Losing Matches Thread

[Guest TheBostonStrangler]

Well, can't say I expected to win....and I didn't. But I figure someone must want to read my match, so here we go.

 

 

 

The Richmond Center is electric as SWF Smarkdown returns from its final commercial break. The crowd, eager to get tonight’s main event underway, buzzes with excitement as the SmarkTron™ displays highlights from the rest of the card. As a clip of Lerrin Breggan hitting a particularly nasty move on Xero is displayed, the announce team of Grand Slam Mark Stevens and Bobby Riley return us to the action.

 

“Welcome back to Smarkdown! As always, this is Mark Stevens along Bobby Riley, and we’re moments away from tonight’s main event, where we have a triple threat match!”

 

“That’s right, Mark! Tonight, the three most dominant stables will be represented in this match, as the leader of the Midnight Carnival, Edwin MacPhisto, will take on the leader of the Clan, and his current ally, Spider Nekura, as well as the lieutenant of the Magnificent Seven, the Boston Strangler!”

 

“Riley, one has to wonder if the Carnival/Clan alliance, which is shaky enough already, can withstand this match, where Spider and Edwin will have little choice but to fight each other!”

 

“Stevens, I think the real question is whether Edwin and Spider can withstand the offensive onslaught of the Boston Strangler! This man is over 300 pounds, he’s one of the strongest men in the SWF today, and he, along with fellow Magnificent Seven member Stryke, teamed up to snatch an upset victory from Thoth and Spider Nekura on Storm!”

 

“Riley, with all respect to Strangler, he’s an inexperience member of the SWF! He’s never been in a position like this before, and frankly, I think Edwin MacPhisto shouldn’t have a problem with Strangler! He’s the SWF Champion for a reason!”

 

“Well, the entire match will hinge on the on again, off again relationship between Nekura and MacPhisto! These two still don’t see eye to eye, and if they fight each other, Strangler should be able to reap the rewards!”

 

“I get the feeling that MacPhisto and Nekura see eye to eye on the subject of the Magnificent Seven, and their mutual hatred of everything M7 should be enough to get them through this match!”

 

“Mark, you also have to consider the backup each man will receive from his respective stable! All three stables have their own horse to support, and alliances might fall by the wayside if their stablemate needs help!”

 

“Well, there’s only one way to find out how this will play out! Let’s go to Funyon, who’s standing by in the ring, ready to get this main event underway!”

 

As Funyon steps into the ring, his trusty microphone in hand, the lights dim, before completely blackening. After a few seconds of darkness, with the crowd slowly rising in volume, Metallica’s “Leper Messiah” begins to reverberate throughout the arena. The song draws the crowd to their feet as Spider Nekura, framed by “So Says The Clan” on the SmarkTron™, steps out onto the top of the ramp. As Nekura’s highlight film begins to play behind him on the SmarkTron™, Spider relaxes himself, drawing out of his classic scarecrow pose, and slowly begins to stalk down the ramp, his Clan robe billowing behind him.

 

“This match is a TRIPLE THREAT MATCH, and it is scheduled for ONE FALL! First, making his way to the ring, from parts unknown, weighing in at 231 POUNDS, he is the LEADER OF THE CLAN, SPIDER NE……KURA!”

 

Nekura slides into the ring, and immediately hops onto the turnbuckle. He outstretches his arms as Metallica blares through the arena. As the words “BOW TO LEPER MESSIAH!!!!!!” drift into thin air, Nekura hops off the turnbuckle, and removes his coat. The arena, still dim, goes silent for a minute, as the atmosphere is filled with anxiousness, waiting for the main event to commence. The eerie silence is broken as “Burn to Burn” hits over the loudspeakers. The arena erupts with boos, spewing hatred toward the man who steps out onto the ramp, covered in a ratty, battered, torn trenchcoat. The Boston Strangler steps forward, looking toward the ring, where Spider Nekura stands, staring slowly up at Strangler, who glares down at Nekura.

 

“BR, it doesn’t look like Nekura forgot what Strangler said about him earlier tonight!”

 

“From the look in Strangler’s eye, I don’t think he forgot either!”

 

“Now entering, from BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, weighing in at 303 POUNDS, he is a member of the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, the BOSTON.….STRRRRRRRANGLER!”

 

Strangler stalks down the ramp, staring at Nekura all the way. Strangler reaches the bottom of the ramp, and pauses, looking up at the Clan member, whose face remains emotionless as always. Strangler reaches down and removes the trenchcoat from around his massive body. Suddenly, the arena goes dark once again, with the SmarkTron™ providing the only light in the building.

