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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 16:47:40 GMT
XX: "HOUSE ALWAYS WINS". |
Live from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thursday September 29th, 2022
[MEDIA=youtube]LNQXmLbisXU[/MEDIA] As the show begins, we enter Caesar’s Palace, which has been customised to fall in with the Meltdown aesthetic, and the fans that surround the ring are in very high spirits as fireworks shoot up from the stage. There’s no hanging around tonight, though, and we’re straight down to business… ‘Sonne’ || Rammstein The crowd explodes at the sight of the number one contender to the FWA World Championship as he makes his way through the curtain. Though Alyster Black looks to be in no mood to play to the audience. He drags the FWA X Championship behind him as he storms down to the ring. Anzu Kurosawa: “Well, we’re off to a hot start tonight in Las Vegas, because here comes the number one contender to the FWA World Championship, Alyster Black.”
Rod Sterling: “With that prestigious X Championship in tow, that some would argue is on par with the World Championship, and it’s hard to argue against that claim considering the incredible run Alyster Black has had as champion.”
Anzu Kurosawa: ”He doesn’t look to be in a good mood tonight Rod, but can you blame him after what Danny Toner and Executive Excellence did to him on Meltdown XIX?”
Rod Sterling: “Then Danny Toner followed that up with a sickening assault on his former tag team partner Ryan Rondo on Fallout 020, furious that the FWA Hall of Famer would acknowledge Black’s ability.”Black slides into the ring and motions for production to cut his music. He then approaches the far side ropes where Katie Lynn-Goldsmith is standing by, requesting her microphone. She’s quick to hand it to him. Alyster smacks the microphone a few times then clears his throat. Alyster Black: “I’m pissed off and I’m looking for a fight. Danny fucking Toner get your fucking ass out here!”The crowd pops loudly as the masked man calls out his opponent for Lights Out. Rod Sterling: “Black Jesus wasting absolutely no time here tonight! He marched straight to the ring and called out the World Champion! Judging by this Las Vegas crowd… they’re itching for the champ to come out!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It’s not just the crowd, Rod! Anytime Danny and Alyster share the same space it’s… explosive. I can’t wait!”But Danny Toner is nowhere to be seen, none of EE are. They’re content to leave Alyster Black alone in the ring like an asshole. A frustrated Alyster Black kicks the bottom rope. Rod Sterling: “I think it’s fair to say that Danny Toner has always been one for mind games with his opponents but these last few months has seen that aspect of his game taken to a new level. He seems to have had Alyster Black’s number at every turn but still the World X Champion shows no fear. No respite. No worries. If anything Toner’s actions have just served to piss off Black Jesus.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “A calm Alyster Black is a scary beast in and of itself… but an irate Alyster Black? Toner might want to think twice about pushing his buttons.”
Rod Sterling: “Well, it seems like Toner is thinking twice about coming out here tonight!”
Alyster Black: “What are you afraid of Danny? Huh? You’ve got your goon squad backing you up, get your ass out here and fight me. Bring them all, bring that partner stealing bastard Parr, bring that obnoxious cunt Kayden, bring Baby Watkins… bring that self-loathing, hateful bitch Gabrielle. I don’t give a fuck! I want to get my hands on you in the worst way, even if it means going through three killers to do so! Even if it means getting my ass kicked and being shipped to Lights Out in a bodybag!”The main screen suddenly goes to static and an unclear image slowly gets focused. The image is still grainy but a man wearing a full militant rig out and a black ski-mask takes up the entirety of the shot. The crowd mumble and grow quiet while Black leans on the top rope, looking up at the big screen. ???: “A bodybag? I’m sure we’ve a couple of those lying around here somewhere.”The crowd erupts as the man pulls off the ski mask to reveal a grinning Danny Toner. Alyster immediately begins shouting at the screen, motioning for Toner to come down to the ring. Danny Toner: “Aly, Aly, Aly… As much as I’d love to come down to that ring and knock your teeth down your throat, I’m unfortunately a little occupied at the moment. See… I’ve kicked your sorry ass up and down arenas all over North America. I’ve made you bleed more blood than you ever have before. I’ve given you more licks and bruises than you can count. I’ve rolled you up, put you in my pocket, and made you my fuckin’ bitch week in… week out.”The crowd turn the vitriol up a couple of notches as Danny continues his tirade on Alyster. Danny Toner: “You’re a slow, sloppy bastard that has never drawn a damn dime. Did you see what I did to Ryan Ro-”Danny actually has to stop as the Vegas crowd noise levels get too much. He smiles as they begin chanting. “FUCK YOU TONER!”Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!“FUCK YOU TONER!”Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!“FUCK YOU TONER!”Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!Danny Toner: “You guys didn’t like that? You wanna know something? I afforded Rondo the luxury of crawling away from that beatdown while he was still breathing because I have something bordering on respect for him. I let him live. But some freakin’ pussy that has no business even being under the same roof as ol Danny fuckin’? Alyster… we’ll get you your damn bodybag.”Danny lets the heat wash over him as Black once again motions for Danny to get down to the ring. Danny raises one finger aloft and fixes Black with a steely stare. Danny Toner: “I’m going to give you one last chance to walk away from Lights Out. I’ll give you one last chance to save your career. One last chance to save your life. You can run around all the gyms and bingo halls you want defending that piece of trash you call a title. You can break all the light tubes you want over in Japan if you fancy. Hell, you can even pull that pervert Krash up out of whatever hole he’s crawled into, reform that third-tier tag team, and have a pop at that! But only… only if you don’t show up at Lights Out. See Alyster, there’s a misconception about me. I actually want you to do well. I want you to win. I want you to have your dream matches and moments. But stay on your damn level, son. Don’t get involved with me and mine. I’ve beat you down over and over and still… it ain’t gettin’ through to you. You’ve a big freakin’ heart Alyster Black, I’ll give you that. That… or you’re a thick fuckin’ bogan cunt.”Danny has clearly touched a nerve with that line. Alyster Black is incensed, hanging over the top rope and likely frothing at the mouth. Danny continues with a coy smirk on his face and without missing a beat. Danny Toner: “But I said to the guys… yo! I want to get through to Black. I don’t want him to have to step into my ring at Lights Out. Slapping him around ain’t going to do it…but maybe this will.”The Vegas crowd begin booing ferociously as the camera pans out to reveal Gabrielle, Mike Parr, and Kayden Knox - all in the same militant camouflage gear as Toner - standing by his side. You can see the brickwork of the wall behind them, a huge EE banner pinned and draping down the middle of the wall. Slowly the crowd begins booing as their attention is drawn to what appears to be an unconscious person tied to a chair. There is a burlap sack over the hostages head and the limp nature of their body suggests they are out for the count. Anzu Kurosawa: “What… what is this?”
Rod Sterling: “I… I’m afraid to find out.”Danny turns to Parr who… hands him a steel pipe. Danny Toner: “Knox… wake the bitch up.”Kayden walks off screen and duly returns carrying a bucket of water. He nods at Gabrielle who pulls the sack off the hostages head, Knox himself dumping the bucket of water over their head. There is a shriek from the hostage as they are woken by the icy shock and despite being drenched, her hair colour gives the game away nearly immediately. Rod Sterling: “Is that?”Gabrielle slaps a severely bruised cheek and then pulls the hostage's head up so that her bruised and battered face is clear for everyone to see. Anzu Kurosawa: “That’s Violet Dreyer, Rod! Shit she looks bad.”Alyster immediately leaps from the ring and begins sprinting up the ramp. Danny Toner: “HOLD IT RIGHT FUCKIN’ THERE!”Alyster reluctantly skids to a stop when he sees Danny sinisterly hold the pipe above the exposed head of the semi-conscious Violet. Danny Toner: “You have no fuckin’ idea where we are, do you Black? See… one step ahead again. You’ve all seen what I’ve done to a bonafide fucking legend in Ryan Rondo with a damn microphone… imagine what I’ll do to this little harlot with Mike’s steel pipe? It’s real simple, Aly. Real simple. You fuck off back to defending your little X Championship and don’t show up at Lights Out… or it is lights out for this emo slapper. You don’t want two friends in the grave now do ya?”Danny has a sickening smirk on his face. Danny Toner: “October 23rd you go absolutely anywhere else other than MY RING. You do that… the bitch walks. You show up…”l Danny grips the pipe with both his hands and brings it down with a sickening thud… right onto the crown of Violet Dreyer. Blood starts gushing out from the wound and the crowd starts screaming but the static kicks in and just like that… Executive Excellence is gone. Alyster Black stares blankly at the screen above, staring at the static as the imagine of Violet Dreyer being horrifically tortured and attacked replays in his head. For a moment the number one contender remains still. Anzu Kurosawa: “What a sickening display…”
Rod Sterling: “Words fail me Anzu, I don’t know what to say…”Commentary is stunned into silence, the audience is whipped up into a frenzy and ready to riot. Alyster Black remains motionless, staring down at his feet, unsure of what to do. Rod Sterling: “Firstly I have to apologise for what you’ve all just witnessed. On behalf of the FWA and all its staff, just…sorry..”The X Champion finally stirs, looking up and jolts up the remainder of the ramp, disappearing behind the curtain. Anzu Kurosawa: “What is Alyster Black going to do? Surely he can’t give up his title match against Danny Toner, not after tonight. Not after this.”
Rod Sterling: “Who knows what’s going through Alyster’s mind right now Anzu. I don’t envy the choice he has to make now.”
‘You’ve got a Friend in Me’ | Randy Newman. The Buddy System pairing of Jeremy Best and Bryan Baxter step through the curtains with a positive reception from the arena, particularly after the downer beginning that preceded it. Rod Sterling: “Jeremy Best and Bryan Baxter have proven to be one of the more talented tag teams in the FWA, but while they have tag team aspirations, they’ll have to push that aside as Jeremy Best prepares for a big Golden Opportunity match-up at Lights Out.”
Anzu Kurosawa: ”I can’t wait to see how violent Jeremy is going to get in that match-up. He made the FWA World Champion tap out in just a few minutes. He’s going to be very dangerous in a match like that”
Rod Sterling: “But for the moment, he’ll have Baxter at his side as he prepares for a competitive tag team match with a former FWA World Tag Team Champion, and a man he’s pinned twice in the last year, J.J. JAY!.”The Buddy System get into the squared circle, hugging proudly in the center of the ring, before awaiting the arrival of their opponents. ‘Legacy of Rome’ | Andreas Waldetoft. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar receives a reception befitting his legacy in his adopted home here in Caesar’s Palace. The former FWA World Tag Team Champion walks down the ramp, a focused look on his face. Rod Sterling: “Ever since losing the tag team championships, and feeling disregarded by the former Fallout ownership, Caesar has been on a mission to prove himself, with his eyes set on the upcoming F1 Climaxxx. But once thing that’s been clear for the General, is that without Stu, he’s a lone man in a sea of alliances. And Uncle, despite the Nephews less-than-comforting presence, has offered Caesar that crucial alliance.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “I think he should join them. Imagine, they could have three or even four Nephews in the F1 Climaxxx, that’ll give them a big chance of winning it all.”
Rod Sterling: “Or it could mean a sudden betrayal when he needs their help the most.”Completing his entrance, Caesar doesn to wait for Uncle at ringside as he goes ahead and climbs into the ring. Before Uncle’s entrance begins, Jeremy Best asks for a moment and has a microphone in hand. Jeremy Best: "Hiya Mr. Caesar, a pleasure to meet you, your highness. I'm a huge fan of your salads."Jeremy gives a classic royal courtesy in the direction of Caesar, who doesn't seem to be amused by Jeremy's antics. Jeremy Best: "I'm looking forward to our match this evening, but I wanted to just take a minute...and wonder exactly what you're doing?"Confused, Caesar doesn't seem to understand where Jeremy is going with any of this. Jeremy Best: "It's just that...I think we have a little bit in common. We both recently lost someone. So I really do know how it feels...but just like Krash is still out there somewhere, I know Stu is out there too. You don't need the Nephews!"With his hands on his hips, Caesar shook his head but remained silent. Jeremy Best: "I was never much of a history buff, myself. But from what I recall...I thought you were a leader. Not a follower. So when I see that you're...Before Jeremy can continue, he finds himself interrupted by the all too familiar music of the man in question. ‘No Love’ | Death Grips. Cosmic Horror appears in the stands of Caesar’s Palace but his song comes to a swift end when Uncle, already with a microphone in hand, gestures for his song to be cut off. He begins talking as he makes his way to the ring. J.J. JAY!: “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Bestie. Bestie. Come on, now. What have I ever done to you, to deserve you talking behind my back like that. I offered Caesar support, where were you when he needed friendship, huh? Busy searching for a man who has all but abandoned you when Caesar was right in front of you? When Big Baxter is- oh, give me a second here.”Uncle pauses to sign a few posters on the way down to the ring. Once he’s done, he turns his attention back to the trio down in the ring, making his way to the barricade. J.J. JAY!: “Where was I? Oh, yeah, the big guy. Look, he’s standing next to you all the time, but you pay zero attention to him. He’s right at your side being neglected by you while you’re too busy pining for a man whose already given his body to the Lord Black Jesus Christ. Do you see me walking up to Hades’s - that’s Pluto for you, General -’s gates and begging for him to give me back my Nephews? No. I focus on the people who need me now. You want the General’s ears? How about you give up on your Moustachio’d friend, and you vow to have our Dictator’s back instead? What do you say, Bestie? You promise to have our General’s back, and I’ll step aside. Because that’s the kind of person I am. A selfless, honest person.”Uncle is in the ring now, standing face to face with Jeremy. Jeremy frowns, and raises the microphone to offer a reply to the offer, but doesn’t get a chance to answer when he’s bashed over the head with the microphone! Bryan Baxter attempts to attack Cosmic Horror after the uncalled for microphone shot to the skull but he’s quickly overtaken by Caesar who although hesitant at the cheap move, decides to stand by his partner. Uncle pays no mind to either man and instead continues bashing the microphone into the skull of Jeremy Best before tossing the microphone aside, grabbing Best’s head, raising his own mask, and bitting into the skull until he draws blood. Caesar manages to back Baxter into the ropes and with his whole body into it, clotheslines the big man over the ropes, sending both of them sprawling to the outside. FIRST MATCH
(1/20) | Uncle J.J. JAY!
and Cornelius Aurelius Caesar vs. The Buddy System [Jeremy Best and Bryan Baxter].
Tag Team Match.
(Match writer: Jon) | Uncle grabs the official by the collar and demands he inform the bell keeper to ring the bell. The official complies with no more illicit weapon in the ring and only two legal men. Uncle quickly returns to his assault on Best in spite of the boos raining down on him. He stomps on the man’s hand. Then goes to find another hand and stomps on it. Then finds his ankle and stomps on that, then finds the second ankle and stomps on it. He then places a foot on the back of Best’s head, hoping to stomp on it, but before he can, Baxter is in the squared circle, Caesar having been tossed into the turnbuckle, and Baxter launches Uncle into the corner before he realizes what’s happened.
Baxter checks on Best but his negligence allows Caesar to rush into the ring and hit a knee trembler right on the big man’s skull. He tries to continue the assault but the official demands that he goes back to his corner and helps roll Baxter out. Uncle quickly tags out to Caesar, massaging his collar bone. Caesar, incentivized by Best’s criticism before the match hits a big headbutt on the Golden Opportunity contender. Uncle requests a tag back in, and although the Dictator is hesitant, Uncle lets him know it’s for the best, they need to build chemistry with many tags.
Uncle is tagged in and he hits a hard backhanded slap on Best, spinning him around for Caesar to follow up with a spinning backfist. The two partners don’t notice Baxter hasn’t even gone back to his corner but instead has climbed another turnbuckle, and though the man is far from a high flyer, he dives onto both opponents, crushing them beneath his weight. Once back up, he drags Uncle to his feet, lifts him up into the air effortlessly and hurls him into the turnbuckle with a powerbomb. He then grabs Caesar, lifts him up, and powerbombs him onto Cosmic Horror.
He marches to the opposite corner, ignoring the pleas from the ref for some decorum, and charges full speed ahead for a massive corner splash on both men! He grabs Caesar by the wrist and whips him across the ring towards Jeremy Best who’s finally staggered to his feet, slightly bloodied but ready to aid his partner now. He hugs Caesar mightily and gives him a big Belly to Belly Suplex! He jumps back to his feet in a hurry when the next man is up, Uncle, and gets him in a hug as well - Belly to Belly Suplex!
Caesar has rolled out of the ring and Baxter finally complies with the official to step out as well, leaving only Uncle and Best, the two legal men. Best lifts Uncle up by the hand and gets him into an arm drag, and then nearly transitioning into the Friendship Bracelet but Uncle rolls through in a hurry, slipping out of it. The two hurry to their feet and Uncle manages to leap into the WORLD’S MOST COMPLICATED D-D-NO! Best stops him dead in his tracks, drops him onto his feet, boot to the gut - THIS TIME BEST GOES FOR A TILT-A-WHIRL DDT and SPIKES HIM! He goes for the pin…
ONE… TWO… KICK OUT!
Or more like Caesar breaks the fall. He gets Best to his feet and before Baxter can get his heavy self in to retaliate, plants him with a Michinoku Driver. He’s quick enough to get back on his feet and duck under a lariat attempt by the big man, hitting a Damnato Memoriae as soon as he turns back around, and dropping him. Caesar is up to his feet with both members of the Buddy System down on the ground.
He urges his partner up and Uncle hugs him, pleased with the assistance he’s received so far, and kissing him on the cheek in thanks. He insists Caesar heads back to the corner, promising that he’ll do his part now. Caesar concedes and heads outside, but while Uncle was thanking his partner, Best made it back to his feet and waiting for Uncle to turn around, lifts him onto his shoulders! He’s got him in position for the BFF - but Uncle catches the knee before it can connect with his skull. He wags a finger - before being struck with an enzuigiri.
Best doesn’t slow down and lets loose a series of rapid fire kicks to the chest of Uncle to an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd who shout as every kick meets Cosmic Horror’s chest - up until the last one when Uncle ducks under it and rolls up Best!
ONE… TWO… KICK OUT!
The two hurry back to their feet, though with Best back stepping towards the corner - maybe not realizing it’s Caesar’s corner! Uncle is in hot pursuit, aiming for a big boot, though Caesar rolls under and Uncle stops just in time before connecting with Caesar in what would’ve been an embarassing mishap. Uncle assures Caesar he’d never hit his own partner, though the General barks at him to turn around SHOTGUN DROPKICK into the corner!
Caesar decides to slyly tag himself in and before Best can get to his feet, rushes in behind him, lifts him up in a full nelson and straps in THE TRIUMPH! Best staggers about trying to get out of the deadly submission but Caesar is swinging him about recklessly and Best can barely even get a footing on the ground. Caesar’s rampant swinging sees him not quite managing his balance though and Best is cleverly pushing the momentum towards the opposite end of the ring, before pushing himself into his own corner, squashing Caesar into it. Bryan Baxter tags himself in and Caesar is forced to release the hold. Best stays in the corner though while Baxter builds a bit of momentum, and then leaves at the last second, letting Baxter hit another corner splash on the general.
Baxter drags Caesar out of the corner and lifts him high in the air - going for the BAXTER DRIVER - but Caesar slips out from behind - CROSSING THE RUBICON! Caesar’s got the momentum on his side now, and he seems to be anticipating Baxter getting back up. The big man slowly staggers to his feet, and Caesar kicks him in the gut - he’s going for the Crocea Mors! Best hustles into the ring with a sense of urgency, but Uncle has Caesar’s back, hitting a high knee to Best and stopping him dead in his tracks.
Caesar has a moment of appreciation for Uncle, but a moment too long as Baxter hits a back body drop, Best’s assistance enough to get him out of that deadly predicament. Uncle, furious with Baxter’s attack on Caesar, shoves the man, before grabbing him by the neck, going for the Chokeslam! Baxter effortlessly resists the move, and then smashes his hand away. But that’s enough for Caesar to come behind Baxter and hit a big BACKSTABBER!
But all that weight on Caesar’s knees sees him nursing himself instead of capitalizing on the pin. He chooses to trust Uncle and tags the man in as he hurries to his corner. Baxter, meanwhile, manages to tag in Best as well. The two men run at each other with Best leaping over Uncle’s short frame - AND LANDING THE BUDDY BOMB! Jeremy Best is to his feet again and with the crowd cheering him on, he grabs Uncle’s hand AND STRAPS IN THE FRIENDSHIP BRACELET!
Uncle smacks his boots on the mat, doing his best to try and relieve the pressure of the submission move that took out the FWA World Champion! Caesar enters the ring and stomps on Best’s chest but Best holds on! Caesar furiously stomps several times until Best’s resistance finally falls apart! Uncle is relieved his arm is still in its socket but Caesar has to contend with Baxter getting back into the squared circle.
Baxter gives Caesar a big boot to the gut and lifts him up - once again going for the Baxter Driver! Caesar tries to wiggle out of it but Baxter has a solid grip, up until Uncle smacks Baxter up the head, more disrespectfully then impactfully, causing Caesar to land over the ropes and onto the apron! But Caesar holds onto Baxter in the process, trying to drag the man over the ropes with him. It’s quite the effort, even as strong as Caesar himself is, but Uncle assists him, grabbing him by the legs and with impressive strength, they’re able to send Baxter over the ropes and sprawling to the outside.
Uncle is quick to ask Caesar if he’s alright on the outside, having had Baxter’s massive weight dropping down along with him. Caesar massages the back of his head, hurt but giving a nod back. Cosmic Horror turns around - to a boot to the gut, lifted onto the shoulder THE BFF!
Best hooks the leg…
ONE… TWO… THREE!
