SJL METAL 7/22/03

July 23, 2003

SJL Metal - July 22nd!

Venue: GM Place, Vancouver, British Columbia (Kicking of a JL Canadian tour! Hey, why the hell not?)

NO-SHOWERS LEAVE TOWN MATCH

Doug Sienkenwicz vs Tokyo X

The story is simple: These two haven't been showing. So now, they must turn in a match to retain their roster spots.

Rules: Standard singles match

SINGLES MATCH

Jay Morrison vs Tommy Nguyen

On Crimson, Nguyen trumped Tokyo X (for all the effort that takes...) in his debut match. Now, he gets the oppertunity to play spoiler in the debut match of another man, Jay Morrison!

Rules: Standard singles match

SUBMISSION MATCH

TELEVISION TITLE

Todd Royal vs English Dragon©

Todd earned his shot at the Television title last show, much to the chagrin of champion English Dragon. Actually, after being guest commentator for that entire match, Dragon attacked Royal after the bell! Can he answer back with a title win, in ED vs Royal deux? Todd willing...

Rules The winner is the first man to make his opponent submit. All else is legal, however...

HANDICAP MATCH

"Canadian Thunder" Chris Trepanier & Dominic Korgath vs Aecas

In stark contrast to their brutal and sickening debut, when the Urban Decay punked out Aecas, Charlie Matthews, Va'aiga and Crow at WAP, their first official SJL matches together resulted in two losses. For most new stables, that would be a swift and crushing blow... but the Decay have what all others do not: The backing of Commissioner Chris Raynor. In an attempt to save face (And stamp out any potential threats), Aecas must now defend himself from both Chris Trepanier and Dominic Korgath...

Rules: DQ and countout are in effect. The Urban Decay team must tag in and out of the match.

36th & HASTINGS MATCH

EUROPEAN TITLE

Craig McLennan vs Bloodshed vs Scott Solomon©

On Crimson, Craig McLennan and Bloodshed won the, and I quote, "Tag Match of Enmity" over Scott Solomon and Dominic Korgath, despite their obvious strife, in what could be considered a mild upset. Naturally, Scott Solomon was rather miserable over being beaten by two relative n00bs, and went to Commissioner Raynor with a bold challange: He'd take both of them on, with his European title on the line! Raynor agreed to book it, with an... interesting stip tacked on.

Rules: It's just a fancy name for a street fight, down Vancouver's (in)famous Hastings St. First fall wins. Anything goes.

MAIN EVENT

STAIRWAY TO HELL MATCH

WORLD TITLE

Manson vs Charlie "Grappler" Matthews©

Ringside Enforcer: "The Sinner" John Duran

With the assistance of other world title contender Viktor Tarakanov, Manson was victorious over John Duran and Chris Trepanier, earning himself another stab at the SJL world title. Although, initially, he was intended to redeem it AFTER Tarakanov, it was revealed that Viktor had... prior engagements that would keep him from doing anything more this show than a promo. Yes. Really. I'm serious. Erm, anyway; Commissioner Raynor felt that there was no need to postpone any attempt to get to Charlie Matthews. And as can be clearly seen by the stipulation (and enforcer), Raynor is SERIOUS. Can Matthews, who has been unstoppable since his debut, overcome what is easily the biggest challange of his career?

Rules: There is a roll of barbed wire wrapped in a kerosine soaked cloth hanging above the ring. There is also a ladder on the outside of the ring that can be used to retrieve it. It is not necessary to remove the barbed wire from its resting place; however, only it, the ladder, and the kerosine soaked cloth (if you have matches) are legal weapons. Pinfall and submission apply. And of course, the ring enforcer will make sure both men (Well, Matthews, at least) follow these rules to the letter. Duran may write a match if he desires, as a note.

July 23, 2003

And now, our opening match haiku:

Doug Sienkenwicz has

missed his chance to stay in the league

He has been booted

Tokyo X no showed

He too has broken contract

Losing overness

Thank you.

July 23, 2003

Metal returns from the latest commercial for the SJL line of figures, Wrathapooloza Edition, from McFarland Toys, and shows the inside of the sold out GM Place in Vancouver British Columbia. The thousands gathered to witness the latest spectacles from the SJL are all on there feet, waving any manner of foam fingers, signs and banners. The signs ranged from those stating their mark-dom for their favorite stars to those showing their disdain for those who feel the heat from the fans to those that border on the very each of sanity.

Axis: Welcome back to Metal coming to you live from GM Place in beautiful Vancouver Canada. We just witnessed a furious contest between two of the SJL’s youngest stars.

King: At least we came in the summer time, eh. Bloody cold here in the winter, eh.

Axis: You can to say that all night?

King: What eh?

Axis: Yes!

King: What eh?

