Zack Malibu

Just an FYI, my two segments (Zack Malibu vs. Nathaniel Black and a BIG SEGMENT~!) may be late.

[For the sake of getting this posted ASAP and not delaying it any further, entrances have been omitted. I'm sure you guys can use your imagination ]. The echo of the bell being rung hasn't even faded away yet, and already Black strikes with a forearm, catching Zack with his defenses down! Malibu fires back with one of his own, and after Black shakes it off the two lock up, pushing each other back and forth in an effort to gain the advantage. Black uses a go behind, but that's quickly countered by Zack into a go behind of his own, then he turns Black around and they tie up in a lockup again! Zack grabs a headlock, and when Black goes to shove him off he hangs on, not allowing himself to be sent away! Black counters again, lifting Zack up for a back suplex, but Zack floats over his foes back...only to be caught with a back elbow! Black then backs Zack into the ropes and fires him across, taking him to the canvas with a drop toehold! He snares Zack in a headlock and keeps him trapped as they come up to their feet, but unlike when Nathaniel tried before, Zack is able to shove him off...only to be floored with a shoulerblock on the rebound! Black hits the ropes and runs under a leapfrog from Malibu, who then takes him over with a hiptoss as he bounces off the far side! Zack reaches to pull him up, but Black kicks his legs up and knocks Zack down, and then both men come to a stalemate, as the crowd cheers wildly! COLE Great start by these two talented athletes, and listen to the fans, they're loving what they're seeing so far! The two lock up again, and Malibu quickly uses an inverted atomic drop to stun Black, then takes his legs out from under him, but misses the followup elbow drop! The two come up and Black fires off a pair of chops and a European uppercut, then snapmares Zack over and soccer kicks him across the back! Black then hits the ropes and goes for a soccer kick to the chest, but Zack grabs the leg and holds it as he gets to his feet, then dragon screws his opponent to the canvas! Zack signals for a figure four, but as he tries to tie Nate up, Black kicks him off and rolls to his feet, rushing up behind Zack and grabbing him around the waist! Black runs him to the ropes and tries for a rollup, but Zack clings to the ropes, sending his rival rolling backwards all by his lonesome! Black rolls to his feet and charges, allowing Zack to tuck his head and elevate Black over the ropes, onto the apron! The two men trade forearm shots, with Zack trying to knock his foe to the floor and Black trying to get the space to get back in! Zack takes him by the head and leads him to the corner, but an attempt to ram him headfirst into the turnbuckle is blocked! Black then takes Zack by the head and tries to send him into it face first, but his attempt is blocked as well! Black then climbs up on the ropes and leaps over Zack's back, rolling him up with a sunset flip, but Malibu rolls through before the referee can even hit the mat to count, and nails Black with a basement dropkick! Zack gets to his feet, while Black rolls to a corner and gets up, wiping his lips as he glares at Malibu. COACH Nate Black ain't lookin' too happy, and that's not a good sign. COLE He's certainly been trying to upstage Malibu here in the opening minutes, but as you and I both know, if there's anyone who'll be able to keep up with him, it's Zack Malibu! Black comes up and raises his arms, asking for a lockup, but kicks Zack in the gut instead when Malibu obliges! A suplex follows, and then Nate rolls Zack to his feet and fires him into the ropes, then nails him with a hard chop as he comes back! Zack comes to his feet but winds up getting drilled by a headbutt from Black, one that sends him stumbling back to the corner! Black follows up and and takes Zack by the head, holding it steady before nailing him with another headbutt! He then shoots Zack off to the far side, waiting patiently for Zack to crash chest first into the turnbuckle...then drops him with a back suplex after he does! A running kneedrop follows, and then Zack is led to his feet and hit with a knee to the stomach! As he doubles over, Black hits the ropes and tries a running kick to the side of the head, but Zack moves out of the way just in time! A flurry of open handed shots follows, staggering Black...but the climactic roaring elbow is blocked, and Black hits an STO! Black then tries to lock on an armbar, pressing his foot against Zack's cheek while doing so, but Malibu manages to make it up without getting tied up! Black keeps hold of the wrist, however, and applies a hammerlock, dodging the blow when Zack tries to elbow his way out of it! Black drops his head and hooks Zack around the waist, and together they spill through the ropes out to the ringside area, as the crowd buzzes about the efforts of the two men here tonight! Both men rise quickly, but taken off their game from the fall to the hard surface of New York City. When they come to, Zack fires off the first shot, and the second, as a pair of kicks crack Nathaniel Black across the upper thigh! Zack winds up and fires off a third high kick as Black hobbles, but the Englishman ducks it, and pushes Zack ribs first into the barricade! COLE That's thinking on your feet, and Malibu just had the wind knocked out of him! COACH Black worked on Zack's ribs two weeks ago, and it looks like he's going back to what almost did Zack in! A few forearms across the ribs cause further damage, and then Zack gets hurled up onto the apron and shoved back into the ring. Nate climbs back in the ring, and in a dastardly move, purposely steps on Zack's hand as he re-enters, then stomps down on it when he's back in the ring! Black then brings Zack up and locks hands with him, twisting his fingers like you'd do in a game of Mercy, then pulls Zack into another kneelift! He traps Zack in a pumphandle and lifts him up for a slam, but Zack slides over his back and brings him down with a waistlock takedown! Zack then climbs onto his back and pulls Black's head up, striking him with crossface shots before stepping over and delivering a kneelift that knocks him silly! Black shakes his head as he tries to regain his composure, but when he comes up he finds himself trapped in a butterfly lock and hit with a series of knees before being taken over with a butterfly suplex! Black sits up as Zack hits the ropes, and that turns out to be a mistake as well, as Zack dives low with a clothesline that wipes him out! Malibu covers with the leg hooked, but the ref's hand doesn't hit the mat a second time, never mind a third, as Black throws his shoulder up! COLE Quick attempt at victory by Zack, and an even quicker kickout by Nathaniel Black! Zack looks to keep his foe grounded, taking him down with a headlock takeover, but Black scissors Zack's head and brings him over! The two come up again, and Zack fires off a chop, but it's reciprocated by Black! The two men stare each other down as if to say "it's on!", and that's when Zack fires off another chop... "SMACK!" ...and Black fires off one of his own! "SMACK!" "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! COACH You keeping count, Mikey Cole? Both men's chests are red and blistered, the effects of so many chops...and Zack probably realizes this, as his next strike is a European uppercut, which is ALSO reciprocated by Black! COLE Now they're going to try and break each other's jaws! The duel continues, with the same brutal sound of skin crashing against skin as the two men try to beat each other senseless! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! "SMACK!" from Black! "SMACK!" from Zack! Black teeters and totters, but doesn't go over, so Zack pulls him up onto his shoulders, looking for the airplane spin! Black slides out of the grasp of the former World Champion and revs up, looking to take him down with a BLACK LARIAT~! as he turns, but Zack gets the arms up to block, then drops Black across his knee with a rock bottom backbreaker! Black convulses on the canvas, and that leaves him defenseless to Zack taking his legs and turning him over as he applies a Boston Crab! COLE Smooth transitioning by Zack, hurting Black with that backbreaker and then seguing into a hold to exploit it! Black groans in pain, trapped in the hold in the center of the ring, as Zack wrenches back on the legs! The weight of Zack pushes down on the lower back of the determined Brit as it's bent backwards. Black agonizes, trying to squirm free while simultaneously reaching out for the ropes, but he's not even close to them. He manages to inch slightly, but Malibu has the hold locked in place, putting more pressure on every time he senses that Black could escape, before breaking the hold on his own and then driving a knee into the lower back! COACH Zack's takin' a page out of Nate's book, working over a body part now! Black lays with his face buried in the mat, his back no doubt sore. Malibu then steps through the ropes and to the apron, using the ropes to springboard in with a double stomp to the lower back of Nate Black! He then goes to pull him up, but Black shoves him away...about the only offense he can muster! Zack comes back at him again, but Black takes him over with a fireman's carry, bringing Zack down but unable to capitalize! He crawls on his knees towards the ropes and climbs up, and then as Malibu comes forward again kicks him in the stomach and then hurls him through the ropes, out to the apron! Zack hangs on, not allowing himself to hit the Earth below him a second time...and that's when Black steps out onto the apron, raking the side of Zack's face with the tip of his boot! Black then nails Zack with a forearm shot that staggers him, but with one hand clinging to the top rope, Zack brings the other one over with an overhand chop to the chest on Black! COLE They're dueling again, on the apron! Another forearm shot follows, but another chop is the response it gets, and then Zack comes forward, tripping Black's leg out from under him and planting him with an STO ON THE RING APRON~! COACH Ooooh, damn! Zack slides off the apron, while Black holds the back of his head and rolls under the bottom rope, back into the ring. Zack hops back up on the apron and braces himself, measuring up Black. Seeing that his foe is wounded, Malibu again springboards off the ropes, this time coming down with a legdrop to the back of Black's head! The crowd roars as Zack rolls him over, looking for a cover, and the ref dives down to do his duty! