Meltdown XLII: "The Meaning of Life." || Results.

- XLII -
”THE MEANING OF LIFE.”

Live from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Saturday 6th July, 2024.





We open up on a shot of a locker room door, somewhere in the backstage area of the TD Garden, the small plaque at eye-level proclaiming it to be that of former FWA World Tag Team Champions the Undisputed Alliance – but the dominating feature of the door is the spray painted word that covers the width of it: TR1CK! There is something of a commotion at the scene, with several voices shouting over one another and a tightly clenched first repeatedly knocking on the door.

Rod Sterling: "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Meltdown XLII, and you join us as a situation is developing backstage here in Boston, Massachusetts."

As the camera zooms out, the tightly clenched cost is revealed to be that of Jackson Fenix, and the voices are those of a handful of FWA officials and staff members in general disarray.

Jackson Fenix: "Nate?! NATE!!"

The reply is muffled and comes from the other side of the door.

Nate Savage: "Yes, Jackson. I can hear you just fine."

Fenix raised his fist, as if to knock the door again, but realises that this isn't a particularly helpful act and instead rests his hands on his hips.

Jackson Fenix: "You can't open it from the inside?"

Nate Savage: "No, Jackson. Else I wouldn't still be in here."

Frustrated and a little desperate, Fenix turns to the nearest official.

Jackson Fenix: "Where's that locksmith?!"

FWA Official: "On their way. But your match is first up, Jackson. Right now. In fact, isn't that your music?"

[”Bow Down” || I Prevail.]

Jackson sighs, lamenting the uselessness of the two men trying to fix the broken lock.

Jackson Fenix: "Guess I'm going it alone. Wish me luck."

FWA Official: "I can't do that. I have to remain impartial."

Jackson Fenix: "Real heartless, dude…"

We cut to the arena with the Undisputed Alliance's music playing, but with no sign as of yet of either member of the team.

Anzu Kurosawa: "As you can see, Nate Savage having a little trouble with his locker room door, and as a result it appears that Jackson Fenix will be going it alone here tonight in Boston…"

Rod Sterling: "A daunting task, with both Trevor Ocean and Michelle von Horrowitz as his opponents. Given what was written across their locker room door, it doesn't take a genius to work out who was responsible for this prank."

Anzu Kurosawa: "Tr1ck or Tr4sh are indeed in attendance here tonight, in order to make an announcement for this raucous - and increasingly impatient - Boston crowd."

Rod Sterling: "Here he comes now…"

Finally, with his entrance song well into its second verse, Jackson Fenix appears on the stage. There's a mixed reaction for Fenix, but it does appear that there are more cheers than boos as he makes his way down the ramp.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall, and is a tag team match. Introducing first, he is one half of the Undisputed Alliance… Jackson Fenix!!"

Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, officially it's a tag team match, but I'm not sure we're going to be seeing Jackson's partner out here tonight. Boston locksmiths are notoriously tardy."

Rod Sterling: "I've heard that."

Fenix climbs into the ring, loosening up in his corner and generally looking rather anxious about the task that is unexpectedly ahead of him. His music fades out and is replaced by…

[”My Hero” || Foo Fighters.]

There's another pop, just as mixed as the one for the Undisputed Alliance, as Trevor Ocean walks out onto the stage. He surveys the arena before beginning on his way down the ramp, his general demeanour suggesting that he doesn't really want to be here.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And his opponents: first, from Kansas City, Missouri… he weighs in tonight at two hundred and fifteen pounds… Trevor… OCEAN!!"

Rod Sterling: "If Trevor Ocean wasn't particularly pleased about competing in a tag team contest, he looks even more perturbed about a handicap match."

Anzu Kurosawa: "This won't exactly be Trevor's idea of a good use of his time, only a few weeks out from the Anniversary Show and that all-important Steel Roulette match. But I spoke to Michelle earlier in the week, and she told me that the two had spent some time together ahead of their match. I don't think that bodes particularly well for Jackson, either…"

Ocean comes to a halt at the bottom of the ramp, half-suspicious of Jackson and his currently absent partner. His music fades out, and then…

[”In Dreams” || Roy Orbison.]

The lights go down for Michelle von Horrowitz, who walks out onto the stage shrouded in a full gloom. In a change from her usual ring entrance, though, there is a bright spotlight shining down onto the stage where she stands. She lifts a hand in front of her eyes to shield them from the powerful beam.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And his tag team partner: from Rotterdam in the Netherlands… she weighs in at fifty four kilograms… ‘Dreamer’... Michelle von HORROWITZ!!"

Another mixed reaction, more polarised even, with both intense hatred and vocal support raining down on the stage. The woman herself is more concerned with the spotlight, cowering in its focus before - eventually and suddenly - it begins to move. It retreats from Michelle and, slowly at first, it tracks across the crowd, taking a linear path to a predetermined point.

Those in attendance - the crowd as well as those at ringside - can't help but watch the spotlight's path. It slows down again as it reaches the top of the first tier, coming to a halt on the arena's largest and most luxurious sky box.

Shawn Summers is standing out on the balcony, a grin on his face and a pair of sunglasses over his eyes. He appears much more comfortable in the light.

The crowd instantly pops for his appearance, and then rains down boos upon him. He gives them no reaction, instead continuing to stare at Michelle on the stage, perhaps fifty metres away from him and a whole tier of seating in-between them.

Rod Sterling: "Der Basterd is here in Boston! Six weeks after Shawn Summers refused to appear of Meltdown XL, he's apparently rented out one of the TD Garden's sky boxes to get a closer view of this opening match!"

