the.weej

Get laid, Frost. I am indeed alive. The reason for my disappearance stems from my computer needing minor repairs, and having been taken to Future Shop. On Friday. I don't have it back yet, and it's only now I've been able to start up this ultra weak, piece of shit Aptiva I own to get online. Apologies, but my computer's health is more important than the fed. So get fucked if you're pissed off. I'll have my matches sent in shortly, and again, I'm sorry. And NO, I DIDN'T THINK TO GO TO THE FUCKING LIBRARY. God. -Z

It's... well... rematch heavy. Edit: Less so with Manson/Aecas switched, but still. If nothing else highlights it, this probably makes it clear that we're in need of the recruitment drive from HELL~! -Z

This will probably come as a surprise to most of you, but regardless; this following Metal will be my final show as SJL head booker. The duties will be transferred over to LDP, and Thoth will take over the vaunted "second banana" slot. As far as a new booker goes, no, Judge isn't filling the spot. He's just only guy with marking experience who was online and willing to make a card for me. Anyway, the selection of a new booker will be conducted in the exact same fashion Thoth got his position, the only difference being that it's going to be public this time. Anyone who's interested in vying for the new booker slot, not just the markers, should post here, throwing their name into the hat. From there, they should submit a "test card" to LDP (Longdogger_Pete) using the current JL roster. These should be handed in before Metal is posted on the seventh. Pete will sort through the test cards, find the best applicants, and we'll select a new booker from there. The only credentials required are that you be an active or retired WFer, with at least three months of experience in the WF. As for why I'm leaving personally... I was offered a WFCC spot, and honestly, didn't want to turn down the oppertunity to book full time for the big boys. However, I'd like to say I think my JL run has been both productive in its short time (Less than five months), and much fun in the process. Granted, the constantly fluxuating roster was hell, and the effort was occasionally questionable... but when the JL put it together, it was always something special. It's been real, guys. -Z

I signed up for this a few days ago, since I have to be insane. Fuck you for influencing me, Van Siclen. I'll see you in hell! -Z

Eh, my Friday's are usually like that anyway. -Z

It was the man behind the grassy knoll. -Z

Really solid stuff for a first outing, Judge. There's a couple re-re-rematches on the show, but eh, that's no big deal. It's a bit stip heavy, but maybe that should be enough to keep the interest up in the JL. -Z

Well, for what it's worth, Brian Bowers had a good reason for not being able to write, and Manson did ask for an extension for the face team match... unfortunately, it ran out, and I was all 'to hell with it. Posting.' I would like to know what happened with Morrison/McLennan, though. The JL's been on a roll as of late, so I'll just chalk this up as a stumble. On the bright side, I got a few pretty good promos out of people. That's something the JL could use more of. -Z

Results: There's a few promos on this show, and one pretty solid match. It's worth noting that this match is the only one I recieved. At all. Period. I'm not going to say a word. Ugh. I'll get one of the markers to do a card, and it'll be up whenever it gets done. I'm naturally disappointed with this effort, but whatever. An important announcement will follow the card going up. -Z

(The camera steadily fades into a scene of the backstage, employees and wrestlers alike busily rushing around the corridors. But the camera finally creeps its way down one hallway, catching the back of a wrestler with a bounce to his stride. The fans go insane as the sloppy black spiked hair with green streaks, baggy khaki cargoes, a short black t-shirt, those well-known beaten up black Orisis shoes- and finally, completing the visual nobody saw coming, the SJL World Title slung around his shoulder. Everybody knows it’s the Insane Luchador going down the corridor. The camera stalks him further.) “Welcome to the fallout of Countdown to Genesis, our setting tonight being SJL Crimson at the HSBC Center in Buffalo!” Annie proclaims happily. Ejiro angrily announces, “Yeah, we have the Insane Luchador, who somehow pulled out a win over Aecas and English Dragon, walking to the ring to cut the traditional ‘I got the World Belt’ promo,” Ejiro pauses, “Or more likely something like ‘Yadda yadda yadda psycho face, hold on the psycho face, arms thrown in the air, something about appreciating the fans.’” Insane Luchador passes SJL workers, some who give nods or a few that (with much paranoia and caution) gives him a pat on the back over the big win. As he reaches the stage he pauses and waits, suddenly whirling around and seeing the camera. His face looks a bit distorted and bruised up front but he still has a genuine grin plastered onto his face. He whips the belt off his shoulder and puts it right up against the camera. “Three years of insanity, blood, sweat, and more insanity all put into this damn belt.” He gives a creepy laugh as the cameraman backs away. With the magic of technology the feed switches to the entrance ramp, where a steady, body-shaking drumbeat hits the loud system. The fans explode into cheers for the brand new SJL World champion. The guitar riff kicks in and some the pyro engulfs the entrance ramp with the white with random colors or red, black, and green shot off. Insane Luchador leaps onto the stage, arms high in the air in his new habit, the SJL World Title reflecting the firework’s light! His black shirt turns out to be a bleeding, deformed skull with blood writing on the top with “Dying to Live” on it. Ejiro pauses and then nods his head. “Isn’t he a bit old to be skateboarding?” ”Aren’t you a bit old to be holding random grudges against fairly good people?” Annie spits back. Judge nearly chuckles, “Children, break it up. Although IL isn’t quite what I’d call a role model…” Ejiro cuts him off and blurts, “Well no duh! If he were, we’d have children leaping off their windows, laughing in pain, purposely defying certain authority, taking trips to AFGHANISTAN, and bleeding like a stout pig. Oh yeah, great role model. Quite the list, eh?” Judge actually is actually being less biased. “True, but IL earned it. He’s worked hard for it and impressed me last night.” During the argument Insane Luchador just takes his sweet time walking to the very edge of the ramp, where he stops to look around. “INTRODUCING YOUR NEW SJL WORLD CHAMPION! HAILING FROM EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA…. IIINNSSAAANNEE LUCHAAADOOOR!” Funyon shouts to the crowd, who gladly continue to cheer the newly crowned Champion. Insane Luchador sprints down the ramp, slapping every fans hand within reach before he literally dives into the ring, rolling to his feet and somehow the World title is in his hands. He hoists it into the air once, getting the last of the cheers, before placing it back on his shoulder. He gives a nod to someone on the outside and a microphone flies through the air, which he catches. He takes a few paces, a hand running through the spiked hair and him flinching as it rubs past the stitches thanks to Robertson. But dead center in the ring he stops completely, both arms dangling limp, and a look on his face that seems reflective. The microphone comes to his lips and he wets his lips before beginning to talk, “Three long years. Starting for when I came to replace a wanted friend… and it’s seemed to ending many times.” He cocks his head to the side. “But after so many tries- from the one time when I was put onto a boat with CIA and MVS,” IL pauses for the fans cheers, “down to when I actually faced Aecas and English Dragon.” The memory is fresh in the fans minds. Annie refreshes their memories with praise, “Like the amazing bulldog spot and THREE Evenflow DDTs to put Aecas down for good.” IL gives a slight nod to Annie, him walking up to one side of the ring, casually leaning against the ropes. “Yeah, where I won. But after three incredibly painful years… I wonder if it was worth it. In that very ring I wondered if every time I leapt off something high, or made muscles move that had no intentions of moving, if it was worth it.” The fans completely hush and IL’s face is indifferent. Ejiro doesn’t seem to be paying attention. “Told you, it’s all ‘blah blah blah- angst angst angst’” Insane Luchador regains composure, standing uptight and slowly bouncing into the ropes as if he was an old man doing it for the millionth time. He takes baby steps and turns around, bouncing against the ropes with his back and he continues the act. A hush falls over the crowd as IL bits his lower lip. “No regrets.” Every fan grins a bit and a section cheers. IL laughs in a rather high pitched voice, “Hell, because every single time I stepped into the ring, I KNEW it would lead up to that last Evenflow or that bulldog.” The crowd intensely cheers. “But I have a new goal…” Annie grins, “Destroy any new form of Urban Decay?” IL looks around, stopping as he bounces back to his feet and pacing in middle of the ring. “Do the other thing I haven’t been able to do…” Ejiro snickers, “Entertain me?” IL opens his mouth to make a joke but closes it. He chooses his words and opens his mouth- “T-t-t-t-today, junior!” Ejiro demands. But “Frankenstein” by Edgar Winter Group explodes onto the sound system, getting a loud reaction, albeit mixed! The majority of the crowd cheers while the minority is annoyed at Manson’s undoubtedly planned entrance to cut IL off mid-sentence. The house lights fade from a white and kick back up in a red that descends onto the entirety of the crowd. Manson steps out to more cheers. A fist is thrown into the air before he starts his walk down the ring. Judge sighs, “Inevitable, isn’t it? Convenient it was right when IL was going to get to his next ‘big thing.’ IL and accomplishment seems like an oxy moron if you ask me.” Annie smirks slyly, “Which one of you two has a world belt?” Judge shuts up, face flushing red, and he returns to watching Manson walk down the ramp, microphone in hand. Insane Luchador pats his belt, a subtle shot at Manson, and IL stares at the six-foot flat soon-to-be challenger for his newly acquired SJL World title. Manson has his black hair pulled into a ponytail, tints of red streaking within it. Manson rubs at his beard for a second, standing at ringside. He slowly rolls into the ring and cautiously gets to his feet. Manson approaches Insane Luchador, raising the microphone to his lips. He pauses, slipping off the black leather jacket revealing a sleeveless black t-shirt. His lower body is covered with blue jeans and black leather boots underneath. “Well here it goes- Manson is going to be IL’s first challenger but they still have to be together on a team tonight,” Judge pauses and rethinks, “in theory.” Manson moves in closer to Rickmen and IL cuts him off before he can speak, “Nice jacket. Pleather?” Ejiro snorts but retorts, “Well I’m convinced it’s a plastic World Championship- ‘cause the world would stop spinning if IL actually had the Title.” Manson tilts his head to the side, mentally counting to ten. He speaks, “I came out here just to remind you that tonight we’re on the same side- but we’re not a team.” Luchador slightly nods, letting his temper cool off as well. “We’ll beat Korgath’s pussy Decay but after that, I’m going to be the one beating your ass for the title...” Manson stops and looks at the crowd, not surprised at the amount of jeers that spring up, before looking back at IL. Insane Luchador seems taken aback by the threat. He takes a big step forward into Manson’s face, tension rising. “Okay, you’re right. Hell, you can even take a shot at me now.” He grins wildly, tilting his head up and pointing to his chin. “Come on, I’ve been waiting for my first fight since becoming World Champion.” Manson draws back one arm, mixed response from the crowd echoing, but Manson stops and shakes his head. “Not until our match… then I’ll kick the living shit out of you. Tonight we have other business.” Luchador smirks and pats him on the back, causing Manson to flinch as if it was an attack. “…Fair enough, but it’s about time some veterans fight for this.” He pats the title and Manson stiffens, almost offended. Without any warning Manson turns around, snatching up his leather jacket, and rolling outside of the ring. He walks up the aisle, turning around mid-way and does the universal hand symbol for “your belt will be mine” before turning back around and exiting. “Despite having a match coming up in the near future, IL and Manson will be partners for tonight’s main event alongside Landon Maddix, as they face off against Dominic Korgath, Jimmy Liston and Todd Royal! More to come, real soon,” Annie promises. The screen fades to black, showing IL show boating for the crowd before also leaving the ring.