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! COLE Amazing kickout there by Nathaniel Black! Zack has been on his game, certainly making the OAOAST's "Most Important Import" pay his dues tonight! After the failed three count, Zack brings him up and fires him into a corner, where his back colliding with the turnbuckles does no favors for Black. Zack charges in, but eats a boot from Black, who then gets him, rams him facefirst into the turnbuckles, then sets him up on the top! With Zack crotched on the top rope, Black steps up the middle rope, putting his back to Zack's and reaching back, jumping off the middle ropes with a snap neckbreaker that takes Zack out, but also has an uncomfortable effect on Black's back! COACH He's comin' back! Yeah, Nate! Zack holds his head as he kicks his feet, aching after that one. Black comes up, back sore, but brings Zack up and then goes to trap him in a Crossface Chickenwing...but Zack quickly snapmares him over to counter! Black recovers quickly, and an out of breath Zack tries to do him in early, looking for a flash SCHOOL'S OUT...BUT IT GETS CAUGHT! Black swings the leg around so that Zack is facing away from him, and NOW he traps him in a chicken wing! COLE Crossface chickenwing by Nathaniel Black! He's got the neck hooked and he's tearing at that shoulder as well! Zack struggles, but just as Black earlier, cannot reach the ropes. Try as he might, he's just not close enough! Black shouts in Zack's ear, telling him to give up, but it's doubtful that motivation like that will be successful with the Modern Day Warrior. Zack continues to try and reach for the ropes, but can't...so he kicks himself off balance and sends both he and Black stumbling back into a corner...and when Black's sore back hits the turnbuckles AGAIN, it's enough to get a break! COACH He got lucky there, Mikey Cole! COLE Maybe so, but one way or another, he's out, fair and square! Zack turns around and lifts Black up, setting him up on the top rope...but when Zack goes up and tries for a superplex, he's sent crashing facefirst to the mat, as Black tosses him off the turnbuckles! Zack flapjacks himself on the mat, and as he comes up, a weary Black goes airborne, nailing Malibu with a missle dropkick to put him on his back! Groggy, Black rises to his feet, and when Zack does so as well, he gets floored for the third time in under a minute, as a Black Lariat knocks him silly! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! COLE Nate Black is on the comeback trail, but Zack Malibu still has that resilience working in his favor! Black gets up and brings Zack up, wasting no time in lifting Malibu upside down and spiking him with a brainbuster! With the Franchise felled, Black then heads for the corner, climbing up to the top rope and going airborne once again, coming down with his full weight on Malibu as he executes a beautiful moonsault! ONE! TWO! NO! COACH He's starting to crack, Mikey Cole, I can feel it! COLE Nate Black with a great followup, putting Zack in a bad way here. Black, growing disgusted with his inability to put Malibu away, brings the Preppy One to his feet and drives his knee repeatedly into his ribs, doubling Zack over...that is until he's able to snare Black's leg! Thinking quickly, the Englishman leaps up with an enzugiri, but Zack ducks it and lets Black slam facefirst into the canvas. As Black lays there, Zack reaches down and pulls him up, yanking him up from the apron and over with a release German suplex in one fell swoop, dropping him on the back of his head! Zack falls forward out of exhaustion, while Black holds his head, rolling across the ring! The two men both bide their time, each doing their best to recover...and when Black gets up he catches a knee to the side of the head, better known when Malibu does it as a ZACK ATTACK~!, and before he falls Malibu grabs a bit of his hair and hoists him back up, allowing him to hit an ANGLESLAM~! COLE Killer combo by Zack! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! NO! KICKOUT BY NATHANIEL BLACK! COACH Atta boy, NB! Zack seems surprised at the kickout, but after several weeks ago the resilience of Nate Black should be just as expected as Zack's. Zack leads him up and leans him against the ropes, blistering his chest further with more chops and goes to fire him off, but Black wraps his arm around the top rope and hangs on! Zack fires off MORE chops, trying to get him to break, but Black won't budge, at least not until he frees his arm to blast Zack with a forearm shot that may have knocked some teeth loose! Zack staggers away, but Black comes and grabs his head, looking for the CHELSEA DAGGER...but Malibu shoves him into the ropes and takes him over with a snap powerslam on the way back! ONE! TWO! THREEENO! NO! KICKOUT! Once again, Nate Black is plucked from the jaws of defeat, getting a shoulder up in the nick of time! Zack rolls off of him and takes a minute to look up at the New York sky, wondering what it's going to take this time! Rolling to his feet slowly, Zack looks down at Black, as if he's thinking to himself what to do next. He leans over and pulls Black up...but Black manages to roll him up in a small package, stunning the OAOAST's number one representative! ONE! TWO! NO! ZACK ROLLS THEM INTO A SMALL PACKAGE OF HIS OWN! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! After both men come up short in their search for a win, they both rise to their feet simultaneously...AND ZACK MALIBU NAILS NATHANIEL BLACK WITH A SCHOOL'S OUT THAT NOBODY SAW COMING! ONE! TWO! THREE! NO! NO! SHOULDER UP AT 2.9! NATHANIEL BLACK KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL'S OUT! COLE AMAZING. We saw for months the effort the Zack Malibu/Bohemoth war brought out in both men, and it's being replicated here again, first a few weeks ago in their first encounter and now right here tonight! COACH Nate Black ain't all talk, Mikey Cole! COLE I told you, Coach, he deserves a ton of credit for keeping up with someone of Zack Malibu's caliber. It's just the company he keeps that I think is bogging him down. Zack looks out to the crowd, not looking to see their proud reactions to him, but as if to ask them what to do next. He pulls Black up and then floors him with another European uppercut, then heads to the top, as the crowd buzzes in preperation of whatever high impact move Zack is pulling out next. Malibu gets to the top, and with his foe prone on the canvas, leaps off, soaring downward with a guillotine legdrop...and slams tailbone first into the canvas, as Nathaniel Black rolls out of the way! Zack agonizes over the miss, his face twisted in pain, as Black comes up behind him, traps him in a half nelson, and then drops him across his knee with a backbreaker! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! KICKOUT BY ZACK! COLE A major miss from Malibu sees Black capitalizing with the half nelson backbreaker, but it's still not enough! Black pulls Malibu up, and traps him in a sleeperhold, hoping with little energy extered on his end he can still drain Malibu into submission. Zack tries to free himself, and fights off the hold, managing to twist to the side. He elbows Black in the ribs, then swings his leg out from under him and hits a senton drop, dropping his weight on the British badboys sternum! Black coughs wildly, having just had the wind knocked out of him, and now Malibu goes into a mount, raining elbows across his head and face, causing blood to stream from the nose of Nathaniel Black! COLE Malibu, going into the ground and pound here, and he may have busted his nose! Malibu continues the assault, until he's thrown off by Black! He gets up as Black checks his nose...but when Malibu reaches for him Black shoots his head up, smashing Zack right in the face! Zack reels from the hit, and gets stuffed in a standing headscissors....but when Black lifts for a powerbomb Malibu slides out, and opens fire with a series of open hand blows that knock Black's head back and forth, sending blood streaming through the air! Zack then takes his wrist and uses it to fire him into the corner, and charges immediately with a ZACK ATTACK II, driving both knees into his sternum! He sets him up on the top and climbs, then hoists Black across his shoulders...and with the fans at a fever pitch, Malibu leaps off, bringing Black down with him as Landon Maddix's prize protege is felled by the preppy sensations patented HONOR ROLL~! COLE THE HONOR ROLL~! C'MON ZACK, COVER HIM! Malibu crawls over to where Black landed, draping an arm over him, as the crowd is ready for their hero to emerge victorious! ONE! TWO! T-DING! DING! DING! COLE Did he get him? That was the bell, but was that a three!? The crowd seems perplexed, and the referee goes over and converses with Michael Buffer, who talk softly on camera until they come to an agreement. BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, the official ruling...this match has gone to a thirty minute time limit DRAW~! The crowd boos the decision, not happy that they've missed out on a decisive outcome. As both combatants lay on the canvas, a chant springs up for them both. "FIVE MORE MINUTES!" clap clap clapclapclap "FIVE MORE MINUTES! clap clap clapclapclap COACH A draw? I mean, c'mon...we can't end a match like this with a draw! COLE It would appear that the New Yorkers here in attendance agree with you, Coach! Both men get to their feet, resting in seperate corners, as the chant has overtaken the entire crowd. The referee talks with both men, and after a few moments of hushed conversation...the referee waves both men on so they can continue! COLE They're getting five more minutes! The crowd roars, but as Black and Zack come out of their corners, LANDON MADDIX rushes out to the ring and cuts Black off! COLE What is he doing! The crowd boos loudly, as Maddix tells Black to get out of the ring. Much to the crowd's delight, Black doesn't want to hear it, but Landon will not let him pass! With his hands on his hips, Black shouts back at Landon, voicing his opinion to his mentor, but Landon will have none of it, and orders Black out of the ring again. Black puts his head down, then looks up at Landon, and ultimately exits the ring, walking away from continuing this contest as well as the former World Champion! COLE Nathaniel Black was ready to go, but Landon Maddix has influenced him into not continuing! The crowd is getting hostile now, going so far as to throw things at Maddix as he heads away from the ring. He calls to Black, but Nathaniel refuses to wait up, disappearing behind the curtain, while Zack Malibu remains in the ring, both confused and angered by the turn of events here tonight.