Michelle's music continues to play for half a minute or so as she stares up at Summers, still illuminated by the spotlight. Then, she makes up her mind. She climbs down from the top of the ramp and hops the barricade, entering the crowd and immediately heading towards the nearest set of stairs.

Anzu Kurosawa: "I think Michelle intends to give him a closer view than he expected…"

As Dreamer makes her way across the crowd and towards the sky box, we get a closer view of Summers as a camera gets up there. We see that he's surrounded by security guards on the balcony of the sky box, with the skulking figure of Rupert Watkins behind them all and a pane of perspex.

Then, we see a conflicted Trevor Ocean, who has approached the barricade, watching Michelle's climb of a nearby set of stairs. After a moment of two’s thought, he retreats from the barricade, instead hopping up onto the barricade and climbing into the ring.

Rod Sterling: "It doesn't look like Trevor Ocean is going to follow Michelle into that battle. Not surprising, given his history with Der Basterd."

Anzu Kurosawa: "I guess he wanted a singles match, even if we got there in a roundabout way…"

The referee looks at Jackson and Trevor in opposite corners of the ring. He sighs deeply, concluding that this was the best he was going to get. With a shake of his head, he calls for the bell…


FIRST MATCH || 1/20.
Michelle von Horrowitz and Trevor Ocean vs. the Undisputed Alliance (Jackson Fenix and Nate Savage).
Tag Team Match.
Match writer: SS.


This ‘tag team match' gets underway with Trevor Ocean and Jackson Fenix circling the ring, undercut with shots of Michelle climbing up the first tier. As the two in the ring bring it together with a collar and elbow tie-up, Michelle reaches the top of the staircase and finds her separated from Summer's by a three metre wall, his balcony positioned high above her and at the base of the second tier. He laughs at her, and then settles in to watch the match in the ring…

Ocean slips behind into a rear waist lock, bundling Jackson forwards into the ropes and attempting an O’Connor roll. Fenix clings onto the ropes go check his momentum, though, and Trevor rolls backwards without him. Jackson attempts to charge forwards with a clothesline, but Ocean ducks beneath it and rolls Fenix up with a schoolboy…

ONE… NO!

Jackson kicks out and rolls to his feet, just in time to see Ocean charging for a forearm smash. Fenix evades and goes behind, taking Trevor down with a backslide…

ONE… NO!

Ocean is just as quick to kick out, but thinks twice about immediately charging in at Fenix a second time. Instead, he rolls out of the ring as Fenix winds up for a right hand, electing to take a breather and re-evaluate a challenge he wasn't preparing for.

Rod Sterling: "Trevor Ocean might know Jackson Fenix very well, but almost all of their meetings were as part of tag team matches. Ocean might want to rethink his gameplay in the early stages of this one."

Anzu Kurosawa: "And whilst it's fifty-fifty in the ring, it's advantage Summers up in the crowd."

Michelle has been thinking at the base of the wall dividing her from Der Basterd, who in turn is ignoring her in order to watch the match. He's taken out a bag of pretzels, offering them out to each of the security guards that surrounds him before tucking in himself. Dreamer shrugs down below, and then begins to climb back down the staircase in the direction of the ring.

Rod Sterling: "Is Michelle giving up on the pursuit and returning to the match? She's certainly heading that way…"

Meanwhile, Ocean slides back into the ring, where he is immediately greeted by Jackson Fenix, who slaps on a side headlock. Ocean struggles up to his feet, reeling off a couple of elbow strikes into Jackson's ribs, and then Trevor wraps his arms around Fenix’s waist. He hoists him up and over, attempting a back suplex, but Jackson is able to overrotate and land on his feet behind Trevor, immediately reapplying his side headlock. Ocean reaches for the ropes, but each time he does Fenix drags him back into the middle of the ring. Eventually, Ocean manages to back Fenix up into the ropes, flinging him off then and towards the opposite set. Trevor tries for a lariat, but Jackson ducks beneath it and continues to the opposite set… where Michelle has re-emerged at ringside, just in time to reach beneath the ropes and trip Fenix up! Jackson stumbles, before turning around to glare at Dreamer. She offers him a smirk in return. Jackson thinks better of it, and focuses on the legal man… but turns into a big forearm smash from Ocean!! Fenix hits the mat.

There's a moment where Trevor and Michelle share a glance, but it's only a moment. Dreamer drags her eyes away from him and never returns them. She instead searches under the ring, finding a ten foot ladder and placing an arm through a pair of rungs in its center. She then reapproaches the barricade, heading to the closest staircase to Summers’ position.

Rod Sterling: "Well, I guess that's it for Michelle's involvement in this one. I thought you said they talked?"

Anzu Kurosawa: "Don't shoot the messenger, Rod! Some people just aren't good communicators."

Trevor watches Michelle struggle up the steps for a second time with the ladder clutched over her shoulders. He shakes his head at her lack of focus before turning to an opponent who is ironically laying in wait. Fenix returns fire with a dropkick! Ocean stumbles back into the ropes, which propel him back into an enziguri from Fenix!

Trevor stumbles to one knee, allowing Jackson to smother him with a front facelock. He hooks an arm before whipping him over with a snap suplex, promptly following up with a lateral press cover.

ONE… TWO… NO!

Ocean gets the shoulder up, with Fenix momentarily advising the official that he should count a little quicker, before placing his opponent in a reverse chin lock. With Trevor sundered in the middle of the ring, the camera again cuts across to Michelle, who has ascended the staircase and once more stands beneath Summers’ sky box balcony. Der Basterd is continuing to watch the match and eat some pretzels whilst one of his security team leans in close to whisper something in his ear. Summers waves then away, telling them to deal with the problem so that he can enjoy the match (which, given the continuing rest hold down in the ring, isn't an easy thing to do).

