Zack Malibu

What would a wrestling show be without a BACKSTAGE SEGMENT~! Well, it'd probably be more of a wrestling show, that's for sure...however that's besides the point, as our fearless camera crew are backstage to catch famed-yet-hated duo JAMES BLONDE and FAQU making their way through the inner workings of the arena, stopped dead in their tracks when Zack Malibu rounds a corner. Malibu exchanges glares with his one-time allies, who have now called out Malibu on past deeds, feeling that he's somehow affected their standing in the OAOAST. BLONDE Well, look who it is. Faqu snarls in the background, while Blonde looks over his shoulder, silently telling the big man to relax. MALIBU Funny how that works, me running into you guys tonight after what went down last week. BLONDE Yeah, funny's not really how I'd describe it, Zack. MALIBU Me either. More like unfortunate. Faqu pushes forward, but Blonde stops him, more interested in verbally sparring with The Franchise. BLONDE You think you're untouchable, don't you, Zack? You think that every day you're going to wake up and the sky's gonna be clear and blue. I've got news for you, Zack...your sky is filled with nothing but clouds, and that sun isn't gonna shine on you much longer. MALIBU That's pretty profound, James. I'm guessing you've been trying to improve on your language skills since you're doing the talking for two people now. How does that happen, anyways? Did you make him watch some of your matches from 2002 until his brain was fried? BLONDE You know, we don't have to be talking right now, while we could be... MALIBU ...while we could be settling this in the ring, I know. And that's exactly why I'm happy to run into you guys, because I just got word that you're going to get your wish, in a way. You brought up last week the night Faqu and I tore the house down, and how it "made" him. Well, he's going to get the chance that you both claim to need again. Next week, the big rematch is signed, sealed and delivered. Me and you, big man, back in that ring one on one. Faqu smiles sinisterly, grunting through his teeth. BLONDE You're kidding, right? You're happy about this? I mean, I know you're an easygoing guy, Zack, but even you can't be naive enough to think that you're going to make it out of there alive. I mean...wait, I get it. It's some type of swerve deal, right? Another Zack Malibu masterminded scheme, right? Uh uh, not this time. MALIBU You know, your paranoia is flattering, if a little unnecessary. BLONDE No, Zack, what's unnecessary is your treatment of people, people that once considered you a friend, people that were striving to be just as good as you but you couldn't even think of possibly helping someone get at your level. Now it's come full circle, now we ARE amongst the best in the world, and if you're looking forward to next week, then your the first man I've ever met who was looking forward to his funeral. Blonde and Faqu walk past, with Faqu stopping and staring down Malibu. Zack doesn't move, his eyes locked on Faqu with no signs of fear, until the Samoan savage turns and walks away. Zack watches them exit, and a smirk stretches across his face as the scene fades out.

Got my tix for the midnight screening tonight. I cannot wait for this.

Your Jr. High wasn't in Indiana and your High School in Cali was it? Awesome, and just obscure enough to where some might not get it. Sadly, no.

That's actually fairly common knowledge. I've picked up the book, and like IIRC Bob mentioned, I love reading about the messed up stories that come along with the "dark side" of the sport, and to me that's a bit more intriguing at times than the Benoit stuff. Also, as a huge Dynamite Kid fan since childhood (before I was to discover what a dick he truly was in real life), it's very cool to hear more stories on Dynamite, and how Benoit longed to follow in his footsteps long before people were making that comparison.

As mentioned in the Draft thread, I'm fairly certain both Umaga and Jericho will come over to SD in the draft, and that Batista will be sent to RAW. Combined with Rey's return, UT's sitting out for a bit (unless the rumor of him going to RAW for Hunter comes true, but I'm not banking on it), and whatever other mid-uppermid guys switch around, Smackdown will at least get a breath of fresh air in the next few weeks, talent and feud wise.

"Liberate" by Disturbed starts playing just as soon as we return from commercial, and the capacity crowd in the arena seems pleased to here the theme song of a certain hoss. Stepping out from the back, the ever-dapper BOHEMOTH appears before the crowd, drawing a favorable response...a far cry from some of the reactions he has gotten recently. COLE Listen to the crowd, Coach! It seems like Bohemoth is back in their good graces after School's Out! COACH They're just following the leader, Mikey Cole. Now that Bo is in good standing with Zack, of COURSE they're not going to boo him! COLE Why would you say that? COACH Because it's on the scri... COLE OH! Okay then, good point! COACH What? Seemingly pleased with the reception, as it's certainly better than what he's been getting in recent weeks, Bo smirks kindly to the crowd as he takes the mic and addresses them. BO I wanted to come out here tonight and talk about what went down at School's Out just a little over a week ago. I want to talk about what went down between Zack Malibu and I not only in that match, but after it. The crowd, respectful of Bo now, applaud his statement, and likely his effort in that contest. BO School's Out was a huge wakeup call for me. It's no secret I went into that match ready to do Zack Malibu bodily harm like no other has done before. I had grown sick of his ego, of his political stroke, and honestly, I had grown sick of him as a human being. I wanted to END Zack Malibu at School's Out. The crowd, who had come back around to Bo's side, start booing in defense of their hero. BO Hey, don't start with the boos just yet, let me finish. I admit, that was my motivation heading into that match. Zack and I have had quite the history, what with my former allegiances and all, but the feud we've had, it started as a competition, as a way for us to motivate each other to be the best, to better ourselves. Somewhere along the way, that changed. It became more than a race...it became a war. It became about more than just a chance at the OAOAST World Title...it became about respect, and blindly I couldn't see that Zack was trying to motivate me to come at him hard, to not let friendship get in the way. Obviously, that's the way things went down, but not the way he expected. After all our differences, he stuck his hand out to me not once, but twice, and I refused it. I refused to believe that Zack wasn't trying to come out of it looking like the bigger man, to try and overshadow me, but after the night he beat me on live television, it stirred something inside me. It made me realize that Zack Malibu was right...that in this business, it's a luxury to have people's respect. In that locker room you have allies and you have enemies, but very rarely do you have friends. In a business as cutthroat as ours, a handshake is like being handed a million dollars...you'd be a fool not to take it, and that's why I'm glad Zack Malibu was able to turn the other cheek and didn't let our recent history affect his decision to shake my hand at School's Out. It's also why I'd like to ask Zack Malibu to come out here right now, because for those of you who may have missed out on School's Out, I'm going to shake his hand in the middle of this ring right now! The crowd roars, and Bo turns towards the entranceway, only having to wait for a few seconds before Papa Roach's anthem "Getting Away With Murder" whips the crowd into a frenzy! COLE Here he comes! As well-dressed as his peer that stands in the ring, Malibu comes out to a great reaction, pleasing the paying audience with his appearance. Zack heads to the ring and steps through the ropes, going nose to nose with Bo before the two men shake hands once again to a huge pop. Bo mouths something to Zack, who responds, and Bo hands over the mic, stepping back and offering center stage to the OAOAST's favorite son. MALIBU You know, Bo, you're absolutely right. This is a cutthroat business that we've decided to become a part of, and yes, friends are few and far between. I know that weeks back, you thought that the things I said and did were a part of some grand scheme to undermine what you accomplished, and the face is, it never was. You DID beat me at Anglemania, and you won our little series at School's Out, and I make no excuses. You are a phenomenal athlete, one of the best in our locker room and one of the best that's come along in a long time. The fact is is that those qualities, there's a lot of people who can have them...but to be more than just a face in the crowd, sometimes you have to step up. You have to earn your keep, and that's why I'm glad you got fired up. Do I wish that we did things differently? Some, because there were a few times I thought we were at the point of no return. Think back to over six years ago, when I won my first World Title from Anglesault...there was a guy at that time who HATED me. Despised me, cursed the ground I walked on...and you would think that after I took his World Title from him, it would fuel that rage that much more, only it didn't. It opened his eyes. It made him see that I was willing to go to any length not just for myself, but for this company, and THAT is why I am who I am today. I made myself by giving it my all, never quitting, and ultimately, respecting this business and what brought me to the dance. Did I fear you taking my spot, Bo? Honestly, no...because you have your own spot to fill in wrestling history. You don't need mine. You aren't going to need to fill anyone's shoes, because you've got your own pair on...nice pair by the way...I'm sure that was $500 well spent... Bo snickers, and the crowd gets a quick laugh at the expense of the Metrosexual Monster. MALIBU ...but you are THERE. You have the attention of millions of fans, of everyone in that locker room, and most of all, you have earned where you are at the old fashioned way. You came at me strong, you never let up, and you deserve to be respected for everything you've done. Bo says "Thank you" to Zack, and while that is met with cheers, they soon shift to boos, as two superstars emerge to make their presence felt in the arena. COACH Looks like we got company, Mikey Cole! COLE James Blonde and Faqu? What are they doing out here? Faqu just stands there, snarling in menacing fashion, while Blonde, the more articulate of the duo, takes his mic. BLONDE Sorry to interrupt the lovefest here, fellas, but...are you KIDDING ME? Bo, I mean, you can't be this stupid, can you? You're getting taken for a ride, my friend. See, let me tell you something about Zack Malibu. Zack Malibu offered you his hand not once, but twice, and you didn't take it. You made the right choice on those nights. As for School's Out, tell me, how easy was it to shake someone's hand while they're holding a knife in it? The crowd, not happy with Blonde's allusions, let him have it verbally. BLONDE Oh boo-hoo. You people are just as blind. Zack Malibu is a human meat grinder...just taking whoever he can and cutting them down until they're of no use to him anymore. You think I don't know that, Bo? He did it to us! He suckered us in with the whole claim of respecting us, and what did it get us? Sent back to Japan to rot? We had to fight like hell to get back here to the OAOAST, and do you know why? Because Crybaby Malibu was still pissed that we didn't help him fight his battles for him! We were the only ones to stand up to the Almighty Malibu, and he tried to starve us for it! MALIBU I tried to STARVE you? You guys had it MADE here, and you, big man...you beat me in that cage for the HI-YAH Title two years ago, but you don't make mention of the fact that you left me to the wolves that same night. You don't mention the fact that I got distracted, on a personal level, by Bruce Blank, and that maybe holding your hands and letting you feed off our friendship wasn't of high importance! I have no problems respecting people's decisions to act alone, or to do their own thing, but don't you dare pin your career ups and downs on me! BLONDE Career ups and downs? Zack, let me make one thing perfectly clear...Faqu and I, our potential is LIMITLESS. We were written off as nothing more than an opening match act before you had even made your bones around here, and went overseas, worked out in some of the most brutal dojos, took on some of the best talent the Land of the Rising Sun had to offer, and we came back driven, motivated, READY. You saw the two young lions tearing through the jungle and you wanted to attatch yourselves to us oh so badly, and when we shot you down, you took it like a jilted lover, and NOW you're doing it to this guy. He kicked your ass TWICE in legit matches, nevermind all the times before you guys had even locked up, and now you're his drinking buddy? I mean Bo, are you THAT naive? Zack, rolling his eyes about Blonde's accusations, hands the mic to Bo so that he can answer. BO Am I that naive? No, I don't have a hard time believing anything, Blonde...including the fact that it seems you're placing the blame on the shoulders of someone who shouldn't have to carry that weight! Blonde isn't happy now, and Faqu simply fumes. BO Zack's reached out to a lot of people, and yeah, some have been more receptive than others. What I think is that now, you're witnessing something that you've been striving for since you came back here, something that's been missing since the days you were considered just another spot filled on the roster...it seems to me that you want RESPECT, and if that's the case, then why don't you and the big man do something about it! Faqu starts to storm the ring, but Blonde stands in his way, his act of cowardice drawing boos from the crowd. BLONDE Easy big man, easy. You know what, Bo, fine. Don't say I didn't warn you about him. When that knife is in your back, I won't be the one to pull it out. As for your offer, you want us to do something, we just might! Bo rolls up his sleeve and checks his watch, then looks at Zack. Simultaneously, they both step back and wave Blonde and Faqu on, drawing a huge response! COLE I have a bad feeling, Coach! Blonde, angered over being taunted, let's Faqu go, and he runs right behind him! The duo hit the ring, and now all four men are brawling, with Blonde going after Bo and Faqu targeting Zack! COLE It's a pier six brawl! COACH Can't you count, there's only four of them! Bo whips Blonde to the ropes and elevates him with a back bodydrop, then dumps him over the ropes with a lariat just as he gets to his feet! Zack meanwhile has Faqu in the corner, hammering on him with punches, but Faqu shoves Zack off! Zack quickly rolls to his feet and blocks a savate kick from the savage Samoan, then kicks him low, takes him by the head and hurls him through the ropes! COLE Dispatched as quickly as they came, and James Blonde and Faqu are not happy! "Getting Away With Murder" booms over the PA once again, as the fans go wild, with Zack and Bo standing tall inside the squared circle. Faqu knocks the ring stairs over and tries to get back into the ring, but Blonde does his best to hold his partner back, while at the same time vowing revenge. COLE I have a feeling this isn't the last we'll hear about this from any of the parties involved! COACH Parties? Why do you wait until the last minute to tell me these things?

