SJL Wrath

[Thoth 0]

[Funyon is already in the ring.]

 

Funyon: Good evening, and welcome to SJL Metal!

 

[The crowd erupts].

 

Funyon: Tonight’s first contest is a Triple Threat match scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, standing five feet ten inches tall and weighing in at one hundred and eighty-seven pounds, he hails from Seattle, Washington...Tommy Nguyen!

 

[“Creatures” by 311 starts up, and starts up every light in the arena flashes on as “Tommy Nguyen” flashes on the Smarktron. Tommy makes his way down the ramp as red, orange and yellow pyro goes off around the entrance, slides into the ring, goes to one of the far corner’s and awaits his opponent.]

 

[Tommy Nguyen is getting a good reaction from the fans. A large portion of the crowd is cheering him, and there are sporadic “Tommy” chants.]

 

Funyon: His opponent, standing five feet eleven inches tall, weighing in at two-hundred and five pounds and fighting out of Duncan, British Columbia, Canada...Craig McLennan!

 

[Craig McLennan is met with a round of boos from the crowd as he emerges from the entryway.

Craig McLennan Comes out to the song "Rose of Pain" by X-Japan. He Reaches into his suit, and produces a Zippo© brand lighter. He walks to the ring and puts the lighter down in the corner, and hops up onto the apron, then to the top, and backflips into the ring.]

 

Judge: Craig McLennan the first of two Canadian competitors in this match.

Eijiro: And that’s at least two too many.

 

Funyon: And their opponent, standing six feet four inches, weighing in at two-hundred and thirty-six pounds, and hailing from Sudbury, Ontario,Canada...making his SJL debut...Brian Bowers!

 

[There are a couple of shouts of recognition from the crowd.

The houselights cut out, and the video screen abruptly cuts to static.

“The Gash (Battle Hymn for the Wounded Mathematician)” by the Flaming Lips begins blaring over the PA.

After a few seconds, Brian Bowers and Kate Elliot emerge from the entryway.

Brian Bowers gets little to no response from the crowd.

Kate Elliot is wearing torn, faded black jeans, an ancient grey-and-black checked flannel shirt, ankle-high Doc Martens and a grey KMFDM t-shirt, and carrying an old black canvas backpack.

Brian Bowers is wearing a floor-length, badly damaged black duster jacket in addition to his usual ring attire of weatherbeaten khakis, maroon boots and a black Rush t-shirt. As always, he has a steel chair and a two-foot piece of rebar with him. Kate Elliot is carrying a large cup of convenience-store coffee, which she periodically drinks from.

As Brian Bowers and Kate Elliot approach the ring, the lights fade back up.

Bowers lopes toward the ring, keeping his eyes fixed squarely on the floor.

Two or three fans are chanting “Wayne Reid”.

Brian Bowers flips off their general direction without looking up from the floor.

Brian Bowers steps between the top and middle ropes and takes his corner. He hands the chair and rebar back to Kate Elliot, who sets them at ringside.

Brian Bowers removes his jacket and hangs it over the turnbuckle as the music fades out.

Brian Bowers yells something inaudible to a teenager in the front row.

A few of the fans are starting to boo Brian Bowers.

Kate Elliot sets her backpack down at ringside and immediately starts going through it.

 

Annie: Brian Bowers not making much of a first impression.

Eijiro: At least he comes prepared. Brian Bowers brought a steel chair and a piece of rebar to the ring with him, plus whatever Kate Elliot’s got in that backpack.

Judge: Well, he is facing two significantly younger, significantly more athletic competitors in this match – going for weapons early and often is probably his best strategy. I’ve seen some some SFWL footage of Bowers – he’s a lot of things, but an athlete he isn’t.

 

Matthew Kivell calls for the bell.

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Annie: And this match is underway!

 

[brian Bowers ducks back through the ropes and calls to Kate Elliot.

Kate Elliot throws Brian Bowers a can of RC Cola.

He cracks it and sits down on the apron, facing away from the ring.]

 

Annie: What the hell is this? This isn’t an elmination match – Bowers could lose even without getting into the ring!

 

[Tommy Nguyen takes a couple of tentative jabs at Craig McLennan, barely making contact. McLennan responds with a crescent kick, but Nguyen avoids it with a quick sidestep. Brian Bowers takes a brief, disinterested look over his shoulder at his opponents, then turns his action back to his drink.]

 

Eijiro: You know, you may have been unfair in your assessment of Brian Bowers. Imean, he comes to the ring prepared, he’s a proponent of proper hydration, Kate Elliot was probably attractive as recently as a couple of years ago...

Annie: That last one’s a longshot. She looks like she was dipped in pure 1993.

 

[Craig McLennan catches Tommy Nguyen with a right jab to the midsection, then a stiff left hand to the jaw. Brian Bowers steps off the ring apron.]

 

Eijiro: A big left hook has Nguyen reeling!

 

[Craig McLennan takes a step back, then pulls off a picture-perfect standing dropkick! He connects high on Tommy Nguyen’s chest, sending him staggering into the corner. McLennan takes a running start and attempts a high kick, but Tommy Nguyen jukes to the left! McLennan is able to stop short before hanging himself up, but Nguyen sweeps his leg out, sending McLennan back-first to the mat!]

 

Annie: Sweep of the leg, and McLennan is down!

 

[McLennan gets to his feet, but Nguyen is right on him. He grabs his arm and whips him diagonally across the ring, where he collides back-first with the turnbuckles. A buzz goes up from the crowd.]

 

Annie: The crowd knows what’s coming! Nguyen looking for that famous corner combo!

Eijiro: Also known as the “series of closed fists” – I hope Kivell disqualifies him!

 

[Tommy Nguyen sprints across the ring and nails Craig McLennan in the midsection with a kneelift. He lays a knifehand chop into McLennan’s chest, then another. The fans are cheering Nguyen on as his strikes increase in speed – another knifehand chop, a kick to the midsection, then two right hands to the face. The second punch appears to stagger McLennan. Nguyen rears back for a massive headbutt, but before he can hit it, Craig McLennan falls face-first to the mat!]

 

Judge: McLennan apparently...

 

[Craig McLennan slides feet-first out of the ring, getting crotched on the post. (As is now obvious) Brian Bowers had him by the ankles. There are scattered boos audible.]

 

Judge: Brian Bowers involved in this match for the first time!

 

[You can tell Bowers is serious because he abandoned his soda on the ring apron. He ducks into the ring between the bottom and middle ropes, grabs McLennan by the arms and hauls him to the center of the ring. Bowers paintbrushes McLennan as he rolls on the mat in severe nadular pain.]

 

Judge: Bowers mocking Craig McLennan with a series of slaps across the back of the head!

Annie: That’s kind of overconfident, considering all he’s done so far is bag him on the ringpost.

 

[brian Bowers stands up, right into a spinning heel kick from a waiting Tommy Nguyen!]

 

Annie: Nguyen was measuring Bowers up the whole time!

 

[Tommy Nguyen tenses with anticipation, waiting for Bowers to stagger into position. As soon as he does, Nguyen snaps off a stunning enzuigiri! Bowers crumples to the mat in a heap.]

 

Annie: Enzuigiri puts Bowers on the mat!

 

[bowers is already getting to his feet, but Nguyen is right on hi...snap suplex!]

 

Judge: Tommy Nguyen took the lanky six-four Bowers over clean, and dropped him hard on the canvas! Bowers not so fast getting to his feet this time...

 

[The fans are really getting behind Tommy Nguyen as he measures Brian Bowers up, waiting until he is almost fully upright before firing off a superkick!]

 

Annie: Superk...NO! Bowers ducked!

 

[bowers lunges into the move, ducking under Nguyen’s leg, then popping up with a shoulder to the lower midsection.]

 

Annie: There was NO way that hit him in the “midsection”!

Eijiro: Well, if that’s just the way his shoulder happens to connect as an unforseen result of a legitimate move, no foul. Really, it was the mediocre superkick by Nguyen that was the problem.

Annie: ...

 

[Tommy Nguyen is on the mat clutching his groin. Matthew Kivell gets in Brian Bowers’ face, and Bowers responds with a hands-up “I’m innocent! I swears it!” posture.]

 

Brian Bowers: I DUCKED! I can’t DUCK here?!

 

[brian Bowers is starting to draw a sizeable amount of boos from the crowd. Tommy Nguyen is starting to recover, fighting up to his hands and knees, but Brian Bowers punts him in the midsection.]

 

Judge: I’m sensing some talent here. I like the way Bowers thinks.

 

[bowers turns Nguyen over and makes a quick pinfall attempt, neglecting to hook the leg. Matthew Kivell slides in to make the count...]

 

ONE...

 

SHOULDER UP!

 

[Nguyen lifts the shoulder with authority, partially turning himself over as he does so.]

 

Eijiro: A weak cover barely gets a one-count for Brian Bowers!

Annie: Bowers not showing off much of that skill he’s been talking about.

 

[brian Bowers hooks a facelock on Nguyen and forces him up to a hunched vertical base. He grabs Nguyen by the back of the tights and hoists him vertical. The soles of Nguyen’s boots are pointed directly at the lights as Bowers drops down, spiking Tommy Nguyen with a brainbuster!]

 

Eijiro: Brainbuster! Bowers dropped Nguyen hard on his neck!

 

[The fans are cheering Tommy on, and a small group of fans somewhere near the tenth row have started a “Bowers sucks” chant.]

 

Judge: Bowers going for the lateral press...

 

[bowers covers Tommy Nguyen. Matthew Kivell, already in position to count the fall, begins the three-count.]

 

ONE...

 

TWOSHOULDERUP!

 

[A cheer goes up for Tommy Nguyen.]

 

Annie: Bowers just barely got a two-count there!

Judge: It was a well-executed move, but it’s too early to put Nguyen away!

 

[bowers stays on him, locking his arm around Nguyen’s neck. He turns him face-down, then powers him to the mat, applying a grounded front facelock. Craig McLennan is back on his feet...]

 

Eijiro: McLennan showing real presence of mind here – resisting breaking up the hold even though Bowers could technically get a submission. He knows its early, and he might as well let Bowers do some damage.

 

[Tommy Nguyen is struggling to break the hold and, after approximately ten seconds of fighting, he’s able to. Scattered “Tommy” chants are audible throughout the crowd and getting louder.]

 

Judge: Tommy Nguyen able to fight out of the front facelock!

 

[Tommy Nguyen goes for a Wakigatame, but Brian Bowers blocks it and shoves him off. Bowers slowly gets to his feet...and Craig McLennan nails him with a running clothesline! He jumps into it, taking Bowers down to the mat.]

 

Eijiro: Big clothesline by Craig McLennan!

 

[Craig McLennan nails Brian Bowers with two stiff kicks to the shoulder. Tommy Nguyen follows it up by locking on the Wakigatame.]

 

Eijiro: McLennan working the shoulder, softening it up for Nguyen’s Fujiwara armbar!

 

[brian Bowers is struggling to break the hold, while Craig McLennan fires off some kicks at his right shoulder. Matthew Kivell checks on Brian Bowers as he attempts to fight his way loose.]

 

Judge: McLennan getting in a few kicks on Bowers right shoulder now, while Nguyen has him locked in the Wakigatame!

 

[brian Bowers is writhing in pain. Yelling with exertion (and starting to sweat a lot for a skinny guy), he manages to force his way out of the armbar after fourteen seconds.]

 

Annie: Bowers able to break the hold!

 

[Craig McLennan nails Brian Bowers with a snap kick to the chest. McLennan and Nguyen hoist Bowers to his feet and whip him into the ropes...]

 

Judge: Bowers shot off the ropes...

 

[Craig McLennan takes Brian Bowers down with a Japanese armdrag.]

 

Annie: And McLennan takes him over with a Japanese armdrag!

Judge: The size difference in this match isn’t as much of a factor as Bowers hoped it would be.

Eijiro: Well, you have to take into account that it’s basically two-on-one.

Annie: Psychologically speaking, I don’t think they have a choice. This is the first time I’ve even seen this guy and all I can think about is punching him in the head.

 

[bowers barely has time to hit the mat before Tommy Nguyen has him set up for a shoulderbreaker. Nguyen, struggling slightly with the larger Bowers, plants Bowers’ right shoulder firmly on his knee before dropping him backfirst on the mat.]

 

Judge: Not the best-looking shoulderbreaker I’ve ever seen, but effective!

 

[bowers is able to get to his left hand and knees relatively quickly, but has some difficulty getting further than that. Nguyen lines himself up and bounces off the ropes, looking for the Fame-Asser! Bowers lunges forward into the move and hooks Nguyen’s planted leg. Nguyen lands on his back on the canvas. Bowers plants his knees on opposite sides of Nguyen’s waist and locks on a blatant two-handed choke. McLennan drops into his fighting stance, but doesn’t intervene...]

 

Annie: Bowers counters the Fame-Asser with a leg takedown into a blatant chokehold!

Judge: Kivell counting down that chokehold...

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

THREE

 

FOUR…

 

[brian Bowers releases the chokehold, and hits Nguyen with a left jab to the face. Bowers then locks the chokehold right back on him. Matthew Kivell begins counting immediately.]

 

Annie: Bowers holding that chokehold for as long as possible without getting disqualified, then slapping it right back on!

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

THREE

 

FOUR...

 

[brian Bowers releases the chokehold and stands up. He lets Tommy Nguyen get to his knees, then steps in on him. He hooks the doubled-over Nguyen by the waist, and in a single motion lifts him up to a near- vertical position. Craig McLennan runs in and grabs Nguyen’s ankles, spiking him as Bowers plants him with a piledriver! Bowers comes up clutching his shoulder, though.]

 

Judge: McLennan actually coming in with the assist for Bowers there! Nguyen’s neck takes more punishment via a spike piledriver!

Eijiro: McLennan just plain wants to win this match! He’s looking for ways to do as much damage as possible to both opponents!

 

[brian Bowers grabs Nguyen’s leg. positioning himself for the STF. But before he can lock on the stepover toehold, McLennan nails him with a vicious roundhouse kick! Bowers is knocked flat on his back, and McLennan immediately rolls Nguyen over (throwing Bowers’ leg out of the way) and goes for the cover.]

 

Annie: McLennan with a lateral press!

 

[McLennan hooks Nguyen’s leg. Matthew Kivell is in position to make the count...]

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

KICKOUT!

 

Eijiro: McLennan grabs another two-count!

Judge: Bowers hurting from that assault on his arms – he’s going for moves that don’t specifically require a lot of arm strength. He was just sinking his thumbs in on that choke, and the STF is built primarily around the toehold!

 

[bowers is still trying to shake the cobwebs as he crawls to the ropes, using them to pull himself up. As he does so, McLennan bounces off the ropes on the opposite side and nails Bowers with a high cross-body press, sending both men sprawling through the ropes and out to the safety mats at ringside.]

 

Judge: As soon as Bowers got to his feet, McLennan caught him with the running cross-body! McLennan taking Bowers out to the floor!

 

ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR...

 

[Matthew Kivell begins counting Bowers and McLennan out of the ring. Craig McLennan is the first to his feet, but Bowers is quick to follow. Bowers hauls back to take a swing at McLennan when, out of nowhere, Tommy Nguyen wipes both men out with a plancha!]

 

Annie: And Tommy Nguyen takes out Bowers and McLennan!!

 

[Matthew Kivell, sensing the counterproductivity of a triple-countout, allows them to brawl on the outside.]

 

[Tommy Nguyen grabs Craig McLennan’s arm and hauls him to his feet...then whips him into the ring apron! Nguyen follows up with a series of kicks to the small of his back. McLennan is in obvious pain, wincing as each kick connects. Brian Bowers, slowly getting back to his feet, calls over to Kate Elliot. She throws him the chair, which he catches, fumbling it briefly.]