The commercials are finally over and the cameras take us back to the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York! The commentary team of Judge William Hearford, Ejiro Fasaki and Annie Eclectic welcome us back to the show! Judge: “Ladies and gentlemen, just in case you’ve forgotten, this is SJL CRIMSON!” Ejiro: “And we’re hot off the forceful action that was Genesis less than a week ago!” Annie: “Ah yes, the usual retribution matches that we in the SWF and the SJL know so well.” Judge: “No titles on the line tonight, though, Annie. However, Television Title holder Brian Bowers continues to shine…” Ejiro: “…like a punk upstart. Did you see that last match against “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins? Bowers is never going to get anywhere if he continues like that. Annie: “ANYWAY.” Judge: “Yes, like I was saying… it’s time for the main event!” "ON THE LEFT!" Zack de la Rocha's “March Of Death” plays, and immediately boos ring around the arena, as out walks Urban Decay member Dominic Korgath. The big masked man stops at the entrance and raises his arms up in the air, before continuing down the aisle, dwarfing the fans at ringside as he passes. "Cut the music! Cut the damn music!" Tyler Sullivan comes out holding a microphone with Jimmy "The Demon" Liston trailing behind. They join Dominic Korgath in the ring, the two big men seeming to fill the ring with their size. "When John Duran defeated English Dragon at Genesis, "The Sinner" spat on the name of the Urban Decay! He despised the very power he helped build! No more! The Big Demon, Dominic Korgath, still remains. It was his power and strength that helped the Urban Decay stay strong! He was there from the very beginning! Now, it's his turn to take control, of the pack, and to that end, he's picked a fellow Demon to help him do just that!" Judge: "It looks like Liston's still suffering from the beating he got at the hands of Dominic Korgath at Countdown to Genesis." Ejiro: "Maybe that's why he's willing to cement this alliance so quickly." Annie: "Rule of thumb: If you can't beat them, join them!" "I, Tyler Sullivan, am proud to announce a NEW Decay, consisting of the unbeatable team of "The Demon" Jimmy Liston and "The Big Demon" Dominic Korgath! With their strength and skill, it won't be long before they bring the fight to John Duran in the SWF!" The metal beats of Grave Digger's "Demon's Day" resounds throughout the New York stadium as Jimmy Liston and Dominic Korgath raise their hands in a combined show of defiance. A new Decay has been born. Funyon: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have reached the main event of tonight, and it is a six-man tag match with ELIMINATION rules! Announcing first, at a combined weight of 578 lbs, they call themselves THE DECAY, DOMINIC KORGATH AND JIMMY LISTON!" The boos of the crowd only get louder as the starting of Motley Crue’s “Livewire” hits the sound system. The crowd rise to their feet with as much hate as they possibly can, as Todd Royal, accompanied by Megan Skye, steps out from behind the curtain. Around his waist, the European Title. A white spotlight from the rafters falls on the pair and blue and white strobes accompany Royal and Skye to the ring. Judge: "There's the man who survived a brutal Ladder/Submissions match on Countdown. It's a God-given miracle that he's even able to compete today." Ejiro: "Ah, Bill, that's where you're wrong. It's his Todd-given Right!" Annie: "Give me a break!" Funyon: "Now headed towards the ring, the third man of the team, he is the SJL European Champion, TODDDDDDDDDDD ROYALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!" Todd enters the ring and slaps the backs of his tag partners Korgath and Liston in a mock gesture of friendship. Liston seems alright with it, but Dominic Korgath simply walks away. Annie: "Just to refresh the memory of those at home, at Countdown to Genesis, Korgath earned a shot at Todd's European title!" Ejiro: "No doubt, he'll be expecting to cash the chance in sooner than later." Marilyn Manson’s “The Fight Song” suddenly hits, announcing the arrival of the other team. The crowd raise their voices to cheer, as Landon Maddix steps out from behind the curtain gesturing to an imaginary belt that would have been around his waist had he won at Countdown. The youngster runs down the aisle and jumps to the apron in one bound, before holding out his arms as he thanks the crowd profusely for their support. Judge: "Wow. Talk about an adoring public." Annie: "They're probably my fans. Thank you, thank you, you're a wonderful audience!" Funyon: "And their opponents, introducing first, weighing at 204 lbs, he is a former SJL Television Champion…LAAANDON MAAADDIX!!!" Entering the ring, Landon looks nervously over at the intimidating figure of Dominic Korgath. The Big Demon suddenly moves forward, stepping closer to Landon as the weight and height differences become more obvious. Korgath then stops dead again, as Maddix looks at a loss for what to do. The crowd starts chanting Landon’s name around the arena, at least until the next man is announced. "Frankenstein" by the Edgar Winter Group hits as the house lights drop to a red hue. The crowd rises to it's feet and pops as Manson emerges and throws up a fist in the air, before descending down the ramp. Manson rolls in under the bottom rope and upon standing, tosses his jacket to the floor. Funyon: "Introducing Landon's partner, from Denver, Colorado, weighing in at 225 lbs, he is the #1 contender to the World Title... MAAAAANNNNNNSOOOOOOOONNN!!!!" Manson goes toe to toe with his opponents, siding Maddix and backing him up. They both wait anxiously for the last man, and... Funyon: "Last but not least, from Easton, Pennsylvania, weighing at 201 lbs, the SJL Champion of the World, Andrew Rickman, the INSAAAAANNNNNEEEE LUUUUUUCHADOORRRRREEEEE!" “Gotta' Get Away" by Offspring kicks up. White pyro explodes throughout the entrance. Random red and green shots are fired off in a mix. Insane Luchadore emerges on stage, title belt in hand and throws his arms into the air to milk the cheers from the crowd. From there he sprints down the aisle, slapping every fans hand who wants it slapped. Slides into the ring and hops to his feet, usually during generic poses on turnbuckle. Ejiro: "After a long hard struggle, Rickman is finally World Champion." Judge: "I wonder how long he'll stay there. After all, it wasn't too long since I was World Champ..." Ejiro: "I'm wagering he'll leave the ring with three broken ribs after The Decay is done with him." Annie: "You're on!" The six men stand in the ring, Todd, Korgath and Liston on one side, while Manson, Rickman and Maddix make up the other. After several moments of simultaneous staredowns, it is the Big Demon who faces up to La Cucaracha first. Korgath stands dead still waiting for the fight to come to him, obviously thinking he has an easy task tonight. Finally the two meet in the middle of the ring, Maddix simply waiting for the first move from Korgath. Slowly getting impatient, Landon attempts to close in and strike at the Big Demon, but gets wiped out with a STIFF clothesline! Looking stunned, Maddix pulls himself up as Korgath takes a step backwards to get a run up. As Landon returns to his feet, Dominic charges and hits another hard clothesline. Maddix bounces off the mat on impact, as Korgath backs off the ropes and looks to drop a big legdrop, but Maddix rolls out of the way in time. Using his speed, Landon sprints across the ring and hits a dropkick to the face of the seated Korgath, knocking him to his back for a cover… ONE… But Korgath simply pushes upwards, pressing Landon up and through the ropes to the outside. Ejiro: "What a show of strength! Landon Maddix is in trouble now!" Judge: "Maddix has triumphed several times over Korgath, but he always came so close to losing first." Maddix picks himself up on the outside, a look of surprise on his face from the show of strength. He rolls back into the ring, but gets met with stomps to the back by Korgath. Allowing La Cucaracha to his feet, Korgath goes for another clothesline, this time with much more authority, but Maddix ducks. Korgath avoids crashing into the corner, but turns around into rapid right hands to the head. Landon backs up to the opposite corner, as Korgath looks a little stunned, and charges towards him. The big man sees him coming though, and hiptosses Landon sending him upside down into the turnbuckles!!! Maddix hits violently, and lands in the same way, as the crowd feels his pain. Landon lays flat out on the mat, as Korgath just looks down on him with a smile. Grabbing him by the hair, Korgath easily pulls Landon up from the mat and hits a knee to the gut. Maddix seems out of his feet, being held up by Korgath until he gets thrown into the corner. Hitting the buckles, Landon bounces back out again and into the waiting arms of Korgath who hoists him up to his chest, and throws the lightweight wrestler over his head with a fallaway slam. Maddix ends up about halfway across the ring, as Korgath slowly walks over to him and drops a big elbow drop, leaving the elbow for a nonchalant cover… ONE… TWO… THREEEEEEEENOOOOOO!!! Annie: "Maddix kicks out!" Judge: "Korgath almost thought he had the match there..." The Big Demon again pulls Landon up to his feet, before hoisting him into his arms for another fallaway slam. In desperation, Maddix starts ramming his elbow into the side of the head, until Korgath is forced to release him. He quickly shakes off the pain in his head though, as Maddix runs to the ropes and hits a flying forearm. Although he connects square on the head, Korgath does not go down. Maddix backs up to the ropes and hits a second flying forearm, this time Korgath staggers back a little, and after a few seconds drops down to one knee. Instead of taking time to gloat about it, Landon is smart and charges forward again and nails a stiff shining wizard kick to the back of the Big Demon’s masked head! Korgath flies forward, and rolls to the outside of the ring as Maddix raises an arm in the air. Ejiro: "Oh no, he’s not going to do what I think he is…" Annie: "It is! It is! He's going for it! Maddix suddenly sprints off the ropes, Korgath looking disorientated on the outside as Maddix launches himself over the ropes into a… Judge: "COCKSCREW PLANCHA! CORKSCREW PLANCHA! KORGATH IS DOWN!" Referee Kivell begins the count as Korgath is assaulted by Maddix. ONE! TWO! Maddix sends a boot into Korgath's ribs. Korgath rolls back in agony, but Maddix is relentless. He lifts his boot again and kicks. Korgath catches the offending boot, and swings Maddix to the floor. THREE! FOUR! FIVE! Korgath crushes Maddix's head into the ground, then climbs the apron and returns to the ring. Maddix slowly rises to his feet, and clings to the apron. Ejiro: Korgath really clocked Maddix there. Look, the man can’t even stand up Judge: Well, he had better recover quickly, or he's going to be the first eliminated. SIX! SEVEN! Maddix climbs lamely onto the apron, still not completely to his senses. Korgath lifts Maddix over the ropes, and up into… Judge: KORGATH'S GOT MADDIX IN THE TORTURE RACK!!! Ejiro: If Maddix was a smart man, he would tap right now. Annie: Maddix has taken plenty of damage from Korgath in the past, and still come out on top. Maddix's face is a mask of agony as he writhes in Korgath's large arms, trying to break free. Korgath applies more pressure to Maddix's neck as his opponent begins to wriggle free. Maddix lets out a shriek of pain. He reaches out and begins to tap on Korgath's shoulder. Maddix: I GIVE! I GIVE!!! Referee Kivell tells Korgath to release the hold, and signals for the bell to be rung. *DING DING DING* Ejiro: And Maddix is the first to be eliminated. Annie: I have no idea why he'd tap. Maddix has seen worse from Korgath. Judge: Well, considering how much pain he was in, plus a possible injury at ringside, I'd understand why he'd tap. It's not like he's lost the match, there's still Insane Luchadore and Manson to back him up. Ejiro: Yeah, but can Manson and IL come out victorious over The Decay and The Lord Todd? Insane Luchadore enters the ring as Korgath returns to his corner, tagging in Royal. The two face off in the middle of the ring. Annie: It looks like IL has come in to even out the match. Ejiro: But remember, Todd has two partners to help him, while Insane Luchadore has only one. Royal lets loose a chop to IL's chest. IL catches Royal's arm, and swings his opponent into team face's turnbuckle. IL jumps to the bottom ropes, and starts throwing punches into Royal's face. Judge: So far, Insane Luchadore seems to be dominating. Royal's cockiness may have gotten the better of him. IL hops off the bottom ropes, grabs Royal's arm, and whips him in the direction of the opposite turnbuckle. Royal hold onto IL's arm, and reverses, swinging IL into team heel's turnbuckle. Royal comes full speed, and spear IL into the turnbuckle. Royal reaches out and tags Liston. The two work together to lift IL up, and place him on the top rope. Royal then turns, and lift IL onto his shoulders, while Liston climbs the turnbuckle. IL throws some punches down into Royal's head. Just before Royal is forced to drop him, Liston leaps from the top rope, and drives a missile dropkick into IL's chest, knocking him off Royal's shoulders and onto the mat. Royal accidentally catches a boot to the side of his head, and falls to the mat, rolling under the ropes and out of the ring. Liston gets to his feet, and goes for the cover... ONE~NO! Judge: Liston's arrogance shows through, thinking he can take care of Insane Luchadore so easily. Ejiro: I dunno, Judge, IL has taken quite a bit of damage so far. No harm in trying. IL gets his shoulder up, rolls over, and starts quickly crawling to his corner. Liston kicks IL in the back, grabs his legs, and pulls IL into a Boston Crab. IL reaches out to his corner, trying to tag in Manson. IL pulls himself closer to the ropes as Liston maintains the hold. He reaches out, and his fingers barely scrape the bottom rope. IL pulls with all his strength, and manages to slip his hand over the rope. Referee Kivell tells Liston to break the hold. Liston rises, grabs IL's leg, and pulls him away from the ropes. IL rolls over, and sends his other foot into Liston's chin. Liston drops as IL regains his composure. He lifts Liston off the mat, gives him a knee in the midsection, and pulls back Liston's arms, dropping him in a DDT. IL retains the hold, pulling Liston up, and drops him again. Once more, IL retains the hold as he performs another DDT. Annie: Luchadore has Liston in the bag now. Taking DDTs like that is enough for Liston to allow himself to be eliminated. Ejiro: Yes, but Liston wouldn't do something like that. He wants to be there when the match is won. He won't let himself be eliminated so easily. IL rolls the crumpled form of Liston over, and pins his opponent... ONE! TWO!! THR~NO!!! Korgath runs in and breaks up the count. As Referee Kivell walks Korgath back to his corner, IL pulls Liston to his feet. Suddenly, Royal slides under the ropes with his European Title in his hands. He runs up behind IL and smacks him with the title belt before quickly rolling back out of the ring. As Liston comes to his senses, he sees IL on the mat, and covers. Korgath points back into the ring, and Kivell turns to see the pin. He drops for the count... ONE! TWO!! THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~NO!!! IL gets his shoulder up, and the match continues. Liston lifts IL off the mat, and whips him into the corner. Liston runs in with a shoulder block, then lifts IL to the top rope. Liston climbs up and pulls IL to his feet. Ejiro: Liston's giving IL a superplex? No way!!! Judge: That's what it looks like. What an upset this would be if Liston actually managed to pin IL. Annie: Don't even bother thinking about it, that won't happen. Liston's not even in IL's league. Ejiro: He looks to be doing pretty well right now! Liston pulls back on IL to lift him, but can't. IL counters the superplex with his own. He lifts Liston into the air, and drops backwards out of the ring. Liston falls straight to the ground. IL's right leg hits the turnbuckle and the apron on the way down, and he lays on the ground clutching at his knee while Liston writhes in pain. ONE! TWO! Both wrestlers begin to get up. Liston lifts himself, but falls right back down again. IL gets up to his knees, but when he tries to get up, his right leg buckles, sending him back down to the ground. THREE! FOUR! Liston manages to get up, and staggers to the apron. He climbs up the apron, and back into the ring. FIVE! SIX! Liston heads back to his corner as IL grabs hold of the apron. Liston tags in Royal. SEVEN! EIGHT! IL pulls himself up, supporting himself on the apron. As his head comes up into view, Royal makes a dash at the ropes, and drops into a baseball slide. IL is knocked back, and falls to the ground. NINE! TEN!!! *DING DING DING* Ejiro: INSANE LUCHADOR'S BEEN ELIMINATED!!! Annie: I can't believe it! Judge: Insane Luchadore being knocked out with a Euro Title shot, and then injuring his leg on the turnbuckle. Royal's cheap shot basically knocked the SJL Champ out of this match! And it looks like IL's pissed at Manson for not coming in to help him at all. Ejiro: I would be too, if you didn't come in to help me, Judge. Manson hears the abuse from IL, but blocks it out as he enters the ring to face Royal. Royal backs into his corner, and tags in Liston. Judge: Now that did not seem like a smart move to me. Why tag in Liston? Liston just took that superplex to the outside of the ring. Korgath is fresh. Annie: Todd knows that someone has to go down. He just chose the least important member of the team. Ejiro: No argument here. Liston hesitates in his own corner as Manson makes his way across the ring. Liston takes a run at Manson, and bends over to spear. Manson gets his boot up, and hits Liston in the head. Liston staggers, Manson grabs him by the arm, and whips him into the ropes. Liston runs into the ropes before Korgath can get out of the way, and he knocks Korgath back off the apron. As Liston comes back, he bends and catches Manson off-guard, sending his shoulder into Manson's midsection. Liston wraps his arms around Manson, and lifts his opponent up over his head, sending Manson flying. As Manson rises to his feet, Liston runs directly at him, spears him, wraps his arms around Manson's waist, and carries his opponent into the turnbuckle. Before Liston can deliver some shoulder blocks, Manson gets his knee up in Liston's chest. Royal, from the apron, strikes Manson in the back of the head. Manson turns to reach for Royal, but Referee Kivell comes over to intervene. Liston comes from behind, and drives his elbow into Manson's back, knocking Manson into the turnbuckle. Liston tags Royal, then puts a hold on Manson and drags him back in the ring. Royal bends under the top rope, and walks up to Manson, still being held by Liston. Royal stares Manson down, then steps back, taunting the crowd. Royal turns back to Manson, does a quick hop, and lets fly a superkick. Before the kick connects, Manson drops down from out of Liston's arms, and Royal's boot hits Liston in the chin. Liston falls back to the mat as Manson runs up to Royal and pulls off a snap Koppou Kick, knocking Royal back against the ropes. Manson then drops and covers Liston. ONE!!! TWO!!! THRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! *DING DING DING* Judge: LISTON IS ELIMINATED!!! Annie: Liston becomes the first member of team heel to be out of this match! Ejiro: Don’t PANIC! Korgath and Royal are still in the match!! Annie: Don’t worry, I wasn’t about to panic… Manson pops to his feet and stares into the heel corner, grinning as he motions for a new opponent to enter the ring. Outside, Royal steps back, waving his hand and offering Korgath the “opportunity” to enter the match. The big demon just glares at the Todd, and the European Champ frowns before blowing his partner off and leaping into the ring. Judge: It doesn’t look like either Royal or Korgath want to get into the match. Annie: I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t want to be in there with Manson right now either. He’s down 2-1 and “cornered animal” syndrome is taking over. Royal stalks around his opponent, glaring at him and formulating a strategy before advancing. Firing off a kick, Royal is shocked when Manson cradles his ankle, spinning him around and grabbing a waist lock. Todd attempts a standing switch, but Manson cuts him off by immediately firing his opponent backwards across the ring with a German Suplex. Upon impact, Royal scurries into the corner, climbing to his feet and bracing against the turnbuckles. He barely has time to catch his breath, however, as Manson comes charging in. His eyes widening, the European Champion leaps in the air, hurdling his opponent and landing on his feet behind Manson. As Manson puts on the brakes in the corner, Royal mule kicks back, catching his opponent in the groin and doubling him over. Annie: OH! Cheap shot by Todd Royal!! Ejiro: There are no cheap shots, only cheap suits. Judge: And you would certainly know about THAT! Marching forward, Royal returns to his own corner. Staring Korgath down, Royal unleashes a stiff chop, paint brushing his opponent and drawing a loud reaction from the crowd. “WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” Judge: I guess that constitutes a tag…A bit unconventional though. And indeed, Korgath enters the ring, slowly stepping through the ropes and passing by Royal, never taking his eyes off his opponent. Todd slides to the ring apron, turning to the crowd and holding his arms in the air in celebration. As the crowd boos, Dominic Korgath reels back, unloading on the spine of Royal with a stiff chop of his own. “WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Annie: Again, I suppose that’s a tag. This inability to work together might cost Korgath and Royal the match. Ejiro: We’ve already seen tensions between partners lead to IL’s elimination, I would have hoped these guys were above this! Annie: I don’t think these two are above ANYTHING. As Royal crashes to the concrete a ringside, he immediately spins around, glaring into the ring and at his partner. The big Demon just grunts, stepping to the ring apron and taking his position in the corner. Leaping to the apron himself, Royal begins screaming at his partner. Suddenly Royal is doubled over, the air being knocked out of him as Manson charges across the ring, hitting a HUGE knee to the gut. Judge: Looks like Todd may have forgotten about his opponent, and that’s a mistake you NEVER make, especially with someone like Manson in there! Reaching over the ropes, Manson hooks his opponent’s head and grabs Royal by the tights. Despite Todd’s struggling protests, the Number 1 contender plants his feet, raising Royal off the apron and high into the air. Grinning maniacally, Manson spins into the ring, twirling his opponent down and planting him head-first into the mat. Annie: MIND BENDER!!! ONE!! TWO!!!! THREEE!!! Judge: 3! Royal’s gone, its one-on-one!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Ejiro: Shoulder up!!! Todd got his shoulder up!! Royal lives! And indeed, Kivell leaps to his feet, holding two fingers toward ringside and drawing a loud chorus of boos from the fans in attendance. Wiping his face with his hands, Manson rolls to his feet, grabbing Royal by the hair and jerking Todd up with him. As the fans turn their anger to support for Manson, he steps towards the corner, spinning around and firing his opponent in with a big irish whip. Too groggy to even reverse his momentum, Royal barrels into the corner, colliding sternum first with the top turnbuckle. The European Champ staggers backwards as Manson charges in, leaping into the air and driving his knee into Todd’s back. Royal slumps forward and staggers back as Manson leaps to the middle rope. Springing backwards, a look of impending doom washes over the face of Manson as he sees Royal duck his head at the last minute. An attempted springboard dropkick turns into a faceplant as Manson collides with the canvas. Slowly working his way to his knees, Manson is stunned again as Royal leaps forward with a desperation move, clocking his opponent with a knee to the head. Ejiro: Shining Wizard!! Todd’s still alive and kicking! As Manson collapses to the canvas, his head in his hands, Royal sprints toward his own corner. Slapping Korgath on the shoulder, Todd quickly drops to the mat and rolls out of the ring, ducking for cover as the Big Demon stalks into the ring. Annie: Royal’s scared to even tag his own partner after getting floored with that shot last time! Making his way to his fallen opponent, Korgath lifts Manson from the mat. Manson unleashes a few shots to the body, but the bigger man simply clutches his opponent around the waist, charging forward and avalanching Manson into the turnbuckles. The number one contender staggers out of the corner, and Korgath grasps him tightly around the throat, lifting him up in the air and spinning him hard down to the mat. Judge: CHOKESLAM by the Big Man! This could be the end of the line for Manson!! ONE!! TWO!!! THREEEE~NO!!!! Grunting his displeasure at the referee, Korgath stands up and hit’s the ropes. Sighting his fallen opponent, the Demon leaps into the air, kicking out his legs and barreling towards his opponent. In desperation, Manson rolls to the left, and Korgath crashes hard to the mat. Ejiro: He missed! Annie: Korgath went for the leg drop, but Manson rolled to safety, he may be down 2-1 but he’s still alive! As the crowd begins to build their excitement again, Manson fires off a kick to the back of the seated Demon. Korgath slowly works up to a standing position, but Manson never lets off, firing off several more shots to the body of his opponent. As the big demon stands to full height again, Manson lets loose with a dropkick. The impact staggers Korgath, but the big man doesn’t go down and the crowd reacts in awe. Manson scrambles to his feet and hit’s the ropes, leaping at his opponent with a cross body. Judge: Oh boy… Ejiro: He caught him! Korgath caught Manson in mid-air! Slamming Manson to the mat, Korgath shakes the cobwebs from his head and marches toward the corner. Seeing his partner approaching, Todd Royal jumps off the apron, standing on the floor to avoid being tagged in. Korgath roars, reaching over the top rope and clutching Todd by the hair, trying to pull Royal back to the apron. As the big demon leans back to fire off another shot however, his arm is grabbed and he is spun around. The crowd explodes as Manson reaches up, clutching his opponent around the neck and diving forward, driving the big man into the canvas with a Diamond Cutter. Annie: TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES!!! ONE!!! TWO!!! THRRRRREEEEEEEE!!! THREE! *DING DING DING* Judge: Dominic Korgath is GONE! Ejiro: ACK! Annie: It’s one-on-one now, and Todd Royal may have cost his own partner the match!!! Royal scowls and curses at Korgath as the big demon is being escorted from the ring. Meanwhile, the crowd in the arena is on their feet and cheering, praising Manson as he gets to his feet again, a twisted grin on his face. “MANSON!” “MANSON!” “MANSON!” Finished ranting at Korgath, Todd Royal tentatively steps into the ring. Eyeing his opponent, the European champ steps forward. Manson, on an adrenaline rush again, lunges forward with a lariat, but Royal ducks, spinning around and catching him across the ribs with a stiff kick. As the crowd starts to deflate, Royal runs the ropes. Leaping into the air and grabbing the hair of Manson, Todd plants his opponent face first on the mat with a bulldog. Shaking his head, Royal jumps onto the middle rope, tossing out his arms and flipping head over heels with a Lion-sault. The crowd boos as Todd comes down, planting on top of Manson with the body press. Judge: Moonsault by Royal! He missed that move on Sunday against Landon Maddix, and it almost cost him the match. Right now it could win it for him! ONE!! TWO!!! THREEEEEEEE~NO! Annie: NO! Manson stays alive!! “MANSON!” “MANSON!” “MANSON!” As the number one contender pulls himself off the mat and the crowd roars to life again, Royal scowls and climbs to his feet. Kicking his opponent square in the jaw, Royal heads to the top rope. With the crowd on their feet and buzzing, Todd leaps off the turnbuckle, lurching backwards and flying towards Manson with a shooting star press. Ejiro: TODD COMPLEX!! OOOF! The crowd erupts as Royal collides hard with the raised knees of Manson. Rolling across the mat in pain, Todd’s face is a mask of despair. Manson crawls to his feet and pulls his thumb across his throat, spitting on the mat as he drops a knee to the face of Royal. As he lifts his opponent off the mat, a gleam of rage sparks in the eyes of Manson. Wrapping his arms around the head and left arm of Todd, the number one contender roars- bringing the crowd to their feet. Royal tries feebly to elbow out of the hold, but Manson lurches back, crashing Todd to the mat with a Uranage Suplex. Judge: This could be IT! ONE!! TWO!!! THREEEEEEEEEEE~EEEEE~~~~NO!!! Annie: Milliseconds away from a win for Manson! Royal’s on dream street and one more big move could end it! Ejiro: Never give hope Annie! A re-energized Manson leaps to his feet, but the crowd’s attention is strangely distracted. Turning to the entrance way, the confused crowd begins to cheer as the curtain parts and the SJL champion Andrew Rickman begins to walk back towards ringside. Judge: Insane Luchadore is back out here!! Why in the world is the champion back?! Ejiro: Get that idiot out of here! Can’t he understand there’s a match going on? As IL hits ringside, Manson turns toward the ropes with a perplexed look on his face. Rickman points at his title belt and shakes his head, taunting his future opponent with the championship. Manson smirks and pats his waist, assuring IL that he will soon have the title. The crowd cheers both men, buzzing loudly at the anticipated confrontation. Suddenly, the crowd gasps as one, as Todd Royal groggily reaches up and drills Manson between the legs. Manson doubles over as Royal lurches back, jerking his opponent to the mat. As Kivell hits the canvas to count, the European champ grabs Manson’s tights, rolling on top of him for extra leverage. ONE!!! TWO!!! THREEEEEE~EEEE~~~~~EEEE!!! *DING DING DING* “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Funyon: Ladies and Gentleman, the winners of this match, TODD ROYAL and THE DECAY!! Your sole survivor….TODD ROYAL!!! “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!” Ejiro: YES! Annie: What an insane match!! Manson caused IL to be eliminated, IL caused Manson to go down and Royal may have cost BOTH his partners the match!! I’ve never seen anything quite like that before!! Annie’s talk of tension proves correct as Manson leaps to his feet. Ignoring his opponent, Manson leaps over the top rope, raining blows on the SJL champ. As the crowd roars in excitement, the curtain parts and The Decay run back into the ring. A look of shock rolls across Todd Royal’s face as Korgath and Liston slide into the ring. Korgath blows through Royal and begins to pound on him as Matt Kivell tries desperately to maintain control. Judge: This is insanity!! Royal and Korgath are on a collision course for a European Title match, and Manson and IL are destined to face off for the World belt but none of them want to wait!! Suddenly, the crowd erupts again as Landon Maddix bursts through the curtain. Rushing past Manson and Rickman, Maddix dives into the ring and floors Liston with a forearm shot. As the camera pans back the six men brawl wildly in an out of the ring. The crowd roars as the commentators take us out. Judge: What is Landon Maddix doing out here?!? Is he saving Royal? Annie: No way. Maddix wants at the Decay, and he sees this as his opportunity. Ejiro: Crimson may be over, but this situation is far from it! Tune in next time for more SJL action!! For Annie Eclectic and Judge Mental, I’m YOUR US Champ!!

