Kleio and rolls her back into the ring.
Allen Price: “See, rookie mistake by Madison. You gotta take advantage of this situation!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “She may be a Young Lioness, Price, but she clearly has some honor to her… she no doubt wants to win but not like that! Both of these teams are not working on the same page it seems.”
Gray allows Kleio to begin to pull herself up before unleashing a flurry of kicks to Kleio’s midsection, before attempting a front front thrust kick…
But Kleio ducks!
And Kleio hits a roundhouse kick of her own to send Madison to the mat! The Lioness drops to the canvas and the witch rolls to the corner, grabbing a tag from Jack the Clipper!
The crowd boos as Jack the Clipper steps into the ring, a fiery look in his eyes he stalks over Madison. His much larger frame quite imposing as he approaches… his eyes locked on her long blonde locks.
Allen Price: “This guy makes me uneasy, JL.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t blame you there, Allen. And he has a huge size advantage of Madison… the Young Lioness is in a lot of trouble right now.”
Madison gets back up to her feet, but Jack the Clipper immediately strikes with a big upper-cut that sends her down to the mat.
***
<< 08:07 >>
Using his power, Jack the Clipper has dominated Madison up until this point. He lifts her up from a waist lock into a spin out powerbomb… known as Chapel Street! Jack with the pin!
One! Two! Kickout by Madison!
Jack smirks as Madison refuses to go down, adding some insult as he gives her a series of slaps to the back of her head as she tries to get up. Madison shows her heart as she still pulls herself up, but Jack grabs a handful of her hair and SNAPMARES her down to the mat by her hair! With Madison now seated on the mat, he holds his hang up in the air into a scissor motion! One of his Scissor Sisters races around ringside, sliding a pair of scissors into the ring, which Jack reaches down and picks up.
Allen Price: “It looks like Madison Gray might be getting a little off the top here.”
The crowd seems to urge Al Blizzard to make the sae for his opponents beautiful locks, but he doesn’t seem too worried about doing any such thing, watching on as Jack holds the scissors up in the air…
And Madison pulls free from his grasps! She drops to her back on the mat but brings her feet up in the air for an overhead kick that rocks Jack backward! The scissors drop to the mat, and the referee quickly kicks them out of the ring!
JTC is still standing as Madison gets back to her feet. He moves in, but Madison ducks a wild right hand from Clipper. She feints a roundhouse kick into a legsweep to take the big man down and then hits a standing moonsault for a pin!
One! Two! Kickout!
Madison rolls away from the pin and reaches up, getting the tag to Al Blizzard! Blizzard steps into the ring as Jack the Clipper begins to pull himself up.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It looks like Jack the Clipper gets to pick on someone his own size now!”
Jack and Blizzard meet in the center of the ring and begin to exchange blows back and forth. Right hand after right hand… Blizzard gets the upper hand, and sends Clipper into the ropes… Blizzard lifts him up for a Samoan Drop, but Clipper escapes down Blizzard’s back and he falls back into the corner, making the tag to Kleio!
Glaring at her partner as she enters the ring, KDS charges in at Blizzard, ducking a clothesline before attempting a shoulder throw, but Blizzard blocks it using his pure strength before he pulls her into a sideslam backbreaker!
***
<< 11:43 >>
Blizzard picks up another nearfall off of a sit out powerbomb, but Kleio once again just manages to get her shoulder up. Al Blizzard argues with the referee as KDS crawls to the ropes… pulling herself up. The Perfect Storm spots her recovery and charges in with a big boot..
But Kleio moves out of the way! Blizzard ends up going groin first across the top rope! He pulls his leg back into the ring from the ropes, stumbling back as Kleio bounces off the ropes… SUPERMAN PUNCH! Blizzard is rocked, drops to his knee as Kleio hooks him by the head…
Jean-Luc Watkins: “A resurgence from Kleio and she’s looking for Letters to Kleio!”
Seeing Blizzard in trouble, both Robert Steel and Jason Quinn hope onto the apron on opposite sides of the ring! The referee attends to Jason Quinn as Kleio goes for the Letters to Kleio… but Blizzard shoves Kleio off and into the ropes where Robert Steel gives her a forearm shiver! Kleio stumbles back into Blizzard..
Who lifts Kleio up into a Fireman’s Carry…
As VENGADOR has raced to ringside! The masked man PULLS JASON QUINN DOWN OFF THE APRON while Jack the Clipper attacks Robert Steel! JTC runs the apron and hits the LITTLE OFF THE TOP TO ROBERT STEEL while Vengador hits a pump kick to take Quinn down at ringside!
Allen Price: “What’s this weirdo doing out here getting involved?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Vengador no doubt has some hard feelings from the Anniversary Show when Jason Quinn cost him a potential win… seems like he’s trying to make sure it doesn’t happen in this match too!”
While holding KDS on his shoulders, Blizzard’s eyes are caught on Vengador… and KDS reverses the fireman’s carry into a crucifix pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-NO!
Blizzard kicked out!
Both competitors roll back up to their feet… SPIN KICK FROM KLEIO!
Letters from Kleio to Blizzard!
Kleio makes the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
In comes Madison to make the save… but JACK THE CLIPPER CUTS HER OFF WITH A LARIAT!
