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Above Average

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Posts posted by Above Average

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    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!”

  3. Posted · Report reply

    I'll just talk about everything briefly.

     

    Good job turning in something Herzog cause you've got a big match with Flesher at the PPV and a win is a win.

     

    Clark put in some good work for this show. I've already said this but the more grounded you are the better the stuff is that you write. Your promo did a solid job explaining the reason for your dual personalities with the PPV stip and your match had some neat spots... if I saw someone physically pull off that entire finish I'd probably mark out, but I doubt it could be done. I pretty much agree with Flesher. You tried to protect the final flash, but you took a lot of big moves without really selling them. Still, though it could have been toned down a little, it was perfectly acceptable storytelling and got Clark over as a tough guy, who literally fell into being Cruiserweight champ.

     

    I dug my promo and hope it makes up for my apathy lately. I am really pumped for this match.

     

    Flesher's match was good in establishing that he can handle bigger wrestlers which is what I assume Herzog is. I do wonder how it'll affect the Canadian Deathmatch because while it has been made into 'Flesher's match' maybe he'll have to cheat and cheat often to win this one. I'd enjoy that.

     

    I like the fact that Hawke did some character work here. In fact I almost prefer it to a match with a ton of cheating because Hawke in character as a heel should be pissed. He is the fed work horse, took Stephens to the limit and then as a technical wrestler he's put in a non-title Hardcore match. I liked it a lot.

     

    JJ's match was sick in the sense that it did what Danny Williams used to do a lot. Build specific moves for the PPV match in an attempt to make his false finishes even more believable. I saw a clip of the knee kick and it's a nasty strike. He also established the elbows, which'll be key in a match against Landon since both guys will probably write JJ pounding him down with them. Like Flesher said, shame it wasn't a competitive match and the tags messing up did make it harder to read.

     

    Good job not no-showing Akira and I know it was rushed. Since you had to do it quickly, I agree that you might as put yourself over strong. Nice tap-out to talk about in a promo.

  4. Posted · Report reply

    I always love the Hard sell because it gives a great idea of where the match might go. I like the idea that Drake isn't special in the sense that Mike is the underdog in this match, but that the situation between these two is special. I think it really compliments my HoM segment well. Good stuff.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    I always dig a hard sell and this one feels a lot more grounded than your other promos, which made them harder to follow. Really sets the stage from Clark's point of view and gives us a general direction of the match.

     

    "But there is one thing that I can do, and I will do in just a few days time. Win."

     

    I think this is the most telling part of the promo. Probably why you did the whole isolation of 'Win', so if that was the case it worked. I like the idea behind this match and hope you guys can do some inventive things with the partial DQ stip.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Although I dug the show a lot more than most it seems, I think it made sense most of the time. Pretty much all the faces going over? That was once the WWE MO on the big 4. WM and SS especially. Plus this may be a way to repay and reward some of the Philly crowd for the South Philly Screwjob. Don't want to completely alienate a big market.

     

    Highlights of the show:

     

    Flair being the sole suvivor.

     

    Benoit/Chavo had a good set-up to build to future rematches. Lots of spots to build off of on that one.

     

    Cryme Tyme selling Lita's shit was priceless. We all knew Lita was going out on her back but damn I didn't see this coming at all. Nice little vignette to set it up and then actually getting money from fans that didn't seem to be plants had me rollin. The match was good as well, Lita's counter to Mickie's corner huracanrana was really nice especially. The great crowd reactions didn't hurt either.

     

    The HHH/Punk add-lib was cool. HBK kicking Knoxx, asking if the bell rung and then asking who he was after he pinned him was great. The Trips/HBK bit with Kelly Kelly and HBK posing with Melina had me dying too. I thought they might make more of Orton's sole suvivor streak but they didn't even mention it. I guess they decided that jobbing Punk or someone from DX, to get it to 2 on 1 which would make it seem like Orton actually had a shot would be too much trouble so they might as well just keep all the faces strong.