Winner: The Buddy System via pinfall in 10:02 |
Caesar is halfway into the ring, but he’s too late. The pin has been made, and Best hurries out of the ring when he notices that the Nephews have begun coming out of the woodwork through the crowd. They’re not in a rush for an assault, it seems though, and Best and Baxter are able to make it up the ramp with smiles on their face. Caesar has a look of disappointment on his face while Uncle bites his lips nervously. He gestures for Quiet to hand him a microphone. Caesar acknowledges the half-dozen Nephews gathered about the ring, while Best’s victorious song comes to an end. J.J. JAY!: “General, general. Pay no mind to the outcome of this match. Don’t let that be an indicator of our prospective futures together. After all, there’s plenty of reasons why what just happened just happened. For example, one could argue that I had expected you’d be able to break the count and I was simply relying on that. I could’ve kicked out. Easily. But we need to build chemistry. Rapport! Symbiosis! I’m not blaming you. I promise you. These things take time. These guys have known each other forever, we’re still syncing, you understand. I was willing to take a loss here because you can learn a lot from a loss. It builds character. It helps make us value wins more. It’ll mean you’ll be twice as fast the next time you see a fellow Nephew in danger, knowing how slow you were this time.”These words aren’t exactly motivating for Caesar, who narrows his eyes. J.J. JAY!: “But above all that, I think I know what the real problem was. You don’t see me like you did Stu. Stu was like a brother to you. And I don’t see you how I did my Nephews, because… well, they were like Nephews to me. If we want this partnership to really work, if we want to reach the dizzying heights I know we’re capable of… we need to move beyond partnership, beyond even the friendship of the Buddy System… we need to be family, General. You need to become a Nephew. So. What do you say?”The jeers in the Caesars’ Palace are almost immediate as Uncle gestures for Caesar to take the microphone. Caesar is busy considering the opinion of the fans in attendance though, and there’s an obvious bit of hesitation on his face. He takes a deep breath, and finally reaches for the microphone but Uncle pulls it back suddenly. J.J. JAY!: “Before you answer, I want you to think very carefully about this offer.”Cosmic Horror looks around to the Nephews gathered in the ring. Caesar takes heed of their presence as well. J.J. JAY!: “Because it’d be silly of you to rush into an answer like this. I’m not going to pressure you, that’d be wrong. I don’t run a cult, contrary to the slander my Bestie has been spouting - you should be DQ’d for that Bestie, by the way - I am part of a family. I want to give you time to reflect on this offer. I’ll be on Fallout, the place where we made our names. And I’ll be waiting for your answer there.”“No Love” echoes through the arena, and Uncle gestures for the Nephews to follow him out of the ring, leaving Caesar there, pensive about his future with the Nephews. Rod Sterling: “Well, things have certainly gotten off to a fiery start on Meltdown, Anzu, as we get even closer to Lights Out in New Orleans next month. One of the headline matches for that show is the Golden Opportunity Elimination Chamber. Seven of the FWA’s best will step into the unforgiving structure but only one can walk away with a guaranteed shot at the FWA World Championship at any time up to Back in Business. We’ve taken the time to sit down with each of them and throughout tonight’s show, we’ll be hearing their thoughts on the match. We’re starting off with two men who will likely open some old wounds inside the chamber in ‘The Rotten Gold’ Devin Golden, and Chris Peacock. ” The first video package hyping the Golden Opportunity match begins. The moody lighting fits with the person sitting in the chair. He has the top hat, the cane resting against one of the chair arms, and the handlebar moustache. "The Rotten Gold" Devin Golden looks straight ahead toward the interviewer, his eyes darting a little to the left of the camera's position. “What does the Golden Opportunity mean to you?” asks the interviewer, off screen. ‘The Rotten Gold’ Devin Golden: "Golden Opportunity means ... it meeeeans ... well ... it is a last ... chance ... salooooooooooon ... for me. For ... siempre."There is some mumbling from the interviewer in reply to the vague answer, but it continues on. “What do you want to say to your fellow competitors ahead of the match?” they ask. ‘The Rotten Gold’ Devin Golden: "I would say ... a dog with two tails ... is more likely to catch ... ooooone of them." Golden then smirks as he looks directly into the camera. The feed fades away as the dark, moody lighting goes completely black. In the same setting, but clearly at a different time, Chris Peacock sits where Golden was before, and he seems very relaxed. Chris Peacock: “To me, Golden Opportunity is my chance to make everything right. I’m not just talking about giving this company and its fans a champion that it can support, either, after what we’ve had to endure this year given who has held that title and who currently holds it.
What it means to me is a chance to prove to the world that I’m not just some gimmick, which I know some people still view me as. I’m someone to take seriously, and I’m not someone who is destined to fall short at every opportunity. Second place in Carnal Contendership and runner up in last year’s chamber. In New Orleans, I’m going to show everyone that I’m ready to step up. I’m going to win that briefcase, and I’m going to look good doing it.”Despite his serious and stern words, Peacock pauses to smirk after delivering that last line. He listens for a moment and takes in the following question. He looks into the camera as he delivers his answer. Chris Peacock: “What do I have to say to my fellow competitors in the match? Well… first of all, I don’t like any of you. Some of you, I actively despise. I’m going to enjoy winning that briefcase regardless, but knowing that I’d have beaten some of you to do it is going to make it that much better.
Because the thing is, I’ve shown what happens to people when they get in my way. I might not be the man that I was before Back in Business, but if for one second you think that means that I’m a pushover all of a sudden, then I’m afraid to tell you that you’ve already lost. So, I look forward to seeing you all there. This is where I’d once say that I was going to get you all, but I think you already know that.”Peacock sits back in the chair and the camera zooms in on his determined face before fading away. The cameras pan to a small, dark room. Furnishings are at a minimum, and we can see Tommy Bedlam sitting in a black chair with a small glass of whiskey in his right hand. His cowboy hat is pulled down low over his eyes as the camera zooms in closer. Tommy Bedlam: “You know, I didn’t take the decision to come back to the FWA lightly. I spent hours every night thinking about what it would look like to go back to living out of a suitcase, running across airports trying to catch flights, showing up at arenas where there’s thousands of people screaming. I knew some of them would be happy to see me, but most of them would throw the same kind of hatred and anger at me that they were hurling at me before I left. Hell, I earned every bit of it. More than once, the thought crossed my mind that I should just fade into the shadows. I could be another one-hit wonder in this industry, and sure, there might be a YouTube video one day about “what ever happened to Tommy Bedlam,” but by then, the masses would have moved on to somebody new.One night, a good friend showed up at the door. A good friend who I treated like absolute shit along the way showed up and he convinced me that I needed to make another run at this thing. The thing about good friends is that they know exactly what makes you tick, and the morning after he showed up at my apartment, he handed me a cup of coffee. I took a drink, and that shit was stone cold. I spit it out.He looked over at me, chuckled a little bit, and said, “Coffee isn’t supposed to be cold, but revenge is.” I knew exactly what he meant, and he was right. I’ve always heard it said that revenge is a dish best served cold, and now, roughly six months later, I’m back for revenge.”The scene switches to multiple camera angles of Jason Randall beating Tommy Bedlam with a chair. Tommy Bedlam: “Jason Randall.”Another chair shot. Tommy Bedlam: “You put me on the shelf for almost six months.”Another chair shot. Tommy Bedlam: “At first, doctors told me that I would never wrestle again.”Another chair shot. Tommy Bedlam: “I spent 3 months laying in a bed with a brace around my back, shitting and pissing in a bed pan. And you know what? I thank you for that. When I first got to FWA, I think I misunderstood how hard things can be. I came from a company where I was the top dog, I was the man. I was the face of the federation. I showed in FWA, and in my second match, I won the Gauntlet Championship. Russnow, the little chicken shit that he is, saw something in me, and he decided to launch something called The Deathswitch Initiative. I had a "rocket ship strapped to my ass,” as they say, and I was on my way to the top. All of that came crashing down the night that you cracked vertebrae in my back.
When I came back, a lot of people assumed I hated you. I don’t. I don’t think you’re some kind of monster for beating me senseless with a chair. I think you’re a guy who wanted to win a wrestling match, and in the course of that match, you did what you had to do to take out the person you considered the biggest threat. That was me, and you were right. Breaking my bones was your best chance at winning, and that’s what you did.
Hell, if I’m being honest, I guess I owe you a thank you. Last Monday, when I beat Nate Savage in my first match back, I knew that him and that little bastard Jackson Fenix were gonna do something after the match. I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t have a lot of friends around here anymore, so the fact that you came out to even the odds…yea, I appreciate that.But Jason, hear me, and hear me well: Just because I don’t hate you doesn’t mean that I’m just gonna let what happened go. No, no, no. I can’t wake up every morning and look at myself in the mirror if I don’t do what I can to get back at you. I can’t show my face to the boys in the back if I don’t try to get revenge. That’s what’s fueling me. The need for vengeance is what gets me up every morning. I don’t hate you; I don’t even blame you, but I’m a competitor, and right now, the scoreboard hanging over my head reads, “Jason Randall: 1, Tommy Bedlam: 0,” and I can’t stand the idea of not doing what I can to settle the score.”Tommy takes a long drink, killing off the whiskey in his glass. Tommy Bedlam: “Bring that camera in real close. Get that thing closer. Yea, right there.”The camera zooms in so tightly that the only thing that can be seen is the intense look on Tommy's face. Tommy Bedlam: “Jason, I want a match with you. I’m not the type to go out and guarantee a victory. Do I think I can beat you? Absolutely. Do I want to beat you? More than I want the next breath of air in my body. But more than any of that, Jason Randall, I want to hurt you. That scoreboard is flashing 1 to 0 right now, and I just can’t let that go. That 1 that appears under your name, that’s not about a match on Meltdown from months ago. No, that 1 is about the fact that you did what people have been trying to do my entire career. You sidelined Tommy Bedlam. If it was up to me, we'd do this thing Friday night, but I have to deal with some kid named Phillip Jackson. But I checked my calendar, Jason, and I'm free for Lights Out. I want my chance to return the favor. You and me. Lights Out. Jason Randall vs. Tommy Bedlam at the next Pay Per View. The challenge is on the table. I’ll be waiting, Jason.”Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “The next match is scheduled for one fall with a 20-minute time limit!”
"Bow Down" || I PrevailThe hard, almost jarring sounds of “Bow Down” plays out and after a few seconds of the song playing, Nate Savage steps out on stage with Jackson Fenix following closely behind him. The mixed reaction for the duo is due to Fenix being born and raised in Vegas, so he’s welcomed by his hometown crowd, although there are still a number of fans that don’t seem to care for him regardless. Fenix relishes in the adulation that he’s receiving and he postures for his adoring audience while Savage marches down to the ring. Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing first, being accompanied by Jackson Fenix, from Philadelphia, PA and weighing in at 266 lb, representing The Undisputed Alliance…he is “Nasty” Nate Savage!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “The Undisputed Alliance are making their Meltdown debut tonight here in Sin City, but not as a tag team because it’ll be Nate Savage in singles action.”
Rod Sterling: “Given their previous history with this brand just a few months prior, and their rather crude remarks in regards to this brand, dubbing it the B-show, I’m not sure if I want them here to be honest.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Let it go Rod, that brand warfare nonsense is over with. There’s no need to hold on to that.”
Rod Sterling: “I suppose you’re right Anzu, life is too short to hold a grudge.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Jackson Fenix is getting a hero’s welcome here in his hometown tonight. If this reaction were to be anywhere else I’d be surprised, but not here in Sin City.”Fenix and Savage enter the ring and Fenix requests the microphone from Katie Lynn. He takes the microphone and holds it up to his mouth, but he waits to speak until the crowd quiets down. Jackson Fenix: “LAS VEGAS! I’M BACK BAYBAY! DID YOU MISS ME?!”The crowd can’t help but cheer wildly for that from Fenix, who can’t hold back his smile. Jackson Fenix: “Yeah, I bet you missed me! It feels good to be back right here in the city where I grew up! Yeah, it feels good to be back…”Jackson lets that linger a little as the crowd is still buzzing. Jackson Fenix: “It feels good to be back because it reminded me of something, do you want to know what is? It reminded me of why I moved away from this dump!”There it is. The crowd immediately turns on their once hometown hero, and of course in true Jackson Fenix fashion, he loves every second of it. Jackson Fenix: “That’s right, I’m so glad I moved away from here when I did! This place is just as bad as it was when I left it! That’s why I’m glad I moved to somewhere like Los Angeles, a place where a guy like me can be treated with respect and where I have a better chance of finding a good looking woman rather than the street rats that have infested this city!”
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" || Nirvana Before Fenix can go any further on his tirade he’s cut off by the sound of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Sawyer Xavier sprints out on stage, much to the delight of the crowd, who show Xavier a response that he wasn’t expecting by the looks of his reaction. He smirks a little and shrugs as he makes his way down to the ring, while inside the ring Fenix looks irked as he hands the microphone back to Katie. Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: “Introducing next his opponent, from Savannah, GA and weighing in at 176 lb…Sawyer Xavier!”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Jackson Fenix not making any friends here in hometown, but it seems like Las Vegas may adopt Sawyer Xavier as one of their own after tonight given the reaction.”
Rod Sterling: “I mean, was he wrong? I feel like Jackson Fenix made some fair points about this place.”
Anzu Kurosawa: “Of course you would agree, why am I not surprised?”Xavier slides inside the ring and poses on the turnbuckle while referee Joey Ortiz does his best to keep Savage at bay. Xavier’s music fades out and Ortiz checks both men before calling for the bell. DING! DING! DING! SECOND MATCH
(1/20)
| Nate Savage
(w/ Jackson Fenix) vs. Sawyer Xavier.
Singles Match.
(Match writer: Jimmy) | Nate Savage explodes out of the gate and bumrushes Xavier in the corner, pummeling him with several closed fists and stomps, then he follows up with a corner cannonball senton! Savage crushes Xavier in the corner and he drags him out of the corner to the center of the ring and he lands a jumping seated senton directly on top of Xavier and he quickly makes a cover!
One…
NO!
Kick-out by Xavier!
Anzu Kurosawa: “A rough start for Sawyer Xavier, but I wouldn’t anything less from someone like Nate Savage to bring the fight right out of the gate.
Savage drives down more stomps to the chest and he follows that up with a running senton! Savage crushes Xavier with all of his weight, and Xavier is laying flat on his back taking in lungfuls of air to try and regain his breath. Jackson Fenix looks pleased as he watches on from ringside while Nate brings Xavier to his feet in a front face lock, but Xavier break free from Savage’s grip and drives severals backfists straight to Savage’s dome! Savage is looking stunned as Xavier drills him in the temple with a pele kick that drops Savage down to a knee and Xavier fires off more backfists to Savage’s head for good measure before running the ropes and he comes back with a shining wizard! Xavier quickly drops down on Savage for the pin as he hooks the far leg!
One…
NO!
Xavier springs back to his feet and goes a standing moonsault but Savage rolls out of the way, and Xavier gingerly makes the landing and he runs the ropes as Savage is getting up to a vertical base but Savage stops Xavier dead in his tracks with a shoulder block! However, Xavier kips back and he spits in Savage’s face! Savage doesn’t look pleased by that as he boots Xavier in the gut and he lifts him up before obliterating Xavier with a powerbomb!
Anzu Kurosawa: “I don’t think that was wise of Sawyer Xavier to spit in the face of Nate Savage.”
Rod Sterling: “Stupid and unsanitary!”
Savage drags a near lifeless Xavier up to his feet and drills him with several forearm smashes, followed by some bionic elbow strikes, and then Nate sends Xavier to the ropes and nails him with a kitchen sink! Xavier clutches at his stomach as rolls over in time for Nate to crush him with a running senton and a pin!
One…
TW-NO!
Xavier gets a shoulder up but Savage takes him by that arm and Nate locks in an arm-breaker submission before targeting Xavier’s fingers and he starts snapping those fingers back, much to the dismay of Xavier who cries out in pain!
The crowd begins to show disdain for Nate and he looks out to them…
“Look at him, he’s pathetic! Just as pathetic as each and every one of you!”
Fenix claps on at ringside and agrees with his friend’s sentiments.
“He’s not wrong!”
Savage turns his attention back to Xavier and as he bends down to pick him up, Xavier catches Savage by surprise with a small package roll-up!
One…
TW-NO!
Savage kicks out emphatically and Xavier springs back to his feet, and he catches an incoming Savage with a pele kick! Savage stumbles back and Xavier drives forward a mule kick followed by a roundhouse kick! Savage is stunned and Xavier uses this opening to run off the ropes and hit a springboard cutter to Savage! Xavier isn’t through yet though as he runs the ropes again and comes off with a springboard shooting star press into a pin!
One…
TW-NO!
Savage sits up after kicking out but he looks like he has no idea where he’s at while Xavier is riding this wave of momentum, and as Savage is slowly rising up to one knee, Xavier runs at him and goes for a flip piledriver but Savage counters with a back body drop! Xavier falls flat on the mat behind Nate, who is trying to find his bearings. Meanwhile, Sawyer does his best to shake that off, and just as Nate turns around, Sawyer charges forward but Nate catches him instinctively with a uranage! Nate is done playing around now as he sends Sawyer to the ropes…NASTY BOMB!
Nate drops down for the pin!
One…
Two…
THREE!
Winner: Nate Savage at 13:20 |
It’s a win for Nate Savage and the Undisputed Alliance! Savage sits up from on top of Xavier and slams his palms on the mat, pleased with his victory. Fenix enters the ring, clapping for his partner after Savage pulled out the win, and Fenix uses his boot to nudge the defeated Xavier under the bottom rope in a show of disrespect. The Undisputed Alliance celebrate Savage’s victory together before we fade away elsewhere. We cut backstage where we see “The Wildcard” Jason Randall leaning against a steel fence backdrop. “The Wildcard” is not dressed to compete as he wears a black Meltdown hoodie along with black cargo pants and black combat boots. He has his hands in his hoodie pocket as he leans back and stares into the camera. Jason Randall: “Now before I get to why I’m here, I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up what went down at Fallout 019 where I went toe to toe with the so-called King of the Deathmatch, Thomas West. Well, I guess not so-called, because Thomas proved to me that he is worthy of that moniker. He proved that it is more than just a moniker. He truly is the King of the Deathmatch.”
“In doing so he defeated me, in my hometown, in front of my friends and my family. Now, I can’t lie, that stung. That was a bitter pill to swallow. All due respect to Thomas West, but that was not how I had expected my homecoming to go. I wanted to go out there after the show and talk to my people, but admittedly, I was too ashamed to show my face. I feel like I let them down, and not only did I let them down but I let down the entire FWA fanbase.”
“I feel like ever since my return at the beginning of the year something has been off with me. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to get things to go my way. I’ve been stuck in this never ending rut. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can promise you that I will find my way out of this rough patch and give you The Wildcard that you all know and love because that’s what each and every one of you deserve!”Randall leans forward from the fence as the crowd cheers him on in the arena. Jason Randall: “Speaking of deserving, allow me to touch on why I’m here, and that is the man that called me out earlier tonight; Tommy Bedlam. A man that I have some bit of history with because you see, a little over six months ago I put Tommy on the shelf. I beat him half to death with a steel chair. Fortunately, I left him breathing, and now Tommy is back and he wants revenge.”
“Tommy you deserve a chance at revenge, but let me tell you right now, it won’t be easy but I’m sure you already know that. You’re no stranger to this game. You know what I’m all about and you know what I’m capable of. Now, what I did last week when I laid out those two scum suckers, well I was just doing what was right. It’s about time that someone put those jackasses in their place. I know that you’re appreciative of the help but I also know that you know that wasn’t me extending the olive branch to you. There’s still a score that needs to be settled between us.
“You’re free for Lights Out and it just so happens that I’m free as well, so you want that match? Well, you got it. You’re on. Tommy Bedlam vs “The Wildcard” Jason Randall. Before that though, I might be in Austin, Texas for Fallout, and if I am, don’t be a stranger, partner.”Randall winks at the camera as the scene cuts to the announce desk where Rod and Anzu are once again sitting by. Anzu Kurosawa: “Some strong words from Jason Randall there for Tommy Bedlam, after we saw Tommy challenge Randall to a match at Lights Out on October 23rd in New Orleans… and it looks like it has been accepted!”
Rod Sterling: “Another big match added to that card, Anzu, and well… it is time to hear from a couple more of our Golden Opportunity Elimination Chamber Participants… here are Jeremy Best and Cyrus Truth.”In the same setting as seen in the other video packages shown earlier on tonight, Jeremy Best takes a seat in front of the camera. Jeremy Best: "What does Golden Opportunity mean to me? Golly, that's a wonderful question! I'm pretty dang excited about all this. You know, it was one year ago at Lights Out I made my debut as part of the Shotgun Battle Royal and to return a year later as part of the Golden Opportunity match...I just couldn't have imagined how things would go between now and then. I've made some friends along the way...and unfortunately, lost one too. That's why I want to dedicate the Golden Opportunity match to my most golden hearted friend I could've asked for...and while I haven't given up on my search, I'm winnin' this for you buddy!”Best points to the camera and flashes a smile. Jeremy Best: "I'm excited to share the ring with some of the top competitors in FWA, including some that will be new faces. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Peacock, a man who offered me some kind advice in my early days in FWA and wouldn't mind a little payback for him pinning me at Cibernetico, of course! Cyrus Truth...he sure is an intense fella and he gave me quite the beating inside the cage a few weeks ago. And Devin Golden...he is quite the zany character...and yeah, he's beaten me before too when I tagged with Jackson. I guess you could say I've lost to quite a few of these guys, huh?"Jeremy pauses in a moment of self reflection. Jeremy Best: "BBBUUUTTTT - guess who I DID beat. DANNY FREAKIN' TONER! FWA World Champion! Made him tap out, too! You know why? Because he and his friends in the EE counted me out. Don't you dare count me out! I want this. I want it real bad. I want to prove that I can win the big one. I want to make Krashie proud, wherever he may be. We may be in Vegas, and gosh, I know nothin' about gambling, but I know they think EE may have the best bet because of their numbers...but, if I was a gamblin' man...I'd say the best bet...is Best."With an affirmed nod, Best gives a determined look into the camera and it then the scene fades out. In the same setting as previously seen, Cyrus Truth sits in the seat, leant forward and ready to address the camera directly. Cyrus Truth: "Golden Opportunity is a means to an end. That end being a proper, genuine shot at the title that's been out of my grasp for the last three years. It's salvation. Redemption. And righteous retribution against a man and his crew of cronies that still have a lot to answer for. It's the culmination of a hard road that I've been traveling ever since I lost the World Title, and the prize that means more to me than the breath in my lungs or the blood in my veins." Cyrus scowls, as if asking him this question was absolutely absurd, as if there could be any other answer than the obvious. Cyrus Truth: "You have the gall to ask me what this means to me? It means everything. All things. This match may well be the last chance I get to reclaim the World Title that I've yet to have a real chance to fight for outside of some bullshit bounty gimmick. And if you don't think that I'm going into this match fully prepared to destroy myself to make sure I'm the one walking out with the prize, you clearly haven't been paying attention...at all."Cyrus leans back and waits for the follow up question, and when it comes, he smirks. Cyrus Truth: "My...opponents?"The Exile lets slip a wry chuckle, right before his face turns hard as stone and as sharp as a steel blade. Cyrus Truth: "I suppose it's only fair to warn you that you should probably go for the head if you get the chance. Because if you don't? This Golden Opportunity match will be your gilded grave. Those three chuckleheads in Executive Excellence are going to get crucified regardless, if for no other reason than they absolutely need to be. Call it a message to Toner, call it a receipt for a debt overdue, call it the surgical removal of a wrestling cancer. Either way, all three of them are going to get hurt and not a single one of them will get their hands on the Golden Opportunity so long as I'm still standing.
