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Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 15:29:05 GMT
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Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 15:31:27 GMT
the FWA proudly presents The North American Showdown.
only on the WCNetwork.
Thursday 22nd February, 2024.
Live from SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 
THE MATCH | 1/60.
Big Bryan Bastard (c) vs. "The Prodigy" Mike Parr.
Singles Match for the FWA North American Title.
Match Writer: Dubb & Prod.454 Days.Mike Parr holds the record for the longest North American Title reign which currently sits at 454 days.On February 22nd, Bryan Baxter will have held the North American Title 453 days. One man stands between Bryan Baxter and the record. And that man is... "The Prodigy" himself. This will not be the first time Mike Parr has had a shot at regaining the title he has also held a record four times. At Back in Business, Mike Parr was set to challenge Big Bryan Baxter for the title, only for Bryan Baxter to declare himself "Big Bryan Bastard" before he unleashed a vicious pre-match assault on Parr that left The Prodigy in no condition to compete in the actual match. It was an attack that left Parr out of action for months until he returned right before Winter Wasteland. And with his return, he had one thing on his mind - getting his hands on Bryan Bastard and getting the title shot he felt like he didn't properly get last year. However, both were competing in the F1 and in separate pools. And Bryan, thinking he had defeated all comers and wasn't afraid of anyone who wanted to come at him for the title, put the North American title on the line for the winner of the F1 Tournament. The problem? That gave Baxter the record for longest reign without another defense. And that did not sit well with Parr. And after calling out Bastard for being afraid... for wanting the easy way to the record... Bryan agreed to this special, one time match happening outside of the F1. A F1 crossover if you will as we head toward Fight Night where both are also competing for a spot in the Semifinals. But for this night - it's all about the North American Title. About settling this score once and for all. And about setting or defending a record.
Promo deadlines:
Monday 19th February at 11:59PM Eastern. |
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Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 15:33:49 GMT
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Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 15:34:37 GMT
Promo reviews.
Originally posted by SupineSnake.
I thought that I would take the opportunity to review the KODM promos that I have read/graded. Don’t want to go into masses of detail with these, but will do my best to comment on at least a couple of things I liked and then in an entirely constructive manner, what I think could have maybe been considered or looked at differently to elevate, if anything.
Trixie Bordeaux: Using last year’s KODM as a reference point at the start for us to then compare with where Trixie is by the end of it. This is very strong character growth and the way you chose to put the promo together punches us in the face with it. I like that this is all about Trixie, how and why she has changed. Her not being happy with losing important matches started off as the motivation but then it just seemed like she realised that version of her may have never been able to achieve what she wanted to, and it all being because of deep-rooted fear was a great touch. This seems like almost a blank slate for her and a chance for a fresh beginning with a new attitude. I like the paper effect and it is a good touch usually, but I found the promo quite difficult to read at times, unfortunately. I think the bolding with the font chosen does make it quite hard on the eyes. Not a major concern, but it could have looked cleaner. That being said though, there’s a lot of good stuff in here. Very good effort.
Johnny Johnson: Logan Darwin cameos are always a plus, so points there. I think the sole opponent focus being on Tommy is fine, given the history between them and the tension that has been building since Johnson returned at Winter Wonderland. I do believe I saw you say somewhere that you wished you had more time to work on this one, and I think that may have stopped this from being elevated even more. This promo would probably have exceeded the WW promo (which I loved) had we gotten a bit more of an exploration of the clear trauma Johnny experienced as a child watching Logan bleeding and how he then became fine with the sight of blood and then began to lean on wrestling being in his blood. The scenes with Johnny as a child all hit the mark in terms of evoking emotion and building sympathy. Similarly to the Trixie one, I think a couple of parts were hard to read due to the formatting, namely the inner monologue parts. Johnson is a character I always tend to enjoy reading promos for, and this was no different.
Jason Randall: Good to see some continuity from what happened on the last set of shows and Randall’s knee and overall health being a factor. He was clearly determined here, as he should be with a chance to prove himself. I always like the interactions with Penny in these promos too, and of course the hint that he might not have a lot left in the tank and seeing what you do with that will be fun. What I think this promo would have benefitted from is Jason going on a journey of some sort? Even if he starts and begins the promo determined to do KODM and not caring what people say or think, some doubt over whether that was actually the right thing to do would help especially in the character development section. Formatting very good as usual with Jimmy promos, so no comments there. Nice work.
Xperienx Xtacee: “You would think that for someone without a gag reflex, you wouldn’t throw up so easily.” - amazing line. The opening exchange between Monica and Antonio was good shit. Very funny. I enjoyed how relevant you made this to KODM and XX’s place in it and the thread of him being dissatisfied with his standing in the company and not being taken seriously was good. In fact, it reminds me of a disco dancer from a few years ago that couldn’t win important matches and other wrestlers tried to dismiss as just a gimmick. Dream sequences happen quite a lot, but this one again seemed quite relevant and the thought of XX hijacking a plane just so he could throw himself out of it, showing his daring, was fun as well. With the whole “I want to be a winner” thing at the start, I’d have liked to have seen that come back and factor into the ending a bit more. Did the dream convince him that he can be, etc. But this was a very enjoyable read. It hit my sense of humour and got a few laughs when it intended to. Good work.
Jack the Clipper: I’m a big fan of this character so it was a shame that you did not have enough time to write something proper for this, as I do think given your ability he could have been a bit of a dark horse. Won’t write anymore here as I’ve quadrupled the length of the promo already.
Blair Ravenwood: Great title. A short promo here which definitely does the job of moving the ongoing power struggle within The Coven forward. Blair’s motivations and reasoning for all of this happening makes sense from her position and the work recently has done an effective job of adding some more layers to the sisters and differentiating them from one another. With something this length, one is always limited from getting really into things and as I’m sure you’re aware of, there’s no real story here. However nothing wrong with this as a character study of Blair and what she is hoping to get out of being in the tournament. Format will limit scoring in some areas but character-wise this is a strong piece of work.
XYZ: Lol at the references to XYZ not technically being allowed another shot at the X Championship. I know we usually say that the “list” promos in these multi-person matches are common, but at the time of writing (I only have one more to read after this one), no one else has taken that approach. Highlighting the relationships with some of the other competitors is good and I like the allegorical uses of the other people the gang met. Good character growth from XYZ to use what happened with Jerry dipping to adapt his approach and attitude towards the others. I think the promo could have benefitted from a bit clearer distinction between scenes - something like location headings etc, just to make it harder to not lose track. This was good though, the journey that XYZ went on made sense given his current state of play and the issues with Kleio. Always enjoy reading these and this one was no different.
Colby Sol: Top use of “Dickhead”. The first monologue was very good. I’ve said before that whilst a monologue can be inherently “un”-creative, they can still be very strong and this one was. So, this is actually the final promo of the bunch I’ve read and Sol stands out from the bunch here as he’s the only one that didn’t have something which has brought him down coming into it. The guy was just confident in himself the whole way through, and given he’s 2-0, why shouldn’t he be? I liked the acknowledgement that OF COURSE the cab driver is a wrestling fan. An area where I think we could have seen a bit more of is if everything didn’t go smooth sailing for him here and how he’d react to that? It’s good to see this hunger for power though, and depending on how he gets on here, his confidence could increase even more. Formatting was clean aside from the font switching up a couple of times. Overall, this was really good. Definitely rose to the occasion. Good shit.
Sawyer Xavier: A very articulate piece here, especially in the opening. Great descriptive writing of the surroundings. This really packed several huge emotional punches throughout, with how Sawyer was mistreated by his father, the all too real story of drifting apart from friends and then of course Sawyer questioning his entire existence. I feel like I was missing a bit of a link as to why Sawyer resolved to do this for Hank instead of himself? It’s clear Hank was/is a very important person in his life so maybe it could have been reinforced a bit more, however saying that, the lingering promise to get a drink with an old friend being a reason Sawyer gave himself to step down from the ledge is so realistic. Great work on that part. Not masses of focus on the tournament itself aside from the end, but it doesn’t stop this being a very powerful promo. Nice work, Blaine.
Really good batch of promos here. A lot of good stuff and all were enjoyable reads. Please remember that all of the above is intended in an entirely constructive manner and in no way am I trying to diminish anyone’s efforts. No obligation to reciprocate a review either, so no expectations from me on that front. Best of luck to everyone in the tournament.
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Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 15:35:22 GMT
the FWA proudly presents
The North American Showdown.
only on the WCNetwork.
Thursday 22nd February, 2024.
Live from SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.The SaskTel Centre, just over 15,000 strong, have packed into the arena tonight for one of the most hotly anticipated showdowns in recent FWA history. A Back in Business rematch as a technicality, sure, but this is really the contest that we were expecting at the biggest event of the year. This time, however, the stakes are even higher than that, as the record for the longest reigning North American Champion is on the line. The FWA have spared no expense for this extravaganza, with a full set present in the SaskTel. Ringside are Rod Sterling and Jean-Luc Watkins, ready to call the action that is going to streamed out live on all FWA platforms. The camera cuts to ringside. Rod Sterling: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the night is upon us. Big Bryan Baxter, the long reigning North American Champion, to much surprise agreed to put his championship on the line tonight against the man who’s record he is set to break, ‘The Prodigy’ Mike Parr”
Jean-Luc Watkins:: “I’m not the biggest fan of Parr, I’ll give you that, but the idea to goad Baxter into this challenge in one last desperate attempt to maintain the record he values, you have got to kind of respect it.”
Rod Sterling: “In fairness to Bryan, Rod, I don’t think it took a significant amount of goading. Parr called out Baxter for being a coward, not only for his actions at Back in Business where he attacked Parr from behind before the bell even rang, but for putting the championship on the line in the F1 Climaxxx tournament.”
Jean-Luc Watkins:: “An interesting concept that, calling someone a coward for voluntarily putting his championship on the line against 7 other of the best that the FWA has to offer in a tournament that is riddled with treachery whatever way you look. I think it was an inspired move from Big Bryan Bastard, and will be one of the most impressive achievements in FWA history when he pulls it off.”
Rod Sterling: “Regardless, thank you all for joining us on whatever platform that you decide to engage with the FWA. We are not far away from the clock turning onto Day 454, and before we get there, we need to make sure that we know who is going to hold the record for the longest reigning North American Champion. Before we get to that hotly anticipated contest, lets take a look back at how we got here.”The camera feed cuts to a video package that is also piped into the arena as we start with the challenge being laid on A very Crossfire Christmas. Rod Sterling: “Well, here we go. Guess we’re kicking things off tonight with the North American Champion.”The crowd boos loudly as Big Bryan Bastard walks out from the back, holding the aforementioned North American champion in his left hand by on of the straps, letting it hang down. Wearing his “BASTARD” embroidered red letterman jacket, Bryan lifts the championship high up on the stage to ruckus heat from the fans. BBB is all alone tonight, no sign of any Friendship Wrestling Alliance cohorts. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Winter Wasteland was a bit of deja vu. Another pre-match attack to Bryan Baxter’s opponent that lead to another title defense. He certainly lives up to the Bastard name.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “To be fair, we never saw who attacked Chris Crowe backstage before the match.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Come on Anzu, we all know if it wasn’t Bryan Bastard… it was probably one of those masked weirdos that hang out with him.”
Rod Sterling: “And despite that prematch attack, it was those masked men from the Friendship Wrestling Alliance - Sir Stache and Mejor Amigo - who still got involved to help Baxter during the match itself too.”Baxter walks down to the ring, climbing up onto the apron and then steps through the middle ropes to enter the ring and takes the microphone. Bryan Baxter: “Everybody kept sayin’ it… they all kept sayin’ it… just wait. Just wait until Chris Crowe came back. Just want until Chris Crowe came back and took back the belt he never lost. Your days are numbered, Bryan! You’re just holdin’ that belt til Chris Crowe comes back.”Bryan smirks, looking down at the North American championship in his hand. Bryan Baxter: “Well, what happened? Chris Crowe came back. And yeah, I’ll give him credit… he earned his shot. But guess what…”
“I’M STILL HERE.”
“I AM STILL THE FWA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION!”Big Bryan Bastard lifts the North American title up into the air to resounding boos from the crowd. Bryan Baxter: “Like it or not, I took down yet another obstacle. Yet another person who thought they deserved the title more than me. Over four hundred days now… and no one has been able to stop me. You have to wonder… who can stop me? Can it even be done? Because so far, everyone that has lined up has been knocked right back down. One by one they’ve shown up and one by one I’ve destroyed the competition.”
“And quite honestly… it’s getting a little boring.”More boos as Baxter smirks, now lifting the title up and draping it over his shoulder. Bryan Baxter: “Don’t get me wrong, I love this belt and am not about to give it up. Not a damn chance. A few months ago… I was actually loosing sleep at night. I was actually stressing out about all the people who wanted to come after me for this belt. I was worried about this huge target on my back…. But boy… I was wrong. I was wrong to be so worried. Because I’m starting to think there’s no one on my level. There’s not a damn person in that locker room that I have to worry about! This belt is where it belongs and I can assure you… it ain’t goin’ ANYWHERE!”Big Bryan Bastard pauses as he gets another wave of boos from the fans. Bryan Baxter: “Which is why I wanna make things interesting. Like I said… these whole one at a time beatdowns… are getting a little old, don’t ya think? So… let’s spice things up. I’m in this little F1 thing again this year… you know, the thing I shoulda won last year? Where I beat now former chump Chris Peacock AND Cyrus Truth? Remember that? I know there’s already some high stakes in this baby… but let’s up them some more. I ain’t scared of Chris Peacock. I beat his ass last year in this event. Halloween Knight? Don’t make me laugh. Xavien Marshall? Just some punkass kid who needs his mouth punched in to teach him a lesson. XX… he can take the beating I’ve given his little Undisputed Alliance buddies. Konch Hao… happy to beat him down once again. Weaseldreamer… well, we have some unfinished business from last year, I do believe. And then.. Mike Parr… I think Back in Business speaks for itself.”
“I’m so confident I’m going to crush this F1…”
“That I’m putin’ the North American Title on the line!”The boos suddenly turn to cheers as the fans get pumped. Rod Sterling: “Wait, is he saying what I think he is?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Sure seems that way. I think his four-hundred plus day title reign has gone to his head!”
Bryan Baxter: “You heard me right. When all is said and done in this tournament…. Whoever walks out with the 2024 F1 will also walk out with this belt… and don’t worry, I’ll spare you the drama… it’s gonna be…
“BIG.”
“BRYAN.”
“BASTA–”[MEDIA=youtube]rLRDl4fQXQE[/MEDIA] Rod Sterling: “Well, this could be about to get interesting..”The crowd let out an audible gasp as their attention turns away from Bryan Baxter and towards the entrance, where from the backstage area indeed emerges “The Prodigy” Mike Parr. No custom made suit or hair slicked today for Parr, it is a customer t-shirt and taped fists. Rod Sterling: “Back in Business was mentioned not too long ago, and that of course was the last time we saw Mike Parr until a couple of weeks ago on Fallout. Worth noting, however, that since his return he hasn’t exactly set the world alight. A closely contested loss to Konchu Hao followed by a time limit draw with Johnny Johnson at Winter Wasteland isn’t the return that he would’ve had planned.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “He did manage to get a spot in the upcoming F1 though, so I doubt he is too upset.”It is a fairly positive reaction for Parr, who hasn’t done a whole bunch to appeal to the crowd since his return. However, positive or negative, you wouldn’t know by looking at Mike’s face. His jaw is clenched, and his glare has not moved from Baxter in the ring. Baxter, for his part, far from being upset about being interrupted, has a wry grin spread across his face. Bringing his hand to his face, The Prodigy fidgets he tries to gather the words, the words that adequately explain how he feels encountering the man who nearly ended his FWA career. Mike Parr: “You couldn’t have thought that I was just going to let it slide, could you?”A few audible ‘ooooh’s’ from the audience, the majority remain relatively silent awaiting Mike’s next few words. Mike Parr: “I’m not going to stand up here and bitch and moan about taking the…shall I say…morally questionable….route in terms of how you got things done at Back in Business. In my time, I’ve been known to be a very big advocate of the ends justifying the means. I’m plenty of things Bryan, plenty, but I’m not a hypocrite. But….what you must not do is mistake my avoidance of hypocrisy and think that it somehow results in letting bygones be bygones, what you must not think is that somehow because I begrudgingly respect the moves that you have made that I accept them…..not for a second.””The fans cheer, as Bryan starts to mouth back at Prodigy, the camera not quite fast enough to pick up the right angle to make out exactly what his retort was. Mike Parr: “ If The Prodigy was going to come back to FWA, you bet that he was going to come straight after the man that took him out and embarrassed him on the biggest show of the year, right? It’s was an absolute guarantee ... .but I didn’t. And I wasn’t. I was playing the long game Bryan, I was going to come back here and have some fun for what feels like the first time in forever. I was going to get some wins, remind everyone of exactly who I am and then, just when you thought that it was safe and clear to stop glancing over your shoulder in case I was there, I was going to strike. I was going to strike, and strike again and again and again until you really finally got the message, until you understood both the reality and gravity of your situation. The gravity is that you crossed me, you crossed Mike Parr, and the reality is that the North American Championship is my property and my legacy and you’ve been holding onto my property for far too long.””The crowd cheer, the sort of intensity you don’t often see in a public setting from The Prodigy. He usually operates in the shadows, a man of many words but really few reads. But here, it seems abundantly clear what he is after. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Not that I would expect much less, but it sounds like Baxter has just given Parr some extra motivation in the F1!”The camera pans to Baxter, who lets out an exaggerated exhale. Mike Parr: “In saying that though, I won’t lie to you and say I'm not really disappointed, because it is so underwhelming. I thought I was coming back here to slay the one that everyone thinks is indomitable, the one that swatted aside challengers for over 400 days. The one who came within a whisker of winning the F1 last year. I’m disappointed because when I do what I said I was going to do, it just doesn’t mean as much when instead of beating some indomitable monster I’m beating on some coward little bitch.””Baxter, for the first time since Parr walked out,visually appears to be taking Parr seriously. No longer mouthing or overexaggerating a reaction, he is now stony-faced, his glare narrowed as he stares up at the only man to hold the North American Championship longer than he has done. Mike Parr: “I haven’t explained to you yet why I couldn’t just play the long game with you, have I? It’s because I couldn’t sit back there and watch and listen to any of this any longer. You wanted to show up tonight and have everyone talk about how amazing the greatest North American Champion of all time is, voluntarily putting his championship on the line in a tournament between 8 of the best that the company has to offer. You wanted the narrative to be about whether or not Baxter can bulldoze through this tournament like he has done every other challenger that he has faced over the last 400 days. Not on my watch, Baxter. Not on my watch.
You taught me a couple of things when you attacked me at Back in Business ahead of our match, one of them obvious. One of them is that you are someone to be respected, that will do whatever it takes to win. The other….the other thing you taught me is that you’re scared. Look at the size of you, you don’t need to go attacking people from behind to win but you choose to do it because you are scared that someone might just be that much too fast for you or that much more intelligent than you. You mitigate the chance of defeat where you can because you are afraid that you just don’t have it, you just don’t have what it takes to get it done.””There is another silence in the arena, as Parr’s words reverberate around the arena. Baxter looks quizzically up at Parr, almost still trying to assess exactly what he is hearing. Mike Parr: “And that is what tonight is Bryan, I see you. I don’t know how many people see you, but I do. You aren’t out here showcasing your almighty strength, you are out here exposing your weakness. You aren’t putting your championship on the line in this tournament to prove how dominant you are or to put another exclamation mark on that reign of yours, you are putting it on the line in the tournament so it’s tied up for another…oh, I don’t know….40 days at least?””Another telling reaction from the crowd, as they begin to converse with each other and work out exactly what Prodigy is referencing. Our commentary team take a couple of moments to get there. Rod Sterling: “That would take Baxter to his 454th day as North American Champion, which would tie the record held by the man with the microphone currently held to his mouth”
Mike Parr: “Prove me wrong, Bryan. While those couple of errant brain cells in that dome of yours click together and try and process what I’m saying to you, let me remove any potential obstacles that you try to erect. The North American Championship will be awarded to the victor of this tournament regardless. We both can remain in the tournament, I don’t need a Fallout. Hell, I don’t even need a Meltdown or a Fight Night.”
I need a ring, and on February 22nd I need you to bring my belt and after 453 days of misery you’re going to turn up and I’m going to take back what is mine.””The crowd erupts as the challenge is laid out for the current holder of the North American Championship. Parr plays into the emotions of the crowd and extends both arms to either side and riles them up even further, giving Baxter the opportunity to collect his thoughts before responding. Bryan Baxter: “You gotta lotta nerve Mikey… comin’ out here… havin’ proven nothin’ since last time I beat your ass… but you know what… I enjoyed it the first time… and trust me… I’m not a coward… I have no problem kickin’ your ass again. I’ll send you on yet another hiatus… and this time… this time Mike… you ain’t comin’ back!”Baxter tosses the microphone down as the two go toe to toe for a staredown. The camera cuts back to Jean-Luc and Rod at ringside, as the atmosphere in the SaskTel has picked up considerably in the intervening time whilst the video played. Rod Sterling: “And indeed, that confrontation is exactly why we have ended up here tonight! So now, we have 454 days versus 453 days and counting, lets talk a quick walk down memory lane and see exactly how each man got to this point.”The arena fades to black so all attention is on the massive screens above the ring and entrance way.
"Giving In" by Adema begins as the crowd comes to its feet to let out a massive about of boos. "The Prodigy" Mike Parr heads to the ring in a full suit with the fake FWA Television Championship "belt" on his shoulder. He looks into the nearest camera and shouts, "I'm the best thing on TV! I'm the champ of TV! Late night! Mid-afternoon! Morning! EVERYTHING!"
Langdon Trafford: Not a shy one, this Mike Parr.
Piers Gallagher: Why should he be? He's the TV Champ! He has the right to be outspoken!
Parr comes to the ring and steps up to the apron. He steps through the ropes and looks at the crowd before reluctantly handing the TV title belt to abewildered ref, who doesn't know what to do with it.
"Phenomenal" by CFO$ is next as Thomas Jordan comes out to a loud ovation. His fists are taped up, his red boxing shorts cover down to his kneecaps, and he hops around before heading down the aisle and steps up to the apron.
Langdon Trafford: Thomas Jordan has been so so so close to landing his Silencer punch on Chris Kennedy for weeks. Will tonight be the night?
Piers Gallagher: Thomas Jordan is a fantastic boxer, but he doesn't have the smarts to keep up with Kennedy or Parr.
"Here to Stay" by KoRn hits and the crowd rises up with a massive mixed expression for "The Astonishing" Chris Kennedy, who comes out with his sunglasses on and sparkling white jacket covered in part by his prized FWA North American Championship belt.
FWA North American Championship
"The Astonishing" Chris Kennedy (c) vs. Thomas Jordan vs. "The Prodigy" and "The Champion of Television" Mike Parr
The bell rings and the trio stay still, waiting for someone to strike first. Parr and Kennedy are most hesitant, and Thomas Jordan grows the courage by coming in and going for Kennedy with his furious punches and jabs. He backs Kennedy into the turnbuckle and repeatedly goes for punch after punch until Kennedy finally gets his hands up to defend. Jordan dodges a running clothesline from Parr, who slams into Kennedy in the corner, and now Jordan is laying punches into Parr's stomach while Kennedy is squished between "The Prodigy" and the turnbuckle.
Jordan keeps it up until he lands some of his jab-hook combos. Parr stumbles out, and Jordan does the reverse of the combo — this one a left jab, right hook combo — to Kennedy, who topples over and leans face down against the top rope as his balance fades.
Jordan grabs Parr around the neck and lands more body shots to his standing foe. He lands a left hook to the body and right hook to the head, causing Parr to fall to the canvas. Then he hits a Dempsey Roll to Kennedy, who goes back into the turnbuckle. Jordan lands rapid fire gut shots as the champ slouches down to a seated form. Jordan steps away and lands a big uppercut when Parr is up, sending him right back down! Jordan covers as the crowd cheers a potential title change!
..................1......................2...............Kennedy breaks it up!
Langdon Trafford: That was nearly a quick one!
Kennedy grabs Jordan and whips to the ropes, but Jordan ducks a spinning wheel kick and lands a thez press with repeated, wild hooks across the champ's face. Parr greets Jordan with a flying knee to the face when Jordan rises, and finally one of the heels takes control.
"The Prodigy" grabs Jordan by the neck and whips him to the turnbuckle. He charges, but Jordan lands a jab to the gut and fires back more jabs. Parr shows his skill by blocking one and landing his own hooks and jabs as Jordan is sent backwards to the corner. Parr whips Jordan across the ring, where Kennedy greets him with a snap scoop powerslam!
Kennedy then motions to Parr to double team Jordan. The two heels work together, with Kennedy and Parr hitting a double snap suplex! Kennedy tells Parr to go to the top rope. Kennedy leans down to bring Jordan to his feet and holds his arms behind his back. Parr leaps off the top for a flying knee to the face, and Jordan goes down as Parr celebrates.
"The Prodigy" turns for a high-five with Kennedy, but the champ has crouched behind him and BAM!!!
Bitter Sweet Chin Symphony!!!
Right to the chest!
Parr falls to the canvas! The crowd is absolutely STUNNED!
Kennedy covers!
....................1......................2.................Jordan breaks it up at the last second!
Langdon Trafford: Oh my God, that was close! Kennedy, the mastermind, getting Parr to let his guard down.
Kennedy is up fairly quick and grabs Jordan for a waist lock. He brings Jordan to his knees and then rolls back for a roll-up pin!
..................1.....................2.............Kick out!
Kennedy applies a head lock and then turns into an inverted headlock backbreaker on Jordan! Parr is on the apron as the champ covers one of his challengers in the middle of the ring.
.................ONE
.................TWO
.............NO!
Kennedy turns his focus to Parr now. He grabs "The Prodigy" but gets an eye poke! Parr was playing possum! Kennedy doubles over as Parr pulls himself upright with the middle rope. Then he hits a belly-to-back suplex on Kennedy!!! The crowd cheers but Parr's momentum is short lived. Jordan is up and clotheslines him to the ground, and then begins ground punches with forearm hooks across the face. Jordan keeps it up before covering Parr, who has taken some damage!
................1..................2...............Shoulder up!
Jordan grabs Parr by the neck and rolls him out the ring. Jordan's attention is squarely on Kennedy now! The crowd cheers as Jordan stalks his foe. When the champ is up, Jordan goes for The Silencer...
But Kennedy dodges it AGAIN, like he has so many times before!!!
Jordan misses, looks around, and turns just in time for ...
The Bittersweet Chin Symphony!!!
But Jordan dodges it, in Matrix-like style! The crowd cheers! Jordan stumbles away as Kennedy catches his balance. Jordan turns and meets Kennedy's gaze and launches himself at him for EVERYTHING...
THE SILENCER! HE HITS IT! RIGHT IN THE MOUTH!
Langdon Trafford: There it is!!! Jordan is going to win the North American Championship!
Jordan kneels for a half second next to the unconscious Chris Kennedy. Then he lays atop and hooks the far leg!
.................ONE
.................TWO
.....
MIKE PARR!!!
MIKE PARR BREAKS UP THE PINFALL!!! HE SMASHES THE TV CHAMPIONSHIP BELT INTO THE BACK OF THOMAS JORDAN'S HEAD!!!
AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN!
The referee cannot disqualify Parr! It's a triple threat match!
Jordan is fading out of consciousness! Parr takes the TV Championship belt and holds it up for the crowd to see! Then as Jordan rises, holding the back of his head, Parr swings it one more time and hits him RIGHT IN THE FACE with the plate!!!
Langdon Trafford: Kennedy hasn't recovered yet!!! No one will stop Mike Parr!
"The Prodigy" covers!
..................ONE
Piers Gallagher: HE'S GOING TO WIN THANKS TO HIS TV CHAMPIONSHIP!
.................TWO
Piers Gallagher: YOU ALL MADE FUN OF HIM! YOU CALLED IT A FAKE TITLE! NOW LOOK!
................THREE!!!
Winner and NEW FWA North American Champion: "The Prodigy" Mike Parr
Parr's theme music plays as the crowd explodes with boos watching the ending unfold. Parr holds up his fake TV Championship belt, which has a small blood stain from Jordan's face busted open from the final smash. After a few seconds, Parr is handed the North American Championship and he raises BOTH belts into the air for the crowd to see and boo hellaciously, disgusted by the sight.
Langdon Trafford: Mike Parr has stolen the North American Championship! He won't be shutting up any time soon!
Piers Gallagher: He's the ONLY double champion in the FWA! He should talk as long as he wants!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I knew it was a fraud, he always mentions that he beat Chris Kennedy for his North American Championship but it turns out he just bypassed him!”
Rod Sterling: “Well, Kennedy was a part of the match that began Mike Parr’s 454 day reign as champion – and for over one year he took on all challengers, from those up and comers wanting to prove themselves like what happened in May of 2017."
Kurt Harrington: The following contest is your main event and is scheduled for ONE FALL!
The crowd sure enough repeated the phrase “ONE FALL!” with excitement!
Kurt Harrington: AND it is for the FWA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP!
“Turn the Page” by Metallica played over the speakers as Tristan James Galloway made his way out to the ring. The Samoan Warrior looked to be on a mission as he was intensely focused all the way down to the ring. Galloway wasted no time getting into the ring and trying to mask his slight nervousness, paced inside the ring.
“Giving in” by Adema interrupted the song and a confident Mike Parr, smugly smiled as he set foot onto the stage. He looked with pride at his North American Championship, hanging over his shoulder, before briskly moving down towards the ring. He arrogantly smiled at Tristan as he looked him up and down, brushing past him to hand the championship over to referee Ricky Bobbenwoggen.
Kurt Harrington: And now, introducing the challenger, first weighing in at 275 pounds, and towering at a frightening 6’6 tall, he is the number one contender to the North American Championship...TRRRRRRRRISTAN JAMES GALLOWAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!
The crowd popped hard for the fresh face in the title scene. Some Galloway chants could be heard through the crowd.
Kurt Harrington:And his opponent, from Toronto, Ontario, standing at 6’2 tall, and weighing in at 240 lbs.....he is the current FWA North American Champion.....”The Prodigy” MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKE PARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FWA North American Championship Match
“The Prodigy” Mike Parr vs Tristan James Galloway
Parr starts off testing Galloway by getting in his face, running his mouth and then slapping him hard across the jaw. Galloway responds by charging forward and taking parr down with a Double Leg takedown and the two begin rolling around the ring in a brawl on the canvas! Parr rolls through it and waistlocks Galloway, lifting him up and taking him back down to the canvas in a side slam but maintaining the rear waistlock. Galloway slips out but Parr gets himself back into position with another rear waistlock but Galloway fights his way to the ropes and pulls himself up, forcing the referee to call for the break. Parr confidently backs up as Galloway hangs on to the ropes, and nods his head to Parr that he got him that time. The twomen again circle the ring, this time with Galloway quickly going for an arm wrench and quickly countering to a Side Headlock to Parr, before taking him down to the mat Judo-style and keeping a side headlock locked in, and also wrenching back on Parr’s left arm. Parr managed to shift his hips and swing his bodyweight, putting TJG onto his shoulders in a pinning predicament but Galloway swung back into position before a 2 count. Parr managed to push his way up to his knees, with the strength of Galloway maintaining that headlock. Parr got up to his knees and tried to shove TJG off, but Galloways maintained control ad once again brought Parr back to his knees. Parr managed to lock his arms around Galloways waist and hoisted him up into a Back Body Suplex but Galloway managed to keep the headlock locked in! Parr struggled to get back to his knees, but once he did, he managed to get himself into a position to throw an elbow into the gut of Galloways and then used all his strength to shove Galloway off and into the ropes, but Galloway came back with a hard shoulder block that took Parr back to the mat! When Parr got back to his feet, Galloway again applied a side headlock,tossed him down to the mat,and a frustrated Parr was once again in the sameOnce again, Parr tried to roll it into a pin and once again Galloway shifted his weight back to the headlock. Parr again fought his way to his feet, and again tried to shove Galloway off but Galloway this time held on and both men slid to the mat, with the power of Galloway’s headlock still frustrating Mike Parr. Once again, Parr fought to his feet and this time managed to drive Tristan into the corner turnbuckle where the referee had to force the break. Parr backed up as the twomen once again exchanged glances, this time, with Parr’s confidence not as glowing as it was before. The two men againtied up, exchanging rear waistlocks, before Parr shoved Galloway into the ropes, but this time, Galloway came back with a Sunset Flip that caught Parr by surprise!
1..
2...
Parr kicked out and as both men reached their feet, Parr ducked a clothesline and hooked Galloway up with a backslide attempt!
1...
2..
Galloway kicked out! Both men two their feet and this time Parr drives Galloway to the far corner and starts unleashing a barrage of rights and lefts onto this opponent! The referee tries to intervene but Galloway manages to counter it and toss Parr into the corner and unleash some fury of his own! After several punches, Parr regains control and it’s a melee! The referee forces another break and Galloway leaves the corner, turning his back to Parr momentarily, who makes him pay for it with a forearm to the back of the head and when Galloway fell to the canvas, trying to quickly lock in the Inverted Sharpshooter! Galloway uses his leg strength to kick Parr away and into the ropes! Galloway gets to his feet and clotheslines Parr out of the ring and both men tumble to the floor!
Once they get to their feet, Parr goes on the attack with a series of forearms that send Galloway staggering. Parr looks for a vertical suplex on the floor, but Galloway slips out, and looks for a German Suplex on the floor. Parr delivers a few back elbows, fighting out of it, turns around and launches Galloway right into the steel steps! Parr dives into the ring, as the referee reaches a count of 6, breaking the count as he slides back outside and goes to work with a series of strikes to the lower back and neck of Galloway. Parr slides him into the ring before drilling him with a hard snap suplex and going for the cover, forcing TJG to kick out.
Parr scissors his legs around Galloways waist and applies a chinlock. Galloway manages to squirm out of it and gets to his feet, throwing a few desperation punches, but Parr grabs his left arm and throws him hard into the turnbuckle! Galloway screams out in agony as he grabs his lower back and then walks right into a Belly to Back Suplex from Parr! Parr picks him up and delivers another Belly to Back Suplex and this time covers, but only gets a 2 count.
Parr wastes no time in pushing his knee into the lower back of Galloway, and wrenching back by locking his fingers just underneath the chin of his opponent. Dueling “Let’s Go Parr!” “GAL-LO-WAY!” chants fill the arena as Galloway fights out of the hold and back to his feet. Both men up and suddenly it turns into dueling knife edge chops, with each one getting harder than the last, until Galloway’s chop becomes another slap to the face! An incredulous Parr responds with a devastating clothesline!
Parr goes for the cover but again receives a 2 count!
Parr gets up and pulls TJG to his feet, driving him to the turnbuckle and delivering a series of punches. Before the ref calls for the break, Parr uses all his strength but lifts Galloway up to the top rope!
Parr pulls up for a Super-Plex but Galloway blocks it! Galloway delivers a few right hands to the jaw and Parr falls to the canvas! Galloway stands atop looking for a Big Body Splash, but Parr rolls out of the way! Parr stalks his prey, as he awaits Galloway to get to his feet and tries to hook him up for the Rolling Cutter but Galloway gets free, shoves Parr into the ropes and delivers
Double A Spinebuster on the return!
Both men lay motionless on the canvas for a moment as the referee’s count reaches 7. Parr clings to the bottom rope as he looks across the ring at Galloway pulling himself up to his feet. Both men meet in the middle of the ring,once again exchanging blows, Galloways strength is the bigger factor here as he sends Parr staggering! He whips Parr into the ropes and then follows in with a hard body splash! Parr stumbles out of the corner and Galloway nails him with the God Send Conspirator!
1...
2....
Parr kicks out!
Galloways getting frustrated, screams that it was three as the crowd is really getting into it. That was a rookie mistake aasit allowed Parr to get back into the match with some basic strikes and followed up by an enziguiri! Galloway fellto his knees which allowed Parr to connect with a Shining Wizard that took him allthe way to the mat! Parr covered but only got a two count for his troubles! Parr shouted that it’s time to end this as he climbed up to the top rope,signaling for X Marks the Spot!
He balanced himself in position for the moonsault but Tristan scrambled to his feet and pushed the rope,crotching Parr on the top! Tristan than found a way and managed to hook up Parr for the Carcinogen Crush! Tristan lifted him up and began to move forward, but Parr slid free! Before Tristan could turn around,Parr hooked the neck and managed to level Galloway with a lightning fast ROLLING CUTTER! Parr dropped down for the cover!
1...
2...
GALLOWAY KICKED OUT OF THE ROLLING CUTTER!
Parr slammed his fists to the mat in frustration, before beginning to pull at his hair! He even began to talk to himself, questioning how that was possible! But that momentary self doubt was all the Galloway needed to recover. Parr walked over, grabbed Galloway by his hair, but Galloway leveled him with an unbelievable Saito Suplex! Galloway covered!
1...
2...
Kickout by Parr!
Galloway sensed the end was near by Parr barely kicking out of that move. He fought through the pain,pushed himself up to his feet, and hoisted Parr up for another attempt at the Carcinogen Crush! Galloway made sure he had a good grasp, ran forward and though Parr did wiggle,causing TJG to hold on longer than he expected, the move connected and the crowd stood up!
1...
2...
3!....is what you would have heard had Mike Parr not out reached his hand and barely touched the bottom rope!
This time it was Galloway showing frustration but he already knew his next move. He crawled back to the far corner and awaited Parr to pull himself up to his feet. When Parr was up, Galloway charged forward for the Shattered Symphony but Parr dodged it and Galloway went shoulder first into the turnbuckle! Parr took advantage by grabbing Galloway by the hair and drilling himwith a second Rolling Cutter! But Parr didn’t go for the cover! Knowing Galloways resilience he decided to head up top and putthe icing on the cake with a X Marks the Spot Split Legged Moonsault! Parr landed on top for the cover!
1...
2....
3!
Here is your winner and STILL FWA North American Champion: ”The Prodigy” Mike Parr!
Parr barely is able to get to his feet as his music hits, even with the referee’s help. He takes his belt from the official and holds it high in the air, making sure to step up to each turnbuckle and proudly raise his championship for all to see. Parr stares out at the Back In Business sign hanging over the arena, and then pats his championship asking “Who’s got the balls to try?” as the crowd cheers along in agreement. Parr turns towards the ropes and notices Galloway pulling himself up in the corner. Once Galloway reaches his feet, he hangs his lead low in the corner, out of disappointment. Galloway turns to leave the ring, but Parr puts his hand on his shoulder. He mouths the words “ I underestimated you. You proved me wrong tonight. Good show.” before taking his arm and holding it high up in the air. The crowd chants “Gal-lo-way! Gal-lo-way!” as both men give each other a nod of respect and Galloway leaves the ring to Parr, who continues his celebration with the crowd!
Trafford: What a match! What a main event!
Weinstock: The stars are shining bright on Mike Parr, but tonight, gentlemen, even though he came up short, Tristan james Galloway has proven that he belongs with the big dogs of Fight Night!
Rod Sterling: “But success is a two edged sword, you can revel in it or it can begin to corrupt you. Mike was happy to give opportunities to those that had yet to earn it, but when he started to take down future legends of this industry, you could just see the complacency that may have resulted in his eventual downfall.”
FWA North American Championship
"The Prodigy" Mike Parr vs. Danny "F'n" Toner
Match Summary: The two have a solid back-and-forth match for a good five minutes before Toner misses on a flying crossbody. Parr begins dissecting Toner with his knees to the gut and a nice variation of suplex moves. His belly-to-back suplex nets a two count but his double-underhook backbreaker does real damage.
<redacted> begins walking to the ring, igniting boos from the crowd, as Toner appears about to take the pinfall. This distracts Mike Parr enough for Toner to get a surprise roll-up from behind!
.................1...................2.............NO!
<redacted> thought Toner had it — and him an opening to win the North American Championship at Back in Business — but the near-fall elicits a groan from <redacted> Parr lands an enzuiguri that stymies Toner, sending him into the ropes, and stumbling back right into a Rolling Cutter finisher!
Parr eyes <redacted>, who is steamed and fuming as he looks at the fallen Danny Toner laying in the middle of the ring. "The Prodigy" waves "goodbye" to <redacted> and his chances of winning the title as he flies off, hitting X Marks the Spot moonsault-into-frogsplash aerial finisher, and pins Toner for the dominant 1-2-3 title defense.
Winner and STILL FWA North American Champion: "The Prodigy" Mike Parr
Parr stays in the ring, with the North American Championship in his hand, and <redacted> stalks the outside of the ring. He's waiting for Parr to leave so he can have his way with the fallen Danny Toner to make him pay for the failure and letting him down. Parr never leaves, though, and <redacted> must relinquish the opportunity for assault and head to the back. Parr stays in the ring, smiling, and celebrates with the belt.
Danny Toner looks disappointed, sitting against the turnbuckle as he knows his shot at a title ended in just 7 minutes. Mike Parr moves around to the back side of the ring and demands a microphone.
"This ... this is all we got? This is the BEST the FWA has to offer me? I've been the North American Champion ... for ONE YEAR!
Is there ... NO ONE ELSE?"
Just then, Hanz Gruber's theme music hits and the crowd turns to the stage. Hanz Gruber comes slowly out to the stage. In a matter of moments, his theme music pauses for James Sync's! The crowd erupts into a nice-sized pop as James Sync comes and takes a spot on the other side of the stage.
Zako Wraith comes out next, Risky Douglas and Starr emerge together, and Humanity is out last. The six men stand on the stage as a well-rounded group, eager to show they SHOULD be given the next title shot.
Then Ashley comes out, with the crowd perking up, eager to hear what he says.
"Aye, Mike Parr, ye' 'ave been quite a champion. At Back in Business ... I'm thinkin' it'll be wise to ... let the field decide who is next, eh? So it'll be these six men ... in a battle royal. The winner ... face you later in the night ...for the North American title."
The crowd cheers the announcement as Mike Parr nods his head, saying off the mic, "That's fine. None of them can hang with me. Danny F'n Toner couldn't even last six minutes!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And as last, we get to day 454 and Mile High 2017 – the day Mike Parr’s fragile ego finally cracked!”
Rod Sterling: “Whilst I wouldn’t necessarily subscribe to that agenda Rod, it’s certainly the day that the record-breaking reign came to a close.”
A video starts playing, set to an abbreviated version of "Man" by Skepta.
The video opens with scenes of WOLF standing in the ring on Fight Night holding his old FWA contract. It then shows a faraway shot of the ensuing brawl from a skybox-view.
Giant green text superimposes itself on the screen as the melee continues to play out in the background.
"15 MONTHS vs 7 YEARS"
Narrator: "It is said that good things comes... to those who wait. It is also said that Excellence is not an act.... but a habit."
THE FWA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION - "THE PRODIGY"MIKE PARR
Footage of Parr’s multiple NA Championship defenses are shown.
Narrator: "For over a year, Mike Parr has found no equal, nobody who could pry his championship from him. He has become the immovable object occupying the North American Championship, with all who toe the line against him inevitably falling short...So perhaps to unlock the puzzle of a dominant NA Champion, one must bring in.... a Triple Crown Champion."
“FINAL HOWL” WOLF
The scene switches to multiple clips of WOLFs illustrious FWA run.
Narrator: "X Division Champion.... World Heavyweight Champion... 2-time North American Champion. The living legend of the FWA pack has truly been there and done it all. But now, in 2017, WOLF has made it an obsession to prove himself against the best and brightest of the current generation of FWA standouts. And in Mike Parr, he has found a challenge worth cashing in a 7-year ticket for."
The video winds down with a split screen of Parr holding the NA title after his defense against HUMANITY and legacy footage of WOLF with the old NAtitle.
Narrator: "Will the legend who has sprung a November surprise on the North American title picture enjoyone more day as a lion?? Or will the new breed continue its dominance, and continue rewriting the history books???"
".... also Zachary Kazadi is in this match too."
The scene switches back from the video to the ring, where Zachary Kazadi is already in the ring, to the tune of the theme song of 'Thomas the Tank Engine".
"Number of the Beast" by Iron Maiden the plays as WOLF is out first. The crowd gives him a mixed yet loud reception.
Langdon Trafford: We all knew he was crazy, but WOLF confirmed on Fight Night that he was well and truly crazy like a fox, inserting himself into NA Championship match and ruining the best laid plans of Zachary Kazadi!! But the time for games and tricks is over, here at Mile High, its time to deliver!!
David Weinstock: He sat on this for 7 years, stewed for 7 years, whatever he has planned, he better make it worth it!
WOLF arrives to the ring with an oddly subdued demenour, yet there is no mistaking the intensity.
"Giving In" by Adema then plays, bringing out Mike Parr, who hoists the North American Championship high in the air. The reception for Parr is suprisingly strong.
Langdon Trafford: It’s a title reign that grows more legendary by the day! And you can hear from the reception hes getting tonight from the Pepsi Center, the FWA Universe knows greatness when they see it!! Mike Parr has entered the arena!!!
Piers Gallagher: Theres been so much controversy surround this match, guys, what frame of mind has it thrown Parr into?? This guy is used to being the star of the division, but its almost like in this match, the antics of WOLF have made Parr seem like the third wheel!!!
The referee gives each man a good look at the championship title then holds it high overhead, getting a loud pop from the capacity crowd! The referee hands the title to the ring announcer on the outside then checks with all three competitors again before he looks at the timekeeper and signals him to ring the bell.
NA Championship Match
"The Prodigy" Mike Parr vs WOLF vs Zachary Kazadi
Right off the bat, Wolf charges forward, pushing the referee out of the way so hard that the ref falls out of the ring!!!
David Weinstock: What the hell was that?!
Langodn Trafford: He just blasted the referee!!!!
Wolf charges across the ring, nailing Parr with a vicious right hand and he drives him back into the turnbuckle! Wolf opens up with some heavy duty right hands then goes downstairs with a big knee to the abdomen, followed by a double axehandle across the back! Wolf slings Parr around and over the top rope, sending him crashing to the concrete floor on the outside! Wolf quickly spins around and eyes Kazadi - who hasn't made a move out of the corner yet - andWolf lifts both hands, waving the Kazadi in for a fight. Kazadi starts out of the corner but Wolf doesn't wait for him, going in on him with a couple hard right hands and we've got a slugfest inside the ring! Kazadi pummels Wolf with a flurry of rights and lefts while Wolf smashes him with several big haymakers! Wolf starts to get the upper hand but Kazadi catches him with a glancing low blow. He goes for an irish whip and Wolf reverses Kazadi into the ropes instead. Wolf misses with a clothesline attempt but he takes a hard step, nailing Kazadi with a stiff back elbow off the rebound! Kazadi is already pushing himself up when Wolf pulls him into position and he spikes Kazadi with a devastating powerbomb! Kazadi is shook up and Wolf rolls to the outside, going up underneath the ring in search of something.
Piers Gallagher: What's he doing now, he should be trying to get the pin!
Langon Trafford: HOW?! There's no referee! WOLF had a premeditated plan!!!
David Weinstock: Wolf's on the outside and he...uh-oh, I think he's got a steel chair...
Wolf pulls two steel chairs out then hauls a table out from underneath the ring. The crowd pops loudly as Wolf picks the table up and slides it into the ring.