     

    Kennedy/Taker had an interesting take on the first blood stip. It probably didn't translate as well live but Taker going after internal injuries to make him cough up blood was neat. The vasoline on Ken's forehead, plus taking off the turnbuckle pads and his introduction being so serious. The commentary about how many World champs Kennedy's beaten this year and even the MVP interference to prolong/end the match. And it had an oldschool brawl feel, with a TOP ROPE Superplex added in. When's the last time we've seen one of those, much less from Taker! Then cap it all off with that stiff chair shot and beatdown! The little things in this match were all handled extremely well and I think everyone came out of this looking good. Whoever game planned it, be it Hayes or a road agent or Taker/Kennedy themselves really put a lot of thought into it.

     

    Cena catching the little bastard had me chuckling. And John got his boos, but turn the crowd back to his favor with his insta-pop spot. I hadn't really thought about it until now but whenever Cena is dealing with a hostile crowd, his salute goes to three fingers like they should read between the lines! That's pretty inventive. FUing Show will always get my respect no matter how many times he does it. Much like his last two traditional Survivor Series matches Cena ends up a sole suvivor after FUing the Big Show.

     

    And the show finishes with Batista completing his long road back to the World Title he never lost. If you want to send the fans home happy in theory, this was how WWE was going to do it. The only thing that didn't quite make sense if this was the case, was how they handled RVD. Sabu, wasn't projected to be the face of ECW, but I guess RVD's drug stop really soured Vince on him. I guess Lashley really is winning the title.

     

    Could it have been better. Definitely. I would have liked Orton to make the DX/RKO match more dramatic going into the finish and maybe they could have cut Batista/Booker & Team Cena/Team Show down by a few minutes to give that match more time. Bats win was not a big moment like they attempted to make it with him resorting cheating to win. I can see why some people might not like it, still, thumbs up from me, although I tend to look for the positives.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Honestly, I've lost a little momentum after writing 10K+ at Genesis and getting beat soundly by Landon. I helped with a promo and tried to write for this, but multiman's were never my strong point. And just like the Elimination Chamber I got stuck after getting part way through and realized the reason I suck at multimans is because I try to put too many stories into one match. And then I got a headache and it was all over from there.

     

    Hopefully I'm in the Classic cause I'm jazzed up for some singles matches, whatever the stip may be.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    If there's two islands how was Goodwin able to run to the Tail section in a hour as Ben suggested in the S3 premiere?

     

    From the overhead view they gave, the Others were on the main island when that happened and then probably relocated to the Hydra after they captured and drugged up Jack, Kate and Sawyer. Maybe the line in the sand from season two was to make sure they didn't find the Others main island village.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Hey guys he said that the second island is slightly larger then the island that housed Alcatraz. We're not talking about Hawaii here.

    Yeah...and the other island is clearly visible from it. As aforementioned, Desmond never saw it in his 20 days of circling the island? Sayid never saw it while they were looping around? In 16 years, Rousseau never saw it?

     

    Also, Benry's "We don't kill people"? What the hell was Ethan doing when he killed Scott/Steve, then, in the first season? And what was Goodwin doing when he snapped the neck of the not-really-an-other in the Tailies' makeshift jail cell? I can't tell if the writers are setting the Others up to be batshit crazy or if they're just hoping the audience forgets the last two seasons, but either way it's not working very well.

     

    Desmond not finding anything occured before the Hatch imploded. Is it a reasonable theory that this is what caused him not to find the other island? Trying to see Alcaltraz from anywhere on the California coast would be difficult, so Rousseau would need to be in a specific place to spot it. Possible yes, probable maybe not so much... but possible?Sayid's journey around the island is an easy way to get around this though. I think Ben's reaction when they found out about the sailboat is telling. Juliet said they'll keep going in circles, but Ben contradicted her and ordered the search party to move as fast as they could, because they might find them and he wanted the boat, IIRC. This happened after the Hatch imploded, so the Electro Magnetic "snow-globe" effect, which might be why Rousseau couldn't see it, could have been destroyed. Plus, it doesn't seem like Sayid went completely around the island. He only made it to the docks, which is when they took the boat. Suspend your disbelief, this is a wrestling messageboard after all.