The camera image slowly fades in from black revealing a very worried Ben Hardy pacing one of the arena corridors and toying with his microphone. Hardy looks back at the camera for a moment and shakes his head quickly. Hardy: I hate this Gus… I hate having to go and get a word off of this guy… Do you think we get hazard pay out of this? We ought to… don’t you think so? The camera shifts slightly as Gus gives Ben a noncomitent shrug, the plucky interviewer giving Gus a sour look in return. Hardy: You’re such a comfort sometimes you know that? Ben shakes his head again and scratches the side of his jaw taking a deep breath before he looks up the corridor; he pauses for a long moment before he starts to walk down the length of the passage, looking back at Gus as he moves. Hardy: We had better get this over with…the sooner we interview this nut the sooner we can get out of here…. The camera nods slightly in agreement with Ben as the two check the various locker room doors until they finally come to a door that is slightly ajar, Ben moves up to the door raising his hand to knock, a strange metallic sound stays his hand before it hits the wood and he stares into the room. From the room come more of the strange metallic sounds, sounding for all the world like the *SNICK* of a flick blade as it whips out and in of its casing. Hardy continues to stare into the room, one hand quickly beckoning Gus over, the camera view shifts until it looks over Ben’s shoulder and gazing through the gap between the door and the door jam into the room. Aecas is seated on a steel chair in the middle of the room, his Flick Scythe in his hands staring at the blade as he flicks it out and in, his blank eyes staring at the razor sharp edge as it flicks back and forth. *SNICK* The Black Angel’s eyes narrow as he remembers the match at Countdown to Genesis. *SNICK* His lips peel back to reveal disturbingly pointed teeth as he relives the moment of his own defeat in that match. *SNICK* Insane rage twists his features into a snarling mask as he feels again the three hard Evenflow DDT’s that put him down and allowed the Insane Luchador to defeat the Dragon. *SNICK* The giant looks up slowly, staring at something in the room cocking his head slightly as if hearing some unspoken question. “I was not strong enough…” The Black Angel mutters, though whether it is to himself or something or someone else is unclear. “Too weak…” He spits out the last word as if it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. *SNICK* The blade of his Flick Scythe snaps out once more, though this time Aecas pays n attention to it, his attention focused on the rooms other occupant. “I had the title within my grasp…and I let it go…” The rage in the voice of the Black Angel is clearly audible as his body shakes slightly, a small sign of the annihilating anger that is building up inside of him. *SNICK* “One lapse of concentration…” *SNICK* “And it was all taken away…” *SNICK* “What must I do? I have trusted your advice in the past…. And not once have you let me down…” There is a long silence; broken only by the sound of the blade snapping in and out of the haft of the Scythe and yet despite the silence Aecas is listening to something, nodding his head in silent agreement to a voice only he can hear. *SNICK* The rage seems to flow out of the giant’s body as something akin to revelation crosses his face for a brief second, his twisted features reverting to their normal impassive state and yet his mouth is still grinning, in a ghastly parody of a smile. *SNICK* “Of course…” *SNICK* “Its all so simple now…” The Black Angel stands up slowly and places his Scythe over his shoulder the blade snapping out one final time as Aecas takes his finger off of the release catch staring down at his unseen confident before nodding his head slowly. “It shall be done…” The Black Angel turns on his heel and opens another door, striding out into a separate corridor carrying his deadly Scythe with him. Hardy slowly turns to face the camera as the sound of Aecas’ boots fade away before he sucks up his courage and pushes open the door, stepping into the recently vacated dressing room. The inside of the room is devoid of anybody else, there are only the two steel chairs sitting in the center of the room, one is empty, and on the other sits a small potted plant. The camera moves in a little closer revealing that the plant is rather nattily attired with a small black bow tie around its step, and a small halo of barbed wire fixed to its crowning leaf. Hardy: What the fu…. The door opens again and Ben flinches back expecting Aecas to come back in and demand what he is doing in his locker room, but it’s not the Black Angel who enters. A tall gothic woman walks into the locker room not seeming surprised to see Ben and Gus in there as she walks to the pair of steel chairs. A long leather trench coat and a pair of New Rock boots go hand in hand black leather trousers and an Opeth T-Shirt, her long hair is black with slashes of pure white running through it. The woman bends down and picks up the pot plant, holding it the same way as a person would hold a cat, she turns to the speechless Ben hardy, raising a finger to her lips as his reporter instincts try to kick in. “Shhhh….” The woman give Ben and Gus a dazzling smile before she turns and walks out of the locker room her coat sweeping along behind her as she walks down the corridor. The camera view jerks as Gus moves to the door; aiming the camera don the hallway and following the woman as she walks slowly down the concrete passageway to where Aecas waits for her at the end. The pair look back at the camera and smile once more, before leaving, arms entwined. Beauty and the Beast…

SPIKE JENKINS vs BRIAN BOWERS ...will also not be happening. Damnit. Here's some more dancing hamsters.

We come back from commercial break with the crowd buzzing and all attention focused at the ring. As the camera pans around the arena, we see the source of the commotion as SJL European Champion Todd Royal, and his valet Megan Skye, are already in the ring, having apparently entered during the break. Annie: I apologize for THIS sight, apparently all formats and schedules have gone right out the window tonight. Judge: Royal is fresh off an impressive and hard fought victory over Landon Maddix at Countdown to Genesis, and knowing Royal he always has something to talk about. Usually himself. Standing in the ring, Royal is dressed in his street clothes. Dressed in blue jeans, a white Genesis IV shirt and a tan leather coat that reaches several inches below his waist, the champion has the title tossed casually over his right shoulder and his eyes masked by black sunglasses. Taking the microphone from Megan, Todd addresses the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen of the Kingdom of Todd, I’m here tonight to do something I don’t often do. I’m going to provide a public service to the people of Buffalo. I know what a special day this must be to all of you, a day that you will speak about to generations of your descendants. And to commemorate the day YOU saw Todd Royal live, I’ve decided to come out right now and give you all a photo opportunity! Yes…I realize I will be out later on for a match, but face it- I’ll be surrounded by so much crap that your images could easily be marred. So take advantage, people, it will save you from spending 100‘s of dollars on photo equipment to remove Manson and Jimmy Liston from your photos of me before framing them.” Ejiro: Todd Royal, always thinking about the fans! Annie: I don’t think Royal ever thinks about anyone but himself. He’s just out here to listen to himself talk. Pulling his sunglasses down the bride of his nose and handing the microphone off to Megan, Royal poses briefly with his belt towards each side of the ring. While flashes do go off, the crowd responds mostly with malice, booing Todd as he slowly spins in the ring. After a few seconds, however, Todd pushes the sunglasses back up, taking the microphone back into his hands. “Though while I’m out here, I may as well address a pressing issue…” Annie: Here we go… Ejiro: Shh…I think he’s going to solve world hunger. Judge: Would you two please shut it. “See, for the weeks, days and hours leading up to Genesis I kept hearing the same thing. People kept saying how can Todd win? Landon Maddix already beat him once! Y’know what? Landon Maddix NEVER beat me. He may have walked out of Edmonton with the Television Title, but Landon Maddix NEVER pinned me. Landon Maddix NEVER made me submit. Landon Maddix NEVER knocked me out. He NEVER beat me. All Landon Maddix did was climb some stupid pole and grab a book, and in no way does that make HIM better than ME. That doesn’t stop people from talking though, and that’s all I heard before Genesis. So I went into that match with a goal in mind. Not to prove that I was better than Maddix, because I don’t HAVE to prove myself to you people. No, I went into Genesis, looking to beat Landon Maddix just to shut you people up!!!” “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” “ And at Genesis, in front of the biggest pay per view audience in SWF history, at the most famous arena in the world- I not only beat Landon Maddix, I DESTROYED him. I didn’t win the match by climbing a pole, reading books or doing a jig, I whipped Landon Maddix within an inch of his life and I beat him like a MAN!” “ROYAL SUCKS!” “ROYAL SUCKS!” “ROYAL SUCKS!” “I beat Landon Maddix 1,2,3. I beat him unconscious and unable to even lift an arm. And most importantly, I beat him with a WRESTLING hold, not by some ridiculous monkey-bar stipulation. Landon Maddix never beat me, but I damn sure beat him. So I get here tonight, expecting to move on with my life and find myself in a six man tag team match. And who do I find standing across the ring? Landon Maddix. So you know what? If he wants more, he can come get it because I’m not afraid to beat him again. I’m also up against the “insane luchadore” Andrew Rickman, our new World Champ. Hold on tight to that belt buddy, I don’t want too many people soiling it before I stake my claim. So tonight, I’ll just have to go out there and do it again. Even though I have 700 pounds of luggage to shoulder while I do it, I’ll beat Landon Maddix, I’ll beat Manson, and I’ll beat Andrew Rickman. Tonight, you’ll see once again why no one, not Landon Maddix, not the SJL World Champ, NO ONE is better than I am. And THAT’s that Todd’s Honest Truth.” Tossing the microphone to the mat, Royal steps through the ropes as Motley Crue’s “Livewire” blares over the PA system. The fans let Todd have it as he lifts Megan from the ring apron to the floor, swings his title over his left shoulder and heads back down the aisle. A slight scowl on his face, the European champ parts the curtain, stepping through and out of the arena. “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” Judge: Todd Royal is obviously less than thrilled with his match tonight, deciding to vent his frustrations out here in front of the fans. Ejiro: Well I don’t blame him… Annie: I’m shocked. Ejiro:…He has to team with Dominic Korgath, the man who he’ll soon face for the European Title, and face Landon Maddix, and man he has already PROVEN he is better than! It’s a Todd damn conspiracy!! Annie: Conspiracy or not, that match will be coming up in our main event slot! Todd Royal, Jimmy Liston and Dominic Korgath team up to take on Landon Maddix, Manson and the NEW SJL Champ Insane Luchadore! Don’t go anywhere, Crimson will be RIGHT…BACK!

JAY MORRISON vs CRAIG MCLENNAN... ...will not be happening. Instead, here's some dancing hamsters: http://www.hamsterdance.org

Card: SINGLES MATCH Jay Morrison vs Craig McLennan Both men ended up on the losing end of their matches at Countdown. They turn to Crimson to try and not turn the losing into something trendy... SINGLES MATCH NON TITLE Brian Bowers© vs Spike Jenkins Another successful defense from Brian Bowers, as he trucks along with his Television title. On Crimson, he's pitted up against former world champion Spike Jenkins, in a chance to show how far long he's really come... MAIN EVENT SIX-MAN TAG Dominic Korgath, Jimmy "The Demon" Liston and Todd Royal© vs Manson, Landon "La Cucaracha" Maddix and Insane Luchadore© There's a few loose threads following Countdown, so I'd say the most logical thing to do would be pick 'em up and mash 'em all together in one big clusterfuck! New world champion IL teams with his future opponent, Manson, and Landon Maddix against arch rival Todd Royal, who's armed with "The Demon" and the resurgant Dominic Korgath, who's been spouting something about the "new Urban Decay." Hmm...

A few notes: -Johnny submits design ideas to me because I'm in chat when he comes around and I'm on CC. I have no idea why he doesn't submit them to anyone else, but meh. -I re-did the joining information, completely, when I was named head of the JL. The fuck I'm revising it again. -Thoth is the JL screener, not me. -I think the basic layout of the site right now is fine (a visible introduction, a listing of the current card, the upcoming PPV, last show results, etc). All the important shit is right on the front page. The navigation is a simple bar along the header that takes you to other pages on the site (Current champions--although that might work better on the front page or as a popup, Hall of Fame, title history, etc). The only real problem with it are the aesthetics of the design, and the lack of any simple internal system to do updates of any kind. -Z

SJL Crimson - Thursday October 2nd! Due Date: Thursday, 8pm EST Venue: HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York Send To: realitycheck OPENING PROMO! After nearly three long, LONG years, "Insane Luchadore" Andrew Rickmen is the king of the hill. World title clenched firmly in his fists, he speaks on his victory, his long journey here, and his future challanges... SINGLES MATCH Jay Morrison vs Craig McLennan Both men ended up on the losing end of their matches at Countdown. They turn to Crimson to try and not turn the losing into something trendy... Rules: Standard singles match. Word Limit: 4000 Send To: Thoth SINGLES MATCH NON TITLE Brian Bowers© vs Spike Jenkins Another successful defense from Brian Bowers, as he trucks along with his Television title. On Crimson, he's pitted up against former world champion Spike Jenkins, in a chance to show how far long he's really come... Rules: Standard singles match. Word Limit: 4500 Send To: Longdogger_Pete MAIN EVENT SIX-MAN TAG Dominic Korgath, Jimmy "The Demon" Liston and Todd Royal© vs Manson, Landon "La Cucaracha" Maddix and Insane Luchadore© There's a few loose threads following Countdown, so I'd say the most logical thing to do would be pick 'em up and mash 'em all together in one big clusterfuck! New world champion IL teams with his future opponent, Manson, and Landon Maddix against arch rival Todd Royal, who's armed with "The Demon" and the resurgant Dominic Korgath, who's been spouting something about the "new Urban Decay." Hmm... Rules: Elimination tag rules--last team standing are teh big winners. DQ and countout apply. Word Limit: 6000 Send To: realitycheck Okay, once again, JLers, very good showing at Countdown. In light of that, I'd really like to apologize for what is... a decidely underwhelming post-PPV card. I apologize, but the JL roster is in dire straits, as the usual after-summer drop off has hit it like a ton of bricks. Plus, I had a hard time booking logical singles matches to follow up Countdown due to the lack of faces in the JL. I was going to give Aecas and IL the show off, but found that would've been impossible. Again, my apologies. There's not much here, but what's there has the potential to be good. If we can, how about padding out this show with some promos, eh?

Not originally. The card was changed about 15 times before I got it to where it is now. Effort @ editing it to reflect that, though. -Z

Under my tyrannical reign as head JL booker, the following things have happened: Two Australians have won the title and been bumped. Three Englishmen have held the title and been bumped, thusly destroying the fed-wide plans of Total American Supremecy. Mike Van Siclen has had a world title reign and been bumped. Thor has had a world title reign. Spike Jenkins has had a world title reign. And now, Insane Luchadore has kicked off his world title reign. Man, Iceman should come back. He might with the title with the way I run things. Seriously, though, m4d pr0ps to IL for getting it done after three years of constant trying and consistant improvement. And you thought you could never do it. Pwah. In lesser headlines, Brian Bowers, Landon Maddix and Todd Royal continue to impress me a lot. It was a reasonably close affair, but I thought Royal's match was EXCELLENT. The excecution is abstract from your standard match involving a ladder, which gives it a very fresh feeling. Worth reading for those of you who'd like a warmup before Genesis. No-show count: 2, and one was EngDrag, who wasn't expected to write for this anyway. Damn good work, JLers! -Z

