Above Average

Commerce and Engineering with a Marketing concentration (bet you never heard of that major) right here... Marketing something like this is a lot like the big dot com boom. When wrestling was hot, it was easy to find people willing to give it a try. Now that it's leveling off and rebuilding its fanbase, branding becomes very significant. People go with what they know now and it's the reason why most if not all of the new recruits are returning writers. Things like e-fed role play competitions and that last community we were in (X-net?) get your name out there, but there is still an inherent problem. Even with our show quality, which may blow others away or be significantly worst than what's expected due to our system, we don't have any writer that's well known in the e-fed community minus Outcast who's been gone since G3. We never did well in anything we attempted outside the board because it's tough to push an alternative product. Cross promotion (OAOAST) is even harder because we aren't having as much fun anymore and they still are. We've been slowly falling through Maturity since between G5/G6 and the most viable option is to get lucky. Everyone's ideas about getting the product out there are good but how do you sell the SWF? Seven years plus of creative writing with an interesting pathos, good friends and you cultivate your character idea. This is a product solely based around how interesting we make it and the fact that everyone, including all of us like recognition. People still need recognition and still watch WWE. The double-edged sword analogy is a good one, but there is still a market for this. We have to restructure our product from within and make it more user friendly. We're now missing the things that made us easy to join and unique. That sense of reward/failure is still there due to competition, but the lack of elevation and finding out how to do this hurt significantly. The idea of the JL was to give a new writer something to strive for and make sure they see what (45000-5000 words on and off a week and that's the current reduced WF schedule) they're getting themselves into with others on their level. I got to read better writers stuff and aspire to be like or be better than them. If I hadn't done it in the JL the SWF would be intimidating. But the real idea behind it was that the JL was where you made friends and the WF was where competition was key. The thing that brought me in to this community is the thing that we are severly lacking now... a community. I used to talk to some of you guys on a regular basis through chat or Aim (my own fault), but now I haven't been in chat for over a year or two. Let's get back to being a community and see where things go from there and I see Mike has the same idea. I started up again and feuded with Toxx because I knew he was trying to really do something to get the fed active as a whole. I'm at the point where I write stuff because I think it might be cool instead of to have you guys think 'hey, that was cool'. Do you guys feel the same? We need to get back to trying to impress/outdue each other, but we don't because we rarely comment anymore (myself included) and I read almost everything that gets done. So if the 'high profile' guys can't get comments flowing through their ideas then how do the other writers feel when it seems like they're getting ignored. Maybe the current plan with Toxx and Landon can get us some comments, maybe not, but I plan on getting back to trying my hardest to show you guys that I do read your matches and promos. I can't promise to show better than I have been, but I will try to help you guys have fun again. If we all do that, then maybe we've got something to market and until then why would someone want to join...

Actually have to disagree with you there. Jack's Dad was supposedly a hallucination brought on by stress and lack of sleep and the Polar Bears were part of the Others' (possibly Dharma before them, if they aren't Dharma members themselves) animal experiments. These answers, whether proven completely correct or not, can be inferred from previous episodes. In Jack's case the easiest answer is currently the best one and his self-evaluation was probably correct. The information the Others have about the second island and the aside Tom makes about them solving the cage reward system indicates they were probably studying them. It's not too much of a stretch that the Bears could swim to the main island after being released somehow. Locke's dream about Boone on the otherhand was not explained. Locke's had dreams due to that hallucinogenic drug he's used in a few cases, but this one like the one's with Mr. Eko were due to something as yet unexplained. They'll more than likely tie that loose end up when they get into the Smoke monster and what it really is. At least, hopefully they will.

If by portions you mean most of it, then yes, Johnny. I've never struggled more with a match after having planned out the spots than this one. I'll read the tag match soon and comment on it, but with the match I did read, I knew who wrote it about two paragraphs into reading because I love the person's writing style. But the journey to the end of the match was just that a journey. This may give it away but the last time I saw him write a Clusterfuck match, I said the same things I'm about to say now. No body is better at the Battle Royal. Just so many little things done well. I may have actually laughed out loud about five or six times. And I legit marked out when number 20 came after all the build-up it's a great moment. I'm screwed if he brings the swankness of this one to our match, but I like being the underdog (hell, he's beaten me once before) so it should get me jazzed up.

That RAW ending was done to get the internet buzzing and Meltzer, while he's the most credible person for information right now, can be worked just like any of us. Although, it seems very possible that Dave is right and Cena's match was changed to include HBK in some manner. Just look at it from where WWE are coming from and setting things up. Cena/Taker is very interesting but a classic tease. With no knowledge of internet/Meltzer rumors, what do we know. Logical booking wise we have absolutely no idea what's going to happen except that Batista/Taker was pushed since before the Rumble and now Cena/HBK has been teased as the match if Batista/Taker happens. HBK has been pushed as wanting one last shot at Wrestlemania, so he's probably in one of the title matches, be that RAW or Smackdown. Then there's the ECW Title match. Other than that it's all conjecture except Trump-???/Vince-??? happening and Orton/Egde having to settle issues. So start with that: MAIN EVENT - World Heavyweight Title Title vs. Streak Batista vs. Taker Sub Mains WWE Title - Cena vs. HBK (Edge/Orton for Fatal fourway but WWE prefers one-on-one title matches) Edge vs. Orton (Gone if four way) Hogan-Trump vs. Vince-??? (Shane or Khali) ECW Title - Lashley vs. ??? (could be anyone, but they won't trot two four ways out there so this will depend on the more important WWE title) Okay, that's what I've got. In the midcard Kennedy in particular or possibly somebody like, Carlito, Shelton or Punk (who would benefit more from the exposure to the crowd than winning) could use a Money in the Bank match, while the TLC gets more people (tag teams) onto the card. Most agree that only one will be on the show and MITB is becoming a nice tradition, but they decided to move the Elimination Chamber onto different PPV's so it's not a given. Only one between the IC and US will be on the line since that's been common practice and it's not likely that they'll unify the Tag titles so TLC can get rid of that or Smackdown gets a defense, but honestly there's a lot of stuff they can do. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised to see them extend Kane/Booker out till Wrestlemania. The undercard's never obvious until after No Way Out.

Streak vs. Title = Huge to WWE and most people would agree, especially because of the drama with Taker being the first one to win the Rumble at 30 and it seeming like destiny.

kip up sit up!

Sandman's elimination was bullshit

Cena did a MANSIZED blade job

We Want Tables chant since you were wondering

Holy Shit! Never seen that before...

All faces winning the title matches could lead to a heel could win the Rumble I guess, though I wouldn't bet on it... And I love it when Cena does the serious sell before his matches instead of all that jumping around. He actually looks like a legit bad ass.

Oh dont get me wrong, it was a good match. It's just that Kennedy had to carry the match. Kennedy was the heel, thats what made it seem that way. Bats put in some surprisingly smart work to help make Kennedy look like a star, not that Ken didn't bring the content too. The modified Nagata Lock and his excellent timing during the heat, and near falls into the finishing segment in particular.

I purposefully tried to downplay stuff to make Drake's approaching blow-up stand out. We tried to set it up with those before the show Toxxic promos and once I get my other promo up it should show what's up with Gabe's current mindset. The pull apart was there because I thought it was the next logical step up from Drake getting punked out, but I see where you guys are coming from. Hope the money promo changes your feelings though.

During the training I should "accidentally" cause Spike to break his neck and wheel over his prone body while laughing like a meglomanic. Then in a swerve, stand up out of the wheelchair and punt some random woman's baby because it'd be funny to me. Is that what you're planning because if not you'd better rethink your direction. ASAP. Otherwise, this is okay.

I think Blank writing as Matt Myers with Matheson as his mouthpiece may be the most inventive idea since the blatantly obvious stats for Ghost Machine 2.0 surfaced last year. More power to Bruce for doing something extremely fresh. Also, I of course, like Toxx's stuff. The matches were all nice, but to try and get the commenting going, I'll review the first one to ask for it in this thread. So, get on that...

He'd be destroyed. And no, it's not the only thing they could have done. They could have beaten him like they both said they would, and put him on the shelf until the Rumble, where he gets his revenge eliminating them both in the Rumble, while losing himself, and they could further "injure" him until it's time for his 'Mania match. And then you don't have a number two face. I'm all for Shawn getting rest if he wants/needs it, but why get rid of another star when HHH is gone for 4-6 months. Plus, Vince loves the crowd pop (as most of us do every once and awhile) and that segment brought that to the table. Your idea is interesting and it is logical, but it also gets rid of Shawn for two weeks in which they could be building him up as the man on RAW to win the Rumble and takes him off the shows during the road to Wrestlemania. Not the best plan since Jeff Hardy all of a sudden becomes the number two man on RAW.

What did the Rock do in Sac? His Rock Concert where he sung that the Lakers would beat the Kings in the playoffs and then what makes it funnier is they actually did it.

