Zack Malibu

WWE Championship: Triple H © vs. John Cena WWE Title: Randy Orton © vs. Chris Benoit Interpromotional Grudge Match: Batista and Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle and Big Show Money In The Bank 2 (winner gets a shot at World Championship): Rob Van Dam vs. Carlito vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Masters vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Gregory Helms Interpromotional: Edge vs. Undertaker Interpromotional: Shawn Michaels vs. Rey Mysterio Booker T. vs. Bobby Lashley Tag Team Turmoil for the WWE Tag Team Titles: MNM vs. Mexicools vs. Nunzio/Vito vs. LOD vs. The Dicks vs. Regal/Burchill vs. London/Spanky Mick Foley vs. Ric Flair

Hoff and Black Lushus will also vouch for Kelly Clarkson. The numbers are growing. I'm no longer the only one.

I haven't wrapped anything yet.

As always, I share with you here in the GCF (seeing as how you're my core group of TSM buddies for the most part) some pictures from my 25th birthday bash last week. My friends band booked a gig at a local sports bar (which is next door to the coffee shop I hang out at and help manage at times) and we had 50+ people show up. I got tipsy, I got my cake dumped on my head...it was quite a night. I also made my onstage debut with the band, as we did a rendition of "Ice, Ice Baby" rapped by yours truly, which got a Hogan-esque pop from the friends in attendance. Myself, a few drinks into the night, lol. It's been photoshopped to look OMG COOL N' BLURRY, but this was a chunk of the crowd rocking out with the band. Cakefaced. I'll have more (my camera broke that night, so I'm leeching off everyone's webshots), but just wanted to share some with all y'all.

Holla.

Providence College for sure, and possibly Brown as well, due to the storyline with Seth and Summer coming here for college. Josh Schwartz (the creator) is from RI, so that's most likely how those schools were picked for the characters.

Any movie with "wokitcha wokitcha" in it is OK by me.

I'm enjoying this season quite a bit, actually. They're supposed to be filming a few episodes for next season here, so I'm gonna do what I can to try and meet some (or all) of the cast.

I should play that on Christmas at dinner.

I could see Raven wind up on the face side.

Heil.

Lina.

Be nice and spell it right! CHECK WITH A K.

Beef Wellington rules.

I have an idea for a segment to be put on the New Year's Eve special where the GPX, Christian Wright, Bo, Jamie O'Hara and SJ "invade" the OAOAST Corporate Home Office when everyone is away on holidays. It'll be along the lines of a DX/NWO skit. If you don't want certain guys involved, let me know. edit: I hit edit instead of replying

We could have had him "dragged along for the ride", but I can leave you out and have it done with just the younger guys.

I've gotta say, I'm pissed at my lost opportunity, as I had absolutely no writing time these past few weeks. Working for a merchandise company is a killer this time of year as expected, and it doesn't help that I'm responsible for inventory and restocking, so I've been bouncing in and out of the office like a superball. Hopefully ELM and I can do it up again soon sometime. That said, the title match was extremely well written, and who knows if I could have beaten it, but still, I give major props to ELM for that bout.

In a tub of black man filling?

If they haven't started by now, there's no way Heyman of all people will make them change. That wasn't me knocking Heyman, I think the man is a great booker, but the upper management don't give a damn about how well he's booking OVW. The call-ups are going to get whatever WWE decides to throw their way. It took them 5 years for an OVW act to be called up as-is (MNM), and even THAT got shit on by creative.

JJ Johnson is reading this thread. You know he wants to be booked, and booked hard.

Dizzone.