"As for the others? Golden, Peacock, Best? Run, hide, fight, or get out of the way. I could care less what you do. Just know that if you're standing between me and the Golden Opportunity, you're willingly walking in front of a raging storm and you WILL be swept up in it. This is the third year in a row that I've entered this match and fought for this prize, and I'm tired of walking away from this carnage with absolutely nothing. Nothing short of victory is acceptable. Vae Victis."The FWA cameras are seen backstage with an interview area set up. A black curtain hangs on the wall with pink lights shining on it. A metal frame makes out a square and in the middle of it, a tv screen with the Meltdown logo on it. Standing in front of the set is Meltdown’s resident interviewer, Katie Baxter. In a chipper mood, she greets the camera with a smile. Holding the microphone up she delivers a message. Katie Baxter: “Ladies and gentlemen, I am backstage here at Meltdown and I have an announcement. FWA wrestling has come to terms with a working agreement with a young international star!”Some of the fans watching the message on the screen give a cheer in the background, interested in a new member of the FWA family. Nodding her head, Katie continues. Katie Baxter: “Making her wrestling debut in home company of COSMIC Joshi Wrestling in Japan, this young star already has six years of in ring experience, winning their 2018 Young Blood Cup Tournament and is a Two time-CJW Trios Champion, with her recent reign taking part of her group, MAYHEM, teaming with Ririko and Cali Hayama. Now making her way to America, we at Fantasy Wrestling Alliance are proud to have her as part of our roster! Ladies and gentlemen, the Yokai Queen, the Dark Huntress, the Wicked Spirit, Vampyra!”The camera zooms out and we see a short masked woman, just a bit over five feet tall. Instantly standing out about her appearance is her signature mask. The purple mask is highlighted with jagged lines around the side, a bright neon green. Looking closer to the opening for the mouth, two sharp shapes separate the sides of it, showing a silver fang like look. In the middle, the lady has dark lipstick. The eyes of the mask have a mix of exaggerated lines, creating almost a wing-shape with a base black and sprinkling of neon pink. The woman’s eyes show a violet hue, likely through the aid of contacts, piercing as they gaze out. In the middle of the forehead, a “V” in a Hexagon. The dark locks of the new signee stick out from the mask, her tips with a splash of purple and pink. The rest of her look, looking somewhat casual with a black hoodie with the hood down, brandishing a logo on the chest of a silver “M” outlined in rainbow colours. She has some faded ripped jeans on and a pair of brown boots. Vampyra puts her hands on her hips, humming, waiting to get this segment done as Katie keeps professional and smiles. Katie Baxter: “Vampyra, welcome to the FWA. Of course, not every fan is familiar with you, but that will be solved in due time. First, tell the fans here how you’re feeling and a little bit about yourself.”The interviewer extends the microphone forward and Vampyra looks around for a second, understanding the lay of the land. She looks towards Katie and gives a gentle smirk. A small chuckle is heard. She speaks, her accent clear, but she seems relatively comfortable in a second language. Vampyra: “It is fascinating…”Her voice trails off before she clarifies. Vampyra: “A new place and for once I am on my own. Not too long ago I would have rejected the idea of coming to America, but recently I have come to realise how I have so much to learn here. The only way to do that is to venture to new places. Cal Robinson sent me a message and offered me the chance to compete here. While I am also committed elsewhere, I felt it was a sign that this was where Vampyra can be taken to her next-level.”She has a small and gentle wink to the camera, before saying something in Japanese and quickly translating it… Vampyra: “‘Watashi no yūjin ga iu yō ni’ - As my friend says.”Katie Baxter gives a nod and follows up. Katie Baxter: “And you said you are here on your own? You showed some great pedigree in tag team, and especially Trios action, but why are you focusing on the singles division?”Giving a small nod in response, Vampyra calmly responds. Vampyra: “It is simply time to do more for myself. It is not enough to succeed in one place or a single division. Not for me. Not anymore. I have seen some of the best wrestlers, but I know there is more to the world than my home. I do not want to be comfortable.”Keeping a grin, Katie is about to speak, but the captivating Joshi motions with her finger to hand off the microphone. The interviewer respectfully places it in Vampyra’s hand. Her voice becomes more intense as she looks towards the camera. Vampyra: “For years I have been working on building my mind, body, and spirit. Puroresu is my life. Vampyra is my life. I did not need this to survive. I was never given the path. I created my path. My name. My identity. Each step comes new prey. New victims. Lessons. Challenges. Yet that path is not set. Fate guides us, but we can guide it in return. Something more than a dream led me, my vision. Now, I knew it was time I walked a new path. If what before was my training then this will be my trial by fire!”She motions with her finger for the camera to get closer and it zooms in on her face, her eyes clearer as they pierce. Vampyra: “FWA, you may not know me yet but that will change with time. I will show you my way, the way of MAYHEM, and it may be loved, or hated, but that is out of my control. I could list every person in this company if I wished to put them on notice, but I am a patient woman. That is needed to be a master huntress. When the time is right, night will fall on each and every one of you. Whether you are prepared or not, it will be the fight of your life!”Grabbing her pointer finger she drags it slowly along her throat. Her tongue sticks out a little before she says slowly… Vampyra: “System down…”Then she puts her three fingers down, making an “M” shape. Vampyra: “And death awaits-”And the final line is broken up by the sound of some loud music. Upon getting into earshot, Vampyra stops and her cool confidence is quickly replaced with a simmering rage. The camera zooms away and we see, dancing into frame, the number one boy band in all of FWA because it is thankfully the only boy band, they are The Bad Boys Boy Band. Looking straight out of the 90’s, all three boys have backwards ball caps, loose silver tracksuits with golden chains, and matching baggy track pants and sneakers. Backstreet Boy with his short hair and looped earrings makes his way into frame first followed by In-Sync with his long dreadlocks that flop around as he dances. Lastly, there is the trashy stripped goatee of Mike Stand having a boom box of all things on his shoulder, playing their music. He shuts it off as the boys all pose together, leaning back and trying to frame their faces. Vampyra is stunned as In-Sync speaks up. In-Sync: “Yo girl, check it, The Bad Boys Boy Band are in the hooooouse!”They look at Vampyra who… blinks, utterly confused at what this late 90s American pop culture from before she was even born getting dragged out in 2022 of all years. The Boy Band look at each other before Backstreet Boy breaks the silence. The Backstreet Boy: “Come on guys, she’s Japanese, she obviously doesn’t speak English, let’s say it slowly.”He leans in closer and speaks slowly, likely having the racial sensitivity of someone in the 90s. The Backstreet Boy: “Heelllooooo, we are the Baaaad Boooooys Bo-”Vampyra, insulted by the idiot wannabe pop-star, slaps him across the face! He jumps back, holding his cheek as Mike Stand checks his Pop-star looks. Vampyra: “I speak English, you rat!”Backstreet Boy tries to keep his cool and mutters to himself. The Backstreet Boy: “Remember what Maxime said, too much stress is bad for the looks.”Getting involved, Mike Stand tries to ice things over. Mike Stand: “Sorry girl, you must not get our hits at the music stores in Japan. We are the hottest band here in FWA. The Bad Boys Boy Band! I’m Mike Stand, the fun one.”He points towards his dreadlocked friend. Mike Stand: “That’s In-Sync, he’s the sensitive one.”Then to Backstreet Boy who has his arms folded, trying to act tough after getting the taste slapped out of his mouth. Mike Stand: “And that is Backstreet Boy, the tough one. We heard you were getting signed to FWA.”The Joshi raises her eyebrow as seen through her mask, she hums. Vampyra: “So you did?”The alleged sensitive one of the group, In-Sync nods and tries to cross his arms and put his hand in his pockets. In-Sync: “And we thought that you would be perfect in our next music video! You see, we’re working on our next big hit-”Showing a small touch of wit, Vampyra chimes. Vampyra: “Implying you had a hit before?”Insulted by Vampyra’s… well, insult, Backstreet Boy approaches her again and tries to act tough. The Backstreet Boy: “We’re platinum rated and the number one band in Burkina Faso you-”And Vampyra, annoyed by him still, does another slap across the face. Watching this display, Katie Baxter can’t help but chuckle a bit. In-Sync holds back Backstreet Boy as he goes to a knee and tries to angrily lunge at Vampyra. In-Sync: “Let us finish, bro!”Trying to get this pitch done to Vampyra, Mike Stand gets Backstreet Boy to simmer down and he explains to Vampyra. Mike Stand: “So, we got our next hit called Vampire Girlfriend. It’s about a guy, has a vampire girlfriend, they makeout and stuff, so I figured with a real vampire-”And upon that insinuating Vampyra’s eyes visibly roll in the back of her head. She is DONE with these idiots as she mutters. Vampyra: “First Trixie, now this…”
Mike Stand: “We have the perfect girl. Boys, let’s show her it.”Putting his BoomBox down, Mike Stand presses a button and a generic Boy Band beat plays as the group begin dancing. The rhythm is off as they shuffle side to side and begin to sing. Mike Stand: “I was a guy, you were a vampire- giiiirrrl-”
In-Sync: ”Looks that could kiss, fire in your eeeeeeyes like flame griiiiiiiill.”
The Backstreet Boy: “Then go to my house, we can come chill.”All three do a spin, and sing together, lacking harmony. The Bad Boys Boy Band: “Be my Vampiiire girlfriend, I’ll show you my-”Stopping the music, Vampyra grabs Backstreet Boy by the throat and tries to squeeze the life out of him. She then pushes him back into In-Sync and they fall backwards, knocking Mike Stand into their boom box. Mike quickly shuts it off as he sits on the ground, grabbing his ribs. Coughing, Backstreet Boy looks up at Vampyra and In-Sync stands up as Vampyra shouts. Vampyra: “You talk too much! Your music sucks too!”Mike puts his hand on his chest, in shock at the insult. Vampyra stares the three dancing fools down. Vampyra: “You boys made a mistake and now you will pay for it. There is this show Fallout, and I was told to find an opponent for it. I was going to wait to pick, but you need to shut up! One of you, meet me in the ring. I do not care who. Your death awaits.”Leaning closer, Vampyra points her finger out, almost touching In-Sync’s nose. Vampyra: “No running…”Turning around, the masked newcomer walks away, as the boy band, getting more than they bargained for, sit there stunned. Katie Baxter, laughs before composing herself. Katie Baxter: “Back to you at ringside, Rod and Anzu.”The commentary team are seen, chuckling as well, before Rod Sterling speaks. Rod Sterling: “Well there you have it, a young rising star in FWA. Vampyra of CJW making her debut, and Bad Boys Boy Band, you guys got yourselves in a bit of trouble.”Anzu Kurosawa nods and adds. Anzu Kurosawa: “They were singing a different tune after interacting with Vampyra. And it may not have been the debut she expected, but it seems we will have Vampyra make her one-on-one debut at Fallout against one of the members of the Bad Boys Boy Band.”
Rod Sterling: “And quite the time to join as Lights Out is just a short time away and the F1 Climaxx right after, it is interesting to see if she’ll qualify, especially with a similar tournament in CJW, the Comet GP. She may qualify last minute and shake things up?”
Anzu Kurosawa: “It is stiff competition to even be able to qualify for the tournament, so if she can qualify in a short time, it would be nothing but impressive. We will see how she does in FWA starting this Saturday Night at the Blended Festival in Austin, Texas!”
Rod Sterling: “Well, we saw the impact that Executive Excellence had earlier on tonight after those sickening actions towards Violet Dreyer… but it is time to hear the thoughts Mike Parr, Gabrielle and Kayden Knox on the Golden Opportunity, which all three will be participating in at Lights Out.”Kayden Knox: “It doesn’t mean anything to meSeated between Gabrielle and Mike Parr, Kayden’s opening remark notably causes Mike and Gabrielle to slightly turn their heads inwards – not the opening line they necessarily had anticipated either. Kayden Knox: “In comparison that is, because it should be a hell of a lot more to everyone else. That’s everyone watching. Everyone listening. Everyone doubting. Why? That’s because nobody gets it. Listen to everyone talk…. they aren’t speaking about me winning this because they don’t think that I belong. Still…despite everything, despite Back in Business, despite the tag team championships…..the mistake here isn’t one that I’m making, I know exactly how good I am. This match means more to everyone else because you aren’t stepping away after watching this daring to underestimate me ever again.You can tell, through the look in Knox’s eyes, that he means it. His pause is the requisite gap for Parr to speak. Slumped slightly in his chair, North American Championship draped over his shoulder, he pats the face of the championship. Mike Parr: “It means more to us, as a collective, than it does to me, personally. That might surprise you, but for the first time in the longest time, my sights aren’t set on winning that World Championship, my sights are set on keeping it. We already have it. The one time in my FWA career where I actually felt respected was when I held this championship on my shoulder for longer than anyone else in history has managed, and until I returned it to its rightful place a few weeks ago, I honestly had forgotten what it felt like. Respect isn’t claps from those seals who pay into an arena, respect is those longing looks at the gold that you have draped over your shoulder. I’ve got mine, these two are working on theirs, and that Golden Opportunity briefcase in one of these six hands is going to make sure that Danny’s isn’t making an unexpected departure either.Mike pauses, and the camera pans over to Gabrielle. She pauses, scrunching up her face slightly as her hands noticeably clench into fists, before she relaxes again, taking a deep breath before she answers. Gabrielle: “We’ll always be one step ahead of everyone else. It gives Executive Excellence a contingency plan just in case. But, in that case, Golden Opportunity is a second chance, a do-over. An opportunity to make up for so many things. An opportunity to do exactly what I came back to the FWA to do, whenever I want. The Golden Opportunity can give me everything that I desire.”Gabrielle turns to Kayden and nods. Kayden Knox: “There isn’t one of here that isn’t going to try to win that match, that’s why we are here. Anyone who doesn’t want to win this has no business being a part of this group. None of us are stupid enough to pretend or think otherwise. I think the others have said enough – regardless of which of the three of us walks out with that Golden Opportunity, the result on which we are all aligned is that belt remaining within Executive Excellence.”All three sit and listen intently as the interviewer asks them the follow up question. Gabrielle: “I need this more than anyone else. I want this more than anyone else. It’s as simple as that.”Now Parr sits more upright and leans in to engage the camera. Mike Parr: “Simply put, that the winner is sat amongst the three of us. I would say sorry but I wouldn’t mean it. We are mature enough to accept there is only going to be one winner, and as Kayden said earlier, if any of us didn’t want to win then what the hell are we doing as part of this group? As for the match, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to putting Devin Golden out to pasture once and for all. If Peacock becomes collateral, even better.”Leaning back into his seat, Mike leaves the stage for Kayden to bring it to a close. Kayden Knox: “I don’t want to say anything. Nor do I need to. It’s all futile, I can just turn to my left or right and have a conversation with anyone in the match that I’m actually concerned about. I don’t need to broadcast it.”There is a lengthy pause as Kayden gets a grasp on what he wants to articulate. Kayden Knox: “I suppose to the rest of you….Executive Excellence sends its regards.”In one fluent motion Kayden bridges out of his seat and swats the camera to the side, toppling it off of its stand. As it crashes to the ground, the scene cuts to black. We cut backstage where members of FWA staff are gathered by an ambulance, there’s a minor commotion as security and medical staff alike tend to the wounded Violet Dreyer. Arriving on the scene is the masked X Champion, escorted by referee Larry Stevens. He rushes past a group of gawkers and makes his way over to the gurney that Violet has been loaded onto; Alyster shoves everyone who’s standing in his way aside and reaches for Violet’s hand, holding tightly. Dreyer isn’t in a good way, her eyes are half closed, she barely registers that the X Champion is there with her. Dried blood stains her pale white skin, and what isn’t blood covered is bruised. The bandage wrapped tightly around her head has turned mostly red too. Alyster leans down, almost touching his forehead to hers, speaking softly. The microphones mounted on the backstage cameras can’t pick up the words they exchange. A few members of security are forced to pull him back so that the medical personnel can finish loading Violet into the back of the ambulance. Alyster is left behind as security begins to usher the onlookers away and the ambulance takes off. The crowd clears out, leaving Alyster alone in the parking lot with Katie Baxter who has presumably arrived for an exclusive. Katie Baxter: “Alyster, do you have anything to say to Danny Toner in light of this heinous attack?Katie holds the microphone out to Alyster who is busy rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. Alyster Black: “This is bad timing Katie… but you know what, I do have something to say to Danny Toner.”Alyster drops his hand from his face and stares into the camera, the blues of his eyes are barely visible through the mesh of his mask. Alyster Black: “Danny, you’re a coward and I hate your fucking guts. I never thought you’d stoop so low. You say that I’m not on your level, well if that was true then my goal was to pull you down to my level. But tonight… you’ve sunk lower than I ever could. I’ll be seeing you on Fallout, and if you survive that, then I’ll be seeing you again at Lights Out.”'Mouth For War' || Pantera.There's a loud cheer in Caesars Palace as Aka Yurei walks out onto the stage with her tag team partner and fellow champion Reagan Cole. Both have their title belts on their shoulders, and pause for a moment upon the stage to survey the Las Vegas. Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall…"ONE-FALL!Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: "… with a twenty minute time limit, and is your Meltdown XX main event! Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Reagan Cole… currently residing in Seattle, Washington and weighing in at one hundred and twenty seven pounds… she is one half of the FWA World Tag Team Champions… 'The Crimson Ghost'... AKA… YUUUUUREEEEEI!"
Rod Sterling: "It was another big tag team victory for Reagan Cole and Aka Yurei last week on Fallout 020, with the tag team champions building up an impressive head of steam ahead of their first defense at Lights Out. This unlikely partnership, born by chance at last year's Mile High event's Secular Spectacular match, has come on leaps and bounds since their first unsuccessful attempt at those titles way back on Fallout 012, when they came up short against the then-reigning Golden Rock."
Anzu Kurosawa: "But it's a stern test in singles competition for Aka Yurei tonight in Las Vegas. Reagan Cole may be accompanying The Crimson Ghost to the ring, but he'll only be able to provide moral support in what is probably Yurei's toughest one-on-one match to date here in the FWA. But also a chance to draw first blood against one of her Lights Out opponents, and important in terms of momentum ahead of that New Orleans showdown."Aka rolls into the ring after handing her championship belt to Cole, who now proudly has one on each shoulder. She climbs to the second rope to whip the fans up some more, before her music fades out and she readdresses her focus to the stage… 'In Dreams' || Roy Orbison.There's booing and general dissatisfaction as MvH appears on the stage, her own tag team partner - Gerald Grayson, also in accomplishment - a little befuddled by the unfamiliar derision. Michelle, meanwhile, laps it up, courtsey-ing in overexaggerated fashion before beginning at a brisk pace towards the ring. Katie Lynn-Goldsmith: "And her opponent… she is accompanied to the ring by Gerald Grayson… from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, weighing in at fifty five kilograms… ‘Dreamer’... Michelle… von… HORROWITZ!"
Rod Sterling: "It’s been an… uneven couple of months for Michelle von Horrowitz since Back in Business. Of course, one of the highlights of Back in Business’s Night One saw the end of Chris Kennedy’s 9-0 streak at Dreamer’s hands, but since then she’s recorded an uneven 2-2 record, losing twice in tag team matches on this road to New Orleans."
Anzu Kurosawa: "But it’s important to note that this partnership of Michelle von Horrowitz and Gerald Grayson haven’t lost since Mile High 2020. They spent a lot of that time apart, of course, but that must seem daunting to the newly crowned champions. And New Orleans is, of course, Devin Golden’s hometown… but it was also the city that von Horrowitz chose to inhabit during her first stint in the States."
Rod Sterling: "Not that I imagine New Orleans will look upon Dreamer any more favourably as most other cities stateside…"The audience back up Rod’s statement, continuing to rain down boos on von Horrowitz as she rolls into the ring and faces down Yurei. The official for the evening, DJ Franchise, steps in-between the two women and sends them back to their own corners. They follow his instructions as Michelle’s music fades out, allowing DJ to conduct his final checks before calling for the bell… THIRD MATCH - MAIN EVENT
(1/20)
| Aka Yurei
(w/ Reagan Cole) vs. Michelle von Horrowitz (w/ Gerald Grayson).
Singles Match.
(Match writer: SS) | The contest kicks off with a Greco-Roman knuckle lock, the two vying for supremacy in the middle of the ring until Michelle is able to shift behind into a hammer lock. Yurei fires with a couple of elbows to the side of the head before going behind into a hammer lock of her own. She wrenches the hold for a moment, before shifting into a side headlock. Von Horrowitz backs her into the ropes and causes separation by firing her off into the opposite set. MvH goes for a standing dropkick but Yurei is able to hook onto the top rope to check her momentum, causing Michelle to faceplant the mat. Yurei is on her in an instant, applying a rear waistlock to wrench her up. It looks like she's going for a German suplex, but Dreamer hooks one of her legs behind Yurei's calf to block it… and then stamps down hard on Aka's foot! Yurei is forced to let go of the waistlock and MvH proceeds to back her into the corner with alternating knife edge chops and forearm strikes. She takes Aka by the wrist and whips her into the opposite set of turnbuckles, and then follows her in with a cornered dropkick! Michelle with the lateral press and an elbow in Yurei's face…
ONE… T - NO!
Rod Sterling: "Barely a two count before Yurei thrusts the shoulder up, but von Horrowitz looks to keep up the pressure with a reverse chin lock."
Anzu Kurosawa: "Aka is too fresh! Already she begins to fight up, this Las Vegas audience firmly on her side… and now it's elbows into Dreamer's ribs… followed by a side suplex by Yurei!"
MvH is quick to her feet, but is taken down with a clothesline from Aka! The Ghost hoists Dreamer up before doubling her over with a boot to the midsection, followed by a snap suplex and a cover…
ONE… TW – NO!
Michelle gets the shoulder up, and Yurei once more lifts Dreamer back to a vertical base. She whips her into the ropes and it looks like she's shaping up for another clothesline. But Michelle hooks onto the ropes to check her momentum. Yurei charges across the ring at her… and Dreamer throws her over the top rope with a BIG back body drop! Aka falls all the way to the floor and lands in a heap! Von Horrowitz follows her out and hoists her up by the wrist, before hurling her into the steel ring steps with an Irish whip!
Yurei hits them shoulder first and lands heavily, prompting the official to follow the combatants out and check on Aka's condition. Von Horrowitz notes that Cole is nearby and, with DJ Franchise's back momentarily turned, the two enter a brief stand-off… until Michelle hits him with a swift kick to the nads!! Cole goes down in a heap, most of the audience booing the untoward antics towards Yurei's valet.
Von Horrowitz, though, turns back towards Aka and throws her into the ring. She climbs up onto the apron and then to the top rope, watching on as the Ghost regains an uneasy vertical base in the ring. Von Horrowitz steadies herself…
Rod Sterling: "Flying cross-body attempt… no! Blocked with a standing dropkick from Aka Yurei!"
Aka is quick to hook the leg…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Yurei takes a moment to catch her breath before lifting von Horrowitz up and doubling her over with a boot to the midsection. It looks like she might be going for a double underhook suplex, but before she can get the second arm Michelle is able to rotate out of it with wrist control. She yanks Aka towards her with a clothesline attempt… but Yurei deftly shifts beneath it and takes von Horrowitz down with a backslide pin attempt…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Again MvH kicks out, and this time she winds up for a discus forearm… only for Yurei to again duck beneath it, and this time she grasps von Horrowitz in position for a tiger suplex. She looks to lift Michelle up, but von Horrowitz anchors her weight down before firing her head back into Yurei's! This causes separation, allowing von Horrowitz to wind up once more… and then connect with the discus forearm! MvH with the cover now…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Rod Sterling: "Aka Yurei gets the shoulder up at two!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Heavy hitting! Fast paced! This is what I'm here for, Rod!"
MvH shows no sign of slowing things down and lifts Yurei up, backing her into a corner with a series of Mongolian chops. Dreamer once more whips her across the ring and looks to follow her in, but this time with a clothesline attempt. Aka is able to escape through the second and third ropes, causing Michelle to hit the turnbuckles chest-first… but out of instinct, Michelle is able to knock Yurei off the apron with an enziguri before she falls to the mat herself!
It's Michelle that's up to her feet first, with Yurei also stirring on the outside between the onlooking Cole and Grayson. Von Horrowitz hits the ropes… and then hits the ropes again… and again…
Rod Sterling: "Michelle von Horrowitz is running the ropes here, and really picking up a head of steam…"
Anzu Kurosawa: "And then delivers a baseball slide!!"
