--SWF FROM THE VAULT--

[King Cucaracha 0]

...bringing us back into the American Airlines Center and the sight of SWF Ground Zero. The Dallas crowd are already on their feet as the SmarkTron has begun to pick out various sections of the arena, as has become customary at almost every event ever to take place in America and feature a big screen as part of the 'decor'. And sure enough, the amount of "Everythings Bigger In Texas" t-shirt wearers are out in force, as are the 'ironic' "I Shot JR" 45 year olds. After all, we are in Dallas. Yeah? Yeah. But, amongst the throng of Texans in the arena sit two guys who stand out wherever they go, cowboy boots or not. The lycra wearing Cyclone Comet and the...well, who knows what he wears, but it sure isn't normal Bobby Riley. And sure enough, Bobby's made the effort...wearing a powder blue cowboy hat to go with his 'trademark' big event suit.

 

Over them appears the graphic, informing the fans both in the arena and around the world that the ICTV Championship Match is mere moments away. A sour looking Landon Maddix on one side, flanked by Card, Megan and Natasha. And a smiling Johnny Dangerous proudly displaying his ICTV Championship on the other side...separated by a blocky 'VS' and surrounded by various scenes of destroyed buildings and rubble filled ruins.

 

"A personal battle brewing, I'm sure you'll agree." Comet solemnly begins, as Riley grins goofily to the side of him and succeeds in ruining the serious mood Comet is trying to create. "It was just over a week ag...no, no...I'm sorry. I can't do this with you looking like that Robert. What in all that is heroic is that on your head?"

 

...he had to ask.

 

"Howdy, ya'll!"

 

"Oh sweet Jesu..."

 

"What?"

 

"..."

 

"We're in Texas Comet! These hats are all the fashion here."

 

"Since when did fashion dictate how you dress?" sneers Comet.

 

"Says the guy in the Spandex jumpsuit..."

 

Sighing, Comet takes another look at Riley's attire and tries his best not to laugh, settling instead for a disapproving shake of the head and a deep sigh.

 

"Robert...lose the hat. If not for me, then for whatever shred of dignity you have left. You look like you're here for line-dancing, not to call a wrestling match."

 

"Says the guy in the lycra jumpsuit..." Riley repeats moodily, as he takes off the hat. "...are you gonna read that autocue or what?"

 

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean Robe..."

 

"Just read it."

 

 

"...It was just over a week ago that Landon Maddix defended the SWF ICTV Championship against Johnny Dangerous, choosing to do so in a No Gravity Match which gave the edge to challenger. And sure enough, Operative Dangerous came out victorious to delight the fans and his long-time friend Wildchild..."

 

"And former enemy. Let's not forget that."

 

Comet sighs at the interruption. "Wildchild and Johnny Dangerous buried the hatchet months ago, sorted out the mis-understanding...that's all in the past. Now, Johnny is honoring his friend's legacy and doing so superbly."

 

"WHAT!?!" Riley wails. "Defending it superbly!?! Johnny Dangerous hasn't wrestled one single match since winning the damn title belt, and here you are proclaiming him to be doing a 'superb' job? At least Wildchild was a fighting champion whenever he had a belt. Johnny Dangerous on the other hand...hell, it's not just that belt either! He wouldn't give Citizen Maddix a shot at the Cruiserweight Title. He and Wildchild wouldn't give The House Of Todd a fair shot at the Tag Team Titles. And if it wasn't for Commissioner Zenon, Johnny would probably be jaunting off to somewhere in the Far East to avoid defending his title!"

 

"Are you done rambling? Johnny Dangerous has defended the championship, but not on T.V. You know that perfectly well."

 

As the Riley/Comet lovers' tiff continues, suddenly the lights in the arena begin to dim which allows a single white spotlight to fall on the immaculately dressed Funyon. The crowd are still buzzing, partly from the action of the last match and partly from the prospect of the next...so Funyon pauses for a moment, waiting for their noise to die down a little. Eventually it does, so Funyon continues...complete with a graphic to tell the world who he is.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen." he begins. "The following contest is scheduled for one fall, to a finish...and it is for... THE SMARTMARK WRESTLING FEDERATION INTERCONTINENTAL TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!"

 

"YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

 

With his piece said, Funyon backs away to have a chat with assigned referee Nick Soapdish...

 

 

"PREPARE...FOR...LANDON!"

 

...WAAAAAHHHHH...

 

*DUM DUM*

 

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

As suddenly, "Megalomaniac" by Incubus pierces the crowd's growing silence and brings the Texan natives to their feet. They know all too well what this music means and are ready and prepared to boo the oncoming challenger out of the building. Eventually, out through the curtain and past the rusted metal that surrounds the stage bursts Maddix. And must like everytime he's been seen since his loss to Dangerous, the sour look on his face is coupled with body language that just screams 'pissed off'.

 

"Introducing first, the challenger..."

 

As Landon begins to stride down the aisle, Funyon pauses to check who's following. And sure enough, three bodies emerge through the wreckage.

 

"...accompanied to the ring by Natasha, Megan Skye and Chris Card. Standing five foot, ten inches and weighing two hundred and ten pounds. The former SWF ICTV Champion, looking tonight to win the championship for the second time. He is 'The Future' of the SWF. He is LANDON... "LA CUCARACHAAAAAA"... MAAAADDDIIIIIIXXXX!!!"

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

The crowd let their hatred out for display, booing all four of the hated people making their way down the aisle. Maddix is well ahead of his associates, clearly in a bad mood as he storms towards the ring. And despite the abuse he's getting from the fans, Maddix ignores each and every single 'yee-haw' in the crowd, rolling into the ring. Once there, he motions for Johnny to hurry up and come out...as meanwhile Natasha, Megan and Card are just reaching the end of the aisle themselves.

 

"There is the challenger and, for my money, the underdog going into this match, La..."

 

"Underdog!?!" wails Riley. "How do you figure that one!?!"

 

"Well, firstly, he's in the ring with Operative Dangerous." Comet begins in a matter of fact way. "The veteran of roughly two years of wrestling action with this company and the now defunct Junior League, Dangerous has seen and done a lot in his time here. He has the champion's advantage as far as disqualification and count-out decisions go."

 

"Yeah...which means he can CHEAT again..."

 

"Not to mention Citizen Maddix's big event record. Four Pay Per View appearances, four losses. One Countdown To Genesis match, one loss. The facts are there- Maddix has been incapable of victory on the big stage thus far in his comparatively short career."

 

"Until tonight..."

 

"Very bold...much like your suit."

 

"There's nothing wrong with this suit!" Riley wails again, his dress sense clearly a sore point.

 

"Of course not." sneers Cyclone. "Which is probably why Funyon wore it for so many years. Has he found out you stole it yet?"

 

"..."

 

In the ring, Maddix continues to call for Johnny to 'bring your ass, and my belt to the ring'...with so far, no response.

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

Apart, that is, from the fans who also seem to want Johnny to make his appearance. Hearing the chants, Maddix starts to yell out at the fans, despite the fact that they're actually siding with him. Hey, he's a heel. What did you expect? Of course, the chants continue in spite of Maddix's yelling, building and building...

 

 

...until finally, the lights begin to dim.

 

"YEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

 

"Would you listen to this crowd Robert?" exclaims Comet. "They have ERUPTED for the Operative!"

 

"What in the hell is an Operative anyway?"

 

 

"Johnny Daaaaaangerous..."

 

"YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Again the fans explode into life with a pop that damn-near shakes the American Airlines Center's foundations, as the voice of the mysterious sultry female that has become so familiar to SWF fans cuts through the air. Soon after, "After The Flesh" thunders through the arena, doing little to hush the crowd. Infact, it does quite the opposite...bringing most of the fans out of their seats. Slowly, smoke begins to ooze out from between the piles of wreckage and scrap-metal worthy car remains, as Johnny Dangerous emerges from the back, his figure just visible through the smoke. Maddix sneers at all these from the ring, as eventually Johnny emerges through the smoke, getting yet another booming pop for his troubles.

 

"And the OPPONENT!" Funyon booms over the roaring crowd. "From Las Vegas, Nevada...he stands at six foot one and weighs two hundred and seventeen pounds. He is the reigning, and defending S W F INTERCONTINENTAL TELEVISION CHAMPION..."

 

Maddix glares over at Funyon, who seems not to notice.

 

"JOOOOOOHHHNNYYYYYYY DAAAAAAAAANGEEERRROUSSSSS!!!"

 

"YEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Yet again the crowd cheer their lungs off, as on the rampway Johnny reaches underneath his trenchcoat and unbuckles his ICTV Championship belt. Maddix watches on, his face becoming increasingly sour, as Dangerous slowly admires the belt before raising it high in the air.

 

"How dare he raise that title as if it's his property?" snarls Riley.

 

"...it IS his property Robert. He won it, fair and square."

 

"You call using a steel chair fair and square!?!" the still emotional Riley cries. "I tell ya Comet, I hope your superhero council thingy hasn't ordered this Pay Per View, or you'll be out of a job. And a costume! Then who'll look stupid, naked boy?"

 

Continuing to glare down the aisleway, Maddix beckons Dangerous on with a snarling glare. But Johnny pretends to ignore him, tossing the title belt back over his shoulder and tagging hands with some of the fans. Maddix looks less than happy about that. So, of course, Johnny decides to carry on, going all the way around the ring to tag as many hands as possible.

 

"What the hell is this?" Riley complains.

 

"This is called being a good champion." fires back Cyclone. "A champion for the people. A champion who gives these fine Citizens who have paid good money to come to our show their money's worth, by meeting and greeting them."

 

"Comet. These Texan hicks didn't pay two weeks' wage to shake hands with Johnny frickin' Dangerous. They came to see some WRESTLING. And Maddix wants to wrestle. Johnny just wants to play the good guy."

 

"And what's wrong with that?"

 

"It makes me sick, for one." sighs Riley, perhaps longing for a Memphis Eel run-in.

 

Reaching the point he started tagging at, Johnny shakes hands with a guy wearing a 'Wild and Dangerous' shirt, before turning towards the ring. Still, Landon glares down at Johnny disapprovingly and losing patience as he does so. He needn't worry though, as Johnny rolls into the ring moments later. With a smile plastered on his face, Johnny re-adjusts his grip on his title belt so he can show it to Maddix, especially pointing out the nameplate that reads 'JOHNNY DANGEROUS'. That's enough to tip Maddix over the edge, and angrily he strides forward...only to be held back by referee Nick Soapdish.

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

That, and the growing chants that fill the arena air, are beginning to grate on Maddix's nerves and he looks ready to snap. Seeing that, a worried Chris Card jumps to the apron and calls Maddix over. Johnny meanwhile poses with his belt once more, as Card begins to calm Maddix down...or at least attempt to.

 

"If Citizen Maddix hopes to be the ICTV Champion at the end of tonight's proceedings, he MUST keep his temper in check." predicts Comet. "Chris Card will obviously play a big part in that. The mentor-like figure and brains behind this 'operation'."

 

"...are you calling Maddix dumb?"

 

"Certainly not. I'm just saying that his heart, as of late, has been leading his head. Which, against a wily veteran like Johnny Dangerous, is a disadvantage."