 

Annie: Bowers calling for that steel chair!

 

[bowers takes a “running” start, lifting the chair for an overhand shot on the unaware Tommy Nguyen. Just as Bowers goes to wing, though, Nguyen turns around and snares him with a drop toehold! Bowers falls face-first onto the chair onto the back of Craig McLennan, sandwiching the chair between them.]

 

Eijiro: Well, at least Nguyen’s creative in his use of an illegal steel chair! If you’re going to cheat, at least make it look good!

Annie: ...

 

[The fans are really starting to get behind Tommy Nguyen now, cheering him on as he re-enters the ring, and (with some difficulty, given the size difference) grabs Bowers by the shoulders and pulls him underneath the bottom rope and into the ring. Craig McLennan collapses to the floor, the steel chair clattering down behind him.]

 

[Nguyen turns Bowers over by the arms. From this position, Nguyen transitions into a crucifix armbar, scissoring Bowers’ arm and throwing himself back on the mat.]

 

Annie: Cross-armbreaker applied with authority!

Eijiro: McLennan is left on the outside, as Matthew Kivell turns his attention to Nguyen and Bowers.

 

[Matthew Kivell checks on Brian Bowers, who is arched in pain, trying to break the submission hold. Matthew Kivell asks Bowers if he’s had enough – Bowers grimaces, but shakes his head.]

 

Judge: Things are not looking good for Brian Bowers! For all his talk, McLennan and Nguyen have outshined him for most of this match!

Annie: Again, this is the athleticism advantage coming into play. Bowers is having a lot of trouble keeping up with these younger competitors.

 

[summoning one last burst of energy, Bowers plants both feet in the mat and kicks...but Tommy Nguyen holds on!]

 

Annie: This might be it! Tommy Nguyen’s putting everything he’s got into that hold!

 

[The cheers for Tommy Nguyen are getting louder. Brian Bowers is visibly wearing out. Matthew Kivell asks Bowers if he’s had enough...as McLennan dives through the ropes onto Nguyen, bnreaking up the hold! This elicits a sizeable round of boos from the crowd.]

 

Eijiro: McLennan let that go as long as he could without Bowers actually submitting, then broke it up to prevent Nguyen from getting the fall!

 

[Craig McLennan grabs Tommy Nguyen by the arm and hauls him up. He whips him hard into the ropes...and catches him on the rebound with a headscissors takeover!]

 

Judge: Nice move by McLennan! He takes Nguyen down, and he’s headed all the way to the top rope!

 

[McLennan ascends the turnbuckles, and looks down at Tommy Nguyen. He waits anxiously as Nguyen slowly...gets...to...his...feet...then leaps off with a flying hurricanrana!]

 

Eijiro: What a maneuver! McLennan with a hurricanrana off the top!

 

[McLennan scrambles for a cover. The “Tommy” chant that’s starting up can’t hide the fact that McLennan’s move impressed the crowd.]

 

Judge: Quick cover by McLennan! Matthew Kivell is in position!

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

THR...BOWERS KICKS HIM IN THE HEAD!

 

[McLennan rolls off Nguyen.]

 

Annie: Bowers JUST got there in time! He booted McLennan, and JUST barely broke up the pinfall!

 

Brian Bowers, using his left arm almost exclusively, picks McLennan up off his back, facing away from him. Bowers shifts position, grabs McLennan’s head underneath his left arm, and drops him with an inverted DDT!

 

Annie: Bowers takes him down with the Slop Drop!

 

[brian Bowers stands up, and repeatedly stomps Craig McLennan’s midsection. After the fourth stomp, McLennan is able to cover up. Bowers keeps kicking regardless. The fans still seem unsure how to react, but they’re slowly trending toward yelling obscenities at him. Tommy Nguyen is starting to get to his feet...]

 

Eijiro: Bowers is putting the boots to Craig McLennan!

 

[Tommy Nguyen gets up and advances on Bowers. Nguyen shoves Bowers back, then...hits McLennan with a standing moonsault! The crowd pops for this, but some confusion is evident. Kate Elliot is up on the apron yelling instructions at Bowers.]

 

Judge: Nguyen actually double-teaming with Bowers now!

Eijiro: It makes sense from a strategic standpoint. McLennan is winning this match on points, and and he knows that if he took out Bowers, he’d only set himself up for McLennan! Maybe I had this kid figured wrong...

Annie: Although he did use an actual wrestling move, rather than just kicking him in the ribs.

 

[Tommy Nguyen stays on McLennan for the pinfall, hooking the outside leg...Matthew Kivell is there to count!]

 

Judge: Nguyen going for the fall!

 

ONE

 

TW...BOWERS WITH A KNEEDROP!

 

Judge: But Bowers breaks it up! He dropped a knee right on the neck of Tommy Nguyen! Bowers throws him off, and covers McLennan himself!

 

[brian Bowers is drawing a steady and intensifying negative reaction now.]

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

THR...SHOULDER UP!

 

Annie: McLennan gets the shoulder up!

Eijiro: If I was Bowers there, I would have covered Nguyen, not McLennan! This could be a critical strategic error on Bowers’ part!

 

[Tommy Nguyen comes from behind with a rolling cradle!]

 

Judge: And Nguyen takes Bowers down from behind! Bowers’ shoulders are down!

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

THR...MCLENNAN DIVES IN FOR THE SAVE!

 

Judge: Craig McLennan JUST made it there! Nguyen was a quarter-second away from victory!

 

[Craig McLennan nails Tommy Nguyen with a Tajiri-like kick to the head, laying him out. As Bowers gets to his knees, Craig McLennan grabs him by the back of the head and pulls him into a knee smash! Bowers falls backward, and a split-second later, McLennan lands square on his shoulder with a standing senton!]

 

Eijiro: McLennan with a cerefully measured senton, clearing Nguyen and coming down hard on Bowers’ shoulder!

 

[Craig McLennan pulls Bowers away from Nguyen, and grabs hold of his right arm. He reaches down to...STREET EXECUTION OUT OF NOWHERE! UNBELIEVABLE! McLennan goes down hard!]

 

Annie: Nguyen came out of NOWHERE! He managed to get up to the second rope, and nailed McLennan with an improvised Street Executi...and now he’s got the Wakigatame back on Bowers! Bowers is gonna...

 

[Nguyen is getting a good-to-great reaction from the crowd.

Kate Elliot, positioning herself on the apron directly behind Matthew Kivell, lobs Bowers’ half-full soda can into the ring with a high overhand arc. It lands less than a foot away from Bowers’ head.]

 

Kate Elliot: (screaming and pointing to the upper deck) That fuck threw something! Up there…in the green shirt! Get that asshole out of here!

 

Annie: What the hell?!...

 

Matthew Kivell instinctively turns around as two security staffers move through the crowd.

 

[brian Bowers grabs the soda can in his left hand, and with as much force as he can manage, slams it into Tommy Nguyen’s forehead. Nguyen releases the hold and clutches his forehead, as Bowers throws the flattened can out of the ring.]

 

Annie: NO! NO WAY! HE HAD HIM!

Eijiro: Now that’s teamwork! That was beautiful, man.

 

Brian Bowers glares at Kate Elliot.

Kate Elliot flips him off.

 

[Hearing the commotion but missing the action, Matthew Kivell turns his action back to the ring. Bowers very slowly gets up, and manages to get Tommy Nguyen up to his knees. Bowers immediately pins Nguyen’s arm behind his back with a hammerlock. Craig McLennan is starting to get to his feet. Bowers yells to his attention.]

 

Judge: What’s he going to do now?

Annie: This match is turning into Melrose Place!

Eijiro: ...

 

Bowers: (signalling with his right arm) GO UP!

 

Eijiro: Bowers calling for a double-team maneuver...

Judge: I don’t see how he’s planning to lift Nguyen up with that arm...

 

[Craig McLennan hesitates for a few seconds, then starts climbing the turnbuckles.

The crowd falls quiet, anticipating a big move.]

 

Judge: He’s going up! McLennan going to the top rope!

 

[brian Bowers lifts Tommy Nguyen to his feet as McLennan steadies himself on the top rope. Bowers...

 

Annie: OH MY GOD! McLennan fell from the top rope all the way to the floor!

 

[A “holy shit” chant immediately starts up.]

 

Judge: McLennan thought the odds were in his favor on that one – he figured he could take Bowers’ fall…or just take Bowers out...after the double-team, but Bowers played him for a sucker!

 

[bowers, having thrown himself down to manage the shove, painfully hauls himself to his feet. He waistlocks Tommy Nguyen and...BACKDROP DRIVER!]

 

Judge: God, that was ugly! Bowers basically hit that backdrop driver one-armed, and Nguyen landed on his shoulder and neck! Bowers with a cover...Matthew Kivell in position...

 

ONE

 

TWO

 

THREE!

 

[As soon as his hand hits the mat the third time, Matthew Kivell starts calling for the bell.]

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen...your winner...Brian Bowers!

 

[Matthew Kivell raises Brian Bowers’ arm. For all of two seconds before he pulls it away and skulks out of the irng, leaving through the service doors with Kate Elliot. The crowd boos them all the way to the back.]

 

Annie: Well, that was quite a debut for Brian Bowers. He won by the absolute lowest means possible, and there’s a good chance he injured both of his opponents.

Eijiro: I told you I sensed talent in this guy.

[Thoth 0]

[We come back from the commercial break with a shot of the Viking Hall former home of ECW, on the outside with the SJL logo in the bottom corner. The camera cuts to ringside where Annie, Judge and Ejiro are in place ready to discuss the next match.]

 

Annie: What a superb triple threat match we just saw if you’re just tuning in, you missed a cracker.

 

Ejiro: You should have seen the triple threat match I had in Osaka in the winter of ’95, ‘twas a hellish brawl between…

 

Annie: Nobody cares.

 

Judge: I do!

 

Annie: Well it’s tough, because we’re gonna discuss the next match on our bumper Wrath card, and let me begin by saying, no, other company would offer a match like we are going to see on free television.

 

Judge: That’s true. I like to call this a win-win match, as either way both men will get a title shot, but the prestige of the shot is on the line. Korgath’s Urban Decay buddy English Dragon and his European Title or Landon Maddix and his Television, at this moment in time.

 

Ejiro: What an incentive for both our combatants, Jay Morrison and Dominic Korgath. Can Morrison overcome the power of Dominic Korgath?

 

Annie: We’ll soon find out.

 

[Camera cuts on that note to Funyon in his customary tuxedo with cue cards at the ready.]

 

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen. Our next featured contest is scheduled for one fall with a twenty-minute time limit, and is for, both, the number one contendership of the European Title and the Television Title. The winner of the match will go on to compete for the European gold against whomever the champion is at a given date. Similarly the loser of the match will compete against the Television champion whomever it is at a future date. SJL fans it’s wrestle time, so make some noise!

 

[Crowd breaks out in an S-J-L chant]

 

Judge: I’m as pumped as they are.

 

Ejiro: Damn right, it’s time to kick it old school! Heel style!

 

Funyon: Introducing first…

 

[The now familiar opening intro to Deadly Avenger ‘We Took Pelham’ the theme music of Jay Morrison starts roaring over the arena sound system.]

 

Ejiro: Are you excited of the entrance of the king of the bling?

 

Annie: Ecstatic…

 

[A collection of blue lights flicker with a strobe effect around the compact but noisy arena, crowd rising to their feet to launch abuse the second Jay enters the arena.]

 

Judge: What a showman, making the crowd and Funyon wait.

 

[The lighting effect stop flickering as soon as the trumpets on the song commence. The crowd wait patiently until the cacophony of instruments eventually plays signalling the entrance of Jay Morrison. Jay walks out from the back in his trademark gold robe with diamond encrypted into it, as the fans rising to their feet to jeer their hearts out at the kid.]

 

Funyon: He enters this contest at a height of six feet one inches tall, weighing in a two hundred and forty two pounds. He hails from London, England…Jay Morrison!

 

[Jay looks up at the crowd and raises his arms in the air. Jay coolly struts down the aisle to further infuriate the sell out Philly crowd. As the violins are playing rapidly in his theme Jay reaches the ring apron. He slowly scales the top rope and cups his ears mockingly encouraging the heckling of the crowd.]

 

Annie: Well looks like someone doesn’t want a fan base!

 

Ejiro: Can you blame him woman these fans pick on him. He’s like Dr. Pepper…

 

Annie: How can a soft drink be a pretentious jerk?

 

Ejiro: No he’s misunderstood woman. God aren’t you hilarious.

 

Judge: Hate to break the argument but Morrison has gained three pounds for this contest. He’ll need a lot more to match Korgath power.

 

Ejiro: Hey the kid needs all the strength in the world against the demon.

 

[As ‘We Took Pelham’ fades out, Zack de la Rocha’s booming anthem ‘March of Death’ explodes from the sound system as the crowd get to continue their booing for another hated figure in the SJL on the same wavelength as what they gave Morrison.]

 

Judge: Speak of the devil

 

Ejiro: In more ways than one!

 

Funyon: His opponent

 

[in amazing timing after the line from Ejiro the colossal structure of Dominic Korgath emerges out from behind the curtain. On the entrance way next to the electrical boards, the big man adjusts his demon mask while taking in the reaction of the crowd. ]

 

Funyon: He enters this contest at a height of six feet and six inches tall, weighing in at an enormous three hundred and fifty pounds. He hails from the Plains of Azeroth…Dominic Korgath!

 

[Korgath raises his iron staff up in the air while he stares at the crowd and marches to the ring with a beating in store for his unlucky opponent, as the crowd buzzes in anticipation]

 

Judge: The big man from the popular tourist destination of, the plains of Azeroth.

 

Ejiro: He’s Korgath; the hoss from Azeroth.

 

Annie: How long have you waited to use that?

 

Ejiro: Weeks!

 

Judge: I’m not a betting man, because I find as a judge, gambling to be no good, but if I were, I’d bet the house on Korgath. The guy is a freaking monster.

 

Ejiro: Bet the house? Korgath is a house!

 

[‘March of Death’ fades out as the referee check both fighters for any foreign objects after Jay’s shenanigans on Metal. Once he finds them clean he rings the bell.]

 

[DING! DING! DING!]

 

Judge: Old school monster versus old school cheater.

 

Annie: Or the death of Jay Morrison

 

Ejiro: Will he still get his TV Title shot if he’s dead?

 

[The two men walk up to one another and stand there, face to face, well Korgath staring downwards at Morrison. The crowd are confused not knowing whether to back the underdog or the monster. The two begin by exchanging words…]

 

Jay: Who do you think you are fatty, thinking you can beat me? I’ll punch your teeth so far down your throat you’ll need to shove a toothbrush up your arse to clean them!

 

Korgath: That’s funny. Danny Conklin was a funny kid just like you. He’s in casualty. Give my regards.

 

Annie: Uh-oh.

 

[This seems to enrage Morrison as shoves Korgath’s chest. A smile forms across Dominic's lips, as he looks out across the crowd before shoving Jay back, nearly knocking him over! Getting even more irate, Morrison lung at Korgath connecting with several stiff forearms to the side of his head, Jay backs his opponent against the ropes. Morrison whips him off them, however Dominic reverses it and catches Jay Morrison with a textbook arm drag on the return. This infuriates Morrison as Jay Morrison shoots back to his feet and runs at Korgath again, only to be taken down with another arm drag.]

 

Judge: He can’t let Korgath frustrate him or Morrison won’t last long at all.

 

Ejiro: Agreed. Dominic knows all the tricks, whereas as much as I love the kid, Morrison is still a rookie and is prone to mistakes, and against a human brick wall…it’s not pretty.