THREE!
{RESULT}Winner: Kleio De Santos & Jack the Clipper by pinfall at 12:55.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here are your winners… Kleio De Santos & Jack the Clipper!
Kleio climbs to her feet, lifting her arms up in victor while Jack the Clipper celebrates separately on the other side of the ring. Unfortunately for him, Madison Gray has rolled to ringside, escaping any attempt he could make at cutting her hair.
Meanwhile, Al Blizzard rolls out of the ring where Robert Steel and Jason Quinn are all licking their wounds together. Vengador backs up the aisle, sharing a staredown with the trio at ringside as he does so.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “There might be some unfinished business between Vengador and Al Blizzard’s group… but tonight, it’s a big victory for Kleio De Santos and Jack the Clipper… a definite momentum builder for KDS heading into the TV Title match at Lights Out!”
Madison Gray gets to her feet at ringside, staring down Kleio in the ring as KDS celebrates.
Allen Price: “Perhaps this loss will be the motivation this young lady needs for Lights Out.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That’s actually a good point, Price. The Young Lioness perhaps had some distractions tonight as well… but at Lights Out… it’ll be these two hungry competitors going at it… one on one! Will Kleio pick up another big win for the Coven, or will Madison Gray turn the tides and come out on top?!”
We fade in to a familiar white envelope, blood staining the corner, as it flutters in the hand of someone. The camera pans back, revealing the owner of said hand to be none other than Alyster Black! Sitting on a bench in a locker room, he studies the envelope, face unreadable behind the mask. A calling card, left behind at the scene of a murder, just for him.
Alyster Black: "… Eh. I don’t do junk mail.”
He tosses the envelope aside, turning away nonchalantly.
Alyster Black: “Besides, I think someone else called dibs.”
The camera follows the envelope, as it slowly floats down back to the bench, summarily ignored by Alyster. Suddenly it’s snatched out of the air by a hand, crumpling within a clenched fist. Another hand grabs the camera and yanks it towards themselves-
???: “Oi, Roadkill!”
-revealing a pale woman, a bitter snarl, the familiar green mohawk, and an ugly-looking black eye to boot. Violet Dreyer, to a sizeable pop (for some reason)! Fresh from her assault at the hands of a certain weaselperson-like entity, she glares at the camera, holding up the crumpled envelope.
Violet Dreyer: “I ain’t your fuckin’ delivery girl, got it? What, you think I’ll roll over and play dead, just so you can send a message to someone who hasn’t noticed you? Fuck off, you got left on read like the aftermath of a one-night stand, he ain’t calling you back. Alyster ain’t takin’ the bait. But me? Motherfucker, I’ll bite and you’ll wish you never went fishing in the first place.”
She throws the crumpled envelope at the camera, where it bounces off the lens. In the background, Alyster is watching from the corner of his eye, nodding approvingly, as Violet jerks a thumb at him.
Violet Dreyer: “Him, he’s got more important things on his plate than a date with a second-rate primeape. But me, well, fuck man, I’ve got time, my schedule’s pretty clear, I ain’t busy, so while he ain’t taking your call, I will. Not to be all ‘your actions have consequences, ooooh’ and all, but fuck you, I ain’t going to take a shitstain like you tryin’ to murder me to send a message to someone else. Fuckin’- You know who I am? You know who you’re fuckin’ with? I ain’t an extra, I ain’t a support character, I’m Violet Fuckin’ Dreyer, the best unsigned talent to ever step foot in FWA. Lights Out - You fucked up, time to find out, roadkill.
She pushes the camera away, where it falls to the floor, catching the discarded envelope in it’s view, as Violet purposefully steps on it, as we fade to black.
THE FOLLOWING IS A WWE.COM EXCLUSIVE
Unlike previous vignettes featuring Trevor Walker, this one is a totally different and more simple setting. Sat in a plain room on a metallic folding chair wearing a standard grey wife beater and a pair of black trackpants is the founder and chairman of the Walker Wrestling Experience himself Trevor Walker. With a beer in his hand Trevor Walker is sat watching a TV which is playing last night's edition of Meltdown. After taking a swig of his beer, Walker looks directly into the camera.
Trevor Walker: "Ladies and Gentleman, as you are most probably aware my name is Trevor Walker and I am here once again to offer you a chance to turn your life around. I am here once again to remind you that for the small cost of $199.99 a week. You can become a fully fledged WWE superstar under my guidance. But today's a special day you see. As rather than tell you what I can do for your lame lives instead I have charitably decided to offer you a sneak peak at the mindset and mentally it takes to go from an Average Everyday Wrestler or AEW talent to a fully fledged WWE superstar! In order to do so, I will use last night's episode of Meltdown as an example. So let's play some clips and I'll tell you everything."
The TV highlights begin with the opening contest between Death Walker and Jackson Fenix. Once the match ends with Fenix connecting with In the Zone, the cameras shift back to an unimpressed Walker who takes a sip of his beer.
Trevor Walker: "All that fucking around for that. That imitation Walker had every chance to grab an arm that match but did he take it? no he didn't because he's an AEW talent and as for that Fenix. All that pissing around and showboating. I guarantee if he'd have had my mentorship, he'd have just clamped on a front face lock and won in half the time. So as it is neither of these two are WWE caliber. Let's see what happens next."