     

    But enough about that, I really dug this episode. I originally thought Jack would have to save Collen but it was a nice twist for her to die. Like people said Ben having the spinal tumor seems too obvious (although it would be a nice change of pace if it were the obvious pick), so I'll say it's him instead of someone yet unseen. I knew I remembered the needle scene from something, but couldn't place it. Odd that I immediately got the 'Of Mice and Men' references instead of Pulp Fiction.

     

    Sawyer's situation wasn't really believable, especially after Jack finds out that their equipment is broken during the OR scene, but your still not sure because the characters doubt is there. I liked that it's all another psychological experiment about Kate/Sawyer, but Pickett with his wife dead is tired of all the bullshit and pretty much forces Kate to confirm she loves Sawyer while whoopin his ass.

     

    The flashback was good and established some cool parallel's. The Of Mice and Men quote at the end really brought it home, but Sawyer's weakness is falling in love. I'd have to check all of Sawyer's story to see if there are any hints that he was the subject of a long con himself with the whole baby thing. Now that would be cool.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Wasn't it pretty much confirmed last night that the Others are left over from the Dharma experiments? That's a pretty big thing.

     

     

    And Juliet knocking Jack out with one punch? Come on.

     

    Come on what? I guess she can't possibly be able to hit hard, or know how to knock someone out because she's a girl. :rolleyes:

     

    Jack hadn't eaten or had any water. Plus, she said he'd be weak and hallucinating from the drugs they gave him. Though you can't tell the amount of time that past during Jack's 'stubbon' period, I'd say this went on for about a day and the episodes pacing seems to back that up. Placed in that position it's completely plausible that Julie knocked him out.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    The Jayson Grant Memorial Trophy - For Wrestler of the Year

    -Landon Maddix

     

    The Divefire Memorial Trophy - For Comeback Wrestler of the Year

    -Muzz

    -Tom Flesher

     

    The Pay-Per-View Match of the Year Award

    -Clusterfuck 2006

     

    The Non-PPV Match of the Year Award

    -Michael Stephens vs. Bruce Blank

    -Gabriel Drake vs. Akira Kaibatsu (the only decent match I've done other than G7)

     

    The Feud of the Year Award

    -Zyon vs Hollywood Spike Jenkins

    -Landon vs Michael Stephens

    -Bruce Blank vs Jay Hawke

    -Tom vs. the cruiserweights

     

    The Jay Dawg Improvement Award - For Most Improved Wrestler

    - Bruce Blank

    - Akira Kaibatsu

     

    The Axis Memorial Trophy - For Under-Appreciated Wrestler

    - Jay Hawke

    - Gabriel Drake/Mak Francis (a.k.a Me motherfuckers nominate me for something ;) )

     

    The Rane Memorial Trophy - For Most Impressive Career

    -Not me

    -Raynor

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Just going over the matches I read completely. WC did a hell of a job trying to create a sense of vengence. The shoulder thing was worked in well with the given storyline and was expected, although I don't quite understand a shoulder breaker finish (I guess you were trying to hyperextend the arm?). I thought there might be a few moves better suited towards the sub, but I honestly can't think of any right now. But anyway, now that that chapter is closed it'll be interesting to see where you go from here.

     

    The large metal object that MVS brought to the ring (which, if I'd had the time to go back and edit it in and/or promo, I would have made clear) was reshaped out of the same lead pipe that Van Siclen originally used to separate WC's shoulder back in '04. As far as the finish, the point was for the swing that WC took to have separated Van Siclen's shoulder, thereby making the shoulder breaker submission possible; basically, I was going for the WarGames '92 finish.

     

    If I'd had time to add it in, I would have had WC do additional damage to the shoulder by jumping off the top to spike that weapon into MVS's shoulder.

     

    Never seen WarGames '92 but I get the drift. Sounds good.

     

    In other news I liked your match Spike. You brought up all your previous matches and built off them (I guess we're under the assumption that your G6 match was ended by a Pepsi Plunge. Odd I never saw that. ;) ) And the finish dramatic and had that dangerous feel to it. Good stuff.