Dreamer sets up her ladder so that it reaches just beneath the balcony, and employs a particularly sullen fan holding up a homemade ‘MvH’ banner to secure the base of it. Then, sure-footed, she begins to climb up, reaching the top as one of the security team attempts to grasp her with an outstretched hand. Michelle grabs it with both hands, trusting the fan at the base of the ramp to hold it steady, and yanks the security guard over the balcony. He plumets down from the three metre height… and lands on the MvH fan securing the base of the ladder!

Rod Sterling: "That fan just got FLATTENED! Serves her right for lending a helping hand to Michelle von Horrowitz, I guess. Shame Trevor Ocean didn't learn the same lesson earlier."

The ladder is now a lot less sturdy, and tumbles over as Michelle grasps the ledge of the balcony. This gives Shawn Summers - along with two members of the security team - time to retreat into the sky box, locking the door behind them. Two security guards remain on the outside, a guard raised as Michelle clambers over the railing. They descend on her, a three-way hockey fight unfurling on the sky box balcony!

Meanwhile, in the ring, Ocean has managed to regain a vertical base, Fenix forced to transition back into a side headlock. Trevor is relentless, though, nailing such quick fire elbows to Fenix’s gut, eventually causing some separation. Ocean follows up with some forearm strikes… and then winds up for a big headbutt!! Fenix is staggered, and Ocean takes him down with a running knee strike!!

With Ocean collecting himself in the ring, we cut to the balcony of Summers’ sky box again, just as a security guard charges at Michelle, who is staggered back against the railing. She sucks his attempted right hand, hoisting him up and over the railing! We watch him fall the three metres to down below, onto the recently recuperated fan at the base of the ladder. On the balcony, Michelle turns her attention to the last remaining security guard, who cowers backwards, seemingly offering the white flag.

Michelle peers through the perspex, where Summers has reconvened with Watkins. After a brief conversation, the older man retreats from the box, leaving Summers alone with the remnants of his security detail.

Rod Sterling: "It's hard to keep track of this rather chaotic opening contest, but inside the ring Trevor Ocean looks to push home his advantage…"

Anzu Kurosawa: "Trevor hits a snap suplex of his own… but he bridges into a pin attempt!"

ONE… TWO… NO!

Rod Sterling: "Inventive offence on display from Trevor Ocean, but it's only enough for a two-count!"

Trevor takes a few deep breaths, but then he collects Jackson and drags him up to his feet. A trio of forearm strikes follow, incapacitating Fenix enough for Ocean to entangle him in an octopus stretch! Fenix is in the middle of the ring, his limbs stretched out by a relentless Trevor Ocean, the official asking him if he wants to continue. Fenix is defiant in response, but doesn't seem able to move any closer to the ropes…

… and, up on the balcony, Michelle has given up on the locked door entirely. Instead, she fishes over the railing to collect the ladder that she used to climb up to the balcony. Shawn Summers is still behind the perspex, though now he has no interest in watching the match in the ring. Instead, be observed Dreamer with a cocktail of emotions etched on his face as she again places the ladder over her shoulder. This time, she uses it as a battering ram against the perspex. The first bit is enough to crack and bend the plastic, Summers taking a step back from the impact upon realising the flimsiness of his barrier. After recovering from the shock, he sends the remaining pair of security guards out after her. They hurry to the door as the ladder clatters into the perspex again, this time breaking straight through it!

The security guards arrive on the balcony as Michelle pulls the ladder from the perspex, her timing perfect to run the end of it into the face of the closest guard. The one who had surrendered earlier now fancies his chances again, approaching from behind, but Dreamer whips the ladder around and knocks him off his feet. The third charges at her, but she throws the ladder at him, the foreign object clattering into the final obstacle between her and Summers. Somehow, he manages to catch it, but a shotgun dropkick sends the ladder into him, and then him tumbling back into the balcony railing.

In the ring, Fenix continues to inch closer and closer towards the ropes, with Ocean driving the point of his elbow into his side to try and deter him from the effort. Jackson reaches out with the hand that is wedged beneath Ocean’s leg, but finds himself a few stubborn centimetres from a break. Trevor is relentless with the strikes to Ocean's side, weakening him to the point where he's able to drag him back into the centre of the ring and reapply his octopus stretch!

And, up on the balcony…

Rod Sterling: "Shawn Summers realises that there's nobody else to hide behind, and he begins to loosen his tie…"

Anzu Kurosawa: "Is this it?! These two have been kept apart by the office for weeks, since Carnal Contendership, and now there's nothing in the way!"

Dreamer realises this, too, and as soon as Summers has removed his jacket, he hops through the empty window, the perspex crunching under her feet. This causes her to be unsteady, and ever the opportunist, Shawn Summers immediately charges at her! He takes her over with a double leg takedown, the pair tumbling back through the empty window and onto the balcony. Shawn Summers begins to rain down right hands on Michelle von Horrowitz! She throws up a hasty guard, and then succeeds in rolling him over! Dreamer has him mounted now, and fires back with some rapid forearm strikes!!

In the ring, Trevor Ocean can't help but be distracted by the buzz in the arena at this physical interaction between Dreamer and Der Basterd. He turns his head to locate its source, and in the meantime his grip on Jackson Fenix weakens. Enough so that Fenix can wriggle loose, and in the process take an unsuspecting Ocean in a small package! Trevor's shoulders are down!

ONE… TWO… THR – NO!!

Ocean manages to kick out, but Jackson is up to his feet first…

Rod Sterling: "SUPERKICK ME BABY ONE MORE TIME!! Nails it!"