Von Horrowitz' boot catches Aka flush in the face and sends her sprawling to the mat, whilst Dreamer lands on her feet next to her. Grayson is nearby, and MvH shares a cheery high-five with him, much to the chagrin of the audience. Cole is only a couple of metres away, and he steps towards Michelle, maybe egged on by the baying audience…
… and von Horrowitz thumbs him in the eye!!
The Apprentice recoils from the move, and then stands up straight with anger across his visage… which MvH promptly spits into!
Rod Sterling: "Such disrespect!!"
And Reagan Cole loses his cool! He takes von Horrowitz down with a rugby tackle!
Anzu Kurosawa: "Reagan Cole laying in a couple of forearms to von Horrowitz!! He's lost control!"
Rod Sterling: "The referee has no choice! He calls for the bell!"
Winner: Michelle von Horrowitz by disqualification at 08:41. |
Anzu Kurosawa: "Reagan Cole has just cost Aka Yurei this match… and the Crimson Ghost looks a tad nonplussed at his actions!"
Indeed, Yurei grabs by Cole's arm and drags him off von Horrowitz, turning him around and proceeding to say a few words to him that the camera doesn't pick up. Reagan says something (also inaudible) back, and for a moment it looks as though there is perhaps simmering tension between the two…
… and then Michelle von Horrowitz nails Reagan Cole upside the head with a steel chair!!!
Rod Sterling: "Out of NOWHERE! Reagan Cole gets creamed!"
Indeed, Cole immediately hits the ground after the chair shot, and Aka Yurei looks down at him with a gobsmacked look on her face. Then, she turns to face von Horrowitz… who pokes her in the sternum with the chair to double her over, before bringing it crashing down over her back!!
Rod Sterling: "A brutal post-match assault here!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Nothing out of character! We should've expected MvH to try and gain an advantage over the champions before Lights Out."
Rod Sterling: "And it looks like she's not quite done yet?"
Indeed, Michelle turns towards the announcer's desk and begins to ready it for further assault! She takes its cover off and then the monitors, throwing each in turn to the ground whilst the audience rains down boos. She grabs Cole and drags him up onto the top of the table, before hooking both of his arms…
Anzu Kurosawa: "MvH is looking for a double arm underhook DDT here, and Reagan Cole is in no position to defend himself."
Rod Sterling: "But what's this?! Gerald Grayson reappears, and he drags Cole away from von Horrowitz and the table!"
GG allows Cole to slump to the floor before turning back towards Michelle, who is still standing on top of the table and is looking down at her partner with a look of annoyance on her face. She fumes at Grayson, spit appearing from her lips as she says…
MvH (off-mic): "… the fuck?!"
Gerald takes a deep breath, and glares at her with stern eyes.
Gerald Grayson (off-mic): "Not this way."
Von Horrowitz continues to stare at her partner for a moment, before shaking her head and storming past her partner and towards the ramp.
Rod Sterling: "It looks as though both teams are having a little communication issue tonight… Reagan Cole costs Aka Yurei her match, and then Gerald Grayson stops Michelle von Horrowitz's fun after it!"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Once again Grayson has a calming effect on Michelle… sort of…"
Gerald Grayson stands with his hands on his hips, at first watching MvH storm up the ramp, and then glancing down at the timekeeper's area, where the FWA World Tag Team Championships currently sit. We fade to black on the image of Gerald Grayson lusting after the title belts.
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Post by supinesnake on May 28, 2024 16:48:29 GMT
[ EARLIER TODAY … ]
Rather than opening on an image of the festival grounds and the FWA ring that will house tonight’s Fallout 020 show, we instead open on what appears to be a busy bus station. A subtitle tells us that we are in the centre of AUSTIN, TEXAS, and a handful of dark blue Greyhound buses can be seen filing in and out of the lot. The shot cuts to a particular bus that is allowing its passengers out into the station, and standing to one side of the door is… Anzu Kurosawa, Meltdown’s colour commentator, standing by with a Fallout camera team.
Anzu stands there awkwardly for a moment, with a wide smile on her face, playing with her hair. The only sounds in the scene are the engines of the buses and the gently blowing wind. Beneath the AUSTIN, TEXAS subtitle, which is still on the screen, a timestamp tells us that it’s 13:59. It clicks over to 14:00, and then fades out, as Michelle von Horrowitz steps out of the bus.
MvH glances towards Anzu as she pulls a cigarette from her pocket. Kurosawa waves enthusiastically towards her old friend and infrequent tag team partner. Michelle stares back with a slightly confused expression.
MvH: "… Anzu?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Michelle – fancy seeing you here! And with this entire camera crew in tow, too!"
Von Horrowitz narrows her eyes as she drags her cigarette. Behind her, NOE-I and Maid of Death also step out of the Greyhound, clearly quite uncomfortable after what was probably a long ride on a packed vehicle.
MvH: "Almost like an ambush, Anzu. I thought you worked for Meltdown?"
Anzu Kurosawa: "Yes, but… well, they thought you were more likely to talk to me than Katie or Todd or, you know, one of the others."
MvH: "Probably accurate. Go on. Ask your question."
There’s still activity behind Michelle. Harry the Sane Wizard and Alphonse the Swiss Sherpa are next out of the bus and take up position next to the Maid and NOE-I.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Is this how the Nephews are getting around nowadays?"
MvH: "Really? That’s your question?"
Harry the Sane Wizard: "Well, with both Octopi and the Yoct out of commission, and with Michelle unwilling to travel on the CowNephew Bebop until we replace the A.I. system, there’s not a huge amount of other options for us."
Kurosawa nods thoughtfully, as most of the Nephews whisper amongst themselves and then disappear to collect the bags stowed beneath the bus. Michelle sticks around, smoking her cigarette and waiting for Anzu to continue.
Anzu Kurosawa: "Last night, Meltdown went off the air with your disqualification victory over Aka Yurei, but following the match there seemed to be some sort of… miscommunication between yourself and Gerald Grayson. Any comments on what transpired between yourself and the FWA’s Resident Daredevil as Las Vegas’ show finished up?"
Dreamer smiles at her friend, as if she thinks this is a better question.
MvH: "I’m not sure if I would call it a miscommunication, tulip. Gerald made his thoughts and wishes clear to me, as I was having my fun at Aka and Reagan’s expense. What you saw wasn’t a difficulty in expressing ourselves. It was simply a disagreement as to the correct course of action to take."
Anzu Kurosawa: ”Well, how do you differ?"
MvH: "Gerald thinks that we don’t need to resort to devilish tactics in order to beat the Crimson Ghouls. And I agree with him. Of course I do. But where we differ is in the belief that one shouldn’t do something if she doesn’t need to. Indulgence is a worthy pastime, tulip. I didn’t want to put Reagan Cole through the announce table to secure a necessary advantage. I wanted to do it for the fun of it. And to show Reagan Cole that I can pretty much do what I want, pretty much when I want."
She finishes her smoke and stubs out the end beneath her boot.
MvH: "The second of those two objectives was still accomplished, regardless of if the table was left intact. The first… not so much. It is unfortunate that it is not just my opponent but also my partner that needs to learn this lesson: that Thursday Nights belong to Meltdown von Horrowitz."
Anzu Kurosawa: "But tonight's Friday, Michelle…"
Dreamer just smiles, and walks out of shot. Anzu watches her go thoughtfully, before turned to the camera and flashing her pearly white teeth (but for the two that are missing).
Anzu Kurosawa: "Roll opening credits, Jim!"
 020: "KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD". |
Live from Blended Festival in Austin, Texas
Saturday September 24th, 2022
We open up on the sights and the sounds of the Blended Festival. A massive crowd has gathered around the FWA ring that has been set up in front of a large stage, draped with FWA banners and signage along with a ramp leading down from the stage to the ring. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Welcome everyone to Friday Night Fallout! This is the last stop on the road to Lights Out, and after the events of Meltdown… things are more uncertain than ever!”
Allen Price: “That’s quite the understatement!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "...And it’s all because Alyster Black has decided he wanted nothing to do with Danny Toner! So we’re on the search for a new challenger for Executive Excellence’s FWA World Champion Danny Toner at Lights Out!”
Allen Price: “That’s…that’s not quite the full story, and you know it! Danny and your EE friends were part of a heinous attack on Alyster’s friend Violet Dreyer on Meltdown! And as revealed on FWA.com exclusively, Alyster has pulled out of the match!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ”How is that any different than what I said? Alyster Black made the smart choice so that he doesn’t end up just like his pal, Violet.”
Allen Price: “In any event, we are hoping to find out more information as the night progresses as to who, if anyone, will be challenging Danny Toner at Lights Out for the FWA Championship!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ”We also have an action pack line up tonight, headlined by a triple threat match that has been weeks in the making as NWA North American Champion Mike Parr defends against Lizzie Rose and Johnny Johnson! But first, let’s head to the ring were two FWA veterans who are both part of the Golden Opportunity Match at Lights Out are going to give us a bit of a taste of things to come!”"ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOMBIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" ‘Zombie’ || The CranberriesNatalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, our opening match of the night is scheduled for one fall and has a thirty-minute time limit! Introducing first, from New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing in at one-hundred ninety-eight pounds… DEVIIIIINNN… GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLDEEEEEN!The crowd is on their feet to greet the former FWA Champion with a mixed reaction that is mostly cheers, with some scattered boos still in there for “The Rotten Gold.” Golden walks out, twirling his cane with a big smile on his face. Allen Price: “I’m a little surprised Devin Golden could be smiling after we last saw him.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "That’s right, Allen. Both Devin and his opponent tonight have a couple things in common… not only are they both going to be competing at Lights Out in the Golden Opportunity elimination chamber match where they will no doubt be losing to a member of Executive Excellence… but they also were both left lying on Meltdown at the hands of EE.”Despite last seen being laid out, busted open from the attack from Danny Toner and EE, Devin Golden trots down to the ring, tipping his top hat to the fans before rolling into the ring. Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m just glad he finally got rid of that stupid paper belt!”
‘The Sound of Truth’ | As I Lay DyingNatalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent, from The Long And Winding Road, weighing in at two hundred and twenty seven pounds… 'The Exile'... Cyrus… TRUTH!!"Truth emerges from the back to an overwhelmingly favourable response from the crowd. The Exile is clearly not in the best of moods, in contrast to Devin, after the attacks from EE earlier this month. Allen Price: ”Cyrus Truth has a huge wave of momentum right now heading into the Golden Opportunity including having lead Team Meltdown inside the Jailhouse Blues match at the Anniversary Show. I gotta tell ya, JL, Cyrus Truth might just be my pick to walk out of Lights Out with that briefcase.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Allen, gambling problems aside, that’d be a terrible bet to make! You got to play the odds, and the odds highly favor my guys.Truth’s face shows his focus at the task at hand. He clearly isn’t looking past his opponent tonight towards Lights Out. He keeps his eyes locked in on Devin Golden as he climbs into the ring. FIRST MATCH
(1/30) | Devin Golden vs. Cyrus Truth.
Singles Match.
(Match writer: Dubb) | The bell rings as Golden and Truth circle each other. The crowd anticipating the eventual meeting of the minds in the center of the ring, the two let the crowd wait a bit as they tease some strikes before finally moving in for a collar and elbow tie up. Golden quickly pulls Truth into a headlock only for Truth to reverse it into a headlock of his own which he transitions into a headlock takedown into a submission. Golden works his way up to a vertical base, pushing Golden off and into the ropes. Off the ropes, Golden runs right into a big shoulder tackle from Cyrus, taking the former FWA Champion to the mat!
Golden quickly sits back up to a knee, sharing a smirk with Truth before standing up and shaking off the cobwebs. They move in once again for another lock up. They struggle against one another as they try to get the upper hand, but Truth's weight advantage allows him to eventually overpower Truth and move him into the turnbuckles. The referee steps in for a rope break, but Truth quickly fires off a stiff knife-edge chop to Golden's chest. The sound of Truth's hand striking Devin's flesh reverberates through the arena as the crowd lets out an overwhelming "OH!"
Cyrus isn't done as he unleashes three more knife edge chops that leave giant red welts across Golden's chest before Truth pulls him out of the corner lifting him up and driving Devin across his knee with a backbreaker! Truth makes the first pinfall attempt of the match. One, Tw-kickout by Golden!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Hot start by Cyrus Truth, but not going to get away the former champion that easily!”
Truth wastes no time going back on the attack after the nearfall, taking Golden back down to the mat with a snapmare. Golden is left in a seated position on the canvas as Truth bounces off the ropes and comes back in with a sliding dropkick! Another cover by Truth. One, Tw...kickout!
Golden staggers back to his feet as Truth meets him with a boot to the midsection. Irish Whip from Cyrus...NO, reversed by Golden! Cyrus now is sent into the ropes. Leapfrog from Golden...Cyrus off the opposite ropes now, but Cyrus scores a baseball slide underneath the legs of Golden! Now behind his opponent, Cyrus wraps his arms underneath the armpits of Golden, looking for the Dragon Suplex..
But Golden flips over and lands on his feet! Cyrus turns around into belly to belly suplex from Golden!
After the impact, Golden rolls out of the ring but he isn't getting much of a breather as Golden runs to the ropes... SUICIDE DIVE connects with Truth, sending him crashing into the safety rails at ringside! The crowd gathers around, cheering on both men as Truth begins to pull himself up using the railing...
Golden returns the favor from earlier as he lights up Truth's chest with repeated knife-edge chops as he is propped up against the railing! But Truth's eyes light up and he begins to battle back...KNIFE-EDGE CHOPS OF HIS OWN to battle his way back!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “They better be careful here, the referee's count is up to seven!”
The duo now exchange back and forth chops before Truth scores a knee lift to double over Golden. He slams Golden into the apron before rolling him back and himself back into the ring just before they were going to be both counted out.
Back in the ring, Truth scores with a Fisherman's Suplex. He bridges for the pin. One - Two- Thr...KICKOUT by Devin!
Truth sits up on his knees before pulling Devin up to a seated position once again. He bounces off the ropes, hitting the running knee strike of Wander's Wrath...before looking to follow up with a knee drop...
But Golden rolls out of the way! Truth knees nothing but canvas!
Truth gets back up to his feet, selling the blow to his knee as Devin smells blood in the water. Golden unloads repeated football style kicks to that knee and shin area of Truth.
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Devin Golden wasting now time taking advantage of a possible weakness on Truth.”
Allen Price: “Truth has been in control for a big chunk of the match but this could be the opening Golden needed.”
A running one-armed bulldog takes Truth to the mat before Devin takes him by the leg...and repeatedly lifts the knee off the mat, slamming it back down! This elicits some boos from the crowd before Devin takes that leg and turns Cyrus over into a Single-Leg Boston Crab. The pain is evident on Truth’s face, but he refuses to give in as the referee is there to question him. He scratches and claws his way across the ring…eventually reaching out..SSSTREEETTCHING out and GRABBING that bottom rope to break the hold!
Freed from the hold, Truth pulls himself up using the ring ropes but Golden is right back on top of him with another pair of knife-edge chops followed by a pair of boots to the midsection. Golden hooks Truth, lifting him up into a vertical suplex before dropping him down into a faceplant!
Allen Price: “The Rotten Touch!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Golden isn’t going for the pin though! That could be a mistake!”
Instead, with Truth positioned in the corner, Golden leaps up to the top turnbuckle, ricocheting back down with a split-legged moonsault! Now Golden hooks the leg.
ONE! TWO! THREEEEEEEEE..
NO! Truth with the shoulder up!
Golden takes issue with the referee over a possible slow count, but the match continues! While Devin argues, Truth pulls himself back. He tries to take advantage, coming in with a swinging right hand to Golden, but Golden ducks behind his back and locks in a waistlock. GERMAN SUPLEX to Truth! Golden rolls through for a second German and looks to finish up the rolling Germans with a third…
But Truth flips back and lands on his feet! But that weakened knee gives out, dropping him down to one leg. This prevents Truth from being able to capitalise on his counter and Golden bounces off the ropes and hits a running front flip blockbuster to take Truth back down to the mat!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Just when you thought the door was opening up for Truth…Devin SLAMMED it shut!”
Golden doesn’t go for the pin this time as works over Truth’s leg a bit more before pulling him back up to a vertical base, only to send him right back to the mat with a snap suplex! Golden seems to think he has Truth right where he wants him, and heads to the top rope.
Allen Price: “He’s heading up top! I think he has The Golden Touch in mind here!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That’ll be all she wrote for Cyrus Truth if he connects!”
Sure enough, off the top rope sails Golden with The Golden Touch frog splash.
BUT TRUTH ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY!
Golden crashes and burns, leaving both men down on the mat! The referee begins a standing ten count, both men now threatened to be counted down. Both Devin and Cyrus begin to stir around the six mark of the count and are both back up to their feet at nine. KNIFE-EDGE chop from Cyrus! KNIFE-EDGE chop from Devin! CHOP! CHOP! Back and forth until a fired up Cyrus takes control, machine gunning chops onto Truth’s chest before lifting Golden up into an Argentine Rack, looking for Exile’s Edge, but his weakened knee prevents him from hitting it as Golden slides down the back.
Golden hooks him from behind into a Back Suplex, but Truth again flips through! He lands with the weight on his good leg! Golden spins around and Truth lifts him up into a Fireman’s Carry…
JOURNEY’S END!
Truth clutches his knee after hitting his finisher..
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Truth connects with the Journey’s End, but Devin’s work on that knee is still showing and that took a lot out of him to hit it!”
Allen Price: “But wait! Truth is making the crawl over…HE’S GOT THE PIN!”
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Winner: Cyrus Truth via pinfall at 11:03 |
Truth hobbles up to his feet as the referee takes his arm and lifts it up victorious as the crowd gives him a standing ovation of both celebration and respect for his effort tonight. Allen Price: “What a huge win for Cyrus Truth. His momentum just keeps building and building! I told you I like his chances at Lights Out! I just don’t see how he can be stopped right now!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I have to hand it to him, Cyrus Truth put up a heck of a fight here tonight but I think the story will be different come Lights Out!”Elsewhere, Devin Golden has rolled to the corner of the ring, catching his breath in defeat. Truth and Golden lock eyes briefly before Truth gives him a nod, perhaps showing a sign of respect to the former champion, before exiting the ring.  We cut to the back, where Todd Salum is standing by in the parking lot with a microphone in hand. He has his trademark professional air, a solemn and thoughtful countenance on his face. He looks on as a black Jeep rolls into the shot, taking tan empty parking space reasonably close to where Salum is standing. Todd looks a little apprehensive as he sighs deeply. It doesn’t look like he wants to be here, interviewing this particular guest. All four of the Jeep’s doors open up, and - in unison - Uncle J.J. JAY!Thomas West, Quiet, and Gerald Grayson step out onto the tarmac. Grayson has a momentary look of displeasure pass across his face when he sees Salum waiting for him, but he plasters a faux-smile on as the interviewer approaches. Todd Salum: "Gerald, welcome to Blended Festival and Fallout 020 here in Austin… noticeably, your partner and the other half of Cthulhu’s Nephews arrived much earlier today by Greyhound, but here you four are hours later. Should we read anything into this?"
Gerald Grayson: "The Jeep doesn’t have nine seats, Todd."
Uncle J.J. JAY!: "And it’s important that all subsets of Nephews should have time together in order to build chemistry. You’ve got to think long term in this business, Todd."
Thomas West: "It’s good to see you, Todd."
Quiet: "…. ….. …. ……….. ….., ….?"Todd bristles at the disparate responses, and chooses to focus his questions on Gerald. It’s quite clear he doesn’t really want anything to do with interviewing Uncle. Todd Salum: "Have you even spoken to Dreamer this past week? Since the events that concluded Meltdown XX…"
Uncle J.J. JAY!: "Really, Todd? Dreamer? You’re on nickname terms with Handgrabber?"
Gerald Grayson: "You don’t have to worry about Dreamer and the Daredevil, Salum. By the time the circus rolls into New Orleans, the Connection will be on the same page. Don’t forget who we are. We haven’t lost since Mile High 2020, Todd. And we didn’t speak on the daily to accomplish that."Grayson walks straight past Salum, deciding that he has no more time for Salum’s questions. Todd Salum: “Thomas? Any thoughts ahead of your second defence of your Crown of Thorns?”
Uncle J.J. JAY!: “Sorry Todd, gotta dash.”
Thomas West: “Top secret scouting mission.”
Uncle J.J. JAY!: “Don’t tell him that, Nephew.”
Thomas West: “Maybe later, Salum.”Todd shakes his head at the Nephews’ elusiveness, each of them following the previous out of shot. Todd Salum: "Back to you in the studio, guys."We’re in the backstage area of the arena as Fallout continues. In the cafeteria of the place we can see a few superstars and staff standing around, talking, eating and such. At the forefront we see that Lizzie Rose is bending down a little bit and talking with Jason Cole. They seem to be having a good time as she is wearing a smile on her face and Jason is laughing as she continues to talk to him. Then at once a voice can be heard above the rest, from behind Lizzie. ???: "You have some nerve"The smile leaves the face of Lizzie as she recognizes the voice. The laughter that Jason Cole was exuding comes to a standstill as he can see the agitation on Lizzie’s face. Lizzie stands up and slowly turns around to look the person in the eyes that is behind her. You can see Jason Cole standing close to the back of Lizzie and he peaks nervously around the side of her to see who the person is as well. Lizzie Rose: "Hi.."As she peers in the eyes of the person before her she has the look of a person who has no fear. Her body language telling the other person that there is no backing down for her. That person who she is staring into the eyes of is none other than, Johnny Johnson. He stands there staring at her with an obnoxious look. Johnny Johnson: "Little Lizzie Rose, thinks she’s fearless now. She thinks she has nothing to fear when it comes to getting into the ring with The Legend. Let’s get something through that pea-sized brain of yours. You can write poems about girl power in your little diary. You can listen to songs on what it takes to be a powerful, single female in this big world of ours. You can gather all of the single ladies you can find, put them in a room with you and scream to each other about girl power. But, Lizzie not only should you fear me, you should be scared to death of what I can do to you in that ring!"
Lizzie Rose: "....ok"She tries to sit down again and goes about her business like Johnny wasn't even there, after a beat, she looks up again as if surprised Johnny's still there Lizzie Rose: "I'm sorry, were you done? Because I don't know why you'd come here and tell me something we both know isn't true, I mean the first time we met, I was out for almost a year, and a few weeks ago, I had you beat but your dad saved you. So, I HAVE taken your worst...and I'm still here. So ...ummmm thanks for the warning? I think? But Imma just...do me...and you do you..and we'll see what happens"Johnny is taken aback from the reply that Lizzie gave him. Clearly, not getting the reaction he desired he doesn’t let up on badgering Lizzie. He follows her as she has a seat. Still standing in front of her he begins to chastise her as he point his finger, vehemently, at her. Johnny Johnson: "You think that was my worst? Do you really think when I sunk that dragon clutch on you and tried to contort your spine so much that I was hoping it would break in half that it was MY WORST! Listen here sister! If you thought that was my worst, you still don’t know what I’m capable of. NOT BY A LONG SHOT BABE!"