 

[Getting even madder, Jay hops back to his feet and runs at Dominic once again, only to this time be caught with a hip toss. Still holding onto his arm, Dominic dives down and drops a headbutt to it, causing Morrison much pain across his bicep. Korgath taunts Jay to get back to his feet, but instead, Jay rolls out of the ring and waves him off as he heads back up the ramp, seemingly not wanting to bother.]

 

Annie: Seems like Morrison doesn’t want to participate now that he’s outmatched

 

Ejiro: He’s not outmatched! He’s just playing psychological games with Korgath.

 

Annie: By heading to the back? Sure he is...

 

Judge: Hey maybe he think it’s easier to be counted out and face Maddix.

 

Annie: Why, he’s lost twice to Maddix.

 

[Morrison continues up the ramp, as the booing becomes even louder of fans wanting to see Jay get killed. Dominic Korgath simply stands in the ring shouting at him for being a wimp. A chant of ‘Chicken s*it’ picks up, as Morrison gets more and more pissed off. He looks back at the ring, and sees Korgath sitting on the second rope, inviting Morrison back into the ring. Jay glances out across the rabid crowd barracking him; this seems to push him over the edge, as Jay Morrison storms back down to ringside deciding to compete. He reaches the ring apron to slide into the ring, but Korgath launches himself off the ropes opposite and then catches him with a baseball slide, hurling him backwards to the floor.]

 

Annie: Looks like those psychological games didn’t pay off to well Ejiro?

 

Ejiro: Who asked you woman?

 

Judge: He stalled to rethink his game plan and it looks like it’s all for nothing.

 

[Korgath stops the referee’s count and rolls to the outside himself. Morrison clambers back to his feet where he is met with some massive right jab to the jaw, before being scooped up and slammed onto the unforgiving ringside floor. As Jay writhers in agony, Dominic pulls off the top section of the steel stairs and taunts him to get back up again, before charging across ringside to smash it in Jay’s face]

 

Ejiro: No Dominic think of the females!

 

[Morrison spots it and ducks causing Korgath to chuck the stairs into the steel ring post. He tosses them aside and goes back to Morrison who is rolling into the ring. The count is broken, but Jay ends up back on the outside as Dominic drags him to the floor by the ankles. Unfazed, by his earlier failed facial assault Korgath drags him upright again, and this time rams his face into the steel crowd safety barrier. Dominic Korgath is unrelenting as he pulls Jay up by the hair; Dominic leads Morrison across ringside and throws him straight into the steel ring post, causing him to collapse to the floor. Dominic then rolls back into the ring to break the referee’s count of six to continue this attack.]

 

Annie: Not too impressive start by Jay Morrison....

 

Ejiro: Don’t count your chickens yet, Annie.... He’s just lulling Korgath into a false sense of security!

 

Judge: I hope the numerous injuries from this battering, are covered on his HMO.

 

[With Morrison down, Korgath grabs hold of one of the protective mats around the ring, and begin ripping it up to expose the concrete floor. The Philly crowd let out a cheer, being the bloodthirsty demons they are. Korgath grabs his opponent by the hair, pulling him back to his feet and leads him over towards the exposed concrete. Dominic places his opponent is a standing front headscissors to deliver a powerbomb onto the remorseless concrete floor! As the referee reaches five Korgath hooks the waist of Jay, but Morrison somehow managed to break free, by elevating Korgath’s huge frame over his head and back body drops Korgath onto the cold, hard, concrete!]

 

Ejiro: How do you like them apples Annie!?

 

Annie: It’s early days now.

 

Judge: Hey, it may be Morrison’s only move of the match, let Ejiro enjoy it.

 

[The fans begin booing, as Jay Morrison struggles back to his feet, shaking off the early effects of the attack. He drags the big man to his feet and rolls him into the ring on the count of eight and immediately commences stomping away at his opponent. Jay drags Korgath upright again, and strike with a hard soccer like kick to the mid-section, Jay then takes a few steps back and charges at Korgath, diving shoulder first to strike him with a flying shoulder tackle that sends Korgath back into the corner. Once in the corner Jay drives his left shoulder repeatedly into the girth of Dominic until he finally gets the big man slumped in the corner.]

 

Judge: Good offence from Jay using the stronger part of his body to wear the big man down.

 

Ejiro: If I were wearing him down with my strongest body part, the ladies would be pass out in pleasure.

 

Annie: Even me?

 

Judge: Can you imagine if Korgath used the strongest part of his body!

 

[Morrison immediately grabs Korgath by the arm and Irish whips him to the opposite corner. Korgath hits the buckle hard as he slumps on his feet sucking wind. Morrison takes a deep gasp of breath and charges full throttle at Korgath, he leaps about five feet away and connects with a flying splash into the corner. Jay goes flying backwards from impact of hitting Dominic’s girth at such force, while Korgath drops down to both knees from the force of the splash. Both men remain down and out for a brief moment, before slowly clambering back to their feet again. Morrison swings his right arm for a lariat, but Korgath somehow manages to duck it, before hooking Jay Morrison in a front waist lock, he spins and drives his weight on top of Morrison nailing him with a belly to belly suplex, spiking Jay’s frame into the canvas as the fans go wild over the power of the move.]

 

Annie: Do you have the number for an undertaker?

 

Judge: Why?

 

Annie: Because Jay’s dead.

 

[Korgath takes a looks at Jay’s crumpled body on the mat and hits the deck to go for the pinfall.]

 

Judge: This could be all she wrote.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

NO! KICKOUT!

 

Ejiro: Too early for the pin, but Dominic has turned this match around.

 

[Frustrated at the kickout, Dominic Korgath drags his opponent back to his feet and forces him into the corner, in the corner Korgath wails away with his trademark stiff punches wearing Morrison’s weakened frame down. He then catches his opponent with a big time headbutt that puts Jay on dream street, Korgath grabs Jay by the arm and whips him with all his might into the corner opposite, before Jay can stumble out of the corner Dominic charges after him to connect with a huge body avalanche.]

 

Judge: The big demon showing Jay Morrison how that move is done.

 

[Korgath takes a few steps back and allows the supercilious rookie to stumble forward; he then lets Morrison walk into his arm where he scoops him up and powerslams Jay hard to the mat. Despite being prime for the pinfall, Dominic elects to hammer away at his face once again, looking to bust Jay Morrison’s face up.]

 

Judge: It’s occurred to me that Korgath doesn’t care about winning, as he’s guaranteed a title shot, he just wants to teach Morrison a lesson.

 

Annie: I’d hate to have Korgath as a teacher.

 

Ejiro: Jay’s not out of this yet…nearly but not yet.

 

[Korgath once again drags Morrison back to his feet, and immediately nailing him with another barrage of rights to the side of the head, forcing his opponent back against the ropes. He whips Jay Morrison off them, and reading himself by bending over in preparation for a back body drop. Korgath catches Jay and starts lifting Morrison into the air, but Morrison breaks free, by swinging himself over Dominic's shoulder to get behind him, before hooking Korgath by the head over his shoulder, Morrison then drops down driving Korgath’s neck into his shoulder. The crowd stir over the surprise comeback as Morrison continues his assault by hooking Korgath in a full nelson, but inverts the pressure by pushing his chin onto the head of Korgath applying more pressure to neck of Korgath.]

 

Annie: What’s Morrison doing here?

 

Ejiro: An inverted full nelson a move commonly used in the WAR promotion in Japan. By pushes the head forward it increases the pressure five times more than what it would if held normally.

 

Judge: It’s a clever tactic as it’s wearing down the big man, which benefits Jay in the long run. The competitor with the best conditioning has the stamina in incase of a long match.

 

[Jay Morrison tightens his grip, still gasping for breath, and shifts all of his body weight forward applying more pressure to Korgath’s thick neck, as Dominic Korgath’s arm hangs loosely at his side. Suddenly to the shock of most of the SJL, the fans actually start to chant his name and clap their hands, looking to rejuvenate Korgath!]

 

Annie: This is a first. Korgath getting cheers.

 

Judge: Fat lot of good that will do

 

Annie: Are you sure?

 

[To Judge and Morrison’s disbelief, it starts working! Korgath body shakes and nails him with open palm thrusts to the side of the head, Korgath looks to be breaking free as Jay’s arms start to move apart as Korgath power’s up, by Morrison stands his frame over Korgath tightening the hold once again, ending the fight back. Jay smiles at the jeering Viking Hall crowd with his trademark smirk, proud of what he’s done, but this allows Dominic to dig down deep again and starts breaking the hold.]

 

Ejiro: I don’t believe this he slowly breaking the hold.

 

Annie: How can you not believe it, Korgath is a walking tower of power.

 

[The crowd cheer louder and louder, the adrenaline starts to flow even more, as Korgath gets on his knee with Jay on his shoulders. The full nelson is broken, as Korgath powers up again standing up with Jay shaking his head side to side on his shoulders. Korgath drops backwards sending Jay to the ground with a shoulder mount suplex. Korgath immediately holds his neck in pain, but noticing Morrison grounded, and with revenge in mind climbs on top of Jay Morrison and starts to pounding away relentless at his forehead.]

 

Ejiro: Referee! Do your job and break it up.

 

Annie: Why everything is legal, he’s only on the count of three, not five.

 

[At the count of five Korgath climbs off of his opponent and paces about the ring, as the crowd cheers more loudly than before, shocking Korgath. Dominic Korgath looks at the battered Jay trying to escape under the bottom rope and drags him back in by his ankle. He heaves him up to his feet and knife-edge chops his chest!]

 

Crowd: Whooo!

 

Judge: Whooo!

 

[He chops him again sending Jay stumbling back into the corner, his chest a nice shade purple from the blows]

 

Crowd: Whooo!

 

Judge: Whooo!

 

Ejiro: That last one makes me glad I’m not facing Korgath anytime soon. Ouch!

 

[intensified by his rage, Korgath continues his onslaught on Jay’s chest with stiff forearms as if to crush his bones. Korgath looks at the bloodthirsty Philly crowd and starts to bite at Morrison's forehead, to the delight of the fans! This viciousness gives Jay Morrison the opportunity to fight back, seeing that the referee is trying to pull Korgath off him; Jay slams his knee into the groin of Dominic Korgath! With him stunned, Jay takes a few steps away, before lunging at Korgath and nailing him with a picturesque superkick, taking him down like a bullet. The cheers quickly turn to boos, as Morrison takes a few minutes to catch his breath, before collapsing on top of the floored body of Korgath for the pinfall.]

 

Annie: Oh my god! He could have just destroyed Korgath's face with that kick.

 

Ejiro: Korgath's face? He’s wearing a mask, and he’s covering him!

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

E…

 

…

 

NO! SHOULDER UP FROM KORGATH!

 

Ejiro: Korgath is amazing.

 

Judge: I know. I’m surprised his head is on his shoulders, let alone still in this match.

 

[Morrison sits on his knees next to his fallen opponent, breathing heavily, in disbelief at the kickout. Angered, Jay clambers back to his feet and backs the referee into the corner, questioning the speed of the count.]

 

Annie: As if this will make a difference to the match.

 

 

Ejiro: Dammit woman! It’s lacklustre officials that have been the brunt of guys like Morrison’s problems for weeks. Why does Maddix hold the belt and not Morrison?

 

Annie: Talent?

 

Ejiro: Poor referee skills

 

Annie: So you’re telling me the referee is favouring Korgath a man who’s committed more violent, vicious deeds than Jay Morrison?

 

Ejiro: …

 

Judge: Stop picking on him woman.

 

[Frustrated still, Morrison stalks back towards his opponent and drags him upright again. Jay Morrison catches Dominic with a kick to the gut, before then pulling him in closer and getting behind Korgath to place him in a waist lock. The fans boo, as Morrison pushes down on his legs then pulls up lifting Korgath and flinging backwards for a German suplex on the big man. It didn’t look pretty because of the size of Korgath prevent full force, but it hard enough to put him down.]

 

Judge: Great strength shown by Morrison. Not pretty but effective.

 

Annie: Sometimes that’s all you need.

 

Ejiro: That may take a lot out of Morrison though.

 

[Jay wants to put an exclamation point to the match, so he drags the dead weight of Korgath onto his knees and places him in a front face lock for the DDT. However, Korgath prevent this by using his strength to lift Jay in the air, despite being a front face lock, and tosses him off him, by flinging him into the ropes. Morrison comes back off the ropes and meets a right hand wrapped around his throat. Dominic puts his left thumb down and elevates Morrison in the air and chokeslams him down with amazing force causing Jay Morrison to spasm on the mat.]

 

Annie: Both men have given 100% tonight but that chokeslam may be it

 

Ejiro: Korgath is covering him!

 

[Korgath hooks the left leg of Jay as the referee hits the canvas.]

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

Judge: I think he’s got him!

 

E…

 

Ejiro: Kickout Morrison!

 

E…

 

….

 

KICKOUT! SHOULDER UP FROM JAY MORRISON!

 

Annie: He didn’t

 

Ejiro: He’s alive!

 

[Korgath looks up, his wide eyes indicates that there is a look of shock under that mask. The crowd are too are a groan collectively echoes the Viking Hall. Korgath looks at Morrison slowly moving up and pulls him to his feet. Jay gets some bearings back as once pulled to his feet he lunges at his opponent, looking for another lariat. However, Dominic Korgath manages to duck it, he waits for Morrison to stumble around then takes him down with a big boot to the face. As the crowd cheer, the heat of the moment seems to inspire the demon as looks at the top turnbuckle to truly kill his opponent. He then heads to the corner and signals at Jay Morrison’s fallen body, before climbing up onto the top turnbuckle!]

 

Annie: What’s Dominic Korgath doing? He isn’t someone you'd associate with the top turnbuckle....

 

Ejiro: He’s doing what he does best.... Being a moron!

 

Judge: I don’t think this is wise.

 

[Korgath waits for Jay Morrison to scramble back to his feet, before standing fully upright, cameras flash from the couple thousand in attendance as Dominic leaps off in search of a diving clothesline! Morrison turns to see the giant frame coming at him, so he grab the nearby official and drag him into the line of fire! Korgath catches the referee and damn near decapitates him as Morrison moves aside to suck some wind.]

 

Judge: Genius!

 

Annie: We need paramedics for this official as well as a replacement referee and quick.

 

[Dominic quickly turned towards the official, checking to see if he was in any condition to continue should he lay waste to Jay Morrison, but there was no response. Korgath drops the f-bomb in anger as suddenly, Morrison lunged forwards in search of another superkick, only to have Korgath catch him by the boot. He spins Morrison around and then takes him down with a thunderous clothesline!]

 

Judge: Stan Hansen has nothing on the big demon.

 

Ejiro: But the stupid boy took the referee out. He can cover Morrison to one hundred, until a second official comes out.

 

[Korgath places his foot on Morrison as the fans chant ‘1-2-3’ but the referee is still unconscious on the mat. Korgath sits up and turns to the entrance and screams.]

 

Korgath: Get me a f**king official out here now!

 

Annie: Hope our sound team didn’t pick that up, or the censors will be all over us.

 

[This distraction allows Jay the chance to come back up onto his knees. He spots Korgath shouting and smiles as he dives; arm extended out to Korgath and nails him square in the nuts with a low blow.]

 

Crowd: Oooooh!

 

Ejiro: Oooooh!

 

Judge: Oooooh!

 

Korgath: Arrrgggghhhh!

 

Annie: So was that painful?

 

[Korgath doubled over his testicular agony turns around to face Morrison who hooks him in a front face lock and drives his opponent into the canvas with a DDT, before lying side by side with his opponent once again.]

Annie: The wrestlers are out, the referee is out, and Ejiro will come out any moment

Ejiro: Hey!

 

Annie: This has been a heck of a brawl.

 

Judge: Oh look who finally arrives.