I think they'll keep Rey where he is. He's one of the biggest draws for Smackdown, not only for the Hispanic demographic, but all the kids who worship him and don't have to get up early on Saturday mornings (as opposed to Tuesday, a school day).

Jeff's better off staying on RAW, especially if they move Umaga and Jericho to SD! I wouldn't mind seeing a longer feud with he and Orton, and if they get behind this latest Burchill push against Kennedy, he and Jeff could have a nice rivalry, IMO.

Three weeks from tonight, I believe. The RAW before the Night of Champions (which is one reason why I think there could be a switching of the belts, maybe the US to RAW for the IC, since I think Jericho will wind up on Smackdown. Trading for Matt Hardy is a solid move.)

High school was overall a great experience for me, although in the midst of junior year I was faced with the worst thing I've ever dealt with in my life (completely unrelated to school life or work). Freshman year was an easy transition from junior high for me. I was already friends with a core of juniors and seniors due to people who worked at my family bakery, so there I was as a freshman rubbing elbows with varsity cheerleaders in addition to my lifelong friends. The fact that I knew a lot of people already helped my friends out too, as friends from one group became friendly with the other, and caused a melting pot of a group. Also, the vice principal from our junior high transitioned over to the high school as an administrative assistant, and I had a good rapport with him after an incident back in junior high where he tried to unjustly suspend me. Once that had been worked out he went out of his way to accomodate me. That's what led to me switching my algebra class freshman year (into one with my friends), and that teacher wound up becoming a good friend and a nice source of wrestling info, because he got the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and would make a copy of it every week for me so that I could stay up on the dirt (and since I was a freshman in 1994-1995, this was a little while before the internet news explosion). We also had a walkout freshman year, because the aforementioned administrative assistant was going to be terminated (the administration at the high school was always a joke, a rotating door of principals and vice principals all with their heads up their asses). About 200 kids, myself included, walked out in protest, but it didn't get us anywhere. He was gone a few weeks later. Sophmore year was probably my favorite year. Many friends had graduated, but for the older friends who left, I made some really good friends out of people in the freshman class. I wound up doing my friend a favor and taking his sister to the Christmas Ball, while in the meantime had a crush on one of the freshman girls that had started hanging out with my group. When I set my sights on her, my friends sister got jealous and tried to run interference, but didn't succeed. I wound up getting the girl after a short chase, and that friend of mine and his sister BOTH came out of the closet years later, as I've since found out...although you could sort of see it coming with the kid in my class. My g/f and I had a great time at the Sophmore Semi-Formal (which to this day was my favorite of all the high school dances), more friends graduated, but all in all it was probably the most fun I had had thus far. Junior year started off pretty "meh"...over the summer I had broken up with the aforementioned g/f, who was my whole "high school sweetheart/puppy love" g/f. A bit of the on again, off again chase ensued, although early in the year she started dating a freshman douchebag. This led to an incident where he, on crutches no less, started trash talking me, and then his own girlfriends sister (calling her a cunt, no less) in an effort to prove he was some sort of Alpha Male. In one of the most hilarious, yet dickheadish moves in my life, I kicked the crutches out from under him, knocking him to the ground, and was about to wail on him until I was stopped by one of my best friends, a football player who was dating my exes sister. He opted to finish the matter in defense of his g/f, and suffice to say the relationship between that kid and my ex didn't last. Tragedy struck soon after though, because my cousin (and in reality, more like an older brother given how close we were) was found shot at his place of business due to what's been called a botched robbery attempt. Keep in mind I found this information out during homecoming, and had a breakdown in front of my group of friends, who all knew my cousin personally and knew how hard this was for me. To this day, the case remains unsolved, but I'll never forget how my friends stuck by me during that time, because it was the worst thing I'd ever gone through to this day. Even my then-ex, who was spending a ton of time with me and even showing signs of caring for me as more than a friend couldn't bring me out of my funk though. Around holiday time, I started having feelings for the sister of a girl who didn't go to our school, but knew a few of my friends. Little did I know that the older sister had a thing for me, and this led to a feud between the sisters for my affection. When I asked the younger one to my Christmas Ball, you'd think I'd have caused World War 3. In a swerve of Russo proportions, I wound up taking the older one, as a friend, because she forbade her sister to go with me and caused a scene. Figuring that I could take her, have a good time, and prove my worth for her sister, I said we could go. This girl tried to ruin my night at every turn, so I ditched her right after dinner and went and hung out and danced with my friends. It was also around this time that I got closer with a few more people in the senior class (an extended group of the seniors I was already "in" with). This led to a fling with a senior girl, complete with taking her to my junior prom and going to her senior prom. Suffice to say, she turned out to be a HUGE bitch who was trying to use me to get back at someone, so I cut her off and wound up briefly dating a girl I had dated in 8th grade (and the aftermath of that relationship saw us not even talk again until junior year). Junior year I also wound up having another algebra class with my freshman year teacher, and my English teacher junior year was also a huge influence and help...the both of them went out of their way for me, especially after my cousins death. They'd always go to bat for me if I was ever in need of it, and there were occasions during this year that I was. A bunch of senior friends, wanting to have their last hurrah, forged a group of prank pullers, doing things that ranged from saran wrapping someone's new car in the parking lot during gym class, to placing raw fish in heating vents, to baby oil on the stairs. Some stuff was hysterical, and some stuff crossed the line. Junior year I was a science tech (essentially a teachers aid) during my study periods, and the teacher would give me signed hall passes to use whenever I wanted to get out of a study. So of course I took initiative and began selling them for $5 a pop. Sophmore and junior year we also had a football pool that we never got busted for because we had a few teachers in on it. Suffice to say though, my affiliation with some of these kids ticked off the new administration, made up now of a former history teacher who became a total asshole the moment he got power, and his vice principal, my former 8th grade science teacher. This led to her pulling me out of a class one day and accusing me of paintballing the guidance office (which I didn't, but knew was going to be done). In a moment of rebellion, I asked her what she had been smoking, and telling her that she was full of shit that she knew I did it. She threatened to go to the police, but since I knew all the cops (my father was a fireman in our town) I told her to go right ahead, because they'd all vouch for me and tell her the same thing. This led to a feud that lasted until the day I graduated. Senior year started off strong...easy classes, I was again a science tech, had a ton of friends and underlings in the other classes...and then I needed a surgery that was though to be minor, but left me out of school from October to December. I got tutored in that time and passed everything with flying colors though, so there were no academic setbacks. I also became the mentor for a Japanese exchange student and helped his transition to America and our school. Though I haven't seen him in years, I know that he wound up moving here not long after his return to Japan, and still lives around here now. Senior year also marked a major stunt on my part, as my g/f the latter half of the year (who went to a different school) couldn't go to my senior prom due to a wedding in Ohio that she was in for her cousin. So instead of going as friends with someone, I skipped the dance, but our statewide newspaper, who was doing an article on our prom in their Local News section, interviewed me for the article, and did a whole writeup on how I wasn't going to settle for just taking anyone, prom is a lasting memory, etc. etc. etc. It scored some major brownie points with the gal when she came back after the weekend away for the wedding, and I don't regret the decision in the slightest. It makes for a nice story. I've actually still got a ton of footage I filmed during high school on tape. I used to bring my video camera to dances, events, and even just wandering around the halls with it. I should go back and watch those someday soon, because there's some hysterical stuff on there. Not to mention that my ten year reunion is coming up, so it'll be nice to remind myself of some of the stupid things we all did and have a conversation piece.

