SJL Crimson - June 5th!

[Guest realitycheck]

Opening Promo: Manson

 

TEH MIXED TAG OPENER

Viktor Tarakanov & Cassius Atkinson vs Manson & "The Rebel" Shawn Tybalt

Description: We?ve got two evenly matched teams to start us off on Crimson, as two veterans will take relative rookies under their wings for a sit under the learning tree.

Rules: Mixed Tag match. When one man tags out, the other must tag out as well. For reference, only Tarakanov and Manson can be in the ring at the same time. Ditto for Atkinson and Tybalt.

 

TEH TV TITLE MATCH

English Dragon vs Syndicate©

Description: A man who is not Edwin MacPhisto has his first title shot against a man who dethroned Leo Breslin?s short title run. Will his run be short as well?

Rules: Singles match. Standard DQ and countout rules apply.

 

TEH COMPLETELY NORMAL MATCH

David Blazenwing vs. Leo Breslin

Description: A heartbreaking defeat on Wrath for Leo Breslin. Tried so hard to win that TV belt... eh. He?s gonna take it out on Blazenwing... who might actually be able to take the punishment, seeing how he put up a fight against Crow.

Rules: Singles match. Standard DQ and countout rules apply.

 

TEH EURO CONTENDERSHIP MATCHZORZ... CON EL TWISTE!

"Canadian Thunder" Chris Trepanier vs John Duran

Description: The winner of this match gets to face Aecas. And that?s as funny as we get today. Duran might get another shot at the title, too. But... the only way to win is by countout! OMGWTFLOL kthxbye

Rules: No DQ in effect. Pins or submissions are ignored. Only way to win is via countout.

 

TEH FRIGGING EURO ALREADY

Charlie ?Grappler? Matthews vs. Aecas©

Description: He won a match so he gets a title shot. It gets no deeper than that unless they promo.

Rules: Singles match. Standard DQ and countout rules apply.

 

TEH PRAY TO FUCKING GOD SPIKE GAUNTLET MATCH

?Hollywood? Spike Jenkins vs. Scott Solomon, Dan ?The Phoenix? Caldwell, & ?The Extreme Solution? Jonathan Clarke

Description: It?s Spike?s signature match. 3 mostly untested ringwalkers (I MADE A WORD) against a man who gets made fun of in some places. If Spike wins, he gets... a world title shot. Yes he does.

Rules: Gauntlet match. Standard DQ and countout rules apply. Spike faces Solomon, Caldwell, and Clarke in that order. Those three may write together, but Spike gets no help.

[Guest realitycheck]

The SJL Crimson opening montage of various SJL stars, set to the official Crimson theme song, plays on screens inside the America West Arena and at homes across the world. As we see the first shot of tonight's venue, a loud, screeching pyro crashes head first into the stage…

 

BOOM!

 

 

BOOM!!

 

 

 

BOOM!!!

 

Three more thunderous explosions set off, as cameras wildly scan the crowd, searching for anything notable enough to put on the air. A few signs, some creative and some not, and a few attractive women are featured, as Axis and the Suicide King stand by…

 

"Welcome to S J L CRIMSON! We are LIVE from the America West Arena, in Phoenix, Arizona. Normally home to the NBA's Suns and the NHL's Coyotes, we're taking over tonight…"

 

"This is where it's at tonight. We have an opening tag match with Manson and Shawn Tybalt versus Viktor Tarakanov and Cassius Atkinson! We have Syndicate defending his TV Title against the English Dragon! We have a Countouts Only Triple Threat for the European Title Contendership! We have, shock of shocks, a normal singles contest featuring David Blazenwing and Leo Breslin! We have Aecas defending his European Title against Charlie Matthews!"

 

"Ah, but don't forget about our Main Event. It'll be Spike Jenkins in a gauntlet match! His opponents will be Scott Solomon, Dan Caldwell and Jonathan Clarke. If Spike manages to win, he'll get a shot at Crow's World Title. What'll the other team win though?" Retorts Axis.

 

"What do you mean? They'll win the match. Winning a match against Spike is enough of a reward."

 

Just as Axis is about to respond, the arena plunges into darkness as the abrasive metal riffs of The Haunted's "Hate Song" hits, setting off loud rounds of boos and jeers from the crowd, as red strobes rapidly flash on and off. Manson walks out from behind the entrance curtain moments later, somewhat dejectedly, and with a large bandage on his forehead.

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome at this time… MMANSON!" Says the booming voice of Funyon.

 

"Well, it appears as if Manson is about to join us here. He's scheduled for tonight's opening match, but it appears as if something is on his mind."

 

"I can field a guess as to what it is, as he just hasn't been himself since Wrath. Ever since my favorite wrestler named Spike Jenkins shot off a freaking FIREBALL into his face by using a can of hairspray and a lighter."

 

Manson, as he glides down the ramp, looks towards the ring with pure anger and hatred in his eyes. He shrugs off the boos and displeasure of the fans, as he rolls under the bottom rope. Upon popping up, he calls for a microphone, and raises it up to his face.

 

"If I could have your attention…"

 

"BOOOO!"

 

"God dammit, SHUT UP!" Manson screams.

 

"BOOOOOOOO!!"

 

Manson regains his composure, as he smiles down at the ground and speaks. "Now, I assure you, Phoenix. I'm not here to slander you tonight, or to make fun of your town. Because that would just be too easy--"

 

"ASSHOLE!… ASSHOLE!"

 

"Okay, then. NOW that I have your attention, I have some things, that I need to talk about. Namely, Natasha and her bitch, "Hollywood" Spike Jenkins." Some fans cheer now, at the thought of Spike getting his. But most of the fans continue to boo Manson, and he glares into the crowd.

 

"SPIKE! What you did to me on Wrath, NO ONE has ever done to me before. You were willing to take it to the next level in an effort to win the battle, and I applaud you for that. I also applaud you for taking the initiative to toughen up for your hopeful fight with Crow. But what I will not give you kudos for, is choosing ME to do it, for using me as your stepping stone!" The fans cheer a bit more, now a little more responsive to Manson's strong words.

 

"Manson, appearing to have a problem with Spike."

 

"Of course he does, Master of the Obvious. Spike tried to set him on fire, for crying out loud."

 

"Listen here, Holly. Doing what you did, is the biggest mistake you have EVER made. As of now, you're a dead man walking. And it'll only be a matter of time before I take your health, your dignity and make you regret EVER messing with me…" Says Manson, in a threatening tone. To that, the fans respond again, cheering again, but still skeptical.

 

"Manson, promising to get his hands on Spike." Says Axis.

 

"Spike, what you did to me, it WON'T happen again. Because…… well, I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU BEFORE YOU EVEN GET THE CHANCE TO!" Says Manson, nearly hysterical. Manson then pauses again, in order to collect himself.

 

"I know I've said words like these before. But I promise you Spike… the time for talk is over, as it's now time for me to take action. And that brings me to tonight. From what I understand, I have a tag team match. It'll be Shawn Tybalt and I versus Zangief and Cassius Atkinson. Shawn, get down here, and let's show this crowd that hate is a mother FUCKING lifestyle!"

 

"Hate Song" kicks up again, as Manson tosses the mic out of the ring, to the SJL worker who handed it to him before. He then walks over to his corner in the far area of the ring, and sits on the floor, arms stretched across the bottom rope. Funyon climbs up the steps into the ring, for the official intros…

[Guest realitycheck]

Axis updates the fans on the recent happenings over the loud thrash metal of Manson's theme song, "Hate Song" by the Haunted. Funyon, in the ring, introduces Manson for the match?

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the following is a mixed tag team match and it is scheduled for one-fall! Already in the ring, hailing from Denver, Colorado! Weighing in at two-hundred and ten pounds, and standing six feet tall! Here is? MMAAANSONNN!"

 

"If you're just joining us here on Crimson, we're about set for our curtain jerker mixed tag match. But the story thus far is that Manson got on the mic just moments ago, and promised many severe beatings in the near future for one "Hollywood" Spike Jenkins."

 

"I just may be the biggest Jenkins fan in the world, but I don't blame Manson for promising, or possibly doing, such things? I would too if someone took my life into their hands like that."

 

"Whatever the case, King, I find both of them to be morally reprehensible individuals. But Spike had better pray that Manson simmers down before any future confrontations."

 

"Ah, Spike trumped Manson once before. He can do it again." retorts King.

 

"Maybe. But even the first time around, Spike just barely got out alive."

 

Manson's music drowns out, as the entrance lights turn red, and Shawn Tybalt's voice is heard over the speaker?

 

"Peace? I hate the word. As I hate hell, all these fans, and thee."

 

The fans begin booing, as black smoke from backstage floods the entry way and "Whatever" by the Butthole Surfers cues up. Tybalt emerges from the smoke with his valet, Dangeress, only a step behind. The two begin their walk down the ramp, to the intro of Funyon.

 

"And Manson's tag team partner, hailing from Quad Cities, Indiana! Weighing in at two-hundred and nineteen pounds, and standing five foot eleven inches tall! Accompanied by Dangeress, here is? "The Rebel" Shawn TYYYBALT!"

 

Tybalt makes various rude gestures to the fans, pissing them off even more, and he rolls into the ring as Dangeress walks around ringside to take her place on the outside floor. Tybalt climbs the turnbuckle nearest the camera and the rampway, and points down at his crotch with a "Suck It" crotch chop.

 

"And here, fans, is a real piece of work, in Shawn Tybalt. Cut from the cloth as other bastards in the industry, he's rude, crude and brash." says Axis, disapprovingly.

 

"He's also extremely talented. Which is a reason we signed him up."

 

"He's a cocky young ass with no respect. And being around Manson won't help him one bit."

 

Tybalt looks over toward Manson, and Manson looks over to Tybalt. With that, Manson pulls himself up with the assistance of the top rope, and the two meet in their corner to discuss

strategy. As they do, the "Soviet National Anthem" by the Russian Red Army Choir strikes up as a large red pyro explodes on the entrance ramp.

 

"And their opponents. First, hailing from Astrakahn, Russia! Weighing in at two-hundred and eighty pounds, and standing six foot six inches tall! Here is? "The Red Rage" VIKTOR

TAAARAKANOV!"

 

Viktor strolls out onto the stage to boos, and immediate chants of "USA!", "USA!" break out. As his music continues, he calmly walks down the ramp, checking his wrist tape at certain intervals. Viktor sneers at the crowd before climbing up the ring steps. He wipes his feet on the ring apron before stepping in-between the ropes. The referee for the match, the ever reliable Matthew Kivell, stands in-between Viktor and the team of Manson and Tybalt, to keep them separated. Manson and Tybalt don't move however, as they continue discussing their plans.

 

"Hey, Axis. What was it Manson called Viktor?"

 

"?Zangief."

 

"Heh."

 

"How amusing. For a little match background, Manson and Tarakanov's one and only clash took place in a no-DQ triple threat contest for the #1 contendership to the World Title, in a match which also included Spike Jenkins. Tarakanov won that match, but came up short in his title shot versus Crow. Meanwhile, Cassius Atkinson and Shawn Tybalt have already had one match against each another, which Tybalt won."

 

Axis looks at King with contempt, as the lights slowly fade to black and the "Legion of Doom" theme begins to play. The crowd erupts into cheers as a wall of fire rises on the stage. Through the fire, calmly and confidently walks Cassius Atkinson, followed by Dominator.

 

"And, hailing from Tyler, Texas! Weighing in at two-hundred and fifty six pounds, and standing six feet six inches tall! Accompanied by Dominator, here is? "The EVERLASTING"

CASSIUS AT-KINSON!"

 

Atkinson slowly walks down the ramp and climbs the steel steps, as Dominator takes his place at ringside. Atkinson steps in-between the ropes, into the ring. He climbs his corner's turnbuckle and flexes for the crowd, to a good pop. As he steps down, Funyon exits the ring and Matthew

Kivell calls for the bell.

 

DING! DING!

 

"Without a doubt, the strangest pairing tonight is Atkinson and Tarakanov. What could have brought these two together?"

 

"Bingo day at the old folk's home?"

 

"Hilarious." Says Axis, in a deadpan tone. "Anyhoo, we should elaborate on the rules here. The gist of it is that, it's a mixed tag, and that means the SJL rookies cannot be in the ring at the same time as the SJL veterans. Thus, Manson cannot face off against Atkinson. And Tarakanov cannot face off against Tybalt."

 

"The Rebel" Shawn Tybalt and "The Everlasting" Cassius Atkinson stare each other down as the match gets under way. Cassius puts his hands out, teasing a lock-up, but Tybalt hits Cassius with a quick kick to the mid-section in response. Tybalt spins, raising his foot up into a spinning crescent kick to Atkinson's head. Cassius stumbles back a couple feet, but won't fall down. Tybalt ducks down, and pulls Atkinson's feet from under him, taking Cassius to the mat.

 

"The smaller, quicker Tybalt gets Atkinson on the mat now?" Says Axis.

 

Shawn wraps his arms around the right ankle of Atkinson and tries to lock on an anklelock, but Cassius struggles out of it, nearly making it to his corner, and Tarakanov. Thinking on his feet, Tybalt breaks his hold on the ankle, instead pulling Atkinson's right leg into the air and slamming it back down, driving Atkinson's knee into the mat. Cassius writhes in pain on the canvas, as Tybalt throws a crotch chop towards Atkinson.

 

"CROTCH CHOP! THE DEADLY CROTCH CHOP!" Exalts King, excitedly.

 

Tybalt soaks in the boos of the crowd, as he grabs Cassius by his short, dark hair. Tybalt pulls Cassius up to his feet, but Atkinson has recovered in the midst of Tybalt's taunts. Cassius begins to lay strong right hands into Tybalt's mid-section. Cassius grabs Tybalt's arm, whipping him into the turnbuckle, entrance aisle side. Tybalt hits, and collapses against it. Cassius approaches and turns Tybalt around, chest first against the turnbuckle. Atkinson begins driving stiff elbows into "The Rebel's" back. Matt Kivell begins the five-count in the corner, and Cassius hits his eighth elbow, as Kivell gets to four. Cassius releases Tybalt, and lets him drop to the mat face first?

 

"Cassius just laid a world class beating on Shawn Tybalt, and Tybalt is now in a dire position?"

 

With Tybalt out on the mat, Cassius turns his back to the ring and starts up the turnbuckle. At the top, he raises his arm, signalling for the big move?

 

"And now Cassius Atkinson is signalling for the Everlasting Elbow! This match might be over before Manson and Viktor Tarakanov even have a chance to get in the ring!"

 

Manson panics in his corner, at the bottom of the screen. As Cassius is ready to dive from the apron towards Tybalt, Manson charges Cassius on the ropes, running along the apron. Manson leaps up, and places his left hand on the chest of Atkinson, pushing him off!

 

"That bastard! That bastard! He pushed Atkinson off the turnbuckle!" Says Axis.

 

Cassius Atkinson collides with the mat, bouncing off, as Dominator turns his head on the outside, trying not to look.

 

"Oooh, careful. Atkinson might break a hip."

 

Both Atkinson and Tybalt slowly struggle to their feet, inching towards their corners. With the fans clapping for Atkinson to make it to his corner, Tybalt reaches Manson and tags him in, to

the boos of the crowd. As Manson is just about to charge Cassius, the tag is made on the other side, as Cassius tags in "The Red Rage" Viktor Tarakanov.

 

"The tag is in! The tag is in!"

 

Manson charges Tarakanov, but Tarakanov knocks him down with a clothesline. Manson bumps off the mat, only to be knocked down with a second clothesline. Manson gets up a little slower now, as Tarakanov grips him by the arm, and sends him into the ropes, announcer booth

side. Manson bounces off, but keeps a hold on the top rope. Tarakanov charges Manson, but "The Machine" takes the top rope with both hands, and ducks, sending Tarakanov to the

outside.

 

"Yes! Low bridge! Manson continues to show he's one of the best?" Says King, hyping up Manson.

 

Tarakanov bounces off the outside mats, as Manson feigns injury, complaining about his arm to Kivell. With the distraction, Tybalt hops down off the apron, and Dangeress joins him, as the two begin laying in the boots to Tarakanov!

 

"Hey!"

 

"Heel tactics! Heel tactics! Continue laying in those kicks, Shawn!" King says, approvingly.

 

King gives a thumbs up to Tybalt, and Tybalt responds with a thumbs up back to Suicide King, as he and Dangeress continues kicking Tarakanov. After a few moments, Dangeress and Tybalt disperse as Dominator chases them away. Tybalt heads back up on the apron, and Dominator helps up Tarakanov, as Manson breaks his conversation with Kivell, and charges towards the outside. Manson leaps, and straightens out his body, as he dies in between the ropes, and collides with Dominator and Tarakanov on the outside!

 

"SUICIDE DIVE!" Says Axis.

 

The fans chant "HOLY SHIT!" as all three men lay on the outside of the ring, and Matthew Kivell begins his count of ten.

 

"ONE!"

 

"TWO!"

 

On two, Manson pulls himself up with the help of the announce desk.

 

"THREE!"

 

"FOUR!"

 

On four, he takes Tarakanov by the head, and pulls him up to the ring, rolling him in. He rolls in himself on five, and crawls into the cover. Kivell counts.

 

 

"ONE!"

 

 

But Tarakanov kicks out at one? Manson pulls up Tarakanov, and wraps his arm up, sending him hard into his corner. With that, Manson reaches over to Tybalt, and Tybalt tags himself in. On the opposite side of the ring, Atkinson tags himself in, as well. Tarakanov takes his place on the apron, as does Manson.

 

"We're switching out once again, as the tags are in to Tybalt and Atkinson!"

 

Tybalt rushes Atkinson, and leaps up, extending his arm and knocking him to the mat with a flying forearm. Atkinson is slow to get up to his feet, as Tybalt locks arms with him in a collar elbow tie-up. Tybalt pushes and shoves Atkinson into the corner, announcer booth side. Tybalt breaks, but

immediately thrusts his hands up, wrapping them around the throat of Atkinson, choking him. The crowd boos, and Tybalt finally breaks at the insistence of Matt Kivell. Tybalt gives a dirty look to Kivell, as he pulls Cassius out of the corner. Tybalt grabs the arm, readying for an irish whip across the ring. Tybalt does so, but Atkinson stands his ground, and he reverses the whip. Tybalt goes running back into Atkinson, and Atkinson rears back and extends his arm. He

brings it forward and clotheslines Tybalt down, and falls to the canvas in the process. Atkinson goes into the cover.

 

 

"ONE!"

 

 

But Atkinson gets only the one count, as Tybalt gets the shoulder up.

 

"Atkinson with the cover out of the diving lariat, but he's only able to secure a one-count?"

 

"Cassius is old enough to be both Manson and Tybalt's father."

 

"And?"

 

"Nothing. Just saying he's pretty damn old."

 

"Enough, King."

 

Cassius climbs back up to his feet. He then pulls Shawn Tybalt up by the hair with him. Tybalt kicks Atkinson in the mid-section, causing the older man to keel over. Tybalt grabs Atkinson's head, ready to drive him face first into the mat with the Thumb Biter, but Atkinson dives forward, driving his

elbow in to the chest of Shawn Tybalt. Tybalt staggers back a step from the blow, but keeps his footing. Tybalt then spins backward quickly, swinging his foot up in a devastating crescent kick to the side of Cassius Atkinson's head. Cassius goes to the mat from the blow.

 

"A quick crescent kick from Tybalt, as he fells Atkinson."