Axis: Just…Just…SHUT UP!

Axis tries to calm himself, as Funyon, as always clad in the black tuxedo, makes ready to announce the next match to the eager throng gathered in attendance.

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen the following match is set for one fall. Introducing first from London England, weighting in at two hundred and thirty-nine pounds; making his SJL debut…Jay Morrison.

The deep, pulsating sounds of the bass and drum intro to “We Took Pelham” rolls across the arena as blue strobe lights flicker around the wrestler’s entrance beneath the Smarktron. The strobe lights blink off as a series of pyro charges make their way down the ramp arcing towards each other forming a funnel of fire and sparks. As the music comes to a near chaotic state a figure enclosed in a diamond studded gold robe appears at the top of the ramp; arms raised towards the heavens, head tilting back. Jay makes his way down the ramp, soaking up the crowd’s heat; once he has climbed on the ring apron, Jay holds his arms out to his side, as if he is enjoying the stream of boos.

King: What an entrance! What an outfit! Now this guy has got a future here, and to top it all of, he’s only eighteen.

Axis: Speaking of the outfit, it is a bit flamboyant, don’t you think?

King: No, it’s more of a status symbol, think of the cost to make that robe, eh.

Jay confidently strides to one of the far corners, and lets the brightly colored robe slide off his body gathering in a puddle of cloth at his feet; and a metallic gold singlet with the pound sterling, in black, emblazoned on it is reveled to all.

Funyon: And his opponent weighting in at one hundred and eighty four pounds, hailing from Seattle Washington…Tommy Nguyen.

King: Remind me to ask Commissioner Raynor if the SJL has a height requirement, eh, would Axis?

Axis: I will not. I thought would give Tommy Nguyen some credit after he bet you r boy Tokyo-X on Crimson.

King: I am no longer associating myself with that pile of dung, Tokyo-X, eh, got that Axis?

A slight vibration can be felt through out the GM Place as the intro to “No Shelter” rolls out of the PA system. In perfect synchronization with the songs first guitar note, ever light in the stadium is flipped on then off as the name Tommy Nguyen appears on the Smarktron. As the vocals kick in, Tommy steps from behind the entrance façade and makes his way down the ramp, high-fiving his growing number of fans along the way. Nearing the ring Tommy quickens his pace to a light run, slides under the bottom rope, and steps over to the nearest corner and begins to relax his shoulder and neck muscles.

Axis: Looks like the ref has gone over the rules for this match, and both men or ready so…

DING! DING! DING!!!

Both men charge the center of the ring looking to land the match’s first shot. Tommy ducks a lariat attempt from Morrison, and then catches him with a shot to the ribs. The punch drives Jay a few steps from Nguyen, giving him the space he needs to turn around. To the delight of the crowd the two combatants trade punches near the ring’s center, until Tommy catches a wild right from Morrison and whips him up and over with an arm drag takedown. Both men pop to their feet, but Jay is soon flying again, compliments from another Tommy Nguyen arm drag. Tommy beats Jay off the mat, and lands a series of hard lefts to Morrison’s head, which he follows up by sending Jay running in the corner turnbuckle. Seeing an opportunity to do some damage to the larger man, Nguyen sprints towards the corner he just sent Jay into, and about eight feet out Tommy takes to the air extending his arms above his head…

CREUNCH!!

King: Nobody home. That’s gotta hurt, guess Tommy Nguyen’s paying for that mistake, eh.

Axis: The high flyer took a chance and it backfired.

…Morrison reaches down and picks the pain ridden form of his opposite off the mat by the hair, and lands a series of vicious to Nguyen’s face and midsection. With the momentum swing in his direction, Jay slides round Tommy and looks his hands around the shorter wrestler’s lower chest; and lifts Nguyen up and back as Morrison connects with a belly to back suplex. Continuing the motion started from the suplex, Jay rolls up Tommy’s body, pinning the smaller mans shoulders to the mat…

ONE!

TWO!!

Axis: No to be as Tommy gets a shoulder up off the mat.

…grasping his opposition by the wrist, Morrison hauls Tommy to his feet; and Jay pulls his somewhat stunned adversary into a waiting knee. Refusing to relinquish his hold on Nguyen’s wrist, Jay bends down, places his head under Tommy’s ribs and hoists him into the air. As Morrison steadies himself under the one hundred and eighty four pounds of wrestler and as he sets his hands one of Nguyen’s knees rifle into his temple. Sensing the man holding him in the air starting to stagger, Tommy knees him in the head again, then a third time; and as Jay’s hands start to loosen their grip Tommy swings his body down and around towards the mat in front of his advertisers feet, maintaining a grip on one of Jay’s arm…

King: No, I wanted to see what was going to happen, eh.