 

[Referee Sexton Hardcastle arrives on the scene as both men start slowly clambering back to their feet again, exchanging uppercuts on the way up. Punch after punch to one another’s faces, until Dominic blocks one of Morrison’s and connects with another of his own. Korgath keeps hammering away, taking the advantage and forcing Morrison into the corner. He takes a few steps back and started running across the ring at Morrison, only to run straight into a boot to the face.]

 

Ejiro: He’s stumbling like an Irishman on St. Patrick’s Day.

 

Judge: He’s stumbling like one period!

 

[As Korgath staggers around holding his face Morrison somehow hops up onto the second turnbuckle and leaps off, hooking his arm around the head of Korgath from behind and bulldogging him to the canvas. The fans boo, as Jay struggles to stay upright as he wipes the sweat out of his eyes, and then looks down at Korgath, smiling and covers him.]

 

Ejiro: It’s over!

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

E…

 

Annie: He may have him!

 

E…

 

Judge: Has he…

 

…

 

…

 

NO! SHOULDER UP!

 

Ejiro: Dammit I thought he had him.

 

Annie: So did everyone.

 

[The crowd goes berserk at such a dramatic kickout as Jay looks out at the arena fans in disbelief, even more so that the big man is getting up! Jay steps back from Korgath and sets up for the yakuza kick. Korgath reaches his knee as Morrison move forward to strike, but his boot is caught.]

 

Judge: Oh…

 

Ejiro: Bleep!

 

[Korgath smiles as he watches Morrison struggles. Dominic socks Morrison with a stiff jab and releases his leg, instead places him in a front head scissors and hooks his waist.]

 

Judge: Uh-oh.

 

Annie: I think he’s gonna powerbomb him through the mat.

 

[Korgath elevates Morrison half way, but Jay grabs onto the calf muscles of Korgath, blocking the move. He hooks his legs under Korgath’s arms to roll Korgath forward and by holding onto the leg, has his shoulder to the mat with a modified rolling huricanrana pin, as Sexton hits the mat for the cover.]

 

Judge: Surely

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

Annie: Dominic body is squirming.

 

E…

 

Judge: He’s tied up good

 

E…

 

….

 

….

 

Ejiro: C’mon

 

….

 

….

 

[DING! DING! DING!]

 

Ejiro: Yes!

 

[Korgath breaks the hold to little too late. ‘We Took Pelham’ strikes up as Funyon has the final word.]

 

Funyon: The winner of the match and number contender for the European Title…JAY MORRISON.

 

Judge: What an upset here in Philly

 

Annie: Oh that was a massive shock, but what matches it sets up.

 

Ejiro: I can’t wait. There is a bottle of champagne for Jay Morrison!

 

Annie: Mark.

 

[The shows cuts to commercials as battered Jay Morrison has his hand raised by the official.]

[Thoth 0]

Mixed chants of ‘SJL’ and ‘ECW’ ring around Viking Hall, as SJL Wrath returns, with ring announcer Funyon standing in the middle of the ring. The crowd’s noise slowly dies down a little, as Funyon raises the microphone to his mouth.

 

Funyon- Ladies and gentlemen…this contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the SJL World…Television…Championship!!!

 

Hearing these words, the crowd begin to cheer briefly, but that is quickly cut off as “The Gauntlet” by Drop Kick Murphys hits, and the cheers quickly turn to boos. The challenger, Brian Kingsmen, begins to walk out, as the camera shoots up to the old balcony announce position in the arena…with no Joey Styles in the balcony, but Justice, Rule and Annie.

 

Judge- Welcome back to Wrath, live from Viking Hall. The crowd, as ever for this arena, is pumped up big time for tonight…and they have good reason to be.

Annie- They certainly do. What an awesome night tonight. Todd Royal and…oh baby…Megan return. A triple threat World Title main event. A European Title and number one contenders match rolled into one. And this match. Landon Maddix, returning from a neck injury, to face Brian Kingsmen…

 

Funyon- Introducing first, he is the challenger. From ‘anywhere but Philly’…

 

The crowd boos, as Kingsmen smiles at his cheap heat tactics on his way to the ring.

 

Funyon- Weighing 180 pounds. BRIIIAAAN KIIINGSMEEEN!!!

 

Kingsmen walks down the aisle, past the booing Philly fans and jumps up to the apron, before turning to face the abuse he is getting. He greets the jeers with a smug smile, and as many others have done flips off the Philly crowd, before turning and entering the ring, trying to stay as focused on the match as possible. Slowly he starts to try and warm up, as Marilyn Manson’s The Fight Song tunes up, and the crowd suddenly break into big cheers, as Landon Maddix steps out from the back. Kingsmen looks none too impressed at this, and continues his warm-up.

 

Funyon- And the opponent. From Huron, South Dakota. Weighing 202 pounds…he is the SJL World Television Champion…LAAANDOOON MAAADDIIIX!!!

 

Landon walks down the aisle, tagging the outstretched hands of the fans, as all the while Kingsmen watches on intently.

 

Judge- This one will be an old fashioned ‘air traffic control’ match. Two fantastic highfliers…

Ejiro- Two men, one belt…one good neck between them. See, this kid needs to learn his neck can’t take much more. Everyone else knows it. Every week this kid’s neck gets weakened…one way or another.

Judge- Eluding of course to the post-match attack last week from Dominic Korgath…

Ejiro- Well…yeah.

 

Maddix rolls into the ring, quickly unstraps the TV Title belt from his waist and raises it in the air to more cheers. Kingsmen meanwhile continues to prepare himself for the match, not letting any of this get to him. Referee Eddy Long raises the title belt in the air, before showing it to the challenger as is customary. As he does, Kingsmen smiles and starts to look at his reflection in the belt.

 

Annie- Man…this guy is obsessed with power and gold.

Ejiro- You say that like it’s a bad thing.

 

After a few seconds, Long begins to walk away with the belt, but Kingsmen grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him back, obviously not done with his reflection. With a smile, Brian looks over at Maddix and pats the belt, before signalling to Landon that he wants the title. Landon moves forward, and both men meet in the centre of the ring as the bell rings to start the match. Both men stare at each other intently, Kingsmen seeing fit to start jaw-jacking with Landon. Kingsmen continues the abuse, but Maddix just laughs it off…until Kingsmen hits a slap to the face!

 

Judge- Oh boy…not a good move.

 

Kingsmen begins to laugh, but is cut off with a flurry of right hands from Maddix, the crowd going crazy in the background. As the fists rain in on Kingsmen’s head, he quickly drops to his knees to avoid them, and even more quickly hits a forearm which looks suspiciously low. Maddix doubles over in pain, holding his groin as Eddy Long looks confused, not seeing what had happened.

 

Ejiro- Nice forearm to the gut from Bri…

Annie- Oh please. Nobody’s gut is that low.

Ejiro- I don’t know…Judge has been putting on a little weight recently…

Judge- Can we please just call the match? Realistically. That was a lowblow.

 

With a look of innocence on his face, Kingsmen gets to his feet and starts to put the boots to Maddix. 5 or 6 stomps connect with Landon’s back, before Kingsmen stops to shout abuse at some fans at ringside. Eventually Kingsmen pulls the champ back up to his feet, hitting a knee to the gut as he does so, before whipping Landon into the ropes. Thinking quickly, Landon manages to hook his arms over the top rope to stop himself, as Kingsmen charges in towards him. Maddix is waiting however, as he ducks his head and backdrops Brian up and over the top rope, the challenger hitting his back on the apron on the way down. The collision with the apron sends Kingsmen sprawling forward and crashing into the steel guardrail, as Landon is already climbing up to the top rope.

 

Annie- What is this crazy kid going to do now?

Ejiro- Something stupid and flashy no doubt.

 

Maddix gains his balance on the top rope, as groggily Kingsmen begins to turn around. As he does, Maddix takes flight from the top looking for a Randy Savage style double axehandle. For a few moments, it looks like Kingsmen is frozen on the spot, but at the last second he manages to dive out of the way, causing Landon to crash throat first into the steel guardrail.

 

AAAAOOOOHHHH!!!

 

With his head snapping back on impact, Maddix immediately clutches his neck, as Kingsmen stands beside him, still arguing with the fans.

 

Ejiro- See…one high risk move, and he may have cost himself the whole match.

 

Finishing his argument, Kingsmen grabs a handful of Landon’s hair and pulls him up to his feet. The TV Champ is still favouring his neck, as he’s forcibly thrown into the ring. Kingsmen rolls back into the ring after him, driving an elbow to the back as he rolls past Landon. With a look of up-most confidence, Kingsmen looks down on Maddix and drops the point of the elbow into the back one more time.

 

Ejiro- Well, this my friends…is what is known as karma.

Annie- Oh, you’ve been reading that book again….

Ejiro- No…NO…that’s karma sut…KARMA. You know, when the stuff you’ve done in your life comes back to you.

Annie- Oh…that. I’ve never read that book.

Ejiro- There is no boo…my intelligence is obviously lost on you. Judge, you know what I mean.

Judge- I do…but, the point is you’re counting this kid out again. You do it every week, and every week he’s come out with the victory.

 

Pulling Landon to his feet, Kingsmen seems in control as Landon slumps up against him. In one movement, Brian pushes Landon away and hits a stiff clothesline, again snapping the head of the TV Champion back. Thinking quickly, Kingsmen rolls Landon over and goes for a quick pinfall…

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…T..Kickout by Maddix.

 

Not looking worried about the quick kickout, Kingsmen drags Maddix to his feet, and takes a firm grip of Landon’s right wrist. With a quick tug, Kingsmen brings Landon forward, sending him into a short arm clothesline. As Landon crashes to the mat, Kingsmen keeps a hold of the wrist, and pulls Landon up again. Repeating the move, Landon is pulled into a second short arm clothesline, and again the hold on the wrist is kept on.

 

Ejiro- This is good strategy…with every clothesline Brian’s weakening the neck up, plus he’s not giving Landon time to recover after each one.

 

Kingsmen stops with Landon doubled over from exhaustion, and hits a weak slap across the head, humiliating Landon a little before pulling him into another clothesline…only for Landon to duck the clothesline and lock on a waistlock. Looking for a quick escape, Kingsmen aims an elbow for Landon’s head, but the champ ducks it, causing Brian to spin around into position a northern lights suplex attempt. As Maddix lifts Kingsmen for the northern lights though, he stops midway in pain, possibly from trying to lift Kingsmen with use of his neck. Putting Brian down momentarily, Landon tries for the northern lights suplex a second time, but again the neck is too much of a bother for him.

 

Annie- I think Landon needs to rethink this move here…

Ejiro- Ah, but that would take brains, see.

 

Again Maddix goes for the suplex, and still the neck hinders him. This time, Kingsmen knows what’s coming, and as Landon again is forced to drop Kingsmen to his feet, Brian tucks his legs in taking Maddix over head first with a vicious snap DDT.

 

Ejiro- I told you. Brainless.

Annie- Oh, shut your ego up would you?

Ejiro- You know…if Judge wasn’t sitting between us, you’d currently be flying off this balcony.

Annie- Intimidation…just like you did to Wildchild? Oh wait, he punked YOU out…

Judge- Err…can we keep SWF matters out of this. This is the SJL after all.

Ejiro- Ah…you’re just scared I’ll mention me getting ready to beat your ass on Smarkdown…‘partner’.

 

Maddix lays face down on the mat, clutching his neck in pain, as Kingsmen is already climbing up to top rope ready to add some more damage. Slowly Landon begins to try and pull himself up, as Kingsmen stops on the top rope, taking a little time to taunt the crowd. With a little stumble in his step, Maddix begins to go after Kingsmen again, as the challenger adjusts himself on the top, and launches himself feet first, catching Maddix FLUSH in the jaw with a beautiful missile dropkick. The force of the move sends Maddix rolling across the ring, as Kingsmen stops on his knees, hands outstretched, welcoming any cheers. Surprisingly, the gets more boos than cheers, his overbearingness quietening the usually appreciative Viking Hall crowd. After a few seconds, he scrambles over to Maddix, rolls him over and makes a cover…

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

…Kingsmen drives his forearm into the head of Maddix to keep him down…

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

…T…

 

 

TWO!

 

Laughing it off, Kingsmen hooks the leg making another cover…

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

Another kickout by Maddix. Kingsmen tries to look cool, but you can see the anger boiling over inside of him. Pulling the champ to his feet, Brian looks around for some inspiration for what to do next. The momentary indecision allows Maddix to hit a punch to the gut, but from his condition, the blow isn’t powerful enough to bother Kingsmen, who simply drives a knee to the gut. Grabbing Landon’s arm, Kingsmen hooks it over his neck, before grabbing a handful of tights and hoisting the TV Champ in the air. The blood slowly begins to rush to the head of ‘La Cucaracha’, as Brian holds him aloft in the air. A few seconds pass as Kingsmen shows surprising strength for a 180 pounder, although his knees do begin to visibly buckle. Obviously feeling he can’t hold Landon anymore, Kingsmen suddenly drops, bringing Landon down with him right on his head.

 

Judge- Nice stalling brainbuster from Kingsmen.

Ejiro- He’s obviously got some deceptive strength in that 180 pound body of his.

 

In obvious pain, Maddix holds his neck, feeling the effects of the brainbuster as Kingsmen is wasting more time arguing with the fans. Referee Eddy Long begins to check on Maddix, as Kingsmen finishes his ‘conversing’, and pushes Eddy aside. Bending down to pick Maddix up, Kingsmen doesn’t see Maddix’s right arm reach over his head, hook and roll Brian into a small package…

 

 

…Kingsmen tries to fight an escape, as Long isn’t around to counter, having landed on his elbow he seems more concerned with that…

 

 

 

…the crowd are screaming for Long to make the count…

 

 

 

Annie- Come on you idiot!

 

 

 

 

 

…eventually he notices the pin being made…

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

…T…

 

Quick kickout by Kingsmen, the referee’s temporary distraction helping Brian out. Kingsmen is in fact back to his feet first, and able to hit a stomp across the neck to keep Landon down.

 

Judge- I guess Brian inadvertently saved himself there by shoving Eddy over.

Annie- Yeah…I guess cheating does pay.

Ejiro- It’s like Jesse Ventura said…‘win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat’. A lesson to live by.

 

Following the stomp up with another, Kingsmen smartly keeps the pressure on the neck.

 

ASSHOLE! ASSHOLE! ASSHOLE!

 

Hearing the chants, Brian briefly backs off and allows Maddix time to get to his feet, which the champion slowly begins to do. With a wry smile on his face, Kingsmen very deliberately begins to ball up his fist, mentally picking his spot on Maddix’s face as he stumbles to his feet. Slowly Landon turns around, and Kingsmen swings with the right hand, but Maddix manages to duck. With his head down, Landon runs on towards the ropes, as Kingsmen turns sharply and swings with another right. Maddix again ducks, and again runs on, as this time Kingsmen does the same. With both men hitting opposite ropes and sprinting towards each other, the two seem on a collision course. Crossing his arms in front of his face, Kingsmen looks to charge straight at Landon, and hopefully connect with the throat…

 

…but as they go to collide, Landon suddenly leaps upwards, leapfrogging a bemused looking Kingsmen. Before he can gain bearing of where he is, a pair of boots connect with the back of Brian’s head, sending him sprawling forward…and landing chest first across the top rope.

 

Judge- Oh boy…here we go! Wait till you hear the reaction for this one!

 

Landon raises an arm in the air, as the crowd slowly rise to their feet. Running to the ropes, Maddix grabs the top and middle ropes, uses the ropes to swing around, and hook Brian’s head between his ankles. Pulling back around, Landon sends Kingsmen flying through the ropes, completing the Wraparound, and getting a BIG pop from the crowd.

