SJL METAL - June 10, 2003

June 11, 2003

SJL Metal - June 10th, 2003!

Venue: The Gund Arena, Cleveland, Ohio.

Opening Promo:

Scott Solomon and Johnathan Clarke!

They were part of the three-man team who took down Spike Jenkins, despite their relative newness to the SJL. And they're here to talk about it! Or their match later tonight! Or something!

Singes Match

Shawn Tybalt vs Cassius Atkinson

Shawn and Cassius faced each other in the mixed tag match, with Tybalt's partner Manson picking up the win. Can he repeat the preformance here?

Description: Standard singles match, yadda yadda.

TV Title Contendership

Syndicate vs Jimmy "The Demon" Liston

Syndicate became the latest in a list of "one show wonders," holding the TV title from Wrath to Crimson. To get right back in the title hunt, he must now face the reasonably successful Jimmy Liston. Can "The Demon" use this valuable oppertunity to score a "W" over a former champ?

Description: Standard singles match.

Tables Match

TV Title

English Dragon© vs Leo Breslin

The Englishman won the title last show, defeating Syndicate. Can he do better in HIS first defense, against snivelling yank and former champion, Leo Breslin, in a match that hasn't been seen in the SJL for a while (to my knowledge)?

Description: To win, you must put your opponent through a table. Everything is lega to do that, though...

European Title Contendership

Three Way Dance

Scott Solomon vs "The Extreme Solution" Johnathan Clarke vs Dan "The Phoenix" Caldwell

They were all in involved in a team effort victory over Spike Jenkins on Crimson. As a matter of fact, Clarke and Solomon shook hands at the end of the match, and even got the opening promo slot together! Naturally, all of them are facing each other for the right to a shot at the European Title. Bwahahaha!

Description: Three-way elimination rules. DQ, countout, and pinfall/submission apply.

First Hour Non Match Capoff Contract Signing!

So it's come down to this. After a brutally close loss to the Antichristian Phenomenon for the world title a few shows again, Va'aiga went off the deep end, trashing his locker room in a rage and laying down one final, incredible challange: Crow vs Va'aiga, surrounded by a 16 foot high cage, with pinfalls being the only decider. Va'aiga's very career versus Crow's title. Here on Metal, with SJL tool--erm, representative Ben Hardy mediating, they'll finalize their match and have any last face-to-face comments.

Description: Both guys should write a promo, and whichever one captures the mood and build better will be used. You can also work together on one, either or.

Garden Shed Match

Aecas vs Viktor Tarakanov

After what could be considered a very successful return to the SJL, Aecas winning streak came to a halt last show versus Charlie Matthews. Not looking to start anothing streak--this time of the losing kind--he faces off against "The Red Rage", who has been myred in a slump since his European Title victory...

Description: At the foot of the entrance ramp, a little to the side, there is a regular looking garden shed. Inside is a veriable armory of weapons for green thumbs, but of course, there'll be no gardening here. What's inside the shed, from rake to Ride 'Em Mower, is a weapon legal for use in this match. Anything NOT found in the shed will earn an instant DQ. Falls count anywhere.

Singles Match

European Title

Charlie "Grappler" Matthews© vs "The Sinner" John Duran

Dumping your manager appears to be the easist way to success, as the Grappler has apparently found out. A win a four-way, and now, the European title rests around his waist, all without the help of Mr. Matheson. Now, in his first defense, he looks toward former Euro champion John Duran.

Description: Standard singles match. Winner is the first person to make their opponent explode like a blue-haired nurse--uh, I mean, score a pinfall or submission. DQ and countouts apply.

'Rematches Ahoy!' INFERNO MATCH

Manson vs "Hollywood" Spike Jenkins

Considering the issue Manson appears to be having with Spike, this seemed like the only logical choice for a rematch. A few shows ago, Spike beat Manson in one of the most underhanded ways imaginable: With a can of Vidal Sassoon and a Zippo lighter, throwing a FIREBALL into Manson's face! Since then, Hate Personified has been spitting fire (oh, the irony) in Jenkins direction, swearing to murder him the next chance he got. Well, what Manson wants...

One could imagine the mile-wide grin that spread across Manson's face when he saw Spike getting his ass kicked by three men with with less than 5 matches each under their belt. It's a fair guess that said grin will be even bigger, as the Hatred shows Hollywood how you REALLY play with fire.

Description: The entire circumfrence of the ring has a gasline surrounding it, shooting out tongues of flame that jump in height everytime someone does a move! It's a pretty cool effect, but I digress. The winner is the man who avoids being set on fire.

June 11, 2003

The SJL Metal Opening Theme plays as a montage of the SJL's wrestlers plays. As the camera shifts to the Gund Arena, pyro crashes on the stage.

BOOM!

BA-BOOM!

The camera pans wildly around the arena showing any and everything of note they can find in the screaming audience. Signs reading "Crow fears Va'iaga!" and "Cassius, Go Back to the Home" are focused on brifly, than a few attractive women are focused on as Suicide King screams:

"Welcome to S J L METAL! We are LIVE from the Gund Arean in Cleveland, Ohio. I'm the Suicide King here with everyone's least favorite Aussie, Axis!"

Axis: Thanks so much for the warm welcome, King! We have a blazing hot show tonight. Literally! Hollywood Spike Jenkins will face Manson in an inferno match in our main event!

King: Plus the European Title is on the line, as Charlie "Grappler" Matthews takes on John Duran.

Axis: We've also got an awesome Tables Match for the Television Title. Champion English Dragon will face Leo Breslin in that matchup. Not to mention the legendary contract signing, as Va'aiga and Crow sign the contract to make their title match official. Can these two men co-exist even long enough to sign a contract?

King: Let's hope not, Axis.

Axis: All that and more tonight on Metal! But first we're going to hear from one of the three men who defeated Hollywood Spike Jenkins on Crimson just a few days ago, Scott Solomon. Let's take a look back at that.

King: Scott Solomon had his Disarmament Finisher locked in when...

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!

King: Solomon was soon escorted from the ring, but stuck his nose in during Johnathan Clarke's match with Spike!

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.

Axis: Clarke congratulated Solomon after the match, which we assumes leads to Solomon coming out here tonight.

"My Way" suddenly rips on to the loudspeakers, and Scott Solomon walks down the ramp. He runs up to the ring and slides in. He raises his arms as the fans cheer, than goes to the corner to grab the microphone.

Solomon: Five days ago at Crimson, I helped do something that the people here at SJL apparently didn't think I could do. I beat Hollywood Spike Jenkins. Sure, it wasn't me that pinned his shoulders to the mat, but rest assured that Scott Solomon was the man responsible for defeating Spike.

Solomon paces for a second across the ring.

Solomon: But I didn't do it alone. I had the help of another man, the "Extreme Solution" Johnathan Clarke. Johnathan, come on out here.

Adema's "Immortal" comes over the loud speaker as Johnathan Clarke's pyro explodes on the ramp. Clarke takes a moment to pose on the stage for the crowd, than heads down the ramp to meet Solomon in the ring.

Clarke: What's going on out here, Scott?

Solomon: It's this way, Johnnie. You and I, we beat Spike Jenkins 1-2-3 on Crimson in the middle of this ring. Now, if Spike had won that match against us, he would be come #1 Contender to the SJL World Title. He didn't; we beat him. But what do we get. Not a whole hell of a lot.

Clarke: We've got a match against each other tonight to determine the #1 Contender for the European Title. What more do you want, Scott?

Solomon: A hell of a lot more. We should be fighting to determine the Contender for the damned World Title tonight. Not the European. We beat Spike, we should get a chance at his contendership!

Clarke smiles at the idea.

Clarke: Very true, very true, but Va'aiga's got the next shot.

Solomon: True. True. And I know what the idiot commissioner's probably thinking about now. "Why should I give one of these guys a title shot? They're new blood. They haven't earned their spot." Screw that.

Clarke: Even so, it's too late. We've got a spot in the European Contender match.

Solomon: Another fine point, Johnny. Here's my deal. It should make me happy, and it should make you happy. Hell, it will even make that Caldwell loser happy. Who ever wins the match tonight should be immediately entered in to the next match to determine the #1 Contender for the World Title. We're not asking for a title chance, just a chance to prove ourselves worthy of a title shot. Seems fair to me.

Clarke (grinning): And to me. Let's do this tonight. But remember it's every man for himself in that ring tonight.

Clarke reaches his hand out to shake Solomon's again. Solomon takes his hand and starts to shake it.

Solomon (grinning back): I know.

Solomon drops the mic and charges forward at Clarke and takes him down to the mat with a vicious spear. Solomon leaps to his feet, than raises his hands in triumph once more to the shocked crowd. Solomon rolls out of the ring and heads back to the locker room area.

Axis: What the hell was that about, King?

King: I think Solomon just gained some ruthless agression, if you know what I mean, Axis. He might just have a chance yet here in the SJL!

The camera focuses on Clarke as he is slowly getting to his feet as Metal fades to commercial.

June 11, 2003

Axis: Welcome back to S. J. L. Metal as we get ready for our first match of the night as "The Rebel" Shawn Tybalt takes on Cassius Atkinson. This will be the third time that Tybalt and Atkinson will meet in the ring. They fought just ten days ago in Shawn Tybalt's debut here in S. J. L. with Tybalt's ally Dangeress helping him to secure the victory. Then just five days ago at Crimson, Tybalt teamed with Manson to defeat the team of Viktor Tarakanov and Manson. Now Cassius gets his chance to even the score as he gets a rematch against The Rebel. We'll see here tonight if he can pull out a victory.

King: All well and good, Axis, but what about those comments we just heard from Scott Solomon. Solomon really seems poised to take S. J. L. by storm.

Axis: Maybe so, King. Let's see if Shawn Tybalt or Cassius Atkinson can follow the lead of him, Johnathan Clarke, and Dan Caldwell here tonight.

The lights slowly fade to black as "Legion of Doom" cues up. The crowd goes insane as a wall of fire flares up on the stage. Out of the fire strides Cassius Atkinson, with Dominator right at his heels. Cassius slowly walks down to the ring and climbs the ring steps.

FUNYON: Now entering the arena, being accompanied by Dominator, from Tyler, Texas, weighing in at two hundred and fifty six pounds, Cassius ATKINSON!!!!

Cassius walks around the arena and climbs each turnbuckle while playing up to the fans as the crowd is going crazy.

Axis: The fans still continue their accolades for Cassius Atkinson despite the fact he still remains winless here in S. J. L. Maybe tonight he'll have a chance to redeem himself with his victory.

King: As I said before, the fans have no taste. Atkinson will lose, just like he lost before.

Dominator leaves Cassius in the ring, then rolls out and heads to the announce table.

Axis: Looks like Dominator will be joining us hear at the announce table, King.

King: Oh, goody.

The lights on the entrance ramp turn red and the mic goes suddenly quiet, before a voice is heard saying, "Peace? I hate the word. As I hate hell, all these fans, and thee."

Black smoke floods out of the backstage area as "Whatever" by the Butthole Surfers cues up. Shawn Tybalt emerges from the smoke, with Dangeress only a step behind him.

FUNYON: Now entering the arena, accompanied by Dangeress, from the Quad Cities, Illinois, weighing in at two hundred and nineteen pounds, he is "The Rebel", Shawn TYBALT!!!

Tybalt rolls in to the ring as Dangeress starst up the stairs. Tybalt stomps across the ring, climbs the far turnbuckle, then throws a couple of crotch chops at the crowd. The audience boos as Shawn Tybalt just smiles in the ring.

Dominator: This man has no respect for the fans at all. He's a disgrace to the squared circle.

King: You're just mad because your daddy has lost to him twice now.

Axis: Now be nice, King. I have to agree with Dominator. Shawn Tybalt has been less than honorable so far in his S. J. L. career.

Tybalt looks over at Dominator and grins as he heads to the middle of the ring to meet up with Cassius Atkinson.

Referee Matthew Kivell calls for the bell. DING DING DING! The match is on!

Cassius Atkinson and Shawn Tybalt stare each other down as the match gets under way. Cassius puts his hands out, teasing for the lock-up, but Tybalt hits Cassius with a blindingly fast kick to the mid-section in response. Tybalt spins around, raising his foot up in to a spinning crescent kick to the side of Atkinson's head. Cassius stumbles back a couple feet, but he doesn't quite fall down.

King: That fool Cassius Atkinson fell for the same move at Crimson. Tybalt will have this match won easy.

Dominator: My dad won't roll over for that schmuck. The Atkinsons will pull one out today.

Tybaltruns to hit the ropes behind his opponent, then rebounds off of them towards Cassius Atkinson. Tybalt leaps in to the air behind Cassius, grabbing him from behind and pulling him down in to the Bulldog.

Atkinson falls down to the mat, and Tybalt immediately tries to lock in an anklelock. Cassius quickly struggles, keeping Tybalt from getting a good grip on the leg. Cassius slowly leverages himself over on his back, and pushes Tybalt away from him with a kick.

Atkinson climbs back to his feet, but Tybalt runs and hits the ropes again. Tybalt charges Cassius with his entire body, but Atkinson sidesteps, sticking his arm out to hit Tybalt with the clothesline. Tybalt goes down, sliding across the mat.

Cassius reaches down and pulls Shawn Tybalt up from the mat by his hair. Cassius whips Tybalt in to the nearest turnbuckle. Tybalt hits it, and collapses against it. Cassius follows him over to the turnbuckle. Cassius turns Tybalt around, and begins running stiff elbows in to The Rebel. Kivell begins the five-count in the corner, and Cassius continues until he gets to his ninth elbow and Kivell gets to four. Cassius releases Tybalt, and Tybalt drops to the mat.

Axis: Cassius is really taking it to the Rebel Shawn Tybalt in this match.

Dominator: It'll teach him to mess with my father!

Cassius beckons for Tybalt to get up. Tybalt makes his way back to his feet, but Atkinson is already charging him. Atkinson leaps in to the air, driving his elbow in to Tybalt in mid-flight. Tybalt goes down to the mat once again from the blow.

Cassius grabs the Rebel by the head and once again pulls him back up to his feet. Cassius pulls Tybalt's head down to his chest and begins laying brutal elbows in to the back of Tybalt's skull. One hit causes Tybalt to stumble, the next causes his knees to weaken, and the third elbow knocks Tybalt to his hands and knees. Cassius locks his fists together and brings his hands down in a double axe handle, which lays Tybalt down on the mat again.

Dominator: Ha Ha! Let him have it, Dad!

King: Don't count Shawn Tybalt out of this match yet.

Dangeress climbs up on to the apron and begins to make lewd gestures at Matthew Kivelll and Cassius Atkinson. Kivell stops and runs over to get her off the ring apron, while Cassius starts pulling Tybalt back up to his feet. When he has Tybalt up about half of the way, Tybalt swings his arms right up in to Cassius's crotch. Atkinson clutches his privates and falls to the mat. Tybalt climbs to his feet, raises his arms and smiles.

King: That's that Shawn Tybalt ingenuity right there.

Shawn pulls Cassius up to his feet. After a swift kick to Atkinson's gut, 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.

Shawn Tybalt grabs Atkinson's hair and pulls him up and 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 crushing vertical suplex. Tybalt doesn't let go wit that, however, as he spins his legs to get back up and on to his feet, pulling Atkinson up along side him. With both Cassius and him 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.

ONE!

TWO!

T.... NO!

Cassius throws his shoulder up and off the mat. Tybalt kicks Cassius in the gut twice, keeping Atkinson down on the mat.

Dominator: I knew that jabroni couldn't take my dad out that easy.

King: The sweat on your fore head says otherwise to me.

Shawn slowly rools Cassius over. Tybalt grabs Atkinson's right leg, lifts it up, and slams it knee first in to the mat. Tybalt then locks his hands and arms around Atkinson's right ankle and begins to twist. Tybalt gets the anklelock locked in and Cassius cries out in pain.

Atkinson struggles and muscles his leg back to the mat, then slowly begins to push himself up. He moves his top half close enough to Tybalt that he can start laying in some stiff right hands. Tybalt breaks the hold and backs away as Atkinson gets back to his feet.

Cassius lunges forward at Tybalt, running a stiff elbow in to the Rebel's gut. Tybalt staggers from the blow. Cassius locks his arms around Tybalt's arms as he pulls him in. Cassius then drops to the mat, bringing the Rebel down with him in a brutal Double arm D D T. Tybalt bounces off of the mat and is out coldin the middle of the ring. Cassius points to the crowd, than to his elbow, than to Tybalt on the mat.

Axis: Cassius Atkinson is signalling for the Everlasting Elbow, one of his toughest finishers!

Dominator: If Dad hits this, Shawn Tybalt will be done for. I guarantee it.

King: Only if he hits it. Knowing these two wrestlers' backgrounds, I doubt the blow will come anywhere close.

Cassius turns and runs back to the ropes, springboarding off of them. He hops over Tybalt on the rebound, hitting the ropes on the other side. He rebounds again, than drops his elbow down on Tybalt.

But Tybalt throws his knees up! Cassius springs back in pain after dropping on Tybalt's knees. Cassius rolls around on the mat, clutching his chest in pain.

Tybalt kippups to his feet. The Rebel reaches down and grabs Cassius by the head and pulls him to his feet. Cassius runs another stiff elbow in to Tybalt's gut, keeling Shawn over. Cassius grabs Shawn by the waist, hoists him up and around in the air and drops him face first on to the mat with a bodyslam.

Cassius flips him over on to 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's body over, stepping over Tybalt's body as he does so. Cassius then leans back, sitting down and leaning even farther back to lock in the sharpshooter!

Axis: Sharpshooter! Cassius Atkinson has the sharpshooter locked in! Will Shawn Tybalt tap?

Dominator: Hell yeah, he will! Dad's got this match locked up.

King: Whatever you say, Dommie.

Dominator: That's not my name!

King: Whatever, Dommie.

Dangeress tosses a foreign object across the ring right in front of referee Matthew Kivell. Kivell turns to pick up the pair of brass knuckles. When he turns around, Dangeress pulls herself up on to the top rope, then springs off of it, diving in to Cassius Atkinson with a missile dropkick. She drops to the mat and rolls out as Kivell turns to see Cassius down on the mat as Tybalt climbs to his feet. Tybalt slowly gets to his feet as Kivell moves to warn Dangeress about any more foreign objects.

Dominator: That little witch. I can't believe she just did that to dad!

King: Poor boo boo.

Shawn Tybalt grabs Cassius's right leg and pulls it up, then twists both his legs around it as he drops to the mat. Tybalt leans back to lock the figure four leg lock in.

Axis: Figure four leg lock! Will Cassius tap to Shawn Tybalt's finisher?

Dominator: I've seen just about enough of this.

Dominator throws his head set down and charges in to the ring. He runs in and aims to kick Tybalt, but Kivell stops him before he has the chance. Cassius uses the distraction to power his way to the ropes, and barely gets his hands under them. Kivell tells Tybalt to break the hold, but Tybalt will not. Kivell starts the five-count, and Tybalt breaks it as he passes four.

Dangeress leaps up and in to the ring, then does a quick hand stand to wrap her legs around Dominator's head. She flips back down and around, sending him crashing to the mat.

Shawn Tybalt pulls Cassius Atkinson up to this feet, than kicks him in the gut. Tybalt grabs Atkinson's head in his hands. He then jumps backward, bringing Atkinson forward and down. Cassius crashes face first in to the mat.

Tybalt rolls up Cassius as Kivell drops to the mat.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

DING DING DING!

Cassius throws his arm up just as Kivell signals for the bell.

FUNYON: The winner, The Rebel Shawn Tybalt!