Wolf then heads around ringside. Parr is back on his feet and starting to climb back into the ring but Wolf nails him from behind with a clubbing blow, leaving him sprawled out across the floor again! Wolf rolls back into the ring and he stomps Kazadi a few times, then went to grab the table. Wolf sets the table up in the corner, leaning it back against the turnbuckle then he turns and glares at Kazadi, who's already pushing himself back onto his feet. Wolf delivers some clubbing shots across the back, just beating Kazadi down through pure force with blow after blow. Parr slides back into the ring, keeping behind Wolf while he continues to pummel Kazadi. Wolf drags him towards the table in the corner and sets him up for a powerbomb but Parr strikes, connecting with a running axehandle to the back of the skull! Parr peppers Wolf with some hard shots then takes him up and over with a german suplex, driving Wolf head-first through the table!
Langdon Trafford: German suplex from the Prodigy and they just obliterated that table!
Parr crawls out from under Wolf and what's left of the now-destroyed table and quickly gets back onto his feet. He turns his attention to Kazadi and grabs Kazadi by the hair, hauling him back onto his feet. Parr hooks his arms and he connects with the Double underhook backbreaker! Kazadi is down and Parr goes for the cover, hooking the leg high and tight but the referee's still down! Parr slaps three counts a couple times over before standing, frustrated. Wolf is shaking the cobwebs out and Parr decides to go to work on him. A running kick to the chops puts Wolf down to his back once more. Parr drops onto him and laying in right hands. Parr, after a few moments of this, is finally satisfied. He stands quickly, throwing his arms in the air, receiving a mixed reaction. Parr turns and Kazadi lunges! Parr goes to his back and the crowd gets on its feet!
Piers Gallagher: Never turn your back on Zachary Kazadi!
Kazadi delivers several solid shots, then rolls off. Sliding out of the ring, he holds his head and tries to regain his composure. Parr is left dazed on the mat. Wolf sits straight up and arena explodes! Blood trickles down Wolf's face, past gnashed teeth, as he climbs to his feet. His eyes are zeroed in on Mike Parr, the fans add a steady stomping to their cheering as Wolf nears his target. The electricity of the crowd is felt as the stomping gets faster and faster with each stalking step. So many fans are in on it, they overpower the sound of those cheering for Kazadi as he climbs to the top turnbuckle from the apron. Wolf doesn't see Kazadi as he begins to steady himself. Instead, he only sees the vulnerable Parr. As the fans explode for the prospective carnage, Wolf hefts Parr to his feet.
Kazadi dives off the top, but Wolf grabs Parr and pulls him in front of him! Kazadi NAILS Parr with a flying knee! Wolf steps clear of the collision and grabs Kazadi. Wolf pulls him up and puts a right hand to his jaw. Kazadi takes it. Wolf throws a left, it's blocked! Kazadi hits a quick elbow shot, then jumps onto Wolf wrapping his legs around Wolf's massive torso. With his hands around Wolf's throat, Kazadi begins to squeeze and bite down on his forehead! Wolf stomps frantically back and forth around the ring!
David Weinstock: Kazadi is going to take Wolf out!
Wolf turns Kazadi' back toward the corner then barrels in as fast as he can. Kazadi shakes, but doesn't let go. Wolf backs out, then tries again. He still can't shake Kazadi. Backing out again, Wolf turns toward the other corner. Wolf sprints toward it, but Parr comes off the mat with a clothesline into the back of Kazadi! Wolf and Kazadi hit the mat! Parr rolls to the ropes, then uses them to get to his feet, determination painted all over his face.
Langdon Trafford: Mike Parr kills two birds with one stone! This Prodigy has been impressive!
Piers Gallagher: Mike Parr is impressive every time he steps into an FWA ring, Langdon. That isn't news. What I will say is, he is hungry.
Look at his face! He wants to remain the champion!
David Weinstock: Those two guys on the mat may have something to say about that.
Piers Gallagher: I'm sure they do, but they're not doing much talking knocked silly in the middle of the ring.
David Weinstock: Touché.
Wolf slides out under the bottom rope, Parr goes in for Kazadi. Parr locks Inverted Sharpshooter on Kazadi. Kazadi struggles, the ref stays unconscious, Wolf goes under the ring. Kazadi struggles. Wolf rummages under the ring, the pulls out what seems to be a table at first... But then he flips it over. It's a long piece of wood with barbed wire stapled to it. The wire was still practically rolled, it was pulled and stapled across the board as haphazzardly as possible. Most likely by some tech at the behest of Wolf moments before the match. Wolf slides the board into the ring, Parr sees it clearly. Wolf tosses a chair over the top rope, then another, and another. The last one comes so close to Parr and Kazadi that Parr releases the hold just in time for a chair to plop onto the head of a fallen Kazadi.
Langdon Trafford: This has turned into a hardcore match.... no, WOLF has turned this into a hardcore match!!!
Piers Gallagher: This is Brutalistic Anarchy!!!
Parr quickly grabs a chair as Wolf slides back into the ring. Parr charges, swinging for Wolf who rolls away in the nick of time! Wolf rolls to his feet and goes to the ropes. He slings back toward Parr, who is brandishing his chair - ready to strike. Wolf stops short and leans back, letting Parr swing and miss a second time. Parr can't recover fast enough and he eats a big boot! Parr falls NEXT TO the barbed wire. Wolf throws a fist in the air, he thought his aim was better.
The ref starts to come to, Wolf delivers a stiff kick to the back of his head. The ref goes back down. Wolf turns in time to get his with a quick chairshot to the gut by Parr. Mike uses the chair to get to his feet before bringing it down on Wolf's back. Kazadi starts to get to his feet, Parr stomps over and pops him with the chair. Wolf stands straight, holding his back. Parr charges and BLASTS him with the chair. His aim is better, Wolf falls into the barbed wire!
David Weinstock: Mike Parr makes sure it all backfires!
Wolf is having a hard time rolling off the wire. The camera catches him using his fingers to pull barbs from his shoulder, his skin stretching just enough before the metal pops out and the blood oozes forth. Wolf manages to sit up, but with another POP! Parr puts him back down! Kazadi gets to a knee, with a gallop and an underhand swing... POP! Parr lifts the chair high in the air, the only one standing in the center of the ring! The crowd goes crazy!!!
David Weinstock: I gotta be honest, I'd showboat a little too... Putting Wolf and Kazadi down, essentially beating them at their own game, when it looked like it will be match between the two? It's worth a celebration
.
Langdon Trafford: But I'm sure you'd agree, David. You can't celebrate too long!
Piers Gallagher: Case in point...
Wolf is struggling, but he's standing. The barbed wire is coming with him. Barbs stuck in to spots of his back that he can't reach hold strong as staples pop from board. Wolf stands, but he hasn't left the corner yet. Parr takes a couple of steps and winds up, Wolf ducks. The chair hits the top turnbuckle and Wolf fires off the punches! Right hand, right hand, right hand, big boot! Parr is on his back. Wolf grabs a hold of a the wire and yanks hard, pulling it out of his back and causing what's left to slinky back onto the board. Wolf pulls the board up and leans it in the corner, like the table before. A groggy Kazadi is on his feet, shaking his head. Wolf stomps over and hefts him up, getting him in position for a fallaway slam. Kazadi starts to hammer elbows into the back of his head, Wolf lets go! Kazadi lands on his feet and lays in the shots. After a couple of quick hands land flush, Kazadi goes to the ropes and comes back with a swinging neck breaker. Parr is on a knee, Kazadi hops up and charges him. Parr stands, an attempted kick by Kazadi whiffs. Parr swings, but Kazadi blocks. Kazadi swings, Parr blocks. Parr throws a knee into Kazadi's gut, Kazadi doubles over and Parr hits a Tornado DDT! Parr gets to his feet and turns, Wolf grabs him by the throat! Wolf lifts Parr off the ground, kicking and fighting. Holding him by the throat and back, Wolf walks Parr to the corner. The barbed wire waits as Wolf approaches. Parr starts to struggle harder, Wolf is forced to chokeslam him in front of his intended destination. Parr winces and holds his back before sliding from the ring.
Piers Gallagher: Smart move by Parr, getting out to regroup after a devastating Chokeslam by Wolf.
Parr is shaking his head, Wolf motions from the ring for Parr to get back in. Parr gives him the finger then waves him off. Wolf goes to the ropes on the other side of the ring. Parr looks at the camera, then shouts: No! This is ridiculous! No! He shakes his head and turns to walk away, he doesn't get far... WOLF DIVES OVER THE TOP ROPE AND TACKLES PARR TO THE FLOOR!
Langdon Trafford: OH MY GOODNESS! Mike Parr wanted to walk away, Wolf says: "No!"
David Weinstock: That was insane!
Wolf and Parr lay on the floor next to the ring. The fans are going crazy, just when you thought they couldn't get louder... Kazadi hops to his feet, scanning the cheering masses. His head darts around inquisitively. A droplet of blood streaks down his head. He slings it to the mat with the sweat in his hair before zeroing in on the recovering Wolf. Kazadi goes to the ropes as Wolf gets to his feet. Wolf takes a step toward the ring and Kazadi hits him with a baseball slide! Wolf is propelled backward into the barricade! Wolf slides to a seated position, the wind taken clean out of him. At this moment, the cameras get a good shot of the bloody mess Wolf has become. His face is covered in crimson, red streaks around his midsection and shoulders - and up the bottoms of both his arms - showcase only the visible barbed wire wounds. When the cameras cut back to the ring, Kazadi has pushed the barbed wire to the side, it lays near the center of the ring now, wire-side-up. Kazadi is perched on the top rope, sizing up Parr. When Parr gets to his groggy feet, Kazadi flies! Kazadi lands on Parr and rides him down. Kazadi is already in a mounted position when the two hit the floor. Kazadi lays in a few lefts and rights, then rolls off Parr. Kazadi zeroes in on Wolf, deciding to hop up and charge the Beast. A split second before impact, Wolf rolls away, Kazadis chest hits the barricade! Kazadi falls to his back. Wolf stands and drops and elbow into his sternum. Kazadi actually cries out! Wolf stands and gets ready to drop another, but is tackled through the barricade! Parr rips and tears at Wolf in the front row. After landing several shots, Wolf blocks one away and follows up with a headbutt that allows him to separate.
Langdon Trafford: And without any official, this has just turned into a brawl outside of the ring!
Piers Gallagher: Wolf said he wanted a fight, he said Mike Parr and Zachary Kazadi would be in his element, he made sure that happened right off the bat!
Wolf picks up a chair, closes it and throws it at Parr. Parr knocks it away. The second chair, however, Mike wasn't expecting. It hits him hard in the head, with the edge. Parr goes to a knee, holding his forehead. Wolf tries to capitalize, but Kazadi runs off what's left of the barricade and hits Wolf with an elbow that clears out another section of chairs! The fans scatter like cheering cockroaches! Kazadi wastes no time, he locks Cobra Clutch onto Wolf. Wolf struggles all he can, but eventually his arms go limp. Kazadi still doesn't release the hold. Parr grabs a chair and makes his way to the scene, security clears a path in front of him. Parr brings the hammer down right away. Kazadi releases and rolls away, Wolf takes the brunt of the shot. Parr tosses the chair away as Kazadi charges.
Kazadi leaps, but Parr showcases his quickness and weaves away. Parr smiles lifting his hands and using his fingers to beg Kazadi on. Kazadi is more than happy to comply, turning and going for another charge. Parr weaves away again, he and Kazadi begin to circle around the downed Wolf. Parr fakes the first move and Kazadi hops onto the barricade! It starts to give way and Kazadi is forced to dive early. Parr catches him and quickly turns him to get him vertical.
With Kazadi in a suplex position, Parr attempts a brainbuster... But Kazadi twists and lands on his feet, keeping hold of Parr's head! Kazadi quickly nails Veteran Driver! Kazadi hops up and the crowd pops! Kazadi picks up Par and throws him back toward the ring. Parr hits the apron and falls. When Kazadi turns Wolf comes off the floor with a clothesline. Kazadi anticipates it and manages to duck. Wolf grabs him as he fall foreword and rolls Kazadi up, knowing well that he can't pin him outside the ring - with no ref - he uses the opportunity to sling himself to his feet. He doesn't stay there long. Coming up awkwardly, Wolf leans too far foreword and hit caught in the face with Parr's boot. Intentional or not, the shot puts Wolf to his back. Parr climbs into the ring, Kazadi grabs a chair and stomps toward Wolf. Kazadi sets the chair up in front of Wolf's face. In the ring, Parr goes to the ropes.
Langdon Trafford: This is insane!!!
Kazadi charges and Baseball slides into the chair! Kazadi hops to his feet and rolls into the ring. Kazadi slings Parr into the ropes. Kazadi leans over, telegraphing. Parr stops short, kicks Kazadi in the face, then quickly hooks his arms... Parr lifts and turns slighty... Rolling Cutter onto the barbed wire!
David Weinstock: Oh my God...
Parr covers out of sheer instinct. It's unclear if he realizes he too is laying on top of the barbed wire. The ref gets to his knees then falls foreword to slap the count. The camera pulls in on the referee as he slaps one.. two... WOLF HITS THE REF WITH A CHAIR!
Piers Gallagher: HA! I love it! He took him out just as he came back to the match!
Langdon Trafford: He didn't have a choice, Mike Parr had it right there! Instead, he picks up a near-fall.
Parr rolls away then scrambles to his feet. He makes a move foreword, but Parr is tired. His move is sloppy. Wolf grabs him by the throat. Kazadi hops up! Wolf grabs Kazdi by the throat. Wolf's wild eyes and grinding teeth are seen through the gore decorating his face. Wolf lifts them both into the air, but - as if on cue- Kazadi and Parr grab his head and shift their weight. They turn a would-be double chokeslam into a double DDT, onto the barbed wire! Wolf rolls off as fast as he can, long tufts of his hair are left behind. He has to pull a strand from his eyebrow to get off entirely. Wolf holds his head and rolls on the mat, kicking his feet. Kazadi grabs Parr and slings him into the nearest corner. Parr hits and slides to a seated position. Kazadi looks at the board, looks at the barbed wire, then picks it up. Stomping to the corner opposite Parr, Kazadi sets the board up. He runs back toward Parr, hitting a sit-out dropkick to keep him down. Kazadi slings himself up, then pulls up Parr. With one motion, Kazadi yanks Parr from the floor, then slings him across to the other corner! Parr hits the barbed wire!
Luckily, he's able to turn himself so his back hits. But still, the damage is done. The board bends, but it doesn't break. Parr writhes in pain as he tries frantically to free himself. Kazadi charges, Parr sidesteps, KAZADI GOES HEAD-FIRST THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE! Kazadi hits the ringpost with his head and falls backward into the splinters of the board. The wire is practically wrapped around Kazadi now. Parr looks to follow up, but he's hit with a quick boot from Wolf.
Parr collapses against the ropes, Wolf grabs the top rope and gives it a yank, sending Parr to his back! Wolf shoves Kazadi out of the way enough to climb the turnbuckle. Before he does, Wolf grabs a free strand of Barbed Wire. The fans go crazy as Wolf mounts the turnbuckles, stopping to steady himself on the top.
They get even louder when they see him start to wrap the barbed wire around his arm.
Piers Gallagher: No B-S, no color commentary. Honest opinion, I think we've come to the end of this one. Listen to these people, I think they know it too.
David Weinstock: Look at the violence, look at the brutality, look at the carnage... This wasn't even a No DQ match! Blood and chairs and tables and barbed wire, frankly, this should have ended long ago. Could we see a new Champion here? Well, we're about to find out.
Wolf has the wire wrapped around his whole forearm. With the wrapped hand, he points at Mike Parr. The crowd puts punctuation on a gesture by shouting a nearly-unanimous: "YOU!!" Parr doesn't even notice. He struggles, but staggers up to a standing position. Blood drips down Wolf's arm, to his fist.
When he dives off the top rope, he throws his arm out and slings crimson all over the canvas. Wolf hits Parr with a barbed wire wrapped flying clothesline! Parr holds his head as he tries to roll away. Wolf chases him, dropping to his knees next to Parr - who was still on his back. Parr grabs the bottom rope, trying to pull himself up. But Wolf attacks him, using his barbed wire-wrapped forearm to grind into Parr's head! Blood begins to trickle from Parr's forehead, down his face, to the mat. Parr cries out in pain, this only brings a smile to Wolf's face. Behind them, Kazadi is showing signs of life. Wolf pulls his arm away, only for a moment, to survey the damage... Of which there was a little bit. Parr's face wasn't nearly as bloody as his or Kazadi's but Parr couldn't be accused of not shedding anything at all, not by a long shot. The lacerations, made by Wolf, were visible and all along his hair line. There were a could punctures and scratches around his neck and chin - where the clothesline landed. Wolf throws a punch. Kazadi takes it and sways, but doesn't fall. Wolf rears back for another, Wolf kicks him in the midsection. Wolf picks Kazadi up into military press position with nothing left in his tank.
David Weinstock: He is going for the Final Howl!
Wolf goes for his finisher, but instead of slamming Kazadi on his back he drops him on his head! He falls down on him. The ref is back to slap:
One...
Two...
Three!
Winner and the NEW NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION: WOLF
Langdon Trafford: And we have a new champion, but at what cost? WOLF JUST MIGHT HAVE BROKE KAZADI'S NECK BEFORE ROLLINGHIM OVER FOR THE THREE COUNT!!!
David Weinstock: That was one Hell of a battle... All three of these men were taken to the limit and beyond, pushed to places they've never been, but when it's all said and done? The only one surviving a brutal display like this is Wolf. Thats what it took to wrest the NA Championship away from Mike Parr... multiple acts of just downright insanity!
Piers Gallagher: Don't take this away from Mike-
David Weinstock: Not in a million years, but look at this... Wolf took out the ref first thing, FIRST THING. It takes a lunatic to go thedistance in a free-for-all like this. Mike Parr isn't a lunatic, that's for sure. He's cold and calculating at times, sure. But a loony toon? No. The moment Wolf dropped the ref, Wolf got an advantage. Period. But I would never expect him to take it this far with Kazadi. The EMTs are rushing to the ring. He's really hurt, guys, this is no act...
The cameras cut to ringside to see Mike Parr on his hands and knees, glaring at the small puddle of blood collecting under his face. Parr has more visible bruises than lacerations, but that doesn't mean a damn thing. Dried and wet-drying streaks of blood run down his face from his forehead. He punches the mat covering the floor in total frustration before the camera cuts to Wolf. Wolf pulls himself up, only to drop back to a knee. Wolf is a disgustingly bloody mess as he hangs his head and coughs before spitting across the ring.
The atmosphere in the SaskTel somewhat dimmed after witnesses what was one of the most barbaric championship matches of all time. Rod Sterling: “I remember watching that Jean-Luc, I couldn’t believe my eyes. A match that, thankfully, has faded from memory with time.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Rough, Rod. Just rough. But now, lets turn our attention how our current reigning and defending champion of 453 days got to this evening, lets see how Big Bryan Bastard is about to become the longest reigning champion in history!”Natalie Rosenberg: “It is now time for your Fallout main event!"The crowd cheers wildly in excitement and anticipation. Natalie Rosenberg: "The next contest is a scheduled for one fall with a sxty minute time limit, it is a F1 Climaxx Match and it is for the FWA North American Championship!"
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The crowd meets Big Bryan Baxter with boos as he jogs out from the back in his glossy red, Buddy System letterman jacket, and it’s not just because of the tunes of Nickelback blaring through the speakers. Joining him is his agent, Mr. Bill Scorpane, who walks out with a confident swagger in his gray leisure suit. The pair ignore the boos from the crowd as they make their way down to the ring. Allen Price: “The crowd certainly has done a full 360 on Big Bryan Baxter as of late, and a lot of it has to do with the arrival of this man, Mr. Scorpane, who has been appearing in Bryan’s corner instead of the popular Jeremy Best.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And we’ve certainly seen a different side of Bryan Baxter since then, but he continues to struggle with a guilty conscience as he wants to prove to Jeremy that he’s not the same guy he used to be…winning at any cost…while Mr. Scorpane is certainly pushing that ‘cheat to win’ agenda.”
Allen Price: “It was utilizing Jeremy's clean wrestling style that got him to this point. That’s something he needs to remember!”[MEDIA=youtube]-PfM2-dlt6M[/MEDIA] The reaction for Lizzie Rose is a drastic change as she runs out from the back with a flurry of energy as she pumps her fists up for the crowd. Lizzie has the North American championship around her waist as she high fives fans down the aisle on her way to the ring. Allen Price: “Lizzie Rose has been on a roll lately! Not only winning that North American championship back at Fallout 20, but defeating her rival Johnny Johnson at Lights Out and then last week she defeated TV Champion Philip A. Jackson to go up 1-0 in the F1 Climaxxx!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““It’s certainly been quite the run for The Rave, but she’s up against a man more than double her size tonight in Big Bryan Baxter. And Baxter himself is up 1-0 in the pool after his win at Fallout 21 against Gerald Grayson. This will be a real David vs. Goliath style match.”
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing the challenges, being accompanied to the ring by Mr. Bill Scorpane, from Hickory, Noooorrrtthh Caarrooolina, he weighs in at three-hundred and two pounds, he is BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG BRYAN BAAAAAAAAAAXTER!”Bryan does some jumping jacks in his corner to warm up as the crowd continue to shower him in boos. Natalie Rosenberg: “AND his opponent, from Broooooooklyn, NEW YORK, she weighs in at ninety-nine pounds… she is the reigning and defending FWA North American Champion… ‘THE RAVE’.... LLLLLLLIIIZZZZIIIIIIEEEE RRRRRRRRRRRRRROSE!”The crowd cheers loudly as Lizzie perches the turnbuckles, holding up the North American championship. She climbs down as the referee brings them to the center of the ring to get this match under way The bell rings as Lizzie and Bryan meet in the center of the ring. Bryan towers over Lizzie with a confident smirk as she looks up at him, not backing down. Allen Price: “Just look at this size differential, JLW. It’s astonishing!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Big Bryan Baxter certainly represents one of the quite literally biggest challenges of her career. But one thing is for sure, we’ve learned you can never count ‘The Rave’ out!”
They start the match out with a collar and elbow tie up, but Baxter quickly exerts his strength advantage as he tosses her away to the mat with ease. Baxter rotates his neck, loosening himself up while sharing a laugh with Mr. Scorpane who watches on from ringside.
Lizzie cuts her eyes at both men as she quickly gets back up and charges in at BBB! Her clothesline doesn’t even cause Bryan to flinch but she unloads some chops and punches to her larger challenger, but Bryan is simply unphased before he grabs a handful of her hair and tosses her with ease into the far left corner of the ring. From there, Bryan begins to unload a series of knees to Lizzie’s ribs. He then raises his right arm high into the air and brings down an overhead open palm chop right to Lizzie’s chest. The sound of the chop echoes through the arena.
Bryan Baxter slowly walks backwards, taunting the crowd and receiving a warm round of boos for his actions thus far. He then charges in towards Lizzie for a corner splash…
But Lizzie telegraphes the incoming Baxter with a Pendelum Kick! He staggers backwards as Lizzie now ascends the turnbuckles…MISSLE DROPKICK!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Big Bryan Baxter perhaps getting a little too confident in the early goings of this one and Lizzie just made him pay!”
Allen Price: “But look at that! Even that dropkick couldn’t take Baxter off his feet!”
Sure enough, Baxter was staggered by the incoming Lizzie, but he wasn’t down! She starts targeting the tree trunk like legs of Baxter with some stiff kicks that finally takes Baxter down to one knee. Lizzie rushes the ropes but Baxter gets back up to both feet and catches Lizzie off the ropes in a POWERSLAM!
Allen Price: “Oooooh - that certainly took the wind out of her sails!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Baxter stays on for the pin! One - Two - NO! It’s going to take more than that to keep Lizzie down!”
Baxter placed some boots to the ribs of Lizzie while she was on the mat before pulling her back up to her feet by the hair. Ignoring the warnings from the referee about the hair, Baxter pulls Lizzie to the corner once again and now slams her head repeatedly into the turnbuckles. After dishing out some damage in the corner, Baxter pulls Rose back and lifts her up for a back suplex…
But Lizzie flips over and lands on her feet behind BBB! Baxter turns around… STEP UP ENZIGURI surprises the big man and has him staggering once again! Lizzie leaps up to the middle turnbuckles before jumping off and hitting the Girl Meets Mat Tornado DDT to Baxter! BBB is down on the mat for the first time in the match and Lizzie wastes no time going for the pin!
One! Tw - NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And Big Bryan Baxter simply POWERS out of that pinning attempt by the champion!”
Lizzie is back to her feet quickly, bouncing off the far ropes as Baxter starts to roll to his feet, striking with a running dropkick square in the face to Baxter! Bryan stumbles back into the ropes as Lizzie rushes to the opposite side of the ring and once again charges in with a lighting quick dropkick, this one landing in the right shoulder but it sends Baxter toppling through the middle ropes, smacking the apron before landing on the ground at ringside!
Lizzie pumps up her arms, garnering a roar from the fans before she bounces off the ropes and takes to the air, flying out of the ring with a somersault plancha out of the ring to the recovering Baxter to take him back down!
Allen Price: “Look at ‘The Rave’ go! I don’t think Baxter knows what hit him, she’s so fast!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “If Baxter has underestimated what the champion can do, despite her size, he may have made a huge mistake here tonight.”
The fired up Lizzie takes a moment to high five some of the fans at ringside, clearly pumped up from the momentum she’s gained. But she notices Mr. Scorpane coming around the corner, trying to poke his nose into the match - but she gives him an intimidating point and he quickly decides to back off.
Rose climbs back onto the apron as Baxter pulls himself up. She runs the apron and leaps into Baxter, going for the Roseacarana in bloom hurricanrana off the apron..
But Baxter holds on as she is unable to take the big man off his feet! She’s leg dangling with her legs wrapped around Baxter’s neck as Baxter gives her a giant SWING into the steel ring post, her ribs connecting hard with the steel before Baxter pulls her back up..
POWERBOMB INTO THE RING APRON
Jean-Luc Watkins: “My GOD! Baxter may have just broken her in half! Her spine just folded around the hardest part of the ring!”
Lizzie collapses over to the floor as Baxter shakes his head to get rid of the proverbial cobwebs while Mr. Scorpane encourages Bryan to ‘show no mercy’ outside the ring. Baxter seems to take his agent’s advice as he pulls Lizzie up by her hair before tossing her like a ragdoll head first into the ring post!
The boos rain down on Baxter, whose temper begins to get the best of him as he gets into a verbal altercation with a fan at ringside. This gives Lizzie the chance to try to recover, grabbing the curtain of the ring apron to valiantly try to pull herself up to her feet, but Baxter puts a stop to that as he comes in with a boot to the side of her head.
Baxter rolls Lizzie up onto the apron before he slowly climbs back up onto it himself. He pulls the North American Champion up to her knees before lifting her up…PILEDRIVER ONTO THE APRON!
Allen Price: “Oh dear! First the powerbomb and now a piledriver onto the apron as well! As you stated, JLW, it’s the hardest part of the ring!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““The champ is in trouble here! This could be it! Baxter is sending her back into the ring and he’s going for the pin!”
ONE! TWO! THRE…NO!
The champ somehow finds the wherewithal to get her left shoulder up off the mat from Bryan’s lateral press. Baxter questions the referee, but it’s reiterated that it was just a two count. Turning his attention back to the champ, Bryan leaps into the air with a DOUBLE FOOT STOMP to Lizzie’s ribs - bringing all 300 pounds of his weight crushing down onto her midsection.
Lizzie immediately rolls over on the mat, clutching her midsection and giving an agonizing scream. Bryan looks down and smirks at his handy work.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “All that weight coming down onto the diminutive Lizzie…she’s in a world of pain right now and I wouldn’t be surprised if she had some internal injuries! And Bryan Baxter is just SMILING at seeing her withering in pain!”
Allen Price: “We really are seeing a different side of Bryan Baxter without Jeremy Best in his corner! He just seems so much more ruthless.”
Not letting up and looking to take advantage of the situation, Bryan bounces off the ropes and comes in with a big falling splash to Lizzie before hooking the leg for another pin.
ONE! TWO! THRE…NO! Lizzie once again manages a shoulder up, much to the chagrin of both BBB and Mr. Scorpane.
While clearly frustrated, Baxter goes back to work as he pulls Lizzie closer to the near turnbuckle. Baxter marches over to the corner and to the surprise of just about everyone…begins to ascend them.
Allen Price: “Now wait just a minute…what’s Baxter planning here? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him come off the top besides when he was going for that briefcase in the Spooktacular!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I don’t know, Price…but whatever he has planned, I don’t like it for Lizzie one bit! With the damage she’s taken so far - imagine 300 pounds coming off the top rope onto her little 90 pound frame. We’ll be scraping her up off the mat like a pancake!”
A collective gasp goes through the crowd as Baxter teeters on the top rope, trying to catch his balance in a position he clearly isn’t very comfortable with. But he regains his composure…
BIG BRYAN BAXTER WITH A BIG MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
And down he came crashing…ONTO NOTHING BUT CANVAS!
LIZZIE HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!
Allen Price: “Oh thank God!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The high risk maneuver does NOT pay off for Baxter and THIS could be the opening Lizzie needs to get back into this match!”
Both competitors are down as the referee begins to do a standing ten count. Baxter slowly starts to stir, but Lizzie is also pulling herself up, clutching her ribs with one arm as she gets to her feet. But it's The Rave striking first, fighting through the pain, delivering kick after kick to the body of Baxter while holding her side. Baxter fells over into a seated position as Lizzie finishes off the kick combination by delivering the Calling Mr. Vain roundhouse kick right to the recovering Baxter’s head!
Lizzie goes for the pin!
ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!
Once again clutching her side, Lizzie grimaces as she gets to her feet, some blood showing in her mouth to indicate the internal damages she may have received during the match so far. But she battles through as she grabs Baxter and attempts to lift the big man up for a back suplex, but she can’t muster up the strength to get the three-hundred pounder up off the mat.
Instead, Baxter battles back with a boot to the midsection before sending Lizzie into the ropes with an Irish Whip. Baxter tries to take her head off with a clothesline, but Lizzie ducks and comes back off the ropes with The Brooklyn Flash! Lizzie goes for the pin once again!
ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT!
The courageous Lizzie continued to ride the wave of her momentum, letting that adrenaline help ease her pain. Once back up to his feet, Lizzie leaped up onto Baxter’s shoulders before spinning around looking for the Rosecanrana, but once again Baxter counters by using his strength to hold on to the move! He pulled Lizzie back up into the air, looking to once again reverse it into a powerbomb…
But Lizzie battled back with punches to the top of Baxter’s head! She then positioned herself back onto Bryan’s shoulders in a shoulder mount position, laying the point of her elbow right into the top of BBB’s head before she slid down his back and locked in a DRAGON SLEEPER! She added pressure by wrapping her legs around Baxter’s massive body with a body scissors, leg legs just barely reaching around his trunk. Baxter stumbled around the ring before dropping down..
First just to one knee…but then both knees….
Allen Price: “Could this be it? Bryan looks like he could be a goner here!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This is some solid strategy by The Rave! She isn’t going to be able to pick the big man up, so put him to sleep!”
The crowd is to their feet in anticipation as it looked like Bryan may be going down. With Lizzie firmly wrapping her legs around his body and clutching tight to his neck in that Dragon Sleeper, Bryan slumped down to the mat!
The referee checked in on him…he lifted up Baxter’s arm…
AND IT FELL TO THE MAT!
BAXTER IS OUT!
But behind the referee’s back, Mr. Scorpane had reached in and PUT BAXTER’S LEG ON THE ROPES!
The referee almost calls for the bell to award the match to Lizzie, but notices the leg! He waves off the finish and pats Lizzie on the back, instructing her to break the hold. Thinking the match is over, Lizzie jumps up in excitement.
Allen Price: “Oh no Lizzie! You should have the match won but thanks to Mr. Scorpane, it’s not over yet!”
The referee explains to Lizzie, pointing to his feet as Lizzie also notices a smirking Scorpane at ringside nearby. He holds up his hands, professing his innocence as Lizzie argues that it had to have been his interference. Lizzie walks to the ropes, warning Scorpane but the referee steps in, turning his back to both Scorpane and Baxter as she continues to argue with him..
Scorpane tosses something into the ring to Baxter.
Allen Price: “Wait just a minute! What was that?!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s those damn brass knux! Last week Baxter elected not to use them against Gerald Grayson…but this week the stakes are much higher!”
Baxter is up on his hands and knees on the mat, noticing the brass knuckles that Scorpane had slid to him.
But Baxter shakes his head and slides them BACK OUT OF THE RING!
Allen Price: “He’s still refusing to cheat to win! Maybe this man does have a conscience after all!”
As Baxter continues to pull himself up, Lizzie comes in from behind and grabs him by the head…she runs to the turnbuckle..
SLICED LIZ!
NO! BRYAN HOLDS ON AND TOSSES LIZZIE OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR!
Baxter drops down to a knee, the referee now taking a moment to check on Baxter, who still seems a bit out of it from the Dragon Sleeper he spent so much time locked in. With the referee once again distracted, Mr. Scorpane once again elects to get involved…
AS HE CRACKS A CHAIR ACROSS LIZZIE’S BACK! Scorpane then rolls Lizzie back into the ring before innocently walking away, whistling like nothing happened.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It seems as if Bryan Baxter isn’t going to cut the corners, Mr. Scorpane has no problems doing it for him!”
Allen Price: “This is awful! I don’t want to see Lizzie go down like this!”
Unaware of Scorpane’s involvement, Baxter stumbles over and goes for the pin.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
We have a new…WAIT, now it was LIZZIE WHO GOT HER FOOT ON THE ROPE!
And now it's Bryan Baxter who thinks he has won the match! He climbs to his feet with his arms lifted up to the sky, but the referee steps in to break the bad news, pointing to the foot on the ropes. Baxter argues it was a three first and GRABS THE REFEREE BY THE COLLAR! His temper is starting to get the best of him.
Baxter is threatened with disqualification, so he lets go of the referee…
FLASH ROLL UP BY LIZZIE!
ONE! TWO! THREE!
NO! Bryan escapes in time!
Both get back to their feet but it's a DISCUSS LARIAT that FLIPS Lizzie head over heels and down to the mat! Bryan goes for the pin again!
ONE! TWO! THRE - NO! The fight in Lizzie continues as Bryan now punches the canvas repeatedly in frustration.
Allen Price: “There is just no quit in this girl!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And if he’s not careful, this frustration could really cost Baxter!”
With Scorpane encouraging Bryan to end things, Baxter pulls Rose back up to her feet, now positioning her in a front face lock before lifting her up into the air…
Allen Price: “This could be it…we’re going to have a new champion!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “He’s going for the Baxter Driver and if he connects, you’ll be right, Price.”
Baxter displays his strength as he holds Lizzie high in the air, letting the blood rush to her head before he spins her around going for the sitout piledriver finish of the Baxter Driver…
BUT LIZZIE SNEAKS FREE!
She slides down the back of Baxter! Baxter spins around…she grabs him by the head…RUNS UP THE TURNBUCKLES..
SLICED LIZ!
CONNECTED!
Lizzie goes for the pin!
ONE! TWO! THREE! The crowd counts…but there’s no referee!
Lizzie’s foot had arrantly connected with the referee in the transition from the turnbuckles in midair and he was down on his knees trying to shake off the incidental contact!
Allen Price: “For a second time in the match, Lizzie had this thing won!”
Lizzie gets up from the pin on Baxter and goes to check on the referee…as Mr. Scorpane ONCE AGAIN slides in the brass knuckles to Baxter!
Baxter rolls to his side..and sees them. This time he grabs them…
Allen Price: “I don’t like the look on his face right now!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““I think the frustration is getting to him, Price. I think Bryan wants this so bad…and he just can’t seem to put the elusive Lizzie Rose away…”
Baxter clutches the knuckles and begins to get to his feet…
But from the back, it’s Bryan’s tag partner and best friend Jeremy Best! Jeremy rushes down and jumps onto the apron, waving at Baxter to get his attention.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What’s HE doing out here?”
Allen Price: “He doesn’t want to see his friend win like this!”
Sure enough, those are the words we can hear coming from Jerem as he pleads with his friend to not cheat to win. A furious Mr. Scorpane comes over and demands Jeremy to “mind his own business,” while Baxter just appears conflicted in the ring.
Lizzie turns around and notices Bryan and Jeremy arguing on the corner and she rushes in at Baxter..
But Baxter moves out of the way! LIZZIE COLLIDES WITH JEREMY on the apron! Jeremy falls to the mat and Lizzie stumbles backwards into…
THE POWER OF THE PUNCH FROM BRYAN!
As Lizzie drops to the mat, Bryan actually seems surprised that what he had done.
Allen Price: “No! He did it! Not like this! Not like this, Jean-Luc!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can’t tell if Bryan meant to do that or if he was striking out of instinct when Lizzie rushed in! He actually seems shocked!”
Allen Price: “I don’t buy it, Jean-Luc! You said it yourself, he couldn’t keep Lizzie down and he had no choice but to cheat to win!”
Still confused by what had just happened, Bryan quickly flings the brass knuckles to ringside and opts to take advantage of the situation. He drops down and makes the pin on Lizzie as the referee gets back into position
ONE! TWO! THREE!
Winner: Big Byran Baxter at 27:11
Big Bryan Baxter sits up on his knees in disbelief as he has his arm lifted up in victory. Mr. Scorpane climbs into the ring with a big grin on his face as he carries in the North American championship to hand over to BBB.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner and NEW FWA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION… BIG BRYAN BAXTER!
The announcement is met with loud boos from the crowd, but Big Bryan Baxter ignores them as he gladly accepts the title and his agent, Mr. Scorpane, greets him with a proud hug.
Rod Sterling: “Capturing the championship from Lizzie Rose as part of last years installment of the Climaxxx tournament, doesn’t it say something to Baxter’s longevity as champion that we are here again at the very next installment and he hasn’t relinquished the championship once”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Not just that, but he has taken on the greatest and best that the FWA has to offer, including a man who is still in with a shot in this years Climaxxx. Konchu Hao at the Grand March of last year.”
[MEDIA=youtube]DLYwwtPA49w[/MEDIA] ‘Animals’ by Nickleback begins to blast as the crowd immediately begin to boo. The reigning North American Champion- Big Bryan Baxter- emerges from behind the curtain- alone- with the North American title raised high in the air. The big man takes his sweet time heading down the entrance way, soaking in the jeers from the raucous Chicago crowd. Baxter slides into the ring and lets out an animalistic roar while holding his title high above his head! The reigning North American Champion along with the anxious crowd wait in anticipation for the mystery opponent… But before we get a sight of who this mystery opponent is, a group of perhaps a dozen dancers - all dressed in fine suits or fancy cocktail dresses - walk out onto the stage, which is still shrouded in darkness. We can just about make out the outlines of these figures, and of a small orchestra that has appeared on the left hand side of the stage. Shortly after, we notice a choir of about the same size on the other flank. Whilst the singers remain silent, the orchestra begins to play - but the music is off-tempo and discordant. Still, the dancers begin their dance, and as they are slowly (and only partially) illuminated by a host of candles around the stage, we realise that all is not as it seemed with this group. Their clothing, which in the cover of darkness seemed immaculately pristine, are actually in tatters, and their faces are scarred, bruised, bloody… on some of them, in some areas, their flesh is tearing off the bones. But still, they appear almost elegant as they move through their dance, the orchestra building, until, to accompany them… [MEDIA=youtube]C4fExl8RiwA[/MEDIA] 'Army of the Night' begins to play as THE ROOF BLOWS OFF the United Center! The orchestra embellish the metal back-in track, the choir joining in for the vocals, as KONCHU HAO emerges from behind the curtain! The dancers clear a path as ‘the Mad Wizard’ marches through them. Baxter looks on from inside the ring, knowing he is going up against one of the more heralded members of the FWA roster, and will be doing so ALONE tonight! Emerging behind Konchu, right at his heels, is his trusted confidant EPSILON! The duo walk with a purpose down to the ring, ready to kick things off! Kurt Harrington: "The next contest is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit for the NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP! First, the challenger…weighing in at 215 pounds…THE MAD WIZARD…KONCHU HAOOOO!"The crowd is still amped up from the surprise mystery of Konchu Hao and give 'The Mad Wizard' a thunderous ovation. Kurt Harrington: "And, to my left….hailing from Hickory, North Carolina…weighing in at 312 pounds…he is the North American Champion…BIG BRYAN BAXTERRR!"The crowd boos at Baxter who holds his title up high while walking right up to Konchu Hao! The referee separates the two as he takes the title from Baxter. The referee holds the prestigious North American title high in the air for the world to see… The reigning North American Champion wastes no time once the bell rings, delivering a huge knee to the sternum of Konchu! Baxter follows it up with another big knee, followed by a toss into the corner! Baxter runs full speed ahead but at the last minute Konchu gets up an elbow that connects with the big man in the side of the head. Konchu then spins underneath, taking out Baxter with a legsweep which knocks the big man to the mat!
Allen Price: "Konchu knows what he has to do in order to win this match-cut the big man down like a redwood tree!"
Baxter slides to the outside, slamming the mat in frustration. 'The Mad Wizard' isn’t here to play games tonight and once Baxter looks up…
KONCHU DARTS THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE LIKE A HEAT-SEEKING MISSILE ONTO BAXTER!
Baxter falls back into the guard rail, jamming his back right up against the steel! Konchu continues his assault with rights, lefts, chops and elbows until Baxter is able to successfully cover up. Konchu goes for a big right hand but Baxter blocks it and connects with a HEADBUTT! The force of the big man’s head crashing into Konchu’s face is enough to knock " [/b][/color]The Mad Wizard"[/b][/color] back onto the ringside floor. Baxter slides into the ring and then back out to avoid the countout. Baxter then stomps on Konchu’s hand and twists, bringing all of his weight onto the powerful right hand of Konchu! Rod Sterling: "Big Bryan Baxter with a very successful strategy right now. Putting all of his 300 plus pounds right on top of one of Konchu Hao’s most important assets- his hand!" Baxter finally releases and taunts Epsilon who cheers on his main man Konchu from a distance. Baxter slides Konchu back into the ring and follows suit. Baxter hits a few more lethal stomps on the right hand of Konchu for good measure before playing into the crowd, who tell Baxter just how they feel. Baxter lifts Konchu up to his feet and goes to toss him off the ropes but Konchu attempts a reversal, but Baxter doesn’t budge. Instead of playing tug of war with the 300 plus-pounder, Konchu rears back and delivers a SAVATE KICK right to the chin of Baxter! Baxter staggers back, but is still on his feet. Konchu darts off the ropes…LEAPING LARIAT! The move knocks Baxter down to one knee…bicycle kick right to the nose of Baxter! The big man is finally down as Konchu goes for the first pinfall of the match… 1...2….NO!! Baxter kicks out! Konchu stays on the offensive with swift kicks to the side of Baxter. Konchu then lifts Baxter to his knees before delivering crushing knee strikes to the head of the North American Champion! Baxter seemingly becomes enraged with each kick and catches Konchu’s last kick. Baxter shows off his brute strength as he muscles Konchu up in the Powerbomb position… RUNNING POWERBOMB INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!! Baxter waits for 'The Mad Wizard' to fall in the corner as he races full speed ahead… AND DELIVERS A RUNNING KNEE RIGHT INTO THE FACE OF THE FALLEN KONCHU HAO! Baxter signals for the end as he walks around the ring, zeroing in on his opponent. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Big Bryan Baxter showing everyone that he doesn’t need any help after all! He can take care of business all by himself!"Baxter waits for the beaten-up Konchu Hao to use the ropes to get to his feet. Baxter runs full speed ahead and goes for the DISCUSS LARIAT… BUT KONCHU DUCKS… INVERTED DDT FROM KONCHU!!! Konchu hooks the leg!! 1…2…NO!! Konchu can’t put the big man away quite yet! Konchu knows he is within striking distance as Baxter slowly gets to one knee…Konchu races behind Baxter… AND LOCKS IN THE BLACK LOCUST BITE!!!! Baxter is stuck in the middle of the ring with nowhere to go!! Konchu tries his hardest to get his legs around in a body scissors position but Baxter is just too big. Nevertheless, 'The Mad Wizard' has his submission finisher locked in tightly and Baxter is slowly fading in and out of consciousness. Baxter slowly begins his best to loosen the grip of Konchu while simultaneously attempting to get to one knee to relieve the pressure of the move. Baxter is successful and grabs a hold of Konchu… Baxter uses his brute strength to lift Konchu up and over his shoulder! Baxter runs forward but Konchu slips out behind. Konchu quickly grabs a hold of Baxter from behind… RASPUTIN’S REVENGE!!! Konchu with the cover!! 1…..2….NOO!! Baxter is able to kick out of one of the most devastating finishers in FWA! Both men are down. Both men are exhausted. Escaping the Black Locust Bite and then taking a Rasputin’s Revenge from 'The Mad Wizard' took a lot out of Baxter, and just staying in the ring with the punishing North American Champion has exhausted Konchu Hao! Epsilon slams on the mat from ringside as the crowd as Konchu slowly gets to his feet. Baxter is also slowly getting to his feet. Baxter rears back and delivers a vicious Open Hand Chop to the chest of Konchu. Konchu responds with a ridiculously loud chop of his own! Baxter with another chop…Konchu with another chop…The chops grow louder and quicker from each man until they are face to face chopping the ever-living shit out of each other! The crowd eats it up as the two men chop at each other’s chest with such force you could feel it in your living room! Baxter falls back, bent over after one last vicious chop from Konchu… DISCUSS LARIAT!!! Baxter didn’t miss this time, and nearly takes Konchu’s head off! Baxter wastes no time lifting the motionless Konchu up… BAXTER DRIVER!!! It’s all elementary from here… 1…2……NOOOO!! At 2.999 Konchu gets his shoulder up! Whether it was just muscle memory or reflex, somehow, some way, Konchu Hao kicks out! Baxter is infuriated and doesn’t know what else to do. He drags the motionless Konchu over towards the turnbuckles and lifts him up onto the top buckle. Baxter, not known for being a high flying climbs up with Konchu and in another show of the strength of Baxter, he lifts Konchu up in a Vertical Suplex position…. AVALANCHE BAXTER DRIVER!!! Baxter hooks both legs for good measure… 1…2…3!!! Winner: Bryan Baxter by pinfall at 15:05 Kurt Harrington: ”Here is your winner… and STILL the FWA North American Champion… BRYAN BAXTER!!”Baxter is slow to get to his feet after the exertions of the match, and allows the official to lift his hand in victory before promptly snatching it away. Konchu, meanwhile, rolls out of the ring following the devastating avalanche finisher, where Epsilon meets him on the outside to check on and console his master. Jean-Luc Watkins: ”An incredible fight put up by Konchu Hao, our mystery opponent here at the Grand March... but it’s Bryan Baxter who marches on…”[/FONT] [/CENTER] [/SPOILER][/center] Rod Sterling: “Then, of course, we get to the anticipated match-up from Back in Business this year where Mike Parr was set to face Bryan Baxter one on one.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Face him, he certainly did. One on one, and he lost. He lost and he disappeared for months.”'