The highlights then play the tag team match between FTN and The Coven. On seeing the match is a tag, an amused Walker scoffs.
Trevor Walker: "Ah tag team wrestling. The cowards wrestling if you ask me! This is a dog eat dog world. You can't rely on anyone in wrestling and it's this pathetic generation z who think otherwise and that we should all support one another. Let me tell you, if this was prison the person who you usually trust to watch your back is the one who drives the sharpest knife in it. Wrestling is exactly like that and for being willing to put that trust in someone else. This lot can stick to the bingo halls."
Shaking his head in disgust Walker looks at the camera once more before he downs the remainder of his beer.
Trevor Walker: "Honestly I just can't do it! These people just don't know wrestling! In fact these people are an afront to the sport that I have busted my ass for all these decades. I am offended and I am disgusted that this is what passes for an acceptable standard of wrestling. So mark my words. Not only will the WWE change the standard of wrestling for the world but I will personally see to it that change will begin with the FWA. Which is why I, Trevor Walker will be appearing and competing at Lights Out! Now can someone get me a fucking beer!"
Natalie Rosenberg: “Making his way to the ring, side-by-side with his lovers Monica and Antonio, hailing from The Right Side of the Bed in Las Vegas, Nevada, and weighing in at a lean 180 pounds, Xperienx Xtacee!”
{THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES || JANET JACKSON}[MEDIA=youtube]Khpb4yjL3Eg[/MEDIA]
The crowd erupts into a chorus of cheers as the lights dim to a sultry shade of red. Xtacee appears at the top of the entrance ramp, flanked by Monica and Antonio. As usual, Xtacee thrusts with his cane as golden confetti flies from the furry cones that his valets are holding. The trio make their way to the ring, greeting fans along the way. Once in the ring, Antonio takes Xtacee’s cane as Monica slides his cloak off of his shoulders before he perches himself on the top turnbuckle and stares at the ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And his opponent, hailing from The Badlands Trailer Park, weighing in at 240 pounds, “The Showman” Chris Crowe!”
{COME AS YOU ARE || NIRVANA}[MEDIA=youtube]vabnZ9-ex7o[/MEDIA]
Chris Crowe gets a bit of a mixed reaction but is still shown plenty of support from the crowd in Botswana. He stands at the top of the ramp wearing a sleeveless Metallica t-shirt and his signature cut-off shorts before marching to the ring, never taking his eyes from the awaiting Xperienx Xtacee.
SIXTH MATCH || 1/20.
Xperienx Xtacee vs. Chris Crowe.
Singles Match.
Match Writer: Tommy.
<< 00:00 >>
The two men circle one another for a few moments before coming together in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Crowe whips Xtacee into the nearside ropes and goes for a clothesline, but Xtacee ducks him. He bounces back off the ropes but gets leapfrogged by Crowe. As he bounces off the ropes again, Crowe catches him with an arm drag, tossing Xtacee to the mat, but he quickly bounces back up, hitting Crowe with a textbook drop kick. Crowe also jumps back to his feet quickly but is met with a snap suplex.
Jean Luc Watkins: “Two of the more charismatic competitors on the FWA roster going toe-to-toe here in this one. Both are a bit eccentric, but they’ve also both won over the support of the FWA universe. This promises to be a fun match, and we’re off to a fast start.”
Crowe quickly gets back to his feet, showing that he’s able to match Xtacee’s speed. He quickly grabs Xtacee’s head, spins him around, and delivers a swinging neckbreaker, finally slowing down the high-energy Xperienx Xtacee.
***
<< 04:41 >>
Xtacee has Chris Crowe backed into the corner after hitting a jumping hurricanrana. He approaches his cornered opponent and stars delivering a series of forehand and backhand slaps to Crowe’s face before following them with a flurry of punches to his head and body.
Jean Luc Watkins: “I’m not sure that turning this thing into a fistfight is a great idea for Xtacee. Chris Crowe outweighs him by at least 80 pounds, and if this thing turns into a barroom brawl, I’d probably put my money on The Showman.”
Almost on cue, Crowe grabs Xtacee by the head, picks him up from the ground, and reverses things, pinning “Mr. Pillow Talk” in the corner. Crowe unleashes a series of punches and kicks, driving Xtacee to the ground. The referee begins the 5-count as he tries to force Crowe away from his opponent. As he gets to 4, Crowe finally relents, throws up his hands and steps away. He smirks at the ref before charging back into the corner, and continuing his assault, prompting a new count.
Once the official finally manages to pull Crowe away and hold him back, Xtacee gets back to his feet. He charges toward Crowe and delivers a brutal leg lariat, taking Crowe to the ground. He stands over his fallen opponent before crushing Crowe with a double stomp to his head. Xtacee makes his way to the top turnbuckle, playing to the crowd on his way up.
Jean Luc Watkins: “This is what Xperienx Xtacee needs to be doing. Get the larger man down and rely on his speed and agility.”
Xtacee jumps into the air and delivers a crushing diving knee drop and goes for the pin.
One…
Two…
Thr….
Chris Crowe gets a shoulder up!