"Whatever" by the Butthole Surfers begins to play as Dangeress and Matthew Kivell raise Shawn Tybalt's arms in victory. Dominatore and Cassius Atkinson climb to their feet, and both look pissed. Dangeress and Tybalt quickly drop to the mat and roll out of the ring and head to the entrance ramp as fast as they can.

Axis: Shawn Tybalt and Dangeress score another win, much to Cassius Atkinson's chagrin.

King: Dominator and Atkinson need to join the O. F. W. F., the Old Folks Wrestling Federation. Maybe they'll have more luck there.

Axis just shakes his head at King's comments.

Axis: Now it's time for a commercial break, but up next, Jimmy "The Demon" Liston and Syndicate battle it out to determine the #1 Contender to the television title. That's Next!

June 11, 2003

Axis: And now, it's time for the TV Title Contendership match between Syndicate and, King's favorite new wrestler, Jimmy "The Demon" Liston!

King: Don't put words in my mouth, Axis. Liston's just a rookie. He has a long way to go before he earns respect from me.

Axis: Well, you have cheered him on considerably.

King: Look at his competition. Liston embodies the values of fairness and obeying the rules, which his competitors simply neglect.

Rob Zombie's "Demon Speeding" erupts from the speakers as Tyler Sullivan runs out from the entrance and down to ringside. He proceeds to the announcer's table.

King: Oh, great. Now we have this bastard to deal with.

Axis: Welcome Tyler Sullivan, Liston's manager. Liston missed the last edition of Crimson. Has he been in training since the Battle Royal?

Sullivan: Under my supervision, Jimmy has built himself into a fighting machine. Tonight, you will see the New Demon!

Axis: Well, that sounds exciting.

King: No, that sounds stupid.

Axis: So, what do you think of the match tonight?

Sullivan: Huh, Syndicate poses no threat for Jimmy Liston. This match is in the bag.

King: What are you talking about? Last time these two had a match together, Syndicate tore Liston to shreds!

Sullivan: Yes, but that was the old Demon, not Demon 2. Say, I like that. Demon 2. Not bad.

Axis: Whatever. Funyon has just entered the ring, to announce the beginning of this match.

As Sullivan pulls out a pencil and paper, the camera pans over to Funyon, standing in the ring, microphone in hand.

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen. The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and is for the SJL Television Title Contendership.

Several blasts of red pyro fire up from across the stage as “Burn to Burn” by Static-X kicks into action, Syndicate stepping through the smoke and sparks as he makes his way to the ring to the cheers of the crowd, Funyon beginning the introductions.

Funyon: Entering first, making his way to the ring, weighing in at 239 pounds, from Portland, Oregon, SYNDICATE!!!

As Funyon finishes his intro Syndicate slides into the ring and climbs the nearest turnbuckle, raising his arms to the cheers of the crowd before hopping down and focusing on the match at hand.

Axis: There he is, former TV Title holder. He looks calm and collected, definitely ready to take the title back.

King: Well, he'll have to put up a hell of a fight against Liston.

Axis: Ah, I see you are back to your old self, King.

King: What are you talking about? I'm just rooting for the greater of two evils.

Sullivan: Ooh, good one! "Greatest of Evils", Demon-squared!

King: Keep it down!

Sullivan: Good idea, keep it basic for now...

Sullivan scribbles a note on the piece of paper, runs into the ring, and hands it to Funyon, who reluctantly takes and reads the message. Sullivan promptly returns to the announcer's table.

Axis: What did you give Funyon?

Sullivan: You'll see.

King: Let's hope it's your resignation.

The lights go dark. Milky chanting can be heard in the background as spotlihts fly over the fans, and a single phrase is uttered over the arena's sound system:

"Why don't you ask me what it feels like to be a freak?"

Rob Zombie's "Demon Speeding" erupts from the speakers as pyros run up the ramp, from ringside to entrance, ending with an explosion and flash of flames, revealing Jimmy Liston at the top of the ramp. Liston raises a fist towards the crowd as he walks down the ramp to ringside as Funyon proceeds with the introductions, reading off the paper handed to him by Sullivan.

Funyon: Now making his way to the ring, weighing in at 228 pounds, from Boston, Massachusetts, he is The Demon, Jimmy Liston!!!

Liston slides into the ring, climbs the near turnbuckle, and thrusts his fist into the air in time with the music. He then crosses to the opposite turnbuckle and taunts the crowd on that side of the arena as the house lights are brought back up, and the music fades.

Axis: That's it? You just moved his alias to the beginning of his name?

Sullivan smiles and nods in response.

King: Oh, that's really clever. You must be so proud, thinking of that all by yourself.

Sullivan: Actually, I am. Anything I can do for my client, I will do.

King: Well, maybe later in the dressing room you could...

*DING DING DING*

The match begins, and both wrestlers grapple at each other. Syndicate puts Liston in a Neckbreaker hold, but before he can finish the move, Liston pulls his head free of Syndicate's arm. Liston quickly turns and wraps his arms around Syndicate's waist, ready to throw his opponent in a German Suplex. Syndicate's elbow comes back and smashes against Liston's head. Liston breaks the hold, and whips Syndicate into the corner. Liston winds up and lets go a chop to Syndicate's chest.

"Woo"

The audience cheers along as chop after chop connects with Syndicate.

"Woo. Woo. Woo."

Liston makes to whip his opponent into the opposite corner. Syndicate reverses, and sends Liston into the turnbuckle. Now he starts sending his own chops into Liston's chest.

"Woo. Woo. Woo. Woo."

Syndicate lifts Liston to the top rope. He climbs to the top rope, and lifts Liston to his feet, preparing for a Superplex. Liston sends a fist into Syndicate's stomach, and pushes him from the top rope. Syndicate's back makes a sickening thud against the mat. Liston signals to the audience that he is going to attempt a flying attack. He jumps from the top rope, attempting an elbow drop. Syndicate rolls out of the way, and Liston lands hard against the mat.

Axis: Look at the speed of this match. Liston is trying to use his speed to his advantage, but Syndicate keeps him on his toes.

Sullivan: Not for long. I trained Liston to be able to take losers like Syndicate.

King: What are you talking about, loser? Syndicate was TV Champion.

Sullivan: Key word WAS. Liston will put this has-been down quickly.

Axis: I'm not so sure about that, Sullivan. Syndicate is hard to pin.

Sullivan: Liston will find a way. Trust me.

Liston gets to his feet, and feels Syndicate's arm around his neck, as his opponent prepares to pull off a DDT. Before Syndicate can complete the move, Liston thrusts his shoulder into his opponent's midsection. Syndicate staggers back. Liston grabs one of his opponent's legs, and pulls his opponent to the mat. Liston is on top of Syndicate, throwing punches in his opponent's face.

Axis: Look at the rage in Liston. He is determined to win.

Sullivan: It's that determination that...

King: Shut up, Sullivan! You're giving me a headache.

Sullivan: Fine, I can see that my opinion is not wanted here.

King: Good, leave! I'm trying to watch the match.

Sullivan leaves the announcer's table, takes a chair and sits at ringside. Liston notices his manager as Syndicate rises. Liston whips him into the corner, and prepares to deliver shoulder thrusts to Syndicate's midsection. Syndicate's fists fall on Liston's back, and Liston finds his head pinned in his opponent's legs. Syndicate pulls Liston into the air, then sits out, letting Liston's head smack against the mat. Liston lays, stunned by the Piledriver. Syndicate rises, and climbs the turnbuckle. He executes a flawless Top Rope Elbow Drop, and connects with Liston's chest. Syndicate goes for the pin...

ONE!

TWO!

THRE~Shoulder!

King: It's over! Syndicate won! I guess the new Demon was not good enough.

Axis: Wait, referee Kivell is saying that he did not make the three count.

King: You know, if I didn't have to deal with Tyler Sullivan, I would think that was good news.

Axis: Well, Sullivan is at ringside now. We can't hear what he's saying.

King: I know, but just seeing him makes me sick.

Thinking that referee Kivell had made the three call, Syndicate stands and walks to the other side of the ring and shows off to the audience. Kivell walks over and tells Syndicate that he had not completed the pin. While Kivell's back is turned, Liston rolls out of the ring. He reaches under and comes up with a chair. He rolls into the ring, stands, and sees Syndicate's boot coming at him. He instinctively brings up the chair to protect himself from Syndicate's kick. Syndicate's foot kicks the chair into Liston's face, sending the Demon to the mat. Liston drops the chair and rolls out of the ring, cradling his jaw. Kivell starts the count, and Syndicate kicks the chair out of the ring, and rests against the ropes as Liston consults with his manager.

~ONE~

~TWO~

Axis: What do you think they're talking about?

King: Who cares? I have no interest in anything that comes out of that loudmouth windbag.

Axis: Well, he'd better hurry up, or he'll be counted out.

~SIX~

~SEVEN~

~EIGHT~

Liston rolls back into the ring. Syndicate rolls out of the ring, and rolls his opponent back into the ring. He then pulls Liston to his feet, and whips him against the ropes. As Liston comes running back, Syndicate lifts Liston into a Suplex. Liston goes down, and Syndicate covers...

ONE!

TWO!

~Kickout

Syndicate grabs Liston's head, and lifts him off the mat. Syndicate prepares for a Neckbreaker, but Liston wraps his arms around his opponent and runs into the corner, smashing Syndicate's back against the turnbuckle. Syndicate falls to the mat, and Liston covers.

ONE!

TWO! ~Kickout

Liston grabs Syndicate's head, and throws several punches in his face.

Axis: Liston manages to get a two count on Syndicate.

King: You're saying that like you're surprised.

Axis: Surely you're not saying that it didn't surprise you.

King: What surprised me was that he didn't get three.

Axis: Syndicate was overpowering him only a second ago...

King: And Liston managed to change the momentum of the match. He's really learning from his experiences here.

Axis: Maybe Tyler Sullivan has been doing something right in Liston's training.

King: Never mention that name in my presence again.

Syndicate rises, and is whipped into the ropes. As he approaches Liston, his opponent scoops Syndicate up horizontally, and sends him flying overhead in a Fallaway Slam. While Syndicate rises, Liston runs into the ropes, and continues right at his opponent. A massive clothesline sends Syndicate back to the mat. Liston covers...

ONE!

TWO!

~Kickout

Liston pulls Syndicate off the mat. When he reaches his feet, Syndicate throws a punch at Liston's midsection, making Liston double over. Syndicate performs a series of elbow and forearm shots to the back of Liston's head and neck. Liston falls to his knees. Liston attempts to get up, but rises right into Syndicate's arm, hooking over the back of Liston's head. Syndicate DDTs his opponent. He bends to grab Liston's leg. Liston rolls, and sends his foot into Syndicate's chin.

King: Hah. You see that? Liston won't let himself be dominated.

Axis: Liston is quicker than Syndicate, and is taking full advantage of this.

King: Liston takes advantage of every talent he has. He uses his head in the ring.

Liston is on top of his opponent, sending punch after punch into Syndicate's face. Liston gets off Syndicate, and waits for his opponent to rise. Syndicate is slow to his feet, and turns. Liston runs full speed at Syndicate, throwing his shoulder into his opponent's midsection. Liston wraps his arms around Syndicate's waist, and continues running, carrying Syndicate into the corner. Syndicate's back hits the turnbuckle. Liston climbs the bottom rope, and throws punches into Syndicate's face. Syndicate pushes Liston off the ropes. Liston lands on the mat, and immediately is back on his feet, running at Syndicate, driving his shoulder into Syndicate's stomach.

King: I REALLY don't want to be on the receiving end of that move. Syndicate looks like he's hurting.

Axis: It looks like Liston managed to bust Syndicate open when he was down on the mat. There's blood coming from his nose.

King: So what? A little bloodshed is good for him.

Axis: Really? Since when has anyone ever benefited from losing blood?

King: Well, back in medieval days, the sick had their blood drained, and...

Axis: Nevermind. I don't want to know.

Liston lifts his opponent into a Torture Rack. Syndicate groans as pressure is applied to his body. Liston drops Syndicate, and immediately puts him in the R.I.P.

King: It looks like Liston is out to hurt Syndicate.

Axis: Well, Syndicate has been able to get up after everything Liston has thrown at him. In response, Liston appears to be changing fighting styles. He is beginning to use holds to weaken his opponent.

King: It's Liston's ingenuity. He's a smart wrestler.

Axis: Actually, it's Syndicate's vitality that...

King: Yeah right. How was Syndicate ever TV Champion? He's losing to a man who has lost almost all of his matches.

Axis: Well, technically he's not losing.

King: Damn you, Axis. Will you shut your lip? I can't concentrate on the match.

Syndicate reaches out and grabs the rope, and Liston is forced to break the hold. Syndicate rises. Liston grabs him around the waist, and sends Syndicate over his head in a German Suplex. Syndicate falls on his upper back and neck, the rest of his body falling behind him. Liston is quickly on top of Syndicate, driving his fist into the back of his opponent's head. He finishes by lifting Syndicate's head, and slamming it back into the mat. Liston pulls Syndicate off the mat, hooks his arms, and headbutts his opponent repeatedly. Liston stops striking with his head, and sends a knee into Syndicate's stomach. Bent double, and still with both arms hooked behind him, Syndicate is lifted into a Double Underhook Suplex.

Axis: Bloodlust! Liston is sacrificing his own body to injure his opponent.

King: And look at it work. Syndicate is down, and it doesn't look like he's getting up anytime soon.

Axis: I'm sure he's in incredible pain, what with Liston's head being sent into his injured nose.

King: Syndicate needs to learn not to be such a crybaby. You can't let a little pain get in your way.

Axis: Liston is going for the pin.

Sullivan: GO LISTON!

ONE!

TWO!

~Kickout!

Liston kicks Syndicate once in the head before signaling to the audience. He climbs the top rope, and spreads his arms.

Axis: LISTON'S GOING TO ATTEMPT THE DEMON HEADBUTT!!!

King: The Demon Headbutt is one of the most devastating moves in Liston's arsenal. If... what am I saying... WHEN Liston makes contact, this match will definitely be over.

Liston jumps, and falls, his head in line with Syndicates. Before contact, Syndicate rolls from underneath, and Liston's head smacks into the mat.

Axis: LISTON MISSES THE DEMON HEADBUTT!

King: Stop shouting! I have eyes!

Axis: Liston really must be hurting from that. The Demon Headbutt can be as devastating to him as his opponent, when he makes it.

Liston favors his jaw, from which blood is running freely.

Axis: And it looks like Liston's jaw, which has taken a beating this match, has been busted open.

King: Now is when the match will get interesting. Liston gets very angry when he gets bloody.

Before Liston can stand, Syndicate puts him in a pumphandle position. Syndicate lifts Liston into the air, and slams him head-first into the mat. Liston is lifted from the mat, and whipped into the ropes. As Liston comes running back, Syndicate suplexes his opponent. Liston rises, and Syndicate suplexes him again. Once more, Liston rises, and Syndicate suplexes his opponent. This time, Liston does not rise. Syndicate lifts his opponent for a Russian Leg Sweep. Instead of falling backwards, Syndicate falls forward, driving Liston's face into the mat. Liston cradles his head as Syndicate lifts him into a Fireman's Carry. Syndicate spins, sending Liston's face into his knee. Liston's face is a bloody mess as he tries to peel himself off the mat.

Axis: Wow, Syndicate is giving Liston a serious beating.

King: And look at Sullivan. He's not doing anything to help his friend.

Axis: Well, that would be against the rules. Liston is a champion of the rules.

King: Rules or no, when your friend is hurting, you go help him. It's human nature.

Axis: I think Sullivan is confident enough that Liston will win.

King: What have we learned? That Tyler Sullivan is not human.

Syndicate lifts Liston, and whips him into the ropes. On his way back, Liston bends and shoves his shoulder into Syndicate, knocking his opponent to the mat. Liston rises and runs against the ropes again as Syndicate gets to his feet. While Liston approaches, Syndicate catches his opponent, lifts him, and smashes his back into the mat. Syndicate pulls Liston off the mat, and pulls him into a Backdrop. Before sending his opponent to the mat, Syndicate spins and drops Liston. He goes for the cover. The audience chants along with the ref's tap...

ONE!

TWOOOO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEE~OH!!!

Axis: Syndicate almost had it. Liston got his shoulder up just in time.

King: Liston is not easy competition. Syndicate underestimates him.

Axis: The question is, how much more can the Demon take?

Syndicate pulls Liston off the mat, and performs a Hiptoss. Before Liston hits the mat, Syndicate grabs his head and falls into a Neckbreaker. Syndicate lifts Liston, and puts him in a standing headscissors. Liston grabs Syndicate around the waist, and runs into the corner, sending Syndicate's back hard against the turnbuckle. Syndicate's head snaps back from the force, and smacks against the top of the turnbuckle.

King: Each time I see Liston do that, it gets better and better.

Axis: Syndicate's insides must really be aching. Taking moves like that can't be good for him.

King: Not doctor recommended, I'm sure. But Liston uses his Hunt often. Any opposition had better learn to get used to it.

Liston grabs Syndicate, winds up, and thrusts his hand into his opponent's throat. He grabs hold and chokes Syndicate while forcing him to the ground. Lying on the ground, Syndicate continues to have the breath choked out of him by Liston. He grabs at his own throat, trying to pry Liston's fingers loose. Then he reaches out and hooks his arm around the bottom rope. Liston releases the hold, and Syndicate pulls himself to his feet. Liston sends a knee into Syndicate's stomach, then puts his opponent in a standing Head Scissors. Liston pulls Syndicate into a Powerbomb. Before completing the Powerbomb, Liston pushes out on Syndicate's hips, grabs his head, and drives Syndicate's face into the mat.

Axis: DESCENT! DEMON JUST HIT SYNDICATE WITH THE DESCENT!!!

King: Liston has been saving his energy for this. The tables have turned, and now Liston has the match in the bag.

Axis: We'll soon see. Liston is going for the pin...

ONE!

TWOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~KICKOUT!!!

King: Holy hell, how did Syndicate kick out of that? He's beaten and bashed, and he still wants to fight.

Axis: Syndicate wants a shot to get back his TV Title. He'll do whatever it takes.

King: Well, in his condition, he doesn't have much chance of winning tonight.

Liston is bewildered, but prepared. He pulls his opponent off the mat, and up for another Powerbomb.

Axis: This could be another Descent...

King: No, Liston's not going to use his finishers in a row like that.

Sure enough, Liston pulls Syndicate over his back, spreading his arms, before pulling him down into a Powerbomb and lifting his legs in a Cross Powerbomb Pin. Once again, the ref falls to the mat...

ONE!

TWO!!

THR...

The ref stops the count when he sees Syndicate's arm hooked over the bottom rope. Liston appears confused as to why the count stopped, until he notices the arm himself. He pulls Syndicate up, and receives a kick in the belly. Syndicate throws his arm over Liston's head, and pulls him into a DDT. Liston rises, and is met by another DDT. Syndicate pulls his opponent off the mat, and executes yet another DDT. Syndicate goes once more for the DDT, and succeeds. Liston is a bloody wreck on the mat. Syndicate pulls Liston up, and into a Tombstone Piledriver hold. Syndicate lets Liston hang for a second before sitting out, drilling his opponent's head into the mat.

Axis: A good show by Syndicate. I don't think many wrestlers can stand up to four DDT's like that, especially in Liston's condition.

King: I'm surprised that Syndicate pulled off four DDTs. Both wrestlers are on the mat.

Axis: Liston looks like he's out, and Syndicate is simply exhausted. If Syndicate can cover Liston, he may end this match now.

Syndicate rolls over and drags himself towards Liston. He flops an arm over Liston's chest, and Kivell drops for the count...

ONE!

TWO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~NO!

Liston's foot is hanging on the rope. Syndicate thinks that the match is over, and the ref stops him and tells him that he stopped the count. Syndicate becomes upset, and begins yelling at the ref. He is oblivious to Liston, crawling towards him. Liston pulls Syndicate into a Schoolboy Pin, and the ref falls to the mat...