Anzu Kurosawa: "But no cover! Instead, Jackson Fenix places Trevor Ocean in a Figure 4 Leg Lock!"

Rod Sterling: "This one has become a battle of submissions! Ocean needs to get to the ropes, or turn this over, but Jackson Fenix has other ideas! Right hands to Ocean!"

Trevor falls back, his shoulders down…

ONE… TWO..

No! He forces a shoulder up, but remains out of arms reach of Fenix’s strikes. Up on the balcony, Shawn has thrown Michelle off him, and attempts to barrel into her again, potentially knocking her back through the window. Michelle reverses, though, taking him down with a drop toe hold onto the exposed ledge! She then hurls him through the empty window, Summers landing on the perspex with a crunch, and follows him through into the sky box…

Rod Sterling: "Are those the only five security guards in the TD Garden tonight?!"

Anzu Kurosawa: "The only ones in the employ of Shawn Summers and Rupert Watkins!"

Back in the ring, Trevor begins to crawl backwards into the nearest set of ropes, reaching backwards sporadically towards them, but always still too far to grasp them. Ocean stretches back with his fingertips… and Jackson releases the figure 4 for a brief moment in order to lash out at Ocean's face with kicks! He then drags Trevor back into the middle of the ring, before applying a modified Indian death lock!!

Rod Sterling: "Jackson Fenix is not letting Trevor Ocean go in the ring… and the same is true of Michelle von Horrowitz with Shawn Summers up in the sky box! She has a steel chair… had a steel chair!! It goes flying into Der Basterd's face!!"

Summers managed to get a hand up to deflect it somewhat, but the impact is enough to knock him off balance… and she follows up with a Busaiku knee kick!! Summers is thrown back over a glass table, drinks flying off it as he tumbles. This gives Dreamer ideas, and she clutches Summers in a front facelock, dragging him over to the glass table.

Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle is attempting to hook those arms, maybe going for a double arm DDT… but Summers drops to his knees…"

Rod Sterling: "LOW BLOW!! The great equaliser!!"

Dreamer slumps forward, and Summers immediately takes her by the scruff of the neck. He throws her over a nearby bar without releasing her. Bottles go flying as he drags her across the bar top, eventually letting her go after building momentum, Dreamer flying off the end of it and landing in a heap of broken glass. Summers isn't done there, collecting her once more and throwing her through the door of the skybox. Michelle stumbles out into the concourse. The cameraman tried to follow, but Summers isn't prepared to let him go first. We get a view from the cameraman's perspective as Shawn throws him over the bar, the camera cutting out as he makes impact with the ground on the other side of it.

We quickly cut back to the ring, where Trevor Ocean looks dangerously close to tapping, but then he clenches his outstretched hand into a fist, and crawls arm over arm towards the ropes. He's able to hook onto the bottom one, forcing a break with Fenix. Jackson releases at two, backing away from his opponent as Ocean uses the ropes to help himself up to a vertical base… but as soon as he does, Jackson knocks him off balance with a low dropkick to the knees. Trevor tries to scramble up… but Fenix takes him out with a shining wizard!!

Anzu Kurosawa: "Jackson Fenix isn't going for a cover, instead retreating to corner, from which he almost stalks Trevor Ocean."

Rod Sterling: "I hear we're trying to get a camera up onto the upper levels here in the TD Garden, where that situation between MvH and Shawn Summers is unfolding, but inside the ring Jackson Fenix looks ready to finish this one off…"

Ocean finally gets to his feet, and stumbles around to face Jackson, who is already charging towards him for a Britney Spear…

Almost out of instinct, however, Trevor Ocean drives a leg upwards, clattering into Fenix as he lowers his head with a knee smash!! Jackson stumbles, and Trevor is immediately on him with an elbow smash! Then another knee! And another elbow!

Rod Sterling: "Trevor Ocean targets Fenix’s head and mid-section with lightning precision! This is the Storm Surge!"

The crowd are pumped for the flurry of alternating strikes, but a ripple of derision has begun to circulate in the crowd. As Jackson falls into a seated position in the corner, the camera shows us the source of these boos. From the stage, the unwelcome Rupert Watkins appears, prompting immediate jeers from anyone that sees him. This only increases when he's shown on the big screen.

Anzu Kurosawa: "I couldn't imagine anyone less welcome right now than Rupert Watkins, but he's storming down to the ring!"

Rod Sterling: "I can understand his presence alongside Shawn Summers, begrudgingly, but what business does Watkins have down here at ringside?!"

Anzu Kurosawa: "Well, three weeks ago we saw him leaving Fallout with Trevor Ocean in tow, with the promise of a conversation to follow. Perhaps we're about to find out what they talked about."

Rupert immediately hops up onto apron, ignoring the referee's protestations and addressing the resurgent Ocean with a frantic look about him.

Rupert Watkins (off-mic): "NOW! Trevor! It has to be now!!"

Ocean doesn’t move. Not in the direction of Rupert, nor Jackson, nor to do Watkins’ bidding. For a moment, he just stares at Rupert, nonplussed but stationary.

Rupert Watkins (off-mic): "Remember what we talked about, Trevor!!"

It seems that Ocean does remember, for after a brief moment of contemplation he turns away from Jackson Fenix. He places one leg through the ropes, climbing through them and onto the apron next to Rupert. As he does, halfway through the motion, Watkins clasps a hand on his shoulder. It’s cold. Freezing cold. Ocean is stopped dead in his tracks. Rupert hops down onto the floor at ringside, but Ocean is frozen, one foot in the ring and the other on the apron, his torso between the second and third rope.

