Da SJL Metal Non-Winners Thread

[Guest Listen2Reason]

Well, I'm not too bummed about losing, 'cause I'm proud of the match I wrote and the King seemed to like it too. So even though I haven't had a chance to do more than skim the show, logically Johnny's match has to be really good to have beaten mine. Anyway, it's good to be smacked down a little once in a while--keeps me on my toes. But enough silliness, here's the match.

 

 

=====

 

The commercials end and the view returns to SJL Metal at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Music pounds from the speakers as the cameras roam over the Las Vegas crowd. Even the fans are glitzy--off-duty showgirls, screaming card sharks and Siegfried & Roy. As always, the attendees have brought along a heaping helping of signs with them. Notables include: "1st DoD Fan", "MVS has Mikettude", "Las Vegas is Dangerous", "Flesher = Ratings", "Here Come Da Judge" and "My Friends Told Me Not To Bother Making A M7 Sign, The Idiots". Finally the view returns to the announce table, with the perennial Axis and King presiding.

 

"Welcome back to SJL Metal!" Axis says. "We've had some wild matches here tonight, including the Cruiserweight Match, the debut of Janus and the incredible WINDOW PAIN MATCH!"

 

"But if you're just tuning in, you missed it all!" the Suicide King adds cheerfully.

 

"Uh, yeah," Axis concedes. "But don't worry because right now it's time for Johnny Dangerous to take on the mysterious Question Mark Man!"

 

"I love surprises!" the King says.

 

Funyon, his suit managing to outshine even the most glamorous showgirl's costume, clears his throat. "Ahem. Introducing first! From LAS VEGAS, NEVADA--"

 

"Johnny Dangerous!" a woman's voice purrs.

 

A deafening feminine squeal arises from the crowd as the impeccably dressed Johnny Dangerous thrusts aside the curtains and steps out onto the entrance ramp, "Mission Impossible II" throbbing through the MGM Grand. Johnny grins at the crowd as he saunters to the ring, acknowledging the roars of acclaim with subtle waves and nods.

 

"And let's get right back to the action!" Axis says. "Just listen to that hometown ovation for Johnny Dangerous!"

 

"Bah!" the King scoffs. "Hometown heat is the cheapest you can get."

 

"I noticed they don't seem to be cheering YOU here, King of Hearts," Axis retorts.

 

"Yeah...well...you suck, Axis."

 

By this time the Super Secret Agent has climbed into the ring and is standing on a turnbuckle. He waves to the fans, soaking in the cheers, a huge grin on his usually composed face.

 

"And his opponent," Funyon continues, and the crowd quiets. Johnny hops down from the turnbuckle and stands in the middle of the ring, jogging lightly from foot to foot. "Funyon, go off and drink yourself into a stupor and whatever you do, don't read this card alou...oh." The announcer, shamefaced, scurries out of the ring to his waiting bottle.

 

The King of Hearts snickers. Axis coughs and looks embarassed.

 

Johnny raises an eyebrow at the retreating Funyon, then returns to watching the entrance ramp. Excited murmurs run through the audience.

 

And then the lights go out, plunging the room into darkness.

 

"What the--what's this?" Axis asks over the rising crowd noise.

 

"I feel a dramatic entrance coming on," the King replies.

 

Suddenly a sound pierces the air--high organ notes rippling downward, an eerie theme. The roar of the crowd redoubles, cameras flashing in the darkness.

 

"YES!" the King crows. "Axis, you know who this is!"

 

"I don't believe it--could it be?" Axis asks.

 

The organ bellows deep notes as musical notation flashes on the SmarkTron. Then the melody climbs into a swelling chord, a dark harmony sweeping through the air.

 

"Only one man could have an entrance like this!" the King yells over the crowd.

 

Just as suddenly as they left the lights return, but the entrance ramp is still empty. Johnny Dangerous stands in the middle of the ring, blinking. The fans roar, getting to their feet, and the camera pulls back to reveal a figure perched on a turnbuckle behind the spy. A black trenchcoat obscures his form, dark hair hanging over his face.