ONE!

TWO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEE~KICKOUT!!!

Syndicate quickly rises to his feet, and is met by Liston's body. Liston spears Syndicate, slamming him into the middle of the ring. Syndicate is quickly to his feet, and Liston pulls him into a Backdrop. Liston pulls Syndicate off the mat and performs another Backdrop. Liston's final Backdrop includes a pin at the end...

ONE!

TWO!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~KICKOUT!!!!!

Axis: Look at Liston's speed. He must be really upset that he can't pin Syndicate.

King: I'm telling you, Syndicate can take an incredible amount of abuse. But he won't last much longer. He can't even move.

Syndicate stays on the mat as a frustrated Liston storms across the ring. Liston returns, and puts Syndicate in the R.I.P. Syndicate screams out as Liston puts on the sleeperhold. Syndicate eventually drops off, and Liston releases the hold. As Liston rises, Kivell goes down to check on Syndicate. Liston walks to the far ropes, and reaches over as Tyler Sullivan tosses something over to him.

Axis: What's going on? Something's happening behind the ref's back.

King: Sullivan has tossed Liston a set of brass knuckles. Liston's going to end this once and for all.

As Syndicate rises, Liston whips him into the turnbuckle. Liston climbs the ropes and sends a flurry of punches, with the brass knuckles, into Syndicate's face. He pulls Syndicate out of the corner, then lands a punch on Syndicate's jaw. Syndicate falls to the mat, and Liston hides the brass knuckles in his pants before referee Kivell could see them. Liston then rolls Syndicate into a pin, and lifts his legs onto the ropes, holding his opponent down. Kivell falls to the mat and the audience cheers...

ONE!!!

TWOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

*DING DING DING*

Axis: LISTON WON! HE'S GOING TO FACE THE TV CHAMPION!

King: And Sullivan is entering the ring, obviously to congratulate his friend.

Kivell and Sullivan raise both of Liston's arms in the air as Funyon begins to speak.

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner, and the new SJL Television Title Contender, "THE DEMON" JIMMY LISTON!!!

Axis: And there you have it. What a match.

King: I'm happy to see the Demon's career finally taking off.

Axis: Well, that won't be for certain unless he wins the title.

King: With or without the title, he has made a name for himself now. The only advice I'll give him is to lose his manager. People like Tyler Sullivan can only screw you up.

Axis: Jimmy Liston will take on the winner of the Tables Match for the TV Title, between Champion English Dragon and former champion Leo Breslin. That match is coming up next.

June 11, 2003

The show returns from a quick commercial break. A suspended camera pans around the bustling crowd. Overcoming the loudness is the voice of Axis, followed soon thereafter by his announcing partner, Suicide King.

Axis: We are back in the... GUND ARENA! This crowd is electrifying as we are set for another exciting ride!

King: Yeah, weren't we here a month ago?

Axis: I believe we were. And I also believe that this place saw Leo Breslin get his first shot at gold in a European Title three way dance. Of course, Leo failed in obtaining that title there. Since then, however, he has won the Television Championship and--

King: And he lost it! And now, for some reason, he's getting a chance to regain it. But if things go as I'd like them to, he'll be going through a table... not winning this title for the second time...

"Won't Back Down" by Fuel starts up, and the crowd roars in eager anticipation. The fans are covered in darkness and occasionally lit by flames shooting high into the air from across the stage. On the stage, a pair of spotlights appear, and into them step Leo Breslin and Scarlet Minjonet. Then begin descending the stage. Leo looks determined and somewhat belligerent. Scarlet is calm and composed, looking back and forth at fans.

Funyon: The following is a TABLES MATCH, and is for the SJL Television Championship! Introducing first... the challenger: weighing in at 230 pounds and hailing from right here in Cleveland, Ohio... being accompanied to the ring by Scarlet Menjonet... LEOOOOO BREEEESLIIIIN!

Axis: It's because he's a former champion, and he deserves a return shot... and damn, do you hear the reception this hometown boy is receiving?!

King: Yeah, but the guy who won the title from him LOST is already. Therefore, Leo should not be in this match.

Leo slides in under the bottom rope and gets to his feet as Scarlet moves to the side of the ring on the outside. In the ring's center, Leo begins hopping up and down, twisting his neck and stretching his arms as four final flames shoot from the four turnbuckles. The arena returns to its usual state.

King: I mean, Christ, who's this guy holding the title now? Some new Dragon guy or something.

Axis: You know damn well it's English Dragon, a great competitor, to say the least.

"Land of Hope and Glory" begins, and with it comes the appearance of English Dragon, his red and white mask covering his face as his red tights, with thin white stripes zipping up the side, complete his matching attire. The man, ideally sized for a match against Breslin with a matching height and nearly matching weight. He begins walking down the ramp with little theatrics taking away from his presence. The crowd boos him rather profusely, not very fond of the fact that a British man holds the Television Title.

Funyon: And his opponent... he weighs in at 233 pounds and comes from London, England. The current SJL Television Champion... ENGLIIIIISH DRAAAGOOOON!

King: They don't like the Brits here in Cleveland, huh?

Axis: No, apparently they don't.

King: Well neither do I. But I like him more than I like this Breslin character. I'm still shocked that this loser was put in this match.

Axis: Well regardless of what or who you like or dislike for whatever reason, this match is underway. The bell is rung, the tables are resting along the guardrail outside the ring, and the crowd is ready to see some great action.

King: I guess it's time to get down to business. Hell, I guess the faster we start, the faster Leo once again fails in front of his hometown crowd.

With optimistic demeanors about them, both men are in the ring, close to the ropes, walking sideways. They check each other out, up and down. Their eyes meet. Two glares are sent out and a tone is set. Within seconds Leo Breslin and English Dragon meet at the ring's center, holding each other in an elbow-and-neck position. Dragon is the first to transfer this hold to a hammer lock, releasing himself and holding onto Leo's arm, bringing himself to his opponent's back and wrenching the arm upwards. Breslin begins bouncing his legs up and down as his mouth opens wide and a gasp escapes him.

Axis: Leo composes himself. King, if you can say anything good about Leo, it would have to be that he is very skilled at adapting to different wrestling styles.

King: Well, I would say that if--well, okay. I was gonna say that if he could get out of this, I would accept that. And he just reversed it into a hammerlock of his own, so I guess the guy is somewhat versatile and has a broad selection of styles to choose from.

Axis: That's exactly right, and... and Dragon just reversed it into another hammerlock!

King: Leo reverses for what... a third time... and FINALLY someone gets some sense. Leo pushes Dragon forward... into the ropes... Dragon stumbles backwards and Leo takes Dragon down with a... reverse drop toe hold, I guess you could call it.

Axis: That was rather interesting. Don't know how effective it was, but still interesting.

King: Well, either that or he showed his most common style of wrestling... idiocy.

Leo gets to his feet and turns around to see English Dragon getting to his feet. Stepping forward, Leo lays in three solid punches to the face. With Dragon against the ropes, Leo whips him to the opposite set. As Dragon comes back, Leo extends an arm and meets him at mid-ring, taking him down with a clothesline. Dragon is fast to get up, however, forcing Leo to hit him with yet another clothesline. A resilient Dragon gets up yet again.

Axis: Leo wants to keep this guy down, and... Dragon ducks a fourth clothesline!

King: Leo turns to meet him... gets a boot to the gut... and a DDT! Dragon just took Leo down!

Axis: But that's definitely not enough. Leo is already trying to get up with some assistance from the ropes.

Dragon doesn't let the ropes help Leo up all the way. Instead, he interferes, pulling Leo up by his head and turning him so his back is on the ropes. Leo is whipped across the ring and shoots back. His chin is nailed with a super kick, and he immediately falls to the ground. Sprawled out on his back, Leo is pulled up, this time all the way. He's slung over just a bit. Dragon places his arm over Leo's neck, then pulls Leo's arm over his neck. He grabs Leo's waistband and slings him over with a snap suplex.

Axis: That was one quick suplex! And Dragon rolls over and is getting up for another one. I'm surprised he kept that hold in place. BAM! Every time Leo hits that mat it puts him in worse shape.

King: Hey Axis, can I have your autograph? My niece is a HUGE fan of Captain Obvious...

Repeating this process a third and final time, Dragon sees it fit to not get to his feet, but rather roll a few times until he is under the bottom rope, at which time he turns and drops his leg onto the outside mat. He takes a few steps until he reaches the table propped up against the guardrail. Both hands take it by what is now it's top, but would be the side if it was set up. Dragon turns

around, but instead of looking at Leo in the ring, who is actually just about to his feet, his eyes are focused on Scarlet Minjonet, who is directly to the right of him, tucked away in a corner. Approaching the ring, Dragon lifts the table up and places it on the apron. This proves to be a foolish move as Leo rushes over to it, drops down, and delivers a baseball slide to the table. In turn, it slams into Dragon's face and sends him falling backwards, the folded table falling on top of him.

King: That nailed Dragon right in the head! He looks a little dazed.

Axis: A little?

King: Breslin is on his feet, and he's climbed onto the apron.

Axis: Looking down on Dragon... and... what's he thinking?

King: Probably a big move they use in idiocy...

Leo runs a few steps on the apron before leaping off. He lands directly on top of the table, which is still atop Dragon. The wood breaks in half, crushing Dragon underneath it. Leo rolls off and begins rocking back and forth, his arms across his stomach as he shows the pain he just took. Scarlet takes a few steps forward and asks if Leo's okay. He nods and Scarlet backs off.

King: RIGHT AGAIN!

Axis: Not quite. Leo is actually getting up, but Dragon is still pretty out of it. If we got anything out of it, it's a broken table.

King: I wish the rules didn't say that your opponent had to put you through the table. Leo's lucky he didn't put himself through it and lose the match.

Axis: Well, the rules are made clear for a reason, ya know...

Leo uses the apron to pull himself up the rest of the way. He takes the two steps needed to reach English Dragon, then bends down to grab the man's head and pull him up forcefully. Once Dragon is up, Leo takes a hold of his right arm and quickly whips him. With impressive velocity, Dragon heads shoulder-first into the steel steps. The top set breaks off and falls to the ground with a collection of loud noises. Dragon is awake now, favoring his shoulder. The eyes behind his mask wince.

King: One thing I like about table matches, or any match that's not normal, is that you get to see how each man acts when he can't really do what he usually does. Dragon is a speedy and technical wrestler, and the same can be said for Breslin. However, in this atmosphere, it's survival of the fittest, and that's being proven right now.

Axis: Well said...

King: Yeah, I try my best.

Dragon is sitting down, his back leaning against the remaining steps, when Leo approaches him. He's not at all surprised when Leo pulls him up for more. Not willing to take any chances, Leo begins preparation for another big move. He sets up for a suplex, then pulls up Dragon's leg. Seconds later, Dragon is lifted up and over, dropped onto the hard mat with strong force.

Axis: Beautiful fisherman suplex there! I always knew Leo had those perfectly-executed suplexes in him. It was just hard to see them, considering that Leo seldom fights someone his size or smaller.

King: Dare I say that Dragon and Leo are a perfect match?

Axis: Yes, I dare you.

Leo feels confident in the pain inflicted on Dragon, and takes the time he's earned to slide a table into the ring without interruption. He returns to Dragon to pull him up and slide him into the ring. But when Dragon is brought to his knees, he brings his arm up between Leo's legs, delivering a low blow.

Axis: That was cheap!

King: Cheap, but legal. And if it's legal, you use it to win!

Axis: Scarlet doesn't look to satisfied.

King: Yeah, but she's a smart girl. She'll keep her distance if she knows what's good for her.

Dragon shoots himself up. On the way, his fist meets Leo's face with a European uppercut. Leo stumbles backwards, but is still at good enough a distance for Dragon to leap up and deliver a flawless dropkick. This takes Leo off his feet. Dragon is still slow to get up, but faster than Breslin. The two meet again, Breslin now the more sluggish of the two. Taking a boot to the gut, Breslin instinctively doubles over to catch his breath. Dragon puts Leo's head between his legs and lifts him up a little, then falls onto his bottom to take Leo out with a piledriver.

Axis: OUCH! I wouldn't expect to see that from Dragon, but what can you expect in a match like this?

King: EVERYTHING!

Dragon leaves Leo be just long enough to slide a second table into the ring. He then returns to his opponent, lifts him up, and slides him into the ring. Following, Dragon is quick to get to his feet. He delivers a few stomps to Leo's midsection, then turns to grab the table he slide in. It takes a little while to set up, allowing Leo to at least get on all fours. Dragon runs at him and on his last step, his leg continues moving, connecting with his ribcage and sending him flying to the side, landing on his arm and clutching his ribs in pain.

Axis: That was one hell of a kick!

King: Gotta keep Leo down. Anyone would do that.

Axis: I understand that, but still... that had to hurt!

Finally ready, Dragon brings Leo up and shoves his head between his legs. Dragon is quick to lift Breslin up onto his shoulders. As he attempts to align himself properly in front of the table, Leo begins punching the top of Dragon's head in desperation. The force is so much that it begins dazing Dragon, and he falls backwards. Leo ends up sitting on his chest, which is the perfect place to get in a few extra punches.

Axis: Leo was lucky on that one. And now it seems that the tables have turned.

King: I didn't see anyone touch them. Scarlet is remaining idle.

Axis: I meant that... never mind.

Leo gets up and grabs Dragon's head, pulling him up and pushing him into a corner. Making sure that the table isn't in the way, Leo attempts an Irish whip, but it's reversed, and he's the one that ends up going into the corner. Leo's midsection is rammed into by Dragon's shoulder. Dragon backs up a bit and pulls Breslin deeper into the ring. He performs a common suplex, then gets to his feet.

King: You know, these two men are impressing me. Big props to both of them... or at least bigger than they were before that match. And if you think of how small they were at that time, they still aren't very large.

Axis: Let me attempt to make sense out of that as Dragon makes his next move...

As Breslin is laid out inside the ring, Dragon rolls to the outside. He takes his time in setting up a table right in front of the entrance ramp. His quick setup allows Dragon to get back into the ring before Leo even has time to slightly recover. He is brought up to his feet by Dragon. Dragon ends up with his head between Leo's arm and ribcage, but by choice. After taking a hold of

Leo with both hands on the waist, Dragon erects himself and flips Leo backwards with a snappy northern lights suplex. Feeling confident, Dragon gets him and begins kicking Leo, moving him closer and closer to the ropes until he finally kicks him out and onto the mat. Leo falls with a thud.

Axis: And Dragon follows him to the outside... lifts Leo up and... slides him onto the table! Leo is out of it, and Dragon has him lying on a table outside the ring.

King: Dragon probably plans on jumping through this, which would make more sense than Leo jumping through a table with Dragon underneath it, huh?

Axis: Whatever. Dragon is already scaling the turnbuckles. He's up top... looking down on Leo.

King: HE'S GONNA... oh wait... Leo just rolled off the table. He looks kind of oblivious. On his feet... he turns and... Dragon with a missile fucking dropkick from the top to the bottom! Leo falls backward... but not into the table. DAMMIT!

Axis: Dragon had to do something from up there, huh? Poor guy looks hurt big time though.

King: Well he nailed Breslin right in the chest as he turned, so I'm sure he won't be the only one down for a while.

Both men begin getting up, but Dragon is the first to officially reach his feet. He is quick in bringing Breslin up the rest of the way, but sure to keep him doubled-over. Dragon is right in front of the table when he shoves Breslin's head into his legs. Dragon has a confident and excited look on the parts of his face that can be seen.

King: This could be it... Dragon Driver!

Axis: Breslin is up on Dragon's shoulders... and he's about to be dropped through that table. Dragon is ready and--

King: NO! WHAT IS THAT WENCH DOING?!

Axis: Scarlet moves the table and Breslin takes the Dragon Driver onto the mat!

King: SHE CAN'T DO THAT!

Axis: Sure she can. It's legal.

King: But that's not her role!

Axis: I think she said she offers support outside the ring. And, since Dragon and Breslin aren't in the ring, it makes sense that she would do that.

King: I am flabbergasted...

Axis: Well Breslin is in a world of hurt, and Dragon is staring down Scarlet as she backs off, but offers the same cold glare in return.

King: Very poetic, Axis...

Leo remains on the ground as an angered Dragon lifts him up and tosses his worn body into the ring. The crowd is excited that the match is continuing, but unhappy with Breslin's current state and his prospects. Dragon makes sure the table in the ring is still set up, and to his satisfaction, it is. He hurriedly brings Leo to his feet and begins preparing for another Styles Clash. Breslin is

hard to maneuver considering his current stable, but Dragon is able to get him doubled over with his head between his legs. Leo is quick to make his legs give up and fall onto his knees. A pissed off Dragon tries once more and fails. He opts to allow Breslin to stay on the ground as he takes the other table slid in the ring earlier by Breslin, thus far untouched, and slide it outside to make an L-shape with the other table set up before the ramp. The other table set up in the ring is disassembled, and it's legs are pulled down. The same thing is done with this table, creating a large wooden surface held up by one table's legs and the ring apron.

King: Now THIS is my idea of interesting.

Axis: If someone goes through that, they will NOT leave this arena on their own.

King: Dragon is finally returning to Leo, who is beginning to get up. He's got him up most of the way and... Leo jumps up and splits his arms to the side with his own, then explodes with a flurry of punches to the face. Dragon is against the ropes when Breslin whips him. Dragon bounces off the ropes and is hit with a flying forearm from an improved Breslin.

King: This crowd is going ape shit!

Axis: Of course they are! Breslin just came out of nowhere! I don't think Dragon will look back fondly on the time he took to set up those tables.

King: Breslin is pulling Dragon up, and he... diamond cutter! Dragon's face was just crushed on Breslin's shoudler!

Axis: Very good move choice there from Breslin. Quick and effective. Buys him some time...

King: He's not taking any time though. He's going right back to Dragon.

Axis: Which is probably the smart thing to so, since no man's attempt to keep the other man down has worked yet. You obviously need more than what you've tried so far, gentlemen.

Leo has Dragon on his feet and whips him into the ropes. A sluggish Dragon comes back, and is unfortunately sent to the mat again as Leo grabs his legs, lifts him up, and slams him down with a spine buster. Looking around, Leo is uplifted by the adoring crowd, which urges him to attempt a finale to the match. Scarlet simply looks on, seemingly impressed by her client's progress.

King: And Breslin brings Dragon to his feet again. Breslin has a hammerlock in and is probably looking for his hammerlock suplex. He's--

Axis: English Dragon has reversed it! But he doesn't keep it locked in. BIG forearm to the back. Leo stumbles... turns... Dragon with a spinning ki--

King: Ducked under by Breslin! And Breslin... Breslin has pulled Dragon into a straightjacket position!

Axis: Dragon has some life in him, and he's trying to escape. But Breslin has more muscle to him!

As Dragon continues wiggling, Breslin ducks down and sticks his head between Dragon's legs. He brings himself up. Able to hold Dragon's weight, but finds it hard to stay balanced. Dragon is on top of him, squirming, attempting to escape his precarious position. But Breslin holds on tight and is able to keep Dragon up. He takes a few steps forward... then a few to the left... and then three backwards... until he finally is about two feet from the ropes. The crowd rises in unison and begins yelling, seeing what could happen.

Axis: He's... NO! HE'S GOT THE CYCLONE SET UP! AND... BRESLIN FALLS BACK INTO THE ROPES... DRAGON FALLS... OUT OF THE RING... HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

King: Dragon just went through those tables he set up himself! All three of them fucking broke! And now Dragon is lying in a heap of himself and wood! Christ almighty!