And then, eventually, he re-enters the ring. He stares down at an incensed Rupert with a passive look on his face, before turning away from him and towards Jackson…

Rod Sterling: "SUPERKICK…?! NO! Trevor Ocean ducks beneath it…"

Anzu Kurosawa: "SPINNING BACKFIST! ROUNDHOUSE!!"

Fenix hits the mat, and Trevor Ocean signals that the end has come. He drags Fenix up to his feet, positioning him in an inverted Gory special…

Rod Sterling: "REIKO EXPLOSION!! That’s it!!"

Fenix is folded up by the Emerald Flowsion, with Ocean wasting no time in applying the cover…

ONE… TWO… THREE!!

RESULT:
Trevor Ocean (and Michelle von Horrowitz) win by pinfall at 15:56.

Ocean is slow to get to his feet, but when he does he allows the official to raise his hand in victory…

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here are your winners: Trevor Ocean and, um, Michelle von Horrowitz…"

Ocean savours the audience's attention, for the moment undivided, before climbing out of the ring. He begins to make his way up the ramp, clearly quite pleased to have had the chance to go one-on-one with an old foe, pick up the win, and also rebuff Watkins… who, coincidentally, is long gone from the scene.

Rod Sterling: "We may have gone just four seconds shy of the four minute warning, but that was an impressive display by both men. A tactical battle that felt like it could have gone either way."

Anzu Kurosawa: "Ocean comes out with the win… and so does Michelle von Horrowitz, as you heard from Katie-Lynn Goldsmith at the match’s conclusion. Despite the fact that she spent the duration brawling with Shawn Summers, and ostensibly still is…"

Rod Sterling: "Speaking of which, I'm hearing we’re about ready to rejoin that escalating situation. It appears out camera team is faster on its feet than security…"

Finally, we cut to the arena's upper concourse, where a number of fans have gathered to watch the ongoing brawl. Shawn Summers is currently leant against a fire exit, with Michelle collecting a chair from a nearby concessions stand. Before she can use it, though, Der Basterd removes a nearby fire extinguisher and fires its contents in Dreamer's direction! She's blinded by the smog, and Summers promptly follows up by charging at her with the fire extinguisher, which gives a dull thud as it collides with Dreamer's head! She is taken down, finally allowing Summers to suck in a few deep lung-fulls of oxygen. He then spots a nearby window, a closer merch shop on the other side of it. He collects Michelle in a bearhug, dragging her towards the window…

Rod Sterling: "Shawn Summers has sinister ideas, here…"

Anzu Kurosawa: "BELLY-TO-BELLY!!!! The window cracks, but it doesn't break!!"

Indeed, Michelle crashed into the window, which bends but doesn't break, and she slides down it before landing in a heap on the concrete. Summers is undeterred, dragging Michelle back to her feet and reapplying the bearhug.

Anzu Kurosawa: "If at once you don't succeed…"

Rod Sterling: "… but she's BITING HIM!! Michelle is biting him!!"

Dreamer's teeth sink into Summers' neck, forcing him to release the bearhug and slump to his knees. Michelle finally releases, but only so she can slam into him with a discus forearm!!!

Summers looks almost dead on his feet, but Michelle has other ideas. She grabs him by the collar of his white shirt - which is now stained red after her deep bite - and then throws all of her energy behind one move… hurling Der Basterd into - and indeed through - the glass window pane!!! It smashes with the impact and Summers flies through it, landing in a heap on the other side!!

Michelle slumps down to a seated position after the exertion, taking in some deep breaths of her own. Then, she climbs to her feet, approaching another empty window, as if to continue the attack…

… but it is at this moment that the FWA’s own security team arrives, swarming Michelle and driving her back away from the window. We get a brief glimpse of Shawn amongst the debris, and then of medical staff arriving on the scene, but soon enough the cameras are struggling to see around a sea of people.

Rod Sterling: "This is… well, we knew that it would be explosive when Michelle von Horrowitz finally got her hands on Shawn Summers… again. I just didn't know that it would be tonight."

Anzu Kurosawa: "Expect the unexpected, Rod! This is Meltdown XLII!!"

Rod Sterling: "I… I think we need to take a break, folks, whilst we try and return this whole goddamn arena to some semblance of order! Roll the blender advert!"



They roll the blender advert.



When we return to the arena, an empty ring awaits us in wide shot, the crowd re-settling after the chaotic events of Meltdown’s opening.

[”COVERED IN MONEY!” || JPEGMAFIA.]

Rod Sterling: "Well, if anything is going to calm us all down after that first match…"

Anzu Kurosawa: "You're sassy tonight, Rod."

On the stage, Jon Russnow makes his way onto the stage to a somewhat muted reaction from the audience. He doesn't bother to make his way to the ring, instead remaining at the top of the ramp as he addresses the crowd. His music fades out, the FWA Executive Board member flashing his pearly whites as he raises his microphone to his mouth.

Jon Russnow: "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now less than a month away from the FWA’s biggest weekend of the year. I'm talking, of course, about Back in Business XVIII, live from New York City in New York!"

There's some booing: some for New York and some more generally for Russnow.

Jon Russnow: "But, with less than a month to go before this huge event, it appears that none of our four singles championships have defenses scheduled for New York City. Of course, all of that is going to change over the course of this weekend, with our final pair of stops before Back in Business XVIII. And, in fact, a lot of that is going to change… right now!"

The audience is a letter more attentive now, with Russnow milking the curiosity with a length, drawn out pause.

Jon Russnow: "Many of you will remember, back in 2021, when the X4 helped to skyrocket the careers of Chris Peacock, Uncle J.J. JAY!, Gerald Grayson, and Fallout’s very own commentator Konchu Hao. All four are now household names. The same is true of Alyster Black, who triumphed a year later as part of his record breaking reign. Well, I think it's time we make some new stars. That's right, ladies and gentlemen: the X4 is back!"