 

"Oh my God!" Axis says. "Johnny, turn around!" The King laughs uproariously.

 

The secret agent finally turns--and the figure launches off the turnbuckle, turning and driving his feet into Johnny's chest, trenchcoat spreading like wings around him. The spy staggers back and his opponent lands like a cat, flipping up his hair to reveal a manic grin on his bearded face.

 

"It's FUGUE!" Axis yells. "The former sWo member has returned! Wait, does this mean--"

 

Johnny quickly gets to his feet and lashes out with a sudden tae kwon do kick. Fugue attempts to block but still stumbles backward. Encouraged, Dangerous spins and kicks again--but Fugue grabs the leg and spins his body, hauling Johnny over to land hard on his face. The musician pops up and moves back, grinning at his fallen opponent as the noise of the crowd quickly changes to vitriolic boos. Fugue unties his black coat and shrugs it off, revealing a black T-shirt with a prominent "M7" on the front. He tosses the coat out of the ring and crouches in wait for his opponent, the antipathy of the crowd increasing.

 

"That's right, Axis!" the King replies. "Fugue is one of Judge's M7 members!"

 

"This is incredible!" Axis says. "This has HUGE implications!"

 

"I'll tell you what implications it has--it implicates that Fugue is going to kick Johnny's ass!" the King asserts.

 

A referee (the inimitable Eddy Long) slips into the ring, and the bell rings to officially begin the match. Johnny, back on his feet, watches his opponent warily. Fugue grins back. The spy runs in and surprises him with a chop to the chest, then tries another kick. Fugue grabs the leg again, but Johnny leaps up and spins, his foot smacking against the back of Fugue's head to a LARGE cheer. Fugue goes down, flopping onto his back. Johnny straightens up, then smirks at the crowd, who respond with enthusiasm. Dangerous runs the ropes, then leaps up and comes down elbow-first on the recumbent Fugue--who immediately grabs Johnny's arm and pulls on it. Johnny tries to squirm away but Fugue hauls him away from the ropes, then wraps his own legs around the captured arm.

 

"A beautiful display of counters!" Axis says. "Fugue is already displaying his mat sense with a punishing crucifix armbar! This match is hot--and this crowd is HOT!"

 

"So you like Siegfried and Roy, huh Axis?" the King muses.

 

Before Axis can reply, Johnny arches his back and flings out one foot to reach the ropes. The ref slaps at Fugue, who torques in the hold for an extra few instants before finally releasing. He stumbles back, grinning, getting his breath as the crowd roundly boos him.

 

"Oh, I've missed seeing Fugue torture hapless do-gooders like this!" the King chortles.

 

Johnny gets up and Fugue charges in to the attack. He slaps Dangerous across the chest, pushing him against the ropes. The musician grabs Johnny's tie and pulls it off, tossing the silken strip aside, then slaps again with an echoing crack. Fugue shoots a wild grin at the crowd as he grabs Johnny's arm and whips him across the ring. Johnny bounces off the ropes to the ducking Fugue--but the agent grabs Fugue around the neck and swings around, pulling both competitors to the mat with a hard impact.

 

"Beautiful swinging neckbreaker from Johnny Dangerous!" Axis cries. "His incredible speed can turn the tide of any match!"

 

Fugue rolls away and gets to his feet, stumbling almost unnoticeably. He focuses on his opponent and smiles--a tinge of respect coloring his usual manic expression. Johnny stands as well, noticing the musician's expression. His own face assumes a smirk as he acknowledges the unspoken sentiment. Then the two combatants charge each other again, locking up in the middle of the ring as the audience shouts for more. Johnny attempts a knee to the stomach and Fugue responds with his own, staggering the secret agent. Fugue ducks and hoists Johnny onto his shoulders, then leaps forward in a complete somersault. Johnny is driven down onto his back, Fugue leaning back on top of him. The referee slides into position to count--

 

ONE!