That may have been the single best heel move on RAW since the Rock in Sacramento...

Ugh. No excuses from me this time. At least I have a match plan already written. I just have to sit down and crank it out, but the deja vu factor from writing this thing two times makes me wonder which version will be better. Hopefully this one.

I have a serious question. When is the last time anyone here remembers Hardcore Holly tapping? Pinfalls sure, but submissions not so much. This is CM Punk's first real feud. Punk's thing with Knoxx wasn't so much a 'feud' as an extended, extended angle, which is what they've been doing with him since his debut. In this feud, Holly is the tough smashmouth vet and Punk is the upstart rookie sub specialist. While Holly doesn't have much upside that finish wasn't really about him. The whole point of this feud seems to be to get over Punk and his Anaconda Vice. Isn't it completely based around Holly saying you can't make me tap out and Punk trying to prove him wrong? Don't the announcers put over the AV and his MMA/brazilian jujitsu almost every minute? Didn't he make Hardcore tap after the bell and then almost make the man submit in under three minutes or something? What kind of threat is Holly if he doesn't get a pinfall through his smashmoth style? There has to be some give and take cause there's no drama otherwise. This is supposed to be the feud that allows Punk to take Holly's spot in the upper midcard, so a clean job isn't going to kill his momentum when he's going to make Hardcore tap after a hardfought match in the blowoff. No one can deny Punk's over, but he's currently building his fanbase like Cena did during his 03-04 run. Since they have no midcard title, this is what they've come up with. This isn't the feud people should be upset at the writers about cause it actually makes sense, but that's just my opinion.

UPDATED FOR '07: Cleaned stuff up. Changed primary finisher and moved some other maneuvers around. Added a new rare move. Smarks Board Name: Above Average Real Name: Damien Gabriel Drake Junior Wrestlers Name: Gabriel Drake Alias: The Beast Height: 6’ 4” Weight: 258 lbs Hometown: Athens, Georgia Age: 25 Face/Heel: Heel Stable: None Ring Escort: None Weapon(s): Steel Chair Quote: None Looks: Somewhat untidy, a little over ear length black hair with some white highlights on the right side framing cold hazel eyes. Unshaven, with a barbell piercing in his left eyebrow and a hoop pierced into his lip. Average legs with big shoulders, well toned arms and biceps, though his abs area isn’t defined much and a distinguishing tattoo of three sixes in a triad on the back of his neck. Clothes-wise, he’ll be in traditional trunks of blue or red with a solid black bar down both sides. In the middle of his waistband sits a white logo box with three sixes in a triad in the same color (either red or blue) as his trunks. Boots with kickpads and kneepads, all in black, with a lone elbow pad on his left arm completely the look. NOTE: His right hand will be completely taped up with white padding, while his left will only have black wrist tape. Ring Entrance: Rob Zombie’s “The Devil’s Rejects.” “I am the bad one… Distant and cruel one... I am the dream that, keeps you running down…” “With distraction… Violent reaction… Scars of my actions, watch me running out…” “HELL DOESN’T WANT THEM! HELL DOESN’T NEED THEM! HELL DOESN’T LOVE THEM!” “The Devil's Rejects…” “The Devil’s Rejects…” This is just an outline. The arena will be filled with an eerie Blue light and white strobes will flash in time with the beat. Drake has a general routine that if you would like to see can be found on the first Storm of 2007. Stats: ¯¯¯¯¯ Strength: 5 – As a true Heavyweight in a fed of Cruisers his strength seems amplified. He could Powerbomb someone 280+ pounds with some effort and probably place anyone on the roster into a fireman’s carry. Speed: 3 – He can go quickly when he needs to, but it’s more about his fluidity in the ring than anything else. He just looks like a superstar in the making when moving. Vitality: 7 – Tough as nails, he takes punishment like a man and comes back for more. He’s that hard-headed kid who loved to fight because he was good at taking a punch. Charisma: 5 – Smart, but sinister; he sometimes uses vulgar language to intimidate. His tone slides from aggressive to nonchalant easily. He’s the kind of guy that grew up with a chip on his shoulder. Style: Traditional Mid-90's Heavyweight mixed with the current WWE style. Good puncher, but not really a striker… considered more of a brawler. A solid grasp of basic wrestling mechanics and technique with flashes of impressive power; a semi-accomplished chain wrestler who uses stretches, a few suplexes and his basic knowledge of mixed martial arts to dominate opponents’ center ring, building to his vicious arsenal of power moves and deadly effective finishers. Signature Moves: “The Right Hand of Gabe” – A Leaping Palm Strike. The name is derived from ‘The Right Hand of God’. Gabe will set someone on the top rope and then blast them in the face. Shotgun Lariat – Lariat after using the ropes for extra momentum. Spear – Executed like Edge’s running side tackle. “Mass Murder” – KENTA Combo (Well, part of it anyway). Two palm strikes and a spinning back fist, possibly followed up with a high kick. Due to Drake's lack of flexibility, the roundhouse is only used against opponents within or below the 6 foot mark. This is normally followed by one of Gabe's many takedowns. Dead-lift German Suplex – High impact. Gabe lifts his opponent off the mat from their belly and drags them (kicking and screaming if necessary) overhead in a delayed German suplex with a bridge. Butterfly Suplex – Tribute (of a sort) to Dave Taylor. Drake normal uses the release version, but he can execute Taylor's Britishplex which involves a float over into a pin while still holding the double underhook. “Devil’s Reject” – Old school Steve Austin’s Stungun. Top Rope Superplex – A Mid-90’s staple. All the way up top, unless in special cases when the opponent isn’t able to be put in position. This is normally executed after "The Right Hand of Gabe”. “Demon Bomb” – The Powerbomb. He has been known to do a Double Powerbomb or Spiral Powerbomb as well depending on the opponent’s weight. Common moves: Corner shoulder thrusts Pieface STO Fall away slam Knife-edge chops: Rapid fire and only used on an opponent in the corner. Backbreakers: Pendulum, Tilt-a-whirl and most other variants you can think of... Snap Spinebuster Yakuza kick: Like Masa Chono to an opponent’s head while on one knee. Dragon screw leg-whip Back mounted forearms: Randy Orton’s repeated forearms to the upper-chest of a kneeling opponent. Vertical suplex Knee related offense: Running knee lift to the head, Muay Thai knee strikes, kitchen sink knees to the gut, knee drops, a Harley Race high corner knee and finally a Diving corner knee to an opponent slumped in the bottom of the corner. Powerslam Belly-to-Back suplex STF: Step over toehold with a facelock, which can be a follow up to a “Face plant”. “Face plant”: Off a hard whip into the corner he will throw his staggered opponent to the mat face first. Rare moves: “Violence Party” – Shoving his opponent into the corner, Gabe lays waste to them with a crapshoot of strikes, varying each time he does it though there is a basic format. That format normally consists of alternating chops and forearms, leading to multiple head butts followed by grabbing them by the hair for numerous Kawada kicks while doubled over and finally, snapmaring them into a seated position before kicking the crap out of their spine with several Cowboy kicks. Adjust as necessary. “Manslaughter” – Running Musclebuster; The most frequent of Gabe’s rare moves because he’s strong enough to just lift them into it, but it’s most common use is for special cases when opponents can’t be maneuvered into a Superplex. Then he tries this, which could in theory also follow "The Right Hand of Gabe”. Koji Clutch – Normally set-up through a Complete Shot. “The Unholy Trinity” – Triple Powerbomb; He hits a Double Powerbomb followed up by a Spiral Powerbomb. “The Mark of the Beast” – Cradle Stunner; commonly known as a Piggyback Stunner. There are many set-ups but one of the most common is from a Fireman’s carry into the cradle position by sliding them off his shoulders and trapping the left leg under his left arm. If the opponent is too large to piggyback then from the DVD position Gabe’s opponent is flung into a falling Ace Crusher like maneuver without the cradle. A huge hit that is rare now due to the ease with which it could be countered. Finishers: “Inverted Cross” – Modified Air Raid Crash; Drake releases the leg late which drops an opponent on a slightly steeper angle like Finlay’s current ‘Celtic Cross’. Following the move Gabe just leans back directly into the pin. “Spite and Malice” – Stretch Muffler Crab; crushes the ribs/back while punishing the left leg through torque. If the opponent is small enough Gabriel will practically sit on their head as he twists their body like a pretzel. Ouch… Notes: Having never actually wrestled outside of his Wrestling Academy, Gabe is prone to making mistakes, but being a second generation wrestler the little things come naturally. He was considered the best chain wrestler of his class, but this is the pros and there will be much better and experienced guys around. When going against a pure striker he will get out struck, but trading rights center ring with the crowd actively booing… he can go toe to toe with a lot of fighters. And finally, for someone fairly inexperienced he is very territorial about his ring, especially with opponents smaller than him. He’ll try to add injury to insult whenever possible. Bio: A second generation wrestler trained at Dave Taylor's Blueblood Academy… and now the secrets out. Gabriel Drake, the former friend and training partner of Michael Stephens was sent to jail on charges of Manslaughter. Getting out for 'good behavior', Drake has gone on a tear in his SWF debut, forcing his way back into the former Toxxic's life. After tormenting his friends (well, I guess Landon's a friend), Stephens himself and then attempting to turn the crowd against him, Michael had enough and the match five years in the making was made. Now the World Heavyweight Champion and having done so by defeating his heated rival, Gabe is officially the man. But having reached his goal, what does 2007, dubbed the Year of the Beast, hold in store. Where do you go from the top of the mountain? Drake's about to find out what it's like to really be the man...