The thing with that is ECW essentially has four major faces for their brand-Punk, Kane, Kofi and Dreamer. Punk will likely wind up on another brand after this (I call for Smackdown), and out of the other three, Dreamer is barely credible as a midcarder these days, and Kane has been stale for about 5 years now. Kofi's really their only shot of having a standout homegrown on the brand, unless they place some of the call-ups on there. Even going by who I had drafted to ECW in my earlier post, you're not going to draw viewers with Finlay vs. Morrison or Super Crazy vs. Shelton Benjamin.

Not knowing how they're going to work the whole tri-brand draft deal (with the SD/ECW combo and also the ECW tapings being moved to Mondays) I'll just put the talent who I think will wind up on each brand as a result of the draft this year. Regarding the talk of moving Vickie Guerrero to RAW, I can't see that happening because 1)it'll break up the long-term storyline with her, and 2)she's better on the pre-taped show anyways, since she's still not someone to be trusted to not screw up at some point on live TV. She still gives me that "nervous" vibe in front of the camera quite a bit. This isn't a completed list of mine as I'll likely add/switch a couple of names, but just off the top of my head, some switches I think they will, and in others should, make. RAW gets: Batista Mark Henry Chavo Guerrero Jimmy Wang Yang Natalya Neidhart Smackdown gets: Umaga CM Punk Chris Jericho Lance Cade Santino Marella Mike Knox Melina ECW gets: Finlay and Hornswoggle Charlie Haas Super Crazy Kenny Dykstra Victoria