 

LA CUCARACHA…LA CUCARACHA…DA DA DA DA DA DA DA!!!

 

Hearing the crowd getting behind him, Maddix waits for Kingsmen to find his way nearer to the ring, the Wraparound having sent him a good way up the aisleway. As he does, Landon leaves the ring and stands on the apron, encouraging the crowd to make a little more noise. With seemingly a last ditch effort, Brian dives for the leg of the TV Champ, only to miss and catch a boot to the head. Holding his head, Brian staggers back as Landon turns away from him, facing into the ring. He then jumps up, and uses the middle rope to moonsault onto Kingsmen, crushing to more cheers from the crowd.

 

Judge- Man…this kid has suddenly come to life.

Annie- Yeah…he’s like an ass kicking, asai moonsaulting zombie.

Ejiro- Call me crazy…but that would get over big time!

 

Maddix quickly hauls Brian up to his feet, and rolls him back into the ring, before jumping up to the apron and climbing up to the top rope. Slowly Kingsmen begins to roll towards the ropes, looking for something to help him get up. As he begins to reach for the ropes, Kingsmen is cut off with a flying double axehandle to the back. Brian rolls from the ropes back towards the middle of the ring, as Landon again goes to the top rope. With the crowd on their feet, Maddix stands atop the top rope, hands outstretched…but suddenly, Eddy Long goes flying into the ropes, courtesy of a Kingsmen shove, causing Maddix to get crotched across the top turnbuckle!

 

 

BOOOOOO!!!

 

 

Annie- Come on…that should be an automatic disqualification!

Ejiro- Oh, I don’t think it was intentional.

Judge- Are you kidding me?

Ejiro- Well…Eddy can’t help being so damn clumsy. You know the other day, I threw him a soda…fell right through a wall. Quite funny actually.

Annie- You really do come up with some bull, don’t you?

 

In obvious pain, Maddix sits atop the turnbuckle grimacing, as Kingsmen climbs to the middle rope, and hits a couple of right hands to the head of Maddix. Each punch snaps Maddix’s neck back, and sends him ever closer to falling to the floor. Reeling back, Kingsmen goes for another punch, but it’s blocked by Landon, who quickly pushes Brian backwards off the ropes, and to the mat. Brian bounces hard off the mat, and falls in position for a top rope move for Maddix. The champ sees this, and stands up on the top rope again.

 

Judge- This kid is just addicted to high risk moves…and here comes another one.

 

Launching himself off the ropes, Landon leans back slightly, and crashes down back first across the chest of Kingsmen with a senton bomb, Dick Togo style. Ignoring his neck as much as possible, Maddix quickly turns over and hooks the leg…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TH…

 

 

 

 

…R…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…E..KICKOUT!!!

 

Maddix quickly gets back to his feet, and helps Kingsmen up to his. Suddenly exploding into life, Maddix fires off a series of jabs to the jaw, face and head area, with the crowd right behind him with loud cheers. Finishing up with a hard uppercut, the TV Champ quickly runs to the ropes, charging right towards Kingsmen. The challenger sees him coming, drops to a knee and hooks his arms under Landon’s legs to launch him over his head.

 

Annie- Watch out in the first row!

 

Using great balance, Landon manages to land on the middle rope from the launch, and not go crashing over the ropes. Once he gains his balance, Landon launches himself off the middle rope, spinning in mid-air but getting caught with a boot to the gut in mid-air, and a lightning quick Evenflow DDT, driving his head into the mat. A few smatterings of applause start up, as Kingsmen quickly hooks the leg…

 

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…Kingsmen grabs a handful of tights to add more leverage…

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

Annie- He’s got the tights!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TH…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…R…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…E…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!! Kingsmen angrily slams his hands down on the mat, before questioning the count with Eddy Long. Still fighting, Maddix tries to get to his feet, but has an elbow dropped across the back of the head. Going over to the corner, Kingsmen grabs a hold of the turnbuckle pad, and begins to undo the strings attaching it to the corner, as Long is checking on Maddix. Brian manages to remove the cover after a few seconds, before going back over to Maddix.

 

Judge- This isn’t good…the referee needs to get that turnbuckle covered up…

Ejiro- Oh, quit it Judge. You’ve taken off turnbuckle pads in your time for your use.

Judge- Well…yeah…

Ejiro- Exactly. Just sit back, forget about safety, and watch the blood flow.

 

Annie sighs, as back in the ring Long has seen the turnbuckle pad, and decides to try and put it back on. Kingsmen sees what Long is doing, and smiles before leaving the ring and going over to the announce table. Shoving past Funyon, Kingsmen grabs the ring bell and walks back towards the ring, as Maddix is slowly getting back up.

 

Ejiro- Ha…that was his plan all along! Brilliant!

Annie- He can’t get the win fairly, so he has to cheat…

Ejiro- No no…he CAN get the win fairly…he just doesn’t WANT to.

 

With the ring bell in his hands, Kingsmen rolls back into the ring and measures Maddix, who doesn’t see the bell coming. Long is still busy trying to put the pad back on, the crowd shouting for him to turn around, as Maddix slowly turns around.

 

Judge- Oh no…

Ejiro- Oh yes…

 

Kingsmen swings with the bell…

 

 

…but Maddix ducks just in time, hitting a kick to the knee as he does so.

 

 

Brian drops to one knee, as Landon runs off the ropes, charging right at the challenger. Trying to protect his face, Kingsmen instinctively raises the bell in front it, but Landon runs past Kingsmen, spinning his leg around to hit a shining wizard. The kick connects flush with the back of Brian’s head, sending it flying forward into the bell held in front of his face! Brian’s head connects with the bell, and he drops it to the mat before falling face first across the metal bell itself!!!

 

Ejiro- That should be a DQ right there!

Annie- Ha! Kingsmen just rung his own bell!

Ejiro- Oh…hilarious! You really are sooo witty Annie.

Annie- And you are sooo good at being sarcastic.

 

 

Thinking quickly, Landon shoves the bell out of the ring, and makes a cover…

 

 

…but Long is STILL trying to put the pad back on.

 

Annie- What is he doing…it’s not brain surgery, just tie a knot!!!

Ejiro- Hey, don’t blame Eddy…Judge was the one who wanted the turnbuckle covered.

Judge- Yeah Annie…hey, wait…

 

Landon shouts over at Long, and that coupled with the screaming crowd gets Long’s attention as he runs over to make the count…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TH…

 

 

 

 

 

Ejiro- Oh come on, NO!

 

 

 

 

…R…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…E…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOULDER UP!!!

 

Ejiro- YES! We won’t be seeing any injustice here!

Annie- Oh please!

 

Landon looks shocked, as Kingsmen meanwhile looks around, dazed, eyes glazed over. Going back to the match, Maddix grabs a hold of Brian and tries to pull him up…only to get caught with a low blow!!!

 

Judge- What about that Ejiro?

Ejiro- What…that? An uppercut to the ribs…perfectly fine.

Judge- Riiight.

 

Doubled over, Maddix holds his groin in pain, as a weak Kingsmen irish whips Landon towards the exposed turnbuckles, and Landon crashes back first off them.

 

Landon rebounds out, as Brian charges in, arm outstretched looking for a clothesline. The champion sees it coming though, and sidesteps as Kingsmen crashes sternum first into the exposed steel! He stumbles backwards, and Landon jumps to the middle rope and hooks his arm under the challenger’s chin, before twisting off the ropes hitting the Crash Landon!!!

 

Judge- It’s over! It is over.

 

Landon, smiling through the pain from the neck and now the back, makes a cover, as there seems to be a commotion in the crowd. Long ignores this, and makes the cover…

 

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…T…

 

 

 

 

 

Judge- Hey! Who’s that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

…H…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…R…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…EEEEE!!! Landon retains again!

 

Funyon- Here is your winner, and sti…

 

 

Funyon suddenly stops, as someone beside him jumps over the steel barrier…

 

…security move forward, but stop seeing that it’s…

 

 

 

 

MEGAN SKYE!!!

 

The TV Title belt is given to Landon, but he sees Megan, drops the belt and turns towards her, as she jumps to the apron and starts shouting at Landon.

 

Judge- What’s she doing out here?

Annie- Who cares!!! MEGAN’S BACK!!!

Ejiro- Jeez…calm down Annie. Anyone would think you’ve not seen a woman since she and Todd went on their ‘break’.

 

With a wry smile on his face, Landon turns to Megan, pointing threateningly at her. The trash talking from Megan stops as a look of fear overcomes her. Maddix begins to move forward, as suddenly behind him in rolls Todd Royal, all in black, and wielding a Singapore cane!!! Not seeing him coming, Landon grabs Megan by the hair, and balls up his fist, mistaking the crowd’s warning shouts for cheers.

 

Judge- IT’S A SETUP!!! It’s a TODD DAMN SETUP!!!

Ejiro- WOO-HOO…SETUPS RULE!!!

 

Before he can get a chance to punch Megan, Todd charges forward…

 

 

THWACK!!!

 

 

Landon gets the Singapore cane wrapped around his knee by Royal, and collapses to the mat in pain instantly. With a crazed look in his eye, Royal begins to bring the cane down across Landon’s knee, time after time after time, Megan holding Landon’s leg from the outside. Eventually, Todd throws the cane away, grabs Landon’s leg and quickly wraps in the Wrath of Todd!

 

Ejiro- This is brilliant. Todd’s back…Todd Damn It, Todd’s back!!!

Judge- This isn’t right! What has this kid done to deserve this…

Ejiro- He STOLE that TV Title from Todd Royal. And Todd’ here to gain some retribution!!!

 

Maddix is desperately tapping out, as Todd wrenches back with the Wrath of Todd, a sick smile on his face as Landon starts yelping out in pain! Megan gets up in Landon’s face, slapping him a couple of times as Todd eventually releases the hold.

 

Judge- What the hell is this?

Ejiro- Well, I think we’re about to find out partner!

[Thoth 0]

With the SJL Television Champion, Landon Maddix, laid out, Todd Royal stands triumphant in the ring, holding the Singapore Cane up and basking in a wave of boo’s from the Viking Hall crowd. With a smirk on his face, Royal places the cane in the corner of the ring and grabs the microphone from Funyon at ringside. Speaking forcefully and with more than a little confidence, Todd addresses the crowd.

 

“Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I’m back, and Todd bless each and everyone of you for surviving my absence. You see, for the last month I’ve been at home, being nursed back to health and watching tapes of myself in order to get better, and I’ve noticed a few disturbing trends.”

 

“First of all, I’ve noticed that without Todd Royal, this company is NOTHING. When I left we were an world wide powerhouse in the midst of an international tour, and now- look- we’re running Pennsylvania Bingo Halls just to stay afloat. It is only by the grace of Todd that I have returned and saved this company from the brink of disaster.”

 

The Philly crowd, even the “rebels” who have supported Todd to look cool, are shocked and astonished to hear their city and venue trashed and breaks into an even louder chorus of boos. A “Todd’s a Pussy” chant roars through the stands as Royal just smirks and launches back into his monologue.

 

“But even MORE disturbing than that, is that I’ve had to watch that no talent hick, Landon Maddix walk around with MY Television Title around his waist. Landon Maddix NEVER beat Todd Royal. Landon Maddix couldn’t hope in his wildest dreams to beat Todd Royal. You’re not better than me kid. You NEVER pinned me. You NEVER made me submit. Hell, you never even beat me by count out. All you did, all you proved was that you can climb a pole, and that you’re the luckiest piece of crap walking Todd’s Green Earth.

 

In case you forgot, I BEAT YOU. I made you tap out. I made you cry like a little girl and I should have won that match. But you walk around with that strap like you EARNED something, like you DESERVE it. When I had that belt I defended it EVERY show, and you accept and decline bookings like you’re the bastard child of Jesus and Harley Race. I was a Todd Damn champion, and it tore my ribs apart while doing it. You get a bruised pinky in a match with Tommy Nguyen and you’re off the card for 2 weeks.”

 

Royal tears off his warm-up jacket and kicks it from the ring, snarling as he spits at the crowd. As the audience boos, Todd points down to his chest where a few strands of tape still cover his ribs. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he continues to talk.

 

“See, I may not have been at 100% during our match, hell I may not even be at 100% now, but I’m not using that as an excuse for why I lost. First of all, because I DIDN’T lose, and second of all because Todd Royal at 35% is eons better than Landon Maddix could ever be. So Maddix, whenever you’re done primping and prancing around, whenever you’re ready to WRESTLE a WRESTLER, step up. Because you’ve already proven that you can’t beat me. You’ve already proven that you’re a paper champion, and you’re a shining example of why NO man is comparable to your Todd and Savior. Todd Bless us…Everyone…”

 

With that, Todd tosses the microphone from the ring and heads out of the ringside area. As the crowd rains jeers and taunts on the former TV champ, Royal just bows and strolls through the curtain.

 

Ejiro: Go sing it from the mountaintops!! You have heard the word of Todd!!!

Judge: Indeed, Royal is back and seems to have his sights set on Landon Maddix.

Annie: Ya. Well, I think maybe Todd should be focusing on his opponent tonight, Chris Trepanier, and not a man who beat him a month ago.

Ejiro: Maddix did NOT beat Royal, I believe Todd just explained that…

Annie: Ya, well I could see through his bull, and from the sounds of it, this Philly crowd could as well…

Ejiro: Nonsense! They were simply basking in the Glory of Todd. And besides, if Royal really was what these people claim he is, I have a feeling you’d like him a LOT more…

[Thoth 0]

As we return from our commercial break, the crowd in Viking Hall is cramped. And overheated. And angry. And AMPED~! The Philadelphia diehards are on their feet and chanting as SJL Wrath slides back into gear and rolls along. As the camera pans the ring, we see our ring announcer Funyon in the middle, and a Singapore Cane resting in the corner. The camera continues to the announce position, where our fabulous Three Musketeers of carnage and journalism sit going over their notes.

 

Annie: Welcome back to WRATH! We’re still LIVE from the house that Hardcore built in Philadelphia, PA and we’re in the midst of a HUGE night of action.

Judge: That’s right, we’ve already seen an impressive debut from Brian Bowers, and another great TV title match, with Landon Maddix and Brian Kingsmen!

Ejiro: But up next, it’s the return of his holiness, our Todd and Savior…Todd ROYAL!!!

Annie: I think we’ve seen enough of Todd Royal for one night…

 

With that, the announcers are cut off by Marilyn Manson’s “This is the New Shit”. The crowd in Philly stands and applauds as Chris Trepanier parts the curtain and heads for the ring. Though not in Canada, the crowd applauds the masked competitor as he makes his entrance, soured on Royal but determined to rebel somehow. Trepanier slides into the ring and climbs to the turnbuckle, barely acknowledging his reception as he is introduced.

 

Funyon: The following contest is a SINGAPORE CANE MATCH and is scheduled for one fall, with no time limit…Announcing first…from Grand Rapids, Manitoba…weighing in at 272 pounds…this is…CHRIS TREPANIER!!!!

 

Trepanier drops from the turnbuckle and circles the ring, wringing his hands and throwing shadow punches before circling back around and picking up the discarded Singapore Cane. The Canadian Superstar cracks the cane against the ropes and grins slightly as the fans erupt at the mere introduction of weapons.

 

Judge: Speaking of guys we haven’t seen in a while, Chris Trepanier is returning to SJL action after a bit of a hiatus, and would like nothing more than to come back with momentum on his side.

Ejiro: Of course Trepanier’s been off for a while, he went back home to Canada, and since they don’t have cars up there he had to snowshoe all the way back. Plus, he ran into a Caribou around Ottawa. He just got in a few minutes ago.

Annie: That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve EVER heard.

Ejiro: More ridiculous than a hardcore wrestling lesbian color commentator?!?!?