 

“Mark, why does every single wrestler have to turn out the fucking lights for his entrance? Jeez…”

 

As Riley continues to whine in the dark, a light techno beat drops in, and the SmarkTron™ displays a man with a microphone before a voice comes over the PA system, bringing the fans to their feet.

 

“Tonight, in Richmond, Virginia, it’s the king of the hour, the man with the power, the Crown Prince of Flash and Panache, Edwin MacPhisto, taking on the Boston Strangler and my ally Spider Nekura. Looks like Stubby has a sense of irony…or he just hates me, which is what I’m leaning towards. But despite Stubby’s best attempts, and despite the massive beatdowns that the M7 boys have decided are all the rage, and despite the fact I have to wrestle my ally tonight, the Mac Daddy will come out on top! And away we go!”

 

With that, a pair of blue spotlights converge on the top of the ramp, directly underneath the SmarkTron™, as Edwin MacPhisto emerges in his trademark red trenchcoat. “Battleflag” kicks into high gear as the arena is flooded in gold and red strobe lights, highlighted by pyro of the same colors exploding around Edwin.

 

“And the final participant in this TRIPLE THREAT MATCHUP, from AMSTERDAM, ENGLAND, weighing in at 239 POUNDS, representing the MIDNIGHT CARNIVAL, he is the SWF WORLD CHAMPION, EDWIN MAC….PHISSSSSSSTO!”

 

Strangler and Spider stare up, unimpressed, as Edwin, with his SWF Championship belt tightly cinched around his waist, plays to the crowd. MacPhisto then turns to face the ring. His face transforms from one of delight to one of deliberation as he weighs his options with Strangler waiting outside the ring, and Spider waiting inside. After waiting a second, MacPhisto begins to spring down the ramp, shedding the long, trailing red trenchcoat that flows behind him. Strangler and Spider spring to attention as the World Champion approaches the ring. Edwin drops the coat and title belt at the bottom of the ramp and heads directly for Strangler, who seems more than happy to see Edwin. MacPhisto plows into Strangler, drawing a roar from the zealous crowd. Strangler stumbles backwards, but rights himself almost immediately and heads right back at Edwin with a lariat. MacPhisto tries to duck underneath it, but can’t get under it in time. Instead, Strangler’s forearm crashes directly into the bridge of Edwin’s nose, instantly crumpling the Carnie leader into a ball on the floor.

 

“Strangler lays out Edwin before the match even starts! Stevens, Edwin is in some serious trouble here!”

 

“Edwin got caught straight in the face by that lariat. Edwin could have a broken nose! Not a great way to start a match.”

 

Strangler gives Edwin a quick stomp to the ribs before remembering the third man, and glancing to the ring, expecting to find Nekura looking down on them. Instead, he finds Nekura leaping onto the top rope, balancing for a second, then launching himself at Strangler with a moonsault. Strangler has no time to dodge as the Clan leader slams into Strangler, sending both men tumbling to the mat. The crowd chants “NE-KUR-A! NE-KUR-A!” as Spider rolls onto his side, deflated following the difficult maneuver. Strangler, thrown up against the crowd barrier, lifts his head groggily as he looks around at Spider, and at Edwin MacPhisto, who is pulling himself up just a few feet away with the help of the guardrail. Strangler forces himself to his feet as well while Spider, with no help from the guardrail, begins to force himself to his feet slowly.

 

“This match hasn’t even started, and all three men are obviously somewhat drained already! Not a great start for any of the competitors here!”

 

MacPhisto reaches for Strangler’s head, and wraps his hand around some of Strangler’s hair. As Strangler winces from Edwin pulling his hair, MacPhisto rolls Strangler underneath the bottom rope. Strangler is slow to get up, and Edwin pauses before going into the ring. He turns, and heads toward Spider Nekura, who is still pushing himself up on the steel ramp, having trouble regaining his balance.

 

“Mark, it’s gonna happen here! MacPhisto wants to take Spider out early and make it a two man match!”

 

Edwin bends over, places his hand on Spider’s shoulder, and whispers something into his ear. Spider looks up, surprised, at the red-headed superstar, then nods his head. Edwin extends his hand, and Spider takes it, accepting the boost. Spider gets back on his feet, and the leader of the Midnight Carnival, alongside the leader of the Clan, slide into the ring, where Strangler stands, still slightly woozy from Spider’s spaceman quebreda.

 

“What a beatdown! Haven’t seen something like that since that INCREDIBLE attack on the HVille Thugg! Parents, hide your children!”

 

“Shove it, Stevens. It may amaze you, and blow your fragile mind, but I’m not perfect.”