 

Shawn Tybalt grabs Atkinson's hair and pulls him to his feet. Tybalt ducks his head underneath the right arm of Atkinson, while applying a front facelock. "The Rebel" then clutches the waistband of Atkinson's tights, and hoists him above his head in a perfect one-hundred and eighty degree angle. Tybalt drops back, planting Atkinson with a thunderous vertical suplex. Tybalt doesn't let go there, however, as he spins his legs to get back up onto his feet, pulling Atkinson up with him. With the two now up and standing, Tybalt hoists Cassius up once again, and brings him down just as quickly with a second vertical suplex. Tybalt, locked onto Atkinson like a pit bull still doesn't let go, as he repeats the process once more, dropping Cassius Atkinson with a third vertical suplex. Atkinson finally releases the hold, as he floats over into a pin, with Kivell counting.

 

"What a series of rolling vertical suplexes by Shawn Tybalt!" Axis cries.

 

"The kid's got stuff. The senior citizens don't stand a chance against this pairing of Manson and Shawn

Tybalt!"

 

 

 

"ONE!"

 

 

 

 

"TW..... NO!!"

 

 

 

Cassius throws his shoulder up with authority, getting out of the pinning predicament.

 

"Cassius Atkinson isn't out of this match yet, King!"

 

"The longer this goes on, the more likely that it'll be Atkinson's funeral." Suicide King replies.

 

Shawn Tybalt is up off the mat and onto to his feet, and he pulls Atkinson up with him. Tybalt kicks Atkinson in the gut, this time locking in an inverted facelock. Manson claps, yelling to the crowd, "I taught him this!" But the best laid plans of Tybalt and Manson don't go so well, as Atkinson reaches up above him, punching away at the forehead of Tybalt. Shawn releases the hold, but pushes hard onto the back of Atkinson, sending him into the ropes, entrance aisle side. Atkinson bounces off the ropes, and Tybalt waits for him in the middle of the ring. Tybalt leaps up and onto Atkinson's frame for an attempted Lou Thesz Press, but Atkinson promptly drops him across his knee with a manhattan drop. The fans cheer, as Tybalt grabs at his crotch and falls to the ground. Atkinson immediately bends down to pull him up, and whips him into the near corner. Tybalt smacks into the post back first and collapses on it.

 

"Atkinson taking hold of this match after the inverted atomic drop?"

 

Cassius charges Tybalt and turns his back to him, hitting him with a running back elbow. Cassius hits him with a second back elbow, and Tybalt is reeling from the assault, as Kivell begins the five count. Atkinson rears back and brings his hand forward across the chest this time, as he strikes with the knifedge chop. With Kivell now on four, Atkinson lets loose with a punch to the face, and steps aside as Shawn Tybalt stumbles out of the corner into the center of the ring.

 

"Shawn Tybalt is dazed and out on his feet after the attacks in the corner by Cassius Atkinson," Axis

says.

 

"Not nearly as dazed as when Atkinson's Alzheimer's hits?"

 

"He's not THAT old."

 

"Fifty and a day, Axis. In fact, I don't even think our insurance will cover him."

 

Tybalt stands in the center of the ring, back to Atkinson. Atkinson steps back into the ring ropes and rebounds off, headed straight at Tybalt. Cassius lowers his shoulders, and drives his right arm straight into the back of Tybalt, spearing him down from behind!

 

"Cassius with the SPEAR!"

 

Tybalt hits the mat face first, as Cassius flips him up onto his back. He then takes Tybalt's legs and sets his own leg between them. He twists Tybalt's legs around his own, then slowly turns Tybalt over, stepping over Tybalt's body as he does so. Cassius then leans back, sitting down and leaning back to lock in the sharpshooter!

 

"Sharpshooter!" Axis yells. "Cassius Atkinson has the sharpshooter locked in! Will Shawn

Tybalt tap?"

 

Manson climbs over the rope to break up the submission, and does so as he rears back his left leg and kicks Atkinson across the chest with a fierce roundhouse kick! Atkinson lets go of the hold and falls. As Manson is set to begin taking it to Cassius, Viktor Tarakanov rushes into the ring and saves him by knocking Manson down onto the mat with a clothesline. Matthew Kivell then forces Tarakanov out of the ring, as Manson gets up to his feet, and slaps his hands together, mimicking the sound of the tag! With that, Manson drags Tybalt back to their corner, and begins stomping away at his opponent to the VERY loud boos of the crowd.

 

"What the hell?"

 

"That's what Cassius gets?"

 

With Kivell's attention turned back towards the match, he asks Manson if the tag was made. Manson says yes, and Kivell takes his word for it as Manson continues stomping away on the downed Cassius. Kivell warns Manson to allow Cassius to make it to his corner. Manson complies, and Cassius slowly rolls over to his corner to tag in Tarakanov.

 

"I'm getting sick of the cheating in this match?"

 

"Tough."

 

Tarakanov charges into the ring with a passion, as Cassius rolls out onto the apron.

 

"Manson and Viktor Tarakanov are back in the ring, King! Get ready for some brutality!"

 

"Well then, who better than Manson to bring the pain!"

 

"And I'm getting sick of your shilling for Manson, too."

 

Manson ducks out of the way of an attempted clothesline by Tarakanov, and as Tarakanov turns around, Manson dropkicks the legs out from underneath him. Tarakanov catches himself before he falls forward, but Manson is immediately on him once again, with another dropkick. This one takes Tarakanov down face first, as Manson mounts him from behind, and pulls his head up by his short hair with his left hand. With his right hand, Manson begins driving downward forearms into the neck of Tarakanov, and Tarakanov cries out after each one, while fighting to his feet.

 

"Manson with clubbing blows to the neck and jawline of Tarakanov, but Tarakanov is able to get up regardless."

 

With Manson on his back, Tarakanov reaches behind himself, and grabs Manson by his long, black hair. Tarakanov pulls Manson over his shoulder with a hard makeshit snapmare, and Kivell warns Tarakanov about the hair pull. Manson hits the mat, and there's Tarakanov with the front mount, as he pulls Manson up by his hair, so that Manson is facing Tarakanov's chest. Tarakanov raises his right hand and makes a fist, kissing it, before driving measured punches into Manson's forehead.

 

"THAT'S ILLEGAL!" Shouts King.

 

"How so?"

 

"It's not, actually. But the fact of the matter is that Manson still has stitches in his head from the street fight with Jenkins. Tarkanov could be undoing those right now?"

 

Manson feels every one of his stitches coming undone, and Tarakanov gleefully smiles as he punches away. Soon after, Matthew Kivell pulls Tarakanov off of Manson and warns him. Back on the mat, a slight trickle of blood oozes from Manson's forehead, as he pushes himself off the mat.

 

"Manson is now busted open, bah gawd. You were right, Brian."

 

"I always am."

 

"I beg to differ. But Tarakanov has now opened up a wound on Manson's forehead, with his patented punches."

 

On the outside Dangeress gives a look of disgust, as droplets of blood falls to the mat. With his opponent now up, Tarakanov pushes Kivell away, and lifts Manson up by his legs. Spinning around one-hundred and eighty degrees, Viktor falls to the mat, and plants Manson with a huge spinebuster! He rolls into the cover, and hooks a leg.

 

 

 

"ONE!!"

 

 

 

"TW-- NO!"

 

 

 

Manson gets the shoulder up, and Viktor groans, as he punches the canvas in frustration. Viktor is up to his feet, and he pulls up Manson, then slides behind him and wraps his arms around "The Machine's" waist. With a relatively easy lift, Viktor pulls Manson off the ground, but Manson pulls Kivell in close by his collar? and thrusts his leg up with a mule kick right into the sack of Viktor Tarakanov!

 

"I didn't see anything." Says King, anxiously.

 

"I didn't ask you if you had. Because I know you did, and you'd try and deny it happened regardless."

 

Viktor sets Manson down and attends to his family jewels. Manson with a duck behind, and he rolls-up Viktor with a school boy, thus assuring that Kivell hadn't seen anything. Kivell dives down to count.

 

 

 

 

"ONE!!"

 

 

 

 

"TW-- NO!!"

 

 

 

 

Cassius breaks up the count by diving onto Manson! With that, Tybalt comes into the ring, and begins wailing away on Cassius with piston-like forearms. Atkinson fights him off, and retreats to his corner. Tybalt returns to his, only after Kivell threatens him. Manson gets up to his feet, and brings Tarakanov up with him. Manson brings his hand back, and then forward, hitting a knifedge chop to the chest of Tarakanov, sending him back into the ropes, announcer table side. Manson pursues, and applies the front waistlock to Tarakanov. Manson attempts to lift Viktor up, but cannot, as Viktor drives an elbow right into the collarbone of Manson. Manson immediately breaks the hold, and goes down to a knee, as does Tarakanov, still reeling from the low blow.

 

"Both Manson and Viktor are hurting now?"

 

Tarakanov is up to his feet first, and he pulls Manson up to his feet, wrapping his arm around the chest of Manson. Tarakanov hoists him up, going for his uranage suplex, but Manson does just the same as Viktor before him, as he drives an elbow into the neck and shoulder area. Viktor releases the hold, and Manson eyes his opening, as he releases a rapid-fire fury of chops to the neck of Tarakanov. Tarakanov goes down onto his back, holding his neck and grimacing, as Manson crawls into the pin.

 

 

 

 

"ONE!!"

 

 

 

"TWO"

 

 

 

 

"THR--- NO!!!"

 

 

 

 

Tarakanov gets his right foot under the bottom rope, and Kivell stops the count.

 

"Christ? Manson NEARLY had him there with the mini-chops to the neck."

 

"Let me tell you. The move may not look deadly, but it's the rapid succession and suddeness to it, like a lumberjack cutting into a tree, that does you in. There's a reason why it's a favorite overseas."

 

Manson pulls Tarakanov up to his feet, but Tarakanov drives a punch right into the kidney of Manson. Manson keels over, grabbing his side, as Tarakanov places him in the standing headscissors. Tarakanov lifts up Manson by his waist, and places him onto his shoulder. With a snap, Tarakanov pulls Manson down in front of him, and DRIVES him face first into the middle of the mat with a Dominator.

 

"TARAKANOV WITH THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION!"

 

Tarakanov goes into the pin, and Kivell follows suit?

 

 

 

 

"ONE!"

 

 

 

 

 

"TWO!!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"THRE-- NO!!!!"

 

 

 

 

Tybalt breaks up the pin with a stomp to Tarakanov, and that brings Atkinson into the ring, who clotheslines both he and Tybalt over the ropes, onto the floor!

 

"Literally, King, it was two and three-fourths there!"

 

Tarakanov raises his hands up to his face in frustration as he gets up to his feet. But on the outside, things have broken down, as Tybalt and Atkinson lay in the heavy punches to each other, with Dangeress watching on! Dominator watches from his corner's ringside area, as Tarakanov watches from the inside of the ring and Manson begins stirring on the mat. Manson is up to his feet now, and he approaches Tarakanov from behind. He wraps his arm around Tarakanov's head, applying the inverted facelock. With a quick spin down to the ground, Manson brings Tarakanov down with him into the inverted spinning neckbreaker!

 

"MANSON WITH THE HATE EX MACHINA!" Exclaims Axis..

 

Manson rolls Tarakanov over for the pin, as Dominator pounds the apron in frustration, and Dangeress celebrates on the outside.

 

 

"ONE!!"

 

 

 

"TWO!!!

 

 

 

"THREE!!"

 

 

 

DING! DING!

 

 

"YOUR WINNERS, BY PINFALL? MANSON AND SHAAAWN TYBALT!"

 

Upon hearing the bell, Cassius rolls into the ring, as does Dominator, looks of disappointment on their faces.

 

"Manson and Shawn Tybalt have triumphed over Viktor Tarakanov and Cassius Atkinson, as Manson goes over with the Hate Ex Machina. I told you so, Axis. I told you so."

 

"They had to cheat to do it?"

 

"Excuses."

 

"Shut up, ass. We'll be back with more Crimson, after this."

 

On the outside, Matthew Kivell raises the bloodied Manson's hand. Dangeress and Shawn Tybalt stand beside him,as they look dead on at Dominator and Cassius Atkinson. And Manson looks through Viktor Tarakanov with his cold, dark eyes. Tarakanov brushes off any attempts by Dominator and Atkinson to help him up, as he slides out of the ring and heads up the aisle.

[Guest realitycheck]

Axis: It's time for Crimson's SJL Television Title match, and we have both a brand new champion and a brand new contender here tonight. On Metal last Sunday Syndicate upset Leo Breslin to claim the title, whilst English Dragon was somewhat fortunately victorious in a 5 man battle royal which gave him this shot.

 

King: English Dragon wasn't "fortunate", Axis! He won fair and square! Just like he will in this match!

 

Axis: Syndicate has been through a lot to become a champion here in the SJL, and Dragon will find it very hard to take that away from him. Let's get our introductions…

 

FUNYON: Ladies and Gentleman….the following contest is set for one fall and is for the S..J..L Television Title!

 

Crowd pops!

 

FUNYON: Introducing first the challenger, from London, England, weighing in at 223lbs., this…is the English Draaaaaaaaagon!

 

"Land of Hope and Glory" fills the arena as the English Dragon strides out to the ring, tonight in an all white get up. Dragon soaks up a hostile reaction from the fans as if it were applause, reaching the ring and wiping his feet on the apron before entering and shaking hands with our referee.

 

King: That's classy!

Axis: He's kissing his ass!

FUNYON: And….his opponent….from Portland, Oregon, weighing 239lbs., he is the SJL Television Champion…Syyyyyyyyyyndicate~!

 

“Burn to Burn” by Static-X kicks in as blasts of red pyro fire up across the stage. Syndicate steps through the smoke and acknowledges the cheers of the fans, pointing to the belt strapped round his waist. In the ring, the champ ascends the nearest turnbuckle and raises an arm, before turning round and jumping down…straight into a lariat from English Dragon that catches him across the throat! Syndicate goes down!

 

Axis: What a cheap shot! Syndicate didn’t even get the belt off!

King: Quick thinking from Dragon! It's the chump's own fault for posing to the crowd!

 

DING DING DING

 

Axis: That's the bell for the official start…and Dragon is in immediate control.

 

Syndicate is picking himself quickly up, but Dragon throws a few European forearms across his jaw, rocking him back. Dragon grabs the left arm of Syndicate and swings behind him, applying a hammerlock, applying pressure to the arm and back of the champion, trying to force him down to one knee.

 

Syndicate stays completely calm however, and whips round Dragon, grabbing the arm into his own hammerlock. Dragon immediately runs backwards into Syndicate, propelling both men into the corner where our referee calls for the break.

 

Axis: The champion has a definite advantage in strength. weight and height over the English Dragon.

King: So what? Look at all the best champions- they have brains! Look at Syndicate- single figure IQ!

 

Syndicate shields his face as Dragon moves away from him, clearly expecting a cheap shot, but Dragon merely walks away, turns and beckons Syndicate to come at him.

 

Axis: Unusually sporting behaviour from English Dragon.

King: Never cheat when your opponent is expecting it.

Axis: Cheat?

King: Er, I meant "attack".

 

Our two competitors face each other, each waiting for the right moment to react…suddenly Dragon bursts forward and attempts to grab the left leg of Syndicate for a take down, but Syndicate evades. As Dragon is momentarily on his knees, Syndicate grabs him and locks in a headlock from behind, bringing Dragon half up. Dragon staggers in the hold for a few seconds before getting his hand onto Syndicate's back and pushing the champ off onto the ropes. Syndicate bounces back, and Dragon hooks his right arm under Syndicate's left, attempting to hip toss him over, but Syndicate won't be moved.

 

Axis: Dragon's going to have a tough time applying basic wrestling holds like that.

King: For once, you're right. Dragon needs to speed things up.

 

Dragon tries again with the hip toss, but Syndicate calmly gives him a forearm shot to the face, and as Dragon releases his arm, uses it to grab Dragon's head to his side and jump back, planting the challenger with a DDT! Syndicate tries for a cover:

 

ONE….

 

TWO….

 

And Dragon kicks out fairly comfortably. Syndicate brings Dragon to his feet, but not for long as he wraps his arms around the torso of the Englishman. Syndicate scoops him up vertically with a twist so that Dragon's back faces outwards, a position that draws a reaction from a portion of the crowd who expect Syndicate's Vertigo piledriver. It's not time for that move however, as Syndicate drives Dragon downwards with a shoulder breaker. Dragon's right shoulder is smashed into the left knee of the champion, and Syndicate holds him in that position for a few seconds before letting Dragon's body crash to the mat.

 

Axis: A powerful looking shoulder breaker from our Television champion, and he's immediately going after that same area.

 

Syndicate is measuring that shoulder of the English Dragon, before laying into it with kicks as Dragon lies on the mat.

 

King: Oh c'mon, he's kicking him while he's down! Is this the kind of champion we want to represent the SJL?

 

Dragon twitches with each kick and tries to squirm away from the kicks, but Syndicate is back on top of him, drawing him up again and this time grabbing Dragon's left arm and whipping him hard across the ring into the corner. Dragon hits the corner pads hard and staggers out, straight into the waiting arms of the champion, who hooks one arm between the legs of Dragon, the other around his shoulder and swings him round with a powerslam! Syndicate lands on top and hooks the leg:

 

ONE….

 

TWO….

 

Dragon gets a shoulder up. Syndicate climbs off of Dragon, but immediately drops back down, bending his left arm and driving an elbow into the shoulder. The champion keeps the elbow in place, grinding it in but suddenly removes it when English Dragon wraps his free arm around Syndicate's neck! Dragon swings round and clasps his legs across the stomach of Syndicate, adding a body scissors.

 

Axis: Dragon going to mat work to try and subdue Syndicate.

King: Dragon *is* a masterful technician after all.

Axis: King, look at that arm across the throat! There's no technique there!

 

Syndicate grimaces, but isn't in pain for long as our referee decides Dragon is applying an illegal choke and forces him to release it. Dragon breaks the scissors too and gets to his feet to argue with the official but the ref gets right back in his face and points at Syndicate, who has risen. Dragon shakes his head and wags a finger, only to be spun around by Syndicate and pummelled with a flurry of right hands.

 

Dragon is knocked back into the corner, and the TV champ continues the assault, smashing Dragon across the face a few more times before taking the dazed Dragon's head and neck between his hands and pulling him out of the corner and down with a stinging neck breaker. Dragon snaps back off the mat, clutching his neck, and Syndicate is on top of him with the cover:

 

ONE….

 

TWO….

 

Kick out again from Dragon, but this one was the closest so far to three.

 

Axis: Syndicate is totally dominating the English Dragon! What can he do to get back in this title match?

 

Syndicate brings Dragon up, but is caught by surprise as Dragon grabs his head and drops forwards, bringing Syndicate's jaw down onto the top of Dragon's head. The champ clutches his face and falls back, and Dragon leaps with a lariat that connects with his head and brings him down.

 

King: That's what he can do! A beautiful jaw breaker!

 

Dragon tries for a cover:

 

ONE…

 

Syndicate kicks out almost immediately.

 

Axis: Well, that was a little ambitious on the part of English Dragon.

 

Dragon covers again, this time with an elbow right on the nose of Syndicate:

 

ONE…

 

The kick out comes again, but Dragon, undeterred, tries again:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

Syndicate kicks out.

 

King: Axis, Axis, you don't understand…Dragon wasn't trying to get a pinfall, he was just draining the strength of Syndicate by making him kick out.

 

Dragon brings Syndicate up and gets behind him, grabbing him around the back and upper leg and lifting him up in the a belly-to-back suplex position, but then swings Syndicate back and down, driving his head swiftly into the mat!