Right in one. I think you covered our differences more concisely than I could've. The main reason I went in the opposite direction of your match plan was because I didn't think Drake should beat him one-on-one, since he's an extreme underdog in the situation. The 'I'm sorry' was more like when Benoit when up to Orton and told him to be a man moment than Toxxic actually showing remorse. He was sorry he almost hurt him, but the question I wanted to leave unanswered was WOULD he do it if he physically COULD have. I had Gabe cry because it was his big moment and it was also supposed to be ironic in a way. In the end, Stephens HAD proved Drake wrong and apologized, so even in defeat he still comes out on top, but Drake doesn't care (and is moved to tears) cause he's finally the man and it's his time to shine. I should've made Gabe more incredulous at the 'I'm Sorry'. EDIT - I just noticed a typo... it's supposed to say 'Michael Stephens hasn't changed.' That might make it more clear.

Well another 15K loser. This time I actually don't quite see it though. Admittedly, Mike's match was better written and stuck with the traditional structure, but I thought flipping that structure made my story and psychology more engaging. Drake had been bringing the fight to Stephens and he'd been really passive all feud - even letting him talk shit with no reprocussions. He'd been bottling it up and then finally let it all go. Then he gets to a point where he's hurt and can't finish Drake so he has to make a choice. I also tried to stray from the normal finisher kick-outs and countered everything (except the Shooting Star Leg drop), but maybe I should've done that for the Celtic Cross spot instead of a ten count, then my match wouldn't have looked so rushed which it was inbetween that spot and the finishing sequence. Our selling was probably equal, but of course I'm going to like mine more and I was going for the whole Orton/Benoit finish with the crowd popping because they saw something special and Drake probably deserved it, but next week they'll still boo the shit out of him. Anyway I cleaned up the tags so here it is. ========= FADE IN… It is December 22nd, three days away from Christmas and most would tell you that it is the most wonderful time of the year. A select few and those watching at home would agree with that statement even more as they watch the scene set in Jefferson, New Hampshire. The gift they're about to receive, a presentation of the Smartmarks Wrestling Federation… 'THE SENSATION' MICHAEL STEPHENS… 'THE BEAST' GABRIEL DRAKE… SWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE! The graphic flies across the screen, letting everyone know what is about to take place. The biting cold and blustery wind set the stage for what will be the last SWF match until the new year. The tense mood for this upcoming confrontation permeates the mock arena in Santa's Village, but that doesn't stop the disembodied voice of 'The Franchise' Mak Francis from speaking its peace… "Cute nicknames and even though it feels blasphemous for me to say, possibly the World Title aside," Mak states in a serious tone, "this match is about two men, Michael Stephens and Gabriel Drake, who have a great deal of history." "Yeah, Francis," The Suicide King voices, now on camera in a Santa hat from Mak's right, "let's talk a little about that history you just mentioned! It was all put out there during the House of Marvelous—which did a gigantic number by the way, straight from the mouth of Gabriel Drake! Toxxic, the backstabber we all knew him to be, ruined his supposed friends lives and didn't even blink! Then he moved up and on to the SWF and did the same thing to Spike Jenkins and Zyon… not that Zyon didn't deserve it." King adds as an afterthought. "He's a life ruiner!" "That's a ridiculous statement and you know it." The Franchise rebuts with a sigh. "Sometimes people don't make it to the big show. Maybe they don't have the drive or the dedication and it just doesn't happen for them. There's a lot of possible reasons why those four didn't make it together, but Gabriel Drake is scum for trying to use that to get into Stephens' head! We all know Michael Stephens had a checkered past under the ring name Toxxic—hell, I went in the ring against him so I know more than most, but he says he's not the same person and I take him at his word." "He's still Toxxic, but fine… you can take him at his word and you'd better prepare to be proved wrong!" King says with a smirk. "Doesn't it say something that he sent Drake to jail after he slept with his girlfriend, because the man was the better wrestler?! What about him trying to destroy Gabe's dream, Francis?" "Blaming somebody for all the hardships in your life because you flipped out and actually killed a man is insane, no matter how convincing your story may sound." "But you admit it is convincing!" King exclaims. "All of your rationalizing can't change the fact that Toxxic's actions during his time in the SWF points to Drake being correct. For the first time in a long time I actually care about how the crowd will respond!" "We've heard the interview segment, seen the ad spots and just witnessed one hell of a retrospective promo video from our production guys," Francis declares, raising his shades to his forehead, "but I can't help thinking it's not enough to define just what we'll see here tonight. If Gabriel Drake's statements during the House of Marvelous are to be believed, this'll be a match that lives up to the title of our aptly named December Pay-per-view, SWF Crimson Yuletide! Who knows what's going to happen or how the crowd will react, but one thing's for certain… we're in for a hell of a fight!" The camera cuts from the announcers table at ringside and moves to the illuminated Ferris wheel slightly off in the distance. Then it shifts again, this time to an aerial view of the stage slowly rotating around in a circular path panning the corral area showing the rabid SWF fans in their jackets due to the cool night. "Great aerial view of Santa's Village courtesy of our Ferris Wheel cam…" Suddenly, the Smarktron flares to life, flashes from The Beasts debut vignettes splashing across the screen, as the deliberate strum of 'The Devil's Rejects' begins to build to a crescendo. Gabriel Drake's two cold hazel eyes stare out from the Smarktron, framed by his black hair with white highlights. An amused sneer crosses his face for a second before one hand reaches out and grips presumably the camera. The picture shakes violently, then blurs and cuts to black as the camera is apparently thrown into a wall. Meanwhile, the slow melody continues and the atmosphere is even amplified by the eerie menacing blue light and the flickering of several bright white strobes cutting across the dark night sky, until finally… "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" …Gabriel Drake himself appears through the curtain. "I am the bad one… Distant and cruel one… I am the dream that, keeps you running down!" Hearing the opening lyrics of the Rob Zombie song, Drake pauses on the stage for a moment, looking around the make-shift bleachers spotting random clumps of fans applauding, while the rest taunt him mercilessly and then proceeds to saunter down towards ringside. "His music claims he's a bad guy and I'd tend to agree." Mak Francis starts. "He's violent and cruel, but no one can deny that he's one hell of an athlete!" "With distraction… Violent reactions… Scars of my actions, watch me running out!" The Smarktron behind him continues to flash scenes from famous wars and bits of destruction while showing him hitting a Musclebuster on Michael Cross, twisting Akira's broken body in the Spite and Malice and deforming Landon Maddix's feature by tossing him into a Steel Cage interspersed… "HELL DOESN'T WANT THEM! HELL DOESN'T NEED THEM! HELL DOESN'T LOVE THEM!" …Until a final picture of an unsuspecting Michael Stephens getting Speared out of his boots! "At six-four, nearly two-sixty, Gabriel Drake has said he hasn't cried a day in his life… and I believe him!" King says, singing Drake's praises. "A second generation wrestler, from Athens, Georgia, he's got this business in his blood." Now at ringside, Drake gets to the ring steps and bounces on his toes before high stepping up the stairs and onto the apron, wiping his feet before swinging his legs through the ropes. "You can see how pumped up Drake is for this match, Francis." King continues. "It's his chance to shine. To reach out and embrace his dream. To embrace his destiny!" "The Devil's Rejects… The Devil's Rejects…" "Destiny or not, this will be Gabriel Drake's first one on one shot at any title in the SWF and it will be for not just any title, but the World Title!" Mak comments. "You have to wonder if this big match atmosphere will throw the rookie off his game, even a little." Inside the ring, brushing by tonight's official, Matthew Kivell, Gabe looks anything but nervous. Dropping to one knee, he slowly extends his arms wide, hands formed in the devil horns, palms toward the crowd accepting their jeers and then pops back up to his feet. "The only person that should be nervous is the guy coming out next!" As King says this every light hits on full and the Smarktron whites out, cutting through the darkness and nearly blinding the crowd night; this phenomenon is followed half a second later by a raucous, rolling chant that blasts out from the Park's PA system setting up a completely different atmosphere than the slow methodical Rob Zombie lyrics… "COME AND HAVE A GO IF YOU THINK YER 'ARD ENOUGH!" "COME AND HAVE A GO IF YOU THINK YER 'ARD ENOUGH!" The opening chord of 'Rookie' crashes out through the PA system, prompting everyone in the arena to rise to their feet as the Smarktron fades quickly down to black, jagged white letters flashing up a familiar slogan, one word at a time: 'PREPARE TO BE PROVED WRONG…' The Smarktron changes again to show famous clips from famous matches, clips that many of those watching know off by heart; the All-Show Brawl with the Insane Luchador; the infamous Glass Jawbreaker on Aecas; the Caffeine Bomb on Nathaniel Kibagami; and the Sunny In England on Tom Flesher at Genesis VII. Finally it changes to show one last clip, that of Mike Van Siclen being taken off a balcony and through a table with the Stephens Shock Syndrome, the devastating landing timed to coincide with the- *BOOOM!