***
<< 08:22 >>
Chris Crowe has slowed down the match considerably and applies a cobra clutch to Xtacee, wrenching his neck and back. As Xtacee struggles to try to break the hold, Crowe manages to pick him up and delivers a cobra clutch slam.
He goes for the pin!
One…
Two…
Th…
No! Xtacee kicks out.
Jean Luc Watkins: “Xperienx Xtacee showing a lot of heart. He had to come into this match knowing that he’s the underdog. That’s not to take anything from Xtacee. He, along with The Undisputed Alliance had a solid showing in the Trios Tournament, but he’s in the ring with a former FWA North American Champion. He’s giving up size and experience, but Crowe absolutely cannot keep this young man down.”
Crowe picks Xtacee up and delivers a death valley driver! He goes for another pin.
One…
Two…
Thr…
NO! Xperienx Xtacee kicks out again.
Crowe begins to show some signs of frustration, obviously wondering what it’s going to take to put an end to this match. He grabs Xtacee’s legs and drags him toward the corner.
Jean Luc Watkins: “What is Crowe doing here? Is he gonna go to the top? Yes, he is!”
Chris Crowe ascends to the top turnbuckle and sizes Xtacee up. For a moment, he looks around at the crowd who is still torn between the two competitors, but is obviously happy to see “The Showman” taking a risk here.
Unfortunately for Crowe, that brief moment of distraction costs Crowe as Xtacee jumps to up, hits the middle turnbuckle, and delivers a spinning wheel kick to Crowe, knocking him from the top turnbuckle!
Jean Luc Watkins:Xtacee with what he calls The Educated Feet! Crowe paused when he got to the top, and it cost him, and now, both men are down.
***
<< 11:13 >>
Chris Crowe has taken control of the match by once again neutralizing the speed of Xperienx Xtacee. After delivering a running bulldog to a dazed Xtacee, Crowe mounts over him and begins delivering a series of rights and lefts to his head. Suddenly…
{ANIMALS || NICKELBACK}[MEDIA=youtube]DLYwwtPA49w[/MEDIA]
Jean Luc Watkins: “What the hell? What’s Bryan Baxt, sorry, Bryan Bastard doing here?!”
Big Bryan Bastard appears at the top of the ramp, distracting Chris Crowe. Crowe, obviously sick of the way that it appears that the North American Champion has been dodging him, hops out of the ring, forgetting about his opponent.
The recently dubbed, “Bastard” begins slowly making his way toward the ring, as Crowe motions for him, begging him to keep coming.
Xperienx Xtacee gets to his feet and sees his opportunity. He bounces off the far-side ropes and launches himself out of the ring. Just as he goes airborne, Baxter stops walking, and Chris Crowe turns his attention back to his opponent who lands a beautiful suicide dive!
Xtacee quickly grabs Crowe and rolls him back into the ring. Crowe gets to his feet, but he’s quickly met by Xtacee. Xtacee grabs Crowe! He’s going for it! He hits it! Xtacee hits the “Sensual Sensation!” Xtacee goes for the pin.
One…
Two…
Three!!!
Jean Luc Watkins: “Xperienx Xtacee has done it! Xtacee defeats Crowe!”
{RESULT}Winner:Xperienx Xtacee by Pinfall at 12:42
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… Xperienx Xtacee!”
Bryan Baxter is all smiles as a clearly shocked and surprised Xtacee sits up off of Crowe, almost unable to believe it himself.
Jean Luc Watkins: “What a win for Xperienx Xtacee! You can attribute the unwanted assist from Bryan Bastard… but a win is a win! And XX just defeated the former North American Champion!”
Chris Crowe begins to get to his feet as Triple B grabs a chair from ringside, sliding into the ring. Baxter begins to pace around the ring, watching Crowe… and he rears back with the chair…
BUT XX PULLS THE CHAIR AWAY!
Allen Price: “What’s this guy doing?”
Jean Luc Watkins: “I don’t think XX wanted Baxter’s help and he certainly doesn’t seem interested in letting him get a cheap attack on Crowe!”
Allen Price: “Just take your win and get outta there, man! No need to get involved in this!”
Baxter stares down Xtacee, who holds the chair up threateningly… telling BBB to hit the road. Bryan holds his hands up, as if agreeing to give in… but instead he unexpectedly KICKS XX BETWEEN THE LEGS!
The low blow to XX’s favorite body part causes him to double over while also getting a look of concern from Monica and Antonio. XX drops the chair, as Bryan Bastard picks it back up… and turns to DRIVE IT INTO CROWE’S FACE as he is getting up, sending The Showman down to the mat!
But Baxter turns back to XX and BLASTS HIM IN THE FACE WITH THE CHAIR AS WELL!
Xtacee drops to the mat, as Bryan Bastard stands over him…
He lifts the chair high into the air… ready to bring it down across the back of Xtacee’s head… but Antoniio slides into the ring, trying to act as a human shield for his lover.
Allen Price: “These people are nuts!”
Bryan Bastard hesitates for a moment… but shrugs his shoulders and lifts the chair up again, ready to bring it down on both Antonio and XX…
BUT HERE COMES JACKSON FENIX!
Fenix comes rushing out to the aid of his UX partner!
Jackson Fenix, his head bandaged from the attack earlier tonight, slides under the bottom ropes and heads straight toward Baxter, showing no fear as he charges in at Triple B.