Zack Malibu vs. Nathaniel Black, part deux.

NOTE: The first segment should go before Bo and Mr Dick's match. The second should go a segment or two after. The last segment should be right before the CI/Enterprise challenge. Many thanks! COLE Welcome back fans! We hope you're enjoying tonight's edition of HeldDOWN~!, and up next we're going to be seeing the Metrosexual Monster in action, as Bohemoth takes on...wait, what's he doing? The crowd noise grows from a loud murmur to a chorus of jeers, as NATHANIEL BLACK has come out from the back! Landon Maddix's fellow British charge rolls into the ring and approaches Michael Buffer, who was preparing to announce our next contest. Black calmly asks for the microphone, to whcih a confused Buffer obliges, and Black then waves him off, still displaying a bit of cockiness amidst his civility. BLACK ZACK MALIBU! ZACK MALIBU! ZACK, I NEED YOU OUT HERE! COLE Why is he shouting? COACH You never know, Zack might be blasting the latest from O-Town back there. COLE O-Town broke up a few years ago, Coach. COACH You WOULD know that. Black circles the ring, continuing to call Zack's name until finally he appears at the top of the aisle, staring up at his rival in the ring! Zack makes his way to ringside to a wave of applause, as Black nods his head, seemingly approving of Malibu's appearance. COLE These two men had a HELL of a match last week, which happened when Nathaniel Black felt he needed to prove that he's more than what we take him for in the OAOAST. Zack Malibu came out the victor in that contest, but like I said last week, Nathaniel Black deserves all the credit in the world for hanging in there with Zack and going toe to toe, taking all that he had and more before a Super Trendsetter finally put him away! Now in the ring, Zack approaches Black, and the two men lock eyes. Now that Zack's in the ring, he shrugs his shoulders, asking what Black wants, and that's when the international superstar begins to talk. BLACK First off, I just want to say, that I'm not out here to bait you, or lure you into a trap or anything. I'm out here on my own, because I have something to say to you. This has nothing to do with Cucaracha Internacional, or you and Landon, or anything else. I'm out here because of ME, and what I feel needs to be done, and that is for me to tell you...Thank You. COLE Thank you? COACH Don't look at me! Zack looks on, wondering where this is going, as is the confused crowd. BLACK Last week, I had challenged you to a match because I know what I'm capable of. I know, deep down, that I'm one of the best. No one confused me of being under confident, I know...but that's where you and I start to see similarities, Zack. You're the same way. You know what you can do and you come out here, night after night, proving to the world that YES, you ARE The Franchise of the OAOAST! You ARE one of the best in the world, and having been in the ring with you, I can't deny that. Now, the reason I feel the need to say thank you to you is a simple one...knowing that you're one of the best, knowing that you are our Franchise, I want to thank you for showing me that I am every bit as good as you! It's a mixed reaction, as some of the crowd boos, some of them cheer, and some of them simply gasp at the cockiness of Nathaniel Black! BLACK You brought out the best in me, Zack. I took everything you had last week, and at the same time I gave you a challenge that I can't say I've seen you have in a while. I brought you to your limits. Maybe, just maybe, I opened your eyes enough so that you saw some of yourself in me. Regardless of how you feel about me or whose employ I'm in, after last week there has been only one thing that I've wanted to do, and that is ask you for a rematch, next week, at the Big Apple Spectacular! The crowd roars, as Malibu nods his head, reacting as if it's a good idea. In fact, seconds later, Malibu takes Nathaniel Black by the wrist and pulls the mic towards him, uttering two simple words... MALIBU You're ON. The crowd roars again, as Black takes a step back and, in a rare show of sportsman ship, extends his hand to Zack Malibu! COLE Look at this! Nathaniel Black, offering his hand to Zack Malibu! COACH That's a bold move for Nate Black, because I'm pretty sure Landon Maddix isn't liking this! Malibu turns to the crowd, wondering what they think while debating on it himself. Zack looks at Black and then goes to shake his hand...but before he can he's waylaid from behind, as James Blonde hits the ring and nails him with a rabbit lariat, then starts stomping him down! COLE God damn it, we should have known, Coach! The crowds mixed, nearly positive reaction for Nathaniel Black turns to disdain rapidly, as now they see that it was a set up all along...or was it, as Nathaniel Black watches on momentarily before shoving James Blonde, getting him away from Zack Malibu! COLE Wait...did Nate Black just HELP Zack Malibu!? Blonde, never one to be pushed around, shoves back, asking Black what he's doing. Black has since dropped the mic, but he can be heard saying "I needed to do this, you have NO RIGHT..." amongst his choice words for his stablemate. Blonde looks at him and blows him off, and when he goes for Zack again, Black grabs his arm, stopping him! Blonde shoves Black again, and the two teammates look like their ready to throw down...and that's what they're going to have to do, as SLY SOMMERS has hit the ring! COACH Well, let's just get EVERYONE out here! The crowd roars as Sly slides in, nailing Blonde with a right hand as he turns around, and another one as he gets up from the blow! Sly turns around with fist cocked, ready to slug Black, but Black takes the high road, dropping to the mat and rolling out of the ring, rather than engage in battle! Blonde bails out of the ring too, for an entirely different reason, as Sly helps Zack to his feet to a big pop. COLE Whether it was another ruse by Landon Maddix's cronies, or a defining moment for Nathaniel Black that was ruined by his partner remains to be seen. Luckily for Zack, Sly Sommers was on the scene before it got worse. COACH Typical of Sly, kissing Malibu's BUTT as always. COLE Not for anything Coach, but with both Landon and Cucaracha Internacional running rampant, and The Enterprise trying to run EVERYTHING, it's nice to see some unity on the other side of the locker room for a change! Zack comes up, holding the back of his head. He leans over the ropes and stares out at Blonde, who curses the ground he walks on, while Nathaniel Black brushes past Blonde, never looking back at the ring as he heads back to the dressing room as we fade out. ******************************************************************************* WE'RE BACK~!, and so is Zack Malibu, as he walks through the backstage area, pressing an ice pack against the back of his head. Malibu, whose face is tied