 

TWO--Johnny kicks out, hammering his elbow into Fugue's head. The musician rolls away from the attack and both men stand once again.

 

"Fugue once again shows off his technical skills with a reverse Samoan drop!" Axis says.

 

Johnny mounts an attack this time, grappling Fugue by the shoulders. He grabs Fugue's head and jumps downward to a sitting position, Fugue rebounding off and staggering back clutching his face. Johnny immediately pops up and catches Fugue by the head again, this time leaping backward and driving Fugue into the mat head-first. The musician twitches as the audience yells its approval. Johnny pushes himself up, studying his fallen opponent. He turns and runs to the ropes, bouncing off them--but Fugue rolls away, slipping out of the ring. Undaunted, Johnny increases his speed and slides out feet-first. Fugue dodges toward the steps and Johnny lands on his feet, the first few rows of audience members almost climbing over the barrier in their frenzy of appreciation. Dangerous charges--but Fugue slips down, catching Johnny's legs with his own and pulling Johnny down face-first into the steel ring steps. The crowd groans and Fugue pushes his unkempt hair back, grinning.

 

"A devastating jawbreaker and DDT by Dangerous!" Axis narrates. "But Fugue flees the ring and regains control with a drop toe-hold! I'm amazed at how focused both these men are!"

 

"Ah, but Fugue knows how to use his body to fullest effect even when injured," the King retorts. "Such is the true power of Evil."

 

Fugue hauls Johnny away from the steps, letting him fall onto his back. He then stretches one leg forward--and kicks it back, spinning his whole body into a forward somersault and landing back-first on the secret agent's chest. Johnny convulses and Fugue pushes himself to his feet, rubbing his own back with a glazed smile.

 

"A somersault senton outside the ring!" Axis gasps. "Fugue is putting his own body on the line to bring the hurt to Johnny! Is he insane?"

 

"Axis," the King replies, "you do know that's a stu--"

 

"--stupid question, yeah, I realized," Axis mutters.

 

Fugue slips into the ring, standing and breaking into a run. As the derision of the crowd builds, the musician runs back across the ring and dives between the ropes--and Johnny, back on his feet, dodges the dive! Fugue tries to break his fall but lands heavily on the mats, slamming into the audience barrier. Fans reach down and pat him encouragingly as Johnny smirks, then climbs back into the ring himself.

 

"My God!" Axis cries. "Fugue missed that suicidal dive! And it looks like Johnny may be trying something similar!"

 

"Oh, this oughta be good," the Suicide King chuckles.

 

Johnny runs the ropes, ignoring the referee's entreaties as he charges back across the ring. Fugue staggers to a standing position as Johnny reaches the edge and jumps over the TOP rope, flashbulbs illuminating his soaring body--and Fugue LEAPS into the air, slamming his feet into Johnny's chest in midair! Both men tumble to the mats outside the ring, a heap of pain.

 

"INCREDIBLE!" Axis spasms. "I don't think I've EVER seen a counter like that!"

 

"I have," the King comments.

 

Axis gives him an annoyed look. "But didn't you think it was INCREDIBLE?"

 

"Hey, I knew Fugue could do it." The King of Hearts grins.

 

Eddy Long, staring at the battered bodies outside the ring, has no choice but to start counting. "ONE!" he yells. "TWO!" The audience begins to chant with him. "THREE!"

 

"I don't think ANYONE would be happy with a double count-out here," Axis says.

 

"You got that right," the King replies. "But I have a feeling we won't have one." Even as he speaks Fugue is standing, followed closely by Johnny Dangerous. The two men pull themselves into the ring, moving to opposite sides to take a breather, the ref stopping his count at "SIX!".

 

"This match has taken a lot out of both these men already," Axis notes. "And I don't think we're anywhere near being over!"

 

"You got that right, again," the King chuckles. "You're smarter than usual tonight, Axis."

 

"I ate my Wheaties today."

 

"Forget I said anything."