 

The cheers of the crowd quickly turns to boos as a heavenly chorus of awe takes over the PA system and a white spotlight shines from the balcony opposite the entrance way. As the curtain parts, the loudspeakers explode with the sounds of Motley Crue’s “Livewire”.

 

Funyon: And his opponent…from San Diego, California…accompanied to the ring by Megan Skye, and weighing in at 220 pounds…ladies and gentlemen…TODD ROYAL!!!

 

The boos of the crowd intensify as Megan Skye parts the curtain. Wearing a pink spandex mini-skirt and a black “Toddess” sports bra, Skye holds the curtain open as Todd Royal emerges into a field of blue and white strobe lights. Royal slowly backs through the curtain to reveal a black vest that reads “Welcome to the second coming of TODD”. Spinning around, Todd poses with his sunglasses over his eyes and a Singapore cane of his own, and struts to the ring as the Philly crowd lets him have it.

 

Ejiro: Bask in the light of To…

Annie: MEGAN~! Its the return of Megan Skye! The ONLY reason worth caring about the return of Todd Royal!

Judge: She is indeed a gift from Todd…

 

Royal removes his vest to reveal the rib tape as referee Ced Ordonez goes over the rules of the match and checks for foreign objects on both men. As Ordonez finishes checking the competitors and signals for the bell however, Megan jumps in front of him and begins to shout about something, pointing at Trepanier and shaking her head. The referee finally shrugs and walks over to Trepanier, lifting the cane from his hands and inspecting it before looking over to Skye with an exasperated stare.

 

As the crowd boos the delay of the match, Ordonez takes the cane and removes it from the ring, to the joy of Skye and the shock and displeasure of both the crowd and Chris Trepanier. The ref discusses the move with the ring announcer, and Funyon makes an announcement regarding the decision before ringing the bell.

 

Funyon: The referee has declared that Chris Trepanier’s weapon is a KENDO STICK and NOT a SINGAPORE CANE, and therefore is a FOREIGN OBJECT and will NOT be allowed in this match!

 

The crowd erupts into a collective jeer before breaking out a loud “BULLSHIT” chant as the announcers discuss the matter.

 

Ejiro: I’m SHOCKED that Chris Trepanier would try to blatantly cheat like that. I mean SERIOUSLY, a Kendo Stick in a Singapore Cane match?!? He was trying to KILL Todd.

Annie: ROYAL brought the cane into the ring in the first place!

Judge: STICK. He brought the stick into the ring. And he used it to take out Landon Maddix, he obviously had NO intention of using it in the match. It was only Trepanier who would think of using it in the match…

Annie: You two are ridiculous.

Judge: JUSTICE~!

Ejiro: RULE~!

*hands slapping*

 

*DING* *DING* *DING*

 

Royal immediately charges forward with his weapon, but Trepanier ducks the shot and the cane crashes into the turnbuckle, coming out of Todd’s hands and crashing to the outside. As Royal turns around, flabbergasted, Trepanier paints him with a chop, sending him reeling to the buckles. Royal recoils, but rebounds with a chop of his own, sending Trepanier staggering backwards a few steps as well. Todd smirks at this, but Trepanier steps in and fires off a quick kick to the head. Royal puts up his hand to block, but immediately doubles over, holding his hand in pain.

 

Trepanier steps back to fire off another kick, but Royal ducks through the ropes to beg off, causing Trepanier to reluctantly step back and the crowd to boo again, breaking out the “TODD’S A PUSSY” chant again. Todd glares at the bleachers as he ducks back into the ring, and immediately surges forward, locking up the Canadian Superstar in a collar-and-elbow. Royal drives his opponent back a few steps, but Trepanier spins out of the lockup, gripping Royal’s sore hand and wrenching in a knuckle lock. Todd yelps in pain and reaches for the ropes, but Trepanier spins him back into the ring with a hammerlock.

 

Annie: Trepanier pulling Royal back into the ring with the hammerlock, immediately seeing an opening and attacking it. Its just a feeling out process now, but Trepanier certainly seems to have less ring rust than Royal.

Ejiro: Ring rust? Royal does not rust…he is, like me…made of Stainless STEEL baybee!!

Judge: I don’t even know what that means…

 

Still wrenching the hammerlock in, Trepanier reels back and fires off a kick to the right calf. Royal grimaces in pain and limps a few steps, but Trepanier follows up with a kick to the left leg, sending Todd crashing to the mat. Trepanier refuses to release the hammerlock, however, holding on as he flips over the head of his seated opponent. Royal screams and immediately grabs his arm as Trepanier gets back to his feet and circles him.

 

Trepanier swings his foot in with a kick to the face of the seated Royal, but Todd catches the leg and falls backwards, spinning Trepanier down with a modified Dragon screw. The crowd “ooohhhhhhh”s as Trepanier hit’s the mat, and Royal holds on, segueing into a leglock.

 

Ejiro: No ring rust there, Royal scouted the kicks of Trepanier and saw an opening, and now its Todd in control.

Annie: It’s still early though, and the majority of the match has gone the way of Canadian Thunder.

 

Royal torques at the leg of his opponent, but Trepanier turns the hold over, rolling out and floating over into an arm bar. Todd grimaces at the return to the arm, but struggles into position for a head scissors, rolling Trepanier over. Trepanier holds onto the arm bar though, shrugging Royal off and transitioning into a cross arm breaker. As the Canadian grappler rocks back and forth with the hold, Todd shifts his weight, getting to a standing base and raising his opponent to his shoulders.

 

With Trepanier upside down but still holding in the arm breaker, Royal fires off a kick off his own, catching Trepanier in the small of the back and sending him tumbling forward out of the hold. As Trepanier hit’s the mat, Royal immediately drops down into a front chancery, slapping the head of the masked Canadian as he works the hold. The crowd begins to clap and stomp, willing Trepanier back to his feet as Todd tries desperately to keep him grounded. With both men on their feet, Trepanier shoots another kick in on Todd, sending his opponent staggering backwards. Royal doesn’t release the hold, however, and fires back with a knee to the face.

 

With both men at a stalemate, Trepanier fires off another kick to the knee, sending Royal hobbling and allowing Trepanier an opportunity to fall backwards with a Northern Lights suplex. The crowd erupts as Todd crashes to the mat, and Trepanier collapses beside him.

 

Judge: These two are both out to prove something here tonight, and it shows. The “Feeling out process” has evolved into a slugfest, and both Trepanier and Royal are taking it to their opponent.

Ejiro: And we haven’t even got the Singapore canes involved yet! Imagine the brutality yet to come!!

 

Trepanier is the first to his feet, dropping down with a leg drop to the throat of Royal before lifting Todd to his feet. Trepanier looks for a power bomb, but Todd sweeps his opponent’s legs out from under him and flips over into a jackknife cover.

 

ONE!…

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TW…

 

Trepanier shifts his momentum, rolling forward, and planting Royal shoulder-first on the mat.

 

ONE!…

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TWO…

 

Todd flips out backwards and lands on his feet. Grabbing the legs of Trepanier, Royal lunges forward, trapping Trepanier against the canvas.

 

ONE!…

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TW…

 

Trepanier reaches back and hit’s a chop to the neck of Todd, sending Royal flying backwards and breaking the pinfall. Todd scrambles to his feet as Trepanier calmly spins to a vertical base and the crowd applauds the sequence.

 

The mood changes, however, as Royal spits across the ring, sending Trepanier staggering to the ropes. The crowd boos loudly, but Trepanier simply responds with action, charging forward and pelting Todd with a sharp, vicious kick to the ribs. Royal doubles over and grunts, but Trepanier steps up and fires off a second crushing kick, staggering his opponent back into the corner. Trepanier spins and leaps, but before he can hit the roundhouse, Royal collapses into the corner clutching his ribs.

 

Annie: Trepanier looking for the Triple Entente, but Royal just collapsing in the corner in pain.

Judge: Well, Royal is coming off that rib injury, so he’s going to be extremely cautious with that area.

Annie: Are you kidding me?! The guy’s had a MONTH with no matches or anything. You can’t tell me he’s not healed!

Ejiro: Well, you see the rib tape, Todd wouldn’t LIE to us!

Annie: You’re an IDIOT.

 

Ced Ordonez backs Trepanier off as he checks on the ribs of Royal. Todd grimaces in pain at his touch and pulls himself to his feet in the corner, breathing deeply as Megan walks to the corner to towel him off. Trepanier just shakes his head and turns to leave the ring, heading for the Singapore cane- a move that draws a huge pop from the crowd.

 

“WE WANT WEAPONS! *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* “WE WANT WEAPONS!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap*

 

Before Trepanier can make it out of the ring however, Royal leaps forward and flattens Trepanier with a super kick. As Trepanier slumps on the ground outside, Todd grins and tears off his rib tape. The boos of the crowd echo through Viking Hall as Royal bows and struts.

 

Annie: You see?!? That idiot wasn’t injured at ALL!

Ejiro: It’s a MIRACLE~! An Honest to Todd Miracle~!

 

As Royal spins around and soaks in his boos, Trepanier begins to crawl towards the cane on the outside. Seeing this, Todd runs the ropes and takes to the air, sailing over the top rope with a somersault plancha.

 

“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

 

Royal gets to his feet, and Irish whips Trepanier hard into the guardrail. As Chris stumbles back from the impact, Todd winds up and crowns him with the cane. Trepanier collapses to the ground, and Royal takes three more swings to the ribs, causing the Canadian star to scream in pain. Royal taunts the fans as he tosses the cane into the ring, then rolls Trepanier in as well.

 

Judge: Royal’s the first to introduce that Singapore Cane to the match, and you HAVE to figure that gives him the advantage!

Ejiro: Good call Captain Obvious! I never would have figured out that the guy with the WEAPON had the advantage if not for your insightful commentary…

Judge: You’re right, I probably should have said I was made of steel or something ridiculous like that…

Annie: Children…calm down, we have a match going on.

 

Pulling himself onto the apron, Royal leaps to the top rope. With the crowd on their feet, Todd comes crashing down, driving his knee into the head of Trepanier. As Canadian Thunder rolls on the mat, clutching his forehead, Todd retrieves the cane. After a stiff shot to the small of the back, Royal lifts Trepanier to his feet.

 

An obviously off balance Trepanier is thrown to the ropes, rebounds, and is met by a crippling cane shot to the gut. Royal sizes up his doubled over opponent, and fires off a strike to the face. Trepanier shoots into a standing position, body contorted in pain, and is immediately grabbed by Royal, snapping to the mat with a White Russian Legsweep. Ced Ordonez hit’s the mat as the fans rise to their feet.

 

ONE!…

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TWO!…

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THR….

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KICKOUT!

 

Annie: Trepanier barely kicks out there, and you can see the pain and exhaustion in “Canadian Thunder”. He’s got to get that cane away from Todd Royal before he gets knocked silly.

Ejiro: Ya, Trepanier’s on dream street courtesy of our Todd and Savior…

Judge: “Dream Street”?!? Yeah, and this match is a real “slobber knocker” too huh? Annie bar the door!!

 

Royal, shocked at the two count, argues briefly with Ordonez before going back to work on his opponent. Whipping Trepanier to the corner, Todd uses the cane to pound away, picking apart the body with carefully placed shots. Royal clubs the left knee, spinning around and following up with a shot to the right knee. As Trepanier hollers in pain, Royal fires off a shot to the left shoulder, followed immediately with one to the right. Todd smiles and yells at the Viking Hall crowd before unleashing a shot to the left ribs. Royal dramatically spins around, but a shot at the right ribs is blocked.

 

Trepanier, still clutching his left side in pain, shoots a grin at Todd as he grasps the end of the cane. Royal tries to yank the weapon away from his opponent, but Trepanier steps over the cane, clocking Todd with a modified enziguiri. The crowd erupts in cheers as Royal crashes to the mat and the Singapore cane flies out of the ring.

 

“THUNDER!” “THUNDER!” “THUNDER!”

 

Trepanier crawls over, draping his arm over his fallen opponent as Odronez and the crowd count in unison.

 

ONE!…

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TWO!…

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KICKOUT!

 

As the crowd deflates, Trepanier rolls out of the ring, making a beeline for the cane.

 

Annie: A good move by Chris Trepanier, heading straight for the cane. He knows he’s too beaten to be effective with just his hands, and there’s a great equalizer right outside of the ring.

Ejiro: Don’t count Royal out though, the man is awfully resilient!

Judge: Resilient like STEEL?!?

Ejiro: Go to hell…

Annie: Boys, Boys, save it for the ring tomorrow! We’ve got a show to call!!

 

In the ring, Todd once again spots his opponent heading for a weapon. Running the ropes, Royal takes off again, somersaulting to the outside. This time, however, Trepanier has the move scouted, and catches Royal with a HUGE shot to the back as hit comes down. Todd drops to the mat like a rock, as Trepanier collapses like a rock and the fans hit the roof.

 

“HOLY SHIT!” HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!”

 

Judge: Oh my God! Trepanier just destroyed Royal!!!

Annie: That was no bunt! That was a Barry Bonds homerun swing! That’ll shatter a spine!!

 

With Royal crumpled in a heap on the outside, Trepanier unloads with vicious shots to the back and head. As Royal tries feebly to cover up, his opponent just continues to unload with increasingly vicious shots. Finally able to take it no more, Megan Skye runs around the ring, leaping onto the back of Trepanier and trying to pull him off of her man.

 

Trepanier ducks forward, flipping Skye to the mat, and snaps back up. Megan screams as Trepanier slams the cane on the concrete three times, right beside her head. As Skye tries to scramble away, the crowd encourages the Canadian to destroy her.

 

“FUCK HER UP!” “ FUCK HER UP!” “FUCK HER UP!” “FUCK HER UP!”

 

Annie: See Megan, they want us to be together just as much as I do!! I must give my public what they desire!

Judge: Uh, I don’t think they’re talking to you…

Ejiro: It would be just like Chris Trepanier to hit a woman. They have no concept of chivalry in Canada. The savages.

 

Trepanier reels back to deck Megan, but Royal pops up behind him, grabbing him around the waist and spinning him hard to the mat with a huge Blue Thunder Bomb. The crowd reacts with disappointment as Megan crawls under the ring, emerging moments later with a second Singapore Cane.

 

Royal takes the cane from his valet, and swings it hard at his fallen opponent. Trepanier rolls out of the way, swinging his cane at the feet of Royal and sending him crashing into the ring apron. Trepanier rolls into the ring, but Todd swings his weapon under the bottom rope, trying to sweep his opponent down. Chris leaps over the shot, coming down with a stiff shot to the spine of Royal, who rolls weakly into the ring. Trepanier tries to capitalize with a second shot, but Royal blocks with his cane and pelts Trepanier in the knee. As Canadian Thunder gets to limps backwards, Royal clambers to his feet and unleashes a guillotine shot. Trepanier ducks, spinning around and catching Royal flush on the nose with a brutal shot.

 

“OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

 

Todd collapses to the mat, and Trepanier capitalizes, spring boarding off the middle rope with a quebrada, and coming down with his can across the throat of his opponent. Trepanier floats over, grinding the now bloodied face of Royal into the mat as he covers.

 

ONE!…

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TWO!…

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THR…

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Eeeee…

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KICKOUT!

 

Annie: WOW! An EXTREMELY close two count there! I think Royal may have had his nose broken on that shot by Trepanier!

Judge: A great exchange of shots and counters by both men there, but I think the martial arts background of Trepanier shone through and he was able to get the advantage. He sensed an opening and EXPLODED out with a shot to the face!

Annie: And then the nose of Todd Royal exploded in the middle of the ring!! Come on Meg, I have a pretty, unblemished face!

Ejiro: Yeah, right. Your mug’s worn more crimson masks than Mil Mascaras!