in a grimace, turns the corner, and comes face to face with the new authority of the OAOAST...JOSIE~! It's a slightly akward moment as the two one-time friends stare each other down, Josie being the one to break the ice. JOSIE It's like deja vu, Zack! I'm in charge, you're getting your ass kicked by James Blonde...didn't we do this one before? MALIBU Nice to see you too, Josie. Zack tries to walk past, not in the mood to bicker, but Josie steps to block his path. JOSIE Hold it, hero. I don't know if you noticed, but your best buddy isn't the one calling the shots anymore, I AM. MALIBU So I've heard. JOSIE I'm sure you have. So, I want to know, what gives you the right to play matchmaker out there tonight for the Big Apple Spectacular? MALIBU Matchmaker? I got challenged, I accepted. That tends to happen in the wrestling business, you know. If don't realize that, maybe you shouldn't be the one in charge, now should you? Josie's eyes drop, giving Zack a hateful look. JOSIE You know something, if it wasn't for your name vaule and the ratings you draw helping to line the company pockets, I wouldn't even want you on the ring crew. However, I know that you're the so-called Franchise and I have to live with that, so consider that match between you and Nathaniel Black official for next week. MALIBU Fine. Malibu goes to walk away, but Josie gets in his way again. JOSIE There's going to be a lot of changes around here, Zack. Just...um...keep your head up! Malibu scowls as a proud Josie walks away after getting the final word in, and we then cut back to the arena and Cole and Coach. ******************************************************************************** ** We cut backstage, hearing nothing but shouting as we peer into the locker room of Cucaracha Internacional, where Nathaniel Black and James Blonde are having a rather loud war of words! Faqu stands behind Blonde, looking ready to eat Black should he so much as sneeze in Blonde's direction, but the shouting is ceased by a familiar voice shouting over the two of them. "STOP IT! STOP IT!" LANDON MADDIX comes into view, and positions himself between Blonde and Black, looking none too happy at the dissension. MADDIX Jesus H. Maddix, I have to deal with one insubordinate, but that's not enough? Now I have TWO? BLACK Look, I told you guys earlier, I wanted to go out there alone and... MADDIX I was TALKING ABOUT YOU. Black backs off, mouthing "What?" MADDIX You wanted to go out there and talk yourself up, that's fine. You wanted to get the word out that the world needs to watch Nathaniel Black. That's FINE. You want to go out there and play kissy face with Zack Malibu? Are you KIDDING ME, Nate? BLACK Listen, I appreciate what you do for me, but I'm my own man. I needed to do it for ME, not you, not him, and certainly not him. Pointing at Faqu, Black nearly has his finger bitten off by the Samoan beast. MADDIX Well, I'M the one who TOLD James to go out there and take the shot at Malibu. You should know by now, if we get him when he least expects it, ESPECIALLY when he thinks you're offering him respect, it'll throw him off his game plan. He's going to crumble soon, I know it. BLACK CRUMBLE? Hate to tell you boss, but Zack Malibu isn't about to crumble. If he didn't crumble when you were in the Wildcards, or last year when... MADDIX Save the history lesson, Nate. Sounds to me like you're pulling a Cortez on me? Black sighs, knowing that no one in the room is getting the point. BLACK Listen. To. Me. I am not looking to befriend Zack Malibu. I'm not looking to run in his crowd. I am out to do one thing, and that is prove my worth to you and to this company. You brought me here, as well as James and Faqu, because you see something in us, right? We weren't dubbed Internationally Known just because it sounds good, but because we've made our names elsewhere and are bringing our talents here to showcase. You've got the resume, Landon. You've been World Champion and everything else. Last week Zack Malibu brought out the fire in me, a fire that can burn much brighter than it has. I know that I'm as good as Zack Malibu. I KNOW I'm one of the world's best, and I NEED to prove that, but through competition, not through constant jumpings and beatdowns. I'm more than that. I'm more than just a lackey, or a cog in the bloody machine. If I wasn't one of the best, than what good would I be to you? Landon pauses to reflect on what Black has said to him, then counters. MADDIX You ARE one of the best. That's why you're here. That's why your amongst the elite in this room right now. You want to be the shining star here, then fine, you go out there and you decimate this roster one at a time if you need to. Just remember one thing...if you're going to prove yourself to Zack Malibu at the Big Apple Spectacular, try not to LOSE this time. Clear? Landon, in Black's face, stares at his embarrassed charge, who quietly remarks "clear". MADDIX Good. Now come on, we've got to get back out there. Maddix, Blonde, and Faqu walk out of view, while Black hesitates, then follows them out as we cut to commercial.

I'm going to have something in later involving Zack and Nathaniel Black. If I don't get it in tonight it'll be in for the morning, since I've got tix to the midnight show of The Dark Knight tonight.

While trying to recall the actual details of it, I believe it was for the AWA syndicated show, not the ESPN show, where Nelson broke kayfabe. He basically just said that Larry Shipley (IIRC) was his real name, and how he had children he never saw, etc. It wasn't that he broke kayfabe on the wrestlers or anything.

IIRC, RVD got injured in Feb/March and Awesome didn't negotiate with WCW until March or April, so that's really up to you. January's the starting point, so what happens there on out with the roster is up to you.

Got my tix to the Thursday night midnight showing this morning. Can't wait.

911 was in WCW as Tombstone, and I do think that at one point they had changed his name to Big Al (this was in the '96-'98 era), which is where the confusion comes from. The one who fought Tank Abbott wasn't him, just using the same moniker.

I haven't read it in years, but I do have a copy around the house somewhere. I know he mentioned the famous "Rockers hire a hooker and get caught with her in the studio" story in it. He also talked about how he randomly turned the crew members of the AWA TV show into characters that he would mention on the air that the audience never saw, until at one show he announced one of them at ringside as a rib, and the guy got a big pop.

The world awaits the reairing of the Turkey On A Pole match. Re: Nelson. He was absolutely a mess during this period, and admits so in his book (which I have read). Not much in the way of dirt, honestly, but it talked about how the industry swept him up into a whirlwind of booze, drugs, and women.