 

“NO! My universe is crashing down around my very eyes!”

 

As Stevens acts like an uncoordinated moron at the announce table, and Riley begins to sulk at Stevens mocking him, MacPhisto and Nekura race at Strangler, who, still slightly discombobulated from the shot on the outside, turns slowly toward Nekura and Edwin. Both men extend their arms, slamming Strangler to the mat with a double lariat. Strangler smashes hard, hitting the back of his head squarely against the canvas. MacPhisto and Nekura reach down, and each grab ahold of one of Strangler’s forearms. With a slight effort, they pull the big man up before using his momentum to whip him toward the ropes. Stranger goes bouncing off the ropes, and comes flying back toward Nekura and MacPhisto, completely out of control. Edwin and Spider look at each other, coordinating the move before each of them bends down. As Strangler arrives, each of them grab a leg and lift Strangler into the air. Strangler goes flying way up into the air before crashing into the mat, his arms flailing as he face-planted into the canvas.

 

“And some surprisingly cohesive tag team moves from Spider and Edwin here tonight! Amazing, as they’ve never fought together before!”

 

“Stevens, I get the feeling they conspired against Strangler earlier! They were trying to come up with ways to take out Strangler! It’s like they’re a….a….”

 

“An alliance?”

 

“Yeah, an alliance! Hey….wait a minute…”

 

Spider reaches down and grabs Strangler as Edwin gets the crowd cheering. A “M7 SUCKS! M7 SUCKS!” chant begins to rise up throughout the arena as Edwin returns to Strangler, who has been cornered by Spider. As Nekura works over Strangler, sending a series of roundhouse kicks into Strangler’s midsection, Edwin watches intently. Nekura sends a final kick snapping toward Strangler’s skull, which sends Strangler’s head cracking backwards, and then gets out of the way as Edwin approaches Strangler. The crowd’s roar grows louder as Edwin rears back, and sends a smack directly across Strangler’s cheek, followed by a slap across the other cheek. As Strangler slinks back from the blows, Edwin raises his arm and sends a back elbow sending directly into Strangler’s jaw.

 

“Strangler just sampled Edwin MacPhisto’s ‘Cocktail O’ Shame!’ That has to be humiliating!”

 

“No more humiliating than wearing that god-awful plaid shirt!”

 

“Well, THAT should get rid of all the gay jokes…”

 

Strangler tries to regroup mentally, but Edwin stays on the offensive, and whips Strangler across the ring. Strangler goes crashing into the opposite corner where he slams into the turnbuckles. Strangler rests against the turnbuckle, groaning from the pummeling at the hands of Nekura and Edwin. Edwin motions to Spider, who walks over to Edwin. Edwin utters a quick command, then extends his hand. Spider takes Edwin’s hand, and then whips Edwin toward the corner. The Mac Daddy, with the extra speed from Spider’s Irish whip, goes flying toward Strangler before leaping into the air with a huge dropkick attempt. Edwin’s feet drive directly into Strangler’s stomach, knocking the wind out of the big man’s lungs, and knocking the big man himself to the mat.

 

“More great teamwork from Spider and Edwin! Strangler has been absolutely picked apart so far!”

 

“Stevens, eventually these two men will have to fight each other! That’s why this triple threat match is so great! No matter how much Spider and MacPhisto want to remain allies, they have to beat the living shit out of each other first! There’s no way that his shaky alliance could possibly survive this match!”

 

Strangler is lying face up on the mat, staring straight up at the lights. His view of the glowing orbs is interrupted by the flaming red mane of Edwin MacPhisto, who reaches down and once again pulls Strangler to his feet by his greasy hair. Strangler tries to resist, even mustering enough energy to throw a weak punch at Edwin, but Edwin merely shrugs it off and whips Strangler into the ropes. Strangler rebounds off the ropes and returns to Edwin, who launches himself into the air with a high springing sidekick. The kick catches Strangler square in the chin, stunning Strangler. Strangler stumbles backwards, only to have Spider Nekura wrap his arm around Strangler’s thigh, pulling him into a school boy as the ref drops into position for the first count of the night.

 

 

ONE!

 

 

TWO!!

 

 

TH….

 

 

“And the count is broken up by Edwin MacPhisto, who disrupted the pin with a dropkick.”

 

“Uh oh, Stevens. Spider is getting up, and looking mighty pissed!”

 

Sure enough, Spider, holding his head, is on his feet and yelling at Edwin. Edwin, with an apologetic look on his face, is trying to calm Nekura down, but the Clan leader is having none of it, continuing to get into Edwin’s face.