Bryan Bastard swings the chair…
JACKSON DUCKS!
SUPERKICK ME BABY ONE MORE TIME SENDS THE CHAIR BACK INTO BRYAN BASTARD’S FACE!
The impact causes the chair to fall to the mat while the North American Champion drops to a knee. Bryan Bastard begins to try and get back to his feet as Fenix grabs him… AND LAYS HIM OUT - IN THE ZONE to Bryan Bastard!
Jean Luc Watkins: “Jackson Fenix makes the save for his friends… and in the process has taken out his Lights Out opponent at the same time!”
With BBB laid out, Jackson stands tall briefly before he reaches down and helps Antonio and XX to their feet. Monica joins the trio in the ring and they have a group hug.
Standing over Baxter’s fallen body, Jackson Fenix lifts XX’s arm up in the air, giving him the chance to celebrate his victory after all.
Jean Luc Watkins: “Welcome back to Fallout! As we get ready for our Main Event here tonight, I have some follow up of what we witnessed both tonight and also on Meltdown involving Big Bryan Bastard and the NWA North American Championship scene. As we already know, Jackson Fenix will be challenging Baxter at Lights Out for the title… but I can confirm… just added to the show.. A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH… the winner earning themselves a future North American Title shot… and it will be… KATSU… versus CHRIS CROWE… versus the man who beat him tonight… XPERIENCE XTACEE!
The crowd cheers as the match graphic comes up on screen, announcing that triple threat to the audience in the stadium.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “But now, it’s time for our trios main event, as the Dark Roads Alliance prepares to face –”
{Rage Beneath the Mountains || Lindsey Stirling}[MEDIA=youtube]hU0Zbpf0OS8[/MEDIA]
Interrupting the commentary is the music of a group who has been absent from FWA television since Back in Business, Eternal. The crowd, after having beloved Lizzie Rose be taken into their fold, boos viciously as the violin music plays.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “...Here comes Eternal… For the first time since they seemingly broke Lizzie and brought her into their group.”
Allen Price: “It was Elizabeth’s choice to join them-”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s still Lizzie to me and a lot of people. I- I’m dreading this.”
The lights around the arena flash purple, gold, and now some flashes of red. But Eternal doesn’t make their way out. Instead, a woman in a black dress and a raven’s mask makes her way out. In her hand is a long piece of paper with cursive writing seen.
Allen Price: “I don’t think you’ll see them tonight. Instead we got a messenger pigeon.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Last time I checked, I don’t think pigeons have black feathers.”
The fans are confused as the mystery woman walks to ringside. Her movement is somewhat robotic, almost as if she is pulled by strings. The lights of the stadium fades and a spotlight follows her. She gets to ringside where she motions with her hand for Natalie Rosenberg’s microphone. Uncomfortable, Natalie hands the microphone off to the woman who has a dark black glove. The music fades and the mystery woman stands in darkness, only to hear jeers from the crowd.
She raises the microphone to her mask and speaks. Her voice is monotonous.
Mystery Woman: “Ladies and gentlemen-”
She is immediately drowned out by boos. These do not deter her as she continues.
Mystery Woman: “I am here on behalf of our TORN Empress, the Daughter of Demise, Keres, and her dear sisters, Princess Nova and Elizabeth Rose-”
The booing, somehow, gets even louder as she mentions the new name of Lizzie.
Mystery Woman: “-To deliver a message.”
The crowd continues their booing. The production staff from backstage are forced to raise the volume of her microphone as the woman stands surrounded by darkness, and the growling of the crowd.
Mystery Woman: “Dear FWA, we understand that you have been waiting for some time for us sisters to grace your screens again. However, we have had to take time away. First of all, Keres and our new sister, Elizabeth had to tend to their wounds from Garden of Eden. The match tore apart our mortal bodies in order to strengthen our bond together-”
The FWA fans, tired of the new name already, begin to echo out in a chant.
“LIZZIE!”
“LIZZIE!”
LIZZIE!”
Despite the chants, she continues, keeping her same tone of voice.
Mystery Woman: “And most importantly, we had to condition our new sister and let her grow accustomed to her new life in The Residence. With her, our family is greater and whole. At long last, we have been cleared by FWA management to compete again in a wrestling ring. Though, Princess Nova, through a prior injury, still has another short while to heal. But, the ever supportive sister she is, she gave permission for Keres and Elizabeth to step forward into an FWA ring again, this time, as cherished allies.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’ve been dreading that news.”
Mystery Woman: “The time in place will be Lights Out where we will shine a new spotlight on the emergence of Eternal’s Blacklight Knight. The wonderful Elizabeth Rose.”
Allen Price: “Lights Out. You have that much time to come to grips with that, Allen.”
Mystery Woman: “Until then, we will wait with bated breath. Love, Keres, Nova, and Elizabeth.”
The music of Eternal plays again as the fans are left with something to expect at Lights Out. The FWA debut of Lizzie, or rather, Elizabeth Rose as a member of Eternal.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Honestly, a lot of FWA fans are still reeling mentally from that shocker from Back in Business Night One. Lizzie breaking down in that cage. After all the physical, mental, emotional torture, giving herself to Keres and Princess Nova… I’m not sure if I can stomach it.”