COLE Are you ready for what's next, Coach? COACH Lay it on me, baby boy! What've we got? COLE A friendship put to the test through competition, that has now been torn apart by the lack of respect on one man's part. Zack Malibu and Bohemoth both set their sights on the OAOAST World Championship late last year, and decided that a friendly competition would push them to do their best as they climbed the ladder again. What began as a race to the top turned into a tense situation, only made worse when Bohemoth refused to shake Zack Malibu's hand after his Anglemania victory, claiming Zack was trying to steal his moment! COACH Malibu does love him some spotlight, though. COLE Zack's ALWAYS been a focal point, there's no doubt...but he paved the way for that next generation of stars such as Bohemoth. When they met again on HeldDOWN~! a few weeks ago Zack managed to even the score victory-wise, and again stuck out his hand, only for it to be rejected. Now Bohemoth claims that Zack is simply trying to keep himself positioned as the OAOAST's top star by any means necessary, despite the fact that, at least is Bo's mind, he's old news! COACH Those are some strong words, but if anyone can back 'em up... COLE ...they're strong words that have made these two men into bitter enemies rather quickly. Tonight, it's the rubber match, and hopefully it's the end, for better or for worse, of this heated rivalry! The cameras cut back to the ring, where the beloved Michael Buffer stands at center ring, ready for the next chapter in earning his paycheck tonight. BUFFER Ladies and gentlmen, this next contest is scheduled for one fall! "Liberate" comes up immediately, and while it's mostly boos, there are some scattered cheers for the Metrosexual Monster, who hasn't been too concerned about making friends or keeping them lately. Bohemoth steps out from behind the curtain and strolls up the ramp with a cocky swagger...or in his case, a bit cockier than usual. The big man steps through the ropes and flexes at the crowd, but his reception doesn't get any more positive for it, as it's obvious the fans have picked their side in this war. "Getting Away With Murder" hits next, and Bo removes his sunglasses just in time to witness his former friend appear at the top of the ramp. Through his pyro shower, Malibu walks tall, heading for the ring with that determined, focused look in his eye that you see every time there's a lesson to be taught. Tonight, it's about respect, and as Malibu has said before, he'll get it even if he has to beat it out of Bohemoth. Zack steps into the ring and Bo taunts him a bit, then smirks, but Zack isn't bothered in the least. He keeps his cool as the music dies down, and the two combatants are left standing across from each other, glaring with hostile intentions. BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, this match, here at School's Out, is a one fall contest not scheduled for any titles or contenderships. This one is simply about respect. First, to my left at this time, weighing in at two hundred and eighty four pounds, he hails from Greenville, South Carolina...known by the moniker of the Metrosexual Monster, he is BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHEEEEEEEEEEEMOTHHHHHH! Again, the fans reaction is not one of favortism, but Bo simply cracks his neck and jogs in place, warming up for the battle. BUFFER To my right stands a man synonymous with the OAOAST, and in fact this very event was named in his honor. He is a man who has done it all, including capturing the OAOAST World Championship on three seperate occasions. His resume speaks for itself, because he is known worldwide as not only the Modern Day Warrior, but as the Franchise of the OAOAST. From Providence, Rhode Island, he weighs in tonight at two hundred and ten pounds...ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK MALLLLLLLLLLLLLLIBUUUUUUUUUUUUU! The fans pop loudly, standing, brandishing signs, and showing nearly unanimous support for their hero, who isn't looking as happy go lucky as he usually is. Buffer exits the ring, and the two men come face to face, engaged in a staredown. DING! DING! DING! As soon as the bell sounds, Malibu dives for Bo's legs, trying to take the big man down to the canvas before he can mount any offense whatsoever! Using his power to keep a steady base, Bo doesn't budge, but as he leans over to pull Zack up, Malibu swings around into a rear waistlock. Reacting quickly, Bo spins back with an elbow, but Malibu ducks his head, and actually catches the big man off guard, enabling him to push Bohemoth into the corner! Nick Patrick calls for the break now that Bo has been put against the ropes, and Malibu obliges, stepping back to give Bo some space. Malibu offers his hand to Bo, then tells him in no uncertain terms "you're gonna shake this hand tonight!", the same hand that Bo slaps away as he comes out of the corner! The two men are now circling the ring, coming together in a lockup that gives Bo the advantage, as he uses sheer strength to back Zack into the corner, then strike with an open hand chop to the chest... WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ...and then a quick slaps to the face, stunning Zack! COLE Bohemoth getting a little cocky here at the start of what promises to be another Match of the Year candidate between these two great athletes! Zack wipes his mouth, then responds by spitting in Bo's face, showing that he's not above stooping to that level either! COACH Whoa, no! You mess with the bull, you get the horns! Infuriated, Bo charges the corner, but Zack slides out of the way, and takes Bo to the canvas with a rear waistlock, then hops off his back and traps him in a headlock while he's down. Not impressed with Malibu's quickness, Bo powers to his feet while in the hold and shoves Zack into the ropes, but Zack retaliates by coming off the ropes and sliding through Bo's legs, coming up behind him, and trapping him in another headlock! Bo again uses his power, this time lifting Zack off his feet and walking with him trapped in the air, then drops him over the ropes onto the apron! Zack fires off a right hand, but it gets blocked, and Bo tucks his arm under Zack's exposed right one, then biels him back into the ring the hard way! He pulls Zack up, then readies him for a back suplex, but Zack floats over and spins Bo around, delivering a hard kick to the midsection. He sets him up for a suplex, but Bo counters by pressing Zack overhead, then simply letting him crash facefirst into the canvas! Bo then turns and lightly kicks Zack across the face as he tries to push up, then forces Zack to have to roll out under the bottom rope as he stalks him, then leans over to pull him up off the apron. Bo readies Zack for a suplex and pulls him up into the air, but Malibu drops down behind him and uses a rolling cradle to bring Bo to the canvas! ONE! NO! Bo kicks Zack off, sending him careening towards the ropes, but the wily superstar uses the momentum to move through the ropes, back out to the apron, and deliver a springboard dropkick as the beastly Bohemoth came up off the mat! Zack now takes control of the situation, pulling Bo up and backing him into the ropes, but then finds himself shot towards the ropes again, as Bo counters! Bo tries a hiptoss on Malibu, but Zack maintains his ground, and brings a knee into Bo's gut, then traps him in a butterfly lock, continuing with the knees to the upper body! Bo struggles to break free, but the break comes from Zack, who charges the ropes on his own accord this time and comes back to blast Bo with a leaping lariat! COLE Malibu's found an opening and is taking charge, but there's no telling how long that can last, because as resilient as Malibu can be, so can Bohemoth! COACH A metrosexual and a prep having something in common? Nah. Malibu motions for Bo to get up, and then strikes with forearms before being shoved down to the canvas! He pops right back up and goes for Bo again, but this time Bo goozles Zack and backs him into the corner, holding him by the throat! The referee orders a break, and starts counting to five, although it's unnecessary because at the count of four, Bo biels Zack out of the corner, halfway across the ring by his throat! Zack lands hard, and when he pulls himself up, Bo runs into him and lifts him off his feet, plowing him into the far corner! Bo then starts clubbing on Zack, beating him down into a seated position, then runs the ropes, coming off with a FACEWASH~!...NO! Zack rolls out of the ring under the bottom rope and pulls Bo down by the ankle, then brings him to the floor where he unloads with right hands! The fans roar as Malibu cleans Bo's clock with repeated shots, but Bo puts a stop to it with a knee to the gut, then takes Zack by the head and hurls him into the steel corner post! COLE HE JUST THREW HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL! Zack is out cold, his face buried in the ringside floor, while Bo shakes off the effects of those punches. He comes over to Zack and stands above his fallen body, coldly looking at him as the arena fills with boos. Slowly, Bo reaches down and pulls Zack up, revealing a forehead gushing with blood, obviously cut open from being hurled into the ringpost. Bo lifts Zack up and stares at him, bleeding and incapable of mounting an offense...THEN TOSSES HIM HARD INTO THE RINGSIDE STAIRS! COACH DAMN! COLE What a cold, calculating...this Bohemoth, this disrespectful...I can't even say what I want to, but suffice to say, this is not the way you treat someone you respect! Zack collides with the stairs and slumps against them, and now Bo scrapes the bottom of his boot across Zack's forehead a few times, opening the cut further before pressing the same foot against his throat, choking him! Zack weakly flails his arms, trying to get free from the choke, but it's not until Bo's refusal to break at the count of five that the referee comes between them and orders the break. Bo does as he's told, but then goes right for Zack again, pulling him up and then whipping him into the guardrail! COLE He's treating Zack like a ping pong ball, sending him around ringside crashing into anything that's there! Zack rests against the guardrail, albeit momentarily, as Bo charges and hits a hard lariat that dumps him into the front row of fans! Once again, Nick Patrick steps in and tells Bo to lay off, not allowing him to give chase. Bo obliges grudgingly, and looms around ringside while the fans shower him with a symphony of catcalls. COACH Bo told Zack that not every fight was his...that Malibu just loves to be the center of attention. Right now, Mikey Cole, Zack is getting all of Bo's attention and then some, and I don't think he's liking it very much! COLE Well, if this is Bo's idea of tough love, it's sickening. This has gone from a matter of respect to a vicious assault in a short period of time! Zack gets up and starts to climb over the guardrail, but in his groggy state, he's prone to assault, and that's exactly what happens, as Bo comes over and lifts him up, then crotches him on the guardrail! Bo then takes him off with a fireman's carry and carries him over to the apron, where he seats Zack on it and cracks him across the face with a hard slap before shoving him back into the ring! Bo slides in after him, then heads for the ropes, and comes off with a big splash that sends shockwaves through Zack's ribcage! Bo liked the move so much he gets up and does it again, and you can nearly hear the air being driven from Malibu's body after Bo crashed down on him! Bo comes up to a standing position, and drags Zack up with him, once again pressing him over his head before dropping him down, stomach first, across his knee! Zack flops to the mat, trying to curl up into a fetal position, but Bo pulls him in and hooks the leg, looking for a pin! ONE! TWO-NO! Zack gets the shoulder up, then both of them up, but that's only because Bo brings him to his feet, then lifts him up by the neck into a double handed chokehold! Malibu's feet dangle in the air as he tries to wriggle free, finally raking Bo's eyes to draw a break! Malibu catches himself as he's dropped, but then winds up dropped before he can get back on the offensive, as Bo spins him inside out with a hard running lariat! Bo fires spit through his gritted teeth as he fumes that Malibu nearly got back on the comeback trail, and