SWF Storm (Oct. 11, 2002)

October 12, 2002

Downtown Minneapolis is a melting pot of both culture and commerce. Colorful people mill about it what is known as the Warehouse District” just east of the mighty Mississippi, trying so hard to be trendy and hip or business oriented. It is an area of town that most tourists shy away from, unless they are searching out pubs and nudie bars. Amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life in one half of the Twin Cities sit the Target Center. It is a sore point in the historical section of the city. Caddy-corn is the club, 1st Ave, made famous by Prince in the movie, “Purple Rain.” Across the street is O’Donovan’s Irish Pub, a place to go for all your Irish needs. While the outside of the Target Center is very nondescript and bland, the inside is where all the action takes place. The electronic marquee flashes that SWF Smarkdown is in town, but is sold out as usually. Scalpers walk to streets outside, preying on the ignorant and feeble-minded of those you missed the buy date for tickets. A few straggling fans exit the parking garages, each with a brisk pace in the hope that they miss not one single bit of the action.

The pyrotechnics go off without a hitch, as is the norm. Searing waves of heat pummel the crowd closest to the stage but they care not for their own health. Only one thing drives the pistons of their trains of thought forward: the knowledge that SWF Smarkdown is set to begin and they will be in for one hell of a show!

“Ladies and Gentlemen, to steal a phrase from P.T. Barnum, ‘Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth,” welcomes Mark Stevens from behind the announce table, “the SWF, the wildest spectacle of the professional wrestling world. I am Grand Slam Mark Stevens! And, with me as always is Bobby Riley!”

“Evening folks, from this cold, cold ugly city.”

“The card tonight is the proverbial stacked deck. We’re filled to the brim with squared-circle shenanigans so let us get this ball rolling without further pomp.”

Silence follows Mark’s opening dialogue as Reel Big Fish’s “Sayonara Senorita,” starts playing over the PM system. Confusion sets in, as the music is unfamiliar to all the fans.

“Mark, what’s going? This music isn’t something I’ve heard before. And, you know how I fear change.”

“Perhaps one of the participants of out our lead-off bout has changed their tune… gaa, what the hell!”

A blinding flash fills the arena, causing great agony to all those in the building. Another flash goes off, and then another and some of the more educated in the crowd wonder if this is as the last sight doomed Icarus beheld before his own foolish ambition along with the intense energy of the sun melted his wax wings and he plummeted to the earth.

One final flash and the crowd realizes, lo, this is no Icarus, but a phoenix from the ashes of times past, risen once again to fight the good fight. As the flashes die off and the vision of the audience returns, a round of cheers erupt in throughout the building. For standing atop of the one of the turnbuckles, with his arms crossed over his chest, observing all nuances of his surroundings, is a familiar, but long absent, specter!

“Dear lord, Riley, I can’t believe my near blinded eyes… it’s…”

“Stephens, it’s Kamen Roja!!! Kamen Roja is in the building!!!”

A tsunami of applause fills the arena for the year-gone warrior. His mask ends blow out behind him from the AC system in the building. He leaps backward and lands in the middle of the ring, producing a microphone from seemingly out of nowhere.

“Riley, Kamen Roja has been gone for almost a year according to my records. Vanished with out a word or a trace. What has brought him back to the SWF?!

“Maybe he’s going to tell, us. I can barely contain my excitement, GS! This is a most unexpected surprise that is sure to turn a few heads and make the press talk for weeks to come!”

The dirge of the crowd dies down. Roja turns around in the center of the ring, absorbing as much of the atmosphere as he can. He raises the mic and…

“I have returned!”

The fans explode again with applause and hoopla for this masked marvel.

“RO JA, RO JA, RO JA, RO JA, RO JA, RO JA, RO JA!!!” begin the chants. He stands there, basking in the opulence of the fans’ embrace.

“Listen to this place, Riley, the roof will cave in if it gets any louder.”

Slowly the chants die off and Roja continues with his speech.

“Deceit, nature, starvation. All of these things I have faced this last year and thwarted successfully. All of these things failed, the best laid plans of mice and men were unsuccessful, all so I could return to the SWF. All so I could slake me thirst for retribution!”

Roja boldly walks to the ring ropes facing the entrance ramp. He point toward the stage.

“There is one person in the back. One soul that I call out to face me like a man and not the coward he was one year ago when I was attacked from behind. This man owes me 365 days of my life back. Each day shall be repaid with a blow against the fiend. He knows whom I speaking. Come to the ring so I can cease this prattling and let my actions speak for me!

The fans grow quiet, all eyes turn toward the stage.

“What a way to kick off Smarkdown, Riley! Usually a return of this nature would happen at a PPV, where the stakes are the highest but returns are expected. But for Roja to come out here on our humble edition of Smarkdown and rock the boat shows this man has cajones! But, who could Roja be calling out.”

“It takes the fans unaware, GS. It allows them to know that the hard-earned money they plunked down for a ticket was not wasted. They know that in the SWF to expect the unexpected!”

A pin dropping on a pillowcase would break the sounds barrier in the quiet the arena held as all waited for Roja’s challenge to be answered. The few seconds seem like eons as nothing happens. Then, seeming to read the crowds dismay, the lights in the arena go off, turning the spaciousness to pitch. A buzz goes through the crowd as they try and keep their fear of the dark at bay.

“Riley, what’s going on? This would be a terrible time for a blackout!”

“GS, I heard that you need a nightlight. Are you afraid of the dark?”

“Not the dark, the Dork, which would be you, Riley.”

As quickly as the lights had vanished, they snap back on. The return of illumination is accompanied by the appearance of another man in the ring, standing behind, a chair raised high over his head.

“What’s he doing in the ring?! Look out, Roja!”

Roja turns around as he sense someone behind him. Too late! The chair smashes down over Kamen’s head, dropping him to his knees. His microphone slowly slides from his hand and his body goes numb from the shot to the gourd.

“That bastard!!! What the hell does Perfect Bo have to do with any of this?!”

Bo raises the chair again and swings it like he was the reincarnation of Joey D! The chair connects with the side of Roja’s skull, leaving behind a horrendous dent in the steal chair. Kamen falls over onto his side, the lights of the arena dance across his vision as he fights to stay conscious.

“GS, look at Bo go. He is one vicious man. Don’t forget, he is still steamed about his ICTV lose at Genesis 3 and Roja seems to be the “perfect” release for his ire.”

“Riley, this is uncalled for. As far as I know, Bo and Roja have no past. What has caused this veteran to attack the masked marvel?!”

Bo delivers one final blow to Roja’s skull with the chair. He tosses it aside to a barrage of boos from the fans. He places one foot on Roja’s head and throws his arm into the air, causing the cacophony of hate to grow louder. He smiles and reaches down for Roja’s discarded microphone. Standing over the fallen face, Bo speaks…

“You should have stayed where I put you, motherfucker. That year of your life will be kid’s play compared to what I have in store for you now.”

More boos erupt around the innards of the Target Center.

“Good god. Riley, is Bo insinuating that he had something to do with Kamen Roja’s vanishing act?!”

“I believe he just did, you moron.”

Bo drops the Mic onto the mat and the noise of its impact mixes with all of the boos coming from the crowd. He gives Roja’s prone form a kick to the ribs and then throws his arms up into the air as ‘New York City” starts blaring over the PA system.

Perfect Bo exits the ring and makes his way toward the back as a hail of cups and debris follow from the fans nearest the ramp. He turns around as to view his carnage one time and disappears into the back. A few refs take his place as they run down to the ring to attend to the unconscious Kamen Roja.

“Someone call the paramedics. This is vile, Riley, utterly vile. Roja’s return has been sullied by the nefarious NYC’er!”

“Got what he deserves. If Kamen Roja really expected to come back with great pomp and circumstance and then find his culprit, then he is sadly mistaken. This is the SWF not an Encyclopedia Brown story.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, stay tuned as this night has started off with the proverbial bang! What else could be in store for us, live from Downtown Minneapolis.”

“My nipples are erect with anticipations, GS, really they are.” Sarcastically snipes Riley.

“Don’t touch that dial, our first match is coming up after these words.”

October 12, 2002

#1 CONTENDERS MATCH FOR THE HARDCORE TITLE

Mak Francis vs. Ash Ketchum

- Both these men have picked up some fairly big wins recently. Who will go onto challenge Frost for the hardcore title?

WEAPON MATCH

Tod deKindes vs. Annie Eclectic

- The best of 5 series continues with a weapon match! Tod took the first match, who will take the second?

Match Description – DQ and count-out rules are in effect. Each wrestler brings one weapon of their choosing down to the ring (make sure to PM your opponent and tell them what that is). These two weapons are the only foreign objects that are allowed to be used.

TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH

Frost & Taylor Nicholas Thompson © vs. Ced Ordonez & Thoth

- On Smarkdown, Frost wrestled Ordnonez’s hardcore title away from him, but it was more or less a handicap situation as TNT helped Frost for entire match. Ced will try to gain some revenge by taking Frost and TNT’s tag titles and with Thoth his partner, Ced just might do it.

ICTV TITLE MATCH

Tom Flesher © vs. Perfect Bo

- Genesis was a big show for Tom Flesher, as he not only was announced the new leader of the Magnificent 7, but he managed to beat Perfect Bo to become the new ICTV champ. Bo gets the return match stipulated in his contract this Friday.

SWF HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

El Luchadore Magnifico © vs. Sacred

- Before Genesis, Sacred beat Magnifico in a non-title match. Sacred then went on to defeat Axis to become the #1 contender and has continued on a hot streak. Will the champ fall before the Aussie challenger, or will Magnifico get some payback for his earlier loss?

October 12, 2002

And slowly, veeeeeeeery slowly, painfully slowly, we return to the Target Center and come upon fans, cheering loudly. Those merchandise-wearing folk, with their Ash Ketchum foam fingers and their Suicide King shirts, and their foam World Title belts, and their ELM action figures, are excited, all trying to get on TV, some with signs, reading:

“Yo soy El Luchador Magnifico Mark!”

“I Went To Smarkdown, And All I Got Was This Stupid Sign. Damn.”

“BOBBY RILEY FUCKED MY DOG! HOW DISGUSTING!”

and

“Storm is Ketchum!”

And after we see some of those signs, we switch to the anoouncers table, where we are greeted with a big, happy-

Riley: Fuck you.

Stevens: Look, just shut up for a second and let me explain...

Today, Bobby Riley stares into space, pissed as he sits in an extra-large Britney Spears concert shirt, frowning and bitching as Stevens tries once more to sort out the gigantic mess that has unfolded at the announcers’ table.

Riley: This is not a medium N*Sync World Tour 2002 t-shirt! YOU PROMISED ME ONE!

Stevens: My niece got it for you. She doesn’t know you liked N*Sync. She thought you were a Britney fan-

Riley: BRITNEY SPEARS IS THE DEVIL, DAMMIT! AND SO ARE THE MINNESOTA TWINS!

The crowd boos loudly at Riley’s comment, but Mark is quick to the punch.

Stevens: Shut up.

Mark turns around to face the camera again, and smiles happily. He is clad in his personalized Twins jersey given to him by Minnesota’s superstar outfielder Torii Hunter.

Stevens: Welcome back to SWF Smarkdown, where we are live in beautiful Minneapolis-

Riley: Beautiful? BEAUTIFUL?!?!?! This miserable hellhole? I’d rather be in Anaheim. At least they know how to play baseball.

More boos rain down from the crowd as Riley laughs to himself for a second. The boos catch him off guard, and he turns around, screaming at the fans:

Riley: Don’t even make me start on the Vikings!

Stevens: And I’m not going to comment on that. Joined by the one, the only Bobby Riley, I’m “Grand Slam” Mark Stevens, live here in Minneapolis! And what an opening match we have tonight!

Riley: Exactly, Stevens. As a matter of fact, it’s splendorific! Mak Francis versus Ash Ketchum! M7 versus the Midnight Carnival! What a feud these two have been having! They’ve been trying to destroy each other over the series of about a monthful of run-ins and tag team matches. It’s been about 50-50 so far in this series, which is why my prediciton for this match is Mak to go over in a 30 second squash and end Ash’s career.

Stevens: Whoa there. Ash isn’t in the Carnival, and you just described Ash and TNT-

Riley: Who’s the genius here, Mark? Is it you? Is it? IS IT?!

Stevens: I-

Riley: I didn’t think so! I AM THE SMARTEST MAN ALIVE!!!!

Stevens: *sigh* Well, it looks like it’s about time for this match to get underway, Francis is already in the ring and all-

Mak is already in the ring and all as Funyon raises the mic to his lips and the bell rings for the first time...

“DING DING DING!”

Funyon: The following match is scheduled for one-fall, and it is for #1 Contendership to the SWF HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! Introducing first, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weighing in at 225 pounds, he is a member of the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN... “THE FRAN-CHISE” MAK FRAN-CISSSSSSS!!!

Mak stands there, watching the entrance, awaiting a challenge from the Poke Freak himself.

Stevens: I bet Frost is watching this match with great anticipation, and also, great worry...

Riley: You can bet on that! Minus the worry part, of course.

Suddenly, the lights cut out, a kickin’ piano piece blastin’ over the speakers. The crowd begins to cheer a little, pyro similar to Christian’s entrance flowing from the top of the SmarkTron and spewing from vents in front of the entrance. The crowd rises to its feet, roaring with cheers.

Riley: Don’t these assholes ever get tired of this? I mean, come on! It’s the same damn thing everytime! Where is their sense of imagination? Do they even try to think outside the box?

At the same time, a Poke Ball upon the SmarkTron. It begins to spin as the crowd pops, spinning faster and faster and faster until it stops, blocked out by a picture of a certain wrestler’s head, winking at everyone in the arena. A huge pyro blast suddenly kicks up from the front of the stage as Billy Crawford’s “Pokemon Theme” blasts through the speakers. The pyro in front of the entrance then stops, and a spotlight shines down on Ash Ketchum and Mr. Nagasaki. Turning around from his Jericho-like pose, Mr. Nagasaki on his right side, he spins, smiling happily as the crowd pops. Ash turns to look, waving into the ring at Francis, who keeps an intense, but straight face as Ketchum, and Mr. Nagasaki make their way down to the ring, slapping hands with some of the crazed fans.

Funyon: And his opponent, being accompanied by Mr. Nagasaki, from Pallet Town, weighing in at 258 pounds... ASH KET-CHUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

He climbs up onto the apron, opening the ropes to let Mr. N in, then climbs in himself. Ash then climbs the turnbuckle closest to the crowd and with lightning precision, removes his shirt. Whirling it wildly over his head, he smiles as he releases the shirt, flinging several rows back into the hands of some JD fan. JD has fans? Whatever. The young child smiles as Ash dismounts the turnbuckle, turning to face Mak Francis, a fellow wrestler with an impressive resume and an SJL World Title to his credit.

Stevens: Mak Francis has to be a slight favorite here, especially with M7 behind him.

Riley: No doubt in my mind you are correct, sir.

Stevens: But he has to be wary of Ash. Ketchum wants a shot at Frost and that elusive 3rd Hardcore Title Reign.

Riley: No doubt in my mind that was fuckin’ wrong, sir.

The two men move toward each other, referee in the middle. Mak and Ash stare each other down as the referee explains the rules of the match to the two men once more. Once finished he backs off as the two men slowly back up to prevent the other from jumping them. Meanwhile, the timekeeper reaches across the table, and...

Stevens: Looks like we’re about to get cookin’ here in this match-up!

“DING DING DING!” The two men leap at the first chance they get, charging at each other right out of the chute. Ash strikes first, sticking his shoulder out as he hits a running Mak with a shoulder block, Francis hitting the mat. Ketchum pounds away as Francis rises to his feet, sending the Franchise staggering back towards his own ropes. Ketchum quickly grabs hold of Mak’s arm as he heads back towards the ropes, whipping him forward with a mighty heave. Mak flies towards the ropes, bouncing off them and fliyng back at Ash. Ketchum leaps into the air, legs extended, impanting his feet into Mak’s chest with a missle dropkick! Mak is thrown back from the move as Ash Ketchum flips, landing on his feet while Mak begins to recover.

Stevens: Quick work early on by Ketchum as he goes into his strategy.

Riley: Ash has a strategy? I always thought he just did whatever the hell he wanted to do.

As Mak gets to his feet, Ash quickly goes to work, delivering a quick series of fast middle kicks into the chest of Mak. Each kick knocks Mak back further and further until he is nearly against the ropes. Then, Ketchum chooses to strike, grabbing Mak’s arm once more and whipping him toward the ropes. Mak flies toward them, hitting them and bouncing off of them. As he flies back at Ash, Ketchum leans down just enough, arms outstretched as he scoops Mak up. Quickly, he spins and falls, slamming Mak into the mat with a huge Irish whip powerslam! Mak lets out a small cry as Ash holds him to the mat, pinning him for the first pinfall of the match!