The bell is rung and Leo Breslin turns around to admire his dirty work. Cleveland is blowing the roof off the Gund Arena as "Won't Back Down" starts for a second time. Scarlet Minjonet slides into the ring to meet her weak but victorious client. She carries with her the Television Title, taken from Funyon the moment the bell was rung.

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen... the winner of this bout, and the NEW... SJL TELEVISION CHAMPION... LEOOOOOO BREEEESSSSLIIIIIN!!!

Axis: That was absolutely horrendous! I told you that whoever went through that would not be leaving on their own, and I was right. EMTs are out here to remove English Dragon. The man may be hurt, but it may also be precautionary. We'll find out in due time

King: That was... wow. I didn't think Leo had that kind of fight in him. This is the first non-standard match he's been in, and he's won.

Axis: AND he's in his hometown. This is a match he won't soon forget. This is match WE won't soon forget. Leo Breslin is the new TWO-TIME Television Champion!

King: Kudos to both men on a match well fought. We'll be right back!

Leo opens the ropes for Scarlet, who steps out and waits at the bottom of the steps for him. She wraps her arm around Leo's as she accompanies him up the stage. Leo holds the title up on his way out, eliciting more wild cheers from the crowd. The scene fades to commercials...

June 11, 2003

The camera pans across the screaming fans as Metal returns from its commercial break. It takes a second to hold on a "Spike wuz screwed" sign in the crowd, before we cut to the announce table.

Axis: Welcome back to SJL Metal!!! I'm Axis with the Suicide King at ring side!

King: And still to come tonight: Hollywood Spike Jenkins vs. Manson in an inferno match. It's going to be hot!

Axis: But right now, we've got three young wrestlers who made their names last week by defeating Hollywood Spike Jenkins in a gauntlet match. Now they're getting a match AGAINST one another to determine the number one contender for the European Title.

King: And possibly for a shot at the number one contendership for the World Heavyweight Championship as well, at least if Scott Solomon gets his way.

The lights dim and "My Way" by Limp Bizkit suddenly starts bellowing over the loud speaker. Scott Solomon appears on the stage, then briefly raises his arms over his head.

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

After taking just a few seconds to pose, he runs down to ring side, then dives under the bottom rope in to the ring. He takes a second to adjust the wrap around his hands as he awaits his next opponent.

Axis: Scott Solomon is ready for this match, King. He's been doing a lot of talking for the last five days. Now it's up to him to prove he can live up to his own hype.

King: I'm thinking Solomon might have what it takes to take this match home. He's an "Arsenal" while these other two losers are just wannabes.

Red lights begin flashing around the arena as Rage Against the Machine's "Guerilla Radio" cues up over the loud speaker. Dan "The Phoenix" Caldwell emerges from backstage in his trademark black robe. He starts treading down the ramp.

FUNYON: From Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at two hundred and fifty pounds, Dan "The Phoenix" CaldWELL!!!

Dan quietly and quickly slides in to the ring. He takes off his robe and throws it to ring side, then begins to punch himself in the side of the head as a psyche up for the match.

Axis: Dan Caldwell was the man who was least involved with Spike's defeat on Crimson, but he surely weakened his opponent for the other two men. Let's see if he can make a difference in this match tonight.

King: Or we can hope he suffers some kind of injury, because those are almost always entertaining.

The lights in the arena go black, and a pyro fuse begins to burn at the bottom of the entry ramp. The fuse races up the ramp, and when it reaches the top it explodes in to a giant red ball of flame as Adema's "Immortal" slams on to the loud speaker. The lights return as Johnathan Clarke stands on the entrance way, his back to the crowd, and his arms held out to either side of him.

FUNYON: From Newcastle upon Tyne in England, weighing in at two hundred and fifty six pounds, he is "The Extreme Solution", Johnathan CLARKE!!!!

Clarke spins around and heads down to the ring, giving a few of the fans high fives on the way. He then runs up to the ring and slides in face first. He climbs to his feet and heads to the nearest turnbuckle, where he looks back and forth at the cheering crowd.

He starts to turn to climb down, only to have Scott Solomon grab him from behind.

DING DING DING!

Referee Eddie Long calls for the bell as Scott Solomon hoists Clarke off the top rope, over his head and down to the mat for a massive suplex! Clarke lies prone as the mat as the match gets underway!

Axis: A devastating attack by Scott Solomon to kick this match off!

Solomon kicks Clarke, rolling him out the ring. Dan Caldwell moves in to assault Solomon, but Solomon takes a swing at The Phoenix. Caldwell takes the punch, but seems complete unfazed. Caldwell charges forward, smashing his elbow across Solomon's forehead. Solomon slams back down in to the mat as Caldwell leers down at him with a devilish grin. Caldwell grabs Solomon's leg and tries to turn Solomon over in to an ankle lock, but Solomon kicks Caldwell off of him.

Scott Solomon pulls himself to his feet, as The Phoenix staggers backwards. The Phoenix stumbles back in to the ropes and springs back off of them, right in to Solomon's hands. Solomon grabs Dan Caldwell around the waist, flips him around and over until he's upside down in front of Solomon. Solomon hops in to the air and drops to the mat on his knees, slamming Caldwell head first in to the mat.

Axis: Brutal piledriver to Dan Caldwell! His brains are scrambled!

King: You have to have brains before they can be scrambled, Axis. Dan Caldwell isn't out of this match yet!

Solomon drops on to Caldwell for the cover.

ONE!

TW..... NO!

Dan Caldwell kicks his legs up, pushing his shoulders up off of the mat. Solomon punches Caldwell in the forehead in response, before climbing to his feet. He pulls Caldwell up with him, smashing another hard right hand in to Caldwell's head on the way up. Johnathan Clarke is slowly climbing to his feet outside the ring as Scott Solomon locks his arms around Caldwell's waist and shoulder. Solomon lifts Caldwell up in to air and to his side, then drops the now horizontal Caldwell straight down in to the mat. Solomon takes a second to stomp Caldwell across the chest, before starting to bend over to pick Caldwell back up.

Johnathan Clarke is finally back up to his feet outside of the ring. He quickly slides in to the ring. He slams in to Scott Solomon's back with his shoulders and head, sending Solomon flying down to the mat!

Axis: Extreme Momentum Stopper from behind! Johnathan Clarke just killed Scott Solomon!

King: The Extreme Solution is no moron. He's out to win this just as much as Scott Solomon. I just wonder if either will do what it really takes to win this match or not.

Axis: What exactly do you think they need to do, King?

King: Isn't that obvious, Axis. Whatever it takes, legal or illegal.

Solomon lands near the ropes after the Extreme Momentum Stopper, and he rolls out of the ring to the floor to take a breather. Johnathan Clarke turns his attention to Dan Caldwell who is working his way back up to his feet. Clarke plows in to Caldwell with a hard clothesline, but Caldwell sees it coming and rolls backwards with the blow. He locks his hands around Clarke's arm and briefly locks in a standing armbar, but the Extreme Solution starts pounding on Caldwell's back to make him break the hold. Johnathan Clarke quickly wraps his arms around Caldwell's waist from behind, lifting him up and over his head, releasing him just before they both crash to the match.

Axis: Johnathan Clarke and Dan Caldwell are both down following the Extreme Solution's German Suplex!

Eddie Long begins the ten-count with a ONE! Both men remain down in the ring.

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

Johnathan Clarke begins to stir as Scott Solomon works his way back up the ring ropes on the side of the ring.

FIVE!

Clarke pulls himself up on to all fours, as Solomon comes through the ropes in to the ring.

SIX!

SEVEN!

Caldwell starts to stir as Clarke gets to his feet. Scott Solomon walks up behind Johnathan Clarke to meet him as he climbs to his feet. Solomon hoists Clarke up over his head and on to his own shoulders as Clarke slowly realizes what's happening. Clarke tries to escape, but Solomon falls forward, dropping Clarke face first with an electric chair drop. Clarke is out on the mat, and Solomon moves up to his dazed opponent's arm. Solomon locks in an armbar on Clarke, then moves to stand over him to try and lock in the Disarmament.

Axis: Solomon's trying to lock in the Disarmament, King! If he gets the move locked in that could be the end of Johnathan Clarke's chances to win the European Championship!

King: That Extreme Loser never stood a chance anyway!

Solomon plants his knee in to Clarke's back, and starts to push him down with it to lock in the Disarmament, but Dan Caldwell staggers to his feet. He runs in and strikes Solomon from behind just as he locks the Disarmament on Clarke. Solomon breaks the hold as Caldwell runs another elbow in to the back of Solomon's skull. The third elbow comes right down on the top of Scott Solomon's skull. Solomon falls off and to the side. Both Solomon and Clarke are down. Dan Caldwell smiles as Johnathan Clarke slowly pushes himself to his feet.

Caldwell wraps his arms around The Extreme Solution's waste and lifts him the rest of the way to his feet. Caldwell then continues to lift Johnathan Clarke up in to the air and over his head. Just as Clarke clears his head, Caldwell releases the hold and Clarke drops back down to the mat. Dan Caldwell turns around and looks at The Extreme Solution with another maniacal grin.

Dan Caldwell pulls Johnathan Clarke in to a sitting position, than wraps his arms around Clarke's chin. He pulls back, cutting off Clarke's ability to breathe. Clarke tries to struggle out of the choke, but Caldwell holds on for all he's worth.

Axis: The Phoenix has a choke hold place on the Extreme Solution! Johnathan Clarke really needs to avoid these submission maneuvers if he wants to pick up the win in this match. He can't afford to have his strength drained so quickly.

King: You're right, Axis. The way the other two are tying up this guy, Clarke won't stand a chance in the latter half of this match. The Extreme Solution needs to step it up a level if he wants that #1 contendership!

Scott Solomon pulls himself up to his feet as Johnathan Clarke begins to battle his way out of the hold with a hard elbow in to Dan Caldwell's knee. Caldwell stumbles a bit, which allows Clarke the leverage to pull himself free of the hold. Clarke throws himself in to the legs of Dan Caldwell, taking Caldwell down and to the mat.

Johnathan Clarke pulls himself to his feet, only to be met by Scott Solomon. Solomon grabs Clarke's arm, then pulls it around and whips him to the ropes. Clarke rebounds, but Solomon ducks a little too early to set up his Samoan Drop. Clarke brings his foot up right in to Solomon's face, and Solomon crashes down to the mat as Dan Caldwell runs in and hits Clarke with a spinning fist.

Dan Caldwell punches Johnathan Clarke one more time in the gut, then runs back to hit the ring ropes. Caldwell rebounds off the ring ropes and heads right back at Johnathan Clarke. Caldwell charges his opponent, grabs him by the waist, and lifts him in to the air. Caldwell then dives forward, driving both men down, and slamming Johnathan Clarke's spine right in to mat.

Axis: Running Spine Buster from Dan "The Phoenix" Caldwell! These three men are showing a new level of intensity in this match.

King: That's what you have to do if you want to be a champion here in S. J. L. Otherwise you're just a loser.

Scott Solomon climbs back to his feet as Dan Caldwell also pulls himself up. Caldwell takes a swing at Solomon, but Solomon side steps the blow and grabs Dan Caldwell's arm. Solomon turns around while still keeping Caldwell's arm locked. He then drops himself down to the mat, bringing Caldwell's arm down with him. Dan Caldwell screams out in pain from the damage done by the falling arm breaker.

Solomon immediately grabs the same arm, and pulls it out and locks his arms around it to lock in the standing armbar. Dan Caldwell once again grunts at the pain as Scott Solomon stretches out his arm. After several seconds of intense pain, The Phoenix starts to pound on Solomon's back with several strong punches from his other arm. The first punch accomplishes little, but Solomon obviously feels the second and third. The forth punch followed right by the fifth are enough to make Solomon disengage from Dan Caldwell, breaking the hold.

Johnathan Clarke slowly works his way to his feet as Dan Caldwell grabs Solomon's arm and tries to whip him to the turnbuckle. Solomon catches his feet on the mat below him, then rotates 180 degrees with Caldwell's arm still locked with his. This sends Caldwell spinning to the turnbuckle. Caldwell crashes in to the turnbuckle, and his body goes slack against it as Solomon walks over to him.

Scott Solomon pulls Caldwell up as he slowly starts to climb the turnbuckle himself. He sets Caldwell up at the top of the turnbuckle, while he stands on the second rope. Solomon then springs up, spinning around to lock his legs around Dan Caldwell's head. He then flips back over and down with his legs still scissored around the Phoenix. Dan Caldwell crashes to the mat under the turnbuckle, and reels at the force of the Frankensteiner.

Axis: Frankensteiner! Frankensteiner to Dan Caldwell! Scott Solomon is pulling out all the stops to score the win in this battle!

King: Solomon's laying in to his opponents with everything he has tonight, Axis. That man is a winner!

Johnathan Clarke moves in to confront Scott Solomon, but Solomon kicks Clarke in the mid section as he approachs. Solomon grabs Clarke at the waist and the shoulder, then lifts Clarke up in to the air. Solomon stops with Clarke at a perfect 180 degree angle and holds him there. Clarke remains there for several seconds, before Scott Solomon drops him down and forward.

Solomon stomps Clarke across the back as Dan Caldwell regains his feet. Solomon grabs Clarke's hair and pulls him to his feet as the Phoenix quickly and quietly walks up behind him. Solomon punches Johnathan Clarke straight in the gut as Dan Caldwell moves in and wraps his arms around Scott Solomon's throat and begins to squeeze. Solomon gasps as his oxygen is cut off by the sleeper hold. Caldwell drops backward without releasing the hold, bringing both Scott Solomon and himself to the mat. The Phoenix wraps his legs around Solomon's waist as Solomon tries to writhe out of the hold.

Axis: Quite the variation on the sleeper hold by Dan "The Phoenix" Caldwell here, King. The dive to the mat must take a lot out of a man.

King: It's by no means a friendly pat on the back, Axis. Nothing in this sport is.

Scott Solomon gets his arms under himself and slowly starts to push himself up from the mat by sheer willpower. Dan Caldwell squeezes in the sleeper with all his might but Solomon manages to steadily push himself up to his feet. Solomon then hops in to the air and drops backward again, this time slamming Caldwell down hard in to the mat. Caldwell releases the hold as Solomon pushes back to hold him to the mat. Eddie Long drops to the mat.

ONE!

TWO!

TH... NO!

Dan Caldwell just barely pushes his shoulders up off the mat, then wraps his arms back around Solomon's neck and locks in the sleeper again. Solomon slowly rises up off of the mat again as Johnathan Clarke watches on.

Axis: How is Scott Solomon powering his way to his feet? Where is he getting this power?

King: The will to win, Axis. Solomon knows this is his chance to shine. He will do anything to get this title shot. He's not going to let a sleeper hold take him out that easily.

Solomon gets back up to his feet, but Johnathan Clarke stands waiting for him as he gets his feet under him. Caldwell still has the sleeper locked on, as Clarke bounces a step backward, then shoots forward with his foot extended. The super kick slams straight in to Solomon's chest, sending both him and Caldwell back down on to the mat. Solomon rests over Caldwell whose shoulders are pinned to the mat under Solomon. Eddie Long drops to the mat again.

Axis: HEARTSEEKER!!! And Solomon's out on top of Caldwell for the pin fall!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Dan Caldwell throws his shoulder up just as Eddie Long calls for the bell. He pushes Solomon up and off his chest, than moves towards Clarke. Eddie grabs Caldwell by the shoulder and signals to him to get out of the ring. Caldwell starts to argue with Long that he threw his shoulder up. Long shakes his head, then signals for the Phoenix to leave the ring again. Caldwell pushes Long to the side, then kicks the still out of it Solomon hard to the ribs. He stares evilly at Johnathan Clarke before he drops to the mat and rolls out of the ring. He flashes an unpleasant hand gesture at the ring before walking back up the ramp and out of the arena.

Axis: Dan "The Phoenix" Caldwell just got screwed out of this match! But we sure as hell aren't done yet!

King: Dan Caldwell can go home and cry to his mommy. The squared circle is reserved for only those with the will to win. Both Scott Solomon and Johnathan Clarke have shown a lot more resolve than Dan Caldwell ever has. That's why he was the first man to get eliminated in this contest.

Solomon slowly works his way back to his feet and finally crawls to the ring ropes to pull himself to his feet. He clutches his chest, and obviously seems in pain from the Heartseeker kick. Johnathan Clarke moves in, grabs Solomon by the arm, and then whips him across the ring.

Solomon rebounds off the rope and heads back towards Johnathan Clarke. Clarke grabs Solomon and hoists him up and over his head, which drops him right back down to the mat. Solomon slams down hard in to the mat. Clarke quickly drops down and hooks Scott Solomon's leg to go for the cover.

ONE!

TWO!

T.... NO!

Solomon throws his arm and shoulder up and off of the mat. Johnathan Clarke pulls Scott Solomon back up as he climbs to his own feet. Solomon is visibly dazed as Clarke chops Solomon across the chest with a loud "WHACK!". Clarke hits Solomon with another hard knife edge chop, which causes Solomon to stagger back slightly. Clarke then grabs Solomon by the waist and shoulder, hoists him up in to the air for the suplex. Clarke takes a ninety degree turn as he pulls Solomon over his head, and than drops down, driving Solomon back in to the mat.

Axis: Solomon is in trouble here, King. He needs to take the offensive if he wants to have any chance of securing the number one contendership.

King: Remember, Axis. At this point in a match, either man could be one move away from putting his opponent away. This is still definitely both men's ball game.

Johnathan Clarke looks down at Scott Solomon, over to the nearest turnbuckle, than back at Solomon. Clarke heads over to the turnbuckle and with one well timed leap is at the top of it. Clarke takes just a second to ready his aim towards Solomon, than dives off the turnbuckle at his prone opponent. Clarke quickly brings his legs back up and under him as he aims the beautiful frog splash straight for Solomon's torso. He's about to put Solomon away when Solomon throws up his knees! Clarke crashes down gut first in to Scott Solomon's knees. Clarke rebounds off and crashes to the mat as Solomon rolls over on top of him for the cover.

King: This match is over!

ONE!

TWO!!

THRE..... NO!!!!!

Johnathan Clarke just barely throws his shoulder up and off of the mat. Solomon is visibly pissed off at this and whacks Clarke right in the face with his fist. Solomon climbs to his feet, locking his hands around Clarke's head to pull him up as well. Scott Solomon kicks Clarke in the chest to keep the Extreme Solution stunned. Solomon pulls Clarke's head between his legs to set up the Blaster, but Clarke shoves upward as he gets in to the powerbomb position. Clarke lifts Solomon back and over, dropping "The Arsenal" on to his shoulders on the mat. Both men lay there dazed for a moment before Clarke slowly starts to pull himself to his feet.

Axis: This match has definitely taken a lot out of these two young men. How much more can they have left to give each other?

King: When it's for something as important as a title shot, these two men will definitely pull out all the stops to score themselves the victory.

Johnathan Clarke makes it up to his feet, then bends down and grabs Scott Solomon's hair to pull him up as well. Clarke moves in for the move, but Solomon kicks Clarke in the gut before he can get too close. Solomon steps backward, hits the rope, and rebounds off the ropes. Solomon heads straight towards Clarke, but Clarke quickly sidesteps Solomon's charge. Clarke tries to push Solomon forward and out of the ring, but Solomon catches himself on the ring ropes to keep from falling. Solomon's on the outside of the ropes as Clarke takes a swing at him. Solomon leans back, making sure to keep a grip on the rope, to avoid the blow. Solomon then springs back forward, running his shoulder right in to Johnathan Clarke. Clarke staggers backwards, and Scott Solomon uses the top rope to spring up and over it back in to the ring. He flies in feet first, and drives both of his feet in to Clarke with a dropkick. Clarke goes down in the center of the ring.