  22. Posted · Report reply

    That was a really good show. I wanted to wait on commenting until or match was up and Landon did write a excellent match. I'm not really upset because I knew going in it'd be tough competition beating a big match writer like him in this situation.

     

    Just going over the matches I read completely. WC did a hell of a job trying to create a sense of vengence. The shoulder thing was worked in well with the given storyline and was expected, although I don't quite understand a shoulder breaker finish (I guess you were trying to hyperextend the arm?). I thought there might be a few moves better suited towards the sub, but I honestly can't think of any right now. But anyway, now that that chapter is closed it'll be interesting to see where you go from here.

     

    The main event was a helluva match. Toxxic has improved greatly as a writer in handling 'pure' wrestlers since his match against Mak last year. The running commentary about Flesher's weight tying into the finish, where no amount of technical knowledge or skill can make up for speed and ingenuity was brilliant.

     

    I need to read everything on the show before commenting some more, but I think we should be proud of this one.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    SWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT/CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

    Michael Stephens © vs. Tom Flesher ©

     

    I couldn't tell you. Really, I couldn't.

     

     

    SWF INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - OLD SCHOOL RULES

    Bruce Blank © vs. "The Dean of Professional Wrestling" Jay Hawke

     

    This is a tough match to call as well. Based on writing these guys are very even. The stip leans towards Hawke, but you can see from his matches that Bruce loves the old NWA style. I'll go with Blank only due to the fact that I believe Jay Hawke should be in the World Title mix, not that Bruce couldn't be either. A win here is a significant put over and then he'll probably have huge run with the belt before dropping it to the next up-and-comer.

     

     

    GRUDGE MATCH

    Wildchild vs. Mike Van Siclen

     

    Wildchild. If Mike was writing more this would be more in doubt, but as it stands, the only questions are what is the finish and how we get to that finish.

     

     

    CAGE MATCH

    Landon "La Cucaracha" Maddix © vs. "The Beast" Gabriel Drake

     

    This was one opponent I've wanted to face for a while now. Given the big match atmosphere I know I need to bring some good content and I like what I've got planned. We'll see how that works out... I haven't written a Cage match since the JL so this will be interesting.

     

     

    FIRST BLOOD MATCH

    Johnny Dangerous vs. Charlie "Grappler" Matthews

     

    I'll go against the grain and pick Johnny.

     

     

    SWF HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

    Jimmy the Doom © vs. The Crimson Skull

     

    Jimmy. Who the hell could defeat Drea in a match this wacky. Sly is a hell of a writer when he wants to be, but really, it's gotta be Jimmy.

     

     

    SWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERS MATCH

    "Hollywood" Spike Jenkins vs. "The Divine Wind" Akira Kaibatsu

     

    I'd like to see Spike win this but he's got to show first. Akira may have a better track record, still though, I think Holly will take it.

     

    MYSTERY MATCH

    "Deathwish" Danny Williams vs. ???

     

    Danny puts somebody who needs it over. Although if it's Nemesis, Danny Powerbombs him just to prove that Z was wrong and the same spot on Janus was completely possible in the context of his match. Then it promptly gets no-sold and Nemesis wins.

     

     

    FATAL FOURWAY ELIMINATION MATCH

    The Scion of Light vs. Scotty "The Crush" Raina vs. MANSON vs. Scott Rageheart

     

    Can't predict without seeing half of the people writing before.

     

     

    TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS MATCH

    "The Unique Youth" Zyon vs. JJ Johnson

     

    I'd have switched this to a Canadian Deathmatch considering there is already a 2/3 falls match on the card, but that's just me. Zyon, because he beat WC with his last match. That should make everyone take notice.

     

     

    SWF FROST PRE-PPV SHOW

     

    SINGLES MATCH

    Ian vs. Larkin

    Special Guest Referee: THE BOSTON STRANGLER~!