Foshi and I are gonna trade off on this, but I'll put it here. I'd like it very much to be the opener to the PPV. Rikjin Massamoto is the Japanese character I had come up with, the basic gist is that he's a HI-YAH import who is gaining fame in Japan, so Calvin wanted him on Climax to expose him to American audiences. "Evolution(The Grand Design)" by Symphony X begins blaring just as soon as the commentators are done introducing the nights lineup, and with the sound of that song comes the arrival of the returning superstar who is greeted with a hero's welcome from the fans in attendance! COLE It was just a few weeks ago that Foshi returned to action in the OAOAST after quite a long layover, and it was this past week that General Manager Calvin Szechstein offered him a spot on Climax, stating that he was flying in a superstar from the HI-YAH promotion who has received excellent reviews from industry insiders and his peers! CABOOSE Also, Coach, please refrain from the sushi jokes. BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is your opening match, here at CLIMAX! Approaching the ring at this time, from KYOTO, JAPAN, weighing in tonight at two hundred, seventeen pounds, this issss FOSHI! Foshi walks down the aisle looking stoic, focused. He steps in the ring and looks around before standing by the ropes and posing, looking deep into the camera as a spotlight shines down on him. As he prepares for the contest, his music is cut, and then replaced with the song "Unholy" by the legendary rock group KISS. After several moments, a young Japanese man, well built and clad in black trunks with red "fire" on the sides and red kneepads and boots steps out onto the ramp, his dark hair hanging slightly over his eyes. BUFFER His opponent, from Tokyo, Japan, representing the HI-YAH promotion, he weighs in tonight at two hundred, thirty two pounds, this is RIKJIN MASSAMOTO! Massamoto throws an arm up as he's greeted with a warm welcome. He moves down the ramp and climbs up on the turnbuckles, throwing his arms outward before moonsaulting into the ring! He eyes Foshi, who doesn't look impressed upon the newcomers entrance, and instead gives him a look over as he thinks strategy to himself. As the two men stand across the ring from each other, the ring is suddenly showered with streamers, as fans toss them in respect for the debuting international star, as well as the well-traveled, returning rock star turned wrestler (or is it vice versa). Amidst the show of appreciation, Massamoto and Foshi continue to stare each other down and then come closer, circling the ring as referee Nick Patrick clears the ring of the streamers to get the opening match for Climax underway. CABOOSE Cole, Coachman, this is going to be a hell of a match, so I hope you boys are prepared to follow along closely. COLE I'm ready for sure, 'Boose, and...what the hell!? All of a sudden, a tuxedo clad MIKE TENAY, bowtie and all, hops the railing and comes over to Sofa Central. COLE Professor Mike Tenay!?!? What are you doing here? Tenay, off-mic, asks Cole to hang on a second, then motions for Coachman to hand over his headset. COACH What?! Aw hell no, this is MY payin' gig son, and... Tenay, not wasting any time, DECKS Coachman, knocking him out of his chair! CABOOSE God Bless You Mike Tenay. Tenay fumbles with the headset for a moment, then puts it on, and settles into Coachman's seat. TENAY Michael Cole, Caboose, gentlemen are we good to go for some strong style international action? CABOOSE You mean besides what we just saw out of you? The bell sounds, and Massamoto and Foshi approach each other, and once he's in range, Foshi is struck with a kick to the side of the leg. He flinches and backs off, but Massamoto closes in and connects with a second one, then grabs him in a collar and elbow tie up and brings him towards center ring, taking him over with a side headlock takedown. Massamoto holds Foshi down on the canvas, but the internationally known rock n' wrestling sensation scissors his legs around Rikjin's head, and takes him off. Massamoto comes to his feet and grabs a side headlock on Foshi, but then gets pushed to the ropes, and when he rebounds Foshi swings fast and hard, cracking him across the chest with a knife edge chop! "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" TENAY These fans can Whoo! all they want, but there are no flabby, wrinkled men living off past glory in this match. This is going to be as stiff as you're going to get! Massamoto absorbs the chop, then watches as Foshi hits the ropes . Foshi ducks a back elbow attempt and leaps to the middle rope, twising his body so that he's facing Massamoto and connects with a bodypress...but the Japanese import catches Foshi and puts him on his feet, then DRILLS him with a hard chop to the chest! Foshi covers up, tucking his arms in to block...so Massamoto delivers a roundhouse kick to the right arm to get him to let up, then takes the arm and wrenches it! CABOOSE Nice move by the HI-YAH sensation! Foshi winces, but after staying trapped for a few moments, he counters by taking Massamoto's arm and wrenching it. Rikjin paces the ring, with Foshi keeping the arm locked tight, but when they near the ropes Massamoto jumps up and lands with both legs on the top rope, using the spring action to float backwards to his feet, breaking the hold! He picks Foshi up and scoop slams him, then comes off the ropes with a well-placed kneedrop to the chest...or at least it WOULD have been well-placed if it connected...but it doesn't! Foshi rolled out of the way, and as Massamoto reels, the rock star cradles him in an Oklahoma Roll! ONE! TWO! NO! Massamoto gets a shoulder up, and escapes defeat. Foshi stands up and blasts him with a knee to the side of the face, then lifts him up for a scoop slam, but Massamoto falls behind and grabs a waistlock. He hurls Foshi up and over, but Foshi lands on his feet, and then dives for the legs, taking Rikjin to the mat! Foshi tries to tie up the legs of the visiting superstar, but Massamoto rolls onto his back and kicks Foshi away, then moves to his feet, catching the approaching rock superstar with a scoop slam! Rikjin then pulls Foshi up and delivers a roundhouse kick to the small of the back, which staggers Foshi, enabling Massamoto to trap him in a full nelson! Foshi squirms, and manages to break free. He spins around so that he's face to face with his opponent and locks up with him, pushing him back towards the ropes. Patrick hurries over and calls for the break, and Foshi breaks right away, allowing Rikjin to come off the ropes. Massamoto comes forward and delivers a quick kick to the stomach, then grabs a facelock, but Foshi pushes him away and hits a drop toehold, then gets to his feet and delivers a quick elbow to the back of Massamoto's head! COLE Nice back and forth exchange between the returning and the debuting superstars! Massamoto comes up holding his head, and as he looks up, Foshi hits the ropes and leaps onto his shoulders, snapping him over with a huracanrana! Massamoto rolls out to the apron and pulls himself up, but Foshi delivers a shoulderblock to his midsection and pulls him through the opening between the ropes, then hits the near side and delivers a running knee to the side of Rikjin's head! Foshi then pulls him into the ring and quickly yanks him into the air for a powerbomb, planting Massamoto hard on the canvas and pinning his legs into his chest to keep him on the canvas! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! TENAY Excellent move by Foshi, capitalizing on Massamoto's dazed state and managing to strike with that devestating powerbomb! COLE As devestating as it was, Professor, Massamoto still managed to kick out! Foshi pulls his resilient rival up from the canvas and sends him into the corner, then races towards him from mid-ring and crushes him with a corner clothesline! Rikjin slouches against the ropes, while Foshi moves back to the center of the ring, giving himself room to sprint towards the corner again, this time leaping up and driving both knees into the chest of Rikjin Massamoto! The superstar from the Far East slouches again, but he's pulled up by Foshi, who rests him on the top rope in a seated position. CABOOSE Foshi doesn't look like he's lost a step at all since his last OAOAST run. COLE Well, I'm sure he gets plenty of workouts, what with all the rock groupies and all. CABOOSE Cole, you start turning into Coachman, and we're gonna have words that are unsuitable even for THIS broadcast. COLE Like perpendicular? CABOOSE What? COLE I don't know. TENAY You know, I can stay out here all night if you'd like, you guys might need it. CABOOSE Oh no worries Mike, this is a fairly normal night so far for us. Massamoto sits on the ropes, and Foshi climbs up, trying to pull his opponent off with a superplex, but Rikjin reaches down and grips the top rope, anchoring himself on the top and stopping himself from going over! He pushes Foshi off, but Foshi lands on his feet and runs towards the corner...right into a boot from Massamoto, who then stands himself up on the top rope, and comes off with a tomahawk chop, catching Foshi right between the eyes! TENAY Version of the tomahawk chop that Massamoto calls the Lightning Slice! CABOOSE Lightning Slice? Sounds like a pizza joint on the corner of 1st and 3rd! COLE Yeah, you know I think I've eaten at that joint. CABOOSE Tenay, is that true? Did he really eat at that place? TENAY I don't know if it even IS a real place! CABOOSE Folks at home, you've just witnessed history...there is something Mike Tenay does NOT know about an individual in the wrestling world! Massamoto lets out a yell, then raises his right arm, and as Foshi comes back to his feet, Massamoto races across the ring and blasts him across the back of the head with a hard lariat, sending Foshi down to the mat face first! TENAY Northern Lariat from the Far Easterner... CABOOSE Wait, I need a compass to grasp that one. Massamoto covers, and nods his head with every hit of the mat by Patrick. ONE! TW-KICKOUT! Foshi throws his shoulder up, so Massamoto brings him to his feet, then lifts him up and holds him, running him backfirst into the corner, then turning with Foshi still in his arms and racing across the ring to the opposite corner, smashing him into that one as well! Massamoto then carries him back to the center of the ring, and showing amazing power, presses Foshi above his head before letting him fall, down onto both of his knees with a thunderous gutbuster! TENAY The Stampede Blaster! That's not the Oklahoma Stampede made famous by Dr. Death Steve Williams, oh no. It's a new and improved version ending with a double knee gutbuster drop that has Foshi favoring the ribs! Massamoto takes the ball of humanity known as Foshi and rolls him onto his back, pinning him to the canvas again, and the crowd is warming up to the newcomer, counting along as Patrick counts Foshi down! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! COLE WOW! Foshi survived the Stampede Blaster! TENAY Survival is one thing, but it's definitely taken some time off his endurance! Massamoto is shocked that Foshi didn't stay down for the three, but after surveying the damage, he brings Foshi up to his feet. Seeing that Foshi can barely stand on his own, Massamoto grabs him by the head, hooking an inverted facelock and standing with Foshi trapped while making the cutthroat symbol with his free hand. TENAY Looks like Massamoto is signalling for the Dragon's Breath, an inverted brainbuster that has won him many a match in the HI-YAH promotion! Massamoto tugs on Foshi's waistband to lift, but before he can bring Foshi upside down, the quick thinking rocker swings his body to the side, pulling Massamoto up onto his shoulders...and falls to his side, cracking Rikjin's head against the canvas with a surprise Death Valley Driver that rattles the man from an ocean away! COLE What a counter! Professor, has anyone ever countered the Dragon's Breath before? TENAY Why, no, no they haven't! The crowd roars in its approval of the hard hitting contest, as both superstars lay weary on the canvas. As Nick Patrick counts them both down, the fans begin to stomp and clap, not rallying for anyone in particular, as they just want to see the brutality continue! CABOOSE The crowd is electric right now, and they seem to be quite impressed with Mr. Massamoto. Patrick continues the count, but it's by the count of 7 both men are up and staggering, and begin trading chops with each other, each one followed up by one that is louder and even more cringe worthy! Massamoto then tries to strike with a ROARING ELBOW~!, but Foshi ducks it and hooks the arm, then grabs the waist and tosses Massamoto over on his head with a release Half Nelson Suplex! COLE There's a neckbrace waiting for him backstage, right? Foshi immediately goes to pull Massamoto up, but as he sets up for the brainbuster, Massamoto pushes him away, then delivers a kick to the stomach. He readies Foshi in a standing headscissors and lifts for a powerbomb, but the man from Kyoto falls to his feet, pulling Massamoto's head down with him, and then lifts him into the air before dropping him head first on the canvas! COLE BRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAINBUSTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Foshi covers quickly and hooks the leg after hitting his trademark move, and Nick Patrick dives to the mat and count Rikjin's shoulders down. ONE! TWO! THREE! DING! DING! DING! As soon as the bell is rung, Symphony X is cued, and Nick Patrick helps Foshi to his feet, raising his arm in victory, as the crowd comes to their feet and claps, applauding not only the returning superstar, but the debuting one as well. BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen your winner...FOSHI! Foshi circles his fallen foe, then reaches down and helps him up. Massamoto nearly falls back, holding his head in pain. Patrick comes over to break it up, but Foshi doesn't attack, but rather extends his hand, offering respect to the newcomer. TENAY Excellent show of sportsmanship right there! Good job guys, you've done well tonight! Foshi shakes Massamoto's hand and then exits, leaving the import to stand holding his head. Patrick tends to him, but Massamoto waves him off, stating he'll be OK. Rikjin turns to each side of the ring and bows, thanking the fans in his own way, as they continue clapping for him, before finally exiting the ring. COLE What a way to kick off Climax, and we've got plenty more in store for you all tonight. Professor Mike Tenay, we thank you for joining us for that contest, and come back and see us real soon! TENAY Believe me, you guys need all the help you can get in the booth. I just might.