Lizzie Rose: "Why are you yelling? It's just us here, I can hear you fine"Johnny doesn’t let Lizzie’s slight interruption stop his tirade. As he keeps going, without even lowering his voice. Johnny Johnson: "And let’s get something straight, that old man that is my father didn’t save anything. He merely sped up what was going to happen before the count of three anyways. The only thing he EVER saved when it comes to things between me and you is your career when he had the weakness to pull me off that one night. If I had it my way I would have made sure you didn’t see the inside of a wrestling ring that night, so many months ago"
Lizzie Rose: "I don't know what you want from me here, like if walking up to me and screaming at me, is going to make you feel better about yourself. Then go for it, but people have given me the same speech you're giving right now to me since the day I arrived, so honestly? I'm just kinda numb to it"She shrugs her shoulders as if apologetic. Lizzie Rose: "I mean if you want to provoke a fight, I think Mike Parr is around here somewhere...but me and you? Honestly? I feel sorry for you. I'm sorry you feel the need to try and bully and cheat your way to winning because you're not comfortable in your own skin, trust me I know what insecurity looks like. I may not know much but I Know THAT. I'm insecure too, but I don't want to put up a front, I just wanna be..me. and win lose or draw tonight? I'm going to do it as me....Can you say the same?"You can see the anger build up even more so in Johnny’s face. His face turning to a deep shade of red as he takes what Lizzie has to say in. He pounds his fist against the table that they are close by and gets right in the face of Lizzie Rose. His voice drops almost into a deep, angry whisper. Johnny Johnson: "You need to listen to me right now Lizzie Rose, and you need to listen real good. I don’t give a damn what you think you know about me. You don’t have a clue as to who I am. And that’s just sad, it’s sad because I would think even an incompetent, little girl like yourself could wrap your head around how much of a cold, calculated, killer I can be. You really think I’m some insecure, little kid that can’t fight his own battles and needs his daddy to be around to protect him? I tell you what Lizzie, I don’t see the old man here right now. I’m going to give you your shot right now. So do it, go ahead and take it, let’s see what exactly happens"Johnny leans even further into the face and begins goading Lizzie into hitting him. Lizzie seems unphased by his childish trap. Johnny’s voice then starts to grow in volume. Johnny Johnson: "Go ahead, hit me Lizzie. No one here to protect me"
Lizzie Rose: "Wow. You're like.. really mad and stuff for no reason"The volume in Johnny’s voice grows even louder Johnny Johnson: "I said hit me you frail, little girl. You want to show just how much stronger you are than me, TAKE YOUR SHOT!"Johnny is furious that his tactics are eliciting the reaction from Lizzie that he thought he would. He is none too happy and he is now screaming right in Lizzie’s face. Johnny Johnson: "I SAID HIT ME YOU STUPID BITCH!!"Say what you might about Elizabeth Isabella Rose, she may be probably the most awkward, vulnerable and just generally bad at trash talk wrestler that has ever walked the halls of FWA but she's absolutely someone who refuses to be bullied, she just sighs stands up and says. Lizzie Rose: "If you want a fight Johnny, You'll know where to find me, out in the ring"And with that she turns on her heel and walks away. 'Alone' || Jonathan Young & Lee AlbrechtNatalie Rosenberg: “This next match is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first, from Essex, England, weighing in at two hundred and fifteen pounds… he is one half of the FWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS... The British Apprentice… REAGAN COLE!”"The British Apprentice" walks out on stage to cheers from the festival fans, lifting up his fist to the crowd to acknowledge their cheers. Allen Price: "It's been quite a run since Back in Business for Reagan Cole. He's been 5-0 during that time frame and, of course, has picked up the FWA Tag Team Titles along the way!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Well, I hate to break it to you, Allen...but that luck of his runs out tonight!"Aka Yurei comes in behind Cole, joining her tag team partner for this match though you can feel a little bit of resentment still in the air from Meltdown. Allen Price: "Oof, if I didn’t know any better, it feels a little frosty in here.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Yes, and who can blame Aka for being a little peeved after Meltdown where Reagan Cole got involved in her match with MvH, causing her to get disqualified.
Allen Price: "Let’s hope these two can get back on the same page quickly!”While Aka keeps her distance, Reagan Cole heads down the ramp, high fiving some of the fans at ringside before climbing into the ring and begins stretching himself out as he awaits his opponent. 'Cold Blooded Killer' || Dave Not DaveNatalie Rosenberg: “And his opponent, from Sin City, Las Vegas, and weighing in at one hundred and eighty five pounds… KAYDEN KNOX!"Kayden Knox confidently walks out from the back with his arm around his Bad Reputation tag partner, Gabrielle, as the fans greet them with a massive wall of bos. Allen Price: ”The fans certainly are not shy about letting their feelings known for Bad Reputation!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Who really cares what they think, Allen? You’re looking at the rightful tag team champions! Look at those two, no trust issues to be found here. This is a well oiled unit.”
Allen Price: ”Well one thing is for sure, a win here tonight for Kayden Knox will no doubt give Bad Reputation a real claim for another shot at those tag team titles.”With no love loss between the two men competing in this match, Knox has his eyes locked in on Cole all the way down the aisle. Once Bad Reputation reaches ringside, there’s already some words being exchanged between Cole and Knox in the ring and Aka and Gabrielle at ringside. Allen Price: ”There’s a lot of combustible elements in this one! The referee will have his hands full trying to keep this under control.”SECOND MATCH
(1/20) | Reagan Cole (w/ Aka Yurei) vs. Kayden Knox (w/ Gabrielle).
Singles Match.
(Match writer: Dubb) | Kayden Knox and Reagon Cole start the match off going nose to nose, the two heated rivals exchanging some not so pleasantries amongst one another before Cole decides he has had enough of Knox's trash talk, and gives him a punch right to the face!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Sucker punch! Sucker punch! DQ that man!"
To his credit, Knox fires right back with a punch of his own and the two go back and forth, slugging away at one another but it's Cole gets the better end of this exchange, working Knox into the corner where transitions from punches into forearm clubs to Knox's chest. Cole backs up and charges in with a knee, but Knox moves out of the way!
This turn of the tables now put Cole in the corner as Knox began to unload a combination of punches and kicks to The British Apprentice. But Cole fights back! HEADBUTT out of the corner staggers Knox backwards before Cole rushes out of the corner with a running forearm that sends Knox to the mat! Cole grabs Kayden by the leg, going for a single leg Boston crab, but Knox kicks himself free and rolls out of the ring to regroup!
Gabrielle quickly comes to Knox's aid, offering some advice but its only momentary because here comes Cole with a CORKSCREW PLANCHA onto both Gabby and Kayden at ringside! As the move is hit, we got to a split screen as one half of The Connection, Michelle von Horrowitz is watching on from backstage.
Allen Price: "MvH is certainly keeping a close eye on this one! She's watching one half of the team she'll be facing alongside Gerald Grayson impress in the early goings of this one!"
Back to full screen, Cole then grabs Cole by the legs and catapults him off the ground and into the ringpost. Knox is left staggering before Reagan takes him by the head and rolls him back into the ring. As he tries to climb back in, Gabrielle grabs him by the leg to try and trip him up! Cole kicks himself free, but that opening allows Knox to recover and he springboards off the adjacent ropes with a dropkick that sends Cole back to ringside!
Back in the ring, Knox distracts the referee as Gabrielle hits a cheap kick right to the groin at ringside as Cole was trying to get to his feet! Cole's partner, Aka has seen enough as she charges in with a Thesz Press to Gabby!
Allen Price: “I told you JL - this one could get out of hand! Aka better be careful or it’s going to be a replay from Meltdown, this time with Cole getting DQ’d!”
She stays on top of her rival, delivering some stiff elbows to Gabby's face as the referee now leaves the ring to try and restore some order. He pulls Aka off of Gabriella, and tries to hold her back but once Gabby is up to her feet, Aka shoves her way past him and the two exchange blows! An extra official comes out from the back to seperate the two...and they are EJECTED from the ringside area!
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““What! This is outrageous! Aka started it! Eject her. Gabby was minding her own business!”
Allen Price: “Oh come on, Gabby put her hands on Cole! I think it’s a great call. Now these two can go at it on an even playing field!
Meanwhile, Cole rolls back into the ring only to be attacked from behind by Knox, who is happy to take advantage of the chaos at ringside to get the upper hand. Aka and Gabby each separately walk back up the ramp as the referee returns to position in the ring. Cole pulls himself up only to receive a superkick to the back of the knee, bringing him down for a jumping high knee! Knox went for the cover: One! Two! Kickout!
Knox goes back on the attack, dropping his knee down onto Cole's throat, blatantly choking him! One, Two, Three, Four - a stern warning gets Knox to let go as Cole begins trying to pull himself back up. Knox grabs Cole by the head and goes for a running springboard cutter, but Cole holds on and COUNTERS INTO A BACK SUPLEX INTO THE TURNBUCKLES! Knox folds over into the corner as Cole drops down, trying to regain his composure.
Allen Price: “Almost a desperation move there from Cole but it does the job and puts him right back in this match!
Cole gets back to his feet as Knox is also pulling himself up in the corner. The British Apprentice comes in with a flurry of boxing jabs to the ribs and midsection of the cornered Knox before transitioning into multiple knee strikes to the midsection that sends Knox over into a seated position in the corner. Cole backs up, the crowd cheering him on for his comeback...and he charges for a stiff running corner knee strike!
Feeling the momentum now in his favor, Cole pulls Knox out of the corner, INVENTED SUPLEX TO KNOX! The British Apprentice hooks the leg!
ONE! TWO! TH…NO! Knox gets his shoulder up!
Cole doesn’t give Knox much time to recover, immediately rolls him over and locks him in the Disasterpiece!
Allen Price: “This could be it! Knox might tap!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: ““Nice try by Cole, but they are way too close to the ropes. Knox has impeccable ring sense, he’ll find his way out of this!”
Knox shakes off the referee, but Cole adds some punishment with multiple headbutts putting Kayden into a world of trouble, but luckily the ring positioning is in his favour and it doesn’t take much for him to reach the ropes and break the hold up. As Cole has retaken control of the match, we got split screen again and this time we see Gerald Grayson watching on, scouting Cole for their match at Lights Out as well.
Back to full screen once again, Cole continues on the attack as he hits a scoop powerslam to Knox for another pinfall attempt.
ONE - TWO - THR..SHOULDER UP!
As he’s being pulled back up to his feet, Kayden scores with a rake of the eyes to Cole to create some space…but Cole fires right back with a headbutt! Cole with a go-behind into a waistlock, but Kayden breaks free with a pair of back elbows and scores with a go-behind of his own into..THE KNOX OUT!
Kayden hooks a leg!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
NO!
Allen Price: “Reagan Cole just barely gets his shoulder up!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Come on ref! Speed that count up! Who pays your checks around here?”
Just barely a shoulder up from Cole! A frustrated Kayden Knox slams the mat in frustration but goes back at it by raking the back of Cole as he gets to his feet before springboarding off the ropes into a DDT!
Kayden drags Cole closer to the turnbuckles before slowly climbing to the top turnbuckle, signalling that he’s going for the Seventh Seal.
BUT IT'S A KIP UP BY COLE and he falls into the top ropes, causing Knox to lose his balance and fall over, stradling the top turnbuckles! Cole walks over, climbing to the middle turnbuckle where he delivers some forearm strikes to the seated Knox. But Knox battles back, starting to stand up on the turnbuckles as Cole climbs up with him as well!
Both men are now standing on the top turnbuckle…exchanging blows! But it’s a pair of headbutts by Cole that gives him the upperhand as he clinches his arms around Knox…
SUPER EXPLODER SUPLEX!
BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!
Cole slowly crawls over and drapes his body on top of Knox.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Allen Price: “NO! This time its KNOX getting his shoulder up at the very last possible second!”
“THAT WAS THREE! THAT WAS THREE!” the fans chant, but it’s on deaf ears. The match continues on!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Clearly these fans in Austin have no idea how to count!”
Cole slowly pulls Knox back to his feet, setting him up for a Northern Lights suplex, but Knox manages to fight free and counters it into another Tornado DDT! This time it’s Knox who is slow to recover but he does roll over and make the cover. One! Two! Thre..Shoulder up!
Knox gets back to his feet as Cole starts to get up, sitting up on his knees. Knox runs to the ropes…
ORDER 66!
NO!
Cole dropped down to the mat to avoid the collision! Knox fell to the mat as Cole jumped back to his feet..
COLE-BREAKER!
Knox drops to the mat! Cole drops down to his knees and makes the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Winner: Reagan Cole by pinfall at 13:48 |
Allen Price: “The string of impressive wins for Reagan Cole continues! And its another win for the Spirit Walkers over Bad Reputation!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Pure luck!”Reagan Cole gets to his feet, lifting up his arms in victory to a rousing ovation from the fans. As Reagan celebrates and is handed his FWA Tag Team Championship, we get TRIPLE split screen with Reagan celebrating in the middle, Gerald Grayson looking on with narrowed eyes from his location… and an empty third of the screen, with MvH no longer at her station watching the match… … and then Reagan Cole’s music stops. There’s a little bit of a confused air in the audience, and this is conveyed by Reagan himself, too. He snatches his hand from the referee and looks towards the stage. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Maybe some technical difficulties here on Fallout tonight, wrestling fans! Live television, I’m afraid…”Despite J-L trying to play the sudden lack of Cole’s theme music down, certain sections of the audience are suddenly becoming much more agitated. The camera hastens to pick up these pockets of activity within the crowd… and in the first, we see a team of security guards escorting Maid of Death to the ring! Allen Price: “That’s Maid of Death of Cthulhu’s Nephews, J-L! The stable that MvH and GG are a part of – perhaps here to finish what Michelle started last night?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “And it looks like she’s got back-up!”Elsewhere in the crowd, we see NOE-I with a similar group of security guards escorting her through the fans in the audience… and finally, we see Dreamer herself, Michelle von Horrowitz, striding with purpose through the crowd and to the ring. We cut back to the ring, where Reagan Cole looks about himself and to the audience, not quite certain what exactly is going on. Aka Yurei appears at the top of the ramp, sensing that something is wrong and quickly pacing down it to rejoin her partner in the ring. She slides into it just as the three women climb over the barricade. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Gerald Grayson is notably absent from the scene here as Michelle von Horrowitz - along with Maid of Death and ‘the Avatar’ NOE-I - descend upon the ring. I think this is one of the rare occasions that you turn out to be right, Price: Dreamer is here with the intention of reprising the assault that Grayson put a stop to last night in Vegas.”
Allen Price: “Aka Yurei, loyal to her partner, reappears to take up a fighting stance next to Reagan Cole. But this would be three-on-two, J-L… and you just know the Nephews have more back-up at hand if they need it.”MvH steps up onto the apron on one side of the ring, Maid of Death and NOE-I doing the same but on other sides. Dreamer has a smile on her face, whilst the other two women look focussed on the task at hand. Michelle seems to be the only one getting any enjoyment out of it. The fans have been booing freely up to this point, but there’s a positive pop when Gerald Grayson appears on stage, just as the three women climb up onto the apron. He strides down the ramp, getting Michelle’s attention when he’s at the bottom of it. Dreamer glances between her tag team partner and the champions, still stood side-by-side in the ring. Gerald Grayson (off-mic): “This isn’t how I want to do this…”Michelle thinks about this for a moment whilst maintaining eye contact with Gerald. Gerald Grayson (off-mic): “Please, just this once… we do it my way…”Dreamer’s gaze - held on Gerald’s eyes for a long moment - is finally drawn away, as Aka Yurei charges at Maid of Death, capitalising on the momentary distraction of Dreamer. She is able to knock the Maid off the apron with a shoulder block, the Maid landing on her feet on the outside. Reagan attempts to do the same to NOE-I on the other side of the ring a moment later, but the Avatar sees it coming and hops down from the apron of her own accord. Finally, as the champions both turn to face her, Michelle climbs down from the apron with a final, snide smile. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Another combustible situation is seemingly diffused by Gerald Grayson here in Austin, Texas… it appears Michelle von Horrowitz is content to wait until New Orleans before getting physical with the Spirit Walkers again.”
Allen Price: “She follows her tag team partner’s instructions, albeit begrudgingly… and another opportunity to capitalise on a weakened and vulnerable Reagan Cole - given that he just competed in a match against a very dangerous opponent in Kayden Knox - slips through Michelle’s grasp.”Michelle and Gerald stand a couple of metres apart on the stage, NOE-I and the Maid behind them. Each of the four Nephews are staring back at the ring, where Cole and Yurei have been handed their FWA World Tag Team Championships and lift them high over their heads. Fallout continues on and as the camera flashes on we see a running Todd Salum running through the backstage area of Fallout. As he continues on we start to hear the screaming and the breaking of items as if they were being thrown against a wall. Todd turns one more corner into another hallway and finally goes to enter an open door, but before he can a suitcase flies out from the dressing room. ???: She doesn’t have a clue as to who I am!!"With the coast clear Todd sneaks into the dressing room. As the camera man follows him you can see the person screaming is Johnny “The Legend"Johnson. As Todd makes his way into the dressing room, Johnny is making sure to toss around anything that he can get his hand on. Johnny is fuming and in order to find out why, Todd tries to interject. Todd Salum: "Excuse me, Mr. Legend. If I could just get a word. What exactly is going on? What’s this tirade about?"Just as Johnny was about to reach for something else to toss he looks over, shocked that someone had the audacity to interrupt him. Johnny then looks over at the camera and then begins to walk over to Todd with a purpose. Johnny Johnson: "You want to know what is going on here, Todd? You really want to know? Well, I’ll tell you what’s going on. It seems that there is a disrespectful, little bitch that needs to be shown EXACTLY who The Legend really is."
Todd Salum: "Am I to assume you are referring to Lizzie Rose with that statement?"
Johnny Johnson: "QUITE the astute observation TODD! Ten points for you and a gold FUCKING STAR! But let’s get down to what needs to be really said. Lizzie wants to paint me as a helpless brat that needs his daddy to win all his battles. Well, she’s wrong, DEAD WRONG. And I’m going to prove it.
Tonight we might be fighting a triple threat match for the North American Championship. However, no matter what happens tonight. I want that bitch, one on one at Lights Out. And just to prove a point, to make sure that once and for all Lizzie Rose REALIZES just how lethal The Legend can be inside of that ring I have set up the contract so that Logan Darwin is banned from ringside during that match!"Todd seems a little surprised by Johnny pretty much giving up the advantage of having his father ringside. Todd Salum: "And you’re sure you want to do that?"Johnny looks over at him with an annoyed and angry look. Johnny Johnson: "What? You on the same dim-witted wave length as that misguided, Disney Club, reject? You really think The Legend can’t handle that little girl on his own?"Johnny starts to move in closer to the camera, anger making his face flush red. He dips the volume of his voice down, making the people on the other side of the camera listen real closely. Johnny Johnson: "I need EVERYONE that is watching this to listen to me right now. I need you to open your ears and shut your mouths and treat every word I’m about to say like they could save your life. What The Legend is going to do at Lights Out will be my swan song. The punishment that I will put that prissy, little bitch through will make little Timmy sitting in the first row have to go to therapy for the next twenty years. And Lizzie, LIZZIE ROSE, you to REALLY think about who you will be getting into the ring with once you sign this contract. At Lights Out I’m not just coming for a victory over you. I’m making sure what I did last year to you, putting you on the shelf for a few months, will pale in comparison to what I’m aiming to do that fateful night."With his last words there is an emptiness in Johnny’s eyes. As Johnny peers straight ahead the camera then fades into the next segment. ‘He’s the Greatest Dancer’ | Sister Sledge The crowd booms into a loud cheer as it is time for the next match. However their reaction gets even louder as a car appears on the stage! A white Cadillac beeps its horn and a hand waves out of the driver side window to get the crowd going even more. The car stops half way down the ramp and the door opens. Allen Price: “Arriving in style, mama!”After a few seconds, Chris Peacock appears from the car, bobbing his along to the music that is playing. He windmills the Singapore cane in his hand around a few times and then walks with his hips flowing freely towards the ring. His hair flows down and stops just above his shoulders, ‘dressed to kill’ as his music suggests. Natalie Rosenberg: “The following Deathmatch is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the King of DeathMatch Crown of Thorns! Introducing first, the challenger… from Boogie Wonderland by way of New York City, weighing in at two-hundred and ten pounds… he is ‘Disco’s Last Warrior’… CHRISSSSSS PEEEEAAAAACCCCOOOOOOOOCCKKKK!!!”
Allen Price: “Ladies and gentlemen, your future King of DeathMatch, Golden Opportunity Winner and FWA World Champion - and my best friend - Chris Peacock! Everyone is still talking about Chris Peacock’s return to the FWA on Meltdown XIX and his commanding victory on Fallout 019 against The Boulder. This is the favourite to win the Golden Opportunity briefcase at Lights Out right here.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I will once again make it clear that I think Chris Peacock is a very good competitor, but let’s not get carried away, shall we, Price? It seems that Peacock has once again fallen into the very blatant trap set by the Nephews and even if he wins tonight, he won’t be one hundred percent going into the Elimination Chamber. This is exactly what happened last year, Price.”
Allen Price: “This is going to be different, Jean-Luc. Peacock didn’t need to take this match, in fact you could argue he won’t actually get much from it for the reasons you said, but this match tonight is going to send a message to everyone else that is going to be in that chamber with him that he’s not afraid and he’s willing to put himself through hell to become the FWA World Champion.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m not so sure, Price. To me, this is Peacock trying once again to get one over on the Nephews that is assuredly going to end in defeat, much like most of his other attempts. Remember, he doesn’t have anyone watching his back tonight out there.”Peacock gets into the ring and nods his head towards Larry Stevens, who will be in the middle of this one. He throws down a couple of moves and grins before climbing up onto the second rope and raising the cane up into the air to another cheer. ‘Whatta Man’ | I.O.I The Blended Festival is plunged into darkness with the lights being turned down, save for pink spotlights which search across the crowd. The camera scans the crowd until it notices a parting of the crowd from the west side. A camera gets over there to see Alphonse the Swiss Sherpa creating a path through the festival attendees, and behind him walks Thomas West, with the Crown of Thorns on top of his head. Behind West are a couple more Nephews; namely Quiet and Harry the Sane Wizard. The King of DeathMatch wears a smirk on his face, as his view is on Peacock who is waiting for him in the ring. Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent, from Austin, Texas, and weighing in at two-hundred and ninety pounds… accompanied by Cthulhu’s Nephews… he is the current King of DeathMatch… THOMAS WESSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Not the whole contingent accompanying Thomas West tonight for his match with Chris Peacock; from what I understand, Uncle, Maid and NCE-1 are working on wearing down Caesar and I don’t think the Connection would expound much thought or energy on the likes of Peacock. Nice for Alphonse to get the call up, though!”
Allen Price: “Yeah, maybe he can lead the Nephews off a cliff! It doesn’t surprise me that West has chosen to get some back up for this match, Jean-Luc. That isn’t even me saying that he needs it because of who his opponent is. West has the ability to do things the right way - look at how he won the FWA World Championship - but he’s too much of an asshole to want to. I haven’t heard any of his podcasts lately, but it’s about time someone shut him up.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can actually admire the dedication to your belief, Price. All of that being said, this is still an almost three hundred pound man that Peacock gives a lot of size and weight away to. West is a powerhouse, and he’s the King of DeathMatch for a reason, he knows what he is doing in matches like this.” The Nephews pause at the barricade, and Alphonse stands aside so that West can take the lead and hop the barricade first. He does so, followed by the other three. The King of DeathMatch is the only one to enter the ring however, sliding in gracefully under the bottom rope. Stevens stands in front of Peacock to prevent any pre-match rush, but Peacock seems content in standing in the corner with the cane slung back over his shoulder. West removes the crown and tosses it into the referee’s hand, and as deathmatches go, this one probably starts off in a very cordial way! THIRD MATCH
(1/30) | Thomas West [c] vs. Chris Peacock.