(The Madison Square Garden’s fans are packed inside the Roman-Greco styled arena, white marble pillars at the entrance ramps and smaller versions going down each side of the fan barricades near the entrance. The fans whirls around the arena, showing the various lively fans that are all extremely hyped up as SJL Countdown is winding to an end and there are just more great matches to be seen. The camera slowly wades its way through a group of fans and finally settles down right in front of the announcer’s table. Annie sits to the far right as Justice and Rule sit down also, discussing the SWF PPV). “I’m telling you, if Tom tries for the ‘Held Without Bail’ just start bawling and maybe he’ll show some mercy,” Ejiro smirks while taunting his tag partner. Judge rebuttals, “Yeah, shouldn’t you get ready for the OPENING SWF match?” Ejiro grunts while Annie savors every second of this. She nearly yells, “WELCOME BACK FOLKS! We’re all excited for SWF Genesis- but before that we have one last spectacular match! With all the background, I feel good in saying that it could be the shocking Match of the Night!” Judge and Ejiro both snort in sync. “Yeah, right, Aecas and IL don’t stand a chance. This won’t even be match of the SJL night,” Ejiro chuckles at what Annie said. “Besides you claimed you feel good in predicting IL and you saw what happened to him.” Judge points out with a very valid point. “Well before we reach the squash match…” Ejiro begins. “Oh yeah, calling in your butler to cheat and smack a chair repeatedly into your foe’s head is SUCH a squash,” Annie rolls her eyes. Ejiro gives Annie an “Eat Shit” smile while continuing. “As I was saying- both men HAVE earned their shots, Aecas and IL each winning contendership at one point or another.” Ejiro suddenly realizes something and he states, “IL already had his shot, but these fans can’t get enough of the talent less insanity stricken…” Ejiro’s rant becomes a moot point as the crowd cheers so loudly it drowns his grumbles out. Funyon’s deep voice booms out, “Ladies and gentlemen… get ready, this is YOUR COUNTDOWN TO GENESIS MAIN EVENT! FOR THE S-J-L WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP…” The fans all cheer wildly and Funyon holds for the cheers to die down. “THIS IS A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH WITH FIRST FALL RULES, COUNT OUT, DISQUALIFICATION, AND NO TIME LIMIT…” “Well here we go. English Dragon IS getting bumped so this is his last chance to make sure it’s known he’s superior to the SJL,” Ejiro snottily says, drawing many jeers. “Or this is Aecas’ or IL’s chance to prove English Dragon is a stuck up British bastard,” Annie grins. But before any remarks can be made a thunderous, steady drumbeat explodes onto the loud system. Soon a guitar kicks in and Offspring’s “Gotta’ Get Away” and the fans explode as the ornate pyro bursts off, lightning the entrance ramp in white with streaks of red and black. The SJL veteran leaps onto the stage, throwing his arms into the air. The fans accept the Luchador with cheers that could be deafening! Andrew Rickmen runs to one side of the entrance ramp, being sprayed with pyro, as he flings his arms into the air. He wears the beat up black Orisis skate shoes, the baggy khaki cargoes, a black Rancid t-shirt and his long black hair is spiked up sloppily with the fashionable randomly placed green streaks. Rickmen runs to the other side of the ramp, just sucking all the cheers possible before breaking into a sprint down the aisle- where he slaps as many hands as he can. “Hailing from Easton, Pennsylvania… weighing in at 201… HE IS THE INSANE LLLUUUCCCHHHAAADDOOOORR!” Funyon’s voice echoes as Luchador hits ringside and slides in. Annie comments, “I really can see this being IL’s big break. He works well under pressure.” Judge glances at Annie. “You mean goes insane, bleeds on opponents, writes in blood, spits his own blood in other’s faces… laughs like a maniac and gets up for more.” Annie seems stumped and she stutters but no words come out. “Yeah. Basically.” Inside the ring Insane Luchador gives a nod to Matthew Kivell, the referee of this bout, and Andrew slowly walks over to a turnbuckle, leaning against it casually. “Doesn’t seem too focused on this match, does he?” Judge asks. The arena suddenly goes dark and a graveyard bell tolls in eerily. Chills run up everyone’s spine as the SmarkTron reveals the figure shrouded in black, running up a black dragon tattoo etched into the figure’s chest. Like lightning flashes of light are shown until the completely white orb is shown unblinking. A deep voice vibrates so deeply it seems to shake the marble pillars. “Are you scared?” The question echoes creepily. “He’s here…” “Well obviously this marks the arrival, and a creepy one at that, of Aecas,” Judge states. Dark Funeral’s “Dead Skin Mask” blasts out as lighting reveals Aecas standing at 7” foot on the SmarkTron. He wears a sadistic grin on his face as red lights strobe as an alarm loudly plays out. The SmarkTron continues showing gothic letter A E C A S with blood barely dripping off the top of the letters. Flashes of vicious spots continue on and suddenly A E C A S is shown again but blood oozing freely out, halfway down the letters. Clips of even more brutal weapon spots and vicious spots and A E C A S is now drowned out in blood. “Who’s more hardcore, IL or Aecas?” Ejiro throws out a question. Annie shrugs and acts like she just flipped a coin. “Draw.” During the menacing movie a very thick smoke surrounds the entrance ramp, making a carpet of smoke. A blood red spotlight picks out Aecas who’s masked within the smoke. His shadow with his Flick Scythe is revealed. He holds it above his head and the Flick Scythe’s blades flick out as the fans roar in immediate approval! He begins his walk down the aisle, his pale white body with the clashing dragon tattoo being revealed as the light flickers on the tall British monster. His eyes are just white, due to contacts, and he wears leather pants with New Gothic Rocker boots. His long black hair is just left loose and dangling. His face first few flashes seem stony but as the fourth flicker of lights hits his face a full out psycho grin is plastered as his face. “Next… FROM SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND… WEIGHING IN AT 315 pounds… HE IS THE BLACK ANGEL… AAAAEEECCCCAASSS!” Funyon screams over the fans screams and the hardcore fans do their best to out-do the reaction from IL. The lights slowly come back up as he carefully props his huge, deadly staff against one of the pillars. Aecas rolls into the ring and stands up, staring at IL with a poker face. Andrew Rickmen takes a smooth step forward from leaning and he walks towards Aecas. Aecas tenses himself as IL walks right up to him. He gives a light slap across Aecas’ chest and Aecas nods. Aecas ducks down to hear Insane Luchador as they discuss. “Oh! Oh! No way! No way! They can’t double team English Dragon,” Ejiro nearly squeals. Annie smugly asks, “Why not?” Ejiro shrugs and looks for a way to cover. “Because then Dragon would have to take both down with incredible ease and that means it’d crush the fans hearts. That’s my job to do, when I beat Va’aiga,” He smirks. Aecas slowly nods his head yes and Insane Luchador takes a few steps back, standing in center of the ring. Aecas follows and stands right next to IL. The two of them stand tall, the fans all together in massive cheers. But those cheers instantly switch to jeers because “Land of Hope and Glory” kicks up, signaling the arrival of the SJL World Champion! Trash is thrown feebly at the entrance ramp as English Dragon steps out, Robertson only a few strides behind. In the head Insane Luchador points at Robertson and then to the back of his head, where he received continual chair shots to the head. “English Dragon and Insane Luchador do have quite some bad blood with each other. Not to mention Robertson and IL are anything but friends.” Judge points out. English Dragon is dressed in white and gold tights, white boots, and a gold Dragon mask complete with the horns. Dragon has the belt traditionally wrapped around his waist as he raises an arm sarcastically to the fans, milking the jeers. “Dressed in gold, he’s already for tonight, this is a BIG night for him. Double booked and he’ll win them both,” Ejiro beams happily. Even Judge seems skeptical. “Don’t be too certain,” Judge sighs and fakes a wince, “Being double booked and being bumped, well, Dragon may not be giving his all. Unless he just wants to prove a point to Insane Luchador, who gave such a great fight and it took multiple chair shots to take down the psycho. Though Dragon is superior…” Judge pauses, redeeming himself with Ejiro after complimenting IL. “He very well could win both matches.” “Yeah, and McDonald’s hamburgers could very well be made out of real meat,” Annie snorts. The two walk like they own the place down the aisle, Dragon pausing and mocking IL by throwing his arms into the air. “AND YOUR S-J-L WORLD CHAMPION… WITH ROBERTSON THE BUTLER, SPAWNED FROM LONDON, ENGLAND… WEIGHING IN AT 223. EENNNGGLLIIISSSHHHH DDRRAAGGGGOONNN!” Dragon snorts in laughter as more boos come in and English Dragon insults Aecas loudly. “Not looking to make friends, is he?” Annie jokes. Dragon stops right by ringside, staring at the enormous staff. He leans against it casually, watching it drop and then making an “oops” face that can be seen through the mask. He then slowly clips off the belt, pointing at it and looking up. He shakes his head “no” at his two foes as he wipes his feet before climbing up the steel steps. He enters the ring holding the belt high over his head and somehow getting more jeers. While vulnerable Insane Luchador charges up, spearing English Dragon into the corner! The two smash violently and IL grabs the belt, tossing it behind his back towards Matthew Kivell. Andrew grabs the dazed Dragon by his horns, throwing him out of the turnbuckle. Dragon stumbles right into Aecas’ grasp. Aecas simply picks him up and tossing him down in a scoop slam! Aecas and Insane Luchador both begin to stomp on the English Dragon, who rolls away from his assaulters. Robertson hops onto the turnbuckle causing Insane Luchador to turn around and start to walk at him, but Kivell gets in between the two. “Insane Luchador and the Butler waste no time in knowing they’re going to get a piece of each other tonight,” Annie happily points out. But during the distraction Dragon gets to his knees, hitting a headbutt right into Aecas’ groin! Already cheating English Dragon stands up, hitting a good right punch that makes Aecas’ head snap back. The SJL World Champion follows up with his most powerful knife-edge chop against Aecas’ bare chest. “WHOO!” Suddenly Insane Luchador leaps out, whacking his hand across Dragon’s chest harshly. “WHOOO!” Dragon reels back and draws back his arm, launching it at IL! “WHOOOO!” IL takes a step back and clutches his chest in pain. Aecas follows up by hitting English Dragon with another chop! “WHOOOO!” Dragon hits the ropes and bounces off of them, smacking Aecas with a violent chop! “WHOOOOO!” Andrew Rickmen leaps in, using his height difference to his advantage- he forces an arm to wrap around Dragon’s neck and IL hits a side headlock! Andrew drags it to center of the ring, where English Dragon shoves him into the ropes! But before IL can rocket back, Aecas hits Dragon from the side of the head with a punch! Before Dragon can even crumble to the mat Insane Luchador leaps off his feet and hits a Crossbody! Andrew springs up from the move and stares down at Dragon. “Well Aecas and IL have obviously formed an alliance, but I’m wondering if IL just wants to get some revenge or wants to get that title?” Judge points out and then asks. “IL’s like an elephant, he never forgets,” Annie answers. Rickmen grabs a hold of Dragon’s mask and tugs him up. Aecas shoves Insane Luchador out of the way, causing IL to start to lunge out by pause. Aecas grapples with English Dragon and whips the SJL World Champion into the ropes. When Dragon returns Aecas sends his foot high into the air, smacking into English’s face and causing Dragon to fall flat out onto the mat. Rickmen follows up with a simple leaping leg drop right across Dragon’s neck. Ejiro sobs, “It’s more like a handicapped match!” Insane Luchador stands up, him and Aecas staring at each other, not sure what to do. Aecas grabs Dragon’s limp arm and tugs him to his feet. Aecas and Insane Luchador watch the Champion sway back and forth like a drunken bachelor at his last night free. Andrew Rickmen jumps out- swinging widely that Dragon ducks under! Dragon, swooped down, smacks his head into IL’s ribs! Luchador reels back and Aecas doesn’t stop ED- who leaps out and sends a spin kick that smacks Andrew Rickmen right on the chin, causing him to stumble back before hitting the canvas. “Remember, this isn’t a handicap match… there’s no offense for Aecas to save IL from a beating, long as Dragon doesn’t get the win,” Judge calls out. Dragon stands above Insane Luchador and gets bombarded from behind by Aecas! He wraps an arm around Dragon and hoists him up, making English Dragon stare up at the house lights as he gets slammed against the mat in a sidewalk slam! Aecas lies across Dragon in a cover! ONE! Dragon kicks out easily and Insane Luchador rolls to his feet. He stares at Aecas but slowly shrugs off Aecas’ pin attempt, letting Aecas tug English Dragon to his feet. “Well IL doesn’t seem pleased at Aecas, but they probably need each other if at least one of them is going to win this match,” Judge reasons. But Dragon smashes an elbow into the chest of Aecas, and then drills him with an upper cut that sends Aecas stumbling back. Dragon leaps into the air, flipping his body to the side and driving his boots into Aecas’ chest! The 7-foot monster hits the canvas and rolls back a bit. Insane Luchador charges at Dragon, catching him off guard with a knee to the gut! Andrew Rickmen grabs the bottom of Dragon’s mask, tugging at it while dragging English Dragon away from the center of the ring! Andrew lets go, pulling up his elbow and violently smashing it against the back of Dragon’s head! He falls to his knees and Insane Luchador instantly grabs the back of English Dragon’s neck and brings the World Champion to his feet. IL dodges a kick attempt and then a punch attempt, Luchador ducks under a wild European uppercut and instantly counters with smashing upward onto Dragon’s chest with a shoulder tackle! Annie grins and taunts, “Yeah, English Dragon is manhandling IL,” She rolls her eyes. Dragon falls onto his back and IL drops on one knee right next to Dragon. He brings his right fist into the air and smacks it right into Dragon’s nose area, repeating the motion until Kivell begs Luchador to break it up. But after the fourth sickening “thwacking” sound Dragon dodges one of the blows, making IL pause in pain. Dragon then rolls out of harm’s way and bails to the outside! Robertson quickly flocks to his client and helps him fix his mask and gives him a pat on the back. Aecas stands right next to IL and the two stare at English Dragon who's cautiously roll into the ring. He rolls to his feet and the two faces charge with their arms clutched together! The fans all hold their breath, dying to see the double clothesline but English Dragon drops to his stomach on the mat! Aecas and Insane Luchador flip over the ropes from momentum and get into a train wreck with Robertson! Judge proclaims, “Brilliant!” The fans jeer wildly as English Dragon looks back, surprised yet pleased at the results. He gets to his feet sarcastically clapping his hands at his tangled foes. Dragon pumps the hatred as he does an impression of the queen’s wave, not worried at Aecas and Insane Luchador both rolling into the ring. Insane Luchador walks right in front of Aecas, English Dragon crouching down and ready for IL’s assault. But suddenly Aecas grabs Insane Luchador from the collar of his shirt, jerking him back, and Aecas steps in front. Rickmen wastes no time in barging into Aecas’ back- who turns around angered. The two shove and exchange words like a high school pre-fight and suddenly English Dragon goes airborne and hits a dropkick to the back of Aecas! Insane Luchador side steps of the giant man coming toward him and he grabs the long black hair of Aecas and assists him in flipping over the ropes! Like a shark smelling blood Robertson quickly walks towards the direction of the fallen Aecas. “Well consider the alliance officially over,” Annie concludes. Dragon grunts something along the lines of, “The hero IL backstabs his partner? I’m bloody shocked.” Insane Luchador decides actions speak louder than words as he sends a punch that causes English Dragon to stagger back. Andrew Rickmen follows up with a simple, aggressive shove. Dragon continues to reel back but he quickly gains his composure and positions his body to the side. He takes a big step before suddenly- “He launches out his leg, he hits a picture perfect super kick! IL’s down! Dragon’s going for the cover!” Judge gives the play-by-play for the chaos going down. Annie butts in. “But Kivell is torn between the pin and Aecas being attacked by Robertson on the outside!” But Insane Luchador slowly tries to roll away and Dragon catches his leg, ONE! Luchador’s foot easily is slung across the bottom rope. English Dragon somewhat bitterly gets up, grabbing IL’s spiked hair and pulling him to his feet. On the outside Robertson, who fits on the brass knuckles, perhaps intimidated by the gothic 7-foot tall challenger, confronts Aecas. Kivell begins the count on the outside. ONE! The Butler strikes at Aecas, who narrowly dodges it! TWO! Aecas ducks under, catching the wrist of Robertson! He tugs him in and hits a VICIOUS clothesline that could seems like it could’ve decapitated Robertson! The butler smacks against the cement and Aecas doesn’t seem content. THREE! With his sadistic grin on his face Aecas tugs up Robertson, ducking under him, planting two hands onto him- then he shows off his power by lifting him high into the air! “Jesus! That’s a tall order to lift… wait, oh my god! He’s going for the Mother F’n’ Bomb!” Annie nearly leaps out of her seat. Ejiro defends Robertson. “Hey, he’s not even in the match!” Annie chuckles, “But he would have been later on.” FOUR! The fans all cheer wildly as Aecas just shows off Robertson by spinning slowly to each side of the crowd! FIVE! Inside the ring Insane Luchador is striking his way out of the corner. SIX! Aecas charges forwards and right as he gets near the steel steps he modifies his move, letting Robertson drop forward and landing right on his back onto the steel steps! The steps dislodge and even Robertson grunts in massive pain, while Aecas seems renewed by the cheers and the sight of Robertson flopping off the stairs and just groaning in pain. SEVEN! Aecas hops onto the apron, watching with amusement as Dragon uses a kick to the face to send IL’s advantage whirling down the toilet. Aecas hops onto the ring, stalking up from behind Dragon, who sends IL sprawling to center of the ring with a dropkick in the corner! When the SJL Champion turns around he sees a very pissed off Aecas slap a hand on Dragon’s exposed throat! The fans go insane with cheers as Aecas plants his other hand on Dragon’s back and lifts him high into the air! With all his force he slams Dragon down and stands up, raising a fist into the air. Dragon flops over right by the ropes. “Chokeslam! Pin him, go on, and just pin him!” Annie gets high hopes. But Andrew Rickmen stands up and runs at Aecas. Aecas simply lifts a New Gothic Rocker boot in the air, thumping it right into IL’s chin! Luchador falls down, back first and just slightly to the left of English Dragon. Aecas points to the turnbuckle, the fans approving, and he stalks over. He slowly hops onto the second one and reaches the top, looking truly monstrous. He pauses, staring at his two choices. Judge asks, “Who will hit? Hitting Dragon may give him enough time to pin, since IL is freshly knocked down… but hitting IL and then picking up Dragon and hitting a finisher is also a great possibility. Not to mention- IL WAS the one to backstab the alliance, I suppose.” But Aecas bends his knees and leaps out, looking as if he’s going to hit a belly flop! It’s an amazing sight as the huge man is airborne in a beautiful diving headbutt right towards English Dragon! The fans all mark out, cheering, but suddenly Robertson stumbles from the outside and grabs Dragon’s foot! Luchador rolls away completely from the scene and flops onto his back, twisting his head and watching the match. Robertson tugs Dragon out of Aecas’ way and Aecas hits the canvas, bouncing up and already holding himself in pain. Annie grunts, “That damn Robertson.” Andrew Rickmen sees a chance as he crawls over and flops onto Aecas! Matthew drops to his gut, Aecas barely resisting IL’s pin! “ONE!” The fans chant happily. “TWO!” Ejiro hums “High hopes, he’s got high hopes…” to taunt the fans. “THREE!” The fans finish, but Aecas’ shoulder leaps out! Aecas actually plants two hands under IL and simply bench presses him, tossing him over his head and out of Aecas’ way! The pissed off masochist stands to his feet, hand running through his tangled black hair as he stalks towards IL! Rickmen rolls to his feet right away, buying time as he watches English Dragon approach from behind! Andrew Rickmen throws a punch at Aecas’ chest, barely even making Aecas flinch! Andrew hops onto the top rope and bends his knees, springing up as high as he can possibly go! He actually sails above Aecas, his legs out for a hurricarana! But Aecas catches IL’s leg, planting his superior weight so IL can’t hit his move! Luchador dangles desperately, trying to hit some move. He then simply drops to the mat, making IL’s neck seemingly snap against the canvas! Luchador groans, flopping onto his back and completely out of it. Even Ejiro respects the move. “Beautiful! Oh man, I’ll never forget watching IL’s neck just compress like that,” Ejiro laughs, “His head is weak too.” Aecas turns around but only to see a flash of white and Dragon’s spin kick sends Aecas reeling back! English Dragon follows up with a dropkick that sends Aecas reeling back, tripping over IL! Aecas hits the ropes and flips out, but he catches himself with one hand, crumbling onto the apron! Judge points out, “You know, no psychology. It’s just an all out fight for what seems like survival.” Andrew Rickmen slowly gets to hands and knees. English Dragon is inspired as he runs up; Aecas stands back up on the apron. Dragon charges at Aecas but IL drops to the mat, wrapping his foot around English Dragon- tripping him! Aecas sees the chance as Dragon’s throat comes right near the ropes! Aecas grabs the back of the SJL World Champion’s head, dropping down and Dragon’s neck collides with the rope! English Dragon falls to the mat and Luchador quickly grabs both legs and pin them against each side of Dragon’s head on the mat! “ONE!” Aecas reaches a huge arm out, grabbing IL’s shirt and tugging at it. “TWO!” Aecas slides into the ring, grabbing IL’s throat from behind and tugging him out of the pin! Luchador hops over Dragon and stands in middle of the ring. Aecas steps over Dragon also, ready to confront IL. The two circle around for a bit before Andrew avoids a grapple attempt and swoops down, smashing punches into Aecas’ ribs! He tries to hit IL with an axe handle but IL ducks away, leaving Aecas’ face exposed- so Luchador follows up with a punch to his jaw! Reeling back Insane Luchador advances forward and shifts to the side- throwing out his leg and up! The super kick connects with perfection, the fans going insane in cheers as Insane Luchador leaps out and into the air and on the way down hits a roll up! “This could do it!” Annie beams. “ONE!” “TWWWOOO!” What is this, Montreal? But before the hand even rises up again Aecas breaks the pin. Andrew Rickmen rolls up, taking steps back, leaning against the ropes and massaging his neck. Suddenly Robertson emerges, grabbing IL’s legs and tugging violently! Andrew Rickmen falls face first to the mat and soon is tugged onto the outside! Judge somewhat sighs, “Cheating… again, brilliantly, as always, but here comes IL versus Robertson.” Kivell begins the count while Aecas rolls to his feet, cracking his neck in each direction before grabbing and tugging English Dragon to his feet. ONE! Insane Luchador ducks under a swing from Robertson. In the ring Aecas grapples with English Dragon. TWO! Andrew Rickmen grunts insults between staggered breaths at Robertson, the two start to move towards the aisle with the marble pillars. Dragon and Aecas battle for the upper hand. THREE! Rickmen gets slammed in the gut, but compensates by diving a shoulder into Robertson and sending him crashing into a marble pillar. The two fight at the edge of the entrance ramp. In the ring Aecas over powers English Dragon. FOUR! Rickmen hops onto the barricade but before he can leap off Robertson shoves him! Andrew topples into one of the pillars, sending it crashing down and cracking. Aecas wraps his powerful right arm securely around Dragon’s throat. He puts Dragon’s arm over Aecas’ right shoulder. FIVE! Rickmen throws out his legs while on his back, sending Robertson sprawling. Aecas picks up a handful of Dragon’s tights… SIX! Andrew springs to his feet, a large piece of sharp marble in his hands. SEVEN! He throws the marble at Robertson’s gut then tips over another one of the small marble pillars! EIGHT! IL pauses as he hears the sickening thud from the Uranage Suplex. He leaps forwards at Robertson and hits a headlock! Annie yells, “IL the count-out isn’t an empty threat, get back in the ring!” Luchador drops, hitting the Evenflow DDT on Robertson right onto the marble pillar. He springs up and starts his sprint back into the ring. NINE! IL slides in right before Aecas swoops down for the pin! Andrew Rickmen charges at full speed when inside the ring, leaping out while Aecas’ back is turned. He leaps out grabbing a handful of Aecas’ hair on the back of his head, hitting a bulldog that causes Aecas to even slam against Dragon! Ejiro pauses and comments, “IL is showing resemblance to skill. Did anybody else notice Robertson is taking a nasty beating?” He points out, quickly changing the subject after complimenting IL. Andrew Rickmen stands up, throwing his arms in the air for a few seconds, milking the cheers. IL grabs Aecas and picks him up. “For someone who was recently dropped on his head, IL really has it going tonight,” Judge considers. Ejiro laughs, “His mother dropped him on his head all the time.” IL throws a knee to Aecas’ gut, causing him to bend over. He hits a headlock on Aecas, dropping for the first DDT! With quite a comical sight IL tugs him back up, adding more pressure as he goes for the second drop. He picks up for the third but Aecas clutches his arms around IL and snaps his back over quickly, sending IL sailing in an odd Northern Lights Suplex! Insane Luchador smacks onto his back, rolling back and lying there coughing. Aecas drops to the mat and hooks the leg of English Dragon- “ONE!” The fans of Aecas chant and cheer wildly. “TWO!” Dragon kicks out. Aecas stands up and wraps his arms around English Dragon and the two stand up. He lifts Dragon high in the air, trying to hit a spinebuster! The SJL World Champion slaps both hands against Aecas’ ears, causing Dragon to be dropped to the mat on his feet! English Dragon quickly hits a European uppercut that sends Aecas reeling and Dragon finishes up with a quick dropkick, sending Aecas to the mat! Dragon sees movement and turns around- “ONLY TO BE SPEARED BY IL!” Annie marks out completely as IL’s desperation spear sends the two so hard into the turnbuckle it looks like it bends. Rickmen grabs Dragon and hits a headbutt into English Dragon’s head harshly! World Champion’s head snaps back and Andrew perches him face facing the crowd on top of the top turnbuckle! Andrew Rickmen hops onto the second turnbuckle, wrapping his arms around Dragon’s waist! Annie stares. “Wait, is he going for top rope release German Suplex?” He goes to arch over and the fans hold their breaths, but Robertson hops onto the apron, still incredibly pissed, sending his most powerful punch right into IL’s chin! Kivell screams at Robertson with empty threats, as Robertson looks innocent and oblivious as he hops back onto the cement. IL sways back, letting go of the hold and falling to the canvas. Aecas rolls to his feet, watching Dragon still perched on the rope. Before Dragon can climb off suddenly Aecas wraps an arm around his back! Aecas jabs at IL with his foot, causing him to roll over. He then lifts English Dragon high into the air… … Ejiro protests, “That’ll kill him!” But English Dragon saves his life by flipping out of the hold and wrapping an arm around Aecas’ neck! The two falls down and Dragon hits makeshift reverse DDT out of the attempted backdrop driver! Ejiro screams out in joy, “Yes!” Dragon lays his arm around Aecas with the pin… “ONE!” The fans explode in jeers. “TWO!” The fans all hold their breaths, praying to various Gods that Aecas can muster the strength. “THR” Insane Luchador leaps out hitting an elbow drop, breaking the pin. Andrew Rickmen grabs Aecas’ black hair and drags him into the center of the ring. Insane Luchador grins like a psycho as he sprints to the turnbuckle, driven by adrenaline, as he hops onto the top rope. He throws his arms in the air, again, in the identical fashion while the fans go crazy. The exhaustion setting in Insane Luchador bends his knees and springs into the air, flipping his body forward twice in a flawless 450* Splash! He descends downward to Aecas who suddenly throws his knees into the air. Luchador makes a face of fear as he smacks against the knees and he screams in agony. Aecas props himself onto one elbow and slowly pulls himself up to his feet. English Dragon clutches the ropes and rather easily pulls himself. The three battered wrestlers all try to get to their feet, IL onto one knee but grabbing his gut and just reducing back to a fetus position on the mat. English Dragon stands up giving a call to Robertson. Aecas gets to his feet shakily, unsure if he can keep standing. “All guys just pulling out all spots to get the title, but no real focus in this match. It’s a mistake,” Ejiro declares and insults. Dragon stumbles towards Aecas and Aecas takes steps towards English Dragon. The two stand there, regulating their breathing and getting the life back into them. Without any warning they clash into a grapple. Aecas suddenly releases the hold, placing a hand over Dragon’s mask and one at the end of his tights. He simply throws Dragon with amazing strength only he possesses in the match, sending English Dragon sailing over the ropes! Aecas seemingly feels no more pain, no more fatigue, as the World title feels to be already wrapped around his waist. He advances on Insane Luchador and picks him up. Andrew Rickmen struggles to get away from a grapple, staggering back towards the ropes! Aecas pounces at IL with a huge knee to the gut. He grabs Rickmen around the waist and hoists his legs onto his shoulders! His hands support IL’s back and holds him horizontal in the usual powerbomb position! But Aecas releases that hold, letting IL’s upper body dangle! “Gonna’ do what I couldn’t do during the Hide-and-seek match.” Aecas grunts bitterly, forgetting all alliances, just wanting this horrendous match to be over. Judge realizes what’s going down. “Executioner! He’s going for his primary finisher!” The mixed reactions begin as Aecas grabs a firm hold on IL’s legs and begins to swing around! But after one rotation Insane Luchador suddenly clutches onto the middle rope, Aecas still attempting to spin and stretching IL’s upper body! IL continues to pull himself in while Aecas keeps attempting to hit his finisher! Ejiro smirks and asks, “If IL’s such a masochist, how come he doesn’t take the move?” The IL fans and neutral fans encourage IL who keeps holding onto the rope for his dear life. But suddenly he lets go and the spinning continues for another rotation! But this time Luchador grabs the bottom rope, squeezing his legs at Aecas’ neck as he pulls his body downward with momentum and brings Aecas becoming a victim of a hurricarana! Then he hits the ropes and flips onto the apron! Luchador smacks against the canvas, rolling away from Aecas who’s already trying to get back to his feet on the apron. “Beautiful reversal,” Annie compliments. English Dragon towers above the crawling Insane Luchador and he hops over IL, grabbing his arms from behind and hitting a full nelson! He then tugs him to his feet, looking for the Tiger Suplex! But IL lifts his arms high in the air, sliding out of the hold. As Dragon backs away IL drops to the mat, using his hands to balance as he throws his legs out in a mule kick! Without meaning to, Dragon is thrown right into the clutches of Aecas on the apron! Robertson starts to jog over, trying to save his client, but it seems too late. Dragon smartly lifts up a leg, which “accidentally” lands into Aecas’ groin area! English Dragon turns around hitting a front face lock and to show off his superiority, in his mind, hits a front facelock! Suddenly he snaps over in a snap suplex that sends Aecas crashing into the center of the ring! Rickmen sees a chance- dropping down and hitting a harsh elbow drop right into Aecas’ nose! Dragon seems uncertain what to do, but suddenly Insane Luchador leaps over Aecas and tackles Dragon down! “There are certain people you don’t fuck with in this world.” Andrew Rickmen grabs each side of Dragon’s head and raises it high into the air. He slams it down with extreme force. “I am one of them.” He raises the head again and smashes it down perhaps even harder this time. “YOU!” Thud is heard. “DON’T!” Fans wonder if the back of Dragon’s head is going to turn to mush. “PISS OFF!” Matthew begs IL to stop the violent assault as the harsh goes over the crowd. “THE INSANE GUY!” Insane Luchador finishes it off with three more pounds of the head. Judge seems disgusted. “Come on, enough is enough.” Annie rebuttals, “Oh, was enough when Robertson smacked the chair on IL’s head until he passed out?” Andrew Rickmen has seemingly lost it, as he grabs Dragon’s mask and rips at it, nearly tearing it off. But instead he pulls up English Dragon, tired yet dead set on inflicting more pain. He smacks a hard right that hits Dragon’s nose and IL grabs at him before the SJL World Champion falls down. “You make me bleed, I make you bleed.” He turns to the side and with all his might shoves the elbow into English Dragon’s face! Blood seeps out in droplets. “Did he break his nose?” Judge asks. Dragon falls to the ground and Insane Luchador turns around only to see Aecas charging at him. The monster Aecas throws up his boot in a Yakuza kick right into Luchador’s chest! Andrew Rickmen flies back as if he was shot and he’s not more than a crippled heap next to English Dragon. Dragon rolls to his hands and knees and wipes away blood coming out of the nose holes. Which answers Judge’s earlier question. Andrew Rickmen wastes no time in grabbing the ropes and slowly pulling himself up. He wheezes but gets to his feet, leaning against the ropes with exhaustion. Dragon stands on both feet, watching Aecas walk at him. English Dragon suddenly swoops down and attempts a spear, but Aecas catches him with one arm wrapped around Dragon’s waist! He simply falls to the mat and causes Dragon to be dropped nearly straight on the neck! Aecas goes for the pin. “You know, Aecas’ the one with all the endurance and it’s paying off here,” Judge commentates. “ONE!” “TWO!” Insane Luchador stumbles over to the pin… Luchador leaps into the air with both knees out as if he was on a wakeboard. Right before the hand falls IL’s knees connect with Aecas’ neck and head, breaking the pin as Aecas flops over in pain. Rickmen scrambles back to his feet, seeing a chance to win this match. He picks up English Dragon and invades with a clothesline but Dragon ducks under and hits a sloppy wrist lock- whipping him into the ropes. Robertson is seen waiting for IL with the steel chair and Luchador bounces into the ropes, the steel chair whapping right into his back! As the pain shoots through IL he clutches his back, erecting his body. Rickmen continues to walk at Dragon, not going to let pain stop him. English Dragon seems surprised but in return hits Luchador in the gut and leaps over him, grabbing his legs and hits a sunset flip! “ONE!” The fans jeer and hiss. “TWO!” “Not like this,” Annie whines. “THREE!” But Kivell throws up two fingers as Luchador’s one shoulder is shot up off the mat! Luchador insults Dragon, “You really think after you needed chair shots last time that a sunset flip would work? How’s the nose?” IL gives out a psycho laugh, rolling to his feet and getting the familiar feeling of being immune to the pain. But his mind doesn’t overcome matter as his punch attempt nearly sends him falling to his ass. English Dragon laughs in his face as he wearily hits a knee to the gut. He then forces IL between his legs and lifts him up for a piledriver! The fans jeer wildly; hoping boos could kill, while Dragon walks to the center of the ring with IL in position for Dragon Driver! But Aecas suddenly emerges running at an odd angle to the ropes, he bounces and before Dragon react sends a Yakuza kick straight to Dragon’s face! The fans watch Dragon release IL and simply fly back and hit the mat. Judge reminds the fans. “He only did it so he didn’t lose the match, don’t think IL and Aecas are being buddy-buddy.” Insane Luchador props himself to his knees and appears to be at the mercy of Aecas. Which isn’t a good thing. Aecas grabs IL’s spiked hair and jerks it so hard fans debate if he’d tear out a portion of IL’s spikes! The Black Angel, Aecas, reaches out for a grapple but Insane Luchador dodges it instead. Andrew Rickmen sends out a dropkick out of nowhere that causes Aecas to retreat a bit, but he’s already above IL by the time IL gets to his feet. He jabs at Rickmen, who’s head snaps back and seems to have snapped back too far. Like a jack in the box his head springs back up and IL hits a surprise left right into Aecas’ chin! Meanwhile English Dragon slinks to the outside and Matthew Kivell follows after him from inside the ring, yelling at Dragon. The two psychos in the ring exchange punches, going toe-to-toe. “That’s incredibly impressive that IL can even remotely take on Aecas in a brawling contest,” Annie comments, and ironically- IL is sent sprawling by a hard right. Then English Dragon rolls back into the ring behind the oblivious Aecas. Dragon suddenly kicks his classic spin kick that connects with the back of Aecas’ head. Involuntarily Aecas takes a large step forward and Luchador uses that step to hit clothesline! With speed only a cruiserweight would have he hits a headlock and falls in a rather nasty yet plain DDT! With the accidental team effort the big man stays down. Dragon’s gold mask has smears of red while Insane Luchador’s face looks battered. The two side step away from Aecas and collide into a grapple. IL releases the hold and hits a rare palm strike to Dragon’s chest area. He throws out a kick that Dragon catches and Dragon uses that leg to tug IL in. Luchador tries to throw punches at English Dragon, hopping up and down on one foot, but it’s not working. Suddenly he leaps into the air and sends his other leg at Dragon. The SJL World Champion knows better and ducks under it! Insane Luchador just falls to the mat and ED has grasp on one of his legs. The fans all burst into jeers, watching Dragon patronize the crowd with a sarcastic Queen’s wave. He then places Luchador’s leg over his other, creating a four shape. Dragon falls to the mat and grapevines the leg and applies pressure to the one he holds- hitting his finisher, St. George’s Cross! Ejiro yells, “It’s over! IL’s going down to the SAME move he JUST BARELY lost to last time.” But the fans believe in Luchador, kicking up an “IL! IL! IL!” chant. It spreads quickly and in the ring Insane Luchador begins to turn and begins to reverse the hold! Ejiro just stutters and stares in disbelief. Annie explains, “Dragon never worked the leg, IL enjoys pain, he’s a psycho, and he’s NOT going to go down to Dragon again. THAT’S why he’s reversing the move!” He can’t all the way as Dragon is just as stubborn to be beaten also. Instead Andrew reaches out and grabs the bottom ropes! English Dragon doesn’t break the hold and Matthew is screaming in Dragon’s face. All the while Robertson sneaks right up to the apron, grabbing IL’s arms and tugging his head to the apron- where he delivers a brutal punch right to his mouth! Dragon smirks as IL is already spitting blood and he lets go of the hold. Dragon stands up, letting IL slink into the corner and let the blood drizzle into a puddle. English Dragon stands up, watching Aecas stand up with a sadistic grin on his face. He takes giant steps at Dragon, who throws a spin kick… that Aecas catches! He throws the leg into the air and sends Dragon onto the mat, and he groans in pain. He picks up Dragon with any hesitation, glancing at the downed IL before he positions and hoists Dragon into the air! He spins in a circle like a tribal chief with a sacrifice and the fans approve with roars. He stands so Dragon’s legs point at Luchador, who’s climbing up to the top, psycho face on and blood drenching his shirt and splattered onto his chin. Aecas tosses Dragon up and to the side, Aecas stepping out of the way since he just threw Dragon more up than out. Suddenly Insane Luchador is seen flying obscenely high in the air, blood droplets trailing behind him, as he passes Aecas and wraps an arm around the back of Dragon’s neck as he falls. As if there was a God of serendipity on IL’s side, he hits a gigantic bulldog on Dragon! English Dragon bounces off the mat and he hits again, completely lifeless. “HO-LY SHIT!” The chant catches on like a forest fire. There’s a massive roar of approval that sends chills up IL’s spine, him now realizing he could have this thing won. He leaps to his feet, making aching muscles work fluently again. He turns around watching Aecas running at him! Andrew Rickmen in a split second reaction throws a karate kick to the Black Angel’s gut! Aecas bends over and Insane Luchador grabs him in the most vicious headlock! He leaps high into the air, so high that Aecas is standing up straight at one point, and he falls to his back! Hitting the Evenflow DDT! But Aecas stirs and twitches, Andrew Rickmen takes a huge risk and lifts him up again! Aecas slouches down in pain and Rickmen hits another headlock! AGAIN he leaps into the air and falls to his back in ANOTHER Evenflow DDT! The crowd continues to cheer him on, while Aecas flops onto his back and sits up! “…HE TOOK TWO EVENFLOWS AND HE’S STANDING UP!” Annie is shocked. Even Luchador makes a face of surprise as Aecas gets to his knees and wobbles as he stands up. Aecas lunges out, IL countering by side stepping and sending a knee that collides into Aecas’ aching stomach! Ears ringing, vision blurring, and his world spinning Aecas is a victim of ANOTHER headlock. He shoves at IL who leaps into the air and nearly gets shoved off, but soon Aecas’ head comes crashing down one last time! Aecas is, simply put, plastered on the canvas. Finally Insane Luchador lies on the canvas, panting heavily as the fatigue sets in. “Got to be kidding me! He goes on a roll and now he’s taking a breather?” Ejiro insults. Andrew Rickmen’s adrenaline falls and he slowly crawls towards the out cold English Dragon. Robertson watches helpless as IL crawls at the SJL World Champion, a little trail of blood left. Silence falls on the arena as Insane Luchador reaches Dragon, flopping him onto his back. IL just lies across ED- “ONE!” The fans chant united. “TWO!” “Could IL FINALLY win the World title?” Annie asks. “THREEEEEEEE!” The fans all scream into cheers, as the bell rings in. “AFTER SO LONG IL HAS WON THE WORLD TITLE AND HE COULDN’T OF EARNED IT MORE!” Robertson rolls into the ring and the crowd hushes for a bit, watching Robertson bitterly grab Dragon and carry him out of the ring. The cheering resumes and it’s deafening! “WINNER AND NEW S! J! L! WORLD CHAMPION…. IIINNNNSSSAAAAAAANNNEEE LLUUUCCHHHHAAADOOOOOR!” Funyon screams over the crowd. “Gotta’ Got Away” kicks in while Insane Luchador is handed the belt, which he raises with one hand into the air- letting it glisten against the house lights. The fans cheers don’t seize and IL’s psycho grin turns to a genuine one, as he doesn’t seem stable standing there. “Couldn’t have been a better way to wrap this Countdown up. Next, as you all know, is GENESIS!” Judge proclaims. The screen fades to the next scene hearing Ejiro whine, “It could of been better- Dragon retaining!”