One!

Two! Mak kicks out! Ash Ketchum promptly grabs Mak Francis and pulls him to his feet with a snap. Mak, though, breaks free of Ash’s hold with a quick poke to Ash’s eye. Ketchum releases Mak and staggers backwards, grabbing his eyes, but Mak grabs hold of him with both arms, forcing him into a grapple.

Stevens: Mak Francis and Ash Ketchum are certainly ready for this match-up! They’ve both come out string and ready to battle!

Ketchum tries to win out, but he eventually loses, Francis sliding Ash around into a quick side headlock. He tightens the noose around Ash’s neck, Ketchum placing his hands on Francis’ arm and trying to push his head out of the hold. Francis smiles as Ash struggles, here and there throwing in a punch to Ash’s head to keep him from escaping. Ash continues to push, and eventually, he is granted the freedom he desires, but in return, he gets a little confused. Francis drops to his knees, and as Ash moves forward, he trips over Francis, who catches him and throws him forward into a fireman’s carry. Ash lands on his back but scurries to his feet. Francis drops to his knees again. Trip, catch, fireman’s carry once more. Ketchum lands on his back again, this time, he gets up just a tad bit slower. This time, as he gets up, though, Francis is waiting for him, swinging his arm itno Ash’s chest quickly, and-

“SLAP!”

“WOOOOOO!!!”

Stevens: Qucik chop from Mak! Ash is staggering back from that blow!

“SLAP!”

“WOOOOOO!!!”

Stevens: Another quick chop from Mak to Ash!

Riley: Atta boy, Mak! Give ‘em the old 1-2!

“SLAP!”

“WOOOOOO!!!”

Stevens: And yet another chop!

Riley: He just doesn’t wanna lose this one, does he, Mark?

“SLAP!”

“WOOOOOO!!!”

Riley: Guess not!

Stevens: Look in Ash’s eyes! He is in so much pain right now!

Ketchum grabs his chest and staggers back in pain after the fourth chop, barely hanging in there. Quickly, Mak Francis makes his move, grabbing Ash’s tights. Mak then quickly lifts him straight up into the air before he quickly falls back, dropping Ash into a quick snap suplex. Ketchum’s back hits the mat as the ring shakes a slight bit, but in a matter of seconds, both men are back up onto their feet.

Riley: Man, what a suplex from Mak Francis! Woo! It’s amazing!

As Ash and Mak charge toward each other, Mak quickly leaps into the air, extending his legs out as he dropkicks Ash right in the face! Both men go down, both slowly getting back to their feet. They both nearly fall over as they attempt to get up, but both make it to their feet. Mak, though, is a bit faster, grabbing Ash as they get up in a side headlock and pulling him up, too, but then, he quickly sprints a few feet before jumping into the air and dropping Ash down on his face with a running bulldog! Ash’s face hits the mat, and he is quickly rolled over and covered by Mak, Kivell dropping ot the mat to make the count...

One!

Two!

THREE-NO! ASH KETCHUM GETS THE SHOULDER UP! His arm thrusts high into the air as he breaks the pin, driving the crowd to its feet again. Mak quickly silences them as he gets to his feet, dropping a knee into Ash’s chest quickl and causing the Poke Freak to cry out in pain. As Ash lays on the mat, Mak gets to his feet and begins to deliver several stomps into the ternum of Ash Ketchum, Ash crying out with each stomp.

Riley: Mak Francis is proving tonight he can hang with the big dogs, isn’t he?

Stevens: He’s certainly showing me what he’s got!

Stopping his assault, Ash is grabbed by Mak and pulled up, grabbing his ribs in pain. Ash is quickly grabbed by Mak and whipped ot the ropes. As he bounces back from the ropes, Ash extends his arm out for a clothesline, but Mak ducks under it and changes direction, headed for the ropes. Ash stops as Mak hits the ropes and flies back, exploding off the ropes with a burst of speed, charging at Ketchum, forearm extended, and smashing him with a quick forearm smash! Ash hits the mat hard, hopping back onto his feet slowly, just in time for Mak to deliver a quick hook into Ash’s face, sending him staggering back a foot or two. As Ash begins to stagger back toward Mak, he grabs Ketchum. Mak goes about waistlocking the staggering Ash, and quickly bending back, he lifts him over his head, releasing him into an overhead release belly-to-belly suplex! Ash flies through the air and lands back-first on the mat, crying in pain as Francis lands on his back, but slowly he gegins to rise to his feet after the move. As he gets up, Mak grabs Ash around the head, sharply dropping back and pulling Ash down at almost a 90 degree angle, slamming him into the mat with a sickening-looking DDT!

Stevens: DDT from Mak Francis! Here’s the cover!

One!

Two!

Ash kicks out! Mak can’t believe it! He knew he had Ash, but now, it’s time to end it. The crowd continues to boo Mak as he steps behind Ash and pulls him up into a sitting position. Mak reaches under one of Ash's arms with one hand and places it behind Ash's neck. Mak uses his free arm to reach across Ash's body and grab Ash's arm, which is on the the same side as the arm Mak is applying the half nelson. Mak then pulls Ash's arm across his face and locks his hands around Ash's neck, pulling Ash hard into a cobra clutch!

Stevens: Million Dollar Exemption! Mak Francis locks in his finishing hold on Ash! He’s gotta tap!

Riley: TAP, ASH, TAP!

As this happens, though, the crowd begins to clap, the ref grabbing Ash’a arm and lifting it after Ash doesn’t respond to the ref’s question of if he wishes to give up:

One!

It drops down.

Two!

It drops again.

THREE!

NO! The hand stays up! Ash is in it! His hand begins to shake as he begins to rise to his feet, Mak rising with him. Both men slwoly climb to their feet, and once there, Ash begins to try to wiggle and elbow Mak in an attempt to break free of the hold, but Mak lifts Ash up with almost all of his strength and throws him to the mat, slamming him head-first with a crowd-silencing cobra clutch suplex!

Stevens: Million Dollar-plex! Ash Ketchum is out cold!

Riley: PIN HIM YOU FOOL! DON’T WAIT!

Ketchum remains down as Mak Francis hops onto his feet. The crowd boos him, but he disregards their boos, pulling Ash Ketchum to his feet. Ketchum is pulled up, a bit wobbly as Francis backs up, taunting the crowd. Ash stands wobbly, Kivell behind him, trying to see what’s going on as Francis charges Ash, thrusting his leg out into a superkick, but Ash ducks, and instead, Mak superkicks Matthew Kivell!

Stevens: OH MY GOD! KIVELL JUST GOT SUPERKICKED! HE’S OUT OF IT!

Riley: SHIT!

Francis looks in shock, but as he turns to find Ash, Ketchum kicks him in the gut, causing him to bend over. Quickly, Ash hooks Mak’s arms and with lightning speed, lifts him into the air and falls back, dropping Mak Francis suddenly into an inverted double arm DDT!

Riley: WHAT WAS THAT?

Stevens: Some for of inverted double arm DDT, but Ash is going for a cover! But Kivell is down, I think!

One!

Two!

THREE!!!

But Kivell doesn’t count it! He’s out pretty cold, just getting to his feet now, and so, Ash Ketchum follows suit, ready to hit another move on Francis as he runs back towards the ropes.

Riley: Ha! Ash didn’t get his count!

Stevens: But he’s got something up his sleeve still!

As Ash rebounds off the ropes, he quickly does a front somersault, leaping into the air follwoing it as his arms coil and recoil, slamming on top of Mak’s chest with a rolling 5-star frog splash! Ketchum cries out in pain, grabbing his ribs as he bounces off of Mak Francis. He is in total pain, but slowly, he crawls back towards Mak and throws himself on top of him in a heap, pinning him to the mat. It’s not pretty, but it works!

Riley: DOUBLE SHIT! NO! NOT FAIR!

Stevens: ROLLING FIVE-STAR! COVER FROM ASH!

ONE!

TWO!

MAK KICKS OUT! A slow count from Kivell! Ketchum begins to get up, but as he does, Frost comes down the entrance ramp, wielding a steel chair and drawing boos from the crowd!

Riley: Here comes the calvary! Ash is up, but Frost is ready to kill him!

Ash is ready to end the match, slowly waiting for Mak to get up. As Mak begins to get up, staggering back, Ash steps behind him, hooking his arms as he readies to fall back into a backslide neckbreaker! The crowd pops, but just at that moment, Frost enters the ring with the chair, climbing

“CLANK!”

Smashes Ash’s ribs in with the steel chair. Ketchum lets out a cry of pain as Kivell catches the heinous act, calling for the bell quickly.

“DING DING DING!”

Funyon: The winner of this match as a result of a disqualification... ASH KETCHUM!!!

Ash collapses to the mat, grabbing his ribs as Frost lifts the chair high, and-“CLANK!”-slams it into Ash’s chest again with another chair shot. He drops the chair afterwards. Mak Francis, though, displeased he lost, begins to kick and stomp at Ash’s chest, tearing it apart. Frost quickly joins in the fiasco, stomping at Ash’s chest.

Riley: Ash lost, but hell, he’s getting what he deserves!

Stevens: SOMEONE STOP THEM!

“DING DING DING DING DING!” The ring bell rings in desperation. Kivell tries to break it up, but no luck as he is grabbed by the throat, lifted into the air and slammed into the mat with a chokeslam by Frost! Referees spill from the back. Eddy Long and Sexton Hardcastle are next down the ramp, and as they get into the ring, Neilsen of The Jungle, who works backstage now as a talent scout, begins his run down the ramp, followed by referee Timmy Thompson. Frost quickly stops stomping, grabbing Long and Sexton’s throats and delivering a double chokeslam to them. Neilsen is next into the ring and quickly, he recieves a huge boot to the face, followed by a spinning leg drop. As Thompson enters the ring, Frost getys to his feet and swings, punching Timmy in the head and KOing him as well!

Stevens: GOD DAMMIT! SOMEONE STOP THESE MEN BEFORE THEY TAKE EVERY DAMN REF OUT!

The two continue to stomp away at Ash, but suddenly, Mr. Nagasaki slides into the ring, Mak turning around just as Nagasaki gets up, and quickly, Ash’s manager leaps into the air, spinning around as he nails Mak in the mouth with the heel of his right boot, the resulting spinning heel kick knocking Mak down as well as Nagasaki!

Stevens: HUGE SPINNING HEEL KICK FROM MR. NAGASAKI! HE MIGHT HAVE HIT MAK IN THE FACE!

Mr. Nagasaki begins to get up, but as he does, Frost grabs hold of his throat, pushing his fingers deeper and deeper around Mr N.’s exposed throat in a chokehold. The crowd explodes as Frost lifts Mr. N up, and quickly, he gets slammed down into a god almighty-

Stevens: CHOKESLAM! CHOKESLAM FROM FROST! MR. NAGASAKI’S BEEN BROKEN IN TWO!

Nagasaki lies down on the mat, out of it as Ash looks up, spotting Frost again, his eyes in a piercing stare that is paired with a sadistic grin. Ash turns and attempts to make it back to the backstage area, but it’s too late. Frost grabs hold of Ash’s shoulder, stopping him and turning him back around. As Ash is spun around, Frost’s arm coils back, fist coiling into a ball of flesh, muscle, and bone. And then, he unleashes it, slamming Ash in the face with a huge hook to his face, sending him tumbling to the mat. The crowd boos even louder now, angry because Frost is just destroying a helpless Ash. Ash rolls onto his chest and slowly crawls toward the ropes, hand reaching up in panic as he tries to grab them, fingetips nearly touching before Frost grabs hold of Ash’s head and pulls him back from the ropes, pulling him onto his feet in one fluid motion. As he holds the much smaller Ash up like a prize fish a fisherman has caught, he points at Mak, speaking the following:

Frost: Get the chair.

Francis follows orders, grabbing Frost’s chair and unfolding it right in front of Frost and Ash.

Stevens: What’s going on here?

Frost grins as he places his left thumb across Ash’s neck, holding the thumb down on Ash’s windpipe. The crowd begins to edge toward rioting levels as the Ash grabs at the hand while he begins to choke, trying to rip the hand off his neck. Matthew Kivell steps between the two and attempts to breaks the hold, but Mak clotheslines Kivell into the mat, knocking the poor ref down, Mak landing on his back.

“DING DING DING DING DING!” The ring bell rings again as another signal for help, this time, responded by EMTs and a few more backstage personnel.

Stevens: OH MY GOD! MAK AND ASH HAVE JUST DESTROYED MATTHEW KIVELL AGAIN!

Riley: I love it! Magnifique!

Stevens: SOMEONE STOP THESE MEN!

The thumb remains in place as EMTs reach the outside the ring, Frost smiling as he quickly moves the thumb across Ash’s neck to indicate a throat-slashing motion. The crowd continues to boo Frost as he steps behind Ash. Frost reaches under one of Ash's arms with one hand and places it behind Ash's neck. Frost uses his free arm to reach across Ash's body and grab Ash's arm, which is on the the same side as the arm Frost is applying the half nelson. Frost then pulls Ash's arm across his face and locks his hands around Ash's neck, moving to the side of Ash and wrapping his leg around Ash's near leg. Frost promptly falls forward and sweeps out Ash's leg, dropping Ash on his chest! The whole ring shakes as several screams are heard from the audience, who are in shock as Frost finishes the front cobra clutch Russian leg sweep!

“CLANK!”

Riley: WHOA! Icelandic Leg Sweep!A variation on Ted Dibiase’s old Million Dollar Buster! But WHAT A MOVE! IT WAS AMAZING!

Stevens: OH MY GOD! RIGHT ONTO THAT UNFOLDED STEEL CHAIR! MY GOD, THE CHAIR COLLAPSED!

Riley: YES!!! HOO-AH! WHAT A BLOW!

Ash Ketchum falls limp to the mat, blood beginnign to trickle from his lips as Frost flips Ash onto his back. Ketchum’s eyes are shut as the crowd begins to boo Frost. The Frozen One points at the Hardcore Title around his waist, telling Ash he’s not tough enough to be Hardcore champ and that he’s a has-been. He continunes to do so until a group of five or so security guards hold him back and begin to escort him out of the ring.

Stevens: God damn! Frost has made Ash feel the early touch of winter, but by God... what destruction... what malice...

October 12, 2002

***As the Target Center is rocking with anticipation as we're already one match in.***

Stevens: What a night it has been so far… !

Riley: Or has it?

Stevens: … Well, we've already seen one match tonight and we have a new Number One Contender for Frost's Hardcore title, and th-- …

Riley: Or do we?!

Stevens: Shut up! … Coming right up, Match #2 of our Best Of Five series pitting U.S. champon Tod deKindes against Light Heavyweight champion Annie Eclectic…

***The animated graphic pops up; Tod shouldering his title belt and flipping his hair back, looking menacingly into the camera, while Annie shines up HER belt with her forearm, then pointing her thumb at her average sized chest. The text scrolls right under them: "Best 3 / 5 Series, U.S. Title. 1 - 0."***

Stevens: Tod took the first match last Monday in a No Disqualifications Match, and boy was it a doozy. One can only anticipate this upcoming match, which will be a Weapons Match, Bobby.

Riley: That's right, THIS time, each wrestler only gets to bring ONE weapon in the match and use it whenever the HELL he or she wants to! We all know Annie is quite partial to that kendo stick of hers, but me I'm wondering what Tod's gonna bring…

Stevens: Speaking of which, this is what our cameras caught just a couple minutes ago!

***Cut to the "Earlier Tonight" shot, as we see the recognizable back of Tod deKindes' trench coat. He's seen conversing with referee Mark Hebner. Let's listen in …***

Tod: … All right, so is this good?

Hebner: (it seems as if he's inspecting something in Tod's hand, though we can't see what it is) Looks all right to me, Tod. As long as you use this one and ONLY this one, it's fine by me.

Tod: All right. Thanks. (thrusts the unseen object in his pocket as the referee walks away)

***Tod turns to leave but he's met with the microphone of one Ben Hardy in his face.***

Ben: Tod deKindes, you're up One to Nothing in your Best of Five series with Annie Eclectic. Tonight, match number two is a Weapons Match. Do you feel confident enough to take a 2 - 0 lead, AND, what type of weapon will you be bringing to the ring tonight?