 

Axis: A vicious belly-to-back brainbuster from Dragon!

 

Dragon covers:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

Syndicate throws an arm up. Dragon slams it back down and sticks that elbow in the face again, the cover:

 

ONE…

 

Syndicate kicks out this time.

 

Axis: Well, the repeated covers may work, but perhaps Dragon would be better off continuing his offence straight away.

King: What the hell do you know about wrestling? Go fetch me a drink.

Axis: I'm a well-respected broadcaster.

King: Are you still here? I want ice in that.

 

Dragon brings his opponent up into a headlock, and throws the left arm of Syndicate over his neck, grabbing the top of his tights and bringing him up and over with a quick snap suplex! Dragon maintains the hold on the mat and twists his hips, swinging himself and the champ to their feet. The Englishman goes for another snap suplex, but Syndicate gets his leg behind that of Dragon's and blocks it. Dragon tries again, but in the effort loses control, and Syndicate is able to reverse the hold and get his own snap suplex!

 

On the mat, Syndicate performs the same manoeuvre as Dragon, bringing both men up, and Syndicate is able to bring Dragon over, getting his second snap suplex! Syndicate twists up, going for a third, but is slower this time, and Dragon is able to block in the same fashion. Dragon tries to reverse to his own suplex, but Syndicate holds on…only until Dragon uses his free arm to hit a low blow to the groin of Syndicate! Syndicate's arms fall, releasing Dragon, and he responds immediately, hooking his own arms around the body of the champ, bringing him close and then flipping back and over, spinning Syndicate over with a northern lites suplex! Dragon holds the bridge for the pin!

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

TH- No, Syndicate kicks out!

 

Axis: That was close! Bridging northern lites suplex with the added influence of the low blow almost accounted for the SJL Television Champion!

King: I'm sure that was three, Axis. What a great suplex!

 

Dragon lies for a second or two neck to Syndicate, regaining his composure. The champion looks in a bad way, clutching his groin and clenching his teeth in pain. Dragon looks at Syndicate on his back, and leaps to his feet, grabbing his legs and stepping in, spinning round, looking for the Cross of St George…but Syndicate gets his free legs to the back of Dragon and shunts him off and away.

 

Syndicate drags himself up, and blocks Dragon's European forearm strongly! Dragon tries again, but is blocked once more. Dragon swings with a decidedly un-European fist, but Syndicate ducks, moving to the side and slipping his right arm under Dragon's shoulder. Dragon fights back, so the Television champion gives a forearm to the jaw. Syndicate tenses, and uses his power to flip Dragon into the air with a hip toss, but as Dragon comes down again Syndicate grabs him by the head and neck and hastens his descent with a neck breaker!

 

Axis: What a move! Dragon was taken down hard!

 

Syndicate decides not to cover and brings Dragon up, standing adjacent to him and hooking his leg in front of Dragon and his arm around his back. Syndicate tilts back a little and then powers Dragon forward, down face first onto the mat with a forward Russian leg sweep. Syndicate flips Dragon onto his back and hooks the leg:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

Dragon kicks out, and his opponent brings him to a crouch before wrapping his hands around Dragon's head and flipping him onto his back again with a snap mare take over. Syndicate runs over to the ropes, bounces off and leaps into the air, raising his leg and crashing down with it across the throat of Dragon!

 

King: He's not going to beat him with that move!

Axis: Here's the cover!

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

TH- Dragon gets a shoulder up.

 

King: That was just insulting!

Axis: Dragon was lucky not to get pinned.

King: But he's still in there. Syndicate has got to be getting frustrated.

 

Syndicate drags Dragon to his feet, but is perhaps a little careless as his hold is loose enough to enable Dragon to wrap an arm around Syndicate's leg and pull him over into a pinning cradle:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

As the referee's hand falls again, Syndicate kicks and twists, rolling backwards and reversing the cradle! Dragon is now in the pinning predicament:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

Dragon kicks out and both men fall back onto the mat. Syndicate gets up immediately, grabs Dragon's arm to pull him up and then uses it to whip him off the ropes. Dragon comes back fast but drops to the mat in a slide, going through the legs of Syndicate. As the champion turns, Dragon is on his feet and nails him with a superkick! Dragon dives on top and hooks the leg:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

THR- Syndicate kicks out!

 

Axis: I thought Dragon had him there!

King: He did! This match should be over!

 

English Dragon shakes his head at our referee in disapproval as he gets to his feet, but this time sees Syndicate rising and turns back to him, taking him up to a standing position. With his opponent still woozy from the kick, Dragon is able to tie his arms around him in the straightjacket position, pull him in close and fling Syndicate up and over with an Aztec suplex! The impact throws Dragon away from Syndicate, but he gets back across to make the cover:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

THR- NO!

 

Axis: A devastating suplex from English Dragon, but Syndicate is still there. He's a fighting champion, a worthy champion, there's no doubt about that.

King: Yes, Dragon would be.

Axis: You know what I meant.

 

Dragon climbs off the body of the TV champion, and steps out onto the apron, climbing up to the top rope…

 

Axis: What does Dragon have planned here?

King: What ever it is, Syndicate is doomed!

 

Dragon stands on the top rope, poised, as Syndicate gets to his feet…and leaps off the top, driving his legs forward and into the chest of Syndicate with a missile dropkick! Both men crash down to the mat and Dragon is quickly over to make the cover:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

T- Syndicate powers out, and Dragon slaps him across the face in frustration before leading Syndicate to his feet. Dragon whips Syndicate off the ropes, but the bigger man ducks under Dragon's clothesline, bounces off the ropes on the other side of the ring, but comes straight back into Dragon's arms. Dragon wraps them round the midriff of Syndicate and spins him over with the momentum, driving Syndicate's back onto Dragon's out stretched knee.

 

Axis: Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker from Dragon, and he's not finished.

 

Dragon keeps Syndicate balanced on his knee with his right arm, and pushes his left onto the throat of the champ, pushing his head back and stretching his body out.

 

King: That looks painful, Axis!

 

Syndicate starts to struggle, and disturbs Dragon's balance enough for him to drop him down to the mat. Dragon brings Syndicate back up and sends him off the ropes again, grasping Syndicate and trying to repeat the move, but this time Syndicate is going fast enough to flip all the way over and land back on his feet! Dragon is taken aback and easily caught with a clothesline to the chest that takes him down.

 

Syndicate immediately grabs Dragon up, throwing him towards the ropes. Dragon bounces off them, and as Syndicate ducks to try and back drop Dragon, leaps forward and somersault rolls off Syndicate back onto this feet! Dragon turns and grabs the waist of Syndicate before he can move and pulls him back and over with a bridging German suplex! Our referee dashes over to count:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

TH- Syndicate twitches, breaking the bridge and the count just in time.

 

Axis: Another near fall…both men are giving this everything. There's no question over the importance of this title.

King: Exactly- which is why it needs an important champion! English Dragon!

 

Dragon and Syndicate both climb to their feet, with Dragon the first to right himself. Dragon runs to the ropes, springing back but Syndicate leaps upwards and forwards, catching Dragon around the midsection and slamming him back down hard with a spinebuster! Syndicate rolls to the side and hooks the leg:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

TH- Dragon gets a foot onto the bottom rope! Syndicate stays calm and leads Dragon to his feet, bringing him away from the ropes into the centre of the ring. Syndicate puts his arms around Dragon…and flips him up and over into the Tombstone position!

 

Axis: Vertigo! Vertigo! Dragon's going to taste Vertigo!

King: Victory, Axis, you mean "victory".

 

Dragon starts to kick wildly and Syndicate's strength is diminished enough that Dragon's weight carries him back and over onto his feet…Dragon heaves with all his power and brings Syndicate up, reversing the position! Before Syndicate can move, Dragon drops to his knees, planting Syndicate's head onto the mat with a Tombstone piledriver!

 

Axis: Bah gawd! How did Dragon do that?

King: I told you you meant "victory", Axis! This one is over!

 

Dragon covers Syndicate:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THR- Syndicate gets a shoulder up!

 

King: No! How?!

Axis: Dragon obviously didn't hit that move perfectly- it's not one he's familiar with, I believe.

 

Dragon shakes his head…gets to his feet…and drags Syndicate towards the corner. With his opponent still prone on the mat, Dragon ascends to the top rope once more…Dragon points down at Syndicate, and launches himself forward with a roll, coming out of it with an elbow that connects hard with the sternum of the champion!

 

King: That's "the British Empire strikes back!"

Axis: Dragon's version of the Houston Hangover, and he smashed into Syndicate at great velocity! This could be it!

King: New champion!

 

The move looks to have knocked the wind out of Dragon, but he hooks the leg:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THRE- NO! With a fraction of a second to spare, Syndicate kicks out. Dragon looks at the ref, who holds his hand were it stopped, centimetres above the mat. The crowd pops loudly for the kick out, and starts a "SYN-DI-CATE! SYN-DI-CATE!" chant that infuriates Dragon. The challenger stomps on the fallen champion, but Syndicate suddenly catches Dragon's leg and rises to his feet! Dragon is left hopping, his left leg in his opponent's hands!

 

Syndicate swings Dragon around so he's facing away from him and runs forward, clutching his neck into a headlock and jumping forward, bringing Dragon down hard with a bulldog.

 

The television champion wastes no time, picking Dragon up and lifting him onto his shoulders in the fireman's carry position, but instead of flipping Dragon onto the mat, Syndicate swings him out forwards, extending his knee so that Dragon's face is slammed into it!

 

Axis: Mah gawd! What a facebuster variant!

King: Aww, c'mon Dragon!

 

Dragon bounces off and lies flat on his back. Syndicate gets on top for the cover:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THR- Dragon throws an arm up!

 

Axis: These two men are going toe to toe, swapping high impact moves and near falls.

King: That wasn't a near fall. Dragon was just resting as much as he could!

 

Syndicate holds Dragon's neck as both men rise, then hooking one arm underneath the left leg of Dragon and the other under his back, and tries to swing Dragon over in a back drop suplex, but Dragon kicks and flips out of the hold just as he's brought over. Dragon lands on his feet and ducks a big boot from Syndicate! Dragon leaps and throws a low dropkick that connects with the gut of Syndicate!

 

Axis: That's got to have knocked the air out of Syndicate.

King: He's at Dragon's mercy now!

 

Syndicate is sent down to the mat, and Dragon stands over him, nods his head and steps in. Dragon twists the leg, folds his own over and sits back, locking in the Cross of St George!

 

Syndicate shouts in pain and sits up, but Dragon chops him across the chest once, twice, three times, and Syndicate falls back, both shoulder's falling onto the mat. Our referee counts it:

 

ONE…

 

TWO…

 

Syndicate sits up quickly. The referee checks on him, asking the obvious question, but Syndicate shakes his head vehemently. Dragon is wrenching on the hold with all his power, but Syndicate still shakes his head. The crowd gets behind the champion once again, clapping in unison and stamping there feet as Syndicate starts to try to turn over the hold! He turns to the left…twisting Dragon over slightly…but Dragon won't go, snapping himself and his opponent back! Syndicate tries again…then suddenly twists to the right, going quickly in the opposite direction. Taken by surprised, Dragon is turned over and Syndicate releases the hold!

 

King: That's not fair!

Axis: Will Syndicate make Dragon tap to this?

 

Dragon's head is thrown back, and he reaches desperately for the ropes…he shuffles forward a little…Syndicate tries to hold him still but Dragon slowly pulls forward and grasps the bottom rope with his outstretched hand.

 

Our referee tell Syndicate to break the hold, and both men slowly pull themselves up. Both are limping a little, feeling the effects of that exchange, but they start to fight it out once more. Dragon lands a European forearm to the jaw of Syndicate, and another, but the champ fires back with right hands and whips Dragon off the ropes. As he comes back Syndicate gets his arms around him and lifts him up in the Tombstone position once more! The crowd goes mildly wild!

 

Axis: Can he hit the Vertigo this time?

 

Dragon tries to escape but can't wriggle out this time…so resorts to bringing his up and smashing it into Syndicate's groin!

 

Axis: Oh no! Not another low blow! I'm beginning to think English Dragon is a little groinally fixated!

King: Shut up Axis! Syndicate put his head down there in the first place!

 

Syndicate staggers for a second, before slowly toppling backwards with the Dragon still on top of him! Dragon grabs his legs, a handful of tights in one hand, cradles him in…and behind the ref's back grabs the nearest rope with the other hand!

 

ONE…..

 

 

TWO….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE!

 

DING DING DING

 

Axis: Bah gawd, that's a travesty! English Dragon is a disgrace to the SJL!

King: He's the new Television Champion, Axis! I hope he wipes it right across your sanctimonious face!

 

FUNYON: The winner of the match and NUUUUUUU SJL Television Champion…English DRAAAAAAAGOOOOOOON!

 

Dragon grabs the title belt from ringside and quickly makes his way up the ramp as "Land of Hope and Glory" greets his victory. In the ring, Syndicate rises to his feet and glares furiously after English Dragon.

 

Axis: Bah gawd, if there's any justice in this world Syndicate will get a rematch!

King: Get over it, Axis! Look at our new champion!

 

Dragon holds up the belt and waves to the crowd, who boo and flip off the Dragon as he disappears backstage…

[Guest realitycheck]

“Won’t Back Down” by Fuel begins as the show comes back from its commercial break. The lights go out and flames begin making sporadic appearances across the stage.

 

Axis: Welcome back to SJL Wrath, folks! We’re coming to you LIVE from the America West Arena in steamy Phoenix, Arizona!

 

King: It’s no Kingdome… but I guess the fans are good.

 

Two spotlights appear in the center of the stage. Leo Breslin steps into the first. Behind him, in the other spotlight, is Scarlet Minjonet, her dark brown hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. She walks behind Leo as he makes his way down the ramp.

 

King: Scarlet is… impressive. She’s got those tight outfits down to a T.

 

Funyon: Now making his way to the ring… weighing in at 230 pounds and coming from Cleveland, Ohio… being accompanied by Scarlet Minjonet… LEOOOOO BREEEESLIIIIIN!

 

Scarlet turns and heads to left side of the ring as Breslin slides under the bottom rope. Obviously frustrated and somewhat angered, Breslin ignored the crowd that cheers him as he begins leaping up and down, without much energy, in the ring’s center. Four flames shoot up from the turnbuckles and the arena returns back to normal. Leo retires to a far corner and awaits Blazenwing. Seconds later, Rob Zombie’s “Dragula” begins.

 

King: Notice that tonight, Leo Breslin wears no Television Title. What happened to that whole speech of his about defending against any and all opponents and whatnot. He can’t do that when he loses in his first defense!

 

Axis: I’m sure Breslin is fine with losing the title to Syndicate, who proved to be the better man that night. Frankly, it shouldn’t bother him much, because his record against Syndicate is even. But that doesn’t really matter tonight, because we have BLAZENWING and Breslin.

 

Blazenwing appears on the stage, a black light above him, setting him in an eerie purple-blue light. Barring that, the arena is submerged in darkness. He begins his slow descent of the stage, Jen following behind her somber boyfriend.

 

Funyon: And his opponent… weighing in at 270 pounds… he is The Dark Master… BLAZENWIIIIING!

 

Axis: I find it humorous how this man’s theme music is “DRAGula.” Put a wig on him, and you’ve got yourself a cross-dressing drag queen.

 

As Axis says this, Blazenwing climbs the steel stops. His monotonous walk is enough set Breslin off in a pace back and forth in the ring. Blazenwing slips under the top rope, placing one leg in the ring. But instead of entering entirely on his own and retiring to a corner, he is attacked by an eager Breslin, who clobbers his back with multiple forearms. Breslin pulls him into the ring and continues his attack.

 

King: Leave Blazenwing alone! The man has gone through so much!

 

Axis: Explaining why he currently lives in his own personal hell…

 

Once in the center of the ring, Leo takes the doubled-over Blazenwing and tucks his head between his right arm and ribcage. Breslin drops onto his back, bringing Blazenwing down with a DDT. The last ding of the bell is rung as Leo walks a few circles around the body.

 

King: Exactly! If you’ll remember, Blazenwing recently had a hellacious Glass Ceiling match against our World Champion, Crow. He had an impressive showing and proved many people wrong by putting up one hell of a fight.

 

Axis: I’ll agree with that. But what happens if before the bell even rings, a pissed off Leo Breslin beats your ass and cracks your skull on the mat?

 

King: You rebound.

 

Axis: I don’t think Blazenwing will be doing that anytime soon. Breslin just pulled him off the mat and is whippin’ him against the ropes… clothesline! A big one, too, for a man of Breslin’s stature. And now he’s stomping the livin’ hell out of Blazenwing!

 

King: Calm down, Breslin! Blazenwing isn’t the guy who made a full out of you and uncovered you for what you really are… a loser. Now stop pretending to be an intimidating force and just lose already.

 

Axis: I don’t think he can here you. And if he did, he would probably drop you must like he did Blazenwing.

 

King: Can we still call him David?

 

Axis: No, no, no. You can’t call a Goth… David. It’s a contradiction.

 

King: How about Blaze?

 

Axis: That’ll work…

 

Leo attempts pulling Blazenwing up, but instead of grabbing something that will actually help him, he grabs the Blazenwing’s top shirt, a pure black button-up, which is quickly torn off and tossed to the side. From her spot at the apron, Jen is able to grab the shirt. She pulls it towards her and takes it as her own, holding it in her arms as she urges Blazenwing to get to his feet and fight back.

 

Axis: If only Jen’s words worked magic. But they don’t, so I doubt Blaze is going anywhere until Leo gets out this mean streak.

 

King: It’s completely unfair. Blaze wasn’t even in the RING when Leo attacked him. This is an unjustified beating!

 

Axis: Not if the bell was rung… which it was. And regardless… our fans love it.

 

King: That’s because they’re prejudice towards guys like Blaze.

 

Breslin uses some sense this time and pulls Blazenwing up by his head. Placing his hand delicately on his chin, as if he’s about to pull off a passionate on-screen kiss, Breslin stares into the eyes of Blazenwing, then uses his other clenched hand to strike him… hard. Blazenwing stumbles to the side, all the way to the ropes.

 

Axis: Knock that dye right out of his hair, Breslin.

 

King: He’s not hitting his hair.

 

Axis: Yeah, but as a side effect it could… nevermind. Breslin pulls Blaze off the ropes… Irish whip… Back body drop from Breslin! He just exploded upward and literally HEAVED Blazenwing off the mat!

 

After Blazenwing hits the ground, he slowly sits up. On one knee, Breslin takes his left arm and wraps it around Blazenwing’s neck. He hooks that arm with his right, applying a sleeper hold of sorts. Blazenwing is already rather beaten, considering the straightforward impact style exhibited thus far by Breslin. Being in the sleeper only contributes to his weakness. His eyes become heavy and his body limp. His head droops, and the crowd cheers Breslin on. Applying as much pressure as he can, and making sure to not choke Blazenwing, Breslin looks rather bored. Just as the referee is about to life Blazenwing’s arm up to see if his lights are out, Breslin releases the sleeper. He comes to his feet and drags Blazenwing up, his hands under his arms. Behind him, Breslin clings his arms together. Blazenwing is tossed backwards with a German suplex. He lies on his side on the mat, rocking back and forth just a bit, trying to bring some energy to himself.

 

Axis: I’d definitely say that Breslin is OWNING right now.

 

King: If Breslin didn’t CHEAT before the match began, Blazenwing would be doing the owning right now.