The lights all over Madison Sqare Garden suddenly dim, and the chatter of the fans dies down as they come to their seats from the concessions. A voice easily recognizable as Funyon sounds off, "Ladies and gentlemen! Would you please rise for a very special guest singer... the SWF's own EJIRO FASAKI, UNTIED STATES CHAMPION, as he sings the national anthem!" A spotlight falls on Ejiro, dressed in tuxedo that might as well have the "$69.99" price tag still on it, as he hums a few bars of The Star Spangled Banner. The crowd INSANTLY turns ugly, and it only intensifies as the music begins, and Ejiro starts to torture those in attendance... "OOOOOHHHHHHHH SaaAAAaaY CANNNNNnnnNN YOoooOOOOOOOOooOOUUUUUuuU SEEEEEEEEEEEE!! BY THE DAAAAAaaAAaaWWwwwWWWWwwWwWNNNnnNNNSSSs EARrrRLy RiiiiIIISE!! WHAAaaaAAaaAAaAAAAAAaT SO PRRRrrrRrRRrrROOoooOoOOOOoUDLY WE HAAAiiiiiiiIIIiiL!! BY THE TWIIIIIIiiiIIiiIIIiLIgHTssSssSssS LAAAAaaast GLEEEEEeeeeEEeEAMING! WHO'S BRIGHT STRIiiiiiIIiIPES AND BRIGHT STAaaAaARs..." The booing reaches near critical mass as Ejrio pauses in mid song, looking confused. "Shit," he mumbles, "Is that really how it goes?" The booing gets LOUDER STILL. "Crap, crap, crap... geez, you'd think I'd know my own theme song!" BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! "I knew I should've brought those cue cards... ANYWAY! Don't worry! I've got something even BETTER!" The music for the Star Spangled Banner fades away, as Ejiro clears his throat again, and begins to use his vocal chords in way god clearly never intended... "OOOOOOOOOOH EJIROOOOOOOOOO YOU’RE MY HEROOOOOOOOOOOO NOTHING RHYMES WITH FASAKI EXCEPT MAYBE EPOXY SO I HOPE THIS STICKS WITH ALL THE KRAUTS AND THE MICKS WELL I GUESS YOU’RE IN HEAVENNNN IN THE MAGNIFICENT SEVENNNNNNN! TOM FLESHER IS COOOOOOOOOOOOOL! AND YOU’RE IN JUSTICE AND RUUUUULE! OOOOOOOOOOH EJIROOOOOOOOOO YOU’RE MY HEROOOOOOOOOOOO NOTHING RHYMES WITH FASAKI EXCEPT MAYBE EPOXY SO I HOPE THIS STICKS WITH ALL THE KRAUTS AND THE MICKS TOOOOO BAD JANUS WENT NUTS AND FUGUE GOT IN A RUT ATLAS LEFT TO GO MOPE WHILE WILDCHILD SELLS DOOOOOPE OOOOOOOOOOH EJIROOOOOOOOOO YOU’RE MY HEROOOOOOOOOOOO NOTHING RHYMES WITH FASAKI EXCEPT MAYBE EPOXY SO I HOPE THIS STICKS WITH ALL THE KRAUTS AND THE MICKS HEY HOW ABOUT A TIP THIS SONG IS SUCH A JIP I FEEL LIKE A JERK BECAUSE I WROTE IT AT WORK" The house lights come back on, as the crowd (who've since stopped jeering to plug their ears), breath a sigh of relief before getting right back to trying to get rid of Fasaki's TERRIBLE SINGING. Their prayers are answered, fortunately, as Ejiro takes a bow (avoiding a stale hamburger chucked at him), and steps out of the ring, as we mercifully fade to the card...