There's some cheers for the announcement, with memories stirred up of the original X4 and its sequel, the two year gap between the last tournament and now proving the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Russnow nods his head in appreciation of their appreciation before continuing.

Jon Russnow: "And as for who will be competing in NYC, I think a clear field of four has emerged, both during the third King of the Deathmatch tournament, and the months since. Although he's been somewhat absent in recent weeks, Johnny Johnson - as a defeated finalist - has earned his place in the tournament. And, as their paths have frequently crossed with Trixie Bordeaux, both as opponents and as partners, both Aaron Harrows and Vengador will be given another chance to compete for the FWA X Championship.

But that's not all - !!"

Another lengthy pause. This one is so long that curiosity turns into annoyance. The audience begins to boo the authority again, who is not hurried into continuing. A full half a minute of silence (except for the boos, of course) goes by before he decides he's built the suspense enough.

Jon Russnow: "I mentioned Alyster Black's record breaking FWA X Championship reign, and Bryan Baxter - although coming just short of doing the same with the FWA North American Championship - has still held that belt for most of the last two years. Therefore, he needs strong challengers, plural. If Trixie should have three others gunning for her belt, I see no reason why Bryan Baxter shouldn't get the same treatment! At Back in Business XVIII, the FWA North American Championship will be defended in a four-way match!

Those of you who've been paying attention will know who is booked in Fallout 042’s main event alongside Bryan Baxter, and those are the three wrestlers who will challenge him for his title in New York City: ‘the Kitsune Warrior's Katsu, ‘the Prodigy' Mike Parr, and ‘the Exile' Cyrus Truth!!"

The audience is far more responsive to this field of challengers, each getting a loud and generally positive reaction (although Parr's is more mixed). Russnow considers another pause, but instead decides to capitalise on the excitement.

Jon Russnow: "I could think of no better three to challenge for the prize: each have had their own run-ins with Bryan Baxter and the Friendship Wrestling Alliance, and each, I'm sure, would love the opportunity to take that gold away from Baxter. Including his tag team partner for Fallout 042’s main event. Make sure you're watching, only on the WCNetwork! Unless you're from New Orleans. In which case you're booked. Get to the arena at two."

The sound team don't give the crowd a chance to start booing again, instead drowning them out with JPEGMAFIA. Russnow waves to them as if thanking them for their admiration. He then disappears through the curtain, the camera re-settling on the commentators.

Rod Sterling: "Two huge announcements for Back in Business XVIII, now only one month away! Both Trixie Bordeaux and Bryan Baxter will have THREE challengers breathing down their necks in New York City!"

Anzu Kurosawa: "I don't know whose odds I like less, Rod. The X4 is a gruelling test of endurance, but a four-way match has so many variables. Bryan Baxter doesn't even have to be pinned to lose his FWA North American Championship!"

We return to a wide shot, just in time for…

[ “Wanted Dead or Alive” || Bon Jovi.]

The capacity crowd makes their displeasure with “The Cowboy” known as Tommy Bedlam appears at the top of the ramp, an arrogant smirk on his face. He saunters toward the ring, and climbs in, seemingly unaware of the jeers. Bedlam makes his way over to the corner and motions for a microphone.

Tommy Bedlam: “Why, Tommy, why?!”

The crowd immediately resumes booing Bedlam as the camera pans to a young fan holding a sign that says ”WHY? TOMMY WHY?”

Tommy Bedlam: “Now, you all know the Cowboy isn’t one for all the social media bullshit, but it’s been brought to my attention that a lot of you have been wondering why I seem to have turned my attention to Brooklyn Steiner.”

“A few weeks back, I did what needed to be done. I listened to your favorite Hollywood reject come out here and ramble on about whatever he needed to say, and I couldn’t take it anymore. So I did what everybody in the back wanted to do. I jumped in this ring, and I beat him senseless with a pipe.”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Tommy Bedlam: “Oh, shut up already. Anyway, that didn’t seem to keep him down, so I waited a couple weeks and I saved you people from having to watch him wrestle. You’re welcome, by the way. I kept you from having to get through another Brooklyn Steiner match because I care so much about you. Not subjecting you to a match featuring XYZ, a guy I’ve pinned multiple times, and Sawyer Xavier was just a bonus. You morons need to quit asking me why I’ve done what I’ve done and thank me for keeping that shit off the air.”

“But I guess I’ll answer the million-dollar question. Why did I pick Brooklyn Steiner? Out of all the cowards and dead weight on this roster, why did I pick a guy who would run back to Hollywood the first time somebody offered him a commercial for hemorrhoid cream.”

“For more than six months, I carried the X Championship. For more than six months, I defended that belt every time Russnow and the other stooges in the office told me to. Then, when I got hurt, I had to give it up. I had to walk to the center of this ring, lay the belt down, and now we’ve got some dipshit who can’t count spell X running around here with the belt.”

“So why not her? Why didn’t I come in here and take a lead pipe to Trixie Bordem? Bordeaux. Sorry. No, it’s not because I knew that smacking her head with a pipe couldn’t possibly do brain damage. It was because of what happened a few weeks after I took off my boots and left them in this ring because I thought my career was done.”

“Brooklyn Steiner comes out here, tells you all some story about an injury, and gives up the TV title. All of a sudden, thousands of people in the middle of fucking Japan start chanting in perfect fucking English, “You Deserve It!” I came out here and thought my career was over, and people were too stunned to respond. Nothing.”