pulls Zack up, whipping him to the ropes so that Zack's rebound sends him right into a spinebuster...but it doesn't, as Malibu counters the spinebuster by hooking Bo's head and scissoring his body, turning the spinebuster into a guillotine and taking him to the canvas! COLE Zack's got Bo trapped! That MMA studying, that martial arts background of his is paying off dividends right now, because he's able to offset, maybe even beat Bohemoth with this submission! Zack tightens his hold, as Bo tries to push up, but can't. He manages to roll over, hoping that the shift will loosen Zack's grasp, but Zack continues to roll and they wind up in the same exact position! COACH He ain't tapping yet, Mikey Cole! Bo might not be tapping, but the crowd is certainly motivating him towards that result, with chants of "TAP!" "TAP!" "TAP!" breaking out across the arena! Zack won't let go, but Bo struggles, and then powers up, getting to his feet with Zack still clinging to the guillotine, that is until he's run back first into the turnbuckles! That's enough to break, and while Zack slouches against the ropes, Bo falls to all fours, weary from being trapped in the hold so long. He pushes up and comes towards the corner, but catches a boot to the face from Zack, then gets his head mashed into the top turnbuckle! Zack then sets Bo up on the ropes and exits out to the apron, climbing up the turnbuckles. His face still soaked in his own blood, Zack takes Bo by the head and leads him up, while Zack simultaneously goes down, putting Bo across his shoulders and then leaping off the ropes, proving that gravity is not friends with Bo either as it sends the both of them crashing down, with Bo getting the worst of it, to the ring below with the HONOR ROLL~! COLE Look at them bounce off the canvas! That should have taken a lot out of Bo, but that show of power at this stage of the game did a number on Zack too! Malibu bounces off Bo on impact, but turns over and crawls towards him, going for the cover as soon as possible! ONE! TWO! NO! COACH Here comes that fighting spirit! COLE That's what they say about Zack, Coach. COACH Yeah, well now I'm sayin' it about Bo. I got a feeling that tomorrow will be a new day, Mikey Cole! Zack rises, and with Bo still down, drops a knee into his forehead. A second one finds its mark and rattles the big man, but rather than keep him down, Zack brings him up to his feet, then drops him with a jawbreaker! Bo staggers back clutching at his mouth, while Zack bounces off the ropes and connects with a spinning wheel kick that plants Bo on his back once again! Zack gets to his feet and leaps onto the middle rope, then springs back with an Asai moonsault, crashing on top of Bohemoth, and stays there, looking for a three count! ONE! TWO! T-NO! Zack doesn't get the duke, but he's focused on that goal, bringing him up to his feet and unloading with a flurry of open hand strikes, knocking Bo's head to the left and to the right repeatedly before dropping him with an inverted atomic drop, then swinging around and carrying Bo over with a German suplex, but in true Malibu fashion he holds onto his rival and rolls the both of them to their feet, dropping Bo with another German, and again not leaving off with just two! COLE A Malibu tradition! The Rolling Suplexes have been taken out of the playbook and put to use here tonight at School's Out! Zack brings Bo back to his feet, but this time Bo fires an elbow back, then reaches back and snapmares Zack over his shoulder to the canvas. After a moment of reeling, Bo comes off the ropes with an elbow, but hits nothing but canvas, as Zack moves, then delivers a legdrop to the fallen star! Zack then yanks Bo off the mat, resting him in a seated position, and delivers several hard soccer kicks to the back, each one creating a SMACK! louder than the last! Zack follows up with a rolling snapmare that puts Bo on his back once again, and as Bo sits up holding his sore neck, his face is drilled by Zack's two feet, as the former OAOAST World Champion connects with a low dropkick! COLE The wear and tear is becoming apparent, as Zack is not giving Bo any leeway whatsoever! COACH Of course he can't...Bo's already busted him wide open, and if Zack lets up, he's gonna get broken in two! Bo pushes up, but he's met with a European uppercut from his foe, and a second one that sends him stumbling back into the corner! Zack paces himself, then gets a full head of steam and charges in, striking with a leaping corner splash...BUT BO CATCHES HIM AND RUNS TO CENTER RING, SPIKING ZACK WITH A SPINEBUSTER! COACH YO~! COLE That could be the changing of the tides right there! Bohemoth cut Malibu short, and turned his spine into jelly with that spinebuster! Neither man is moving, both spent from their efforts thus far. Moments go by with them gasping for air and staring at the lights, but eventually, they start to come to. Bo is the one who has the slight advantage, getting to his feet while Zack is still coming up, and sets up to take him down once again...but when he goes for a running lariat, Malibu tucks his head and elevates Bohemoth over the ropes, causing him to splat out on the ringside floor while Zack falls to all fours in the ring. COLE Malibu can't even stand on his own two feet, but he's managed to get Bo out of his hair and get himself some much needed recovery time! COACH I don't know about that! Coach is referring to the fact that Malibu is in motion, bouncing off the ropes yet again with a daring look in his eye, propelling himself through the ropes and at Bohemoth with a tope...THAT GETS CAUGHT AND TURNED INTO THE EROTIC AWAKENING OF B OUT ON THE RINGSIDE FLOOR~! COLE OH MY GOD! MY GOD! ZACK JUST GOT SENT HALFWAY TO HELL WITH THAT MOVE! COACH Oh he's feeling hell right now, Mikey Cole! Bo just left a dent in the shape of Zack's body in the concrete! "HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT!" Bo himself can't even seem to grasp what he's just done, catching Malibu on the dive and instinctively using his patented finisher to lay him out! Bo gets up, but Malibu is yet to have that luxury, his aching body laying perfectly still on the floor. It's not until moments later, that Bo is able to stand on his own two feet that Malibu is helped up...not out of mercy, mind you, but simply so Bo can roll him into the ring and cover him! ONE! TWO! THREE...NO! NO! ZACK MALIBU KICKS OUT! COACH WHAT? WHAT? COLE HE KICKED OUT! ZACK MALIBU KICKED OUT! The fans ROAR, because the surefire match-ender has turned into just another near fall! Bo's eyes go wide, and he goes so far as to run his hands over his head, shocked that Malibu was able to survive his finishing move on the floor! Angered, Bo violenty yanks Zack up, and sets him up for a powerbomb, lifting him and spiking him into the canvas! Rather than go for another pin, Bo clings to Zack, and deadlifts him off the mat again, dropping him with a second powerbomb! This time Bo cradles his legs, pressing them down to have some leverage as he goes for the victory! ONE! TWO! THREE...NO! NO! ANOTHER KICK OUT! Reaching a new level of furious, Bo hooks Zack's legs and pulls him up, letting him dangle upside down before spinning round and round with a giant swing, releasing Malibu and sending him flying through the air before coming down with a crash landing! Dizzied from the swing, Bo goes and rests in a corner, while Zack can barely muster a groan in his condition. Groggy, he manages to roll over and push up to his knees, then one knee, but Bo catches him coming to and comes out of the corner, ready to inflict more pain...until Zack manages a low dropkick out of desperation, taking Bo's knee out from under him! Bo drops to one knee, and Zack stands up, but nearly falls over until he's caught by the ropes. After catching himself, Zack bursts forward, knowing he needs to strike...and connects with a ZACK ATTACK to the side of Bo's head, knocking him silly! Zack collapses on top of him, and Patrick once again does what he's getting paid for! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! SHOULDER UP! COLE Quick thinking by Zack, knocking Bo senseless with the Zack Attack...or so he thought! COACH This ain't gonna be no three hour show the way these two are going back and forth! Zack brings Bo up and delivers two hard knees that keep him doubled over, then comes off the ropes with a running kick...but Bo sidesteps it and catches Zack in a full nelson, then uses it to lift him up and slam him to the canvas! Bo falls back, his equilibrium still thrown off, but not enough for him to try for victory once again! ONE! TWO! TH-NO! ANOTHER KICKOUT! COLE I have seen Malibu bloodied before...I have seen him in the fights of his life, and this is no exception, and it always amazes me that he has such a tolerance for pain! COACH How does that surprise you? He's friends with you! COLE OUCH, Coach! Bo slams his hands on the mat in anger, then takes Malibu by the head and clubs him repeatedly, drawing more blood out of the drying wound across his head. Bo shouts at Zack, telling him to "give it up" and "stay down", then lets Zack flop back to the canvas. Bo stands up and pulls Zack up with him, taking him in his arms in center ring and setting up for THE EROTIC AWAKENING OF B...but as he swings out, Zack swings out a bit too far, to a vertical base, and is able to counter with an ANGLE SLAM that drops Bo on the back of his neck! Zack rolls over and grabs a leg, hooking it tightly as he prays this will end this match. ONE! TWO! THREE! NO! NO! BOHEMOTH KICKS OUT AT THE LAST MILLISECOND! COLE What he lacks in respect, he makes up for in resilience, that's for sure! Malibu rolls off of Bo, wondering what he could possibly do to get the monster of his back once and for all. He comes up to his feet and readies himself for a School's Out once Bo rises, but Bohemoth is so exhausted he can barely move on his own anymore. Zack circles him, looking for an opening, then opts to bring Bo up the hard way...but finds himself shoved into the ropes! He rebounds, and Bo presses him up into the air, watching as he flapjacks back down to earth, smashing into the canvas! Zack staggers up to his feet, and wanders right into Bo's arms, defenseless as he's lifted up and planted with the Erotic Awakening of B once again! ONE! TWO! THREE! DING! DING! DING! COLE I'll be damned! Bohemoth wins the rubber match! COACH Condoms? THAT'S what this match was about? COLE ... "Liberate" is cued up, but it's not enough to cover the booing of the fan favorite who isn't exactly on everyone's good side lately. Bohemoth has his hand raised, but he's more concerned with his own well being, as he pulls away from the ref and leans against the ropes, taking some much needed deep breaths. COLE Give credit to Zack Malibu, he put up a hell of a fight as always, but it looks like this man, this Metrosexual Monster as we call him, has his number! Zack is slow to recover, but comes up to his feet while Bo watches from the corner, and then comes up behind Zack. Nick Patrick sees Bo motioning and steps in between, but Patrick gets shoved away, a move with causes Zack to spin around and see what's going on. The two rivals stand nose to nose again, and you'd swear Bo was blowing steam out of his nostrils. While it's not widely heard, the cameras pick up Bo talking, mentioning to Zack that he gave him "the fight of his life"...and then extends a hand to Zack Malibu! COLE What? COACH I don't know Mikey Cole, this could be a trap! The fans are conflicted...some say to take it, some say to watch out. Malibu ponders it for a second, but Bo just stands there, hand extended...and Malibu, acting as the bigger man, reaches out and shakes it to a HUGE pop! COLE There it is! There's that respect that Zack wanted all along! Bo pats Zack on the shoulder, and then the two hug before Zack raises Bo's hand, celebrating as his theme song comes up again. COLE Well I'll be...after another war in their series, finally Bohemoth offered to Zack the same handshake that he turned down twice before, and hopefully this competitive feud that turned into a heated rivalry is behind them! Zack motions to Bo to have his moment, and exits the ring, heading up the ramp defeated, but proud. Meanwhile Bo gets up on the turnbuckles and raises his arms, posing for the fans who are swaying back his way, while his music blares from the speakers.