The SWF production Countdown to Genesis returns, after a brief ad shilling SWF ShopZone's cheesy and grossly expensive wares finishes up. We come to the announce booth, where Annie Eclectic, William Hearford and Ejiro Fasaki sit. "(Judge) Welcome back to Countdown to Genesis, here at the incomparable Madison Square Garden! It's a big night for myself and Ejiro Fasaki, Annie not so much, but Ejiro and I have a duty to our loyal fans right now." "(Ejiro) But let's face it, we're only here right now for the hefty second paycheck." "(Judge) Naturally. Anyhow, we've had a big night thus far. But up next, we have a World Title Contendership Match between Manson and Spike Jenkins. But this isn't their first appearance at the Countdown, as Ejiro will explain…" "(Ejiro) Well, the setting was Countdown to Genesis III, nearly one year ago to the day. Spike was a member of the sWo, a stable which Manson had a hand in creating. Spike came out on the losing end to disgruntled sWo'er Matt Myers. Meanwhile Manson had intended to go after the sWo upon his return in August, but was instead reeled into a feud with co-founder of the New Sound, whom Manson then soundly defeated in a Cage Match." "(Judge) Indeed. It took Spike and Manson a while, but their paths came to a head, as Manson and Spike began feuding on and off in their quest to the World Title. They've since been mired in a battle with plenty of bad blood, oftentimes involving weapons and even fire." "(Ejiro) Correct. Their latest clash came in the form of an Elimination Triple Threat on Wrath also involving Aecas. Aecas came out on top and will be facing the Insane Luchador and World Champion English Dragon later tonight for the title, but the match didn't do a thing to quell the ill feelings that exist between Manson and Spike." "(Annie) I can tell you that both Manson and Spike put up an admirable fight against the monster Aecas. Luckily they were rewarded for that with another chance tonight." "(Judge) It's match time!" The camera switches to Funyon who stands in the middle of the ring with microphone in hand. Meanwhile Matthew Kivell stands in the background, just off-center. "(Funyon) Ladies and Gentlemen, the following singles match is scheduled for one-fall, and it is for the #1 Contendership to the SJL World Championship! First, making his way down to the ring…" "Frankenstein" by the Edgar Winter Group hits while the house lights drop to a red hue. The crowd rises to it's feet and cheers loudly as Manson emerges from the back. He punches the sky with his fist, before descending down the ramp. "(Funyon) Hailing from Denver, Colorado! He weighs in at two-hundred and twenty five pounds and stands six feet tall! MMMAAAAANNSSONNN!" Manson rolls in under the bottom rope and upon standing, tosses his jacket to the floor before making his way to his corner, a slanted grin on his face. Meanwhile the lights dim down, while a multitude of light blue strobes begin flashing from the entrance stage. "King's Blend" by The Kottonmouth Kings starts up and after a few seconds, "Hollywood" Spike Jenkins walks out from the backstage area. He stops at the head of the entrance ramp, the hood of his vest covering his head. He stares at the ground, as the crowd cheers. White pyro then explodes from both sides of Spike, as he starts hopping, getting warmed up before making his way to the ring. "(Funyon) Hailing from Hollywood, California! He weighs in at two-hundred twenty five pounds, and stands six feet, one inches… "HOLLYWOOD" SPIKE JEEENNNNKINS!" As Spike approaches the ring, with Manson boreing a hole through him, he climbs up onto the ring apron, and steps through the ropes. Spike immediately pulls down his vest hood, holds his arms out and spins toward his corner, opposite of Manson. Spike pulls his vest off and tosses it down to the floor, before spinning back around to lock eyes with Manson. Funyon hightails it, as Matthew Kivell calls for the bell. ::DING DING:: "(Judge) And Manson has not taken his eyes off Spike once." "(Annie) No reason he should. You heard the pre-match promo from Manson. He's still pretty bitter about some of the things Spike has managed to get over on him." Manson slowly emerges from his corner, and with both hands, cranks his neck from side to side. Meanwhile Spike emerges from his, and hops up and down before both men begin circling the ring. Manson lunges for Spike and tries to grab the leg, trying to trip him up, but Spike avoids it. Spike tries to go for a trip of one of his own, and succeeds, grabbing the right leg of Manson and sending him down onto his back! Manson is fast to get back to his feet, and Spike closes in for the collar elbow, to which Manson quickly responds with a side headlock. Spike attempts to push Manson off into the ropes, but before Spike knows it, he's on his back as Manson pulls him down with a headlock takeover. "(Ejiro) Manson with the clear advantage now! Spike may be fast, but he can't get the best of Manson on the mat." "(Judge) Manson is pretty underrated in that aspect. He's no Tom Flesher or William Hearford or Ejiro Fasaki…" "(Ejiro) Well, no one is." "(Judge) True, but the point was that Manson is still pretty damn good regardless." "(Annie) I think I'm sick to my stomach." Manson keeps the headlock on, and attempts to get Spike on his shoulders, but Spike pulls on the ponytail of Manson. Kivell warns Spike to let go, but Spike doesn't as he pulls his right leg up and begins to ram knees into the top of Manson's head. Manson's hold on Spike weakens, allowing Spike to wrap his legs around Manson's neck in a headscissors. Kivell sighs and shrugs his shoulders as he begins counting to five. Spike releases his hold and as Manson rolls away from Jenkins, Jenkins looks up as if to ask why, to which Kivell motions that the hold was put on as a result of the hair pull. Spike dejectedly gets up to his feet, as does Manson. "(Judge) Some tight officiating here in the early going. It looks like Matthew Kivell won't allow any shenanigans to go on in this match." "(Ejiro) Good. Shame on that vile fiend Spike." As Manson and Spike come up to their feet, Manson lurches forward and swings wildly at Spike's jaw, connecting with a punch! Spike stumbles back into the ramp-side ropes, rubbing his jaw and sliding along the ropes, down into the corner. Manson heads after him and clutches the right wrist of Spike, in order to whip him into the opposite corner. Manson runs off in pursuit as Spike posts off the turnbuckle. Spike lands on his feet in the center of the ring as Manson hits chest first and staggers back into the waiting arms of Spike, who wraps his right arm around the head of Manson with an inverted facelock. But before Spike can do anything with it, Manson fires off a couple of punches upward, loosening the hold. He then spins out of the hold and proceeds to wrap his arms around the waist of Spike, while ducking his head underneath the arm. Popping his hips, Manson takes Spike over with a northern lights suplex and bridges! Kivell counts. "ONE!" But Spike kicks out at one! "(Judge) Manson has had Spike's number this far, outthinking him at every turn and even getting the first pinfall attempt off the single-arm DDT…" "(Ejiro) It just goes to show that Manson has scouted Spike extremely well. Once again, while he's not on par with the M7, he still makes sure he has a counter to everything." Manson pulls Spike off the mat, and drags him by the back of his neck to the lower right hand corner. Manson immediately goes to work, by kicking Jenkins in the midsection, doubling him over. Manson hits another kick, and Spike goes down lower. Manson proceeds to kick at Jenkins faster and faster, getting more furious in his attack before Spike falls to the ground, arms spread against the lower ropes. Manson begins stomping away now, the blows even faster than the kicks earlier. Manson talks some trash to Spike, before hitting one last hard stomp and finally backing away as the crowd boos slightly. "(Judge) The fans not taking kindly to Manson's cockiness in there right now…" "(Annie) A bit of showboating is fine here and there, but Manson had best make sure to stay on Spike." Spike pulls himself up with the assistance of the ropes, and Manson closes in on him again. With his right shoulder toward Spike, Manson shoves a back elbow forward to the face of Spike. Spike looks dazed, as Manson gives him another back elbow. Spike slumps in the corner, as Manson points to the opposite turnbuckle, before clutching the wrist of Spike. Manson pulls Spike forward in order to whip him, but Spike holds his ground and reverses! Manson is sent to the corner instead, but stops himself before hitting the turnbuckle, unlike before. Turning back around however, Spike leaps up onto Manson's shoulders and leans back, taking Manson with him! Spike holds on for the pin, hooking the leg. Kivell counts! "(Annie) Hurracanrana!" "ONE!" But Manson kicks out! "(Annie) Manson got cocky and paid for it as he was pinned off the Hurracanrana!" "(Ejiro) This obvious bias of yours is sickening, Annie. Be objective for once." Spike is the first to his feet, and as Manson gets off the ground, Spike lunges forward with a roundhouse kick to the ribs. ::CRACK!:: Manson grimaces and rubs his ribs, before asking for another shot. Spike obliges, hitting another roundhouse. ::CRACK!:: Manson goes down to a knee, rubs his ribs again and looks up to Spike once more. But before he can ask for another kick, Spike's foot is already headed towards him, the kickpad of Spike's boot hitting him square in the face! ::CRACK!:: Manson simply falls backward this time, and Spike goes for another cover. "ONE!" And Manson gets the shoulder up! "(Judge) A sick masochist Manson is, asking for more stinging lethal kicks. I have to question what goes on in his mind sometimes." "(Ejiro) I doubt any of us would like the answer. But regardless, I think this stunt was only to get inside Spike's head and nothing more." Spike rolls off Manson and gets to his feet, as Manson begins pushing up to his. Spike closes in on Manson, but Manson thrusts a fist upward into the breadbasket of Spike. Spike takes a step back, stunned, as Manson gets up to a vertical base and wraps his right arm around the head of Spike. Quickly, Manson goes to his back and plants Spike with the DDT! Manson into the cover… "ONE!" Spike kicks out! "(Judge) Quick thinking by Manson in an attempt to stave off Jenkins, and it works as he gets Spike down with the DDT." Spike is slow to get off the mat and Manson stalks him, finally closing in with a collar elbow. Both battle and push against each other for position, before Manson whips Spike down with a snapmare takeover. Spike sits on the mat, as Manson crouches down and raises his arms to his face… ::CRACK!:: Before kicking him in the spine with the shin of his boot! Spike rolls over onto his stomach and into a kneeling position, whilst Manson bends down an drives an elbow into the right collarbone of Spike, sending Spike down to the mat once again. "(Judge) Wow. Manson is doing an admirable job thus far of keeping Spike from using his speed, cutting him off at every turn and making him work for any spurt of offense at all." "(Ejiro) I like this match. But mostly because I hate Spike." "(Judge) Damn goofball snorting hippie." "(Annie) Do you guys ever, you know, listen to yourselves speak?" Manson pulls Spike up to his feet, and while he tries to shake out his right arm, he swings wildly with his left, connecting with Manson! Manson stumbles back a step, but is quick on the attack, as he grabs Spike's head and pulls it down, while thrusting his knee upward into Spike's face. Spike grasps at his face, as Manson spins three-hundred and sixty degrees and smahes his elbow into Spike's temple, sending Spike to the mat once more. "(Judge) And Manson now with a thunderous knee to the face followed by a reverse rolling elbow to the face!" "(Ejiro) Without question, Manson came to play tonight." Drops of blood trickle out of Spike's nose, as he lays still on the mat. Manson hops over him to the ramp-side ropes, and look back at him briefly, before gripping the top rope with his hands and leaping up onto the second rope as the fans watch intently. Bouncing off, Manson turns back toward Spike, and drops a leg across his throat! Spike has a fit as Manson hits, before Manson goes for the lateral press cover. Kivell counts. "ONE!" "TW--" Spike kicks out! "(Judge) I thought Spike was done for, especially after that springboard legdrop, but he apparently has more to give still!" Manson gets to his feet and pulls Spike up, but Spike puts a halt to any plans with a forearm to the face. Manson staggers a bit, and Spike hits another. With Manson reeling, Spike leaps up and extends a leg, catching Manson with a kick to the back of the head! Spike covers frantically. "ONE!" "TWO!" But Manson kicks out at two to the mixed reaction of the crowd! "(Judge) Spike with the enziguiri, but he just can't get Manson down for an adequate length of time." "(Annie) I hope it's the start of a flurry, because I'm honestly sick of hearing you two drone on about how much of an advantage Manson has over Spike or how much he's beating him down." "(Ejiro) We're only telling it how it is." Spike hops up to the second turnbuckle in the lower left hand corner, waiting for Manson to get up to his feet. Manson does and Spike leaps off, flipping in midair and looking for the neckbreaker. Manson ducks out of the way just in time though, and Spike crash lands on the mat! Manson stalks Spike and standing behind him, hooks his arms. Popping his hips, Manson takes Spike over and releases his hold into a tiger suplex! Spike hits in the center of the ring, a close-up shot with the camera showing a glazed over look in his eyes. Manson covers and Matthew Kivell counts. "(Judge) Tiger Suplex! Tiger Suplex! It has to be over now!" "ONE!" "TWO!!" "THR--" Spike. Kicks. Out! "(Judge) Spike has more tenacity than I ever would have figured, I'll give him that." Manson stomps on Spike, and kicks him in the ribs, telling him to get up and face the music as the fans once again give off a mixed reaction to Manson's actions. Spike keeps rolling away though, tending to his neck in the process. Manson decides to stop playing games, as he rushes over to pick up Spike. Spike is out on his feet, as Manson stands to the side of Spike and wraps his right arm around his upper body. Sensing what's coming, Spike elbows out of the hold Manson has on him. Spike applys the same hold and lifts him up, preparing to drive him into the mat. But Manson hits a DDT mid-move, breaking up the Rock Bottom attempt and perhaps putting Spike out once and for all! "(Judge) Manson was going for Spike's uranage slam called The Highlighter, and Spike nearly reverses into one of his own, but the resourceful Manson counters that!" "(Ejiro) It appears as if time is up… for Spike Jenkins." Spike cradles his head on the mat, as Manson walks over and flips Spike onto his stomach. Mounting Spike's back, Manson wraps his right arm around Spikes head. "(Annie) Oh no… Is that what I think it is?" "(Ejiro) Indeed, Annie. Spike's own Silver Lining Dragon Clutch!" "(Annie) Manson already dominated Spike… now he has to do this to him?" Spike struggles to breathe and turns red, as Matthew Kivell checks in on him. Spike fades… And fades… Until finally, he has no choice but to utter a barely audible "I give up" to Kivell. ::DING DING!:: "(Funyon) Your winner by submission, and NEW World Title #1 Contender… MMMAAAANNSSOOONN!" The opening riffs of "Frankenstein" can be heard, as Matthew Kivell raises Manson's hand and the cameras switch back to the commentary booth. "(Judge) You heard it here first. Manson is the new #1 contender, after bringing his working boots and soundly defeating Spike Jenkins with his own submission!" "(Annie) I don’t like some of what was carried out by Manson, but he did what needed to be done and got a bit of revenge in the process." "(Judge) Well, up next we'll see who Manson will eventually face, because it's out main event in the form of Aecas versus the Insane Luchador versus SJL World Champion English Dragon!"