'Tis done!

As the lights in the arena drop, the fans must feel like they've been transported back in time to Studio 54, as the song that overcomes the crowd sounds as if it belongs being played in a discotheque. Still, it's not the musical taste that leads to the booing of the fans that have come out to "Climax" with the OAOAST tonight, but rather the trio that the song belongs to! BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest, set for one fall, is for the OAOAST WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS! Approaching the ring at this time, being led by James E. Cornette...first, from Beverly Hills, CA, "Narcissistic" Ned Blanchard. His partner, from Charleston, South Carolina, "Sarcastic" Simon Singleton...they are the New, NEW, MIDNIGHT EXXXXPRRRRRESSSSSSS! The booing only grows louder as the two men strut to the ring, with James E. leading the way, making the belt motion to the camera and proclaiming his charges to be the next tag team champions. Simon and Ned enter the ring and pose for the fans, only it's not well received by the crowd, who don't take kindly to the arrival of the challengers. James E. works his boys up, briefly rubbing the shoulders of Simon and then patting Ned on the back, while their music fades and gets replaced with that of the defending champions. Where I come from isn't all that great My automobile is a piece of crap... The sound of Weezer's "Beverly Hills" is accompanied by the stomping and clapping of the fans, who play into the beat of the song. After several moments, the World Tag Team Champions make their entrance to a big pop, pausing for a moment to glare at their opponents, Zack and Leon absorb the energy of the crowd, while Cornette and his charges scowl at the response the popular tag team has gotten. BUFFER Their opponents are the reigning OAOAST WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! First, from Grand Rapids, MI, he is "Silky Smooth"...LEEEEON ROOOODEZ! His partner, from Providence, RI, he is the Franchise of the OAOAST...ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK MAAAAAAAAAAAALIBUUUUUUUU...THE USUAL SUSSPECTSSSSS! COLE It was two weeks ago when the New, New Midnight Express made their move, laying Leon Rodez out on the Love Shack to lure the champions into a title match here on our last pay per view of 2005. CABOOSE They struck, and they struck hard. They knew Zack has been preoccupied not only with personal affairs as Candie has just revealed her pregnancy, but they also know that the tension has been running high with Zack and Peter Knight. They singled Leon out, and it got them what they wanted. As the champions start down the ramp, Leon begins disrobing of his entrance attire and unstraps his title belt, dropping it on the ramp as he begins to charge the ring, where the NNMX wave him on. Zack throws his arm out and stops Leon from racing in, telling him not to rush into it, as the taped ribs and sore back are going to need to hold up during tonights title defense. Instead, it's Zack who charges the ring, throwing off his vest and unstrapping the title belt before racing into the ring, right into the waiting arms of Simon and Ned! They clobber Zack right away, pounding on the back of his head and neck as he steps through the ropes, but Malibu quickly comes alive, unleashing a flurry of rights and lefts to both members of the NNMX! He then takes each one by their head and brings them close, then causes a meeting of the minds between Ned and Simon that stagger them both! Cornette is in conniptions at ringside as Malibu backs into the ropes and comes off...right into a double boot from the Express! Simon and Ned then take Zack and send him to the ropes, and try for the double clothesline...but Zack ducks it and baseball slides out to the ramp, resting on all fours so that Leon can sprint down the ramp and use Zack as a launching pad over the ropes and take out both of the Express with a flying bodypress! Rodez picks himself up and favors the ribs, moving slowly towards Ned and pulling him up, then staggers him with some left jabs before dumping him over the ropes with a clothesline! As Leon disposes of Ned, Simon gets up, but before he can attack Malibu springboards in and connects with a dropkick to the side of his face, sending Simon rolling out to the floor as well! COLE The champs have cleaned house here in the early going, and Cornette is NOT happy! The famed manager is already having one of his trademark fits at ringside, stomping up and down as Ned and Simon, both holding their heads, stumble over. While Zack and Leon climb up on the ropes and play to the crowd, Cornette grabs his boys in a huddle and offers some more words of encouragement before ordering them to get this match going and to bring the OAOAST World Tag Team Titles home to him tonight. Simon jumps up on the apron and looks to get in the ring, so Malibu strikes a fighting stance, however veteran referee Earl Hebner orders Zack to step back and allow Simon in to allow the match to begin officially. Malibu adheres to the rules and backs up, nodding for Rodez to take a spot out on the apron. Rodez exits, and Ned takes his spot on the apron as well, and finally the bell is rung so that the Tag Team Title defense can begin. DING! DING! DING! Instantly, Malibu and Simon tie up, and Simon quickly moves from the lockup into an arm wrench. He twists Zack's arm not once but twice, then positions the arm behind him with a hammerlock. Zack reaches back and tries to grasp Simon's head for a snapmare, but Simon counters by spinning Zack around and scooping him up, then slamming him to the canvas! Simon then hits the ropes, so Zack rolls onto his stomach, forcing his foe to hop over him. Zack comes up to his feet and leapfrogs Simon's rebound charge. The Sultan of Sarcasm comes off the ropes again, right into a hiptoss attempt...but he manages to block, then counters by hitting Zack with an overhead release belly to belly suplex! COACH I wonder if he'll go for distance on the next toss! Simon then brings Zack up and takes him towards the corner and tries to send him face first into the turnbuckle, but Zack puts up a foot and blocks it, then sends Simon face first into it! Zack then turns him around and sends him across the ring into the other corner, then follows up by charging in and leaping up with a monkey flip...however the agile Simon Singleton lands on his feet...only to turn around and be drilled with a running lariat from Zack! Malibu then pulls him up and cracks the skin on his chest with two hard, brutal chops, then wrenches Simon's arm and kicks his legs out from under him, and follows up with a back senton splash, flattening Simon out on the canvas! Simon quickly scrambles from the ring before Zack can follow up, but not before tagging Ned on his way out. "NED SUCKS!" "NED SUCKS!" "NED SUCKS!" "NED SUCKS!" Ned's cocky smirk disappears as soon as he sees the former World Champion across the ring and quickly, he begs off from Zack, who seems pretty pissed off. And who can blame him? Zack stomps forward, Ned circling to avoid him before eventually Zack speeds up and forces Ned to abandon out to the floor. Rushing over, Cornette pretends to hold the 'fuming' Ned back, as Singleton too joins the huddle on the floor. COLE Give me a break. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that Ned is afraid of Zack, but this is ridiculous. COACH 'Fraid!?! 'Fraid!?! What'chu talkin' bout foo'!! COLE Zuh? COACH Sorry. When I get mad, I get Ebonic. What I'm saying is, Ned Blanchard is afraid of no man. No woman. No STI. He is a fearless man! Cornette and Simon try to 'calm Ned down'. But suddenly, The Midnights plus manager scuttle off in opposite directions as Zack leaves the ring and storms over in their direction. Simon gets away, dragging Cornette with him, while Ned slides into the ring and backs into a neutral corner. In rolls Zack, following Ned into the corner...and getting grabbing by the front of the tights, then pulled face-first into the middle turnbuckle, in a move made famous by Ned's namesake Tully! The crowd boo Ned's nefarious tactics, all of which seems to amuse him greatly as he drives a knee into Zack's spine. And a second. Zack continues to hang over the middle turnbuckle, so Ned drops down and starts to smother him across the turnbuckle pad!! "ONE!" "TWO!" "THRE..." Ned breaks on three, but only because Leon Rodez forces him to escape from the ring by coming in to break things up. Referee Charles Robinson holds Rodez back, while Ned waits on the floor. He re-enters once the coast is clear and immediately goes back to his smothering of Zack, while Rodez's frantic attempts to help distract referee Robinson! "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" COLE Look at this blatant cheating! These two are a disgrace to the good Midnight Express name! CABOOSE What are you talking about Cole? This is Classic Midnight Express! Everyone loved it when "Sweet" Stan and "Beautiful" Bobby did it, so why not now? Right on cue, Ned backs away from Zack, leaving Charles none the wiser as he finally turns around. Spluttering for breath, around turns Zack, Ned waiting for him and snaps off a quick right hand. Followed by a second, then a straight kick to the gut of The Franchise to double him over. Ned shows off his l33t, karate skills off with a couple more straight kicks before taking Zack by the arm and sending him into the ropes. But Zack hangs on and comes to a halt. In rushes Ned and he gets a boot to the face. And a SCHOOL'S OU...NO! Ned ducks the Superkick, diving for his corner with a tag to Simon Singleton and then getting the hell out of the ring! Cornette checks that Ned is okay, but it's more running for his life than tending to injury that's on Ned's mind. Leaning out of the ring, Zack tells Ned just how close he came to getting his head taken off, while Singleton slowly enters the ring. CABOOSE That was close. If there's one thing Jim Cornette knows, it's preperation and you know he's got Ned and Simon perfectly prepared. He's probably gone over endless footage of Zack hitting that School's Out and found a way for Ned and Simon to know, in an instant, when Zack's preparing to hit it. COLE I don't doubt that. Cornette is one of the smartest managers this sport has seen, for all his personal faults. In steps Singleton and we have Simon versus Zack now. The two circle for a few moments before locking up, Zack gaining the advantage with a smart back leg trip, taking Simon down with the collar and elbow still applied... 1... 2... Singleton rolls out to the side, escaping the collar and elbow pin in the process and coming up with a wristlock. Grimacing, Zack looks for a counter. And finds it by rolling forward, kicking out Simon's arm and catching him unawares with a snapping drop toe hold that scythes Singleton down! Up scrambles Zack, running to the ropes as Singleton comes up holding his nose. A clothesline misses from Zack. But he continues running, whipping himself around Singleton's body and taking him over with a satellite headscissors! The momentum forces Singleton to slide out of the ring, prompting another New, New Midnights group huddle. COLE Great wrestling from the former World Champion and again, the challengers are forced to regroup! CABOOSE Well, Zack's doing great. But he can't fight the entire match on his own. Not much seems to be going right for the NNMX at the moment and they take their time over the tactics talk on the floor, before Singleton eventually does climb back to the apron. Ned climbs to the apron too and a tag is made between the two, bringing The Handsome Hustler back in. The man from Beverly Hills glares at the man who's name makes him sound like he is from Beverly Hills, then looks past him, at his partner. BLANCHARD I don't want you...I want HIM!! "YYEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!" The crowd pop, as Blanchard DEMANDS Zack make the tag. From the corner, Rodez smiles and shrugs as he holds out his hand, not backing down from the man most responsible for his injuries. Zack doesn't seem to want Rodez in though and calls Ned for a lock-up. A shake of the head greets that though, because Blanchard continues to DEMAND Rodez. "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" "LE - ON!" No question what the fans want. And eventually, after encouragement from Rodez, Zack relents and tags him in. "YYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!" COLE Well, here comes Leon Rodez! This might not be a good idea though. CABOOSE He had to tag him in sooner or later. COLE True. But Blanchard is still fresh and Leon most certainly isn't, after the brutal attack two weeks ago...not to mention the gutbuster from Brock that finished him off with just three days ago. Rodez cautiously steps into the ring, eyeing up Blanchard. The Handsome Hustler is already trying to rile Rodez up, mugging away as he mocks Rodez and his rib injury. But riling up Rodez isn't the way to go. Because, it doesn't work. As the insults and the mockery from Blanchard continue, Rodez laughs along with Ned, joking around just as much as The Handsome Hustler...before suddenly stunning him with an Inverted Atomic Drop! While Ned favours his new-found heamorrhoids, Rodez then ducks behind Blanchard and rocks him with a traditional Atomic Drop! Ned is in trouble now, holding both front and back, while Rodez strolls around and waits for Ned to turn around to where he wants him. And once he does, Rodez tosses him over with a hiptoss! And another hiptoss! Off the ropes goes Rodez, coming off with a full head of steam and connecting with a dropkick to the knee. The leg of Ned lurches out from underneath him, causing him to fall onto one knee. The set-up for Rodez to aim a Shining Wiza...DUCKED! Blanchard avoids the Shining Wizard and grabs Rodez on his way up for a backbreaker! Understandably, Rodez is desperate to get free. But Ned has him caught and lifts Rodez up. Only for Rodez to float backwards, over Ned's shoulder and into an O'Conner roll... 1... 2... Ned kicks out! Rodez uses the momentum of the kickout to hit the ropes though, leaping over Blanchard who stays down with an attempt at a trip. Off the ropes comes Rodez again. This time, Ned is up to meet him...but Rodez ducks a clothesline, taking The Handsome Hustler right over into a schoolboy... 