King of DeathMatch Crown of Thorns
Deathmatch.
(Match writer: Man) | Both men take a step closer to each other in the ring and stand a few feet apart as they exchange some words. West laughs at something that Peacock said - probably a threat of some kind - but he winces when Peacock swings the cane and hits him in the arm with it! Peacock rapidly unloads on West with the cane to his left side, hitting his arm, ribs and back in several places. West backs towards the ropes away from Peacock, but Peacock instead strikes West across the chest with the cane! West staggers forward, his hands across his chest, and Peacock gets behind him and hits him in the back of the knee, striking him with the cane once again. Another couple of shots to the back of West’s knees causes the KODM to drop to one knee, and Peacock then walks back around to stand in front of West and he raises the cane up into the air - lining up for a headshot to a big cheer - but the cane is swiped out of his hands from behind him! Peacock turns around to see Harry the Sane Wizard holding his cane, so Peacock drops him with a right hand! The cane falls to the mat as Harry falls to the mat and then rolls to the ring where Alphonse helps him back to his feet. Peacock points at the three Nephews on the outside of the ring and warns them not to get involved before turning around INTO A HUGE BODY CHECK FROM WEST!! It looked like Peacock was hit by a train and he lays on the mat and a very annoyed Thomas West picks Peacock up and throws him towards the corner. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Just when is Peacock going to learn, Price? We’re what? Not even two minutes into this match and he’s already allowed himself to get distracted and now Thomas West can just have his way with him like we’re seeing right now.”There is no holding back from West, with the big body blows he is landing on Peacock whilst Peacock is trapped in the corner. West grabs Peacock and then biels him across the ring with ease! Peacock lands hard and then up in the opposite corner and West charges in, but Peacock dips out of the way and West collides hard with the turnbuckle! West turns around and Peacock connects with a standing Dropkick to the face and West falls back against the turnbuckle, and Peacock climbs up onto the second rope. Peacock holds his fist in the air and then begins to punch down on West’s forehead, with the crowd counting along with each punch; “ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE!”The punches stop, but not because Peacock decides to bite West on the head, but because Quiet is now on the apron. He tries to grab Peacock’s hand to block the punches, and Peacock goes for Quiet’s mask, but this is blocked. The important thing is though that it allows West to recover, and he tips Peacock over the top rope and Peacock spills to the floor, landing hard on the ring apron as he falls! For the second time, the Nephews at ringside have proven to be a distraction for Peacock. West slowly makes his way out of the ring where Alphonse has taken it upon himself to pick Peacock up from the floor. West seems happy for the Sherpa to get himself involved, that is until Peacock easily overpowers Alphonse and throws him into the ring barricade! The fans cheer as Peacock then has Quiet to deal with and he ducks a punch from Quiet and lands a jab of his own, then a second. Peacock forgoes the spin on the spot and knocks Quiet away with a third punch right to the face! Harry comes to get some as well but Peacock stands firm and knocks him down with a Clothesline too! Allen Price: “Chris Peacock is a Nephew-fighting machine! Did that crappy Sherpa guy really try to do something for a moment there?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “My suggestion to Chris Peacock would be for him to turn his attention to the man that he is actually competing against…”Peacock turns around to put his attention back to West but the King of DeathMatch ROCKS HIS SHIT WITH A CHAIR SHOT TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD!!! Down Peacock goes like a sack of potatoes and already the cameras catch that his head is gushing with blood from the chair, and there’s even some residue on the chair that West holds up to the camera with a maniacal grin on his face. With Peacock down for the moment, West helps up Harry and Alphonse, with Quiet able to make his way up to his feet without any help. The Nephews then set about picking and choosing objects from under the ring for West to use against Peacock. Harry pulls out a table from under the ring and then goes about setting it up outside of the ring. Quiet roots around and finds a toolbox, which he slides under the bottom rope and into the ring. Alphonse seems to have found something, but he struggles to pull on a handle under the ring. Thomas West himself picks the bloodied Peacock up from the floor and rolls him back into the ring, and Quiet opts to join them in there. West rubs his hands together as he opens the toolbox to see what is inside, and then tips the contents out onto the mat. Various tools fall onto the mat, but it is a screwdriver that West selects and he holds it up into the air, whilst glancing out at Harry struggling to put the table together. West grabs Peacock from the mat and kneels down next to him… and he drives the screwdriver right into Peacock’s head! Peacock screams in pain as the pointy bit is dug right into the open cut on his head. West allows Peacock to fall to the mat and blood begins to pool on it. Quiet approaches Peacock now and picks him up, and Peacock’s face is almost completely red. Quiet starts driving his elbow down onto Peacock’s forehead repeatedly. Allen Price: “Oh, come on! This just isn’t fair! It is two-on-one, and Chris Peacock is just helpless in there. Any chance he has to get into this match is going to be thwarted by the Nephews on the outside of the ring.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, it is only just Quiet in there at the moment. Harry is still struggling with that table and I can’t say I’m quite sure what Alphonse is doing down there. He’s got something that he’s trying to pull out from under the ring.”As Quiet continues to assault Peacock in the ring, we see that Harry and Alphonse are still having trouble with their respective tasks outside of the ring. Quiet picks Peacock up and then drops him to the mat with a Spinning Back Fist! Peacock crumples to the floor and Thomas West claps his hands as the crowd begins to turn on the Nephews. West then deadlifts Peacock up from the mat and throws him overhead with an Exploder Suplex, and Peacock lands on top of the tools!!! West himself looks to bring Peacock up again and he places him up on his shoulders… looking to potentially finish him off… ‘Heaven is a Place on Earth’ | Belinda Carlisle Thomas West allows Peacock to fall to the mat from his shoulders, and attention turns back to the stage where THE DIAMOND DOGS RUN OUT FROM THE BACK!! Allen Price: “YES! Diamond Dogs! Thomas West isn’t the only one to have some back up!”Rick Vance and Santino Dongarelli run either side of Peacock’s car, and Rick drops Harry with a Jumping Forearm at ringside just as the wizard had managed to finish setting up the table! Sonny continues and slides into the ring where Quiet is waiting for him, and Sonny ducks the attempted punch from Quiet and then runs the ropes and he comes back with a Shotgun Dropkick that knocks Quiet down and sends him under the bottom rope. Rick then takes Quiet and sends him into the steel steps on the outside! In the ring, Thomas West finds himself up against Dongarelli, and Sonny beats West to the punch and hits him with a few forearms to the face until West pushes him away. West comes forward looking for a Clothesline, but Sonny rolls through underneath it to avoid the strike and this leaves West open for Vance to fly from the top with a Diving Crossbody - but West catches him! West turns around with Rick in his arms, but Sonny hits a Dropkick to his partner’s back, which causes West to stumble back, and Chris Peacock is kneeling down behind him, and West falls down onto his back! The Diamond Dogs help Peacock up and Chris picks up a wrench from the pile of tools on the mat and looks down at it as West gets up… AND PEACOCK SLUGS WEST ON THE HEAD WITH THE WRENCH!! Allen Price: “How do you like that one, West? Chris Peacock is back into this match and it’s funny to see how the tide turns now that the numbers have been evened up a little bit, isn’t it?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What a surprise, Price is ignoring how much of a hypocrite Chris Peacock is. Price, he can’t come out here and get all up in arms about the Nephews helping each other if he’s had these two idiots waiting in the wings this entire time.” West falls backwards into the turnbuckle and sits against the bottom one, some blood now appearing from his head. Quiet is up at ringside, and Rick Vance runs the ropes and throws himself over the top rope and takes Quiet down with a Tope Con Hilo! ‘Slick Rick’ plucks Quiet from the floor once he is back up and this time it is Sonny D that charges across the ring and he wipes Quiet out with a Tope Suicida! Both Diamond Dogs then grab Quiet and force him over the barricade and attack him in the crowd; the Diamond Dogs have neutralised Quiet and turned things back into Peacock’s favour. The three of them disappear from view into the crowd as the camera on the outside sees that Alphonse has now retrieved what he was trying to find… and it is a bowling ball case! The sherpa fails to pay attention to what is happening in the ring when he cradles the bag in his arms as he walks up the steps and he drops the ball through the ropes and then sees that Chris Peacock is the one standing up in the ring! Alphonse attempts to escape, but Peacock grabs him by the collar and pulls him through the ropes and into the ring. Peacock holds him in place and then floors him with a right hand. Peacock wipes some blood from his face and then opens the bag and picks up the bowling ball inside of it with ease. Alphonse stands back up and Peacock drops the bowling ball onto his foot! The sherpa howls in pain as he hops around the ring and Peacock then takes him by the back of the neck and throws him over the top rope, and Alphonse lands on Harry on the outside! Both of the Nephews outside of the ring fall down together in a heap and then Peacock retrieves the bowling ball from the mat and then stands opposite West who is still against the bottom turnbuckle. The fans cheer as Peacock lines up the shot and rolls the ball across the ring… Allen Price: “STRIKE!”Thomas West HOWLS in pain and he holds his crotch on the mat as the ball rolls out of the ring and then underneath it out of sight. Peacock dips out of the ring and then searches around under the ring himself and pulls out a bundle of light tubes which he slides into the ring to a cheer from the crowd. Peacock pulls out a couple of spare light tubes on their own as well and approaches both Alphonse and Harry… HE CRACKS THE FIRST TUBE OVER ALPHONSE’S HEAD AND THEN HARRY GETS THE OTHER ONE! Peacock reenters the ring with the broken light tube in his hand and he stands over West, who still is smarting from Peacock’s use of the bowling ball, and Peacock holds West’s head up, and he drives the broken tube into the cut on West’s head!! Jean-Luc Watkins: “Peacock giving West a taste of his own medicine after what we saw West do to him with that screwdriver earlier on; Peacock is really kicking it up a gear with the violence that he’s showing towards these Nephews, Price.”
Allen Price: “That’s because he doesn’t have to worry about Quiet anymore, Jean-Luc. That’s the only real threat to him out there aside from Thomas West himself. Harry’s ability has improved a lot, but he’s still not going to trouble Chris. As for Alphonse, I’m pretty sure I’d kick that guy’s ass.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’ve seen you try to wrestle, Price. You know what, I do think that even you could take that guy with a bit of training. You might need to look somewhere other than Chris Peacock though, because at the moment he is just brutalising the former FWA World Champion, Thomas West with that broken light tube.” After stabbing West a few times with the broken tube piece, Peacock tosses it out of the ring and then picks up the bundle that he picked up from the outside, and he places the tubes on West’s chest. As quickly as he can, Peacock ducks under the top rope and gets out onto the apron and slowly climbs up onto the top rope. ‘Disco’s Last Warrior’ steadies himself for a moment before taking flight from the top and he lands A DOUBLE STOMP FROM THE TOP ROPE ONTO THE LIGHT TUBES, ONTO THOMAS WEST!! Peacock holds both of his ankles after the landing as the mat is now covered in dust from the broken tubes, and Peacock places himself on West’s chest, going for the first pin of the match! ONE… TWO… THR-NO!!! West powers out of the pin, and Peacock seems pissed off by it, and he resorts to punching West in the head several times whilst both are down on the canvas. Peacock then grabs a handful of that dust and he rubs it into West’s forehead! West groans as Peacock grits his teeth whilst punishing the King of DeathMatch. Peacock lets West’s head slump to the mat and then picks himself up… returning to the assortment of tools laid out on the mat and he grabs a hammer! Peacock approaches West and stomps on his chest, and then grabs West’s right arm and he uses his boot to keep West’s arm extended… AND HE STRIKES WEST IN THE BICEP WITH THE HAMMER!! Peacock tells West to shut up as he screams out and then DOES IT AGAIN!! Peacock allows West to free himself, and West can be heard cursing under his breath and he holds his arm close to his chest as he rocks on the mat. Peacock tosses the hammer out of the ring and then brings West up once more, punching him in the head several times and then stomping on his chest once again. As Peacock goes to walk away, looking for something else to use, he falls to his knees, as the blood continues to drip from his head down onto the canvas. At the same time, West uses the ropes to bring himself up to his feet and Peacock turns his head to see this. Peacock pulls himself up and takes a deep breath and charges at full speed towards West, but West avoids it and runs the ropes himself and he sprints back at Peacock, hitting him with A HUGE COSMIC POUNCE… AND PEACOCK IS SENT FLYING OVER THE TOP ROPE AND THROUGH THE TABLE SET UP AT RINGSIDE!!! The fans cheer the spot, even though it was Peacock on the receiving end of it, and ‘Disco’s Last Warrior’ lays in the wrecked table at the bottom of the ramp.
Jean-Luc Watkins: “He’s a Peacock - you gotta let him fly!”Allen Price remains silent on the commentary with the exception of some concern gasps sneaking through his headset as Watkins laughs at Peacock’s plight. West goes through the ropes and drops down to ringside, and he picks Peacock up from within the wood and brings Peacock closer to his own car. West takes Peacock and bounces his head off of the bonnet of the car! The white paint is stained by Peacock’s blood, and West then lifts Peacock up once again and lifts him over his head in a Military Press… but West’s arm buckles and Peacock drops down backwards and lands on his feet. West turns around and Peacock spit blood into his face! That causes West to grimace and exclaim loudly, and Peacock follows up with a kick in between the legs! Once again, West’s happy place takes another big hit and he crouches down, and Peacock boots him in the face. Peacock takes a few steps back and then charges back in towards West, but West ducks down and elevates Peacock up with a Back Body Drop AND PEACOCK LANDS ON THE CAR, SHATTERING THE WINDSCREEN!! It is another bad landing for Peacock, and he is left sprawled out on the bonnet. West walks around the side of the car, and then pulls the door open and takes a seat in the driver’s seat.
Allen Price:“That’s stealing! That’s Chris Peacock’s car, is it not enough that West has already broken the windscreen, he’s stealing the car now? It’s a classic car!”The keys are left in the ignition from when Peacock drove the car out before the match, and West turns the engine over a few times before it starts. West shifts the car into reverse, and the wheels spins as the car reverses towards the Fallout set… and Peacock rolls from the bonnet and lands on the ramp! The cameras catch a gleeful grin on West’s face as he shifts the car back into drive… AND THE CAR SPEEDS TOWARDS THE RING, AND IT CLIPS PEACOCK AS CHRIS DIVES OUT OF THE WAY!!! Replays show that it caught Peacock’s legs - but he did not get run over, merely hit by the car. West managed to stop the car before it collided with the ring, and he exits through the same door and checks upon his fellow Nephews; both Harry and Alphonse are still down after Peacock struck them with the light tubes. Helping both Alphonse and then Harry up, West provides instructions to Harry, who limps towards the ramp and temporarily out of view. Alphonse delivers a pitiful stomp to Peacock, who holds his legs on the ramp after almost avoiding the collision with his own car. West then takes over and he hoists Peacock up on his shoulders and he walks Peacock up the ramp towards the stage.
Allen Price: “I’m not sure how much of this I can watch, Jean-Luc. I’m actually concerned for what these Nephews are planning at the moment. He’s just been hit by a car…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “What we are watching is Peacock’s chances of winning the Golden Opportunity briefcase decreasing by the second. Each passing moment that Peacock is in this environment - which is one that he chose to be in - means that Peacock will have less in his tank by the time that Lights Out comes around. If you ask me, he’s getting his excuses ready for when he once again loses in a big time match.”The cameras catch Harry by the side of the stage in between the stage itself and the fans, and he stands to the right of the stage next to a table… Harry produces a lighter and sets it to the table… AND THE TABLE GOES UP IN FLAMES!! The fire causes the fans to cheer loudly, as Harry must have doused the table in lighter fluid or a similar flammable substance. West carries Peacock on his shoulders and then drops him on the stage, close to the edge. The fans gasp as they realise what West and the Nephews have in mind for Peacock as West looks down at the flaming table with a smirk on his face. He picks Peacock up from the ground with the assistance of Alphonse, and puts him on his shoulders in a Powerbomb position… a clunk of a headset is heard… AND ALLEN PRICE IS SPRINTING UP THE RAMP FROM THE COMMENTARY POSITION!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Price! Come back now!”The fans give a mixed reaction as Price reaches the stage and he pulls Peacock down from West’s shoulders… AND PRICE THEN HITS ALPHONSE WITH A WEAK JAB TO THE NOSE! Alphonse falls away, but Price now has the prospect of a pissed off Thomas West to deal with. Price realises his error and attempts to flee, but West grabs him by the collar. Allen Price is now left begging with Thomas West, profusely apologising to him in a totally pathetic manner. It seems that Price’s protests are falling on deaf ears, and Price is then lifted up by West into a Military Press. This time, West’s arms hold out and he walks Price towards the edge of the stage where the flaming table is waiting… West is about to end Price but then he sees Harry down below frantically waving and shouting towards him to turn around. West turns around, with Price still up in the air to see CHRIS PEACOCK RIDING A SWINGING DISCO BALL FROM THE FALLOUT SET… WEST DROPS PRICE AND THEY BOTH AVOID IT… BUT THE BALL SMASHES THE RECOVERING ALPHONSE AND IT KNOCKS THE SWISS SHERPA FROM THE STAGE DOWN THROUGH THE FLAMING TABLE!!! The crowd go WILD at the crazy sight, and Harry does everything that he can to help Alphonse, who screams as his attire is engulfed in flames. Still on the ball, Peacock stands up… and he throws himself off of the disco ball and takes down West with a Crossbody!!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Astonishingly, Chris Peacock is still in this match, and he has somehow managed to get the upper hand on Thomas West! Peacock has a second wind, and he’s taking it to Thomas West! Can someone PLEASE get Allen Price out of here?” Peacock gets back up and hobbles towards Price to check whether he is okay, and a very shook Price nods his head to confirm. West is already on his way back towards the ring, and Peacock is in pursuit, as quickly as his limp will allow him to move. Peacock rests his hand on his knee as he walks, but he catches up with West and clubs him in the back. West slides into the ring and lays on his back to catch his breath for a moment and Peacock looks under the ring and pulls out… a black sack! This gets a big cheer from the crowd and Peacock rolls into the ring to join West and he opens the bag up and empties its contents onto the mat… and thousands of thumb tacks fall onto the canvas! The crowd cheers again and Peacock stomps on West to keep him down and Peacock then takes a handful of the tacks… and he shoves them into West’s mouth! A headset can be heard being hastily put back on.
Allen Price: “Yeah, stuff them in there, Chris! Make this piece of crap shut his mouth once and for all!”Peacock backs away into the corner as West coughs out some of the tacks and Peacock charges in, LOOKING FOR THE STRUT… BUT WEST SCOOPS HIM UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS… FINISHER #2 ONTO THE TACKS!! WEST DROPS PEACOCK… AND THEN GOES FOR HIS FIRST COVER, BOTH MEN COVERED IN TACKS! ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
Winner: Thomas West via pin fall at 24:31 |
Chris Peacock jitters on the mat as his chest, arms and face are covered in dozens of thumbtacks, in too much pain to even comprehend that he had lost the match. Thomas West - with tacks on his back and still in his mouth - raises his arms in the air as he sits on the mat next to his defeated challenger. Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner and STILL the King of DeathMatch… THOMAS WEST!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I can confidently say that neither of these men will ever be the same again after that battle, and the same can be said for some of the others caught in the crossfire. Your life flashed before your eyes there for a moment, Price?”
Allen Price: “It did… and I can’t believe what I just saw there, Jean-Luc. Chris Peacock fought until the very last second… and I am proud of my best friend right there.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You don’t think that he’s put himself in very bad shape for the Golden Opportunity, and this entire endeavour was ultimately for nothing? Because, judging from the look on Thomas West’s face, that’s what he thinks.”Price remains silent in realisation as West has now left the ring, and despite still feeling the effects of the match himself, he laughs as he walks past Peacock’s wrecked car. West waves off Peacock and then turns around to leave, but in the ring, Chris Peacock has commissioned a microphone whilst lying down on the ring. Chris Peacock: “Well done, Thomas. You got me again. You think all of that is gonna stop me, though?”A cheer from the fans, and this isn’t enough to stop West from walking away. Peacock gets up onto his knees and pulls a couple of pins out of his face. Chris Peacock: “TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT ME YOU FUCKING PUSSY!”This is enough to get West to turn around and shout some words back at Peacock in the ring. Peacock gets up to his feet, although he can barely stand. Chris Peacock: “Losing to you tonight isn’t going to stop me. Getting hit by a car isn’t going to stop me. There are six people that are going to try and stop me at Lights Out, but it isn’t going to be enough!”The impassioned Peacock beats his chest, which is covered in blood, much like his face. Chris Peacock: “I’m going to win Golden Opportunity, then I’m going to become the FWA World Champion… and then I’m going to do something that you couldn’t do, Thomas… AND KICK DANNY TONER’S ASS!”As the crowd goes up in ‘OOOH!’s from that, West has heard enough now and he marches back down to the ring and he slides in and scoops Peacock up onto his shoulders… AND GIVES HIM ANOTHER FINISHER #2!!! West leaves the ring again with his crown in his hands… and Chris Peacock is left on his back, laughing. Jean-Luc Watkins: “Well, even though he probably just burned his chances of doing everything he has set out to do, at least he finds it funny. Good for him, I guess.”
As we return to Fallout at the Blended festival, it is revealed that we have gladly missed The Bad Boys Boy Band performing to the crowd whilst the ring was cleaned up following the previous match and now The Backstreet Boy waits in the corner as Mike Stand and In-Sync wait on the apron next to him. Natalie Rosenberg: “The following contest is scheduled for one fall, with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first, already in the ring, representing The Bad Boys Boy Band… THE BACKSTREET BOY!”The fans boo loudly as the boys abuse them, and they then wait for TBB’s opponent, and the crowd’s anticipation level rises. The lights dim. ‘Vampire’ | Versailles There’s a good cheer as Vampyra walks out from the back after the music has kicked in and the lights flash purple, red and pink to match her attire. Fire shoots up from either side of the stage and the fans cheer again. Natalie Rosenberg: “His opponent… representing MAYHEM… from Osaka, Japan… she is ‘The Wicked Spirit’, ‘The YOKAI Queen’... this… is… VAAAAAAAMMMMPPPYYYRAAAAAAAA!!!”Vampyra forms an ‘M’ with her hand towards the camera and runs her thumb across her throat before she walks down the ramp towards the ring, her cape flowing behind her. Allen Price: “I can’t say that I’m that familiar with Vampyra, Jean-Luc, but she looks like the real deal if you ask me!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That doesn’t surprise me at all, Price. But for those who do know about Vampyra, you will realise that we have a very exciting performer on our hands here and someone I am sure is going to make some serious waves in the FWA. A two-time CJW Trios Champion and a CJW Young Blood Cup Winner, Vampyra knows what it is like to be a champion, and she will want to add FWA gold to her rap sheet.”Allen Price: “ With a record like that, I’m not surprised to see that she wants to challenge herself over here, Jean-Luc, and with the F1 Climaxxx just around the corner, she could have joined at just the right time! It could be the wrong time for the Backstreet Boy, though!”Vampyra unclips her cape and then climbs onto the ring apron, where she hangs upside down on the ropes, like a bat. She then enters the ring and approaches The Backstreet Boy, but referee Gracelynn Guerrero gets in between the competitors before calling for the bell. FOURTH MATCH
(1/20) | Vampyra vs. The Backstreet Boy.