Alex Wright was a part of that vignette as well. It appeared they were going to be doing some type of Baywatch-esque gimmick. IIRC they even had an 8-man against the Horseman or the Dungeon of Doom on a summer edition of Nitro.

I'm also in the minority of people who didn't mind the finish. While it seemed like a rushjob/clusterfuck, it did tell a good story about the title picture... 1)Joe was doubted, and was out to prove a point. In doing so, he revealed the mean streak/killer instinct that he left behind long ago. 2)While I don't believe they'll be counting Sharmell's counting of the pin as a title change, it proved that Booker did have Joe down for a three count. Since Booker's chase leading up to this had to do with the fact that he had Joe beat in King of the Mountain until Nash helped him, he now has a leg to stand on that he beat Joe...but now Joe has a leg to stand on too, due to the Sting interference. 3)Last month, Nash helped Joe and Joe retained. This month, Nash didn't help Joe and he got attacked by Sting and pinned, more or less, by Booker. So now you have the story of Nash proving his worth to Joe, or at least proving that Joe's head isn't on straight. 4)Sting is the X-factor in all of this, but it seems as if he's doing the "respect the veterans" type of deal with the way he spoke to Joe last night. I could see them doing something where he tells Joe he should be leading by example, not doing what he did to keep the title. Simple story that builds the tension and culminates in a match, I'm guessing, at Bound For Glory. You've got a few different directions you can go here now...a Booker/Joe rematch seems the most obvious. Sting and Joe is obviously coming. You could even have Nash and Sting get into a fight over how Nash opted to stay out of things, even when they were at their worst, so what gave Sting the right to? As much as Nash is crap in the ring and Sting is on his way towards retirement, it's building a good story and Joe is getting a huge rub from being in the mix (and the main source of the story) with three major stars.

Blow, 2001 Excellent movie depicting the rise and fall of a notorious drug dealer who built a life for himself knowing nothing but that trade. Johnny Depp plays the lead as a sympathetic character despite his underworld ties, and is aided by a great supporting cast in Ray Liotta, Penelope Cruz, Jordi Molla, and even Paul Reubens.

I was so happy when it was released last year, as I was getting by on my VHS to DVD transfer. Plus, part 2 had made it to DVd before this one, which is a crime. Not that I loathe part 2, but it barely hits the "passable" mark, IMO.

OK cool, just wanted to make sure as to not throw any of you guys off. My latest pick is... Ski School, 1991 I knew this was in no real danger of going (at least I didn't think so), but I'm making sure that my favorites get on my list as fast as they can. This is one of those movies that some people might not recall right off the bat (most that I know tend to get it mixed up with Ski Patrol, another entertaining comedy from the same timeframe), and really should be more popular that it already is. It's gotten a new lease on life in the last year or so thanks to repeated viewings on Comedy Central. I remember buying this movie on a whim from the used bin at a local video store when I was barely a teenager, and I'm surprised that the tape never wore out given how much I watched it. Hysterical comedy starring "that guy", Dean Cameron (of Summer School and Men At Work fame...you know him when you see him), and really no one else of note. Followed by an incredibly lame followup a few years after that saw Cameron reprise his role of Dave Marshak, only to have the backstory completed retconned with a love interest and a different cast of misfit friends (including Will Sasso and Bill Dwyer). If you're gonna watch either of them, go with the first.

I've always supported the "random" times in wrestling, such as when a youngster gets a push out of nowhere, or a new gimmick pops up on a familiar worker in an effort to get them over. I enjoy things like makeshift tag teams, such as when Ken Shamrock and Big Boss Man were the WWF World Tag Team Champions. I did not, however, find any enjoyment in the 2000 Sullivan era. He HAD the tools to try and make things right. Sure, the main event scene sucked for the most part, but there was talent to be used. Vampiro, Kidman, and Booker T are the obvious three that come to mind, but you also had a solid undercard with guys like Three Count, Lash Leroux, Lane, Lodi (Rave by that point), Juvi, Konnan, Mysterio, Finlay, and a few guys past their prime would could still put on watchable performances for the most part in Curt Hennig and Dustin Rhodes. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I have always backed Russo for certain reasons, those being that no matter what silliness he came up with, EVERYONE had something to do, and everyone had a role. Not to mention he never did anything as stupid as Booker T feuding over the T in his name. Plus, he is and was always much more willing to give the younger, unheralded workers a chance. We never would have gotten the Natural Born Thrillers, or Three Count, or even the Filthy Animals if it wasn't for him. Sullivan's big idea was to build Sid into a monster to turn and feed him to Hogan, AGAIN. It was like a bad redux of WWF 1992.

Seeing as how I missed last pick, I can just jump in with mine now, right?