Rod Sterling: “One has to wonder if things hadn’t gone down the way they had in Mexico that night, would we even be here this evening?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well I, in that case, am glad that they did go down, just like that. Let’s have a look.”
[MEDIA=youtube]q2XuOvlzVHI[/MEDIA] The music hits and “The Prodigy” Mike Parr trots out from the back, tossing his hands up in the air to the crowd who greets him with a big ovation. Parr stops at the top of the ramp, scopes out the fans before locking his eyes to the ring. Anzu Kurosawa: “You can see the determination in that man’s eyes. This is a man who wants something he thinks he never should’ve lost in the first place.”Rod Sterling: “Of course referring to the FWA North American Championship, a title he has held a record setting four times, including the record for longest title reign of an astounding 454 days. When you think about the North American Championship, it’s hard not to think about The Prodigy.”Kurt Harrington: “The following match is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit and it is for the FWA… NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger, weighing in at two hundred forty pounds, from Toronto, Canada… he is… “THE PRODIGY”.... MMMMMIIIIIIIKKKKKEEE PPPPPPAAAARRRRRRRR!”Parr gives a slight smirk before he begins to walk down the ramp, stretching out his wrists and arms as he makes his way down, the determination evident. Jean-Luc Watkins: “But winning that belt back won’t come easy as the champion, Big Bryan Baxter, has shown that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep that belt..”Allen Price: “Dirty little cheater…”Rod Sterling: “We’ve certainly seen him utilize every trick in the book… though he no longer has Mr. Scorpane by his side and Jeremy Best is otherwise preoccupied tonight… this is one of the rare defenses where Baxter has to go at this one with no one in his corner.”Anzu Kurosawa: “Yeah so hopefully we’ll… WAIT! LOOK OUT!”CRACK!That’s the sound of a metal chair cracking across the back of Mike Parr halfway down the aisle to the ring. Parr drops to a knee as the chair comes down for a second time across his back, sending him down to the floor. Standing over Parr, holding the chair in hand is the North American Champion, Bryan Baxter. Allen Price: “What is the meaning of this?!”Rod Sterling: “The North American Champion is just assaulting his challenger with the chair before the match is even under way! This isn’t a no disqualification match. What is going on right now?”Jean-Luc Watkins: “The match hasn’t started yet, technically, Rod.”Anzu Kurosawa: “I guess this is what he meant earlier by showing us Big Bryan Bastard.”Baxter brings the chair down three more times across Parr’s back as the boos in the arena intensify for the North American champion. He looks to the crowd and simply smirks before pulling Parr up to his knees. Parr attempts to battle back, but Baxter knees him in the face before lifting him up and diving him a Piledriver onto the floor! Allen Price: “This is disgusting!”Jean-Luc Watkins: “And unfortunately, I don’t think he’s done yet…”FUCK YOU BAXTER! FUCK YOU BAXTER!The crowd lets BBB have it, but he just smiles and once again pulls Parr to his feet, walking with him down the aisle and to ringside before tossing him head first into the steel ring post. Baxter pulls the ring steps away from the post before once again grabbing Parr and POWERBOMBING HIM ONTO THE RINGSTEPS! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!Rod Sterling: “I can’t help but agree with the sentiment of the fans. I’m not sure this match is going to be able to even happen at this point…”Several FWA security members rush down to try and stop Baxter’s assault on Parr, but Baxter meets the first one with a right hand, the second one with a left hand, the third one with a headbutt and the fourth one gets tossed into the ring post as well for his troubles. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well now he’s not only ruining this match but also will be getting fined.”Anzu Kurosawa: “I don’t think he cares too much about either.”With some of the security disposed of, Baxter pulls Parr up and rolls him into the ring. Parr climbs in and stares at Kurt Harrington. “Announce me!” he demands. Reluctantly, Harrington complies. Kurt Harrington: “....And… his opponent… from Hickory, North Carolina… weighing in at three hundred twelve pounds… he is the FWA North American Champion… BIG… BRYAN… BAXT…”Baxter cuts Harrington off and whispers something in his ear. Kurt seems unsure but Baxter gives him a threatening look. Kurt Harrington: “Excuse me… BIG… BRYAN… BASTARD!”Baxter extends his arms out toward the booing crowd as he now takes off the North American Championship from around his waist and tries to hand it over to FWA Official Tommy Palmer while Palmer is more interested in checking on Parr. Bryan grabs Palmer by the arm, pulling him over and forcing him to take the title from him. Baxter then shouts, “ring the fucking bell!”Anzu Kurosawa: “Oh come on! What’s he trying to pull here! There’s no way this match can go on right now.”Palmer argues with Baxter, pointing over to Parr, who begins showing signs of life as he grabs the bottom ropes and pulls himself up to a seated position in the corner. Baxter continues to demand the match start, as Palmer goes over to check on Parr again. Rod Sterling: “It’s amazing that Parr is even conscious right now… but ultimately it’s up to him if the match happens or not…”Palmer consults with Parr, who now somehow, someway begins to pull himself up to his feet using the ropes… and he… tells Palmer to start the match! Allen Price: “Unbelievable! He still wants the match!”Jean-Luc Watkins: “I spent a lot of time with Parr during Executive Excellence… and if he has his mind set on something, then it’s probably going to happen. And he obviously has his mind set on that North American title… but even I think this is ill-advised.”Clearly reluctant… Tommy Palmer calls for the bell.  FIFTH MATCH || 1/60.
Bryan Baxter [c] vs. Mike Parr. Singles Match for the FWA North American Championship.Match writer: Dubb. Baxter charges in the second the bell is rang, looking to splash Parr in the corner.. BUT PARR MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! There’s still life in The Prodigy! He hits a series of jabs in the corner to Baxter’s large midsection before springboarding onto the ropes and going for a Tornado DDT, but Baxter holds on and turns it into a Northern Lights Suplex instead! Baxter doesn’t bridge, and instead gets right back up to his feet and hits a big standing splash on the fallen Parr. And another splash! And another! Rod Sterling: ”Three hundred plus pounds keep splashing down on the already beaten and bruised Parr! This match shouldn’t even be happening and Baxter is just piling on more and more punishment!”Baxter grab Parr by the hair, pulling him up to his feet… BUCKLE BOMB TO PARR! Parr slums over, in the corner as Baxter then charges in with a running hip attack, Parr’s head bouncing off the bottom turnbuckle. He then grabs the leg of Parr, dragging the dead weight out of the corner before pulling him up by his hair once again… he lifts Parr up… BAXTER DRIVER! Baxter hooks the leg.. ONE! TWO! THRE… NO! Parr didn’t kick out… Baxter pulled him up! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!Baxter pulls Parr up one more time.. ANOTHER BAXTER DRIVER! He hooks the leg again. ONE! TWO! THREE! WInner: Bryan Baxter via pinfall at 1:18. Bryan Baxter drops Parr’s leg down to the mat as some FWA Officials and medics enter the ring, beginning to check on him. The boos continue to food in as Bryan Baxer snatches back his FWA North American Title from Palmer, and climbs the turnbuckle, holding the belt up in the air proudly amidst the sea of boos. Kurt Harrington: “Here is your winner… and still FWA North American Champion… Big Bryan Baxter!”Allen Price: “Mercifully… its finally over..”Anzu Kurosawa: ““There was little mercy being shown there, unfortunately. Rod Sterling: ”It was not the match any of us expected… but once again… Bryan Baxter walks away holding that title… by any means necessary.”Jean-Luc Watkins: “He may have won today… but you can believe that when he’s able to… Parr will be coming back for him… and when he does… Baxter better watch his own back because you know there’s going to be Hell to pay! So enjoy your time now Baxter… I have a feeling your days as champion are numbered!”Perhaps having painted an even bigger target on his back, Baxter seems to care less as he climbs out of the ring, smirking as he places the championship belt over his shoulder and begins to walk away from the ring as the medics continue to tend to Parr in the ring.
Rod Sterling: “As out there as it may seem, there was an asterisk hanging over Bryan Baxter’s reign, a shadow being cast over it if you will. And that, was one of Chris Crowe, the champion who never lost the championship. You would always hear whispers of how Baxter was only taking care of the championship for Crowe until Crowe decided to return.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And then, he did return, and I think at this point we all know what happened…”
Kurt Harrington: “This next match is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit and is for the FWA North American Championship!”[MEDIA=youtube]vabnZ9-ex7o[/MEDIA] The crowd get to their feet in anticipation of the challenger for tonight’s match, the former FWA North American Champion, to make his way out. While the music starts, there is no sign of the Showman just yet as Harrington continues. Kurt Harrington: “Introducing first, the challenger, weighing in at two-hundred forty pounds, being accompanied to the ring by Crazy Harry… he is… THE SHOWMAN… CCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRIIIIIISSSSSSSS CCCCCCCRRROOOOOWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEE!”As Harrington completes the introduction and the fans continue to be anxiously waiting, there is still no sign of Chris Crowe. Rod Sterling: "I don’t like the looks of this."Jean-Luc Watkins: "Can we get a camera backstage? Someone check into this…”Almost on cue, we do cut to the back as we get the POV of a camera man running through the corridors backstage. We can hear some commotion and as we round the corner, we hear the concerned voice of Crazy Harry calling out for Crowe. Harry rushes over as we find Chris Crowe laid out backstage. A dented up steel chair lays beside him but also the glass shards of a shattered beer bottle. Rod Sterling: "What is going on here? Chris Crowe has been attacked backstage before his match! Bryan Bastard no doubt once again stooping to whatever it takes…”Jean-Luc Watkins: "Not so fast Rod, we can’t just jump to conclusions here, can we?”Rod Sterling: "Bryan Bastard ducked Crowe for weeks before Crowe EARNED this title shot! A title shot for a belt HE NEVER LOST, Jean-Luc. This has his finger prints all over it! It’s Back in Business all over again!Jean-Luc Watkins: "I’m just sayin… I think Bryan Baxter was pretty eager to get his hands on Crowe now… and look, there’s a broken beer bottle! I don’t think Bryan Baxter would’ve been handling one of those.”Rod Sterling: "I don’t put anything past that bastard.”Crazy Harry is joined by FWA officials who try to check on Crowe who begins to come to. Finally, Tommy Bedlam comes rushing over. Tommy Bedlam: "Crowe! Crowe, dang it man! What’s happening! Who did this Harry? Who did this?”Crazy Harry is speechless, shrugging his shoulders just as in the dark as the rest of us. Tommy Bedlam: "That damn Bryan Bastard! Crowe, come on man, you gotta get up. You gotta get out there! They’re callin’ your name!”Chris Crowe begins to come to… staggering up with the help of Harry and Tommy. Tommy Bedlam: "Did you see what happened? Who did this to ya?”Chris Crowe: "God damn if I know… sum bitch… attacked me from behind. Piece of shit…”Crowe is winded just getting those words out. Crazy Harry seems concerned about Crowe going down to the ring, but Crowe shoves him off. Chris Crowe: "I got this… I’m getting my damn title back..”The Showman pulls himself away from Tommy and Harry… and begins to stagger his way out, making his way through the curtains with Crazy Harry giving chase, seemingly still trying to talk him out of it. Rod Sterling: "Attack be damned, Chris Crowe is making his way out here after all!”The fans are to their feet as Crowe stumbles his way down to the ring, rolling in. Jean-Luc Watkins: "This seems like a bad idea… but The Showman is a crazy sonofabitch if there ever was one.”The crowd is fired up as The Showman faces the entrance way, challenging Baxter to come on down. [MEDIA=youtube]DLYwwtPA49w[/MEDIA] With awful tunes of Nickelback hitting the speakers, Big Bryan Bastard walks out onto the stage, loosening up ahead of the bout. He hasn’t come alone, either, with Mejor Amigo and Sir Stache appearing behind him. They keep a safe distance from Bryan as he walks down the ramp. Kurt Harrington: "And introducing second, the reigning and defending FWA North American Champion… accompanied to the ring by Mejor Amigo and Sir Stache of the Friendship Wrestling Alliance… from Hickory, North Carolina… he weighs in tonight at three hundred and twelve pounds… BIG… BRYAN… BASTARD!!"Bryan holds his championship belt above his head after climbing into the ring, just as his name is read out. He hands it over to the official to parade around the ring. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Three hundred and ninety nine days with that championship belt… only Chris Crowe stands between Big Bryan Bastard and four hundred days. And Bryan has loaded the deck in his favour. How much can Chris Crowe have left to give?!"Rod Sterling: "I guess we’re about to find out…"The official issues one more plea to Crowe, asking him to reconsider competing after the attack. The Showman waves him on, glaring at Baxter across the ring. The referee shrugs his shoulders, and then calls for the bell…  THIRD MATCH || 1/60. Big Bryan Bastard (c) vs. Chris Crowe. Singles Match for the FWA North American Championship.Match writer: SS. The match starts with Chris Crowe, somewhat surprisingly, charging across the ring and hammering into Big Bryan with some untechnical but savage strikes. The clubbing blows back Baxter up into the corner, with Crowe proceeding to drive a shoulder repeatedly into Bryan's abdomen. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Despite suffering an attack backstage - or perhaps even because of it - Chris Crowe comes out of the gates swinging! Baxter is overwhelmed!!"Crowe mounts the second rope with Baxter beneath him, following up with ten right hands from above. The audience counts along with the strikes and, on the tenth, Baxter falls down into a seated position. Crowe is unrelenting, hopping down off the ropes and laying into Bryan with stomp after stomp. Eventually, the official has to start a count to get the Showman off him, with Crowe relenting only at four. Crowe hoists Baxter up out of the corner and applies a front facelock. Rod Sterling: "Chris Crowe looking for a DDT… but Big Bryan Bastard shows his strength! He hoists Crowe up, drives to the corner, and slams Crowe’s head off the bottom turnbuckle with a double leg takedown!!"Crowe immediately clutches the back of his head, which was where the beer bottle was smashed over his head just prior to the match. Baxter is seething when he picks Crowe up to his feet. He throws him against a nearby set of ropes, the Showman hitting them chest first before stumbling - backwards - towards Baxter… who thuds into the back of his head with a discus lariat!! Jean-Luc Watkins: "Big Bryan Bastard is savouring this moment. Chris Crowe is face-down and motionless, and it seems only moments before Baxter retains his title…"Baxter neglects to cover Crowe, instead grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and draggin him up. The Showman is virtually dead weight, and this isn’t an easy task for Bryan, but he eventually manages it and tucks Crowe’s head between his legs. Baxter deadlifts Crowe up… Rod Sterling: "And now a devastating powerbomb into the turnbuckles! Crowe slumps forward to the mat, rolling onto his back… a cocky cover from Baxter here, with a boot placed on the challenger’s chest!"ONE… TWO… NO! Crowe kicks out, which seems to annoy Baxter. He follows up with about a dozen stomps to specific body parts of his challenger, before once more grabbing Crowe by the scruff of the neck and dragging him into powerbomb position. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Once isn’t enough for Big Bryan Bastard! Here we go again…"Rod Sterling: "NO! Chris Crowe slips out of the powerbomb… DDT!! The champion is dropped on the top of his head!"Baxter, to his credit, fights immediately back to his feet, but he seems a little dizzy as he turns to face Crowe. The challenger doubles Bryan over with a boot to the midsection… Jean-Luc Watkins: "Piledriver!!! This is swinging back into Crowe’s favour!"Rod Sterling: "Cover him! Why isn’t he covering him?!"Jean-Luc Watkins: "Big Bryan Bastard has been North American Champion for over a year now, Sterling. It’s gonna take more than a transitional move like a piledriver to put him down for three!"Crowe seems to agree with Jean-Luc’s assessment. He stumbles to the corner, still clutching the back of his head, and then begins a slow, steady ascent towards the top rope. Rod Sterling: "This crowd, initially undecided on Chris Crowe, seems to have come around to him. I guess that’s why they call him the Showman! They cheer him on as he makes his climb towards the top turnbuckle, perhaps looking for that 450 Splash that we’ve seen him land before…"Jean-Luc Watkins: "We’ve seen him miss it a fair few times, too, and this ascent is even slower than usual… and… Jesus Christ! Sir Stache is up on the apron! You hate to see it!"Rod Sterling: "The official is over to deal with Sir Stache… and, yep, that’s Mejor Amigo’s cue! He’s up on the apron on the opposite side of the ring, behind the official’s back… and he pushes Crowe from the top rope! The Showman lands in a heap next to Baxter, who is rousing…"Baxter climbs to his feet as a confused referee turns back towards the scene. He scratches his head as Big Bryan Bastard drags Chris Crowe up into a front facelock… Jean-Luc Watkins: "BAXTER DRIVER!!"Rod Sterling: "He hooks the leg…"ONE… TWO… THREE!! Winner: Big Bryan Bastard via pinfall at 07:31. Baxter climbs back to his feet and has no interest in allowing the official to raise his hand. Stache and Amigo enter the ring, celebrating behind the champion as he’s handed his belt. Kurt Harrington: "Here is your winner, and STILL the FWA North American Champion… BIG… BRYAN… BASTARD!!"Rod Sterling: "That’s it, and chalk up an assist to the Friendship Wrestling Alliance."Jean-Luc Watkins: "For once we’re in agreement, Rod. With the backstage assault earlier on, coupled with the involvement of Mejor Amigo and Sir Stache at the match’s culmination, Chris Crowe wasn’t really given much of a chance."Bryan lifts his championship belt high above his head, Amigo and Stache shaking hands behind him to congratulate one another on a job well done. Jean-Luc Watkins: "But the history books will only remember that Big Bryan Bastard defeated Chris Crowe in under eight minutes tonight, and - as of tomorrow morning - he will have held that FWA North American Championship for four hundred consecutive days. He is only the second man to do that in FWA history after ‘the Prodigy’ Mike Parr."Rod Sterling: "The magnitude of that accomplishment cannot be underestimated, and Big Bryan doesn’t look like relinquishing that title any time soon…"We fade out on Baxter clutching his championship belt in the ring.
Finally, the live feed returns to the SaskTel Centre where Kurt Harrington is stood in the middle of the ring.
Rod Sterling: “And at last, the moment we have all been waiting for, the North American Showdown!”
Kurt Harrington: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall with a 60 minute time limit, and it is for the FWA North American Championship. Introducing first…”
[MEDIA=youtube]LXyyguI5aHY[/MEDIA]
Kurt Harrington: “Introducing first, standing at 6’2” and weighing in at 240 lbs. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ‘The Prodigy’ Mike Parr!”
Parr makes his way to the top of the stage to what can only be described as a thunderous pop; the credit for that a combination of fighting in Canada and a reflection on his opponent for this evening. Parr has his fists taped and has a steely determination that we haven’t seen in quite some time. You would also have to believe, given the events of Back in Business, that he likely has eyes in the back of his head in the event of another attack.
Ignoring the tags of fans desperate for a touch from their favourite superstar for the evening, Parr slides in under the bottom rope and raises an arm in the air as acknowledgement of the reception that he received.
Rod Sterling:”It has been a long time since Mike Parr probably experienced an ovation such as this, if ever.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The crowd love an underdog story, don’t forget. And make no mistake about it, The Prodigy is an underdog tonight, and that very fact is going to bother him considerably.”
Parr’s music fades, as the noise of the crowd audibly pivots from cheers to unease and boos, in anticipation of the arrival of the next competitor.
Kurt Harrington: “And his opponent….”
The boos are as deafening as the corresponding cheers were.
[MEDIA=youtube]DLYwwtPA49w[/MEDIA]
Kurt Harrington: “....hailing from Hickory, North Caroline, weighing in at three hundred and twelve pounds. He is representing the Friendship Wrestling Alliance and he is your current and defending FWA North American Champion…..BIG Bryan Bastard!”
Baxter walks into the arena and extends his arms out to his side, milking the reception from the SaskTel. He brings his arms back down to reveal the North American Championship fastened around his waist, and has a grin across his face both at the reception and in anticipation of what is to come - breaking the record of the man that awaits him in the ring.
Rod Sterling: “And here comes, for 453 days he has held the North American Championship and defeated all challengers. His final challenge ahead of becoming the most dominant champion, arguably, of all time stands in the ring ahead of him.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “No chair shots or attacks from behind tonight from TrIple B, you know why? He has seen Mike Parr and he knows he doesn’t need it.”
Rod Sterling: “The worst thing that Baxter could do would be to underestimate Mike Parr tonight, I haven’t seen him look this determined in quite some time.”
Baxter has made his way into the ring and is stood across the ring from Parr, in opposing corners. He unstraps the championship belt and hands it over to the referee who makes his way to the centre of the ring and raises it above his head.
Rod Sterling: “454 day record holder against the 453 day and counting reigning champion, Mike Parr versus Bryan Bastard. North American Championship. Here. We. Go. ”
THE MATCH | 1/60.
Big Bryan Bastard (c) vs. "The Prodigy" Mike Parr.
Singles Match for the FWA North American Title.
Match Writer: Dubb & Prod.
The bell rings to officially get the match underway. There’s not a butt in their seats in the SaskTel Centre as Bryan Bastard and Mike Parr meet in the center of the ring. Toe to toe. Nose to nose. Eye to eye. Baxter has no problem mouthing off to Parr to start the match, but Parr just grins and has some choice words for Baxter as well. We can’t quite pick it up on camera but whatever was said was enough to send Bryan over the edge as he takes a wild swing at Parr to kick things off!
But Parr ducks the punch and goes right at the big man with a series of jabs to the North American Champion! Bryan is slightly rocked but comes back with another furious right hand, that is BLOCKED by Parr. Parr grabs ahold of Bryan’s right arm, twisting it back into an arm wrench before spinning his foot up and connecting with a heel hook to Bryan’s jaw!
Bryan is staggered by the kick, stumbling backward into the corner as Parr keeps on the attack with a stiff kick to the back of Bryan’s upper leg/thigh. Parr gives another couple of kicks in the corner to Baxter before Bryan reaches out, grabbing Parr by the throat and reverses their position, tossing Mike into the corner. Baxter reaches in, clutching Parr’s face while digging his fingers deep into the eyes of the challenger, earning a stern warning from Larry Stevens.
Baxter barked back at Stevens before letting go of Parr’s face, and immediately lights up his bare chest with a STIFF back hand chop. Baxter then rears back and delivers another sickening CHOP, but this one to the THROAT of Parr, sending a groan through the crowd as Mike reaches up, clutching at his throat in pain. But Bryan Bastard continued on the attack, snapmaring Parr out of the corner into a seated position on the mat before coming with a kick to Parr’s upper back.
With Parr still in a seated position on the mat, Bryan Bastard runs to the ropes, getting a big head of steam before coming back with a big running hip attack, sending Prodigy to the mat! Bryan drops down for a pin
One!
Kickout by Prod!
Rod Sterling: “After a quick start from the challenger, Bryan Bastard is quickly imposing his will on Parr with his sheer power.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “But a pinfall attempt there was certainly wishful thinking on the part of the champion. Mike Parr was not going down that easily!”
BBB pulls Parr back up to his feet, delivering a standing headbutt that sends Prod stumbling backward into the corner once again where Baxter unloads a series of hard forearm shots to the side Mike’s head over and over again… but Parr begins to battle back! He blocks a forearm and instead hits Bryan with a knee lift to his large midsection. Parr slips behind Bryan and takes him by the head… driving him head first into the top turnbuckle! He grabs his head again and slams it once again into the top turnbuckle!
Bryan is staggered as he comes out of the corner swinging a wild right hand at Parr, who ducks it… and LIFTS UP BRYAN with a BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX, drawing a big pop from the Canadian crowd.
Parr with the over!
ONE!
Kickout by Bryan!
Parr drops a knee down onto Bryan Bastard’s back as he tries to roll back to his feet and then locks in a rear naked choke submission to the big man. While Larry Stevens is there to check on Bryan, the Bastard does not appear to be in any danger of submitting and instead begins to pull himself back up to his feet while Parr tries to keep the submission locked in, turning it into a side headlock…
But Bryan shoves Parr off into the ropes! Parr bounces off the far side ropes, coming back at Bryan who throws up his arm for a clothesline, but Prod DUCKS the clothesline attempt! Parr bounces back off the opposite ropes, comes flying in with a crossbody..
BUT IS CAUGHT and COUNTERED into the POWERSLAM from Baxter!
One!
Two!
KICKOUT!
Bryan sits up to his knees following the two count, grabbing Mike by the hair with his left hand while he rains down right hands to Parr’s forehead before pulling the challenger back up to his feet. Bryan sends Parr into the ropes with an Irish Whip before charging in with a big CORNER SPLASH to Prod!
Rod Sterling: “300 plus pounds sandwiching The Prodigy against the unforgiving turnbuckles! And Baxter isn’t done as he backs up for another!”
Sure enough, Bryan heads back to the opposite corner and charges in with a big running splash to Parr in the corner. This time Parr falls to the mat, seated in the corner. Which was only further bad news for the challenger as Bryan heads back to that opposite corner once again…
RUNNING CORNER HIP ATTACK!
The North American Champion tosses his arms up in the air, receiving a big round of boos from the fans as Mike Parr rolls out from the corner out onto the apron. The Prodigy grabs the ring ropes, pulling himself up on the apron…
Only for Bryan Bastard to charge in with a running shoulder tackle that sends Parr flying off the apron.. THROUGH THE AIR AND INTO THE GUARD RAILS!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That was NBA levels of air time from Mike Parr as he is sent sailing from the apron to the safety rails!”
Bryan Bastard follows Parr out to ringside, stalking his prey like a lion as Parr struggles to try and get back up to his feet. Bryan moves in, helping him up by grabbing him by the head only to immediately take Parr over to the announce booth and SLAMS Parr head first into the booth!
He takes him by the head…
AND AGAIN! Head to the announce booth!
Bryan Baxter: “How’s that? Huh?! This belt ain’t goin’ nowhere!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Keep your eyes on the match big boy!”
Rod Serling: “Easy Watkins! Or I’m about go be doing this show solo like you on Fallout.”
Bryan’s momentary barking at the commentary booth bought Parr some time and he comes back with a kick to Bryan’s upper leg again, but Bryan immediately fires back with a stiff forearm shot to rock Prod. Bryan grabs his challenger by the head and CHARGES with him before HURLING Parr into the steel safety railing once again, leaving a big dent in the barricade.
Baxter’s confidence is through the roof as he takes a moment to argue with some fans at ringside while Parr again begins trying to get to his feet, using a steel chair at ringside as some support before Bryan Bastard comes in with a boot to the ribs. Bryan unfolds the chair, setting it up against the safety barricade and then moves Parr to the chair, allowing the challenger to take a load off as he now sits rest in the chair, his body leaning back against the steel barricade…
As Bryan makes his way back and then CHARGES IN..
RUNNING HIP ATTACK!
BUT PARR MOVES OUT OF THE WAY!
BRYAN BASTARD CRASHES INTO THE STEEL CHAIR AND BARRICADE WITH HIS HIP! Another huge dent left in the safety equipment.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That was like watching a big rig jack knife on the high way! Big Bryan Bastard just crashed and burned!”
Rod Sterling: “What an opportunity now for The Prodigy!”
Parr is slow back to his feet after avoiding the incoming Baxter, giving Bryan some time to begin to get up as well, but the Prodigy immediately charges in with a running low dropkick to that thigh of Baxter, taking his legs out from under him and down to the floor.
Prodigy takes a moment to break the count of Larry Stevens, rolling in and out of the ring before turning his attention back to the recovering Bryan Bastard. Parr hits a pair of stiff kicks to the thigh again before pulling Baxter by the head and leading him to the apron, rolling Bryan back into the ring.
Parr slides into the ring and goes for the pin!
One!
Two!
KICKOUT!
The challenger immediately is back up and stomps on Triple B’s leg while Bryan battles through, trying to pull himself up but instead Parr takes him by the arm and send Bryan into the corner with an Irish Whip. Mike follows him in, charging in with a running high knee! He then takes Bryan’s leg, lifts it up and places it through the middle rope, before pulling back - wrenching back on Bryan’s leg with all the pressure of the ring rope being applied to the leg.
One! Two! Three! Four! “C’mon Parr!” Larry Stevens issues a warning to Mike as Prod backs up, releasing Bryan’s leg though it still sits against the middle rope. Prod coms back in and begins stomping at the upper thigh up against the ropes over and over again before running to the ropes and hits a running dropkick to the thigh again as it’s trapped in the middle ropes in the corner!
Rod Sterling: “You have to like this strategy from The Prodigy, targeting that upper leg of Bryan Bastard after that huge crash into the steel barricade at ringside.”
Bryan staggers out of the corner, clutching at his leg as Parr comes in with a chop block, taking Baxter down to the mat. He takes a hold of the leg, dropping an elbow down onto the inner thigh, getting back up and doing it one more time, this time transitioning into a modified inverted reverse figure four. Parr leans back on the submission, pumping the pressure on those legs of Bryan Bastard
Triple B’s eyes grow wide as groans out in pain while Larry Stevens comes over to check in on him. Bryan frantically shakes his head “NO!” but Parr keeps the pressure going, continue to apply the pressure. Bryan reaches for the ropes, but Parr has him in good ring position.
At least for the time being. Because Bryan begins to use his upper body strength to begin to scratch and crawl his way across the mat… inch by inch slowly making his way to the ropes…
Reaching out…
And he manages to grab the bottom rope!
Mike Parr releases the hold, but holds onto the legs of Baxter… pulling him away from the ropes and then begins stomping a mudhole into that upper thigh.
Prod steps back, plays to the fans as he’s fired up at seeming to have the North American champion right where he wants him. He measures up Bryan as the champion begins to stumble up, limping… he meets Bryan with a boot to the midsection and sets him up looking for a double underhook backbreaker…
But he can’t quite get the big man up!
And Bryan COUNTERS with a back body drop!
Rod Sterling: “Mike Parr might have underestimated that a bit…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “He definitely did, but the damage has certainly been done to that thigh and hip area of Bryan Bastard. He can’t capitalize!”
After lifting Parr up and over his head, Bryan drops to a knee on the canvas while Parr begins to roll back to his feet as well… both competitors getting back up…
And Prod strikes first with a dropkick to the chest that sends Bryan backward into the turnbuckles!
Parr comes in with another running knee to Bryan before lifting the big man up… and getting him up to the top turnbuckle!
Prod begins to climb up with Bryan, stepping up to the middle turnbuckles and hitting a combination of forearm blows to Bryan’s massive torso on the ropes… before he steps up onto the top turnbuckle with Bryan…
And he begins grappling Bryan, looking to lift the big man up for a superplex…
Rod Sterling: “A precarious position here for both men!”
But Bryan begins to battle back! He HEADBUTTS Parr and then pushes him off the turnbuckles, sending Parr to the side and groin first across the ring ropes. Parr straddles the top ropes while Bryan stands up on the middle ropes…
AND JUMPS OFF WITH A CLOTHESLINE TO PARR sending him off the top ropes to the mat!
Bryan goes for the cover, hooking the far leg!
One!
Two!
The - KICKOUT!
Bryan sits up off the mat, getting back to his feet and breathing heavy, walking with a noticeable limp as Parr crawls his way into the corner. Bryan turns and notices the positioning of Parr in the corner and a grin crosses his face…
HE CHARGES IN…
But PARR charges out of the corner, dives through the legs of Parr, grabbing his leg into a takedown into a rolling Half Boston Crab!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What a counter by The Prodigy! A true student of this sport, he has the North American champion as well scouted as I’ve ever seen!”
Larry Steven slides into position, checking on Baxter who is struggling once again against the submission from Par, who cranks his leg back as he sits down on the small of Bryan’s back. But Bryan is still refusing to give up, looking to the ropes…
As Bryan begins to pull himself to the ropes, Prod realizes Baxter was going to get there, he turns over, rolling Bryan back onto his back and gives him another pair of stomps to the leg - but Bryan uses his free leg to fight back - kicking Parr in the head three times sending the challenger stumbling backward, giving Bryan some time to recover.
Baxter staggers to his feet as Parr regains his composure, immediately meeting Bryan with another pair of kicks to the thigh, but Bryan fires back with a forearm shot to Parr, sending Prod falling into the ropes. Parr bounces back off the ropes into a big Discus Lariat from Baxter sending the challenger head over heels to the mat!
With Parr down, Bryan bounces off the ropes and then drops a big falling headbutt down onto Parr and goes for another pin.
One!
Two!
Thre - Kickout!
Bryan lets out his frustrations with a deep yell and slams the mat before grabbing Parr by the hair to pull him up to his feet… and he decides he’s going to try and put Parr away.
Lifting Prod up for The Bastard Driver!
But Parr escapes the hold and slides down the back of Baxter!
Dropkick to Bryan’s back sends him falling into the ropes and then through the middle ropes to the apron!
Baxter grabs the ropes, pulling himself up on the apron as Parr runs to the ropes, hits a springboard into a clothesline, but Bryan ducks down! Parr flies over, landing on his feet on the apron. Bryan hits a backfist to Parr, staggering Parr before giving him a boot to the midsection.
Bryan Bastard begins to set up Parr for an Apron Piledriver….
But Parr fights it off!
Parr drives his shoulders into Bryan’s midsection and Bryan stumbles off the apron down to the floor. But Bryan comes back, blocks a kick from Parr off the apron and comes back with a pair of forearms to Parr on the apron… and then positions himself underneath Parr..
Baxter uses the apron to help him get Parr up in the air and then he runs forward into a…
POWER BOMB THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
Rod Sterling: “LOOK OUT!”
While Sterling and Watkins stand around the wreckage, Parr lies crumped up around the pieces of the collapsed announce table while Bryan drops to the floor as well, clutching his leg. Larry Stevens rushes out of the ring and immediately begins checking on Parr amid the wreckage of the announce booth.
Larry Stevens and some other FWA officials come in to check on both Bryan and Parr, but it’s Baxter who stumbles to his feet, shoving one of the officials away. He hobbles his way over where Parr is lying motionless, and shoves the other FWA officials out of the way! He drags Parr through the debris over to the apron before lifting him and rolling him into the ring.
Baxter slides into the ring and goes for the cover on Parr!
One!
Two!
Three! NO!
Parr just barely gets his shoulder up!
Rod Sterling: “I thought that was it! Parr seemed done for! And so did Baxter! He’s beside himself!”
Following the nearfall, a frustrated Bryan Bastard confronts Larry Stevens, arguing about a slow count while Stevens holds his ground, insisting it was only two.
Shaking his head, Bryan returns to Parr, stomping on his ribs on the the mat before bouncing off the ropes and hitting a running senton splash to Parr. Bryan goes for another pin.
One!
Two!
Thre - SHOULDER UP!
Bryan snarls, getting back up, bouncing to the ropes and leaping into the air, bringing his three hundred pounds down across Parr’s prone body for a big splash. He hooks the leg again!
One!
Two!
Thre - NO!
Baxter yells out in frustration as Parr keeps kicking out. He grabs The Prodigy by the arm, dragging him closer to the corner… and Bryan begins to climb the turnbuckles..
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I don’t like the looks of this! Big Bryan Bastard is out of his element when it comes to high risk maneuvers but I’m not sure Parr can withstand much more!”
On shaky legs and looking quite nervous, Bryan continues his ascent, perching himself on the top turnbuckle… struggling but gets his balance..
AND LEAPS OFF!
SUPER SPLASH TO PARR!
Rod Sterling: “He connected! Mike Parr is like roadkill on the side of the road after that HUGE flying splash off the top rope from Big Bryan Bastard!”
Another cover by Triple B.
One
Two!
Three…. NO! Parr once again just barely gets his shoulder up!
Once again, the frustrated Bryan Bastard gets up and confronts Larry Stevens, this time getting a bit more physical as he grabs Stevens by the collar of his shirt. Larry threatens disqualification, but Bryan does let him go and turns his attention back to his challenger.
Bryan pulls Parr back off the ground and once again goes for his Bastard Driver, but struggles to get Parr’s dead weight up off the ground with just one good leg… but finally he goes lift him up… only to have Parr ONCE AGAIN escape down his back! And Parr immediately locks in a rare naked choke submission!
But the submission isn’t locked in for long as Bryan charges backward, breaking the hold by running into the corner, sandwiching Parr in the turnbuckles. Baxter stumbles away from the corner… but Parr recovers, coming out and grabbing Baxter from behind by the head..
ROLLING CUTTER!
Baxter was down but so was Parr, unable to immediately get the cover!
Rod Sterling: “This could be hit! If Parr can get the cover we’re going to have a new North American champion!”
The exhausted Prodigy makes the crawl over…
And he… gets the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
NO!
A shoulder up by the champion!
A disappointed gasp went through the crowd as the Canadian fans all thought they had just witnessed a changing of the guard, but the match goes on!
Parr labors his way to his feet, positioning himself at Bryan’s tree trunk leg legs… and he grabs ahold of them, stepping through, intertwining Bryan’s legs before turning him over into his Inverted Sharpshooter submission!
The crowd is on their feet, cheering on Parr as Larry Steven checks on Bryan. Will he submit?
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The Prodigy has his Inverted Sharpshooter submission locked in… Bryan’s one of the toughest people in the fed but can he even withstand much more himself? Parr has wisely targeted that upper leg all match and now he is applying so much pressure to that weakened limb… I’m not sure even Bryan Bastard can take much more!”
The North American champion was certainly in a world of hurt as Parr pulled back on his legs in the submission, but was still waving of Larry Stevens, frantically shaking his head that he was not giving up. He was refusing to submit. He wouldn’t lose his North American championship this way….
The electric cheers for Parr turn to loud boos as Bryan’s associates from the Friendship Wrestling Alliance - Sir Stache and Mejor Amigo - rush out from the back, seeing their friend in need.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Ugh, not these guys.”
Rod Sterling: “I guess here comes the calvary for Bryan Bastard - sensing the North American title in real danger here. We’ve seen these two being very involved in both Bryan Bastard and Jeremy Best’s matches lately.”
Mejor Amigo jumps to the apron, drawing the attention of both Larry Stevens and Mike Parr. Parr releases the submission and confronts Amigo, while Stache slides into the ring!
Stache attempts to attack Parr from behind, but Parr ducks his right hand and hits him with a belly to back suplex! He then grabs Stache by the mask, pulls him up, and lays him out with a Rolling Cutter much to the delight of the crowd.
The Prodigy gets back to his feet and is out of nowhere by a big lariat from Bryan Bastard!
Bryan regains his senses, looking around and notices Amigo on the apron and Stache rolling out of the ring to the floor. Bryan approaches Amigo… and does not seem pleased to see either one of them. He argues with Amigo… and points to the back!
Rod Sterling: “What’s this? Bryan Bastard doesn’t even appear to be happy to have the Friends for Hire duo out here.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Since when has Bryan Bastard ever not taken the chance to win by any means necessary?”
Rod Sterling: “I think this one is different, Jean-Luc. He wants to be considered the best North American champion ever. He wants this one to be decisive! He wants to win this match and make sure there’s no one who can dispute that fact!”
Amigo seems confused as he hops down off the apron, holding his head down as he helps Stache up to his feet and the pair sulk off to the back!
Meanwhile, Parr had rolled out onto the apron and as Bryan turned back around…
HE’S HIT BY A SPRINGBOARD FLYING KNEE to the face! Triple B drops to the mat and Parr goes for the pin!
One!
Two!
Thre - NO!
Mike sits up and looks to the top rope… and he makes his way over, making his ascent..
He glances back on more time to make sure Bryan was still in position as he turns his back to him on the top rope..
X MARKS THE SPOT!
KNEES UP BY BRYAN BASTARD!
The Prodigy rolls to the canvas, clutching his midsection while Bryan grabs his upper leg - both men down as Larry Stevens begins a standing ten count.
One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Bryan begins to get up to his knees… Seven!... As does Parr… Eight! Both men are up!
Forearm shot from Baxter!
Thigh kick from Parr!
Forearm shot from Baxter!
Thigh kick from Parr!
Forearm shot from Baxter!
Thigh kick from Parr! Another thigh kick from Parr! And another - but Bryan grabs his leg to block it only to have Parr to leap up with an enziguri! Bryan drops to his knees as Parr comes back in with a Shining Wizard!
Parr goes for the pin!
One!
Two!
Thre - shoulder up!
Kurt Harrington:“This is your FOUR MINUTE WARNING!”
With time ticking down on the match time limit, Parr grabs Bryan Bastard and struggles to get the big man up, but hooks him by the head…
He’s looking for another Rolling Cutter!
But Bryan blocks it! He turns himself around and counters with a Northern Lights Suplex!
One!
Two!
Thre - kickout by Parr!
Bryan immediately stomps the back of Parr’s head before pulling him back up and hooking him in a front headlock, tossing his arm around his own neck and looking to go for the Bastard Driver again, but this time it’s Parr blocking it as he gets free from the grip and twists Bryan’s arm back into an arm wrench before lifting the three hundred pounder up in the air with another belly to back suplex!
With the exhaustion becoming overwhelming, Parr is left on his back after the massive suplex… but slowly makes the crawl over and makes the pin.
One!
Two!
Thre… NO!
Feeling some frustration himself now mixed with the exhaustion, the weary Prodigy leans his head forward, resting his head on the mat as the sweat drips down from his forehead to the mat. He punches the mat… but less out of anger and more out of trying to hype himself and the crowd up, which works as the fans are on their feet and solidly behind their fellow Canadian.
Bryan Bastard sits up to his knees as Parr runs to the ropes, charging in with a running knee to the face to take Bryan back down to the mat!
The Prodigy heads to the legs of Bryan, grabbing them again and stomping on the leg repeatedly before tying him up and turning him over into the Inverted Sharpshooter again!
Larry Stevens once again gets into position, checking in on BBB. Bryan shakes his head through the pain, still refusing to give in but he’s currently trapped in the middle of the ring! Parr isn’t letting go, and is cinching the move in tighter. While Larry keeps asking Bryan, the champion begins to claw his way across the canvas…
Inching toward the rope while Parr cranks back on the legs, applying more and more pressure as Bryan lets out a scream of pain as he continues his effort to reach the ropes.
Closer and closer Bryan gets…
He reaches his arm out… not quite there! He’s so closer…
But Parr releases the hold!
And he PULLS BRYAN BACK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!
AND HE REAPPLIES THE INVERTED SHARPSHOOTER!
He kneels back further, Bryan can’t take much more.
Rod Sterling: “Big Bryan Bastard may have used whatever energy he has left trying to get to the ropes… he looks like he’s fading!”
Larry Steven kneels down with Bryan… his eyes are starting to roll… but no, he opens them wide! He digs down deep and once again begins to try and use whatever inner strength he can find… what fuel he has left in the tank..
To once again begin to crawl…
He inches his way toward the rope… but Parr sits back further!
Bryan’s face shows the agony as it looks like he’s about to tap…
DING. DING. DING!
Parr releases the hold, holding his arms up in victory!
But Bryan never tapped!
Larry Stevens rushes over to break the news to Parr…
Winner: Draw via time limit at 60:00.
Parr drops to his knees, exhausted and clearly disappointed as Bryan crawls his way to the corner, leaning back, resting his head on the middle turnbuckle.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Unbelievable! Sixty minutes of action and nothing is determined! But that ust means Bryan Bastard retains the title and will beat Mike Parr’s record of longest North American title reign!”
Kurt Harrington: “Ladies and gentlemen… this match is a time limit draw!”
The crowd boos loudly, voicing their displeasure in the outcome while Mike Parr shakes his head vehemently. He leans against the ropes, demanding the microphone from Harrington. Harrington shrugs his shoulders and hands the microphone over.
Mike Parr: “No! No! This isn’t how it ends. You know… what has to happen… Bryan… you know… what we gotta do….”
Bryan watches, seated from the corner, trying to catch his breath while clutching his leg in pain.
Mike Parr: “FIVE. MORE. MINUTES!”
The crowd pops loudly and begins to chant in approval: “FIVE MORE MINUTES! FIVE MORE MINUTES!”
But Bryan doesn’t quite seem as enthusiastic about the prospect. But he remains in the corner, not giving a response.
Mike Parr: “Come on Bryan… we’ve come this far! You came here to prove you can beat me right? To prove your the best North American Champion of all time? RIGHT? WELL YOU HAVEN’T DONE IT! YOU HAVEN’T BEATEN ME!”
Back in the corner, Bryan sneers before grabbing the middle ropes and pulling himself to his feet.
Bryan hobbles to the center of the ring to meet Parr. He grabs the microphone.
Bryan Baxter: “You want five more minutes? YOU GOT FIVE MORE FUCKING MINUTES!”
Larry Steven rushes to take the microphone and gets rid of it to ringside, signaling that this match isn’t over yet!
Rod Sterling: “We’ve got overtime, ladies and gentlemen! I know it’s getting late but stick with us, we aren’t going anywhere!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Getting late? It’s almost midnight, Rod!”
Rod Sterling: “There’s no sleeping at a time like this, Jean-Luc! Let’s get a decisive winner of this thing.”
As the bell rings once again to continue the match, Bryan and Parr begin to just wail away at one another in the center of the ring as the fans cheer in delight. Bryan breaks up the slugfest with a knee to the midsection to double Parr over before setting Parr up for a powerbomb. He lifts the Prodigy up, but Parr rains down some right hands to Bryan’s forehead… and Bryan falls backward, Parr landing on top, reaching back to cradle his legs for a pin!
One!
Two!
The…
Bryan reverses it into a pinning combination of his own!
One!
Two!
The…
Parr kicks out and flips forward into another pinning combination.
One!
Two!
Thre - Kickout!
Both competitors slowly pull themselves up and Bryan strikes first with a rolling forearm shot that sends Parr backward into the ropes, before coming back into powerslam from Bryan Bastard!
One!
Two!
Three! NO!
Staggering back up, Bryan pulls Prod back up with him… and he sets him up… looking for the Bastard Driver…
He lifts Parr up in the air…
HIS LEG BUCKLES!
PARR FALLS DOWN ONTOP OF BRYAN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
NO!
SHOULDER UP!
Baxter clutches at his leg in pain as Parr rolls off of him… and grabs Bryan’s legs and then locks in the Inverted Sharpshooter once again!
He pulls back on that leg, wrenching back the submission as Bryan reaches his arms out… the ring position isn’t as favorable for Parr now but the pain has become overwhelming for Baxter…
He reaches for the ropes… he needs to find the strength for just a couple of inches…
He reaches out…
Soo close…. He can almost touch it…
But the pain is too much!
BRYAN TAPS!
Winner: Mike Parr via submission at 63:56.
Mike Parr releases the hold, falling down to the mat in exhaustion and shock. He had done it. He had defeated Bryan Baxter and once again become the FWA North American Champion!
Kurt Harrington: “The winner of this match and NEW FWA North American Champion… MIKE PARR!”
Rod Sterling: “The Prodigy has done it once again! He breaks his own record for a FIFTH North American title reign!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I do not believe my eyes, Rod! Did I fall asleep? Am I dreaming?”
Rod Sterling: “You’re not dreaming, Jean-Luc! Not only has Mike Parr reclaimed the North American championship but he’s also done something no one else has done - made Big Bryan Bastard submit!”
Mike Parr begins to get to his feet while Bryan crawls to the ropes, using the ropes to pull himself up his knees, he leans through the ropes. The disappointment is evident on the face of the now former North American Champion.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Tonight for Baxter was suppose to for him… the night he vanquished the challenge of Mike Parr, the only obstacle standing between him and the title of “greatest North American Champion” of all time…but it was not to be. And the look on that face tells us everything we need to know about what’s going through the mind of Big Bryan Bastard.”