All done, folks.

Sorry folks, the net was down here earlier today and then I had plans tonight. I'll have this done by early tomorrow, cross my heart.

Zack vs. Bo II has been added!

The moment the bell sounds, the action starts, as Malibu strikes hard and fast with a forearm across Bo's jaw! The big man is then reined in by Malibu and nailed with a pair of European uppercuts, making him woozy while Zack bounces off the ropes...and runs right into a hard lariat! Bo drags Zack up and pounds on him, clubbing him across the back and then shoving him backwards into the corner, then crushing him with another lariat in the corner! Zack then gets led out and shot into the ropes, and the next thing he knows he's airborne, as Bo presses him up into the air...but as Zack falls back to earth, he manages to hit Bo with a dropkick that sends him staggering back! Bo charges, and Zack carries him over with a hiptoss. Malibu goes for an elbow but comes up short, and when Bo rolls to his feet he tries the same tactic, getting the same result in the process. Both men are now up on their feet, burning a hole through one another as they circle, with the noise of an enthusiastic crowd fueling both their rage! COLE Nothing was solved at Anglemania, and nothing has been solved here in the early going. These are two men with one thing in common...they want to beat the other one senseless! The two lock up, and Bo grabs a headlock, but Malibu slides out easily and grabs a rear waistlock. Bo has a good laugh at that, as Malibu can't budge the big bruiser. Bohemoth tears Malibu's hands off his waist, then snapmares him over and slaps him across the back of the head, drawing a mix of "Ooooh's" and "Boooo's" from the crowd! COACH Ooooh DAMN, if Malibu felt disrespected at Anglemania, I wonder how he feels after that! Zack rolls to his feet, while Bo smirks at him and waves him on. Not one to be toyed with, Zack moves forward and ties up with Bo, but gets thrown off rather handily by the Metrosexual Monster. Zack charges again, trying to tackle Bo down, but the big man stays grounded, and hammers Zack across the back before gutwrenching him up off the mat! Zack manages to slide down his back, then spins Bo around to deliver a kick to the gut and suplex him to the canvas! Zack rolls through the move, bringing Bo up to his feet, and then traps his arms in a butterfly lock, then starts driving knees into the pimptastic superstar! After that, Zack fireman carries Bo to the canvas, then hits the ropes and delivers a basement dropkick to Bo as he sits up, then tries for a cover on his rival! ONE! KICKOUT! COLE Great burst of offense by Malibu, but Bohemoth isn't going to go down that easily! Zack traps Bo in a facelock as he gets up, but the big man powers forward and tries to back Zack into the corner...but Malibu breaks the hold and shoves Bo chest first into the turnbuckles, then takes him to the mat with a waistlock! Bo pushes up on all fours, but Zack stands over him, then drops down onto his lower back, then delivers a few hard crossface shots before pulling Bo to his feet and jarring him with a Russian legsweep! Zack rolls through that move as well, then struggles to get an armbar, but Bo fights it, desperately looking to pull his arm away. Zack struggles to lock in the hold, but Bo rolls onto his side and grabs Zack's throat with his free hand, using that as leverage to make Zack let him get to his feet! Bo comes up, glaring at Zack as he holds him by the neck, and then he picks up Malibu and throws him into the corner! Bo then charges in and drives the air out of Malibu with a running shoulderblock, and as Zack reels from that, Bo slaps him hard across the face, then goes back to driving his shoulder into his ribcage! Zack then gets sent to the far side, and Bo follows, hitting a running shoulderblock that crumples Zack down in the corner! Zack holds his ribs as he's led to his feet, then hoisted up onto Bo's shoulder and run back across the ring, to the corner he was just beaten in, and dropped across the top turnbuckle with a snake eyes, leaving him staggered as Bo hits the ropes and hits a rabbit lariat with such force that Malibu falls through the ropes, out to the ringside floor~! COLE That power advantage coming into play once again right there! That man makes even the most common wrestling moves into killers, just because of the sheer intensity and strength behind them! COACH Not to mention that Bo has gained a bit of a mean streak since Anglemania, Mikey Cole. That power advantage and that mental toughness, being more carefree about what he does in that ring and who he's doing it to...that's gonna be tough to combat! Bo hops out of the ring and grabs Zack off the floor, but Malibu, ever the opportunist, shows that he wasn't hurt as bad as he let on! Knocking Bo's hands away, Malibu opens fire with a flurry of open hand slaps, wailing on Bo before using a ROARING ELBOW~!...that hits elbow, as Bo puts his arm up to block, then hoists Malibu off his feet and runs across ringside with him, ramming his back into the guardrail! Zack winces, as Bo lifts Zack up and drapes him over his shoulder, carrying him towards the ring...and then slamming his back into the edge of the apron! Zack then gets rolled in by Bo, who gets up on the apron and scowls at the crowd who begin to shower him with boos. Bo then casually gets back into the ring as if he doesn't hear the crowd reaction, and simply picks Zack up and drops him with a backbreaker! COLE Bohemoth has zeroed in on a body-part now, the back of Zack Malibu. And we know how much of the bigman's offence involves picking you up and throwing you around. COACH I think it's a little more involved than that. Right on cue, Bohemoth picks Zack up and throws him back down with a bodyslam. Off the ropes, Bo follows up with high elevation on an elbow drop and hooks a leg... ONE! TWO! No! Trying to get off the canvas, Zack strikes back at Bo with an open handed chop to the chest while shuffling towards the ropes. Stomps to the lower back prevent Zack from getting there. Bo stalks right after Zack as he starts crawling again, this time dropping down with a knee. Pinning the knee in the back, Bohemoth reaches back and pulls back on the chin to trap Malibu in a submission predicament. No submission just yet from Zack though despite the 284 pounds on his back preventing him from reaching the ropes. COLE This is what we didn't really see from Bohemoth at AngleMania, taking Malibu down and controlling him in these sort of positions. With the size advantage Bohemoth can really wear The Franchise down by forcing him to carry his body weight like this. Zack summons up the energy to twist and squirm from underneath the knee in the back, left in the chinlock but able to get a hand on the bottom rope. Bohemoth breaks cleanly when required, but drops a big elbow across the back before Zack can get to his feet. Another elbow is dropped before Bo drags Malibu away from the ropes and into the centre of the ring. Bo stands over Zack's back and bends down to apply a camel clutch. Out through the legs shuffles Zack however. With Bo momentary lost, Zack reaches up and pulls the bigman down with a surprise roll-up! ONE! TWO! No! First to his feet, Bo takes a short run-up and just SLAMS the flat of his boot into the side of Zack's face! COLE OH! Point blank, boot right to the jaw! COACH And that'll cut Zack's fightback off in it's tracks. Bohemoth reaches down and picks Zack up off the canvas. Scooping him into his arms with impressive ease, the monster from Greenville does a couple of curls with his opponent to show off his strength before he drops him down across a knee with a backbreaker. Keeping Malibu draped over the knee Bo then presses down on the jaw and the knee to continue the back breaking process. Again no submission from Zack, but plenty of shouts of pain as he's bent down across the knee. Bo raises an arm and clubs Zack in his exposed stomach with a forearm. And as Zack wags his finger 'no' again, he gets another forearm. Zack surprises him by lifting his free leg up and cracking him in the face with a knee though! Bo pushes right back down on the backbreaker, but Zack throws a second knee! And a third, dazing Bo and allowing Zack to turn over on top with a pin! ONE! TWO! No! Shaken up, Bo gets back up and swings with a clothesline. Zack weaves underneath though, hooking hold of Bo by the head trying to apply a sleeper. Before he can drop, Bo goes into reverse and crushes Malibu in the turnbuckles to force him off. Bohemoth backs up again and crushes Zack in for a second time. Bo then watches Zack out of the corner, scooping him up and planting him with a Side Slam! ONE! TWO! Kickout! COLE We're seeing much less of a back and forth match between these two so far. This handshake issue has really opened up a more determined side of Bohemoth. Bo backs Zack up into a corner and unloads with a succession of body shots. The referee gets to a count of five and moves Bohemoth back, but the bigman gets right back on Zack with some more body shots seconds later. The Belfast crowd sense trouble for Zack and start to get behind him with chants of "MAL - I - BU!". Bo pays no attention as he whips Zack corner to corner. Following in, he runs right into a raised knee! With Bo dazed, Zack quickly hops up onto the middle rope and jumps off with an axehandle smash... but gets caught by The Meterosexual Monster and trapped in a Bearhug! COLE This does not look good for Zack right now. COACH Not at all. Bohemoth just squeezing the life out of Zack and expending little energy doing it. Even if Zack can get out of this the damage may be done. Drawing on his reserves and the support of the crowd, Malibu starts to feel some energy flowing and tries to fight out. Bo keeps Zack's feet off the mat but drops him after Zack drives his elbows downwards into the side of his neck! Once his feet are down, Zack tries to pry an arm between Bo's. When that doesn't work, he rings the bigman's bell with a double ear clap! Bo wobbles a little, so Zack claps the ears again. And after a third shot, Bo looks weakened. But just as Zack sees hope, Bo scoops him right back off his feet and drives him back first into the turnbuckles, then walks out with the bearhug still applied! COACH Bohemoth with a definate gameplan here tonight. Zack sinks a little as Bo continues to put the squeeze on. Again the crowd try to get behind him, but Zack can't get anything going this time and his arm begins to droop. The referee quickly steps in and checks on Zack, seeing few signs of life and lifts up the left arm... and it drops! COLE Zack is as tough as they come, but when you've got a 284 pounder cutting off your breathing this is the effect it has. Another couple of tightenings of the hold leave Zack almost done. Bohemoth nods his head, as the referee raises the arm up... ...and it drops a second time. COACH One more and it's over! "LET'S GO ZACK!" "LET'S GO ZACK!" "LET'S GO ZACK!" "LET'S GO ZACK!" The fans rally behind The Franchise as the referee gives the signal over to the timekeeper. Up goes the arm once more and Zack continues to slump forwards lifelessly, as the ref lets the arm drop... ...BUT ZACK KEEPS IT UP, HE'S NOT DONE YET!! COLE Zack Malibu, digging deep here. Zack clenches up his fist and drives a right hand into the temple. Bo staggers a little and Zack tries it again. A third fist finally breaks Zack free of the hold and he works out the kinks in his back, before hitting the ropes. Bohemoth shakes off the punches like they were nothing though and scoops Malibu up on the rebound, before drilling him down with a Front Spinebuster that sucks the air out of the entire arena! Cover! ONE! TWO! T-NO! SHOULDER UP! COACH Zack's gonna have to keep on digging. Bo's cutting him off at the pass every time at the moment. COLE I tell you, that win at AngleMania has given Bohemoth so much confidence. We saw the way he dismantled Sly Sommers, now he's controlling Zack in a way he simply