 

Still the Card/Maddix consultation goes on, as Johnny steps off the middle ropes and gives a big thumbs up to the crowd. By now, "After The Flesh" has died down and in it's place the buzzing of the crowd leaves a big-match atmosphere hanging over the ring. Suddenly, as if on cue, Johnny's face changes from the happy-go-lucky champ to one of focus and deep concentration. Maddix meanwhile seems to have been calmed down slightly, with Card handing out directions busily despite the fact Soapdish is ordering him to get down off the apron. "Gimme five more minutes" is Card's response, which unsurprisingly gets a resounding no from Soapdish.

 

As this goes on, Johnny coolly removes his shades and trenchcoat...dumping the latter into the hands of a trusty stagehand, before flinging his glasses into the crowd and causing a semi-riot in row eight. Over a pair of glasses. Uh huh.

 

"We're just about ready to go here..." says Comet. "...or, at least Johnny is. It seems this pre-match pep-talk from Citizen Card is taking longer than he had expected."

 

"Hey...ya gotta be prepared Cyclone."

 

"He's had well over a week to prepare."

 

"No, no...JOHNNY has, because he's been busy shirking matches from everyone. Maddix had a match with Ace Lezaire to deal with. And even then, 'goody-two-shoes' Johnny...the 'boy in blue', your good friend had to interfere in the match, costing Maddix a victory. Funny you failed to mention that in your round-up of this feud Comet."

 

"Must have slipped my mind."

 

Finally, Card has said enough and retreats from his charge...giving him a pat on the back, before walking down the steps with Soapdish still on his case. But with that problem out of the way, Soapdish can now check first Maddix and then Johnny for any concealed weapons. He finds none on either man, so takes the ICTV Championship from Johnny, holding it high in the air for all to see...Maddix in particular looking up longingly at the belt.

 

"And there is the prize." observes Cyclone. "The current champion and the former champion, one on one. No gimmicks. No props. Just a straight up, one on one, man to man battle. The simplest form of combat...two men enter the ring, and one man leaves a champion."

 

"Yeah, that's great. But you know what'd make it better?"

 

"What?"

 

"A big pile of LIGHT-TUBES and some flabby, overweight Sudanese jabbing people with forks!"

 

"...sarcasm?"

 

"Yep."

 

Soapdish lowers the belt, passing it to the outside as Johnny looks over to his challenger and mouths that the belt is his...only for Maddix to disagree, making a belt shaped motion around his waist.

 

 

*DING DING DING!*

 

The bell finally rings, bringing about a cheer from the crowd once more. Hearing the bell, Johnny drops to a more readied position, near-crouching as he moves forward. Landon meanwhile moves out of corner too, but he leaves his guard down to allow space to trash-talk the champion.

 

"Well, I guess for all of Card's remonstrating, Citizen Maddix isn't going to cool that anger burning inside of him." observes Comet. "And look at him, putting the badmouth on Dangerous! How dis-respectful!"

 

Seeing Maddix's stance, Johnny drops his as he realizes Maddix hasn't come to Ground Zero with the intention of wrestling him. Both men meet in the centre of the ring, with Maddix continuing his verbal assault on the ICTV Champion, while the camera moves in closer to the two. Both men's eyes are snapped open, glaring into each other as Soapdish watches on trying to decide what to do.

 

"Come on you son of a bitch!" snaps Maddix, as Johnny smiles. "You wanna hit me with a chair!?! Huh!?! You wanna steal my title..."

 

*SMACK!*

 

"OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Suddenly, Maddix lunges forward, slapping the taste out of the champion's mouth to a gasp from the crowd. A gasp with little worry though. More sarcasm...as they know what's coming...

 

 

...and sure enough, the suddenly fired-up Dangerous shakes off the slap and comes at Maddix with a flurry of right hands! The crowd are suddenly out of their seats, as Dangerous rocks the challenger with the punches! Soon enough, Maddix finds himself backed against the ropes with no let up from Johnny, keeping the punches going.

 

"Look at Johnny go!" booms Comet. "What an offensive ERUPTION!"

 

"Those are closed fists Comet, which is illegal!" Riley whines in response. "At least Maddix had the courtesy open up his hand before hitting Dangerous!"

 

Eventually Johnny does pull back...

 

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!!"

 

...only to send his right arm flying back across Maddix's chest, with a hard knifedge chop. Maddix shouts in pain and goes to clutch his chest. But Johnny takes the arms of Maddix, throwing them back over the ropes before reeling back a second time...

 

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!!"

 

...and unleashing a second chop. Again, Maddix grits his teeth as he tries to block out the pain...only to take a knee to the gut from The Barracuda. With Maddix weakened, Johnny takes a hold of the arm and looks to whip him across the ring, only for Maddix to shift position and pull Johnny forward. The wise champion is able to counter that though, ducking under Landon's arm with a spin and pulling him forwards into a modified short-arm clothesline. To his credit, the challenger pops right back up. But Johnny pops him right back down, with a second clothesline. Up snaps Maddix again, but this times he takes a roundhouse kick which drops him and leaves him laying on the mat.

 

"There's those 'educated feet' of Operative Dangerous." observes Comet.

 

"Please. I don't think ANY of Johnny Dangerous' body is 'educated'."

 

With Maddix down, Johnny slowly walks towards the ropes and does little more than lean into them. As he comes back, Landon finally stirs and gets back up, thinking he's avoided the contact. But Johnny stops himself, and waits. Slowly the challenger turns around, just as Johnny EXPLODES out from the ropes...

 

 

...swinging and missing with a clothesline, as Maddix ducks and charges off the ropes himself. Now Johnny turns, just as Maddix launches into the air for a flying forearm. But Johnny ducks that, causing Maddix to fly harmlessly over his head. Pulling himself back up, frustration is evident on Landon's face and again he charges with reckless abandon. Johnny simply ducks the out-stretched arm again though, this time taking Maddix down with a school-boy roll-up.

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

T...

 

Maddix is out quickly, and up to his feet. Johnny has his mojo kicking now though, showing no intentions of letting up as he grabs Maddix in a front facelock.

 

"They do say patience is a virtue." begins Comet. "And it's one, it seems, that Citizen Maddix lacks. His determination to extract revenge from Johnny Dangerous is going to cost him sooner or later. The match is hardly underway, and already Maddix has left himself open for Dangerous on a number of occasions."

 

With his opponent trapped in the facelock, Johnny takes the time to plan out his next move...all the while bringing periodic knees up into the gut of Maddix. The challenger eventually drops to his knees, just as Dangerous takes one arm out of the facelock. The other quickly throws Maddix's arm over and grabs the tights, ready to take Maddix over for a suplex. As he does, Maddix shifts in mid-move and lands on his feet behind Dangerous, quickly smashing him in the back of the head.

 

"Ha! Who needs patience when you've got the agility of Landon Maddix?" sneers Riley.

 

Another blow connects to Dangerous, before Maddix hooks his man up and looks for a side russian legsweep. But as he begins to fall back, Johnny fires an elbow into the jaw at the most inopportune time for Landon, who can't stop himself tumbling to the mat. He also can't bring his right leg back down with him, as Johnny has it hooked...turning Landon over by the limb, and clamping on an ankle lock!

 

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

 

"ANKLE LOCK!" booms Comet. "It may be over in lightning quick time here!"

 

"No way!"

 

The crowd erupt, as Johnny brings Maddix's ankle up into the air for all to see. Meanwhile, the challenger's three 'amigos' are all frantically willing him towards the ropes. But luckily, Maddix still has enough in him to push onto his hands and roll forwards...

 

 

 

...only for Johnny to hang onto the ankle with pitbull like determination, taking the ankle lock into a grounded variation with the leg barred. Now, Maddix is in real trouble. Dangerous has him on the mat, leg locked and ankle twisted with nowhere to go. Trying to think quickly, Maddix pushes onto his free knee and attempts to roll through again. But that doesn't work, leaving his trapped in the hold.

 

"Those lethal submissions of Johnny Dangerous...and this is obviously the smart tactic. Keep the firecracker Maddix grounded and on the mat, where he is quite frankly out-matched."

 

"Out-matched!?!" snaps Riley. "This young man is a student of Todd Royal...of Chris Card...of John Duran! He knows his way around a wrestling mat!"

 

"He doesn't look too good right now..."

 

Indeed, he looks really bad.

 

*AAARRGHHH!!!*

 

Even worse, as Johnny tightens the twist on the ankle. Wailing in pain, Maddix seems to be incapable of finding an escape and as the seconds tick past, his ankle is being more and more damaged. So it's lucky for him that Dangerous decides to let go of the hold, allowing Maddix to scramble free and out of the ring to where Card and co stand.

 

"See...now that was just plain dumb." sneers Riley. "Why would he let go of the hold?"

 

"I think Johnny was actually trying to re-position...maybe for the Barracuda. But Landon was able to scramble free and will take the repri..."

 

 

*CRAAAAASH!*

 

In his frustration, Maddix lashes out at the steel steps, sending the top half flying from the bottom with a hard kick that does his ankle no favours. Again, Card has to move in and try to calm his man down, as Johnny snickers at Maddix and raises his arms in the air...

 

 

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

...getting cheered by the crowd, and getting another reaction out of Maddix.

 

"...and the more Maddix's temper builds, the more chances Johnny will have to pick him apart with the submissions." observes Comet. "Temperamant is a big part of submission wrestling."

 

Card continues to struggle to calm Maddix down, getting quite frustrated himself in his man's lack of self-control. Eventually Megan and Natasha come over to offer their advice too...but they needn't bother, as Maddix brushes them all off and rolls into the ring, storming over to Dangerous. The big grin on the champion's face does nothing to calm Maddix down and gives him warrant to shove Johnny in the chest. Johnny smiles to himself...

 

*WHAM!*

 

...before smashing Maddix in the jaw with a shotei! Maddix collapses back into the ropes, as Johnny moves in and takes Landon by the leg and drags him from the ropes. The challenger desperately tries to hang onto the ropes, but Dangerous succeeds in pulling him into the centre of the ring. Johnny starts to fire forearms to the knee quickly. But he leaves himself open...

 

*SMACK!*

 

...for an enziguri, which sends him sprawling forward. Unable to stay upright, Johnny crashes forwards and throat first across the middle rope. Landon meanwhile sees a chance, scrambling forward and dropping his knee onto Johnny's head...and leaving it there, utilising the ropes with a choke.

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

"BREAK IT MADDIX...

 

 

ONE!"

 

 

"TWO!"

 

"THREE!"

 

"FO..."

 

Maddix removes his knee, not before shooting an angry glance towards Soapdish. In the meantime, Johnny is pulling himself up. But he takes another kick to the back of the head, dis-orientating him further and dropping him throat first over the middle rope.

 

"Here we go Comet." Riley says confidently. "Maddix is slowly beginning to settle himself down, and those striker instincts are turning proceedings in his court."

 

"...leave the long words to me Robert." sighs Comet. "It doesn't suit you. But yes, Maddix is settling in it seems. Johnny will no doubt match him strike for strike though if that's the course of action the challenger chooses."

 

With Johnny across the rope again, Maddix places his knee right back onto Johnny's head for another choke...

 

 

"ONE!"

 

"TWO!"

 

"THREE!"

 

"FO..."

 

Maddix breaks on four...and breaks into a run, sprinting past Soapdish and into the ropes. As he comes back, the crowd know what's coming and are ready to respect the athleticism needed to hit the

 

 

6...

 

 

 

 

 

0...

 

 

 

 

 

5...

 

BUT IT'S DUCKED!

 

 

"WHA..."