The crowd roars to life as the house lights in the arena go down and Funyon steps into the ring again, dressed to the nines in his best tuxedo. The buzz grows as Eddy Long and Anthony Michael Hall emerge from the back, setting up a large black ladder in the middle of the entrance way. With the audience at a fever pitch, the likes of which can only be achieved in New York City, the camera pans to ringside where Ejiro Fasaki, Annie Eclectic, and the #1 Contender for the SWF Title, Judge William Hearford all sit. Annie: We…are…LIVE from the site of Genesis IV, and the most famous arena in the world, Madison Square Garden!! Ejiro: We’re just over an hour away from the start of the biggest show… Judge: And the biggest MATCH… Ejiro: In SWF history! Genesis IV is within striking distance!! Annie: But we’re not even done with the pre-show yet! The English Dragon will compete in the first of two HUGE matches tonight when he defends the SJL Title, possibly for the last time, against Aecas and the Insane Luchador! Judge: But up next…a monumental match for the SJL European Title! It’s ladders, it’s submissions, it’s Landon Maddix and Todd Royal!! The crowd rockets to their feet as Marilyn Manson’s “The Fight Song” commandeers the PA system and rocks throughout the Garden. As the New York City crowd buzzes, the curtain parts and Landon Maddix steps into the aisle, pumping his head up and down with the music- his hair and headband flying. “Nothing Suffocates You More Than The Passing of Everyday Human Events…” The crowd explodes as the former TV Champ makes his way down the aisle, leaping up to tag the waiting hands of the audience and soak in his adulation. A smile beams across the challenger’s face as he points to the ladder blocking the aisle and taps his waist. “…And Isolation is the Oxygen Mask Come Let Your Children Breath to Survive…” Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen…the following contest is the Ladders and Submissions match, with NO time limit…and it is for the ESS…JAY..ELL…EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHT WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Giving a shrug, Maddix scales the ladder part-way, turning back to the crowd and singing along with his music, his grin growing wider as the audience sings with him. “…But I’m Not a Slave to a God that Doesn’t Exist But I’m Not a Slave to a World that Doesn’t Give a Shit…” Funyon: Announcing first…The challenger…from Huron, South Dakota…weighing in at two hundred and six pounds…”LA CUCARACHA”…LANDON MADDIX!!! “…And When We Were Good, You Just Close Your Eyes So Now We’re Bad, We’ll Scar Your Mind… Leaping off the ladder, Maddix rushes the ring. Staring out at the crowd, he runs around the ringside area, slapping hands with the fans and giving a spare bandana to a small child near the barricade. As Landon slides into the ring, his arms outstretched, the crowd erupts in a chorus of support. “FIGHT!” “FIGHT!” “FIGHT!” “FIGHT!” Judge: Landon Maddix is fresh off a near record-breaking run as the SJL Television Champion, a title he earned by defeating Todd Royal several months ago. Ejiro: A tainted defeat to be sure, as Maddix didn’t have to pin Todd or make him submit, he just had to climb a pole. Royal, in fact, had Landon ready to submit in that match! Annie: And that’s where we get this bout. Royal demanded a “straight” wrestling match, but the addition of the ladder to this match HAS to favor Landon Maddix. The air is let out of the fan’s sails however, as MSG falls dark. A smattering of boos can be heard, a percentage of the crowd that grows exponentially as a soft white spotlight drops from the rafters, illuminating the crest of the ladder and falling across the entrance way. A small chorus of heavenly praise provides the background for Funyon’s announcement. Funyon: And his opponent…weighing in at two hundred and twenty eight pounds and being accompanied to ringside by Megan Skye…from San Diego, California…he is the current, reigning and defending SJL EUROPEAN CHAMPION…TODD ROYAL!!! As Motley Crue’s “Livewire” blasts throughout MSG, the New York crowd erupts into a chorus of boos. “Plug Me In I’m Alive Tonight Out on the Streets Again…” The curtain parts, and Megan Skye steps between the columns, bedecked in a white top embroidered with “NY <3 ME” in gold lettering. Skye parts the curtain as Todd Royal steps through, the SJL European Title around his waist and “GOLDEN TODD” emblazoned on his vest. Royal lowers his sunglass from his nose, glaring momentarily at the ladder before pushing them back into position and continuing to the ring. “…Turn Me On I’m Too Hot to Stop Something You’ll Never Forget…” Royal stops part of the ay down the aisle, just short of the ladder, and removes his sunglasses entirely. Reaching forward, he shakes the contraption, testing it before returning it to its original position. A smirk slowly crawls along his face as his lurches forward, pushing the ladder to the ground and spitting on it, increasing the decibel level of the jeers. “…Take My Fist, Break Down Walls I’m on the Top Tonight…” Confidently marching to the ring now, Royal stops at the end of the aisle and stares into the ring. Wringing his wrists, the champion unsnaps the title belt, removing it from his waist and tossing it over his shoulder. Shrugging his shoulders, he removes his vest, handing it to Megan and heading for the ring. “..You Better Turn Me Loose, You Better Set Me Free Cuz I’m Hot, Young and Runnin Free, A Little Bit Better than I Used to be…” Ejiro: Bow down peons, genuflect for you are in the presence of Todd!! Royal is fresh off two hot European Title victories, and he’s borderline unstoppable right now! Annie: He’s facing one of the few men to defeat him, however, in Landon Maddix. “La Cucaracha” downed Todd for the TV title and he’s looking to play spoiler again. Judge: If Royal wants to escape with his title intact this time, he’s going to have to keep Landon Maddix grounded. The Submissions stipulation is a huge advantage for Todd and he’s going to have to exploit it to emerge victorious.] “Cuz I’m Alive! I’m a Livewire! Cuz I’m Alive! I’m a Live Wire!” As the champion slides into the ring, referee Matthew Kivell takes the European Title from him. A cable lowers from the rafters as Royal paces, toweling himself off as he glares at Maddix. As Kivell raises the belt, Maddix turns to the crowd, pointing at the belt and ladder and drawing a pop from the MSG crowd. Kivell explains the rules to both competitors as Megan leaves the ring, and the crowd is buzzing while the timekeeper starts the match. *DING* *DING* *DING* As Kivell steps back, both competitors begin to circle the ring, looking up at the title belt, but keeping a wary eye on each other. Landon Maddix makes the first move, extending his arms and leaning in for a tie-up. Royal lunges forward however, ducking his opponent’s arms and grabbing him around the waist, spinning behind Maddix with a waistlock. Ejiro: Already you see the technical advantage that Todd Royal will have in this match. If this match heads down the submission route its going to be a long uphill climb for Landon Maddix. The challenger attempts to reverse the hold, but Royal steps in, spinning Maddix to the mat with an amateur takedown and mounting him from behind. Trapped, Landon attempts to regain his footing, but Royal floats over- grabbing a front chancery and jamming Maddix’s head into the mat. Maddix keeps up the pressure, however, planting his feet and raising the champion off the mat. Royal quickly responds, spinning Landon around into a spinning position, backing off, and unleashing a stiff kick to the spine. As Maddix gets to his feet, Todd leaps into the air, letting out a “WHOO!” and throwing up his hands. The crowd heftily boos the celebration of such a minor victory, and Landon mockingly claps before heading back to the center of the ring. Annie: This is a big time match, in a big spotlight, with a lot at stake, and cocky celebration like that won’t help Royal win the match. Ejiro: Royal doesn’t NEED help winning the match, and he’s just giving the fans a small taste of his post-match victory celebration! Maddix again offers his arms for a tie-up, and this time Royal plays along, leaning in and engaging his opponent in a collar-and-elbow. Champion and challenger jockey for position, but Maddix comes out ahead, spinning out of the lockup and grabbing Todd’s arm, wrenching Royal’s shoulder with a hammerlock. Judge: Royal’s cockiness may have led him to complacency, as Maddix emerges on top this time, putting the holds on Todd. As Hearford puts over Landon’s advantage, the tide abruptly turns. Todd hooks his foot around Maddix’s left ankle and drops to the mat, spinning out and dropping Landon with a drop-toe-hold. The challenger tries immediately to scramble to his feet, but Royal leaps forward, grabbing his opponent in a hammerlock of his own and grinding him to the mat. As he torques the hold, Royal reaches up and slaps Maddix across the head, tussling his hair and drawing boos from the crowd. Todd just smirks, floating up Landon’s body and hooking in a headlock. As Kivell checks Landon for the submission, Royal again reaches down, paint brushing Landon’s head with a slap. Annie: This is what I was talking about. Royal has an advantage and instead of capitalizing, he takes the time to try to humiliate his opponent. That accomplishes nothing, why would he do it? Ejiro: Because he CAN. He’s more talented than Maddix and he KNOWS it. Annie: More talented? Hardly. Royal as an 0-1 record against La Cucaracha and all he’s proved is that he is more proficient in headlocks. Last time I checked, headlocks don’t win matches. As Todd taunts the crowd, Maddix slowly works himself onto his side, releasing some of the hold’s pressure and allowing him more freedom to move. Megan reaches through the ropes to casually shine Royal’s boot, but Landon kicks his legs up, grabbing Todd in a head scissors and rolling him off the hold. The crowd cheers, but Royal plants his feet, flipping forward out of the hold and coming down across the back of his opponent. As Landon is crushed to the mat, Royal spins off of him, coming down with a cross arm breaker and pounding on the challenger’s sternum with kicks. Judge: Nice counter there by Maddix, but Royal keeps flowing through the holds, spinning right into that arm breaker and softening Landon up with those chest blows. As Royal keeps the pressure on, Maddix extends his right leg and hooks the bottom rope. Matthew Kivell forces Todd to break the hold, and- with one final blow to the ribs- Royal gets to his feet. Breathing heavily and holding his ribs, Maddix follows his opponent to his feet, backing off and glaring as Todd bows once again. Ejiro: Once again, Todd Royal proves he has the advantage in the submission side of this match. Landon tried to show him up by going to the hammerlock, but it backfired. Annie: Fortunately for Landon, the submissions aspect is only half of this bout. There’s a big, dangerous ladder over there. His confidence increasing, it’s Royal who offers his arms for a lock-up this time. Maddix steps into it, but instead of grappling with Royal, he grabs Todd’s arm and quickly spins away, sending the champion to the ropes with an Irish Whip. Todd comes off the ropes with a head of steam, but Landon leapfrogs him and Royal keeps charging. As the Royal rebounds again, Maddix catches his arm, falling away and sending Todd soaring through the air with an arm drag. Flustered, Royal spins right back to his feet. Charging at Maddix, Royal fires off a clothesline, spinning himself around as his opponent ducks the blow. As Todd spins back towards him, Landon hooks him under the arm, flipping him forward with a hiptoss. Todd lands on his feet, but Maddix dropkicks him in the spine, lurching Royal forward and sending him crashing off the turnbuckles. The champion stumbles backwards as Maddix takes to the air, spinning at his opponent with a rolling heel kick. Annie: Look at that! Royal may have bested Maddix on the mat, but as soon as Landon was able to speed up the pace of the match he was able to take control. Judge: And that bodes well for Maddix, as the minute that ladder comes into play the pace of the match is going to heat right up. Royal rolls to the outside, holding his head and cursing as Maddix kips up, standing in the ring and taking a bow of his own. Royal towels down, yelling at Megan as the fans yell their support for his opponent. “LANDON!” “LANDON!” “LANDON!” Todd slides into the ring, keeping his distance from Maddix and slowly rising to his feet. Landon charges, but is met by a boot to the gut from Royal and immediately doubles over. Royal jerks Landon’s left arm out and steps over it, mule kicking back with a heel to the face. Maddix snaps back to the mat and Royal stays with him, coming down with another cross arm breaker. Ejiro: Doesn’t look like that ladder WILL come into play at this point! Todd’s back in control of the match and if he has it his way Maddix won’t be anywhere NEAR that ladder. As Royal cinches the hold in, the worry drains from his face and is replaced by the familiar smirk. Todd cinches the hold in, but Maddix kips up, surprising Royal and sending him spinning across the mat. Landon hit’s the ropes and hurdles Todd, hitting the opposite ropes and leaping into the air. Royal raises himself up, but just in time to have his opponent’s legs wrap around his head, sending him crashing into the corner with a head scissors. Annie: Don’t look now, but here comes Landon! Maddix is refusing to stay down, and he’s working Todd over with his speed and flexibility! Todd scrambles to his feet in the corner, but Maddix is right there after him, jumping into the corner and planting his feet in his opponent’s gut. Royal lets out a grunt as the air rushes out of his lungs and Maddix falls backwards, monkey-flipping Todd across the ring. Desperately, but less rapidly this time, Royal struggles to his feet again. Shaking the cobwebs from his head, Royal is immediately downed again, hitting the mat off a flying forearm from Landon. As the crowd buzzes at the lightning quick flurry of offense, Maddix rolls off the mat and hit’s the far ropes again. Pointing at Royal, Landon leaps high into the air, rolling over himself and continuing to sail forward. As the challenger spins toward the mat, however, Royal rolls away- causing Maddix to miss the senton and crash loudly to the mat. Judge: Oh! Maddix was on a roll, but went for too flashy of a move too quickly. Landon couldn’t keep Royal down, and he couldn’t keep the momentum on his side. Annie: So far, however, we haven’t seen a distinct advantage from either of these men. Royal has kept control when they go to the mat, but Landon’s been able to take it to the air and keep himself in it. Frustrated and angry, Royal unleashes a pair of stiff kicks to the head of his opponent. Lifting Maddix off the mat, the champion slowly hit’s the ropes, coming off with a jumping knee-lift and puts Landon flat on his back again. Royal drops an elbow to keep his opponent stunned, but immediately focuses his attack on the knee of Maddix. Raising Landon’s left leg off the mat, Royal steps in with a pair of stiff shin strikes to the inside of the knee. Maddix yelps in pain, but Todd keeps up the attack, bracing his own knee on the side of Landon’s and wrenching Maddix’s leg to the side. Landon’s face contorts in pain, but he attempts to fight out with a pair of kicks to Todd’s leg. Ejiro: WOO! Now we go to school! Landon won’t be flying around the ring with a broken wheel, and Royal’s about to tear that knee to pieces. Judge: Todd Royal is obviously looking to set Maddix up for that Wrath of Todd hold, and if Maddix doesn’t escape he’s going to be easy pickings for a submission hold. Annie: I wouldn’t count this youngster out however! Maddix has been down and out MANY times and he’s almost always managed to pull out a victory! Things don’t currently look so rosy for Landon however, as Royal fights off his kicks and spins him onto his face. Maddix tries to push himself onto his feet, but Todd plants his foot inside his opponent’s knee and raises it off the mat, jamming the joint into the canvas with a knee cracker. Maddix yelps in pain, but Royal doesn’t relent, bending the left leg at the knee, wrapping his own foot around it and falling forward, locking a step-over-toe-hold on Landon and causing Maddix to scream in pain. Smirking, Todd plants his hands on the mat and begins to do pushups while maintaining the hold, wrenching Landon’s knee up and down with his momentum. The crowd lets Todd have it as Royal switches between one-armed pushups and clapping versions. “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” Royal finally breaks his grasp on his opponent’s knee, but only -it seems- to towel off after his exercise session. Maddix slowly rises to his feet, but Royal doesn’t relent, diving at Landon’s knee and folding him over with a chop block. The challenger grabs at his knee as Todd traps it to the mat with his foot, stepping up and putting all his weight on the joint as he takes a bow for the crowd. Annie: Royal’s a jerk and he doesn’t deserve to have that title. He doesn’t deserve the advantage in the match and he CERTAINLY doesn’t deserve Megan. Ejiro: You- like many, MANY others- are simply jealous of Todd Royal. He is the mighty and powerful Todd and people like you and Landon Maddix are inferior. Maddix better hold onto the memory of defeating Royal once, because he might not even WALK out of here. Dragging Maddix back into the center of the ring by his leg, Royal continues to soften his opponent up with shin strikes to the knee. Maddix grimaces with each shot, but Todd keeps up the pressure, pulling Landon farther from the ropes and grapevining his leg. With a standing leg-lock cinched in, Royal continues to taunt his opponent, performing jumping jacks that torque Landon’s knee while humiliating him. “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” As Todd leaps into the air on one of the jacks, Maddix summons all his strength to roll onto his stomach, twisting Royal to the mat and breaking the hold. The crowd in the Garden erupts at the offense, but a pissed off Royal leaps back to his feet and lays his boot into the head of “La Cucaracha”. Raising his opponent off the mat again, Royal tosses Landon’s arm over his shoulder and cradles Maddix’s left knee. Dead-lifting his opponent, Todd steps forward, driving his opponent’s knee across his own and drilling Maddix with a knee-breaker. Judge: Maddix was able to get a move off, but it served more to piss off Royal more than get an advantage. Landon’s knee has to be jelly by now and he has to know he could be minutes away from defeat. As Landon limps forward and away from his opponent, Todd smirks and stalks behind him. Halfway across the ring Royal grabs Maddix around the waist and pulls him backwards, clutching him with a waistlock. Landon tries to fight back with a back elbow, but Royal ducks it and slides Maddix into a side-suplex position. Reaching down and hooking the leg, Todd stands up, spinning Maddix around. Ejiro: Blue Thunder Bomb!! As Landon spins towards his opponent, he wraps his legs around the champion’s head. Lifting himself out of Royal’s grasp, Maddix spins to the mat taking Todd down, head over heels, as well. Annie: NO! Huracanrana! Maddix stays alive! La Cucaracha pulls himself to his feet, looking to capitalize by hitting a move off the ropes. His weakened knee, however, prevents him from running back to the cables, and as Todd gets to his feet, Landon changes his plan, rolling forward and crowning Royal with a Koppu kick that drives Todd back through the ropes and into the aisle. Annie: Rolling heel kick by Maddix! Landon’s found a new life, and he’s right back in this match! Ejiro: Yeah, back in the match, but with only one leg. Maddix can fight back with a couple of shots, but no way he can maintain a submission or climb that ladder with his knee in that condition. “LETS GO LANDON!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* “LETS GO LANDON!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* Feeding off the cheers of the fans, Maddix uses the ropes to pull himself up to his feet. Looking at his opponent on the floor, then out to the crowd, Landon grasps the top rope with both hands and leans back. Using the ropes to propel himself forward, Maddix sails over the top rope with a cross body block, flattening Todd with a plancha and lifting the audience off their feet. Judge: BIG move by Landon Maddix, crushing Royal to the concrete and risking his own body to do it! Annie: That move also puts Landon closer to the ladder, and that mass of steel could be Maddix’s only chance to win this match! Knowing instinctively what Annie is vocalizing, Maddix raises himself off his opponent and begins to limp to the fallen ladder. As the fans along the aisle cheer him on, Landon makes it to the ladder, grabbing it with both hands and folding it together. As Maddix pulls tries to pull it off the concrete however, Todd Royal comes soaring into the picture, grabbing Landon by the hair and planting his face into the ladder with a leaping bulldog. “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” Ejiro: OH! Brutal move by Todd! Judge: Royal knows as well as anyone that the advantage swings Landon’s way when that ladder hit’s the ring and he’ll do anything to stop that from happening. Rising off the concrete with a huge grin on his face, Royal immediately returns to the knee. Opening the ladder a bit, Todd grips Landon’s leg and lays it between the sets of rungs. Waving the fans off, Royal mounts the guard rail and takes to the sky, kicking his feet out in mid-air and crashing onto the ladder with a huge leg drop. Maddix lets out a scream of pain upon impact, grabbing at his knee and grimacing in agony. Royal, too is in pain from the move, but with Megan’s assistance Todd is the first to make it to his feet. Lifting the ladder off of Landon’s leg and peeling Maddix from the concrete, Royal hooks his opponent around the neck. Maddix tries to block the upcoming move, but his leg is too weak to be of any use. Planting his foot on the concrete, Todd lurches backwards, snap suplexing the challenger across the ladder. Maddix arches his back in pain, but Todd rolls his hips, yanking Landon back to his feet. “ROYAL SUCKS!” “ROYAL SUCKS!” Ejiro: Trinity! Royal’s got the holy Trinity on Maddix onto that ladder!! Praise Todd!! Planting his feet on the concrete again, Todd grabs Landon’s tights and yanks him up again. Falling backwards more slowly than before, Royal drives Maddix down across the steel with a vertical suplex. As the crowd continues to boo, Todd rolls his hips again, planting for the final suplex. Megan cheers and applauds as Royal plants his feet firmly on the concrete. Lifting Landon from the aisle, Todd holds his opponent perpendicular to his body, stalling with the Delayed Suplex. As Royal holds him vertically, Maddix pulls together all his strength. Hooking Todd’s arms with his own, Landon spins out of his grasp, falling backwards and driving the champion’s head into the ladder. The crowd erupts as Maddix wearily rolls into the aisle. Annie: Tornado Double Arm DDT!!!! What a MOVE! Landon Maddix refuses to die!!! Ejiro: Oh, he’ll die alright! Knowing his window of opportunity is brief, Maddix crawls to the ladder and yanks it out from under Royal. Grasping the top of the ladder, Landon slowly drags it down the aisle. The crowd cheers him on as Maddix reaches the ring and lifts the ladder off the ground. Bracing himself on his good leg, Landon slides the ladder under the ropes and into the ring. Annie: Maddix has that between the ropes now. All he needs to do is to get in the ring and climb it. Landon knows what it’s like to taste SJL gold and he wants another bite! Ejiro: That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard… As La Cucaracha begins to slide under the ropes himself, he is clipped from behind. Grabbing his opponent’s leg and sliding forward, Royal takes Landon down and drives his sternum into the apron. The crowd deflates, but Todd stays on his opponent. Cradling Landon’s knee again, Royal lifts Maddix into the air. Instead of falling with a knee breaker this time, Todd charges forward aiming to drive the knee into the ring post. Seconds from impact, Maddix pushes off Royal’s shoulders and escapes his opponent’s grasp. As Landon hit’s the ringside mats, Todd’s momentum keeps him charging and the European Champion collides shoulder-first with the turnbuckle. The crowd erupts again as Todd spins to the mat, grabbing his shoulder and wincing in pain. Judge: Maddix escapes again! Landon’s managed to dodge more than his share of bullets tonight and he’s hanging on by a thread. If La Cucaracha can slide into that ring and climb that ladder, he’ll be the new champ!! Ejiro: Now THAT’S the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard… Sliding into the ring, Maddix limps towards the ladder with a look of determination on his face. Struggling to pull the contraption to a standing position, Landon finally sets the ladder up in the center of the ring. With sweat trickling under his headband and into his eyes, and his face contorted in obvious pain, Landon uses pure adrenaline to start pulling himself up the face of the ladder. With his mind on only the one goal, Maddix is oblivious to a recovered Todd Royal scaling the turnbuckles behind him. The crowd urges Landon to scale the rest of the ladder as fast as possible, but the weakened challenger is drilled from behind by an axe handle from Royal. Maddix slumps, but doesn’t fall, raising the decibel level of the crowd and the ire of the champ. Judge: Landon was just a few feet away from victory, but Todd Royal refuses to let him win that easily. Annie: Maddix is still on the ladder though! He can still make it! Landon continues to climb, but Royal leeches onto his left leg. Maddix desperately tries to kick his opponent off, but his leg is too weak, and Todd spins to the mat- taking Landon down with an elevated Dragon Screw. “OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Maddix crashes hard to the canvas, yelping in pain as his already injured leg is wrenched again. Royal holds onto the limb, turning Maddix onto his chest and leaning back with a single leg Boston crab. Raining forearm blows on his opponent’s knee, Royal demands that Kivell ask Landon if he submits. Ejiro: Single leg crab! That’s it! Maddix is nowhere near the ropes and his knee is shot! He’s GOT to give up!!! Maddix grimaces in agony, tears of pain mixing with the sweat on his face, but Landon continues to shake his head in refusal. Snarling, Royal torques the knee even further, twisting it sideways as he continues to yank it backwards. Judge: Maddix is desperate to hang on, fighting with everything he has! I don’t know if it will be enough though! Landon’s in big trouble! With pain consuming his body, Landon’s refusals to submit weaken. With one desperate lunge, however, Maddix grabs the bottom rung of the ladder and yanks it toward him. Royal, leaning back hard with the hold, is stunned as the ladder topples backwards, coming down across his head and forcing him to break the hold. The crowd erupts as Todd rolls forward and the ladder bounces off the ropes. Annie: NO! It’s not over! Maddix uses the ladder to his advantage to break the hold!! As the NYC crowd buzzes, Maddix curls into a ball, cradling his knee and cursing in pain. Royal gets to his hands and knees, holding the back of his skull in pain and glaring coldly at his opponent. Grabbing the ladder off the mat, Todd folds it up again and lifts it in the air. Judge: Todd Royal’s got the ladder now, this could get interesting We all expected Royal to stay on the mat and go for the submission victory, but perhaps he’s incapacitated Maddix enough to try and climb for the belt. Ejiro: Royal can do it all! He’ll climb the ladder just to prove to Maddix that he CAN. As Maddix crawls toward the ropes, it becomes obvious that climbing the ladder is last on Royal’s list of things to do. Spinning the ladder upside down, Todd brings it down across the inside of his opponent’s knee, drawing a gasp of pain from even the audience in attendance. As Maddix groans in pain, Royal straddles his back. Jamming the side of the ladder under Landon’s neck, the champion rears back, choking the Maddix with the steel. Annie: Royal’s using that ladder to put a modified camel clutch on Landon Maddix! That’s just a brutal move! Ejiro: Oh its brutal alright, but why would Todd abandon the leg work? Judge: If you remember partner, Landon’s neck has been the focus of a lot of punishment over the course of his TV title reign, and I’m sure Royal’s out to exploit that. Ejiro: Aha! He’s a genius!!! As Matthew Kivell checks Maddix for a submission, Royal drives his knee into the back of his opponent. Despite the best efforts of the champion however, Maddix refuses to submit, choking up spit and dripping sweat as he furiously shakes his head. Annie: Landon Maddix will NOT submit to Todd Royal. Royal attacked Maddix and laid him out just weeks ago, claiming he made Landon submit in their previous match, and now Landon is dead set to prove him wrong! Judge: I think Royal might have to knock La Cucaracha out cold to get that submission! Exasperated, Royal removes his knee from Landon’s back. Lifting the ladder higher off the mat, Todd slams it into the canvas, jacking the challenger’s neck off the steel and drawing a trickle of blood from Maddix’s mouth. “OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Ejiro: BRUTAL shot by Royal. If that neck was injured before it’s got to be broken now! Annie: Ya, an injury you didn’t even KNOW about. Don’t you research this stuff? Ejiro: You know what…SOME of us have work to do after this show. I have to defend a title belt while you’re off picking up chicks in Manhattan! As the commentators bicker at ringside, Todd Royal drops an elbow to the challenger’s back. Straddling Landon’s back again, Royal draws his thumb across his throat in the “execution” sign and grabs Maddix’s left arm with his right hand. Looking out at the crowd with a smirk, Todd crosses his left hand over and grabs Landon’s right arm. Leaning back, Todd pulls both of La Cucaracha’s arms across his throat, sitting on his opponent’s back and screaming at Kivell to get the submission. Judge: Todd’s Eye! That Straightjacket Camel Clutch hold from Todd Royal! Ejiro: It’s OVER!! With blood trickling from his mouth and over his forearms, Maddix squints out at the crowd. Seeing the fans in New York chanting and cheering, Landon shakes his head from side to side with a passion, refusing to give up. Annie: I honestly don’t think Landon Maddix will give up to Todd Royal!!! “CU-CA-RACHA” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* “CU-CA-RACHA” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* With the fans cheering him on, Landon begins to stomp his right foot on the canvas in time to the chant. Royal, his face red with anger, pulls back even harder, trying his hardest to keep Landon down. Maddix’s foot continues to rap against the mat as the fans hit their feet, clapping, stomping and collectively willing the challenger to rise out of the hold. “CU-CA-RACHA!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* “CU-CA-RACHA!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* Empowered by adrenaline, and by the chants of the crowd, Landon plants his feet on the ground. Now It’s Royal who furiously shakes his head, trying to hold Maddix down despite the challenger’s growing strength. Todd stumbles back as Maddix powers his way to his knees. Royal fires off a kick to the ribs, but Maddix plants his feet, raising up to a standing base. The champion, still holding the straightjacket, furiously attempts to bring Maddix back down to the mat. Landon fights back, however, spinning out of the straightjacket and jerking Royal towards him. As a shocked Todd collides with his opponent, Landon clutches him around the neck, diving backwards with a head and arm suplex that sends the crowd over the edge. “YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Annie: Oh my!!! Landon Maddix not only refused to submit, but he broke out of the hold and just DRILLED Royal with that suplex!! Ejiro: Maddix can barely walk, how in the world could he get out of that!?!? Annie: He’s on a huge adrenaline rush right now! The fans here in the garden are behind Landon 100% and he’s on a high right now! With momentum on his side for the first time in a while, Landon Maddix is determined to keep it there. Grabbing the discarded ladder, the challenger drives it hard into Royal’s gut sending Todd into the corner with a rush of air from the champion’s lungs. As Maddix charges the ladder in after him, Royal powders, bailing out of the ring and crawling on his knees to Megan’s towel. In the ring, Maddix stops short of the corners. Placing the top of the ladder against the top turnbuckle, Landon begins to crawl up the rungs, gingerly avoiding putting pressure on his left leg. With Todd distracted at ringside, La Cucaracha warily raises to his feet at the top of the ringpost. Looking to the rafters and shaking his head, Maddix throws himself toward his opponent, spinning 360 degrees in the air and coming down across the bodies of Royal and Skye. “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!” Judge: Corkscrew Plancha by Landon Maddix!! The crowd is on its feet in Madison Square Garden!! Annie: Maddix may not have even been able to climb the turnbuckles with that leg, but he used the ladder as a ramp and delivered a huge blow to the champion!! Blood dried on his lower lip and hobbling on one leg, Landon Maddix pulls himself out of the wreckage at ringside and grabs the ring apron for support. Though he grimaces as he pulls himself into the ring, Maddix pauses only briefly to stare at the title belt before heading for the ladder. Shaking off the pain, Landon plants the ladder in the middle of the ring and glances out at the fans. Circling the ladder, Maddix steadies it before planting his right foot on the bottom rung. Reaching up, the challenger powers himself up to the next rung, planting his right foot again, but letting his left leg hang. Powering himself up rung by rung, Maddix scales half the ladder before Todd Royal pulls himself up on the opposite apron. Judge: Landon Maddix may be climbing to his destiny, but here comes Todd Royal. If he can’t climb the rest of that ladder quickly, Todd’s going to pull him right back down to Earth!!! Spotting his opponent, Maddix looks up to the belt, glistening several feet out of reach. Closing his eyes, Landon plants his left foot beside his right one, shuddering as pain shoots through his body. Pulling himself up the rungs, Maddix brings the crowd to their feet in anticipation. On the ring apron, a look of worry flashes over Royal’s face once more. Grabbing hold of the top rope, Todd pulls himself up to the cable, spring boarding across the ring and tackling Maddix from the ladder with a huge spear. “OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” Ejiro: Oh my Todd!!! Judge: Massive Spear by Royal!! He took Landon right out of the air with that!!! Ejiro: Royal is determined to avenge his loss and FORCE Maddix to submit again! Nothing’s going to stop Todd now. Picking himself up off the mat, Todd Royal shoves the ladder away in disgust. As the steel clatters off the canvas, the champion runs the ropes. Springing off the middle rope, Royal takes to the air, flipping backwards and soaring at Maddix with a moonsault. Ejiro: Lionsault!! “YEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH!” The mat shakes, and the crowd explodes again as Landon Maddix moves out of the path of his flying opponent and Todd crashes to the mat. Royal recoils upon impact, rocking back on his knees, a glazed look in his eyes. Seeing an opening, Landon pulls himself to his feet, leaping at his opponent. In mid-air, Maddix kicks his left leg out, drilling Todd across the side of the head with his knee and dropping Royal to the mat. Annie: Shining WIZARD!!! Maddix crushes the champion with the Shining Wizard!!! Judge: Yeah, but look at Maddix. In the heat of the moment Landon’s instincts took over and he used his injured knee to hit the move! That may cost Maddix the match! Just as Judge described, Landon Maddix lays on the mat, clutching his knee and grimacing in pain. As the fans buzz, its Todd Royal that pulls himself to his feet first, weak-kneed and glassy eyed. Staring at Maddix, Royal shakes his head in disgust and spits on the mat. Shaking his head, Todd heads not for his opponent, but for the ladder, grabbing the contraption off the mat and glaring at it. Ejiro: Royal’s going for the ladder! Judge: Todd Royal has tried all match to make Landon Maddix tap out and Maddix refuses to quit. Royal’s plan has failed and maybe its time for Todd to play the game by Landon’s rules!!! Cursing, Todd opens the ladder and sets it up in the middle of the ring. Stopping momentarily to drive his shin into his opponent’s head, Royal steps onto the ladder and begins to climb. Warily at first, Royal slowly scales the steel, looking up periodically and wiping sweat from his brow. Three rungs up, however, Royal’s normal cockiness returns to his face in a rush and Todd begins to climb more rapidly. Ejiro: Royal’s climbing the stairway to heaven! He’s heading for the Kingdom of Todd!! Annie: You’re a moron. On the mat below, however, Landon Maddix has risen up to his hands and knees. With pain etched across his face, the challenger grabs the bottom rung of the ladder, shaking it and stopping his opponent dead in his tracks. Shocked, Royal glances down, noticing his opponent and kicking at him before heading up the ladder again. Judge: Todd Royal is a few short steps away from retaining his title! Annie: But Landon Maddix is only a few short steps behind him!! The shaking ladder has returned the tentativeness to the feet of Royal, and the champion again climbs slowly up the ladder. This small mistake costs him, as Maddix catches up with his opponent and buries him with forearms to the spine. Royal tries desperately to shake his foe, but his uneasiness on the ladder prevents him from using the force he needs to drop Maddix to the mat. As the fans buzz, Landon continues to scale the ladder, stopping beside his opponent and elbowing him across the jaw. Ejiro: C’mon Todd! Maddix reaches to his side, hooking Royal’s head underneath his arm and dropping a forearm across his chest. Stepping behind his opponent, Maddix hooks his feet around Todd’s chest and falls backwards, hanging himself and Royal upside-down in mid air. Grabbing the rungs of the ladder with once arm, Landon braces himself an pulls back, stretching the champion’s ribs and neck. Annie: Holy crap!!! A HANGING DRAGON SLEEPER!!! Landon’s got Royal hanging upside down from that ladder! Ejiro: Nooooooo!!! Annie: Todd has to tap to this! It’s INSANE!! As the fans jump up and down and cheer, Royal wildly flails his arms and screams. Matthew Kivell rushes over to check for a submission, but as Landon tries desperately to get the submission he begins to rock backwards, wrenching Todd’s neck. Royal screams his refusal to submit, so Maddix locks the hold in tighter. As he leans back further however, the ladder tips, crashing to the mat and crushing both competitors to the mat. “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!!” Annie: OH MY GOD!!! Ejiro: ACK!!! Judge: That ladder just tipped over with Todd Royal and Landon Maddix hanging upside down from it!!!! “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!” A look of shock and horror across his face, Matthew Kivell rushes over to the pile of steel and flesh. Pulling the ladder off the two competitors, Kivell reveals Maddix and Royal, both face down on the mat, their arms and legs sprawled across the canvas. After checking both men, however, Kivell raises his hands and backs off, declaring both men fit to continue. The buzz in the Garden reaches a fever pitch as the fans wait for one man to get to his feet. “LANDON!” “LANDON!” “LANDON!” Landon Maddix is indeed the first man to make it to his feet, using the ropes to pull himself to a vertical base. As the fans erupt, Maddix winces, groaning at the pain he feels from putting even a small amount of pressure on his left leg. Brushing off the pain, however, Maddix sets up the ladder in the middle of the ring. With a pained look up at the belt, Maddix begins to climb, slowly scaling the rungs as Megan Skye shrieks for Todd to stand back up. Annie: Maddix is going to do it! Landon Maddix is about to become the European Champ! Judge: I can feel it, tonight’s a night of title changes baby! Ejiro: HEY! Judge: Oh…uh…Important titles. Ejiro: Bastard. With Royal barely moving on the mat and Maddix halfway to the belt, Megan Skye takes it upon herself to get involved in the match. Sliding into the ring, Megan grabs Landon by the leg and desperately tries to yank him to the mat. Maddix tries to shake the intruding pest off, but Skye continues to climb, pulling herself even with Landon and unleashing a slap across his face. “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!” Judge: Megan just slapped Landon Maddix across the face!! Annie: Yeah, but I like ‘em feisty! Maddix snaps his head back around, glaring at Megan who recoils in shock. A grin slowly washes across his face, however, and he grabs Megan by the hair. Pulling her in, Landon plants a huge kiss on her, dropping her from the ladder and causing the fans to explode. “YYEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!” Maddix grins wildly as he turns back to the ladder…and meets face-to-face with Todd Royal. A look of shock washes over Landon’s face, but Maddix gathers all his strength to unleash a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Todd swings from the ladder as Maddix climbs as fast as he can to the top of the ladder. With pain coursing through his leg, he is unable to stand long enough to grab the belt free, so swinging his legs around the peak of the ladder, he sits on top and reaches for the strap. Annie: Maddix is there!! He’s got the title!! NEW CHAMPION!!!! As Maddix grasps the title belt between his fingers, however, Todd Royal climbs up next to him. Landon tries desperately to kick Royal to the mat, but Todd stands his ground. Ejiro: BOTH men are inches from the title belt!!! All Todd has to do is reach up and grab the belt!!! Stepping up a rung, Royal rears back. Leaning in, Todd slashes his arm back and smacks Maddix across the chest with a knife-edge chop. The crowd flinches as one as Landon loses his balance, falling backwards and laying trapped across the crest of the ladder. Looking briefly up at the title belt, Royal instead grabs the right leg of Landon Maddix. Wrapping it behind his own leg, Todd lays his opponent’s ankle over his left knee. Jamming his thumb into his chest, Royal falls backwards, bracing Landon’s knee on the point of the ladder and locking on a Figure 4. Judge: WRATH OF TODD!!! Todd Royal locks the Wrath of Todd on Maddix ON TOP OF THE LADDER!!! I’ve never seen anything like this in my life!! As the crowd watches on, Landon Maddix screams in pain. Trying desperately to sit up and break the hold, the challenger cannot summon the strength to escape the hold. Matthew Kivell asks for the submission, but an agonizing Maddix simply mouths the word “No” Annie: Landon Maddix is in one of the most brutal holds I’ve ever seen and he refuses to quit!! His knee has been taken apart for almost half an hour and he WILL NOT give up! Ejiro: He HAS to. No way he gets out of the Wrath of Todd! As Royal yells at Maddix to quit, he holds on to his opponent’s leg for dear life. When Kivell looks to Landon for an answer again, however, he gets none as Maddix’s eyes are closed and his hands are limp. With the fans urging Landon to fight out, Kivell grabs his arm and lets it drop… ONCE!… . . . TWICE!!…. . . . THRICE!!! *DING* *DING* *DING* As Royal breaks the hold, both men slide down the ladder and crash to the mat. The crowd collapses into their seats as the belt lowers from the rafters and both competitors lay motionless on the mat. Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen…The Winner of this match…by Submission…and STILL SJL EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION…TODD…ROYAL!!!! Ejiro: What a match! Maddix put up the fight of his life, but in the end it was Todd Royal who picked up the win, avenging his TV Title loss to Landon Maddix! Annie: But he CHEATED…Megan interfered and gave Royal enough time to recover!! Ejiro: But he WON! And Winning is ALL that matters! As Megan Skye hands the title belt to Royal and drags him from the ring, a slew of SJL officials hit the ring. Anthony Michael Hall and Sexton Hardcastle lift Landon Maddix to his feet, and the MSG crowd gives the challenger a standing ovation, drawing a weak smile from the barely conscious Maddix as he is carried to the back. Judge: Royal had a mission coming into this match. He honestly believed he won the first match by submission and he was determined to make Maddix submit again. Landon Maddix refuesed to quit however, and it took Landon passing out to win the match for Todd. Bottom line however, is Royal retains, though I’m sure this issue is FAR from over!! Annie: And we’re not even DONE yet! Still to come, Manson takes on Spike Jenkins for the #1 contendership to the SJL title, and English Dragon defends against Aecas AND the Insane Luchadore! Ejiro: Plus ME in action. You CAN’T miss that