 

“Stevens, look here. In this replay, you can clearly see……HERE!…..that Spider was kicked square in the head by Edwin when he broke up that pin! What a cheater!”

 

“I sincerely doubt Edwin meant to do that to his ally, Riley.”

 

“Of all the people who would understand what Edwin would do to his allies, I thought you would get it, Stevens…”

 

“Riley, you say another word, and you will PAY.”

 

As silence falls over the announce table, with Riley actually wearing a look of regret on his face for crossing a line, Edwin and Spider become more animated. Strangler, still completely dazed from the earlier tag team moves, rolls out of the ring as Edwin and Spider get in each other’s face. With the silence of the commentators, most of what the wrestlers are saying is audible.

 

“MacPhisto, you’ve always been a cheap shot artist!”

 

“For the love of god, Spider, I didn’…”

 

“Cram it, MacPhisto! I’m gonna show you just how big a mistake you made!”

 

With that, Nekura takes a swing at MacPhisto, which Edwin quickly ducks. The crowd cheers as the two faces begin to brawl, swinging fists wildly at each other. With a wild roar, Edwin tackles Spider to the mat, and begins to lay a series of punches into Spider’s face, with the crowd going absolutely bezerk all around them.

 

“Spider’s comments have enraged Edwin! The normally courteous, showy MacPhisto is brawling away with Spider on the ground!”

 

“Both men are completely out of their element, Mark. They’d better get over their brawling real fast, or the Boston Strangler will eat them alive when he shakes off the effects of those tag moves!”

 

As the two men grapple with each other on the mat, Spider Nekura finally gains the upper hand. With a sadistic smile on his face, Nekura begins to smash his fist into MacPhisto’s face. Edwin squirms, trying to worm away from the blows raining down on him as Spider, relentless in his attack, continues to pound away. Edwin, starting to look desperate, reaches up and plants Spider with a shotei directly in his chest. Nekura falls off of Edwin from the force of the blow, rolling onto his side. As Spider, holding his sternum, picks himself up, Edwin shakes his head quickly from side to side, trying to clear out the cobwebs before getting to a knee, then to his feet. Spider charges toward Edwin, but Edwin crouches down to one side, and grabs ahold of Spider’s leg. Nekura tries to balance himself, but Edwin pulls as hard as he can on Nekura’s leg, using the Clannie’s momentum against him, which sends Nekura tumbling to the mat, rolling across the canvas.

 

“And MacPhisto is able to hit the dragon screw on Spider! Edwin now has the upper hand against Spider!”

 

Spider rolls onto his back, his legs dangling in the center of the ring as he crawls toward the far ropes, trying to get some leverage to get back to his feet. Suddenly, Spider feels Edwin’s hands grasp firmly around his boot, tugging him back towards the center of the ring. Spider begins to wriggle, trying to counter Edwin, but to no success. Edwin keeps his grip locked on Spider’s foot, and squats down over Spider’s legs, bending Nekura’s right leg backwards. Spider continues to stretch forward, trying to reach the ropes, as Edwin fully locks the half Boston crab in. Edwin strains backwards, doing his best to stretch the muscles and tendons in Spider’s knee to their fullest, while Spider, in obvious pain, claws vainly for the ropes.

 

“Spider could be done here! Edwin has the Boston crab firmly locked on, and Spider is too far away from the ropes! This match could end real quickly!”

 

“Mark, I don’t think Edwin has the body strength to keep Spider centered in the middle of the ring. Look! Spider is pulling Edwin along with him!”

 

BR is right, as Spider is getting closer and closer to the ropes. Edwin looks back at the head of Nekura, which inches closer and closer to the ropes. Edwin leans back, doing everything in his power to stop Spider from making it to the ropes. However, Spider lunges forward as best he can with every ounce of energy he has left, and locks his hand around the bottom rope. The crowd gives Spider a half-hearted cheer, although the general consensus in the arena is disappointment that the Mac Daddy couldn’t finish the match. Spider gasps for air, still clutching the bottom rope like a college diploma as MacPhisto drops Nekura’s right leg to the mat.

 

“Nekura was able to hang in there just long enough to get to the ropes. Still, BR, you figure that

 

Edwin bends over, catching his breath for a moment. Spider holds onto the ropes, barely moving, as Edwin reaches for the back of Spider’s head. He pulls Nekura to his feet, and puts a rear waistlock on Spider. Nekura offers little resistance as Edwin lifts Spider into the air slowly, leaving Nekura dangling over Edwin for a moment, before throwing Nekura back over his head, nailing him with a delayed German suplex.