Singles Match.
(Match writer: Man) | Immediately, The Backstreet Boy goes to rush Vampyra, but she drops down and catches him with an Arm Drag! Both competitors then get up and Vampyra jumps into the air and send TBB flying with a Headscissors Takedown! Vampyra’s agility is evidently too much for The Backstreet Boy to deal with, and he gets up once more, holding his lower back but he falls into Vampyra’s clutches once more… Standing Spanish Fly! Vampyra floats over and hooks a leg;
ONE… TWO… NO!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Kick out by The Backstreet Boy! This is a quick start for Vampyra in this match, Price. She’s able to chain all of these moves together seamlessly, and I think she is simply too much for this kid to deal with.”
Allen Price: “Unfortunately, I once made the mistake of trying to take these three young men under my wing, and I’ve since realised the error of my ways. This Vampyra though, I think she’s got something about her, Jean-Luc.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “You are correct, but I don’t think there’s anything that you can offer her that would be of much use! Vampyra now, locking in a Headscissors.”
Vampyra has The Backstreet Boy grounded in the middle of the ring, but the singer is able to push himself out of the hold and he attempts to kick Vampyra, but she drops onto her back to avoid it, and she then gets a Schoolboy, but rolls The Backstreet Boy through and connects with a Superkick to the side of the head! The Backstreet Boy slumps down to the mat and Vampyra makes her ‘M’ gesture once again.
She looks to follow up, but spots Mike Stand up on the apron! Vampyra charges across the ring and meets him with a forearm strike which knocks him onto his knees on the apron. In-Sync gets up next to Stand and meets the same fate. The Backstreet Boy stumbles back up, but Vampyra gets a Drop Toehold onto the middle rope. All three Bad Boys are next to each other on the apron and Vampyra runs the ropes and charges back towards them… MOONLIGHT KICK!! The Tiger Feint Kick connects with TBB on the head and knocks the other two down to the floor!
The Backstreet Boy falls down onto his back and Vampyra jogs along the apron and then climbs up onto the top rope where she steadies herself and hits a TWISTING FROG SPLASH!!!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Great athleticism from Vampyra; she calls that ‘Nightfall’! She hooks both legs, this has got to be it!”
ONE… TWO… THREE!!!
Winner: Vampyra via pin fall at 2:21 |
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner, VAMPYRA!”Vampyra rolls off of The Backstreet Boy, and the hopeless singer rolls out of the ring to join his bandmates on the outside, and Vampyra has her hand raised by the referee to a big cheer from the FWA fans at the Blended Festival. Jean-Luc Watkins: “That was academic! Well, wrestling fans, Vampyra has arrived here in the FWA and you could say that she is ready to bring MAYHEM with her. I see big things in this young woman’s future here in the FWA. A great signing by Cal Robinson!”
Allen Price: “We know that Cal Robinson has been trying to bolster up the ranks here in the FWA in recent weeks since the merger, and if Vampyra is just the beginning, then I think the future is going to be bright! A fantastic debut!”Vampyra stands on the second rope in the corner and makes her ‘M’ hand gesture once again, and runs her thumb across her throat. A clear warning shot sent to everyone else in the FWA.
’Wanted Dead Or Alive’ || Bon Jovi.There's a HUGE cheer around the main stage as Tommy Bedlam walks out onto the stage, enjoying the home-state support in Texas with a slight smile on his face. He stands on the stage, nods at the assembled, enthusiastic Texans, and then begins at a steady pace down the ramp. Natalie Rosenberg: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall, with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first, from Sweetwater, Texas and weighing in at two hundred and forty four pounds… TOOOOOOOMMY… BEEEEEEDLAAAAAM!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Austin, Texas is coming alive for Tommy Bedlam, as was to be expected, with the former Deathswitch Initiative member looking much more comfortable around these fans than we've historically seen him…"
Allen Price: "Part of that is the home-state boost, J-L, but mostly the FWA fans worldwide are just glad to see Tommy Bedlam back! After overcoming the challenge of Jackson Fenix last week, he goes up against a former world champion tonight…"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "No doubt Bedlam will have to up his game here tonight with Phillip A. Jackson… and I'm sure he'll be keeping one eye on the stage for Jason Randall, who we've seen Bedlam become entangled with recently. We here on Fallout know better than anyone that the Wildcard can make his presence felt at any moment."Bedlam has climbed into the ring, where he waits in a corner whilst loosening up against the ring ropes. His music fades out, and is replaced by… ’Vacuity’ || Gojira.There's a much more mixed reaction for Phillip A. Jackson, who appears on the stage with a focussed look on his face. There's an air of arrogance about him as he surveys those at the festival before beginning at a stride down the ramp. Natalie Rosenberg: "And his opponent… weighing in at two hundred and thirty five pounds… 'The Last Great Englishman'... 'The Immortal'... PHILLIP… A… JACKSON!!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "You mentioned Jackson's credentials, Price: a two time FWA World Heavyweight Champion, and one of only eleven triple crown champions in our history. And he has his eyes on another prize, in the form of Shawn Summers' FWA Television Championship."
Allen Price: "We saw the two of them exchanging words last week on Fallout 019, and after Summers successfully defended his belt against Sawyer Xavier, Phillip A. Jackson laid down the gauntlet for the next defense."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Der Basterd was elusive in his reply, though, and Jackson comes into this match-up against Tommy Bedlam with no confirmation of whether he'll get his shit at Summers at Lights Out. And, of course, just like Bedlam with Randall, Jackson will need eyes in the back of his head after picking a fight with the Television Champion."Jackson takes up position in an opposite corner from Bedlam as his music fades out. Phillip appears serious and focussed, whilst Tommy seems more relaxed and comfortable. The official issues his final checks, and then calls for the bell… FIFTH MATCH
(1/20) | Phillip A. Jackson vs. Tommy Bedlam.
Singles Match.
(Match writer: SS) | Jackson begins to circle the ring, and looks as though he means to engage Bedlam in some sort of tie-up. Tommy originally looks like he's reciprocating, but as the two come closer together he nails Jackson with a straight right instead. The referee admonishes Bedlam, but he lays into Jackson with a second and then a third straight right, much to the joy of the assembled festival-goers. Jackson is backed up into the ropes, and Bedlam whips him into the opposite set… before knocking him over with a shoulder block! Jackson quickly scrambles to his feet, but Bedlam is waiting. He hoists him up for a sidewalk slam! Tommy hooks the leg…
ONE… T – NO!
Kickout from Jackson! Bedlam has a handful of hair and uses it to lift PAJ up again. It's right hands and forearms for Jackson next, which back Phillip up into the corner. Bedlam Irish whips him into the opposite set, attempting to follow him in with a cornered clothesline. Jackson evades! Tommy hits the turnbuckles chest first and stumbles back into the middle of the ring. Jackson hits the ropes and lands a charging dropkick to the knee, knocking Bedlam off balance… and PAJ follows up with an enziguri! Tommy, to his credit, fights straight back up to his feet… but this time it's Jackson's turn to hit his opponent with a sidewalk! And then he hooks the far leg…
ONE… TW – NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Kick out from Tommy Bedlam this time, as the combatants exchange sidewalk slams in the early going. Phillip A. Jackson gives up a few pounds to Tommy Bedlam… but only a few. I imagine that move was Jackson telling Bedlam that he has no intention of letting him bully him with power in this one."
Whilst Watkins gives his analysis, Jackson has turned Bedlam over in a single-leg Boston crab. Bedlam initially tries to not let his anguish show, but soon enough the pain is too much for such a charade. He eventually begins to crawl towards the bottom rope… only for Jackson to release, drag him back into the middle of the ring, and apply an STF!
Allen Price: "This is classic Phillip A. Jackson, in that he's ensuring that it's him who dictates the pace in this match. Bedlam almost looks like his play-thing!"
Indeed, Jackson again shifts and transitions into another submission, releasing his hold on Bedlam's legs and applying a cross face. This gives Bedlam his chance of escape, though, and he rolls backwards with PAJ, managing to pin Jackson's shoulders down in the process!
ONE… TWO… NO!
Jackson kicks out, but this is enough to gain Bedlam a little separation. The two are both quick to their feet, and Tommy attempts a discus lariat which is ducked by Jackson… who responds with a heel kick! Bedlam is rocked by the move, and turns his back on the Immortal, who grabs him in a rear waistlock and plants him with a German suplex! He bridges for the cover…
ONE… TWO… NO!
Bedlam kicks out! Jackson holds onto the rear waistlock and drags Tommy back up to his feet, and then he shifts into a half nelson. It looks like he might be going for a half nelson slam, but Bedlam senses his peril and starts to desperately fight out. He throws an elbow back into the side of PAJ’s head… and again… and a third time… and then a cutter from Bedlam! Tommy is slow to his feet, shaking off the cobwebs, but he’s up before Jackson. PAJ - upon finally regaining his base - stumbles towards Tommy, who is already charging off the ropes…
Allen Price: "DISCUS CLOTHESLINE!"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And Tommy Bedlam doesn’t look like he’s done there. He’s perhaps looking for the killer blow…"
Bedlam is stalking his opponent from the corner, waiting patiently as Jackson struggles to find his feet. Tommy launches himself out of the corner, and runs through Phillip A. Jackson a massive spear!! Tommy hooks the leg!
ONE… TWO… T – NO!!
Jackson thrusts the shoulder up from the mat! Bedlam is surprised and disappointed, but he doesn’t let his frustrations bubble over. Instead, he begins an ascent towards the top rope, just as Jackson again makes it to a vertical base. Tommy comes off the top, looking for a flying clothesline… but Jackson instead catches him with a standing dropkick!! Tommy’s large frame is knocked out of the air and he lands in a heap on the mat! Jackson takes a moment to suck in a few lungfuls of oxygen before he focuses on Bedlam. He puts Tommy in a front face lock before dragging him up to his feet and driving knees up into his sternum. He releases him to throw a couple of hard forearms that rock Bedlam towards the ropes. Phillip whips him into the opposite set and then takes him down with a Lou Thesz press! Followed by straight right hands!
After a half-dozen, Jackson gets up off Bedlam and backs towards the ropes. He watches on as Tommy rolls onto his front, on his hands and knees, and PAJ thinks that his moment has come…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Jackson’s going for his Curbstomp, here… but Bedlam stands up as Jackson starts to drop the boot, causing PAJ to be propelled a couple of feet in the air… AND BEDLAM NAILS HIM WITH HIS BUCKSHOT SUPERKICK!!
PAJ instantly slumps to the mat, but Bedlam is quickly on him, dragging him up in a front facelock and then hooking both arms…
Jean-Luc Watkins: "And there’s the Bull’s Eye!!"
Allen Price: "Jackson is planted with the DDT, and now Tommy hooks the leg…"
ONE… TWO… THREE!
Winner: Tommy Bedlam via pinfall at 11:12. |
Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… TOMMY BEDLAM!”Tommy rises up from the mat and has his arm raised in the air, and he exits the ring and starts interacting with the fans at ringside. The fans in the arena begin to boo and draw attention to the entrance ramp causing the production team to switch the camera view to catch the cause of the commotion. Upon the camera switch, we see Shawn Summers walking down the ramp with a smirk on his face. He passes Tommy Bedlam as he walks past, and pays no attention to the victor of the match. Tommy does eye up the title in Shawn’s possession, though. Allen Price: “It looks like we're getting an appearance from the Television champion, Shawn Summers. Nice of him to show up.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Look, Price, management has to be strategic regarding Shawn Summers. Due to Shawn's contract, he's only obligated to appear on so many shows in a non-wrestling capacity. We should be honored that the television champ decided to grace us with an unannounced appearance.”Shawn wears a Toronto Blue Jays jersey over a white muscle shirt, black jeans and white and blue Nike Dunks sneakers. Der Basterd holds the Television championship up with his right hand - a smirk on his face as his attention is focused on the FWA legend, Phillip A. Jackson (PAJ) is standing in the ring, having picked himself up. Allen Price: “Summers makes his way to the ring, focusing firmly on PAJ. These two are scheduled to meet for the Television Championship at Lights Out. This match-up is possibly so much more than about the television championship. The man who walks out of Lights Out with the Television Championship can enter the F1 Climaxx.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “That F1 Climaxx is going to be mental! It'll be interesting to see just who ends up competing because, as you know, it is the champion's prerogative whether they want to participate in this effort.”
PAJ breathes heavily and wipes the sweat from his brow as he looks on with the referee. Summers continues his approach with the title held firmly in the air. He takes a deep breath and prepares himself as Summers enters the ring and steps toward him. As Summers approaches PAJ, the referee tries to get between them but is shoved out of the way by him. While holding the championship up, Shawn presses it against the side of PAJ's face while mouthing off at him. The moment is brief as PAJ quickly shoves Summers away from him, and security stands between them.
Shawn Summers: “Did you feel that? How'd that feel, you fucking loser?”
Allen Price: “Summers is coming in highly hostile here. And for what? There's no need for all that. The match is already set.”Summers continues to hold the television championship up as PAJ attempts to bypass security. They continue holding him back as Shawn continues to taunt him with insults. Phillip A. Jackson: “Get him the hell out of here!”
Shawn Summers: “Your time is up - my time is now, old man. That was as close to championship gold as you're going to get. You will never get that close to it again. At Lights Out, you're done. You're done, old man. You're done.”
Phillip A. Jackson: “Yeah, okay. We'll see. We'll see, Shawn. Get off of me.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “PAJ is trying to get these officials off of him. Why are they holding him back? Let these two get at each other.” PAJ attempts to get past security again as Summers takes a step back and tosses the championship on the ground. Shawn Summers: “You're all talk, man. You're all talk. Show me why you're a former world champion. COME ON!” Summers continues to entice PAJ, knowing he cannot get through the barrage of security and personnel. Shawn Summers: “Let him go so I can show him why he hasn't been a damn champion SINCE coming back.”
Phillip A. Jackson: “We'll see who's all talk at Lights Out, Shawn. We'll see. Fucking choke artist.”
Allen Price: “Oh, man. I think PAJ got under Shawn's skin with that comment. It's been well documented on social media how Shawn has been known to talk a big game but has not been able to back it up when the time comes.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Be that as it may, Summers has a chance to shut all the neigh sayers up with a victory of a former world champion, and PAJ, well, he gets the opportunity to get in the ring with Shawn AND IF he wins he'll have the chance to compete in the F1 Climaxx.”
Shawn picks up the belt with a sour expression before exiting the ring with it as the scene slowly fades to black.
A video package begins with a shot of a young man standing in a fighting pose in a wrestling ring, his face hidden by shadows as another figure approaches him. A narrator begins to talk. “They Call Him A Demon”The man screams as he engages in a headlock with the other man. “Puroresu No Akuma: The Demon of Pro Wrestling in the Queen's English, is what they called Akihiko Kawaguchi. On first impression, such a name would perhaps describe a man of questionable morals with a ghoulish presence. A man who's very shadow casts fear upon the masses. However, that could not be further from the truth.”The man, who we can now see is Akihiko Kawaguchi, delivers a couple of strong strikes to his opponent, knocking them back. “While Kawaguchi's moniker may appear frightful, the man who holds it is as wholesome as they come in the wrestling world. His beaming and infectious smile is often piercing through his overflowing locks of coal black hair, reaching down to the peak of his traps. Too conventionally handsome to be considered a demon. Personality wise out of the ring, quite the opposite of demonic as well. Akihiko's demeanor could be best compared to your typical Shonen jump anime protagonist: pure of heart, full of joy and passion with a sometimes naïve amount of positivity.
So what makes him a demon you ask, if not his looks or personality? The answer lies in the squared circle and in between the ropes. What the world refers to as demonic is what has long been described in the East as his Battle Spirit. His willingness to take the fight to his opponent, no matter what obstacles stand in his way. An almost surgical method of wearing his opponent down with strikes and superior grappling at an inhuman pace due to his impeccable conditioning. You may be stronger than him. You may be faster than him. You may be more experienced. You may be more devious...But you will never outwork or outpace him. He is relentless and will continue to walk forward, disregarding his own well being in the process. He will work through the pain through sheer will and determination, much like an aforementioned demon.
The reality of how this came to be is simple enough as well: Akihiko only knows wrestling. This has made him into the rising star he is today and helped him climb the ranks in his native country of Japan so quickly and successfully. On the flip side, it's left him a little void of life experience and a bit awkward socially. This will be his biggest hurdle to overcome now that he has landed in America. Will he be able to adjust to the culture and find the same success he found at home? Will he be lost in the competitive shuffle of the American wrestling scene, especially on a roster blooming with so much talent in Fantasy Wrestling Alliance? Follow his upcoming adventures to find out!”Kawaguchi jumps into the air and his knee connects with the jaw of his sparring partner, knocking them flat on the canvas. A smile creeps onto his face as the screen fades to black and a graphic appears; ‘PURORESU NO AKUMA’ AKIHIKO KAWAGUCHI
COMING SOON
‘No Love’ | Death GripsThe unique setting for Fallout does not deter Uncle J.J. JAY! from being spotted in the crowd when No Love blares out across Blended Festival. He’s not on his own either, many of the Nephews have gathered. Quiet is in tow, Harry is limping behind Uncle though holding a box packaged with an Ancient Roman theme, NOE-I and Maid of Death were spared the day’s atrocities, but the worst of the group is Alphonse who is completely bandaged up from head to toe and being wheeled by NOE-I. Really, he has no business being here but it doesn’t seem like the Sherpa has much of a choice in the matter given he’s incapable of even moving. Even the Connection are present in spite of a brief bit of internal strife within the duo. It appears, for whatever reason, only Thomas West is missing from the assembly. Allen Price: “The Nephews aren’t a pretty sight after what Chris did to them earlier tonight. The Nephews never learn not to cross paths with him, and they nearly lost another ally as a result.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “But it wasn’t Peacock that left with the Crown of Thorns, Allen. Just as he’s done going all the way back to Cosmic Playground on Fallout 002, he came so close, yet fell short. And it’s pretty clear he’s bound to let the same thing happen once again at Golden Opportunity.”While the Nephews are making their way to the squared circle, they’re accosted a plenty for autographs. Even Alphonse has won over fans tonight for having been literally put through fire and lived to tell the tale, if living is what his current condition can be described as. Uncle is happy to take pictures and bestow his tentacled kiss on many a fans on the way to the ring. Allen Price: “Be that as it may, this isn’t about Peacock, this is about the Nephews trying to corrupt another member of the FWA roster in Cornelius Aurelius Caesar, the former FWA World Tag Team Champion. Surely that’s not something you want to see, Jean-Luc? After all, the Nephews hold a grudge against your friends in Executive Excellence, and Caesar holds a similar grudge. These two forces coming together…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’m not remotely worried, Allen. If the Nephews want to recruit another freak to the show, they can be my guest. Last I checked, there were no Nephews in the Golden Opportunity match, and no Nephews currently holding championships. I’m not worried.”Cthulhu’s Nephews have arrived at ringside and Uncle unsurprisingly already has a microphone in his grasp. No Love comes to an end and Uncle taps on his microphone to quiet down the gathered fans. J.J. JAY!: “Things are looking bright for the Nephews. The Connection are on their way to becoming FWA World Tag Team Champions, Thomas West slapped the shit out of Boogie Baby and is still your King of DeathMatch - my hatred for monarchs be damned - and tonight… if you’ll allow me to get ahead of myself… tonight, we invite a new addition to Cthulhu’s Nephews. I’m excited for this. I really am. I know that on Meltdown, things didn’t go the way an idealist would’ve wanted it to go. But I’m not an idealist. Things went the exact way they were meant to go. I wanted to show the General that win or lose, the Nephews would stand by his side… unlike say a certain dim-witted whale rotting away in the ocean. I wanted to show the General that I trusted him, and I was willing to risk defeat to show much I was willing to trust him. I wanted to show the General that this is a process, and the next step in that process is him becoming a Nephew. Now, I could go on and on about the benefits of being a Nephew, but I think the results speak for themselves. I mean look at these guys, Alphonse is barely conscious-”Uncle looks over his shoulder. J.J. JAY!: “Actually, he may have passed out. Harry is bruised. He should be resting. Quiet is practically bursting to tell our Dictator how valued he’d be among us. We all want you among the Nephews. This is where you belong. So Caesar, what do you say?”
‘Legacy of Rome’ | Andreas Waldetoft.The familiar theme of Cornelius Aurelius Caesar hits and the esteemed general finally appears. His face still has that sunken expression, however, he’s paid extra attention to his grooming. He’s wearing a modern looking red military jacket, all buttons buttoned. Under that one can see a white shirt and a pink-ish red tie over it. Fans can also distinguish the outlines of the toga he’s wearing under the jacket. Caesar walks to the ring, enters it and comes face-to-face with Uncle as a horde of Nephews surround him. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar: “Uncle, you’re right. This decision can’t wait any longer. Stagnation and wasted time benefits no one but the ones actually running the show. While we tippy-toe around each other, that all-talk no-bite Jean-Luc over there at the commentary table gets to sit there smugly, knowing that every second his masters need, they’re going to get. So, yes. It’s time we decide on our commitments for good here.”
Caesar’s eyes circle around all those different Nephews, but they end on Uncle again.
Cornelius Aurelius Caesar: “I’m known for making difficult decisions under pressure, I won many battles under such circumstances. I ordered my men to construct bridges in record times, I oversaw a construction of two walls, trapping an army in between them. I marched on Rome when I had nothing but my legions and all my country was openly opposed me. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this decision I’m making right here is up there in terms of importance.”Uncle chuckles at Caesar’s face after that. J.J. JAY!: “Importance, undoubtedly. Becoming a Nephew is life-changing, as you might expect. Stables come and go. Nations rise and fall. Empires rise and set. But Nephews is forever. You remember what you were able to do against the odds with Rome, now think about what you could do with the universe at the tip of your fingers. This is what being a Nephew is all about.”Caesar’s fingers dance around his chin. The General takes a breath in and his head moves in a manner that can be interpreted as a small nod. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar: “You’re not wrong, Uncle. The things you can offer me are simply extraordinary. You’ve opened my eyes to a new world of infinite possibilities and I can never thank you enough for that.”
J.J. JAY!: “That’s what it means to be a Cosmic Horror, General. Showing you possibilities you can’t quite comprehend, and knowing that there’s no way you’ll be able to resist the temptations - nor should you - of grasping it once more. It was a selfless act, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know you’d be unable to resist the lure. So, let us hear out the inevitable.”Caesar nods again. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar: “Of course, of course. I’m getting ahead of myself. I lost Stu, I don’t know when he’s going to come back or if he ever will. Now, I have the opportunity to make new connections that will benefit both parties here. Continue from where I have left off, rise to new height. I can do everything.”Uncle smiles, sensing the direction of this conversation. J.J. JAY!: “Wait, wait, before you say what I’m confident you’re about to say. Harry, bring it forward.”Harry limps forward with his box in hand and removes the top of it, presenting the General with a one-of-a-kind red Roman-meet-Nephews themed tracksuit. In fact, instead of the usual bottoms, there’s shorts and a toga. Uncle is gleeful presenting the pseudo-uniform to the general. Caesar smiles, matching the smirk on Uncle’s face. J.J. JAY!: “A tracksuit befitting one such as yourself.”