     

    Which ever ones the oldest and can create actual sentences... though that might not be good critera considering how Strangler got beat last time, so a Canadian Screwjob on Ian leads to a Larkin win.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Joe Peters stands in his office after Smarkdown has gone off the air. The Road to Genesis is officially finished and while he has most of his matches signed, he’s been waiting on one person. The under card won’t officially be complete until he can get this one done and considering how the fans have been reacting he needs to get it booked. If he doesn’t get this signed soon he’ll have trouble really promoting it. Joe exits his office intent on finding Maddix and bringing him there when… who should arrive but the man himself.

     

    “Ah, Landon,” Peters starts, ushering him back through the door. “Just the person I hoped would come by.”

     

    “I came here to get a match with Gabe Drake.” Landon begins, coming through the door. Looking around he spots his would-be opponent sitting at Joe’s desk. “Why are you here?”

     

    “I’m… supervising.”

     

    “Mr. Drake expected that you would want a match with him and has a few requirements that he wishes for you to agree to before he will get in a ring.” Peters says, quite unsure how to say this without upsetting Landon. “How should I begin? Well-”

     

    “-First things first, Maddix.” Drake cuts in. “Rule number one is that no matter what I do, you won’t lay a finger on me until our match.”

     

    Landon takes pause at this. He remembers the conversation with his tag partner well. Gabriel Drake will take any chance he gets to attack him and this basically gives him free reign. And that isn’t something Maddix wants considering what happened one show ago.

     

    “That’s not very fair.” Landon notes, a small chuckle coming forth. “Why would I agree to have open season on my own head?” Maddix glares at Drake, tapping his forehead. “The last time wasn’t enough?”

     

    “True.” Gabe says, smirking and gives an acknowledging nod. “I guess I don’t need to do that anymore. I can just talk about you and your dirty whore…”

     

    Landon’s eyes narrow. If Gabe wanted to know what gets to him, then he just found one clue. Two can play that game. “So, I guess I could talk about how Mike banged your-”

     

    “-Shut the FUCK up!”

     

    Anyone could tell that pissed Gabe off.

     

    “How about we do this?” Joe says, praying to God that Gabe Drake doesn’t jump Landon right then and there. This should be good enough. “A gag order! I’ll give a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars if you break it! That means you can’t say anything too inflammatory—beyond the normal pay-per-view hype of course,” Joe adds. He’s got to protect his match after all. “Or attack each other until the match at Genesis!”

     

    Drake pauses to think this over and then nods his head. Peters looks to Landon and gets a similar response. “Okay, that one was negotiable, but this one isn’t.” Gabe raises a second finger and his smile returns. “Rule number two is that there will be a stipulation of my choice for this match.”

     

    Mike was right on the money. Apparently he remembers more about Drake than he thought. Peters once again takes this chance to jump in, hoping to defuse the situation and get the match signed as quickly as possible. After all the last part of this little pre-match meeting is going to be the hardest.

     

    “Yes, Gabriel has requested that this match be held in a fifteen foot high Steel-barred Cage or else he’ll walk.”

     

    “You want a Cage Match?”

     

    Landon expected a stip and it does play to his opponents strengths. The Cage keeps them both at a close distance and gives a guy like Drake a natural weapon to use. Plus it’s less likely that Megan can help him in that type of situation.

     

    “Is that a surprise?” Drake asks, as Maddix shakes his head no. “You’re right, it shouldn’t be. I just wanna’ make sure there’s no interference. The last time we had words-”

     

    “-You mean when a psychotic bastard—that’d be you by the way, jumped me from behind?”

     

    “Sure, if that’ll make you feel better, why not. During our last altercation, after I beat you senseless, I decided that I was going to break your fuckin’ leg!” Gabe ends the sentence with a snarl and much more serious expression on his face than he started it with, but just as suddenly as it arrived it has left. “Sadly, the only problem with that and it’s a big one in my book, is that Toxx decided to get involved. In a steel cage that won’t happen, Maddix. In a cage there’s nobody to get between me and you, but your own fear.”

     

    Drake chuckles.

     

    “Peters made sure to add Escape rules, so that once you’ve really realized what you talked yourself into, you can try and run like the little bitch you are.”