Rod Sterling: “And instead it’s Parr who starts his fifth reign and will now have to look to defend it in the F1, fulfilling what Bryan started… what a night it’s been… it’s been a night many will never forget… and look at the time, we’ve rolled over into Friday!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Wait… just past midnight? You know what that means, Rod?”
Rod Sterling: “It’s way past your bedtime?’
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, besides that. It’s Day 454! While Bryan Baxter may not have held on to BEAT Mike Parr’s record… but those five extra minutes have earned himself a TIE with Parr as the longest title reign in history!”
Rod Sterling: “I don’t believe it but you are right, Jean-Luc. Parr may have defended his record but now he’ll instead share it with Bryan. 454 days… both these men have held this title… but for Mike Parr… his fifth reign starts with Day 1.”
Kurt Harrington hands the North American title to Larry Stevens, who begins to head over to hand it over to Parr…
But Bryan stops him! Baxter pulls the title away from Larry!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Oh here we go. Now we’re going to see the Bastard. He’s going to let Mike Parr have it here!”
Parr turns around, coming face to face with Bryan now holding the North American title. Bryan limps over to The Prodigy… Prod prepares himself to continue the fight…
But Bryan…
…holds the belt out to him!
Mike eyes Bryan and then the belt, taking it from the former champion as Bryan then extends his hand out to the new champion. Parr seems unsure but he does take Bryan by the hand, ending the night with an unlikely handshake between the competitors, the crowd cheering in approval.
Rod Sterling: “That was certainly not what I was expecting there… Big Bryan Bastard with a rare sign of respect to an opponent as he willingly hands over the title!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “These two men are now linked together in the history books as the two top North American title reigns of all time! And we could very well see them going at it again soon depending on the outcome of the F1. I certainly wouldn’t argue with an encore.”
Bryan Baxter exits the ring, gingerly climbing down off the apron as Mike Parr is left alone in the ring.
Rod Sterling: “What a night it’s been wrestling fans! Mike Parr is our new North American champion! We will see you next week for Fight Night and King of the Deathmatch! You won’t want to miss either show!”
The show comes to a close as Mike Parr celebrates his victory amid the fanfare of the Canadian crowd, holding the title high.
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Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 15:35:48 GMT
EARLIER TODAY
Todd Salum: “We’re here inside Korakuen Hall ahead of Fight Night later on this evening and I’m standing by here with the now forrmer FWA North American champion…”
Bryan Baxter: ”Tread lightly, Toddrick.”
Triple B gives an intense glare toward the interviewer, clearly still the word former still stinging.
Todd Salum: “Yes.. Sorry… yes, it was a tough loss for Bryan Baxter at the North American Showdown, but all hope is not loss. Because winning the F1 brings that title right back to you.
Bryan Baxter: ”And that’s exactly…”
???: “And that’s exactly what he’s going to do!”
Bryan is interrupted by a familiar voice as a familiar face walks in on the shot. It’s Mr. Bill Scorpane, Bryan’s former manager and more recently been seen as nephew OBB, or Ol’ Billy Boy.
Bill Scorpane: “That’s right, Toad… I’m back to where I belong! Because Bryan Baxter IS going to win the F1 because he’ll have me by his side. Tonight, ole Chrissy won’t know what hit him. Just like last time… in last year’s F1… I was right there in your corner to help you defeat that disco dancing dumbass… and tonight, we’re gonna do it again, big man!”
Todd Salum: “Well, what a turn of events… Mr. Scorpane is back in the corner of…
Bryan Baxter: ”Now wait just a goddamn minute… he don’t speak for me.”
Bill Scorpane: “Haha! Of course I do, Bryan. That’s quite literally my job.”
Bryan Baxter: ”I told you I didn’t want or need your help. You chose the Nephews, so go hang out with them. Go on another cosmic adventure. I don’t really care where you go… just don’t go to the ring tonight.”
A fired up Baxter pushes his way past Scorpane, who doesn’t look too pleased as he adjusts his suspends on his fancy suit.
Bill Scorpane: “Huh? What’s gotten into him? Aww, I’m sure it’ll be fine. I know what’s best for the boy. He’ll see.”
A smile returns to the face of Mr. Scorpane as he gives a nod to Todd before walking off, as Todd signs off.
the FWA proudly presents
FIGHT NIGHT.
only on the WCNetwork.
Saturday 16th March, 2024.
Live from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
After some sweeping shots of the interior of the historic Korakuen Hall and the excited FWA fans occupying it. Quickly though, attention shifts to the commentary table with the old Fight Night crew back together - Rod Sterling, Daniella Kennedy and Christian Quinn.
Rod Sterling: "Welcome one and all to the return of FWA Fight Night! It is a very familiar feeling for me sitting in between Daniella Kennedy and Christian Quinn - the gang is back together!”
Daniella Kennedy: "A pleasure to be here, Rod. There are three very important matches tonight and I’m looking forward to having a front row seat for all of them!”
Rod Sterling: "That’s right, Daniella. Whilst we were originally due to have FIVE matches on tonight’s card, outside circumstances have prevented that from being the case. As announced earlier this week on FWA.com, the Television Championship match between Brooklyn Steiner and Madison Gray has been pulled due to injuries suffered by both competitors in the last week.
In addition, due to travel issues being experienced by BOTH teams, the FWA World Tag Team Championship match has been POSTPONED. Jay Kenny and Donny Toner will defend their championships on Fallout 039 instead from Sapporo here in Japan.”
Christian Quinn: "A big shame, but the show much go-”
Suddenly, Korakuen Hall is plunged into darkness. An audible gasp emerges from the stands as the watching crowd wonders what is happening. Suddenly, a number of figures become visible among them in the darkness. They can be distinguished from the pitch black by the multi-coloured fluorescent shapes on their outfits… which resemble skulls on their heads and bones covering the rest of their bodies.
Christian Quinn: "What are those? Are they skeletons?”
Rod Sterling: "I would assume so, Christian, and that makes plenty of sense considering what match we have coming up next! Oh… HERE WE GO!”
{SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS || PEARSIX BEARGHOST}[MEDIA=youtube]1mrGdGMNsv0[/MEDIA] The crowd starts to cheer and the skeletons in the crowd begin to dance in unison, lifting their arms and knees up in time with the music. Once the beat drops, the lights start to flicker and the skeletons begin to run through the crowd towards the ring and the entrance way. The camera shifts there where Halloween Knight is the first member of TR1CK or TR4SH to emerge, shimmying forwards with a chair in his hand. He is followed by Juan Tothrefor, who shows the appropriate amount of respect to the historic venue. Bringing up the rear is Trash Mammal, who crawls along the ground, taking in the various different scents on the ground. The bell chimes as the three make their way to the ring.
Kurt Harrington: "The following contest is a Trios Match scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit, and it is for the FWA TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIPS! Introducing first, the challengers… at a combined weight of six-hundred and seventy-seven pounds… JUAN TOTHREFOR, TRASH MAMMAL and HALLOWEEN KNIGHT… THEY ARE… TR1CK OR TR4SH!!!!”
Daniella Kennedy: "Well, it is definitely true that the FWA fans have become enamoured with the spooky antics of these three men and they’ve proven to not be a bad team at all, guys. Undefeated in Trios action here in the FWA.”
Christian Quinn: "These guys are undefeated? Who the hell have they been facing? The vampire and the guy wearing the bikini?!”
Rod Sterling: "I’ll have you know, Christian, that these three might not look the most conventional of competitors, when that bell rings they are just as dangerous as anyone on the roster. Juan Tothrefor is a pupil of Chubby Carlos back in Art of Lucha Wrestling, Halloween Knight has decades of experience under his belt and recently mixed things up with the likes of Chris Peacock and Big Bryan Bastard… and as for Trash Mammal, they wouldn’t be getting this opportunity were it not for him claiming a briefcase as part of the Secular Spectacular match at the beginning of the year.”
TR1CK or TR4SH enter the ring as a group, with Trash Mammal scurrying under the bottom rope whilst Juan and Halloween Knight vault themselves over the top. Halloween Knight does another dance for the fans before the aesthetic inside Korakuen Hall returns to normal, only to then go dark once again…
{TAKE ME TO CHURCH || HOZIER (MILCK COVER)}[MEDIA=youtube]f4UhdgBVtVc[/MEDIA]
The watching fans are in awe at the mesmerising entrance of The Coven. Blair Ravenwood makes a point to be at the forefront, with her sister Celestia to her left. On her right is Grandma Ethel… because Bellatrix Bordeaux is bringing up the rear. ‘The Hex Girl’ has her head bowed down and obscured by her hanging hair. The Ravenwood sisters and Bordeaux are all wearing a Trios Championship belt around their waists and with a snap of her fingers, Blair leads the group towards the ring. Trixie has her fists clenched and due to how slow she is walking, lags behind the group somewhat.
Kurt Harrington: "Their opponents… accompanied by Grandma Ethel… from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania… they are the FWA Trios Champions… BLAIR RAVENWOOD, CELESTIA RAVENWOOD and BELLATRIX BOOOOOORDEEAAAUUXXX… THEY ARE THEEEEEEEE COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVENNNN!!!”
Christian Quinn: "That chick at the back… is she all there?”
Rod Sterling: "Trixie Bordeaux is fully in the midst of preparing for her second King of the Deathmatch tournament and something tells me that her training and preparations have taken her to a somewhat dark place. That could spell bad news for TR1CK or TR4SH, who are looking to dethrone The Coven, who have impressively held the FWA Trios Championships since Back in Business last year, where they became the inaugural title holders.”
Daniella Kennedy: "The Coven are of course short one member tonight in their leader, Kleio De Santos, who we understand is preparing her own entry in the tournament. However from the looks of things here, it seems that Blair Ravenwood has taken on a de facto leadership role here tonight in Tokyo.”
Christian Quinn: "That’s good. If a leader is not present on the battlefield then someone needs to step up. That’s some good initiative being shown by Blair here.”
Grandma Ethel complains of hip pain which prevents her from getting into the ring, so she urges the younger members of the group to enter ahead of her. Blair confidently strides up the steps with Celestia right behind her. Trixie rolls under the bottom rope and into the ring. She sees the Ravenwoods posing for the cameras in the middle of the ring, but her eye gets drawn to their opponents as the luchadors are huddled in a corner to discuss game plan…
BORDEAUX CHARGES IN AND THROWS HERSELF AT HER OPPONENTS!! The lighting quickly turns to normal inside Korakuen Hall as Trixie slams Halloween Knight’s head into the mat repeatedly. Both Trash Mammal and Juan Tothrefor attempt to remove her from their partner, but synchronised Dropkicks from Blair and Celestia knock them through the ropes and out of the ring!
Rod Sterling: "Looks like Trixie didn’t want to hang around and wait for any of the formalities… and The Coven acted quicker than TR1CK or TR4SH to start the match off on the strong foot!”
FIRST MATCH | 1/20.
The Coven (Trixie Bordeaux, Blair Ravenwood, and Celestia Ravenwood) [c] vs. TR1CK or TR4SH (Juan Tothrefor, Halloween Knight, and Trash Mammal).
Trios Match for the FWA Trios Championships.
Match Writer: Man.
The bell rings and both Ravenwood sisters are ordered to leave the ring, with Trixie left to stomp on Halloween Knight’s chest as he tries to pull himself out under the bottom rope. However Bordeaux is tenacious and pulls him towards the middle of the ring by a boot. This does allow Knight to crack off a kick to Trixie’s face that knocks her back slightly. This gives Knight the space to kip up from the mat to applause from the fans. He does a small dance upon landing, but this only leaves time for Trixie to take him down with a Thesz Press.
Whilst on top of Halloween Knight, Trixie slaps him across the head and face several times and then slams his head into the mat repeatedly.
Christian Quinn: "You can’t be going around throwing down dance moves like that when there’s gold on the line! I’m not surprised at all that she's punishing him for that.”
Halloween Knight manages to get up and push his smaller opponent away, but Trixie catches him with a boot to the midsection. She strikes him on the back a couple of times and then rakes her fingernails down Halloween Knight’s back. Even with the costume on, this seems to cause Knight a lot of discomfort. Trixie slaps on a Headlock, but Halloween Knight evades it by pushing her away, however he maintains wrist control and tries to bring her in for a Clothesline, but Bordeaux ducks it.
She continues forward and hits the ropes and comes back at Halloween Knight with TORPEDO TRIXIE!!! Bordeaux’s head collides with Halloween Knight’s chest and knocks him flat onto the mat, and she goes for an early cover;
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!
The rest of TR1CK or TR4SH break up the pin attempt! Juan and Trash Mammal shove Trixie from on top of their partner and there is a stand off as they berate Trixie for attacking them before the bell. Bordeaux does not say anything in response, looking almost conflicted, but once again she gets back up from Blair and Celestia, who stand next to her. Halloween Knight is pulled up by his partners and the two teams find themselves standing off in the middle of the ring.
Rod Sterling: "These two groups have actually not had much to do with each other in recent times, due to other commitments, but I think quite a lot of animosity has developed due to how Bellatrix Bordeaux chose to start this match off.”
Daniella Kennedy: "TR1CK or TR4SH strike me as some pretty fun guys, but we’ve seen from their record that they are no pushovers. I do think they wanted a nice, clean match… but didn’t take too kindly to getting jumped before the bell.”
There are jibes hurled back and forth between both teams - only by Blair and Celestia for The Coven as Trixie stands in quiet anger - and both teams meet in the middle of the ring! In the exchange of strikes, The Coven are superior much to the chagrin of the watching fans. All three witches attempt a heavy strike at the same time, and all three luchadors duck it… TRES SUPERKICKS!! All three Coven members are taken down by the kicks and they roll out of the ring to regroup.
Grandma Ethel scurries around the ring to join the girls, encouraging them to get up and Blair brings them in together to give out instructions of how to regain the advantage. Celestia calls out as she sees Halloween Knight charging towards them… but he puts on the brakes just before the ropes! There is a small moment of relief for The Coven, but Halloween Knight shouts “BOO!”... AND JUAN TOTHREFOR FLIES FROM THE TOP ROPE WITH A CROSS BODY, LANDING SQUARELY ON CELESTIA!!
That was the first Jump Scare, and the second comes when TRASH MAMMAL WIPES BLAIR OUT WITH A TOPE SUICIDA!! It is just Trixie Bordeaux left standing, but not for long… as Halloween Knight elevates himself over the top and flattens her down with a PLANCHA!!!
Daniella Kennedy: "The Coven are not the only purveyors of magic it would seem, as TR1CK or TR4SH had a couple of tricks of their own up their sleeves!”
Halloween Knight scoops Trixie up from the floor and rolls her back into the ring, hooking a leg for a pin attempt;
ONE… NO!
A few heads are turned by Bordeaux kicking out at just one, and Halloween Knight is quick to roll over to the TxT corner where he tags in Trash Mammal, who enters to good support from the crowd. Trixie is back to her feet and she attempts to slap the rodent, but Basura expertly transitions the attempted strike into an Arm Drag. Trixie is back up immediately and her charge in attempt is avoided by Trash Mammal with a leapfrog. Trash Mammal then drops to the mat as she approaches once again, and trips her over!
Trixie rolls through though and she runs in towards Trash Mammal, who goes low again, but Trixie jumps up into the air and double stomps onto his back! From there, Bordeaux notes that her partners are back on the apron, so she tags in Celestia and gets onto the apron herself. Ravenwood wrings Trash Mammal’s arm and then brings him in close for a knee strike to the midsection. When she tries to wring his arm once more, Basura rolls through and takes Celestia over with an Arm Drag! She gets back up and is caught by another, and this time Trash Mammal holds her in place for a second.
Able to escape, Celestia shoves Trash Mammal into the ropes, but does not notice when Juan Tothrefor slaps his partner on the back to tag himself in. Celestia catches Trash Mammal with a back elbow to cut him off, but she turns around into a Superkick to the midsection from Juan! Tothrefor connects with a second to the shin, then another to the knee to get Celestia down to one knee… and then a final Superkick to the jaw!
Rod Sterling: "Juan calls that combination the Counting Stars, and I think that is what Celestia Ravenwood could be doing right about now!”
Juan drops to his knees and goes for a lateral press on one of the champions;
ONE… TWO… NO!!!
Daniella Kennedy: "TRIXIE BREAKS UP THE PIN… and NOW SHE’S GOING AFTER JUAN!”
Trixie connected with a knee to Juan’s head to break the pin up, and despite not being the legal competitor in the match, she gets on top of him and starts to rain strikes down onto his head! After emphatically slamming Juan’s head down onto the mat, she is able to get a couple more licks in when the referee’s focus is instead on preventing the rest of TR1CK or TR4SH from getting into the ring to stop her! Trixie even begins to choke Juan out with her forearm, and it is only once the luchadors have calmed down does the referee force her to stop.
Rod Sterling: "This really is some shift in attitude from Bordeaux here tonight, folks. I’m not sure where the shy and timid girl who we are used to seeing has disappeared to, but tonight she looks like a cold-blooded killer. It is haunting - pun not intended.”
Christian Quinn: "Hey, from what I gather, she’s one who is on the cusp of moving on up to that next level here in the FWA. Maybe a change of heart and something you know, a bit more mature, is what she’s needed this entire time. I wouldn’t go around picking on a fight with her if this is how she’s going to be, that’s for sure. Attacking people before the bell and using any chance to inflict punishment; that’s some ruthless stuff… and you have got to be ruthless to win.”
The fans are not happy with Bordeaux as she regains some advantage for The Coven. Celestia smartly prevents Juan from reaching his partners and drags him towards the middle of the ring and closer to the Coven corner. Grandma Ethel claps with pride at the smart ring awareness. Celestia reaches up and tags in her sister, and Blair enters the ring. Despite no longer being legal, Celestia grabs Juan but he wriggles free. Blair though acts quickly and Dropkicks Juan in the back of his knee, and Celestia then follows up with one to his chest!
That takes Juan down onto the mat, and Blair stomps on him a couple of times, before lifting him up from the mat. Blair quickly tags Celestia back in and together, they lift the much larger Juan up… and place him in the Tree of Woe! Juan waves his arms around as Celestia takes a few steps back and lines him up… and Penalty Kicks him straight in the face! Juan’s body goes limp, and Celestia tags Blair back in, who hits the ropes quickly… and smushes Juan’s face with a Low Dropkick!
Trixie reaches over the ropes and tags herself in, and once inside she charges across the ring and knocks Halloween Knight from the apron with a running forearm! The referee is trying to help Juan down unsuccessfully, so he fails to notice when Trixie drops down to avoid a Trash Mammal strike and she punches him in between the legs! Trash Mammal drops to the floor in pain next to his partner.
Christian Quinn: "She just punched a rat in the dick. She punched a rat in the dick.”
The referee is unable to free Juan from the Tree of Woe, so he is left in prime position for Bordeaux to charge in and crush him against the corner with the BUNDLE OF FUN!!! The Cannonball has enough power behind it to cause Juan to fall from the corner, and Trixie flips him onto his back;
ONE… TWO… THRE-NO!!!
Daniella Kennedy: "A kick out from Juan - that’s a four-time Art of Lucha Television Champion right there, this guy is not going to go down easily.”
Rod Sterling: "Unless you’re Johnny Johnson.”
The kick out causes Trixie to scream primally and she begins to lay into Juan with more punches to his head. Each one lands hard, and Juan does his best to get some form of defence up against them, but it proves futile. Juan does manage to tie his feet up around the bottom rope, causing a break. Trixie is frustrated by this development, so she pulls him away and stomps on him several times. With Juan down on the canvas, Trixie looks down at him and then at the top turnbuckle. She begins to scale upwards, with her back to Juan, presumably for the WHISTLING TRIXIE-
{LUCHA LUCHA || CFO$}[MEDIA=youtube]U6rYDN0wEo4[/MEDIA]
Trixie pauses and looks back towards the entrance way, as does everyone else… and a very short balding man in a black singlet waddles out from the back!
Rod Sterling: "THAT’S LOU CHA! He was on Ground Zero with Trash Mammal and Halloween Knight… but what is he doing out here?”
Daniella Kennedy: "He’s saying something and pointing in Grandma Ethel’s direction! I think he’s coming out here to even up the numbers for TR1CK or TR4SH!”
Christian Quinn: "Why, though? She hasn’t done anything!”
Lou Cha, recognised by almost no one, gets in Grandma Ethel’s face and begins to berate her at ringside, telling her that he’s evening out the odds. Ethel, as with everyone else, is extremely confused. However Lou’s interlude in the match is quickly over as TRIXIE FLATTENS HIM WITH THE WHISTLING TRIXIE FROM THE TOP ROPE DOWN TO THE FLOOR!!! The crowd cheer loudly for the death-defying move, and Bordeaux then stomps on Lou’s face on her way back into the ring with a stern warning not to get involved again.
Trixie slides back into the ring… and STRAIGHT INTO A FALCON ARROW FROM JUAN TOTHREFOR!!! The fans cheer as Juan hooks both of her legs -
ONE… TWO… NO!!!
Despite Trixie being momentarily distracted by Lou Cha’s arrival, she kicked out of the Falcon Arrow and both she and Juan rise to their feet at the same time and run towards each other with the same idea… and both collide in mid-air going for running cross bodies! Both legal participants are down, and make their way towards their partners for a tag. Trixie is much quicker in bringing Blair into the match, who sprints across the ring and tries to stop Juan… but he leaps… AND TAGS IN HALLOWEEN KNIGHT!
Knight is unable to leave the apron as Blair closes in on him, but he catches her with a Gamenguiri as she approaches him. This causes her to recoil, and Halloween Knight lifts himself up onto the top rope and steadies himself - as Trash Mammal tags himself in on Juan’s boot - HORRORCANRANA!!! Blair is flipped over and ends up back on her feet in The Coven’s corner, allowing Celestia to reach over and tag herself in. Halloween Knight rises to his feet and begins dancing after hitting his move… but BLAIR CRACKS HIM IN THE HEAD WITH THE SHINING WITCH!!!!
Daniella Kennedy: "Huge impact with that one from Blair Ravenwood, and everything is starting to really break down here. Look out for Trash Mammal!”
No sooner is Blair back up after sending Halloween Knight under the bottom rope with her move is Trash Mammal behind her… and he drops her with the RABIES SHOT!!! She holds the back of her head and Trash Mammal gets on top of her for the pin attempt - but the referee does not count because it is Celestia that is legal instead! Trash Mammal tries to plead his case, but gets a kick directly to the face for his troubles instead from Celestia!
As Celestia rises up to her feet, Juan is back in the ring and lining her up… but Trixie screams loudly once more and runs at him… and they both go over the top rope thanks to Trixie’s Cactus Clothesline!!! This once again leaves just Celestia and Trash Mammal on their own in the ring, with the latter very dazed after the kick to the whiskers.
Rod Sterling: "Celestia Ravenwood has the chance to end this here for The Coven. Will their reign continue here in Tokyo?”
Christian Quinn: "It looks like it could be about to go down that way, Rod. This rodent guy is not in a good way whatsoever!”
Celestia pulls herself up onto the top turnbuckle and holds out her arms to pose for the crowd as Trash Mammal waits below. She takes flight… HEX BOMB… BUT TRASH MAMMAL ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!!! Getting straight back up, Celestia holds her lower back and staggers into the path of Trash Mammal… who rolls her up!!!
Daniella Kennedy: "HE’S PLAYING POSSUM!!!”
ONE!
…
TWO!!
…
Trixie tries to slide back in… but Juan holds her boot!
…
THREE!!!!
{RESULT}Winners: TR1CK or TR4SH via pin fall at 16:13
Loud cheers burst through Korakuen Hall as the spooky techno music blares out once more and Celestia bursts out of the trapping pin with a look of shock on her face. She exchanges a glance with Trixie, who appears devastated… with Blair and Grandma Ethel having the same visages on their faces, too.
Kurt Harrington: "Here are your winners AND NEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW FWA Trios Champions… TR1CK ORRRRRRRR TR4SH!!!!”
As The Coven are stunned into silence, Trash Mammal jumps up from the mat and starts jumping around the ring, before being joined by Juan and Halloween Knight. A weary and battered Lou Cha hoists himself into the ring as well, and the group welcome him into the huddle.
Daniella Kennedy: "The historic first reign as FWA Trios Champions for The Coven is officially over! For over eight months these witches held dominion over this division and these championships, but they have been dethroned by the unlikeliest of opponents here at Fight Night!”
Rod Sterling: "A definite underdog story comes to life, Daniella. These are three individuals that were judged and cast aside because they dared to be different but write them off at your peril! There are new champions in town and their names are Juan, Knight and Basura!”
The Coven maintain their shock as they regroup and start heading towards the back. Ethel does her best to comfort the disappointed girls and can be heard reassuring them.
Christian Quinn: "The Coven will be gutted by that result, there’s no doubt about it, but they have the King of the Deathmatch tournament to worry about first. The inquest over how they lost this match and their journey to reclaiming them can begin once that is over and done with.”
The celebrations in the ring are only just beginning though as TR1CK or TR4SH are handed their newly-won championships by the referee. Juan drops to his knees and looks upwards, reciting a prayer whilst Halloween Knight dances enthusiastically. Lou Cha attempts to look at Trash Mammal’s belt and is shunned. The party seems in full swing as we fade away…
We cut to a feed showing a clip from Fallout 38, one that was never before seen. XYZ is shown walking down a hall, when he’s suddenly dragged into a utility closet as he walks past!
XYZ’s calm demeanor is unchanged. A chain is pulled and a light clicks on, to reveal Blair Ravenwood alone as she emerges from the darkness.
Blair Ravenwood: “Hello friend.”
XYZ: “Friend?”
Blair Ravenwood: “Haven’t you heard that saying before? The enemy of my enemy…is my friend.”
XYZ: “Oh, I have heard of this slogan of the mouth. And … who is this enemy you reference?”
Blair Ravenwood: “Who is yours?”
XYZ: “I have many or few. They light up the night’s sky one day and leave it pitch black the next.”
Blair Ravenwood: “And yet who is the one who wakes up every morning cursing your name, all because you maybe didn’t smile at her the right way, or accidentally took the last donut off the concession table. Kleio De Santos…she is your enemy. So much so that you may not even realize it. As we speak, she is probably plotting on how to take you out, capitalize on whatever misfortune she can provide you. Well, I’m here to offer an alternative.”
XYZ: “An alternative? To what?”
Blair Ravenwood: “To being another one of her many victims…”
XYZ contemplates for a moment. Rubbing his fingers on his chin.
XYZ: “And what is it you are proposing regarding Kleio of the De Santos?”
Blair Ravenwood: “We team up. You join my plot to take down Kleio De Santos. You get rid of a pest that just hasn’t gone away, despite you beating her at Back in Business last year. And I get rid of someone who is leading my stable down a dark and dreary path. It is a win-win.”
XYZ doesn’t respond. He simply continues to stare at and study Blair.
She eventually quits waiting for a response.
Blair Ravenwood: “Think about it, and get back to me. But my offer is a standing one, and it’s one you won’t regret taking”
Blair walks past XYZ, leaving him in the utility closet alone, with a lot to think about.
The broadcast shifts focus to a Twitch stream hosted by none other than Jackson Fenix. It appears as though it’s not live and was streamed prior to Fight Night. Jackson has his streaming headset on as well as his usual Britney Spears t-shirt, an Oops!...I Did It Again Tour t-shirt to be specific. The stream appears to be close to coming to an end for the day as Jackson addresses his viewers after finishing up a game of Fall Guys with a win.
Jackson Fenix: “What a great way to end the stream with a win! Great stream chat! Thank you all for coming out today to hang and watch me play games for a few hours, I appreciate it!”
He starts to read the chat and sees something that catches his attention.
Jackson Fenix: “Before I go though there’s something I should mention. It was just brought up in the chat and I feel like I should say something, so what better time than now, I suppose. Anyway, y'all know that Carnal Contendership is coming up, right? Do you remember last year’s event? I know I do, I can’t forget it. I came so close to winning the whole thing but it just wasn’t meant to be, but hey, I did do well enough that earned me a spot in the Steel Roulette. We all know how that turned out though…”
“Well, I will be entering the Carnal Contendership once again this year, and this time I will win the whole thing. I know you’re all probably thinking that’s a big statement to make, but I’m confident in myself that I can do it. Look how far I made it last year, I know I can not only make it that far again but be the last one standing in the ring and punch my ticket to Back in Business.”
“You want to know what else will make this different from last year? Carnal Contendership will be in my backyard. That’s right, Carnal Contendership will be in my hometown of Las Vegas, and I can’t think of a better homecoming than winning the CC in front of my friends and family. I can’t lose, I can't let you down, and I can’t let myself down. Last year was the beginning of a new me that saw a lot of new opportunities that I earned, but every time I let y’all down. Not again, this year is my year, and it starts at CC in my hometown of Las Vegas, so if you’re a betting person you might want to bet on ol’ Jackie boy here because you’ll be a winner just like me!”
Jackson winks at the camera and flashes a smile before saying goodbye to his viewers as the stream ends.
{ “Wanted Dead or Alive” || Bon Jovi} [MEDIA=youtube]8SiS9ZWaCLY[/MEDIA]
The capacity crowd cheers wildly as the FWA X Champion, Tommy Bedlam, appears at the top of the ramp. The look on his face indicates that he’s all business tonight as he walks down the ramp, high-fiving a few of the fans along the way. Tommy steps into the ring, and in an unusual twist, walks over to the corner and motions for a mic. The music slowly fades out as Tommy looks around at the fans.
Tommy Bedlam: “In the months leading up to last year’s Back in Business, I went through hell because of Shawn Summers. He tormented me, he tormented Randi, and Walker, who wasn’t even born at that point felt the evil that is Shawn Summers.”
“When he challenged me to the Three Stages of Hell match and he had two titles, I knew that he’d do something sick for the third stage. What’d Shawn do? He told me that if I wanted a shot at ‘his’ titles, I’d have to put the naming rights to my kid on the line. And I did it.”
“I’ve gotta be honest here. Going into the match, I should’ve only cared about making sure that Shawn Summers didn’t get to name my kid. I should’ve only cared about making sure that I didn’t have a little ‘Shawn’ running around the house. But I wanted more than that. I wanted to take everything from that son of a bitch.”
“Round one, he beat me and kept his TV title. I was gutted. When I looked at him across the ring before the second round started, he had this sick, twisted look in his eyes, and I knew that I had already failed. But then, in the second round, I took this championship away from him.”
Tommy raises the X Championship in the air with one hand as the crowd cheers.
Tommy Bedlam: “Round three started, we’re all evened up at one apiece, and my kid’s name is on the line. Summers looked pissed, but not as confident, and I got him. Match ends, crowd goes wild, and he comes at me again. Thank God, my boy Chris Crowe came out and we flipped the switch on Summers.”
“I was in the back getting stitched up when Rocco came running in to tell me that Summers was dropping the TV title and skipping town. He took his ball and went home. Why? Because he didn’t break me. Ever since that night, I’ve done everything I could to restore some honor to the X Championship. I went to war with XYZ more than once. I’ve fought Keres. I’ve fought everyone who stepped up and said that they wanted a shot at this belt, and a few weeks back, I announced that I was going to put it on the line in the King of the Deathmatch Tournament.”
“That’s why it hurts me so damn bad to announce that I’m not going to be able to do that.”
The crowd is mostly confused before a chorus of boos rings out through the arena.
Tommy Bedlam: “Don’t get it twisted, this isn’t because I’m bitching out on defending this title. I’ve been broken and busted open more times than I can count over the last several months, and I’ve loved every second of it. The problem is, that I cannot receive medical clearance to compete in the King of the Deathmatch. There’s a fucking Texas bullrope match in this thing, and I don’t get to be a part of it.”
“Somewhere over the last few months, I’ve torn something in my shoulder, and it’s going to require surgery for me to have a chance at eventually coming back. I told Jon Russnow that I would sign a waiver, clearing FWA of any responsibility if something goes wrong in the tournament, but he shot that down. I got a second opinion, and all it did was confirm what the FWA doctors had already said. My shoulder is fucked up and the only way to fix it is to have surgery, and I’m gonna land on the shelf for a few months at best, and maybe longer. Maybe forever.”
The crowd has fallen dead silent as for the first time, Tommy shows some sort of emotion. He takes the title off his shoulder and holds it, looking down at the belt.
Tommy Bedlam: “With me not being in the King of the Deathmatch, I had to make a decision. I could go back on my word, hope this thing heals up pretty quick, and let the winner be the new number-one contender. Or, I could drop the X Title and let the King of the Deathmatch decide who takes my spot.”
“I’m ashamed to say it, but I went back and forth on it for a while. This belt has become a part of who I am since I pinned Summers for it. Every time that I’ve been scheduled to defend it, I’ve shown up and done it, but I can’t do that this time. With that in mind, I also don’t know how long I’m going to be out. A couple of years back, Jason Randall cracked some bones in my spine, and I came back 5 months later after doctors told me to take a year off. This time, they’re telling me 4 to 6 months. But I’ve also had to accept the fact that this might be the end of the road for Tommy Bedlam.”
“I’m not taking my ball and going home. Fuck that. Nobody ever pinned me and took this title from me. But you, the fans, deserve an X Champion who’s going to be here every week fighting, scrapping, and bleeding to hold onto this thing, and I cannot stand here and guarantee that I’m ever going to be able to do that again.”
Tommy drops the X Title in the middle of the ring and makes his way over toward the ropes. Suddenly, he stops and the crowd starts to cheer, assuming that he’s thought of a way out of this. Tommy returns to the middle of the ring and stands over the X title and then slowly steps out of his boots, sits them beside the championship, and waves to the crowd. He steps out of the ring and slowly makes his way up the ramp.
Sewing Reality: Unraveling the TORN Universe
[THE FOLLOWING OUT OF CHARACTER INTERVIEW SERIES WAS FILMED PRIOR TO ELIZABETH ROSE BECOMING A MEMBER OF "ETERNAL". ALL THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE TORN UNIVERSE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE KNOWN THAT THIS INTERVIEW SERIES HAS NO IMPACT ON THE IN-CHARACTER/IN-UNIVERSE WORLD OF THE FWA]
Episode 3: Her Truth
“Hello viewers of all shapes, sizes, types, and ages and welcome back to another edition of ‘Lights, Cameron, Action,’ with me, Cameron Lewis, where we go out of character and get more insight on your favorite sports entertainers. This is as real as it gets. On the first part of this series, we got our first look into the unique story of the TORN Universe with the creators of it, Slate Bass, and Eden. Last week, we got a look into the character of Princess Nova and the person behind her, Alexis Taylor. This week, in what is going to be perhaps the biggest episode, we are going to be talking to a woman that, well, nobody knows anything about. Yet. She’s probably the most mysterious aspect of the TORN Universe other than the universe itself. Everyone please welcome the woman behind the character known as “The Daughter of Demise” Keres.”
[MEDIA=youtube]2P5DMwnK47o[/MEDIA]
Out walks a woman with her black hair tied up in a ponytail and wearing very normal clothing. A pair of gray jeans, white and black Adidas, a black shirt with the music artist Billie Eilish on it, and a lime green jacket that’s slightly shorter than the shirt and has the sleeves rolled up to just below her elbows. Looking completely different to how she is within the FWA and the TORN Universe, this is Keres, or rather the woman that portrays her. She takes a seat on the set and reaches out to shake Cameron’s hand.
“Oh my god, I couldn’t be more excited to have you here! I have to admit, I half-expected you to show up in character, but here you are looking completely different to anything we’ve ever seen. Thank you SO much for being here!”
The woman puts on a happy smile, chuckles, and blushes a little bit before responding.
“It’s actually really cool to be here, Cameron. Getting to show a part of me that nobody has ever really seen before is definitely a little weird, but I’m happy to do it. Showing off a little bit of my street style and personality is awesome, but now it’s going to be harder to hide in public, haha.”
“Well, let me just say that you look great right now. And I’m a big fan of Billie Eilish too, is she an inspiration of yours?”
“Oh, for sure. I’m all about girl power and women’s empowerment and she’s always been a huge part of those conversations. It’s one of the reasons that you’ve seen a majority of women in the TORN Universe. The only male, so far, has been Slate.”
Cameron leans in to prod a little further.
“So far? So you’re saying there’s a possibility of more men in the TORN Universe?”
“So, we’re always planting seeds that can lead in multiple directions. Maybe there have been discussions about that. In terms of future ideas, that’s not something I can really talk about. We wouldn’t want to spoil any potential plans or get anyone’s hopes up and then not deliver on something.”
Cameron shuffles through some cards on her desk and gets them in order.
“Completely understand. Right now I would like to get a little personal and peel back some of your layers. Let’s give everyone an insight into who you are and finally answer some questions that have been on everyone’s mind since you exploded onto the scene in the world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment. I’m going to start with maybe the most important thing… We all know that your real name isn’t Keres, so, can you tell us what your real name is? We’re dying to know!”
Cameron excitedly shakes her arms in front of her in anticipation of the woman’s answer. The woman smiles and looks around at everyone in the studio.
“That’s the million dollar question. And yes, I’ve definitely come here to give you that answer… but I have to admit that I’m a little scared.”
“And why is that?”
The woman nervously rubs her hands in her lap while looking down. She looks back up at Cameron Lewis, who has a puzzled look on her face.
“My name… is Crystal Amery.”
Cameron Lewis pauses for a moment and stares at Crystal, as if that name pinged something in her brain. Then it hits her.
“Wait… Crystal Amery…”
Cameron hops up from her seat and puts her hands over her mouth out of shock and surprise.
“Crystal Amery?! The missing high school athlete from years ago?!”
“All grown up.”
The studio audience buzzes with shock and awe. Crystal still nervously rubs her hands together and her face becomes a flush shade of red. Cameron Lewis regains her composure and sits back down in her chair.
“Ok, wow. I was not expecting that. For those of you unaware, and please correct and add more context as needed Crystal, but this young woman right here disappeared at the age of 16. Her parents had no clue what her whereabouts were and, eventually, the search for her died down. But before that happened, Crystal was an astonishing high school athlete from Connecticut. Even with her small frame, she excelled in powerlifting, and on top of that she had won a few mixed martial arts tournaments. I guess this explains how you do what you do in the ring. But please, tell us what happened when you disappeared, all the rest is very secondary right now.”
Crystal folds her hands in her lap and looks up at Cameron Lewis. She rubs her lips together while trying to figure out the right words to say.
“Right. So… I’ll start off by saying that whole thing about my parents not knowing where I was? Well that’s a complete lie. They knew where I was. They knew damn well where I was. I left them a note when I ran away from home.”
“You ran away? They made it seem like so much more than that. They had everyone thinking you were kidnapped or killed.”
“Of course they would do that. They needed a sob story to tell. They couldn’t let everyone know that their darling daughter got sick of their [CENSORED] and their abuse and left to chase her dream of being a wrestler. With no money, nobody to help, and no real destination, a 16 year old girl ran away from her uncaring parents and hitchhiked to the south. Oh, and let me clarify something because this really got under my skin when I was with them… My ‘father’ was actually my stepdad. They always lied to everyone.”
Cameron tosses half of the cards in her hands completely out of frame and reshuffles the remaining cards around.
“Wow, alright, so this episode took an unexpected turn. What a shocking development… uhm, so why did you run away? And how did you stay under the radar? Obviously it’s been a few years and you look different now so that might be part of it.”
“Yeah, changing up my appearance was a part of it. As most of you all probably remember, I was a blonde but for some reason my eyebrows were a really dark black, so I was incredibly recognizable. I decided to dye my hair to match my eyebrows and then that combined with the fact that I was hiding in the south, it was pretty easy to stay away from those that knew me.”
“I have to ask again, why did you run away? You portrayed your mom and stepdad in a negative light, so what drove you away from them?”
“They’re horrible people. My mom only cared about how successful I could be for her benefit. She wanted me to make money to fuel her lifestyle, which was just all partying and drinking. Even though we lived in Connecticut, we were far from wealthy. Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t dirt broke either, I guess you could say we were middle class. But yeah, she wanted her star athlete daughter to fill her bank account, so I’m glad that me running away pulled that opportunity from her.”
“And your stepdad? What about him?”
Crystal leans back in her seat, puts her hands in her pockets, looks up at the ceiling and takes a long, deep breath.
“There’s no other way for me to put this. I wanted him to die. I still do, because that’s how he made me feel about myself too. How my mother could let a man like that into our home… I will never understand. No matter what I did in powerlifting or martial arts, or even before that when I was trying to be a cheerleader or get into acting, he always said I sucked… And sure, while that’s not something you should be saying to a kid that’s trying to be their best, it’s not the worst thing in the world…”
“Crystal, before you continue, I can see this is bothering you a lot. If you’d like to switch topics, we can do that. If you want to stay on this one then you can continue, it’s up to you. I’ll follow your lead.”
Crystal leans forward in her seat and looks down at the floor. She lets out another deep breath and then looks over at Cameron.
“No, I’m here to tell everyone about me and tell my story. My truth. And this connects to how, and why, I became the character Keres alongside Slate, Eden, and Nova. I heard you say things would probably get censored, so I’m going to say [CENSORED] that man. Without getting overly graphic on your show… that poor excuse of a man abused me in unspeakable ways. Not only that, but he beat my mother so bad that she lost my unborn sister. The only positive thing about that is that she didn’t have to grow up with that thing as her biological father and didn’t have to go through what I experienced.”
Crystal has tears in her eyes as she says this. Seeing her emotional state, Cameron comes out from behind her desk and gives Crystal a tight hug as the studio audience claps and shares their approval for Crystal. Letting go of the hug, Cameron goes back behind her desk.
“Crystal, you’re incredibly brave. I’m so happy that you’re here. You’re so strong for saying and doing what you just did and I’m so sorry that you had to go through all of that. I feel bad for having to ask this, but I just need to know more about your story… What happened to your biological father?”
“He passed away when I was young. I don’t have any memories of him. From what I know, he was coming home from work one day and another driver ran a red light and slammed into his car head on. Died instantly. All I have from him is my name. He called me his ‘little gem’ when I was born, according to my mom. Even though I never knew him, I hope he’s proud of me.”
The studio audience applauds Crystal Amery, as does Cameron Lewis.
“Alright, Crystal, I want to thank you for sharing everything that you have. Thank you for being vulnerable and affording me the opportunity to speak with you like this.”
“Of course Cameron, your show has always been a favorite of mine. I wouldn’t have done this for anyone else.”
“I appreciate that very much. So, now I want to shift onto the topic of how you met Slate and Eden and got involved in the TORN Universe. When and where did this happen?”
“I owe my life to Slate Bassignani and Eden Martinelli. Those two people are more family to me than my actual family ever was. They discovered me when I was on the independent scene, I was rolling around between the south and the east coast scene and trying to make a name for myself, but I just couldn’t get anything solid going. I didn’t have much of a character but I had skill in the ring and creative ideas. One day Slate was at a show in Canada and I happened to be on that same show, my first time in the Great White North. He was wrestling a local guy that everyone knew and blew through him because he was doing a story for his own promotion LDW. He and Eden saw me wrestling that night, and later told me they heard me talking to some other people about all these ideas I had, and they approached me.”
“And what did you think of them when you met them?”
“I thought they were two weirdos about to do the whole ‘me and my girl across the bar’ kind of bit to an unassuming 18 year old.”
Everyone lets out a big laugh before getting back on track.
“No, but if I’m being serious, I had seen them before on TV and I was so fascinated by them. They approached me and wanted to sign me to LDW… and I said, initially, no, but we exchanged contact info.”
“Why did you say no? At the time, that would have been a huge opportunity for you.”
“I didn’t think it would be a good fit for me. I hadn’t found myself yet as a wrestler. If I would have joined, I would have been just another person on the roster, and I told them that, and they respected it. Even if I definitely could’ve used the money, because I was broke, homeless, and getting by on cheap pizza and the heat from a [CENSORED] car that was given to me in lieu of payment one time.”
Cameron goes through her cards again and scribbles down some notes.
“So then how did you all get together? We never actually saw you in LDW, but we did see the real-world Keres, the toddler, make a few appearances and then we saw this adult version of her that looked completely different from you. How did you end up as this adult version of her character?”
“I called them and asked them if they had a plan for that. They told me that the woman they had portraying the adult version of their child Keres was meant to be a temporary thing for a small story and that was it. Then, while on the phone with them… I sent them an 82 page document of my ideas that broke down their TORN Universe and how they could use this character of Keres in a much bigger way and evolve everything.”
“So the current form of the Keres character was all your idea? Well, your ideas on how to progress and further utilize something they weren’t going to continue with.”
“Yup. And they loved it. They immediately wanted to work with me. To keep a long story short, I ended up really connecting with Eden and Alexis. I told them about my life and my hardships, Eden shared with me her well-known Diabetes diagnosis and Alexis told me her life story. Eventually I connected with Slate as if he were my dad… then Slate and Eden offered me their home… They let me live with them because I had literally nothing except a car older than me, empty pizza boxes, and barely enough money to wash half of my clothing that I kept in a few bags in my trunk.”
“They didn’t mention any of this. The characters they play are completely different from who they are in real life it seems.”
“Yeah, they would never mention any of this. They believe that their work is what’s important and don’t like to brag about the good they do in real life. Eventually, they helped me get signed to the FWA along with Alexis as Princess Nova. I have to say, Alexis has been such a huge help. She’s wrestled longer than me and having someone like her by my side has been so valuable. I love her like an actual sister and our brains tend to go on the same creative wavelength, which is why we work so well together. This is going to sound so superficial, but now we all make a hell of a lot of money together while doing things we love. I wouldn’t have been able to be this successful, or maybe even alive, without them.”
“Hearing all of this from you perfectly explains why the character of Keres is as strong, unique, and creative as it is. Who you, Crystal Amery, are as a person shows why Slate and Eden have trusted you, and Alexis for that matter, to continue their creative universe.”
“Well, it is called “The Ongoing Rebirth Narrative” for a reason, it seems. After hearing them finally say what it stood for, I guess it explains why I’m here. In the real world, being with them was a rebirth for me. For them, me coming in and adding my hands to the steering wheel was a rebirth for all of them… and, well, the narrative is still ongoing.”
Cameron places her remaining cards on her desk, puts her hands together, and smiles at both Crystal and the studio audience.
“Before we go, I think this is something really cool that we need to do in order to end this episode on a happy note. Everyone, please welcome back to the stage Eden, but accompanying her this time, her daughter, the real world Keres!”
The studio audience cheers as Eden comes out with her real life daughter, and actual small child, Keres. Keres is dressed up as the adult version portrayed by Crystal Amery. Crystal stands and tightly hugs Eden before picking up Keres, spinning her, and giving her a snug hug as well. Cameron walks over to little Keres and gives her a high five.
“I want to thank everyone for being here for the final episode of this interview series where we went out of character, got a whole new perspective on the TORN Universe, and finally learned more about the woman behind the character of Keres. With that being said, Crystal and actual Keres, can the two of you sign us off for this final episode in the way only you two can?”
Crystal smiles and kneels down to Keres to whisper in her ear. Keres’ face lights up and she looks directly at the camera as Crystal does the same. They both put on a stone-faced expression, raise their hands beside their faces and s̵̞͗n̶̹͛a̴̛̟p̵̩̄.