"Chelsea Dagger" by The Fratelli's does not get a favorable reaction from this crowd when it hits, as the music of the 27 year old British upstart Nathaniel Black has come to draw ire from the OAOAST fanbase. COLE This promises to be an interesting contest, and it's a first time matchup for the OAOAST. Though they met nearly two weeks ago in the War Games, Zack Malibu and Nathaniel Black have never been one on one with each other in an OAOAST ring! COACH I can tell you why, too, Cole...because Zack Malibu knows that Nathaniel Black is forging a one man revolution in the OAOAST, looking to prove that he is England's supreme talent and that he's gonna take the States by storm! Flashing the "V" sign, Black taunts the viewing audience through the camera on his way to the ring, and does so to ringside fans as well as he hops into the squared circle. BUFFER Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is set for one fall! Now entering the ring, hailing from London, England...he weighs in tonight at two hundred and thirty eight pounds, and is currently one third of the OAOAST World Six Man Tag Team Champions...this is NAAAAAAAAATHANIEELLLLL BLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAACK! Black hops up on the ropes, working his heelish magic to the crowd as only he can, as he awaits the arrival of his opponent...and when "Getting Away With Murder" hits, all eyes are off of the World Six Man Tag Team Champion and on the entranceway! BUFFER His opponent, hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, and weighing in tonight at two hundred and ten pounds...ZAAAAAAAAAAAACK MAAAAAAAAAAAAALIBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! Through the pyro shower comes the former World Champion greeted with a warm response from the crowd and a scowl from his opponent! Focused as always, Malibu makes his way to the ring slapping a select few hands, all the while keeping an eye on his opponent. COLE Malibu's going to have to have eyes in the back of his head tonight, because knowing Black's comrades, they're bound to get involved somehow. COACH First of all Cole, none of them are Russian, so what's with the comrade business? Secondly, Nathaniel Black is simply out to prove himself, and prove that his fellow Internationally Known superstars know what they're talking about when they say that Malibu has had a hard time facing the fact that there are others coming up in the ranks that are going to outshine him! DING! DING! DING! Collar and elbow tie-up to start, with both men battling for dominance. Black wins that war, hooking Zack in a side headlock, but soon finds himself heading towards the ropes as Zack pushes him off. Black bounces back, causing Zack to leapfrog over him, and that's when Black stops short. When Zack turns around he has a boot driven into his gut, then gets grabbed in a headlock again, this time taken over to the canvas! Black segues into a rear chinlock, but Malibu rather easily forces himself and his opponent back to a standing base. Zack hooks Black by the waist and lifts him off his feet, but Black rolls over Zack's shoulder, landing on his feet! He hooks Malibu in a rear waistlock, but Zack elbows his way free, then uses his own and takes Black to the canvas! Zack tries to tie up Black, but the brash Britain native is quick to his feet, scrambling away from Zack and causing a stalemate! COACH See that, Mikey Cole? Not bad, not bad at all. COLE I know Nathaniel's got the talent, Coach. Don't act like I said he didn't. Lockup #2 takes place after the stalemate, with Zack winning out this time, using an arm wrench and then pinning the arm behind the back in a hammerlock. Black swings an elbow back to try and drive Zack off of him, but Malibu ducks the shot, keeping the arm trapped behind Black's back even as he's facing him now. Black clubs Zack across the back with his free arm, releasing himself from the hold, then sends Zack to the ropes, catching him with a hiptoss on the rebound! Black hits the ropes and comes off with a running lariat, but Malibu ducks it, sending Black across the ring as he continues to run the ropes...which sends him right into a hiptoss by Zack! Malibu reaches down to pull him up, but Black kicks off, sending Zack down to the canvas. Both men roll to their feet and lock up again, each once again trying to win the advantage over the other. As they jockey for position they wind up close to the ropes, and when Zack winds up trapping Black in the corner, the wily superstar sticks a leg through the ropes, bringing the referee over to have to break! COLE Smart move there by Black, able to get Zack off of him by having the ref call for the rope break. Zack backs off, while Black smiles and points to his head, as if he's just solved a quantum physics equation. The two superstars circle each other again, but this time as they move closer to tie up, Black drives a knee into Zack's stomach, doubling him over! A series of forearms follows, culminating in a European uppercut that knocks Zack off his feet! Black pulls Zack up and then puts him right back down, dropping him with a body slam before coming off the ropes with a knee drop that misses! Zack rolls out of the way and comes up, immediately firing off kicks to the knee that just struck the hard ring surface, but Black manages to snare Zack's leg before another kick hits, then takes his other one out from under him! With Zack's legs hooked, Black drives the sole of his boot into Zack's stomach, then catapults him over the top rope! COACH There he goes! Zack goes over, but manages to hang on, and skins the cat back inside...but Black sees him doing so, and yanks him down into the ring, then drops him with a back suplex! Black comes off the ropes, and the kneedrop finds its mark this time, as Malibu then finds himself trapped in a pinning predicament! ONE! KICKOUT! COLE Zack got out of that one, but I will again give credit where it is due...Nathaniel Black has not allowed himself to be surprised by Malibu, and is staying on him as best he can, not wanting to give Zack that "in" that will help him mount an offense. Black brings Zack up, then shoves him into the corner before following up with a running shoulderblock that doubles Zack over! Black goes and brings Zack up, rocking him with another hard European uppercut before sending him across the ring. Zack collides with the opposite corner, and Black responds by hitting a running forearm smash, then brings Zack out and takes him to the canvas with a gutwrench suplex. Black then sits up next to his foe and looks over at him, then slaps him across the face while he recovers from being assaulted! COACH Haha, look at this now! Nathaniel Black showing Zack Malibu what's up! COLE I think any amount of respect Nathaniel Black wants to earn is going to be discredited with tactics like that. Black brings Zack up and shoves him into the ropes, catching him as he rebounds with a side slam that once again puts Zack in the position of looking up at the lights. Black then comes up and delivers a hard stomp to the ribs once again, then pulls Zack up and locks him in an abdominal stretch. With Zack trapped in the hold, Black hits several forearms across the ribs, inflicting further damage to that region, then keeps Zack set in the hold, putting the strain on. Zack struggles to manuever out of the hold, finally doing so by hiptossing Black to the canvas! The brash Brit quickly rises up off of the mat, but a standing dropkick from Zack puts him right back down! Malibu then moves towards him, backing him into the ropes upon recovery and firing him off, catching him with another dropkick! As Black gets flustered, Malibu leaps up onto his shoulders and snaps him over with a huracanrana! Zack then runs the ropes and comes back with a running lariat, but Black ducks it! Zack keeps racing to the far side, coming off again and running right into a powerslam by Black...that gets countered at the last second when Malibu arm drags Nathaniel over! Black scrambles to his feet, but a lariat finally finds its mark and dumps him over the top rope, sending him to the floor as the crowd wildy cheers for their sentimental favorite! COLE A great technical showing so far, but the resilience of Zack Malibu has gotten under the skin of Nathaniel Black! Black puts his hands on his hips, glaring harshly back in the ring at the man who awaits his re-entry. Looking out to the crowd, Black doesn't see many supporters admist the diehard Zack Malibu fans, and jumps back up on the apron before getting back into the ring, walking right up to Zack and shoving him violently! COACH Someone is done playin' games! Zack shoves right back, and before you know it the two are tangled up once again, jockeying for position. Black places his leg behind Zack's, gaining leverage and forcing Malibu into a bridge...but Malibu allows himself to be pushed to the mat, using it to his advantage as he monkey flips Black over! Zack then rolls through into a mounted position, striking Black with a pair of elbows before he's shoved off! Both men come up, and as Black approaches he's rocked by a right hand, then staggered by a series of chops before he's sent into the ropes. Black runs right into Zack, who plants him with an inverted atomic drop, then hooks Black as he's doubled over and takes him down with a butterfly suplex! Zack then goes to pull Black up, but Black uses a double leg takedown to pull Zack to the mat! The egotistical Englishman then looks to drop an elbow, but Zack rolls out of the way just in time, causing him to come up short! Zack fires off some leg kicks as Black gets up to keep him off balance, but Black catches a leg, only for Zack to strike with an enzugiri! Black doesn't fall, but he's rocked by the blow, and as he turns away Zack rushes up behind him and hooks a rear waistlock, but quickly gets snapmared over by Black, who then runs the ropes and comes off with a low kick...that Zack catches! A dragon screw follows, and Zack attempts to segue into the figure four...but as he tries tying up Nathaniel's legs, he gets hooked with a small package! ONE! T-KICKOUT! COLE After so much back and forth, the first pinfall of the match, but it wasn't enough for Nathaniel Black to prove himself to be the better man! Both men come up, with Black snatching Zack by the wrist and attempting to send him to the corner...but Zack puts on the brakes and sends Black into the opposite corner, then follows up with a diving splash that sandwiches his opponent against the ropes! Zack then climbs the ropes and hammers away, drilling Black with punches as the crowd counts along in unison! Zack gets a full ten count before stepping down and sending a weakened Black across the ring, and watches as his back smashes into the buckles. Zack then gathers momentum and runs across the ring, leaping off his feet for a ZACK ATTACK II...but Nathaniel Black drops and