 

Johnny and Fugue get to their feet, eyeing each other across the ring. Johnny assumes a martial arts stance, staring intently at his opponent, the crowd roaring its approval. Fugue smiles back, his eyes gleaming ferally. The two competitors approach each other again. Fugue springs forward, but Johnny drives him back with a chop to the chest. As Fugue reels, Johnny spins and brings his leg up in a heel kick, but Fugue ducks and lunges again, grabbing the secret agent around the waist from behind. With a great heave Fugue hoists Johnny upward and over, slamming him down onto his back. The musician drags his opponent up off the mat, getting him into position for another suplex, but Johnny suddenly elbows backward and hits Fugue in the head. Fugue, dazed, releases his opponent, and Johnny spins to grab Fugue face to face. With a convulsion of his own, Johnny flips Fugue upward and back, throwing him over his shoulder. Fugue lands hard on his back but scrabbles quickly to his feet, shaking his head. Johnny breathes heavily as he gets to his own feet, turning just in time to Fugue charge toward him. With a bellow the musician slams his shoulder into Johnny's stomach, driving the spy back against the ropes. As the two men rebound from the elastic Fugue pulls Johnny upward again, turning the secret agent completely over in the air to land on his back. Fugue arches his body upward in a bridge and the referee alertly slides in to count--

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

TH--Johnny kicks out, scrambling away.

 

"Fugue attacks with a German suplex, Johnny counters with a belly-to-belly throw, and Fugue retaliates with a Northern Lights suplex!" Axis babbles.

 

"Fugue is absorbing the punishment and not slowing down!" the King adds. "He can dish it out--AND he can take it!"

 

Johnny stumbles to his feet, moving away from his opponent. Fugue pursues, pouncing and landing a hard chop on Johnny's chest, forcing him back into the corner. Grabbing at Johnny's chest, Fugue yanks open his shirt to the happy screams of the female audience members. Rearing back, Fugue suddenly whips his arm across with a resounding SMACK!

 

"WOO!" yells the audience.

 

"HA!" yells the King. "These fans cheer for Fugue and HATE THEMSELVES FOR IT!"

 

Fugue grins insanely at the audience, and rears back--and Johnny's fist lashes out to catch Fugue in the stomach. The musician doubles over as the crowd roars. Johnny hooks both his arms under Fugue's, hops up onto the second rope and leaps out of the corner. Both men spin in the air as Johnny pulls his opponent down to slam face-first onto the mat.

 

"INCREDIBLE!" Axis hypes. "A double underhook TORNADO DDT! Johnny is really going after Fugue's neck--and we all remember how Matt Myers did so much damage to that part of Fugue's body!"

 

"Back when Matt Myers was Evil." The King sighs nostalgically.

 

Johnny sways a bit as he regards the prone Fugue, then he runs to the corner and quickly ascends to the top. A huge wave of noise builds from the audience as Johnny pauses for a moment--then he LEAPS backward and falls down, ALL the way down to slam stomach-first onto his opponent. Panting heavily, Johnny pulls Fugue onto his back and covers him. The ref counts--

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

TH--NO! Fugue kicks out!

 

"UnbeLIEVable!" Axis cries. "Johnny brings the pain with a moonsault from the top turnbuckle!"

 

Johnny pushes himself slowly to his feet. He scowls at his fallen opponent and aims a kick--but Fugue catches the leg and pops up, spinning downward to drag Johnny down to the mat. As the super spy goes down Fugue slithers up to catch hold of one of his arms, seating himself on Johnny's back and wrenching backward.

 

"A Fujiwara armbar!" Axis says. "Fugue is torturing Johnny's arm and back!"

 

"Fugue loves to go after those arms!" the King asserts. "If you can't use your arms, you can't do much of anything!"