“Then, I find out that when Steiner dragged his ass back through the curtain, Russnow, the slimy little fuck that he is, is waiting there to wish him well. You know where Jon Russnow was when I gave up everything I had fought for? Nowhere. He wasn’t at Gorilla. He wasn’t waiting on me in my dressing room. He was nowhere.”

“So I showed up to get what I deserve. I showed up to get respect.”

Unbeknownst to Tommy, Brooklyn Steiner has made his way through the crowd and slides into the ring with a chair in his hands. The crowd begins to cheer wildly.

Rod Sterling: “Oh, I don’t think Bedlam knows he’s got company, Anzu….”

Tommy Bedlam:That’s a lot better. That’s what I deser-”

Before he can finish, Brooklyn Steiner swings the chair, landing it squarely across Bedlam’s back, knocking his hat and sunglasses out of the ring. Steiner immediately begins stomping on Bedlam before driving the chair into his ribs. He then picks the chair up once more and lands another blow to Tommy’s back. “The Cowboy” is trying to get away, but he can’t create any space as the crowd goes wild.

Tommy manages to pull himself up in the corner and gets to one knee as Brooklyn Steiner swings the chair and drives it into Tommy’s head, knocking Bedlam out cold as blood immediately starts to stream down his face.

The crowd is absolutely electric as Brooklyn Steiner puts one foot on Bedlam’s chest and his other on the middle rope, the blood-stained chair in the air. FWA officials and security rush to the ring and begin tending to Tommy Bedlam who is finally showing some signs of life, but is clearly unable to try to square up against Steiner.

Rod Sterling: “Brooklyn Steiner gave Bedlam a taste of his own medicine there, and he still has a match tonight! We’re going to go to break while we get everything taken care of in the ring.”



Returning to the ring following that, the man introduced to the world on Meltdown XLI as Sebastian Mandadi is waiting inside. The fiery Italian competitor paces back and forth as he awaits the entrance of his opponent.

[”He’s The Greatest Dancer” || Sister Sledge.]

Once the music hits, the fans are loud in their reception, which is mostly negative. There are however still some that remain loyal to Chris Peacock and FTN, and these voices are loud and rowdy, ensuring that they are heard over any boos and jeers. Peacock himself appears in much finer fettle than the last time he was seen; flat on his back at the conclusion of Meltdown XLI having lost the North American Chanpionship. The Grand Slam winner is not alone, though, as his tag team partner and PIC Alyster Black accompanies him. The two seem to be channelling Rocky, as Black jabbers loudly in Chris’s ear as the latter shadow boxes.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “The following contest is scheduled for one fall, with a twenty minute time limit! Introducing first, accompanied by Alyster Black and representing FTN, he is ‘The King of Dong Style’, ‘Disco’s Last Warrior’ and most prominently ‘Dreamer’s Nightmare’… CHRIS PEEEEEEACOOOOOOOCKKKK!

His opponent, already in the ring, making his FWA debut… SEBASTIAN MANDADI!”

Rod Sterling: “We of course know all about Chris Peacock, Anzu, but this is the first we’re going to see of Sebastian Mandadi in the ring here in the FWA. He took exception to Chris Peacock interrupting his interview time on Meltdown XLI, resulting in Peacock giving the newcomer a taste of how things are done around here. Pretty ballsy move to challenge a Grand Slam Champion to a match in your debut, ask me.”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Mandadi was disrespected by Chris Peacock - like a lot of people are - so he’s got a right to earn some of his pride back. But not that you’d be able to tell given he’s screwing around with Alyster Black, but Peacock won’t be in a very forgiving mood after losing the North American Championship. One could argue that Danny Toner and Randy Ramon had a hand to play in that but FTN’ll be going after them at Back in Business. What’s your favourite Rocky movie, Rod?”

Rod Sterling: “IV. A simple choice. Given Peacock’s own heritage this match may lead to dampened international relations of our own with Italy, depending on how easy the former FWA World Champion decides to take it on the kid. He’s got to be careful, though. Like you said, there’s that big match for the FWA World Tag Team Championships coming up at Back in Business. Now would be an inopportune time to pick up an injury, especially with it being in his home city.”

Peacock slides into the ring and Black rolls in after him. The Brooklyn native jumps in the air and throws a couple more punches before finally acknowledging Mandadi. The ringside microphones pick up Peacock audibly explaining to Black where he seems to finally remember his opponent from. Gracelynn Guerrero is in the middle for this one and when she pats Peacock down, he tells her to back off.


SECOND MATCH || 1/10.
Chris Peacock vs. Sebastian Mandadi.
Singles Match.
Match writer: Man.


The bell rings and both approach the centre of the ring, Mandadi is a ball of fury, and he goes for an immediate overhand punch which Peacock parries. Seeing the opening, Peacock cranes his head forward and catches Mandadi on the nose with a Headbutt. This drops the larger man to a knee and Peacock catches him across the face with a Pimp Slap!! The fans aren’t massively impressed with the disrespect being shown to the newcomer by an established star, but Peacock doesn’t care. He boots Mandadi in the chest, sending him back into the corner.

Peacock follows up and meets him there, with Black encouraging him from the outside. The disco man climbs up onto the middle turnbuckle over Mandadi, rising above him, and begins to strike him in the head with mounted punches! Some in the crowd count along until Peacock reaches ten, but he does not get down once he has gotten to the round number. The referee instructs him to get down but instead Peacock begins gyrating, thrusting straight into Mandadi’s face!

Rod Sterling: “It isn’t Peacock’s style to offer any respect to his opponents but he’s being almost pedestrian at this point. Mandadi is an unknown quantity here and I doubt Peacock did any sort of research.”