***Tod seems to contemplate his answer for a few seconds, taking the time to shoulder his title belt first. He drills a hole into the interviewer's eyes, no doubt letting him know he don't like him too much; before finally pushing his silver shades back down to eye level and walking away …***

***Back to present time. We see Funyon in the ring next to referee Mark Hebner, as Funyon warms up the pipes.***

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is Match #2 in our Best Of Five Series for the SWF United States Heavyweight Championship! It will be contested under Weapons rules, wherein both contestants will be allowed to bring ONE weapon to the ring and use it on their opponent legally … Introducing first, the challenger …

***As the lightning arrangement molds itself into red spotlights scouring the crowd, we hear "Angry Johnny" by Poe mellowing into the arena. The spotlights all converge as one onto the entrance ramp.***

Funyon: From Indianapolis, Indiana, weighing in at 175 lbs. She is a member of the Magnificent Seven AND the SWF Light Heavyweight Champion. She is the Hardcore Queen - Annie - Eeeeeeeeeeeclectiiiiiiiiic!!

***Annie makes her way through the curtains, with kendo stick in her hand and title belt strapped to her fine waist. Halfway down the ramp, she holds out her arms to her adoring fans … only she quickly pulls back, not wanting the humanoids to even lay a finger on her pristine and wholesome self. She tosses the kendo stick into the ring and rolls under the bottom rope, taking a second to admire her likeness on the giant screen and pointing at herself. She drops her title belt off in a corner since it's not being contested tonight and kills time by twirling her stick, as the music stops …***

Funyon: And her opponent …

***As "Cold" by Static X blares out into the arena, the entrance way fills up with fake smoke along with the usual strobe light accompaniment. The XF9 logo materializes itself, while the Smarktron displays a new darker video …***

Funyon: From Muenchen, Germany; he weighs in at 225 lbs. Currently leading the Best Of Five Series, 1 - 0, he is the SWF United States Heavyweight Champion … Tod - deeeeeeeeeeee - Kin - deeeeeeeeeeessss!!

***Tod is seen calmly but intensely walking down the ramp, carrying nothing but the title around his waist.***

Riley: All right, what'd he bring? Table? Chair? Ladder? Loaded Pillow? Coffee? Woman's shoe? It's GOT to be a woman's shoe!

Stevens: It doesn't look like he HAS anything with him, Bobby!

Riley: Wait, I think that's a gun in his pants! … Or maybe he's just happy to be wrestling Annie.

***As the strobelights give way to regular lighting upon Tod's ring entry, it's indeed confirmed that Tod has brought nothing with him, as his empty hands clearly show. One mighty roar to the crowd later and Tod is handing his title belt off to Mark Hebner.***

Riley: See, this is EXACTLY what I thought would happen!

Stevens: What's that, Bobby?

Riley: Tod's gonna fight this match without any weapons! He's confident he's gonna beat Annie clean!! He's too GOOD to be using weapons against her!!

Stevens: Your point?

Riley: … He is so dead.

***Annie waves her kendo stick in Tod's face, clearly burning him for not bringing his own weapon to the ring. After a few more minutes of trash talking, Annie actually convinces herself to drop her stick to the mat in order to begin this match.***

Stevens: Well, whaddya know. They're actually gonna start this match clean…

***As Mark Hebner orders the opening bell to be rung, both competitors circle each other … and connect with a stiff lock up in the center of the ring.***

Stevens: Match #2 is underway, so here we go!

***Tod grabs a quick head lock to start things off. Annie tries to free herself from the get go, and successfully shoves Tod off towards the ropes. They do the tried and tested shoulder tackle / roll over / hop across / get up and leap frog sequence, sending both back to square one as Tod grabs another head lock out of the deal. He works the head lock into a rear hammer lock. Annie reverses to her OWN hammer lock, but Tod leg trips her with a modified drop toe hold and then floats over into a controlling front face lock.***

Stevens: Nice little mat sequence from Tod there, as he is prone to do.

Riley: I think he actually likes rolling around the mat with women.

Stevens: …

***Trying her best to fight out of the hold, Annie refuses Mark Hebner's offers to relinquish the match. She muscles her way back to her feet and fires off a series of forearms to Tod's stomach. She manages to maneuver out of the hold … and she locks on a Crossface Chicken Wing attempt!***

Riley: YES!! Triple C!!

Stevens: Right in the early going, Annie going for the Triple C, but she's gotta turn over Tod into that camel clutch position! And now Tod's fighthing it!

***With the move not quite cinched in yet, Tod manages to carry the weight of two all the way over to the ropes, as he grabs onto the top strand to safety. Mark Hebner steps in with his five count, causing the Hardcore Queen to break the hold at the count of four. Tod charges out of the ropes with a clothesline attempt but it's ducked by Annie. She charges with her own clothesline, but Tod catches the arm and turns it into an arm wrench. He uses the momentum to Irish whip her with authority towards a corner. He charges after her with his head down, no doubt having his trademark corner spear in mind; but Annie moves! Tod slams his shoulder HARD into the ring post.***

Riley: Wake me up before you go go because Tod's shoulder just got a dose of WHAM~!

Stevens: We saw Annie do quite a number on that shoulder last Monday, you gotta wonder if she'll stick to that game plan here tonight.

Riley: Of COURSE she'll stick to that game plan, dim nuts! If she plans on winning that match, she's gotta stay on that shoulder like Simon Le Bon in a groupie's hotel room!

***As Tod clutches his shoulder in pain, Annie reaches for her errant kendo stick, preparing to aim wildly as can be. She turns around to swing the lumber, but she's met with a drop toe hold by Tod, sending her crashing against the lower turnbuckle! Tod quickly gathers himself up to his feet and locks onto another rear waist lock on Annie, sending her up and over, DRIVING her to the mat with a german suplex! Tod bridges for the quick cover attempt.***

*ONE!*

*TWO!*

***THIS time, Annie has the know it all to kick out, throwing her legs to one side and shifting her weight out of the pinning predicament. She staggers off to a corner to try and regain her bearing, but Tod is right behind her with ANOTHER rear waist lock but Annie throws a back elbow right on the side of Tod's head to counter it. Annie recovers and sends Tod running in the ropes, courtesy of an Irish whip. He ducks an oncoming clothesline and barely dodges a back elbow attempt. On the third bounce, Annie puts her head down for a back body drop attempt, but Tod puts the brakes on and sends a nasty kick upwards to the face to counter it. A knee lift to the gut doubles Annie over once again, as Tod throws himself into the ropes, only to connect with a big time delayed swinging neck breaker. He bounces off the far ropes one more time, this time driving a huge knee drop right on the forehead of Annie. Cover.***

*ONE!*

*TWO!*

***Kick out by Annie. Tod drags her up to her feet by the hair. Irish whip exchange leads to Annie running the ropes, ducking two of Tod's attempts at a clothesline and / or a back elbow. She lunges forward and leaps off her feet in a daring crossbody, but she's caught! Tod spins his hips around, ready to splatter Annie all over the mat with his spinning sit down Rock Bottom maneuver but she knows what's coming and manages to safely plant her feet back on the mat! Another series of elbows to the left temple manage to make Tod release his grip on Annie. She bounces off the ropes and connects with a HUGE clothesline that sends Tod down! ***

Riley: Markus, I think Tod will now be able to tell time appropriately.

Stevens: Why's that?

Riley: Because he just got HIS CLOCKED CLEANED!!

Stevens: Um, right …

***Annie takes a few seconds to recover before unleashing a barrage of fierce kicks and stomps to the chest and stomach area of Tod. Having dealt enough damage for the time being, she heads over to a corner … and picks up her kendo stick.***

Riley: Here we go, this is what we came to see!!

***The Hardcore Queen orders for her german opponent to get up to his feet, all while wielding her bamboo-made weapon, setting up a big swing. Tod's up … Annie swings … but Tod ducks! He extends his leg backwards and connetcs with a BIG time superkick right on the jaw of Annie! Tod sees the dropped weapon hitting the mat. He picks it up, as the crowd starts roaring …***

Stevens: And now Tod's got the kendo stick!!

Riley: Wait a second now, he CAN'T use it!! It's not his chosen weapon!! If he uses it, he'll be disqualified!! … (takes a second to do the math) …

Stevens: We see Mark Hebner indeed warning Tod not to use it …

Mark: On second thought, GO AHEAD!! Hit her right between the eyes!! Nice and hard!! Come on, hit her!! Hit her!!

***Tod seems to ignore all the warnings and goes for HIS own swing anyway … but Annie ducks and puts Hebner in front of her as a shield! Tod naturally stops short in his tracks; as both are now in a stalemate. As Tod grips the stick firmly with both hands, Annie tries to goad him into using it while Hebner is pleading with him to just put the damn thing down. Annie suddenly shoves Hebner into Tod's waiting arms, causing him to drop the stick. Annie capitalizes and takes control with the classic thumb to the eye. Tod staggers around about the ring, allowing Annie to finally grab her weapon and make the most of a mighty swing …***

*CRR - ACK!!*

Riley: TIIIMMMM - BERRR!!

Stevens: This is legal, ladies and gentlemen! Annie Eclectic looks to have taken control of this match … And who the hell is Tim Burr?

Riley: …

***Tod falls like a sack of bricks. Sure of her shot, Annie quickly falls on top with a lateral press for the pin attempt. ***

*ONE!*

*TWO!*

*TH-- …

***Close kick out by Tod. Annie can't believe it at first, but somewhere in her mind, she kinda knew and expected this to happen. Nevertheless, she stays on the U.S. champion with more kicks and a series of elbow drops to the sternum. She pulls up Tod by the hair, kendo stick still in her hand. Irish whip to the ropes by Annie. Tod ducks another wild swing of the kendo stick but comes off the second bounce of the ropes, taking a HUGE shot to the mid section. Annie twirls the stick around, raises it high up in the air …***

*CRR - ACK!!*

*** … and lets loose with another barrage of stiff kendo stick shots to the upper back and shoulder area. Tod tries to scramble up to his feet out of pure instinct but Annie has the answer to THAT with a solid kick to the head. Spotting Tod's left shoulder, she sets her crosshairs on that and comes down with another strike of her kendo stick … right on the shoulder. Tod pops up, howling in pain. Annie finally drops her implement of destruction, opting to grab Tod by the arm and pants, sending him CRASHING shoulder first into the ring post! She scurries over to the top turnbuckle so she can take a seat, grabbing Tod's head and arm in the process. She leaps off her perch and DRIVES Tod down with a … let's call it a Tornado Single Arm DDT!! ***

Stevens: My God!! Tod's arm might as well be BROKEN on that move!!

***Tod rolls around the mat, clutching his shoulder in the process. Annie confidently covers …***

*ONE!*

*TWO!*

*TH-- …

Hebner: No!! Only two!!

***As Annie disputes that decision, Tod vainly tries to get up to his feet. Annie notices her advantage slipping away out of the corner of her eye, only she remedies to that by burying another solid boot to the head. Bringing Tod back up to his feet once again, Annie shoves him into a corner, then extending her leg in order to try and crush his throat with her heel. Mark Hebner puts on the five count, causing her to release at four and a half. Irish whip to the opposite corner sends Tod crashing hard into the turnbuckles, as Annie charges after him and nails a nasty running clothesline! She does the old "spit and wash hand" bit as she unloads with a FIERCE knife edge chop … and another! She grabs Tod by the left wrist and tangles it in the ropes and yanks on it, drawing Hebner's five count; which is drowned out by Tod's pained cries. Upon Hebner's warnings, she takes a few steps back … but comes charging right back with a kick on the trapped arm! ***

Stevens: Good God!

Riley: That can NOT have felt good

Stevens: Tod deKindes' arm could be BROKEN!

Riley: … Yeah, that was the gist of my reaction.

***Hebner orders Annie to step back so he can check on Tod and ask him if he's sure he wants to continue the match, which seems to go on for a few minutes.***

Stevens: So far, this has been a pretty brutal match; but since last Monday night, it's been about who's the most hungry for glory. Annie Eclectic captured the Light Heavyweight championship and then she issued the challenge for the best 3 out of 5 Series for Tod's U.S. title. So far we're at match number two and it's already taking a toll on one of the combattants, Bobby!

Riley: PUH - LEEAZE! Tod knew what he was getting himself into when he signed up for this series! This is not some cheap squash try out dark match against Matthew Kivell; THIS is a best three out of five series pitting the U.S. champion against the toughest bitch in this whole damn company! When she sees something, then by Gawd she will get on her knees and do her ABSOLUTE VERY BEST to get it in ANY way she can! And right now, it looks as if poor little Nazi Boy is unable to continue because he's got a little boo boo on his arm!

***Finally having had enough of the wait, Annie simply walks over and casually shoves Hebner aside, then grabbing Tod by the hair. In a flash, he quickly turns the tables around; shoves Annie to the corner and hammers away at her with repeated knee lifts to the mid section! ***

Stevens: He was playing possum all along!!

Riley: Aw, that's just RICH!

***Irish whip to the opposite corner by Tod, as he charges and connects right away with his trademark corner spear! Annie staggers out holding her ribs, but Tod hooks both arms and sends her flying HIGH overhead with his version of the belly to belly suplex! She stumbles back up to her feet, but Tod meets her with a kick to the mid section and a front facelock. A mighty roar to the crowd can only mean one thing …***

Stevens: This crowd is on their feet, as Tod is no doubt signaling for the Sara Sequence!

***Tod throws Annie's arm up and over his head, and then scores with a lightening fast snap suplex. ***

Crowd: Hoo!

***The german grappler still holds onto the suplex hold and rolls back onto his feet, muscling both he and Annie back up. He lifts the Hardcore Queen back up … only to DROP her down stomach first onto the canvas.***

Crowd: Hoo!!

***As Mark Hebner kicks away Annie's errant kendo stick, Tod lifts her up for a third time and then not so gently drops her on the top rope, allowing the crowd one more "Hoo!!" out of their lungs. As Tod strolls over to the ring apron his his springboard leg drop that's sure to follow, Annie lets her arm hang off to the mat … as she feels something with her fingertips. She grabs it, as Tod flies off the ropes … ***

CRR - ACK!!

Stevens: And Annie comes back with a SICK kendo stick shot to the rib area of the U.S. Champion!!

Riley: This is a whole new ball game now! Tod is down on the mat once again and now Annie looks more intent than ever on taking this match!!

***As Tod rolls around the mat, clutching his now hurting rib cage; Annie crosses the ropes back inside the ring, throws herself into the ropes and lands on her opponent with a huge senton back splash! Cover by Annie. ***

*ONE!*

*TWO!*

*THR-- …

***Shoulder up by Tod. Annie gets up confidently and orders her opponent up to her feet. Tod gingerly does so, as Annie buries a knee in his already hurting mid section. She grabs a front face lock on the champion and does a mock reverse Twin Guns hand gesture and throws Tod's arm up and over her head. Instead of suplexing him up, she spins him around, moves her left arm (holding Tod's head) in front of him and DRIVES him down with authority. Fans boo at the stolen move… ***

Riley: Booyah!!

Stevens: Annie Eclectic has just driven Tod's head down to the mat with his own Cerebral Driver! This has to be it, Annie's gonna tie it up!!

Riley: 1 - 1, baby!!

***Annie walks around to gather her senses back for a second, then falls on top of Tod for the cover attempt.***

*ONE!*

*TWO!*

*THRE - …

Stevens: NO!!

Riley: WHAT?!

***Annie's mouth is wide open (minds out of the gutter, people) as she watches Mark Hebner stick the "two and a half" gesture in her face. She's just about had it. Watching Tod once again attempt to get to his feet, she stands right next to him; once again ordering him to get up. She grabs two handfuls of Tod's long stringy and wet with perspiration black hair and shoves it between her legs.***

Riley: Aw, THERE you go!! That's my girl!!

Stevens: And now Annie is going for the Daybreak! If she hits this one, it is OVER and we will have a 1 - 1 tie in the series!

***Annie hooks one arm, but has trouble hooking the other as Tod fights the move's execution. Tod suddenly frees his first arm and backdrops Annie out of the hold! … Nope, wait, he hangs onto her by the legs. He slams her HARD back down onto the mat with somewhat of a modified spine buster. As the crowd starts a rallying chant for Tod, the german one himself digs into his pocket, as Annie defies her pain by getting up to her feet. ***

Riley: Wait a minute …

Stevens: Looks like he's got something in his hand …

***Tod balls up his fist, waiting for Annie to be up … and then POW! He cold cocks her with a solid right. She falls to the mat like a ton of bricks. Camera quickly zooms in and notices a set of brass knuckles adorning Tod's hand …***

Riley: What the hell?!

Stevens: He hit her with a pair of brass knuckles!! I guess that's his weapon!!

Riley: Come on, this isn't fair!!

***Tod admires his weapon, as Annie is suddenly NOT moving. Tod falls on top and hooks a leg. ***

*ONE!*

.

*TWOI*

.