 

Maddix, Card and Riley let out the same befuddled noise almost in stereo, as Maddix lands on his feet without hitting Dangerous. And that confusion allows Dangerous to dive forward, chopblocking La Cucaracha's right knee from underneath him and sending him crumpling to the canvas!

 

"YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

 

"And just like that, Operative Dangerous turns the tide of this match!" beams Comet. "It may not be flashy like a 605, but Dangerous' offense is certainly proving effective!"

 

Maddix clutches his much worked on right knee, and not for the first time in the past few weeks. Like a shark that smells blood, Dangerous dives on top of the limb and turns Maddix onto his back, before standing back up and kicking into the joint! Again Dangerous kicks the knee, causing Landon to yelp in pain. Sensing trouble, Maddix quickly starts to get his elbows moving, trying to push himself away from Johnny's grip...but the ICTV Champion has firm hold of the ankle and promptly pulls Maddix back. Another kick connects, before Johnny lays the leg across the bottom rope and smiles out to the crowd...

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

...who begin to chant his name once more.

 

"Listen to this crowd...firmly behind the Operative."

 

"...what the hell does that mean?"

 

"Efficacious."

 

"..."

 

The chants bring an even broader smile to Dangerous' face, almost causing him to take his eye off the ball. But not quite, as Landon reaches up for Dangerous' leg but receives a kick to the face. Back to the knee goes Dangerous, hitting another kick before re-positioning it on the bottom rope and treading on the ankle...

 

 

...springing off the ropes, and bringing his body weight CRASHING down onto the knee of Maddix, which bends into an eye-wateringly awkward position!

 

*ARRRGGGGGHHHHH!*

 

Maddix grabs his knee, wailing in pain as Johnny calmly stands back up. And just as calmly, he kicks out at the knee one more time as the defenceless challenger yells in pain again. Not one to let up, Johnny grabs Landon's leg back off him...dropping a calculated knee into the thigh and lower knee area, before laying the leg flat on the floor. Onto the ankle goes his right foot, keeping it in place as he slowly flexes up his left knee and drops it into the inside of the challenger's knee.

 

"Again...simple but effective from The Barracuda." enthuses Comet. "A skillful display here from Johnny. He's picked a body part, and is going to work swiftly and efficiently."

 

Getting back up, Johnny backs off as he sees Maddix trying to get back up, giving him the time and space to do so. Using the ropes, Landon does get up and turns around. Johnny is there to meet him though, firing a quick kick to the kneecap. Landon's knee buckles and he drops to it, as Dangerous pulls him quickly up to two feet before scooping him off the mat. With surprising ease, the former Cruiserweight Champion leaves his opponent hanging upside down...with the crowd's noise building and building, as the blood begins to rush to Maddix's head.

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

The chants start up once more, as Dangerous finally brings Landon down with a scoop slam. No sooner has Maddix hit the ground, Dangerous walks off towards the corner...stopping there, and slapping the top turnbuckle as he looks for the crowd's approval...

 

 

"YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

 

...which as ever, is only a Johnny smile away.

 

"Dangerous is going up top!" Comet astutely points out. "Breaking from his gameplan for some reason."

 

Quickly Dangerous exits to the apron and scoots to the top rope, his journey made quicker by Chris Card moving towards him looking to distract the ICTV Champion. Johnny wisely ignores him though, getting to the top and launches off the top rope...

 

 

*WHAM!*

 

 

*AAARRGGGGHHHHHHHH!*

 

...bringing BOTH feet down across Maddix's knee with a VILE double-stomp!!!

 

"OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

The crowd feel the challenger's pain, as he reacts as if his knee has been shattered...which it may very well have been!

 

"Well...maybe he wasn't drifting from his gameplan too much." admits Comet, looking to a silent stony-faced Riley for a comment, but getting none. "...very nice move too."

 

"NICE!?!"

 

Bingo.

 

"NICE MOVE!?!" Riley gestures wildly. "That was horrible! Johnny Dangerous might have left Landon Maddix crippled in the centre of the ring with such a...a...horrible move!"

 

Card shares Riley's feelings on the move, bringing himself up onto his knees on the apron and arguing with referee Soapdish. He doesn't stay long though, as Johnny aims a kick his way...Card only just finding the safety of the floor, before Johnny's boot finds him. Turning back to his opponent, Johnny walks over and boots Landon in the knee again. Desperately Landon tries to scramble away from the ICTV Champion, but again doesn't get far before Johnny grabs him by the ankle and head, pulling him to his feet. Again in desperation, Maddix swings with a right hand, easily ducked by Johnny who drives his fist into Maddix's kidneys to halt any possible momentum. Landon just about stays up, but takes a STINGING kick to the back of the knee that jolts him onto one knee. Johnny follows up with a forearm, before pulling Maddix back up again...

 

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!!"

 

...and chopping him across the chest.

 

"Can this idiot not go five minutes without pandering to these redneck fans!?!" snaps Riley, still not over the double-stomp evidently. "God damn Ric Flair and stupid 'WHOO'ing. You know, Shane Douglas was right about him."

 

"Can we stick to SWF matters, please?" sighs Comet, fearing lawsuits. "After all, this is SWF Ground Zero..."

 

"Yes, we know. The big-ass logo on top of the set kinda gives it away, doesn't it?"

 

With the breath knocked out of him to go with his bad knee, Maddix seems increasingly fragile on a vertical base. A quick kick to the knee from Johnny doesn't help matters either. Grabbing a hold of Maddix's ragged hair, Johnny pulls his man forward and ducks into back suplex position...but bends up 'The Future's right knee before lifting him in the air. Once there, Maddix tries frantically to kick or squirm free, but can't and gets driven down with a kneebreaker!

 

"Now that is a nice move." smiles Comet. "Expert execution, reminiscent of Alan Clark..."

 

"Alan Clark!?!" Riley again wails. "Of ALL the names you could have dropped, you chose Ced's bitch, the resident jobber? Puh-lease!"

 

With no energy left without reaching into his reserve pool, Maddix slumps onto his back. Johnny meanwhile hangs onto the leg and drags Maddix across the ring, placing the foot across the bottom rope again.

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

Hearing the chants, Johnny flashes another nice-guy smile out to the fans...before flashing a not so nice-guy middle finger Chris Card's way, to a big pop! Turning his attentions back to the match, Johnny thrusts his boot into Maddix's gut in a way only an expert martial artist could, before standing on the propped right ankle...

 

 

...before springing off the ropes, into the air and coming back down onto the knee of the increasingly in-pain challenger, bending the knee once more.

 

*ARRRGGGHH!*

 

Maddix wails again, but before the pain even has chance to set into his knee, Johnny has already got the leg in his hands. Another sharp kick connects to the leg, before Johnny places his foot across the thigh. Maddix is unable to do anything to escape, too hurt to react, as Johnny tumbles forward and takes the leg with him...almost pulling it out from the hip, with a Bret Hart inspired move. Now, Maddix's legs face away from the ropes, which is excuse enough for Johnny to grab Landon's leg and spin around, looking for the figure four leglock...

 

...which Maddix blocks with a swift kick in the ass.

 

"Wrong move." says Riley. "Maddix knows that move all too well, considering it was the almighty Todd's signature finisher. Before, that is, Johnny and his immigrant buddy nearly crippled him."

 

Dangerous goes sprawling forward, but keeps his balance and remains on his feet to hit the ropes. As he rebounds, Maddix gingerly drags himself to his feet. But Johnny reacts quickest, clasping his hands together and smashing Maddix over the head with a running double axehandle. Down goes Maddix, as Johnny moves around him and goes back after the knee.

 

Turning Maddix around, Johnny looks to go with what's worked in the past and places the right foot over the bottom rope. Again the crowd cheer Johnny on and again he stops to acknowledge them before springing into the air...

 

 

 

*OOOOF!*

 

 

"OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

...but Maddix brings his left leg up into the air, and Johnny comes down across it with legs splayed...leaving the boot eye-wateringly embedded between them!

 

"Oh, by Hermes' genitalia..." weeps Comet. "...to say that may be a turning point would be a gross understatement!"

 

"Ha! Right in the little Operatives!" Riley counters, much happier than Comet obviously. "Hell, forget Operative...Johnny could be Operatic after that move!"

 

Doubling over in pain, Johnny clutches his groin as Maddix brings up his left leg again...and with a swift shove to the ass, Johnny goes tumbling through the ropes and takes a hard spill to the floor! Almost bouncing off the floor, the champ now has crushed 'grapefruits' and a bad back to worry about. Not to mention Chris Card standing over him and laying into him verbally. Wisely Soapdish moves Card away, as in the ring Maddix pulls himself up. Grimacing, the challenger can only just put weight on the limb as he gingerly exits the ring.

 

"MA- DIX SUCKS! MA- DIX SUCKS! MA- DIX SUCKS!"

 

The crowd begin to get right on Landon's case, as he limps over Johnny and punches him in the face.

 

"This is the big test for the challenger now." points out Comet. "He's finally turned the match in his favour, but Johnny has worked on that right knee for a looooong period of time. We'll see what Landon can do now his aerial offense has been limited..."

 

"Landon's no one trick pony Comet." chastises Riley. "He'll just have to break Johnny's nose some other way."

 

"How? He's got a bad leg...a bad neck stemming from Smarkdown, a lack of concentration and patience due to his opponent."

 

"And Johnny has crushed testicles. Do I have to draw a diagram?"

 

"I thought you gave that up."

 

Again, Maddix resorts to the low-risk fist to the face as Johnny continues to favour his nether-regions.

 

"ONE!"

 

But suddenly, Soapdish has begun counting.

 

"TWO!"

 

The fans count along, for no reason other than habit...as Maddix looks into the ring...

 

"THREE!"

 

To see Soapdish, in no mood to play silly-beggars, counting as dramatically as possible.

 

 

"FOUR!"

 

 

"FIVE!"

 

Finally Maddix takes the hint, grabbing a handful of The Barracuda's hair and attempting to drag him to his feet.

 

"SIX!"

 

"C'mon Chris, help him out!" Riley implores.

 

And help he does, grabbing Johnny by the tights and hauling. The crowd boo the blatant help, as Soapdish stops his count to warn Card off...which gives Maddix the time to drag Johnny up, and roll him into the ring. Quickly he follows, making a cover as Soapdish turns and drops...

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

"Still way too early for Johnny Dangerous to be pinned." points out Cyclone.

 

"Yeah...we've still got another hour and a half's air-time to fill yet."

 

Maddix casts a scathing look Soapdish's way before using the ropes to get up once more. Johnny begins to stir too, but a series of left footed stomps soon stop him. Curling into a fetal position, Johnny hopes for a reprieve...but the stomps keep on coming. So eventually, the champ tries to catch Maddix by surprise, shooting out an arm and looking for a takedown...

 

 

"OOOF!"

 

...stopped abruptly with a knee to the spine, driving the air right out of him. Quickly Maddix repeats the knee, before pulling Johnny from the mat to his knees. For the first time in the match, Johnny looks weakened...still feeling the effects of the spill to the floor. Landon looks down on Dangerous, smiling slightly before laying in a stinging right handed shot...and a second...then a third, all in quick succession. Johnny rocks backwards, as Maddix takes him by the hair again and pulls him up.

 

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

The crowd suddenly come to life, chanting the champion's name. But now, Landon could care less and ignores the chants as he pushes Johnny onto the ropes. Johnny's head lays over the top strand, primed and ready for another choke from Maddix.

 

 

"ONE!"

 

"TWO!"

 

"THREE!"