The show instantly goes to black, mimicking the TORN abilities that the character of Keres displays on FWA television.
{ANIMALS || NICKELBACK}[MEDIA=youtube]DLYwwtPA49w[/MEDIA]
The reaction inside Korakuen Hall is mixed, but there is a definitely stronger level of cheers as to what Big Bryan Bastard would usually expect. The now-former FWA North American Champion actually seems rather taken aback by the showings of positivity towards him. It causes a small lapse in his overly-concentrated state before he snaps back into deep focus on his way towards the ring.
Kurt Harrington: "The following contest is an F1 Climaxxx Pool B Play Off scheduled for one fall, with a twenty-minute time limit! Introducing first, representing the Friendship Wrestling Alliance… from Hickory, North Carolina and weighing in at three-hundred and twelve pounds… he is BIIIG BRYANNNN BASSSSSSSSTAAAAARRRDDDD!!!”
Rod Sterling: "For those of you that did not see the recent North American Showdown, you will not have been privy to one of the greatest matches in recent memory between this man, Big Bryan Bastard and ‘The Prodigy’ Mike Parr. ”
Daniella Kennedy: "An hour and five minutes. Absolute cinema. But the now former North American Champion will need to put the disappointment of losing his championship behind him as he faces off against a man who he defeated in the previous F1 Climaxxx, Chris Peacock. But Bill Scorpane was a crucial factor in the outcome of that match. As we learned earlier on, Scorpane is staying in the back at Baxter’s request.”
Christian Quinn: "With the loser of this match facing Michelle von Horrowitz in the semi final, both men will want to come away the winner here. The Bastard made it that far last time around.”
Without much fuss, Big Bryan Bastard enters the ring. There is a moment where he looks at the crowd and nods his head briefly. After that, it is all business as he awaits his opponent.
{HE’S THE GREATEST DANCER || SISTER SLEDGE}[MEDIA=youtube]TDwutKpVyas[/MEDIA]
Aside from a few pockets within the crowd which contain the ever-present FTN loyalists, there is a unanimously negative reaction for the former FWA World Champion, Chris Peacock. This reaction is amplified to the nth degree when the fans see that Allen Price is accompanying Peacock to the ring. It is not typical for a wrestler of Peacock’s stature to approach a ring by wheeling their manager’s wheelchair, but here we are. Chris sets Price up by the barricade and then rolls into the ring.
Kurt Harrington: "His opponent… representing FTN and being accompanied by Allen Price… from Brooklyn, New York and weighing in at two-hundred and ten pounds… he is ‘Disco’s Last Warrior’ CHRIS….. PEEAAAAAACCOOOOOOOOCKKK!!!”
Daniella Kennedy: "Given where Peacock has parked him up, we are going to be spared from having Price here on the desk with us. Probably for the best, Christian, given the history there…”
Christian Quinn: "Yeah, I’m not at all bitter about that hack stealing my job, getting me demoted to being a fucking backstage interviewer and then getting this doofus to break my leg when he got his feelings hurt. It pleasured me to no end seeing Chris Peacock getting continually humbled over the last few months.”
Rod Sterling: "It was a rough end to 2023 for the former FWA World Champion. He suffered several big defeats, including two calamitous championship losses at Lights Out back in October. With wins against Halloween Knight and Deathswitch a couple of weeks ago in the bag, he is the man in form coming into this one.”
As soon as Peacock gets into the ring he makes a beeline for BBB. The referee comes across to get in between them to prevent things becoming physical before the bell has even rung. Peacock blows a kiss at Baxter as he is escorted away.
SECOND MATCH | 1/20.
Big Bryan Bastard vs. Chris Peacock.
Singles Match (F1 Climaxxx Pool B 1st/2nd Play-Off).
Match Writer: Man.
The bell rings, and as with each of his previous two F1 Climaxxx matches, Chris Peacock rushes his opponent from across the ring. However, Bryan Baxter is more than prepared and he immediately flattens Peacock with a Discus Lariat!! There is a loud pop as Peacock gets absolutely turned inside out by the massive impact and is already on the mat unmoving. BBB lifts Peacock up from the mat and folds him in between his legs. With complete ease, Bastard is able to lift Peacock up and he Powerbombs him into the turnbuckle!
There is no wasted movement from Baxter as he follows this up by backing into the opposite corner across the ring and sprints in… and splashes Peacock against the turnbuckle in the corner! He prevents Peacock from slumping forward and instead holds him in position before raising a finger to his mouth to instruct the crowd to be silent for a moment. They comply, so everyone can perfectly hear the impact when he slaps Peacock’s bare chest!
Rod Sterling: "That was deafening! Right next to the FTN scar as well, and just look at that handprint!”
Peacock, wide-eyed and with his mouth agape, holds his chest and when he moves his arm, a clearly visible red handprint engulfs his chest. A yelp can be heard from Allen Price as he sees the damage done to his client, and it would seem that Baxter enjoyed his handiwork, judging by the smirk on his face. Wanting to repeat the move, Baxter tries to put Peacock up against the turnbuckle once again, but this time the former FWA World Champion resists by raking Baxter’s eyes.
This gives Peacock a small window to reel off a couple of strikes to Baxter’s face and he manages to turn the tables on the larger man and get him in the corner. A couple of body blows seem to cause no damage and Peacock stomps on Baxter’s knee to chop him down to size slightly. He then reels off a couple more punches and a chop to the chest, which fails to reproduce the gunshot-like sound of it happening to him. Instead, Peacock gets up onto the second rope and starts punching the top of Baxter’s head… and then resorts to biting his opponent on the forehead.
Daniella Kennedy: "This has become somewhat of a hallmark for Chris Peacock in his matches; he has become scrappy and willing to take opportunities as they present themselves, or even bend the rules to create the opportunities for himself.”
Christian Quinn: "I always questioned this guy’s veracity and given what he did to me, I’m never going to buy him a beer, but even I’ve got to admit that he’s got this style down now. Look what happened last year when he tried fighting the fair fight against his best friend? He lost.”
The biting is reason enough for the referee to intervene, and he demands Peacock get down and away. Chris allows Baxter to step out of the corner for a moment, and connects with a kick to the side of his knee. All this seems to do though is anger Baxter. Chris attempts to stave his opponent off with another snap jab, followed by a second. However when Peacock tries to strike a pose before the third, he makes the grave mistake of turning his back on Big Bryan Bastard, resulting in him getting dumped on the back of his head with a German Suplex!!
Once again, Peacock gets folded up by Bryan. The Bastard is not able to go for a cover due to Peacock sidling back against the bottom turnbuckle in the corner of the ring. What Peacock’s positioning does permit however is for Baxter to gain momentum and charge towards him… Running Hip Attack! The replays show Peacock’s head viciously whiplashing against the middle turnbuckle and Baxter then pulls him towards the centre of the ring and makes the first pin attempt of the match;
ONE… TWO… THRE-NO!!!
Rod Sterling: "I didn’t expect either of these two to hold anything back, given their history. Big Bryan Bastard though is really taking out his frustrations of losing the North American Championship to Mike Parr on Chris Peacock.”
Christian Quinn: "This is pretty uncharted territory for Baxter, Rod. The guy went, what? Two years and he failed to win two of his matches? He hasn’t won either of his last two coming into this one. Against a former FWA World Champion, Baxter is the one with a point to prove here, if you ask me.”
Peacock is not given any opportunity whatsoever to make it back to his feet on his own accord, as Bastard plucks him from the canvas with ease and slings him over his shoulder. Carrying Peacock like it is nothing, Baxter then places Chris on the top turnbuckle in a seated position. From higher up, Peacock manages to fire off a couple of right hands, but Baxter is unfazed. Another huge palm strike across Peacock’s chest earns Baxter the space he needs to execute his next move, which is a Northern Lights Suplex from the bottom rope! The extra elevation makes it even worse for Peacock, and BBB impressively bridges to keep Peacock’s shoulders down for a cover;
ONE… TWO… THRE-NO!!!
It takes a lot from Peacock to slide a shoulder up from the mat, but once again, Baxter is not in the game of allowing his crafty opponent any space or room for manoeuvre. Once again, he lifts Peacock from the mat and this time he looks at the fans for some sort of approval and they cheer loudly;
Daniella Kennedy: "These fans here in Tokyo want to see Peacock put away once and for all, and I think that they could be about to here!”
Baxter raises Peacock in the air, looking for the BAXTER DRIVER - BUT PEACOCK SLITHERS DOWN THE BASTARD’S BACK!! Chris lands on his feet and ducks the attempted back elbow and hits the ropes, running on pure instinct - SPEAR FROM PEACOCK… BUT HE JUST BOUNCES OFF THE BIGGER MAN! Peacock may as well have ran into a brick wall, as it would have probably had more give than his opponent, and Peacock holds his shoulder at Baxter’s feet. A rough knee to the face from BBB is followed up with a Falling Headbutt which connects with Peacock’s forehead.
The former North American Champion looks for another pinning opportunity, but Peacock has enough about him to see it coming and roll underneath the bottom rope. He manages to land on his feet but is clearly worse for wear after the multitude of heavy shots from BBB. Allen Price manages to get himself around to his client, although he has a lot of difficulty moving the wheelchair around. Price gives Peacock some words of encouragement and tells him to get back in there, but before Peacock can do anything of the sort, Price yells and backs away as Big Bryan Bastard has joined the fray on the outside of the ring.
Baxter grabs Peacock by the neck and tries to bring him back into the ring, but Peacock does all he can to resist… which includes striking Baxter with the Fight Fever backfist! It does catch the bigger man off-guard, and Bax recoils holding his nose. Peacock smirks, nodding his head confidently.
Christian Quinn: "Yeah, you got one shot off, Peacock. Good for you. Great job. Why don’t you get back in there and follow up or something?”
Rod Sterling: "A good suggestion, Christian. Big Bryan Bastard is not the kind of opponent you want to waste time posturing like this against. Earlier in the match Peacock got dumped on his head for screwing around.”
It appears to be a lesson not learnt by Peacock, as he takes time to lick his hand and he lines Baxter up… and delivers a PIMP SLAP! The technique applied to the strike, combined with the striking power, meant that BBB would have almost certainly felt it. However, even with a bright red cheek that would almost certainly be throbbing in pain, Big Bryan bastard fails to see the amusing side of the blatant disrespect shown to him by his opponent. It was at this moment, that Chris Peacock knew he had fucked up.
In a very swift motion, Baxter takes Peacock by the throat and pushes him back against the steps and post and forces his head back as to leave his chest exposed one more time… and then delivers another huge slap across Peacock’s chest! The air escapes from Peacock’s lungs as he gasps and his first and immediate thought is to get as far away from BBB as he can. He scurries away from Baxter after breaking his grip and waits to be pursued by his opponent. Baxter follows Peacock around the corner, but Chris charges forward and Dropkicks the steel steps straight into Baxter’s knees! This causes the big man’s legs to go from underneath him and he is left hunched over the steps.
Peacock lines Baxter up and boots him in the side of the head, crushing it against the steps. It then takes a considerable amount of effort on Peacock’s part to get Bax back inside of the ring, and he uses the steps for leverage to pull Baxter’s right leg under the ropes in the corner… and he slams it against the ring post!
Rod Sterling: "Chris Peacock has spent most of this match getting beaten from pillar to post, so it does not surprise me that the resourceful former world champion has resorted to using his environment to his advantage. There seems to be some sort of communication between Peacock and Price, here…”
The referee urges Peacock to get everything back into the ring, but he ignores this request and is nonplussed when the official begins to count him out. He shares a nod with Allen Price… and PRICE TIPS HIMSELF OUT OF HIS WHEELCHAIR! Ever the dramatist, Price makes a very loud scene and feigns further and severe injury to his neck. He asks for the referee to help him, and the official begrudgingly does, however when he gets down to help Price up, Allen grabs onto his collar with two hands to prevent him from getting up.
Whilst this is happening, Peacock leaves BBB in stasis and heads to the timekeeper’s area… and requisitions one of the steel chairs stored in that section! It does not take a genius to figure out what he is going to do with it… and he SLAMS THE CHAIR AGAINST BAXTER’S KNEE!!! The joint is sandwiched in steel and Baxter shuffles back holding the knee.
Christian Quinn: "It is absolutely illegal but part of me honestly respects what they’re going for here- HEY! DON’T YOU DARE!”
The reason for Christian Quinn’s anger is because Peacock is back in the ring and he stands over Baxter with his foot in one hand… AND HE SLIPS DOWN TO APPLY THE COMMENTATOR’S CURSE!!! The very submission that Chris used to cripple Quinn two years ago, and defeat many opponents since, is synched in tightly. Allen Price finally accepts the assistance of the referee and is gently placed back in his chair.
With that dealt with, the official turns his attention to the ring where he sees that a submission is locked in. Baxter’s eyes are screwed shut in pain and concentration which is a stark contrast to Peacock, whose eyes are wide open and filled with derangement. Peacock screams his demands for Baxter to tap out, along with several very insulting comments about his weight in an attempt to demoralise him. The fans are all over Peacock, making it clear that they disapprove of his tactics, but their attention quickly shifts to them rallying in support of Baxter.
Daniella Kennedy: "Big Bryan Bastard will be in a world of pain right now, but he simply must endure this if he has a hope of winning this match and setting himself up a rematch with either Mike Parr or Konchu Hao.”
Rod Sterling: "After being subjected to that Inverted Sharpshooter by Parr and tapping out in his previous match, there is nothing that Baxter will want to do less right now. I think he’d rather let Peacock try to tear his leg off than submit.”
Using his free leg, BBB kicks out at Peacock. The grip of the former FWA World Champion is famously difficult to break, but Baxter kicks him in the head some more. This seems to gain him a bit of traction… very similarly to how Jeremy Best escaped the submission when Peacock placed it on him inside a Steel Roulette match… the kicks keep coming… and coming… and coming…
One final and definitive kick across Peacock’s nose causes the break! Baxter holds his knee and backs away into the corner… but an angry Peacock follows him.
Daniella Kennedy: "Baxter escapes the submission, but at what cost? That damaged knee is going to haunt him for the remainder of this match.”
With Baxter in the corner, Peacock continues to focus his attacks on his opponent’s right knee, even after Baxter had already escaped his submission attempt once. Peacock stomps on it several times and tries to hook it around the bottom rope but this is resisted by Bastard. A harsh elbow to Peacock’s chin creates a bit of separation, and Baxter hobbles out of the corner towards Peacock, who scores with a Dropkick directly to the knee! This takes it out from underneath the big man and leaves him in good position for Peacock to jump into the air and bring his leg down across the back of Bastard’s head with a Famouser! Baxter’s face is driven into the mat and Peacock strains to flip him onto his back so he can try for a pin;
ONE… TWO… NO!!!
There is some clear frustration on Peacock’s face as he once again fails to put away a man he has never defeated before.
Rod Sterling: "I think that Chris Peacock is starting to become desperate here. Beating Baxter and being recognised as the winner of Pool B would be a huge way of building some momentum going into the Semi Finals. But as we all know, Bryan Baxter is a very tough nut to crack.”
It would seem that Peacock’s desperation would take him to the high risk district as the corner is his focus after rising up to his feet. He stumbles towards it and pulls himself up, as Baxter struggles to pick himself up too due to the damage to his knee. Peacock sets himself on the top rope in the corner, waiting for Baxter to rise and face him. Once the Bastard is where he wants him, Peacock takes flight… GLITTERBALL DROP - BUT BRYAN CATCHES HIM!!! The fans cheer as Peacock’s face makes it clear that he knows he is in a lot of trouble.
Baxter groans as his knee wobbles, threatening to buckle from the additional weight, but he holds firms… and drives Peacock into the mat with a SPINNING SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Peacock is unmoving due to the force he was slammed down with, and Baxter leans forward, placing his hands on Peacock’s chest;
ONE… TWO… THREE-NO!!!
Daniella Kennedy: "The last possible millisecond, guys. That’s when Chris Peacock managed to get a shoulder up. Baxter was so close to getting him there and well, just listen to these fans. They know this is Baxter’s opportunity to finish the former FWA World Champion off!”
It is clear that the Powerbomb did tremendous damage to Peacock, who remains pancaked on the May afterwards and Baxter slowly pulls himself up with the assistance of the ropes. The fans are almost entirely behind the former North American Champion at this point, and know that a Baxter Driver will almost certainly seal the deal at this point. Allen Price is obviously savvy to this too… as he jumps out of his wheelchair with no issue and clambers up onto the apron! The support for Baxter shifts into deafening jeers.
Christian Quinn: "Come on, can someone just get this idiot out of here? There’s a perfectly good match happening right now and then you’ve got this dipshit getting in the way. He’s not even pretending he needs that neck brace anymore.”
With Price up on the apron, the referee’s attention is fully consumed. However Baxter pays no attention to that as he sees that Peacock is still down on the mat and there for the taking. Therefore, he lifts Peacock up from the mat and gets him in position for the Baxter Driver once more, but something catches his eye, and he drops Peacock down to the mat with a thud. Someone is walking out from the back with haste… it’s BILL SCORPANE!
Daniella Kennedy: "Scorpane? We saw him earlier on and Big Bryan Bastard made it clear that he wanted to deal with Chris Peacock on his own. Scorpane has seemingly ignored that request!”
Rod Sterling: "This could be a good thing? We saw in the video tape earlier on; Scorpane was pivotal in Baxter defeating Peacock in the 2023 tournament. Perhaps he is just coming out here to ensure the same result?”
BBB leans on the ropes as Scorpane reaches the ringside area. As per his previous instruction, Baxter requests that Scorpane depart from ringside, but his former manager refuses and pulls something out from his jacket pocket… it’s the brass knuckles! Baxter shakes his head adamantly, refusing to use the weapon, and he turns back to Peacock… but Peacock kicks him in the midsection and hits him with the DISCO THRILLER STUNNER!!!
It is enough to get the Bastard down, but only to his knees. Peacock is down on the mat as well, still feeling the effects of the Powerbomb. He glances over at Allen Price, who has the referee firmly by the collar and is still preventing the official from seeing what is happening in the ring. On the other side, Bill Scorpane does his best to get Baxter’s attention and he slides the brass knucks into the ring… in between both Baxter and Peacock.
Rod Sterling: "They’re in the ring now! Is Baxter going to use them and defeat Chris Peacock for a second time?”
Christian Quinn: "Hey, if you ask me, it looked like Scorpane slid those brass knuckles closer to Chris Peacock...”
The brass knucks lay unretrieved in the middle of the ring but as pointed out by Christian Quinn, they seem to actually be closer to Peacock than Baxter, the presumed intended recipient. This is noticed too by Peacock, who quickly grabs the knucks before Baxter has even seen them! Chris keeps himself low on the mat and allows Baxter to lift him up from the mat… BUT PEACOCK COCKS HIS ARM BACK AND CRACKS BAXTER ON THE JAW WITH THE BRASS KNUCKLES!!!
The fans inside Korakuen Hall are not happy in the slightest as the big man drops instantly from the strike, and Peacock tosses the weapon out of the ring. At this time, Allen Price finally releases the referee and returns to his wheelchair. What the official sees when he returns to the action is Peacock standing over Baxter, who sits up slightly. The strike had only dazed Baxter, failing to knock him out. However, him trying to pick himself up only puts him in the perfect position for Peacock to hit the ropes and run through him with THE STRUT!!! Baxter slumps backwards, and Peacock jumps on top for the cover;
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
{RESULT}Winner: Chris Peacock via pin fall at 15:36
Kurt Harrington: "Here is your winner… CHRIS PEACOCK!!!”
With a smug and satisfied grin plastered across his face, Chris Peacock sits up coming out of the cover and starts laughing. There is clear elation on his face as he revels in the victory and his avenging the loss to Big Bryan Bastard in the 2023 F1 Climaxxx. Allen Price claps enthusiastically on the outside like a seal, but only not as intelligent.
Christian Quinn: "Daylight ROBBERY at its finest here tonight in Tokyo. Peacock is desperate to avoid Michelle von Horrowitz for as long as he can and well, any meeting between them now can only happen in the tournament final. A cowardly display from someone I would not expect any more from.”
Daniella Kennedy: "I wouldn’t be so certain if I was Chris Peacock. There is still the small matter of having to get past either Konchu Hao or Mike Parr. As for Big Bryan Bastard, he has a rematch from last year’s F1 Climaxxx Semi Final against MvH once again. Given Bill Scorpane’s ties to the Nephews and his actions here tonight, it could be an uphill battle for Bax…”
Peacock leaves the ring and starts wheeling Price back towards the backstage area. They pass Bill Scorpane but do not interact with him. Scorpane’s attention is solely on the man left in the ring. Big Bryan Bastard starts coming to after getting his jaw swiped with the brass knuckles and he looks at his former agent in shock and disbelief. Scorpane simply shakes his head, before turning to leave…
The Fight Night feed shifts to the undisclosed island in Japan, the setting for King of the Deathmatch 3. XYZ is sitting in a hammock, his feet dangling over the side. He is then approached by Frank, the muscular and tall black man who is part of The Menage.
“X, none of us had any idea about Blair Ravenwood approaching you about overthrowing Kleio in The Coven. What are ya’ gonna do?”
“Not sure, Frank.”
“Well, if you don’t mind me saying, I think this is an opportunity. Both Blair and Trixie Bordeaux are in the King of the Deathmatch tournament. Maybe taking The Coven down, or at least gaining an ally in Blair, will help you win. I know that’s impo…”
“It is, Frank. It is important. But what’s also important is flying high with the wings of angelic soldiers. It’s important for me to bomb the hearts with salsa and oregano. The sea lions of yesteryear have always had opportunities to usurp the lords of the walkways. They chose to fight head on.”
“Understood, X. You know what Wild J would say about this.”
Frank leaves X to his thoughts, and a close-up shot of X looking off into the distance with no focus shows him softly nodding his head. Then he mumbles, “I do know what Wild J would say.”
The feed pans out to a wide shot of X sitting on the edge of the hammock, looking off a large cliff on the island, wherever it is.
{BLOOD OF GLORY}[MEDIA=youtube]lFeFdm51sJ4[/MEDIA]
As Blood of Glory blares and the crowd comes to life, the man looking to turn four into five and complete the journey to reclaiming his throne emerges from behind the curtain.
The Japanese crowd gives Cyrus Truth a hero’s welcome, a wrestler who’s had plenty of stops with various wrestling circuits in his career in the Land of the Rising Sun and has spilled more than his fair share of blood and sweat in rings across the islands. Louds chants of “Cyrus Truth! Ichiban!” thunder in the arena as Cyrus grabs a microphone from one of the nearby ring attendants and slides into the ring, soaking in the atmosphere.
As his music dies down, The Exile gives a cool smile to the fans in attendance as the cheers die down. The crowd is settled, quietly but diligently focused on everything the former World Champion has to say.
Cyrus Truth: “We are fast approaching the crossroads of fate, the next bend in the Long and Winding Road that has tested my mettle time and time again over the past several years. Ever since I lost my FWA World Heavyweight Championship to Dave Sullivan at the event preceding Back in Business that year, I have had one goal. One singular objective, an obsession that has continued to drive me forward even when my so-called peers insisted that what I sought was doomed to never be mine again.
Cyrus Truth: “And while some of FWA’s finest continue to fight and struggle in the F1 Climaxxx, and others take the plunge into the King of the Deathmatch tournament, it is the man many had written off as past his prime that stands to challenge the FWA World Champion. One goal…one objective. To turn four…into five.”
As if to punctuate that, Cyrus holds out his free hand, extending all five fingers, symbolizing The Exile’s quest to claim his five World Title under the FWA banner. And the crowd is all for that, especially if it comes at the expense of the current champion.
Cyrus Truth: “With the Grand March gone, FWA hasn’t told me exactly when I’m getting my shot…aside from the fact that it will likely be before or during Carnal Contendership. And while I can’t say I’m fond of waiting, the bottom line is that it doesn’t matter. Because the second Jeremy Best steps into the ring with me and the referee calls for the bell, I am coming for his throat.
Cyrus Truth: “Jeremy can play his little games as much as he wants. Game shows and talks about friendship as if he understands what the hell that word even means. I don’t claim to be the friendliest person in wrestling. But I damn sure am one of the most dangerous. FWA and its wrestlers might say I should be written off as a relic of glories long past…but there is something to say about how scared one should be about the resilience of a man long in the tooth in an industry that chews and spits out the young.
Cyrus Truth: “So to put this a little more succinctly? I am coming for Jeremy Best. I am going to drop that lunatic on his head. And I will step over his lifeless body as well as the corpses of any of his little flunkies that want to get involved to return to my throne, and become the FWA World…”
???: “Aaahhhheeem! Aaaaahhhheeeemmm! Pardon me!”
Cyrus Truth is interrupted by a voice that seems familiar to some of the fans in attendance but certainly is not recognized by Cyrus Truth. But those who watched World’s Collide will recognize “The Dubb” Bobby Joel making his way out from the back, but he is joined by FWA wrestler, Vengador, for some reason.
Rod Sterling: : “I’m not sure what the meaning of this is… we haven’t seen Vengador since his win at Winter Wasteland… and that man… wrestling fans, some of you may know him from as “The Dubb” Bobby Joel… but what he’s doing here and interrupting Cyrus Truth of all people… I’m at a loss for.”
Cyrus Truth is none too pleased as Bobby Joel and Vengador both climb into the ring.
Bobby Joel: “Now pardon me, Mr. Truth… I realize you may not know who I am but I’m about to change that. Because for people like yourself and the… uncultured… swine… of your typical mainstream rasslin’ fans may not be away of who I am so allow me to introduce myself. My name is “THE DUBB” BOBBY JOEL!
Cyrus Truth: And…is any of that supposed to mean anything to me? Look, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but…”
Bobby Joel, as if he didn’t hear Cyrus despite the fact that The Exile was 100% clear in what he said, continues to drone on.
Bobby Joel: ”In Japan I am a four time singles champion, six-time tag team champion, and I have done it all my way, whether or not these fans like it. But in the end, I provide results and that alone these fans can appreciate. I get… the dubb.”
“But I guess ya’ll are all askin’ yourselves… well than Mr. Bobby Joel… just why are you out here tonight? What business do I have interruptin’ Cyrus Truth talkin’ about his big ol’ title match coming up? And just what’s this impressive specimen doing with me here.”
The Exile simply sighs as he rather flippantly retorts.
Cyrus Truth: “No…not really. But I’m sure you’re going to waste even more of my time and these fans’ patience explaining, so you might as well get to it so that we can return to more important topics than some flash in the pan being led by an even more pathetic wannabe. So by all means, continue…but hurry up and get to the point. I was only given so much time for this segment, and unlike some folks on the roster, I actually try to make my statements without droning on and on to the point when nobody cares.”
Bobby Joel scowls at that as he motions to Vengador, who remains stoic in the background.
Bobby Joel: ”Well, it’s quite simple. Cyrus - you think of yourself as somethin’ of a big shot right. Former champion multiple times over. But here’s the thing, you’re in MY territory now, baby. BOBBY JOEL is the big deal in Japan.”
“But then I realized somethin’. I’ve been such a big deal in Japan for all these years… comin’ in as a foreigner… becomin’ a star in a place I didn’t necessarily belong… but there’s somethin’ I have done. And that’s come to the FWA and make my mark.”
“And the way I see it… I may be gettin’ older but I still got plenty of years left. And while I can still lace up my boots and step into the ring if I need to… why do that when I can lead someone to the top. Someone with potential. Someone… dangerous. Someone… deadly.”
Cyrus crosses his arms, almost begging Joel to get to the point.
Bobby Joel: ”Vengador walked into Japan for World’s Collide a few months ago… much like a young Dubb many moons ago… a stranger in a strange land. But he came in and he defeated another champion. I saw something in this mysterious man… and so I came to him and gave him the chance of a lifetime… a chance to make a name for himself. A chance to become the most feared man in professional wrestling.”
“And what better way to do that, Truth? What better way to do that… than… by taking out… THE EXILE!”
Cyrus looks at this duo with a look of exasperation, both at being interrupted and having to deal with yet another would-be legend killer looking to make his name at his expense. But eventually, Cyrus simply cracks a small smile as he simply says:
Cyrus Truth: “Well, why the hell not? If you’re that eager to get humiliated and dropped on your head, far be it for me to deny you that opportunity. Besides…I have two minutes to kill, anyway. This shouldn’t take very long.”
Vengador steps forward, approaching Cyrus. Not one to back down from a challenge, Cyrus seemingly dares Vengador to come to him. The masked man goes toe to toe with Cyrus… AND SWINGS A RIGHT HAND!
But Cyrus battles back!
The two continue to trade blows back and forth, but the number one contender for the FWA Title begins to get the upperhand, backing Vengador toward the corner as Bobby Joel begins to show some concern on his face.
Bobby Joel turns to the back… and he motions for help?
Christian Quinn: “What now??”
The boos poor back in as… TRIPLE J SECURITY come out!
The trio rush to the ring, seemingly at the behest of Bobby Joel, going straight after Cyrus, attacking Truth from behind.
But once again, Truth battles back! One at a time he lays waste to the members of Triple J Security, with ease..
But Vengador uses the distraction from security to attack Cyrus from behind with a big running lariat to the back of the head! Cyrus drops to the mat and Vengador begins putting the boots to Truth’s back.
Bobby Joel directs traffic, instructing Triple J security to join in and it’s a four on one assault to the fallen Cyrus!
Rod Sterling: : “This is a mugging! All for Vengador to try and make a name for himself? This is ridiculous! We need some help out here!’
And help…
IS ON IT’S WAY!
In the form of…
JEREMY BEST?!
Christian Quinn: “Jeremy Best!
Rod Sterling: : “Things might be going from bad to worse here for Cyrus Truth.”
Jeremy isn’t alone! He’s joined by Sir Stache and Mejor Amigo! The trio slide into the ring…
AND THEY GO AFTER Triple J Security!
Stache and Amigo do battle with the jobbers while Jeremy Best takes on Vengador, striking with a series of swift kicks to the midsection before knocking Vengador backward with a spinkick!
Jeremy lifts him up for the BFF!
But Vengador slides down his back!
Vengador ducks to ringside as Triple J security also are sent packing from the ring, regrouping with Bobby Joel at ringside.
The crowd is certainly very confused by this development as Jeremy Best offers his hand to the fallen Cyrus… helping The Exile up to his feet.
Rod Sterling: : “What is going on? Jeremy Best just made the save for his upcoming challenger?”
Christian Quinn: “Jeremy did say he was going to prove that he could be friends with Cyrus… I guess he saw his opportunity tonight.”
In the ring, Jeremy picks up the microphone.
Jeremy Best: ”Wait! Wait! Don’t leave yet!”
Bobby Joel, Vengador, and Triple J Security stop in their tracks as they are heading up the ramp.
Jeremy Best: ”You guys picked a fight with the person! Because you come after one of my friends… and you don’t just gotta problem with him anymore… oh no sorry Bob… now you got a problem… with ME! So how about… we head to the next Fallout… you four… against US FOUR… Jeremy Best… Mejor Amigo… Sir Stache… AND CYRUS TRUTH! TEAM TRUE FRIENDSHIP!”
The crowd seems unsure of what to make of it at first, but begin to cheer on the idea as Bobby Joel mouths, “YOU’RE ON!” from the aisle.
An ecstatic Jeremy celebrates in the ring… while Cyrus Truth watches on… unamused by Jeremy’s antics but also clearly uncertain about having this match agreed to without his consent. Jeremy tries to bring Cyrus in for a hug, or at the very least a handshake…
But instead, Cyrus decides to exit the ring on his own.
Jeremy shrugs his shoulders and waves to his “new friend” as he leaves the ring.
Kurt Harrington: “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for your MAAAAAIN EVENT! Introducing first, he is The Mad Wizard; he is KONCHU HAAAAAAO!”
Konchu appears at the top of the ramp much to the delight of the crowd. The lights shine bright down on him as he starts walking to the ring with laser-focus.
{ “Army of the Night” || Powerwolf}[MEDIA=youtube]C4fExl8RiwA[/MEDIA]
Christian Quinn: “Konchu Hao looks determined. He’s had an impressive F1 thus far, and if he gets past the North American Champion tonight, he has a date with Chris Peacock.
Hao slides under the bottom rope as he makes his way over to the corner, waiting for his opponent.
Kurt Harrington: “Aaand his opponent, he is the FWA North American Champion, “The Prodigy,” Mike Parr!”
{ “A Cut Above” || Avery Watts}[MEDIA=youtube]nYwz1A8Waoo[/MEDIA]
Parr gets a warm reception reminiscent of the one he got when he overcame Bryan Baxter on the North American Championship Special.
Rod Sterling: “Mike Parr hasn’t always been a fan favorite, but he’s earned his respect. He definitely looked like a hero after stopping the North American Championship reign of Bryan Baxter. That look on his face says that he’s not satisfied though. He has his eyes set on Chris Peacock.”
Mike Parr steps through the ropes and hands the North American Championship belt to Richard Davis and backs into his own corner, waiting for the bell to sound.
FOURTH MATCH | MAIN EVENT | 1/∞.
Konchu Hao vs. Mike Parr.
Singles Match (F1 Climaxxx Pool A 2nd/3rd Play-Off).
Match Writer: Tommy.
<<0:00>>
Konchu Hao and Mike Parr slowly approach the center of the ring where they find themselves face-to-face. The crowd is electric for this one, and is clearly divided between Konchu and the man who ended the North American championship reign of Bryan Baxter.
LET’S GO KONCHU!!!
LET’S GO PARR!!!
Christian Quinn: “This capacity crowd is pretty evenly divided for our Fight Night main event.
Neither man seems willing to blink or back down, but it’s Parr who strikes first with a forearm across Hao’s jaw. Hao quickly strikes back with a forearm blow of his own as the two men begin to deliver a flurry of forearms, each of them to delight of their half of the crowd.
Rod Sterling: “Mike Parr and Konchu Hao are two of the most respected men in the FWA. Parr gained a lot of favor with the crowd by knocking off Baxter, putting an end to an incredible title reign.”
Parr gains the upper hand, staggering Hao before bouncing off the ropes and delivering a crushing knee strike to his opponent’s face. Hao staggers backward and bounces off the ropes himself, somehow staying on his feet. Parr quickly grabs him and drives him to the mat with a belly-to-belly suplex. Parr goes for a quick pin!
1…
2…
3..
NO! Hao gets a shoulder up and Parr quickly rolls off but maintains control with a chin lock.
<<4:22>>
Parr is still in complete control of this one and goes for another pin.
1…
Hao kicks out quickly, and Parr is starting to get frustrated. His incredulous look at the official gives Konchu just the opportunity he needs to deliver a crushing kick to the side of Parr’s head. The North American champion crumples to the ground as Konchu finally gets a break from the relentless offense that Parr has been bringing.
Konchu Hao pulls himself up by the ropes much to the delight of those who have thrown their support behind him. The “Mad Wizard” gets a sadistic look on his face as he methodically walks toward his opponent. He pulls Parr the rest of the way to his feet and shoves him into the corner. Hao delivers a brutal Mongolian chop that leaves Parr’s ears ringing. He follows it up with another and then another! Parr, still reeling from the kick to the head slumps down the turnbuckle.
Parr backs to the center point of the ring and charges in delivering a crushing knee to the side of Parr’s face. The champ looks to be out cold!
Hao goes for a pin of his own.
1…
2…
3.
NO! Somehow, Mike Parr finds the strength to drape one foot across the bottom rope, breaking the count.
<<7:11>>
Christian Quinn: “These two men are battling for the opportunity to face Chris Peacock, but with the punishment they’re dishing out, I’m not sure how much they’ll have for him.”
Rod Sterling: “Peacock has been through his own battle, though. There’s no way he’s going to be 100% after that match with Baxter.”
Hao delivers a kick to the gut, driving the wind out of Parr before he grabs his opponent by the back of the head and begins to unleash a series of knees.
Rod Sterling: “John Dee’s Knees! He’s setting up Parr here. He’s focused heavily on his head. Oh! It looks like the North American Champion is busted open.”
The camera pans in close, and sure enough, Parr has a nasty cut above his left eyebrow. Blood is running down his face.
Konchu shoves Parr away from him, and the champion looks like he’s out on his feet. Hao charges toward him, but Parr ducks down and grabs the top rope. Konchu hits the floor at ringside with a sickening thud.
The crowd’s attention is diverted by something at the top of the ramp…
Rod Sterling: “Well, speaking of the devil. What’s he doing here?!”
Chris Peacock makes his way down the ramp slowly, seemingly impervious to the boos that are pouring down on him. Hao is on the ground between the announce table and the ring, seemingly unaware of the fact that Peacock is looking to inject himself into this match.
Parr is groggy as he wipes away some of the blood that’s clouding his vision. He slowly climbs to his feet just as Peacock arrives at ringside.
Referee Richard Davis realizes that something is going on and moves away from Hao, whom he’s been checking on. He slides through the ring and cuts off Peacock who has climbed up on the apron. Chris Peacock puts his hands in the air, acting as though he’s not there for any real purpose.
Christian Quinn: “I’m sure that Peacock isn’t out here just to watch, but who would he be out here trying to help? Does he have a preference as to who he’s going to face?”
While Davis is tied up with Chris Peacock, Parr slides out of the ring and onto the floor. He pulls Hao up to his feet and delivers a beautiful snap suplex onto the floor. Hao grabs his back and ribs, writhing in pain on the floor.
Parr delivers a couple of stomps to Hao’s torso, continually looking toward the other side of the ring, keeping a watchful eye on Peacock who is diverting the attention of Richard Davis. Somehow, Hao drags himself to his knees and chop blocks Parr from behind, taking the North American champion’s legs out from under him.
Rod Sterling: “What’s really interesting about what Peacock is doing is that he’s keeping Richard Davis from counting one or both of these men out. This thing could have ended in a draw by now, but Davis can’t start the count.”
Parr is holding his knee as the bleeding above his eye continues. Konchu climbs onto the ringside steps and delivers a leaping stomp onto the same knee that he just hit with a shoulder. He goes to the well one too many times, though. As he goes airborne off the steps for a second stomp, Parr gets a boot up that lands flush against Konchu’s jaw, driving him backward, the back of his skull bouncing off the steps.
Christian Quinn: “These two men are going to kill each other before either one of them gets to Peacock. Maybe that’s why he’s out here. Let them brutalize each other on the outside of the ring and he can pick their bones in the next round.”
Peacock finally hops down from the apron and begins slowly backing up the ramp as Richard Davis begins to count both competitors out.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
Mike Parr is stirring, but he’s favoring that knee.
6…
7…
8…
PARR SLIDES UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Rod Sterling: “CAN KONCHU BEAT THE COUNT?!”
9…
KONCHU DIVES UNDER THE ROPE! This one is going to continue
<<13:45>>
Parr is back on his feet, but he’s not putting much weight on that left leg. Konchu is still down. Peacock has moved back down the ramp and is now lurking around ringside between the announce table and the timekeeper’s area.
Parr limps toward the corner and begins a slow climb. He’s hobbled, and it’s making it harder for him to get up to the top.
Rod Sterling: “WHAT’S PEACOCK DOING?!”
Chris Peacock hops onto the apron, but he seems careful not to touch the rope. He’s not trying to interfere with Parr’s climb, but “The Prodigy” is still struggling. He gets to the top rope, and somehow he goes airborne! He’s going for X Marks the Spot!
KONCHU ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!
BUT MIKE PARR MANAGES TO LAND ON HIS FEET!
Parr immediately grabs his already-injured leg. Konchu has the momentum, and he’s going for Rasputin’s Revenge! But Parr ducks under, hits the ropes, and connects with a Rolling Cutter!
1…
2…
3…
DING! DING! DING!
Kurt Harrington: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner, “The Prodigy” MIKE PAAAAAAARR!”
{RESULT}Winner: Mike Parr via pinfall at 17:44
As Mike Parr celebrates with his North American Championship in hand, Chris Peacock arrogantly steps into the ring and makes his way toward his next opponent. Parr cuts his celebration short and turns around, putting himself nose-to-nose with “Disco’s Last Warrior.”
Rod Sterling: “Are these two going to go at it tonight? Neither of them are at 100%.”
Chris Peacock gives Mike Parr a sly grin as he slowly backs away, drops down to his back, and rolls out of the ring, backing up the ramp as he keeps his eyes Parr who holds the North American Championship over his head as the camera fades.
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Post by supinesnake on May 29, 2024 15:36:14 GMT
KODM3.
only on the WCNetwork.
Sunday 17th March, 2024.
From an Undisclosed Location in Japan.
The camera opens up on the image of two warriors from a bygone era, cast as bronze statues, gleaming in the late morning sun. In the distance, the din of a crowd can be heard, muffled and abstracted but travelling across the wind from afar.
We shift to the source, where - on the sandy beaches of the island's north coast - two wrestling rings are set up - and, all of a sudden, a purple backlight illuminates the mats of both. Those assembled there, around three hundred in number, recognise that this (alongside the fact that Jean-Luc Watkins and Anzu Kurosawa have just shuffled into view at the announce desk) means that something is surely about to happen.
Somewhat ominously, a cage begins to lower from above, a huge crane set up next to the ring putting it in position.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Welcome, wrestling fans, to the third installment of the King of the Deathmatch, the FWA’s annual tournament for those whose proclivities tend towards the more barbaric. Speaking of which, I'm delighted to introduce my broadcast colleague for the evening, Anzu Kurosawa, who will keep up with tradition by both entering the tournament and calling the action when she's not in the ring."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Delighted to be here, Jean-Luc! I'm hoping to break with tradition and make it out of the first round this year. But, even if that happens, I can't wait to see what this island has in store for us this year. I have some fond memories of this place…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "… you know it's a different island every year, right?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "…"
We cut away from the commentators and to a pair of podiums next to the ring. One is empty, whilst the other houses the FWA X Championship.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "There you see the prizes for tonight's tournament. Well, one of them. The empty podium symbolises the Crown of Thorns, which is in the possession of Thomas West of the Nephews. He won the first KODM, and has held that prize captive ever since."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, the winner of today's tournament can claim that prize. They've just gotta go to CDW to do it."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Never heard of it. Nonetheless, the day's other prize is there in all its glory: the FWA X Championship. A belt that I used to hold, don't you know. Tommy Bedlam vacated it just two days ago on Fight Night, meaning we are certain to crown a new champion here at KODM3!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Sounds grueling. Good job I don't stand a chance!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I think we're about ready to send it over to our emcee for the evening, Natalie Rosenberg, to go over the rules for tonight's opening contest…"
In the middle of one of the two rings, inside the huge cage that now covers both of them and a small amount of the ringside area as well, Natalie Rosenberg stands with a microphone in her hand.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Welcome, wrestling fans, to King of the Deathmatch III!! The following is your opening contest, which is a Cage of Death 8x1v1 Match!! In this contest, all sixteen competitors will begin in or around the cage, with an assigned opponent. That means there will be eight separate one-on-one contests happening simultaneously, where the only ways to win is by pinfall or submission. Introducing first…"
{THE MAN || THE KILLERS}[MEDIA=youtube]w3xcybdis1k[/MEDIA]
There’s a moderate pop amongst the three hundred -ish fans assembled around the ring from those that recognise the semi-familiar theme music. More join the cheers when Aaron Harrows - who hasn’t been seen since the Buddy Bowl, which also happened to be his FWA debut - walks through the curtain and onto the small, modest stage area. He smiles at the positive reaction before making his way down to the ramp.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Aaron Harrows was not originally announced as part of the sixteen person line-up for this tournament, but following on from Tommy Bedlam’s withdrawal it is understood that ‘Top Star’ reached out personally to FWA management to secure his spot."
Anzu Kurosawa: "And why wouldn’t he? The FWA X Championship will bring contenders from far and wide, including from Hollywood, apparently! We’ll find out who Harrows’ assigned opponent is in just a few moments. We’ll see if he lives to regret that call."
Harrows observes the huge cage around the two rings, looks through the open door, and then takes up a position outside of the steel structure near the announce desk.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "You’ll notice that Harrows hasn’t entered the cage, which is quite deliberate. Three of our assigned pairs, chosen at random before the match, will begin this one on the outside. It appears that Harrows is one of the six who’ll be on the outside looking in."
Anzu Kurosawa: "It’s falls count anywhere though, right?"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Anzu, you’re in the match. Don’t you know that already?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Yes, it’s falls count anywhere.”
Harrows loosens up and stares up the ramp as his music fades out…
{EVIL IS BUT A SHADOW || MILEY CYRUS}[MEDIA=youtube]BC5qrm0S_P0[/MEDIA]
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Oof, not a good draw for Aaron Harrows…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Hey! This is my date!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Apparently not…"
There’s a mixed reaction for ‘the Saviour of Death’ as he walks out onto the stage, his expression something between a smirk and a scowl. He ignores the fans completely as he makes his way towards the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing your first pairing… making his way to the ring, from Calgary, Alberta and weighing in at two hundred and sixty two pounds… ‘the Saviour of Death’... JEFFRY MASON!!"
There’s a considerable amount of cheering for the more hardcore-minded fans in attendance, whilst the boos come from those who are caught up in morality.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… already at ringside, from Gold Coast, Australia and weighing in at two hundred and eighteen pounds… ‘Top Star’... AARON HARROWS!!"
Mason comes to a halt outside the cage, staring through two walls of mesh at his assigned opponent. Miley Cyrus fades away and is promptly replaced by…
{SONNE || RAMMSTEIN}[MEDIA=youtube]v7GMG1aLyPw[/MEDIA]
A massive roar around the arena for the next competitor, who strides out onto the stage and then down the ramp towards the steel structure.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Here comes one of two men in the tournament’s line-up who has held the FWA X Championship already, having done so for a record number of days. Judging by the look of focus, today Alyster Black intends to win that title back."
Anzu Kurosawa: "How can you tell through the mask?"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I can’t, I’m just editorializing."
Alyster ignores the two competitors already outside the cage when he enters through the door. He climbs up the ring steps and into the ring, taking up position in a corner of one of the rings. He doesn’t even look up the ramp as his music fades out and is replaced by…
{ONE HEADLIGHT || THE WALLFLOWERS}[MEDIA=youtube]Zzyfcys1aLM[/MEDIA]
The cheers continue as XYZ appears on stage with none of his usual accompaniments, given that competitors were told to come alone for the first round contest (although rules on managers and stablemates attending the tournament as a whole have been somewhat relaxed). It’s unclear if it’s this that is shaking him or the huge cage that rears up ahead.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Here’s a man who has history with Alyster Black, as well as with the FWA X Championship. You know, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something I’m not remembering. Something to do with XYZ and that title…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Best not to think too much, J-L. Continuity is for suckers!"
XYZ carefully observes the cage as he arrives at the bottom of the ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And your second match-up: introducing first, currently residing in San Dimas, California and weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds… ALYSTER BLACK!!"
XYZ rolls into the same ring that Alyster is in and occupies the opposite corner.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… from Sitka, Alaska and weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds… XYZ!!"