 

Axis: Well, I don’t think Blaze will be owning anytime soon. Breslin still looks perturbed.

 

Standing on the outside, Jen hits the apron furiously, yelling at Blazenwing, trying to encourage him to his feet. Across from her stands Scarlet, her arms folded across her chest, a calm look on her face as she watches not Breslin and the action in the ring, but Jen and her theatrics. Inside the squared-circle, Breslin stares intently at Blazenwing, who is slowly getting to his feet. Now doubled-over against the ropes, Breslin moves in towards him. He attempts to grapple him from behind again, but is unable to as Blazenwing swings his arm back, connecting his elbow and Breslin’s face. Breslin stumbles backwards and is nailed with a weak but effective clothesline… effective enough to buy Blazenwing some time.

 

King: There’s my boy! Blaze is takin’ a smart breather here… and now he returns to Breslin, who’s getting up on his own.

 

Axis: Breslin with a kick to the gut… turns around… DIAMOND CUT--

 

King: No, Blaze pushed him off!

 

Breslin runs into the ropes with his chest, and rebounds a bit before turning around to meet a vicious right hook to the jaw. This is followed quickly by a zippy left jab to the face, and finally a literally breathtaking uppercut to Breslin’s midsection. Breslin is reeling. But Blazenwing, not willing to see his advantage slip away, continues his assault. Coming right in front of him, Blazenwing puts his arms under Breslin’s and then hooks them. Together in a one-sided embrace, Blazenwing lifts Breslin up, flips him over, and tosses him quite a distance with a belly-to-belly suplex.

 

King: Now this is what the match should be like! No Breslin getting offensive on Blazenwing… just the opposite. And now I’m content.

 

Axis: And that discontents me.

 

Blazenwing hastily moves over to Breslin and falls down onto him for the pin attempt. Breslin manages to kick out just after the two is counted, and Blazenwing lifts him up immediately. Whipping him, Blazenwing is caught off guard when Breslin manages to reverse it, sending Blazenwing into the ropes. Breslin rushes forward, arm extended, but his clothesline is ducked under. Both mean head towards the ropes again to gain more momentum, but it is only Blazenwing who get any. Jen manages to hook Leo’s left leg as he bounches into the ropes. He doesn’t trip, but gets caught up enough for it to be a major distraction. He looks down at the nuisance, who smiles a wicked smile. Leo ignores her and turns around, only to see Blazenwing bounce off the ropes right next to him, grab his head, and pulls him down with a bulldog.

 

Axis: And now Jen has cheated. Are you still content?

 

King: More than I have been in a while. Breslin deserved it anyway. I reckon that’s why Scarlet is keeping her distance.

 

Axis: Trust me, that probably won’t last. She’s had her eyes on Jen throughout this match.

 

King: Yikes. No wonder her and Leo aren’t an item…

 

Blazenwing gets to his feet, allowing a worn Breslin to do the same on his own time. Grabbing him right after he reaches his feet, Blazenwing hooks his arm around Leo’s neck and places Leo’s arm over his. He attempts a suplex, but Leo hooks his leg behind Blazenwing’s knee. Leo’s free hand drops down enough to grab Blazenwing’s leg, which he holds onto as he lifts him up and over with a release fisherman suplex. Blazenwing lands rather awkwardly, looking as though he may have twisted his neck. Breslin is quick to cover Blazenwing.

 

Axis: One… TWO… THREE!

 

King: No, Blaze’s foot is on the rope!

 

Axis: What, are you--Jen did it! Jen put his foot on the rope! This is absolutely despicable! Maybe grabbing the foot was fine to get even with Breslin’s premature attack, but this shows a complete ignorance of the rules and sportsmanship!

 

King: Blah, blah, blah. Cry me a river.

 

Axis: But I can’t say this is a surprise. What IS a surprise, however, is Scarlet’s non-interjection. I would expect her to be clobbering Jen right now.

 

King: Maybe she knows that Jen could kick her ass.

 

Axis: I don’t quite think that’s it…

 

Breslin gets up and gives Jen a few seconds of attention. He then turns and glances at Scarlet who, for the first time, looks up at Breslin, making eye contact with him and nodding. Turning back around, Breslin sees Blazenwing getting up with the assistance of the ropes. He comes up to him and turns himself around so his back is Blazenwing’s. Breslin’s hands fine Blazenwing’s armpits and take a hold of them.

 

Axis: Here comes a razor’s edge…

 

King: Nuh-uh! Blaze just hooked the rope with his legs! What a GENIUS!

 

Axis: That is pretty smart of Blaze. Breslin doesn’t seem to be able to get him off… and he’s given up, letting Blaze fall back down onto his feet.

 

Blazenwing turns around and ducks a wild punch targeting his head. He pops back up and grabs Breslin’s head. Jumping into the air a bit, Blazenwing drops back down onto one knee and, pulling Breslin down, slams his head into the bent knee that sticks out. Breslin bounces up and stumbles backward a few feet, and is then split in half with a vicious spear.

 

Axis: I don’t think that was Darkness Rising.

 

King: Why not?

 

Axis: Well… Blaze didn’t look very dark. He looked more sunny…

 

King: Regardless, Blaze is going for the pin! One… TWO… TH--

 

Axis: There’s Breslin for you! Always resilient in his quest…

 

Blazenwing gets up and looks about the arena. The crowd is booing him, but he takes no pain or gain from it. Rather, his eyes are fixated to Jen, who is outside the ring looking up at him, a wide grin on her face and gleam in her eyes. This picture makes Blazenwing smile just a bit. He turns around and grabs Breslin by the head, turning him over and lifting him up. Scarlet unfolds her arms and stretches them individually, then twists her neck in different directions. She begins pacing back and forth, her eyes still intent on Jen, all the way on the other side of the ring, looking at nothing but Blazenwing.

 

King: Blaze whips Breslin… Leo comes back… and is nailed with a big boot! Right in the schnozzle!

 

Axis: What’s a schnozzle?

 

King: I don’t know, but I’m sure it would hurt if you got hit in it.

 

Axis: Well, Breslin is definitely hurting. Blazenwing isn’t relenting. And Scarlet… Scarlet is moving, and she’s moving rather quickly.

 

King: Who cares?! Blaze is headed to the top rope! He’s gonna spread himself and fly! WING! GET IT… SPREAD WINGS?!

 

Axis: Yes, I get it…

 

Standing on the top turnbuckle, Blazenwing is just about prepared to take off and nail a flying clothesline when the journeying Scarlet finally finds her destination, an unsuspecting valet cheering Blazenwing on. Scarlet grabs Jen by the shoulder and swings her around, then nails her with a fierce slap to the face. Jen stumbles to the side, grabbing her stinging face, but Scarlet is not done.

 

Axis: Scarlet is giving it to Jen! The whole time Jen’s been interfering, Scarlet hasn’t done a damn thing. But she is now! And I think there’s a reasoning behind it…

 

King: She’s a psychotic bitch? She’s shown no emotion until now.

 

Axis: And if you’ll notice, this is Breslin’s most desperate hour. He’s really hasn’t been fairing to well, and Blaze is about to nail him. But look at Blaze now. He’s distracted by the action on the outside and--Breslin just took out Blaze’s legs! Blaze’s bells have been rung!

 

King: DAMMIT!

 

Axis: And on the outside, an attacking Scarlet is taking care of Jen and… double-arm DDT! Jen’s head just got slammed into that unforgiving mat! Revenge is sweet! The crowd loves it!

 

As Scarlet returns to her side of the ring, leaving a fallen Jen in a heap, Breslin takes advantage of the pain Blazenwing is going through. He hurriedly pulls Blazenwing down a bit, hooking his arm around his neck. Then, Breslin backs up a bit, still keeping the front facelock in as Blazenwing is pulled forward. Seconds later, all that rests on the turnbuckle are Blazenwing’s shins, and Breslin holds him up on the other end by his neck. Knowing that the impact will be great, the crowd’s anticipating cheers rise a few decibels. Breslin doesn’t hesitate, knowing that Blazenwing may escape. Instead, he falls down onto his back almost immediately, pulling Blazenwing down with him, driving his head into the mat with a variation of an even flow DDT.

 

Axis: Landslide! Landslide! That was beautiful, and the crowd agrees!

 

King: This is falling apart!

 

Axis: It sure is! Breslin squirms a bit on the mat… he’s bringing both legs up, folding Blaze like an accordion. Smart move considering how close to the ropes they are.

 

King: GET UP JEN!

 

Axis: One… TWO… THREEEE! Breslin has DONE IT! He’s back on the fast track!

 

::DING DING::

 

Funyon: And the winner of this match… LEOOOOO BREEEEESLIIIIIN!

 

The crowd is ecstatic as Breslin gets to his feet, leaving Blazenwing on the mat. Leo is met in the middle of the ring by Scarlet Minjonet, who has slid in from under the bottom rope. On the outside, Jen’s hand is on the apron as she tries pulling herself up, her other hand on her aching head. Scarlet and Leo embrace as a smile emerges on both their faces. “Won’t Back Down” starts up and the pair heads to the ropes. Leo kindly sits on the middle rope and pushes the top one up, allowing Scarlet to exit through a wide gap. He follows after her, and the two walk down the steps and up the stage, soaking in the cheers.

 

Axis: And that’s the ballgame, folks!

 

King: No it’s not. We’ve still got Spike Jenkins runnin’ the gauntlet coming up!

 

Axis: Not to mention Aecas will be defending his European Title against Charlie Ma… Matthews. What the hell is Jen doing?

 

King: It looks like she’s tending to her fallen man…

 

Axis: No it doesn’t. She’s kneeling over him, muttering some nonsense. And she’s rocking back and forth…

 

King: People like her have weird ways of showing concern.

 

Axis: Now she’s getting louder. What is she saying, King?

 

King: I don’t know, but she sounds like a cow having an orgasm…

 

From her position, kneeling beside Blazenwing, Jen is indeed rocking to and fro, her hands placed gently on Blazenwing’s chest. She speaks in a satanic manner, letting out strange combinations of sounds that form quasi-words that seemingly make sense to her. Eyes closed, she is deep in concentration as the fallen Blazenwing remains fallen, completely motionless and unresponsive.

 

King: Maybe this is their post-match ritual.

 

Axis: Well do it in the back. I’m sure these fans don’t want to see this.

 

King: I’m sure they do something freaky like this in Phoenix… freaky ritual to the desert God or something.

 

Both announcers, not really caring much about what’s going on, are both suddenly silenced as the lights go out and the arena is left in pitch black. The talk between Axis and Suicide King has stopped, and the arena is mostly quiet with the exception of a few screaming fans. Complete and utter confusion takes over just about everyone, and it isn’t until thirty seconds or so later that the lights return. In the ring, still in her crouched position, with her eyes closed, is Jen. In front of her lies nothing, save a silver chain with a pendant of some sort on it. Suddenly, Jen’s eyes shoot open and her hand darts out, embracing the chair and holding it in her clenched hand. She frantically gets to her feet and rushes out of the ring, walking next to the stage rather then up it, all the way to the backstage area. Soon, she is out of sight.

 

Axis: Now is it the ballgame?

 

King: I think it’s time for a stretch after that incident. We’ll be right back folks…

 

The scene fades to commercials.

[Guest realitycheck]

Fade in from commercials.

 

Axis: "Welcome back to SJL Crimson in Phoenix, as it's time for the #1 Contenders match to the SJL European Title! This time around, it's a one-on-one match with a twist as "The Sinner" John Duran goes up against "Canadian Thunder" Chris Trepanier in a match where you have to beat your opponent by countout to win!"

 

King: "Trepanier has been on leave from the SJL for a few weeks, so unfortunately, the advantage logically has to go to John Duran. The bastard."

 

Axis: "I wouldn't put it past Trepanier to take this match even after a few weeks out of the spotlight. The only question mark is how he can keep Duran on the outside, since he mostly relies on submission holds."

 

King: "We'll see what Chris haves up his sleeve for this upcoming match and more matches down the road. With all of this in mind, it's time to go to the ring, for the introductions to the #1 Contender's Match!"

 

Fade to the ring where Funyon is ready to deliver the introductions.

 

Funyon: "This next match is a one-on-one Countout Only match, where the only way to capture a victory is to knock out your opponent to the outside for the count of 10!"

 

As Funyon's voice fades out from the America West Arena, "Sinner" by Drowning Pool kicks in and the crowd immediately begins to boo John Duran before he even shows in face in Phoenix. The boos kick up a notch as "The Sinner" makes his entrance, and he seems to be soaking up everyone's negative reaction towards him.

 

Funyon: "Introducing first, weighing in at two hundred and sixty five pounds from Champaign, Illinois...he is "The Sinner"...JOHN DUUURANNNNNNNNNNNN!"

 

Duran begins to walk down towards the ring, having nothing but that snug smile on his face once again.

 

King: "Duran sure hasn't had anything to be smiling about lately."

 

Axis: "Duran has been having a rough time these past five shows, but he might be able to break out of that funk tonight!"

 

John steps up onto the apron and enters the ring, taking his good sweet time in taunting the crowd. The Phoenix crowd lets Duran know that he's not popular around here, though some tell John that he's #1 in their book. Duran seems ready to throw down and fight, as the metal riffs of "Defused" by Canadian Thunder ripple through Phoenix.

 

Funyon: "And introducing his opponent, weighing in at two hundred and sixty seven pounds and hailing from Grand Rapids, Manitoba, Canada, he is "Canadian Thunder"...CHRIS TREPANIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

 

The crowd seems to be giving Trepanier a better reaction than Duran. Chris doesn't seem to notice any of it as he walks down towards the ring, focusing intently on the ring and the opponent inside the ring in John Duran. Trepanier enters the ring and quickly gets to feet, ready to fight before the bell even rings. Duran, who was within five feet of Chris when he slid in the ring, takes a couple of steps back. Duran is a little startled by this sudden upstart of energy from Trepanier.

 

Axis: "Smart move here from Chris, it seems that during his time off he managed to get around to watching some footage of Duran in which it is obvious that John isn't the most honorable guy in the world."

 

King: "Yeah, the guy's a rotten stinking' cheater."

 

Axis: "And you're one to talk?"

 

King: "Listen, Axis, sometimes there are honor among cheaters. Let's just say some people won't get their cheating honors anytime soon for being great big douche bags."

 

*DING DING DING*

 

As the match begins, Duran decides to take another direction with the match. Duran holds up his hands in the universal signal for the test of strength. However, the crowd smells a rat, and begins to boo, some of them trying to encourage Trepanier not to go for it. Chris actually listens to the crowd, but in the end decides to take Duran up on his offer when John insists. As John and Chris lock hands in the center of the ring, Duran immediately tries to plunge his right knee into the gut of "Canadian Thunder"...but Chris blocks it with his left knee. A small pop emanates from the crowd, as Trepanier seemed to have seen that one coming a mile away.

 

King: "I beat Duran feels really smart now. Old habits die hard, Duran, no one falls for the old' test of strength gag anymore."

 

Axis: "It was good of John to at least give it the college try."

 

Duran backs up a minute from Trepanier, nodding his head and giving Chris that smug smile, before bringing his hands back up into the air.

 

Duran: "Come on, this time it's legit, Trepanier!"

 

Axis: "I'm not quite sure what Duran's game plan is in this match, but he better put it into action, because I don't think he's doing much with this test of strength."

 

Trepanier tries to gauge the crowd reaction once again, and it's negative once again, most of the crowd booing Duran for his actions, and some folks in a section of the arena beginning a faint chant of "BORING! BORING!" Trepanier decides to give John another chance, and sure enough, this time the test of strength is legit. The crowd boos as Duran gets the advantage. Duran holds Trepanier down, bending him back towards the mat, but Trepanier begins to reverse the control of this move, moving it back even and then moving it in his favor as some of the crowd begins to cheer. However, they don't get to cheer for much for long. John quickly reverses the test of strength, and locks it up even again.

 

Axis: "Now that I think about it, this test of strength proves that both of these men, going into tonight, or very, very strong men. The only difference I can honestly find between these two men is that 'Canadian Thunder' can take some more punishment than Duran, but 'The Sinner' himself can deal out more damage."

 

King: "...But as shown by this early test of strength, neither one is showing any advantage."

 

Duran tries to push the test of strength in his favor, but Trepanier surprises Duran with a knee to the gut. The crowd cheers as John is put in a standing headscissors, his arms hooked behind his back as Chris lifts "The Sinner" up over his head before dropping him back with a double underhook suplex, getting a decent pop from the crowd.

 

Axis: "Well, will you look at that? And here we were worried about Duran playing a little unfair."

 

King: "I didn't see anything there if you didn't."

 

Duran doesn't stay down on the mat for long after the double underhook suplex, seemingly springing right back to life. Duran charges "Canadian Thunder", ducking under Chris' attempt at a clothesline. Duran bounces into the ropes nearest the announcing table, as Chris turns around to meet up with Duran in the middle of the ring once again. However, "The Sinner" has the upper hand this time, hitting Chris with a forearm smash that sends Trepanier down to the mat.

 

Axis: "Textbook forearm smash there from John Duran, you can't get much more basic than that right there."

 

King: "Simple moves for simpletons."

 

John attempts to run towards the ropes nearest the entranceway to attempt a follow-up move to the forearm smash, but Chris grabs Duran's left ankle and brings "The Sinner" down to the mat. Chris gets to his feet; grabbing the same leg to which the ankle is attached. Trepanier tucks this leg under his left arm as he turns his back to Duran, who is still laying face first on the mat.

 

Axis: "I think Chris might be going for the Trepanier Lock right now!"

 

King: "It may be a little bit early for that, not to mention that I doubt it's going to do very much good for Trepanier."

 

Axis: "I don't know if he remembers that this match can only be won by a countout victory!"

 

King: "No matter what, if Duran gets locked in that Trepanier, he'll be feeling the effects of it!"

 

Nevertheless, Trepanier attempts to get that high angle and lock on the single crab. Chris stalls a little bit too long, as Duran squirms his way out of Chris' clutch. Scurrying away like a scared animal, Duran goes to the corner to the left of the entrance. Duran breathes a sigh of relief after escaping that narrow escape from the Trepanier Lock.

 

Axis: "I have to give credit to Duran there, he managed to squirm out of Trepanier's finisher, now he could use a Break Point right here to shut Trepanier down, give 'Canadian Thunder' a taste of his own medicine."

 

Duran gets back up to his feet, meeting Chris in the middle of the ring as both men lock horns. John wins this exchange, grabbing Chris' left arm and sending him into the ropes nearest the entranceway. Duran follows Trepanier into the ropes, as Chris comes off the ropes. Chris is met with a big meaty arm from "The Sinner." Chris is hit with the clothesline from Duran, but the momentum from the clothesline sends both men over the top rope.

 

King: "Bwahahahahaha! Axis, do you ever get the feeling Duran doesn't have much upstairs?"

 

Axis: "A devastating clothesline as we've come to expect from John Duran, but it doesn't pay off, as both competitors are now on the outside of the ring, a place where neither of them should want to be in a match like this!"

 

Referee Sexton Hardcastle begins to administer the 10 count, as both men begin to get to their senses after their fall to the outside.

 

"ONE!"

 

John gets to one knee, and Chris soon follows suit.

 

"TWO!"

 

Trepanier gets to his feet, shaking a few of the cobwebs loose as Duran slowly begins to get up.

 

"THREE!"

 

Trepanier realizes that the referee is 1/3 of the way through, and slides into the ring. Duran is close to follow, rolling in the ring.