 

“He might have finished him with that move, Riley! This match could be over!”

 

“It could be, but MacPhisto’s not going for the cover! Instead, he’s going for the top rope!”

 

Edwin climbs underneath the ropes to the apron, and walks to the nearest turnbuckle. As Edwin climbs each consecutive turnbuckle, the noise from the Richmond crowd grows louder to match him, wondering what Edwin has up his sleeve. As Spider begins to get to his feet, Edwin readies himself, ready to leap. Suddenly, Edwin feels a pair of hands push against his back, and goes flying off the turnbuckle. The Boston Strangler watches as Edwin crashes to the mat, slamming hard on his side. Strangler reaches his leg over the top rope, and climbs into the ring, his eyes now focused on the woozy Spider Nekura. Nekura looks around the ring, and sees Edwin lying there, rolling on his side. A surprised look appears on Spider’s face, and he turns to look at the corner where Edwin had been perched. As Spider turns, a giant, gloved hand reaches forward and snaps itself around Spider’s neck, catching Nekura totally off guard. Strangler doesn’t give Nekura a chance to recover, and hoists Spider high into the air before crushing him into the mat with a chokeslam.

 

“Strangler just hit the Plunge on Nekura! Mark, this match is over!”

 

“Strangler hooks the leg on Nekura for the cover!”

 

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

TWO!!

 

 

 

THRE…

 

 

“And MacPhisto breaks it up with a double axe handle directly into Strangler’s back, stopping the count at two and a half. Strangler just didn’t take Edwin out hard enough.”

 

“I agree, Stevens. Strangler didn’t do nearly enough to Edwin! He has to go after him even HARDER!”

 

Strangler pushes Nekura out of the way as he gets to the feet at the same time as Edwin. Spider rolls out of the ring as Strangler lurches toward Edwin, an upset look on his face. Edwin dodges Strangler’s outstretched hands, and darts off to the side. Strangler turns and lunges forward for Edwin again, but the Mac Daddy proves to be too elusive once again, dodging the Bostonian with ease. Strangler turns as quickly as he can, and surges forward toward Edwin yet again. Edwin steps backwards, and Strangler stumbles forward, bent over directly in front of him. Edwin quickly darts forward and puts Strangler in a front facelock. Edwin tries to drop down to the mat, hitting Strangler with a DDT, but Strangler locks his leg around Edwin’s, refusing to hit the ground. Edwin strains backwards, trying to drop to his feet, but Strangler places his hand on Edwin’s side, refusing to drop to the mat. As the crowd goes silent, in shock, Strangler begins to strain upward, lifting Edwin off his feet. MacPhisto, still applying the front facelock, starts to punch Strangler with his free left hand, but the shots from Edwin’s weak hand aren’t enough to make Strangler release his hold. Edwin releases the hold on Strangler’s neck, but before he can do something about his predicament, Strangler adjusts his hold on Edwin, and slams him to the mat with a gigantic spinebuster.

 

“What a counter! Strangler didn’t leave his feet when Edwin tried to DDT him, and instead lifted Edwin up before NAILING him to the mat with a spinebuster!”

 

“That’s the weirdest version of the Boston Massacre I’ve ever seen, but Strangler might have the pin here!”

 

“Strangler goes for the cover!”

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

TWO!!

 

 

 

 

THRE….

 

 

“And MacPhisto kicks out, getting the shoulder up, much to the dismay of Strangler. Strangler really thought he had the match won, but Edwin shows the resiliency that made him the SWF Champion in the first place!”

 

“Don’t worry about it! Strangler is gonna show Edwin the toughness that made HIM the longest reigning SWF Hardcore Champion in history!”

 

Strangler picks Edwin up off the canvas. MacPhisto looks dazed, with his eyes slightly out of focus. Strangler seizes the opportunity, and whips Edwin toward the ropes. Edwin rebounds off the ropes and comes flying back toward Strangler, but MacPhisto’s eyes, once somewhat glazed over, are now shining with fury. Edwin leaps into the air, flying straight at Strangler with a cross body block. The crowds cheer for Edwin…..then boo as Strangler catches Edwin against his chest. Strangler pauses for a moment, clinging Edwin to his midsection before throwing him over his head. Edwin tumbles to the mat and rolls off to the side, stunned by the turn of events that just transpired.

 

“Edwin thought he had figured out a way to counter Strangler, but Strangler was a step ahead!”

 

“Strangler showed that brute strength might be the most important asset in this match. That move would have taken out either Nekura or MacPhisto, but Strangler is so big, he simply shook off Edwin’s cross body and sent him flying with a fallaway slam! Stevens, THAT is strength right there!”