Allen Price: “Part of me agrees. It’s such a drastic change and heartbreaking. Professionally, I’ll argue that maybe this change will be amazing for her career, having two strong allies, a new mentality. But, I think all of us will miss our Lizzie for some time… But we’ll have to get used to it.
On the stage, the mystery woman stops. Her body is as stiff as a board. The lights of the stadium flickers before she disappears, with her letter flowing down to the ground.
A commercial airs for a blender.
Returning to the ring following the final break in the evening, we see the commentary position and now that it is just Jean-Luc Watkins on his own, as Allen Price’s box is left empty. JLW appears to be much more relaxed now that he is flying solo.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Welcome back to Saturday night Fallout, wrestling fans and we have just the one match left and well… it is going to be something, alright. Tonight, Cyrus Truth has his opportunity to get some revenge on Allen Price for what happened at Back in Business and also set up the Dark Roads Alliance well on their route to Lights Out where they will challenge for the FWA World Tag Team Championships.”
{GOD SHATTERING STAR || FIRE EMBLEM SOUNDTRACK}[MEDIA=youtube]bMfvZmhqW0A[/MEDIA]
The crowd cheers loudly and they are not made to wait long until the first team makes their entrance. Epsilon is the first through the curtain, excited to be in action in the ring tonight and Konchu Hao is not far behind him. Konchu cackles out to the fans and then begins to lead Epsilon towards the ring. A couple of seconds later the ovation gets even louder when Cyrus Truth walks out from the back, seeming content that tonight he has his chance for vengeance.
Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is a Trios match scheduled for one fall with a twenty-minute time limit and it is your main event of Fallout 033! Introducing first, at a combined weight of five-hundred and fifty-seven pounds… the team of Epsilon, ‘The Mad Wizard’ Konchu Hao and ‘The Exile’ Cyrus Truth… they are the DARK ROOOADS ALLLLLLLIIIIIAAAANNNNNCE!!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The Dark Roads Alliance were victorious over Aka Manto at the Eighteenth Anniversary Show but tonight we get the rare treat to see Epsilon in action too!
“Since Back in Business, Cyrus Truth has had his eyes set squarely on Chris Peacock and Allen Price, with Alyster Black making his way onto the list as well, with the Diamond Dogs also causing a nuisance. FTN’s time may well come at Lights Out, but for tonight, these three are going to hope that they can get Allen Price to spend as much time in the ring as possible.”
The Dark Roads Alliance enter the ring in unison and it seems that Konchu needs to calm Epsilon down as his minion begins to run laps of the ring. However, Konchu allows him to remain as maximum excitement and enthusiasm, as he can take it out on their opponents.
{HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH || BELINDA CARLISLE}[MEDIA=youtube]j2F4INQFjEI[/MEDIA]
The lights dim and the opening lines of the classic song blares out of the speaker system. Once the drums and other accompaniments kick in, two figures walk out onto the stage, illuminated by the light coming from the entry-way. They lean to opposite sides and flex and the lights return to normal to reveal that it is actually the collective known as Diamond Dogs. Rick Vance and Santino Dongarelli pose and posture for the crowd, both wearing matching cyan and black ring gear.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing their opponents… first, from the Malibu Vice, “Slick” Rick Vance and Santino Dongarelli… they are DIIIIIIIIAAMMMMONNNDS DOOOOOOOOOGS!!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It was just over two years ago that Diamond Dogs identified themselves as allies of Chris Peacock, first teaming together in an unofficial capacity in a Trios tournament and since then, they’ve been ready to step in and lend the FWA World Champion a hand whenever it has been needed.
“They were part of the first ever Cosmic Playground match and warred with the Nephews, and Vance was instrumental in Chris Peacock’s victory over Cyrus Truth and Michelle von Horrowitz at The Grand March. You know that Cyrus would not have forgotten about that one, either.”
The two nightclub proprietors wait on the stage as their music fades out, and the crowd are already booing loudly without their partner even coming out from the back. Vance shouts some words to those in the ring waiting, seemingly including Rosenberg and referee DJ Franchise.
{WAR || HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE}[MEDIA=youtube]3Y6Z8rkMfUk[/MEDIA]
The obnoxious horns can only be matched by the obnoxiousness of the man whose entry they herald. Allen Price walks out to perhaps the loudest number of jeers in the history of the FWA, raising his arms up in the air in premature victory. Price is dressed in an ill-fitting singlet, but what matters is the images displayed on it. On Price’s back is an artists interpretation of him holding the decapitated head of Cyrus Truth.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Their partner; from San Diego, California and weighing in at a redacted amount of pounds… he is the self-proclaimed ‘Voice of Fallout’ ALLEN PRICE!!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Unsurprisingly, I do not see or hear anyone else making that same proclamation. However, we saw on Meltdown on Thursday night the lengths that Allen Price was willing to go to to get out of this match. I think he was right to, because a man who cannot even put himself through a table has no place being in a wrestling ring.
“As was the point made by Cyrus Truth. Undoubtedly, Price crossed a line at Back in Business and he even did the same thing on Fallout 032. Tonight, he may have to pay the piper.”