“Don’t be shy, General! Immortality is at the palm of your hands. It’s yours. Take it.”Then, Caesar’s smile suddenly vanishes. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar: “But this is not my way. I will not let myself get assimilated by a group of jackals. Your false promises and shaky grounds mean nothing to me because you are untrustworthy as you are callous. You think insulting Stu Grimes like that is the way to gain my favour? You’re no helpful hand, you just want to consume everything in your way. I am willing to give concessions from my sense of civility and honor in the quest of avenging my best friend, but the moment I give you my hand, you won’t be satisfied until you consume me whole. I can excuse your eccentricities but your insolence is why I will never be a Nephew.”Caesar turns his back to Uncle. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar: “Thank you for the week Uncle, I had fun. Also, I can very well see the brass knuckles you’re all hiding, if I was any surprised then perhaps I would say ‘Et tu, Uncle?’ But thankfully, I know better now. I got experience that you don’t.”He tightens his grip on the microphone and immediately smashes it in Harry’s face. Maid of Death grabs Caesar to get him away from Harry but she eats a microphone to the face for her troubles. The General kicks the unconscious Alphonse over, sending him sprawling off his wheel chair and rolling to the outside. He continues his rampage by grabbing the approaching Uncle by his legs and taking him down with a double leg takedown but before he could go ham on the ringleader, the Nephews swarm him. Half the Nephews grab him by the left arm and the other half grab him by the right arm, they drag him into the middle of the ring. His legs are also neutralized by more Nephew force, rendering him completely helpless. Cornelius Aurelius Caesar: “I got stabbed 23 times before, Uncle, do your fucking worst!”Uncle chuckles, and shrugs, pulling out the aforementioned brass knuckles, pink gems layering the knuckles. He glances at it, glances at Cornelius and then - PINK MIST TO THE FACE! The General can’t cover his face with his arms held by the Nephews, and blinded as he is, has no means of knowing when the strikes might come. J.J. JAY!: “My dear General. Thomas spoke to me earlier, you may have noted his absence. He told me that doing this would make us no different than the Yuppies running this whole business. And I think he was right. We’re going to do things differently. Besides, between you and I, GG there said he wouldn’t come out if I proceeded with it. Although I think that enticed the prospect to Dreamer a bit more. But it all works out anyways. You were betrayed once upon a time, and so allowed to keep that ego of yours intact. In fact, I’m sure you wanted this. You were ready to embrace it. Being betrayed is easier to stomach than defeat. I’m not going to give you what you want. Instead, at Lights Out, in your Superdome, I’m going to make you taste something you’ve never truly tasted before. A rout, Nephew. Decimation. Outmaneuvering. A sacking. Subjugation! And with no one else to blame but yourself. No deceit. No big dumb giant to blame. Just you. Only you. At the Superdome, Nephew, it is I that will come, that will see, and that will conquer.”Uncle drops the microphone, and the Nephews drop Caesar’s arms in the process. The General tries to retaliate instantly, but blinded as he is, and with the Nephews scattering and grinning, he’s only striking at the air. As “No Love” echoes in the Blended Festival once more, Caesar finally reaches to his face to rid himself of the pink mist blinding him. He glares outside the ring at the retreating Nephews. Allen Price: “On one hand, I’m grateful we didn’t see a repeat of what your Executive Excellence did on Meltdown, on the other, that doesn’t make me like the Nephews anymore. I hope Caesar makes Uncle regret underestimating him if this challenge really does go through.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “He should’ve just accepted the offer, Allen, but he’s too proud for his own good. You really think Uncle is going to give him a fair match at Lights Out? Uncle is just delaying the gratification. And I think I’m going to enjoy seeing Caesar getting humbled in ‘his’ superdome.”
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 triple threat match scheduled for one fall, and it is for the FWA North American Championship!"
"Legendary" || Royce Da 5'9 feat. Travis Barker"Legendary" plays and the crowd erupts into boos as "The Legend" makes his way out with his father, Logan Darwin, in tow. The fans let Johnny hear it but he doesn't let it phase him any and before he walks down to the ring he says something to his father, and Logan nods and turns around and returns to the back as Johnny walks down to the ring. Allen Price: "Johnny Johnson making his way out without his father at his side, and if you recall the last time he went one on one with Lizzie Rose, he won the North American Championship with the assistance of his father. Is it wise for Johnny to go it alone, J-L?"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Perhaps he wants to show that he can get it done without the help of his daddy at ringside, which I must admit is admiral."
Allen Price: "Do I detect a hint of sarcasm?"
Jean-Luc Watkins: "You're getting better Price."
"The Key, the secret" || The Urban Cookie CollectiveThe crowd roars to life for Lizzie Rose, who sprints out on stage and immediately poses for the fans. She dances along with her theme music as she runs down to the ring. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Could you imagine if she won tonight, Price? What a laugh that would be!"
Allen Price: "You never know, it could happen. Anything is possible, J-L."
Jean-Luc Watkins: "Oh you crack me up, Price, good joke!"
Allen Price: "Despite what you think, these fans certainly believe in Lizzie Rose."
"Sick" || Adelitas Way The champion makes his way out to a mixed reaction but the fans still firmly behind Lizzie Rose for tonight's affair. Nevertheless, none of that phases the champion as he walks down to the ring with his title nestled snuggly around his waist. Jean-Luc Watkins: "Now, here comes the man that will be walking out of here still the champion tonight, rest assured."
Allen Price: "If you say so, J-L."The three competitors stand in their respective corners as Natalie stands in the center of the ring. Natalie Rosenberg: "Introducing the challengers, first from Philadelphia, PA and weighing in at 230 lb, he is "The Legend" Johnny Johnson!"More boos for the self proclaimed legend as he returns the boos with his own crude gestures... Natalie Rosenberg: "Next, from Brooklyn, NY and weighing in at 99 lb, she is "The Rave" Lizzie Rose!"The crowd is firmly behind Lizzie Rose as a loud, positive response for her is heard... Natalie Rosenberg: "Their opponent, he weighs in at 240 lb and he is the current FWA North American Champion...representing Executive Excellence..."The Prodigy"...Mike Parr!"A mixed reaction for the champion as he hands off his championship to referee Larry Stevens, who holds it up high and then hands it off to the ringside and calls for the bell! SIXTH MATCH - MAIN EVENT
(1/60) | Mike Parr [c] vs. Lizzie Rose vs. Johnny Johnson (w/ Logan Darwin).
FWA North American Championship
Triple Threat Match.
(Match writer: Jimmy) | The bell sounds and the main event for Fallout 020 is underway as Johnson makes a beeline for Lizzie Rose, and pummels her in her corner, much to the dismay of the fans in attendance that shower Johnson with pure hatred. Johnson stops mid-beatdown to respond to the crowd with another crude gesture before returning his attention back to his attack on poor Lizzie Rose. Back in his corner, the champion, Mike Parr watches on as he decides to let Johnson soften up Lizzie. Johnson takes Rose by the head and sends her to the opposite corner with an irish whip, and Rose bounces hard out of the corner straight into a short-arm clothesline by Johnson!
Johnson glances over at Parr and gives off another crude gesture in Parr’s general direction, and the champion seems a bit nonplussed by it but he still makes his way out of the corner, and he gives a light tap on Johnson’s shoulder and just as Johnson violently turns around, Parr levels him with a hard right! Parr is in the driver seat now as he continues to drill Johnson with rights and then some lefts as Johnson is on spaghetti legs and Parr kicks his legs out from underneath him, and with Johnson down to one knee, Parr strikes with a shining wizard! Johnson rolls to the apron before Parr can inflict any further harm, and Parr turns around just in time as Lizzie Rose comes leaping off the top rope and Parr catches her in mid-air and holds her in position for longer than she’d like to be held before he drops her down hard with a powerslam! Parr doesn’t waste any time as he lands a nicely executed standing moonsault on Rose and makes the cover!
One…
NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The champion is right where he wants to be now in the driver’s seat as he takes control of the match.”
Parr drops a knee right across Lizzie’s face before applying a headlock to slow the pace, but not long after that it’s broken up by Johnson as he knees Parr in the head! Johnson then lays into Parr with several stomps to the midsection and head area all the while he’s trash talking Parr. Lizzie is starting to gain her senses back and quickly takes advantage of the opening as she rolls up Johnson from behind with a school-boy!
One…
TW-NO!
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Lizzie Rose nearly pulled off the upset right there!”
Allen Price: “Rose caught Johnny Johnson by surprise that’s for sure!”
Johnson kicks out and rolls through back to his feet and he swings wildly but Lizzie catches him by the arm and counters with an arm drag! Lizzie with another arm drag and then she follows up with a seated senton to Johnson! Lizzie is feeling it now as the crowd rallies behind her, but her comeback is cut short as she turns around right into a flying knee to the face courtesy of Mike Parr! Parr takes the dazed Lizzie and hits a double underhook backbreaker on The Rave, and Lizzie crumbles to the mat, clutching her lower spine and Parr adds insult to injury with a soccer kick straight to the back! Lizzie rolls over on her stomach, which allows Parr to continue to target her lower back with several brutal looking stomps!
Allen Price: “The crowd is letting Mike Parr know exactly how they feel right now.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Mike Parr isn’t here to make friends, Price. He’s here to win the match and make sure the North American Championship stays with Executive Excellence!”
Johnson clubs Parr from behind and pummels Parr down to a knee before taking Parr by the head, and Johnson drops Parr with a snap suplex! Johnson then lands a running senton to Parr, who was lying face down and Johnson applies a side headlock to Parr. Mike Parr is trying to break free, but to no avail as Johnson does his best to maintain a good grip on the hold. Eventually, Parr starts to rise up and he breaks out of the hold, and he drills Johnson with several back elbow shots! Johnson is reeling and Parr runs the ropes and comes back with a clothesline, taking Johnson off of his feet, but in an instant Johnson kips right back up and he starts to trade blows with Parr. The crowd starts to stir and cheer, unbeknownst to Parr and Johnson, Lizzie Rose is propped up on the apron and just as Parr and Johnson turn their attention to Lizze, she takes them both out with a springboard crossbody! Parr instinctively rolls over to the apron for a reprieve while Lizzie focuses on her long time arch nemesis, Johnny Johnson.
Johnson springs back to his feet and swings wildly again at Lizzie, who once again ducks and this time she answers back with a spinning heel kick! Lizzie unloads on Johnny with a spinning back fist and a back hand chop before running the ropes, and she comes back with Girls Meets Mat! Tornado DDT to Johnny Johnson and she drops down on him for the cover!
One…
Two…
THR-NO!
Mike Parr makes the save just in time!
Allen Price: “I thought for certain that was it and we had a new champ!”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Now, don’t be so quick to count out Mike Parr, Price.”
Allen Price: “I never did count him out, J-L.”
Parr drags Lizzie away from Johnson and tosses her in the corner where he peppers her with lefts and rights, followed by stomps until she’s slumped down, and Parr drives his knee straight at her jaw at full speed!
Allen Price: “Good grief, he could’ve dislocated her jaw, or at the very least knocked a tooth out!”
Parr drags Lizzie back up and hits a bridging northern lights suplex!
One…
Two…
NO!
Lizzie kicks out this time! Parr lays into her with more stomps before kicking her to the apron and then to the outside! Parr motions wiping his hands clean and then from behind he’s clubbed by Johnny Johnson, and then Johnson lands a boot to the midsection and plants Parr with a float over DDT! Johnson drops down on Parr and hooks the far leg!
One…
Two…
NO!
Johnson sits up and runs his hands through his hair with a look of frustration. Johnson scolds referee Larry Stevens and orders him to count faster next time. Johnson bends down to pick up Parr, but Parr catches Johnson with a small package!
One…
Two…
NO!
Johnson kicks out just in the nick of time! Meanwhile, on the outside, Lizzie Rose is starting to stir as the fans try their best to rally her back in the match. Johnson attempts a front face lock grapple on Parr, but Parr counters with a sit out jawbreaker! Parr then spins Johnson around and hits him with a belly to back suplex! Parr is looking to finish this as he starts making his way to the turnbuckle to climb up top…
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Parr has X Marks the spot in mind, and if he hits it then this match is as good as over!”
Allen Price: “Yay, another Executive Excellence victory…”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Show a little more excitement than that, Price!”
Allen Price: “...Wait…you’d be wise not to count out Lizzie Rose, J-L!”
Parr is up top but Lizzie Rose has now joined him up there, and the two of start duking it out until Parr pie faces Lizzie back into the ring but unfortunately that comes back to bite Parr as Lizzie falls right into the ropes causing Parr to crotch himself! Parr falls off the turnbuckle, while holding his family jewels, as Lizzie begins to realize what has happened. Parr is slowly starting to collect himself on the apron but Lizzie is right there with The Shuffle! Triangle dropkick to Parr sends him flying to the outside!
Lizzie can’t believe it but there’s still one more opponent left as Johnson drills her from behind and Johnson sends Lizzie to the corner with an irish whip. Johnson backs up and has Lizzie in his sights as he comes charging towards her but she counters with a pendulum kick out of the corner followed by a missile dropkick to Johnson! Lizzie is feeding off the energy now as she takes Johnny by the head and runs towards the corner…SLICED LIZ! SHE HITS ALL OF IT AND DROPS DOWN ON TOP OF JOHNSON FOR THE COVER!
ONE
TWO
THREE!
Winner: Lizzie Rose at 35:02 |
Jean-Luc Watkins: “She did it, Price!! Lizzie Rose did it!!”Lizzie Rose can barely move for a moment, and instead lays in the middle of the ring, spent and broken and exhausted. She can’t here the explosion of noise around her, or the chanting of her name, or even the official asking her if she is okay. Natalie Rosenberg: “Here is your winner… and the NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW FWA North American Champion… LIZZIE ROSE!!”
Allen Price: “What a contest, Price! Unbelievable stuff! These three go more than half an hour, but Lizzie Rose emerges with the North American Championship… a true fan favourite, and would you listen to Austin right now!”
Indeed, the noise is quite ridiculous, and eventually Lizzie comes to and begins to climb to her feet in the eye of the storm. She looks as though she might fall down, but catches herself on the ropes and uses them to keep her vertical base. The official has collected her newly won championship prize, handing it over to Lizzie. Rose takes it hesitantly, almost as if she’s unsure whether she is worthy, or whether she will prove herself to be in time.
Finally, with the audience going bonkers around her, Lizzie Rose lifts the belt high up into the air, and then climbs to the second turnbuckle to repeat the gesture from a higher perch. We fade to black on this picture of a new, confident champion.
"Greenback Boogie" || Ima Robot.Jeering intensifies as the familiar anthem of the FWA World Champion plays out into the open air of the Blended Festival. Allen Price: “The Austin faithful are incensed at the sight of your boy Danny Toner.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “The Austin faithful are a bunch of fruit loops Allen. It doesn’t matter, all that matters is that Alyster Black is going to do the right thing and relinquish his shot at the FWA World Championship.”
Allen Price: “You don’t really believe that Alyster Black is going to give up an opportunity to tear Danny Toner’s head off do you?”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “Of course I do! Any other option is suicide for Mr. Black.”Indeed they are incensed, becoming more rabid as Danny steps through the curtains on the main stage with a big shit eating grin on his face. Immaculately clean clothes - a grey CP jumper, black fitted jeans, white Gucci runners -, World Championships strung over his shoulders and in his right hand is a stack of papers. He holds it up in the air for all to see, the top of the visible page reads “Lights Out World Championship Match Contract”. The jeers continue as Danny happily strolls down to the ring, with a swagger that screams smug, arrogant, and knowing he’s the GOAT. Inside the ring as his music begins to die down Danny calls for a microphone. Danny Toner: “I told all of you that I was a good guy.”Booing. Danny Toner: “What? You all saw Violet Dreyer get carted off in the back of an ambulance. I showed a little bit of good faith and this is how you repay me?”Booing intensifies. Danny Toner: “I really don’t get it. What do you people want from me? I promised I’d let Violet Dreyer survive if Alyster agreed to my condition: don’t dare show up at Lights Out. I exercised some good freakin’ will by letting that tramp go and what do I get in return? An acceptance from Cal Robinson on behalf of Alyster Black. An announcement that the Lights Out main event will NOT go ahead as planned. I mean… how much of a fucking pussy are you? You see wrestling fans, you might think I’m doing you all a disservice by getting this match cancelled at Lights Out, but in reality, I’m saving you all from the most awkward, horrifying viewing you’ll ever lay eyes on. Nobody needs to see what I would have done to Alyster Black if he had have decided to swallow his common sense and show up in my ring. You’ve been subject to a lot over these last few years; two Saint Sulley reigns, a hot potato of what was once a great title, the overexposure of the dirt-worst stable to EVER hit FWA - yo, Unc’! - and an absolute fuckfest of irrationality from those in power. It would be unbecoming of me to force you to witness such brutality of your beloved Alyster Black. I don’t want that for you. I don’t want that for him. It was with great freakin’ relief I viewed Cal’s little FWA exclusive today but then it got me thinking… Black shouldn’t get to scoot off scott-free. He shouldn’t get to just run away like Randy Ramon and Krash. He hasn’t earned that. Alyster, bud, you’re doing the right thing by not taking up your shot at Lights Out… but you owe all these fans a damn explanation! That’s why I want you to come out here right fuckin’ now and tell all these fans that you’re not on my level, that it would be irresponsible of you to get into my ring, that you want to save your own ass the complete and utter embarassment of what would transpire if you even thought about stepping to me. Hit Sonne. This is the last fuckin’ time you’ll ever be in the presence of the champion of the world, this is the last time you’ll ever look across a ring and see someone of my standing. You better make the most of this little explanation Aly… because this is the last damn time you’ll ever be relevant.”
"Sonne" || Rammstein.Alyster walks through the curtain to a major pop, but the number one contender to the FWA World Championship is in no mood to soak in their adulation. The masked man has his FWA X Championship strapped around his waist and unfastens it as he walks down the aisle, dragging it behind. He quickly enters the ring and stares down Danny but is met with a laugh from the champion. Danny hands Alyster the contract and then fumbles around his pocket before producing a zippo lighter. Grinning wildly, he tosses Alyster the lighter, the X champion lets go of his championship belt to catch it. Danny looks down on the belt, shaking his head in disgust at the sight of it. Danny Toner: “CUT THE MUSIC!”Sonne quickly dies out and the crowd begins to chant. “FUCK HIM UP ALY! FUCK HIM UP!”
Clap, clap!
Danny Toner: “Cute belt, champ. You think you can hide behind Robinson? You think you can disrespect me!? Nawh, I want you to show the whole fuckin’ world what I’ve known all along… that you’re nothing more than a little bitch who got lucky. You are who you are because of who you tagged with. You’re the product of sheer good luck and a hell of a lot of chance. You don’t even deserve to be here. Think about it. You’re live on television, making a quick buck because of who you’re in the ring with. Nothing new there, right? You want to do somethin’? You must wanna hit me, right?”Danny juts his chin forward, offering Alyster a free shot. Danny Toner: “But you’ll do fucking nothing, you sorry excuse for a wrestler. You ain’t got no fight. You ain’t got no charisma. You ain’t worth one single iota of my time. But… you pissed me off. The fact that you even think you could step to me pissed me off. The fact that you actually even dared to dream that you could take these championships from me pissed me off. You… you fucking piss me off. You’re a carny schmuck that shouldn’t even be signed to the roster yet somehow, someway, you were mere weeks away from fighting me for the Undisputed World Championship. Funny, ain’t it? But the jig is up, Aly. I want you to take that lighter and set fire to that contract. I want you to tell everyone that you’re a fuckin’ bitch that’s too afraid of the consequences. I want you to admit you’re out of your league and that you’re rowing up shit creek with your fuckin’ hands, flappin’ and flailin’ like the two-bit con of a man that you actually are. You’re finished. No set ablaze your hopes and aspirations like a good little lamb AND GET THE HELL OUT OF MY DAMN RING!!!”Danny inches closer, his nose so close to touching Alyster’s. He takes a deep breath then backs off, readjusting his tie as he composes himself. Alyster holds the lighter up as the crowd is begging him to not go through with it. Alyster lights the zippo, holding the flame up to a chorus of boos as Danny Toner eggs him on. Alyster raises the contract up and brings it close to the flame. Allen Price: “I cannot believe that Alyster Black is actually going to go through with this.”
Jean-Luc Watkins: “I’ve always said Allen, Alyster Black is one of the smartest men working in the FWA today, he knows what’s good for him.”The flame inches closer and closer, singing the corner of the contract… BUT ALYSTER THROWS THE PAPERS IN DANNY TONERS FACE RIGHT BEFORE HEADBUTTING HIM HARD ENOUGH TO KNOCK HIM OFF HIS FEET! The Austin crowd explodes, cheering on Alyster Black’s actions with extreme gusto. Jean-Luc Watkins: “CHEAP SHOTTING SON OF A BITCH! ALYSTER BLACK IS AN IDIOT! WHAT THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE’S DOING?!”
Allen Price: “He’s doing the right thing Baby! He’s going to Lights Out, he’s going to challenge for the World Championship!”Alyster drops down into a mount and rains down on Danny Toner with wild haymakers. Danny does his best to cover up and fight back. He manages to shove Alyster off and scrambles to his feet. Alyster lunges for him again, tackling him into the ropes, both men are laying into each other with closed fists. Jean-Luc Watkins: "and he repays him with this?”
Allen Price: “Danny Toner deserves a lot more than this Jean-Luc. Get him Alyster!”They move into the corner where Alyster starts ripping into Toner with elbow strikes and headbutts. Danny reaches out, grabbing at Alyster’s mask and twisting it slightly, obscuring his vision enough so that Danny can shove him back and take him down to the mat. Danny is raining down with punches now but Alyster fights back, clawing at Danny’s eyes. Security bum rushes the ring, a dozen strong. Black security shirts swamping the battling pair. Alyster and Danny are completely enveloped and pulled apart. Both men brought to their feet, screaming at each other. Danny’s noise is bloodied and he is furious, spitting at Alyster Black. The number one contender breaks free from the group holding him back and leaps into the group holding Danny, laying into the World Champion again until he’s pulled off once more. The security holding Danny back manage to get him out of the ring and up the ramp. The group remaining in the ring manage to keep Black from following. On the ramp, security have taken their hands off Danny, he’s content to walk away and settle things at Lights Out, but realises that something is missing. He looks into the ring and spots his World Championship belt laying on the mat. Security has given Alyster Black some breathing room. He finds his own X championship on the mat, picking it up and raising it high as he steps on the World Championship. Jean-Luc Watkins: “The disrespect. That’s the world championship you goon! That’s Danny Toner’s championship belt!”Allen Price: “And Alyster Black is sending a clear message, that he believes his X Championship is the REAL world championship, and at Lights Out he has a chance to prove it once and for all.”Alyster kicks the world championship out of the ring, Danny leaps forward to catch it but comes up just short. He picks his Undisputed World Championship belt and stares at Alyster Black in the ring with pure hatred in his eyes whilst security makes a barrier to keep the fired up combatants from continuing their brawl as the show fades to black. |
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