 

"FOUR!"

 

"FI..."

 

Maddix breaks, taking longer to do so than before though. Johnny staggers off the ropes and turns around, in instincts more than anything...only for Maddix to drop to one knee (his good one) and bury an elbow deep into the champion's gut. With a groan, Johnny doubles over, but is sent flying right back up with a European uppercut.

 

"Now we're seeing it Comet." Riley says confidently. "Johnny Dangerous isn't the only man who can wrestle a 'slow and steady' pace."

 

"No, of course he's not. But the steady pace certainly suits the Operative more than it does the challenger. And it surely must be playing on his mind that he's been FORCED by Johnny to adjust, rather than choosing the game-plan himself."

 

Eventually Johnny hits the buckles, which shoot him right back out of the corner into another elbow to the gut. This time, Landon reaches up and snapmares Johnny over into a seated position. Back up 'scoots' Maddix, as best possible, before rearing back with his right leg...

 

 

...but he stops before impact, thinking better of it...

 

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!"

 

...deciding instead lash a knifedge chop across Johnny's shoulder blades!

 

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!"

 

...and a second one, causing Johnny's back to arch from the stinging pain and leaving a red mark across the area of impact. The look on the ICTV Champion's face finally shows a little pain, teeth gritted to stop himself yelling. Meanwhile, for the first time in weeks, Maddix has his cocky smile back. More than that, the cocky step has returned to his walk...albeit a limp at the moment.

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

Loud jeers hit the challenger, but he could care less. Strolling back over, Maddix hauls Johnny up and pushes him back into the turnbuckles. Suddenly though, The Barracuda explodes back into life, coming out of the corner and swinging with a big clothesline...only for Maddix to duck it! Johnny quickly stops himself and turns back around, to be grabbed by the arm and irish whipped forwards...

 

*CHINK!*

 

...and HARD, back first into the turnbuckles! This time Johnny doesn't explode out of the corner, able only to stagger out. As he does, Maddix boots him in the gut with all the force his leg can manage, before driving Johnny face-first down with a DDT!

 

"That's one move Maddix doesn't need a good leg to hit!" beams Riley. "And it may be the one move he needs!"

 

The crowd again boo, as Landon rolls Johnny onto his back and makes a cover...

 

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

...but doesn't hook a leg, allowing Johnny a way out.

 

"It seems Maddix is taking control of this match..." admits Comet. "...but his attack is, for the lack of an easier word for you to understand Robert, sporadic. Johnny taking out the leg was great strategy as it takes out about 80% of Landon's offense. But so far, Maddix has not targeted a body part or area...hitting whatever move comes to mind instead."

 

"That's his STYLE!" Riley snaps back in response. "Working a body part for 10 or 20 minutes might work for the Johnny Dangerouses, Danny Williamses and Ace Lezaires of this world...but that's not Landon Maddix's style. And hey, you can't argue with success."

 

"You can't, no. Which is why Johnny is currently the champion..."

 

"No, he's the champion because he's a CHEAT and he knows how to use WEAPONS like CHAIRS on INNOCENT bystanders!"

 

Johnny quickly tries to pull himself up, but only gets to his knees before being shoved back down...and out of the ring, to the floor. Looking to follow, Maddix is stopped by Nick Soapdish. But, of course, it's all part of his plan...as over strolls Chris Card, a want for revenge in his eyes. Dangerous doesn't see Card coming, pulling himself up and mistaking the crowd's warnings for encouragements...

 

*WHAM!*

 

...leaving him wide open for a stiff Card clothesline and a hard 'splat' on the concrete floor!

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

The incensed crowd are nearly out of their seats nearest to Card, as he chuckles away and retreats. Meanwhile in the ring, the challenger finally finishes distracting Soapdish...who turns around and sees Johnny down, but has no idea what happened.

 

 

"ONE!"

 

So all he can really do is lay the count on Dangerous.

 

"TWO!"

 

"So much for 'innocent bystander'!" Comet booms, nearly coming out of his seat too. "You'd think Commissioner Zenon would have these SWF referees pre-briefed before Landon Maddix matches, because you KNOW his posse are going to interfere."

 

"Chris Card was provoked. I can't blame him for wanting to lay Johnny out."

 

"Provoked? That was totally uncalled for Robert."

 

"So a chair-shot to the head isn't provocation anymore? I beg to differ Comet, I beg to differ."

 

 

As the announcers bicker away, Maddix has again started to converse with Soapdish, breaking the count. After all, he can't win the title on a count-out. Eventually Soapdish turns back to Johnny though...

 

"ONE!"

 

...and begins his count again.

 

"TWO!"

 

But luckily for Johnny's supporters, the ICTV Champion has just about recovered from the lariat and is using the apron...

 

"THREE!"

 

...to pull himself up. Grabbing the ropes, Johnny reaches the apron and the count stops abruptly. Quickly, Maddix moves in, clubbing Dangerous across the back of the neck. Johnny shakes it off though, and thrusts a shoulder through the top and middle ropes, hitting Maddix hard in the gut. Another blow to the back of Johnny follows...but another shoulder follows moments later. Maddix is left reeling from the shoulder, as Dangerous stands upright and smashes him in the face with a right hand!

 

"These two sworn enemies are resorting to slugging this match out!" observes Comet. "Just when the match nears it's expected fast-pace, the hatred these men have takes over once more."

 

Another right hand connects, courtesy of Dangerous. But now, Maddix swings with one of his own, almost knocking Johnny to the floor! Luckily the champion hangs onto the ropes to stop himself and looks for another punch...

 

 

...but Landon ducks it, and catches the arm. Quickly, Landon hooks his arm under Dangerous' neck, the arm still trapped too, before reaching over the ropes and bringing Dangerous back into the ring with an exploder suplex!!!

 

"OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

The crowd in the American Airlines Center gasp, respectful of the move despite who executed it. But Landon doesn't wait for any respect. Instead, he turns back to Dangerous and makes a hurried cover...

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

"Only a two from the cover...still, the Barracuda has too much fight left in him." predicts Comet.

 

"Yeah, but it's only a matter of time Comet."

 

Now, with his adrenaline rush cut short, Johnny begins to feel the effects of Card's lariat again...holding his sternum as Landon gets back up. Clearly in no mood to wait, Landon looks out to Card and mouths 'That's it!', to applause from his associates. Meanwhile, Johnny begins to pull himself up. Landon walks over and lamps him with a forearm though, staggering Johnny back into the ropes. Grabbing the arm, Maddix pushes Johnny into the ropes, using their spring to assist an irish whip. Back rushes Johnny, straight into a prepared Maddix who flips Johnny around and brings him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker!

 

"BOOOOOOOOOO!!"

 

Only trouble is, Maddix thoughtlessly uses the right knee to bring Johnny down on, leaving him clutching the limb.

 

"Damn it...come on Landon. There's plenty of time to worry about your knee...cover him!" Riley yells, getting slightly nervous.

 

It's almost as if Maddix hears Riley, as moments later he shrugs off the knee and covers Johnny, this time hooking the leg...

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

But it's not enough.

 

"GAH!" Riley bursts out in frustration. "...that's ok. Plenty of time."

 

"You're sounding pretty nervous Robert..."

 

"Not nervous, no. I just want this match over with as soon as possible, so we can get the world's greatest Cruiserweight out here!"

 

"...sure."

 

Cursing his lapse in concentration, Maddix tries to shake off the pain in his knee again. While he does, Johnny pulls himself back up...only for Maddix to limp over and nail another forearm. This time, Johnny doesn't seem to be as affected by the move. So, Landon follows up with two more in quick succession before winding up, looking for a roaring elbow...

 

 

*CRACK!*

 

...which connects, possibly knocking Johnny's teeth out in the process! Johnny's head and neck snap back and backwards he falls, with the ropes keeping him up. Maddix moves straight in, sending Johnny's head upwards again with a European uppercut. This time, Johnny knows he has to fight back, and does so with a sharp, swift Shotei to the face. The impact drops Maddix to his knees, giving Johnny chance to recover. Or, so it seems. Despite his reaction, the look on Maddix's face isn't total grogginess...infact, he till has the presence of mind to motion towards Megan, who jumps to the apron as if on cue.

 

"Oh, great." sighs Comet. "What the hell is this?"

 

"I think that's what us wrestling 'insiders' would call a 'distraction', Comet..."

 

And sure enough it is...Soapdish starts to order Megan off the apron as Johnny walks forward and into a lowblow from the challenger!

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

Feeling the eye-watering pain again, Johnny collapses forwards holding his privates as Maddix does his best to hold back a grin.

 

"Well, I think everyone in the arena saw that one coming." Comet snarls.

 

"Except the two people that matter- Johnny and Soapdish." Riley replies in glee.

 

With her work done, Megan drops back to the floor and Soapdish turns around to see Maddix on top of Dangerous, yelling at him to make the count. "Not like THIS!" Comet wails, as Soapdish drops down...

 

 

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOULDERUP!

 

"RRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

"And thankfully, Johnny kicks out!" Comet says, breathing a sigh of relief. "But unfortunately the damage may already have been done."

 

With the grin now gone from his face, Maddix pulls himself up. Noticeably, the limp has almost gone from his walk. Determined not to give up, Johnny tries to haul himself up, getting onto all-fours before Maddix springs forward, taking Johnny over with an Oklahoma roll...

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUTAGAIN!

 

This time, Maddix looks a little peeved...but a look of encouragement from Card brings a smile to his face again. Pulling himself up, Maddix backs into one corner of the ring and encourages Johnny up...almost feeling the ICTV Championship in his hand, almost seeing it inches away from his touch.

 

STOMP!

 

"YES!"

 

 

STOMP!

 

"He's tuning up the choir!" gushes Riley. "And it may just be time Comet! It may just be time..."

 

 

STOMP!

 

"...for some Sweet Disciple Music!"

 

Slowly Johnny reaches his feet, using the ropes to assist him.

 

STOMP!

 

Still his groin is aching like a crack-whore working overtime.

 

STOMP!

 

But he's up...

STOMP!

STOMP!

 

Finally Maddix charges out of the corner, swinging out his right leg...

 

 

 

 

 

...WHICH GETS CAUGHT!

 

"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

The crowd positively ERUPT, as Johnny catches the foot and pulls it from underneath Maddix. The challenger crashes face-first to the mat, but that's the least of his problems as Johnny still has hold of him by the ankle and locks in the ankle lock one more time!

 

 

"ANKLE LOCK!" Comet again erupts. "He's got it again Robert!"

 

"...wha...Chris!?!"

 

Card looks as worried as Riley now, as Maddix wails out in pain almost instantly. The fans have risen to their feet, sensing Johnny has things going completely his way. Soapdish is right down by Maddix, asking him if he gives up. Amongst all the chaos around the ring both from the crowd and Maddix's amigos, Landon pushes up onto his left foot. Despite the fact his opponent is now standing, Johnny keeps in the ankle lock. Maddix is meanwhile still trying to hold on, trying to hold out from tapping...

 

"TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP!"

 

 

...but just as the chants begin to build, Maddix flips forward and rolls, taking Johnny over with him and wrapping him up in an ugly looking pinning combination...

 

 

"COUNTER!" gasps Riley, as Soapdish re-adjusts his position...

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

The crowd breath a collective sigh of relief, as Maddix's face etches in frustration. Quickly both men untangle themselves from the other, pulling themselves to their feet. But it's Maddix who reacts first, springing off of his one good foot and almost clotheslining Johnny's head off!