There is some clear trepidation on the part of Price as he gets into the ring after both Diamond Dogs. DJ Franchise is quick to react to the escalating tension between these two groups and he gets in the middle to stop Epsilon going after any of his opponents prior to the match beginning. There is no argument from Konchu Hao when Cyrus says that he would like to start the match for his team, but Epsilon does have to be told to wait his turn. On the other side of the ring, Sonny D nominates himself and whilst Price has no objections, Rick Vance says that he wants to. After a small amount of bickering, Rick actually gets the spot.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Get a good look at Price now, whilst you still can. I don’t think that he is going to be looking the same once this match is all said and done!”
SEVENTH MATCH || MAIN EVENT || 1/20.
Allen Price and the Diamond Dogs (Santino Dongarelli and Ricardo Vance) vs. The Dark Roads Alliance (Cyrus Truth, Konchu Hao, and Epsilon).
Trios Match.
The bell rings, and immediately Cyrus Truth points in the direction of Allen Price and demands that he gets into the ring. Price turns as pale as a ghost at the mere mentioning of that proposition, but Vance takes exception to this as a perceived looking over of him. ‘The Exile’ makes it very clear that he has his sights set on Rick as well, reminding him of what happened at The Grand March. Vance begins to turn away, but comes back with a snap jab to Truth - but Cyrus blocks it!
Rick’s eyes widen as Truth quickly chops him in the throat, causing him to gasp for air and go down onto his knees. With his opponent down, Cyrus follows him and pushes him with his boot in the direction of the corner. Vance is set down against the bottom turnbuckle and the fans cheer when Truth begins to drive the bottom of his boot into Vance’s head and chest with the First Five Steps. After the fifth stomp to Vance’s chest, Cyrus wrings his arm and lifts him up, bringing him over towards the DRA corner, where Konchu tags himself into the match.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It might have been all fun and games for Vance and Dongarelli coming into this match, but they’ve got to smarten up and realise that they’re in there with two of the most dangerous men in the FWA. The same can be said for FTN at Lights Out when the FWA World Tag Team Championships will be on the line!”
Konchu Hao enters the ring to a good cheer from the fans and immediately he follows on from Cyrus’s lead; lining Vance up and then striking him with a Savate Kick to the face. The former X Champion goes for the first pin attempt of the match;
ONE.. TW-NO!!
There is still plenty of fight in the Diamond Dog, and Vance looks to mount some offence of his own as he rises to his feet alongside Hao. Rick manages to block a Mongolian Chop from Konchu and stomps on his foot. However, when Vance turns around to head to his own partners in order to make the tag, Konchu quickly grabs him… Inverted DDT! The back of Vance’s head bounces off of the canvas, and Konchu puts a knee across his chest and reaches out… and Epsilon slaps his hand!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Here comes Epsilon! He’s been itching to get a taste of the action, and here he is on the middle rope… SPLASH DOWN ONTO VANCE! Epsilon stays on top!”
ONE… TWO… NO!!!
Vance powers out of the pin attempt and gets to his feet once more, and Epsilon strikes him in the stomach with a stiff punch! Epsilon begins to lay some more shots in on Vance, but Rick rears back and runs through Epsilon with a pump kick straight to the face! There is concern from Konchu and Cyrus on the apron, and Vance drags Epsilon by the foot towards his corner and he tags in Santino Dongarelli for the first time.
After a couple of shadow punches, Sonny steps through the ropes and leaps into the air, cutting Epsilon off from getting to the rest of the Dark Roads Alliance with an elbow drop across the back of his head! The crowd are not pleased and Sonny waves them off, and he pulls Epsilon up from the mat, connecting with a stiff forearm.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It should not come as much of a surprise that these three have chosen Epsilon to pick on and target here… oh, and here he is. Of course now is when he wants to get into the match - when there’s no danger.”
Jeers ring out, because Allen Price enthusiastically extends his hand and Sonny obliges, tagging the commentator into the match. It is official; Allen Price is the legal man. Price shimmies around Epsilon and then stomps on him whilst he is down. Epsilon sits up and Price runs the ropes slowly and comes back… AND ALLEN PRICE HITS EPSILON WITH THE STRUT! The move is much more impactful when hit by Chris Peacock, but Price does not care.
He dances in the same vein as the FWA World Champion, all the while failing to realise that Epsilon is slowly rising to his feet behind him as the knee strike did not do much damage at all. Both Dogs scream out to Price, but it is too late by the time he turns around… BECAUSE EPSILON BEGINS UNLOADING ON ALLEN PRICE!!! The crowd eat it up big style as Konchu’s minion lays in heavy shots on Price. A kick to the shins gets the pitiful commentator down on his knees.
Price begs with Epsilon not to inflict any more pain on him, but Epsilon points his finger… at Cyrus Truth. The crowd cheers and Epsilon makes his way over to Truth, who tags himself into the match… BUT VANCE CUTS HIM OFF WITH A JUMPING CALF KICK!! Cyrus drops to the mat and Price quickly scoots on his knees to his team’s corner and tags in Sonny, before retreating to the bottom of the ramp outside of the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Seems like Price has had enough already, which is a shame. But here comes Dongarelli, and Konchu is also in to meet him…”
Konchu comes in to cut Sonny D off, but Dongarelli meets him with a Dropkick which knocks him back. Diamond Dogs seem to be wanting to put an end to things here, with Sonny now picking Truth up from the mat as Vance climbs up onto the top rope, ready to take flight so the Diamond Dogs can hit the MUFF DIVE - BUT EPSILON ROLLS TRUTH BACK AND THIS ALLOWS HIM TO ESCAPE THE SITUATION!