 

Fugue reaches back for Johnny's other arm, but the agent suddenly pushes himself up and spins his body, rolling away from the pressure. Fugue topples onto his back and Johnny pushes him down, but Fugue pushes away before the ref can begin to count. The spy pursues, grabbing Fugue's arm and pulling him over in a precise judo throw. Johnny grimaces and shakes out his arm, then leaps up and lands with leg outstretched on his opponent. Fugue convulses in pain. Johnny moves to cover but then reconsiders, moving past Fugue to the turnbuckle once again.

 

"Johnny can't resist showing off for his fans!" Axis notes. "This hometown crowd has got him all fired up!"

 

"Oh, please," the King scoffs. "Why bother with those lousy fans? They only get you in trouble!"

 

Johnny ascends the turnbuckle again, the audience urging him on. The spy turns, looking down at his fallen opponent. Dangerous raises his arms and inhales...then launches himself forward to turn a complete flip in the air, bearing down on Fugue with a savage grace. He slams down and rolls off of Fugue--who has his knees pulled up to his chest. Johnny convulses in pain, rolling away, as Fugue curls up on his side, holding himself.

 

"My GOD!" Axis cries over the noise of the fans. "Johnny tried for a SENTON BOMB--but Fugue got his knees up!"

 

"A desperate ploy by Fugue!" the King says. "It didn't prevent the full force of the impact--but it damn sure hurt Johnny! Both men felt THAT one!"

 

Eddy Long surveys the two combatants. He finally raises his hands to begin a count, but Fugue pulls himself up by the ring ropes, breathing heavily. Johnny, on the other side of the ring, manages to get to his feet under his own power. Both men are greeted by applause from the audience.

 

"This is Fugue's chance!" the King says. "He's gotta capitalize now! Come on, Fugue, suck it up!"

 

Johnny shakes his head and tries to steady himself. Fugue creeps forward and lashes out with a punch, staggering his opponent. The secret agent attempts a chop of his own, but Fugue ducks and jabs Johnny in the stomach. As the spy reels, Fugue catches him around the neck and ducks his head down. With a tremendous effort Fugue hauls his opponent up in a suplex--then turns him around in midair and slams him down to the mat, landing in a sitting position himself. Fugue flops down onto a cover, and Eddy Long counts--

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR--Johnny KICKS OUT!

 

"ORANGE CRUSH!" Axis yells. "Fugue hit the elusive Orange Crush on Johnny Dangerous!"

 

"Fugue's showing Johnny what it means to REALLY wrestle!" the King chortles.

 

"I have a feeling Johnny Dangerous is learning a lot tonight!" Axis replies.

 

"Yeah--cause Fugue is taking him to SCHOOL!"

 

Johnny rolls away, this time taking advantage of the assistance of the ropes to pull himself upright. Fugue stumbles back, shaking his head, a rictus grin fixed on his face. The crowd begins a "JOHN-NY! JOHN-NY!" chant for their hero. The spy gets to his feet and steps away from the ropes, bringing a cheer from the audience. He launches himself forward and spins with a kick that slams into Fugue's shoulder. The musician reels, then slips down and spins with a sweeping kick. The spy sees the blow and jumps, lashing out with another kick that scores on Fugue's face. The crowd cheers but Fugue won't go down! He pushes himself up to his feet, but Johnny sets himself and leaps upward, landing on Fugue's shoulders and whipping his own body backward! Fugue tumbles forward and flips over his opponent, who ends up sitting on his chest. The audience goes wild as Eddy Long once again counts--

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THRE--Fugue kicks out convulsively, pushing Johnny off of him!

 

"BEAUTIFUL Hurricanrana by the Secret Agent!" Axis cries.

 

"But does Johnny have anything left in the tank?" the King yells.

 

Fugue fights back to his feet, swinging wildly at Johnny Dangerous. The super spy pushes through the blows and slips around to pound Fugue on the back. The musician reels and Johnny latches an arm around his neck from behind, forcing Fugue back.

 

"Could this be IT?" Axis says as the crowd gets to their feet, yelling uncontrollably. "This looks to be Simply Dangerous!"