X lifts both his hands into the air as the fans cheer his introduction, his eyes locked on Black across the ring. Alyster, for his part, doesn’t return the glare, instead adjusting his pads and remaining oblivious to his assigned opponent. X’s music fades out and is replaced by…
{HEX GIRL || THE HEX GIRLS}[MEDIA=youtube]9btxEC73Dog[/MEDIA]
The cheering continues for the next participant, although there are a few boos due to her association with the fiendish Coven, but Trixie pays the fans no mind as she walks out onto the stage. She seems ‘all business’ tonight, taking deep breaths as she continues down the ramp.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie has history in this tournament, entering the second installment of King of the Deathmatch and reaching the second round. She defeated the first incarnation of weaselperson in round one before being dumped out of contention by Jeffry Mason the following day."
Anzu Kurosawa: "I’m sure Trixie will be hoping to stay well clear of ‘the Saviour of Death’, both in this unconventional opening match and later on in the tournament."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I don’t know, Anzu. If we’ve learned anything about Trixie, it’s that she’s headstrong to a fault. I wouldn’t be surprised if she seeks him out."
Trixie looks at the open door and then, under instruction from the officials, takes up position outside the cage. She stands on the opposite side of the structure to Mason, looking up at the stage as her music fades out…
{UNDER YOUR SPELL || DESIRE}[MEDIA=youtube]9K7rmxjk5RQ[/MEDIA]
Anzu Kurosawa: "Oh, that’s me!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, seeing as you’re starting on the outside, you fancy staying at the desk until the entrances are over?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And miss the chance for a tense stand-off with Trixie?! No chance!"
Anzu removes her headset and climbs up onto the desk, offering a wave and a double thumbs up to the crowd of her countrymen.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing your third pairing… first, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds… BELLATRIX BORDEAUX!"
There seem to be less cheers for Trixie now that the Japanese crowd knows who she will be facing, but Trixie pays no attention to this anyway. She instead stares only at Anzu, who hops down from the desk to enjoy her tense stand-off.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And her opponent… from Hiroshima, Japan and weighing in at one hundred and one pounds… ANZU KUROSAWA!!"
Loud cheers for Kurosawa, whose game-face cracks into a wide smile as she takes up her position near Bordeaux. Desire’s ‘Under Your Spell’ fades out and is replaced with…
{TAKE ME TO CHURCH || HOZIER}[MEDIA=youtube]f4UhdgBVtVc[/MEDIA]
Some of the crowd are expecting to see Kleio De Santos, but instead it is another member of the Coven that walks out onto the stage. Blair pays them no mind as she continues down the ramp. She is accompanied by Grandma Ethel, by special invite on the condition that she join Jean-Luc at the booth.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Here comes the second and final of our replacements at KODM2, with Blair Ravenwood stepping in for her stablemate in the Coven, Kleio De Santos, when she withdrew earlier this week. This came as a surprise, especially given Kleio’s history in this tournament, making the final match in the first installment and the semi-finals in the second. Blair will be hoping to go one further than KDS in her tournament debut…"
Blair enters the cage door and takes up position in between the rings and the cage wall. She surveys the competitors in there already and doesn't flinch when Jeffry Mason rattles the cage wall from the other side of it. This elicits a slight smirk from Blair as her music fades out and is replaced by…
{GO TO SLEEP || EMINEM FT. DMX & OBIE TRICE}[MEDIA=youtube]r2GEb4MrkvU[/MEDIA]
Jason Randall gets a loud cheer from the fans in attendance as he appears on stage, but his focus is only on the rings ahead of him.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Randall returns for his second King of the Deathmatch tournament, but he’s been competing in these sorts of match-ups long before this event’s inception. Nobody will be more at home today than ‘the Wildcard’. Todd Salum caught up with Randall earlier today, and he had this to say…"
~~~~
EARLIER TODAY…
The scene shifts to a pre-recorded interview where Todd Salum is standing by with “The Wildcard” Jason Randall.
Todd Salum: “Jason Randall, we’re here at King of the Deathmatch, an event you’re no stranger to. Last year you were eliminated in the first round by Jeffry Mason in an unforgettable match. What are your intentions for this year’s event?”
Jason Randall: “I want to at least get past the first round. Last year didn’t go the way that I would have liked, but this year will be different. I know that’s a cliche thing to say but I mean it. I want this more than anything, I want it more than life itself right now.”
“I hear the doubters say I don’t have it anymore, and I hear the old timers with a podcast like Tim Borenette that say I look like a bum, and I’m a garbage wrestler that wrestles a garbage style like deathmatches. People can say what they want about me though because it doesn’t make a lick of difference. I’m going to keep doing this because it’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at in my life, and I don’t care what anyone else says about me.”
“I don’t know how many more I have left in me though if I’m being honest Todd. I know I mentioned the doubters, but I’ll be honest that I’ve been doubting myself lately. I know I just said that I don’t care what anyone says about me, but maybe they’re right, maybe I don’t have it in me anymore. Like I said though, I’m going to keep doing this till I can’t move anymore. I don’t care who they throw in front of me in the first round whether it’s Jeffry Mason again, Alyster Black, Johnny Johnson, Trixie Bordeaux, it doesn’t matter to me. Whoever it is will have to kill me if they want to make it to the next round because I will not stop until I am the last one standing with that X Championship back in my possession.”
“It’s been far too long since I’ve held some gold, so it’s about time I change that and there’s not a damn thing anyone can do to stop me.”
~~~~
We return to ringside as Natalie lifts the microphone to speak.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And pair number four… first, weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds… representing the Coven… BLAIR RAVENWOOD!!"
More boos rain down for Blair’s announcement, but it’s water off a duck’s back. Ravenwood rolls under the bottom rope of the second, currently unoccupied ring, moving into a corner to loosen up.
Natalie Rosenberg: ”And her opponent… from San Diego, California and weighing in at two hundred and thirty four pounds… ‘the Wildcard’... JASON RANDALL!!"
Randall has eyes only for Blair, a look of focus etched on his face. His music fades out and is replaced by…
{LAY DOWN || PRIESTESS}[MEDIA=youtube]RdWGIJX2_14[/MEDIA]
There's a mixed reaction for the next competitor, who has quickly made a name for himself in his short time as an FWA competitor. Colby Sol doesn't break stride as he matches towards the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Colby Sol has made allusions to his entry into this tournament on FWA television over the past few weeks, where he's been causing a stir by picking up nothing but wins. He first defeated La Sombra Filosa and then followed up with another triumph over Madison Gray. Tonight is his first chance to fight for FWA gold, and he looks more than ready."
Colby waits on the outside of the cage, signifying that this is where he'll start the match. He glances at the stage as his music is replaced by…
{EVERGREEN || KNUCKLE PUCK}[MEDIA=youtube]uKTV2Tm-Z8s[/MEDIA]
The audience is somewhat muted for the next entrant, with some cheers as Leafdom appears on stage.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Here comes the peculiar Leafdom, who is still looking for his first win in an FWA ring. There are easier places to get that than Colby Sol, his apparent opponent for this contest. Leafdom looks less than confident about the task ahead of him."
Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing match-up number five… first, hailing from the City of Champions Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and weighing in at two hundred and twenty five pounds… ‘the Conjurer’... COLBY SOL!!"
Leafdom stays well clear of Sol as he comes to a halt outside the cage, looking at him warily as the introductions are made.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… from Golarion and weighing in at one hundred and seventy five pounds… LEAFDOM!!"
Colby licks his lips and loosens his joints as the music fades out, the silence filled by…
{SCISSORS || JINJER}[MEDIA=youtube]DZ_WDLA9i7c[/MEDIA]
There are mostly boos as Jack the Clipper appears on the stage, but this only seems to spur him on as he marches with intent towards the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Jack the Clipper came very close to picking up the FWA Television Championship a few weeks ago at Winter Wasteland. I'm sure that success here in the King of the Deathmatch would help him get over that loss, not to mention picking up the FWA X Championship at the end of it. This environment seems a good fit for Clipper, who now awaits his opponent."
Clipper enters one of the rings, which is now looking rather full. He eyes each of the others in turn, his music fading out as he does.
{THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES || JANET JACKSON}[MEDIA=youtube]Khpb4yjL3Eg[/MEDIA]
A loud pop accompanies the next entrant, with Xperienx Xtacee encouraging the encouragement as he begins to stride towards the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Xperienx Xtacee may have been unsuccessful in his recent foray into the F1 Climaxxx tournament, but hopes his luck will be better here in this single elimination competition. His unconventional style, in my humble opinion, is well-suited to what will surely be an unconventional day of wrestling."
Natalie Rosenberg: "And your sixth pairing… first, from Whitechapel, London and weighing in at two hundred and seventy three pounds… JACK THE CLIPPER!!"
Jack has his eyes fixed upon Xtacee as his introduction is made, with Xperienx more interested in inspecting the myriad of foreign objects arranged at ringside.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… from the right side of the bed in Las Vegas, Nevada and weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds… XPERIENX XTACEE!!"
The mention of his name seems to bring about a sense of urgency in Xtacee. He turns away from a stack of light tubes propped up against the corner of the cage and rolls into the ring, just as his music fades out.
{DEVIL’S DANCE || METALLICA}[MEDIA=youtube]R1-177SVHcM[/MEDIA]
There’s heavy booing around the rings for ‘the Legend’, who appears on stage with a trademark scowl on his face. He has no time for pleasantries, instead striding down the ramp on his way towards the cage.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Johnny Johnson looks all-business tonight, which has been much of a theme for ‘the Legend’ since his recent return to the FWA. He’s had mixed success thus far, at first recording a big victory over ‘the Prodigy’ Mike Parr at Winter Wasteland, but then tasting defeat in a five-way match at Fallout 037. I wouldn’t want to be Johnson’s opponent in this first round, given the look of determination etched upon his face."
Johnson climbs into one of the two rings and begins to pace, his eyes glancing frequently at the stage.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Not many left…"
{QUAKE || NINE INCH NAILS}[MEDIA=youtube]Mv5Jvr2Fp48[/MEDIA]
There’s a loud and positive home-country reaction for one half of ‘Aka Manto’, as ‘the Crimson Ghost’ appears on stage and makes her way down the ramp.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It hasn’t been plain sailing for Aka Yurei since she returned to the FWA alongside tag team partner Keiko Hirabayashi, thus far recording two defeats in two-on-two matches in 2024. We’ll see how she fares as she turns her attention to singles competition."
Natalie Rosenberg: "Your seventh match-up… first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and weighing in at two hundred and thirty pounds… ‘the Legend’... JOHNNY JOHNSON!! And his opponent… currently residing in Seattle, Washington and weighing in at one hundred and twenty seven pounds… ‘the Crimson Ghost’... AKA YUREI!!"
Yurei enters the ring in the opposite corner from Johnson, the legend offering her a smirk as he loosens up. Next…
{SABOTAGE || BEASTIE BOYS}[MEDIA=youtube]z5rRZdiu1UE[/MEDIA]
There’s a reasonable pop for Sawyer Xavier, the audience reacting positively for the young man as he walks out onto the stage. He takes a moment to survey his unusual surroundings before making his way towards the cage.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Xavier’s most recent run here in the FWA has been somewhat stop-start, with Sawyer not quite able to get a run of momentum over the last few weeks. A victory over Jason Randall at Winter Wasteland was followed up by a loss to Madison Gray the next week. Sawyer will hope to find some semblance of consistency going into today’s tournament. He looks confident, nonetheless. Perhaps he has reason to be: the last time he was in a cage like this was Jailhouse Blues, which was the night on which Sawyer Xavier made his name."
Sawyer enters the cage and climbs into the ring, which is now inhabited by a veritable sea of humanity. His music is replaced by…
{HERE COMES REVENGE || VENGADOR}[MEDIA=youtube]FpF8Wa2yQH0[/MEDIA]
There’s a mixed but mostly negative reaction for the sixteenth and final competitor, who has an ominous look about him as he walks out onto the stage. Vengador surveys the small audience before beginning his descent of the ring ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing your eighth and final contest… first, from the Realm of Despair and weighing in at two hundred and fifty pounds… VENGADOR!! And his opponent… from Savannah, Georgia and weighing in at one hundred and seventy six pounds… SAWYER XAVIER!!"
Vengador is the last to enter the cage, and the door is closed and locked behind him.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That’s everyone, folks! Sixteen competitors in or around this gigantic cage, all hoping to be crowned the third King of the Deathmatch! I think we’re about ready, wrestling fans: let’s get this started!"
FIRST MATCH || ROUND ONE || 1/60.
Aaron Harrows vs. Jeffry Mason.
Alyster Black vs. XYZ.
Anzu Kurosawa vs. Trixie Bordeaux.
Blair Ravenwood vs. Jason Randall.
Colby Sol vs. Leafdom.
Jack the Clipper vs. Xperienx Xtacee.
Johnny Johnson vs. Aka Yurei.
Sawyer Xavier vs. Vengador.
Cage of Death 8x1v1 Match.
Match writer: SS.
<< 00:00. >>
The match starts and is, of course, pandemonium from the very outset. There are six competitors - Colby Sol, Leafdom, Anzu Kurosawa, Trixie Bordeaux, Jeffry Mason, and Aaron Harrows - starting outside the ring, as allocated by random draw before the event. The other ten wrestlers start in one of the two rings inside the cage, with Johnny Johnson immediately charging at Aka Yurei and attempting to take her head off with a clothesline, only for the Crimson Ghost to duck beneath it and nail him with an enziguri! Johnson stumbles back into the ring ropes to catch his breath, but doesn’t have a chance to do so as Xperienx Xtacee whips Jack the Clipper in his general direction, with Jack taking the opportunity to clothesline Johnny out of the ring!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Johnson lands in a heap next to the cage wall, and it’s hard to keep an eye on everything that’s going on here! Blair Ravenwood, one of your compatriots in the Coven, is on the receiving end of some rough stomps in the corner, courtesy of her assigned opponent in this chaotic match in ‘the Wildcard’ Jason Randall."
Grandma Ethel: "She’s been stomped before! Blair’s a tough cookie! Trixie, too… that’s the spirit, Trix’!"
The camera picks up Bordeaux, who is repeatedly smashing Anzu’s head against the side of the steel cage, the veteran offering no response but seemingly smiling a little more widely with each collision. In the background, we see Leafdom sprawl into the barricade thanks to a hard Irish whip from Colby Sol, who proceeds to collect Leafdom by the scruff of the neck and hurl him face-first into the side of the cage! The large clattering noise - as well as the heap of twig and bone that lands on the floor next to her - only breaks up Trixie’s rhythm for a moment, with Bordeaux continuing to repeatedly throw Anzu’s head into the steel.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie Bordeaux is already showing a vicious streak here, making it clear she intends to do better than her outing in KODM2, where she made the second round before defeat to Jeffry Mason."
Grandma Ethel: "Speak of the Devil! Stay away from him, Trix’! He’s bad news!"
Jeffry Mason has arrived near the scene, having just thrown Harrows down onto the ground with a powerslam. Those assembled at ringside clap the deathmatch legend on as he reaches into his pocket… and produces a metal fork!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Looks like Trixie is following your advice, leading Anzu away from the maniacal Mason. She knows all about Jeffry’s destructive relationship with kitchen utensils from last year."
Grandma Ethel: "Shame poor young Aaron doesn’t have that good sense! Where are that boy’s grandparents?!"
Mason has a wild grin as he approaches Harrows, who tries to back away but receives a boot to the face from Jeffry. Mason holds the fork in the air… and then digs it down into Aaron Harrows’ forehead!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That didn’t take long: we’re only a minute into proceedings here and already we get our first sight of the red stuff. Unsurprising that this is thanks to Jeffry Mason, who continues to carve away at his opponent’s head!!"
Grandma Ethel: "And would you look at Leafdom?! He’s climbing! Reminds me of the star jasmine I have around my front door back at home! You go Leafdom! You find that sun!"
Leafdom is indeed climbing in an effort to escape the rampant Colby Sol, who watches his opponent scarper up the side of the cage. Sol eventually shrugs and begins an ascent of his own, hot on Leafdom’s tail! The small crowd erupts as they watch the chase, making enough noise for ten times their number when Leafdom and then Colby reach the roof of the cage. Leafdom backs away from his assigned opponent, who tentatively and then confidently steps across the roof, doubling Leafdom over with a boot to the midsection. Colby applies a front facelock, attempting to take Leafdom over with a suplex, but Leafdom manages to over-rotate and land on his feet. Leafdom goes for an axe kick, but Colby catches his foot before pushing it away…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "SHOTGUN!! Colby Sol takes Leafdom’s HEAD off with that lariat!! And there’s the ankle lock!! He calls the Sol 2 Keep!!"
Only now do we notice that one of the several officials at ringside has climbed up onto the roof with them, owing to this match being falls count anywhere and the team in black and white attempting to keep an eye on everything at once. Leafdom initially is resistant, shaking his head in refusal as the official asks him if he wants to give it up…
… until Colby Sol applies a grapevine, wrenching further on the move!! Leafdom has no chance but to tap!!
{RESULT #1}Colby Sol defeats Leafdom via submission at 2:36.
***
<< 05:20. >>
In one of the two rings, XYZ and Alyster Black buck in a collar and elbow tie-up, X managing to push Black across the ring with an exertion of effort before Aly forces X back across the ring in turn. This particular ring has cleared of bodies, with the other six remaining pairings duking it out in the other ring, in the space between the rings and the cage, or outside of the steel structure. As XYZ again begins to force Aly backwards, momentarily getting the better of the test of strength, Aly ducks beneath X’s grasp and applies a rear waistlock, wrenching XYZ over with a German suplex! Black bridges for the cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
XYZ kicks out, with Black immediately applying a grounded side headlock to keep his opponent down. Meanwhile, on the outside, Mason attempts to whip a bloody Harrows into the barricade, but Aaron is able to reverse and send Jeffry into the steel instead! Mason stumbles towards Harrows, who levels him with a forearm strike, and then takes him over on the outside with a Northern Lights suplex! It’s Aaron’s turn to bridge for a pin…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Two very close calls there for two of the most decorated competitors in this style of match, with Alyster Black and Jeffry Mason both escaping at two. And take note of Colby Sol, who has already qualified for the second round but keeps a watchful eye on proceedings from atop the cage."
Grandma Ethel: "Nothing wrong with watching, Jean-Luc! It’s one of my favourite things to do!"
In the ring not currently inhabited by XYZ and Alyster Black, Sawyer Xavier takes it to Vengador with repeated forearms whilst Jason Randall backs Blair Ravenwood into the ropes with knife edge chops. With Vengador propped up against the ring ropes, Sawyer nails him with an exquisite standing dropkick that knocks him over the top rope and to the outside! Meanwhile, Jason charges at Blair and clobbers her over the ropes with a hard short-arm clothesline! Both land in a heap, with Randall and Sawyer turning around to face one another, momentarily freezing as they eye each other up.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "These two men have very recent history, with some backstage interactions leading to a match between Jason Randall and Sawyer Xavier at the recent Winter Wasteland pay-per-view."
The Wildcard and Xavier mouth a few unheard words at one another… and then charge past one another, flying through the ropes with simultaneous suicide dives! Randall collides with Vengador as Xavier crunches into Blair, impaling her against the side of the steel cage! The two former foes are up to their feet at roughly the same time, Xavier hurling Ravenwood into the nearby ring steps as Randall throws Vengador face-down on the apron. The Wildcard heaves Vengador into the ring as Xavier slides in on the opposite side of it. Vengador is up to his knees as Xavier tees him up for a shining wizard!! Vengador slumps down to the mat, with Xavier sending that his moment is here and dragging him back to his feet.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "There’s a real sense of urgency about Sawyer Xavier here as he puts Vengador into position…"
Grandma Ethel: "I’ve always liked the little scamp! I believe this is called the pumphandle. Would never have been allowed, back in my day!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But anything goes in King of the Deathmatch! Xavier drills Vengador with the spinebuster, a move that he calls Lay in Waste. Vengador complies with the instruction… he might be out!"
Xavier hooks the leg…
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT #2}Sawyer Xavier defeats Vengador via pinfall at 08:41.
***
<< 10:51. >>
Aaron Harrows has Jeffry Mason in a front facelock on the outside, maybe looking for a snap suplex on the ringramp, but Mason fights out with right hands to the side, forcing Harrows to release before nailing him with a Yakuza kick! Harrows looks as though he’s going to slump to the ground, but Mason lifts up his dead weight onto his shoulder before running him face first into the steel cage door!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "A vicious collision for Aaron Harrows… and the cage door is open! It caved in under the weight of Harrows!"
The door is still on its hinges but is now ajar, with Aaron lying in a heap between it and the cage wall. Jeffry doesn’t blink, grasping the door and proceeding to slam it against Harrows’ knee, which is in perfect position between the frame and the door. He repeats this half a dozen times, Harrows screaming out in agony each time the steel connects with his knee joint.
Meanwhile, Blair Ravenwood has turned the tables on the Wildcard following a low dropkick. She follows up with alternating boxing uppercuts and European uppercuts, before taking Randall by the hand and throwing him across the ring with an Irish whip. The Wildcard hits the turnbuckles hard and bounces back towards Blair, who wipes him out with a running knee strike!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And it looks like Blair Ravenwood is going for an armbar, which Jason Randall wants no part of. The Wildcard is wriggling towards the ropes, which will provide no sanctuary in this anything goes match."
Grandma Ethel: "Atta girl, Blair! An armbar is a little modern for my tastes, but this is a deathmatch!"
Randall gets to the ropes and knows that they will do him no good, proceeding to pull himself out of the ring and onto the outside. He escapes Blair’s clutches and grasps her legs, slingshotting her up throat-first into the bottom rope! He turns the tables in an instant, and immediately fishes under the ring, pulling out a familiar toolbox that gets a cheer from the crowd!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "We saw Jason Randall produce this exact toolbox during 2023’s tournament, when he faced Jeffry Mason in the first round! What’s in his tray of tricks this year?!"
Randall opens the lid and pulls a screwdriver out of the box. He grips the handle, going to that dark place as he turns to face Blair… who lashes out with a second low dropkick, the screwdriver escaping the Wildcard’s grasp and skidding away from the pair.
Back with Aaron Harrows, who has managed to gain some momentary separation from Jeffry Mason by raking his eyes and is now in the process of crawling away from the deathmatch legend whilst clutching his somewhat-mangled leg. He perhaps deliberately crawls in the direction of Trixie Bordeaux, who has just successfully taken Anzu down on the outside with a sit-out jawbreaker followed by a bulldog. Mason follows Harrows, right into Trixie’s path…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Talk about history. These two met as part of last year’s tournament in the second round, and have since faced off in a deathmatch as part of Fallout 036."
Grandma Ethel: "A match that Trix’ won, I might add! Jeffry Mason might be smirking derisively, but he should know better than to take Bellatrix Bordeaux lightly. I happen to know she still has some feelings about the deathmatch legend."
A dark cloud seems to come over Trixie, who sees red and charges at Mason, bowling him backwards with three consecutive forearm strikes! She attempts a short-arm clothesline, but Mason is able to duck beneath it… only for Trixie to hit him when he turns with a kick to the groin! And then a headbutt!
Trixie roars as she pulls Jeffry close again…
… only to be taken out by Anzu with a shotgun dropkick!! Trixie is knocked backwards into the barricade, hitting the steel with the back of her head. Kurosawa picks herself up and collects a nearby kendo stick, proceeding to bring it down over Trixie’s shoulder a half-dozen times, Bordeaux throwing up a hasty guard that does little to stop the kendo stick eventually splintering over her!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Jeffry Mason proved enough of a distraction, and for the first time in this match-up Anzu Kurosawa finds herself on the offense against Trixie Bordeaux. Dear Trix’ doesn’t look in the best shape, Grandma…"
Grandma Ethel: "Don’t be trite, Jean-Luc. It doesn’t suit you."
***
<< 17:12. >>
Johnny Johnson is in the process of dragging Aka Yurei’s face against the steel meshing on the outside of the ring (but inside the cage). He draws colour from Yurei by the time he lets her go, raising his arms into the air after doing so, a smirk on his face and Aka’s blood staining his white wristbands. He is laughing by the time he hoists Yurei up, applying a front facelock and going for a suplex. Yurei over-rotates, though, and perhaps through nothing more than instinct she’s able to land on her feet. Johnson turns around, Yurei pops him up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "A cutter from Aka Yurei!"
Grandma Ethel: "OUTTA NOWHERE!!"
Yurei lands the move but, after some prolonged offense by Johnson she is unable to follow up immediately. By the time she does, JJ has regained consciousness himself. She takes him by the wrist, attempting to hurl him into the ring steps with an Irish whip… but Johnson uses his weight to shift and reverse, sending Aka hurtling into them instead! Yurei hits them hip-first and lands in a heap on the other side of them! Johnson grabs a handful of her hair and drags her towards the now open door, pulling her onto the outside of the cage…
… just as Colby Sol finishes his descent from the cage roof, landing on the ground next to the door…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Remember that Colby Sol has already secured his entry into the second round but, unlike Sawyer Xavier, he has stayed out here long after defeating his opponent. And now he’s staring a hole in Johnny Johnson."
Johnson throws Aka down to the ground next to him so that he can return Colby’s hard stare. Sol seems to loosen up as he approaches Johnny, now refreshed after making light work of Leafdom atop the cage at the start of this match. Sol looks Johnny Johnson up and down, and his smirk seems to suggest he doesn’t think much of him. With a shake of his head, Colby Sol turns to the ring ramp, and finally makes his retreat from the ringside area.
Johnson watches him go with his hands on his hips… allowing Aka Yurei to creep up from behind him rolling him up with a school-boy!
ONE… TWO… NO!
JJ kicks out, but is immediately struck with a roundhouse kick from the Crimson Ghost, the crowd in her native Japan cheering the sudden offense! Meanwhile, inside the ring, Blair Ravenwood and Trixie Bordeaux have reunited, having been separated by the cage wall at the start of the match. Across the ring from them are Anzu Kurosawa and Jason Randall, who have entered into a hasty alliance with the two members of the Coven now facing them down. Kurosawa and Randall charge in at their opponents, but Trixie and Blair duck the attempted clotheslines, before connecting with stereo spin kicks to the gut, doubling Anzu and Blair over. They both apply front facelocks, perhaps looking to spike Anzu and the Wildcard with DDTs, but both Kurosawa and Randall are able to force their opponents back into opposite corners, proceeding to nail them with shoulder thrusts. Randall and Anzu attempt to Irish whip the witches into one another, but Trixie and Blair reverse, causing Jason Randall and Anzu to collide in the middle of the ring!
Randall is able to duck Blair’s attempted hook kick, and then lashes out with a desperation headbutt that sends Ravenwood reeling. The Wildcard collects her by the scruff of the neck and throws her through the middle and top rope, Blair colliding with the steel ring post with her shoulder. Ravenwood falls onto the outside, with the Wildcard following her out. Anzu has not been so lucky with Trixie’s follow-up attacks, falling victim to a snap DDT, followed by a snapmare and drop kick combo, and then a famouser. Trixie goes for a cover…
ONE… TWO.. NO!
Anzu kicks out, and with Trixie grasping at her she rolls all the way to the outside of the ring. Bordeaux follows her out, not realising that Kurosawa has got a hold of Jason Randall’s discarded screwdriver…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "A vicious shot from the head by Anzu Kurosawa!!! She may be all smiles on commentary, but these types of bloodbaths are how Kurosawa became a household name in Japan!"
Trixie recoils from the move, and immediately we see that a nasty cut has opened up above her eye. Anzu follows up by grasping Bordeaux in a front facelock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "BRAINBUSTAAAAAH! Trixie’s in trouble! Anzu has finished many opponents with that!"
Kurosawa goes for a cover…
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie kicks out! Incredible resilience from Bordeaux!"
Grandma Ethel: "Never doubted it!"
In the other ring, whilst Alyster Black and XYZ continue to exchange holds, Jack the Clipper and Xperienx Xtacee re-enter after what has been an even battle that has sprawled outside the cage and then back into it. Xtacee backs Clipper up into the ropes with a combination of jabs and hooks, before Jack ducks beneath an attempted clothesline designed to send him back onto the outside. Xtacee turns around into a STIFF polish hammer, knocking him down to the mat and allowing Clipper to climb onto the outside.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Jack the Clipper should maybe be going for a cover, but instead he’s fishing under the ring. He retrieves a steel chair, which he slides into the ring, and then a light tube!"
Grandma Ethel: "The first of many today, I hope!"
Clipper slides into the ring with the light tube in his hand, waiting patiently for Xtacee to rise whilst adjusting his grip. When Xperienx has his vertical base, Clipper goes for a huge swing with the tube, which Xtacee evades in Matrix-style. Clipper stumbles but manages to halt before colliding with the corner. He turns around…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "A HUGE spinning forearm from Xperienx!! Through the light tube and into Jack! Shards everywhere! Clipper is dazed!"
Grandma Ethel: "But Xperienx doesn’t seem done. You know, despite our issues with Xtacee and his buddies, I’ve always liked his style…"
Xtacee collects Jack the Clipper in position for his ‘Wingclipper’ finisher…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "SENSUAL SENSATION!! Xperienx Xtacee hits it in the middle of the ring!"
Grandma Ethel: "Not that that matters in a falls count anywhere match…"
Xperienx follows up with a mounted pin…
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT #3}Xperienx Xtacee defeats Jack the Clipper via pinfall at 20:40.
Xtacee celebrates the victory and then stumbles towards the cage door, shook up but doing better than some of those still in the match. When Jack the Clipper comes around, he beats his fist on the mat, visibly frustrated at the defeat as officials tentatively suggest he make his way out of the cage.
***
<< 24:58. >>
Aka Yurei has Johnny Johnson backed up against a barricade, where she proceeds to lay into him with alternating knife edge and Mongolian chops. The crowd cheers her on as she pulls Johnson away from the barricade in a front facelock, rotating and nailing him with a neckbreaker! She is breathing heavily as she gets to her feet, but then signals that the end is here and drags JJ up to his feet…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Aka is looking for the poison frankensteiner that she calls Vengeful Strike... but Johnson halts her momentum! Yurei is up on his shoulders as he reverses… and throws her into the cage wall! Aka Yurei hits the steel with the back of her neck and lands in a heap near the ring ramp!!"
Johnson smells blood in the water, hoisting Aka up to her feet in an inverted headlock. He drags her off the ground, stepping over towards the unforgiving ring ramp, before slamming her onto it with a Michinoku driver!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "He dubbs that the Greatest Finisher!"
Grandma Ethel: "You can ask poor little Aka why!"
Johnson follows up with a cover…
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT #4}Johnny Johnson defeats Aka Yurei via pinfall at 26:26.
As Johnson lifts his hands into the air in victory, we shift focus to Trixie Bordeaux, who has just taken Anzu Kurosawa down with a shoulder tackle to the legs. Trixie stands up and sees Jeffry Mason on the other side of the cage wall, who is taking it to Aaron Harrows with a two-by-four wrapped in barbed wire, which he drags back and forth across Harrows’ forehead whilst eye-balling Bordeaux. Trixie drags her eyes from Mason and gets a kick to the gut from Anzu, who drags her into another front facelock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Anzu maybe looking for another brainbuster… but Trixie Bordeaux reverses with one of her own!! Kurosawa is planted on the top of her head!"
Grandma Ethel: "Not going to do your little meme thing?"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Not twice in one match, Grandma. There’s such a thing as oversaturation."
Grandma Ethel: "Then I’ll do it for you… BRAAAAAAINBUUUUUUSTAAAAAAAAHHH!!"
Trixie isn’t done there… she stalks Anzu from behind as Kurosawa drags herself up to a weary vertical base…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "HOCUS POCUS!!! Despite her face being a crimson mask thanks to that ugly cut above Trixie’s eye, she manages to land it!"
Bordeaux heaves Anzu over onto her back after the ‘Zig-Zag’, and hooks the far leg…
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT #5}Trixie Bordeaux defeats Anzu Kurosawa at 28:51.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "They’re falling thick and fast here in the Cage of Death! Five people have already booked their places in the second round: Colby Sol, Sawyer Xavier, Xperienx Xtacee, Johnny Johnson, and Trixie Bordeaux. As we approach the half-hour mark, six competitors remain in contention for the last three spots: Alyster Black and XYZ continue to chain wrestle in our left-hand ring, Blair Ravenwood and Jason Randall circle in the right-hand one, and Jeffry Mason stalks Aaron Harrows around the outside of the cage like a madman. The Cage of Death certainly hasn’t disappointed."
Grandma Ethel: "If you’re into that sort of thing…"
***
<< 31:50. >>
Alyster Black has XYZ up in a fireman's carry in the ring that they've shared for the duration of this match. X kicks out his legs in an attempt to knock Black off balance and escape his clutches, but Aly seems to hold firm as he carries him into the middle of the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "It looks like Alyster is going for his patented Death Valley Driver, but XYZ is doing all he can to evade it."
Grandma Ethel: "I've heard all about Death Valley. A dreary place, by all accounts. Can't see this XYZ character fitting in…"
X manages to wriggle his way loose and slide down Alyster’s back, catching Black with a sunset roll-up!
ONE… TWO… NO!
Alyster kicks out, with XYZ winding up for a big discuss lariat, one of his long, gangly arms outstretched… but Aly ducks beneath it and rolls X up with a schoolboy!
ONE… TWO… NO!
XYZ gets a shoulder up!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "These two are another pairing with a history together in the FWA. This isn't the first time that XYZ has challenged for the X Championship and done it against Alyster Black, though he'll be hoping for a different outcome this time around!"
Whilst Jean-Luc opines about their shared history, XYZ takes his turn to duck beneath a lariat from Alyster. X hooks the arms and takes him down with a backslide…
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
Aly kicks out and rolls onto his feet, with X seemingly stalling on all fours, allowing Black to pin his shoulders to the mat with a la magistral!
ONE… TWO… T – NO!
As XYZ and Alyster continue to exchange roll-ups, we cut away to the other ring, where Blair Ravenwood wrenches at a single leg Boston crab. With the Wildcard sundered in the middle of the ring, we see over his shoulder as Trixie Bordeaux sets up a table on the outside. It only barely fits in the space between the ring apron and the steel cage. Bordeaux pauses in her rearranging of the furniture when Jeffry Mason again enters her peripherals on the other side of the steel. She scowls at Mason, who laughs in return, before collecting a bundle of light tubes that is propped up against the barricade. This momentary hesitation is enough for Aaron Harrows to regain some wherewithal. Harrows spots the approaching Mason and takes him down with a drop toe hold! In order to stop the bundle of light tubes smashing in his face, Mason falls onto his elbows and forearms. He stifles a scream of pain and then drops the bundle to the ground from a safe height, taking a deep breath as he reflects upon his apparent safety…
… ONLY FOR HARROWS TO DRIVE HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE LIGHT TUBES WITH A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!!
Grandma Ethel: "Good Lord! I thought he was a nice boy!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "The King of the Deathmatch brings it out of people!!"
Meanwhile, inside the ring, XYZ ducks beneath an errant clothesline attempt from Alyster Black and catches him in a crucifix roll up!
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
X is slow to get up, but Black doesn't get up at all. XYZ thinks that perhaps his opponent has been exhausted and approaches… but is caught in a small package!!
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
In the other ring, Trixie has rolled in to join Blair, her table set up on the outside. Ravenwood and Bordeaux take turns to back Randall up into the ropes with chops. They take him by the wrists and whip him into the opposite set, bending forward in unison as if to hit a back body drop… but the Wildcard telegraphs it! He spikes both Blair and Trixie onto their heads with a double DDT!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That might be just the opening that Randall needs! It's two against one in there, but somehow Randall has found a way to even things out!"
Grandma Ethel: "Come on, girls!"
Randall is unable to immediately follow up, instead staggering into a corner as the two members of the Coven rise on the opposite side of the ring. Blair is the first to do so, charging in at Randall, who hoists her over the ropes with a back body drop of his own. She lands on the apron, allowing Randall to focus on Trixie whilst Blair finds her footing. Randall strides towards Bordeaux, doubles her over with a boot to the midsection, and then nails her with a stunner!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "A little old school Jason Randall there! Trixie is laid out by the stunner!"
Grandma Ethel: "But it’s not Trixie that he needs to cover…"
Randall knows this, too, and approaches Blair on the apron. Ravenwood clutches him by the scruff of the neck when he gets to her, bringing him down throat-first over the top rope! Randall slumps to the mat, and Blair wastes no time in dragging him out onto the apron. The Wildcard is on all fours when Blair hits him with a stiff kick to the side of the head, and then plants him on the top of it with an elevated DDT!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Jason Randall might be out already, but Blair now takes the time to lay him out atop the table on the outside."
After finishing this task, Blair slides back into the ring, rousing Trixie, who is only just coming to after the stunner from Randall. Ravenwood points out to her downed opponent on the outside and utters some excited words in Trixie’s direction, who nods her head dutifully. Blair backs Trixie into the ropes near Randall on the outside, whips her into the opposite set, and then launches the reapproaching Bordeaux up and over the top rope… and she splashes down hard on Randall through the table!!
Grandma Ethel: "There it is, Jean-Luc! The Pop-Up Splash!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And from that height, through a table, the pinfall is academic! Trixie almost brushed the roof of the cage in that move!"
Blair is quick to climb out of the ring, dragging Trixie out of the way so that she can apply a cover…
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT #6}Blair Ravenwood defeats Jason Randall via pinfall at 35:03.
The camera doesn’t remain on Blair’s celebration for long, instead shifting to the only occupied ring as XYZ bundles Alyster forwards into the ropes, rolling backwards with him with an O’Connor Roll…
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
Black kicks out with such force that XYZ stumbles forward, the masked man able to reply to X’s O’Connor Roll with an Oklahoma Roll of his own…
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!
It’s XYZ’s turn to forcefully kick out, Alyster knocked forward across the ring. By the time Black has turned back towards X, he is already leaping into the air, landing on the back of Black’s shoulders. It’s a Victory Roll, X grabbing both legs and sitting far back to anchor Alyster’s shoulders down…
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!
Another kickout from Black, with the former X Champion seeing enough of an opening for him to pin XYZ’s shoulders down with an inside cradle…
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!
Both men attempt to rise, but it’s Aly who is slower, and he appears to lose his footing before he has a vertical base… allowing XYZ to go for an elaborate pinning set-up that catches Alyster off-guard…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Mousetrap! XYZ with the mousetrap!!"
ONE… TWO… …
… THREE!
And Alyster kicks out just after, but it’s a moment too late!
{RESULT #7}XYZ defeats Alyster Black via pinfall at 36:20.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "He got him! A huge scalp for XYZ, who avenges his defeat at Back in Business 2022, where he lost to Alyster Black in the X4 tournament, which was in many ways a precursor to the King of the Deathmatch itself."
Grandma Ethel: "Yes, a lovely story, Jean-Luc. Well, it appears we’re leaving. It’s been nice. I don’t doubt we’ll do it again. Until then…"
The two members of the Coven, both safely through to round two, pass by the announce table, with Grandma Ethel rising from it and joining her younger contemporaries. The three of them pass by Aaron Harrows, who has just thrown Jeffry Mason into the side of the cage, and is now taking a breather near the desk. Harrows lets them go by, exchanging a narrowed glance at each of them in turn, his eyes lingering on Trixie the longest as his one-time tag team partner passes by.
***
<< 38:01. >>
Harrows and Mason are the only two competitors left in the match, and Aaron has managed to shift the momentum in his favour following the double foot stomp. He's just hit a snap suplex on the outside, and he lifts Mason up again in a side headlock.
Jean-Luc Watkins: ”Looks like we might be about to see Harrows’ first Oscar of the evening. Usually, that headlock driver spells the end for his opponent…”
Jeffry Mason is wise to it, though, applying a rear waist lock and driving Harrow forward into the cage wall… before planting him with a side suplex! Harrows looks a mess, his head bloody following the attack with Mason's fork, and his leg still in bad shape following its repeated bludgeoning with the cage door. Jeffry looks down at his prone prey, and then eyes up the announce table directly in front of him.
Jean-Luc Watkins: ”No, not here! I'm trying to keep it nice for Anzu!”
Mason doesn't care about Watkins’ best-laid plans, immediately throwing the monitors, notes, and wires off the top of the announce desk, which is bigger and bulkier than the other table seen so far. Then, he grabs Aaron and throws him up onto the table, following him up and - although it seems like a precarious perch - hammers into Harrows with a series of forearm strikes. Jeffry Mason has Harrows up on the cleared announce table, and drags his head into position between his legs. He signals that it’s the end, perhaps intending to hoist Aaron up for a powerbomb…
… but Aaron Harrows lashes out with a low blow!! He shows he’s no stranger to dirty tactics himself, and he hooks onto Mason with a headlock…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Oscar Number 1! Through the announce desk!!"
The crowd erupts as the table explodes, the camera struggling to find Mason and Harrows amongst the debris. It finally does shortly after the referee, with Aaron draping an arm over Jeffry amidst the wreckage…
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT #8}Aaron Harrows defeats Jeffry Mason via pinfall at 40:59.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s over! And, in this announcer’s opinion, not a second too soon! What a chaotic opening contest…”
Aaron Harrows gets to his feet, slowly and gingerly, nursing the wounds sustained over the last forty minutes. He stumbles back into the barricade, using it for support as blood trickles down from a myriad of open wounds.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Fortunately for Aaron Harrows, and the rest of the successful competitors from the Cage of Death, he’ll have some time now to recover before the second round matches. And that’ll give the crew some time to clear up this mess, too, which has already got underway around me.”
In a wide shot, we see a large number of FWA staff clearing away the debris from the previous contest. The crane has been reattached to the gigantic cage and is in the process of being raised once again.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Jesus, there’s glass everywhere. Where’s catering?”
The feed shifts to show XYZ getting ready for his quarterfinals match against Blair Ravenwood, the same person who approached him about usurping Kleio de Santos in The Coven. X is in his personal area, where he gets dressed and mentally ready. It’s not so much a locker room as it is just a space for him to use with some trees and shrubs blocking public view.
X is tying the green cape around his neck when Sierra approaches.
“Good. I’m glad you’re not naked.”
“Only those with no morals are truly naked.”
“Well … on the note of morals … have you decided what you’ll do regarding Blair’s offer and Kleio de Santos?”
“I have not. The pros of the cons and the cons of the pros weigh heavy on my pupils and irises. I’m sure you’re here to offer your opinion.”
“Well, since you asked …”
“Uh-huh.”
Sierra smirks as X looks down to the ground.
“I think …”
She pauses.
“I think you should stay true to yourself, X. I know what I would do. I know what Frank would do. What Wild J would do. What Christian would do. But what will you do? You should do what you should do, X.”
X looks at Sierra with a hint of surprise.
“I’ve been told I am the master of not speaking clearly, and even I am impressed with that last line, Sierra.”
Sierra gives X a pat on the shoulder and leaves him to his final moments of prep.
{HEX GIRL || THE HEX GIRLS}[MEDIA=youtube]9btxEC73Dog[/MEDIA]
The 300 fans in attendance, already on their feet due to the lack of seating arrangements, cheers excitedly as Trixie walks out from behind the curtain. Much like in the opening round, Trixie does not seem like her usual, excitable self. Hell, Trixie doesn’t look even remotely concerned about the concept of entering such a violent environment as she walks to the ring, the cut above her eye inflicted to her by Anzu in the opening match still leaking a little blood.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing first, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana… weighing in at one-hundred and twenty pounds… she is one third of the FWA Trios Champions… TTTTTTRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIXXXXXXXIEEEEEEEE BOOOOOOOOOOOOOORDEAUX!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I dunno what, but there’s something off about Trixie. She’s walking into arguably the most hostile environment in professional wrestling, DEATHMATCH RULES, as though she’s just taking a nice stroll on the beach. Trixie is someone who has always wore her heart on her sleeve, Anzu, but right here, right now… I dunno, it’s like there’s nothing there!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "You’re right, Jean-Luc, something seems to have changed in Trixie. We’ve watched her in these kinds of environments before, and one thing that has always been present has been the obvious fear in her eyes. The nerves of walking into an environment like this, not really knowing if you’re gonna be able to walk back out, and right now, it look like she has absolutely NO fear whatsoever. NONE… and that may or may not be a good thing."
Trixie walks up the steps and enters the ring, looking around at the fans in attendance, who’re all holding up their weapons, excited at the prospect of their weapon being chosen to cause unimaginable pain to one of the participants in this match.
{THE MAN || THE KILLERS}[MEDIA=youtube]w3xcybdis1k[/MEDIA]
Aaron Harrows’ music hits to a big pop from the crowd, having more than earned their respect with his effort in the opening round, as he limps out from behind the curtain, his leg still in a bad way after what Jeffry Mason did to it in the Cage of Death Match.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Aaaaaaaaaaaand her opponent, from Gold Coast, Australia… weighing in at two-hundred and eighteen pounds… he is ‘The Top Star’, AARON HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARROWS!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And here comes the returning Aaron Harrows, who to the shock of basically EVERYONE, managed to pin one of the favourites to win the entire tournament in Jeffry Mason during the Cage of Death Match in the opening round, which earned him a spot in this, the first match of the Quarter-Finals."
Anzu Kurosawa: "It’s also worth noting, Jean-Luc, that Aaron Harrows went the full distance during that match. Over 40 minutes locked in a cage with Jeffry fucking Mason after your blood is enough to end many a career, and yet Aaron Harrows not only managed to survive that, but he actually managed to BEAT Jeffry Mason, and book his place in the Quarter-Finals. But, as he limps out onto the stage, you have to ask… at what cost?"
Despite the obvious pain as he limps to the ring, with his head and leg heavily bandaged after enduring 40-minutes of Jeffry Mason, Aaron Harrows actually has an excited smile on his face as he makes his way down to the ring, waving at his good friend Trixie, with whom he teamed with during their unsuccessful Buddy Bowl campaign. Trixie doesn’t return the gesture, however, but Harrows doesn’t notice this as he gingerly hops up the steps on one leg and enters the ring.
SECOND MATCH || SECOND ROUND || 1/30.
Aaron Harrows vs. Trixie Bordeaux.
Fans Bring the Weapons Deathmatch.
Match writer: Welshy.
<< 00:00. >>
The bell rings and both Aaron and Trixie stare at each other from across the ring. Despite his extensive injuries, ‘The Top Star’ has a relieved smile on his face as he looks at Trixie, before limping towards her with his hands held up in a non-threatening way.
Aaron Harrows: "Hey Trixie! Wassup!?"
Trixie doesn’t react. She just stares at her Buddy Bowl friend stone-faced.
Aaron Harrows: "Look, I’m a little banged up right now, and I don’t really wanna hurt you too badly since we’re buddies, so why don’t we just forget about all the weapons and blood and just have a nice, friendly wrestling match, eh?"
Trixie ponders Aaron’s idea while Aaron awaits her response hopefully. After a moment, while the crowd gives an impatient boo, Trixie lets out a smile… an extremely creepy, almost soulless smile, before reaching out her hand in a gesture of goodwill.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Perhaps unsurprisingly, these two friends and former tag partners seem to have agreed to have a friendly, weapon-free match."
Anzu Kurosawa: "But, I WANNA SEE THEM TEAR EACH OTHER APART!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "There’ll be plenty of that in this tournament, Anzu. I for one wouldn’t mind seeing a nice, clean contest between these two!"
Ecstatic that Trixie agrees, Aaron shakes Trixie’s hand and embraces her in a hug. Trixie’s smile fades almost instantly as Aaron hugs her, and, after a moments’ more consideration….