1... 2... Kickout! COLE Wise strategy from Rodez, who is trying to score the pinfall as soon as he possibly can. He doesn't want to risk injury to those ribs what-so-ever. Up scrambles Blanchard, a little flustered as he growls and furiously swings for Rodez's head. A duck causes Ned to spin a full 360, right back into a boot to the gut from Rodez. The Silky Smooth One then applies a front facelock and sets Ned up for a suplex, which despite frantic protests from Zack he hits...hurting his own ribs in the process! CABOOSE Well, that was dumb. COLE I think he got caught up in the moment. The natural thing was to hit the move and maybe nature took over, to the point Rodez forgot about the condition of his ribs. CABOOSE Well he needs to start thinking about his ribs some more. Otherwise, he and Zack won't be Champions for much longer. Rodez rolls to his knees and rubs at his lower back with a grimace. The suplex has done enough damage to Blanchard that Rodez hasn't lost advantage though, luckily. Bringing Blanchard back up, Rodez backs him into a neutral corner. Right hand. Right hand. Wait for iiiittt...right hand! Dazed, Ned staggers out of the corner, brushing by Rodez only to get pulled right back in and backed into the ropes. Off goes Ned, careering back into a fist buried right into the breadbasket. Ned doubles over with a wheeze as Rodez sets him up, hitting the ropes... ...and running right into Simon Singleton's knee!!! "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" Zack storms into the ring yelling at referee Robinson. But he didn't spot the knee and goes about his job, putting Zack back out into the corner. Meanwhile, Rodez clutches his lower back and collapses in agony, much to the delight of Cornette, who waves his tennis racket gleefully around over his head. COLE Damnit, illegal shot from the illegal man! COACH Referee didn't see it, not illegal. CABOOSE Illegal or not, it was smart. Simon caught him right in the ribs and a shot like that may be too much to recover from. Despite the pain in his ribs, Rodez pulls himself to his feet. He only succeeds in staggering forward into a Ned Blanchard spinning savate kick right to the gut though. Ned then follows up with a simple but effective backbreaker. Zack's head is in his hands, as Ned makes the cover... 1... 2... Kickout! "YYYYEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!" COLE You can't doubt the heart of Leon Rodez, but he's certainly not doing himself any good by continuing this match. Ned clambers up, pulling Rodez with him. A front facelock soon becomes a high vertical suplex, dropping Rodez back down on the ribs once more. Shuffling forward, Ned extends a leg towards his corner, which allows The Sultan Of Sarcasm to tag himself in. And immediately he goes on the attack, stomping away ruthlessly on the fallen Champion. Stomp after stomp drives into Rodez's ribcage before finally the referee interjects himself, forcing Singleton away from Rodez and reprimanding him for his attack, a reprimand which Singleton just shrugs off with a smile. Reaching down, Simon then begins to pull Rodez up...SMALL PACKAGE!! 1... 2... Kickout! Despite the flash pin, Singleton is up first and knees Rodez in the side to keep him at bay. A few more stomps connect, before Singleton finally does pull Rodez up. This time, there's no counter. Singleton drags Rodez to his feet, shoving him back into the corner and driving a knee to the gut. And a second. The pain of Rodez's face is evident, as Simon SLAPS him across the face!! "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" The fans' reaction only lightens Simon's mood, laughing out into the crowd before grabbing Rodez by the arm. Simon then hauls Rodez out, running backwards into the centre of the ring to get maximum run-up on an irish whip that sends Rodez HURTLING into the turnbuckles spine first!! The sound of the collission draws 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the fans. And a despairing look from Zack in the corner. Rodez collapses to his knees and crumples into a fetal position. Turning around, Simon smirks at Zack, drawing him into the ring, but Robinson cuts Zack off...allowing Ned Blanchard to sneak into the ring and lay into The Silky Smooth One with a barrage of stomps! COLE The Express are continuing to work Leon over, as even those simple stomps that take little effort from Simon and Ned are doing significant damage to him! Ned ducks out just in time to refrain from getting chastised by Robinson, while Simon brings Leon up, then immediately plants his knee into his stomach! Leon hunches over, and Simon quickly grabs a facelock and drags Leon towards the NNMX corner, keeping the co-champion at bay while he makes a tag to Ned. Ned immediately climbs up the turnbuckles, and with Leon held in place, connects with a double axehandle to the lower back! Simon releases his grip on Rodez, allowing Ned to take over, and Blanchard sends Leon across the ring into the ropes, and drills him across the ribcage with a quick roundhouse kick that doubles him over, and puts him in the perfect position for an abdominal stretch! CABOOSE The oldest of old school tactics right here, but it's going to put even more strain on those bruised ribs. Ned snickers as he keeps Leon in the hold, and looks to Zack, who watches on and waits with the hope that Leon can tag him in. Ned notices Zack's eagerness to get in and releases the hold, and shoves Leon towards his corner, then strikes with a quick chop across the back, and reapplies the stretch, laughing all the while. "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" COLE The Express do a lot of things well, but the one thing they do better than anyone is get under the skin of their opponents, and tonight is NO exception! Robinson checks on the well-being of the Silky Smooth and Sore Superstar, but Ned mouths off, telling Robinson "I'm not ready to let him give up yet!" He breaks the hold and swings Leon around, then drives a knee into the ribs yet again, doubling him over, then puts him on his back with a sweep kick! He follows up with a quick elbowdrop, and right now he's got Leon where every man on Earth wants Angelina Jolie...laying flat down on the mat! Ned covers, but doesn't hook a leg, instead choosing to smirk at the preppy partner of Rodez while Leon is stuck in a pinning predicament! ONE! T-NO! Robinson can't even make two, and it's because Ned pulled Leon up! "We're still not done with him. When I finish with him, I'll take care of y..." "YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ned's cockiness gets the better of him, as during his threat to Zack, Leon connected with a jawbreaker that rattles Blanchard! Ned staggers away, and Leon quickly turns towards his corner and lunges for a tag...but Ned dives for the legs and takes Leon down! Blanchard pulls Leon across the canvas, giving him a bad case of friction burn in the process, and then drops an elbow to the back of his head! Ned wipes his hands against each other, smiling like he's just won the lottery, even though all he did was prevent