 

Fugue flails at Johnny's head, trying to catch his free arm. Thrown off balance, Johnny is pushed backward, unable to complete the move. He finally leaps backward and drives Fugue to the mat on his back, drawing an "OOOoooh" from the audience, who then begin to cheer even louder. Johnny stands, staring at the fans, his face breaking into a grin. He runs for the ropes with renewed energy, bounces off and LEAPS into the air, turning an entire somersault as the arena glitters with camera flashes--and Fugue rolls out of the way.

 

"He MISSED!" Axis cries. "Johnny tried to go for Simply Dangerous but settled for a reverse DDT--then he went for Armed and Dangerous but missed!"

 

"Fugue obviously had Johnny well and truly scouted!" the King yells. "This'll teach Johnny to be too eager!"

 

Johnny lands on his feet but stumbles to his knees, shock written on his face. Fugue staggers up, hunched and rubbing his neck in pain, and an outraged Johnny charges him. He kicks repeatedly at Fugue, who grabs Johnny's leg and pulls him down again near the ropes. Shaking the grasp off, Johnny pushes Fugue onto his stomach and grabs for his arms. He begins to pull backward but Fugue slips one hand out and flips his entire body over Johnny's, wrenching the agent's arm in turn. The super spy makes the ropes and Eddy Long yells at Fugue until he breaks the hold. As the musician staggers backward, Johnny pulls himself up and puts everything his has into a HUGE kick that hits Fugue in the shoulder, spinning him around and throwing him to the mat on his back.

 

"WHOA!" Axis cries. "Johnny went for a surfboard stretch but Fugue countered into an armbar!"

 

"And ALMOST into the Minor Chord!" the King adds. "That's a move the SJL stars have definitely learned to fear!"

 

Johnny glares at his opponent, then reaches up to slick his hair back into position. He runs for the turnbuckle, climbing up once again as the crowd comes alive.

 

"Could this be the final blow?" Axis says. "Johnny could be going for his final finisher!"

 

"And after this he won't have any tricks left!" the King retorts.

 

Fugue twitches on the mat, then his arms flail around for purchase. He grabs Eddy Long and pulls himself up, the referee shouting and trying to extricate himself. Fugue stumbles and pulls the ref down, then quickly gets to his feet. Meanwhile, Johnny reaches the second rope and turns--but Fugue charges into the corner, slamming into Johnny with a headbutt.

 

"OOOOH!" the male half of the audience winces.

 

"That was a blatant illegal blow!" Axis cries. "Where's the ref?" The King of Hearts just laughs.

 

Eddy Long gets to his feet and yells at Fugue, who shoots him a grin. Then Fugue turns his back to Johnny, reaching back to hook his arms and pull him onto his shoulder. The crowd roars in derision and general excitement as Fugue takes a step forward--and YANKS Johnny Dangerous off the turnbuckle, flipping him over and slamming him down to the mat.

 

"ICONOCLASM!" Axis yells. "Fugue hits the Iconoclasm--but doesn't cover!"

 

"Uhoh! I know what this is..." the King says, grinning.

 

Fugue indeed does not cover, instead clambering up the same turnbuckle Johnny just vacated. He looks back and forth to the audience, grinning widely--then leaps forward at his fallen opponent, soaring down to slam into the mat as Johnny now rolls out of the way, the fans jumping out of their seats in frenzy.

 

"My GOD!" Axis cries. "Whatever that was, Fugue missed it!"

 

"HA! Well, good try anyway," the King chuckles. "But I guess he wasn't SUPERIOR enough!"

 

Fugue scrambles to his feet shakily, and Johnny hauls himself upright as well. The two men look at each other--and their gazes lock.

 

"This is IT!" Axis says. "I think it's all coming down to THIS!"

 

Johnny Dangerous lunges forward with a punch, but Fugue ducks under it and grapples the spy, pushing him back. Johnny manages to get an arm around Fugue's neck but Fugue knees him in the stomach. The secret agent scrambles for purchase but Fugue sets himself and pushes, forcing Johnny back into the corner. The spy thumps against the turnbuckle and arches his back, grimacing in pain.