 

As Royal rolls onto his stomach, clutching his face in agony, Chris Trepanier slides his cane under his opponent’s neck. Pulling backwards, Trepanier wrenches on the back and neck of Todd with a modified camel clutch. The crowd gets is on their feet, cheering and chanting; Megan is on the outside yelling and slamming her hands to the mat; and in the ring, Royal claws his way across the ring, grabbing the ropes and breaking the hold as he collapses across the bottom cable.

 

Trepanier breaks the hold, but immediately goes on the attack with the cane. Unleashing shots on the welt-covered back on Royal, Trepanier grows increasingly more violent. Finally pulling his opponent out of the ropes, Trepanier unleashes a murderous brain seated brain buster, crumpling Todd to the mat like an accordion. Hooking the leg, Trepanier nods along with the count of the official.

 

ONE!…

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TWO!…

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THR…

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Eeee……

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Ee…..

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NO!!!!

 

His hand inches from the mat, Ordonez puts the brakes on, pointing to Todd’s foot, which has barely draped over the bottom rope. The crowd voices their displeasure as Ced holds up two fingers, and Trepanier looks on in disbelief.

 

“BULLSHIT!” “BULLSHIT!” “BULLSHIT!”

 

Judge: Todd Royal barely gets his foot on the ropes in time! Royal is bloodied and beaten and if he were six inches further from the ropes this one would be over!

Ejiro: Ya, well he wasn’t. And it ISN’T over, so just pray to Todd for a comeback, because miracles DO happen!

Judge: Yeah, it’s a miracle I put up with you for so long.

Ejiro: Well, if I knock your head off tomorrow night you won’t have to put up with ANYTHING anymore.

Annie: Would you two shut the hell up?! Trepanier’s pulled Royal away from the ropes and he’s going to go for the victory again!!

 

ONE!…

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TWO!!…

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THR…

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Eeee…

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KICKOUT!

 

“Ooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

Trepanier glares at Ordonez as he gets to his feet. Ced holds up two fingers, but Trepanier responds by holding up three, getting a cheer from the crowd. Ordonez holds up two fingers again, more forcefully this time, but Chris responds with a middle finger, getting an even louder ovation from the raucous Philly crowd.

 

Trepanier turns back to his opponent, but Royal- having time to recover- lunges forward, cane in hand, and low blows his opponent. The crowd reacts with pain, but quickly turns to jeers as Todd rolls Trepanier up.

 

ONE!…

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TW…

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KICKOUT!

 

Trepanier rolls through the hold before the count of two, and pulls himself up in the corner. Royal, clutching his cane, charges in after him, swinging like a maniac. As Todd closes in, Trepanier shoots his leg out, catching the weapon with a kick and shattering the cane to pieces! Royal leaps back in shock as the awe-struck crowd erupts.

 

“HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!”

 

Annie: Chris Trepanier just shattered the Singapore Cane with a massive kick!!

Judge: Imagine what he’d do to Todd’s face!!!

 

Royal scrambles to retrieve the whole cane, as Trepanier reaches down and grabs the shattered handle of the other one. Todd unleashes a wild and desperate swing, but the Canadian dodges the shot and drives the wooden shrapnel into the already bloody face of Todd.

 

Royal screams in agony, but continues to swing away with his cane, catching Trepanier several times flush on the side of the head. After a few shots, Trepanier stumbles back, releasing Todd from the spike and allowing him to clock his opponent again. The masked Canadian staggers, regains his balance and slashes Todd’s face, drawing an painful scream from Megan at ringside. As Trepanier lunges again, Royal swings away again.

 

The cane crashes to the mat and Royal, blinded by splinters and his own blood, yells in frustration. Trepanier, seeing an opening hurls himself forward with another stabbing blow. Before the weapon can make contact, however, Royal swings again, desperately and with all his strength, and crowns Trepanier right across the temple. Chris Trepanier collapses in mid-lunge, hitting the mad hard with his head. Todd tumbles down after him, falling on top as Ordonez hit’s the mat again.

 

ONE!…

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TWO!!…

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THR….

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Eeee…..

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Eee…….

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THREE!!!

 

*DING* *DING* *DING*

 

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!”

 

Ejiro: Holy mother of Todd…

Annie: Todd Royal escapes with a victory, but he’s definitely worse off for it!

Judge: What an AMAZING match! No flashy holds or strategy, just two men beating the living HELL out of each other. Royal may have been the one to score the knockout, but if Trepanier had scored with that last blow, it may have been an ENTIRELY different story!!!

 

Funyon: “Here is your winner….TODD ROYAL!!!!”

 

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

 

Megan Skye slides into the ring, and clutches the body of Todd Royal. The fans boo as a weak-kneed and glassy eyed Royal holds up his hand in celebration before collapsing and crawling to the back. A huge cheer erupts however, when Ordonez helps Trepanier to his feet. We pull away from the ring as paramedics hit the ring, and the Viking Hall faithful give a standing ovation to Canadian Thunder.

 

Annie: All that and we’re NOT DONE YET!!! Still to come, English Dragon and Apostle do battle in a 2 falls match, and Viktor Tarakanov defends the SJL championship in a Triple Threat Match!!

Judge: Stay tuned…its NEXT!!

[Thoth 0]

Coming back from the break, the camera sweeps across the crowd, taking in the usual signs, banners and the odd mix of human society that make up the SJL fan base. We zoom in on one particular fan, wearing a replica English Dragon mask, who jumps up and waves, Dragon style, right in the face of the man next to him. The Dragon fan receives a punch in the mouth for his troubles, to the delight of the rest of the audience. As security bustles over, we pan over to the only slightly more serene sight of our regular announce team.

 

Judge: Welcome back to WRATH! Next up is a huge match- both European title and a shot at the World title are on the line in a two falls match, as English Dragon takes on the Apostle.

Ejiro: What a great opportunity for both men to take the next step up in the SJL- I can’t wait to see our European Champion Dragon take on Tarakanov!

Annie: Here we go…you really think that idiot can beat a man like Apostle twice?

Ejiro: Of course! The man’s mentally unstable, he should be in a secure institution, not wrestling for titles!

Annie: Do I need to remind you that Apostle is STILL in the SWF Genesis tournament, while Dragon got knocked out with two straight defeats?

Judge: Well, only because he had to face myself…

Ejiro: That’s right. C’mon Funyon, let’s get this on.

 

In the ring, the man himself raises a microphone to his golden lips and obliges.

 

FUNYON: Ladies and Gentleman, the following contest is set for TWO falls…the first fall will be for the ESS…JAY…ELL. European Title, whilst the second fall will determine a contender for the WORLD TITLE!

 

The crowd POPS, fully into the importance of this match.

 

FUNYON: Introducing first…

 

“Its…FATE!” intones a deep voice, as the lights drop out. We wait in darkness for a moment, before a bright, sparkling light falls upon the entranceway. The man known as the Apostle appears in the light, eyes aloft to the heavens. Apostle draws a fairly good reaction from the fans as the Cure’s “Burn” kicks in, with accompanying flames shooting down the walkway.

 

FUNYON: From Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing 225lbs….the APOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

Judge: Apostle has been highly impressive in the Genesis tournament, scoring some big wins and no doubt accumulating some valuable experience.

Ejiro: That’s true…but I wonder how much those matches will have taken out of him. Judge. Indeed…does he have the stamina to get through two gruelling falls with one of the SJL’s finest?

 

Apostle strides down to the ring, wearing a long, dark robe, before climbing into the ring slowly. Apostle removes his robe, revealing black trunks with a white cross emblazoned down the right leg.

 

Apostle’s music cuts out, and there’s a short silence in which the crowd restlessly awaits the man they love to hate.

 

Eventually, “Land of Hope and Glory” strikes up, and the crowd rises to their feet as one, showering boos down as the English Dragon appears.

 

FUNYON: Aaaaaaaand his opponent, from London, England, weighing 223lbs…he is the SJL European Champion….the English DRAAAAAAGOOOOOOON!

 

The Dragon, with his huge butler, Robertson, just inches behind, struts to the ring. Clad in deep red tights and a golden mask, and with the European Title firmly strapped around his waist, Dragon climbs onto the ring apron and wipes his boots down, before calmly stepping into the ring.

 

Ejiro: A nice, simple entrance from the Dragon. He doesn’t need any flashing lights, flames or voices.

Judge: These two men have met once before- when Dragon captured that European title from Apostle!

Annie: And tonight Apostle finally has a chance to take it back. Dragon is on a losing streak, after his SWF defeats and then being beaten by the returning Spike Jenkins last Tuesday. His luck has finally run out, thank God.

 

Dragon waves to the crowd, collecting some more jeers and abuse as he does so, whilst Apostle watches calmly from the other side of the ring. The Englishman hands his title belt reluctantly to our referee for the match, Sexton Hardcastle, before stepping smartly into the middle of the ring, facing Apostle down. Sexton briefly goes through the rules, and steps back, beckoning the man to get it on!

 

DING DING DING

 

Judge: The first fall- European title on the line.

Ejiro: I just hope the people of Europe get the champion they deserve- I mean, Apostle is from Las Vegas!

Annie: Hey, there’s nothing wrong with show girls…

 

The two men continue to stare at each other, before backing away and starting to circle. Apostle moves in first, but Dragon immediately backs away into the nearest corner, putting his shoulder under the top rope and shaking his head.

 

Sexton holds up a hand to halt Apostle, but gestures for Dragon to move back in. Dragon points at Apostle, and the ringside microphones pick up his words:

 

”Get that mad fool under control, Mr. Hardcastle!”

 

The crowd boos as Dragon continues to stall, rolling his shoulders over and wringing out his wrists before stepping back towards Apostle.

 

Judge: Dragon clearly doesn’t want this match starting on Apostle’s terms.

Annie: He’s scared, you mean?

Ejiro: Dragon’s not scared of anything…well, maybe your face, but who isn’t?

 

Again, Apostle lunges straight at Dragon, adopting a no-nonsense approach to such a big match, and this time Dragon stands his ground. The two men snaps their arms around each other’s shoulders, going into a collar and elbow lock up, and start to push against each other, testing out their opponent’s strength.

 

Apostle starts to push Dragon back, but Dragon, knowing he can’t over power his opponent, breaks the lock. EngDrag pushes Apostle around in front, twisting behind him and wrapping his arms tightly around Apostle’s waist. Apostle starts to try and twist away, turning in Dragon’s clutches so the waist lock is being applied side on.

 

From the side, Apostle can get his hands on Dragon’s left arm, and starts to pull it up away from his waist. Dragon cannot prevent his arm being dragged up, and Apostle quickly lifts it up, turning, breaking Dragon’s grip. Apostle twists the arm over and applies an armbar, leaving Dragon confused and down to one knee.

 

Judge: The European Champion trying to gain control of Apostle on the mat early on, but Apostle counters extremely well.

Ejiro: Meh, it was ok. Dragon’s just exploring Apostle here.

Annie: Exploring him? Sounds….kinky.

Ejiro: Do you HAVE to turn everything into some kind of sexual reference?

 

In the ring, Apostle wrenches down on the armbar viciously, but Dragon gets up to both feet and starts to walk around to his right. Apostle keeps the lock on and swings round with Dragon, who stops, tenses, and suddenly executes a quick forward roll. As he comes up however, Apostle still has his hold intact. EngDrag moves again, this time bending and cartwheeling over! Again though, Apostle’s hand is still on Dragon’s arm, but now his grip is twisted enough for Dragon to grab the hands and push them apart.

 

The Englishman reacts quickest to the opened situation and grabs Apostle down on his right thigh, pulling up and flipping Apostle down onto this back. Dragon stands over him and keeps a hold on the leg at the ankle, bending and giving it a sharp twist. Before Apostle can counter, Dragon steps in with his right leg, placing it in front of Apostle’s corresponding limb and bending the challengers leg around it.

 

Apostle grimaces in pain, but sits up, grabbing Dragon by the mask and pulling his head towards him. The Las Vegas native grabs the Dragon’s skull and tries to exert sufficient force to unbalance his opponent, and Dragon is indeed dragged forwards, losing his grip on Apostle’s ankle. However, the Londoner just allows himself to fall onto his opponent, pushing up a leg. Sexton counts Apostle’s shoulders down!

 

ONE!

 

Apostle pushes Dragon away and rolls to his feet. The European champion follows.

 

Judge: This has been somewhat of a stalemate so far in this match.

Annie: Dragon clearly planned a mat attack…we’ll see whether Apostle is prepared to go that route or if he’ll attempt to up the tempo.

 

The crowd is a little quietened by the slow opening, but comes back to life as Dragon gives them a brief wave that ignites another hail of abuse.

 

The two men start to circle each other once more, but stop as Apostle offers Dragon a test of strength, extending his hands out in front of him and nodding. Dragon looks around doubtfully, but his ego evidently doesn’t allow him to back down, and he steps forward, entwining his fingers carefully in each of Apostle’s hands.

 

Apostle immediately shows his superior muscle power, as he pushes down hard on Dragon’s hands. A thrust from Apostle, and Dragon starts to be pushed over backwards, his spine being forced to bend. Apostle keeps applying pressure, and Dragon is bent fully backwards, bridged back on the mat with Apostle standing over him.

 

Annie: Dragon’s arrogance putting him in trouble here- he’s already seen that Apostle has the edge in that area, and he still tried to match up.

Ejiro: He’s enjoying this! It’s a good workout for his back, better than a chiropractor.

Judge: Dragon needs to find a way out here.

 

Apostle stands over Dragon, pressing down hard, his legs spread wide for maximum balance…and Dragon, with his usual eye for an opportunity, quickly kicks his right leg up off the canvas, driving it between Apostle’s legs! The movement destroys Dragon’s own bridge, but Apostle has already overbalanced forwards and it’s his turn to fall on to Dragon!

 

Before Sexton can cover however, Dragon rolls Apostle’s winded body and over and hooks up a leg for his own cover:

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO! KICKOUT!

 

The crowd breathes in, clearly behind Apostle in this match.

 

Annie: A blatant low blow ALREADY!

Ejiro: I didn’t see any low blow…Sexton didn’t see any low blow…did you see a low blow, Judge?

Judge: (amused) Maybe Dragon slipped on the mat, eh?

 

The Englishman wrings out his wrists again, having had them almost bent double by Apostle, before grabbing his opponent by the scruff of the next and bringing him to his feet. Dragon draws him in, wrapping his right arm around Apostle’s temple and locking in a headlock. EngDrag throws Apostle’s left arm over his shoulder and takes a grip on the top of his tights.

 

Dragon pulls up, hard and fast, and swings Apostle vertically up and over, slamming his back down to the mat with a snap suplex. On the mat, Dragon keeps his hold applied and swivels his hips, enabling him to twist up to his feet once more, bringing Apostle with him. The Londoner surprisingly drops the headlock, but instead whips behind Apostle, applying a waistlock.

 

Apostle struggles, gripping at Dragon’s hands, but EngDrag tenses, and quickly brings Apostle over, driving him down with a German suplex. The crowd boos as Dragon keeps the waistlock intact and rolls up to his feet with Apostle still in his clutches. Dragon drops the waistlock, moving his hands rapidly up and sliding them under Apostle’s arms, bending his forearms back and hooking in a full nelson!

 

Judge: Dragon loves to hit these trios of different suplex variations.

Ejiro: Night night Apostle!

 

Before the Londoner can execute the Dragon suplex however, Apostle starts to fight back. The man formerly known as Bloodshed twists with a huge effort, breaking the nelson, and, before Dragon can move, whips behind him and, getting his own waistlock, swings Dragon high up and over with a German suplex!

 

Annie: You were saying, Ej?

Ejiro: This HAS to be cheating!

Annie: What, countering everything Dragon does?