 

Axis: "Well, if there was any rumors of confusion about the rules, I think you can wipe that off the slate. These two men know what is at stake, and they know how they have to get it."

 

King: "Pretty simple, really: Just beat the crap out of your opponent."

 

Chris is to his feet as Duran rolls into the ring, and Chris takes advantage of the situation. Trepanier puts a couple of boots into the side of "The Sinner," before bringing Duran to his feet. Chris stands to the left side of Duran, facing him towards the announcing table and wrapping one arm around Duran's neck. Trepanier steps in front of Duran's left leg, hooking it as Trepanier falls back, dropping Duran onto his neck with a Russian legsweep.

 

Axis: "Russian legsweep by Trepanier!"

 

King: "Did you notice that the legsweep was performed on the left leg of Duran? I believe that Trepanier might have a very effective thing going for him!"

 

John is down on the mat as Chris stands upright, grabbing the left leg and dragging Duran away from the ropes a little bit. Not wanting to waste too much time in executing the move, Trepanier locks a leg lock on the left leg of Duran, some of the crowd puzzled at what is transpiring, and Sexton Hardcastle himself trying to explain to Trepanier that the only way he can win is by having John counted out.

 

King: "I was right! Axis, I think you might be catching on too!"

 

Axis: "He's attacking his--"

 

King: "That's right, he's attacking his left leg so when John ends up on the outside, the bastard won't be able to get back in the ring! This is excellent!"

 

Duran winces in pain, beginning to crawl towards the ropes, attempting to alleviate some of the pain and pressure being locked on by Trepanier.

 

Axis: "We should probably point out that any leg lock Trepanier puts on his opponents is magnified 5x by the fact that he's practically a master at these kind of submissions, and he knows just how to make it hurt to the point where you want to tap!"

 

King: "It's a shame that tapping isn't legal in this match, I want to see that punkass Duran give up every once in a while."

 

Duran lunges for the ropes and grabs the bottom one with his right hand. The crowd groans in disappointment that they don't get to see "The Sinner" squirm some more, as some of the pain has been diminished from John hanging onto the ropes. Realizing this, Trepanier releases the leg lock, reluctantly, getting to his feet and waiting for Duran to get up.

 

Axis: "'Canadian Thunder' is certainly thinking on his toes tonight, as his plan is practically fail-proof. It'll be up to Duran to keep Chris from taking the match to the mat, where Chris can expose that left leg and weaken it."

 

Duran is slowly getting to his feet, beginning to feel the pain in his left leg, but not seeing Trepanier anywhere. Alas, Chris is behind Duran. John notices this a second too late as "Canadian Thunder" dives down, chopblocking the left knee of Duran and sending him down to that left knee, collapsing down to the mat in pain. Some of the crowd gasp as "The Sinner"'s knee seems to just give out like a cheap accordion.

 

King: "Did you see that chopblock?! Beautiful!"

 

Before Trepanier can follow up that move with any other move directed towards the leg, Duran rolls to the outside as Sexton Hardcastle begins the ten count.

 

Axis: "King, moves like that have retired countless professional football players, that's why it is not allowed in the NFL!"

 

"ONE!"

 

King: "It's a very effective move, Axis, you have to give it credit, and it made Duran go down quickly."

 

"TWO!"

 

John is still tending to his knee on the outside, and Chris is showing no desire in wanting to continue his offensive strike against Duran.

 

"THREE!"

 

Duran is now up on his right knee, trying to fight through the pain as best as he can.

 

"FOUR!"

 

Duran is now bent over, but on both feet, and a camera shot catches his eyes as he looks down to the ground, breathing hard, and getting that angry look in his eyes.

 

Axis: "Uh-oh...Duran seems to be getting a second wind...but will that be enough to fight off the pain in his leg?"

 

King: "No way, shed boy."

 

"FIVE!"

 

Duran slides back in the ring, albeit a little slowly, but getting to his feet. Chris immediately tries to confront John, but Duran has an answer for that, upper cutting his arm into "Canadian Thunder"'s crotch, all the men watching at home and in the crowd giving out a collective groan as Trepanier doubles over in pain from the low blow.

 

Axis: "There goes Duran, up to no good ONCE AGAIN."

 

King: "Except it's all legal. I'd just disqualify him to mess with his head, the grimy bastard."

 

With Trepanier doubled over, Duran gets to his feet, bringing Chris' neck onto his shoulder and quickly dropping down to the mat, hitting Trepanier with a reverse neckbreaker that sends "Canadian Thunder" down to the mat, right smack dab in the middle of the ring. John then rolls out of the ring, Sexton starting up the ten count once again.

 

"ONE!"

 

Axis: "Duran is right here in front of us...what is he up to now?"

 

Duran goes over to Funyon and tells him to get out of the chair, and when Funyon stalls, John pushes Funyon out and grabs the chair, folding it up and tossing it in the ring. The chair almost hits Sexton, who has to dodge the chair and barely does, the crowd having a good laugh as Hardcastle is almost hit by an Unidentified Flying Foreign Object. Hardcastle shakes that scare off and continues his ten count.

 

"TWO!"

 

Duran slides back into the ring, starting to limp once again, his sudden adrenaline rush seeming to wear thin. Trepanier is almost to his feet, but Duran "helps" him the rest of the way, dragging him by his mask. "The Sinner" makes sure that he is close enough to the chair, before kicking him in the midsection with the right boot. John puts Chris in a front facelock and drops down, sending Chris' head right into the chair with a vicious DDT. Some of the crowd, feeling Trepanier's pain, gives out a collective groan.

 

Axis: "Ouch, what a DDT from Duran! Obviously, John's advantage is that he can be hardcore, he just needs to have two legs to stand on to perform the moves he needs to perform."

 

King: "But if Trepanier continues working on the leg like has been for pretty much this entire match, Duran's knee is likely to explode like a blue-haired nurse!"

 

Sensing victory, Duran simply pushes on Chris. Chris begins to roll, as Duran keeps the masked man rolling all the way out of the ring. Hardcastle begins the ten count as Trepanier lands on the outside.

 

"ONE!"

 

However, Duran doesn't seem to have done enough damage, as Chris is already moving around on the outside.

 

"TWO!"

 

Trepanier props himself up on the floor, shaking off the pounding headache like a hammer slamming at his brain.

 

"THREE!"

 

Duran sees Chris getting back to his senses, and decides to go to the outside to do something about it as Trepanier continues to attempt getting to his feet.

 

"FOUR!"

 

"The Sinner" goes over to Trepanier and tries to bring him to his feet, but Chris swings around, sweeping out Duran's legs from under him. John's body hits the floor with a thump, the crowd cheering as Chris gets to his feet.

 

"FIVE!"

 

Chris brings John to his feet, backing up a step or two before unleashing two sharp, stiff kicks to the chest of Duran, the smack of the kicks echoing through the arena. Chris then spins around, slamming his foot into the head of Duran and scoring with a roundhouse kick that sends Duran stumbling onto the announcing table.

 

King: "TRIPLE ENTENTE!"

 

Axis: "Chris hits the Triple Entente, and Duran has decided to join us at our commentary position!"

 

"SIX!"

 

Trepanier goes to turn Duran around, but Duran swings around and nails Chris with the water pitcher that was on the commentary table. The water pitcher shatters into hundreds of pieces over the head of "Canadian Thunder," who barely got his hands up in time to avoid glass in his eyes.

 

King: "Holy crap!"

 

Axis: "That's not safe! That's not safe at all!"

 

Trepanier falls to the floor, but "The Sinner" brings him right back up again.

 

"SEVEN!"

 

Axis: "King, they're both cutting it pretty close."

 

Surprisingly, Duran throws Chris back into the ring.

 

King: "What the hell does John think he's doing?"

 

John slides into the ring himself...and then right back out again. Sexton has no choice but to restart the count.

 

"ONE!"

 

Duran drags Trepanier right back out of the ring. John then goes snooping under the ring, and finds something: a table. The crowd cheers and some begin to stand up as they can sense a big spot coming. Duran sets the table up on the outside.

 

"TWO!"

 

Trepanier is beginning to rise to his feet, but John stomps on Chris to make sure he stays down. Once the table is set up, Duran brings Trepanier to his feet, and promptly slaps a hand around the throat of the masked Canadian.

 

Axis: "He's going to chokeslam him through that table! My god, he's trying to destroy Trepanier!"

 

Duran tries to lift Chris up, but his left leg seems to give a little bit.

 

"THREE!"

 

King: "No he's not, no he's not! His leg can't handle it!!!"

 

John bears it as much as he can, quickly lifting up Chris and turning slightly, slamming Chris down into the table as it splits in half, the crowd cheering as Duran stumbles into the apron, barely able to keep standing. Duran rolls into the ring as Sexton continues the count, the crowd still abuzz.

 

"FOUR!"

 

"FIVE!"

 

"SIX!"

 

"SEVEN!"

 

Chris begins to show signs of life.

 

Axis: "What the...? This man can't be human! He has taken one hell of a beating in this match, and he's still moving!"

 

"EIGHT!"

 

Chris somehow gets to his feet, dazed out of his mind, but gets over to the apron and slides in at the count of...

 

"NINE!"

 

King: "And the match continues! Bwahahahaha! Duran might as well just give up now, he can't put Chris down!"

 

Duran, sitting up on the match and viewing this all, is incredibly frustrated that he can't put Chris down, getting to his feet and limping over to Chris, who still isn't all there. John brings Chris to his feet and then bends down, grabbing Trepanier and lifting him up into the air for what looks to be a Gorilla Press.

 

Axis: "Look at the strength of Duran here--"

 

Suddenly, Duran's leg locks up again, and he falls to the right, allowing Trepanier to land on his feet. Remaining calm, Chris backs up and delivers a vicious kick to the back of John's head. Chris then grabs John by the tights and by the hair, tossing him over the top rope and to the outside. Duran lands face first on the mat with a THUNK, Sexton Hardcastle beginning his count.

 

"ONE!"

 

Trepanier signals to the fans that it's over, and that it's time to wrap it up.

 

Axis: "He's going to go for the Trepanier Lock, and this should be it, folks, Duran's time has simply run out!"

 

"TWO!"

 

Duran is out on the floor as Trepanier steps through the ropes and leaps down to the floor. Chris walks over to him, grabbing the left leg once again and trying for the Trepanier Lock.

 

"THREE!"

 

However, Duran seems to get yet another second wind, Chris having taken far too long to get the job finished. Duran manages to power out of the grasp of Trepanier once again. Chris remains calm, but it seems deep down, he might be fractionally frustrated with the way things are going. Duran gets to his feet, gritting and bearing the pain that is running through his left leg. John turns Chris around and kicks him in the gut with his right leg, putting him a standing headscissors.

 

Axis: "OH NO! Could this be the new finisher from Duran?"

 

"FOUR!"

 

Duran wraps his arms around the waist of "Canadian Thunder" and attempts to lift him up, but his leg is giving him trouble. Chris is fighting it for all he has left in him, attempting to lift Duran over his back. However, John gives it another shot, lifting again...and succeeding.

 

King: "NO! Chris, you're so close!"

 

"FIVE!"

 

"The Sinner" puts Chris on his right shoulder, letting Trepanier fall back a little bit. Duran pushes Chris's arms out as far out as possible, forming a crucifix position as Chris faces the SmarkTron. The crowd lets out a gasp, as Duran seems to toss Trepanier slightly up in the air, grabbing around the waist of Chris and sitting down onto the hard concrete floor. "Canadian Thunder" goes down with Duran, however, hitting against the floor with a smack.

 

Axis: "ULTIMATE SIN! THERE IT IS!"

 

"SIX!"

 

The force of the move sends Chris rolling off John, as Duran struggles to get to his feet.

 

Axis: "If Duran can get to his feet and get into the ring, he has this match won!"

 

"SEVEN!"

 

Duran grasps at the apron with both hands, pulling himself up to a standing position, the crowd booing but still buzzing after the Ultimate Sin on the outside.

 

King: "Chris should've had this match won a long time ago. Stupid Duran."

 

John rolls into the ring, slowly, the crowd now beginning to vehemently boo Duran as the ref continues his count.

 

"EIGHT!"

 

However, Trepanier is getting to his feet! The crowd begins to cheer as they notice "Canadian Thunder" rising to his feet, however slowly he might be moving.

 

Axis: "My God, how is he still moving after that finisher from Duran?"

 

King: "Trepanier can take a hell of a beating and still be in your face ten seconds later, he's just that hard to put down on the mat!"

 

"NINE!"

 

Slightly hunched over, Trepanier is trying to get to his senses, but it's hard to say if he knows where he is. The crowd cheers him on, begging him to re-enter the ring, and at the last second, he realizes where he is and lunges to dive into the ring.

 

"TEN!"

 

Trepanier's body slides in just as Sexton Hardcastle turns his body to call for the bell.

 

*DING DING DING*

 

King: "No! That isn't right! That isn't right! He made it in time, damnit!"

 

Axis: "Not this time, King, he beat the count barely after that chokeslam through the table, but he just took far too much punishment!"

 

Funyon: "Here is your winner, via countout, and the NUMBER ONE CONTENDER to the SJL EUROPEAN TITLE...JOHN DURANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"

 

The ref raises Duran's hand, but John is still on the mat as he rolls to the outside. Chris can't believe what just happened, his hands on his hips, immensely frustrated with letting this one slip away.

 

Duran gets to his feet, limping, his face contorted in pain as he walks up the ramp, the crowd's booing never seeming to stop as "The Sinner" walks up the ramp.

 

Axis: "Well, Duran is the #1 contender, King, and there's not a lot you can do about it."

 

King: "He's going to disgrace that title if he beats either Charlie Matthews or Aecas. What a piece of--"

 

Axis: "Ahem. The European Title match to decide who faces John Duran on Metal is NEXT! Don't move a muscle, more Crimson after this!"

 

Fade out to commercials for Spike Brand KY Jelly.

[Guest realitycheck]

We return from a commercial break inside of a locker room. But it isn’t just ANY locker room. Inside the musty changing room sits the challenger for the European Championship, Charlie “Grappler” Matthews. In his wrestling gear with a black and white warm-up jacket on, Grappler is deep in thought, staring forward, most likely focusing on the events to come tonight.

 

The camera then zooms over…to see James Matheson, clad in a banana yellow suit, sweating bullets and drinking Poland Springs water. He looks at Charlie Matthews, before sucking in air to begin a long tirade.

 

“Grap, baby, this is it. Forget that Bringing the Funk match, *THIS* is the biggest match of your career! It’s you and that gothic freak Aecas, and baby, I know you can end that pathetic loser’s title reign at just over a week. It is your *destiny* to climb to the top of the SJL, and eventually the SWF. There are just some hurdles you have to jump over, and this is one of them. And when it comes to jumping hurdles, no one leaps higher than you.

 

“Just think…so much heritage, culture, and ACTION comes out of Europe. Those customs, traditions, and people will all be represented by you after tonight, Charlie. You will be carrying all of those countries on your back, taking on every oncoming challenger that the Smarks Junior League has to offer. Do you realize what this means? I mean, sure that Television Championship was stolen away from us, but tonight we rebound. That European Title is *OURS*! And-“

 

“’OURS’?”

 

Charlie Matthews, who had remained silent throughout, finally speaks up, bringing his eyes to his manager before standing up off the bench, towering over Matheson. James backs off, before quickly trying to explain himself.

 

“Heh, heh…Grap, you know what I meant. You do all the work in the ring; I’m just there for motivation and support. Of course the title is yours; I just got a little carried away…”

 

“Carried away? Matheson, since April 20th, when I debuted here in the SJL, you’ve been riding my coattails. I’ve been your meal ticket, and you’ve done nothing but annoy, bother, and mess me up! I was the one who was against cheating, and you made me do it! I want these fans to support me, and you prevent them from doing that! Do you know why? Because they HATE YOUR GUTS! And quite frankly, I don’t blame them. Your whiny voice, primadonna attitude…tell me, Jay, what the HELL have you done to deserve anything here in the SJL? Last week, you stayed backstage because your precious neck was hurt. And what happened? I won a Fatal Four-way elimination match cleanly. That just goes to show you that I DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP. YOU ARE A LEECH, sucking out my values, support, and confidence.

 

You’re right…tonight IS the biggest match of my career. But I’m going to go into it WITHOUT YOUR SO-CALLED HELP. From this point forward, Matheson, our managerial relationship is *OVER*! I don’t ever want to see you again, I don’t ever want to be near you again, and I sure as hell want you out of my locker room RIGHT…NOW!”

 

The last words roar from Grappler’s mouth as a heartbroken James Matheson slumps his shoulders down, grabs his suitcase, and walks towards the door. He turns around one more time to face Charlie.

 

“Grap…ya didn’t mean that, did ya? I mean, c’mon, we can talk this-“

 

“OUT.” Matthews’ voice roars one more time, as he walks over and shoves James Matheson out of the door, slamming it forcefully behind him. Satisfied, but still focused, Grappler sits down in a chair in front of a television, grabbing a tape that reads “Aecas”, before feeding it into the VCR and pressing ‘play.’ He stares intently at the television screen as the camera fades out…

[Guest realitycheck]

BOOM~! POP~! WHIZ~! WHEEEEEEEEEEEE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Pyro and small children EXPLODE FOR NO REASON~! SJL Crimson returns from a commercial break, as we are LIVE from the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The fans are rabid, all trying to get their signs on camera, from “Spike, SHAVE YOUR LEGS!!!!” to “Breslin wuz Robed!” as the camera finally pans around to our commentators for this evening and every other, Suicide King and Axis.

 

Axis: Wow, what a night it’s been so far on SJL Crimson! We had a TV Title match, a ‘Learning Tree’ mixed tag, and just before this commercial break, a number one contender’s match for the SJL European Championship. And up next, we’re going to find out who that new number one contender will face.

 

King: You’re damn right about that, Axis. Charlie Matthews, a man who has been UNSTOPPABLE as of late, is going for his second championship in the SJL against none other than the Black Angel, and the reigning champion, Aecas.

 

Axis: And for the first time in Charlie Matthews’ career, he’s facing a man who is the same size as he is. Aecas is one tough S.O.B., and it’s going to take a hell of a lot of punishment for there to be a new champion crowned. That’s not to say Grappler is a push-over, however. King, how do you expect these two to match up?

 

King: I think Matthews will use his technical expertise to try and immobilize Aecas, while Aecas will just go balls-out brawling on Matthews, wearing him down to the point where he can hit one of his spectacular finishing maneuvers. Oh, and by the way. You saw Charlie Matthews before, so pumped for this match that he demanded James Matheson to stay backstage. Bad idea. I also heard, through my sources, that he asked a sound guy to actually give him some entrance music…how about that?

 

The arena becomes shrouded in darkness, and the fans begin to cheer in anticipation. The graveyard bell tolls as white flashes come alive around the arena. Finally, the white orb of an eye comes into view, as a dark voice calls out:

 

“Are you scared?”

 

“He’s here.”

 

“The Game” blasts out of the speakers in the arena and the crowd leaps to their feet, as a lightning strike highlights Aecas standing at the top of the ramp with the European Championship on his shoulder. The spotlight flickers as he walks to the ring, and enters solemnly. He walks to a corner where he stands, waiting for his opponent.

 

The house lights dim, and the crowd lets out a slight cheer knowing what’s approaching, but what they don’t expect is…

 

“EVERBODY DANCE NOW~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

The pumping beats from C + C Music Factory belt out of the sound system, as most of the fans in Arizona begin laughing, not expecting this. Finally, out of the curtain walks an extremely confused Charlie Matthews, bewildered as he walks down the ramp.