Scott Solomon is quick to get back to his feet following the dropkick. He leans down and pulls Johnathan Clarke up from the mat. He makes sure to pull Clarke up from behind so that he faces the Extreme Solution's back. Solomon hoists Clarke up by the hips, turning Clarke's body around in mid lift. When Clarke is parallel to the mat in Solomon's grasp, Solomon drops Clarke down back first on to his knee. Clarke rolls off of Solomon's knees to lay out on his stomach.

Axis: That pendulum back breaked has definitely taken it out of Johnathan Clarke. Scott Solomon is pushing the Extreme Solution to his limits.

Solomon steps over Johnathan Clarke, and reaches down to grab Clarke's arm with both of his hands. He locks the armbar in as he tries to lock his knee in to place on Clarke's back for the Disarmament. Clarke quickly rolls over to avoid the Disarmament, but Solomon drops to the mat to lock in a basic armbar. Clarke rolls on to his side facing Solomon and begins pounding him with his fist to get him to break the hold. Solomn quickly releases the hold to roll away and to his feet. Clarke pulls himself back to his feet, than takes a second to rub on his stretched shoulder.

Axis: The Extreme Solution definitely has Scott Solomon well scouted out tonight, King. He's managed to avoid both of Solomon's finishers, the Blaster and the Disarmament. Scott Solomon has definitely going to pull something out of nowhere to take Johnathan Clarke by surprise.

King: He's not called "The Arsenal" for nothing, King. Let's see what else he has left. I think he might just surprise you.

Johnathan Clarke charges at Scott Solomon with a clothesline, but Solomon ducks under the blow. Clarke hits the ropes and rebounds, aiming for the Extreme Momentum Stopper. Solomon easily scouts out the spear and ducks down under Clarke's aim. He places his head and shoulders up under Clarke's center of gravity, then lifts the Extreme Solution up in to the air. He continues Clarke's momentum right back down in to mat.

Scott Solomon quickly springs up from his kneeling position as Johnathan Clarke lays prone in the center of the ring. Solomon looks down at Clarke and suddenly smiles as if he's got an idea. He grabs Clarke's arm, than drags the Extreme Solution over towards the corner of the ring. After he stops, he takes a second to size up Clarke's position relative to the turnbuckle. Satisfied, he quickly climbs the turnbuckle.

Axis: What exactly is Scott Solomon planning here, King?

Solomon pauses for just a second, before springing off of the top rope. Solomon rotates all the way around before gracefully sticking his arms and legs out as he crashes down on to Johnathan Clarke with the shooting star press.

Axis: BAH GAWD! BAH GAWD! A shooting star press from the two hundred and sixty pound Scott Solomon! BAH GAWD! That's amazing!

King: I told you that "The Arsenal" wasn't just a cute nickname.

Solomon quickly hooks Clarke's leg and rolls over him for the cover.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!!!!

DING DING DING! Eddie Long frantically waves for the bell.

FUNYON: The winner of this match by pinfall, "The Arsenal" Scott Solomon!!!

Solomon sits up to his knees and raises his arms in celebration.

King: I told you Solomon had this match won from the beginning, Axis. This kid knows exactly where he's going in the S. J. L. The future's here, baby!

Axis: Solomon definitely pulled out everything he could to score that win, King. But will that be enough to win the European Championship?

King: I don't know Axis, but I'm definitely looking forward to find out.

Eddie Long raises Solomon's arm in the center of the ring as Metal fades to commercial.

June 11, 2003

Fade in from commercial break to the visual of a grey Honda Integra GSI arriving at the arena, Ohio. Once park the car engine turns off the and sweet sound of a motor ceases as the door is flung open...

“Who’s this going to be, King?” Axis queries.

...and the Antichrist Superstar steps out of the car with SJL World Heavyweight Championship belt swung across his right shoulder.

“It’s our world champ, King! Tonight, he’s got some business with Va’aiga to take care of, and well, that should be happening rather soon.” Reports Axis.

Crow has company tonight it seems, as on the other side of the vehicle steps out a man, one man is unknown to the capacity crowd. This man is white and is wearing a full-length leather trenchcoat that hovers ever so close to the ground. A very gothic aura is projected from him, yet this is contrasted with his bright, bleach blonder hair. Reaching down to the mouth his tips go and uniquely parted off center and to the right sits the strands branching downward. To the bemused silence of the crowd, the champion begins to speak...

“Well, here we are at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. I was here not too long ago actually, but hey, nice town, so who cares?”

The crowd pops at the mention of their city and the praise of it, but is still confused as who this mysterious character with the bleached blond hair is.

“Dante,” the champion starts as the two men walk, “Welcome to the SJL. Tonight, I will be burdening you with tasks, such as cleaning my toilet, holding my spit bucket... nah nah, just kidding. I’ll just show ya’ around...”

The man now revealed as Dante does not say a word and simply nods. An interesting silence ensues until a rather fat stagehand runs through the door that Crow was about the walk through. He seems desperate and is heavily panting...

“Crow! Crow! You... You’re on in five minutes! You have to hurry up, Zenon is getting angry! Hurry up and get ready!” The stagehand says whilst trying to catch his breath.

“Bullshit, what’s the fuckin’ ti...” Crow’s voice trails off as he looks at his watch, “...goddamn it! I completely lost track of time.”

“That’s what happens when you stop to get smokes... and road beers.” Dante shudders and begins to smirk at Crow.

The Antichrist Superstar and Dante briskly walk towards the locker room door that has a star and “CROW” printed across it. Upon opening the door, Crow stops and turns his head towards his friend.

“I’ve gotta take care of some business, sign some contract or some bullshit. So while I’m doing that, just entertain yourself in here for around 10 minutes. There’s a television that you can watch there... only shows the current happenings in the ring, but eh. Wanna smoke before I run off?”

“I don’t smoke, Markus. It makes me sick.” Dante responds with a slightly disgusted look on his face.

“All good then, catch up in round ten, k, bro?”

Dante nods and enters the locker room, closing the door behind him. The camera cuts to the ring where nothing stirs just yet... suddenly, the lights go off and the arena drops down to darkness! The shadow of the Maori Monster appears in the entranceway, concealed by his hooded training top. The bass line of Method Man’s ‘Bring the Pain’ kicks up and instantaneously, red strobe lights begin to pierce through the darkness... and reveal Va’aiga to the crowd! The crowd lets loose an array of varied cheers and chants as the Maori Badass slowly walks down to the ring, throwing a few phantom jabs along the way.

“Walking down the aisle, from Rotorua, Aotearoa, standing at six foot eight and weighing in at two hundred and eighty five pounds, this is... VVVVAAAAAAAAA’AAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGAAAAAAAA!” Funyon booms across the arena for no apparent reason.

The crowd erupts with even more cheers as Va’aiga steps up and through the ropes. Inside the ring, the Maori Badass rolls down the hood on his training top and raises his fists to the crowd. He fires off the Maori hand sign and sits on the chair being held out for him by Ben Hardy. In the center of the ring stands a long wooden table covered nicely by a petite flowered cloth, with one contract sheet and two pens resting on top of it. Near the contract stands a bunch of flowers erected in an expensive looking vase whilst on the other side is a very trippy green lava lamp. ‘Bring The Pain’ fades out and there is nothing but silence omitting from the arena speakers, that is, until...

“WAIT FOR CHAOS! WAIT FOR WARFARE! AT THE POINT OF NO RETURN! BLEED FOR MONEY! BLEED FOR JUSTICE! GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL WITH A WOUNDED SOOOUUUULLLL!”

...Soilwork’s thrash metal hit “Natural Born Chaos” explodes through the arena speakers and whips the Cleveland crowd into a gigantic roar of cheers! A moment later, emerging from behind the entrance curtain with SJL World Heavyweight Title on his shoulder is... The Antichrist Superstar, Crow! He stands on the stage, unlit cigarette in his mouth, gold zippo lighter in hand. To the climaxing music, Crow ignites the lighter... and sets off two flaming rows down the side of the ramp! He lights the Dunhill Red in his mouth and takes a large drag, which he inhales very quickly. Crow cocks his head to the right, then to the left... and then throws it back whilst exhaling and throwing his arms horizontal in the crucifix pose! The champion drops his arms and begins to walk down to the ring.

“Coming down the aisle, hailing from Anchorage, Alaska, standing six foot two and weighing in at two hundred and thirty one pounds, he is your World Heavyweight Champion... CCCCRRRRROOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!” Funyon booms through the arena.

The crowd cheers even louder, the response is almost deafening. The Antichrist Superstar slowly strides up the steel steps, climbs through the second and third ropes and steps into the ring where the huge frame of the Maori Badass sits. Va’aiga scowls and grins, he looks particularly angered by the man entering the ring... yet also seems happy about it. Crow places his belt on the table next to the lava lamp and sits down opposite to the Maori Monster. The crowd starts to clap in unison, trying to gather the two men up for a fight but Ben Hardy begs them down to an almost silent level. Ben brings the microphone up to his lips...

“Fans, friends and competitors, we have gathered here to today to celebrate the contract signing of a World Championship Match between the Antichrist Superstar, Crow and the Maori Badass, Va’aiga.”

The crowd explodes at the prospect of the two men fighting each other one more time in an SJL ring. But simmer down as Hardy picks up the contract and reads it...

“The contract reads as follows. Markus Cirillo and Va'aiga Tuipulotu, by signing this contract agree to participate in a match to air on the June 15th edition of Smartmarks Junior Leagues Wrath. In this match, the World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line and the winner of the match will retain or win the belt. The contest will be wrestled under the following conditions. A sixteen-foot high steel cage will be securely placed around the ring and the contest will be fought within this boundary. There is to be no escape from this cage, and if one man does escape the cage by their own will, they will be disqualified and lose the match. A winner will be declared via pinfall or submission, and there will be of course, no disqualification or countouts in this match.”

As Ben Hardy takes a breath after reading out a damn speech, the crowd cheers some more and in the ring, Crow and Va’aiga exchange some words. Ignoring this, Ben Hardy continues...

“Finally, if Markus Cirillo loses this match, it will not deter his bumping to the SWF in any form or manner. Furthermore, if Va’aiga Tuipulotu loses this match, he must leave the Smartmarks Junior Leagues for good and must never return under any circumstance. He must forfeit his career in SJL wrestling. Ok guys, this is it... do either of you have any last words before the contract is signed and finali-”

Before Hardy can even complete his question, the Maori Badass grabs the microphone and gives Ben a little push back. Little the shove may have been, the meditator goes flying backwards and barely keeps his balance. Starting off rather lightly, Va’aiga begins to talk...

“Crow... before we sign this contract, I want you to know what I think of YOU! I had never met a person so FUCKING poorly trained in the sport of wrestling! I am better than you are; I am DAMN BETTER THAN YOU! I want you to know that I am the better man and that you are NOT! You’ve weaseled your way past me before... BUT I AM FUCKING NOT GOING TO LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN! MY CAREER VERSUS YOUR TITLE! There is no escape this time, Crow. You will fucking feel the wrath of the Maori Badass and you will beg, BEG for death before I knock your teeth so fucking far down you can bite out your own ass! BOO-YAH!”

By the end of the verbal assault, Va’aiga is fuming and is bending over the table screaming Crow’s face. The Antichrist Superstar however, isn’t getting back in the Maori’s face; instead he calmly sits there finishing off his cigarette before responding with one simple phrase.

“Give me that damn microphone.”

Va’aiga doesn’t merely give him the microphone... he throws it at Crow with all of his might! The connection with the champion’s chest causes the crowd to cringe at the static. However, the Antichristian Phenomenon doesn’t acknowledge the pain and just smirks at the Maori... that is until he picks the microphone up and brings it to his lips.

“Ok ok here, let’s focus for one second. You sit your fucking ass down, I have the stage now, ok?”

Va’aiga gives Crow the middle finger before sitting back down. The crowd is a mixed bag of Maori and Antichrist fans tonight and the response to the gesture is rather muffled. The champion starts again...

“Right, let’s look at this from my perspective, shall we? I find out a couple days ago that I’m booked in a match, yeah, that’s all good, that’s fine with me. Then I find out it’s a World title defence... and while this made me somewhat angry, I get paid to wrestle and I must defend. Though, a question popped into my mind... who is the number one contender to the title? No one. That’s right no one is. Yet this brain dead mongrel sitting across from me gets another shot at the title... without even earning it!? It’s BULLSHIT!”

Almost immediately after hearing the champion’s words, the Maori Badass jumps out of his chair and forcefully wrenches the microphone out of Crow’s hand.

“BULLSHIT!? BULLSHIT!? It’s not fucking bullshit! I’ve earned this rematch, I’ve EARNED this goddamn rematch! I have beaten every single person on this roster twice, three times even! The only person I haven’t beaten twice on this roster... is you. You used to hide behind your rules and your fucking regulations, but now you realise you can’t and you’re starting to fear. For the first time in your life, you feel fear... and you will feel it in MY HOUSE! You’ve tried everything to get out of this because you’re a fucking pussy, boy! A PUSSY!”

The Antichrist Superstar jumps up and grabs the microphone back, he’s grinning now...

“No no no, Mr Maori Badass! You’re wrong, your intelligence fails you... yet again! I’m not a pussy... I -love- pussy!”

The two men are face to face now and almost about to ring each other’s necks... but Ben Hardy steps in, being the mediator, and asks both men to sit back down and sign the contracts. Va’aiga and Crow are still face to face, until the champion picks up one of the pens and swings it in front of the Maori’s face. Va’aiga scowls but takes the pen, before sitting back down and signing the contract as quickly as possible. The Antichrist Superstar sits down and begins to sign the contract...

.

..

...

AND HE’S SIGNED IT.... ONLY TO HAVE HIS HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE TABLE BY THE MAORI BADASS!

“No! Stop this, don’t let this civil contract signing break out into a brawl!” Hardy cries before desperately motioning for security to come break the two up.

It’s no use though, Va’aiga jumps over the table and starts throwing hard, heavy punches into the champion’s face! Crow is rocked back into the ropes and has his face busted even by the huge Maori right arms! Death becomes him as Va’aiga turns around, grabs the vase tipped over on the table... and swings it across the side of the champion’s head! Blood starts to drip from Crow’s head as he’s placed into a standing headscissors... and gut wrenched into the air by the Maori Badass! The elevation is high and he’s directly above the table still erected in the ring...

...

..

.

VA’AIGA POWERBOMBS CROW THROUGH THE TABLE!

The crowd erupts into a chant as Axis and King finally start to commentate again!

“Good god, Va’aiga just powerbombed Crow through the table in the ring, our champion is down and out!” Axis screams.

“But it’s good! Half of the crowd loves it and I tell you what, I love it! I’ve been waiting for Crow to get what’s coming to him!”

The Maori Badass shouts “My House” and starts shouting at the top of his lungs in the middle of the ring... that is until Dante slides into the ring with a chair and unloads a vicious chair shot to Va’aiga’s back! But this just makes the Maori stop shouting... and he turns around to see the assailant. Dante waves and then throws another chair shot, this one connecting with Va’aiga’s head! But the Maori’s still standing so he unloads another chair shot to the skull! Va’aiga drops to the canvas now and rolls out of the ring, clutching at his skull. Amazingly, he can still walk albeit stumbling a bit... and he begins to start voicing obscenities at Dante in the ring.

“This character just saved Crow from a further beating, but that’s not the story here! Va’aiga has left Crow unconscious and half bloody dead in the ring, that can not be a good sign going into next show.”

“Good game plan from Va’aiga, weaken your opponent and make him FEAR you! I love it, Axis!”

The mystery man tells Va’aiga to fuck off and kneels down beside Crow, trying to wake him up...

Fade out to commercial on this visual.

June 11, 2003

SJL Metal comes back from the advert break to the unusual sight of a forklift driving down the entrance ramp, a shed secured on its forks, the forklift rives down onto the mats placing the shed down just to the left of the entrance ramp. Technicians unstraps the shed and the forklift slowly makes it way back up the ramp as the cameras switch to the announce table, Axis and The Suicide King seated and ready to continue calling the action as the fans begin to stir back into life once more.

Axis: Welcome back to SJL Metal! We’ve had a wild show so far broadcasting tonight from The Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio! We’ve got a raucous crowd in attendance today as we head straight for our next contest, a Garden Shed match between Viktor Tarakanov and Aecas!

King: Shed? I thought I told you not to bring your house with you while we’re on tour Axis?

Axis: Haha….very funny King….

King: Lighten up Axis, we’re getting to the best part of the night.

Axis: That’s true, we have a great European match coming up tonight as Charlie “The Grappler” Matthews takes on “The Sinner” John Duran. Matthews was successful in taking the Title away from Aecas on Crimson and now faces his first defence here tonight!

King: And finally there’s our main event for tonight, Spike Jenkins and Manson will cross swords again as they face each other in an Inferno match!

Axis: Two big match ups still to come folks but first the Garden Shed match, and you’ve got to believe this is going to be brutal, and all things inside that shed are available for use as weapons in this match.

The arena lights plunge into sudden blackness, the fans starting to cheer as a graveyard bell tolls, the Smarktron shows a figure shrouded in darkness, stabs of lights highlight the scales of a winding tattoo that spreads itself across his chest. The stabs of light travel slowly up the figures body, highlighting the blank white orb of an eye as a deep voice reverberates through the arena speakers.

“Are you scared?”

The voice echoes around the arena as the fans speak with it.

“He’s here….”

The arena suddenly explodes into motion, as red alert lights flash everywhere, smoke boils up from the entrance way as Motorhead’s “The Game” blasts through the arena speakers, the cheering of the fans intensifies as the song plays. A red spotlight snaps on, partially illuminating a figure standing in the depths of the red smoke, before Aecas strides out of the cloud and down the entrance ramp, the spotlight flickers as he walks and with every flicker his face changes to a different emotion, before returning to an impassive mask.

Funyon: The following contest will be a Garden Shed match! The rules are as follows, any items in the shed may be used as weaponry under No Disqualification rules, however, the use of any weapons outside of the Shed will result in a disqualification, and this bout is Falls Count Anywhere!

Funyon finishes his short speech as Aecas reaches the ring and jumps up onto the apron, he stands there for a moment before stepping through the ropes and into the ring as the lights come up his music still playing.

Funyon: Introducing in the ring at this time, from Shrewsbury, England. Weighing 295 lbs. He is the Black Angel, Aecas!

The fans cheer louder as Aecas is announced, the man himself starting to pace the ring quickly like an animal in a cage, his head fixed on the entrance way as he waits for his opponent.

“The Soviet National Anthem” from the Red Army Choir begins to play through the arena speakers, a huge red pyro going off on the top of the entrance ramp, immediately followed by a huge chorus of boos from the fans as “The Red Rage” Viktor Tarakanov makes his way to the ring. Tarakanov sneers at the fans lining the entrance ramp as he walks down towards the ring, ignoring the various curses and insults thrown at him tightening his wrist tape as he walks.

Funyon: And his opponent, from Astrakhan, Russia. Weighing 280lbs. He is The Red Rage, Viktor Tarakanov!

Tarakanov starts to climb up the steps into the ring frowning as the crowd starts a particularly loud USA chant, he does his best to ignore it stepping into the ring and glaring at Aecas, who matches the stare, both men obviously eager to get to grips with one another again.

King: Both these men look ready to face each other again Axis.

Axis: And you have to believe that both are in a vile mood tonight King. Aecas lost his title to Charlie Matthews, and Tarakanov has been on something of a loss since Aecas defeated him for the title.

King: Not to mention the scars that both men still bear from their last meeting Axis, I think they’re going to have a few more by the time this is all said and done.

Axis: I’m afraid you might be right King, we have EMT’s and ambulances sanding by, for this match if they are needed. And I hope and I pray that they won’t be.