     

    Joe shakes his head no at that. “I just thought it’d make for a more exciting match, Landon.”

     

    Maddix stares a hole into Peters and starts to speak, but Gabe isn’t completely finished…

     

    “But trust me on this, Maddix,” Drake growls. “I won’t let you get too fuckin’ far.”

     

    Landon looks at Drake as if to ask, ‘Are you done?’ and then he hears annoyed sound. Drake tries to recompose himself, taking slow breaths, as he watches Landon do the “Yak-yak-yak” hand taunt. Finally able to speak, Landon begins. “That’s all fine and dandy, Gabby, but I don’t intend on trying to escape until after I’ve beaten your ass all around that Cage.” Maddix responds. “Is that all you got? I was under the impression that you’d do everything within your power to get under my skin! Shoddy one-upmanship if you ask me.”

     

    “There is one last condition, Landon.” Peters adds warily, knowing it will be the toughest to get him to agree to. “Gabriel has requested that you ask him… politely, for the match.”

     

    “Is this a joke?!” Maddix shouts, but Joe just shakes his head. “Fuck that! No, seriously, fuck this Peters. I’m not saying anything, except politely asking him to kiss my ass!”

     

    “If you want the match, Landon, you’ll have to say it…”

     

    Peters’ looks at Drake who barely contain himself, while Landon stews, looking at his potential opponent like he just asked the worst possible thing. Drake must know that he really wants this match…

     

    “Can I have the match, Drake?”

     

    “You didn’t say please.” Gabe says slowly. “Don’t you remember how much you appreciated it when Toxx said please?”

     

    Landon grimace. Is this guy serious?! Maddix reminds himself that he was the one who was going to request this match. He wants it. Really bad…

     

    “Fine, can I please have the match at Genesis, Drake?”

     

    “Of course you could, but will you?”

     

    Happy go lucky Landon just went bye-bye again and Gwen Stefani did such a good job of lifting his spirits. This prick has finally found the one thing to get under his skin and he hit him where it hurts. His ego. Annoyed beyond belief, Landon collects himself looks Gabe in the eyes. This is going to hurt…

     

    “Okay, may I please have the goddamn steel cage match with you at Genesis?”

     

    “Although I didn’t appreciate the profanity, you have your match. Now scurry along you little cockroach—I don’t want to have to crush you until Genesis.” Gabe looks down at the contract on the desk already signing it in loopy cursive as he speaks. “Actually, you need to sign that, so take your time. I’ll leave.”

     

    Getting up to leave, Drake tosses the pen at Landon, hitting him in the chest while he exits with a parting word.

     

    “See you at Genesis.”

     

    Maddix walks over to the paper and before he signs, pauses. Peters begins to worry. God, this is one of his key under card matches. Especially in Canada where it seems that Maddix teaming with Stephens has turned him face. Landon Maddix getting face pops, who would’ve believed that. Canada really is Bizarre-o world. As Landon flips through the contract, he stops and stares at Peters. Is he not going to sign after he went through all that, Peters wonders?

     

    “Megs should look at this too…”

     

    And with that Landon calls Megan Skye on his cell as we…

     

    FADE…

  25. Posted · Report reply

    You of all people should remember that Spike "spiked" Toxx's drink in a nightclub, ending his straight edgeness.

    So being Straight Edge is like being a virgin, once you lose it it's gone forever?

     

    Actually, I believe Punk covered this in his feud with Raven. Dreamer and Raven forced him to drink beer, breaking the code for his purely straight-edge all my life and better than you character, but Punk still said he was straight-edge in ROH (I think?) and in other promotions (OVW/New ECW) right? So, it's a life choice, because someone can become straight-edge after being a drug, alcohol or tobacco user. In fed terms, Spike's characters is the best example of this sentiment. Punk just really ramped up the character because some straight-edgers can be like that, but it's main goal is to change themselves for the better, in their own mind. I assume it'd really piss someone off if you decided to force them to break a promise like that to themselves. Your probably only not a straight-edger if you willingly decide not to be. Then again, I'm not straight-edge so this is all conjecture.

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