 

"OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!"

 

Johnny is now down and looking up at the lights. Maddix too is on the mat, favouring his ankle...as meanwhile on the outside, his cohorts finally get the chance to catch their breath.

 

 

"Oh my!" is all Comet can muster. "...this match, fought so far at a methodical pace, suddenly BURST into life and just as quickly could have ended. Now, Maddix knows he has to do something, because Johnny will not give up. Two lowblows, a Chris Card clothesline...all of Maddix's offense thus far, and still Johnny had enough to clamp on an ankle lock and nearly make Maddix tap."

 

"What are you BLATHERING on about?" snaps Riley, suddenly fired-up like everyone in the arena. "Johnny didn't make Maddix 'nearly tap'. Maddix nearly pinned Johnny. And now Johnny's flat on his ass one more time!"

 

Once again, the action in the ring has settled down and the buzz in the arena is beginning to do the same. Maddix slowly pulls himself up, his right leg and specifically his ankle bothering him again. Over towards the champion he limps, looking down at him in disgust. Taking a step back, Maddix looks to be preparing for the Landmark...

 

...but again, his brain comes to the rescue. Deciding not to risk his knee, Maddix settles for dropping an elbow into the chest of the champion. Card smiles on from the outside, looking up to Maddix and telling him to do it again. But Maddix wags his finger at his mentor...before pointing to the corner.

 

"Aw, no...Landon." Card mumbles, as Maddix sets off towards the corner.

 

 

"Don't tell me Citizen Maddix is thinking of going to the top rope!" exclaims Comet. "That isn't a smart idea with his leg in the state it is!"

 

"Relax Spandex-Pants. He'll be fine."

 

Getting to the corner, Maddix takes a moment to spit towards some of his more vocal detractors in the crowd, before exiting to the apron. Suddenly over rushes Megan, trying to convince Maddix not to go up top. But the challenger is nothing if not determined, and continues towards the top.

 

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

The crowd will Johnny to get up, but he doesn't seem to be moving. Maddix is just about on the top, adjusting his knee-pad slightly for some reason before reaching the top and glaring down at Dangerous. Standing up, just as he did on Storm on more than one occasion, Maddix bends his elbow for all to see. He can feel it. He can feel what he felt on that historic night, 31st March 1996, watching Shawn Michaels go to the top rope...it's almost destiny, as he does the exact same thing, flying through the air...

 

 

...as Johnny begins to stir...

 

 

 

 

 

*WHAM!*

 

...and nailing a 'picture perfect' elbow drop on Dangerous, who just couldn't get out of the way in time!

 

"He hit it!" yells Comet over the booing crowd.

 

"He hit it?" Riley asks, taking his hands away from his eyes. "...HE HIT IT! YES! Of course he hit it."

 

Feeling the rush, Maddix looks down at Dangerous who lays on the canvas clutching his sternum...before turning his head towards the corner again. Card, who has only just got over the relief of Maddix hitting elbow 1, curses as the challenger begins his climb to the top again.

 

"He's going for a second!?!" exclaims Comet again. "I was shocked enough that he could get the elevation he did from one elbow. But two!?!"

 

"Oh ye of little faith." says Riley, while placing his hands back over his eyes.

 

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

Again the crowd are desperate for Johnny to recover, as Maddix reaches the top. Once again, he sets up the elbow as boos fill the air. Megan can hardly watch, Riley still has his hands clasped over his eyes and the flashbulbs begin to go off as Maddix flies through the air...

 

 

 

 

 

 

*WHAM!*

 

...and nails the second 'picture perfect' elbow drop!!!

 

 

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

"Oh, YES!" Riley says with relief. "We're just moments away from a new ICTV Champion!"

 

"Maybe not...Landon's calling for one more!"

 

Card can hardly believe it, as Landon is again looking to go to the top, as if he's becoming addicted to the rush of the elbow-drop. Again, the crowd begin to will Johnny on, but he looks hurt and is busy clutching his chest with his right arm.

 

 

"Ok...this isn't good." Riley begins to stammer. "I hate to sound...seem...to sound unconfident. You know. But, uh...the third one never works."

 

"Does 'oh ye of little faith' ring a bell?"

 

"Yeah, but..."

 

Reaching the top for the third time, Maddix begins to mockingly line up Dangerous' prone body, obviously not sharing everyone else's misgivings. Soapdish begins to count Maddix while he's on the top rope, as if it means something, as the challenger spreads his arms outward and towards the sky, before propelling himself a third time...

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I can't watch..."

 

 

 

 

 

*WHAM!*

 

...and hitting the THIRD elbow drop!!!

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

Card, Megan and Natasha all breathe more sighs of relief, as Maddix grins smugly as if the result were never in doubt.

 

"THREE elbow drops!" exclaims Comet. "My word...I hate to be as un-confident as my broadcast partner, but...that's one hell of a series of moves to recover from."

 

Finally, Maddix rolls over, with a lackadaisical cover...facing up towards the sky almost symbolically, and counting along with Soapdish...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OOONEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWWWOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEE...

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

 

 

 

"RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

The roof nearly blows off of the American Airlines Center, as the crowd explode with cheers, seeing Johnny Dangerous' shoulder shoot off the canvas at the VERY last second!

 

"BY ZEUS, METHUSELA, JESUS AND AAAALL THE REST!" Comet booms, almost coming out of his seat once more. "HE KICKED OUT!!!

 

In pure disbelief, Maddix's eyes are now as wide as saucers, still looking up towards the ceiling. Almost in disbelief, Maddix turns his head...seeing Soapdish holding two fingers up, seeing Johnny's shoulder thrust high in the air, seeing Megan with her head in her hands...and coming crashing back down to earth.

 

"I..."

 

"Can you believe he kicked out!" Comet gasps, in total shock. "Johnny Dangerous just does not know when to quit! THREE...count them Robert, THREE elbow drops!"

 

"I..."

 

"Johnny Dangerous is clinging onto the SWF ICTV Championship as if it were his only child, determined not to give it up! Especially to a man such as Landon Maddix!"

 

Maddix is total disbelief as he gets up to his knees, cursing his luck and hearing the chants slowly build...

 

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

"I swear." Riley finally manages to sputter. "If he gets up and starts shaking the ropes, then I quit."

[King Cucaracha 0]

Turning to Soapdish, Maddix points at him to get back down from his standing position as he makes another cover, this time hooking the leg...

 

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUTAGAIN!

 

Again Soapdish brandishes two fingers towards Maddix, who gets up gingerly...and starts kicking out at the ropes in his frustration.

 

"Uh oh...he's losing it Comet." mumbles Riley. "...and who can blame him?"

 

"Well, Maddix should have known Johnny Dangerous is renowned for his heart and his never-say-die attitude. Quite frankly, all he's doing is embarrassing himself now."

 

Indeed, it looks like Maddix is one step away from bursting into tears. Behind him, Johnny begins to get to his feet...and Landon sees him. That's enough to break him out of his temper tantrum and turn back to the match, absolutely fuming...almost foaming at the mouth as he encourages Johnny to get to his feet. The ICTV Champion begins to do just that, breathing heavily and still grasping his chest. Slowly he turns around, as Maddix shoots forward...

 

*SMACK!*

 

...nailing Dangerous square in the chest with a superkick, dropping Dangerous like a sack of potatoes.

 

"The Calling Card!" Riley gasps.

 

Suddenly, Chris Card seems a little more confident with proceedings as he encourages Maddix to make the pin. Quickly he does, making sure to hook the leg this time...

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOULDERUPFROMJOHNNY!!!

 

"RRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Now Maddix really can't believe what's going on. Card too looks in shock, seeing his finisher used and getting only a two count. But Soapdish is adamant of the count being a two, so Maddix rolls out of the ring and kicks the air. Megan walks over and tries to calm Maddix down, offering him a towel...which he rips from her hands and hurls to the floor, deciding instead to take a steel chair from right underneath Funyon!

 

"Maddix has snapped, and if he uses that chair then he'll cost himself the match...and the title!" bellows Comet.

 

Realising that, Card steps in Maddix's way. But 'La Cucaracha' has gone 'mucho loco' and pushes his mentor out of the way, rolling into the ring with the chair wielded and ready to use. Soapdish doesn't quite know what to do, preferring to get the hell out of the way as Maddix wields the chair. Slowly Johnny gets up, dropping right back to his knees and deciding to turn around from there. He doesn't realise there's a chair hanging over his head though...a chair which is set to come crashing down on him...

 

 

 

...until Chris Card grabs the chair!

 

"Oh...thank you, thank you Todd." Riley gasps.

 

Maddix furiously tries to pull the chair from Card's grasp but Card is holding on firmly, determined not to let his man make a big mistake. Trouble is, that leaves Maddix wide open for a punch to the gut from Johnny! Maddix finally lets go of the chair, as Card almost falls off the apron...

 

 

 

...and Johnny SPIKES Maddix on his head with a DDT!

 

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

 

The crowd erupt, as Johnny makes the cover and Card can only watch on in horror from the apron...

 

 

 

 

 

"ONEEEEEEEEE!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"TWOOOOOOOOOO!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"THREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO, KICKOUTBYMADDIX!!!

 

"OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

The crowd gasp, having gotten ahead of themselves and thinking Johnny had the match won. But Soapdish confirms to the time-keeper's table that Maddix did get the shoulder up, and Card can breathe a sigh of relief.

 

"Oh MY!" Comet gasps. "Johnny Dangerous came within INCHES of retaining his title, and it would have been all down to Chris Card!"

 

"If it wasn't for Card, this match would be over already and Dangerous would be skulking off to the belt with that belt and celebrating the cheapest victory in the history of Pay Per View. And that includes Lewis - Holyfield!"

 

Back up stumbles Johnny, turning around on his heels and SMACKING Card with a punch which sends him tumbling to the apron and down to the floor!

 

"YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Meanwhile, Maddix is slowly beginning to pull himself up, still dis-orientated from the DDT. As such, he doesn't have the time to turn around before Johnny does. The Barracuda beats him round, and thinks about clotheslining Landon in the back of the head. But that idea is nixed and replaced with a chopblock to the knee, taking Maddix off his feet!

 

"And BACK to the knee goes Dangerous!" Comet exclaims. "And that is where victory may lie. For all of Maddix's offense, he didn't really work a body-part...where as Johnny did, which makes his comeback that bit easier!"

 

"Nonsense! Maddix worked the sternum of the champi...I mean, of Dangerous."

 

"I stand corrected." Comet admits. "But it still may not matter, if Johnny can lock on a suitable submission hold."

 

Despite the chopblock, Maddix is first to get back to his feet. That's only, of course, because Johnny lets him. And as soon as Maddix is back up, Dangerous returns to his feet and lines up the challenger's knee...as if there was a bull’s-eye fixed to it. And aiming for that bull’s-eye, Johnny swings out with a hard kick...

 

 

 

...which Maddix leaps over, landing slightly awkwardly but ignoring the pain and leaping onto the confused Dangerous' back, clamping on the dragon clutch!

 

"LAND OF NOD!" Riley exclaims, knocking over his Pepsi Max in the process of coming out of his seat. "He's got him caught!"

 

"Just like that, the tide may have switched!"

 

Johnny tries to fight free as quickly as possible, but the challenger succeeds in locking his hands and gets the body-scissors on. And from there, it's just a matter of taking Johnny down to the canvas...but, that proves trickier than Maddix would expect. Determined not to drop, The Barracuda begins to feed off the fans...near shaking at the effort he's putting in just to simply stand up. Furiously Maddix wrenches back with the hold, wrenching Johnny's head back...