 

Axis: …I don’t think that’s the music Charlie Matthews was expecting.

 

Embarrassed, Grappler steps up the ring steps and enters the ring, standing in the opposite corner of Aecas as Funyon gaits to the center, to begin the introduction.

 

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, this contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the SJL European Heavyweight Championship. Your referee assigned for this contest is Nick Soapdish. Now, introducing the contestants; First, in the corner to my right, hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, standing at a height of 6’7” and weighing in at 299 pounds, this is Charlie “Grappler” Matthews!

 

Matthews steps forward out of the corner, holding his arms up in the air, nodding his head as the crowd gives a mixed reaction.

 

Funyon: And in the corner to my right, his opponent. From Shrewsbury, England, standing at a height of 6’10” and weighing in at 295 pounds, he is the current and reigning SJL European Champion…this is the Black Angel, AECAS!

 

Aecas, like Matthews steps out of the corner, solemnly, as he hands his title belt to Nick Soapdish, who hoists it into the air for all to see. He then signals for the timekeeper to ring the bell, and we are on!

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Grappler and Aecas walk to the center of the ring, standing toe-to-toe as they stare each other down. Finally, both men lunge forward, locking their arms together in a collar-elbow tie-up. Grappler is actually, for the first time, forced to a knee in the tie-up, and as he pushes back to his feet, Aecas forces him into the corner. Nick signals for a clean break, which Aecas obliges to, as he backs up to the center of the ring, and Matthews follows him. The two lock horns again, and Aecas pushes Matthews into the ropes, before releasing the tie-up, and grabbing Charlie’s left arm, and then pushing him into the ropes and whipping him off to the other side. Grappler hits the ropes and comes back, as Aecas slightly lowers his shoulder to the oncoming Grappler, catching him square in the chest with a shoulderblock. However, this only causes Matthews to stagger backward, so Aecas runs back into the ropes and propels forward, extending his arm outward and catching Charlie right below the chin with a clothesline, a thunderous blow which causes Grappler to fall backwards onto the mat.

 

Axis: Well, it’s obvious to see Aecas is using his strength advantage in the early goings of this match, as I believe Charlie Matthews has been knocked to the ground in record time!

 

King: Like I said before, Grappler just needs to stick with holds to wear down Aecas.

 

Charlie rolls over to a corner, where he uses the ropes to pull himself to his feet. He walks toward Aecas, and lunges forward again for seemingly another collar-elbow tie-up, but as Aecas follows suit, Grappler ducks behind him and wraps his arms around the monster, clenching tightly with a waistlock. With the hold locked in, however, Aecas doesn’t budge, despite Charlie’s efforts. To exert more force, Matthews drops to a knee, and then lets go of the waistlock but quickly wraps his arms around the legs of Aecas, pulling them towards him, which causes the Black Angel to fall face-down onto the mat. Quick as a cat, Grappler moves himself to Aecas’ head, which he wraps his arm around and squeezes tightly with a side headlock.

 

Axis: This is sound strategy by Grappler, working over the neck of Aecas. If you remember correctly, King, Aecas was given a hurracanrana through a TABLE by Tim Dillon on Wrath, so that can’t do too many wonders for your neck.

 

King: Matthews spends HOURS studying tape of his opponents, so it comes as no surprise to me that he targeted the neck area. I’m sure he’s scouted all of Aecas’ strengths and weaknesses.

 

After some time in the headlock, Grappler shifts his weight and turns onto his stomach, before latching his arm around Aecas’ head the opposite way, executing a front facelock. Matthews squeezes as hard as he can, trying to weaken the neck area. However, finally using the brute strength he was blessed with, Aecas rises to a knee, before pushing off the mat and reaching a standing position, albeit with the front facelock still in. To counter this, he wraps his arms around Charlie’s body, before arching backward, sending Grappler over in a Northern Lights Suplex, and holding onto the move for a bridge pin as Soapdish counts:

 

ONE!!!!!

 

 

TWOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

KICKOUT~!!!!!!!

 

King: See, it was smart for Aecas to go for bridging moves like that early. He must realize that if Grappler is going to be working on his neck during the match, he should go for bridging pins early, while his neck is still fresh.

 

Axis: Can’t argue that logic by the champion.

 

Grappler rolls out of the pinning predicament, as Aecas is on his feet and waiting for him. As Matthews reaches his feet and turns towards Aecas, the Black Angel lifts up his leg and extends his boot forward, but Charlie is able to duck this big boot and stand side to side with Aecas, wrapping his right arm around the big man’s head, while grabbing his left arm. Grappler then sweeps Aecas off of his feet, sending him down to the mat on his neck with a Russian leg sweep. Immediately after the two hit the mat, Charlie shifts to the side and wraps his massive legs around the neck and throat of Aecas, squeezing together with an elementary leg scissors, used like a neck vice. The Black Angel wastes no time in trying to break the hold, pushing on the legs of Matthews. However, realizing that Grappler’s tree trunks won’t budge, he begins sliding, on his back, towards the ropes, where he finally extends his long leg over and onto the rope, forcing Matthews to break the hold.

 

Axis: Smart ring presence by Aecas, but you have to credit Matthews for choosing a body part and sticking to it. He’s very deliberate in that sense.

 

King: Of course he is. Grappler can make simple moves, like headlocks and leg scissors, really, REALLY hurt.

 

Grappler stands in wait for Aecas to get to his feet, and once he does, Matthews grabs him by the arm and pushes him back into a turnbuckle, before whipping him across the ring, as Aecas hits the opposite turnbuckle back-first. He remains stationary in the corner, so Grappler builds up steam and charges with all of his might, looking to avalanche Aecas in the corner. However, at the last second Aecas moves, and Matthews hits the top turnbuckle chest-first. He staggers backward, as the Black Angel wraps his arm across Charlie’s throat, ducking under his right arm. Aecas then proceeds to lift Grappler up into the air, while rotating around before slamming him down right on his back with a Sambo Suplex. Aecas quickly follows this up by covering Matthews with a lateral press, as Soapdish drops to make the count:

 

ONE!!!!!

 

 

 

TWOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

T-KICKOUT~!!!!

 

Axis: It looks like Aecas is also using his quickness in this match. While it may not be much, it’s still faster than Charlie Matthews on most days.

 

King: And it’s exactly what he’ll need to battle Grappler’s technical expertise. I expect Aecas to continue to hit high-impact moves and go for excessive pins.

 

With Charlie down on the canvas, Aecas signals to the fans, before stepping between the ropes and heading to the top turnbuckle. Once he’s there, he waits for Grappler to get to his feet. When he does, the Black Angel leaps off of the turnbuckle, slightly sideways, soaring in for a high cross-body block. However, Matthews sees this coming and dodges out of the way, and Aecas hits the mat hard, stomach-first. Quickly, Grappler pulls Aecas up to his feet, as he stands behind the Black Angel. Matthews then grabs Aecas in a waistlock, before vaulting backwards, bringing the bigger man over with him, before releasing the waistlock whilst Aecas is in the air, sending him crashing to the mat on his neck with a SICK release German suplex.

 

Axis: Oh my GOODNESS! That’s a rare move executed by Charlie Matthews, and after the impact Aecas took, you can clearly see why.

 

King: The best part is, it all fits into the game plan of the Grappler, which is focusing on the neck of the larger Aecas.

 

Grappler picks Aecas up off of the canvas, and grabs his arm, pushing him into and off of the ropes, to the other side of the ring. As the Black Angel comes back, Matthews extends his arm outward looking for a clothesline. However, Aecas is able to duck this attack and turn Charlie around, sending fists right into the side of his face. Matthews steps back, wobbly, and so Aecas backs into the ropes, running towards him full force. However, as Aecas comes in, Grappler snaps out of it and quickly ducks under Aecas’ arm, wrapping HIS arm around Aecas’ neck, before sweeping his leg out from under him and slamming him forward to the mat with a crushing STO.

 

Axis: WOW! Grappler brings Aecas down with unbelievable impact using that STO!

 

King: And it, once again, continues to weaken the neck of the Black Angel. Now it looks like Matthews is going for a pin!

 

Matthews covers Aecas and hooks a leg as Soapdish drops into position:

 

ONE!!!!!

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Aecas shoots his legs up, letting the referee know that he’s not out of this fight. Somewhat shocked at the kickout, Grappler lifts up Aecas’ head into a sitting position, as drives his knee into the upper back and neck of the Black Angel, before placing his palms under his chin, executing a rear chinlock.

 

Axis: Grappler continues the strategy here, as he not only wrenches Aecas’ neck with the chinlock, but also with his knee firmly against the spine.

 

“LET’S – GO – AECAS!” screams the crowd, as the European Champion tries to mount a comeback to this submission maneuver. Finally, the champ is able to turn over, and rise onto a knee, freeing his spine from the pressure of Charlie’s knee. Aecas then gets to his feet, and ducks under Grappler’s arms, freeing himself from the chinlock. Quickly, the Black Angel then slips behind the challenger, and wraps his right arm around the neck of Matthews. He then falls backward, bringing Charlie down with a Reverse DDT!

 

King: Well, I guess Aecas is a bit tougher than I expected. His neck has been worked over masterfully, yet he’s still able to bounce back and hit high-impact moves, like that Reverse DDT.

 

Axis: Nice to see you admitting things here, King.

 

King: It’s the least I can do for these pathetic pieces of trash.

 

Aecas reaches his feet, favoring his neck, and lowers himself into the corner, waiting for Grappler. The fans get on their feet, knowing that the Black Angel is going for the one and only GORE. Matthews lumbers to his feet and turns around, only to see Aecas sprint out of the corner, shoulder down, charging for his midsection. Charlie sidesteps it just in time, but Aecas is able to put his hands out and stop himself on the ropes, before turning around and sending his left boot up with lightning speed, absolutely DRILLING The Grappler with a HUGE YAKUZA KICK~!

 

SMACK!!!

 

“Ooooooooooooooooh!!!” The fans immediately break into applause at that brief exchange, as Aecas warily holds onto the ropes for support.

 

Axis: Good GOD! I think Aecas just KILLED Charlie Matthews with that Yakuza Kick!

 

King: Even *I* have nothing bad to say about that. Bravo, Aecas.

 

Aecas finally leaps onto Grappler, wrapping up not one, but two legs as he goes for the pinfall:

 

ONE!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

TWO~!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

NO! SHOULDER UP!!! Aecas, as well as the crowd, is in SHOCK over Matthews barely getting his shoulder up off the canvas. Quickly sensing an advantage, the Champion brings the challenger up to his feet, before locking him in a front facelock and grabbing a handful of tights. Aecas then hoists Grappler up into the air, upside down, before dropping down to the canvas, causing Matthews to land RIGHT on his HEAD!

 

Axis: My GOD! A sick, sick, SICK Brainbuster by Aecas!

 

King: First a Yakuza Kick, now a brainbuster, he really IS trying to kill him!

 

Axis: That, or he may be setting up Grappler for the Executioner, a move *NO ONE* kicks out of!

 

King: Whether that’s the case or not, he’s going for ANOTHER pinfall!

 

Soapdish drops to count as Aecas lands on top of Charlie in a lateral press:

 

ONE!!!!!

 

 

 

TWOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEENOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Axis: I can’t believe it!

 

King: This is just a testament to how tough Charlie Matthews really is.

 

Aecas once again brings Grappler to a standing position, and then rears back, catching Charlie right in the face…

 

SMACK~!!!

 

Axis: Ooh! Aecas just BITCHSLAPPED Charlie Matthews!

 

King: It’s ON now!

 

Grappler just stares back at the Champion, seemingly reawakened and with a fiery energy in his eyes. He then rears back, and…

 

SMACK~!!!

 

Rebounds with his own slap to Aecas! The two men stand toe-to-toe, before letting it all out and sending their fists at each other’s faces, everywhere from the eyes to the nose and mouth. Finally, after a major league slugfest, Matthews grabs an approaching arm of Aecas and holds onto it, before pulling it into him while outstretching his arm, pulling the champion right into a LARIAT, catching Aecas right under the chin and sending him collapsing to the mat!

 

King: LARIATOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!!! There, was that good?

 

Axis: Beautiful. And I was talking about the lariat. I’m surprised Aecas is still ALIVE! Not to mention, it adds more pressure to the champion’s neck!

 

Instead going for a pin cover, Grappler brings Aecas up to his feet, and stands behind him, ducking under his arm and looking for a back suplex. However, the Black Angel is able to send his elbow back into the gut of Matthews, breaking out of the hold. Aecas than ducks behind Grappler and positions himself in the same way Grappler had him, before lifting Matthews upward and to the side, with his head pointing towards the mat, before dropping down, sending Charlie RIGHT ON HIS HEAD as they come down with an ENORMOUS backdrop driver!

 

King: BACKDROPPAAAAAAAHHHHHHH~!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Axis: OH MY GOD! Grappler was just dropped on his head AGAIN! And King, by the way, please stop.

 

Aecas is finally able to float over on top of Grappler, for yet another pin as Soapdish counts:

 

ONE!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENOOOOOOOOO~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Slowly, Aecas picks Matthews up into a sitting position, before standing over him and bringing his arms down across Charlie’s head with a double axe handle. This stuns the challenger, but with the Black Angel standing right in front of him, Charlie is able to grab his legs, and pushing off of the mat, force Aecas back-first, right into the turnbuckle. Grappler, now on his feet, continues to hold onto Aecas, sending him into the turnbuckle once again, with more velocity. Finally, he backs up a second time, before ramming the European Champion with all the force he can muster into the corner, before turning him around and ducking under his arm, while grabbing a handful of his tights. Matthews then lifts Aecas up into the air, diagonally, before dropping him to the ground RIGHT on his HEAD!!

 

Axis: Good LORD! Grappler with some payback to Aecas, in the form of the Dangerous Backdrop Driver~!

 

King: I only give a few more minutes before Aecas’ neck is nothing more than Jello.

 

However, both men lie motionless on the mat following the backdrop, so Soapdish does the only thing he can do, which is initiate the count:

 

ONE!!

 

TWO!!

 

THREE!!

 

Axis: Well, as much of a fighting champion as Aecas is, a double count-out certainly favors him.

 

FOUR!!

 

King: Oh, of course. If I were him, I’d just stay on the mat. No use in continuing to fight.

 

FIVE!!

 

SIX!!

 

Axis: Well, you’re right in the fact that it might be too great a risk to battle with the way his neck is now.

 

SEVEN!!

 

Grappler finally begins to stir, while Aecas remains on the mat.

 

EIGHT!!

 

Finally, Aecas shows signs of movement, as Matthews uses the ropes to slowly pull himself up.

 

NINE!!

 

Aecas is on his knees, before finally using the ropes to pull himself up, where Grappler is waiting for him.

 

Axis: Well, that’s a relief. I don’t think, after all that these two have gone through, that a double count-out would be a very favorable decision for these fans.

 

King: Oh posh. Who cares what the fans think? Have we *ever*?

 

Grappler and Aecas slowly walk to the center of the ring, as we’re seemingly back at square one. The two pause for a minute, before unleashing fists at each others’ faces, much like earlier. However, the European Champion is able to fire off a right hand that stuns Matthews, enough so that Aecas can bring Charlie into the corner, and lift him up, setting him on the top turnbuckle. The Black Angel climbs up to meet Grappler on the top, before wrapping his arm around his head in a front facelock, and grabbing Matthews’ tights. Aecas then lifts up, hoisting Charlie up in the air, before falling backwards off the turnbuckle, executing a breathtaking SUPERPLEX~!

 

Axis: My GOD, what velocity there by Aecas! The only problem with that is, did if affect his neck?

 

King: Of cou-HEY! LOOK AT THAT!

 

What King mentioned was the fact that as soon as the two men landed on the mat, Charlie reached upward, grabbing Aecas’ legs and turning into a roll-up!!

 

ONE!!!!!!

 

 

 

TWOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

NO!! KICKOUT AT 2.9999~!

 

King: What INTELLIGENCE by Charlie Matthews!

 

Axis: You can’t disagree with that. I bet that certainly threw Aecas off of his game plan.

 

Both men reach their feet at about the same time, and once they face each other, an angry Aecas charges at Grappler with his arm extended for a clothesline…but Matthews ducks the charge and turns around, and when the Black Angel is facing him again, Matthews sends a boot into his stomach, doubling him over. Charlie then puts Aecas’ head between his legs, raising his clenched fists into the air as the crowd leaps onto their feet in anticipation for Grappler’s patented finishing maneuver.

 

King: Ladies and gentlemen, it is TIME for the POWERBOMB, and it is TIME for a NEW EUROPEAN CHAMPION~!

 

Axis: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, or, in this case, your champions before they’re crowned.

 

Grappler then wraps his arms around Aecas’ body, before lifting the giant into the air, in a sitting position, and then dropping the Champion with inhuman velocity and power. Exhausted, Grappler hangs onto the ropes for support, before grabbing both of Aecas’ legs and holding them down as Nick Soapdish begins to make the count:

 

OOOONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

NO, KICKOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aecas kicked out at the VERY LAST MILLISECOND AND CHARLIE MATTHEWS IS IN SHOCK~!

 

Axis: MY GOD!! I cannot believe that Aecas just kicked out of the Powerbomb!

 

King: Even if he did kick out, I don’t think he’ll be lasting much longer. The blunt force of that move was taken on his neck, which has already been reduced to rubber, by my estimation.

 

Irate, Grappler brings Aecas up to his feet and puts his head between his legs once more, going for a SECOND Powerbomb. However, just as he locks his hands around Aecas’ body, the Black Angel uses his strength to stand up, flipping Charlie Matthews over his head and to the ground with a back body drop. Aecas remains standing, albeit holding his neck with a grimace on his face. Groggily, he brings the Grappler to his feet and wraps both arms around his head in a ¾ bulldog headlock, before jumping forward, driving Matthews’ face into the canvas with a desperation DIAMOND CUTTER!

 

Axis: Well, I guess you can’t count Aecas out of this match just yet! Not to mention that the Diamond Cutter further sets Grappler up for the Executioner!

 

King: Well, Aecas needs a strong neck and back to lift a 300 pounder up for the Executioner, so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to do it.

 

Grappler struggles to his feet, trying not to be shown up by the larger Aecas. The Champion, seeing Matthews up, backs into the ropes and pushes off of them, and as he approaches Charlie, he leaps vertically into the air, looking for a Lou Thesz press of some sort. However, as he comes body-to-body with Grappler, the challenger quickly drops to a knee and wraps his arms around Aecas, squeezing with all of his might in the deadliest submission maneuver in wrestling history!

 

King: Ladies and gentlemen………IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT’S BEARHUG TIME~!!!!!!!!

 

Axis: Please, PLEASE contain your excitement. I’m begging you.

 

 

Charlie continues to squeeze on his larger opponent, while the fans alternate between chants of “Tap! Tap! Tap!” and “Let’s – Go – Aecas!” The European Champion tries to struggle out of the hold, but Grappler shifts the move, moving his arms further up Aecas’ body, so he squeezes on the upper back and weakened neck area. This seems to be too much for the Black Angel, as he slumps down in Matthews’ arms.

 

Axis: Well, it looks like the Bearhug may have served its purpose in this match.

 

King: This modified version seems to have done even more damage than a typical BEARHUG. And look, that idiot Soapdish is finally remembering his role, checking for the obvious submission.

 

THE ARM DROPS ONCE~!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

THE ARM DROPS TWICE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

THE ARM DROPS THRICE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NO!!AECAS DOESN’T QUIT!