*THREE!!*

***Bell rings. As Tod's theme music starts up, Mark Hebner comes over and raises Tod's loaded right, acknowledging that it was indeed his chosen weapon. As Tod is being handed his U.S. title belt, Funyon makes it official… ***

Funyon: The winner of this bout, now taking a 2 - 0 lead in the series … Tod - deeeeeeeeeeee - Kin - deeeeeeeeeeesssss!!

***With belt resting on his shoulder, he sends a sneer towards Annie before stepping out of the ring. He removes the knux from his hand, and with a sly smirk he stuffs it back in his pocket; then resuming his way back to his dressing room. Scurrying past him is Eddy Long and a trainer, who job into the ring. ***

Stevens: So THAT's what Tod was talking to Mark Hebner about before the match! We gotta admire it was smart strategy on the part of the U.S. champion, Bobby.

Bobby: Yeah, no kidding. You notice he didn't even throw ONE punch during that match, Stevens?

Stevens: It's interesting to note indeed, as our officials tend over Annie Eclectic, who's been knocked OUT by that loaded right hand!

Riley: I'm starting to doubt about the purpose of this series, Stevens. It was Annie herself who threw down the challenge for the series, but now it's Tod who leads it two to nothing!!

***"Cold" kind of fizzles out, as the officials manage to get Annie moving again. ***

Stevens: While the referees try and get Annie Eclectic out of the ring, we got Ben Hardy standing backstage, awaiting to get a word from our World Champion! Ben?

***Cut to backstage, Ben Hardy is standing in front of the World champion's dressing room. ***

Ben: That's right, Mark; later tonight, El Luchadore Magnifico defends his World title against Sacred, in what promises to be a -- …Tod!!

Riley: The hell? …

***Camera quickly pans over to the right, as Ben Hardy spots Tod deKindes walking the halls, fresh from his match. Seeing the occasion present itself, he accosts the U.S. champion.***

Ben: Tod, you've just been through a grueling Weapons Match against Annie Eclectic where you've just taken a COMMANDING 2 - 0 lead in your Best Of Five series. At this pace, you seem to be headed towards retaining your U.S. championship. Your thoughts?

***Tod takes a few shorts breaths so he can cough up a reply … looks up at Ben with another slight smirk …***

Tod: … Too easy …

***With that, he walks away; feeling that he's told the interviewer what he's needed to hear.***

Ben: Well nonetheless, Mark, we'll try to get a word with the World Champion sometime during the evening. Back to you guys.

…

Stevens: Tag team title action - coming up next!!

***As we fade to break, we see Annie refusing medical attention as she staggers all the way back to the locker room …***

October 12, 2002

The camera fades up on the outside of the Target Center in Minneapolis. Huge red lettering reading, “SWF STORM – SOLD OUT” can be seen on a marquee with “tomorrow night – curling – standing room only” posted below it. One scene blends into another to reveal Mark Stevens and Bobby Riley inside at the commentator’s table. Riley is filing his nails with a pink file, looking very bored.

“Two exciting matches down, three more to go.” Stevens chimes out.

“Depends on how you define exciting.” Riley mumbles with a sigh while giving special attention to his right pinkie.

“You didn’t find the weapon’s match between Tod and Annie and the number one contender’s match between Mak and Ash exciting?”

“Eh…” Riley says with a shrug of his shoulders. “More to the point, this next match is going to be a total squash.”

“I know you don’t care much for Thoth and Ced, but aren’t you selling them just a bit short?” Stevens questions.

Riley looks up from his work and points the file at Mark. “They’re a thrown together tag team going up against the most prominent pair in history since Romulus and Remus. Thoth lost to Mak Francis on Smarkdown, a junior Mag 7’er, and Ced got beat down like Edwin MacPhisto at my house by Frost, who’s going to do even worse here tonight.”

“By Frost AND Thompson, you should say. Chilly Chilly Bang Bang stretched the loose rules of a hardcore match to the limit to pry that title off of Ordonez.” Stevens points out with spite in his voice.

“A little wrestling 101 for you all,” Riley coolly oozes. “In our business when you have a dominant champion, like Jay Dawg who never lost the Hardcore title thank you very much, drop the belt to a non-entity, like Ced, who in turns drops the belt to another dominant champion, like Frost, that man is called a FRIGGIN’ LOSER!”

“Or a Riley.” Stevens remarks.

“Right….hey….” Riley turns his head toward Mark as the camera whips around to shoot Funyon in the ring.

“The following match is scheduled for one fall and will be held under standard SWF tag team rules FOR the SWF Tag Team Championships.”

The fan noise stirs up a bit as “Esaka?” starts up on the sound system and the lights dim.

“Introducing first,” Funyon booms out “from Sacramento, California at a weight of 203 pounds…CED…OR…DO…NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!”

The light stay out as “Esaka?” fades to be replaced by “Little Mac’s Confession.” A hidden light illuminates the stage area where a man can be seen with a purple towel over his head while a second figure emerges from the back.

“And his opponent,” Funyon continues on. “weighing 236 pounds and hailing from Aechiba, Japan…TTTTTTHHHHHOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHH!”

The houselights fire back up as Ced whips his head up to throw the towel off. He catches it on the way down and flings it out to an unseen point in the crowd. The two men exchange determined looks and head off down the ring ramp.

Stevens: “Despite their inexperience as a team, both men work a similar striking style and we have it on good word that they have been training together in the gym all week in preparing for this meeting.”

Riley: “If they had been working together for the past four months like CCBB, then they might have something, but two names Stubby pulls out of a hat are not going to get the job done against the well oiled CCBB machine.”

“HERE WE ARE BORN TO BE KINGS. WE ARE PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE…”

While the Queen hit is usually met with deafening cheers, this time it gets resounding jeers upon the arrival of TNT and Frost from the behind the backstage curtain. TNT makes sure to walk with his pelvis out to show off his tag team title, while Frost has both of his titles hanging majestically off his shoulders and a cigar dangling from his lips.

“And their opponents,” Funyon announces “tipping the scales at a combined weight of 563 pounds. They represent the Magnificent 7, TNT and Frost, collectively known as CHILLY…CHILLY…BANG… BAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!”

Stevens: “The champions march down the ramp with an aloof attitude.”

Riley: “They may pay you to shill everybody from the World Champ to the timekeeper around here, but I tell it like it is. Ced and Thoth are not a threat and CCBB know this.”

The champions drop their title belts off at the timekeeper’s table and step up to the ring apron. Frost lets his stogie fall to the mat. He grinds it out with his heel and nudges it to the floor. Thoth takes off his white dress shirt and proceeds to stretch along with his partner. Referee Anthony Michael Hall gestures for both teams to pick their starting man and waves for the bell.

DING DING DING

Stevens: “It looks like Frost and Thoth are starting off. An interesting note, is that Frost made his SWF debut by tagging with Thoth against Mercury and Ced Ordonez.”

Riley: “A match Frost carried.”

The two men circle each other and Frost stops short to extend his hand.

Stevens: “Some surprisingly good sportsmanship as Frost asks for a handshake with his old partner.”

Thoth looks from one part of the arena to the other, getting shouts of ‘no’ from every quarter. Frost grits his teeth and extends his hand farther. Thoth obviously does not want to insult his opponent and reaches out to take the hand. Frost’s clasps the hand, then hauls off and punts Thoth in the nuts!

Riley: “Why does turning fan favorite always lower a guy’s IQ? Not that Thoth was a rocket scientist to start with.”

Hall chastises Frost for his actions, but he pays the ref no heed. Thoth trips around hunched over with both hands over his genitals. Frost darts forward to catch Thoth under the armpit in a half nelson and dives forward to drill his face into the mat.

Stevens: “Half nelson bulldog by Frost…AND HERE’S AN EARLY COVER!”

ONE

TWO

The dazed, but not done, Thoth kicks out and both men climb to their feet. Frost drives him back into the corner with piercing chops.

Riley: “You can’t let CCBB take the early control like this. They’ve won all of their matches by controlling the tempo and doing what they wanted.”

Frost takes Thoth’s wrist and whips him toward the opposite corner. Thoth plants himself firm and reverses to send Frost for the ride. The big man takes the turnbuckles in the back and Thoth charges. Frost pivots out of the corner at the last second and leaves him to ram chest first into the top buckle. Frost spins around to collar Thoth on the bounce out and drops him with an inverted DDT! He lays a cocky arm over Thoth’s chest.

ONE

TWO

Stevens: “Kick out and Frost reaches over for the tag. The champs seem confident, yet cautious in trying for the early pins.”

Riley: “Have you ever just wanted to get something over with?”

Stevens: “Every time I work with you.”

Frost brings Thoth to his feet as TNT enters the ring. Hall begins his dq count for Frost to exit while Frost whips Thoth to the far ropes. The champs stand side by side and twist backwards as Thoth nears them and he is nailed with a back elbow apiece. Frost exits and Thompson drops on the fallen man for another cover.

ONE

TWO

Riley: “Thoth has gotten more stupid, he doesn’t know when to stay down.”

Stevens: “And those multiple kick outs are expending a lot of energy.”

Taylor pulls Thoth up by his hair and cinches a front waistlock while bending his knees for a belly-to-belly suplex. Thoth quickly utilizes a standing switch to get behind Thompson and reaches between his legs to snag his left wrist while still off guard. Thoth lifts Thompson up and vertical with the mat while securing him with his other hand on TNT’s shoulder. Thoth kicks his legs out from under him and falls back with the Explosive One for an inverted suplex.

Stevens: “A trademark move from the crafty veteran. TAG TO CED!”

TNT bolts to his feet and lunges for his partner, but Ordonez cuts him off with a drop toehold. Ced springs back and drops three elbows to Taylor’s back in rapid-fire succession. Frost stretches an arm over the ropes, aiming for Ced’s face, but he’s out of reach. Ordonez feels the ice giant looming from behind and twirls into the heel corner to surprise Frost with a sucker punch! He falls off the apron unbalanced while the fans pop wildly.

Stevens: “A little revenge by Ced for Frost stripping him of his first SWF title on Monday.”

Riley: “Frost is not the legal man. Ordonez needs to keep his cheating to a minimal, although I know that will be hard for the creep to do.”

Ced basks in the glow of the audience roars for a second and then turns around to meet TNT rising unsteadily to his feet. Ced drives Thompson back down too his knees with a series of Mongolian chops, clubbing him right where the neck meets the shoulder. Ordonez hops back to plant his right leg and swings the left one around with a roundhouse kick to TNT’s face. He collapses to his side and Ced leans into the near ropes to build some speed when…

Stevens: “FROST PULLED CED TO THE FLOOR!”

Ordonez lands on his feet as Frost lets go of his ankles. Ced blocks Frost’s left hand, but not the right and a stiff hook shot sends him reeling. Frost waves and barks for Ced to come back for more when a shadow falls over his body. Frost looks up to view Thoth running down the length of the ring apron. He soars off with a cross body, stretching himself wide and flat for maximum impact. Frost lifts his arms to catch the man, but Thoth has momentum on his side and the two men crash back to the floor mats!

Riley: “Look at this cheating! Thoth is an illegal man attacking an illegal man!”

Stevens: “Who attacked his partner.”

Riley: “No, no, who WAS attacked by his partner first. Frost was acting in self defense, just like Robert Blake and OJ.”

Thoth glides back up to his feet. He turns his head to the ring just as TNT comes sailing over the ropes with a no hands pescado. Thoth bends back at the knees to send Thompson rocketing over his head and into the guardrail with a metallic clang.

Riley: “Who said Thoth could move? TNT was trying to aide his partner in this hellacious two on one attack. You can’t dodge justice.”

Stevens: “You have for years. We now have a huge swing of power with the challengers taking control. They need to exact as much punishment as possible while they have the upper hand.”

Hall leans over the top rope and starts his count out. (One) Thoth waves the recovered Ced over to him and the pair lift Frost up by his shoulders. (Two) They take him by his wrist, push him back for leverage, and then whip him forward with a push on his back for extra thrust. (Three) Frost runs the length of the ringside area and trips as he nears the steel ring steps. (Four) He twists to fall into them back first with a bang and slumps to his side, writhing in pain. (Five) Ced and Thoth grab TNT as he rises and lifts him in the air with one hand on his waist and the other under his chest. (Six) They take two steps forward and push him off into the air. Thompson flails around, flapping his arms as if he could fly, and lands face first on the apron. (Seven) The audience moans in sympathy. Thoth flings Taylor back in the ring as Ced rolls under the bottom rope.

Riley: “I’m not even going to open my mouth. Although, Mark for someone so quick to call out the Mag 7 for cheating, you’re allowing some real double dealing to go on without a word.”

Stevens: “I find it hilarious that Ced and Thoth are beating CCBB with a taste of their own medicine and that just might be the only way to wrest the tag belts from them”

Hall points for Thoth to get back to his corner with a scowl and watches him closely as he passes the downed Frost. In the ring, Ced leans into the ropes, without fear this time, and darts off. He pulls short as he reaches TNT and jumps in the air while tucking his legs up underneath. Thompson ‘oophs’ with agony as both of Ced’s knees forces the air out of his lungs on blunt impact. He hooks the leg for a cover.

ONE

TWO

THR-

Stevens: “Kick out, but we were that close to new champs.”

Riley: “If you define ‘close’ by ‘gaping chasm.’”

TNT attempts to lumber up, but Ced snatches his arm and drags him over. Thompson tries to bolt up faster, but no dice, as Ced catches him for another arm drag. Ordonez stands up while clasping the appendage and works a standing armbar. Thompson smacks the arm for feeling and rolls up to his feet. He pulls Ced into him by the armbar for a short arm clothesline, but the lithe grappler ducks under the arm. Thompson spins around wide-eyed and is whipped over with another armdrag. The fans shout approval as Ced stands up and reapplies the armbar.

Stevens: “Ordonez is in full control and has TNT more than grounded.”

Riley: “Well, I’ve never seen anybody win with an armbar. Ced’s going to have to let him out of that sometime and when he does…EXPLODE!”

TNT pats his arm and writhes on the mat. He spins around like a top and Ced jumps over his body. Thompson keeps spinning and Ced keeps jumping. Finally, Ordonez let’s go of the arm as he skips over Taylor and hops into the air with a twist. He sits out as he falls and nails the twirling TNT in the kisser with a seated dropkick. The fans roar as TNT backs up to the ropes holding his face. Ced takes TNT by his wrist as he stands and whips him into the far ropes. He lines up a backdrop, but his unceremoniously dropped on his face.

Stevens: “FROST TRIPPED CED!”

Riley: “Told you TNT was going to explode.”

Frost sneaks along the edge of the ring area. Hall turns and scratches his head at seeing Ordonez down, but Thompson smartly capitalizes with a knee drop to the back.

Stevens: “TNT didn’t so much explode as rely on the cheating of his partner like usual.”

Riley: “He’s just fighting fire with fire…er…maybe hail with hail in his case or something.”

TNT gruffly jerks Ced to his feet and throws him back into his corner as Frost returns to the apron. TNT charges in with a knee lift and Ced slouches. Thompson puts his hands up over his head in a diamond cutter gesture and bellows “KABOOM!” before tagging out to his partner. Frost steps over the top ring rope and keeps Ced in place with a series of thrusting elbows.

Riley: “Everyone talks about how tag team wrestling is dead and no one knows how to work the ‘classic’ tag formula and we finally receive a team you should be proud of and you poop on them.”

Stevens: “Poop is a classy way to put it. I respect a team who honors the traditions of tag team wrestling, but not when those traditions are the myriad cheating and double teaming that have soiled the division.”

Riley: “Yeah, you just poop on them.”

Frost stands back to back with Ced and links arms with him. Frost lifts the dazed grappler off the mat and brings him out to the center of the ring while twirling around in a circle. Frost pulls up and flips Ced off his back to go pin wheeling to the canvas. Frost points a finger at Thoth and spits a thick loogie in his general direction. Thoth’s face flushes a bright red and he makes to come through the ropes, but Hall cuts him off. Frost rips off a hearty laugh and leaps into the air for a spinning leg drop…

Stevens: “CED MOVED! FROST TOOK TOO LONG!”

Riley: “AH HELL, GUYS GET IT TOGETHER!”

Ced tags Thoth and dives through the middle ropes to the apron. Thoth climbs up the ropes from outside and enters with a top rope knee drop to Frost’s gut. Frost folds up in pain, but Thoth scrambles to lay him flat and make the cover.

ONE

TWO

Stevens: “Kick out and Thoth applies a Herb Kunze armbar.”

Riley: “It was TNT’s arm Ced was working on, not Frost’s. They can’t even keep who’s who straight here.”