 

 

 

...and finally taking him off his feet...

 

 

 

 

...but too close to the ropes.

 

 

"YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!"

 

The champion reaches out and grabs the bottom rope, as the crowd cheer in relief.

 

 

"BREAK IT LANDON...HE'S IN THE ROPES..."

 

"ONE!"

 

"TWO!"

 

Maddix continues to pull back with the hold, undaunted by Soapdish's count...

 

"THREE!"

 

"FOUR!"

 

"FI..."

 

Finally Maddix breaks the hold, as Johnny takes a moment to get his breath back...before getting it driven back out of him with a hard stomp to the ribs.

 

"A bad break for the challenger..." admits Comet. "...but quite frankly, it wasn't great ring positioning either."

 

Once again cursing his luck, Maddix grabs Johnny and drags him to his feet. But before he knows what's happening, Maddix finds himself switched and pressed back first against the ropes...

 

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!"

 

...and nailed with a chop. Maddix clutches his chest, as Johnny takes a moment to do the same...clearly in pain. But he soon shrugs that off...

 

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!"

 

...to hit a second knifedge.

 

*SLAP!*

 

"WHOOO!"

 

...and a third! By now, Maddix's chest is turning a deep shade of red, much to the fans' delight and the associates displeasure. Johnny meanwhile shakes off the pain of his chest, sending Maddix forward with an irish whip, which Maddix is somehow able to reverse, pulling Johnny forward. The Barracuda is able to duck a clothesline though, before reaching down and tripping Maddix's legs from underneath him, and flipping him onto his back.

 

"And now, Johnny may look for the submission hold." points out Comet. "But, what does he have in his arsenal?"

 

The answer may be a sharpshooter, which Johnny seems to be looking for. Maddix is frantic, knowing the pain he'll feel if he's trapped in that move and doing everything in his power to avoid it. So Johnny changes tact, pulling Maddix forward by the leg and promptly dropping to the mat, slingshotting Maddix...

 

 

 

*SMACK!*

 

...HEADFIRST INTO THE RING-POST!!!

 

"YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

 

"OH!" Riley gasps.

 

Seriously woozy, Maddix staggers out from the corner and almost flops to the mat. The only thing stopping him is a handful of hair from the champion, who spins Maddix around and hooks him for a vertical suplex. And despite a pause to favour his chest, Johnny is still able to take 'The Future' over, much to the horror of Card and co. As Johnny lands, he's already got his feet in his air, ready to spin through and pull Maddix back up.

 

"Dangerous is looking to execute those three suplexes...the rolling verticals." points out Comet. "And you have to admire Johnny Dangerous, to even have the energy to hit one suplex...let alone three rolling ones...at this stage of the match!"

 

But Johnny is a tough SOB, pulling Maddix up and hitting the second vertical with little trouble.

 

"TWOOOOOOO!"

 

The crowd have suddenly started counting along, as Johnny rolls through again. Suddenly, Chris Card pulls himself up onto the apron and that catches the champ's attention. Angrily he pushes Maddix off and charges at Card. Suddenly, Chris regrets ever getting onto the apron...as he goes flying back off, courtesy of a running forearm!

 

 

"RAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Card hits the floor with a 'smack', as Johnny turns around...

 

 

...into a boot to the gut from the half-recovered Maddix and a DDT attempt. However, Johnny is able to grab Maddix's wrist, twisting out of the front facelock and pulling Maddix into a knee to the gut. The challenger doubles over, as Dangerous hooks him up and completes the three verticals, by hook or by crook!

 

"THREEEEEEE!!!"

 

"Three vertical suplexes!" exclaims Comet. "But will it get a better result than Maddix's three elbow drops did earlier?"

 

We'll never know, as Johnny decides not to go for the cover. Instead, he looks down at Maddix and smiles...going for the legs. But Maddix still has enough to push the weakened ICTV Champion away with his legs to block. Johnny hits the ropes, using them to charge back and nail a running elbow drop on the challenger and making a pinfall attempt...

 

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

That's no bother to Johnny. He wasn't really expecting a win of an elbow drop anyway. Slowly he pulls himself to his feet, as Maddix begins to do the same...the crowd clapping now, trying to get behind Johnny but providing great background noise to an epic struggle.

 

"Both of these men have to be physically spent!" gasps Riley, who himself is sweating buckets, doing his nice powder blue suit no favours. "What a battle."

 

"And you have to hand it to Operative Dangerous Robert..."

 

"I don't HAVE to do anything." Riley snaps. "I will admit he's a tough son of a bitch, sure. But there's no way that he'll walk out of Ground Zero still holding the ICTV Championship. No way in hell. I promise you."

 

Both men get back to their feet, but both are indeed physically spent. Sucking it up, Maddix reaches deep into his reserve and charges forward. But Johnny is wise to it, ducking a wild swing from the challenger and hoisting him up into a fireman's carry position! Maddix waves his free hand frantically, as Johnny charges forward, tumbling through the air...

 

 

*WHAM!*

 

...and driving Maddix into the mat, almost through it, with a BIG Spinal Explosion!

 

 

"YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

 

The crowd pop for the big move, as Johnny ends up facing the turnbuckles from his roll through. The crowd's cheers ring in his ears, and sure enough, The Barracuda begins to climb to the top, facing out to the crowd.

 

"And now, it's the Operative looking to take a risk! And it may be the Death From Above he risking it all to hit!" Comet observes, sounding out of breath.

 

"Get your tissues ready at home folks. I smell a Titanic moment coming along!"

 

"See, everyone remembers the Titanic for one thing. Or, two, if you watched the movie. You know, people forget that on it's maiden voyage, there were thousands of miles of uneventful and very pleasurable cruising before it...well...hit the iceberg."

 

"Exactly. Johnny's been doing well...and then, KE-RASH... ICEBERG!"

 

Johnny reaches the middle rope...stopping for a moment to motion for some more crowd support, which he instantly gets. Card still looks nervous, and now so do Megan and Natasha. Reaching the top, Dangerous wastes little time in standing up, steadying himself...and moonsaulting into the air...

 

 

 

 

 

...and bringing both feet down...

 

 

 

 

 

...INTO THE MAT!!!

 

"Maddix moved!" yells Riley. "ICEBERG, HO!"

 

Johnny's knee buckles slightly, but he still manages to roll through with the move to avoid serious injury. Meanwhile, Maddix is up and has climbed to the middle rope.

 

"And now, all that's left is to sink the wreckage!"

 

Johnny reaches his feet from the roll through as Maddix begins to position himself. But the champion has time to assess the situation, before charging in and punching Maddix HARD in the gut. Another punch doubles Maddix over on the middle rope, hanging precariously towards a fall to the mat. But before he can fall, Johnny reaches up and pulls Landon off, spinning him around...

 

 

 

"MI SLAM!"

 

 

 

 

NO! Landon escapes over the back, with a reverse front facelock on Johnny! Dangerous frantically reaches out for the ropes, but can't quite reach them, as Maddix whips around and DRIVES Dangerous' head into the canvas with the Landon Eye!

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

Megan almost jumps out of her provocative black boots, squealing in glee. Riley meanwhile controls his squeals, but does pump his fists and scream "YES! IT'S OVER!" as Dangerous crashes into the canvas. "Maddix just has to make the cover, and we've got a NEW CHAMPION!"

 

Dangerous looks to be out cold...his head hit damn hard. Maddix takes a moment to capitalise though, having re-tweaked his knee in landing.

 

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

But eventually, Maddix manages to turn and drop an arm on Dangerous' lifeless body...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEE

 

 

NEWCHAMPI...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Again, the crowd explode as Johnny kicks out at the very last nanosecond!

 

 

"Todd DAMN IT!" Riley yells, blasting the announce table.

 

"YES! Operative Dangerous is still alive and still the ICTV Champion...at least for the moment!" exclaims Comet. "What a Herculean effort from the champion!"

 

Again, Maddix's eyes snap open in shock as if he's just seen a ghost...obviously assuming he had Johnny beat. But sure enough, Dangerous is still in the match and the crowd are applauding his efforts and his heart.

 

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

"Would you listen to this crowd!" gasps Comet. "These Texans have taken this Las Vegas native into their hearts, and ar..."

 

"Oh, shut up you FREAK!" Riley snaps, at the end of his tether.

 

Right now, Card is contemplating using the chair himself to finish off Dangerous...and if it wasn't for the risk of costing his man the match, he likely would have done already. Meanwhile, 'his man' is finding all the energy he has to drag himself back up. Johnny is still down, having expended his energy just kicking out after the Landon Eye. Maddix reaches his feet first...but promptly collapses back into the ropes through exhaustion. And suddenly, the champion begins to stir.

 

"Both men trying to fight to their feet." observes Comet. "This has been a pure battle for the ICTV Championship."

 

"Certainly." agrees Riley. "I mean, behind the World Title and the Flesherweight Title, this is the most important singles championship in this company. But not just that. These two really do hate each other. Can you imagine what it'll be like for the loser to have to watch the promo show and every show for the next few weeks, hearing the winner brag and brag about his victory. Cause I can. And when Maddix wins, it'll be great to hear it!"

 

Pulling himself off the ropes, Maddix stumbles over to Johnny...and takes a right hand to the ribs. And another And a stiff uppercut, knocking him back into the turnbuckles! Johnny stands back up, much to the crowd delight but not to Card's. Wearily Maddix staggers out of the corner, with a snap jab that rocks Dangerous. But he soon fires back with a punch of his own! Again Landon hits a right hand, but again Johnny fires back with one of his own. Both men's guards are down now...exhaustion and determination taking over both of them. Another weary punch from Landon cracks Johnny in the jaw. But Johnny is the first to break from regime, and kicks out at the right kneecap of the challenger which takes Maddix off his feet!

 

"YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!"

 

The crowd cheer for the sight of Maddix flopping to the mat face-first, with his head bouncing off the canvas. That also gives Johnny chance to shake off the cobwebs and cough out some of the pain in his chest and lungs. Maddix pulls himself up relatively quickly, limping forwards...

 

*SMACK!*

 

...into a Shotei strike, that rocks him to his very core!

 

"And now, this match has become striker versus striker...a battle which the well trained spy is quite unsurprisingly flourishing in."

 

*SMACK!*

 

Another Shotei smashes into Maddix's jaw, snapping his head back violently. Maddix shakes that off though, and says to himself that anything you can do I can do better, shooting out a Shotei of his own...

 

 

 

...big mistake...

 

Johnny blocks the Shotei, pulling Maddix forward and taking him down by the arm, into The Interrogator as the crowd go wild!

 

 

"The Interrogator!" Comet yells over the baying crowd. "The crossface...one of the deadly submission holds in the game! It may not be affecting the weakened leg, but that may not even matter!"

 

"Oh crap!" Riley shrieks, as Maddix starts to wail in pain.

 

"The keys to escaping this move are height, weight and power...three things which Maddix just does not have enough of! His only hope is finding the ropes!"

 

"Or Chris Card!"

 

"Well...yes, that is more likely."

 

Card isn't helping right now though...too stunned at Landon's sudden lack of luck.

 

Johnny meanwhile has the hold executed all but perfectly...the arm trapped and the crossface right across Maddix's nose. Now, the champion pulls back with everything he has. His hurt sternum is bothering him slightly, reducing the angle Johnny can pull back to. But that's no consolation to Maddix, who is positively wailing in pain!