 

“I can’t disagree with Strangler’s strength, but I think the veterans Edwin and Spider will figure out a way to counter Strangler’s effectiveness!”

 

Edwin rolls onto his side, only to be ambushed by Strangler once again. Strangler picks up Edwin, and whips him toward the ropes again. Edwin hits the ropes, but then tumbles backwards over the ropes and to the mat. Strangler looks over, and his eyes lock on Spider Nekura, who has both hands on the top rope, which has been pulled down by Nekura. Strangler charges for Nekura, but Spider lashes out with a lightning quick lash of his foot. Strangler doubles over, and Spider readies himself. As Strangler begins to stand back up, Spider springboards over the top rope, and grabs Strangler’s head between his feet. Strangler tries to resist, but Spider pulls Strangler off his feet with the hurricanrana, sending Strangler flying across the ring, and bringing the dormant crowd back into the match with a loud cheer.

 

“Spider Nekura is back on this match, and he’s having more luck with Strangler than Edwin MacPhisto was! Maybe Spider, through his better knowledge of Strangler, can succeed where Edwin failed…”

 

“…FAILED so very, very miserably…”

 

“Shut up, Riley.”

 

Strangler looks up at Nekura, who is back on his feet. The look of surprise on Strangler’s face is quickly displaced by one of urgency as he rolls away, dodging a kick from Nekura. Nekura connects on his second attempt, nailing Strangler with a kick from the toe of his boot that lands right between Strangler’s shoulder blades. As Strangler winces in pain, Spider grabs ahold of Strangler’s legs, and crosses them around his own. As Strangler struggles to free himself, Spider bridges backwards and somehow applies the double arm cross-face, completing The Web. Strangler is completely immobilized, unable to get closer to the ropes. Strangler stretches his arm as far as he can, but the ropes remain a few short feet out of reach. The crowd begins to chant “TAP OUT! TAP OUT! TAP OUT!” as Strangler screams in obvious pain. Suddenly, a crimson flash darts through the ring, and Edwin MacPhisto drops a knee onto Spider Nekura, breaking the intricate submission hold.

 

“Another near submission, but Edwin MacPhisto broke it up in time! Edwin recovered enough to make the save!”

 

“Damn MacPhisto! I wanted to get out of here! I have a table at Giorgio’s in 20 minutes!”

 

“Where in Richmond is that?”

 

“It’s right next to the Rainbow Room downtown. Why?”

 

“No reason…”

 

Strangler rolls into the corner, and sits against the turnbuckle, content to watch Edwin and Spider pound on each other for a while. Spider gets up to a knee, and quickly sends Edwin finding to the mat with a spinning heel kick to the back of Edwin’s knee. MacPhisto teeters for a minute, then topples to the mat. Spider, having bought himself some time, gets to his feet. As Edwin gets up, Spider quickly races to the corner, sends his foot smashing into Strangler’s unprotected face, and then dashes back to Edwin, who has reached his feet. Edwin turns, but walks straight into Spider’s waiting arms. Before Edwin can resist, Spider locks a waistlock around MacPhisto and sends him flying over his head with a belly to belly suplex. Edwin goes rolling into a corner, where he lies directly in front of Strangler, who is still trying to loosen the tightly stretched muscles in his neck.

 

“Spider is completely cleaning house here! Nekura might have this match in the bag!”

 

“You can never have a match ‘in the bag’ in a triple threat, Stevens! Unless you’re Strangler, since he’s so damn strong!”

 

“You were SO close to making an intelligent comment too…”

 

Spider walks over to Edwin, and picks up the Mac Daddy. Spider grabs ahold of Edwin’s long, flowing red hair and pulls Edwin by it to the center of the ring. Spider releases his grip on Edwin’s hair, placing his hands on Edwin’s forearm instead, and whips Edwin toward the ropes on the side of the ring away from Strangler. Edwin bounces off the ropes, and comes sailing back toward Spider, who shoots his foot up toward Edwin’s jaw. Edwin reaches up and grabs Spider’s foot, blocking the superkick as he plants himself, coming to a stop just a couple of feet from Spider. Edwin spins Spider using the foot, and as Spider’s face comes around once again, Edwin sends a shotei flying toward Spider’s throat. Spider ducks underneath the shotei, and springs out of his crouch with a spinning back kick. Edwin blocks the kick, and prepares to answer when both men are bowled over from behind by a double clothesline from the revived Boston Strangler. Edwin and Spider both hit the mat as Strangler pulls his arms back in and looks down at his handiwork, impressed with the results.