* -explosion of red pyro that announces the arrival of the SWF's most decorated Englishman as the main riff hammers out! And through the flame and smoke… "TOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-IC…" …World Title wrapped around his waist with one of the Tag Titles slung over his right shoulder… "TOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-IC…" …blue-black hair hanging down in front of steel-grey eyes, wrapped in his black-and-red canvas trenchcoat… "TOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-IC…" …comes the man once known as Toxxic. "This match is very personal, against an opponent who is out for blood!" Mak Francis declares over the roar of the crowd. "Though make no mistake, fans… Michael Stephens will not back down from a fight! He's on a quest towards El Luchadore Magnifico's record for the longest World Title reign of all time, but he was also a triumphant triple champion until his opponent tonight interjected himself in the Sensation's title defenses and now the question is, is part of that mystique is gone?" "Even I'll admit Toxxic seemed to be unbeatable, sporting more gold than an early 90's rapper and an undefeated streak like none I've ever witnessed," King acknowledges, "but that all came to a screeching halt when Zyon of all people won a Ladder match for the SWF World Cruiserweight Title! Everyone knows he's beatable now and his World Title defense against Jay Hawke shows this as he pushed Stephens to the limit." Michael Stephens reaches the bottom of the entrance ramp, whereupon he unbuckles the World Title with one hand and takes the Tag belt into the other sliding into the ring. He can see some fans giving him the thumbs down as he crosses his arms into the straight-edge 'X' for a moment, then flings them wide with a title belt dangling from each hand as the first verse comes in and more pyro erupts from the top of each ringpost! *bap-bap* *BOOOM!!* 'I never thought this could be me I guess you never do until it's happening to you Like all the fun turns into shame And all the "could-have-beens" rearrange…' Stephens hands the Cruiser title belt to Matthew Kivell and stares down at the World Title in his hands, Kivell having to request the belt breaking him out of his reverie. He strips off his trenchcoat and the personalized England shirt underneath, throwing the latter into the crowd. Then he cracks his neck from side-to-side and stares across the ring at Gabriel Drake, who returns his gaze steadily while bouncing side to side. "Look at the eyes on that man." Francis mentions of Stephens who seems eerily detached. "He could give a damn about mystique! He wants to win this match and end this issue with Drake once and for all, in the ring! It's champion versus challenger! The Sensation versus the Beast! Michael Stephens versus Gabriel Drake for the World Title and it's happening right now!" The SWF's ring announcer Funyon enters the ring, microphone in hand, standing beside Senior referee Matthew Kivell, between the two opponents. The crowd is buzzing in anxious excitement, as the lanky man brings the mic to his lips: "Ladies and Gentlemen, this your Main Event!" Funyon bellows. "The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit and is for the Smartmarks Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship of the WOOOOORRLLLDDDDDDD!" "YEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Funyon takes a breath and looks to his left. "Introducing first, in the corner to my left!" He begins. "In the red trunks with black trim! He is the challenger; from Athens, Georgia, weighing in earlier today at two hundred and fifty-eight pounds! He's the number one contender to the SWF World Title! This is the 'BEAST', GAAAAAAB-RI-EELLLLLL… DRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEE!" "YEEAAAHH!" "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" "And his opponent, in the corner to my right!" Funyon turns to face Stephens. "Wearing the solid black pants! He is the champion; from Nottingham, England, weighing in earlier today at two hundred and eighteen pounds! He is one half of the SWF World Tag Team Champions, a Grand Slam Champion and one of three, four-time SWF World Title holders! He's the reigning and defending… SWF Heavyweight Champion of the WORLD! This is the 'SENSATION', MIIIIIIIIIIII-CHAEL… STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-PHEEEENNNNNSSSSSS!" "BOOOOOO!" "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" The reaction is loud, but not deafening so you can hear some dissention in the ranks. Mak Francis comments. "A slightly mixed reaction for both the challenger and champion, but Stephens has many more for him than against." "Stupid fans…" King mumbles, as Kivell shows each man the title, then raises it high, turning to each of the four sides of the squared circle! After walking over and delivering the belt to the time-keeper, Kivell moves towards Drake, running his hands under Gabe's arms… down his torso, across his left leg till underneath the boot and then does the same on the right side. "SWF Senior Referee Matthew Kivell to call this match and there's no denying it." The Franchise adds, as Kivell moves over to the champion, repeating the process. "We saw it in the tale of the tape and heard it in the announcements. Michael Stephens has the accomplishments, experience and the overall edge, period. This is a man nobody would call an underdog unless he's against the most elite in the sport and right now Gabriel Drake isn't that, but should you throw all that out in an emotion driven match like this?" "Toxxic's little SWF.net exclusive would seem to agree with your earlier assessment. Apparently, Gabe isn't anything special to prepare for…" Gabe bounces side to side a satisfied expression on his face, as Kivell finishes. Drake takes some steps out of his corner and the ref, now sure that both men are clean, asks for the bell: *DING-DING-DING!* …And then Michael Stephens explodes forward shooting at Drake's legs and shouldering him to the canvas in a double leg takedown!! "RRRRGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" "That is five month of pent up frustration!" Mak hollers over the roaring crowd, who has completely forgotten their initial mixed reaction, as Stephens mounts his former friend and rains down upon him with solid right-hands. "No matter what he says, this is damn sure a special opponent to Stephens! Gabriel Drake tried to injure his tag partner at Genesis, tried to maim him in the Elimination Chamber and he just took it. He's been run down in the middle of the ring; snuck attacked, cost the Cruiserweight belt and almost lost the World Title because of him, yet he still took it all in stride," Mak exclaims, while the champ continues to pound away through the stunned Drake's half-guard, "but finally, finally Michael Stephens is done just taking it and has started to give it!" Grabbing the World Champ by the waist, Gabe turns Stephens over and begins an assault through his half-guard! Piston like punches fly from the right-hand of the Beast, who seems to be enjoying his position of power, but not for long as his opponent rolls them over once more, getting ever closer to the ropes. Drake, intent not to stay on the defensive, spins them once again and they end up tumbling under the ropes and off the apron! Still in the grapple, Michael and Gabe land on their feet, breaking apart for only a second before Stephens rears back- *BAM!* -and pops Drake in the face with another right hand! Gabriel's head rockets back, but he grabs the side of Stephens' skull- *WHAM!* -teeing off with a right-hand of his own! In the ring, Kivell gives up on instructing them to get back in and starts his count. Mike doesn't let that stop him at all, continuing to throw fists with the challenger… 'Come on—get it back in the ring, guys! ONE!' *BAM!* *WHAM!* 'TWO!' *BAM!* *BAM!* …and winning, sending Drake stumbling away! 'THREE!" "Don't let his recent forays into the technical aspects of wrestling fool you." Mak shouts out over the noise of the audience. "Stephens is a scrapper from the streets of Nottingham! He can throw down with the best of them!" "Toxxic knows as much about technical wrestling as Landon Maddix," King responds snidely, "which is to say, nothing!" 'FOUR!' "And yet, he still beat Tom Flesher at Genesis, right?" Francis asks rhetorically. "If that isn't being tempered by fire I don't know what is!" "Flukes wins over Tom aside, with your amateur background and technical expertise I would say when he beat you… but that'd be a lie!" King says while laughing. "You've been on your back more than Amy Stephens!" Mak scowls as Kivell's count hits four and the agitated Brit stalks after Drake, who rebalances himself using the apron and fires off a kick to the Sensation's gut! Winding up, Gabe blasts Stephens with a sharp strike to the gut! *WHAM!* 'FIVE!' *BAM!* …but Mike answers right back with a fist to the jaw sending the Beast to the ground! Entwining his hand in Drake's hair, Stephens looms over his opponent who gets to his hands and knees, then fires off rapid-fire fists to the side of his head! 'SIX!' *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* The World Champ prepares to strike Gabe down again as he uses the apron to get to his feet, but Drake hooks the waistband of his Tripp NYC trousers yanking Stephens directly into the ringpost! *THUNK!* 'SEVEN!' Stephens leans against the pole to stay up, after hitting the post face first, so Drake uses this to his advantage, rolling into the ring to break the count… and then slides right back out on the other side!! Pulling Stephens away from the post, Gabe peppers the Sensation with another right-hand, sending him staggering into the guardrail! *WHAM… clank!