 

 

"TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP!"

 

The crowd will Johnny on, and will Maddix into a tap-out, as the challenger's eyes rapidly survey the ring, looking for an escape. The ropes are out of reach and angle though and Johnny is showing no signs of letting up!

 

"TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP!"

 

Still the fans encourage Maddix to give it all up. Determined not to let the ICTV Title slip away from him again, Maddix plants his left hand on the mat and pushes upwards. But that doesn't really help, as Johnny simply wrenches back again.

 

"How much longer can Maddix possibly hold on!?!" Comet questions. "This crossface hold is as deadly a submission as you're likely to see. And Operative Dangerous will be content to sit this out, wearing Maddix down until he finally gives up."

 

"You're acting as if Maddix has to quit Comet." sneers Riley, trying his best not to sound worried.

 

"If he doesn't, then what shape will he be in not only for the rest of this match, but for days and weeks to come? Even longer if his shoulder pops out of the socket, which isn't out of the question!"

 

From the wails coming from Maddix's mouth, you'd think that had already happened. But still, the gutsy kid fights on...trying to turn his body back towards the corner behind him, to get to the ropes. Johnny leans all his weight back though, preventing Maddix from going anywhere. Still, that doesn't stop Landon trying. Gritting his teeth, Landon starts to lean towards his free side (the left), forcing Johnny to pull to the right...

 

 

...before quickly pushing himself off towards the right...

 

 

"Smart thinking from the challenger..."

 

 

 

 

...almost rolling through, before Johnny realises what's happening and stops the turn!

 

"YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

 

 

"...BUT IT WON'T SAVE HIM!" booms Comet as the hold is back in 100%.

 

"Landon's got to keep trying though. Turning out of the hold is unlikely, but it may be his only chance!"

 

 

"TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP!"

 

The chants are really building now, as is Maddix's pain. Johnny seems to feel confident now, nodding to himself as he pulls back on the challenger's head, almost sensing the tap coming. Soapdish too assumes the tap is coming, right down in Maddix's face, asking if he's ready to give up. And suddenly, it seems he is, as the hand comes off the mat...

 

 

 

"THIS MAY BE IT!" Comet booms once more.

 

 

...and hovers in the air, with all eyes in the arena locked on it!

 

 

"HEY, REF!"

 

Suddenly Soapdish looks up, the only person in the arena to do so...and sees Maddix's left leg bent to the side, propped on the bottom rope! Quick as a flash, Soapdish springs into life and orders Johnny to break the hold, which he does instantly from his surprise.

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

"I don't know how he did it, but Maddix found the bottom rope..." gleams Riley. "...and we're still on track for the gold!"

 

"We? Since when did you join Chris Card Enterprises?"

 

Looking at the foot still laid on the bottom rope, Johnny still seems confused...asking Soapdish what the hell happened. Soapdish shrugs and points to the foot.

 

"I think Johnny smells a rat." observes Comet. "And I do too. Citizen Maddix would have to be a contortionist to reach those ropes of his own accord!"

 

Glaring down to ringside, it seems Dangerous suspects foul play...but Card, Megan and Natasha all look on innocently with 'butter wouldn't melt' looks. While this is going on, Maddix starts to pull himself up, favoring his shoulder and neck as well as his knee now.

 

 

Meanwhile, replays of Maddix in the crossface begin to play, with Maddix on the verge of tapping, his hand hovering in the air... "IT WAS MEGAN!" wails Comet, right on cue as we see Maddix's leg hovering in the air and get 'guided' onto the bottom rope by Megan Skye! "It was Megan Skye...and we were right to suspect foul play."

 

"We?"

 

"Meaning myself and Johnny Dangerous. I know better than to expect impartiality from you."

 

Dangerous hasn't seen the replay...but he has his suspicions. And those suspicions are distracting him from Landon Maddix, who is limping up behind Dangerous. The champion is busy arguing with Chris Card, as Maddix makes it over, spinning Johnny around. But Johnny beats Maddix to the punch and sends him staggering back. Somehow Maddix manages to stay on his feet and throws a right of his own...

 

...but Johnny expertly blocks, before firing a hard front chop to the temple of Maddix. The challenger is rocked, as Johnny nails a boot to the gut and looks to hit a DDT. But desperation takes Landon, quickly charging forwards and ramming Dangerous spine-first into the buckles. Johnny weakly hangs onto the front facelock, but soon finds himself heading towards the mat with a small package...

 

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOHNNY SHIFTS HIS WEIGHT...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUTATTWO!

 

"OOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

Johnny slams his fists into the mat as Maddix sets about pulling himself to his feet. Johnny does the same, reaching his feet first. Maddix is up moments later...but falls back to his knees. The challenger looks a physically wreck now. Bad arm, bad knee and a bad neck...not to mention exhaustion. That gives Johnny chance to lunge forward, grabbing 'La Cucaracha' by the hair and pulling him to his feet.

 

"This is gutcheck time now Comet." points out Riley. "Now we're going to see who has the better endurance. Who's got the more reserve energy."

 

"Indeed...both men have endured a considerable amount of punishment. It may be a matter of who can hit that one big move, because that's all it may take right now."

 

With Landon by the hair, Johnny drives a knee into the gut of the challenger, before throwing him forward...face-first into the turnbuckles! Maddix bounces off and falls back into the corner, as Johnny grabs him by the arm and irish whips him across the ring. As Maddix reaches the centre of the ring, Dangerous sets off too, charging in after Landon...

 

 

...who grabs the top rope, pushing himself into the air. Johnny fails to stop himself, as Maddix locks his legs around the ICTV Champion's head. But Johnny is prepared, hiking Landon off the ropes and pulling him into a chest to chest position...waiting for Maddix's head to flop towards the canvas...

 

 

 

*WHAM!*

 

 

...BEFORE TOMBSTONING MADDIX INTO THE MAT!!!

 

"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

 

The crowd explode with cheers, as Maddix gets spiked on his head and falls limply to the canvas!

 

"Oh NO!" Riley wails.

 

Johnny takes a moment to shake off the cobwebs, before looking out ringside...and wisely pulling Maddix away from the ropes, before cradling him for the pinfall...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"ONEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

 

 

 

Card runs over...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and reaches into the ring...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"THREEEE...."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

 

LANDON GETS A SHOULDER UP!!!!!

 

 

"OOHHHHH!" Riley whines as his heart sinks back down from his mouth. "Thank you..."

 

 

Now it's Johnny's turn to stare up at the heavens in despair, as Soapdish confirms to Funyon that it was a two count. Card meanwhile brings himself out of the ring, looking like he needs some artificial respiration.

 

"I cannot believe Citizen Maddix kicked out!" gasps an equally out of breath Comet.

 

"Give credit where credit is due!" Riley beams. "You may not like him...you can call him cocky, conceited or whatever you want Cyclone. But you can't question the kid's heart!"

 

"Certainly. Both of these men have shown great heart, both in the past and here tonight...especially with the ICTV Championship on the line."

 

Johnny climbs to his feet, trying not to let his frustrations get the better of him. The challenger is still down, so over stumbles Johnny...grabbing Maddix by the legs and dragging him towards the center of the ring. As he does, Maddix finally begins to come to his senses. Johnny doesn't notice though, as he raises the legs and steps through looking for a Sharpshooter...

 

 

 

...but Landon plants his feet into the hips of Dangerous, pushing the champion off and sending him crashing across the ring. Dangerous manages to roll through the impact, getting up and walking in towards Maddix who nails a boot to the gut. That doubles over Johnny, as Maddix double underhooks the champion and drops to one knee with a chin crusher!

 

"OOOOOOF!"

 

The crowd chant along, enjoying the chance for a good sing-along, as Maddix stops...feeling the pain in his right knee. But regardless, he hangs onto the double underhook and brings Johnny down again...

 

"OOOOOOF!"

 

...with a second double underhook chin crusher.

 

"Citizen Maddix will look to wear Johnny out with these chin crushers, before driving him to the mat with the Future Shock..." Comet says.

 

But again, the knee is bothering the challenger and he has to stop and let the pain ease off. But while he does, Johnny takes advantage and slips behind Maddix, taking the arm with him. Before Maddix knows what's happening, Johnny locks on a full nelson and lifts Maddix off the mat...

 

 

 

...only for Landon to slip free of Dangerous' grip, avoiding the Dangerous Driver and landing on Dangerous' shoulders. Johnny takes a moment to react...a moment that Landon uses to tumble forward, taking Johnny with him with a victory roll...

 

 

 

ONEEEEEEE!

 

"Counter by the challenger!" gasps Comet. "This may be all!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THR...

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUTBYJOHNNY!

 

 

"YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

 

"BUT DANGEROUS KICKS OUT...AGAIN!" booms Comet over the cheering crowd.

 

Again Landon curses to himself, as Johnny gasps for air to feed his oxygen debt. It's Maddix who's up first, bringing Johnny up with him. But that proves a mistake, as Johnny manages to nail a punch to the gut...before going back to the knee with a knee-clip, flipping Maddix into the air! 'The Future' lands up on his back, as Dangerous staggers around...looking out at the Dallas crowd, who are solidly behind him...

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

 

...and start up the now familiar chants.

 

"What a match we are seeing...these men have been fighting for fifteen...possibly twenty minutes." says Comet, without a watch to check. "And all for the gold. The ICTV gold!"

 

Hearing the chants, Johnny stands over Maddix and suddenly starts to feel the adrenaline running through him. Landon meanwhile is feeling nothing pain running through him, and just can't find his way back to his feet. So Johnny helps him, grabbing the challenger by the hair and hauling him to his feet. Weakly Maddix swings with a right hand. But Johnny is already well out of the way, in mid spin as he comes back around with a spinning back fist...

 

*SMACK!*

 

...which connects, knocking Maddix off his feet!

 

"And what a SHOT that was!" Comet praises.

 

"Maddix can't take too many more of those."

 

Impassioned cheers go up from the crowd again...before they see Maddix getting right back up, out of instincts more than anything. Indeed, Landon reaches his feet and stops, unable to do anything. Johnny meanwhile has the adrenaline flowing and backs off the ropes, running back as best possible before firing a running Johnny Kick Maddix's way...

 

 

 

...but Maddix ducks, clearly playing possum as he immediately fires some Sweet Disciple Music at Dangerous...

 

 

 

...only for DANGEROUS to duck, leaving him sprawling forward. Maddix manages to stop himself, turning slowly around and getting clotheslined to the mat! Johnny follows through, running off the ropes as Maddix drags himself to his feet. Back comes Johnny, wiping Landon out with a SECOND big clothesline...but still he runs, as Landon drags himself up, much slower this time. Johnny rebounds as Maddix reaches his knee, but quickly falls back to the mat. Dangerous hurdles the roadblock, carrying on running despite fatigue as Maddix gets back up. Here comes the ICTV Champion again, as Maddix springs into the air. But he doesn't get the spring he would have liked due to his bad knee, allowing Johnny to block the Hurri-Lanrana attempt...

 

 

 

*WHAAAAAM!*

 

...and drill Maddix with an ALMIGHTY powerbomb! Maddix bounces off the mat like a rubber ball, flipping onto his front as Johnny falls right by him with his arm over Landon. Of course, that means nothing as Landon's shoulders are facing upwards...not down on the mat.