 

"Johnny's back and arms have taken so much punishment during this match!" Axis yells.

 

"And he couldn't get enough of a grip on Fugue's neck!" the King cries.

 

Sensing his advantage, Fugue wraps his arms around Johnny's waist. He pulls the spy back from the turnbuckle a couple of steps--then hauls Johnny upward and THROWS him back, Dangerous landing heavily on his back across the ring.

 

"A RELEASE NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX!" Axis spasms. "What an amazing move!"

 

Fugue staggers to his feet and stumbles across the ring, approaching the turnbuckle near his opponent. The audience gets to their feet, buzzing excitedly, boos rampant through the crowd. As he passes the recumbent Johnny the spy reaches out and grabs for Fugue's leg--and Fugue lets his body fall, landing knee-first on the spy's shoulder. The crowd cries out in sympathy as Johnny writhes on the mat.

 

"My God!" Axis says. "Fugue is showing no mercy!"

 

"Of course not!" the King snaps. "Neither of these men want mercy from the other! This contest is putting it ALL on the line!"

 

Fugue pushes himself up again, his grin fixed as he rubs at his neck and shoulders. He peers down at his opponent, then up at the turnbuckle again. With the mixed boos and cheers mounting, the musician scales the metal post, turning to face his opponent. A slight pause to survey the situation, and then--

 

Fugue leaps upward, his body spinning in the air as he turns a complete somersault, a constellation of flashes lighting up the arena as Fugue sails down and slams hard into his opponent, the impact heard even through the deafening noise.

 

The two combatants lie unmoving on the mat...but Fugue is on top. The referee does his job.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!...DINGINGING!

 

The room explodes in a frenzy of noise. Soda cups and wadded napkins rain into the ring as Eddy Long raises Fugue's hand. The musician stares up at the lights, gaze as unseeing as that of his opponent's, as Bach's eerie "Toccata and Fugue in d minor" reverberates through the arena.

 

"And FUGUE HITS THE GRAND FINALE!" Axis finally cries. "He just BRUTALIZED Johnny Dangerous' back after pounding on it all evening! What an intense match!"

 

"Well, Johnny showed spirit, you gotta give him that," the King adds. "But I don't think any of that spy training prepared Johnny Dangerous for the mad musician!"

 

Axis exhales. "The two men are being helped to the back," he narrates. "And the cleaning staff is moving in to, uh, straighten up the ring." The crowd continues to jeer and throw garbage at the ring area, though a sizable minority are cheering the competitors. Fugue and Johnny Dangerous stagger from the ring area, both battered and beaten.

 

"I mean, how would you teach that in spy school?" the King rambles. "'Dealing With Psychopathic Wrestling Musicians 101', yeah, I could see that."

 

"Oh, shut up, King," Axis says. "But moving onward!" He faces into the camera and smiles. "Coming up we've got our World Title Match between the challenger, Ejiro Fasaki, and the champion, Judge Mental! DON'T GO AWAY!"

 

=====

[Guest Powerplay]

Arg. Christ, I don't think I've written a match that good. Tons of psychology, but the only thing I see putting Johnny over the top was the ending. Damn though, that was good. And you probably still have some ring rust in ya, so don't worry about it.

[Secret Agent 0]

Johnny gets up and Fugue charges in to the attack. He slaps Dangerous across the chest, pushing him against the ropes. The musician grabs Johnny's tie and pulls it off, tossing the silken strip aside, then slaps again with an echoing crack.

 

Johnny wearing a clip on tie? Tsk Tsk. Seriously though you put any attempt i thought i had at psychology for my match to shame. That must be where King said were one did well the other excelled.

 

wow...

[Guest Listen2Reason]

I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank Mak Francis for nagging at me about the psychology in my matches when I first started writing here.

 

And Johnny--actually I had envisioned it as a "real" tie that would slide off and flutter a bit when it was tossed aside. Not that it matters, I suppose.