Frost uses his massive upper body strength to drag himself by his free hand to the ropes. Hall calls for the break and Thoth springs up, heading for the opposite cords. Frost makes his way up as Thoth soars at him on a cross body. Frost catches the lighter man as easy as a fly ball.

Riley: “Thoth gave him a second to recover and that was all he needed. To take Frost out you have to work a non-stop assault.”

Frost twirls Thoth around with a flipping toss to line him up for a standing spinebuster, but the resilient ex-Clan member snatches Frost’s head and drives him face first to the mat! The crowd pops as Frost flops on his back and his eyes roll into the back of his head.

Stevens: “Nice counter into the face jam and the tag is made back to Ordonez.”

Ced grips the top rope with both hands and pulls down to slingshot himself over the strands into the ring. Thoth catches him overhead in a press slam position and flicks him into the air. Ced tucks in and folds out as he falls to frog splash onto the helpless Iceman from Iceland! Ced tries to hook the leg as Hall drops to count the cover.

ONE!

TWO!

THRE-

Stevens: “Frost BARELY gets that shoulder up. Impressive double team work by the challengers, something you didn’t think we would see, Bobby.”

Riley: “There you go again, pooping all over the champs. Poop, poop, poop. One double team move does not tag titlists make.”

Ced scurries over to his corner to slap hands with Thoth. Thoth grips the top rope on his side as Ced does the same on the other. They both pull down for all the leverage they can muster and finally let go to send Thoth popping over the ropes like being shot out of a cannon. He turns over on his back in mid-flight and crash down on Frost, shaking the ring.

Stevens: “ASSISTED SLINGSHOT SENTON AND TWO DOUBLE TEAM MOVES MIGHT MAKE NEW CHAMPS!”

Thoth lies on Frost face up and snags his legs.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE-

Thompson flies into the ring and stomps a heavy boot into Thoth’s gut to break!

Riley: “Let me point out that flash means nothing against substance. What did all that flip floppery get them? A kick to the tummy.”

Hall vaults up and pushes TNT back to his corner with a shoulder in his chest. Thompson tries to push back and yells at his opponents as he exits.

Riley: “Look at Thompson buying Frost more time to recover. Chilly Chilly Bang Bang is a well firing on all cylinders like their almost namesake.”

Stevens: “Do we have to point out the flying car reference?”

Thoth brings Frost to his feet just long enough to snapmare him back over to his rear. Thoth runs into the near ropes and rockets off with a knee to the back of Frost’s head. The thick ‘thwack’ echoes throughout the arena and the big man collapses to his side. Thoth plunges to his knees and rolls Frost to his back before making the cover.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE-

Stevens: “THAT CHEATER MAKES THE SAVE AGAIN!”

Riley: “Poop, poop, poop, poop, poop, oh yeah one more thing, POOP!”

Hall threatens disqualification on TNT, who protests angrily. Thoth stands up and looms behind TNT, jawing with him. The audience noise escalates as Ced creeps quietly into the ring and positions himself as best he can on the second rope.

Stevens: “I said that someone would need to play CCBB’s own game to beat them and that’s what Ced is doing by using this distraction to his advantage.”

Riley: “And that’s not illegal? You’re just as biased as I am.”

Stevens: “So you admit to being biased now?”

Riley: “………Shut up, poop head!”

Ced launches himself head over heels as camera flashbulbs pop and ‘aaahhhs’ are heard from the spectators. Ced turns vertically as he hovers over Frost, legs ramrod straight. A groggy Frost’s eyes flutter open to view his impending doom, but too late for him to do anything about it.

Stevens: “MARK OUT! MARK OUT!”

Ced baseball slides to the floor undetected, save for the explosive cheering of the fans. TNT sees everything over Thoth’s shoulder and shudders with fear in trying to think of what to do. He makes a lunge over Hall for Thoth and the ref is squashed in between them. Hall crumples unconscious to the mat while Thoth tries to fend off the driving punches of Thompson.

Riley: “Mark out for that, Mark!”

Stevens: “It would serve TNT right if he was disqualified when Hall comes too.”

Riley: “Fine by him, CCBB gets to keep the titles. Better to retain on a loss than lose on taking the moral high ground, ask any politician.”

Ordonez slides back into the ring and charges across the mat. He handsprings over and jumps up in striking Thompson with a back elbow! TNT stumbles back stunned and the faces waist no time in picking the Explosive One up with an arm between each of his legs and one of his arms over each of their shoulders.

Stevens: “Double backdrop suplex!”

Riley: “Whoopee doo! No ref!”

Thompson’s neck shoots off the canvas at a sick angle and he flops over on his stomach. The two men stare at their fallen foe and turn to check on Frost when…

Riley: “Now here’s a double team move to get excited about!”

Frost clamps onto the necks of each man with an iron grip. His chest and shoulders seethe with rage as the two men struggle against him. Thoth and Ced exchange a hurried glance and leave their feet, pivoting around Frost’s arm to kick him in the back of the head!

Stevens: “Double enzuiguiri breaks the potential double choke slam! A move that Ced used on Smarkdown to counter the choke slam and one Thoth appeared aware of using.”

Riley: “Stop pushing them as a team, they’re just two losers thrown together for a squash match.”

Stevens: “Some squash this is turning out to be.”

Riley: “Poop!”

The faces stand up and hold their arms out at the roaring throng. They look down at both of their fallen foes and then over to the unmoving Hall.

Riley: “What to do now boys? A little soft shoe routine to keep the fans interested, maybe?”

The pair race over to Hall and try to rouse him. Thompson fights his way up and leans against the near ropes to keep from falling down. He sees both men with their backs turned and lopes over to them.

Riley: “Took your eyes off the prize, guys. That’s a no-no when dealing with these men.”

Thompson spins a surprised Thoth around with a hand on his shoulder. He bends over to take the man up in a fireman’s carry and flips him out for a stiffly snapped off Diamond Cutter!

Stevens: “Hall looks to be coming around, but Thoth just took the TKO!”

Ced charges at TNT as he rises with his arm out for a clothesline, he puts his foot behind Thompson’s leg as he makes contact to knock him down with the Final Surge II. His victory is short lived, as Frost enters the frame to jackhammer him in the chest with a heart punch!

Riley: “TOUCH OF FROST! GET UP NOW HALL! I’LL GET YOU NAKED PICTURES OF MOLLY RINGWALD!”

Ced grabs his chest and trips around. Frost collars him with a facelock and hoists him off the mat with a fistful of tights. He holds him high aloft before nearly putting his head through the canvas with an implant DDT!

Stevens: “Ice Pick, but there’s still no referee!”

Frost stands up and the audience cries with enthusiasm.

Stevens: “It’s Thoth on the top rope!”

Discarding the fancy, Thoth sails off with a good old fashioned cross body. Frost drops to his knees to dodge it, but…

Stevens: “HE HIT THOMPSON! HE HIT THOMPSON!”

TNT had just stood up and takes the blow for his partner. However, he rolls through it to land on top as a punch drunk Hall does his best to get into position.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Thoth reverses the pinfall with all the strength he can gather and Hall counts anew.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Riley: “TNT GOT HIM!”

Stevens: “NO! I THINK THOTH GOT HIM!”

Riley: “WELL, SOMEBODY GOT SOMEBODY, HALL’S CALLING FOR THE BELL!”

DING DING DING

Frost gets in Hall’s face wanting to know what is going on. TNT scoots back to sit in the near corner breathing hard while Thoth helps his partner up. Hall waves Frost off with a disgusted look and marches over to Thoth and Ced. He takes an arm apiece and lifts them in victory to an insane pop.

Funyon: “Your winners and NEW SWF Tag Team Champions…THOTH and CED OR…DO…NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!”

Stevens: “The Target Center is coming unglued as are the ex-champs!”

Riley: “This is a travesty! This is sickening! Hall is on the take! I want a coach’s challenge! I want a recount of the hanging chads! I want…oh…POOP!”

Frost lunges at the two new champions, but Thoth drags his partner to the floor. They trip weary, yet all smiles over to the timekeeper’s table to receive their new belts. Ced kisses his with pride as Thoth holds his up for the fans. TNT slumps dazed in the corner as Frost stomps and screams, face redder than a beet.

Stevens: “CCBB and the Mag 7 are all going to want revenge for this, but let’s give the champs a moment of celebration as we cut to break.”

The camera fades on the laughing and smiling new champions pointing at the temper tantrum throwing Frost in the ring.

October 12, 2002

SWF Storm returns from a commercial for the new Microsoft Palladium anti-theft platform featuring Sacred ("It's EVIL.") and pans the arena. The fans are hyped for the upcoming World title defense by El Luchadore Magnifico against Sacred, but the seating area is peppered with signs like "Flesher's As Stiff As Bobby Riley," "Bo Down To Glory," "He's From NYC- I Said NYC" and "Bo: The Superior Wrestler." The camera pans over to the SmarkTron, which shows the ICTV Title logo. Tom Flesher is shown on the left in his grey suit, while Bo is shown on the right looking menacing. Finally, the camera settles on the announce table, where Bobby Riley and "Grand Slam" Mark Stevens sit waiting for their cue.

"Bobby," says Mark, "they just bumped a couple of the road agents up. Who did the JL replace them with?"

"Some guy named Mr. Bukkake. I dunno where he came from, but I like him. I like him a lot."

"Uh... Right," says Stevens. In any event, for those just tuning in, we've had quite a show already."

"I can't believe that god damn Roja's back! What the hell is Stubby smok-"

"Oh, come on, you know better than that!"

"Whatever, Grand Spam. You and I both know that he's only going to cause trouble for the honest, hardworking folks like Perfect Bo."

"Oh, is THAT why Bo attacked him?" Grand Slam asks sarcastically.

"Clearly."

Stevens sighs. "Well, in any event, coming up next is a rematch from Genesis 3, and coincidentally, Tom Flesher's first defense of the ICTV Title. He surprised Bo at Genesis and-"

"Made Bo tap like the little bitch he is."

"Bobby, just a minute ago didn't you say Bo was honest and hardworking?"

Riley clears his throat. "Shades of grey, Mark. Shades of grey."

"Right... in any event, Chris Wilson sprung Tom Flesher on Bo at the last minute, and Flesher capitalized on that to get the victory and win the title. After dropping his Light Heavyweight Title to Annie Eclectic under... questionable circumstances, Tom's going to attempt to protect his title now against Bo in the return match. Let's go to Funyon!"

The favorite snack treat of stoners everywhere stands in the center of the ring and declares, "The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the Intercontinental-Television Title! The challenger..."

The SmarkTron lights up with Bo's video.

"I will not fall."

The fans pop for the Creative Control member's opening.

"I will stand tall."

"Y'all are underneath me."

An explosion rocks the Target Center and Bo continues...

"I come from the home of 9/11... the place of the lost towers... regardless of that, we NEVER lose power."

Another explosion lights up the arena, and "New York City" by Cam'ron and Jay-Z hits. When the smoke clears, Bo stands on the stage, head lowered to the ground.

Funyon announces, "Making his way to the ring, from NEW YORK CITY... Weighing in at 285 pounds and representing Creative Control, this is PERFECT BOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Bo stares at the ground a little longer, not acknowledging the cheers he's getting from the capacity crowd, and finally he looks up. He sprints to the ring, slides in and mounts the turnbuckle to his left. He looks out, surveying the crowd, and then lowers his head again. Slowly, he balls up his fist and raises it into the air, getting a nice-sized pop from the crowd. After a moment, Bo drops back down to the mat and stands in his corner, looking toward the entrance.

"And his opponent..."

The SmarkTron goes white with the blue words "SUPERIORTY COMPLEX" and "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" on it.

Then, with an explosion of blue pyro, "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin bursts out over the loudspeaker. Tom Flesher emerges from the cloud of smoke with the ICTV Title slung over his shoulder. He strides confidently to the ring as videos of his signature moves alternate in half-second clips with the words "SUPERIOR ONE," "AWARD-WINNING," "MAIN ATTRACTION" and "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN." He walks to the ring in rhythm with the song, ignoring the fans on the sides of the aisle. Flesher climbs the stairs, enters the ring and poses in the center, head bobbing in time with the music. He stays still until the symphonic hook at 50 seconds in, which cues a machinegun-like burst of blue and white pyro from each corner. After the fireworks, the music fades and the lights come back on. Funyon withdraws the Index Card Of Superiority from his pocket and begins to read.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the man in the ring is the top worker in the SWF. After the retirement of his venerable mentor, Chris Wilson, this man has vowed to do what Wilson could not, and bring the SWF World Championship home. Whether it's Sacred, whether it's El Luchadore Magnifico, and especially if it's Thoth, let no one stand in the way of 213 pounds of superiority, let no one stand in the way of the ICTV Champion, bow down to the glory that is 'The Superior One' TOM FLESHER!"

Flesher starts a short golf clap for himself before handing the ICTV belt to referee Mike Soapdish. As Soapdish holds the belt up, Flesher strips off his warmup and folds it, setting it in the corner, then bounces out a little bit waiting for the bell.

DING DING DING!!!!

Bo meets Flesher in the center, both men staring intensely at each other. "These two don't have much history," says Stevens. "They've only met once before, at Genesis, but you've gotta believe there's a lot of hatred between Tom and Bo."

"Yeah... Bo hates Flesher for taking his title, and Flesher hates Bo for sucking."

"May I remind you, Bobby, that Bo is one of the best wrestlers in the SWF today?"

"No, but thanks for asking."

Flesher and Bo circle each other for a moment before Bo moves for the first lockup. Flesher starts in, but then backs away immediately. He swings his leg out and kicks Bo stiffly in the left knee. Bo ignores the knee kick and steps forward again for a lockup, but Flesher backs out and kicks him in the knee again. Bo starts to get pissed off and angrily grabs Flesher, who backs away and into the corner. Mike Soapdish interjects himself and forces Bo to back away. As soon as Soapdish turns his back, Flesher bitchslaps Bo across the face and throws a dropkick that nails him in the kneecap! Bo loses his balance and grabs the rope to stay standing, and Flesher responds by dropkicking his other leg out from under him! Bo crashes to the mat, surprised, and Flesher immediately dives onto him, planting his leg on Bo's neck! The official counts "ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!" and Flesher, knowing that he's not going to do any significant damage this early in the match, backs away willingly. Bo cracks his neck from side to side and gets back to his feet, then meets Flesher back in the center.

"Flesher asserts his dominance early on," says Riley. "You've gotta love a guy who's not afraid to do that."

"He's just manipulating the official, Bobby."

"So?"

Flesher looks Bo over, smirking to himself, before dropping down and shooting in for a single-leg takedown. Prepared for it, Bo stops Flesher before he locks up the grip by kicking him in the sternum. Flesher grabs his chest, stopped on his knees, and Bo grabs Flesher in a front facelock. He yanks Flesher to his feet, continues to lift and throws him to the mat with a vertical suplex! Bo rolls over and covers Tom for

ONE

but no more, as the ICTV champion kicks out. He rolls over and Bo stays on top, slamming a forearm into the back of Flesher's head. Flesher flattens out with the impact, and Bo grabs him around the waist. He lifts Flesher up and sends him crashing down with a tilt-a-whirl slam! As soon as Flesher hits, he rolls out of the ring, avoiding any further abuse while catching his breath.

"Bo's just taking it to Flesher," says Stevens. "I'm not sure Tom was prepared for this, but Bo's certainly spent some time studying Flesher's style. That's a luxury he didn't have at Genesis."

"Oh, boo fucking hoo. He lost the title fair and square."

Flesher paces around the outside, looking up at Bo. Bo stays in the ring, baiting Flesher back in, but Flesher makes a shooing-away motion. Bo lunges toward him, but catches himself and doesn't act on his rage. Flesher slides back in a moment later, and cracks his neck before going back to the center.

The two wrestlers lock up, with Bo making use of his power advantage by grabbing Flesher and sending him to the ropes. Flesher rebounds and ducks a lariat, then stops in his tracks behind Bo. He spins around and, as Bo turns to face him, slams the Puerto Rican in the jaw with a palm strike! Bo takes a step backwards and Flesher drops down, grabbing him by the leg and following through into a half crab! As Flesher elevates the hold, Bo scoots for the ropes, and as soon as he feels his leg being lifted up, he grabs the bottom strand! Referee Mike Soapdish applies the standard four-count, and Tom breaks the hold. He spins around and waits in the center as Bo gets to his feet, then stalks toward him.

"Flesher's regaining a little of his steam," Stevens notes, "but Bo still has a significant amount of size and strength over him."

"Christ, Mark, it's bad enough that BO does it all the time, but do YOU have to talk about his dick, too?"

Bo grabs Flesher and tries to whip him to the ropes again, but Flesher resists and slaps on a side headlock. He cranks the hold, but Bo simply reverses it by shooting him off to the ropes. Flesher rebounds, but stops in his tracks before Bo can connect with anything. He swings around quickly and...