 

“See, Stevens? Technical ability means nothing in the face of such incredible power! Edwin and Spider tried for 30 seconds to take each other out, but Strangler did it on his first try with a double lariat!”

 

“There’s also the matter of him hitting them FROM BEHIND…”

 

“Did it work? Yes. Did Edwin’s way work? No. I rest my case.”

 

Strangler grabs ahold of Edwin, grabbing the Carnie’s bright red hair. Edwin resists, but Strangler overpowers Edwin, and whips him toward the ropes. Edwin comes flying back, only to be lifted off the ground by Strangler, who effortlessly lifts Edwin over his head. With some work, Strangler turns and faces Spider, who is staggering to his feet, while keeping Edwin over his head. As a reeling Spider turns to face Strangler, he gets a face full of Edwin MacPhisto, as Strangler tosses Edwin into Spider. Both men fall hard to the canvas, leaving Strangler as the only man standing in the ring once again.

 

“Strangler is completely dominating two men at once! This is NOT good news for Edwin and Spider right now!”

 

“BR, these matches are so unstable that something is bound to change! I don’t think Strangler can keep this going forever!”

 

Strangler reaches down and grabs Spider Nekura by the back of the head, pulling Nekura to his feet. After a hard boot to Edwin’s sternum, Strangler whips Spider into the corner. Spider crashes into the corner, where he remains as Strangler slowly makes his way over to Nekura. Strangler reaches the corner, and wraps his arms around Spider’s waist for leverage. Strangler hoists Spider into a sitting position on the top turnbuckle before Strangler starts to climb up, planting both feet squarely on the second rope. Strangler hooks Spider’s arm over his shoulder, setting Nekura up for a superplex before he pauses, impacted by Spider’s stomach crashing into his stomach. Strangler releases his hold on Spider’s head, and throws a punch of his own at Nekura. Nekura dodges the blow, which dances harmlessly by Spider’s head, before Spider plants both hands on Strangler’s chest, and pushes him backwards. Strangler goes sailing through the air before crashing into Edwin MacPhisto, who had gotten to his feet. Both men lie on their backs, motionless, with Strangler’s feet resting at Edwin’s head. Spider Nekura gets to his feet on the turnbuckle, looks out, and sees the two men, lying motionless, on the ground.

 

“Nekura can finish it! Edwin and Strangler are both down, and all he has to do is give Strangler the Black Widow Bomb…”

 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! This alliance doesn’t matter in the match! Edwin’s in much worse shape, and he took the worst of the fall! Spider, hit Edwin!”

 

“Spider Nekura is faced with a dilemma here between honoring the alliance formed between the Carnival and Clan, and winning this match! What will Nekura choose?”

 

Spider looks at both men, first at the Boston Strangler, then at Edwin MacPhisto. Spider glares at Edwin, and lines up, looking menacingly at the SWF Champion. Spider begins to bounce on the top rope, but stops as a chant of “SPI-DER! SPI-DER! SPI-DER!” begins to ring through the arena. Spider looks out at the fans, surprised for the support he’s receiving. Spider suddenly shakes his head, and turns back to the ring, where the two men continue to lie, motionless on the mat. Spider turns back to Edwin once again, and starts to set up for the Black Widow Bomb once again, but the cheers from the crowd become louder and louder. “SPI-DER! SPI-DER! SPI-DER!” echoes throughout the arena, and the frenzied fans cheer for Nekura, their archenemy –turned-hero. Nekura pauses once again, staring at the crowd, as if through new eyes.

 

“BR, I think Spider is being swayed by the fans!”

 

“Don’t listen to ‘em, Spider! You never cared about them before! Just finish off MacPhisto and end the match!”

 

“Do the right thing, Spider! Listen to the fans!”

 

As Spider looks around, a new look comes over his eyes. He looks at Edwin longingly, then turns away, and bounces up and down. As the Richmond Center explodes, Spider leaps into the air and flies toward his downed opponent. Spider slams into the Boston Strangler, who shudders under the impact, then lies motionless on the mat. Spider doubles over as the fans chant “SPIDER! SPIDER! SPIDER!” at a deafening volume. Spider leans forward, drags Strangler’s feet away from the ropes, and drapes his arm across Strangler’s massive chest. The crowd chants along as the referee slides into position next to Strangler and begins the count.

 

 

 

ONE!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

TWO!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

THREE!!!!!!!!!

 

 

“NO! Someone just pulled the referee out of the rin…it’s Chris Wilson! That bastard just cost Nekura the match!”