* 'Oh, come on… ONE!' "What's Kivell crying about?" King asks. "Anybody who thought this match would be a scientific contest was sorely mistaken!" "Drake, breaking the count and going right back out there…" Mak notes, as Drake marches over to Stephens. "As much as he says this match isn't about the title, to officially be the man you have to hold the strap! No sense in getting counted out." 'TWO!' Quickly glancing behind him, Gabe spots the steel steps and grasps Stephens's arm, whipping the World Champ towards impending doom… but Mike, in a show of amazing agility, leaps on a dead run onto the metal stairs and executes a high-arching back-flip his knee cracking Drake in the head as he makes contact!! 'THREE!' "Slick Moonsault press from the ring steps by Stephens, but did you see his knee catch Drake's head, King? That's a good way to get a concussion or knocked out!" King just rolls his eyes as if to say 'like Drake would go down to that', but both men are down while Kivell continues his count… 'FOUR!' Michael is the first to a knee, after dumping himself on top of his opponent, so Stephens stands and attempts to walk off the discomfort. Gabe meanwhile has begun to move, sitting up and rubbing his forehead… 'FIVE!' Coming back to Drake, the Sensation helps him to his feet and then after a final punch to the face, shoves Gabe back into the ring! 'SI-' With Kivell's count interrupted, Francis comments on the scene. "Well, they've finally moved back inside the ring! Maybe the match will settle down a little now?" Mak wonders, as hopping onto the apron, Stephens watches his challenger push himself up to his hands and knees. Not content to just enter through the ropes, Stephens rises to the top cable and then springboards off clipping Drake with a dropkick to the side of his skull! "…I guess not." Proving the Franchise wrong, Stephens stays on his man, lifting him to his feet and lowering Drake's head- *THWAP!* -down into a European uppercut that sends him falling back into the ropes! Latching on to Drake's arm, Mike attempts to toss the Beast across the ring, but Drake reverses the whip sending Stephens on the ride! As Stephens rebounds off the ropes, Gabe ducks his head for a back body drop… and the World Champion's ring experience shows through as he comes to a stop and wrenches Drake's neck while falling to the canvas in a swinging neckbreaker!! Michael spins off his back to his hands and knees hoping to crawl into a pin, but surprisingly his opponent is already trying to get up, while rubbing his neck!! "A rookie mistake from Drake, who normally acts far from green in the ring." Mak says, as Stephens slides over to the challenger and into a side headlock. "Could the pressure be getting to Gabe already?" "Did you really just ask that?" King inquires. "Gabe wasn't even affected by that neckbreaker and all you can talk about is that? Toxxic had to go to that side headlock to try and keep control, but that'll probably be as effective as his neckbreaker!" King adds confidently. "Besides the only green Gabe needs to worry about is the size of the purse for the winner of this main event!" Feeling the Beast attempt to get completely to his feet, Michael Stephens spins down, leveraging Drake back on his back with a side headlock takedown! His shoulders down, Matthew Kivell hits the mat… ONE! …but Drake quickly raises his far shoulder! Stephens tries to force Gabe's body back down to the mat, but the Beast has other plans, pushing them up to a knee, then feet albeit hunched over. Smoothly shifting around behind the Brit, Drake wraps his arm around Stephens's waist and lifts high, arching back in a belly-to-back suplex! And is incensed by the fact that Stephens is still holding on to his headlock!! "The Champ holding on to his headlock like a pitbull and you can tell he's got the psychological advantage over Drake." Francis notes while Gabe keeps his far shoulder up. "This match is moving at his pace, he got the first pin and Stephens took the fight to him winning their battle on the outside. Gabe talked a good game on the House of Marvelous, but has yet to back it up during this match!" Inching on the mat while bracing his body with his right arm, Gabriel Drake slides into a better position in the headlock and slowly works his way back to his knees, then feet once again! Stephens, irony of ironies, can't hold him down this time as Drake drives an elbow deep into his captor's gut! And another! And another elbow finds the mark getting him some separation, as he turns into the headlock and buries his fist square into Stephens's breadbasket! Still not giving up on the hold, Stephens takes another punch to the stomach which finally forces him to break, but Drake isn't ready for Mike's fist- *BAM!* -that catches him right on the chin! Staggered for only a moment, Drake fires right back with a- *WHAM!* -stinging right-hand of his own! Now standing toe-to-toe, Michael Stephens and Gabriel Drake decide it's officially time to throw down!! *BAM!* *WHAM!* "This is like a heavyweight title fight, King!" Francis states, causing Applewhite to give him a look. "Well, it is a heavyweight title fight…" King retorts snarkily, leaving Mak muttering about him meaning in boxing. *BAM!* *WHAM!* *BAM!* *WHAM!* *BAM!* After the last punch from Stephens, the Beast raises his foot and boots him in the gut- *THUMP!* -doubling the World Champ over! "…And Round One was won by Gabriel Drake!" King bellows joyfully. "I feel a knock-out shot coming!" King adds, as grabbing the Sensation by the hair, Drake halls off and hammers Stephens with solid rights taking his time between each strike!! *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WH… whiff!* …but Mike ducks the third haymaker, catching Gabe's arm on the way around and snitching in a half nelson, before grabbing Drake's waistband and implanting him in the mat with a fast facebuster!! "You spoke too soon, King!" Mak says, as Stephens rolls over, shooting the nelson into a lateral press while Kivell moves into position. "Round One really goes to the Champion! He's got the cover, shooting his nelson into the lateral press for the…" ONE! TWO- -but Drake kicks out of the hard hitting maneuver just before two, seemingly not wanting to relinquish a two count! Stephens scurries right back on him covering from the other side! ONE! TW- -and Drake shoves Stephens off the pin once again! Gabe sits up from the mat, trying to catch his breath and eliminate any more pin attempts, but Mike won't let it die… sliding his right arm underneath Gabe's and pinioning the left arm with his near leg, sending the Beast back to the canvas in a modified crucifix pin!! ONE! TWO! …finally getting a two count, before Drake can kick out!! Standing up and walking away towards the ropes, Gabe lets out a frustrated yell while kicking at the bottom cable! On the other side of the ring, Stephens seems pacified now that he's gotten a two count and the crowd reacts accordingly. "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" "It's clear Michael Stephens had a plan coming into this match. He's been waging a psychological war, trying to breakdown and dismantle Gabriel Drake piece by piece mentally and so far it's been working." "You're giving him too much credit, Francis." King says scoffing. "I don't doubt he's trying to breakdown Gabe, but it hasn't been working!" "I disagree," Mak responds, "he's out-wrestled him and shown that, while on paper Gabriel Drake may be the better technician, Stephens's experience and ingenuity pushes him ahead of the Beast in that category! This belief that he's better than the Champ based on their time in the Blue Blood Academy years ago, shows he's still in the past instead of the present." Turning to face Stephens, the Beast shows all the signals of wanting a collar and elbow tie-up. The Sensation circles the ring, then nods his head and the two slowly slide forward for a grapple… …and Stephens gets a knee driven into his gut! "I know you believe that crap, but I can't believe Toxxic really is that gullible!" King states, as Stephens hunches over from the strike. "Gabe played to his over inflated ego; let him think he's affected him and then suckered him in. What Gabe Drake wants to do is hurt, Toxxic! Physically, mentally—basically, any way he can by any means necessary… then shred his face and win the World title, end of story." "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The crowd lets Drake know what they think of him, as King finishes his explanation. Looming over his stunned opponent, Gabriel slides off to the side and then- *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WHAM!* -Drake assaults Stephens with clubbing blows forcing the Champ to his knees! As Michael struggles to get back up, Gabe clasps his hands around the base of Stephens's neck, initiating a Muay Thai clinch and fires his right knee straight up towards the Champ's face, but Stephens partially deflects the blow! Drake doesn't give up, the clinch holding Stephens in place for a left knee to the ribcage that dazes the Sensation and then another right knee to the jaw that connects clean sending Mike's head rocketing back!! *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* With the final blow having really frazzled Stephens, Drake uses the opportunity to throw the Brit across the ring, forcing him into the turnbuckles back first! Gabe follows the Champion in, but the slightly drained Stephens still has his wits about him and raises his boot, connecting with Drake's chin!! Mike comes out of the corner fists up and flying, with the audience behind him… "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" RIGHT! *BAM!* LEFT! *BAM!* RIGHT! *BAM!* LEFT! *BAM!* "Stephens' making his comeback, winding up the discuss clothesline!" Mak shouts, as Michael twirls on the spot, spinning around leaning forward… *BAP!