Eddy Long stands between both men, making sure nothing will happen until the bell rings, eventually satisfied he signals to the time keeper to start the match.

DING! DING! DING!

Both men waste no time and surge together in a heavy exchange of rights and lefts, fists fly and heads snap back as Aecas and Tarakanov hammer one another, neither man giving an inch until Tarakanov blocks one of Aecas’ punches replying with one of his own, and another, and another forcing his opponent back. Aecas reels backwards from the succession of hard blows, driven back into a corner as Tarakanov continues to hammer at him, as his opponent rears back for a huge Haymaker Aecas takes the initiative, slamming his knee into Tarakanov’s gut rearing back to hammer an elbow into his opponents head.

Tarakanov stumbles backwards from the hard blow, but still manages to duck under a hard clothesline attempt from Aecas, Tarakanov turns as Aecas rebound off of the rope and turns his large opponent upside down and inside out with a huge clothesline of his own.

Axis: That’s the Iron Curtain! Good lord what a lariat!

King: Tarakanov is pressing the advantage right now Axis and the fans here in Ohio don’t like it one bit!

Viktor Tarakanov wastes no time in starting to stomp away on his prone opponent, and each hard stamp boot that connects with Aecas' chest causes him to erupt upwards in a jerking motion. Trying to protect himself from the onslaught, Aecas batters his arms at the Red Rage's legs and rolls away, quickly jumping back up to a standing base. Tarakanov continues to press his assault rushing across the ring to slam his right knee deep into Aecas’ gut, bowling his opponent through the ring ropes and sending Aecas onto the thin mats outside the ring.

Seeing his opponent temporarily incapacitated, Tarakanov wastes no time in exiting the ring and heading towards the shed, tearing the door open and grabbing something inside, the crowds boos get louder as Tarakanov pulls a spade out of the shed and starts to make his way around the ring. Aecas stands up just in time to see Tarakanov swinging the spade at him, a loud CLANG! Is heard throughout the arena as Aecas ducks aside, the spade smacking into the ring post. Tarakanov recovers quickly, kicking Aecas in the face as he is crouched before bringing the spade around and down onto his opponent’s head.

CRACK!

The fans let out a collective gasp as Aecas goes down hard from that vicious shot, Tarakanov raises the spade again and brings it down for a second time, the metal connects with Aecas’ back with a blood curdling SMACK! Aecas arches his back in pain from the shot as Tarakanov tosses the bent spade onto the ground contemptuously, he turns around returning to the shed as Eddy Long watches, unable to do anything but count a pin fall or call for a submission in this match.

Axis: Two hard and I mean HARD shots with that spade, he might have cracked Aecas’ skull with that first shot!

King: This is just a taste of things to come Axis, Tarakanov’s pulled a rake out of that shed now!

Tarakanov holds the rake high as the fans express their hatred towards him, he moves back towards Aecas who is up to his knees, blood already seeping from a gash in his hairline, running down his pale face as Tarakanov raises the rake above his head brining it down hard.

CLACK!

The fans move from boos to cheers as Aecas blocks the descending rake with the already damaged spade, the wooden shafts of both tools meeting in the centre as Aecas grins at Tarakanov, as the Russian pulls the rake back for another blow Aecas brings the wooden shaft of the spade up HARD between his opponents legs. Tarakanov roars in pain dropping the rake as he clutches at his groin, Aecas gets back up to his feet hefting the shovel for a moment before swinging it at the back of Tarakanov’s head.

CRACK!

The crowd “Oooooohs!” once more as Tarakanov bends over, one hand on his crotch the other on the back of his head, Aecas looks down and then stamps his foot down hard onto the head of the rake. The wooden end of the rake darts straight up as Aecas stamps on the prongs and hits Tarakanov right in the face!

SMACK!

Tarakanov sinks to his knees before falling flat on his face after the two hard shots, Aecas stands above his opponent raising the badly damaged spade above his head with one hand as he shouts out to the crowd, as the fans cheer louder and louder. Aecas tosses the spade away from him and grabs Tarakanov, hauling him back up and rolling him into the ring, tossing the rake after his opponent. Moving over to the shed for the first time Aecas disappears inside the structure, shortly after more gardening tools start flying out of the door and into the ring.

A rolled up length of chicken wire lands in the ring, quickly followed by a pair of rusty garden shears that hit the ring with a THUNK, the crowd get more and more active as they try to guess what might come out of the shed next. Several lengths of wood land in the ring, and then Aecas emerges from the shed, tossing a length of Hosepipe into the ring before hauling a stepladder out of the shed and sliding it into the ring, he stoops and picks something up before he slides into the ring himself.

King: Look at all the crap piling up in the ring Axis!

Axis: Aecas looks like he’s emptying the shed into the ring! Who filled that thing up with all this?

King: I have no idea Axis, can you see what Aecas is holding?

Axis: He’s got it behind his back but I…no way….

King I don’t believe it!

Axis: He’s carrying a potted plant?

Aecas holds a small potted plant with a single pathetic flower growing out of it, holding it in one hand as he waits for Tarakanov to turn around, the Russian slowly recovering from the two hard shots hauls himself back up and just as he turns around, Aecas lunges.

SMASH!

King: What the hell is the matter with this guy? He could have grabbed a chainsaw outta there, and he took a potted plant?

Tarakanov staggers as pottery and soil scatters over the ring canvas, Aecas grabs Tarakanov’s arm and Irish Whips him hard, bringing his foot up for a Big Boot as Tarakanov bounces back, the Russian already starting to shrug off the blow from the pottery as he ducks underneath Aecas’ leg. Tarakanov puts on the brakes, turning around quickly to wrap his arms around Aecas’ waist in a tight waistlock, before Aecas can react, Tarakanov heaves Aecas up taking him over in a huge German Suplex, driving the back of Aecas’ head into the ring.

Tarakanov is back up on his feet in a second, shouting a steady stream of Russian curses at his opponent, clearly infuriated by Aecas hitting him with something as piddly as a potted plant. Grabbing one of the 2x4’s from the mat he turns back towards Aecas as his opponent slowly sits up and slams the wood block into his opponents head!

THWACK!

Aecas’ head snaps forwards and he grabs the ropes trying to pull himself up as Tarakanov slams the wooden beam into his back and legs again and again.

THWACK!

SNAP!

Axis: He just broke that 2x4 on Aecas’ head! Can you imagine how that feels?

King: No Axis and I don’t want to, Tarakanov has Aecas covered!

ONE!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!

…

THRE-NO!!!!!!

Aecas kicks out of the first pinfall attempt of the match, shoving Viktor Tarakanov off of him and sitting up slowly, blood pouring down his face and chest he starts to get back up to his feet, a slow grin starting to spread over his face.

Axis: Aecas is smiling?

King: We saw that in the cage match these two men had Axis, I think he enjoys receiving as much pain as he gives out! The deciding factor in this match is going to be can Tarakanov inflict more punishment than Aecas can take!

Tarakanov meets the rising Aecas with a hard straight punch, staggering the bigger man, the Russian quickly grabs another 2x4 from the mat smashing it into Aecas stomach, with his opponent doubled over Tarakanov delivers another devastating blow to Aecas’ back.

THWACK!

Aecas collapses back to the canvas, as Tarakanov drops the plank and grabs the metal stepladder propping it up in one of the corners, turning around he drags the bloody Aecas back up to his feet by the hair, elbowing him hard in the face before grabbing his left arm and Irish Whipping him across the ring and into the stepladder! Aecas careens into the metal arching his back and roaring in pain and anger, his face completely crimson now as more blood drips steadily from his nose and chin, Tarakanov charges across the ring at Aecas, shoulder first with his head lowered. At the last possible second Aecas dives out of the way, Tarakanov can’t stop himself and runs head first into the steel rungs of the stepladder!

Tarakanov lurches backwards clutching at his forehead as his attempted Spear goes horribly wrong, unable to see where he’s going Tarakanov back right into Aecas’ arms, the Black Angel wasting no time in locking the Russian’s arms in a Full Nelson and lurching backwards, slamming the back of Tarakanov’s head into the canvas. Aecas plants his feet, bridging out the Full Nelson Suplex as Eddy Long drops down for the count.

ONE!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!

…

TWO AND A HALF!!!!!

…

THREE-NO!!!!!!

Tarakanov kicks out hard before Eddy long counts three, both men scramble back up to their feet, lunging and locking together in a collar and elbow tie up, it seems touch and go for a moment until Aecas rams a knee into his opponents stomach, loosening his grip. Aecas grabs Tarakanov by the shoulders, thrusting his opponent’s head between his legs; he leans forwards wrapping his arms around the Russian’s waist and starts to lift him upwards onto his shoulders. Tarakanov wastes no time in hammering punch after punch into Aecas’ already bloody face, the Russian fully aware of the precarious position he’s in. Punches however are just not enough, as Aecas aptly demonstrates slamming Tarakanov into the canvas with a huge SMACK! The Black Angel tightens his grip, locking his hands around Tarakanov’s waist as he bring his opponent up to shoulder height once more before reversing direction and slamming the Russian down with a second hard Powerbomb.

Straightening back up, Aecas moves over to the corner, where the now dented stepladder leans, grabbing the steel he lifts the ladder up to a roar of approval from the crowd, before slamming it down lengthways on top of Tarakanov. Without missing a beat, Aecas turns around once again slowly climbing up the turnbuckles using the ropes to aid his balance before finally crouching on the top turnbuckle. He straightens up slowly the crowd’s cheers intensifying as the near seven footer stands tall at the top of the ring.

Axis: Aecas going all the way to the top here King.

King: I don’t know what he’s thinking Axis, we’ve seen him up there before but it was always with another person, never on his own.

Axis: I don’t know what’s running through that mind of his but it can’t bode well for Tarakanov!

Aecas bunches his legs underneath him and laps from the top turnbuckle, his leg strength giving him some impressive airtime as his body sails through the air before landing a huge splash on both Tarakanov and the ladder!

CRASH!

HOLY SHIT!

Axis: Good god….good god almighty! What the hell was he thinking!

King: I don’t know who took the worst of that one Axis, Tarakanov or Aecas!

Aecas rolls out of the ring clutching at his gut, his face portraying a weird mix of agony and enjoyment and as the cameras get close enough then can hear him laughing breathlessly as he holds both hands to his abdomen. Tarakanov still lies prone in the ring, but manages to push the stepladder off of his body, wincing with pain as he feels the effects of 295lbs of human being slamming a ladder down onto him.

Axis: Tarakanov stirring in the ring here, I’m amazed he’s even able to move after that hit with the ladder.

King: He’s a tough man Axis, he’s proved that on many an occasion, and is proving it again now.

Axis: Both of these men are tough King, but I think Aecas has taken one to many shots to the head in his life. He’s laughing after that hellish impact with the ladder!

King: The man is obviously not playing with a full deck Axis, I doubt he ever did.

Tarakanov crawls over towards the corner Aecas launched himself from moments ago, grabbing the ropes and pulling himself up slowly as Aecas starts to slide back into the ring slowly starting to get back up to his feet, his back turned towards his opponent. Tarakanov is back up to his feet first, leaning in the corner the Russian espies Aecas as he starts to stand up and rushes forwards. The Red Rage wraps an arm around Aecas’ head taking him off balance and off his feet as he leaps forwards into a Bulldogg smashing his opponents face into the ladder! The crow lets out a loud “Ooooooooh!” in sympathy as Aecas bounces off the ladder headfirst, Tarakanov catching some of the mangled steel in his back groaning in pain as neither man escapes the ladders painful kiss. Tarakanov shoves the badly dented stepladder out of the ring crawling on top of his fallen opponent and hooking a leg.

ONE!!!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!!!

…

TWO AND A HALF!!!!!!

…

THREEEEE-NO!!!!!!!!

Aecas’ right shoulder shoots off the canvas a split second before Eddy Long’s hand hits the canvas for three, Tarakanov shouts out in frustration, lurching back up to his feet kicking the chicken wire out of the ring and into the crowd as his annihilating temper rises to the surface. He stoops down, grabbing the hosepipe and moving over towards Aecas, wrapping the length around his opponents bloody throat several times before slamming a knee into his back and wrenching back on the hosepipe. Aecas’ hands go up to the tightening nose around his neck, as Tarakanov tries to throttle the life out of his opponent with the hose keeping his knee braced hard against the Black Angel’s spine, stretching his vertebrae as he tries to choke him out.

Tarakanov keeps the hose tight around his opponents throat as he feels Aecas’ strength starting to fade as the flow of oxygen to his brain is slowly strangled away, the fans can sense it too as they start to rally behind the Black Angel, chanting his name louder and louder as Tarakanov tries to lean back even further. Aecas’ hand slowly move upwards from his neck, reaching back towards Tarakanov’s face, the Russian tries to keep the hands at bay as he increases the pressure one again but Aecas’ efforts are finally rewarded as his questing fingers starts to claw at the Russian’s eyes. Tarakanov is forced to let go of the hose as Aecas’ nails dig a furrow into his face, just shy of his eyes, freed from the coils of the hose Aecas slumps forwards unwinding the plastic from his neck and tossing it away, the breath hissing through his teeth as his mouth remains locked in an eerie smile as he rolls out of the ring once again.

Axis: Aecas going outside once more, good move, it’ll give him a chance to get some of his breath back.

King: Not for long Axis! Tarakanov isn’t going to be put off by a little rake to the eyes, and here he comes!

Tarakanov rolls out of the ring after his opponent, slamming a hard punch into his kidneys staggering him, he turns Aecas around grabbing his right arm and Irish Whipping him towards the shed sitting at ringside. Aecas however is not about to go quietly, reversing the Irish Whip and sending Tarakanov careering into the shed door, stretching it past its hinge limit with an alarming creak. A second after Tarakanov hits the door Aecas piles into the Russian with a huge GORE! The force of the impact smashing the door off its hinges and sending both men tumbling back down to the outside mats.

Axis: GORE! GORE! GORE! He took the door clean off!

Shoving Tarakanov off of the now detached shed door, Aecas grabs the wood standing up and raising it above his head with both hands, shouting out to the crowd and spraying blood over a small group of fans in front of him. Turning around he holds the door ready shouting at Tarakanov to get back up and face him, the Russian doggedly trying to get back to his feet. Aecas waits until his opponent looks up and then swings the door around like a gigantic baseball bat, one of the broken hinges catching Tarakanov high on the forehead, ripping through the skin just under the hairline busting the Russian open even as the force of the blow knocks him over onto his side. Aecas lifts the door up again to another roar of approval, one of the hinges dripping fat crimson gobbets of blood to the already splattered mat, turning the Black Angel throws the door into the ring, narrowly missing Eddy Long before he disappears into the shed once more.

King: What’s he going to get this time Axis? Please don’t let it be another goddamned plant!

Aecas re-emerges from the shed with a large can in one hand, and carefully sets it down outside the shed before disappearing into the structure again, one of the cameras gets a good view of the can zooming in to reveal the words PAINT STRIPPER printed on the side.

Axis: What can he be going for now? That shed has got to be almost empty!

King: Who cares?! I’m more worried about what he’s going to do with that can!

The fans roar as Aecas steps out of the shed one last time, a LAWNMOWER gripped in his hands, the Black Angel slowly walks towards Tarakanov, almost stalking his opponent as The Red Rage fights his way back up once more, trying to stem the flow of blood from his forehead with one hand. Aecas grins, his right foot moving out to kick Tarakanov in the kidneys, the Russian turns to face the source of this new attack, the cameras catch his eyes widening in horror just before Aecas shoves the lawnmower into his face! Tarakanov screams and lurches backwards as more blood seeps from a myriad of cuts to his face, Aecas slides the lawnmower into the ring before grabbing his opponent by the head, sliding him inside after the deadly device.

Aecas walks up the ring steps pausing as the crowd chants get louder and louder, he steps up onto the apron, slowly stepping back into the ring and moving towards the fallen Tarakanov and the lawnmower. Aecas bends down and flips the machine over so its razor sharp blades point upwards to the arena ceiling, the light flashing of the sharp steel blades draws immediate interest from the crowd as Aecas picks up the bloody Tarakanov once more. Tarakanov counters Aecas’ Irish Whip attempt, with a whip of his own, sending his opponent hurtling into the far ropes. As Aecas races back towards him Tarakanov dives towards his opponent one foot slamming into the front of Aecas’ foot tripping him as the other hits the back of his knee, the Drop Toe Hold sending Aecas straight down, face first into the lawnmower blades!

HOLY SHIT!

Axis: Oh my god! A Drop Toe Hold straight into those lawnmower blades!

Aecas’ face bounces off of the sharp blades, his hands going up as the scars on the right side of his face are reopened once again, Tarakanov crawls on top of his opponent slowly hooking a leg as the blood from both men starts to pool underneath them.

ONE!!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!!!

…

TWO AND A HALF!!!!!

…

TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!!!!!!

…

THREEEEE-NOOOO!!!!!!!!

Aecas kicks out one more time, both men laying on the canvas, chests heaving as they suck in deep gulps of air, blood pouring out from the gashes in their flesh. Aecas is the first to move, slowly sitting up in the middle of the ring, he slowly puts one foot underneath him, then the other, pushing himself back up to his feet and grabbing the lawnmowers handle. He slowly pulls the machine over to a corner lifting it up and shoving it into the turnbuckles, jamming the machine firmly into the corner, Aecas looks out at the fans drawing a thumb across his neck in a throat slitting gesture before he reaches for the mowers ignition cord.

Axis: Oh god King you don’t think…..

King: That he’s going to turn that thing on? Use your eyes Axis!

Chuggachuggammmmmmm!

Chuggachuggarooooooooooaaarrrr!!!!!!

The lawnmower roars into life the razor sharp blades spinning, the fans are on their feet as Aecas slowly walks back towards Tarakanov, hauling his opponent back up to his feet, Aecas pushes Tarakanov back into the opposite corner before Irish Whipping him with all his might into the spinning blades of the lawnmower! Tarakanov screams in agony as his back slams into the wall of blades, a mist of blood spreading over the corner as Tarakanov falls forwards onto his face, his back a mess of blood, lacerated by dozens of small cuts.

Axis: Oh my god…..

King: This is just horrible….

Axis: This match should be stopped King…before its too late. What else is Aecas going to do to Viktor Tarakanov?

As if to answer Axis’ question, Aecas slides out of the ring in front of the shed, picking up the can of paint stripper he left there earlier, unscrewing the cap and tossing it away he starts to slosh it all over the shed. It takes him several moments but eventually Aecas tosses the empty can away with a hollow clanging sound, sliding back into the ring he picks up the door once more placing it across the ropes of the top turnbuckle.

Axis: I hope the EMT’s are standing ready King, it looks like this match is going to end in a casualty ward….

Aecas slowly drags Tarakanov away from the still buzzing lawnmower across the ring and lifts him up onto the door climbing up slowly after his opponent, as both men balance on the precarious platform Aecas shoves Tarakanov’s head between his legs before his right hand searches the pocket of his trousers. He takes a small silver object out of his pocket and holds it high above his head, his thumb flicking the top off of the Zippo lighter and striking a flame before tossing the Zippo onto the roof of the shed, the paint stripper soaked structure immediately catching fire, the effect heightened by the excited screams of the fans.

Axis: Oh god no…no….no! He can’t do this! Aecas is going to kill Viktor Tarakanov!

Aecas leans down wrapping his arms around Tarakanov’s waist, he pauses for a moment before he heaves the Russian up onto his shoulders and POWERBOMBS TARAKANOV THROUGH THE FLAMING SHED! The structure half collapses as Tarakanov’s battered body crashes through the roof of the shed, the fans rocking the arena with yet another deafening faecal chant.

HOLY SHIT!

Axis: Powerbomb through a Flaming Shed! I never thought I’d ever say that!