 

“YES! Wilson saves the day! I love this guy!”

 

The arena detonates with an onslaught of boos as Chris Wilson smugly smiles at the crowd. Spider Nekura stares in shock at Chris Wilson, who smirks back at Nekura, with a look of incredible pleasure on his face. Nekura starts to crawl up, screaming obscenities at the Magnificent 7 leader as he feebly tries to recover from his high-risk maneuver, but suddenly the crowd explodes into cheers. Edwin MacPhisto is on his feet, and glaring at Chris Wilson himself. Edwin barks out something to Spider, then slides under the rope and starts to run toward Chris Wilson. Wilson panics, and bolts, heading for the ramp, with Edwin MacPhisto not far behind.

 

“Look at Wilson go! Edwin is standing up for his alliance member, who stood up for him just a moment ago! Edwin and Spider seem to not only have survived this match as allies, but their alliance is stronger than ever right now!”

 

“There’s still time left, Stevens! Things might fall apart still! Give it time!”

 

As Wilson reaches the top of the ramp, Edwin flies through the air, and tackles Wilson to the cold metal grating. Spider Nekura, now standing, goes to the ropes nearest the ramp, and watches contently as Wilson takes shot after shot from Edwin. Referees start to pour out the back, trying to pry the Carnie off of the helpless M7 leader. The crowd’s cheers are thunderous as Edwin refuses to stop his assault on Wilson. Suddenly, Spider Nekura feels a fist go smashing into Nekura’s groin. Nekura looks backwards, and sees the Boston Strangler’s face as he grabs for Nekura’s head. The crowd, noticing activity in the ring, go quieter as they notice the Boston Strangler holding Spider Nekura in an inverted facelock. Nekura struggles, but fails to free himself as Strangler lifts Nekura into the air, and drops him backwards with the Last Breath.

 

“LAST BREATH! Strangler hits the last breath on Nekura! This match could be over!”

 

The crowd goes silent as Strangler rolls over onto Nekura, hooks the leg, and barks at the ref to count as he drops into position. Edwin, noticing the events developing in the ring, drops Wilson’s battered body to the metal ramp, and races down the aisle, shoving referees out of his way.

 

 

 

ONE!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

DING DING DING!

 

“NO! Dammit!”

 

“Your winner, from the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, THE BOSTON…STRRRRRRANGLER!”

 

Edwin MacPhisto slides into the ring just as Strangler rolls out. Strangler hops to his feet and looks up at MacPhisto as the referee raises Strangler’s hand in victory. Edwin slams his foot into the ground, then reaches down to check on Spider Nekura. Nekura shakes his head, trying to figure out what happened as Strangler, hand still raised in the air, walks backwards up the ramp.

 

“Strangler needed a massive beatdown on Edwin by the entire Magnificent Seven, interference by Chris Wilson, and a low blow to escape with the victory! What a cheap, cheap win for the M7 member!”

 

“Get over it! Strangler showed that he has what it takes to compete on a level with Edwin MacPhisto and Spider Nekura! If I was in the Carnival or the Clan, I’d look out! The Magnificent Seven is getting better every day, and they’re here to stay!”

 

“What will Edwin MacPhisto and Spider Nekura have to say for Chris Wilson and the Boston Strangler, as well as the entire Magnificent Seven, on Storm? Will MacPhisto and Raynor get revenge in their tag match, or will Frost and TNT strike another blow for the Magnificent Seven? To find out, you’ll have to tune in on Friday night for Storm! Until then, alongside Bobby Riley, I’m Grand Slam Mark Stevens! Goodnight!”

 

As the show’s credits are displayed on the screen, the Boston Strangler helps Chris Wilson up and helps his stable’s leader backstage. The final shot is of a woozy Spider Nekura being supported by the SWF Champ, Edwin MacPhisto, staring off into the distance with a dark look in his eye.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

Really good match, Strangler. It's funny--it kinda played out in a way inverse from mine. You had the Edwin/Spider tensions forming earlier in the match, and later on they re-solidify their alliance, whereas I had the alliance holding strong in the beginning and becoming questionable through the end.

 

In another bit of amusement, I had also thought of making a "Who does Spider hit from the top rope?" as one of my big spots, but in the end decided for the blown Black Widow Bomb through the table. It's like we're brain twins or somethin'!

[Guest TheBostonStrangler]

Or it's like we both remembered No Mercy 2001, but you were original enough to not blatantly rip it off.

 

Yeah, I thought it was a pretty good match, but it's just not at a main-event level yet. There were a lot of little things that needed to be worked on, but other than that, it was pretty good.