Anzu Kurosawa: “The FTN boys are rude and they’re crude. They’ve never shown any inkling that they’re going to change anytime soon, no matter how many times the likes of Michelle von Horrowitz or Cyrus Truth call them out for it.”

After humiliating Mandadi, Peacock jumps down and takes a position in the middle of the ring. Mandadi comes out like a ball of fire, but Peacock ducks the Clothesline and kicks Mandadi in the gut - looking for the Disco Thriller Stunner - but Mandadi pushes him away! Peacock turns around, into a big right hand! This one connects and Mandadi follows up, hitting him a couple more times and sending Peacock into the ropes! Mandadi attempts to get Peacock across the ring but Chris reverses the Irish Whip. Peacock avoids the Clothesline attempt but then is caught by a Bulldog!

The crowd begin to get behind Mandadi who suddenly finds himself on top in this one. He scoops Peacock up onto his shoulders in a Fireman’s Carry, but before he can execute the Italian Movalian, Peacock slides off his back and cocks his leg…

Rod Sterling: “SUPERKICK!”

Anzu Kurosawa: “That wasn’t just any Superkick, partner, that was a Remix.”

Peacock pulls a face of faux shock as he copies one of his Back in Business opponents’ moves. The connection wasn’t as good as Randy Ramon would get but it was enough to get Mandadi down to his knees. Peacock backs away into the ropes and charges forward…

Rod Sterling: “EQUALIZER!!”

This time it is Danny Toner that is stolen from, but Peacock isn’t done just yet. He sees Mandadi on the mat and laughs loudly - HA-HAAAAAAAAH!, before heading towards the corner. Alyster Black can be heard making the same sound, but in a much more derisive way.

Anzu Kurosawa: “We’re not even in New Orleans yet but it would seem that FTN don’t want to wait until Monday before they start what is assuredly going to be a ridiculous display once we’re there.”

Peacock is on the top rope and he twirls his moustache, causing Alyster to shout at him to remind him they’re not mocking Krash. A protracted and loud argument between the FTN members over whether the man they’re parodying had a moustache occurs, but Peacock shrugs it off and takes flight…

Rod Sterling: “That’s a Golden Touch. Peacock with the cover;”

ONE… TWO… THREE!!!

RESULT:
Chris Peacock wins by pinfall at 03:16.

The match ends with an unsurprising result and Peacock is swiftly joined in the ring by his partner. They seem to have moved past the minor debate towards the end of the match, but Peacock still motions the hat, cane and moustache, causing Black to understand.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “Here is your winner… CHRIS PEACOCK!”

Rod Sterling: “The result is not a notable one as Chris Peacock earns a little bit of momentum back heading into Back in Business, but I think he was trying to send a message to Randy Ramon and Danny Toner, as well as the people of New Orleans, with the manner of his victory.”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Toner and Ramon were both important parts of Peacock’s formative rookie year here in the FWA, Rod, it tracks that he’d have learned a thing or two from them. It’s not like he’s never used their moves before?”

In the ring, Peacock takes Goldsmith’s mic as the referee is chased from the ring by Alyster Black. His music cuts out and he doesn’t even wait for the fans to quieten down before talking. There is a smirk on his face and he does a couple more shadow punches.

Chris Peacock: “Cocky fuckin’ Balboa, bitches! Now, we’ve got some things we wanna say but before we do, someone get this piece of crap out of our ring!”

There are boos for the continued disrespect to Mandadi, who manages to roll out of the ring with some minor assistance from Black’s boot.

Chris Peacock: “We’ve got some things we wanna say and we’ve got some people we wanna say them to, so…”

Both FTN members walk to the ropes adjacent to the aisle and look out to the back. The crowd swells slightly in anticipation as they suspect who it is FTN want to speak to.

Chris Peacock: “Randy? Danny? Get your fuckin’ asses out here and face us like men for once!”

Peacock steps back and begins to march around the ring in expectation as Black beckons the targets of their anger out from the back.

Rod Sterling: “FTN have called out the FWA World Tag Team Champions! Ramon and Toner have been the physical aggressors since this match became official, taking out Allen Price and attacking Black backstage, but they’re yet to look into the eyes of the challengers!”

There seems to be some frustration from Peacock and he diverts back towards the ropes with Black.

Chris Peacock: “I said… GET-”

Peacock is cut off but not by the men that he is calling out, but his own partner instead. Chris looks every bit the misbehaving and stubborn child as he sulks in the corner of the ring whilst Black addresses the back in the same way that Peacock had.

Alyster Black: “Listen, we’re not going to stand here with our dicks in our hands like a couple of assholes; we don’t work to your watch. If you won’t come out here to face us, looks like we’re going to have to head back there and find you. Come on, Chrissy…”

Not wanting to stand on ceremony any longer, Black exits the ring and Peacock nods in understanding before flanking him. They walk up the ramp together, looking both unimpressed and determined at the same time.

Rod Sterling: “It looks like FTN are going hunting, Anzu… I don’t have word on the whereabouts of the FWA World Tag Team Champions, but if they’re here, I think we can rest assured that Chris Peacock and Alyster Black are going to find them.”

It seems that it is a time to be serious for the #1 contenders, as the showboating is over. They disappear behind the curtain before Meltdown fades into a commercial break…



We return to a majestic aerial shot of a gleaming white complex of buildings standing proudly in the rural Georgia landscape. The camera zooms in, focusing in on the doors of the building which reveal the logo of the Friendship Wrestling Academy. The doors of the building swing open and it is your FWA World Champion, Jeremy Best, that greets us on the other side.

Jeremy Best: "Oh, hiya Besties. I didn't expect to see you so soon! But come in, come in! I am really glad you're here!"

[“One Headlight” || The Wallflowers ]