Zack from getting involved in the contest. He pulls Leon up to his feet and quickly snaps back with a Russian legsweep, and then rolls to his corner, tagging in Simon Singleton, while Cornette applauds the efforts of his boys at ringside. CABOOSE They've done a good job of isolating Rodez from his partner, and the wear and tear has got to be taking it's toll on him. He wasn't 100% coming into this match, and that status has been dropping with every passing minute he's unable to get to his corner. Now that he's the legal man, Simon makes his entrance by slingshotting over the ropes, crashing down atop Leon with a splash! He stays on him for the cover, calling for Robinson to come and make the count! ONE! TWO! SHOULDER UP! COLE That status might be dropping, but his heart certainly isn't! Rodez manages to roll a shoulder to break the count, but Simon is quick to bring him to his feet, and pepper him with two right hands...then wound him with an eye rake! Leon does his best Stevie Wonder impersonation, feeling around for the ropes, his partner...anything...but the lack of sight causes him to be met with a spinning wheel kick as Simon comes off the ropes! Singleton then runs to the ropes and leaps onto the middle rope, then twists his body as he springboards back, and delivers a thunderous legdrop to Leon Rodez, leaving him prone for another pinfall attempt! ONE! TWO! THREE? (Yeah, right.) KICKOUT! Simon pounds on the canvas, but then stands up, and focuses on Rodez. The Sarcastic One waits on the recovery of his opponent, and pats his knee, siginalling for a running kneelift as Leon comes to his feet...BUT RODEZ MANAGES TO CATCH IT! Simon gets whipped to the mat with a Dragon Screw! The crowd roars as Leon is working on his comeback, and when Simon gets to his feet, Leon charges...AND GETS BACKDROPPED OVER THE ROPES OUT ONTO THE RAMP! *WHUMP!* "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!" CABOOSE Tell me Coach, how did that feel? COACH Why are you asking me? CABOOSE Because if anyone in the OAOAST is used to getting dumped, it's you! COACH Bitch, go eat some crumpets. The hard landing could not have been good for any healthy person, so imagine how it must have felt on the already banged up superstar! Rodez lays flat on his back, barely moving, and Zack quickly rushes from the corner to check on him. As he tends to his partner, Simon makes a tag to Blanchard, and Ned quickly comes through the ropes to the ramp, piefacing Zack and then dropping to his knees to hammer on Leon Rodez! Zack quickly comes to his feet and unloads on Ned, rocking him with a series of right hands, then takes him by the head and hurls him into the ring! Blanchard shakes his head and tries to shake it off, but Zack is right on him...until Robinson seperates the two! Zack protests, stating that Blanchard started it first, but all the argument does is detracts Zack and Robinson from catching Cornette lurking around ringside, and up onto the ramp, where he delivers a hard tennis racket shot to the small of Leon Rodez's back, dropping him to his knees! Cornette quickly hops back to ringside and scurries back to his corner, acting like nothing happened, while Zack is forced to go and take his place on the apron yet again! COLE He was elevated over the ropes and came down hard on the rampway, not to mention he had to suffer the interference of James E. Cornette, who blasted him across the back with a tennis racket! Leon Rodez is in a bad way, and if the Express continues to dominate the champions like they are doing, then the Usual Suspects are going to be walking out of here minus a certain something around their waist! Rodez struggles, crawling towards the ropes and then pulls himself up, slowly entering the ring through the ropes...but Ned is right there to drag him in by the head, and quickly plant him with a DDT! He covers once again, and a look of concern falls over the fans, as the simple, yet effective move could actually be enough to put Leon away! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! A roar comes up when Leon kicks out, throwing his shoulder up at the last possible instance. Cornette pounds on the apron, disgusted with the resilience of Rodez. Frustrated, Blanchard picks Leon up off the mat and drags him to the NNMX corner to make the tag to Simon. Singleton steps in, and Blanchard pulls Leon up for a back suplex...but Rodez manages to float through and land on his feet, then delivers a quick dropkick to the back of Blanchard, sending him falling forward into his own partner and knocking Simon through the ropes to the floor! COLE That can buy him some time! The legal man has spilt out onto the floor, now all Leon has to do is get to Zack! Cornette hurriedly brings Simon up to his feet, telling him to suck it up and get back in there and prevent the tag. Leon slowly makes his way to the corner, but makes it closer and closer, with the crowd rallying behind him in the hopes of seeing Leon tag in Zack Malibu for the first time in what must have felt like a century. Blanchard blows past Robinson when he comes to, but even the illegal man can't stop what happens next, as Leon virtually collapses, falling forward towards his corner with an arm extended... *SLAP* ...AND MAKES THE TAG TO ZACK MALIBU~! "YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Malibu slingshots himself in, and when Ned begs off, Malibu delivers a kick to the gut and then sends him to the ropes, catching him on the rebound with a hard powerslam! Blanchard rolls out of the ring under the bottom rope, and Simon tries to attack from behind, but when he spins Zack around he's met with a quick right hand! Zack sends Simon to the ropes and catches him with an inverted atomic drop, then leaps onto his shoulders and takes him down with a quick huracanrana! Simon scrambles for cover and rolls out of the ring, but Zack springs up to his feet and runs to one side...delivering a baseball slide to a recovering Ned Blanchard on the other side of the ring! He then gets to his feet and runs across the ring, then leaps through the ropes and crashes into Simon Singleton with a tope that puts both men on the floor! COLE Malibu is a house of fire as we like to say in the commentary world, taking out both members of the Express! CABOOSE He can't spread himself too thin though...it's not like Leon's ready for a tag yet. The man needs time to heal, so Zack may need to ease off going at these guys with full momentum! Malibu dusts himself off and stares into the sea of fans with wild eyes as he pulls Simon to his feet and sends him back into the ring. Cornette runs over to the other side of the ring and tries to aid Ned in his recovery so that he's able to back up his partner when needed. Zack enters the ring, but Simon quickly kicks him in the stomach and then sends him towards the corner, but Malibu leaps up and over when Simon tries charging in behind him, then catches Simon with another rana when he turns around! Simon scrambles to his feet, but Zack rushes over and leaps up, cracking him across the back of the head with an enzugiri and then rolling him onto his back for a pin! ONE! TWO! NO! Undaunted, Malibu