"Oh my."

"Woohoo! You go, girlfriend!"

Flesher slaps Bo hard across the face, sending a loud "SMACK!" echoing through Minneapolis' favorite sports arena. Bo reflexively grabs his cheek, but, rather than take the abuse like he did at Genesis, opts instead to drive his knee into Flesher's stomach! Doubled over in pain, Flesher is unable to resist as Bo grabs him in a front facelock and slowly cranks Flesher's neck. Rotating as if he was moving at half speed, Bo very slowly twists Flesher into position ofr a reverse neckbreaker. After milking every second of the hold for all it's worth, Bo sits out, snapping Flesher's neck! Flesher splatters onto the mat, and Bo covers him for

ONE

TWO

KICKOUT! Bo nods, understanding that he can't expect to win the ICTV Title with a simple neckbreaker. Flesher sits up and attempts to spin away, but Bo keeps him in position by throwing on a reverse chinlock. He plants his free hand on Tom's forehead and uses it to pull back, both increasing the pressure and opening Flesher's windpipe up.

"Bo is exercising a classic technique for bending the rules," points out Mark Stevens. "He's using the free hand to get better purchase on Flesher's trachea, making this essentially a chokehold."

"DID YOU HEAR THAT, SOAPDISH?! COUNT HIM! COUNT TO FIVE, DAMMIT!"

Flesher struggles, but can't break the hold. As Bo increases the pressure on his neck, Flesher begins to flail wildly, hoping he'll somehow be able to break the hold. Bo stands up, obviously looking for his elevated sleeperhold, but Mike Soapdish leans in and sees Flesher beginning to turn blue. He immediately slaps Bo's arm and forces him to release the hold. Bo complies, shrugging and dropping Tom to the mat like a sack of potatoes. Bo glares at the referee, who simply pantomimes chopping himself across the neck in universal referee code for "choke." Bo shakes his head, mutters "Damn cracka" and grabs the ICTV Champion by the hair to pull him back to his feet.

"Bo's unhappy that the official broke what was going to be his elevated sleeper, possibly even the Wild Out."

"Flesher was turning blue!" Bobby Riley sounds indignant. "Without him, we wouldn't be filling arenas like the Target Center!"

"Oh, come on, Bobby. Without Flesher, the only difference would be that Mak Francis would have a first-class seat."

"Hey, how do YOU know who flies first class?"

Stevens coughs. "Uh, Bobby, I know because I fly first class."

"WHAT?! They fly YOU first class? They told me EVERY commentator had to be a stewardess!"

"No, just you and NTD."

Bo picks the largely-limp Flesher up by the hair and whips him to the corner, where the Superior One crashes into the turnbuckles and hangs limply. Bo follows him in, charging and driving his knee into Flesher's stomach! The 213-pound champion doubles over and actually flips onto his back! Bo drops down onto him arrogantly as the referee counts

ONE

TWO

THR- NO! Bo looks angrily at Soapdish, who points toward Flesher's leg draped over the bottom rope. Bo growls, grabs the leg and hooks it, recovering for

ONE

TWO

THR- KICKOUT! Bo stands up, pissed as hell, and boots Flesher out of frustration! Tom, not knowing what else to do, bails to the floor.

"Bo's getting very angry that he can't seem to get the upper hand," says Stevens. "He's absolutely decimating Flesher, but the little things just keep working against him."

"Well maybe if he'd work a little harder, he'd make opportunities! It's HIS fault he didn't hook the leg on that first pin, and he gave Tom extra time to recover and kick out of the second pin. He doesn't have the will or the ability to do anything in this league. He should just accept it and move back to that ghetto he calls home."

"I can't believe you'd say that!"

"I can't believe you'd wear a Twins hat, either, but here we are."

Mike Soapdish counts slowly as Flesher paces around the outside. Bo, still enraged over Flesher getting his foot on the ropes and robbing him of a pin, realizes that he can't win the title by countout. Over the referee's objections, he slides out of the ring and starts toward Flesher. Tom looks over and his face falls into what's commonly known as the "Oh Shit" look. Quickly, he runs to the announce table. Bo follows him, jogging toward Flesher, who's bent over the table grappling with Mark Stevens over the monitor. Stevens growls, "No! You're... not... taking...." Tom cocks his head, only to see Bo charging at him, and simply drops to the floor. Bo ends up running straight into the table, impacting hard and sending equipment scattering across the floor. Stevens and Riley's sound gets cut in the process. Flesher stands back up, nails a quick palm strike to the back of Bo's head, and slides back into the ring. Soapdish, having lost all track of his count as he was screaming at Flesher to get back in, restarts at one while Bo struggles to regain his balance. Mark Stevens and Bobby Riley can be seen yelling at each other, but the sound hasn't yet been restored. Bo shakes the cobwebs off and starts back into the ring just as the sound comes back on, with Riley finishing a sentence by yelling "-UCKER! CHRIST! YOU AND YOUR DAMN ETHICS!"

"You would have done the same thing if Bo was going to hit Flesher with the monitor!"

"WELL OF COURSE! FLESHER'S SUPERIOR! Jesus...."

Bo finally rolls back into the ring, and Flesher attacks him immediately with a baseball slide dropkick that catches him in the temple. Bo flattens out, and Flesher takes advantage by mounting him and trying to worm his arm under Bo's neck for the Superior Stretch Beta. Despite being somewhat stunned, Bo reaches out and grabs the bottom rope, forcing Flesher to break the hold. Flesher obliges and goes back to the center as Bo pulls himself to his feet.

"Flesher was going for the Superior Stretch Beta there, but it did seem a little early. Perhaps he's getting a little nervous and trying to end the match as quickly as possible."

"Well golly-gee, Captain Obvious, thanks for taking us through these uncharted waters."

Flesher attempts to keep the pressure on Bo by forcing his way over while Bo leans on the ropes and throwing palm strikes, but Soapdish does his best to push Flesher back. Bo shoves him away, helping the situation a bit, and grabs a quick breather before stepping to the center. Flesher throws another stiff palm strike, but Bo manages to catch his hand! He wrenches the arm, pulling him in for a short-arm clothesline! On impact, Flesher collapses, but manages to roll away before Bo covers him. Bo stomps over and kicks Tom stiffly in the back of the neck before Soapdish ushers him away. Flesher shakes his head, wearing an expression that says, simply, "I'm dead meat," and gets back to his feet. He turns around, looks at Bo, shakes his head sadly and steps into a lockup.

"Bo's got it all over Flesher! ALL OVER HIM!"

"Oh, shut up, Stevens. Like you know what the hell you're talking about. You win ONE World Championship and you're never the same again. Geez."

Bo smiles and nods to himself, then punches his fist into his hand as if to say "I'm gonna beat this fucker to a bloody pulp, then fuck his wife." He throws a super-stiff lariat that sends Flesher to the mat in a heap, adding a subtle nod for "up the ass."

Riley practically screams, "But Flesher's doesn't even HAVE a wife!"

Stevens looks sideways at him. "Uh, Bobby.... what are you talking about?"

"Oh... er... nothing... never mind..."

Bo drops down onto Flesher. Mike Soapdish counts

ONE

TWO

NO! Bo pulls Flesher off the mat! The crowd erupts in a chorus of boos as Bo bitchslaps the much-smaller champion and yanks him all the way to his feet!

"And the fans' allegiance has changed!" declares Mark Stevens. "The fans cheered Bo at Genesis, and they cheered him on his way out, but they just can't fathom the sadism that Bo's showing!"

Riley perks. "Sadism?" When he realizes Stevens is talking about the match, and not studded leather, he just sighs sadly. "Dang."

Bo bends Flesher over, puts him in a front facelock and drops to the mat, slamming Tom's head into the ground! After the first DDT, he stands back up and wrenches Flesher's neck en route to pulling him back to his feet and landing a second DDT! Bo stands up once more, yanking Tom to his feet with utter disregard for his personal safety, and drops to the mat to slam him headfirst into the canvas with a third rolling DDT! Flesher lands spread-eagled on the mat, chest rising shallowly, and is obviously unconconscious. Bo drops down on top of him and drapes himself across Flesher's body as Kivell counts

ONE

TWO

The crowd pops loudly as....

WAIT! "What's this?!" Mark Stevens cranes his neck toward the entranceway as all the fans look over and cheer. "Kaimen Roja!!!!!! KAIMEN ROJA IS MAKING HIS WAY TO THE RING, AND HE HAS A CHAIR!"

Mike Soapdish, distracted by the commotion, fails to make the three-count, but it doesn't matter, as Bo gets up off Flesher to bait Roja on his own. Roja continues walking, enjoying the pop, and finally stops at the end of the ramp. He sets up his chair and sits down, crossing his arms across his chest and sitting idly.

"It looks like Kaimen Roja's come out to get a better look at Perfect Bo!" says Stevens. "He wants to see what he's going to have to compete with!"

"You Carnies are so naive when it comes to one of your own. Roja's out here to retaliate, plain and simple!"

Bo leans over the top rope, yelling at Roja to get back to the locker room. Very slowly, Tom Flesher gets to his feet and sees an opening. He staggers behind Bo, locks his hands around his waist and pushes forward before rolling backwards and pulling Bo's tights for a Rolling Prawn! Mike Soapdish, well aware of Flesher's penchant for tight-pulling on this move, looks for it and immediately slaps Flesher's hands away, setting him off-balance. Bo rolls through, coming out on top, but Flesher yanks the tights again for leverage and ends up back on top! The official refusaes to count the fall, and Flesher finally gets back up and stumbles to the center of the ring. Bo rolls back to his feet and regains his stance.

The two square off, but Flesher avoids a lockup by kicking Bo in the knee to divert his attention and then nailing him with a shotei to the jaw. Flesher steps around him and whips him to the ropes. As Bo rebounds, Flesher steps forward and nails him with a Yakuza kick! Bo staggers backwards, and Flesher follows it up with a charging palm strike that sends Bo toppling over the ropes! The New York City resident lands on his feet, and Flesher grabs the middle rope. He swings out, hitting the Perfect One in the face with a baseball slide dropkick! Bo staggers back into the guardrail, and Flesher slides out of the ring. Stevens mutters, "Oh God... not again" as Flesher quickly pressures Bo backwards with a desperate flurry of palm strikes.

"Woohoo! Go Flesher!"

"Just keep them away from the table!"

Flesher grabs the stunned challenger by his arm and whips him hard into the cornerpost, following quickly as soon as he releases him. As Bo hits the post, Flesher nails him with a stiff Yakuza kick, squeezing Bo's head like a cantaloupe between his boot and the steel. Bo collapses, and Flesher takes a momentary breather.

"This is the first rest Flesher's gotten in the whole match," says Stevens. "He should be capitalizing, but he's just trying to regain his wind!"

"Oh, bullshit. Flesher's been doing the rope-a-dope."

"Bobby, I thought we established that he doesn't REALLY do that."

"Yeah, and I thought we established that you're a tool, but you still keep calling yourself 'Grand Slam.'"

"Um..."

"I mean, I figured you'd at least be calling yourself 'Dremel' by now."

Flesher grabs Bo and, exerting huge amounts of energy just to pull him to his feet, sends him crashing into the announce table. On impact, Stevens and Riley grab their headsets and get the hell out of the way. Bo slumps over the edge. Flesher grabs Bo's bald head and smashes it against the table, sending a sickening THUD resonating through the arena. "My GOD!" says Stevens as Flesher rolls Bo onto the table, and then slides back into the ring.

Riley laughs gleefully. "Do you know what he's going to do?"

"I certainly hope not."

Slowly, operating on pure adrenaline, Flesher goes to the nearest corner and leans on it. He gulps, and defeatedly starts to climb the ropes. He climbs the bottom turnbuckle, then the middle, and finally reaches the top. Looking down at Bo's motionless body, Flesher takes a deep breath and raises his arms into the air. He gulps again, looking unready, but swings his arms down and leaps off, diving down to the announce table with a flying headbutt. As he floats down, focusing his descent onto his opponent, his face abruptly changes.

Oh, fuck.

Bo rolls out of the way! With the loud CRACK of the wood splitting, Flesher goes through the announce table, and Bo pulls himself to his feet on the ring apron. The fans burst into a chant of "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" as Mark Stevens and Bobby Riley stand speechless.

Stevens says, "Holy shit!"

Riley concurs. "Holy shit!"

The soundman mutters, "Holy shit..." as he forgets to bleep the commentators.

The fans continue their chant as Bo shakes off the cobwebs. Mike Soapdish, shocked and sickened by Flesher's suicidal plunge, breaks the count and, in fact, needs help picking his jaw up off the floor. Kaimen Roja simply cheers along with the fans.

Bo staggers over to Flesher, who lays motionless in the rubble that was the announce table. He grabs Flesher and throws him against the apron, then rolls him back into the ring. Flesher simply lays on the edge of the mat while Bo slides back in. Bo lifts him up and whips him to the ropes. Flesher grabs the top strand, though, to stop his progress and try to get another rest period. Bo charges at him, nailing him with a stiff lariat that nearly sends the ICTV Champion over the top rope. Bo, though, holds on to Flesher and keeps him from tumbling to the outside. Instead, he slams Flesher to the mat, shouts "You stopped me before, but you aren't gonna stop me now!" at Mike Soapdish, and pulls Flesher back up. Standing behind him, Bo throws a half nelson behind Flesher's left shoulder. He reaches around, locking his arm across Flesher's throat in the Wild Out katahajime! He starts to swing Flesher wildly, and Grand Slam Mark Stevens shouts, "This could be the beginning of the end!" Riley just gulps.

Flesher tries desperately to fight the hold. He plants his feet as best he can on the bottom turnbuckle, but Bo swings him away! Flesher elbows and flails wildly, and manages to get his feet on the turnbuckles again. As fast as he can, he kicks his way up the cornerpost and flips backwards! Bo fails to release the katahajime in time, and Flesher ends up on top, his hips stacked over his head in a pinning position! Mike Soapdish counts

ONE

TWO

THR- NO! Bo releases the Wild Out and kicks out just in time! He shoves Flesher off and stands up. Bo looks pissed off at Tom's very existence; Tom just looks pathetic. Bo kicks Flesher in the neck, mercilessly unloading his anger and taking out his frustration on the ICTV Champion. Flesher curls up into a ball, trying as best he can to avoid the impact, but Bo persists in making Tom his bitch. Once he's satisfied his daily Flesher-kicking requirement, Bo yanks the Superior One to his feet and slaps him hard across the face. Flesher stands there, with a face that says "My dog just died," and murmurs, "Thank you, sir... may I have another?"

Needless to say, Bo obliges.

"Flesher can hardly stand," says Mark Stevens. "Mike Soapdish should stop this match! Nothing more is going to be accomplished! It's all academic from here!"

"Come on, Mark... Flesher's more than capable of-"

Bo cuts Riley off by smashing his knee into Flesher's stomach, sending Tom flipping to the mat.

"Never mind."

Bo looks over at Kaimen Roja, still sitting and ringside, and points to his crotch dismissively, muttering about his black man's cock. Roja no-sells the comment, and Bo turns around. He grabs Flesher by the hair and spins, sending Flesher careening toward the corner. On the way in, though, Flesher collapses and screams, grabbing his thigh. "OH MY GOD," he shouts. "JESUS CHRIST, MY ****ING QUAD! CRAP!"

Everything in the arena stops. Even Bo stops in his tracks. Mike Soapdish drops down and talks to Flesher.

"Uh... fans... we're... we're very sorry about this," says Mark Stevens. "Obviously, something in the ring has gone very, very wrong, and..."

With that, Kaimen Roja stands up and folds his chair, then jumps to the apron. He sneaks up behind Bo, and....

BONG~!

Bo takes the chairshot directly on the head and collapses to the mat like he was shot. The fans immediately start shouting about it, but by that time Roja has unfolded his chair and taken his seat back on the apron. Flesher hears the noise, assumes Roja's done something useful, and pops back to his feet. Soapdish's jaw drops again. "Are you OKAY?!"

"Absolutely. Just a charlie horse, good sir."

The fans burst into a chorus of boos, with a select few chanting "YOU SUCK DICK! YOU SUCK DICK!" Flesher runs over and grabs Bo's head. He drags the Puerto Ricano hoss to the corner and mounts the top rope, planting his knee behind Bo's neck. With that, Flesher leaps off the turnbuckle and drives Bo's face into the mat with the Ego Trip! A few beer cups hit the ring as Flesher rolls Bo's body over and Soapdish counts

ONE

TWO

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

DING DING DING!!!!!!!