 

Aecas’ arm begins shaking, and the fans really begin to get into it as the Black Angel tries to push Grappler off of him, to no avail. Seeing that this isn’t working, the Champion uses what brought him to the dance, as he sends hard right hands into the side of Matthews’ face, desperately trying to get this leech off of his body. Finally, realizing that nothing else is working, the Black Angel outstretches his arms, before clapping them together against Grappler’s head, boxing his ears, which finally causes him to release his grip.

 

Axis: Well, I guess if all else fails, go for the ear box. I don’t I’ve ever seen that move no-sold *chuckle*

 

King: What are you laughing at? Aecas could’ve severely damaged Charlie’s lobes! That bastard!

 

With Grappler dazed, the Champion dashes to the ropes and propels off of them, running forward, before bending his arm and sending his elbow directly into the face of Charlie Matthews with a loud “CRACK~!”, dropping him down like a ton of bricks to the canvas!

 

Axis: Good lord! Aecas just took a page out of the book of SWF ICTV Champion Danny Williams with that stiff running elbow!

 

Aecas backs into the ropes, holding onto them for support as he heavily favors his neck. Grappler groggily pulls himself using the opposite side of ropes, before turning around…right into a boot to the gut by Aecas. Matthews doubles over, and The Black Angel puts his head between his large legs, before wrapping his arms around his body, much like Grappler’s Powerbomb Position. Aecas then hoists Charlie up into the air, in a sitting position, before dropping him down, while still holding on to him around his waist, so Grappler now hangs upside down in Aecas’ arms. The Champion then ruthlessly drops to his knees on the canvas, driving Matthews’ head right into the canvas!

 

Axis: THE EXECUTIONER~! THE EXECUTIONER~! *NO ONE* gets up from that!

 

King: And there he goes with the pin, Soapdish is counting…I can’t help but admit that the end is nigh.

 

ONE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOO~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

The crowd bursts into cheers…but Soapdish begins shaking his head and waving his arms, as he discovers that Charlie Matthews’ foot is under the ropes!!

 

Axis: What the-? Oh my God! I can’t believe this!

 

King: Well, the fact that no one has kicked out of that move still remains.

 

In shock, Aecas grabs the nearly lifeless body of Grappler and drags it out near a corner of the ring, before pointing to the turnbuckle and looking at the crowd, garnering a huge response as they rise to their feet in anticipation.

 

Axis: I think Aecas may be going airborne!

 

King: But with what? Unless he’s…oh, don’t tell me he’s going for the Swanton Bomb.

 

The Black Angel steps between the ropes and climbs up to the very top turnbuckle and holds onto the ropes, positioning himself. As he’s about to leap off, Grappler bursts from his lying position pulls down on the top rope, sending Aecas down crotch-first onto the turnbuckle!

 

King: What a smart move! Grappler was playing possum!

 

Axis: Like him or not, that was a very good idea. That’s one risk that comes with top rope maneuvers, especially from someone the size of Aecas.

 

As quickly as he can, Charlie climbs to the top rope after Aecas, and grabs him in a front facelock, before grabbing his tights and lifting him up off of the turnbuckle, before falling to the mat with a superplex. Tenaciously, Grappler holds onto the front facelock and rolls backward; bringing Aecas slightly up into a sitting front facelock. Matthews keeps this in for about ten seconds, before twisting his body, driving Aecas’ head into the mat with a modified DDT, keeping the front facelock on and wrapping his large legs around the Champion, now executing a guillotine choke!

 

Axis: There it is! The Re-Education~!

 

King: I can already hear Aecas’ neck snapping in two!

 

The crowd is now on its feet, going into a frenzy with a “You’ve Gotta Tap!” chant, while another section of the crowd works an “Aecas!” chant. The Black Angel desperately struggles to escape the hold, as Grappler just wrenches on his neck, keeping him in this deadly vice.

 

Axis: This move is a double-edged sword for Aecas. Does he tap and lose his title, or stick it out, and risk permanent damage to his neck?

 

Aecas’ groans of pain can be heard across the nation, as he seemingly goes limp in the stronghold of Grappler. Finally, in one motion, Aecas’ hand rises above the canvas, and then…

 

 

TAP

 

TAP

 

TAP

 

*DING DING DING*

 

King: HE’S DONE IT~! CHARLIE MATTHEWS HAS WON THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP~!

 

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner…AND THE NEWWWWWW SJL EUROPEAN CHAMPION…Charlie “Grappler” Matthews!!!!!

 

The crowd bursts into applause at the amazing match that just occurred, as both men receive a standing ovation. Matthews, now on his feet, accepts the Title belt from Nick Soapdish and hoists it into the air, before falling to his knees, exhausted in victory.

 

Axis: And to think…he did it WITHOUT James Matheson. Folks, up next is our main event. Spike Jenkins is in his signature match, looking to shut down three newcomers. It’s the infamous Gauntlet Match…Don’t miss it~!

[Guest realitycheck]

Axis: I've just been informed that Ben Hardy is standing in the back with Scott Solomon. Let's go back and see what Solomon has to say.

 

Backstage, Solomon paces back and forth while Ben Hardy stands to the side with his mic held up warily.

 

Hardy: Scott Solomon, what are your feeling on tonight's match-up against Hollywood Spike Jenkins.

 

Solomon: My feelings! You want to know my feelings, Hardy. I'm feeling pretty damn pissed off right now! Do you realize that I'm the first man in a gauntlet match against Hollywood Spike Jenkins? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

 

Hardy: Uh, no. I don't think so.

 

Solomon: It means the damn people of the SJL have set me up to lose. You don't put someone as the opener man in a gauntlet match if you don't expect them to lose!

 

Solomon is now pacing furiously.

 

Hardy: What's your plan of action for tonight then?

 

Solomon stares daggers at Hardy.

 

Solomon: I'm going to show you and all the people backstage that Scott Solomon isn't a jabroni. I'm not here to get my ass kicked. I'm here to win any and all titles I can get my hands on. Spike Jenkins won't stop me, and neither will anybody else. I will beat anybody and everybody by any means necassary.

 

Solomon pushes Hardy to the side and storms off the set as we switch back to Axis and Suicide King at ringside.

[Guest realitycheck]

Cutting back from the commercial break, the camera shot pans out over the cheering fans

before focusing in on the announcer table, bringing Axis and The Suicide King into shot.

 

Axis: Welcome back everyone, what a great night we’ve had so far King.

 

King: It hasn’t been too bad Axis, of course we all know the reason every one watches this show is to see me, the greatest commentator in the sports entertainment industry.

 

Axis: Umm, ok King if you say so. But we’ve still got a great main event for you tonight.

 

King: You’re right Axis; we’ve got a gauntlet match between our very own “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins and three of the SJL’s newer guys, Scott Solomon, Dan “The Phoenix” Caldwell, and “The Extreme Solution” Johnathan Clarke. And we all know if Spike wins he’ll get shot at the SJL World Title.

 

Axis: That’s true King, but for all our newer fans who don’t know the rules of a gauntlet match let me explain. Spike has to face Caldwell, Solomon and Clarke individually one after the other and has to beat all three to get his shot at the title.

 

King: I’m impressed Axis, you almost made sense.

 

Axis: What ever King, let’s go over to Funyon for the introductions.

 

Slowly the camera shot changes moving from the announcer table to the ring, focusing on the impeccably dressed Funyon standing in the centre, with referee Eddie Long standing behind him.

 

Funyon slowly raises his microphone to his lips pausing for a moment to let the noise from the crowd die down.

 

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following match-up will be a Gauntlet match…. Introducing first…. Weighing in at 220Lbs… Hailing from Hollywood, California… And accompanied to the ring by his manager Natasha…. He is the self proclaimed King of the World… “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins!!!!!

 

As Funyon finishes speaking the arena is bathed in multicoloured lights as “Revolution Revolucion” by Ill Nino blasts out over the loud speakers. The crowd boos as “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins steps out from behind the entrance way curtain with the beautiful Natasha on his arm.

 

On seeing Spike the crowd erupt with chants of “YOU SUCK!!!” with a few cat calls and wolf whistles directed at Natasha.

 

A smug grin appears on spikes face as he walks slowly down towards the ring completely

ignoring the reaction of the crowd.

 

Axis: Spike looks ready for this one King.

 

King: Of course he’s ready Axis, he knows if he gets past these three men he gets his shot at the SJL World Title. And of course he has the gorgeous Natasha in his corner.

 

Spike reaches the ringside and begins to slowly climb the ring steps, before sitting on the middle rope, pushing up the top rope with his left arm as Natasha slips into the ring before seductively walking over to Funyon, kissing him softly on the cheek.

 

Ice cool as ever Funyon gives a small smile as Natasha walks back to her man.

 

King: Did you just see that Axis?!!! That’s disgraceful! Where’s mine?!!!

 

Axis: Well King, obviously not every girl finds you irresistible.

 

King: Bah! What do you know Shed Boy?!

 

Axis: Go to Hell!!!

 

Spike slips into the ring raising his arms in the air, taunting the crowd, talking a little trash to the taunting crowd as Natasha wraps her arms around him, whispering something in his ear. Spike nods before walking to the corner, leaning lazily up against the turnbuckle as Natasha slips out of the ring.

 

Funyon: The rules of this match are as follows…. Spike will face 3 consecutive opponents, in 3 consecutive singles matches… if Spike can win all three matches he will receive a title shot for the SJL World Heavyweight Title, however if Spike looses any of the three matches, his title shot will be forfeit.

 

Spike's music cuts to a halt as the lights dim and Limp Bizkit's "My Way" cues up. Scott

Solomon walks out of the back and holds his arms up high as Funyon makes the intro.

 

FUNYON: From Springfield, Illinois, weighing in at two hundred and sixty pounds, he is "The Arsenal", Scott SolOMON!!!!!!

 

Scott Solomon charges in to the ring at Spike as Hardcastle calls for the bell. The match is ON!

 

Solomon gets to his feet in the ring, ready to charge, but Spike meets him with a dropkick. Solomon goes down to the mat, but he rolls with the blow. Solomon quickly gets back to his feet, but Spike is ready for him. Jenkins leaps in to air, wraps his legs around Solomon's head, and spins him back towards the mat.

 

Axis: What a hurracanrana from Spike Jenkins there! Scott Solomon seems to be having

trouble with a seasoned veteran like Spike!

 

King: Spike needs to hurry up and pin the big oaf now! He's got two other jobbers to beat here

tonight.

 

Axis: Solomon, Caldwell, and Clarke are hardly jobbers, King.

 

King: Whatever, Axis.

 

Spike pulls Solomon back to his feet, gives him a couple quick fists to keep him stunned, then tries to bend him over to set up the Roll the Joint. Solomon hits Jenkins with three stiff rights, causing Spike to release the grip. Solomon moves to whip Spike to the rope. Spike rotates, and whips Solomon instead. Solomon rebounds, and Spike runs towards him. Spike leaps in to the air, grabs Solomon around the neck in mid-air and slams him down to the mat with the Phantom Neckbreaker.

 

Axis: No matter what he tries, Scott Solomon can't seem to get a leg up on Hollywood Spike

Jenkins!

 

King: I though I told you, Axis. The boy doesn't stand a chance against Spike.

 

Spike starts up the nearest turnbuckle, as Scott Solomon pulls himself up to his feet. Jenkins leaps from the top rope, aiming a missile dropkick straight at Solomon's head. Solomon gets his senses back just in time, and sidesteps Spike's kick. Spike stops his momentum at the last moment breaking his fall. Solomon moves towards Jenkins, while Jenkins quickly kippups to his feet. Spike goes for a Solomon's gut, but before Jenkins can hook on a maneuver, Scott brings his arms down in a double axe handle to Spike's back. Jenkins drops to his hands and knees, and Solomon brings his knee up and across the back of Spike's head. Spike goes down on to the mat.

 

Axis: Bah Gawd! Scott Solomon is showing his stuff now!

 

King: It won't last!

 

Solomon pulls Spike to his feet, turning him in mid-pick up so that Spike faces away from him. Solomon grabs Spike from either side of the hips, then lifts him in to the air, twists him so his body is horizontal, then drops Spike on to his knee.

 

Axis: Pendulum Backbreaker! Spike Jenkins felt that one!

 

Solomon goes down to the mat, and locks his hands around Jenkins arm. He sits with one leg over Jenkin's neck, and one over his mid-section, than drops down in to the armbar. Jenkins cries out in pain as the armbar is locked in.

 

Axis: Solomon will pick Spike Jenkins apart piece by piece here if he has to, King.

 

King: He's going to have to pick up pieces of himself after Spike gets out of that weak armbar.

 

Jenkins struggles to twist his body around to get a leg up on the rope, but Solomon pushes his legs down on to Jenkins to keep the hold locked in. Slowly but surely, Jenkins does manage to inch around, and just barely kicks the ropes with his toes. Sexton Hardcastle immediately moves in to break the hold. Solomon lets Jenkins go, and heads for the nearest turnbuckle. As Solomon climbs the top ropes, Jenkins pulls himself to his feet. Solomon turns around only to see Spike run in and flip his legs up. Spike wraps his legs around Solomon's neck, then brins him down to the mat with the Frankensteiner!

 

Spike rolls in to a cover.

 

ONE....

 

 

 

TWO....

 

 

 

TH.... NO!

 

Solomon throws his shoulder up, and Spike is utterly shocked.

 

Axis: I think Solomon showed he had more guts than Spike expected.

 

King: If he keeps this up, Spike's going to show Solomon his own guts.

 

Spike pulls Solomon up to his feet, but Solomon kicks Spike in the chest before Jenkins can make a move. Solomon whips Jenkins to the ropes. Jenkins rebounds and goes for a superkick. Solomon sidesteps the kick, grabs Jenkins by the neck, and uses Spike's own momentum to take him around and down with a chokeslam.

 

Axis: Scott Solomon is showing his power in this contest, King. He's really hitting Spike

Jenkins with some tough moves.

 

King: He's trying to weaken Spike for his jobber friends. It won't work.

 

Solomon pulls Spike to his feet, wraps one arm around Jenkins head, and then pulls Spike up by his khakis. Scott holds Spike in the air for several seconds. Suddenly, Scott drops to his back, driving Spike's skull to the mat.

 

Solomon stomps his heel down on Spike's chest. He pulls Jenkins up to his feet again, then pulls Spike's head between his legs.

 

Axis: Solomon's setting up for the Blaster right here, King! This match could be over before any other competitors have the chance to take the ring!

 

Solomon grabs Spike and flips him up in to the powerbomb position, but Spike quickly reverses it, and drops the top half of his body back towards the mat. He flips Solomon around with his legs, and drives Scott's head in to the mat.

 

King: HAH! This match IS almost over! FOR SOLOMON!

 

Spike flips back up to his feet, and runs back and hits the ropes as Solomon struggle back to his feet. Spike leaps up and towards Solomon feet first. He brings his legs together around Solomon's head in a brutal Dangerous Wizard! Solomon stands stunned for a moment, then drops back to the mat.

 

Spike runs back for the ropes, hops up to the second rope, and springboards back and around to land the lionsault across Solomon's chest. Spike leans across Solomon with a cocky grin on his face.

 

ONE....

 

 

 

TWO....

 

 

 

TH..... NO!

 

Solomon barely pushes his shoulder off the mat to break the count.

 

Axis: If Spike wants to win this match, he needs to wrestle smarter than that. Why didn't he hook Solomon's leg.

 

King: Spike doesn't want to look weak against a jobber like Solomon, why bother to hook the leg? Spike will take him down soon enough.

 

Spike pulls Solomon back up to his knees. Spike smacks a martial arts kick in to Solomon's chest. Whack! A second kick to the chest. Spike sizes up Solomon for the third kick, then swins his leg straight at Solomon's temple. Solomon barely ducks his head under the blow, then dives forward in to Spike's other leg. Spike tumbles to the mat under Solomon.

 

Scott lays the right hands in to the downed Jenkins. After a few hits, Solomon climbs to his feet, pulling Spike up with him. He pulls Jenkins up in to the air by the thighs, then slams him back down on his back for the sidewalk slam.

 

Solomon drops to the mat, and rolls Spike over on to his stomach. Solomon grabs Spike by the arm, he then places his knee in to Spike's back. He stretches Spike's arm with all his might while driving his knee down in to Spike.

 

Axis: BAH GAWD! The DISARMAMENT! Scott Solomon has the Disarmament locked in! This match is over!

 

Spike Jenkins slowly pushes himself up with his other arm, despite the excruciating pain from Solomon's knee. Getting his arm under him, Spike rolls himself over and brings himself up and on top of Solomon. Solomon's shoulders hit the mats as Spike presses down with all his might.

 

ONE....

 

 

 

 

TWO.....

 

 

 

 

THRE..... NO!

 

Solomon barely reaches up and grabs the ring rope to break up the cound. Jenkins can't believe it. Solomon rolls from the ring, as Jenkins fumes!

 

ONE! Sexton Hardcastle begins the ten-count as Solomon stomps towards the bellkeeper.

TWO! Solomon pushes the keeper aside, and grabs his chair. THREE! Solomon charges

back in to the ring with the chair. Hardcastle meets him and tries to take the chair from

Solomon, but Solomon pushes him away.

 

Spike Jenkins leaps at Solomon and his chair, obviously aiming for the "I Just Broke Your Nose". Solomon moves and brings the chair down on to Spike as he hits the mat. Hardcastle calls for the bell as Solomon brings the chair down on Spike's chest again!

 

FUNYON: The winner of this match by disqualification, Hollywood Spike Jenkins!

 

King: I can't believe it, that sniveling little punk Solomon cheated! How dare he hit a superstar of the caliber of Spike Jenkins with a chair! It's an outrage I tell you.

 

Axis: What are you talking about, King? You regularly congratulate stars on their illegal use of chairs.

 

King: Yeah, but only when they use them effectively! This Solomon guy just blatantly cheated in a way that could blatantly effect the course of Spike's next match. Someone call the bigwigs! That man should be suspended!

 

Spike slowly makes his way back to his feet as security escorts Scott Solomon from ring side. Spike clutches his ribs in pain as red lights suddenly begin to flash around the arena as "Guerilla Radio" by Rage against the Machine starts up over the sound system.

 

Axis: There's no rest for the wicked! Here comes Spike Jenkins next opponent in this gauntlet match!

 

The crowd cheers wildly as Dan "The Phoenix" Caldwell walks out from behind the entrance-way curtain clad in his usual black robe.

 

Funyon: And now making his way to the ring… Weighing in at two hundred and fifty poungs… From Chicago, Illinois… Dan “The Phoenix” CALDWELL!!!

 

Dan walks towards the ring his eyes fixed on Spike before rolling into the ring. Getting to his feet Dan takes off his robe before punching himself on the side of the head psyching himself up for the match ahead.

 

Axis: Caldwell looks ready for this one King and he’s getting a great reception from these fans.

 

King: You’re right Axis but I think Spike has more than enough experience to put this away quickly. Besides, Caldwell's already scrambling his own brains with that idiotic entrance.

 

Funyon slowly walks from the ring as referee Sexton Hardcastle finishes checking on the

condition of Spike Jenkins. Jenkins waves Hardcastle away. Hadrcastle calls for the bell.

 

DING, DING, DING!

 

Both men circle each other slowly, trying to stare each other down before locking up in a collar and elbow tie up. Quickly Spike breaks the tie up, pushing Caldwell's left hand away, trying to spin his opponent around into a hammerlock, only to find himself shoved backwards off his feet by the stronger Caldwell.