pulls Simon up and rocks him with a European uppercut, but when he tries an Irish whip it's reversed, and Zack's the one who bounces off the ropes! Simon tucks his head for Zack to leapfrog, which he does, but then Zack swings Simon around and lifts him up on his shoulders, and then starts circling the ring with Simon in his grasp, dizzying him with the AIRPLANE SPIN~! "SPIN!" "SPIN!" "SPIN!" "SPIN!" The crowd chants along with every single rotation, as Malibu goes round and round and round, then culminates by throwing Simon off his shoulders at the same time he falls on his back and brings his knee up, causing Simon to fall into a double knee gutbuster out of the airplane spin! Simon rolls around in a ball on the canvas, while Zack takes a moment to rest after dizzying himself to hurt his opponent! CABOOSE We've talked about the focus on Leon's ribs, but Simon just got quite a receipt from Zack, because his ribs can't be feeling too good right now either! COACH Mmmm...ribs. CABOOSE What's the matter, out of fried chicken and Kool-Aid? COACH YO! Damn dawg, that's racial! CABOOSE Pot. Kettle. You. Remember the crumpets comment? Zack gets up and pulls Simon up into a rear waistlock, then carries him over with a German Suplex! Malibu hangs on, rolling through and hitting a second one, but as he brings Simon up for the third, Ned attacks from behind, clobbering Zack with a forearm and then lifting Zack for a German of his own...but Zack floats over and hits an ANGLE SLAM~! on Ned Blanchard to dispose of him before Robinson has to! Cornette screams in agony as he watches Ned roll out to the floor, but when Zack turns to Simon he's met with a KICK TO THE JUNK~!, and then dropped with a swinging neckbreaker! COLE The Sultan of Sarcasm connects, and usually that neckbreaker is the set up for something greater! Simon heads for the top with Malibu down, and runs his hands through his hair as he stands up on the ropes, then launches himself downward with a Vegomatic legdrop that finds its mark across the throat of the famed superstar! ONE! TWO! NO! KICKOUT BY ZACK! COLE Malibu survived the Veogmatic legdrop! Simon gets up and grabs Robinson by the collar, asking him what was wrong with him, claiming he didn't count fast enough! Robinson brushes the hands of Singleton off of his shirt and warns him not to do it again. Singleton corners Robinson and blocks his view, allowing Cornette to sneak into the ring and wind up with the racket, as Zack pulls himself off the mat. He cocks his arms back, but all of a sudden the racket is snatched from his hands, as Leon Rodez enters the ring, and then hurls the racket allllllllllllllllllll the way up the ramp! Cornette FREAKS while Rodez waves his fingers in the "no-no" gesture, and then asks Jimmy to turn around... ...RIGHT INTO A SCHOOL'S OUT! CABOOSE I don't think THAT was the desired outcome when Cornette got into the ring! The crowd EXPLODES as Cornette is pushed out under the bottom rope by Zack, and Simon freaks when he turns around and sees his manager getting disposed of! He charges, but Leon blocks it and then leaps up, planting his knees in Simon's chest while bringing him down with an inverted lungblower, sending Simon staggering back into Zack, who hits a standard, everyday lungblower! ONE! TWO! NO! NED BLANCHARD BREAKS IT UP! Ned tries to bring Zack up, but Rodez is up and fighting off the illegal man as best he can, staggering him with jab after jab after jab...until Ned takes him by the head and tosses him over the ropes...BUT LEON SKINS THE CAT...NO! Ned hits a low dropkick to knock Leon down to the floor! Robinson orders him out of the ring, having had enough of the illegal men brawling. Meanwhile, Zack pulls Simon up and sends him to the corner, but his followup charge is ruined by Simon getting a boot up and knocking Zack away! Simon then hops up on the ropes, but Zack races up them and grabs Simon before he can get his balance, pulling him up onto his shoulders... ...AND HE HITS THE HONOR ROLL ON SIMON SINGLETON~! ONE! TWO! NOOOOOOOOOO! Ned Blanchard drags Zack Malibu off of his partner! COLE Cornette's down, so the numbers are even, but these tricky bastards won't let anything get in the way of their dream of taking the belts off of the Suspects! Ned takes a page out of his partner's book and sarcastically apologizes to Robinson, then exits the ring...but as he stands on the apron he's yanked off to ringside, and then has his face planted in the apron! A furious Rodez then takes Blanchard by the head and hurls him towards the barricade, and Ned hits it hard before slumping to the floor! Leon then quickly rolls into the ring, and Zack tells him to come over, and together they lift the limp body of Singleton off the canvas up and send it careening to the ropes, then FLAPJACK HIM ON THE REBOUND! COACH Racism AND burglary in this match! They stole the Express' move! The crowd roars, and Leon runs up on the ropes, pounding his chest, as Singleton rocks from side to side, having a hard time rising up to his feet. Malibu waits on him, and as soon as the struggle is complete and Simon is on his feet, he's knocked cold by the size 10 1/2 boot of Zack Malibu, who connects with SCHOOL'S OUT! Leon keeps watch, making sure Blanchard and Cornette are properly disposed of, while Zack pins Simon down! ONE! TWO! THREE! DING! DING! DING! COLE The champions retain! They survived the challenge of the Express! As "Beverly Hills" is cued, Michael Buffer stands up from his ringside seat and makes the official announcement. BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, your winners, and STILL OAOAST World Tag Team Champions...THE USUAL SUSPECTS! As they're handed the belts, the champions embrace, although Leon pulls away and blames Zack for hugging too hard and hurting his ribs! Malibu apologizes and backs away, so Leon extends a hand to his partner, then pulls him in for another quick hug to congratulate him on their hard fought victory. COLE The Love Shack attack served it's purpose in putting the champions at less than 100%, but they perservered and managed to avoid defeat and a numbers advantage, enabling them to walk out of here with the belts! CABOOSE If you told me at the beginning of the year that these two men would be standing tall at Climax with the tag belts in their possession, I'd have called you crazy. These two have truly gelled as a unit, and tonight they managed to defeat another great team. Leon and Zack head up the ramp, holding their belts up high, as the three groggy members of the NNMX come to their feet. Cornette in particular has no clue where he is, so he's helped up by his weary charges. As they exit the ring, Cornette starts screaming, asking his charges where his trademark item is, while the cameras take us away from ringside and to the backstage area. "Where's my racket? Where's my damn racket?!!"

I was just going to say, I had never gotten a PM. Pretty much the only time I've had on TSM in the past week was to check PM's and post what I had of the Foshi/Massamoto match. Once Christmas is over, things will be back to my normal "slack at work and write my ass off" routine.