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Trixie KNEES HARROWS IN THE PEE-PEE!"
The crowd goes wild, partly in shock that Trixie OF ALL PEOPLE would do something like that to one of her friends, but mostly… they just wanna see somebody suffer!
Anzu Kurosawa: "YES TRIXIE! NOW BUST HIM UP!"
Aaron drops to his knees, clutching his scrotum and looking up at Trixie with a betrayed expression.
Aaron Harrows: "I-I thought we were friends-"
AND TRIXIE KNEES HARROWS STRAIGHT IN THE FACE!
Aaron crumbles to the floor and Trixie looks to end this early! COVER!
One…
Two…
…THRE-NO! Aaron gets his shoulder up just in time!
***
<< 05:31. >>
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie has been relentless from the get go in this one. The way she’s going after Harrows, you’d swear he was her mortal enemy!"
Having not properly recovered from the cheap shot to the testis, or his war with Jeffry Mason in the first round, Aaron Harrows has been on the defensive the entire match thus far, desperate to create some distance between himself and the seemingly demented hellhound that is determined to tear him limb from limb.
Both competitors are on the outside of the ring as Aaron ducks as Trixie swings a shovel that she had taken from one audience member, narrowly missing Aaron’s skull! Having created an opening, Harrows kicks Trixie in the mid-section, causing her to drop the shovel. Unfortunately, with Aaron’s leg still in a bad way after Jeffry had mangled it in the cage door, the kick seemed to hurt him more than her, as Aaron collapsed to the floor, clutching his leg.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Harrows is in a bad way right now, Watkins. Even his offense is causing him excruciating pain!"
Seeing Aaron clutching his leg, Trixie decides to make that weak point her target as she grabs ‘The Top Star’ by the ankle of his bad leg. Harrows, desperate to get away, grabs the curtain on the side of the ring and uses it to try to drag himself under the ring. Trixie keeps hold of Aaron, but having basically 100lbs on her, Aaron is the far stronger of the two as he manages to drag himself halfway under the ring. After a moment, Trixie seemingly begins to win this tug of war, as she pulls Aaron back out into the open, and-AARON HARROWS SPRAYS TRIXIE IN THE EYES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "An ingenious counter by Harrows! TRIXIE’S BLIND!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Harrows spent months training with a fire department in preparation for his role as ‘Fire Fighter #9’ in Sami Raimi’s Spider-Man 1! All that training just came in handy for him!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I’m pretty sure Harrows wasn’t even born when that movie was filmed, Anzu."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Such is the unparalleled range that Harrows has as an actor!"
With Trixie clutching her eyes in agony, completely unable to see, Aaron Harrows manages to drag himself up to his feet, before snatching a gun from one of the audien-A GUN!?
Jean-Luc Watkins: "OH FUCK, HARROWS HAS A GUN! RUN FOR COVER!"
Aiming the M4 Assault Rifle at the still blind Trixie, Harrows yells ’SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!’ in THE WORSE Cuban accent of all time, before pulling the trigger… AND TRIXIE GETS PELTED WITH BBs as she tries to cover up! Trixie screams in pain as the pellets from the high-powered Airsoft gun bounces off Trixie’s arms and torso, causing several small red welts to form all over Trixie’s upper body, before eventually, Harrows runs out of ammo. Not ready to discard the gun, Aaron wields the gun by the barrel and swings with everything he’s got, with the corner of the stock bouncing off Trixie’s head, reopening up the cut just above her eye! As blood pours out of the reopened gash, Trixie drops to the floor in a heap!
Being falls count anywhere, and seeing victory within his reach, Aaron Harrows wasted no time in going for the cover!…
One…
Two…
…THRE-NO! Trixie gets the shoulder up!
Seeing Trixie begin to stir, Aaron mounts her and begins to unload with a series of rights and lefts all the while yelling…
Aaron Harrows: "God dammit! I JUST WANTED A NICE FRIENDLY MATCH, TRIX!"
… before Trixie manages to push him off her. With Aaron’s strikes seemingly only serving to help Trixie regain some of her wits, she scrambles dazedly to her feet and looks around for Aaron. With her vision still blurred, Trixie struggles to find Aaron, before noticing a figure standing on the top turnbuckle, as Aaron stands with a blue LIGHTSABER clutched in his hands!
Aaron Harrows: "IT’S OVER TRIXIE! I HAVE THE HIGH GROUND!"
Aaron declares, as he eyes down Trixie. Having shaken the cobwebs loose, Trixie stares up at Harrows with hatred in her eyes.
Trixie Bordeaux: “You underestimate my power…"
Aaron Harrows: "Don’t try it…"
As Aaron expertly delivers his line, Trixie takes a LEGO DEATH STAR from a child in the crowd and LAUNCHES IT AT HARROWS! Lego bricks fly everywhere as the Death Star disintegrates into a million pieces over Harrows’ head and knocks him off the top rope and sends him crashing back into the ring!
***
<< 11:21. >>
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Harrows ducks the lightsaber strike, GERMAN SUPLEX BY HARROWS!"
The lightsaber flies out of Trixie’s grasp as Harrows throws her halfway across the ring, with Trixie landing head and back first on several LEGO pieces, causing her to writhe in agony as she clutches the back of her head. Having dropped Trixie, Aaron takes the moment to look around at the audience, taking stock of their barbaric offerings. Seeing something that sparks an idea, Harrows rolls out of the ring and grabs…
Anzu Kurosawa: "Is-… IS THAT A SWORD!?"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Uh… I think Aaron Harrows is legitimately trying to kill Trixie! First a gun, now a sword!?"
Aaron admires the beauty of the sword for a moment, before rolling back into the ring. Trixie rolls onto her stomach, trying to lift herself back up to her feet. As Trixie manages to lift herself to her hands and knees, Aaron stands over her and raises the sword high, ready to bring it down across Trixie’s neck!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "No-NO! HE’S GONNA FUCKING DECAPITATE TRIXIE! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!!"
Aaron Harrows: "I HAVE THE POOOOWEEER!"
And, with this declaration, Harrows brings the sword down… AND THE SWORD bends flimsily as it connects with Trixie’s neck!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Wai-IT’S A FAKE! IT’S MADE OF RUBBER!"
Aaron looks down in shock and sees Trixie staring back at him with murderous intent, having just realised that Harrows just attempted to behead her!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie does not look too pleased right now, Anzu…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Aaron’s tried shooting her and beheading her. At this stage, I don’t blame her!"
Aaron, realising that the weapon he’s holding is completely useless, gulps fearfully as Trixie climbs to her feet and stares a hole through him. Aaron drops the useless rubber sword, and… TRIXIE AND HARROWS START TRADING FISTS! Each clutching the back of the other’s neck, Trixie and Harrows unloads with a series of punches, with Harrows intelligently repeatedly aiming for Trixie’s mangled eye!
Aaron gets the upper hand in the exchange of fists and drives Trixie backwards into the ropes, before launching Trixie across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex! ‘The Top Star’ gestures to a fan who holds a steel chair to toss it into the ring, which the fan does excitedly. Picking up the chair, Aaron looks to end this match as he lines Trixie up… Aaron swings AND MISSES as Trixie ducks the chair shot and rolls behind Harrows, looking to hit her finish… HOCUS POCUS-NO! Harrows manages to grab the top rope, causing Trixie to roll backwards, and Harrows swings with the chair again, but Trixie goes low and connects with a dropkick to Aaron’s mangled leg! Harrows drops the chair and collapses to the ground, clutching his injured leg as Trixie climbs to her feet and picks up the chair that Harrows had attempted to drive into her skull.
Trixie stares down at Harrows, and more specifically, his injured leg. She clutches the chair upside down, before DRIVING THE TOP OF THE CHAIR DOWN ONTO HARROWS’ INJURED LEG! Again, and again, and AGAIN!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "TRIXIE IS DESTROYING HARROWS’ LEG WITH THE CHAIR! He’s supposed to be her friend!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I think Trixie has decided that winning means more to her than her friendship with Harrows, Jean-Luc."
Trixie continues her relentless barrage with the chair to Harrows’ leg, with The Top Star’s screams of agony only serving to further motivate this once sweet young woman to continue the torturous assault. Only when Trixie’s arms began to tire did she relent, as Harrows’ tried desperately to get away from the monster that he shares the ring with. Trixie walks between Harrows and the ropes, blocking his escape path, and with nowhere to go as Trixie stood directly above him, Harrows uses Trixie’s body to attempt to get to his foot. Managing to get to a knee, Harrows looks up at Trixie and says.
Aaron Harrows: "I thought we were friends…"
Trixie looks down at Harrows, her expression stony and uncaring. She backs up, causing Harrows to lose his grip on her belt and fall onto his hands and knees. Managing to lift himself back up to his knees, Aaron says again.
Aaron Harrows: "I thought we were frie-"
He doesn’t even get to finish his sentence, as Trixie brings the chair crashing down onto Aaron’s skull, with the chair wrapping itself around his neck. Aaron is out cold as his body slowly falls forward, face-planting the canvas. Removing the chair from his neck and rolling over, Trixie goes for the cover…
One…
Two…
… THREE!
{RESULT}Trixie Bordeaux defeats Aaron Harrows via pinfall at 15:32.
As Trixie lifts herself off of Aaron’s unconscious body and climbs to her feet, a team of medical personal enters the ring to check on the battered movie star, with Trixie staring down at her former Buddy Bowl partner, and ‘friend’, with a worrying lack of concern on her face for her Two Wrongs Make a Right teammate.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And the winner of the match, by PINFALL… Trixie BORDEAUX!!"
The referee raises Trixie’s hand in victory as her gaze finally leaves Harrows, who’s slowly regaining consciousness after the sickening chairshot to the skull.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Despite Aaron Harrows’ attempts at the opening bell to make this a friendly contest between buddies, Trixie Bordeaux advances to the semi-finals after a match that was anything BUT friendly, Anzu."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Yeah, I don’t think Trixie and Harrows are gonna be on the best of terms after that, Jean-Luc."
As the medical staff tend to Harrows, Trixie takes one last look at her fallen friend as she walks passed, while Aaron, having regained consciousness, stares dazedly back at her, before Trixie exits the ring and makes her way to the back, not even bothering to turn back around to check on her ‘friend’.
The show continues as we switch to a scene away from the confines of where the KODM tournament is taking place. We see the view down along a beach at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. There are storm clouds in the background, coming in from the ocean. Standing there is Johnny Johnson. At the water’s edge, waves crash in front of him. The water stopping short of his feet by mere inches. The camera closes in, tightening the shot for a close-up with Johnny. He stares out towards the endless horizon that is the Pacific Ocean, with a look of anger and determination.
Johnny Johnson: There is a famous saying, “Our wills and fates do so contrary run. That our devices are still overthrown”. I can think of no other phrase more fitting for what has occurred on my voyage. I traveled halfway across the globe to overthrow a flawed individual, named Tommy Bedlam I did believe it was my fate to finally have our paths cross. Yet it seems that destiny is as flawed and frail as you, Tommy.
Few might believe you were somehow faking this injury of yours and trying to avoid me. Yet, I am no fool. I know you wouldn’t have passed this chance up to face me in that ring, especially in a match where the design of it is to bestow as much violence upon your opponent as possible. I tried to set the trap, as I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. I know you Tommy Bedlam, I know you because we’re very similar. Now, however, now you let me at the altar like a scorned bride.
Johnny pauses for a second, tilting his head back, taking a deep breath, and closing his eyes as he does so. He exhales, opens his eyes as he does, and faces back towards the open water.
Johnny Johnson: And like a scorned bride another suitor has caught my eye. Aaron Harrows! I have heard that you have big shoes to fill. Especially in my eyes. You see Aaron, most of these idiots that have volunteered to be in this tournament think the prize is either the X-title or being known as the King of the Deathmatch. For me, that isn’t why I traveled all this way. NO, no, sir. I have come for one man, and to destroy that man. Now that you are seemingly that man’s replacement the bullseye is on you.
A sneer appears on Johnny’s face as he lets out a chuckle.
Johnny Johnson: I know what you’re saying, there is a chance that you won’t have to be in that ring at any point in this tournament. However, I know that fate is on my side. My destiny was to spill the blood of just one man, my destiny would not lead me astray, at least not completely. Aaron Harrows, you will loathe the day you chose to volunteer to attempt to fill the shoes of Tommy Bedlam. I will make sure of that.
{ONE HEADLIGHT || THE WALLFLOWERS}[MEDIA=youtube]Zzyfcys1aLM[/MEDIA]
As ‘One Headlight’ plays, XYZ makes his way out from behind the curtain to a large and warm reception from the bloodthirsty crowd.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing first, from Sitka, Alaska… weighing in at one-hundred and eighty pounds… X… YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY… ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!"
The Alphabet Man looks serious yet confident, knowing full well the environment that he’s about to once again thrust himself into in the hopes of achieving his dream, as he makes his way to the ring.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, XYZ must be feeling pretty great about himself, right now, having defeated Alyster Black in the Cage of Death match earlier today. Overcoming a former KODM winner, and two-time FWA World Champion in the opening round must do wonders for your confidence heading into the rest of the tournament."
Anzu Kurosawa: "It sure will, Jean-Luc. A win of that magnitude, against inarguably one of the favourites heading into this tournament will only serve to bolster XYZ’s resolve as he continues his crusade through the tournament… and I’ve a feeling that he’s gonna need every bit of that resolve in this match."
XYZ’s music fades as he enters the squared-circle and turns his attention back towards the curtain, awaiting his opponent…
{TAKE ME TO CHURCH || HOZIER}[MEDIA=youtube]f4UhdgBVtVc[/MEDIA]
'Take Me To Church' hits as Blair Ravenwood walks from behind the curtain with a playfully menacing grin on her face as she eyes her opponent.
Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent, from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania… weighing in at one-hundred and twenty pounds… BLLLLLLAIR RRRRRRRRRRAVENWOOOOOOOOOOOD!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "You might be right, Anzu. With the look in Blair’s eyes as she eyes up XYZ, he may indeed need every bit of that built up resolve if he’s to make it through this Deathmatch victorious."
Blair checks out several of the fun toys that the fans have brought, smiling mischieviously as she imagines all of the pain that she could cause with such things, before she makes her way up the steps and joins her opponent in the ring, before she winks playfully at XYZ, who doesn’t react.
THIRD MATCH || SECOND ROUND || 1/30.
Blair Ravenwood vs. XYZ.
Fans Bring the Weapons Deathmatch.
Match writer: Welshy.
<< 00:00. >>
The bell rings as both competitors circle each other, XYZ laser-focus and Blair giggling menacingly, before the two lock up. XYZ, holding a considerable weight advantage, forces Blair back into the corner, before respectfully backing off and beckoning Blair to try once again.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, I would just like to inform everyone watching that Deathmatch rules ARE in effect, in case you were confused by XYZ following standard protocol for a regular match… yeah, I don’t think I agree with this strategy from XYZ, Anzu."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, I seriously doubt that Blair would show the same courtesy to XYZ, but hey, I’ve been wrong before!"
Blair smiles at 'The Alphabet Man' as she slowly steps towards him once more, signaling for a lock up. XYZ obliges and the two look to lock up once more, but Blair ducks around and winds up behind XYZ, before powering him up and slamming him to the mat with a picture perfect takedown! XYZ quickly scrambles as Blair looks to keep control, and thus instigates a technical wrestling masterclass from both competitors as the two jockeys for position, with neither being able to get an advantage as the two quickly scamper back to their feet and face off once more.
Blair laughs as she applauds XYZ’s efforts, looking like she’s having fun with a friend, before taunting XYZ to 'bring it' once again. XYZ steps forward, ready to lock up again, but Blair kicks XYZ in the stomach as he lunges forward! Blair follows this up with a barrage of right hands to the face that sends XYZ backing up into the corner as he tries to cover up, before Blair runs to the opposite corner and charges back towards her opponent, nailing him with a running knee to the face in the corner! XYZ drops to the canvas and Blair rushes in for a pin attempt…
One…
Tw-NO! XYZ kicks out!
***
<< 04:25. >>
Jean-Luc Watkins: "These two have surprisingly kept this match in the ring, and most notably, weapon-free in the early going, Anzu… maybe they’re both thinking about their health should they win and make it to the semi-finals?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "That would be a smart move, Jean-Luc… but probably not the most popular strategy for the fans in attendance though, ME INCLUDED!"
XYZ Irish whips Blair into the ropes, before following her and attempting to clothesline over the ropes and out to the sandy floor, but Blair sees him coming and just in the nick of time, she pulls the top rope down and XYZ’s momentum sends him tumbling to the beach floor! Luckily, thanks to the soft landing, he is able to quickly scramble to his feet, just in time to see Blair launching herself over the top rope with an insane dive! Unfortunately for Blair, XYZ manages to get out of the way, and he swats Blair to the ground, with the witch crashing head and neck first onto the ground!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "OH MY GOD, BLAIR RAVENWOOD MAY HAVE JUST BROKEN HER DAMN NECK!!"
Seeing Blair motionless on the ground, XYZ rolls her over and goes for the cover…
One…
Two…
…THREE-
Jean-Luc Watkins: "-NO! BLAIR RAVENWOOD GETS THE SHOULDER UP!!"
XYZ looks down at Blair with no small amount of shock that she managed to kick out after a crash landing like that. He climbs to his feet and looks around as the rabid audience offers him a great variety of weapons. He considers for a moment, before deciding against turning this match into a bloodbath. He grabs Blair by her injured neck and lifts her to her feet, before-BLAIR RAVENWOOD LAUNCHES A HANDFUL OF SAND INTO XYZ’s EYES! 'The Alphabet Man' releases his grip as Blair stumbles back to the ground, still dazed after her fall. She has enough time to get some of her wits back, before getting up and charging at XYZ, pushing him face first into the ring post!
With XYZ down, Blair clutches her neck once more, before noticing the many weapons being offered by the fans. Blair considers for a moment, but unlike XYZ, Blair takes them up on their offerings as XYZ climbs to his feet dazedly, with sand still in his eyes… AND BLAIR RAVENWOOD BREAKS A WOODEN CHAIR OVER XYZ’S HEAD! 'The Alphabet Man' is down, busted wide open on the forehead, and seemingly out as Blair makes the cover!
One…
Two…
… THRE-NO! XYZ GETS THE SHOULDER UP!
Blair clutches her neck and laughs as she climbs gingerly to her feet. Lifting XYZ up, she drags him over to the announce table and slams his head into it once, twice, and thrice! XYZ stumbles back to the ground as Blair clears off the top of the announce table…
'Move your ass, loser,' Blair says smugly to Anzu, who scowls as she repositions herself away from their likely soon to be destroyed table.
As Blair is preoccupied with taunting Anzu, XYZ manages to get to his feet to where, when Blair turns back around, XYZ lifts her up and slams her onto the announce table with a spinebuster! The table doesn’t break, but makes a sickening noise as Blair’s body is slammed into it. XYZ crawls onto the table, and Blair, and makes the cover…
One…
Two…
… THR-NO! Blair once again shows her metal!
***
<< 09:53. >>
Both competitors are back in the ring, as XYZ uses the ropes to climb his feet, and BLAIR LAUNCHES A STEP-LADDER AT XYZ’s HEAD! The metal ladder bounces off of XYZ’s cranium and he falls backwards into the ropes, rebound off them, and-
Jean-Luc Watkins: "SHINING WITCH BY BLAIR! XYZ IS OUT COLD!"
XYZ drops to the canvas after Blair nailed him with her finish, and Blair crawls for the cover!
One…
Two…
… THREE!-NO!
Anzu Kurosawa: "AND BY SOME MIRACLE, XYZ KICKS OUT! And by the look on Blair’s face, she’s in just as much shock as I am!"
Blair had just nailed XYZ with a ladder to the head, followed by her signature move, and yet SOMEHOW, XYZ found a way to kick out! Taking a moment to compose herself, an impressed smile forms on Blair’s face as she pats XYZ on the shoulder in a gesture of 'well done', before climbing to her feet and gesturing for one of the fans to toss her their weapon, to which they gleefully oblige, and Blair catches the weapon - a steel chain - before wrapping it around her fist as XYZ once again uses the ropes to climb to his feet. Blair readies herself as XYZ turns around, and throws her intended match-ending blow-AND XYZ DUCKS-ROLLUP BY XYZ!
One…
Two…
… THRE-NO! Blair manages to escape the pin attempt!
Blair is quicker to her feet, and she charges at XYZ, who uses the ropes once more to rise off the canvas, and XYZ manages to once more dodge Blair’s chain punch and lifts her up and sends her throat first onto the top rope with a flapjack! Blair drops the chain as she drops backwards, landing back first onto the step-ladder, clutching her throat and neck as XYZ climbs to the top turnbuckle and proceeds to walk gingerly across the top rope, nearly falling several times before he steadies himself, bounces and flips off the ropes, looking for his signature Front-Flip Springboard Leg Drop, and HE CONNECTS! His leg lands across Blair’s neck, which had been hanging over the end of the step-ladder!
XYZ rolls Blair off the ladder and makes the cover!
One…
Two…
… THREE!
{RESULT}XYZ defeats Blair Ravenwood via pinfall at 12:06.
XYZ rolls off of his opponent and has his hand raised into the air. He then looks down to Blair and helps her up, a sign that he might be aligning himself and the rest of The Menage with her.
XYZ: 'You fought hard and well, Blair Ravenwood.'
Blair Ravenwood: 'Thank you. I …'
XYZ: 'But … I am not one who makes moves in the shadows. I face head on.'
XYZ leaves the ring, leaving Blair to another shot of disappointment, as X seemingly gave his answer to her offer. He does not turn back around, heading for the exit as he has moved to the semifinals.
We head backstage a short while after the first match, where we see Todd Salum standing in front of a wall backstage.
Todd Salum: ”Welcome back to the third annual King of the Death Match. Coming off of a hard-fought victory, here is Sawyer Xavier.”
Sawyer Xavier walks into frame, clearly bruised. His cut strand of hair was stained partially with blood. He gives a death glare into the camera.
Todd Salum: ”I’d like to be the first to extend a congratulations on your victory earlier tonight. How are you feeling?”
Sawyer’s eyes look completely dull, as he snatches the mic from Todd, leaving Todd looking a little frustrated at losing control of the mic.
Sawyer Xavier: ”I feel empty. I feel empty because this one victory doesn’t matter. None of these victories will matter unless one of them ends with me as the winner of this entire tournament. Let me start off with a little story.
The first match I ever watched was a hardcore match back in 2006. I should have been mortified, watching blood seep from these guys skulls. But I admired them. They were willing to kill themselves to grasp oppurtunity. It didn’t matter how much punishment they took, how much blood they lost, how many nails and tacks were inserted into their bodies. They risked their own livelihood just for the chance to win gold.
Flash forward to today and I stand alongside them. I am willing to break my entire body just for the prize of winning this tournament. However, if I made it this far and put my entire body through hell just to fall when it matters the most, what’s the point? This tournament is the culmination of my entire lives work. I’ve burned so many bridges that I will never be able to cross again just for the chance to even sniff the X Championship.
So, I feel empty because until I am crowned king, I am nothing but a stepping stone to everyone else, and everyone else is a stepping stone to me. My efforts won’t matter unless I walk out victorious, because I have nobody but myself. There is nobody who’s going to be proud of me regardless of whatever happens. That’s why I’m going to guarantee that I step off this island with gold on my body.
I don’t care if I have to rip meat off the bones of whoever I stand across just to assure a slight chance at victory. I don’t care if I can see nothing thanks to the stream of blood dripping down my face, urging me to give up before I die. I don’t plan on slowing down until I end up as the king. Because if I fall, then I’ve failed. My entire life will have amounted to NOTHING if I don’t succeed tonight.
Whoever I end up facing in every round from now, I want you to do everything you possibly can to me. I want you to try and kill me, to try and end my career. I’m going to be doing the same, stepping over each one of you on my way to the peak. And when I get to my throne, stained with blood, sweat, and tears, my life finally will have amounted to something.”
Sawyer Xavier glared at the camera for a few moments after, before slamming the mic into the chest of Todd, walking off. He goes to talk, but stammers a bit, still frustrated from losing the microphone.
{THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES || JANET JACKSON}[MEDIA=youtube]Khpb4yjL3Eg[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: "The following contest is a quarter final contest, and is a ‘Fans Bring the Weapons Deathmatch! Introducing first… from the right side of the bed in Las Vegas, Nevada and weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds… XPERIENX XTACEE!!"
Xperienx Xtacee might be a little worse for wear after his exploits in the Cage of the Death match, but he still has a strut in his step as he makes his way to the ring. He high fives a few of the front row fans as he traverses the ramp, before sliding into the ring and taking up a position in one of the corners. He stares at the stage area as his music fades out and is replaced by…
{LAY DOWN || PRIESTESS}[MEDIA=youtube]RdWGIJX2_14[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: “And his opponent… hailing from the City of Champions Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and weighing in at two hundred and twenty five pounds… ‘the Conjurer’... COLBY SOL!!"
Colby comes out to more boos, which are like water off a duck’s back. He stares dead ahead at himself at the man who is already waiting for him in the ring. He continues to gaze at Xperienx as he makes a full circuit of the ring before eventually rolling into it. Colby affords himself a slight smirk as the official conducts his final checks and then calls for the bell…
FOURTH MATCH || SECOND ROUND || 1/30.
Colby Sol vs. Xperienx Xtacee.
Fans Bring the Weapons Deathmatch.
Match writer: SS.
<< 00:00. >>
The match begins with Xperienx Xtacee and Colby Sol circling the ring, keeping a safe distance from one another as they weigh up their first move.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This second round match-up features two competitors that are relatively fresh after the Cage of Death. Colby Sol made light and indeed brief work of Leafdom, qualifying in a matter of minutes. Xperienx Xtacee’s tussle with Jack the Clipper may have gone on longer, but he too escaped much of the barbarism in that opener."
Anzu Kurosawa: "A shame! They should've joined in the fun!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "I'm sure they'll get their chance…"
The two come together in the ring, with Colby grasping for a collar and elbow. Xperienx, though, is able to duck underneath it and transition into a rear waist lock. He bundles Sol forwards into the ropes and takes him over with an O’Connor Roll…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Sol kicks out and is quickly up to his feet. He lunges at Xtacee, who backpedals and drops to the mat, lowering the top rope as he does and sending Colby out into a heap on the outside! Xperienx follows him out, the crowd cheering his exploits. He appears to move towards a fan who is holding up a rather mundane folded steel chair, but when he reaches him he pushes the chair aside. He instead takes a woman's prosthetic leg from the second row, holding it in the air to a roar from the crowd.
Sol is clunked in the head with the thigh when he gets to his feet, with Xperienx following up by choking Colby with the back of the knee joint. He has an assisted camel clutch locked in with the leg, eventually hoisting Colby up using the appendage for leverage, and then driving him down with a Russian leg sweep, the leg across his neck! Xtacee finally discards the item in order to go for a cover.
ONE… TWO… NO!
Colby kicks out, and the match rolls on.
***
<< 03:36. >>
We rejoin with Colby down after a back body drop on the outside, and again Xtacee is fishing in the crowd for foreign objects. He rejects a pair of large wrenches (for the first time in his life) in favour of a plastic blender. He turns to face Sol… who takes him out with a low dropkick to the knees! Colby follows up with a knee strike to the side of the head and then, after collecting the discarded blender, smashes it to pieces over the side of Xtacee's head!!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Jesus! He just made a smoothie out of him!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Xperienx Xtacee is busted open here, which gives Colby time to find a few toys of his own…"
Colby looks out into the audience, shakes his head, and then fishes under the ring instead.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, I guess the fans can bring the weapons, but the wrestlers don't necessarily have to use them…"
Sol retrieves a steel chair, a few light tubes, and a table from under the ring, all of which he places inside of it. He collects Xtacee, who tries to fight back with some punches to the ribs, but receives some stiff placatory knees in return, and throws him under the ropes. Colby folks him in and sets up the table at an angle in the corner before collecting the steel chair. He saunters over to Xtacee… who replies with a dropkick! The chair is knocked back into Colby's face and then flies out of his hands! Xtacee follows up with an enziguri, then a gut kick…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Xtacee has Colby in a front facelock and drags him over towards that table in the corner, perhaps looking for a snap suplex into the wood."
Anzu Kurosawa: "But Colby breaks loose with another vicious knee to the gut… and then reverses with a t-bone suplex! Xperienx is thrown across the ring and onto the discarded chair!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Colby Sol with a cover…"
ONE… TWO… NO!
Colby only lets his frustration show for a moment before slapping on a sleeper, attempting to drain Xperienx further as the match continues.
***
<< 07:29. >>
Colby has Xtacee in the opposite corner to the table, where he works away at him with rights and lefts to the gut. Xperienx tries to put up a guard, but is still on the receiving end of some hefty blows from Sol. He backs away from him when Xtacee is reeling in the corner, the crowd booing Sol’s exploits, which only draws a smirk from ‘the Conjurer'. He charges at Xtacee, looking for his running high knee… but Xperienx is able to throw himself out of the way! Colby hits the turnbuckles, and Xtacee rolls him up with a schoolboy!
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Xperienx almost had him, but Colby Sol forces the shoulder up, and both men scrambled to their feet… throat thrust from Xtacee! Followed up by an open palm slap!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Colby Sol is turned around, but Xtacee has his wrist… wrist-clutch back suplex!"
Xtacee is feeling it now, with the fans firmly on his side. He waits patiently for Colby to find his feet before doubling him over with a boot to the midsection. He begins to apply a straight jacket, shaping up for his ‘Foreplay’ DDT… but Colby breaks loose of Xtacee's grip, hooks his arm, and hoists him up…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Falcon arrow! Colby Sol with the falcon arrow!"
Sol neglects to go for the cover, instead collecting two of the light tubes that he introduced earlier in the match. He is breathing heavily as he slowly approaches Xtacee, one in each hand, his opponent up to his knees and already bloody from the exploding blender earlier in the match.
Colby raises both light tubes high above his head, Xtacee wincing at what is about to come.
But, as Sol holds the pose, an item is thrown from the crowd, which Xtacee catches, and holds up as a shield!
The two light tubes smash impotently into shards against the prosthetic leg!
And Xtacee follows up by poking Colby in the face with the foot! Sol reels backwards, with Xtacee collecting him in a front facelock.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Xperienx Xtacee drags Colby Sol towards that table in the corner. He hooks the arm, and then the leg…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Fisherman's buster!!! Through the table! Xtacee wastes no time in dragging Colby out from the debris. He hooks the leg…"
ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!
Xtacee can't believe it, and neither can the crowd! He knows that he will need at least one more big shot, and so he begins his ascent to the top rope. Colby is stirring, and is almost up to a vertical base by the time Xperienx has steadied himself on the top turnbuckle. Xtacee waits for him to rise, and then leaps off with a cross-body…
… but eats the third and final light tube, square in the face!!
A thousand shards explode around Xperienx as he lands in a heap at Colby's feet. The Conjurer wastes no time in dropping the broken end of the tube and collecting Xtacee one last time. He hoists him up onto his shoulders, before driving him onto one of his knees with a devastating lungblower!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That's the Sol Reaper!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And that's it!"
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT}Colby Sol defeats Xperienx Xtacee via pinfall at 10:03.
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… COLBY SOL!!”
Sol slowly drags himself to his feet, still feeling the effects of the contest despite his triumph. The official attempts to lift his hand into the air, but Colby immediately snatches it away in favour of celebrating on his own.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Another impressive victory for Colby Sol, who books his place in the semi-finals at the expense of Xperienx Xtacee.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Sol is building some serious momentum here today, continuing his undefeated start to his FWA career.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And, with his job done for the time being, Colby Sol stalks back up the ramp. We’ll see him again later on.”
The camera focuses on a motivated Colby Sol as he marches up the ramp, a look of determination on his face.
XYZ is backstage walking to his match with Trixie Bordeaux, a semifinals matchup with the winner moving to an X Championship match. X then passes by Kleio de Santos, who is speaking with Trixie on the side. Kleio gives X a stern look up and down.
“Move along, alphabet man!” she barks.
X pauses and, in a moment he may regret later, turns to face Kleio.
“Kleio, can we speak on a matter of importance?”
She turns to face him, but X looks at Trixie, a sign he is not comfortable having the conversation in front of her.
“Trixie, I’ll see you in a second. Just give me a moment.”
After Trixie steps away, Kleio gives X her undivided attention.
“One of your … Coven … members approached me about helping them bring forward a … change in leadership for your group.”
“One of my members?”
“One of your members. The member who I just beat in the ring in the King of the Deathmatch tournament.”
“Blair?!”
“Kleio … I know we have been at odds lately … again … and have never seen eye to eye. But I am telling you this information as someone who is also the leader of his own group. I would hope … you’d do the same for me.”
Kleio looks embarrassed as X walks away, and Kleio’s expression changes to anger. She looks off camera in the direction which X walked and sneers, but it’s open to interpretation whether she’s sneering at XYZ or at the idea of Blair’s betrayal.
{SABOTAGE || BEASTIE BOYS}[MEDIA=youtube]z5rRZdiu1UE[/MEDIA]
Sawyer Xavier appears on stage, raising his fist in the air as he begins to shuffle down towards the ring. There’s no time wasted either as Xavier is quickly inside the ring…
Natalie Rosenberg: “Introducing first, from Savannah, Georgia and weighing in at 176 lb…he is Sawyer Xavier!”
Anzu Kurosawa: "Sawyer, quickly defeating Vengador, in the first match.."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "He pretty much came out of that match unscathed.”
Anzu Kurosawa: "You’re absolutely right, Jean-Luc. His opponent was in the match a little longer, let’s see how much of an advantage that gives him."
{DEVIL’S DANCE || METALLICA}[MEDIA=youtube]R1-177SVHcM[/MEDIA]
Johnny “The Legend” Johnson steps out to the crowd. Looking around at the masses as the beat of the song continues. Chewing a piece of gum and his hands on his hips as he wears a sour look, reacting to the hoard of boos from the crowd. Johnny then slowly makes his way down to the ring.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And introducing his opponent, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and weighing in at 230 lb…he is Johnny “The Legend” Johnson!”
Anzu Kurosawa: "The Legend qualifying for this round by pinning Aka Yurei."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "As I said, The Legend was in the first round match a little longer than Sawyer and it appears that he might be wincing a little bit as he makes his way down to the ring.”
As Sawyer Xavier stands across the ring from Johnny Johnson, Sawyer is steering daggers towards Johnny. However, Johnny is seemingly trying to work through some things as he is slumped over the top turnbuckle, taking deep breaths, as he holds the palm of his hand against his left side, evidently trying to work through a rib injury.
Anzu Kurosawa: "What The Legend is going through right now is telling of just what can happen in this tournament. He absorbed only a few moves from his opponents in the previous match, yet it appears he’s already nursing a rib injury."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Time will tell, there is one thing I know about The Legend and it’s his cardio is almost second to none here in FWA. If there is anyone that can work through that type of injury, it is him.”
FIFTH MATCH || SECOND ROUND || 1/30.
Johnny Johnson vs. Sawyer Xavier.
Fans Bring the Weapons Deathmatch.
Match writer: OJ.
<< 00:00. >>
The ref calls for the bell, Johnny lifts himself off of the turnbuckle and as soon as he turns around, Sawyer drills him with a shotgun dropkick, blasting him back into the turnbuckle.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Sawyer’s fast pace from the first round match continues. As he tries to get the early offense in on The Legend.."
Sawyer quickly grabs Johnny, pulling him away from the corner. Laying Johnny face down on the mat away from the corner. Sawyer runs to the corner, ascending to the top.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "You’re not kidding, Anzu, it looks like Sawyer is going for it all. Usually, when he climbs to the top rope and has his opponent face down on the mat it means only one thing, The Genesis of Truth”
Sawyer pauses as he reaches the top turnbuckle and measures where Johnny is. As soon as he finds his target Sawyer leaps off going for the double stomp. At the last second, somehow Johnny senses his impending doom and rolls towards the corner and out of the way. As Sawyer slams down on the mat, he rolls through, away from Johnny.
Sawyer then gets to his feet, however it appears Johnny beat him to the punch and nails him with a left hook. Johnny grabs Sawyer by the wrist and tries to spin him around for cobra clutch. However, Sawyer breaks wrist control and nails Johnny with a pele kick. Johnny stumbles backward, slipping out of the ring through the middle rope.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Fast-paced action finally comes to an end with Johnny falling to the outside of the ring."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Now it’s time to see what fans have for these two combatants.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Might want to hold that thought, it doesn’t look like Sawyer is following The Legend outside the ring just yet."
Sawyer is standing in the middle of the ring pumping himself up as he looks down at Johnny, seemingly waiting for him to get to his feet. As Johnny begins to get himself up off the floor, Sawyer takes notice, he runs to the far ropes, bouncing off and running towards his target on the other end of the ring. As Johnny finally gets to his feet, Sawyer charges through the ropes and nails Johnny with a suicide dive. Johnny gets blasted back into the security barricade, his left shoulder taking the brunt of the barricade and Sawyer somehow lands on his feet.
Anzu Kurosawa: “The crowd is fully behind Sawyer right now as he is firing on all cylinders for this match."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Not only that but look at all the offerings from the fans, in the way of weapons he can use.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “And what in the world did Sawyer just grab from one of the fans, is that a small bundle of tree saplings?”
With a bundle of saplings in his hand, Sawyer gets next to Johnny who is lying face down, screaming out in pain holding his shoulder. Sawyer then raises the saplings in the air and the crowd cheers him on. He then sets his eyes on his opponent. Lifting them above his head and whipping Johnny on the back with the bundle. Johnny lets out a painful scream, writhing around in pain. Sawyer then raises the bundle again as Johnny rolls onto his back. Coming back down with the bundle he whips Johnny in the midsection now. As yells out again and tries to roll away from Sawyer, however, Sawyer doesn’t let up and whips him with the saplings every time Johnny rolls onto the other side of his body.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “With every strike from those twigs you can see the welts automatically bubbling up and the blood vessels bursting on both sides of The Legend’s body.”
Satisfied with his handy work, Sawyer tosses the saplings to the side. He then looks towards the crowd for another weapon to choose from. Finding one that looks to his liking, he grabs an old-school boom box from one of the fans. He then makes his way towards Johnny, who by now has got to his feet and is resting against the barricade. With labored breathing, Johnny does not look good. Without allowing him to get much rest, Sawyer makes his way to Johnny, raising the boom box and slamming it down on Johnny’s head.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Sawyer bringing the boom and Johnny is the first to bleed in this match.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Sawyer Xavier is relentless in this match. He has his eye on the prize and has the pedal to the metal in this match.”
Sawyer’s eyes light up as he looks down to see Johnny bleeding from the forehead. Picking Johnny up he then rolls him into the ring. Sliding in after him he then goes for the pin.
ONE… TWO…NO!
Johnny uses what energy he has left and gets his shoulder off of the mat. As he twists his body to kick out a mist of blood comes out of his mouth from the blood oozing down into his mouth. Sawyer gets to his feet and picks Johnny up off the mat as he does. He then whips Johnny into the far corner.
Sawyer then charges toward Johnny, The Legend moves at the last second as Sawyer misses a big splash by inches. As Sawyer spins around to find his opponent Johnny spits the blood that has seeped into his mouth into Saywer’s eyes. Sawyer is blinded and begins to swing wildly for Johnny. Johnny reaches out and grabs him by the wrist and in one quick move floors Sawyer with a short-arm clothesline. With Sawyer lying on the mat for the first time in the match, Johnny points to the side of his head, making sure the crowd knows how smart he is.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "If there is anything that you can say about The Legend is that he is cagey.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Some might say cagey, others might call it desperate.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This is a deathmatch, Anzu, nothing is off the table.”
Johnny then takes his minute to hop out of the ring and search the crowd, quickly, for a weapon. All of the fans reach out with their weapons, offering it up to him. Not satisfied with the offerings, Johnny flips the fans the middle finger, which is met with a cavalcade of boos. He then turns away from the crowd and begins to search under the ring for something. Finally finding something to his liking he reaches for it and comes back up with a..
Anzu Kurosawa: “A corkscrew? What in the world is that under the ring for?
Jean-Luc Watkins: "*hiccup* That’s none of your business, Anzu!”
Johnny has made his way back into the ring. By this time Sawyer is on his knees, attempting to get to his feet. Before he does though Johnny hovers over top of him, grabbing a scruff of hair, pulling his head back, and thrusting the corkscrew into the forehead of Sawyer. Blood squirts out as soon as the metal meets flesh. Without hesitating Johnny strikes Sawyer again with the weapon, and again, and again. Each time blood flies out like his head is a leaky hose.
Johnny then throws the tool to the mat. Picking Sawyer up to his feet, he traps Sawyer’s arms under his, pausing for a second, having a wide smile on his face as he looks at the blood, now, flowing down Sawyer’s face. Johnny then rains down with headbutts to the chest region of Sawyer. He stops, releasing Sawyer as he does. As Sawyer stumbles backward, Johnny quickly grabs his wrist pulling him around and towards him. Gets him in a cobra clutch and as he does lifts Sawyer up into the air, slamming him to the mat.
Anzu Kurosawa: “Legend’s End!”
As Sawyer is lying on the mat, Johnny weakly falls to his knees and then covers Sawyer.
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT}Johnny Johnson defeats Sawyer Xavier via pinfall at 12:21.
As he knows that victory is in hand, Johnny rolls off of Sawyer, spitting even more blood out of his mouth. Johnny then gets to his feet, stepping over Sawyer. The ref grabs Johnny’s arm and raises it in the air. As the ref does, Johnny has his arm tight as can be against his left side, clearly still suffering from some type of rib injury.
Natalie Rosenberg: “And the winner of the match, by PINFALL… Johnny “THE LEGEND” Johnson!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "He might be the farthest thing from a conventual Death Match wrestler, but The Legend showed that he can get it done in this type of violent environment.”
As the ref drops the hand of Johnny, he then falls to his knees, blood caked over his face, even with more slowly seeping from the wound on his forehead. He then rolls out of the ring and begins to make his way to the back, still holding his left arm tight against his side.
Somewhere on the unnamed and undisclosed island, XYZ sits in the same hammock with his legs hanging off the side as he looks out over a steep and treacherous cliff. X has his green cape tied around his neck and wrestling tights on, but no shoes or shirt. His spaghetti-string hair hands over his ears and in front of his eyes as he ponders all sorts of ponderments.
XYZ: “The King of the Deathmatch tournament always is fret with the dread of nestless hornets. Challengers must beware of all turns and crossings. In the quarterfinals, it was Blair Ravenwood and her shadowy maneuvering within The Coven. Did I make the right move for winning this tournament by rejecting her offer to usurp Kleio? We will find out. But I know that I made the right move to do what I think is right, what is noble. I told Blair that I am not one to move in the shadows, amid the darkness, to seek out calamity. And now … I must face the ticking time bomb that is the fallout of her hooded offerings.”
After XYZ’s opening gambit, the camera shifts…
~~~~
… and we find ourselves on a completely different part of the island, with a different member of our illustrious final four.
Trixie sits cross-legged on the floor of her changing room, which is but a mere tent on the far end of the beach. The cut above her eye has swollen to the point that her eye is almost shut, and a plethora of little red welts cover most of her upper body from when Aaron Harrows shot her several hundred times with an Airsoft gun. Despite these injuries, Trixie stares into the camera with a disturbing look in her eyes, and a creepy, haunting smile on her face as she speaks.
Trixie Bordeaux: “I’m so happy to be here. To get another chance after what happened last year. Walking out onto the beach and seeing the big Cage of Death, oh it was one of the bestest and most exciting feelings of my whole life. Even after I beated that nice Japanese lady’s butt and pinned her, I didn’t wanna stop. I just thought “fudge it” and kept going. I saw Blair struggling with some ugly man, and so I helped her beat him up too. And I wanted to keep going again and help out my Buddy Aaron beat up that evil man Jeffry Mason, but Blair said it would be best if I kept my energy for the next round… she was probably right, but man, I wish I coulda beat up Jeffry some more.”
Trixie frowns slightly as she thinks of all the things she could have done to Jeffry, feeling as though she missed out on so much fun. Trixie’s words seem like things Trixie would say, but her delivery seems off, as though she’s reading a script for a character that she hasn’t quite nailed the intricacies of yet. She looked as though she was playing the part of the Trixie we all knew, but badly acted.
Trixie Bordeaux: “That’s why I was so happy when they told me that my Quarters match would be first. I couldn’t wait to get back in there… and when I found out that I would get to play with my buddy Aaron, I was so excited. I had a blast out there with him. I won in the end, but I really feel like we became better friends because of the fun we had.”
Images of Trixie doing terrible things to Aaron during their match pops up on the screen, before being replaced by Trixie’s soulless smile as she gazes into the camera as the scene fades…
~~~~
… and we return, again elsewhere and with someone else.
We are now following Colby Sol as he carries his almost lifeless carcass across a hallway. Next to him is a smaller man, who's face is obscured outside of the holes in his eyes. He's aiding Colby, but gets shoved back first into the wall! Colby belittles him, telling him to back off. His intense glare traveled from the luchador to the camera crew.
Colby Sol: “I survived The Great Oxen's training, I survived the death of my career one too many times, and I've been surviving all day, and now, I'm finally here.”
Colby's expression shows his excitement, but his expression shows a man hellbent on finishing the job…
~~~~
Johnny Johnson stands before a nondescript beige wall. His face is caked with dried blood. There is nothing but rage and frustration in his eyes. He notices the camera has come on and begins to fire away.
Johnny Johnson: ”I came to this far-off land for one man. The few trusted acquaintances that I give a shit about in my life told me that I was out of my damn mind to do this to exact my revenge on just one man. And maybe I am, but looking at who is left in this tournament it appears that having an insane mind would have been the only way for me to survive long enough to spill the blood. I have no idea who I will face next, the only thing I know is that the three choices left are as close to sanity as I am to being poor.
Not only that, but I had zero opportunity to face the very person I came here for. So some people might ask, why the hell am I still here? WHY IS THE LEGEND even going to want to put himself through this torture? I don’t have that answer!”
Johnny begins to hammer his right fist against the side of his chin. His intensity rises as, once more, the scene shifts…
~~~~~
The feed returns to the cliff and the hammock in which XYZ sits, legs dangling over the side. He again is pondering the elements of this trek through the King of the Deathmatch tournament.
XYZ: “Of the other semifinalists, all I can say of them is they are noble and deserving. They bring their own sauce to the pans and plates. What I bring is experience. I stomped my way through the tundra two years ago and bested the match of death until the finals. I have the genetics within my blood and bones. Colby Sol, Johnny Johnson, and Trixie Bordeaux may think they are ready for the light tubes and the galore, but I have bled and been bruised and kept breathing. They are not me, no matter the result.”
~~~~
Trixie Bordeaux: “I don’t really mind who I get in the Semis. The Alphabet Man and I are good friends, too… we’ve teamed up together before, and when that creepy Death guy was bullying him after the match that one time, I stepped in to stick up for him. That’s what friends do. So, I’d really like to play with The Alphabet Man in the Semis… but, I also wanna beat up that JJ guy too.”