Vance is trapped on the top rope and he takes flight anyway towards the huddle in the ring, BUT KONCHU THROWS BABA VANGA’S ILLUMINATION AT HIM IN MID AIR!! Blinded, Vance falls to the mat in a crash and burn. Konchu then picks him up and throws him out of the ring. There is a moment where Sonny D realises that he is on his own in the ring and he takes a swing at Cyrus, but Truth ducks it and elevates him up onto his shoulders… JOURNEY’S END!!! The fans cheer, and Truth flips Dongarelli over onto his back and makes the cover;
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
{RESULT}Winners: The Dark Roads Alliance by pin fall at 6:44.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here are your winners… the DARK ROADS ALLIANCE!”
It is celebratory in the ring for Epsilon and Konchu, but Cyrus Truth wears a serious look on his face. Despite getting the victory for his team, he did not get satisfaction. His eyes are fixated on Allen Price, who is half way up the ramp and watches as a partially-sighted Rick Vance pulls his tag team partner out of the ring. The look on Allen Price’s face is that of sheer terror.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, a convincing victory for the Dark Roads Alliance tonight on Fallout and if it was not clear that they are ready to take on FTN at Lights out, it is now. However, Allen Price managed to get away-””
???: “Hey Cyrus! Up here!”
The music stops and everyone looks around for a second until the large screen shows an image of two men standing next to each other; the FWA World Tag Team Champions. Alyster Black is on the left and the FWA World Champion Chris Peacock on the right. The crowd instantly boo upon their appearance.
Chris Peacock: “Forget about Allen for a minute, look at us. We wanted to congratulate you on your victory tonight. I’m real sure that the two of you are going to be heading into Lights Out full of confidence and we bet you think that you’re going to walk out of there as the FWA World Tag Team Champions, don’t you?”
Alyster Black: “Especially because FTN are facing each other in the main event for the world title, too! Just HOW are they going to coexist to defend the tag team titles?”
Chris Peacock: “I’ll tell you how. It is because neither of you jabronis can touch us, alright? What, Cyrus got one or two fluke win over Alyster that one or two times and all of a sudden that makes you on our level? Think again. We own you.”
Black pauses for a moment, perhaps considering Peacock’s comment. In the ring, both Truth and Hao are shown to be paying a lot of attention to what their Lights Out opponents have to say.
Chris Peacock: “Bet that ticks you off, huh? You angry, Cyrus? Well, because you’re so angry… and we want to make sure we don’t have to deal with either of you ever again, we’ve spoken to Jon Russnow and made a little change to the match stipulation for Lights Out. Lay it on them, Aly.”
Alyster Black: “We think that it would be fitting to relax the rules somewhat for the match so the four of us can inflict as much pain as humanly possible on each other. After all, I am the longest-reigning X Champion in history.”
Chris Peacock: “Isn’t Konchu a former X Champion?”
Alyster Black: “You’d be forgiven for forgetting that he was.”
Chris Peacock: “Remind me, who was it who beat him for it?”
Alyster Black: “Come to think of it, Chrissy, I think it was you!”
Chris Peacock: “So it was. Well, we know that your hatred of us and our boredom of you is not limited to the confines of the ring. That’s why our match at Lights Out for the FWA World Tag Team Championships is going to be Falls Count Anywhere!”
A cheer goes up from the crowd and the Dark Roads Alliance have no objections to that it would seem. The shot on the large screen zooms out to show that FTN are standing outside of the arena.
Alyster Black: “So watch out, because we could be… anywhere.”
Suddenly the feed on the screen cuts and a loud reaction comes out from the crowd as two men are in the ring behind Cyrus and Konchu… IT’S FTN!!! Cyrus and Konchu turn around… AND THEY’RE BOTH DROPPED WITH TAG TITLES TO THE SKULLS!!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It was pre recorded! Alyster Black and Chris Peacock were hiding in wait this entire time and they’ve laid out the number one contenders!”
Epsilon makes a rush at Peacock, but Black cuts him off with a ONE SHOT KILL!!! All three members of the Dark Roads Alliance are down, and Chris Peacock welcomes Price and the Diamond Dogs back into the ring, with Price gleefully rubbing his hands together.
Alyster Black picks up his half of the FWA World Tag Team Championships from the mat and then sees another belt… Chris Peacock’s FWA World Championship. Black picks it up and slowly rises to his feet and Peacock sees what he is doing and clears his throat, holding his hand out. With just a moment's hesitation, Black passes Peacock his title back. Price comes over to congratulate them both before anything else can be made of it.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “FTN will surely mock anyone who thinks it, but their friendship is going to be tested in several ways at Lights Out. The question is, can this go on for much longer with everything at stake?”
Both Black and Peacock have their arms raised by Allen Price. Alyster Black looks ahead proudly, but a look of concern crosses Peacock’s face as the show fades to black. |
|