* Directly into a Drake's left hand, as he snaps off a stinging left jab!! "Denied!" King barks, as Stephens stumbles backwards on shaky legs after the strike! Gabe rushes up to him and shoves the World Champ into the corner buckles propping Michael up!! moving forward, Drake measures his opponent and- *WHAM!* -strikes him across the face with a side-arm punch! Rearing back across from the other side, Drake twists his hips and- *SMACK!* "WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" -unloads a nasty knife-edge chop to the chest of Stephens! Taking his arm back again, the Beast continues to lay waste to Stephens vigorously with alternating strikes!! *WHAM… …SMACK!* "WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" *WHAM… …SMACK!* "WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *…WHAM!!!* Gabe ends it with three straight side-arm punches to the face, the final one lifting Stephens into the air or would have been the final shot, had Drake not driven his knee deep into Michael's midsection, pushing all the air out of him… *CRACK!* …and then caught the slumping Sensation with a back elbow right in his ear-hole!! "This has turned into a mugging, folks, plain and simple!" Mak shouts, "Drake is just mauling the World Champion…" "If Toxxic was waging a psychological war then Gabe Drake is now officially waging the physical one!" Grabbing the ropes for support, the physical war has just begun, for Gabriel Drake! The Beast has a maniacal look in his eyes, as he kicks his foot into Stephens's gut and then proceeds to stomp a mud-hole- *THUMP!* *THUMP!* "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" *THUMP!* "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" *THUMP!* "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" Drake snarls, hearing the chant from the crowd and then decides to pick up the pace! *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* Then backs away flipping Stephens the double bird! *THUMP!* "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" -And walk that mud-hole dry!!! "Drake channeling his inner redneck there for a moment." Mak says, hoping the SWF doesn't get sued for gimmick infringement, anymore than they already should. Walking back to the middle of the ring, Gabriel spots Stephens pulling himself up using the ropes and dives in, rocking Mike's mug with a high corner knee!! Landing back on the mat Drake turns, pulling him out of the corner by his hair and marching the shaky legged Stephens to the center of ring, before tossing Mike to the canvas, face first!! "All those psychosomatic attacks really did a number on Gabe, eh Francis?" King asks rhetorically as Michael, struggling to rise tries his hardest to get up to his feet and fight! In the mean time, Gabe swoops in from the corner sprinting towards Stephens from his left, just as he – still hunched over – makes it to his feet- *CRACK!* -and Mike eats a running knee-lift to the mouth!! Stephens staggers, miraculously staying on his feet as Gabe strikes off for the ropes, gaining extra momentum before- *THWAAAACK!* "OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHWAH…" -pulverizing the World Champ with a solid Yakuza Kick to the side of his dome!!! "JESUS, he just kicked the crap out of him!" Mak screams over the cries of the crowd, as Drake just looms over his opponent and then takes off for the near ropes, rebounding back with authority for a knee drop to the head… but suddenly stops when Stephens attempts to cover his cranium, so instead he glowers down at Stephens before bounding into the air and crushing his ribcage with a leaping knee!! Francis continues his call lamenting the scene. "That's nearly two hundred and sixty pounds to the World Champion's sternum! His ribs have to be on fire, King!" Lifting Mike by his hair, Drake backs Stephens into the ropes and sends the World Champ on the ride. Still having trouble breathing after having the wind knocked out of him, Michael is easy prey for a solid back elbow to the face! Stephens's head bounces off the mat, causing him to cringe as he sits up and that wince is only intensified when Gabe casually lifts his leg- *THWACK!* -and then strikes the back of Michael Stephens with an exceptionally vicious kick!! Mike sits riveted to the spot, seizing up as the pain registers, but the Beast is far from through with this assault! "Nasty Cowboy kick to Stephens who looks like he had the wind knocked out of him!" Mak calls as Drake grabs Mike by a tuft of hair again, this time lifting him up as if for a body slam and Gabriel's strength allows him to easily carry Stephens' two hundred and eighteen pounds over to the turnbuckles, securing his leg underneath the metal stud… "But the funs only just begun, Francis!" King says, seemingly elated by this turn of events. "Sure, if you're a sadist…" Mak mutters, as Drake takes in his handiwork of placing Stephens in the tree of woe. Stephens himself seems to just be becoming aware of his circumstances, but the large foot of Gabriel Drake reoccupies his attention, as the Beast places his foot on Mike's upside down chin and steps down on the now flailing Brit! Kind of jogging back into the middle of the ring, Drake builds up a full head of steam- *CRACK!* "OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHWAH…" -and then practically buries his knee into Stephens's stomach!! Gabe turns his head to the side, looking out at the cringing crowd from the corner, whose gasps show that they aren't enjoying his battering of the Champion! The Franchise just shakes his head, as Drake grabs a clump of hair, pulling Michael up to about neck level, ducking underneath Stephens's back and bending the Sensation across his broad shoulders in a Canadian Backbreaker!!! "A Canadian Backbreaker Rack in the corner?!" Francis exclaims, as referee snaps out of his reverie from seeing such an unusual move. "He's just trying to brutalize him… there's no need for this!" Walking around to get in the Beast's face, Kivell points his finger in Drake's face and demands that he let go of Stephens, since they're in the ropes already… 'Gabe, break the hold! Okay, ONE!' "It's not like they call it the 'Tree of Woe' for no reason, Mak." King reasons. "Just get over it and let the good times roll!" 'TWO!' 'THREE!' 'FOUR! Break it Drake, goddamnit!' "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" …But the Beast has already let go in the middle of him saying four and raised his hands in false apology. Stephens meanwhile, sways back and forth from being dropped carelessly, trying to shake the cobwebs out! "Oh, you wouldn't want to get disqualified would you?" Mak snaps sarcastically watching the scene unfold. "Well, I think its clear Drake plans to work on the midsection and back of the World Heavyweight Champion. An inventive use of the Canadian Backbreaker if I ever saw one…" After letting Kivell run through his admonishments, Gabe walks towards the opposite corner and turns around, lowering himself into a crouch… and the only thing the crowd, Mak Francis and even Michael Stephens can think is this can't be good. Taking off in a dead sprint, Drake lowers his head and opens his arms for a devastating Spear… *THUNK!* …but crashes into the steel ringpost shoulder first, after the World Heavyweight Champ used his momentum to sit up on the top turnbuckle!!! Gabe moans in pain, as Stephens unhooks his leg from the buckle and tumbles backwards, rolling down Drake's back and landing on the mat in a crouch which puts him in prime position to jut his arm between the Beast's legs and stacks his shoulders to the mat!! "Counter!" Mak yells, as Kivell slides halfway out of the ring to make the count. "Stephens pulls a Houdini out of his hat and rolls up Drake!" ONE! TWO! TH- -but Gabriel Drake kicks out off his shoulders! The normally speedy Stephens is still hurting from all the abuse he's taken, so Gabe gets back to his feet first between the two and immediately kicks the bruised Brit in the gut! Backpedaling into the ropes, Drake rebounds forward sticking his arm out for his Shotgun Lariat… *WHAAAAAA… Whiff!* *BANG!* And Michael Stephens stoops low then reaches back, swinging his opponent face first to the mat from the hangman's position as he sits out to the side!! "Pressure Drop!" Francis shouts. "This is it… Michael Stephens is trying to make a run!" Drake holds his face on the canvas, as Stephens falls back to his back, trying to regain his wind. The fans, realizing the situation start a chant, hoping to spur their Champion on: "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "I hate when they do that!" King complains, as both the Beast and the Sensation slowly push themselves off the squared circle! The chants get louder and stronger as both men make it to their knees!! "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* Drake is the first to rise completely again, but this time Stephens lands a toe kick to his gut, stopping his advance before he could do the same! Latching on to Drake's arm, Stephens pulls for all he's worth… but the Beast doesn't budge!! Another tug from the World Champ is thwarted as Gabe digs in to prevent the Irish whip and he doesn't stop there, reversing the throw and whipping Stephens into the turnbuckles behind him—nope! The Sensation has gotten most of his wind back now and uses his astonishing agility to leap to the top turnbuckle in a single bound, before jumping off in a hooking clothesline… which Gabriel Drake avoids by nonchalantly catching Stephens in midair!!! "Sorry Francis, but the only running he's doing is running out of luck!" King crows. "Gabe is gonna' spread him like a rib splitter!" The Beast secures the struggling Stephens and lifts him up high before driving Mike's back into his knee! Stephens lets out a strangled yelp, but continues to wiggle weakly, but Drake bending the Sensation across his knee again halts that!! Gabe nods his head proudly, walking the World Champ around the ring in a circle, showing him off to everyone before backing near the ropes and tossing him to the outside!! "YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" The crowds odd reaction clues Drake in that something has gone wrong! Turning around he sees that Stephens has nimbly latched on to the top rope with one hand somehow dangling beside the ring apron!! Lugging himself up and placing his knee on the apron, Michael spots Drake stalking towards the ropes and as Gabe reaches over the cables to grab him, Mike drives his shoulder forward stunning the Beast!! Standing tall, Stephens pulls Gabriel's head down and- *THWAP!