Funyon announces, "Your winner, and STILL SWF ICTV Champion... the Superior One, TOM FLESHER!" Flesher nearly collapses as Soapdish raises his hand. He sees Bo start to come to and decides it might be best to get the hell out of dodge. He grabs the belt and his warmup suit, and slides out of the ring.

"Flesher, making what's probably the wise decision," says Stevens. "I'm not sure he could take what Bo's going to be ready to dish out when he wakes up."

Flesher carries the belt over one shoulder and the warmup jumbled in his arms. As he walks by Roja, though, he stops. He looks his unwitting ally for the night up and down, and then salutes him. Staring and nodding, Tom backs slowly away on his way to the locker room. As Roja looks confused at Flesher...

October 12, 2002

Smarks Wrestling Federation Storm comes back from another short commercial break, showing nothing but a solid black screen. The fans wonder what's going on, as the announcer’s converse with attendants at ringside, wondering whether the picture has been lost. But suddenly, their questions are answered, as the screen begins to flicker and become fuzzy. A "Kzzt" sound is heard in the background as the camera finally comes back to the arena, slowly zooming in from the rafters, as everything appears black and white. "Save Yourself" by Stabbing Westward kicks up, and out comes none other than your favourite Australian, and probably only mine, Sacred. He walks to the Centro of the entranceway, looking around at the fans, almost strutting along, looking maybe a little too confident going into this world title match. He stops, and slowly raises his arms out either side of him, as the fans boo and jeer, shouting taunts to their number one enemy in the SWF. Sacred walks down the ramp way, sneering at nearby fans.

"And so the time is upon us," Stevens begins, "Another world title match is about to begin, and what a historic one this is Bobby Riley!"

"You bet your sweet... tuxedo Mark! El Luchadore Magnifico, the most successful Mexican wrestler in the SWF, and maybe the United States, takes on the most famous Australian wrestler in the world, in this man, Sacred."

"I think there's like a total of three Australian wrestlers in the world," Stevens says, groaning.

"Well it's true! Sacred has fought long and hard to get this far, and now he finally has the opportunity to win the world title, something many people said he would never do."

"But he has to defeat Magnifico, a two time world champion now, who has beaten the very best in the SWF, and looks as strong as ever. The crowd here tonight are going to be behind their favourite Mexican one hundred percent!"

Sacred reaches ringside, and takes his time, walking around the ring, taking his time while Funyon gets on the mic to make his introductions, "The following contest, is scheduled for one fall! And it is for the Smarks Wrestling Federation WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!" The crowd pops loud and hard for that, knowing their going to see something fantastic. "Introducing first, from Adelaide Australia! standing six foot one, and weighing two hundred an thirty one pounds... he is a former ICTV, US, Hardcore, Light heavyweight, Stables and Tag Team champion of the SWF, and one crazy Aussie... please welcome... SACRED!"

The crowd do nothing of the sort, as they jeer for Sacred, who slides into the ring and leaps to his feet, looking straight down at the canvas as he prepares mentally for his match.

"That's quite a list of accomplishments..." Stevens notes, "And if he wins tonight, he can add that one elusive title to his name, and make history for the first time."

The crowd begin to settle down as Sacred stretches against the ropes, but his preparation is suddenly broken a Mexican voice shouts over the P.A system, "Uno! Dos! Tres! Quato!" and orange pyro explodes from each turnbuckle, making Sacred jump back in fright! Following the pyro extravaganza, "Mission Trip to Mexico" by Bunch of Believers hits to a massive, and I mean massive pop from the crowd, who cheer for El Luchadore Magnifico! The man himself comes running out from behind the curtain, world title strapped to his waist and a huge smile across his face!

"That's right, Sacred has to overcome this man, E - L - M! Who has been on a great run as of late, and looks to begin another length title reign!"

"I wouldn't count your chickens before they hatch Mark, if anything, Sacred is known for surprises ,and I for one, hope he pull out another one here tonight!"

Magnifico bolts down the ramp way as Funyon proudly gets on the mic, "And his opponent, from Mexico City! Standing five foot eleven and weighing one hundred and ninety three pounds... he is YOUR World Heavyweight Champion, and the leader of the Midnight Carnival... he is... ELLL LUUUUCHHHADDDOOOORREEE MAAAAGGGGNNNIIIFFFIIICCCOOOO!"

The crowd shout with Funyon, taking great delight in announcing Magnifico's name as he runs to ringside and slides into the ring, putting Sacred on the back foot already as he circles him, almost taunting him. Magnifico climbs to the top rope and looks out at the fans, showing his broad smile and showing off his world title for everyone too see. As his music winds down, Magnifico hops off he turnbuckles and un straps his title, handing it to the referee, who holds it aloft, and the fans cheer once again!

"I've been waiting for this all night Mark! Two great athletes, both great wrestlers who represent the best the SWF has to offer!"

"For once I can agree with you Bobby, I just feel sorry that one of these men will have to be the loser, because they both deserve to hold the title." Stevens notes, as Funyon leaves the ring and the referee calls to the time keeper at ringside to ring the bell!

And as the bell rings, the crowd start to roar as El Luchadore Magnifico and the Sacred One stare at each other, blocking everything else out of their minds, focusing on now, on defeating each other, so they can hold the most prestigious title in the SWF. They begin to circle one another, as the fans support is solely behind Magnifico, and he stops and smiles, acknowledging his fans. Sacred looks from side to side, groaning as he listens to the fans chant, "E - L - M! E - L - M!" Sacred takes a few steps towards Magnifico, but the Mexican is on his guard, hopping away as the stand of continues.

Stevens sits on the edge of his seat as he watches the two men in the ring, "If you had to predict the winner of this bout, you would have to say Magnifico. He's been here before, the world title on the line, everything to play for, and he has got to be more composed. Sacred, on the other hand, this is his first world title bout, and even though it's such a momentous occasion for him, he has to keep his feelings in check, and stick to his game plan, or Magnifico will just overwhelm him with his speed."

"Mark, Magnifico may have had more world title bouts, but the fact remains that Sacred has been in the SWF much longer, almost two years in fact." Riley states, arguing Stevens synopsis. "He's had the world title on his mind since the moment he entered this federation, and now that he's here, he's going to show everyone what an under appreciated disgruntled Australian can do."

Magnifico and Sacred cautiously approach each other, spurred on by the crowd's noise. They hold their hands in the air, towards each other, just about to touch. Their fingers make contact, and lock together, as Sacred makes the first move, delivering a stiff kick to Magnifico's side. Sacred delivers another martial arts kick, before twisting Magnifico's arm around and holding it behind the Mexican, performing a simple Hammerlock. The crowd begins to quiet down as the action commences, as Magnifico tries to fight out of the submission, but Sacred yanks a bit harder, keeping him in place. Suddenly, Magnifico reverses the hold, putting on a Hammerlock of his own. Sacred quickly counters, grabbing Magnifico by the head, and flipping up, and over the top of him, landing behind him. Sacred grabs Magnifico by the waist and lifts him up and turns him over in mid air, slamming him down face first, almost Greco Roman style. Sacred applies a reverse armbar, sitting on top of Magnifico's arm and wrenching back, but ELM counters that, reaching back with his legs and catching Sacred around the head with his ankle's, flipping him over his body. The two quickly turn to each other, only to fin the other is already on their feet!

"Some nice mat work to start off, with neither man getting a distinct advantage." Riley says.

Stevens replies, "These two have faced twice before, each holding one win over the other. They've watched tapes of each other, strategies. they'll know what moves to look out for and what they have to do to win!"

The crowd roar once again as Magnifico and Sacred circle, pondering their next move. ELM advances at Sacred, kicking him in the gut and hooking his arm over his shoulder, ready for a suplex, but Sacred blocks his attempts, and lifts ELM up with a suplex of his own! Sacred can't hold him though, as Magnifico slips out the back, grabbing Sacred by the waist and pulling him down to the mat with a Victory Roll, but Sacred rolls out onto his feet as Magnifico is still on his back, and Sacred capitalizes, running forward and grabbing both of ELM's legs, flipping over with a bridged pin attempt!

O

N - But Magnifico powers out and gets to his feet as the crowd pop for their favourite Mexican.

"Exciting start here, but I wouldn't expect anything less from these two!" Stevens exclaims.

"Unlike other matches before, Sacred hasn't started to work on a part of his opponents body, but I'm sure he'll have something in mind knowing his diabolical mind."

Stevens responds, "Whenever Sacred has worked on a part of his opponents body, whether it be their leg, their arm or ever their neck, he has always won the match. He is becoming a master of mind games, learning how to dictate the pace of a match, using psychology, and adapting to his opponents style and compensating."

Sacred grunts and charges at Magnifico, but the Mexican catches him with a fast hitting hip toss, taking him to the mat. Magnifico quickly capitalizes with an armbar, but Sacred rolls onto his upper back and springs up to his feet, grabbing Magnifico's arm and wrenching it, before yanking it upward and pulling him down face first to the mat! ELM cries out as Sacred picks him up again and takes him down with another armbar takedown!

"I think Sacred's found his spot to aim for, but the question is, why the arm?" Riley asks while following the action intently.

"Who knows what Sacred thinks most of the time, I'd hate to see the thoughts that reside in his head, but you know he has a plan for ELM, and it's only a matter of time until we find out what he's up to!" Mark replies.

Sacred twists Magnifico's arm around again, and whips him into the ropes. ELM comes back, as Sacred tries for a Roundhouse kick, but misses. ELM puts on the breaks and sweeps his opponents legs out from under him with one sweeping kick! ELM runs to the ropes and rebounds off of them, comes back towards Sacred and performs a somersault, hitting Sacred with a leg drop! "Great fast hitting move from the champion!" Stevens says happily, watching his Carnie friend hook Sacred by the leg.

"I know your gonna be bias towards Mags, Carnie pride, pfft, I spit on Carnie pride..." Riley replies, suddenly becoming disgusted.

"Darn! I thought nice and intelligent Riley was going to call this match." Stevens replies with a mock grin.

O

N

E

T - But Sacred gets a shoulder up, as the referee shoots up two fingers much to the crowd's disappointment. Magnifico doesn't rest for one minute as he lifts Sacred to his feet and "Whoo!" Hits a thunderous knife-edge chop! "Whoo!" He hits again. "Whoo! Whoo!" Sacred cringes and holds his chest, but Magnifico follows up, whipping the Australian in the corner. Mag turns around and charges towards his opponent, leaping into the air and coming down towards Sacred with an avalanche splash! But Sacred moves out of the way just in time! The Mexican lies face buried in the top turnbuckle pad, as Sacred lifts up his opponents legs, leaving him holding onto the top rope and feet resting on top of Sacred's shoulders. He is suddenly thrown off by Sacred, but manages to and maneuver himself outside, and onto the ring apron. Sacred swings with a wild forearm, but Magnifico ducks and hits a shoulder charge into his ribs. Sacred stumbles backward, giving ELM enough time to spring up to the top rope, springboarding off and landing on Sacred's shoulders, flipping him to the mat with a Hurricanrana!

"Magnifico, using his Lucha-Libre background knowledge to it's fullest effect, hitting a beautiful springboard Hurricanrana!" Stevens yells.

"I know for sure we're gonna see something we've never seen before, especially with these two in the ring, and so much on the line!" Riley replies, matching Stevens' enthusiasm.

Sacred is semi-stunned as he crawls into the corner and gets himself to his feet, as the crowd cheers for Magnifico, bringing a smile to the Mexican's face. Sacred crawls out of the corner into the center of the ring as Magnifico goes on the charge, but it backfires when Sacred ducks, lifts him up and throws him face first into the corner! ELM stumbles backward as Sacred rolls onto his back, using his feet to pull Magnifico down by the arms and down onto his shoulders, pinning him down to the canvas!

O

N

E

T - But no! Magnifico springs out onto his feet as Sacred sits on the mat, unable to block a diving dropkick to the face by Magnifico! The shot prompts an instantaneous, "Ooooh!" from the fans, such was the impact. ELM rolls Sacred onto his feet and whips him into the ropes. Sacred comes back from the ropes as Magnifico leap frogs over the top of him, and Sacred continues to the opposite ropes. Sacred returns, as Magnifico goes onto his back and buries his feet into Sacred's chest and propels him into the air with a Monkey Flip! But Sacred flips through the air and lands on his feet! Magnifico gets to his feet, but Sacred knocks him back down with a spinning fly kick, connecting with ELM's stomach. Magnifico gets onto his feet, holding his stomach, as Sacred locks on a side headlock, wrenching away at Mag's neck, but Magnifico pushes him into the near ropes, and them pushes him across the ring into the far ropes. Sacred comes back and dives through Magnifico's legs, getting to his feet and wrapping Magnifico's arm around his head, pulling him down to the canvas with the Knifey Spoony Neckbreaker!

"Knifey Spoony! God I always get a kick out of saying that." Riley says with a sheepish grin.

"Notice how Sacred used Magnifico's right arm, the one he has been working on, to perform the move, he's really starting to work on that arm." Stevens notes.

"A usual strategy against a high flyer the caliber of Magnifico would be to ground him, and really work on his legs, but Sacred's going a different route, I only hope he knows what he's doing, because I would love to see him win tonight... Just to see the look n your face Mark." Riley says with an evil chuckle.

"Don't push it my friend, just... don't push it."

Sacred clambers over and hooks ELM by the leg as the referee slides over.

O

N

E

T

W

O - But again, Magnifico kicks out! The crowd cheer for ELM, as Sacred looks around with a disgruntled look on his face. He picks up the Mexican and whips him into the ropes. Magnifico returns, only to fall back down to the mat as Sacred hits a leg lariat! Sacred takes his sweet time as he circles the champion, as the crowd show their displeasure towards his cocky demeanor. The Aussie manages to grin and ignores the crowd, as he drops to the mat and locks on a short arm scissors! Magnifico instantly starts to writhe in pain as Sacred doesn't hold back the slightest, wrenching and twisting Magnifico's arm in between his legs.

"The short arm scissors is a relatively simple move, but Sacred is really locking it in, and with the damage already done to Magnifico's arm, he may just tap!" Riley yells hopefully.

The referee drops to his knee's, asking Magnifico, "Give up? Give up?" Magnifico answers in Spanish, which the ref doesn't understand, not knowing if Magnifico just gave up or not. ELM's definite answers comes when he crawls forward on his back and throws his feet on the first rope! The referee asks nicely for Sacred to let go, even saying 'please', but Sacred keeps the hold locked on! Magnifico shrieks in pain. The referee counts, "One! Two! Three! Four! Get off of him!" Sacred finally lets go, giving a quick glare at the SWF referee, as if to remind him he's on his payroll. Sacred takes a few short steps forward and drops his knee down on Magnifico's arm, as the Mexican rolls away, holding his arm as Sacred considers his next move, drawing out the match even longer, along with Magnifico's pain.

Magnifico gets to his feet, but before he can take one single breath, Sacred is back on him, wrenching his arm and whipping him into the opposite ropes. Magnifico ducks another leg lariat and bounces off the ropes, leaping up to Sacred's shoulders and flipping him over with an ankle scissors! Sacred seems surprised as he rolls onto his feet, as Magnifico rears back and... "Whoo!" The chop echoes through the arena. "Whoo!" The champion builds some momentum as the crowd suddenly resurrects itself, clapping as Magnifico knocks Sacred back into a corner and lets the chops fly, before whipping him across the ring. Sacred thumps himself in the corner and stumbles forward, losing his breath for a moment as Magnifico sprints across the ring, trying to jump up onto Sacred shoulders again, but Sacred catches him under his legs and throws him onto the top rope! Magnifico manages to keep his footing on the top rope, as Sacred gives a weary grin, thinking he got the best of Magnifico again.

"Oh shit! Turn around Sacred, turn around!" Riley cries in vain.

"Sacred's confidence may be his downfall, as you should never turn your back on Magnifico for a split second! Now Sacred has let ELM back in this match!" Stevens replies enthusiastically.

Magnifico hops on the top rope, before performing a back flip, catching Sacred by the head as he falls to the mat, driving Sacred down face first with a DDT! "What a move!" Stevens yells. "He may have it right here!" The referee slides over and slams his palm on the mat as Magnifico hooks the Aussie by the leg.