rolls out of the ring at the last second! COACH Smart man! Atta boy, Nate Dawg! Zack manages to catch himself on the middle rope, and watches as Black paces around the ringside area, avoiding contact with The Franchise. Angered by the cowardly tactic, Zack hops over the ropes and onto the apron, running across it and attacking with an Apron Run Diving Clothesline as soon as Black turns around (but before he knows what's coming!). COLE Vintage Malibu, and Nathaniel Black didn't get the break he thought he was getting! Immediately, Zack pulls Black up and rolls him into the ring, making the international star live up to his word and face him one on one, rather than run away. Zack hops up on the apron, but as he goes back into the ring Black gets up and runs over, kicking the middle rope into Zack's groin! COLE C'mon now! Zack is hurting, and that enables Black to bring him into the ring, then drop him across his knee with a gutbuster! Zack holds his ribs, then crawls on all fours, but Black stands over him, dropping his weight down onto Zack's back, then pulling his head up and striking him with crossface blows! COACH Zack wanted a challenge, and that's exactly what he's getting! Black drags Zack up, but Malibu breaks away and hits a European uppercut out of desperation, dazing Black! Nathaniel shakes the blow off and responds with one of his own, which Zack absorbs before striking with ANOTHER European uppercut, only to have THAT returned with one from Black! COLE It's a standoff! They're trading uppercuts like they're going out of style! The fans get involved in this too, shouting "YAY!" when Zack strikes, and "BOO!" when Black does! The series of shots continues, as Zack matches Black blow for blow, but each man refuses to go down! Finally, Black manages to hit two in a row, staggering Zack, but Malibu follows up with one more of his own, then scoops Black up onto his shoulders and starts twirling himself around with an airplane spin! COACH He's making ME dizzy! Round and round they go, as the crowd goes wild. Malibu keeps turning and turning, going through what seems like an endless series of rotations before dropping Black onto his feet. Both men are barely standing, both trying to regain their balance, and that's when Zack hits one more European uppercut which knocks Black off his feet and enables Zack to fall right on top of him for the pin! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Black kicks out, but the crowd is applauding loudly, impressed with the scene they just witnessed. Zack leads Black up, but catches a jawbreaker for his troubles, then gets taken over with a suple...NO! Zack slides out and hooks him for a German suplex, but as he lifts Black floats over Zack, lands behind him, and then hits a German of his own! ONE! TWO! NO! NO! Black breaks the bridge after the referee taps him, warning him of Zack's kickout. Black comes to his feet and scowls at the ref, a look that drives the referee away as Zack gets brought to his feet by his opponent...then struck square in the face with a vicious headbutt! Zack covers his face with his hands and turns away, but this enables Black to take him by the back of the head and run him to the corner and ram his face into the top turnbuckle! Black then pins Zack against the ropes and blisters his chest with a series of chops, then hits another European uppercut before picking Zack up off of his feet and seating him on the top rope. He hooks Zack in a front facelock and tries to hoist him up, but Malibu clings to the ropes by keeping his legs warpped around them while driving his fist into Black's ribcage! Black's grip weakens, and Malibu shoots his arm between his legs, carrying Black up onto his shoulders before forcing himself up to his feet, drawing the crowd out of their seats as he leaps off the ropes with his opponent in his arms, crushing him as he flips him over with THE HONOR ROLL~! COLE Malibu busted out The Honor Roll, and that could very well be the winning manuever, if he can cover him quickly enough! Although Black is laid out, the move had an effect on Zack too, as pain surges through his sore ribs. Still, he rolls over and crawls onto Black, hooking a leg as the referee comes down to count. ONE! TWO! TH-KICKOUT! COACH YO~! Guess it's gonna take a bit more than that! Black gets led to his feet after the failed pin attempt, and rocked with a pair of forearms before Zack takes him and whips him into the corner. Zack charges in, but Black manages to throw a leg up, catching Zack across the cheek with his boot! Zack staggers away, then gets knocked over with a kneelift from Black, who bursts out of the corner with an energetic rush! He then picks Zack up and hooks him for a suplex, slingshotting him off the top rope before turning around and dropping Zack facefirst on the mat with a gordbuster before falling back against the ropes! Black savors the moment to rest, regaining what he can of that lost energy...and when Zack gets up Black comes up off the ropes and does a full rotation, cracking Zack across the throat with a Black Lariat, the force of which drops Black to the mat as well as Zack! Black stays down, covering Zack for the pin, and shouting "C'mon" at the referee, who couldn't be moving any faster than he already is! ONE! TWO! T-NO! NO! KICKOUT! COLE And I guess it's going to take more than a Black Lariat to get Zack Malibu to stay down for the three count! Black slams his hands on the canvas, berating the referee for "being too slow". He pulls Zack up, then floors him with another European uppercut, then comes off the ropes with a kneedrop...and misses! Zack rolls out of the way, and as Black gets up, slightly limping after hitting nothing but the hard ring surface, Malibu also pushes up. Eyeing his foe and seeing he's in a bad way, Zack comes at him, kicking his right leg up as he hopes that SCHOOL'S OUT finds its mark...BUT IT DOESN'T! Nathaniel Black catches the foot and throws it down before rotating again, using another Black Lariat...THAT GETS BLOCKED as Malibu throws his elbows up, blocking the blow, and follows up with an ANGLE SLAM~! on a stunned Nathaniel Black~! ONE! TWO! THREEEEEEEEEEENO! NO! NO! SHOULDER UP! COLE Black dodged a bullet by blocking School's Out, and then somehow managed to kick out of another patented Malibu finish, the Angle Slam! COACH I'm tellin' you, Mikey Cole, this kid is IT. Zack Malibu is old news. Zack sits up, pondering what he could possibly do to defeat the persistent challenge of Landon Maddix's fellow countryman and stablemate. Zack brings him up and uses a rear waistlock, then carries him over with a German Suplex...and that gets the ball rolling, as Zack slowly but surely rolls both he and his opponent up to their feet, using a second German, followed by a third...and a fourth...AND A FIFTH...THEN A SIXTH~! Malibu keeps 'em coming, rolling to his feet for a seventh German suplex, and SOMEHOW, Black musters the strength to try and break free, throwing an elbow back...but Malibu hooks the arm with his own while still holding a waistlock with the other, and throws Black over his head and damn near straight down on the top of his head with a release HALF NELSON SUPLEX that leaves him in a crumpled heap on the canvas! ONE! TWO! THREEEEENO! FOOT ON THE ROPE! COLE I can't believe he even had THAT left in him! COACH Watch, Cole...watch history happen here tonight! This is Nathaniel Black's coming out party, and I don't mean like the one you had a few years ago! COLE ... For a man who is used to defying the odds and being one of the most resilient competitors in the OAOAST, Malibu seems surprised, almost dejected by his inability to beat the outspoken Englishman. Zack drags Black away from the ropes, but as he's leaned over and dragging him by one arm, Black wearily reaches up, grabbing Zack by the head and pulling him into a surprise cradle! ONE! TWO! TH-NO! KICKOUT! COLE This has become quite a war...Zack Malibu is, dare I say it, bringing out the best in Nathaniel Black right now, because he is not succumbing to the former OAOAST World Champion! Both men get to their feet, and Malibu quickly snares Black in a sleeperhold, looken to put the final nail in the coffin of the weakened superstar. The crowd buzzes as Black squirms, trying to escape, but Zack keeps the hold on as tight as he can. Black looks to weaken, but in a last ditch effort, manages to back Zack into the corner and crush him against the ropes! Black hobbles away as Zack leans against the ropes, both men exhausted from battle. Black turns around and charges in, looking to finish Zack off...but Malibu moves out of the way at the last second! Black collides with enough force to crack his sternum, and it doesn't help that Malibu follows up with a ZACK ATTACK II~!, driving both of his knees into the back of Nathaniel Black before lifting him up and crotching him on the top rope! Malibu climbs up after him and from the middle rope...locks on a sleeper!?!? COACH Hey, he can't do that! Rope break, ref! COLE Zack, looking to put Nathaniel Black to sleep here, and...wait, what's he doing? With the sleeper locked on, Zack climbs up onto the third rope, and brings a defenseless Black to his feet with him...then brings him airborne as Zack leaps backwards off of the ropes with the sleeperhold applied, driving Nathaniel Black to the canvas with a SUPER TRENDSETTER~!~! COACH YOOOOOOOOOOOOO~! COLE A TRENDSETTER FROM THE TOP ROPE! NATHANIEL BLACK'S HEAD JUST BOUNCED OFF THE CANVAS LIKE A SUPERBALL! "HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT!" "HOLY SHIT!" With the crowd loving what they've just seen, Zack Malibu crawls over to Nathaniel Black for the cover once again, silently praying that that's all he's going to need to finish off the hated overseas import. ONE! TWO! THREE! DING! DING! DING! Breathing a sigh of relief, Zack rolls off of Black, and the sound of Papa Roach coming over the soundsystem is music to not only the fans ears, but Zack's as well. COLE WHAT. A. MATCH. I may not like Nathaniel Black, what he's about, or the company he keeps, but I will give him credit where it is due, he BROUGHT IT tonight. COACH You damn right he did, Mikey Cole. Nate Black showed the world tonight what he's all about, and he was able to hang with the best. There ain't no shame in that. Malibu gets his hand raised by the ref, drawing the crowd to their feet as they applaud the victory of the OAOAST's favorite son. Malibu leans on the ropes, his energy drained from that epic encounter, and as he exits the ring he turns and looks back at Nathaniel Black, laid out on the canvas and being tended to the by the ref, before leaving. Zack then steps through the ropes and heads to the back, where a warm shower awaits, as well as the congratulations of his peers...and the anger from the rest of Cucaracha Internacional that one of their own fell victim to their leaders longtime rival.