couldn't at AngleMania. It's gotta be a confidence thing. Picking Zack back up once more, Bohemoth shoves him back against the ropes. As Zack stumbles back off them the bigman is waiting to greet him with open arms. Before those arms can close around him again, Zack throws an elbow out and catches Bo right on the point of the jaw! Bo staggers for a second while Zack drops to a knee holding his back, unable to follow up any further on his desperation strike. Bo comes back at Zack and hauls him to his feet, connecting with a big right hand that drops Zack in the corner. Stomps force Malibu down against the bottom turnbuckle, a flurry of them before Bohemoth backs off and orders the referee to get out of his way. With Zack still down in the corner, Bo hits the ropes, running down the length of the ring looking for the Facewash. With a little shuffle Zack comes out from the corner just in time and surprises Bo, scything his legs out with a drop toehold as he runs in. Bo falls throat across the middle rope and ends up right where Zack had escaped from, sat up against the bottom turnbuckle. And bad back and all, Zack capitalises as he hits the ropes and lunges into The Meterosexual Monster, hesitating in mid-air as he comes down with a head-snapping dropkick!! COLE Turn about is fair play! Bo goes down, but Zack is slow to capitalize, and the big man rolls to his feet with ease. Targeting Zack once again, he moves towards the popular superstar, only to be lured in by Zack and rocked with a jawbreaker! Bohemoth hobbles, holding the jaw that Zack nearly broke in their Anglemania encounter, and Malibu comes up and does more damage with a trifecta of European uppercuts! With Bo backed against the ropes, Zack whips him to the far side, but makes the mistake of putting his head down. Bo stops short and sets Zack in a standing headscissor, but when he lifts Zack up, the OAOAST Original rolls over his back, into a sunset flip...but then comes up holding the legs, going for a Figure Four Leglock...but just before he can cinch the hold in, Bo reaches up and cradles him with a small package! ONE! TWO! TH-NO! COACH Phew! That was one hell of a back and forth right there! COLE Zack is fired up, but he's got to watch his comebacks...he's got to remember that Bo has done a lot of damage to that back, and one false move could be his downfall! Both men come up to their feet, and Zack strikes first with an overhand chop to the chest, then throws Bo into the corner where he opens fire again with a flurry of open hand strikes before sending Bo to the opposite corner and following with a running knee that rocks the big man! Zack then backs up and measures Bo up before charging in a second time, this time striking with a corner splash, and after that connects, he shifts Bo up onto the top turnbuckle! Zack then climbs up onto the middle rope and drills a few hard rights into Bo's forehead, then climbs up onto the third rope and locking Bo in a front facelock. Zack lifts, but a combination of the weak back and Bo's resilience factors in, and Bo won't go! With the crowd egging him on, Zack delivers a pair of punches to stun Bo and then try again, but as he tries to lift Bo stands himself up on the top rope, lifts Zack off his feet...AND LEAPS OFF WITH A FLYING SPINEBUSTER THAT SENDS ZACK INTO SHOCK~! COACH YO~! COLE What a move! Look at Zack, Coach! Look at him shaking! Malibu quivers on the mat, hollering in agony as the shock has set in, and his back is even worse for wear now. Bo lay with his face buried in the mat, no doubt happy with the turning of the tide once again in this contest. He pushes up off the canvas and crawls over to Malibu, who is aching, and rolls him onto his back, hooking a leg! ONE! TWO! THRE-NO! NO! ZACK GETS A SHOULDER UP! The crowd goes spastic, as Malibu, albeit at the last second, escaped defeat after that high impact manuever. Bo comes up off the canvas, bringing Zack up with him and scooping him up into his arms. Bo scowls as he holds Zack horizontally, then spins him outward into THE EROTIC AWAKENING OF B~!...but Zack manages to slide out in mid-move and hit a quick Russian legsweep to take Bo off his game! Zack then scrambles to his feet and springs off the middle rope, hitting Bohemoth with an Asai moonsault! Zack then rolls off of him and delivers a kneedrop to the forehead! As Bo stings from the blow, Zack picks him up and quickly hits an inverted atomic drop, then spins him around and hits a back suplex, dumping the big man back on the canvas! Zack grits his teeth as he sits up, he himself reeling from his own offense due to the punishment his back has taken. He comes up off the canvas and drags Bo closer to the corner, then exits the ring, drawing cheers from the anticipating crowd, waiting for his next move. Zack climbs up onto the top rope, and with Bo not stirring he leaps off, sailing through the air with legs kicked out, dropping across Bo's throat with his patented flying legdrop! After landing, Zack again quivers in pain, the surge of pain from the landing shooting up his spine, but he forces himself to suck it up as he rolls onto his stomach and drapes one arm over Bo's chest and sloppily hooks a leg with the other! ONE! TWO! TH-NO! NO! Bo shoots a shoulder up at the last second! COLE They are fighting tooth and nail, trading falls, desperate for victory. Zack Malibu is hurting a bit more than his opponent, and much of that in the last few minutes has come due to his own actions! COACH Just like you have to spend money to make money, sometimes you've got to suffer to make others suffer! Zack leads Bo to his feet and goes to whip Bo into the corner, but Bo counters, and shoots Zack in...but Zack leaps onto the turnbuckles and up and over Bo as he charges in...then rapidly delivers a Zack Attack II to Bo's back as he stops himself short against the corner! Bo crumbles over the turnbuckles, but is led out by Zack, who manages to carry him over with a release German suplex! COLE Right there, note that Zack didn't hang on for the chain of suplexes! He knows he's got limitations now, and if Bo can take advantage of that weakness once again, that could spell the end for everyone's favorite prep! Zack gets up and heads for the ropes as Bo recovers, and brings his knee up for the original version of his trademark Zack Attack...but Bo pulls his head out of the way of Zack's knee! Zack stops his momentum before he sails over the ropes, and when he turns around he drops low and dodges a charging Bo, letting him sail over the top rope! Bo holds onto the top rope as he goes over, and comes up on the apron just as Zack pulls himself up! Malibu goes for a right hand, but Bo grabs his wrist and holds his arm as he comes around with a hard slap with his own right hand! Zack stumbles back, and Bo propels himself back into the ring with a slingshot shoulderblock! As groggy as they are, both men rise up from the mat once again, and Bo quickly snatches Zack and sets him up for a powerbomb...but gets backdropped over, which does no favors for Zack's back! Falling to one knee, Malibu winces before coming up and rushing the ropes, nailing Bo just as he stands with a leaping lariat! Zack then hits the other side and comes off once again with a second leaping lariat, dropping Bo yet again! Malibu waves his hands to work the crowd up, and as the sweat drips from his forehead he braces himself, eyeing Bo with a gleam in his eye that he's ready to end things here and now. Bo comes up off the canvas, and just as he does Zack zooms forward, sending a SCHOOL'S OUT headed right towards his jaw...but Bo sidesteps the superkick and quickly takes Zack and tosses him overhead with a release belly to belly suplex! COACH If there was a Prep Toss in the Olympic Games, I'd sign that man up, stat! Bo hovers over Zack, who is sprawled out on the canvas, and snickers before pulling him up to his feet. Trapping him in a front facelock, Bo lifts Zack upside down, stalling before dropping him with a suplex...but Malibu shows signs of life, as he kicks his legs in an effort to shift the weight and fall out of the move! Malibu's counter is successful, and he quickly spins Bo around, hits an inverted atomic drop, then a Northern Lights suplex that pins the big man's shoulders to the canvas! ONE! TWO! THRE-NO! NO! Bo escapes! COLE Another quick turn of events, bringing things back into Zack's favor, and another narrow escape from defeat for Bohemoth! COACH It's Anglemania quality right here on HeldDOWN~! Zack, again hurting because of having to bridge during that move, gets to his feet. Sore and battered, Zack brings Bo up, but gets shoved into the ropes, only to rebound right into a bearhug! Bo wrenches his thick arms around Zack's torso, trying to squeeze the life out of him and drain him of what little energy his has left...but a few quick headbutts drive Bo away, leaving him prone for Zack to hook him with an ANGLE SLA-NO! ZACK CAN'T LIFT HIM! ZACK CAN'T GET HIM UP! Zack again falls to one knee, tending to his back, while Bo wipes the sweat off his brow and comes forward, like a shark that smells blood...RIGHT INTO A SCHOOL'S OUT FROM ZACK MALIBU~! COLE He reeled him in! COACH Was he faking? He couldn't have been faking this whole time! COLE I don't know about faking it, Coach, but he certainly used that injury to set up an opening! Bo flops to the canvas, and Zack collapses on top of him, cradling the leg while the referee does his duty, all to the delight of the rabid crowd! ONE! TWO! THREE! DING! DING! DING! COLE HE DID IT! ZACK MALIBU DID IT! COACH I feel like I need a cold shower after that match! Those two took their feud to the next level, and look the at the fans applauding here, they're lovin' this! Many fans are on their feet, and those who aren't soon are, all roaring over the efforts of these two superstars tonight. As "Getting Away With Murder" booms over the PA to signify victory, Zack is helped up by the referee, who does one better and raises Zack's arm in the air, drawing an even louder response. COLE Give that man credit, fighting tooth and nail to the very end, and using that quick thinking to get a measure of revenge for Bo's disrespect at Anglemania. Zack moves over to the corner, leaning against the turnbuckles and catching his breath, while Bo rolls on the canvas. The referee checks on the big man, but as Bo slowly emerges from off the sweat stained canvas, he's nudged away, even when Bo nearly falls back over, still aching from the effects of that superkick. Bo shakes the cobwebs off, and when he does, he's face to face with Zack, who hobbles to center ring, staring his sometimes friend, sometimes foe dead in the eye. The two men lock gazes, and it's Zack who is the bigger man tonight, as he extends a hand to Bo once again, drawing a wild cheer from the crowd, as well as a chant. "SHAKE HIS HAND!" "SHAKE HIS HAND!" "SHAKE HIS HAND!" Bo looks into the crowd, and into the hard camera, as if to ask the home viewers what to do. He turns back to Zack and inches closer, his hand ready to shake Zack's...and then he wipes the sweat from his brow and flicks it in Zack's face before turning to leave! COLE Oh COME ON! Zack, incensed, goes and spins Bo around, and Bo shoves Zack down hard in retaliation! The referee immediately comes between the two before this can break down and orders Bo to the back, while Zack comes back to his feet, not only sore but now incredibly PO'd. COACH He dissed him again, Mikey Cole! COLE I don't get it...what is Bohemoth's deal with not wanting to respectully admit that Zack was the better man? COACH He wouldn't shake Zack's hand after the match that he won, so why would he do it after the one that he lost!? The crowd has gone from cheers to boos now, as Bo goes up the aisle, undaunted by the crowds thoughts of him at this moment. The big man doesn't even bother to turn and look back at the ring, simply disappearing behind the curtain, and leaving Zack alone in the ring, once again rejected, even in victory. FADE OUT.