Trixie’s haunted, soulless smile is still plastered on her face as she talks about her potential semi-final opponents, trying to come off as ‘Trixie’ as possible.
Trixie Bordeaux: “I beated JJ’s daddy up last year in a teams match… Also, I think the guy is a big stinky bag of douche, so I’d really like to kick his butt… who’s the other guy in the semis, again?”
Cameraman: “Colby Sol.”
Trixie Bordeaux: “I dunno who that is…”
The camera stays on Trixie for a moment, thinking that maybe she would like to add to that… she doesn’t. She just stares into the camera, smiling her terrifying smile, and so the scene fades.
~~~~
Colby Sol: “I can be like the others, I can rest, I can refresh my body... but this is a test of endurance, not a getaway vacation. I'm here to experience this thing the way it was meant too, and if that means to suffer, then suffer I motherfuckin' will. This fight in my heart, this tactical brain, this killer instinct.... IT'S ALL MINE... and now? It's all going to lead me to becoming a champion and a piece of history.”
Colby steps over the young lion who quickly gets up and follows behind with a towel and starts shoving the camera crew out of his way!
~~~~
‘The Legend’ is still extremely fired up as his speech pattern quickens.
Johnny Johnson: “Maybe I had a screw knocked loose by Sawyer Xavier when he dropped that stereo on me. Maybe it was whipped by him like I was a tiger in a circus. MAYBE, it’s cause of the lack of blood, from the gallons that have escaped from my very own body! I might not have been able to get my hands on the person that I thought fate planned for me. Now it’s all about spilling enough blood from whoever I face so that there will be no more King of the Deathmatch. NO SIR! Now… now there is only one reason that fate brought me here, and that’s because it’s time for the era of THE LEGEND OF THE DEATH MATCH!”
With that Johnny stares into the camera with rage and takes deep breaths as the camera closes in on a tight shot of Johnny, until it fades once more…
~~~~
Trixie’s forced smile slips as she thinks about what is at stake in this tournament.
Trixie Bordeaux: “I can’t fail again… I WON’T fail again. Winning this tournament… winning the X Championship… this is my last chance to prove that I do have what it takes to survive on my own… and if I fail… then you will never see me in the FWA again.”
A look of intense desperation floods Trixie’s eyes as she stares into the camera. It is as though she is starving, and the only hope for survival is dangling right in front of her, and yet she is unable to reach it… her eyes told the story. Winning this tournament was EVERYTHING for Trixie, and failure was not an option anymore.
~~~~
Colby Sol: ”Tommy Bedlam isn't here, we're guranteed a new champion, and the fact is I didn't make it to this point to participate, I'm here to win this motherfucker. I go into these finals with no regrets, determined, and undying. Johnny, XYZ, Trixie, get ready, because in a few minutes? I'm going to knock you all flat on your ass.”
Colby crouches over in pain as a sudden spike shakes his body, causing him to hold his torso in pain. He groans, but his new young lion doesn't approach. Instead, Colby begins to walk on his own in a hunched stance, showing the markings from the Cage of Death match all over his body. The feed fades elsewhere in the arena, ending on the image of The Conjurer in serious pain.
~~~~
The feed shows for the final time that steep cliff on the edge of the island. This time, though, XYZ is not sitting in the hammock with his feet dangling over the side. He is standing at the very edge of the cliff, looking backwards to the forest that shades all but the small space of rock and dirt that can barely fit his size-13 feet.
XYZ: “I made a deal to never again compete for the X Championship if I lost the second time to Bedlam of the Tommies. Yet, the makers of matches let one slip under their noses, putting me into the most treacherous tournament of all, this King of the Deadly Matches. Will this be my final chance to win a symbol of accomplishment for me, and by association for the fighters, the climbers, and the 9-5’ers? Can we finally defeat death?
CAN WE TIPTOE THROUGH THE BOTTLED SAND DUNES?! CAN WE BREATHE THE AIR OF THE BOURGEOISIE?! CAN WE SETTLE INTO THE BASKETS OF THE CHUNKY CHAMELEONS?! THESE ARE QUESTIONS TO BE SETTLED, RAIN CLOUDS TO PART AND TENTACLES TO ACCLAIM!
I will not say whether the dragon seal can defeat their own fate at the hands of the treetop tigress. I can only promise … that death will not have us this day, whether we defeat it permanently or not. Death will not have us this day.”
XYZ stretches his arms out wide as he looks up to the sky, which is about to drop buckets of rain on him and anyone in the vicinity of his hammock. It is a rainstorm X welcomes as he shouts into the sky and forest …
XYZ: “THE DREAM … NEVER …
DIES!”
{HEX GIRL || THE HEX GIRLS}[MEDIA=youtube]9btxEC73Dog[/MEDIA]
There’s a mixed reaction but mostly cheers for Trixie Bordeaux as she appears on the stage, looking decidedly less than one hundred per cent as she sheepishly begins her way down the ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Wrestling fans, your next bout is a semi final contest, and is the ‘10,000 Light Tubes Can’t Be Wrong’ match! First, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds… BELLATRIX BORDEAUX!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Wrestling fans?! Gimmick infringement, Natalie!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I know you like to talk about yourself, Jean-Luc, but today has already been a very special day for Trixie Bordeaux. She’s picked up two scalps already, defeating Aaron Harrows in the quarter final and… um… you know, I’ve quite forgotten who she beat in the first round.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Are you sure you spent long enough in the medical room, Anzu?”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Too long.”
Trixie enters the ring and occupies one of the corner, where the camera focuses on her. We can see the wounds from earlier on in the day in their full glory. The lump on her forehead, just above the eyebrow, is about the size of an egg and purplish-black, forcing her right eye semi-closed. Nonetheless, she loosens up and awaits her opponent.
We cut to a wide shot of the ring, set up for the 10,000 Light Tubes Can't Be Wrong Deathmatch, which has featured in every incarnation of the KODM. Around three sides of the ring, walls are formed from hundreds of light tubes, threaded in and out of the ropes and standing vertically. More are propped up against the barricade in both individual arrays and bundles fastened into hexagonal prisms. The only side of the ring not blocked by tubes is the one that faces up the ramp, allowing Trixie to stare up it as her music fades out.
{ONE HEADLIGHT || THE WALLFLOWERS}[MEDIA=youtube]Zzyfcys1aLM[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: “And her opponent… from Sitka, Alaska… weighing in at one-hundred and eighty pounds… X… YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY… ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!"
XYZ appears on stage along with the Menage, who issue some final words of encouragement for their leader before turning back through the curtain. X stomps down the ramp alone, loosening his joints and high-fiving the front row fans intermittently as he does.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “XYZ has already dumped one member of the Coven out of this tournament today when he defeated Blair Ravenwood in his quarter final. If he wants to progress to the final, he’ll have to do the same thing to another of them, as he’s drawn Trixie Bordeaux in the final four.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Given XYZ’s recent - and historic - troubles with Kleio De Santos, I’m sure he would’ve been looking forward to getting his hands on her posse. Maybe not all in the same day, though.”
X climbs into the ring and locks eyes with Trixie for the first time. He has some wounds of his own, particularly a large, stitched up gash over his left eye. The official issues some final instructions for the competitors and, when he’s content that we’re good to go, he finally calls for the bell.
SIXTH MATCH || THIRD ROUND (SEMI-FINALS) || 1/30.
Trixie Bordeaux vs. XYZ.
10,000 Light Tubes Can't Be Wrong Deathmatch.
Match writer: SS & TGO.
<< 00:00. >>
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Both of these competitors look as though they've seen better days. That gash above Trixie's eye looks nasty, and appears to me as though it's swelling somewhat. XYZ's forehead, in turn, has been stitched closed following that wooden chair shot from Trixie's stablemate Blair Ravenwood. Not to mention the concussion that he's almost definitely dealing with."
Anzu Kurosawa: "You forgot those welts all over Trixie's torso, Jean-Luc. Don't play with guns, kids!"
The match begins with the two standing in opposite corners, staring at one another blankly. This goes on for only a few seconds, before Bordeaux let's out what can only be described as a sickening shriek. She charges across the ring like a train at XYZ, backing him further into his own corner with a torrential downpour of left and right hands. X throws up a nasty guard to block the worst of the sudden onslaught, which allows Trixie to take him by the wrist and whip him HARD into the opposite set of turnbuckles. He bounces back at her and she takes him out with a low dropkick to the knees. X tries to scramble to his feet but only gets as far as his knees before Bordeaux drops him with a vicious kick to the side of the head!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie Bordeaux is kicking things off at an unbelievable pace, and is showing a mean streak that - until now - I didn't know that she possessed."
Anzu Kurosawa: "And note that she is not going for a pinfall, Jean-Luc. Instead, Bordeaux climbs out of the ring - through the one side of ropes not blocked out by a wall of light tubes - and she's fishing under the apron…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Is there not enough hardware at ringside already?!"
Not according to Trixie, who pulls a large, person-sized glass pane from underneath the ring!! She carefully props it up at an angle against the barricade before turning back towards the ring…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "TOPE SUICIDA!! XYZ catches his breath and catches Trixie unawares!!"
The crowd cheers X’s display of acrobatics as he gets up to his feet. He warily glances over at the glass pane that Trixie has produced, unsure of how best to utilize it as present, and instead collects two light tubes from one of the three tube-walls around the ring. Trixie is getting to her knees after the suicide dive… and eats a glass tube over the head!!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Immediately, that cut above Trixie's eye has reopened! I think her forehead is turning purple, Anzu. Can she even see?!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "She's still got one eye… though maybe not for long! XYZ brings the second lighttube crashing down over her swollen forehead!!"
The audience gasp, cower from flying shards, and then roar their approval as Trixie slumps down onto the mat! XYZ rolls her onto her front and hooks a leg…
ONE… NO!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie out at ONE!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "If Bordeaux has shown us anything today, it's that she's not going to go down easily."
She kicks out but stays down. XYZ cocks an eyebrow, and then goes back to work…
***
<< 04:52. >>
XYZ has Trixie in the corner, thrusting his shoulder into her gut before hoisting her into a seated position on the top turnbuckle. He connects with a palm thrust, but Trixie returns with a downward boot. X reaches out for the ropes to steady himself, but instead his hand grips the end of one of the light tubes in the tube-wall. He's careful not to smash it with his grip, and instead pulls it as if to strike Bordeaux with it. She has already climbed up onto the top rope, though, and before X can do anything with the tube she connects with a missile dropkick!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "X hits the mat and drops the light tubes, and now Trixie has it in her hands! XYZ is climbing to his feet but might want to rethink doing so! Stay down, X!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Never took you for a coward, Jean-Luc!"
XYZ gets to his feet and turns to face Trixie, who kicks him in the gut. She then applies a modified side headlock, holding X in position with the tube across his throat… and then she hits a running bulldog! The tube implodes beneath X’s neck!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Innovative and barbaric offense from Trixie Bordeaux!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Trixie proving once more that she's right at home in this sort of setting! You've just gotta scratch beneath the surface!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "But still no pin attempt from Trixie, who instead is dragging X onto his feet by the scruff of the neck… and she HURLS him into one of the tube-walls!! XYZ crashes into it shoulder-first, and everything else afterwards, breaking a few dozen light tubes in the process!!"
XYZ falls onto the apron, but lands on the recently-created shards and quickly decides that rolling onto the floor is the better option. Trixie, adrenaline surging, follows him out, chasing him towards the glass pane she set up earlier with a series of stomps until X is sitting against it.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "She's… she's biting him!! Trixie Bordeaux is biting XYZ!!"
She comes up with a sinister grin on her face, which is covered in both X’s blood and her own, and then matches away from her opponent. She turns, takes a deep breath, and then charges at him…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie is going for that patented Bundle of Fun cannonball…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "But XYZ throws himself out of the way!!!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie crashes and burns!!!"
The pane explodes beneath her and the crowd erupts once again, the camera focusing on Trixie's apparently lifeless form amongst the broken glass. XYZ pulls her away from the barricade and goes for another cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "XYZ gets two this time, but just barely! Trixie is still in this one and I don't quite know how!!"
***
<< 09:30. >>
XYZ has Trixie seated on the top turnbuckle again, and this time time he connects with three palm thrust and an overhand chop to make sure she doesn't return. Then, he collects another light tube from one of the walls and brings it crashing down over her head for good measure. Bordeaux almost falls from her perch and X has to steady her before collecting a dozen-ish tubes from around the ring. He places them in the middle of the ring and, using the boots that he's wearing for this match only (he's unconventional, he's not stupid), he begins to stomp on top of the pile of tubes.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "XYZ has sinister ideas! He's turning those tubes into shards, and an unhappy landing into an unhappier one."
XYZ returns his attention to Trixie, who tries to kick him from the top turnbuckle when he's out of range. He collects two more tubes, bringing them both down over Trixie's head to placate her, before climbing up onto the second rope with her. He applies a front facelock, steps up onto the top rope, and then…
Anzu Kurosawa: "SUPERPLEX!!! From the very top… onto the glass!!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "This is it! Pin her!"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Kickout!! Trixie won't die!"
Trixie’s kickout leaves an exhausted XYZ laying face down in the middle of the ring. Trixie lays face up, breathing heavily, trying to find any energy she can to mount a comeback in the obvious late stages of this semifinals matchup. X rolls to the side of the ring as Trixie remains motionless in the middle. As X grabs the bottom rope with his left hand and drapes his right arm over the middle rope for some upright support – in an area of the ring with no light tubes anymore – he sees a figure emerge from the entrance way.
’Oh …’
XYZ’s eyes get bigger as the leader of The Coven – and the person Blair Ravenwood tried to usurp in a conversation with XYZ – stomps to the ring. Kleio de Santos has a look of force upon her face, and everyone watching is wondering whether Kleio is here to break The Coven apart, or to help her Coven ally.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "You have to wonder how much Trixie knew about Blair’s plans. And you have to wonder whether Kleio is thinking about this. Will she repay X telling her about the plan and help him win?!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Kleio has not been kind to XYZ over the last few weeks. I don’t know how much has changed, but she looks hellbent on doing damage one way or the other."
Kleio stops right in front of the ring. She looks up at XYZ, who has his head laying on the middle rope, looking down at her. She then looks behind him at Trixie, who is rolling to her side and now can make eye contact with Kleio.
‘No Kleio, I don’t need your help! Stay out of this!’ She says, desperate to fight this battle alone.
’Kleio … please stay out of …’ X says in similar exhaustion, but his request is interrupted.
‘Me stay out of it? YOU should listen to your own advice. You should’ve stayed out of The Coven business. Worry about your own house that’s falling apart.’
As Kleio finishes, she feels a sense of empathy for XYZ. And she even decides momentarily to leave it as just a verbal lashing. She turns about 90 degrees, maybe 120 degrees, to walk back to where she came from.
’I was only trying to help,’ X says, unable to let it be.
This sets Kleio off, who immediately lands a running right hand punch directly into the nose of XYZ. He flies backwards into the middle of the ring, where Trixie is now kneeling and has a face of pure shock and anger, as though she had been slapped across the face.
Kleio then enters the ring and grabs one of the light tubes that has not been broken or used yet. As XYZ gets up, she smashes and breaks it over his back in a sickening display. Kleio then grabs a second light tube and does the same, this time as XYZ lays face down in the ring. Kleio does it a third time. Then a fourth. Then a fifth. Sixth. Seventh. Eighth.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Enough is enough!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "I’m a sadist but this is a lot even for me!"
After the 11th use of a light tube over X’s back, Kleio steps back to the corner. Trixie looks up at The Coven leader with a furious expression, livid that Kleio interfered in her match. Then they see some of The Menage members – specifically, Frank, Christian Howard, and Sierra – running to the ring to help X.
‘Pin him,’ Kleio barks, and Trixie reluctantly listens, rolling X onto his bruised and bloodied back for a pin.
ONE… TWO… THREE!
{RESULT}Trixie Bordeaux defeats XYZ via pinfall at 14:01.
The pinfall happens just as Frank, Christian, and Sierra reach the ring area, but Kleio blocks their entrance with another light tube. Trixie then rolls out of the ring and storms past Kleio, who follows her protege, and The Menage members quickly enter to check on the physically destroyed XYZ.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “This did not go the way we anticipated, but here we are. Trixie Bordeaux is going to the finals of the King of the Deathmatch tournament. Meanwhile …”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Meanwhile, Kleio de Santos has laid the blame for what happened at XYZ’s feet, in a shocking turn! And XYZ probably needs to go to the hospital. Bring the ambulance back around for another poor soul taken by the island of Deathmatch!”
The Menage huddle around the motionless XYZ as Trixie retreatsout of the ring area and Kleio follows, walking backwards and giving a very sadistic smile while she looks at her handiwork.
In-between matches, the screen begins black before gradually opening up on a familiar city skyline, as seen from a hundred metres or so out into the Atlantic Ocean. We gradually get closer, the picture gradually growing brighter, as New York City rears up before us. An orchestra plays a hopeful theme in the background. As we reach the shore, the screen brightens more rapidly until only a white screen is before us. Four lines of text appear on this blank canvas.
OUT OF DARKNESS, COMETH LIGHT.
BACK IN BUSINESS XVIII.
Sunday 11th August, 2024. New York City.
only on the WCNetwork.
{LAY DOWN || PRIESTESS}[MEDIA=youtube]RdWGIJX2_14[/MEDIA]
There are boos amongst those on the island as Colby Sol walks onto the stage for the third time this evening. There is relatively little wear evident on his body outside of fatigue, and there is a confident air about him as he walks down the ramp.
Natalie Rosenberg: "Wrestling fans, the final is a semi-final bout, and is your ‘Clockwork Orange House of Fun’ Deathmatch! Introducing first, hailing from the City of Champions Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and weighing in at two hundred and twenty five pounds… ‘the Conjurer’... COLBY SOL!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: “It’s been a hell of a day for Colby Sol thus far. Not only did he see off Leafdom in just two and a half minutes in the Cage of Death, he went on to overcome Xperienx Xtacee in what was the shortest of our semi-finals. He has less than fifteen minutes of ring time thus far today, which you’d think would lend Colby something of an advantage over his opponent tonight.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “And, by virtue of the other semi-final that we just witnessed, we know that his opponent will be Johnny Johnson. ‘The Legend’ has seen nearly forty minutes of action already, and will no doubt still be feeling the effects of his quarter final win over Sawyer Xavier.”
With Sol in the ring and limbering up in the corner, his music fades away and is replaced by…
{DEVIL’S DANCE || METALLICA}[MEDIA=youtube]R1-177SVHcM[/MEDIA]
Natalie Rosenberg: “And his opponent… from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and weighing in at two hundred and thirty pounds… ‘the Legend’... JOHNNY JOHNSON!!”
Johnny Johnson walks out onto the stage to more boos, which only seem to encourage him. He has a bandage over the wound on the top of his forehead, the work of the medical team between rounds. Johnson ignores the sneers and jeers from the audience as he traverses the ramp.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Neither of these men are particularly popular with the FWA audience, and this microcosm thereof is letting both of them know that. I imagine most watching this contest will hope they both receive some punishment at the hands of the other.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “This is certainly the match type to accomplish that, Jean-Luc! As you can see, one side of a steel cage has been set up on the far side of the ring, with various weapons hanging from this incomplete structure. I’m not going to list them. I don’t want to ruin the surprise for those listening on the radio.”
Johnson enters the ring and surveys the weapons upon the steel as Anzu haphazardly describes it. A smirk passes over his face at the sight of the weapons that have been made available to him. Finally, he turns to face Colby head on, who returns his gaze from across the ring. Content that we’re ready to begin, the official calls for the bell…
SEVENTH MATCH || THIRD ROUND (SEMI-FINALS) || 1/30.
Colby Sol vs. Johnny Johnson.
Clockwork Orange House of Fun Deathmatch.
Match writer: SS.
<< 00:00. >>
As the two circle the ring, it is quite easy to contrast the levels of fatigue in each of them. Colby, the fresher of the two men, still has something of a spring in his step, whilst Johnson lumbers around the ring like one who has been in the wars today. Nonetheless, Johnson comes forward with an offer of a collar and elbow tie up, which Sol takes before promptly beginning to push JJ back across the ring towards a corner. Before he reaches the turnbuckles, though, JJ swiftly goes behind into a rear waist lock. He then bundles Colby forward into the corner instead, before taking him backwards with an O’Conner roll…
ONE… TWO… TH – NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Almost got him! Right at the outset!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Johnson wants to finish this one early. I don't blame him, given what he's already been through over the course of today."
Sol is able to kick out, though, and quickly scrambles to his feet to aim a wild clothesline in Johnny’s direction. JJ is able to duck beneath it, collects Sol from behind, and hits him with a Manhattan drop… before dropping him with a clothesline!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Johnson isn't going for a pin this time, instead deciding to consult that wall of weapons…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Quite the selection available… and Johnson chooses a fire extinguisher!"
Colby is back up to a vertical base and staggers around to face Johnson, who swings at him heavily with the canister, only for Sol to take him out at the knees with a low dropkick! Johnson drops the canister and Sol is quick to pick it up as JJ regains his vertical base… Colby blinds him with a smog of smoke and foam from the fire extinguisher!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Johnson can't see where he is and is stumbling around the ring… Colby Sol clocks him with the canister, right between the eyes!!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Johnson might be out! Colby covers him…"
ONE… TWO… THR – NO!"[/b][/color] Jean-Luc Watkins: "Both men recording early nearfalls, but each time the other is able to fire a shoulder up!"Anzu Kurosawa: "They haven't come this far to not go any further, Jean-Luc!"*** << 05:30. >>The match has rolled on and so has the violence, with Johnny now reopened up from the cut on his forehead thanks to a vicious onslaught with a kendo stick, and Sol also now bleeding thanks to an incident with a cheese grater. Colby is still recovering in the corner after a float-over DDT onto a trash can, with Johnny on the outside setting up two tables near the ramp. He isn't done there, though, and fishes under the ring once more, producing no less than a dozen steel chairs which he throws into the ring. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Looks like Johnny Johnson is about to go nuclear. Does he really need that many chairs?!"Anzu Kurosawa: "Is that why the fans are all standing? Are there enough chairs for everyone under there?"Johnny slides back into the ring and collects Colby, placing him in a front facelock and dragging him over towards the mountain of chairs that he's made. He appears to be going for another float-over DDT, but Colby senses his peril and urgently drives JJ backwards with his shoulder, Johnson colliding back-first with the steel cage wall! This is enough to cause separation (as well as rattle the remaining weapons on the wall), with Colby immediately following up with a trio of chops, followed by a quartet of forearms, and then a spin kick to the gut. He applies a front face lock of his own… Jean-Luc Watkins: "FALCON ARROW!! Onto the chairs!!"Anzu Kurosawa: "Colby has to drag Johnny away from the chairs to pin his shoulders to the mat…"ONE… TWO… TH – NO! Johnny kicks out and Colby is incensed! He pulls a staple gun down from the cage wall and rounds on Johnson, pulling him up to his knees and standing behind him… Jean-Luc Watkins: "HE'S STAPLING HIM IN THE FOREHEAD! Five, six, seven, eight!!"Anzu Kurosawa: "Your counting is really coming along, Jean-Luc…"Colby doesn't stop until he's emptied a dozen staples into Johnson's forehead… but the violent act only seems to shake Johnny back into life! The adrenaline surging, he climbs to his feet with his fists clenched, ducks beneath Sol’s attempt to brain him with the gun, and then lays into Sol with a vicious headbutt!! Colby is staggered, allowing Johnson to place him into a front facelock and hook the arm. JJ backs up towards the mound of steel chairs… Jean-Luc Watkins: "BRAAAAAINBUUUUUSTAAAAAAAH!!!"Anzu Kurosawa: "Crushed him!!"Johnson hooks the far leg… ONE… TWO… TH – NO!! Jean-Luc Watkins: "Somehow Colby Sol kicks out, and somehow this match continues!!"*** << 11:08. >>With Colby down on the mat after a short-arm clothesline, Johnson glances up at the cage wall and smirks. He collects a black canvass bag, one of the last remaining weapons, and carries it carefully into the middle of the ring. Jean-Luc Watkins: "You can hear the crowd gasping… they know what's in there!"Johnson pours the contents of the bag out onto the mat… millions upon millions of thumbtacks, which spread out over the mat in a giant, sprawling heap. Anzu Kurosawa: "So beautiful… art… forty out of forty…"Johnson slowly swaggers over towards Sol, clearly quite pleased with himself and the plan he's concocted. He drags Colby up to his feet and leads him by the hair towards the tacks. Johnson flips Colby the bird before booting him in the midsection to double him over. JJ applies an inverted headlock… Jean-Luc Watkins: "It looks as though Johnson is going for ‘the Greatest Finisher’, a move that we've already seen earlier this evening…"Anzu Kurosawa: "And into the tacks, no less! This would be it, almost certainly…"When the tacks begin to crunch beneath Sol’s boots, he begins to sense his peril. At first wriggling and then attempting to fire off with eight hands into Johnson's midriff. Johnson knees him in the midsection and then lifts him up, attempting to transition into a Michonoku driver… but Sol slips out the back! Johnson turns around and aims a lariat in Colby's direction, but Sol ducks… Jean-Luc Watkins: "T-bone suplex!!! Into the tacks!"JJ screams with agony and forces himself out of the thumb tacks, climbing to his feet on instinct alone. But Colby is waiting for him, connecting with his SHOTGUN lariat and damn near taking Johnson's head off!! Anzu Kurosawa: "It's Colby with the cover!"ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!! Anzu Kurosawa: "But it's not enough!!"There seems something disappointment, maybe even frustration, about Colby as he gets to his feet. He spies the two tables set up near the ramp, deciding to climb out and onto the apron before reaching back in to grab Johnson by the hair. He pulls Johnny out onto the apron, with JJ on all fours in front of him and Sol holding him with a fistful of hair. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Just look at all those tacks in Johnny Johnson's back!! But still he managed to kick out."Anzu Kurosawa: "Things aren't looking too bright for the Legend, though, with Colby Sol pulling his head into position for a powerbomb…"Colby pauses for a moment before the lift to glance over at the tables, perhaps judging the distance to them from the apron. This momentary hesitation is enough for Johnny, who still has the wherewithal to drop back down onto his knees… … and deliver a devastating low blow to Colby Sol!! The Conjurer instantly crumbles, falling backwards into the apron. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, there's nothing illegal about that or anything else, but god damn that was dirty!"Johnson rises to his feet behind Colby Sol, and immediately places him in a cobra clutch. He doesn't need to glance at the tables. He set them up and knows where they are. There's no hesitation. Jean-Luc Watkins: "LEGEND'S END!! Through the tables!!"Anzu Kurosawa: "And amongst the wreckage, Johnson drapes an arm over Colby…"ONE… TWO… THREE! {RESULT}Johnny Johnson defeats Colby Sol via pinfall at 14:51. Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… JOHNNY JOHNSON!!”‘The Legend’ doesn’t look much like a winner, covered in blood from the re-opened wound on his forehead and struggling to remove himself from the wreckage of two tables. He eventually manages to find his feet with the help of a pair of officials. Jean-Luc Watkins: “And with that victory, Johnny Johnson strides onwards into the final of King of the Deathmatch 3, where he’ll face off against Trixie Bordeaux in… are we still doing the Texas thing without Tommy?”Anzu Kurosawa: “I think it’s a barbed wire spider’s web thing now.”Jean-Luc Watkins: “Again?! How inventive…”Anzu Kurosawa: “Regardless of the shocking lack of creativity on display from the booking team, there’s no doubting that it will be a barbaric, violent, and chaotic environment… the perfect way to end King of the Deathmatch 3!”We are a fly on the wall at Gorilla, where Trixie Bordeaux paces slightly this way and that. The wound on her head is uglier than ever, exacerbated by the events of the day and the three matches that she has already competed in. She looks nervous. Anxious, even. She frequently glances at the curtain that separates her from the ringside area. Johnny Johnson walks into the small pace. He too is hurting. His ribs are in ruins, and he has his own gash on the forehead, though his has been stitched shut (for the second time this evening) and isn’t getting in the way of his vision, which is good enough to instantly clock Trixie. He takes a few steps towards her, coming to a halt in order to look her up and down. Johnny Johnson: “You ready?”Trixie says nothing. She stares at ‘the Legend’ blankly. Johnny Johnson: “I don’t think you’re ready. You’ve been playing tough all day. It’s time somebody put someone in your place.”He stares past her, at a technician working at a set of controls at the desk. Johnny Johnson: “Play my music. I’m going out first.”The technician offers Johnson a salute, and moments after we hear the opening notes of Metallica’s ‘Devil’s Dance’ from beyond the curtain. ‘The Legend’ gives Bordeaux one final long and thoroughly uncomfortable scan, before snickering, shaking his head, and walking through the curtain. Trixie doesn’t turn to watch him leave. She only clenches her fists at her side. {DEVIL’S DANCE || METALLICA}[MEDIA=youtube]R1-177SVHcM[/MEDIA] Jeers emanate from the crowd, signalling the arrival of Johnny Johnson for the day's main event. His scowl is etched onto his face, but it appears his exploits over the course of the day has taken their toll. He favours his ribs slightly as he makes his way down the ramp, and the stitches on his forehead have been hastily reapplied after his semifinal match. Jean-Luc Watkins: "This is it, folks! It's time for your main event, which of course also happens to be the final match of KODM3. Here comes Johnny Johnson, who has impressed today with three hard-fought victories, over Aka Yurei in the Cage of Death, Sawyer Xavier in the quarter finals, and then Colby Sol in the semis."Anzu Kurosawa: "Hard-fought is certainly right, Jean-Luc. You can plainly see that Johnson is wearing the battle scars of those three matches as he makes his way down to the ring for his fourth. And he's up against an opponent whose resilience is well-known."Jean-Luc Watkins: "The Legend has shown a fair bit of that himself, Anzu, most notably in his matches against Xavier and Colby. Something tells me it's going to take a lot to put either of these competitors away tonight."Johnson enters the ring - carefully rolling beneath the barbed wire - and, just like he did in his quarter finals match, has to use the turnbuckles to prop himself upright whilst he waits for his opponent. His music fades out, and then we hear… {HEX GIRL || THE HEX GIRLS}[MEDIA=youtube]9btxEC73Dog[/MEDIA] Trixie comes out to a mixed reaction from the fans in attendance, though it does seem like there are considerably more cheers than boos for Trixie Bordeaux. She looks battered and bruised as she walks out onto the stage, the lump on her head now so colossal that her right eye is fixed shut. She walks down the ramp, taking it steadily thanks to her suddenly impaired depth perception. Jean-Luc Watkins: “What a story it's been for Trixie Bordeaux, who has already far exceeded her performance in KODM2 when she made it to only the second round. Bordeaux has victories over my broadcast colleague, Aaron Harrows, and XYZ to her name today on the road to this final."Anzu Kurosawa: ”The last of which, it must be said, came thanks to a huge helping hand from her stable-mate Kleio De Santos. It's unclear whether KDS got involved because of her relationship with Trixie or her rivalry with XYZ, but the result was the same nonetheless."Jean-Luc Watkins: ”What are friends for, Anzu, if not to secure your place in the final of a deathmatch tournament?"Trixie rolls into the ring beneath the barbed wire, doing so on one of the two, opposite sides where three lines of barbed wire run in parallel, replicating the ropes that they have replaced. The other two sides host the spider’s webs, a mass of wire wrapped over itself to replicate the arachnid's lair. Amidst this devilish and depraved setting are our two competitors, who stare across the ring at one another intently. Natalie Rosenberg doesn't brave entry into the ring, and instead makes the introductions from the outside. Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your final of the King of the Deathmatch tournament, and is a ‘No Ropes Barbed Wire Spider’s Web’ Deathmatch!!"Excited cheers from the raucous and bloodthirsty crowd. Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing first… from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and weighing in at 230 pounds…he is Johnny ‘The Legend’ Johnson!"Johnson remains slouched on the corner, a hand gently resting on his sensitive ribs. Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and weighing in at one hundred and twenty pounds… BELLATRIX BORDEAUX!"Bellatrix is able to stand up of her own volition, without the help of the turnbuckles, but the wound on her head is ugly, and one can’t help but notice that she’s half-blinded by it. The referee rolls into the ring, his clothes snagging on the bottom line of barbed wire. The camera focuses in on the small tear in the material of his shirt, a stark reminder of how easily it will bite. There’s no need for final checks. Everyone is ready. For the final time, the bell is rung. EIGHTH MATCH || FINAL || 1/30. Johnny Johnson vs. Trixie Bordeaux. No Ropes Barbed Wire ‘Spider’s Web’ Deathmatch.Match writer: SS. << 00:00. >>One might think that the final would start with a lengthy, ominous stand-off, full of intentful glaring, and it does appear as though Johnny would be fine with such an opening. Trixie, on the other hand, has precisely the opposite idea, and immediately charges out of her corner like a hurricane. Johnson just about has time to throw up a guard, but it's all for naught as Bordeaux instead takes him out at the knees with a low dropkick! Johnson goes down to his knees, with Trixie collecting him by the hair and hitting him with a running bulldog! Johnson is a little overwhelmed by the immediate offense and begins to roll towards the side of the ring, perhaps looking to go to the outside for a breather. He stops short, though, when he realises that he's drawing close to the spider's web barbed wire, and immediately rolls back away from it, allowing Trixie to hit him with a handful of stomps. She helps him back to his feet and backs him up with a pair of stomps before taking him by the hand, Irish whipping him across the ring and towards the barbed wire. Johnson notes that he's heading towards some more barbed wire (though not one of the spider's webs) and puts on the break. He turns around to see Trixie Bordeaux charging at him… Jean-Luc Watkins: "Johnny Johnson reverses with a drop toe hold!!! Trixie Bordeaux is draped throat-first over the second row of barbed wire!!!"Anzu Kurosawa: "And it doesn't look like Trixie can free herself easily! The barbed wire has snagged on her shirt and indeed her skin, and she can't pull herself away without suffering further damage!"Johnson smiles at his handiwork before rolling out of the ring next to Trixie, underneath the bottom row of wire. Trixie struggles desperately when she sees Johnson smirking in front of her on the floor, and even more so when he grasps a light tube that is propped up against the announce desk. He grips it in both hands like a baseball bat… and brings it crunching down over her head!! Jean-Luc Watkins: "Oh by gawd!! Right in front of us! I think I have glass in my hair!"Anzu Kurosawa: "Doesn't it make you feel alive?!"Johnson isn't done there. He hops onto the apron and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a rusty, bloody fork that looks as though it's already been utilised earlier in the night. The fans cheer the impending barbarism (rather than the man responsible for it) and - still standing next to Trixie, who is still struggling to free herself from the barbed wire - grabs her by the hair. Then, without a moment's hesitation he begins to dig the fork into the bloody, bruised, swollen wound on Trixie's forehead!! The crowd wince and squirm at the move, with JJ scraping and driving the fork further down into the reopened gash!! Anzu Kurosawa: "If the lighttube didn't already reopen Trixie up, I'm sure this will do the trick!"Finally, with one desperate yank that opens up a fresh cut on her throat, Trixie rips herself away from the barbed wire. She clutches her head in the middle of the ring as Johnson holds the fork into the air once again… AND THEN LICKS IT!! Jean-Luc Watkins: "That's… wow… that is levels of depravity I didn't expect, not even from the King of the Deathmatch, and not even from Johnny Johnson…"*** << 05:12. >>Johnson has spent the past several minutes continuing to work over Trixie's head, and we rejoin the match with Johnson holding her by the hair and running her face over the top row of barbed wire next to the ramp. Trixie is desperate for some separation, doing her best to gain it with a few elbows to the ribs. Johnson still has a handful of hair, though… but not after Bordeaux reaches around and takes at his eyes! Jean-Luc Watkins: "Desperation move there by Trixie Bordeaux, but that's exactly what she needed at that moment of time. This one has been nearly all Johnson so far."Johnson shakes his head and reapproaches Bordeaux… but she fires off with a HUGE headbutt!! JJ stumbles backwards, allowing Trixie to connect with a series of slaps and then a kick to the groin!! Johnson is doubled over, allowing Trixie to apply a front facelock. Johnson proves a little too heavy for her, though, especially when he is anchoring down her weight, and she can't follow up with the intended suplex. Instead, the Legend is able to hoist her up instead, going for a delayed vertical of his own. He succeeds in holding her up in the air for a full fifteen seconds, the audience counting along with the move in Japanese. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Can you translate, Anzu?"Anzu Kurosawa: "It's numbers, Jean-Luc. It's always numbers."Jean-Luc Watkins: "The count increases, and the blood would be pooling in Trixie's head right now if it wasn't leaking out onto the man holding her and the ring below…"Anzu Kurosawa: " … but somehow Trixie is able to drive a knee down into Johnson's head! And then a second!"The third causes JJ to drop Trixie, with her landing on her feet behind him. The Legend turns around and looks to regain the advantage, charging immediately at Bordeaux… who flapjacks him right into the barbed wire spider's web!!! Jean-Luc Watkins: "Gruesome scenes here in our final! It's now Johnson’s turn to find himself trapped in that unforgiving barbed wire."Anzu Kurosawa: "I think Trixie's going to repay the favour, just in her own special way."Johnson is facing out of the ring, struggling to wrench himself from the barbed wire, and Trixie kneels down below him… low blow!! Then another! A total of SIX rapid-fire low blows!! Jean-Luc Watkins: "Jesus! Where's the humanity?!"Trixie follows up with a schoolboy roll-up… ONE… TWO… THR – NO!! Johnson kicks out! Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie looking to slow things down with a rear naked choke…"Anzu Kurosawa: "She does love a rest hold."Jean-Luc Watkins: "Who doesn't?!"*** << 09:34. >>Trixie has maintained her advantage, and now has Johnson trapped in a rather ugly abdominal stretch (given his size advantage over her). Bordeaux grinds an elbow into Johnny's exposed sternum. Johnson is verbally insistent that he doesn't want to submit, and it seems Bordeaux doesn't think he's going to either, for she releases the abdominal stretch and transitions into a front facelock. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie Bordeaux is going for another suplex here… what is she thinking?! Does she not remember the last time?"Anzu Kurosawa: "She has been hit in the head a fair few times today, Jean-Luc. Cut her some slack."Trixie spends ten seconds or so trying to wrench Johnson up for the move, but once again he anchors his weight down and remains fixed to the mat… before reversing with a small package! OUT OF NOWHERE! ONE… TWO… TH – NO! Bordeaux kicks out and immediately fights up to her feet, but a suddenly revitalised Johnson is there waiting for her. He knocks her down once with a short arm clothesline, before dragging her up and putting her down once again with a snap suplex of his own. Trixie is slower to rise this time, allowing Johnson to back up and then hit a running senton! Anzu Kurosawa: "Quick offense in combination from Johnny Johnson!"Jean-Luc Watkins: "But he doesn't go for a cover, instead electing to roll under the bottom row of barbed wire and search beneath the ring. I hope he doesn't have more cutlery down there…"Instead of knives and forks, Johnson introduces a trio of weapons, each of which has been enhanced with barbed wire. First is a baseball bat wrapped in the stuff, which he throws into the ring, watching it land with a dull clunk next to Trixie. Next is a barbed wire chair, and - finally - a table wrapped in it, which he slides into the ring with some trouble considering his fatigue. He rolls in afterwards and first sets the table up at an angle in the corner. He notices that Trixie is coming to and is reaching for the bat, and so he places his boot atop of it to stop her from getting it. He picks the bat up and stands over Trixie, who is face down, lifting her head of the mat by the hair… and then scraping the barbed wire across her forehead!! It's only over when he says it is, releasing Trixie after maybe thirty seconds of mutilation. Bordeaux slumps to the mat and JJ holds the bat in the air, as if in triumph, blood dripping from the foreign objects and onto the mat. Trixie is stirring slightly, much to his dismay, and so he discards the bar and picks up the steel chair. He backs away from his opponent, waiting for her to rise. She eventually does, turning to face Johnson as he comes towards her… … and, somewhat surprisingly, Trixie drops to her knees. Johnson is surprised, too, momentarily halting with the chair aloft. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Is Trixie calling for a timeout?! There are no timeouts in pro wrestling!!"It appears Johnson agrees, and he lifts the chair even higher… … but the moment's hesitation is enough to allow Trixie to hit him with ANOTHER low blow!!! Johnson drops the chair in front of him and doubles over. Trixie immediately grabs him in a front facelock… Anzu Kurosawa: "SNAP DDT!! Onto the chair!!"Jean-Luc Watkins: "I'm only glad that she abandoned those ridiculous suplex aspirations."Trixie hooks the leg… ONE… TWO… THREE – NO!! Johnson kicks out! Right on the cusp of three! Trixie can't follow up, instead lying face down on the mat next to Johnson, the fans in rapturous applause for both of their exploits. *** << 13:52. >>Trixie has Johnny backed up into the corner, his arms resting on top of the barbed wire, as she works away at him with alternating knife edge chops and open hand slaps. She hits a dozen of each in total, but her pace is slowing, and when she goes for the thirteenth chop Johnson is able to duck beneath it. The tables are turned, with Johnny now laying into Bordeaux with straight right hands. Johnny winds up for a big one… but Trixie fires off with a headbutt, staggering Johnson backwards. Jean-Luc Watkins: "We've seen Trixie Bordeaux utilise that headbutt to good effect throughout this match. More pluck than sense of you ask me, given the state that her forehead is in."JLW seems to be on the money, because Bordeaux instantly drops down to a knee herself after the headbutt, unable to immediately follow up whilst JJ shakes loose the cobwebs. With Trixie reeling, he charges in at her with a cornered clothesline, before picking Trixie up and placing her into the tree of woe! Anzu Kurosawa: "Trixie's legs are trapped behind that barbed wire whilst Johnson works away at her with stomp after stomp!"Jean-Luc Watkins: "Can't be a comfortable position for Bordeaux, but Johnson has her right where he wants her."After stomping a mud hole into Bordeaux, Johnny plants his boot against her throat and pushes, her back arching across the turnbuckles and barbed wire, driving the air out of her as she finally works herself loose. She falls into a heap on the mat, Johnson wasting no time in hoisting her up to apply a cobra clutch. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Johnny Johnson is looking for Legend's End… this is how he finished Colby Sol in the semi finals."Anzu Kurosawa: "But Trixie fights in desperation. She drives her elbow into the side of Johnny's head!"The third such strike causes separation, Johnson stumbling into the middle of the ring and onto his knees. Trixie takes a deep breath, waiting for Johnson to rise, charging at him when he turns to face her… Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie Bordeaux goes for that running shoulder tackle to the legs… but Johnny's playing a different sport! He has the barbed wire baseball bat in his hands!"Anzu Kurosawa: "And that ones OUTTA HERE!"Johnny brings the barbed wire crashing across Trixie's face, Bordeaux immediately slumping to the mat as a dead weight. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Trixie might be out!"Anzu Kurosawa: "Trixie might be dead!"It takes some effort for Johnson to push Trixie over onto her back, and when he does he drives a shoulder into her face in the cover… ONE… TWO… THRE – NO!!!! Jean-Luc Watkins: "How?! On nothing but adrenaline… on nothing but fumes… Trixie manages to get the shoulder up!"Johnny looks flabbergasted, seething in the official’s direction before he grabs Trixie by the hair and yanks her onto her feet once more. He reapplies his cobra clutch, looking to finish her off with one last big attack… Jean-Luc Watkins: "Here comes Legend's End…"Anzu Kurosawa: "But Trixie lets her weight go dead in Johnson's grasp! She's thrashing around like an obstinate child!!"Johnson can't lift her, and so he lets her go and then immediately transitions into a front facelock. Jean-Luc Watkins: "We’ve seen Johnson hit a brainbuster earlier today…"Anzu Kurosawa: "But again Trixie is refusing to budge… AND THEN SHE REVERSES!!!"Jean-Luc Watkins: "At the third time of asking, Trixie manages to get Johnson up and over with a suplex! Although Johnson’s shifting weight almost turned that into a brainbuster of her own!!"Johnson rolls away from Trixie, backing away into a corner… but he doesn’t realise that he’s backing into the corner with the barbed wire table that he set up earlier on in the match! He sits back, hoping for turnbuckles but finding barbed wire!! And Trixie senses her moment! She charges in… Jean-Luc Watkins: "BUNDLE OF FUN!! This time Trixie connects with the cannon ball, through the table! Into the barbed wire!"The crowd’s energy is palpable as Johnson, instinctively, drags himself out of the wreckage and the wire. Trixie is waiting for him, though… Anzu Kurosawa: "HOCUS POCUS!! HOCUS POCUS!!"Trixie gets up to her feet once more, the blood gushing from her as she looks down at Johnson. He’s still stirring, and she doesn’t go for the cover just yet. Instead, she collects table debris from the corner and places it atop Johnson’s frame, the barbed wire pressed down onto his body. Then, she turns back to the corner, climbing up to the top turnbuckle whilst facing away from the ring… Jean-Luc Watkins: "WHISTLING TRIXIE!! Trixie hits it! She hits it!"She has to throw the table debris off Johnson again before collapsing onto Johnson into a cover… ONE… TWO… THREE!! {RESULT}Trixie Bordeaux defeats Johnny Johnson via pinfall at 18:20.. Neither of the wrestlers move immediately, the bell ringing and Trixie’s music blaring out. Trixie is able to roll off Johnny Johnson but nothing more, the slow rising and falling of her chest the only sign that she’s alive. Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner of King of the Deathmatch III… and the NEEEEEEW FWA X Champion… TRIXIE… BORDEAUUUUUXXXXX!!!!”The call of her name seems to shake Trixie back to life, with the young woman suddenly sitting up as if awakened. She glances up at the official, who is holding her newly won championship belt. She points to herself and words the question ‘ mine?’. The official responds to her question by nodding, helping her up, and then handing her the championship belt. Trixie Bordeaux stands with her first silverware as a singles competitor in the Fantasy Wrestling Alliance, staring at it for a moment, hardly able to believe her eyes. Then, as the official lifts her right hand in victory, she raises the championship belt with her left hand, the audience cheering her efforts over the course of the day. Jean-Luc Watkins: ”She's done it! She's actually done it! After a disappointing early exit from King of the Deathmatch II, Trixie Bordeaux has come back a year later and won the whole thing! And she does it with a gargantuan effort: four victoria in one calendar day, which may even be an FWA first.”Anzu Kurosawa: ”And now she stands in the ring as the newly crowned FWA X Champion, not to mention the first Queen of the Deathmatch! That Crown of Thorns is going to look great on her… if she's willing to go to the International Space Station to get it back, of course.”Jean-Luc Watkins: ”That remains to be seen, but such decisions can wait for another day. This evening, Trixie can revel in what she's achieved: the first Queen of the Deathmatch, and the first female X Champion since Michelle von Horrowitz more than four years ago.”Anzu Kurosawa: ”And, judging by the microphone in her hand, it appears our new Queen has something to say at her coronation!”Indeed, Trixie has a mic in hand and is currently breathing heavily into it, staggering slightly after the exertions of the final match and indeed of the tournament as a whole. Trixie Bordeaux: ”Wow.”She shakes her head, almost in disbelief at what she has accomplished. She lifts the microphone to speak again, but before she can the official appears at her shoulder to whisper into her ear. Trixie Bordeaux: “I’ve gotta wait. I'm getting cues, hold on…”[/font][/center] |
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