As announced THIS PAST WEEK~!, Zack Malibu vs. Nathaniel Black.

We're in for a surprise tonight, as immediately following the highlights of the Great Angle Bash, we skip right over the opening theme song and head into the arena. The crowd probably doesn't even realize they're now live on television at this point, as they're too distracted by their disdain for Nathaniel Black, who is in the ring with a microphone. BLACK I don't find it suprising that an American audience, fresh off celebrating your Independence Day, would respond so disrespectfully and crudely to someone such as myself. The crowd continues to boo, and Black pauses, not happy, yet also expectant of that reaction. BLACK I'm not one to play the nationality card, but perhaps if you Americans had some tact, some taste, and treated me as I deserve to be treated, we wouldn't be at an impass. If you people cared about the sacrifices I have made to have my career grow as it has, you wouldn't react this way. Instead, you show your true colors...not red, white and blue on this holiday weekend...and by the way, those are OUR colors...but green with envy, as you look at the greatest import to cross the ocean and land here in America, and in your precious OAOAST! If he thought that would help, he's dead wrong, as nothing but more booing follows Black's statement. BLACK I don't need to be beloved by you, but for a company whose main attraction bases everything on respect, there certainly is a lack of it around here. Maybe it's because of the company I keep, maybe it's because of my heritage, I really don't know...but what I do know is that right now, I'm out here to rectify that. I am making a stand against the OAOAST, and against YOU, Zack Malibu! NUCLEAR HEAT now, as Black has insulted America, the OAOAST, and now the most popular superstar in the company, so you can imagine how the fans are feeling. BLACK Zack, you and I aren't that familiar with each other, at least not until this past Sunday. To be quite honest, I was honored when I realized it would be you and I starting off the War Games match for our teams. You are the measuring stick around here, after all, and to receive the chance to take you on one on one, well, I was honored...and also quite surprised at what a pushover you are! Paging Nathaniel Black, there's a crowd that despises you on line 1. BLACK YOU are supposed to be the top talent? You're supposed to be the man who fought across the world, a former World Heavyweight Champion, HI-YAH Heavyweight Champion, Tag Team Champion, 24/7 Champion...the list goes on, Zack, we know your resume...but in FIVE MINUTES, before anyone else entered that cage, I felt it. I felt you weakening already. I knew that I was able to take you to your limit, that if the circumstances were any different, I could have defeated you on my own. Imagine that. The great Zack Malibu has been exposed, and he's not as invincible as he'd lead you to believe, people. Your hero, your Franchise, is a FRAUD! I won't discredit myself because let's face it, I'm the best British import to hit the States since the Dynamite Kid...but I expected a challenge, Zack! So now, Zack, I had my taste. I had five minutes with you to decide what step to take next...and despite the stitches in my head, the soreness in my bones, and the fact that your motley crew managed to walk away completely intact, I want it again. I want Zack Malibu in the ring, so I can show the world what a... CUE:"Getting Away With Murder". The crowd LEAPS to their feet, as the sound of the longtime anthem of the popular superstar booms over the PA. Black pauses and glares at the entrance ramp, where Malibu, in dress clothes and bandaged forehead as a result of War Games, appears. Zack starts making his way down to the ring, and within seconds, Nathaniel Black has his wish, as he and Zack Malibu are caught in a staredown! The crowd goes wild for this, and moments later Zack takes the microphone from Black in order to speak his piece. MALIBU Ask and ye shall receieve, Nathaniel Black, because here I am, in the ring with you! Black starts rolling his wrists and nodding his head, ready to fight. MALIBU Now most of you think I've come out here to offer a few witty lines to rebut your claims, take you up on your challenge, or maybe just flat out lay you out right here and now...but it's not going to be like that. See, I will admit to you firsthand, in front of the world, that you are one HELL of a talent. I will also admit that at the beginning of War Games this past Sunday, I experienced firsthand exactly what you were made of. You have all the skill in the world, you have talent that most could only dream of, but it's what you have *up here* that makes you your worst enemy! Black doesn't budge, and seems interested in where Zack is going with this. MALIBU You want to talk about people holding each other back? That seems to be the first method of attack that people use against me, but in my eyes, you should look to those who surround you, Nathaniel. Do you really think that you'll ever get a chance to showcase those talents to their fullest as long as you hang around with Landon Maddix? Do you think you'll ever be taken seriously in this business, as something more than just a henchman? James Blonde and Faqu took two steps backwards when they aligned with Landon, and you need to look no further than Todd Cortez to see how Landon treats his so-called friends. If you want to be a breakout star, Nathaniel, then you need to BREAK OUT and... Now Black snatches the mic from Zack, drawing a chorus of jeers. BLACK No, no no. I am not going to play this game with you, Zack. You don't need to worry about my circle of friends, and you're certainly not going to brainwash me. It's really simple, Zack. One plus one equals two. You and me, in a match, anytime, anywhere, so that I can prove to these people, to those wrestlers in the back, and to YOU that I AM BETTER THAN YOU! Zack, angered by the brashness of Black, steps back and motions for him to come on. The crowd support is fully in favor of Malibu, as he waits for Black to approach, ready to take him up on his offer to see who the best in the business truly is. BLACK Now wait just a second, Zack. Despite the fact that I know you have to play the role and look like you're ready to throw down, it's not going to happen tonight. Thunderous boos follow Black's announcement, as Zack remains in the ready position, waiting for Black to step up and back up his claims. BLACK I'm going to be nice about this one, Zackary. I'm going to give you time to think about what you're going to be getting into, to prepare yourself for your day of reckoning. We're not at 100 percent, you or I. I wouldn't be fair for me to take advantage of you tonight, in front of these people. As fitting as it would be for me to embarrass you this weekend in your homeland, I'm going to take the high road. I want you at your best, Zack. I want you to rest up another week, get back on your feet after what we just went through, and THEN, you'll find out firsthand just how badly I want...no, how badly I NEED to prove to you and all these sheep that follow you that my potential will not go untapped. One week, Zack, until you come face to face with your worst enemy...the future. Smiling a cocky smile is usually Zack's signature, but for now, Nathaniel Black uses the technique as he drops the mic at Zack's feet and walks past his rival. Before exiting the ring, Black holds up one finger...not the one you might be thinking of, but one to signify that in one week's time, these two will lock up one on one for the first time ever. As Black heads to the back, Zack steams in the ring, and we then close the scene as we fade out to our first commercial break.

I call dibs on the opening segment, plz & thx in advance.

I saw Hayes molding Murdoch into a redneck shitkicker bully type, a la Terry Gordy, on Smackdown. I think he would have excelled in the role if given the chance and the right opponents to pit himself against.

I actually converted my master copy of WrestleWar '92 to DVD a little while back and rewatched '92. I'd have to agree that it's one of the best matches WCW had ever put on in its history. That whole Dangerous Alliance era of WCW had some amazing stuff going on. Appropriately enough for this thread, I just rewatched the War Games that is on the Horseman DVD yesterday.