King: Unbelievable! This has got to be it right here!

The door finally gives way under Aecas’ feet, snapping in half and sending the Black Angel tumbling back into the ring to a hard landing, he lays on his back white eyes wide open as he grins up at the ceiling, the chanting of the fans filling his ears as he sits up trying to find the strength to finish what he and Tarakanov started. He grabs one of the broken halves of the door, climbing up the turnbuckle once more, he places one foot, and then another on the top standing there for a moment before diving off the top slamming his elbow and the door half straight onto Tarakanov with a suicidal leap to the outside!

Eddy Long scrambles out of the ring over to the still burning wreckage of the shed, Aecas is draped over Viktor Tarakanov and slowly grabs a leg, hooking it back as Long makes the count.

ONE!!!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!!

…

TWO AND A HALF!!!!!!

…

TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!!!!!

…

THREE!!!!!!

DING! DING! DING!!!!!!

Axis: That’s it! Aecas wins! And thank god this match is finally over!

King: We’ve witnessed a war of attrition here tonight Axis, but I have to wonder how much damage has been done to both these men.

Motorhead’s “The Game” blasts through the arena speakers once more, the crowd’s cheers filling the Gund Arena as Eddy Long raises Aecas’ arm high, the Black Angel standing up on spaghetti legs, his body a mess of blood and splinters. Bloody but unbowed he climbs out of the wreckage of the shed and starts to walk slowly up the aisle, pain etched into his features but still smiling that Death’s Head smile, the victory is marred by the arrival of several EMT’s rushing a stretcher down to the ring. Aecas pauses at the entranceway, raising his arms and making another throat cutting motion before disappearing backstage, his music fading out as the EMT’s tend to the fallen Viktor Tarakanov.

Axis: Aecas victorious in this brutal match up here tonight, but the real story right now is down there at ringside, the EMT’s are checking on Viktor Tarakanov as we speak.

King: These two men put on a hell of a show for us tonight Axis.

Tarakanov slowly pushes the EMT’s away from him, grimacing with pain from the many wounds inflicted upon him in this match but refusing to go out on his back. Eddy Long helps to support the giant Russian and the small procession slowly makes its way to the back, the fans giving Tarakanov a standing ovation, for the match they just saw and for gutting it out and walking to the back under his own power.

Axis: An impressive show of guts from Viktor Tarakanov King, he insisted on walking out of here.

Cameras follow Tarakanov backstage as Eddy Long and the EMT’s head towards the ambulances in the vehicle pool, the group passes Aecas who is being tended two by several doctors, a bottle of water in his hand that he uses to wash some of the blood off of his face. Tarakanov halts for a moment and the two men look deep into one another’s eyes, before Aecas smiles slightly and gives the Russian a respectful nod. Tarakanov returns the nod stiffly before letting the EMT’s lead him over to the ambulances, finally allowing himself to be strapped down to a stretcher as the paramedics close the doors of the ambulance, the vehicle speeding off into the night sirens blaring.

Axis: Tarakanov finally leaving the building there, but I can tell you this folks, we haven’t seen the last confrontation between these two men.

King: Did you see that look Axis? Both men know they took one another to the limit tonight, and both men are going to feel the effects of this match tomorrow.

Axis: We’ll try to get an update on Viktor Tarakanov’s condition as soon as the details become available. We’re going to a commercial break now folks but stay tuned as we have two more great matches for you, Charlie Matthews and John Duran go head to head for the coveted SJL European Championship!

King: And not forgetting the Main Event tonight. Manson will face off once against “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins once again in an inferno match! I hate to say it Axis but we may not have seen the last ambulance taking a superstar away tonight.

Axis: I think you may be right King. In an Inferno match the first man to set his opponent on fire will be declared the victor regardless of anything else.

King: There’s going to be precious little oxygen in that ring Axis with those flames licking all around you, both men are really going to have to bring their “A” game with them tonight. The loser of the Main Event may lose more than just the match!

Axis: Stay tuned folks we’ll be right back after theses announcements!

June 11, 2003

Ben Hardy is backstage with John Duran.

Hardy: "John Duran, tonight you challenge Charlie Matthews for the SJL European Title after earning your shot on Metal, defeating Chris Trepanier. The question on everyone's mind is, are you at 100%, has your left leg healed since we last saw you?"

Duran: "Ben, after that Metal match, I won't lie to you, my leg felt like hell was running through it. But I rested it for a while, and the pain is, for the most part, gone. Nothing that Charlie Matthews will exploit anyways."

Hardy: "That brings me to my next question. You're 0-2 against the Grappler--"

Duran: "In multi-man matches."

Hardy: "That's right, in multi-man matches. Do you think you have any chance tonight of delivering against Matthews and capturing the gold?"

Duran: "That's a very stupid question, Ben. The fact is I'm ready. I'm pumped, I'm fresh, and I'm aching to get out there. I was worn down the last two times Matthews beat me. This is one-on-one, Ben. Face-to-face, we'll square off, and when it's all said and done, there will be a new SJL European Champion. That's all I have to say."

Duran walks off, seemingly not wanting to take any more questions. Hardy watches as he walks off towards the ring, silent.

Axis: "The Sinner! The Grappler! European Title Match, next!"

June 11, 2003

BOOM~!

SJL Metal returns from a commercial break, with the crowd in the Gund Arena of Cleveland, Ohio all going rabid, trying to get their handcrafted signs on camera. They range from ?I came to see Manson BURN!? to ?I LOVE YOU GRAPPLER <3!? all the way to the insanely worthless 'AUSTIN 3:16!' This night of action is not over yet, and the camera pans around to our hosts, Suicide King and his colleague, Axis.

Axis: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to SJL Metal! As we heard before the break, strong words by The Sinner, John Duran, as he prepares for his European Championship match against none other than Charlie Matthews.

King: John Duran won a hell of a match against Chris Trepanier last week on Crimson, giving him his new finisher, The Ultimate Sin, on the OUTSIDE. Duran has earned his shot.

Axis: And how can you forget Charlie Matthews, forcing the Black Angel, Aecas, to tap out in the middle of the ring to the Re-Education. He?s been on a hell of a roll lately, especially after dropping his despicable manager, James Matheson.

King: Despicable? The departure of James Matheson is the reason I?m going AGAINST Charlie in this match. Matheson was the heart and soul of the Grappler, helping him obtain EIGHT victories.

Axis: But Grappler DID win the European Title without his manager. Not to mention the fact that the fans are getting more and more into Matthews WITHOUT his manager around. They also love his random theme music of the week he has going on.

King: Oh, please. Duran will come bursting out of the gate in this match, using his powerhouse style to wear down Grappler to the point where he can hoist him into the air with the Ultimate Sin and win the Title. Grappler, eh; he?ll go for the usual technical style, focusing on a body part to try and earn a submission out of Duran.

The camera pans around to Funyon, who stands in the middle of the ring with the microphone.

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, this contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the SJL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Introducing first, the challenger; He hails from Champaign, Illinois, and he weighs in tonight at 265 pounds. This is THE SINNER?JOOOOHN DUUUUURRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!

Drowning Pool?s ?Sinner? blares over the sound system and the crowd immediately bursts into jeers as The Sinner, John Duran steps out of the curtain and onto the ramp. As he walks down to the ring, a fan holds a sign out in his face, and it?s apparent what it says: 'DURAN SUX!' Smirking for a second, John rips the sign out of the young boy?s hands and tears it into shreds, causing the boy to start crying. Duran ignores it as he continues his walk to the ring, getting up onto the apron and walking between the ropes, before holding his arms into the air with hatred in his eyes. He stands in a corner to wait for his opponent.

Funyon: Introducing next, the champion. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, and weighing in at a hair less than 300 pounds, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the SJL EUROPEAN CHAMPION, CHAAAAARLIE ?GRAPPLER? MAAAAAAATTHEWS!!!

Some wild drum beats are heard, before a man?s voice calls out:

You put your hand on your head?

Put your foot in the air?

Then you hop around the room?

In your underwear?

The crowd bursts into both cheers and laughter as the Willbury Twist continues raging on through the speakers. Finally, out of the curtain walks Charlie Matthews, the SJL European Championship Belt fastened snugly around his waist. He raises his arms at the top of the ramp, before continuing his walk to the ring.

You lift your other foot up?

Fall on your ass?

Get back up?

Put your teeth in a glass.

You ain?t never seen nothing quite like this,

It?s a wonderful thing called the Willbury Twist!

He walks up the ring steps and enters between the middle ropes, before taking off the belt. Kivell calls both men to the center of the ring, before calling for the bell to begin this contest!

*DING DING DING*

Grappler and Duran begin circling each other in the ring, never taking their eyes off one another. Quickly, Matthews ducks in, lunging for John?s legs, but the Sinner is able to sidestep it. Charlie brushes it off and continues to stare down Duran, as he lunges in for a collar-elbow tie-up. The two men lock horns, as Grappler quickly backs John into the ropes and grabs his arm, pushing him to the opposite side of the ring. Matthews ducks down in waiting for Duran, but Duran is able to stop himself early, and he brings his boot up right into the face of Charlie, sending him backwards a few steps. With Grappler groggy, Duran charges with his arm extended for a clothesline, but Charlie ducks this and shoots his leg backward as John turns around, catching him right in the midsection with a mule kick. As the Sinner is doubled over, Grappler runs off the ropes, towards the back of Duran. He then dives for his legs, clipping John right in the back of his left knee with a forearm, sending the Sinner to the canvas. Quickly, Grappler holds onto the leg and twists around it while still standing, executing a simple spinning toehold. However, Duran, being fresh, is able to easily slide over to the nearby ropes and grab the bottom, forcing Matthews to relinquish the hold, which he does. He then backs off and allows John to return to his feet.

Axis: Well, that certainly was a nice opening exchange between these two men.

King: And, of course, Matthews with a chop block and spinning toehold, letting everyone in this arena know exactly what body part he?s going to target in this match.

Duran meets Grappler back in the center of the ring and they lock up again. However, after a stalemate, Charlie lets go and rears back, slapping the edge of his hand across the chest of Duran.

*CHOP*

Wooooooooo!

*CHOP*

Woooooooooooo!

*CHOP*

Wooooooooooo!

Grappler rears back for a large overhand punch, but Duran is able to think quickly and duck this, before darting to the other side of the ring, bouncing off the opposite ropes. Matthews turns around to meet his opponent, but John quickly extends his arm out and catches Charlie right under the jaw with a wicked clothesline, dropping him to the ground! The Sinner drops on top of Charlie with a lateral press as Kivell counts:

ONE!

Matthews quickly shoots his body off the canvas, breaking the early count.

Axis: Well, you?re obviously not going to beat the European Champion with a clothesline.

King: It?s the thought that counts, Axis. Going for quick pins early in the match can only help you get into the head of your opponent.

Grappler quickly rolls to the ropes, pulling himself up. However, John Duran is right there waiting for him, sending his boot right into Charlie?s gut. With the larger man doubled over Duran brings his big arm down across Charlie?s back with a clubbing blow, before grabbing him in a front facelock and holding a handful of tights. Sinner hoists Matthews into the air, holding him upside down for a few seconds, before falling back onto the canvas. Grappler clutches his back at the force of the move, as Duran sends a few stomps onto his body.

Axis: It looks like Duran has an early lead in this contest, and it looks like he may be targeting the back. I guess the battle lines have been drawn.

King: I?m not surprised with the Sinner. His finisher, the Ultimate Sin, will be perfect for finishing off Grappler if the back is worked over enough.

Duran brings Matthews to his feet, and dashes to the ropes, pushing off of them and charging at Grappler, who is at a standstill. However, once John comes within the vicinity of the Champion, Matthews, with unheard-of speed, ducks under John?s arm and sweeps his left leg, dropping him to the canvas with an STO.

Axis: He calls that the Short Trip Over. I guess he enjoys acronyms.

King: Figures. Don?t you learn about those in third grade?

After hitting the canvas, Grappler keeps his leg wrapped around Duran?s, and brings his other leg around it before moving sideways, wrenching the Sinner?s leg with a modified leg lock. However, being close to the ropes, John props himself up on his elbows and slides, barely able to drag the stagnant weight of Grappler, and finally grabs the ropes to break the hold. Matthews brings Duran to his feet, but he surprises the champion by immediately clasping his hand across his throat, bringing him into the corner with a blatant choke. Matt Kivell begins the five count for John to break the hold:

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FIV-Duran finally breaks the hold, coldly eying Kivell. However, with Charlie momentarily stunned, the Sinner reaches across Charlie?s body, sideways, and lifts him up into the air, before dropping his back down across his knee as a wave of jeers passes through the crowd. After this backbreaker, Duran casually pins Grappler down to the mat as Kivell counts:

ONE!

TWO! Kickout!

King: It?s a DAMN SHAME that these people don?t appreciate this back work. I mean, really, c?mon!

Grappler quickly moves to his stomach and tries to crawl to the ropes, but John quickly brings his boot down across his back, dropping him down onto the canvas. Duran kneels down and drives his forearm into the back of Charlie three times, before dragging him over to the ropes. The Sinner places Matthews throat-first across the second rope, before violently pushing his throat onto the rope, choking him. Kivell quickly tries to break it:

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FI - Duran lets go, and charges to the opposite ropes, with Grappler in the same position. As John approaches Charlie?s back, he lifts his boot up and uses his momentum to carry it HARD right into Grappler?s back!

SMACK~!

The force of this move causes Matthews to flip all the way out of the ring, to the floor, on his back. Kivell once AGAIN makes his presence felt, this time administering a count-out:

ONE!

Axis: That was quite the offensive move by Duran, but if I were him, I wouldn?t let Grappler get counted out-

TWO!

Axis: -because he can?t win the title that way.

THREE!

FOUR!

King: Well, Duran needs a quick breather, and I mean, c?mon, it?s not like Charlie has taken that much punishment.

FIVE!

SIX!

Charlie finally gets to his feet, leaning on the guardrail for a moment before sliding back into the ring to break the count. As he comes into the ring, John lifts his leg up for another stomp, but Matthews, on his knees, grabs the leg of Duran and holds onto it while he gets to his feet. Grappler then uses his free hand to shove the Sinner to the canvas, while holding onto the leg still. Matthews shifts his weight to the side a bit, before dropping his right elbow down across John?s bad left leg. He gets up after the elbow drop and does it again, and then a third time. After the third, Charlie stands and grabs both legs of Duran, and then slowly but surely begins spinning, picking up speed as the Sinner is lifted off of the canvas going around and around as the fans chant the number of each rotation!

Axis: It?s time for the GIANT SWING~! Talk about an old school maneuver; not to mention the fans love it.

King: But you have to wonder how smart of a move that is, swinging a 270 pound guy around with a bad back.

Grappler completes a dizzying TEN rotations in the Giant Swing, but as King mentioned, he immediately clutches his back, not to mention stumbles around the ring trying to maintain his composure. Duran, as well, tries to get rid of the cobwebs, using the ropes to pull himself up. Grappler bends over to catch his breath, and seeing this, the Sinner charges at Matthews? side ? only to see that Grappler was playing possum, for as soon as John reaches Charlie?s side, he stands up, bringing the Sinner up onto his shoulders in a fireman?s carry! Grappler then lifts Duran up off of his shoulders and drops him, stomach first, across his outstretched knee, causing the crowd to let out a roar!

Axis: THE GUT CHECK~! That?s the name of Grappler?s new offensive maneuver, a version of the gut buster.

King: Hey, I?ve got to admit that it was smart of him to play possum like that; it completely threw John Duran off his game.

Matthews holds his back for a second before quickly covering Duran with a lateral press, in his first pin of the match as Kivell counts:

ONE!

TWO!

Kickout~!

Duran quickly rolls out of the way of Matthews, under the nearby bottom rope. Grappler walks over to retrieve him, but as he bends down to grab his head, John quickly sends his thumb right into his eye, temporarily blinding him as the crowd boos. As Charlie recovers, the Sinner uses the ropes to pull himself up, before wrapping his arms around the massive frame of Matthews. Duran then lifts Charlie up, before rotating around and slamming him down to the canvas with a side belly-to-belly suplex.

Axis: Well, that was similar to Matthews? playing possum in that he suckered Grappler in so he could use his sting, so to speak.

King: And I love it. Cheat to win~!

Staying on his opposition, Duran picks Charlie up so he?s in a sitting position, before backing up and unleashing a HARD kick right into the spine of Matthews. He immediately follows this by driving his knee into the Champion?s back, while outstretching his arms, executing a surfboard. The crowd immediately boos this move, before chanting ?Let?s ? Go ? Grappler!?

Axis: Well, this submission is eerily reminiscent of Grappler just a few weeks ago, using these submission holds to wear down his opponent.

King: And why not? It?s time tested and at least guarantees to weaken your opponent. This is fine strategy shown by the NEXT European Champion.

The Champion desperately tries to fight out of the hold, ultimately rising to a knee, which relieves his back from Duran?s digging knee. He is then able to press up into a standing position, and sends his right leg into the gut of the Sinner, finally breaking the hold, and the crowd elicits a roar of approval. Grappler then charges to the ropes, bouncing off of them, and in a completely uncharacteristic and surprising move, Matthews brings himself up off the canvas and shoots his legs out, downwards, hitting a basement dropkick right into the back of Duran?s knee, causing him to fall to the mat on his face. Quickly, Charlie grabs the Sinner?s left leg and grapevines it with his legs, before falling backwards, exerting a high amount of pressure on the already affected knee.

Axis: And, once again, the submission skills of the Grappler come into play during this match, as he uses a perfectly-executed leg grapevine on John Duran.

King: Sure, whatever you say, Axis. I just know that this advantage for Grappler won?t last long.

Matthews stands up while still holding onto the grapevine, and then falls back once again, adding to the pressure on Duran?s leg. He stands up and goes for this again, but with less weight applied to his leg, John is able to quickly slide on his stomach, and grab the bottom rope, prompting Grappler to release the hold. Matthews backs up and allows the Sinner to get to his feet, but Charlie immediately charges at him as soon as he gets up. Duran, however, sidesteps Charlie?s charge, causing him to run into and off of the ropes. As he comes back, Duran ducks under his arm and sneaks behind him, grabbing him in a waistlock before arching backwards and hoisting the champion up and over onto his injured back.

Axis: Waistlock suplex there by John Duran, and a smart move during this middle stage of the match.

King: Usually, the waistlock suplex focuses more on the neck and upper back of your opponent; but if you noticed, John Duran and his unparalleled wrestling knowledge made sure the majority of the move was taken by Matthews on his back, which has already been worked over supremely.

Matthews rolls over onto his stomach, and the Sinner takes advantage of this, as he drops his body down to the mat and headbutts Charlie in the back once, twice, and a third time. The Champion escapes this by crawling to the ropes and pulling himself up to a standing position. However, the challenger is waiting for him, meeting Charlie with a hard boot to the gut, before scooping him up off the canvas so he?s held sideways. Duran taunts the crowd by holding Matthews up, but his left leg begins to buckle under the pressure, so he quickly arches backward, sending Grappler flipping over and onto his back yet again with a fallaway slam, as the crowd works a ?Dur ? an ? Sucks!? chant.

King: Whether these ingrates in Ohio think he sucks or not, he?s an extremely smart wrestler. I mean, all of his moves focus on the European Champion?s back!

Axis: You have a point, King. But these fans know what a rotten snake John Duran can be, and they?re not afraid to let him know that.

Duran clutches his leg immediately after the move, but slowly crawls on top of Matthews and hooks the near leg as Kivell counts:

ONE!

TWO!!!!

KICKOUT~!

The Sinner turns Grappler onto his stomach again, and relentlessly drops an elbow right onto his back, before straddling his body and reaching forward, grabbing Charlie?s chin and arching his body backward, executing a camel clutch. The crowd is far less than receptive, immediately booing the life out of John Duran.