O

N

E

T

W

O

T

H - But the referee stops the count, pointing to Sacred's foot on the first rope! Magnifico looks at the referee, then the foot, and holds his head in his hands, as the crowd shares his sentiment and sigh in disbelief. "Sacred's still in this, bah Gawd!" Riley cries happily, taunting his commentary partner. Magnifico turns to the fans and hears them applaud his efforts, giving him a reason to smile. ELM becomes inspired, and climbs to the top rope, facing out to the fans. He reaches the top, saluting them as he flips off, coming down to the mat face first with a Moonsault! No! Sacred counters, getting his feet up and driving them into Magnifico's chest! ELM bounces away as Sacred slowly gets to his feet, given some time to recover while Magnifico leans against the ropes, trying to actually breathe again. The two stumble in a circle, until they find each other, trading blows! Magnifico wins the battle, and attempts an Irish whip, but Sacred reverses it. Magnifico bounces off the ropes, as Sacred leaps into the air with a dropkick... But ELM holds onto the ropes! Sacred crashes to the canvas, as ELM runs to the ropes parallel with Sacred, leaping to the second rope, and springboarding off with a Lionsault! No! The Aussie rolls out of the way and twirls to his feet, as Magnifico manages to land on his feet, spotting Sacred rolling away mid move. Magnifico charges Sacred, but gets a hip toss for his trouble! Magnifico reverses though, turning it into one of his own, but Sacred lands on his feet! Arms still linked together, Sacred twists his body around, looking for the Spanish Inquisition! Magnifico counters again, this time battering at Sacred with some back elbows, shrugging him off. ELM turns around and swings his arm for a clothesline, but Sacred ducks and grabs Magnifico around the waist, lifting him up for a German Suplex! But Magnifico shifts all his weight forward and rolls off Sacred, grabbing his legs and rolling him up for a pin!

O

N

E

T

W

O

T - No! Sacred powers out, and the two go at it again!

"So many counters, so had to keep up!" Stevens says. "I think your right about Sacred, Riley, his work on the arm has produced no results yet, as Magnifico does rely heavily on his legs."

"The pressure of a world title shot must have got the Aussie, he's made a crucial, crucial mistake, and it will cost him." Riley replies rather worried about Sacred's chances.

Even though the announcers begin to doubt, Sacred continues to go after Magnifico's right arm, giving him a swift kick to the gut, followed by some martial arts kicks to his arm. Sacred circles Magnifico as his boot thuds against ELM's arm. Magnifico's had enough though, and he catches Sacred as he tries to kick again! Sacred hops on one leg as Magnifico drags himself to his feet, and twists his body around, connecting with Sacred's head, kicking him with an enziguri! Sacred lets go of ELM's arm and stumbles backward, dazed after that hard kick to the head. Magnifico builds up a full head of steam and runs at the Aussie, hopping to knock his head off with a clothesline, but Sacred ducks and throws him over head! Magnifico twists in the air and lands on his feet, much to Sacred's surprise! The Australian makes a beeline for Magnifico, but before he can do anything, Magnifico lifts him up in a hip toss and throws him over the top rope!

"It's amazing, neither man has kept a decisive advantage for more than a minute or two! Now Magnifico should have enough time to catch his breath and compose himself again." Stevens notes.

Riley points to ELM, "Magnifico picked Sacred up with his right arm, and he's obviously in pain, Sacred has to have something in mind!"

"What, to stop ELM hitting his legendary, hard hitting, bone crunching Hop tosses? I think not my friend..."

"Yes, well, Magnifico seemed to hurt himself even more when he put pressure on it, still didn't stop him dropping Sacred out to the concrete floor! Ouch!"

Sacred cringes as he holds his arm from the shoulder, shaking it around, trying to get the feeling into it again. Sacred climbs to his feet, not sure of his surroundings, stumbling around aimlessly while the crowd taunt him. Magnifico runs over to the nearest ropes to the outside, leaps onto the second rope, and then turns forty five degrees and leaps over the top rope at the same time, coming down towards Sacred with a cross body.. but Sacred moves out of the way! Magnifico lays sprawled out on the concrete face first, the thud made after he hit was nothing short of sickening. The referee begins to count to ten, calling for Sacred and Magnifico to get back in the ring, but the Aussie has other ideas, as he picks Magnifico up and throws him across the ring apron. Sacred drapes ELM's arm over the side of the ring apron and steps up into the ring, taking a few steps back, and chuckling to himself.

"This seems to be becoming Sacred's trademark, as we saw him do this nearly exact move to Axis at Genesis III!" Stevens says.

"And we say what it did there, it put Axis out of the wrestling business for good! I only hope Sacred doesn't decide to trap ELM's arm with a chair..." Riley replies.

Sacred whispers to Magnifico as he has done the past few weeks, "This may hurt a little..." Sacred hops across the ring apron and jumps into the air, coming down on Magnifico with a knee drop! But Magnifico rolls into the ring, and Sacred hits nothing but the edge of the ring! "Thank god..." Stevens sighs. Sacred rolls onto the floor, clutching at his knee whole the fans laugh at his mistake. Sacred grimaces through the pain, but takes the time to growl at the fans. Sacred hops on one leg as Magnifico gets to his feet and decides to try something again, rebounding off the ropes behind him and sprinting towards the far ropes and Sacred, who is unaware of the one hundred and ninety three pound Mexican flipping over the top rope and landing right on top of him!

"Second time lucky for Magnifico as he takes Sacred down with that somersault flip over the top rope!" Riley yells.

Magnifico slowly climbs to his feet after hitting hard, but seems invigorated by the Crowd's energy as they stand on their feet and chant, "Carnival! Carnival! Carnival! Carnival!" Magnifico, new leader of the Midnight Carnival, responds to them warmly, raising his good arm into the air and nodding his head, a huge smile across his face, until he hears, "Hey, Immigrant! Get back in the ring!" Magnifico suddenly remembers the match he's apart of, and rolls his Australian foe back into the ring. Sacred lies motionless on the mat as Magnifico steps up onto the ring apron, twirling his arm in the air as he waits for the Aussie to get up.

"There's no denying it, Magnifico is the most loved wrestler in this company, and it seems he has the crowd's fullest support as he takes on the role of the leader of the Midnight Carnival!" Stevens says happily, reminiscing of past times with the Carnival.

"The Carnival is as good as dead Stevens." Riley replies bluntly, "Now that all the original members are gone, they won't last long, and I know Sacred wants to kill them once and for all, because they have been a thorn in his side for far too long. *Cough* Kliq *cough*."

"Did you say something Bob?"

"Uh, nothing at all..."

Sacred finally gets onto his feet, seeing stars as he looks up at the lights on the roof. Magnifico leaps up to the top rope, springboards off, grabbing Sacred by the back of the head and flipping over, hitting him with a stunner! The crowd erupt as Magnifico presses Sacre's shoulders into the canvas for a pin!

"The South American Stunner!" Stevens shouts, "The champ is dealing out a lot of punishment here, showing exactly why he is champ!"

O

N

E

T

W

O

T

H

R

E -- No, no! Sacred rolls a shoulder off the mat and breaks the count! Magnifico gets back to his feet, holding his arm, stomping on Sacred in frustration, as the Aussie won't stay down. ELM picks Sacred up and whips him across the ring and into the corner. Magnifico goes on the charge, running towards the Aussie and climbing up the front of his body, hitting him with a Moonsault kick! Magnifico hears the fans cheers and he continues on, and as Sacred stumbles out of the corner, Magnifico charges and leaps up onto the Aussie's shoulders for another Hurricanrana! Magnifico tries to flip Sacred over, but Sacred holds firm and Magnifico dangles from Sacred's shoulders! The Aussie lifts Magnifico back onto his shoulders and runs forward, slamming ELM down with a running Ligerbomb!

"Out of nowhere Sacred hits the Liger bomb! Magnifico was literally folded in half on impact, and Sacred may have it as the referee counts!"

O

N

E

T

W

O

T

H

R - Oh lord no! Magnifico kicks away and the match continues! The fans thank whatever gods there may be as Sacred crawls away, taking a breather as Magnifico holds his head, using the turnbuckles to climb to his feet. Sacred coughs up a lung as he gets onto his feet, stumbling around on his wobbly legs. He jerks his head to Magnifico, who resting against the turnbuckle's, tending to his arm. Sacred comes across, steps up to the second rope, third rope, then fly kicks Magnifico in the face! Magnifico falls out of the turnbuckle and stumbles forward, as Sacred stalks him, locking him in a Full Nelson! Magnifico tries to fight away, but Sacred picks him up and falls on his back, hitting a Dragon Suplex on Magnifico! The fans yell a collective, "Oooh!" as Magnifico is folded up once again.

"How much more can either of these men take?" Riley asks, "They've thrown nearly everything they have at each other, but neither will stay down!"

"Maybe, in a standard match at the top of the card, it would have concluded already, but when it's the main event, and the world title is on the line, you are so much more determined to keep on fighting."

"Oh I know Mark, I've been in a world title match myself," Bobby replies proudly.

"Yeah? Well I've been in THREE... or is it four? I don't know, I've lost count," Stevens says, gloating.

"... well I slept with your wife."

Sacred lifts his weary Mexican opponent to his feet and starts pounding him with some forearms, before whipping him into the ropes. As Magnifico returns, Sacred picks him up and twirls him in the air, trying for a tilt-a-whirl back breaker! But Magnifico manages to land on two feet! Sacred grunts and picks Magnifico up again in a body slam, but holds Magnifico vertically, looking for a Juvi Driver! But Magnifico manages to grab Sacred's legs and roll him up! Before the referee gets the chance to count the pin, Sacred reverses the roll and lands on top of ELM, battering him with forearms to the head!

"Magnifico escapes two dangerous moves, but of course Sacred isn't too pleased, and retaliates by beating the piss out of Magnifico!" Riley yells happily.

Sacred grabs Magnifico's arm and holds it against the mat, getting to his feet and bringing his knee down on ELM's arm! Sacred goes up again and does it again, much to the fans distaste. Sacred lifts Magnifico to his feet and hooks his arm over his shoulder, picking him up in a Brainbuster attempt! Sacred tries to slam him down, but Magnifico holds on for dear life and manages to slip out the back! Magifico grabs Sacred around the waist and tries for a German Suplex, but Sacred locks his ankle in behind ELM's and blocks it. Magnifico tries again, but Sacred stays still. Sacred performs a standing switch and holds onto Magnifico's waist. Sacred pushes Magnifco in the ropes, and then tries to pull him down in a roll up, but Magnifico holds onto the ropes, and Sacred rolls backward and onto his feet. Magnifico and Sacred both charge at each other with clothesline, but each man ducks and heads to the ropes. As they meet each other again, ELM falls to the mat and trips Sacred with a drop toe hold, locking on a crossface submission hold at the same time!

"Sangria Stretch! Sangria Stretch!" Stevens repeats, excited by the turn of developments, "Magnifico has Sacred precariously near the ropes though, and Sacred is desperate to reach them!"

Magnifico wrenches back on Sacred's neck, as the Aussie cries out in pain, muffled by ELM's forearm which covers his face. The fans cheer madly as Sacred has one hand close to the mat, ready to tap, and the other trying to touch the bottom rope and break the hold. Magnifico's arm becomes weak as he tries to link the two together, Sacred's attention to them becoming known as it becomes numb. This allows Sacred to crawl just a few inches further, holding his arm in the air, bringing it down... and clutching onto the bottom rope! Magnifico lets go of the hold , but shakes his head dissapointently. He gets to his feet, and lifts Sacred up, twisting his arm around and grabbing his head, trying for a chickenwing jaw breaker! But Sacred wrenches Magnifico's right arm, and the Mexican instantly lets go, crying out in pain. Sacred hooks one of Magnifico's arms, then the other, trying to pull him down with a backslide! But Magnifico stops counters before Sacred can pull him down, leaning forward and running to the ropes!

"He's looking for the BAJA CALIFORNIA CRUSHER!" Riley shouts, "Not to many people have kicked out of this move, and I wouldn't bet on Sacred performing that feat!"

"Magnifico is still going to be World Champion! A Midnight Carnival champion! No one out does ELM in a backslide battle, he's performed more than any other wrestler in this federation!" Stevens replies, watching the action intently, rooting for his little buddy.

Magnifico runs to the ropes and tries to climb up and over Sacred, but his arm gives away! Sacred, at that precise moment, realises his oppurtunity, and throws Magnifico over the top rope! But ELM manages to land on the ring apron, and as Sacred turns around, Magnifico grabs him by the head and drops him on the top rope with a Guillotine!

"That was Sacred's strategy!" Riley finally works out, "He didn't try to ground Magnifico, but knock his most devastating move out of his arsenal! Sacred had us all fooled, but he knew what he was doing! He has been waiting for this opputinity for so long, and he wouldn't make a mistake!"

"Oh shutup!" Stevens growls, "Magnifico is still in this! Just watch!"

Sacred chokes and clutches his neck as Magnifico, tired and worn out, climbs up onto the ring apron, leaping to the top rope, and springing off, grabbing Sacred around the head and twisting him around, looking for a Tornado DDT! But Sacred manages to hold onto to the little Mexican, grabbing his arm in mid air an spinning him around again, before falling forwards, nailing Magnifico with a CRUEL FATE off his shoulders!

"CRUEL FATE! THAT'S IT!" Riley cries, "No one has kicked out of it, no one! Sacred has a plan all along, and now he's just three seconds from his dream of becoming world champion!"

The crowd looks on in disbelief, making a lot of noise, trying to stir Magnifico, but he's knocked out cold. Sacred clambers over and hooks him by the leg as the fans chant along, hoping desperately, praying that Magnifico kicks out...

"O"

"N"

"E!"

"T"

"W"

"O!"

"T"

"H"

"R"

"E"

"E!!!!!!" YES! HE'S DONE IT! The crowd looks on stunned as the referee lifts a weary Sacred's arm into the air while he's still on the mat. Sacred looks around the ring, not believing he did it himself, as Magnifico lays but a meter away from him, lifeless and no longer a world champion. Funyon gets on the stick to confirm the crowd's worst fears.

"The winner of this match and... NEW! SMARKS . . .WRESTLING . . . FEDERATION, WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION . . . SAAAAAACCCRREEEEDDD!"

Riley can hardly contain his happiness as he leaps out of his seat, "I knew he could do it Mark, and he did! After two long years, Sacred is the SWF World Champion! Oh, no one will forget this day for a long time, a long time Mark!"

"Ok, ok settle down!" Stevens says, making his partner sit back down, "But your right, neither Sacred, us, or these fans will forget tonight, or this match, as Sacred goes down in the history books as a world champion, and the first person to have held every single title in the SWF! I may not like the guy, but that is some feat!"

"Your damn right it is Mark! Sacred has been underated and disrespected, but he finally comes through and wins the world title! People, stand up and applaud your new champion!"

Riley stands from his seat again, clapping for Sacred. The fans too, are out of their seats, but instead they roar their dissaproval at Sacred, but he is to zoned out to notice them, as the referee hands him the world title. Sacred looks down at his prize for a moment, a tear almost forming as he climbs to his feet, breathing heavily, numerous cuts and bruises dot his body, but he doesn't care right now, as he walks over to th turnbuckle an climbs to the top, looking out at the fans, and then raising the title triumphantly with one arm, as hundreds of flash bulbs go off to mark the historic occasion. Sacred doesn't move as he takes time to bask in the glory, and to somehow register what he has just done.

"Ladies and gentleman, there, is your SWF world champion..." Stevens says, severely dissapapointed.

"He's broken the glass ceiling... no, no practically smashed it into bits, and did what few thought he could, and win the World title! No one will forget this for a LONG time!" Riley shouts.

Sacred hops down from the turnbuckle and rolls out of the ring, hobbling up the ramp way, but standing tall, like a champion. He reaches the top of the entranceway and turns around, looking at the crowd once more... and cracking an evil smile, as he points to Magnifico and just... smiles. Sacred turns around and heads to the curtain, the world title strapped around his waist as Magnifico starts to come too, looking around, wondering what just happened. As the referee tells him the bad news, Magnifico’s head drops to the mat, hitting on the canvas several times, disappointed in himself…

“Sacred may have won the world title tonight, but Magnifico isn’t one to lie down! What will happen on Smarkdown? Tune in to find out! Until then, this is Ms Bobby Riley and Mark Stevens, signing off!”

The picture fades out, showing Magnifico’s bruised and beaten face as he look to the entranceway, nothing but a rematch in mind, to restore his pride…

October 12, 2002

#1 CONTENDERS MATCH FOR THE HARDCORE TITLE

Mak Francis vs. Ash Ketchum

- Ketchum wins by DQ when that villianous Frost runs in.

WEAPON MATCH

Tod deKindes vs. Annie Eclectic

- Frost's now leading the series 2-0...whatever will Annie do?!

TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH

- And the wacky Ced/Thoth team...wins? That's pretty wacky.

ICTV TITLE MATCH

- The newly returned Kamen Roja costs Bo the match.

SWF HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

- Well...someone won and someone lost, but I don't think I'll tell you who.

Sign In

SWF Storm (Oct. 11, 2002)

Recommended Posts

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Guest BA_Baracus

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Browse

Activity