 

"Great counter by Dangerous...but a bad break in Landon's landing." sighs Comet.

 

"No, that wasn't a bad break. That's RING SMARTS!" Riley exclaims. "Maddix flipped onto his front to avoid being pinned."

 

"...sure."

 

The bursts of energy leave both men laid out on the mat, with Johnny still on top of Maddix. Soapdish looks on, wondering what to do...

 

 

"ONE!"

 

...and begins to count both men down, as the crowd instantly start screaming to try and wake Dangerous.

 

"TWO!"

 

"We may see a double-countout here." Comet points out. "What a disappointing end that would be to this match."

 

"Damn right...that way, Johnny would retain the title!"

 

"Eh...it wouldn't be ALL bad then."

 

 

"THREE!"

 

Soapdish reaches three, as Johnny's eyes open.

 

"FOUR!"

 

Still the count goes on, as Johnny begins to stir.

 

 

"FIVE!"

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

"SIX!"

 

Finally Johnny reacts, realising where he is. Hooking his arm under Landon's, he flips the challenger slowly onto his back and makes the cover...

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"THREEEEEEEEEEE!"

 

 

...NOLANDONGETSTHESHOULDERUP!!!!!

 

"OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

 

The crowd gasp, as The Future's arm shoots off the canvas.

 

 

"Will this match ever end?" exclaims Comet, in awe rather than desperation.

 

"I hope so! We've still got Tom Flesher to watch!"

 

Johnny holds his head in his hands, gesturing to Soapdish who shakes his head and brandishes the two fingers once more. Maddix meanwhile is trying to get back up. He doesn't get far before Johnny grabs him, flipping 'The Future' onto his front and grabbing the arm...

 

 

 

 

No! Maddix scrambles free of The Interrogator attempt, rolling across the ring. Slowly both men reach their feet, on opposite sides of the ring. Fatigue hits Maddix though, as he stumbles back into the corner. Johnny meanwhile has enough in the tank to stumble across the ring, meeting Landon with a forearm to the jaw. That rocks the challenger who stumbles forward, gets thrown over Dangerous' shoulder and planted on the top turnbuckle.

 

"Oh no..." mumbles Comet. "...I don't know what Operative Dangerous is planning, but it will NOT be good!"

 

With Maddix stunned, Johnny pulls himself slowly up onto the middle rope with him and hits a right hand...and a second. Maddix fires one back to the chest, but a sharp chop to the Adam’s apple puts out Maddix's fire. Card watches on nervously from underneath the action, shouting advice to his man. But words won't help Maddix now, as Dangerous gingerly steps to the top rope...

 

 

...but Maddix suddenly pushes out, sending Dangerous crashing to the mat. The Champion manages to land on his feet, but his knee buckles underneath him. Giving Maddix time to shake off the cobwebs and launch off the middle rope...

 

 

 

 

 

 

"CRASH LANDON!"

 

 

*WHAM!*

 

 

"YES!"

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

 

 

Riley is in dream-land, as are Maddix's allies...and Johnny, but for a whole different reason! Maddix is just about in the real world though, and has enough to hook the leg for the cover...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THRREEEEEEEEEEE....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

 

"What the..."

 

 

"JOHNNY KICKED OUT! BY ZEUS, JOHNNY KICKED OUT OF THE CRASH LANDON!!!"

 

The crowd are on their feet, cheering wildly...as Maddix looks despairingly out to Chris Card, who has his head in his hands.

 

 

"JOHN- EEE! JOHN -EEE! JOHN- EEE!"

 

Eyes locked on Soapdish, Maddix wearily drags himself back up and throws three fingers the ref's way. But Soapdish disagrees and shows Maddix two, causing him to drop to his knees in despair.

 

"What in the hell just happened?" wails Riley.

 

"What an EPIC battle!" booms Comet, ignoring him. "And Johnny Dangerous will not let it end without keeping his ICTV Championship!"

 

Getting back to his feet, Maddix limps across the ring wondering just what in the hell he has to do. Dangerous meanwhile is groggily coming back around...but the damage may have been done. Up he gets, and over he staggers as Maddix lines him up. Suddenly, a surge of energy allows Dangerous to charge at Maddix, arm out-stretched. But Maddix reacts and counters, drop-toe-holding Johnny forward and throat-first into the middle rope!

 

"OOOOOHHHHHHHH!"

 

Dangerous hits the ropes, and bounces out of 605 position...falling to his knees in fatigue as Maddix turns...

 

 

*SMACK!*

 

...AND HITS A SHINING WIZARD!

 

 

"Oh, mercy mercy! WHAT a shot!" Comet clamours as Johnny slumps onto his back.

 

"He caught him with that one...and usually I'd say this one was over." mutters a worried Riley. "But...even I'm beginning to wonder."

 

 

Having hit the shining wizard, Maddix is once again feeling the effects...his kneecap hurting as much as Johnny's head will, once he's conscious again. But with Card yelling at him to capitalise, Maddix forgets the pain and dives on Dangerous, cradling the legs with all his might...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

 

"NEW...

 

 

 

CHAMPION!"

 

 

The air deflates out of the crowd, as finally Soapdish's hand hits the mat for the third and decisive time. Quickly he leaps to his knees, calling for the bell as he wipes the sweat from his brow.

 

 

*DING DING DING!*

 

 

 

"YES! IT'S OVER!" Riley explodes, in pure relief.

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

 

Landon releases the cradle in ecstasy, clasping his fists to his face. Meanwhile, Card rushes around to ringside and grabs the ICTV Championship from the timekeeper's table, rolling into the ring with it as Megan and Natasha begin to enter the ring as well.

 

"What a match..."

 

"And what a NEEEEEEW ICTV Champion!" Riley again exclaims, bashing his fists on the table.

 

Getting to his knees, Maddix still has his fists clasped against his face...the emotion taking over him. But as Megan enters the ring and wraps a hug around him, the hands come down and he wails a 'YEEEESSSSSS!' for all to hear.

 

 

"Ladies and gentlemen...your winner of the match. And... NEEEEEWWWWWW! SWF INTERCONTINENTAL TELEVISION CHAAAAAAMPIOON... LAAANDOOON "LA CUCARACHAAAA"... MAAAAADDIIIIIIIXXXXX!!!"

 

"BOOOOOOOO!"

 

Some boos fill the air...but quite frankly, so does some applause from the fans, who have seen one hell of a battle. Maddix could care less either way though, as Chris Card extends his hands and presents Maddix with the belt, which he gleefully takes and clutches to his chest. Meanwhile, Johnny is just about conscious...enough to see proceedings going on just metres from him.

 

"Citizens..." Comet begins in as serious a voice as possible. "What you just saw wasn't the greatest technical wrestling match ever. It wasn't 'strong-style'. It wasn't 'pure wrestling'. For you see, it does not NEED any fancy name. This was an EPIC battle...a battle fought between two determined men. A battle fought for many minutes with many twists and turns. And folks...you may just have seen the future of the SWF, right there in that ring."

 

"You know, I don't usually agree with you Cyclone...but both men deserve credit. They left it all in the ring and gave their all...with Johnny impressive in defeat, and Maddix impressive in victory."

 

"Indeed Robert...BOTH men were stars tonight."

 

"Great...now, with that out of the way...WHAT A WIN!!!" Riley finally beams, snapping back into fan-boy mode. "Rejoice Comet, at the feet of our NEW ICTV Champion!"

 

 

In the meantime, Landon has reached his feet with the aid of Chris Card...holding the ICTV Championship proudly in his hands. Johnny too though is up, looking at the celebrations and sighing to himself...knowing just how close he was to retaining his title. Wearily he pulls himself to his feet, stumbling over behind the celebrations, as Landon and co finally turn around...

 

 

 

 

 

...and extending his hand.

 

"YEEAAAAAHHHHH!"

 

A cheer goes up...but mainly, the crowd begin to applaud. Maddix meanwhile can hardly believe his eyes, as Johnny keeps the hand firmly out-stretched.

 

"And what a way to end. Johnny Dangerous...extending his hand to the new champion..."

 

Landon looks at Card, before looking back at Johnny...then Johnny's hand...and back to Johnny...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and LAUGHING in Johnny's face!!!

 

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

Card, Megan and Natasha join the laughter as Johnny realises what he's dealing with...looking down at the ground as the laughter goes on.

 

"Aww, what a son of a bitch!" snaps Comet.

 

"Hey...what did you expect Comet? What did Johnny expect? And watch your language Spandey...there's kids watching this!"

 

Unable to control his laughter, Maddix says to hell with it and drops to the floor, rolling out of the ring. Megan and Natasha follows as Card makes a point to laugh it up right to Johnny's face, before following.

 

 

"LANDON SUCKS! LANDON SUCKS! LANDON SUCKS!"

 

The crowd make their feelings well known, as Johnny watches The Enterprise swagger up the rampway...Maddix holding his ICTV Championship high in the air as Card helps him to remain on his feet. With Johnny humiliated, Landon finally turns and heads up the aisleway, limping considerably as his entourage follow.

 

"That's sickening." Comet snaps. "Johnny Dangerous extended his hand in sportsmanship to Maddix, who had put in a performance good enough to impress the veteran. Do you realise what that must have took...to even extend his hand to a man like Maddix. And THAT'S the way he's treated!?!"

 

"I still don't know why you're so shocked. Maddix SAID that when he took the title, he'd smile about it. And that's exactly what he did."

 

"Well...I still can't believe the disgusting actions we have seen here. And I apologise for my language, but that kid is nothing but a rotten SOB!"

 

 

As The Enterprise finally leave past all the Ground Zero themed wreckage, "Megalomaniac" screeches to a halt, leaving Dangerous standing in the ring. Looking a dejected figure, he only now un-extends his hand and looks up...

 

 

...to hear clapping.

 

 

*clapclapclapclapclap*

 

Wide-spread clapping.

 

 

 

*clapclapclapclapclapclapclapclap*

 

 

And before he knows it, the fans around him are rising to their feet, applauding Dangerous for his efforts and giving him a well deserved standing ovation!

 

"Would you listen to this crowd!?!" Comet says delighted, as he stands and joins in the ovation. "These Dallas fans are showing Johnny Dangerous the respect he deserves! The respect Landon Maddix didn't have the courtesy to show! And it's one hundred percent deserved!"

 

"Bah! He lost. These people, and you, are applauding a loser!"

 

"That man isn't a loser. Tonight, Johnny Dangerous may have lost the ICTV Championship. But he has won the respect, the love and a place in the heart of all of these SWF fans!"

 

"Oh...you've got a witty retort for everything, haven't you?"

 

As the fabled 'Standing O' continues through the arena, Johnny holds a hand up in thanks...trying to choke back tears as the emotion begins to grow on him. Almost everyone in the arena is clapping, from the fans to Funyon, to Soapdish and to Comet. Finally, Johnny drops his hand and briefly applauds back towards the fans, before turning towards the aisle and taking a deep breath before rolling from the ring. Still the clapping continues, as Johnny heads up the ramp and towards the back.

 

"Well...we've seen one hell of a battle here, and a new Intercontinental Television Champion. But there's still...STILL more to come. Will we see new SWF Tag Team Champions next? It's Andrea and The Birdman's opportunity, as they take on the 42nd Street."

 

"...and it's NEXT!" Riley interjects, getting the last word...

 

 

 

...as the scene fades out.

[Secret Agent 0]

Bah, how about you post Dangerous/Maddix 1 or 4?

 

Anyway, I liked 3 as well.