Axis: This move was made famous by the great Iron Sheik, created specifically to work on the back.

King: See, John Duran knows exactly what he?s doing in that ring at every moment. Every move of his has a purpose.

Duran continues to put the pressure on Grappler?s back, smiling at all of the pain that he?s causing. Ignoring the fans completely, John pulls back even farther, causing Charlie to scream out in pain. The fans, supporting the champion, begin to work a ?Let?s ? Go ? Grappler!? for the second time, hoping it works in the same way the first chant did. Grappler waves his arms around while in the hold, trying to keep the blood flowing so he doesn?t lose consciousness.

Axis: I must admit; a masterful execution of the Camel Clutch here by John Duran. Matthews, a fine wrestler himself, is having a difficult time fighting out of this hold.

King: Well, that?s because Duran focused on the back the entire match. Slams, suplexes, and wear-down holds aren?t just for show.

Matthews, reaching down to his adrenal glands, begins slowly sliding on his stomach and legs, doing whatever he can to reach the ropes. He inches closer, and as he reaches to grab the bottom rope, Duran grabs his arm and pulls it away, before dragging Grappler back to the middle of the ring and wrenching in the hold even tighter!

King: What a great ring technician John Duran is. He deserves a ?Man of the Year? award or something.

Axis: Well, you can?t argue the fact that he wants to snap Grappler?s back in half. But Matthews IS a three-hundred pound man, so it?ll take some work.

The look on Charlie?s face slowly turns from pain to near-unconsciousness, as the crowd just deflates at the mere sight of his face. Doing the only thing he can do, Matt Kivell grabs Matthews? arm and begins to check for the submission:

THE ARM DROPS ONCE~!

THE ARM DROPS TWICE~!

Crowd: ?Let?s ? Go ? Grappler!?

THE ARM DROPS THRICE~!!!

NO!!!!!! Matthews? arm does NOT drop, and his eyes burst open as he looks to have a new fire in his eyes. He once again slides on his stomach and legs, inching closer and closer to the ropes. Finally, he reaches out, and just as Duran tries to stop him again, but it?s too late, as he grabs a stronghold of the bottom rope, and the crowd bursts into cheers as the Sinner is finally forced to break the camel clutch.

Axis: Never, EVER count Charlie Matthews out of a submission like that. I admit, I had my doubts about him surviving, but he is a very vital man.

King: But you have to wonder about the condition of his back now. How badly is it injured after staying in a camel clutch for that long?

The Sinner waits for Grappler to get to his feet, and when he does he immediately unloads some punches to his face. He then kicks his leg out to boot Charlie in the gut, but Matthews catches the leg, before twisting around and whipping John Duran down to the canvas! As quickly as he can, Matthews wraps his legs around John?s left leg and wrenches the hold in, executing another leg lock. Matthews then moves to the side of Duran, while keeping the leg in the vice, adding to further pressure of the leg.

Axis: Would you look at the resiliency of Charlie Matthews. After withstanding that brutal camel clutch, he?s able to hit a dragon screw leg whip and go right back to that leg of John Duran.

King: Blah, blah, blah. Axis, it?s all calm before the storm; Duran is going to rock Grappler like a hurricane before it?s all said and done.

However, with Grappler so close to him now, Duran is able to shoot his fist forward and catch Charlie on the top of his head with punches. John sends a flurry of them onto Charlie?s head, eventually causing him to break the hold. The champion gets to his feet, and waits for the Sinner, who pulls himself up using the ropes, and favoring his legs. He leans on the ropes for a second, and Grappler uses this to his advantage by charging at Duran and extending his arm, and catching John right under the chin with a clothesline, but he uses so much force and velocity that both men are carried all the way over the top rope to the floor. However, in a twist, as Duran falls to the floor he lands in a standing position, thus putting pressure on his injured leg and forcing him to fall to the floor, while Grappler hits smack on his injured back.

Axis: Irony! But really, that was a bad move by Matthews to carry himself over on that rope clothesline.

King: I?m sure the size of Duran had something to do with it, and there?s Kivell, starting to count these two out.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Axis: Wouldn?t it be something to see these two warriors go to a double count-out?

FOUR!

FIVE!

Grappler begins to stir, albeit clutching his back in pain.

SIX!

Likewise, John Duran begins to move, holding onto his leg with a grimace on his face. However, like Charlie, he begins to pull himself up.

SEVEN!

EIGHT!

Duran uses the steel guardrail to reach his feet, while Matthews uses the nearby announce table to bring himself up.

NINE!

Both men race, or, as fast as two injured men CAN race, to the ring apron, BARELY beating the count as they both slide into the ring.

Axis: Well, at least the match DIDN?T end in a double count-out. I want to see a true winner for this contest.

King: Now, we?re at the point in the match where these two guys really need to be cautious of their respective injured body parts; one false move could seriously spell the end of this match for them.

Duran and Grappler scurry to opposite sides of the ring, where the pull themselves up. For a moment, they stare at each other, wondering just what the hell it will take to put one another down for good. Both men then charge at each other, but it?s Grappler that brings his leg up and sends his boot into Duran?s gut. Matthews then grabs a front facelock, before reaching down to John?s legs and crossing them, and taking hold of them. Charlie then turns to one side, before snap-twisting to the other side, spinning the Sinner over with his version of the cross special cradle neckbreaker!

Axis: THE SCHOOL LUNCH~! A very unique name, yet a very dangerous move by Charlie Matthews!

King: That?s the best school lunch I?ve ever seen. Wait, on second thought, that?s not saying much.

Matthews quickly floats into a cover as Matt Kivell begins to count:

ONE~!

TWOOO~!!!!

THR-KICKOUT~!!!!!!!!!

King: It probably wasn?t the SMARTEST thing for Grappler to use a mostly back- and neck-associated move.

Axis: Well, I think Grappler just wants to win this match. I mean, sure he?d like to make Duran tap out to a leg-related submission, but with his back in the shape it?s in, he?ll take what he can get.

Grappler picks John Duran up off of the canvas, and stands him up in a stationary position before running to the ropes and pushing off of them. As he comes back, he brings his shoulder down and catches the Sinner right in the midsection, tackling him down to the canvas. Matthews then takes Duran?s left leg and twists his legs around it while standing, executing a spinning toe hold. Charlie wrenches this hold in; exerting a large amount of pressure on the Sinner?s already badly hurt leg.

King: From personal experience, I know that this is an extremely painful maneuver, especially when your leg has been worked on like Duran?s has.

Matthews spins around John?s leg again to add more pressure, but the challenger is able to boot Charlie in the ass while he has his back turned to him, which shoves him off into the ropes; as he comes back, the Sinner ducks down, and Charlie jumps over him running to the other ropes. Duran stands up and catches the returning Matthews, wrapping his arms around his back and squeezing with all of his might.

Axis: Oh, you have to be kidding me!

King: IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT?S BEARHUG TIME~!! This is a GENIUS move by John Duran. Not only is he getting into Grappler?s head by stealing one of his trademark maneuvers, but he?s getting into his BACK by using a move that adds crushing force to a hurt back.

The crowd begins relentlessly booing, trying to phase John Duran. A ?BORING!? chant fires up, echoing off the walls of the Gund Arena as the Sinner continues to flex his muscles around Charlie?s large frame. Matthews, meanwhile, does everything he can to fight out of the hold, pushing Duran?s head back, and trying to loosen the grip by the Sinner.

Axis: Well, getting out of a John Duran bearhug is going to be quite a task.

King: Of course. The strength of Duran is underrated, especially when he?s against guys larger than him, like the Grappler.

Finally, his arms drop to his sides, and he slumps down in Duran?s arms, once again walking a thin line between consciousness and unconsciousness. Without any further movements, Kivell does the only thing he can do, and for the second time in this match, he begins to check Charlie for a submission.

THE ARM DROPS ONCE~!!!

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

THE ARM DROPS THREE TIMES~!!!! IT?S OVER!!!!!

Axis: NO WAIT!! Matthews raised his arm a tenth of an inch at the last possible second!

Grappler?s arms begin shaking, as once again he appears to have new life, and the crowd is going crazy, just fueling the champion?s fire. He begins shooting off rapid fire right hands to Duran?s head, trying to get him to break the hold. Finally, much like Aecas did in their match last week to him, Charlie outstretches his arms and claps them together across Duran?s head, boxing his ears and causing so much pain and anguish, the hold is finally broken as the fans let out a mighty cheer!

Axis: Boxing the ears NEVER gets old! And you know, it always seems to work in desperate situations like that one.

King: I still don?t think it?s right, Duran?s equilibrium may have been thrown completely off kilter!

With the Sinner dazed, Matthews runs into the ropes and charges off of them, only to get caught by the arm of Duran, who stands side by side with him and lifts him up off the mat, only to sit back down with a side slam, once again hurting Matthews? back! Duran pauses for a minute to grab his injured leg, making sure nothing?s broken, before taking the near leg of Charlie and hooks it as Kivell counts:

ONE~!

TWOOOO~!!

THREE!!!!!NO!!!!!! KICKOUT~!!!!!!!!

Without missing a beat, the Sinner picks Charlie off of the canvas and stands behind him, before threading his arms under Matthews? and locking them behind his head, pushing back on his head with the full nelson!

Axis: Whether he?s going for the submission or his Break Point finisher, the full nelson is a very effective move, executed with perfection by John Duran.

King: Nice to see you admitting things, Axis. It?s the first step to recovery.

Grappler, however, had this move scouted, as he?s able to untwist his arms from Duran?s, and duck under John?s arm and grab the close leg, before lifting him up and spinning slightly in the air. As he brings the Sinner down, he simply points Duran?s head towards the canvas and falls, dropping him RIGHT on his head! However, right after the move is executed, Grappler rolls on the mat, holding his back in pain.

Axis: THE JUDGMENT SLAM~! That sheer-drop Angle Slam is a very dangerous move, and would probably spell the end of the match if his back didn?t hurt so much.

King: Which was perfect strategy by John Duran; this buys him recovery time.

Grappler slowly gets to his feet, and walks over to Duran, bringing him to his feet. He then sticks the Sinner?s head between his legs, and raises his arms up to the capacity crowd in Cleveland, signaling for his new finisher, the Foreign Star Bomb! He wraps his arms under Duran?s body and goes to hoist him up. . . . . . and his back gives out.

King: YES! I *KNEW* this would happen! Everything John Duran does is for a purpose, and this was exactly what he was going for!

The Sinner then stands up, sending the stunned Matthews flipping over and onto his back again. Duran immediately drops to his knee because of the pain in his leg, but he is able to get up and turn Grappler onto his stomach, before running into and off of the ropes, and then leaping into the air, bringing his 265 pounds down across Matthews? back with a big splash. He then rolls Charlie over onto his stomach and hooks the far leg as Matt Kivell counts:

ONE!!!!!

TWOOOOOOOO~!!!!!!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEE~!!!!!!!!!!

NO, KICKOUT~!!!!!! Matthews got out of the pinning predicament at the LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT! Duran, favoring his leg, stands up and picks Grappler up; placing him in the same position he just was for the Foreign Star Bomb. However, he stretches his arms outward, taunting the fans and signaling for his new finishing maneuver!

King: YES! It?s time for the Ultimate Sin! And unlike Matthews, Duran?s back is ready and able to perform this move on the big man!

Axis: But you have to wonder if his leg will hold up, the weight that will be put on his leg is going to be doubled!

However, Duran can hoist Grappler onto his shoulders, before dropping him back into a crucifix position! As he is about to drop the champion right to hell, Charlie is able to push himself down, out of Duran?s stronghold! The Sinner thinks quickly, and spins around, lifting his leg to send a boot into Grappler?s gut. However, Matthews grabs the leg, and like earlier in the match, twists it around and sends Duran to the mat with a dragon screw leg whip. He then grabs John?s left leg and twists it into a crooked position, so Duran ends up in an Indian style sitting position, with Grappler?s legs laced in for pressure. Matthews then falls backwards to the mat, exerting inhuman force on Duran?s legs!

Axis: Oh my God~! It?s the Native American Deathlock~!!!

King: No! This, this isn?t right! Duran had him all set up for the Ultimate Sin and everything!

Matthews wrenches back on Duran?s legs, as the challenger screams in pain, his leg seemingly tearing at the seams. John does everything he can to try and break the hold, from reaching towards the ropes, to trying to turn over and reverse the pressure, but none of it seems to work.

Axis: They?re smack in the middle of the ring, and there?s nothing John Duran can do! He?ll have to tap out!

King: Don?t count him out yet! If his legs BREAK, he?ll still be able to beat Grappler some how.

Duran uses his arms to push himself up, but there is seemingly no way to fight the hold of the European Champion. He shoots one last look at the ropes, and realizing that there is no escape. . .

TAP

Axis: That?s it! It?s over!

*DING DING DING*

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner, as a result of a submission, and STILL SJL European Champion, Charlie ?Grappler? Matthews!!

The crowd explodes into applause as ?Willbury Twist? fires up again and Matthews releases his Indian Deathlock from John Duran. Matt Kivell hands Charlie the European Title belt, and he stares at it lovingly before raising his arms into the air and acknowledging the crowd.

Axis: What a match! After that, you have to respect both men for giving it their all in that ring. . . There is no shame in tapping out after a match like that.

King: Yeah, well. Duran will get his day in the sun, I guarantee it. But up next, we get to possibly see people burn and stuff!! Yes!!

June 11, 2003

A generic hard rock theme song blares from the loud speakers, as SJL Metal returns from the commercial break. Various signs are featured, most proclaiming dedication for various SJL and SWF stars alike, as well as a few "BURNINATE!" signs, which bring us to Axis and the Suicide King at the announce table.

"(Axis) Welcome back to the world famous GUND ARENA! We've had an eventful night thusfar, full of title defenses and a World Title contract signing between Crow and Va'aiga. But now is the time for our huge main event!"

"(King) Well, I'm a fan of both Hate Personified, Manson and The King of the World, Spike Jenkins. I don't know who to root for here, but I don't think either of them really have a strong advantage in this match. As they'll be facing one on one… in the nefarious INFERNO MATCH!"

"(Axis) Perhaps Spike has a bit of a psychological edge, since it was on our June 1st edition of SJL Wrath, when he set forth the series of events that leads us here tonight. And he did that by defeating Manson in a Street Fight, by way of a can of hair spray and a lighter, as he fired a burst of flame into the face of Manson. Manson was lucky that he wasn't seriously injured. But since then, Manson has flipped, and has been threatening and gunning for Spike at every turn. The Machine isn't very stable right now, and I don't think that'll bode very well for Hollywood."

"(King) Of course, after this all went down, Manson was victorious on SJL Crimson… As he took Shawn Tybalt under his wing and defeated the team of Viktor Tarakanov and Cassius Atkinson. Meanwhile, Spike didn't fare to well in his World Title #1 contendership bid, as he lost his gauntlet match versus Scott Solomon, Dan Caldwell and Jonathan Clarke…"

With that, the cameras pan to the ring, and the metal frame accompanying the outer lining of it…

"(Axis) As you see, fans… That metal frame held just inches above the perimeter of the ring, is the focus of this match… Flames will undoubtedly be rising up from that gas line momentarily, and the goal of the match is to place a limb of your opponent into the fire… But first, let's get these guys down here."

Funyon stands outside the ring, out of harm's way, as the house lights drop to pitch black. The crowd lets out a scream, as red strobes begin to rapidly flash on and off. With that, the thumping thrash metal stylings of The Haunted's "Hate Song" erupts from the loud speakers. Manson emerges from behind the entrance curtain…

"(Funyon) Ladies the Gentlemen, the following is an Inferno Match! Introducing first, hailing from Denver, Colorado! He weighs in at two-hundred and ten pounds, and stands six feet tall… Here is… MMAAANSSONNN!"

The crowd lets out a round of boos, as Manson throws up his right arm in the air, forming his hand into the devil horns for the camera. He snaps out of his pose and begins making his way down the ramp, shrugging off the boos from the still discontent crowd. At the bottom of the ramp, Manson stares at the metal structure, before climbing up the ring steps and stepping over the second rope, into the ring. He makes his way to his corner in the far part of the ring, but extremely focused and perhaps a little weary of the structure surrounding the ring, he opts not to sit on the ground as usual. Instead, he adjusts his elbow pads, as "Hate Song" drowns out.

"(Axis) The Machine looks as ready as he'll ever be for a match like this…"

Manson continues to wait, as "Revolution Revolucion" by Ill Nino starts over the loudspeaker, and multi-colored lights begin to flash over the arena. Spike walks out through the entrance curtain, onto the stage, hand in hand with Natasha to the loud jeers of the crowd.

"(Funyon) And his opponent, accompanied by "The Gothic Diva" Natasha and hailing from Hollywood, California! He weighs in at two-hundred and twenty pounds, and stands six feet one inches tall… Here is… "HOLLYWOOD" SPIKE JEEENKINS!"

Spike begins his walk down the ramp, not paying attention to the fans at all. As Natasha takes her place ringside, Spike sets one foot on the steps and hesitates, but continues up none the less. As he stands on the apron, with a technician standing by, waiting to turn on the gas, Spike backs down off the stairs. Spike talks with Natasha, before shrugging off Manson with a middle finger. Spike and Natasha begin walking back up the ramp, as Manson becomes enraged, screaming about pay back.

"(Axis) What the hell! Spike is walking out!!"

"(King) Good. He doesn’t know what Manson would've done to him…"

Manson charges the ropes, and jumps outside, landing on his feet on the floor. Spike watches the happenings on the Tron, and turns around too late, as he gets clotheslined. Spike hits the metal ramp to a loud clang, as Natasha begins swinging furiously at Manson. Manson pushes her down to the floor, as he turns his attention back towards Spike. Spike, however, thrusts his hand up, and hits Manson between the legs. Manson goes to his knees, as Spike gets up to his feet, and begins jamming stiff kicks into Manson's ribs. Manson crawls up the ramp, nearing the stage, followed by Spike and Natasha, now back up to her feet.

"(Axis) Dammit, it seems as if Spike and Natasha have lured Manson into some kind of trap! At the very least, Spike looks to be getting out of this Inferno Match!"

Manson is on his back, now on the top of the stage, as Spike bends down to lift him up. Manson brings forth a series of punches to the face however, knocking Spike off him momentarily. Natasha is there for the save though, as she takes a small canister out of her hip pocket. Pressing the button on the top of the canister, and directing it toward Manson's face, a mist goes into Manson's eyes, blinding him. Manson keeps screaming, as Natasha keeps spraying the mace into his eyes. Spike shakes off the effects of Manson's attacks, as he disappears behind the curtain for a moment. Emerging, he carries a red can with him…

"(King) Is that what I think it is?"

"(Axis) Oh, God no!"

With a twisted smile on his face, Spike turns the can upside down, dumping a foul-smelling liquid onto Manson's writhing body as Natasha steps back, taking her place beside Spike.

"(Axis) It's gasoline, dammit!"

Spike throws the can aside, and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a match. With a flick of his fingernail, the match lights, but thankfully hordes of SJL staff members rush out onto the stage, standing in between Spike Jenkins and Manson, soaking with gasoline on the ground.

"(Axis) We talk about Manson snapping, but something has taken over Spike tonight. This problem between Manson and Spike is not over yet."

As the show fades out, Spike and Natasha's cackling faces are shown as the crowd boos…

SmartMarks Junior League - 2003

June 11, 2003

SUMMARY!

Nah. After that dingwally of a main event, I don't feel like it. And yes, I just used the word "dingwally" again.

Wrath card will be late, as I'm taking a break. Don't wait up.

SJL METAL - June 10, 2003

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