Ejiro: Yes! No! Shut up woman…

 

Apostle follows Dragon’s example, keeping his arms snugly about Dragon’s waist, and rolls both men up. Dragon, anxious to avoid another suplex, runs forward quickly to the side of the ring, grabbing the top rope. Apostle, going with his opponent, bounces off Dragon’s back with the sudden change of momentum, and rolls backwards…but still has a hold of Dragon, and pulls him down with him!

 

The roll through leaves Apostle sitting on Dragon’s legs, pinning his shoulders to the mat!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEE-KICKOUT!

 

 

Dragon kicks hard, propelling Apostle off his body and away. Dragon scrambles up as his opponent turns and dashes towards him, extending his arm. The Englishman ducks as Apostle swings a lariat at his head, and the effort behind the blow carries Apostle a couple of paces past EngDrag. Apostle turns and - CRACK! English Dragon swings his right leg like a rocket through the air, driving his boot into Apostle’s jaw with a superkick!

 

Apostle goes down like he’s been shot, and Dragon covers him:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

Dragon, for once, doesn’t complain about the slowness of the count, instead standing and dragging Apostle up with him. The Englishman gets behind and to the left of Apostle, and hooks his left arm under Apostle’s left leg. Dragon wraps his right arm around the hip, and pulls his opponent into the air in the belly to back suplex position. Instead of dropping Apostle onto his back however, Dragon falls back and allows Apostle’s head to DETONATE directly onto the canvas!

 

Judge: Belly to back brainbuster from Dragon…he’s trying all his technical skills and suplex variations to get Apostle down for three.

 

Dragon rolls over for the cover:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEE-KICKOUT!

 

Annie: And it’s just not working. Look how frustrated Dragon is getting!

 

Indeed, Dragon slams the mat angrily, before quickly getting to his feet and jawing with Sexton. A SHOVE to the referee! Sexton SHOVES back! Dragon looks on the verge of another attack, but retains his composure at the last second and turns slowly back to Apostle, who’s struggling to his feet. Dragon cuts him off with a European forearm, and draws him into a headlock.

 

Dragon turns Apostle to face the ropes, and grabs the top of his tights. EngDrag hoists Apostle high into the air, holding him aloft in a vertical suplex position, but then drops him back down so that Apostle’s shins bounce off the top rope. Dragon uses the slingshot to get Apostle back up, but Apostle suddenly struggles, and flips in mid-air! The crowd yells its approval as Apostle twists over as he comes down, grabbing Dragon’s head and SLAMMING it down to the mat with a reverse DDT!

 

Judge: Apostle countered Dragon’s slingshot into a DDT! Amazing!

Ejiro: Hey, you’re supposed to be on Dragon’s side!

Annie: You can’t argue with a move like that. Awesome.

Ejiro:What? He just slipped and got lucky!

 

Apostle hits the mat hard himself, and while Dragon holds his head, he takes a moment to recover, before rolling over and pressing Dragon’s chest to the mat with his own.

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

NO! KICK OUT!

 

Apostle is pushed away from Dragon, and both men lie on the mat, breathing heavily. The Englishman is barely moving after the huge impact of the DDT, but Apostle is picking himself up, and, moving over, drags the European champion up with him. With EngDrag staggering in front of him, Apostle rocks back and delivers a stinging CHOP to the pectorals of the Dragon.

 

The Englishman flinches and holds his chest, but Apostle delivers another merciless CHOP to the chest that draws inevitable “WOOOOO!”s from the crowd. Apostle grabs the arm of Dragon, and whips him to the ropes. Dragon reaches the edge of the ring and….stops?

 

The audience makes its disapproval known as we see Robertson has caught the Dragon’s foot, saving him from a fast and uncontrolled return to his opponent. Apostle glares at Robertson, and walks quickly over, grabbing Dragon by the mask, but the Englishman shoots up his left arm and jabs his fingers across the eyes of his opponent.

 

Ejiro: BEAUTIFUL cross striking visual impairer!

Annie: (sighing) You know, sometimes I wonder why I took this job…

Ejiro: Because you use the extra wages to fund your lapdance habit?

Annie: NO!…well…yeah…

 

With Apostle clutching his face, Dragon grabs his right leg, lifting it up and getting his right arm under it. Dragon suddenly pulls back, yanking hard on the leg and dragging Apostle over with a Dragon screw leg whip. Apostle is flung onto his back and Dragon is immediately after him, picking up the legs once more.

 

Dragon steps in with his left leg, and bends Apostle’s right leg around it, before spinning around, dropping back and locking in-

 

Judge: The Cross of St George! Dragon going for a submission victory!

Ejiro: TAP! TAP! TAP!

Annie: There’s no way Apostle will give up on HIS European Title.

Judge: Don’t forget we still have another fall in this match…Apostle may want to end this in order to avoid serious injury going into that second fall.

 

Dragon rocks back and forth, wrenching on the hold, while Apostle grimaces. Apostle sits up, but Dragon LASHES him with a chop to the chest that sends him back down.

 

Apostle’s hand starts to move over the mat…

 

Ejiro: Yes! It’s over!

 

Dragon nods his head and roars in triumph, as Apostle….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

….puts his hand down on the mat, and starts to turn the figure four over! Dragon does his best to hold it in place, but Apostle’s will and strength drive him on, and slowly…slowly…Apostle turns it over, to a huge cheer!

 

It’s Dragon’s turn to struggle, but he quickly finds his way out, using his arms to pull himself the short distance to the ropes and grab on. Sexton counts the break, and Apostle willingly extracts his legs and rolls away.

 

Ejiro: Dammit! Apostle’s arm fell then! He tapped!

Annie: He did not!

Judge: Regardless, Apostle was in that hold for some time, he may have sustained some critical damage.

 

The Apostle uses the ropes to pull himself up, and holds his right leg, checking it for injury. Dragon likewise uses the ropes on his side of the ring…but as he does so, he shouts something to Robertson…who quickly hands him something large, metal and shiny.

 

Annie: Sexton! Open your eyes you moron! Dragon has the European title!

Ejiro: He just wants to check no damage has to be done do it! You know what the SJL ring crew are like!

Annie: Or maybe he knows he can’t beat Apostle, and wants a disqualification to save his title!

 

Dragon stands in the ring, brandishing the belt. Apostle turns towards Dragon, as the Englishman charges…and….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRACK!

 

Dragon SMASHES the European title into the skull of Apostle! Apostle is knocked down, and isn’t moving. With our official watching on, Sexton has no choice but to call for the bell.

 

DING DING DING

 

FUNYON: The winner of the first fall, as a result of a disqualification, THE APOSSSSSSSSTLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

The crowd cheers slightly.

 

FUNYON: But STILL European Champion, the English DRAAAGOOOON!

 

Judge: Dragon hit Apostle with mat work, suplexes, his figure four- he just couldn’t keep Apostle down, and frustration got the better of him!

Annie: So he took the coward’s way out! Pathetic.

Ejiro: That was an accident, Dragon just wanted to show the title to Apostle, and he slipped!

 

In the ring, Dragon kisses the European title, and passes out of the ring to Robertson.

 

FUNYON: And now, the second fall, for the match against the SJL WORLD CHAMPION!

 

Dragon drops down and covers Apostle!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE- KICKOUT!

 

Annie: That would have been completely unfair!

Ejiro: Ah, quit your whining!

Judge: Dragon almost ended the second fall in record time!

 

Dragon gets to his feet, pulling Apostle up with him. The Englishman grabs the left arm of his opponent and whips him into the corner. Dragon charges in, but Apostle dodges out of the way at the last moment! EngDrag slams into the turnbuckle, holding his ribs, and Apostle cradles him from behind!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE- KICKOUT!

 

Apostle picks Dragon up, grabs his arm, and whips him off the ropes. Dragon ducks down on his way back, and avoids Apostle’s swing. The ex-European champion bounces off the ropes on the other side of the ring and returns, but Apostle is ready, and hooks his right arm underneath EngDrag’s left and pulls him over, sending him skidding over with an arm drag.

 

Dragon picks himself back up, but Apostle is on him, pummelling him with hard punches to the chest and jaw. Apostle grabs the Londoner around the head with his right arm, and takes a grip on his trunks with the left. Apostle pulls Dragon up as if for a suplex, but when Dragon’s body is half raised, extended at a right angle to his own, he runs forward and plants Dragon down onto the top rope!

 

Apostle steps up on to the bottom rope and STINGS Dragon with another pair of punches, before putting a hand on each of Dragon’s shoulders. Apostle jumps up, flipping his legs into the air and wrapping them round the head of Dragon! Apostle pulls back hard with his thighs and flips Dragon off the top, spinning him over in the air and CRASHING down onto his spine!

 

Annie: Beautiful ‘rana off the top from Apostle!

Judge: Dragon was on top for most of the first fall, but lost it, and now Apostle is dominating this one!

Ejiro: It’s totally unfair- why wasn’t Dragon allowed to take a break for tea and cake?

 

Apostle zips over and hooks up a leg:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

KICKOUT!

 

If Apostle is disappointed, he doesn’t show it, and takes a handful of Dragon’s mask to bring both men to their feet. Apostle takes the arm, and whips Dragon off the ropes. As the Englishman is propelled back, Apostle engages more basic tactics, and simply drives his shoulder into the Dragon’s chest, blocking him down hard onto his back!

 

Dragon is slammed down, and lies, staring at the lights, dazed. Apostle runs and jumps over him, bouncing off the ropes. Apostle returns rapidly, and as he is upon Dragon jumps forwards in the air, flipping his feet back over his head and turning over with a running Shooting Star Press! Apostle’s body SLAMS into Dragon’s chest with rib breaking impact! The cover!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEE-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO! KICKOUT!

 

Apostle gets to his feet, but suddenly grasps his right leg and scowls in pain.

 

Judge: The huge effort involved in a running shooting star seems to have increased that injury to Apostle’s leg.

Annie: That’s going to hamper Apostle…he seems to be trying to make this fall a little faster.

Ejiro: Well that’s not surprising- when they mat wrestled and exchanged suplexes, Dragon kicked his ass!

 

Apostle shakes out his leg and pulls Dragon up, placing his head between his legs. Apostle throws back his head, starting at the rafters, and yells “THE ANSWER!”

 

Ejiro: Aww crap, not this!

 

Apostle hooks up Dragon’s left arm…his right arm…but the Londoner starts to fight back, and snatches his arms free. Dragon grabs Apostle around the top of his legs and pulls up hard, flipping Apostle over, his upper back landing on the mat!

 

Dragon holds on around the legs, and pulls up, and Apostle is left hanging down his opponents body!

 

Judge: Counter into the Dragon Driver!

Ejiro: Crush his head open!

 

Dragon tries to push back Apostle’s right arm with his right leg, but Apostle fights back, keeping his arm out of reach. After a couple of attempts, Dragon gives up and lets go of Apostle, allowing him to fall back to the mat. The Englishman sends a knee into the stomach of Apostle the moment his feet hit the ground, and, with his opponent doubled up, jumps forwards. Dragon rolls over the back of Apostle, falling down to the mat and grabbing the top of Apostle’s tights so he’s pulled over and his shoulders SLAMMED to the mat!

 

Judge: Sunset flip from a standing position! Great athleticism from Dragon!

 

Sexton counts the cover!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E- KICKOUT!

 

Ejiro: That was three! Hardcastle is BIASED!

Annie: Shut the hell up and enjoy the match!

 

The Englishman pulls Apostle up, and grabs the arm, sending Apostle to the ropes. Apostle flies back, ducking under Dragon’s punch, coming back off the opposite ropes as Dragon turns and – SPEAR! Apostle dives forward, crunching his shoulder into Dragon’s torso and SLAMMING him down to the mat! We see Dragon’s head bounce off the canvas!

 

Apostle picks his body off of Dragon’s and points up top! Dragon is left clutching his stomach as Apostle steps out of the ring onto the apron. Sexton’s eyes are on the Englishman as Apostle walks along to the corner…and Robertson PUNCHES him in the right knee! Apostle’s leg almost gives out, and he clutches the top rope for support. The crowd YELLS to Sexton, but the huge butler moves smoothly away, leaving no evidence, the brass knucks already back in his waistcoat.

 

The European champion shakes out his leg, and continues to climb up top!

 

Ejiro: WHAT? That’s insane! He can’t still be moving!

Annie: There’s something special about this man…he’s able to defy pain, defy the odds.

 

Apostle carefully climbs up to the top, his right leg slowing him a little, but he stands aloft! Apostle prepares to launch himself at Dragon…when his right leg slips, and Apostle staggers on the top!

 

Dragon is rolling up, and sees Apostle steady himself with both hands. The Englishman moves over and slams a forearm shot into the head of his opponent. Apostle is slipping, and Dragon pulls him further forward, so that his opponent falls over head first, down off the top, into his grasp, as EngDrag holds Apostle around the waist!

 

Ejiro: He’s trying to pull him into the Dragon Driver! What innovation!

Annie: He hasn’t got there yet…

 

Dragon steps back…but Apostle has a hold of the ropes with each hand, one either side of the turnbuckle! Dragon pulls hard, but Apostle holds on! Dragon tries again, but again, the Apostle maintains his grip, desperate not to be removed.

 

With Sexton starting to count for the break, the former Euro champ tries something else, and runs forward, pushing Apostle back into the corner so his head is slammed onto the middle turnbuckle!

 

Dazed, Apostle’s arms fall, and Dragon pulls him away from the ropes! Dragon tries to hook back the arms, but Apostle is still fighting, and uses his abdominal muscles to sit up on the body of Dragon! Apostle lands a couple of punches on the top of his head, and Dragon is rocked!

 

Judge: Dragon is hunting Apostle down, but he just keeps finding ways to fight back!

Annie: That’s because he’s a great champion! The European title should have been his!

Ejiro: Seriously, he’s from LAS VEGAS!

 

Desperate not to let the situation slip from his grasp, Dragon steps…and dives forward, POWERBOMBING Apostle down to the mat!

 

Apostle’s shoulders are pinned down!

 

ONE!

 

The count is interrupted! Dragon still has a hold around Apostle’s waist and with a mammoth effort, stands again, HAULING Apostle up with him!

 

Apostle resistance finally seems to have been crushed, and Dragon is able to let him fall back down his body. EngDrag hooks back his right arm with his right leg…repeats on the left side…

 

..and jumps forwards, SQUASHING Apostle’s face and body onto the mat! The crowd is begging for an Apostle come back as Dragon, exhausted, slowly starts to turn Apostle over with his legs, and makes the cover!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

TWO AND A HALF!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DING DING DING

 

 

 

 

FUNYON: Ladies and Gentleman, the winner of the second fall and receiving a WORLD TITLE SHOT….the ENGLISH DRAAAAAAAAAGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

 

Ejiro: Dragon was MERCILESS! He DESTROYED Apostle!

Annie: With the help of his goon once again!

Judge: These two battled each other almost to a stand still, and take one fall each. It’s Dragon who walks out the overall victor however, with the European title still in his possession, plus his future shot at…well, whoever wins our main event tonight!

 

“Land of Hope and Glory” plays as, in the ring, Dragon rolls away from Apostle, weakly holding up his arm in triumph. Sexton checks on Apostle.

 

Dragon slides out of the ring, and onto Robertson’s shoulder, where he gives a wave to the fans, who give him a final series of boos as he leaves.

 

Judge: We’ll see who walks away with that World title- its Tarakanov vs Tryst vs Spike! Don’t….go…anywhere!

[Thoth 0]

Boom, Thor is now dead,

so is that bastard named Tryst,

Spike is the new champ

 

 

 

 

Thank You. Thank You. Hold Your Applause.

[Thoth 0]

Well, whatever. Card when I feel like it.