* -nails him with a European uppercut to the chops!! Gabe bumbles away, stroking his stinging jaw, while the World Heavyweight Champion takes a huge breath and then elevates himself up to the top rope, springing off the cables and hurtling into the just turning Drake with a hooking clothesline!!! "A springboard flying hooking clothesline!" Mak announces joyfully. "Stephens soars through the air and takes out his challenger!" "Please," King murmurs snidely in response. "Toxxic has the glide path of a stone…" "Here we go!" Mak Francis completely ignores his announce partner's retort, too wrapped up in comeback to care! Pushing himself up to his feet, Mike bounces off the ropes and blazes back towards a rising Gabe, hopping into the air and fastening his legs around Drake's neck in a head-scissors takedown!! The fans are roaring, the momentum is changing and Michael Stephens pops back to his feet, feeling the adrenaline pumping through his body!! Marching up to Drake, Mike comes towards his opponent fists up and flying, with the audience behind him chanting each punch he hits… "RIGHT!" *BAM!* "LEFT!" *BAM!* "RIGHT!" *BAM!* "LEFT!" *BAM!* Michael winds up like a baseball pitcher, then spins around… But Gabe ducks… *WHAM!* Right into a kneeling facebuster!!! Spotting the dodge ahead of time, Stephens stops his momentum and drives Drake's face into his knee, then as the Beast's head recoils, the World Champ twirls on his feet again and hits the: *WHAAAAM!* "DISCUSS CLOTHESLINE!" Mak calls, practically jumping (not really) for joy. "In just under a minute's time, Michael Stephens has shown why he is the SWF World Heavyweight Champion!" Breathing somewhat heavily on his knees, but now on a roll, Stephens jumps back up dragging Drake with him as he backs the challenger into the ropes, but Gabe reverses yet again making Mike run the cables! Upon his return, Michael ducks under an overhand right hitting the far ropes and sprints back, this time dodging a back elbow attempt! Rebounding from the cables one more time, Mike plans his next move not spotting Gabe step forwarding after missing his second attack! Catching Stephens by surprise, Drake lifts him up on his shoulder and then backpedals to drop him across the top rope throat first!! Stephens tumbles back and flops over to his belly gasping for breath, while the Beast leans in the ropes rubbing his jaw! "Rejected!" King yells. "Even hell knows to snub Toxxic! He's too much of a liability… he would probably try to break the Devil's neck to get his spot on top!" "Good one…" Francis answers, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, Drake's Devil's Reject, that Stun Gun-like maneuver has halted all the World Champ's momentum. He was really firing on all cylinders too!" Drake surveys the scene, plotting his next move as Stephens takes big wheezing breaths trying to gulp in the air! Forcing himself to get up, Michael is too busy coughing to notice his opponent stalking him from behind and Stephens turns- *THWACK!* *THWACK!* -directly into a right palm to the jaw and left palm to the cheek! Then Drake pivots on his heels, flashing around in a loop with his right fist raises- *THWAP!* -knocking him senseless with a spinning back fist!! With the Sensation staggered by part of the KENTA combo, Gabe wraps his arm around Stephens's neck stepping behind him to bend the Brit backwards for his swinging Flatliner, but Drake pauses to show everyone in the crowd what he's got planned and that's all the time Michael Stephens needs to counter! Driving his right elbow into the nape of Gabriel's neck, Stephens halts the oncoming Brute-force trauma and then continues his assault with elbow… after elbow, after elbow—breaking the hold! "Brute-force trauma—no, Side effect! A Side Effect!" Mak calls, as Mike quickly encircles his right arm around Gabe's head clasping it under Drake's shoulder with his left and prepares to lift, only for the Beast to begin an elbow barrage of his own! Francis retracts his statement. "NO! Drake countering with elbows too! And now he's got a-a-an Arm Triangle choke!!" The Franchise stutters trying to keep up with the fast paced action, as Gabe Drake slaps on an Arm Triangle choke, squeezing his forearm into the side of Stephens's neck pinning it and his arm against Drake's shoulder! The World Champion's face begins to turn red from his restricted oxygen flow, so Gabe starts to lift the Brit for a slam to get him ground, but Michael Stephens will not be taken down and made to submit without some difficulty! Shoving his elbow down to relieve a little of the pressure, Stephens leans his skull away from Drake's and- *CRACK!* -whips it ahead stinging Gabe's ear with the side of his head! Landing back on his feet, but still feeling a little faint, Mike realizes just how close he is to being choked out and alarmed at the thought, frenetically picks up the pace of his attack! *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* The final headbutt gives him the mobility of his right arm and then with his arm finally free, Michael hammers his elbow down into the nape of Gabe's collar breaking the hold!! *CRACK!* Stephens's head is swimming, but the Champ sees an opportunity and strikes, pirouetting in front of Drake while reaching back with his left arm to secure Gabe's head!! Mak's face lights up… “It might be nighttime here on the East Coast but it’s always… SUNNY IN ENGLAND!” “YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!” Lunging towards the turnbuckles, the bedraggled Stephens tries to stay latched to his opponent with the three-quarters facelock for his version of the Slice Bread #2 – but Drake has his wits about him and shoves the Sensation off into the turnbuckle, Stephens just barely able to turn to his back and cushion the blow! This doesn’t stop him from stumbling out of the corner wearily and colliding with Gabriel Drake’s shoulder, as the Beast lowers his head and mangles him into a certified train wreck!!! *WHAAAAAAAAM!* “SPEAR!” King shouts rising out of his seat, as Stephens tumbles over to his belly from the impact! “He got him—WAIT, where is Stephens going! Damnit… that bitch just rolled out of the ring!” And King’s statement is true. The World Champion is now facedown on the outside having rolled himself through the ropes, while Drake sits up looking around for Stephens. Mak Francis explains how everything played out. “Stephens was passing out and he went by pure instincts to get out of a tough jam, then spotted an opening for the Sunny in England and took it, King.” The Franchise says, while his partner fumes. “Drake showed some wherewithal by pushing off the World Champ, but like many times before this his instincts save him once again, as Michael rolling out of the ring probably saved him the title!” “He’s a coward!” King cries out, while Drake finally spots Stephens and rolls out of the ring after him. Kivell starts his count without trying to reason with Gabe, realizing that the only way to get him back in is to use the threat of a count-out. ‘ONE!’ Mak tries to rebuke the claim, but King interrupts. “End of story, Francis!” The aforementioned Francis’s words die in his mouth, as Gabe tries to decide on what he’s going to do with the helpless Stephens… ‘TWO!’ Having made a decision, Drake lifts his struggling opponent to his feet and show everyone his next move… backing Michael into the apron by his lower lumbar! He’s decided to punish!! ‘THREE!’ Stephens clenches his teeth and attempts to protect his ribs, but Drake will have none of that! “I wanna’ hear you fuckin’ beg!” Well, that confirms it. Pulling him back, Drake rams Stephens into the apron again! And again! And again, seemingly trying to force the Brit to cry out in agony!! ‘FOUR!’ “If there’s one thing Michael Stephens is, it’s defiant!” Francis notes, as Drake grabs Stephens in a front headlock and drags him over towards the railing. Holding on to the waistband of his Tripp NYC trousers, Gabriel Drake hoists the World Champ up and then not-so-gently places him down straddling the metal guardrail!! *…Clank!* “OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHWAH…” The crowd shows it sympathy, but Stephens’s wide-eyed stare and low moan is met with a snug right-hand knocking him into the first row fans laps, the real best seats in the house! ‘FIVE!’ The crowd attempts to clear out, as Gabe feints a backhand to a 13 year old kid cursing him out while he reaches over the security railing, snitching in another front headlock and snapping the Sensation over the rail and onto the thinly padded floor in a suplex!! Stephens arches his back in pain and then tries to sit up, falling back to the floor! Unable to get up the first time, Stephens feels Drake grip him by the hair and ‘help’ him to his knees! ‘SIX!’ The Beast shoves his finger into Mike’s face and shouts at him: “Beg, you bitch!” And young Michael’s reply: “Piss off, wanker…” When the World Champ just stares him in the eyes, after that response and fires off a weak punch to the body, Gabe picks him all the way up and takes a quick look behind him… “No-no-no! Don’t do it!” Francis implores, as Drake whips Stephens into the steel steps so hard he doesn’t even have a chance to turn and cushion the bloWii! *CLANG!* ‘SEVEN!’ “Oh, he did it and I enjoyed watching it too!” King shouts gleefully, as Stephens sits huddled over the stairs after hitting them sternum first! “This is the mean streak necessary to win a World Title! If he’s going to live his dream then Toxxic will have to be crushed!” Meanwhile, Gabriel looks at Kivell, who seems at his wits end and smiles. This’ll only get worse from him. The Beast rolls into the ring, allowing the senior referee to break the count and giving him hope that he’ll finally have some control again… but it’s not to be, as Drake steps through the ropes onto the apron and moves around the pole to the steel stairs. ‘EI-’ Glaring down at his opponent, Gabriel Drake hunches over and asks Stephens if he’ll ‘finally fuckin’ beg’, but the World Champion does the one thing he knows will get to Gabe. “Fuck you…” …And flips him the British V-sign just incase he didn’t get the message! “That probably wasn’t such a hot idea…” Drake blinks and does a double take, seemingly in denial that Stephens actually just said that, but when he realizes it was real the Beast stomps down hard crushing Mike’s hand into the stairs!! *BANG!* Walking down the steps, Gabe grabs Stephens, who’s cradling his hurt hand and tosses him under the ropes back into the ring! Drake slides in after him with a sadistic scorned look in his eyes and you can tell he’s planning to do something about it!! Michael sits on his knees, flexing his left digits to get some of the feeling back, but Drake snatches him off the canvas by the head and pants then wheels around, sending him skidding under the buckles on his belly- *THUNK!* -shoulder first into the steel ringpost! Drake slides out of the ring and grips Stephens’s ailing left arm, wrapping it around the pole once more! *THUNK!* Then the Beast grabs the arm, thumping it down against the steel trying to injure the limb again! And again! And again and again and again and again!!! *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* Then with a sadistic grin flings it into the pole one last time! *THUNK!* “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The referee tries to reprimand Drake, but the Beast just smiles on the outside telling him to start the five count if he must! As Kivell starts, Gabe just lets go of the arm and slides back into the ring!! The World Champion cradles his tenderized arm to his body, hoping to protect the limb, as the ref gets in Drake’s face to back him away! Matt Kivell has been around the block so he isn’t intimidated by the wrestler, but he’s not supposed to physically stop them. Kivell shoves Drake back, pointing at the logo on his shirt and not allowing the challenger to advance on Stephens, who is now pulling himself up to his feet using one arm! “Don’t do it, Drake!” Francis cautions, as Gabe seems to be contemplating pushing the referee right back, but common sense prevails when the Beast just smiles and steps around Kivell. He doesn’t want to get DQed, but that doesn’t mean he can’t bend the rules a little! “Kivell shouldn’t have touched him!” King retorts supporting the Beast. “Referees are there to count the pinfalls and submissions! Not get in the wrestlers faces when they adhere to the rules!” “Adhere to the rules!” Mak counters incensed. “Kivell stepped in because he had to enforce the damn rules, King!” With Stephens finally up to his vertical base, Gabe goes about his new plan! Marching up to the Sensation who is cradling his left arm to his midsection, Drake shoots at his leg, pulling the champion off his feet and spinning him down to the mat! Surprised by the new plan of attack, Stephens had no way to defend against the Dragon Screw takedown!! Now in control of the joint, Gabriel drops an elbow into the crook of the limb, banging it into the canvas!! Standing again, his grip still on the ankle, Drake repeats the process, driving the point of his elbow into the knee of the Brit!! Stephens clutches at his leg while trying to protect it, swatting at his opponent who looms over him, then steps on Mike’s abdomen before rocketing over top trying to hyperextend his knee by pulling the hamstring!! “A change of direction from the norm for Gabriel Drake.” Francis notes. “All match he’s been focused on the midsection and back of his opponent, but now he’s attacking the left leg?” “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The Beast stands to jeers from the crowd, glancing over at his opponent who is attempting to crawl his way into the ropes! Surveying his handiwork from afar, while the World Champ claws ever closer to the cables, Drake walks behind him cockily and steps on his ankle to hinder his progress!! “Now that just total disrespect for the champion!” Mak says, “I already knew he was an ass, but I’ll be honest, this whole new mode of attack makes no sense to me-” “-It makes perfect sense to me!” King interrupts. “Gabe’s dissecting him piece by piece just like he said he would, Francis!” The ropes are just inches away, so close in fact that a final lurch from the Champ puts him with reach! Kivell steps in once again, physically backing Drake away since Stephens has pulled himself into the ropes by wrapping his arm around it, seemingly getting as close as possible to it now that Drake has released his ankle!! Hitching himself up to his feet, Michael stands gingerly on the left leg, using the ropes for balance! The senior referee has no choice, but to let Drake advance and Gabe does just that, quickly coming from the side with a swift kick behind the joint! Again! And Again! Mike attempts to hobble away toward the other corner using the ropes, as Gabe rears back- *THWACK!* -and finally kicks the leg out from underneath him! Stephens crash to the ground holding his leg as the crowd voices its displeasure… “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” “Punish him, Gabe!” King shouts anxious to see what Drake will come up with next after his last display. “Break him down!” Lifting Stephens up by his hair, Drake backs Stephens into the corner and then hauls him across the ring in a cross corner whip… or he would have been whipped into the buckles- *THUNK!* -if the Sensation’s leg hadn’t given out briefly, forcing him to slide into the ringpost on his side!!!! Dropping down to the canvas, Gabe grabs Stephens’s left leg and drags him back into the corner under the pads! Sliding out of the ring with a firm grip on the Sensation’s foot, Drake yanks him forward and bends the World Champ on the pole, earning a baleful look from Kivell in the process!! Twisting his former friend’s body around the ringpost, while he reaches around Mike’s throat, Gabriel Drake secures both the leg and head… “I’ve never quite seen a set-up like this…” Mak call, as Drake pulls back wrenching Stephens around the ringpost!!!! “Oh god, it’s a Bow and Arrow AROUND THE RINGPOST!” “My boys inventive!” King boasts, as Michael’s arms flail about trying anything to relieve some of the pressure!! On the outside, the Beast just continues to lean back, pulling down on his legs and neck while he waits for the inevitable five count. The World Champ screams writhing in pain, his free arm banging against the post! Kivell immediately flies into a count! He’s got to stop this… make Drake break! ‘ONE!’ ‘TWO!’ “What goes around comes around!” King declares, as Stephens shakes his head and hollers ‘No’, just encase Kivell’s thinking of stopping the match. “This is what you deserve when you ruin a man’s dream!” ‘THREE!’ ‘FOUR!’ “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” And prompt as always Drake releases the hold! Breaking the torturous hold at four, the Beast mollifies Kivell by sliding back into the ring. Stephens meanwhile pulls himself from around the post, trying and failing to gain some distance between him and his challenger! Done trying to reprimand Drake for his excessive attacks, the referee attempts to reason with him, but Gabe calmly reminds him yet again that he’s got a four count, so he can’t DQ the challenger! Drake grabs Stephens by the wrist and drags him from under the turnbuckles into the center of the ring, dropping on top of the World Champ in a lateral press! “Finally, a damn cover!” The Franchise says, as Kivell falls to his knees, thankful that Drake’s finally seen reason. “This is Drake’s first attempt to actually end the match… and he might just do it.” ONE- -Kivell’s hand doesn’t even get to strike the mat… because the Beast lifts Stephens’s off the mat by his scalp and stares the ref in the face!! Gripping the Sensation’s head, Gabe shakes his head and lets Kivell know he’s not done! “You *bleep*-ing son of a bitch!” Mak Francis fumes completely irate at Drake, finally losing his cool after many false starts! “I don’t get why you’re so upset,” King asks calmly, “we all knew this was how it’d go, right? Hell, in my opinion Toxxic deserves this! He tried to destroy the man’s dream! His destiny! You’re not god, Francis.” King adds in a condescending manner. “You can’t even walk let alone walk on water, so who’re you to go against destiny?!” “Now you’re just being an *bleep*-ing ass, Brian!”

Honestly, read the books. I watched movies 1, 2 and 3 before starting to read the series and it makes a lot more sense if you read the books first. They're pretty good once you get to the third one. And I personally dug the movies, but the third and fourth will leave you a bit confused if you haven't read the books. Nothing that someone who has read them can't explain though. About the new one... I like the title. I remember from reading the Once and Future King in highschool that one of King Arthur's quests was a search for these ancient Hallows. Hallows are considered buried spirits, hidden souls or graves. Something like that, my memories fuzzy. Like All Hallows Eve = All Souls Night. So it's basically Harry Potter and the search for Voldemort's Souls. Deathly Hallows has a better ring to it.

Finally got my part 2 up. Congrats to JJ by the way... that's a nice looking match. And to Mike, who pulled out the victory even in defeat. I'll look at everyone elses matches again later, but for now, good job from everybody involved.