 

Slowly Spike gets to his feet, pointing to his hair and yelling at referee Hardcastle.

 

Spike: Come on, he pulled me down my hair man!!!

 

Axis: Look at that Spike Jenkins. He’s actually complaining that Dan Caldwell pulled him down by his hair.

 

King: Of course Caldwell pulled the man’s hair! You know he’s not going to beat someone of Spike’s quality without cheating.

 

Axis: Are you blind? He just shoved him to the floor; He was nowhere near Spike’s hair!

 

King: That’s not how I saw it Axis. Besides, who can blame Jenkins for assisting the rules are followed after those chair shots from his previous opponent!

 

Axis: ……

 

Referee Hardcastle looks at Caldwell, asking if he pulled Spike’s hair.

 

Caldwell: Get the hell ouf of the way! I didn’t touch the damn pretty boy’s hair!

 

Long shrugs and Hardcastle waves for the bout to continue as Spike continues to protest about the hair pulling.

 

The two men lock up again and for the second time Spike is shoved to the floor as he attempts the hammer lock.

 

Spike jumps to his feet again, for the second time yelling to referee Hardcastle about having his hair pulled.

 

Axis: My God King, why doesn’t Spike just shut up and wrestle.

 

King: It’s a smart tactics Axis, put the bigger man off his game plan then press the advantage. And it's never a bad idea to take a little break between matches in one of these gauntlets. Spike is a master tactician after all.

 

This time however, Sexton Hardcastle is hearing none of Spike's complaints and just waves him away. Spike scowls than begins to circle Caldwell, searching for an opening to attack his larger opponent, Caldwell eyes remain fixed on Spike, watching the smaller man as he moves around him.

 

King: Spike will have to use his quickness here Axis. He won’t beat Caldwell in any strength contests.

 

Suddenly Caldwell runs at Spike, swinging his right hand at Spike in a massive haymaker. Spike easily spots the blow. He ducks and spins to his left, going under Caldwell’s swinging arm. He continues in one fluent motion, springing up, locking his arms around Caldwell’s head before dropping to the mat, pulling Caldwell into a reverse Neckbreaker.

 

Axis: What a Neckbreaker by Spike there, King!

 

As both men hit the mat, Spike rolls backwards. He rests his body on top of Caldwell, than reaches down and pulls up the bigger man’s leg. He hooks it securely, as Sexton Hardcastle drops to the mat to count the pin.

 

ONE…

 

 

 

TW –

 

 

 

NO!!!

 

Caldwell pushes his shoulder up and off the mat.

 

King: Smart move by Spike, the quicker he can get this match over with the more energy he’ll have in the tank for taking on Johnathon Clarke.

 

Spike quickly springs back to his feet. He quickly lashes out with a flurry of kicks at Caldwell’s midsection as the Phoenix gets to his feet. Each kick causes Caldwell to stagger back a little. Spike grins evilly; than launches yet another kick at his opponent’s midsection. He quickly loses his grin as Caldwell suddenly catches Spike's foot in his hands. Dan Caldwell pushes Spike's leg to the side, which spins Spike around a full 180 degrees. Caldwell than steps forward, locks his hands around Spike's waist, and quickly lifts him up into the air in a massive German suplex. Caldwell drives Spike’s head and shoulders down hard in to the mat, and Spike crumples up with the blow.

 

Axis: What an impact, King! With the brutality Spike has already taken at the hands of Scott Solomon, this could be over right here.

 

King: Spike can’t afford to take too many impacts like that, especially after the blatant cheating by Solomon!

 

Caldwell moves over to the crumpled Spike, pushing the smaller man flat on his back, pressing his weight down on Spike’s chest.

 

ONE……

 

 

 

TWO……

 

 

T....

 

Spike kicks out, barely pulling his shoulder off the mat in time.

 

Caldwell climbs to his feet. He scowls as he reaches down and pulls Spike to his feet by his hair. Caldwell cracks Spike in the face with a stiff blow from his right elbow. Spike staggers back, only to stumble in to another waist-lock by Caldwell.

 

Axis: It looks like Caldwell’s going for a belly to belly suplex right here..

 

Suddenly Spike brings his knee up and drives it in to Caldwell’s groin. Caldwell releases the hold and doubles over, holding his groin.

 

Axis: What a cheep shot! How did the refereee not see that?

 

King: Cheep shot? Where? I didn’t see anything cheep about that Axis.

 

Spike takes a quick step back. He places a hand on Caldwell’s back, than jumps up, bringing his right leg down on Caldwell’s neck, than drops into a sitting position which drives Caldwell face first into the mat.

 

Axis: Rocker Dropper! Spike looks like he’s gaining the upper hand here.

 

King: Of course he is Axis! I told you these three didn't stand a chance against Hollywood Spike Jenkins!

 

Spike looks down at his fallen opponent and smugly grins. He shoves his foot under Caldwell and kicks him onto his back. Spike runs towards the ropes, than leaps onto the second rope, and springs off it with a graceful flip. He rotates back and around on to Caldwell, and lands squarely across Caldwell’s stomach and chest.

 

King: This is it Axis, Caldwell won’t get out of this.

 

Spike reaches down hooking the bigger man’s leg as referee Long begins to count.

 

ONE…

 

 

 

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

TH ....

 

Just before referee Sexton Hardcastle’s hand hits the mat, Caldwell barely lifts his left shoulder from the mat, stopping the count. Spike can't believe it.

 

Spike angrily gets to his feet and stomping his foot on to the prone Caldwell's chest. He pulls Caldwell to his feet, grabs one of Caldwell's arms, than whips him in to the nearest turnbuckle.

 

Axis: It looks like Spike Jenkins is getting frustrated. He definitely can’t afford to do that, if he wins this he’s still got two matches left after this one.

 

King: Very true, Axis. Spike needs to concentrate on putting his man away.

 

Outside the ring, Natasha watches the match patiently while drumming her fingers against the ring steps. She smiles when Caldwell’s back hits the turnbuckle hard.

 

Suddenly Spike rushes towards Caldwell. He leaps in to almost a carthwheel, before

performing a beautiful handspring and driving both feet into Caldwell’s chest.

 

Axis: There’s the Tidal Wave by Spike.

 

Spike pulls Caldwell from the corner, pushing him down onto the mat. Spike grips the bigger man's arm, and slowly drags Caldwell towards the center of the ring. Spike spins around, sprints back to the turnbuckle, and quickly vaults up on top.

 

King: This could be it! Spike’s going for The Ratings Grabber!

 

Spike takes a deep breath before launching himself off the top turnbuckle at the prone Caldwell with a beautiful five-star frog splash, kicking out his arms and legs as he sails gracefully across the ring. He crashes down over Dan Caldwell's midsection.

 

Axis: That’s it! The Ratings Grabber!

 

Spike quickly hooks Caldwell’s leg as he makes the cover.

 

ONE...

 

 

 

 

TWO…

 

 

 

THREE….....

 

Hardcastle calls for the bell as Funyon picks up the microphone.

 

FUNYON: The winner of this match.... By pinfall... Hollywood Spike Jenkins!!!!

 

Suddenly the lights cut out, dropping the arena into total darkness. A few seconds later, a small spark pyro flicks up at the base of the entrance ramp providing the only illumination, fizzling the pyro runs quickly up the entrance ramp where on reaching the top detonates into a massive deep red sheet of flame. As the pyro illuminates the entrance way “Immortal” by Adema blasts out over the sound system whipping the crowd up into a frenzy of excitement and cheers. The lights slowly brighten up revealing Johnathan standing with his back to the crowd, his arms raised. Spinning on his heel he turns towards the ring walking down towards the ring.

 

Funyon: Now making his way to the ring… fromNewcastle upon Tyne, England... weighing in at two hundred and fifty six pounds… … he is “The Extreme Solution”, Johnathan Clarke!!!

 

The audience goes crazy as Clarke enters the ring.

 

Axis: Another great reception for Johnathan there, King. He came close to winning that number one contender spot for the TV title on the last edition of Wrath.

 

King: So did the other two losers that Spike Jenkins beat tonight. It will be no different for Johnathan Clarke here tonight.

 

Johnathan stops for a moment out side the ring, and check on Dan Caldwell to make sure that he’s all right. The two men exchange a few words and Johnathan nods. Caldwells gives Johnathan an encouraging tap on the back, before Johnathan slides into the ring. He quickly pushes himself up to his feet, looking straight at Spike.

 

Caldwells slowly makes his way out of the arena as Spike and Johnathan stare at each other, trying to gain a psychological upper hand. Spike breathes heavily, hoping to stall for as long as he can to catch his wind.

 

Referee Sexton Hardcastle looks between the two men checking to see that both are ready

before calling for the bell.

 

DING, DING, DING!!!

 

Axis: Here we go king, if Spike can win this he gets his World Title shot against Crow. If he doesn’t then tonight’s been a waste of time for the so-called King of the World.

 

Johnathan races forward waisting no time. The two men lock up in a collar and elbow tie up, but Johnathan quickly pushes Spike’s right arm away. Clarke spins around and behind Spike, than puts Spike’s left arm in to a hammer lock. Spike reaches up with his free right arm, hooks his hand behind Johnathan’s head, than drops to his knees. He brings Johnathan down over his shoulder with a snapmare, before stepping back and dropkicking Johnathan square between the shoulder blades; Jenkins quickly climbs back to his feet.

 

King: Beautiful takedown by Spike! Even after two matches he can still out-wrestle Clarke.

 

Johnathan gets to his feet and quickly rolls his shoulders to try to loosen the muscles in hopes of lessening the effect of the dropkick. He nods in appreciation of Spike’s effort, as the two men tie up again.

 

Again Johnathan reverses Spike into a hammerlock, but Johnathan quickly breaks the hold. He wraps his left arm around Spike’s waist, and hooks his right arm under Spike's leg. He lifts Spike up and in to a backdrop. At the vertex of the backdrop, Johnathan spins Spike 180 degrees, than falls backwards with him. This drives Spike's shoulders and upper back in to the canvas. Clarke quickly floats over his opponent, hooking Spike’s leg securely, and tries for the early pinfall.

 

ONE…..

 

 

 

TWO….

 

 

 

THR –

 

At thee last possible second Spike rolls his shoulder off the mat stopping Sexton Hardcastle’s count.

 

Axis: That was close for Spike! Those earlier two matches have taken a lot out of him.

 

King: Spike wants this title shot more than anything, Axis. He’s not going to give up that easily.

 

Johnathan gets to his feet, and slowly pulls Spike up. Johnathan brings his right hand back, than slaps it across Spike’s chest in a hard knife edge chop. The crowd giving the loud customary “WOOOOOOOOOOOO!” as the chop connects. Spike takes a small step back as another chop from Johnathan connects with his chest.

 

Axis: Good strategy by Johnathan, those chops can be particularly draining, especially if you been in the ring for as long as Spike has.

 

Gradually Spike begins to battle back with a few stiff right hands until the two men stand trading shots. With each blow that connects, the crowd accompanies it with another "WOOOOOO! ". Suddenly, Spike takes a quick step back, planting his left leg on the mat, and flooring Johnathan with a massive “Last Dance” Superkick. The Extreme One drops to the canvas.

 

King: The Last Dance… that's all she wrote!

 

Spike rolls over his prone opponent. He presses his weight down against Johnathan’s chest and pins his shoulders down to the mat.

 

ONE…..

 

 

 

TWO….

 

 

 

Johnathan kicks up and out to break up the count.

 

King: He should have hooked the leg! Exhaustion’s obviously getting to Spike.

 

Axis: Well, King. He has just wrestled two matches before this one.

 

King: Yes, Axis. I have been sitting here through all of this you know. Can I get a smart play- by-play man here, please?

 

Spike climbs to his feet, breathing heavily. He sucks in as much air as he can to get oxygen to his exhausted muscles. Slowly Spike pulls Johnathan up, but struggles as he lifts Johnathan up onto his shoulders.

 

Axis: Spike’s going for the Spotlight, it might be over if he hits this.

 

King: No, it WILL be over if he hits this!

 

Johnathan wriggles on Spike's shoulders, which loosens Spike's grip. Clarke slips behind his exhausted opponent, quickly steps to the side, than lifts Spike up and over his shoulders in prepreration for a death valley driver. Suddenly, Johnathan spins Spike forward and off his shoulders, dropping him head first down and in between his legs as he sits down.

 

Axis: Extreme Horror! This has got to be over now King!

 

King: NO! Come on Spike! Don’t let this idiot beat you!

 

Johnathan rolls on-top of Spike, securely hooking Spike’s leg.

 

ONE…

 

 

TWO…

 

 

 

As referee Sexton Hardcastle performs his count, Natasha suddenly races into the ring, kicking Hardcastle in the ribs as he gets to two. Natasha grins, waving to the crowd as she turns to leave the ring. But Scott Solomon appears on the stage, and charges down the entrance ramp, his eyes set on Natasha.

 

Axis: This is about to get very, very bad for Natasha!

 

King: I can’t look, what’s he going to do?

 

Solomon confronts Natasha as she climbs out of the ring. He grins as Natasha tries to slap him, than catches her hand and shakes his head slowly. He pushing Natasha’s head down between his legs, than grabbing her waist and lifting her up onto his shoulders in powerbomb position. Natasha screams as Solomon pushes her up off his shoulders, flipping her forward into a facebuster, driving her face first outside the ring as cries of “Holy Shit!” emanate from the screaming crowd.

 

Axis: BAH GAWD! Scott Solomon just levelled Natasha with the Blaster!

 

King: That’s disgusting! Will someone keep this man from screwing over Spike Jenkins! It's an outrage!

 

Johnathan climbs to his feet. He looks at Solomon and nods in thanks he helps Sexton

Hardcastle to his up to his feet. He goes back to cover Spike, once again hooking his leg for another pin attempt as Solomon watches from ringside.

 

ONE…

 

 

 

TWO…

 

 

 

 

TH – KICKOUT!!!

 

Johnathan shakes his head in disbelief, than pulls Spike up to his feet. Johnathan kicks Spike in the stomach, than pushes Spike’s head down between his legs. He wraps his arms around Spike's waist, than lifts Spike up and on to his shoulders for a powerbomb. Just as Johnathan starts to bring Spike down with the powerbomb, Spike suddenly leans back and flips Johnathan over with a Hurricanrana. This drives the Extreme One’s head hard into the mat.

 

Axis: What a desperation counter by Spike! Both men are down.

 

King: Come on Spike!

 

Referee Long raises his hands as he begins to count both men out.

 

ONE…

 

 

TWO…

 

 

THREE…

 

 

FOUR…

 

 

FIVE…

 

 

SIX…

 

 

SEVEN…

 

 

EIGHT…

 

 

Slowly both Spike and Johnathan begin to stir on the canvas. Johnathan sits up and slowly clutches his head before groggily climbing to his feet. He shakes his head in an attempt to clear away the cobwebs.

 

Spike rolls over onto his stomach before slowly pushing himself up to his hands and knees, breathing heavily.

 

Axis: That Hurricanrana by Spike took its toll on both men, King.

 

King: You’re right Axis, Spike should be giving us a finish to this one any second.

 

Johnathan moves towards Spike and pulls him to his feet. Both men trade a series of hard

punches. Suddenly, Spike grabs his opponent's arm. He tries to whip Johnathan into the corner, but Johnathan hangs on to Spike arm. Johnathan plants his feet into the mat, than revereses the whip attempt. Spike goes flying and crashes back first into the turnbuckle. Johnathan charges at Spike, driving his shoulder into Spike's stomach with a monstrous spear.

 

Axis: Extreme Momentum Stopper! You may be wrong about who brings this match to an end, King!

 

Johnathan smiles as he stands up, than pulls Spike up to feet. Johnathan slowly lifts Spike up to a sitting position on the top turnbuckle. Slowly, Johnathan starts to climb up the turnbuckle with Spike. He takes a weak shot to Spike's face as he climbs.

 

King: I don’t like the look of this, Axis. What’s Clarke going to do here? The ref should

disqualify him now, because I'm sure it will be something illegal.

 

Spike has had time to recover and the two men begin to trade shots again as they stand perched precariously on the turnbuckle. Spike's exhaustion from the two previous matches catches up with him as Johnathan slowly takes control of the exchange. Standing on the second rope, Johnathan tucks Spike's head under his left arm, than throws Spike's left arm over his shoulder. Johnathan stands Spike on the top rope before suddenly gripping Spike’s khakis and lifting him up into a vertical suplex position.

 

Axis:…………

 

King:……….

 

Slowly, Johnathan turns Spike around slightly before jumping back from the turnbuckle. This drops Spike into a massive sit out piledriver, driving his head straight in to the mat.

 

Axis: Holy Hannah, King! The A.O.D off the second rope!

 

King: ………………

 

The crowd goes wild, screaming “Holy Shit!” at the top of their voices as Johnathan rolls on to Spike’s chest, than hooks his leg as Sexton Hardcastle drops to the mat.

 

ONE…

 

 

TWO…..

 

 

 

THREE…

 

 

DING, DING, DING!

 

Axis: He’s done it King, What a finish!

 

King: I don’t believe it Axis, Spike just lost his shot at the World Title to a buch of losers!

 

Slowly Johnathan gets to his feet as Sexton Hardcastle raises his hand.

 

Funyon: And the winner of the match… “The Extreme Solution” Johnathan Clarke!!!

 

Adema’s “Immortal” blasts out over the speakers as Johnathan holds his hands up in celebration. Slowly Johnathan walks over to the ropes and waves towards Scott Solomon. Solomon rolls into the ring, and the two men look at each other. Johnathan extends his hand to Solomon. Solomon takes it and the two men shake hands. Suddenly, Johnathan raises Solomon’s hand above his head for the crowd.

 

Axis: what a great display of sportsmanship there by Johnathan, he knows that he couldn’t have won this without Solomon’s help.

 

King: Don’t you mean without Solomon’s interference, it’s disgusting he should have never been allowed to come back to ringside after what he did! Spike Jenkins was screwed tonight, and I guarantee there will be hell to pay!

 

The camera centers on the prone Spike Jenkins as we fade out to SJL Logo.

[Guest realitycheck]

Show summary, because I'm not feeling lazy for once!

 

TEH MIXED TAG OPENER

Viktor Tarakanov & Cassius Atkinson vs Manson & "The Rebel" Shawn Tybalt

- Manson writes (gaspage), and what do you know, Manson and his team wins.

 

TEH TV TITLE MATCH

English Dragon vs Syndicate©

- Note to any and all OAOASTers who read this show: See what happens when join the SWF? You get a title almost right away! ED for the victory.

 

TEH COMPLETELY NORMAL MATCH

David Blazenwing vs. Leo Breslin

- Bres with the "W."

 

TEH EURO CONTENDERSHIP MATCHZORZ... CON EL TWISTE!

"Canadian Thunder" Chris Trepanier vs John Duran

- Duran writes the matches to justify the bookings/He hears your promise, but doesn't believe it/That's why he's won again!/Na-na! Notorious!

 

...okay, that sucked, but you get the idea.

 

TEH FRIGGING EURO ALREADY

Charlie ?Grappler? Matthews vs. Aecas©

- Grappler's rampage continues, beating Aecas here in a close match. See what I mean about the OAOAST?

 

MAIN EVENT

?Hollywood? Spike Jenkins vs. Scott Solomon, Dan ?The Phoenix? Caldwell, & ?The Extreme Solution? Jonathan Clarke

- The new guys win! The new guys win!

 

Pretty good show all around, sez I. Card should be up shortly.