I managed to scramble to finish this just now. It does need entrances though, so if KC or anyone really can slap them on there, it's good to go for posting. Sorry for the delay.

It'll be finished later today/tonight (last day of training!) so if you post HD beforehand, just leave a slot for it please.

It'll be finished later today/tonight (last day of training!) so if you post HD beforehand, just leave a slot for it please.

Haha, it's fine with me. Actually, this is probably a good place to put it...an official update on everything that's been going on. Not only is my liver A-OK (chalked up to a fluke in my bloodwork) but I have gotten a new job, and left the Wrestling Superstore after practically running the show as an office manager there for nearly 9 years. I'm now working for Cox Communications and moving up a bit in the business world. While it appears I'll have net access from work (currently I'm in training from 9-5:30 M-F) I'm sure I won't get nearly the amount of time during the workday to be here as I did at the previous job. Not to worry, my shift will be from 12:30-9 5 days per week once I'm out of training, so if you don't see me on the board during the day like you're used to, I'll be taking care of my OAOAST stuff and most of my posting either early in the am or (more likely) later at night. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up, since the old job allowed me the freedom to do pretty much anything I wanted, and many a classic Zack match were written while on the clock there. I don't know that I'll be able to write much while on the clock at Cox, but if I'm able to, then so be it!

Checking in, I thought it was a decent, entertaining enough PPV, but the last two matches were strong showings and really easy to get into. Lethal Lockdown was what you'd expect it to be, my only comments on that are that they should have showcased Morgan more (maybe have him no sell the beer-bottle shot or something to make him into a monster) and that Rhino got the pin, although my latter comment isn't a complaint. It's nice to see the guy apparently in line for bigger things, but the finish just came out of nowhere. It could also have been the dreaded "short on time" that made them rush the ending. Joe/Angle was a great match, IMO. I dug the MMA stuff, and I dug the wrestling portion of it. I like how Karen Angle got sent packing and that there was no ridiculous swerve or interference by her or anyone else for that matter. Joe got his moment, and he got to have it by himself. I can understand why they didn't do the Christian Win with him (where faces and fans rushed the ring) since Joe doesn't come off as that type of face, and honestly if they did it with him, even with Nash or someone who has a tie, it would have taken away from it. Joe/Steiner SHOULD be a watchable brawl if their past matches are any indication. Honestly, if they're going to push Rhino, a turn and feud with Joe, even for only one PPV or so, could be really good, and it'd be a fresh match.

JOSH Josh Matthews, hangin' out backstage, and right now I am here with none other than The Franchise of the OAOAST, the one and only Zack Malibu. MALIBU Josh, how we doin'? JOSH I guess the question on everyone's mind, Zack, is how are you doing, especially after being snubbed by Bohemoth at Anglemania? MALIBU Me? Oh I'm doing just fine, Josh. In fact, I find it all really amusing. With Bohemoth, you have a guy who at one point was nothing more than a lackey...a big bruiser for Christian Wright. Here's a guy who broke out on his own, looking to be his own man. Here's a guy that was so desperate for a chance to be noticed that at one point he went off and invaded our home offices. You remember that, don't you Josh? JOSH I do. MALIBU Now, putting the past in the past and forgiving those indiscretions, Bo came into his own. The man is a BEAST, and he has torn through this roster like no other, BUT...you knew there was gonna be a "but", didn't you, Josh? JOSH I had that idea, yes. MALIBU He got a little too overconfident. Hey, we're all guilty of it, myself included. Confidence is a driving force, it's a motivator, but too much of it and then you come across as just another smarmy, ungrateful PRICK. JOSH Ouch. MALIBU Too harsh? Maybe. The way I see it though, is that Bo's just transferring his own character flaw, that being his overconfidence, onto me, and making it seem like I wanted to "ruin his moment". Ruin your moment? I wanted to GIVE YOU YOUR MOMENT, you stupid bastard? You humbled me, you pinned me clean as a whistle, one two three to that canvas, at the biggest event this company can possible put on. You beat me at the SHOW. Anglemania, you beat Zack Malibu. You beat a former World Champion, Bo. Not some pushover Conquistador who would be clamoring for any attention he can get. You didn't beat someone like a Landon Maddix or a Christian Wright, who might try to put on a brave face to do just what you think I did. You beat Zack Malibu. You beat THE MAN, and I was willing to suck it up and show the world that yes, you were better than me on that fateful Sunday night. That despite having your jaw knocked loose and blood pouring out of your mouth that the raw power you possess was too much for me...I was ready to GIVE YOU THE MOMENT YOU DESERVED, and instead you took the low road. It's a well known fact that this company was built on the blood of the Originals, and it was five years ago that Anglesault himself decided to show me the respect I worked so hard to earn. You can like me, Bo, or you can hate me with all of your heart, but you will RESPECT me, and the same goes for anyone else in this locker room busting their ass. You know why a certain old running buddy of yours is so despised, to the point we don't even mention his name? Do you know how Popick got to be so loathed, to the point where he put the fans on the side of Tha Puerto Rican? It was because of their lack of respect, not just for me, not for anyone in particular, but for this company. You're better than them, Bo...or at least I thought you were. Not shaking my hand didn't give you your Anglemania moment, Bo...it gave you my attention. Do you know why I agreed to face you at Anglemania in the first place? Because things had been breaking down so badly between you and I that it was the only way to let it out. I agreed to face you so that I wouldn't have to do it again, and yet here we are. We're going to meet again, Bo. We're going to meet again real soon, and win or lose, I'm going to extend my hand to you again. It's up to you to decide if you made the right choice at Anglemania, or if you're ready to make up for it. FADE OUT.

While I'm no fan of his regardless of storyline affiliation, a heel turn for Batista is greatly needed. The man is beyond stale at this point, and even the marks are sick of him (as evidenced by the past year of crowds turning on him). If anything, having him be jealous that Flair "passed the torch" to Shawn rather than being upset Shawn retired Flair would work well, as it would turn him into the egocentric prick he seems to be outside of the ring.

Yeah, the Rolling Suplexes (not necessarily all German) and Angle Slam became part of my moveset as tribute.