The viewing audience, both at home and present at Madison Square Garden, come upon Ben Hardy with microphone standing backstage in front of a nondescript door. As the camera pulls out from him, a familiar leather jacket enters the frame, inciting a pop from the fans. The camera pulls out more, and the visage of Manson is shown. "Good evening. I'm Ben Hardy and I'm here with Manson, who has a very important bout in the form of a World Title #1 Contendership Match versus longtime rival Spike Jenkins. What are your thoughts?" says Hardy, as he moves the mic toward Manson. Manson smirks, "Well, my thougts are simple… I'm going to take Spike and pin him for the three!" "Without a question Spike, you've been one of my toughest opponents thus far. You've had the balls to step up and dare to do things to me no one has done before… You've beaten me mercilessly with weapons, you've maliciously lit me on fire, you've made me submit, you've made me question my reason for even being in the fed… But tonight, I will once again prove that I am without question one of the best!" screams Manson as the live crowd cheers. "See, I've lost sight of the fact that I don't need gimmicks like catchphrases and fire to make an impression. I only need what got me to the dance, and that's wrestling, which is one thing you've never bested me at Spike. But enough talk… Spike Jenkins… you will not use me as a stepping stone and you will not get in my way, not tonight and not any night from here on out…" says Manson before he walks off. "There you have it, folks. Manson versus Spike Jenkins in a World Title #1 Contendership Match, later on!" shouts Ben Hardy.