Axis: Sorry King, but Tommy Nguyen countered whatever high impact move Morrison was planning beautifully.

…as his body falls towards the mat, Tommy is able to utilize the energy the fall created and whips Morrison to the mat, face first. Springing up to his knees, Tommy drives an elbow into the top of Jay’s head, bouncing his face of the mat yet again. With Jay trying to see through the pain, Nguyen steps over his rival’s body, wraps his arms round Morrison’s left elbow, then leans back towards Jay’s right side…

Axis: Wakigatame armbar, and Jay Morrison’s got to be in a world of hurt.

…the referee shifts over to Jay’s right side, checking to see if he wants to end the match. Shooting the zebra a glare that could penetrate lead, Morrison quickly starts to claw his way towards the ropes. Leaning back further, Tommy tried to stop his foe’s advance by applying more pressure to the elbow of Jay Morrison…

King: If Jay can just get to the ropes, Tommy Nguyen will be forced to break the hold, eh.

Axis: Dude, you’re not Canadian, quite the eh crap.

King: Lighten up Axis. You know what they say: “When in the Great White North…, eh”

…with a seemingly desperate lunge, Jay’s right arm reaches out and clutches onto the bottom rope. Upon seeing the gab of the rope by Morrison, the referee springs to his feet, and rapidly taps Tommy on the shoulder with one hand and points to the rope with the other. Nguyen relinquishes his grip on Jay’s elbow, and takes a few steps back as Morrison rises to his feet, cradling his left elbow. As Jay rises Tommy moves in with his left arm cocked back looking to land a shot; and at the last possible second the rich boy gets a forearm up, blocking the punch. Wasting little time, Morrison retaliates with a stiff right handed shot to Nguyen’s head, then another, and as he builds a head of steam; Jay lands a supremely vicious shot square on the temple of Tommy Nguyen. Before Nguyen can collapses to the mat, Jay locks his hands around one of Tommy’s wrist and whips him into the ropes; and as his challenger rebounds back towards the center of the ring Jay surges forwards with his shoulder dropped…

Wifff!

Ker-Spalt!

Axis: Holy hell. Jay Morrison went for a lying shoulder tackle, but somehow Tommy Nguyen was able to leapfrog the flying Morrison…

King: And I don’t think he’s done yet, eh.

…Tommy bounces off the opposite set of ropes he was sent into and starts to pick up speed as he nears the center of the ring. Like a basketball player going for the dunk on a fast break, Nguyen lowers his head as he goes airborne sneaking between the top and middle rope before landing on the prone figure on the padding below…

Axis: Suicide Dive from Nguyen!

ONE!

King: Freaking insane ass move by Tommy Nguyen, eh. And the ref has started the count. If one of the two wrestlers is out of the ring when the ref counts to…

Axis: King, I’m sure everybody knows the count out rules by now.

TWO!

…due to the adrenaline rush of flying out of the ring, Tommy beats Jay to his feet and reaches down wrapping his arms around Jay’s head…

THREE!

…pulls the now secure Jay’s near arm across his shoulders; and then quickly falls back towards the lightly padded arena floor. Letting go the near unconscious form Morrison, Nguyen takes a few quick steps towards the ring steps,

FOUR!

…plants his right foot and the middle step and pushes upwards, lands nearer the center of the ring with both feet on the apron and flips into the air…

King: Moonsault from the ring apron by Nguyen.

FIVE!

…and lands across the raised knees of Jay Morrison. Hardly showing any ill effects of the suplex, Morrison rolls under the bottom rope, the rolls back out of the ring..

Axis: What a heads up move from Jay Morrison, eh. His forced the ref to restart the count.

ONE!

…Jay waits patiently as Tommy struggles to his feet, and rewards Nguyen with a sharp chop across the chest. As Tommy bends over, Jay drives a foot into his chest, then reaches down, clasps his hands…

TWO!

…onto on tone of Nguyen’s arms, pulls forwards and sends the stunned wrestler into the ring post, never losing contact with Tommy’s wrist. Keeping the shorter man from collapsing to his knees…

THREE!

…Morrison spins his opponent, sends his arms under Nguyen’s armpits, wraps them over Tommy’s collarbones, and secures his hands tighter between his opponent’s shoulder blades. Pausing Jay sneers at the crowd before falling backwards…

SPALT!

FOUR!

Axis: Tiger Suplex! And Tommy Nguyen’s got to be out cold.

King: A win for Jay Morrison in a mater of seconds, I gaur-on-tee, eh.

FIVE!

…Jay easily beats Tommy to his feet, roughly pulls the dazed Nguyen to his feet, and unceremoniously tosses him into the ring. Much to the chagrin of the thousands gathered within the GM Place, Morrison climbs onto the ring apron, and turning his back on the ring offers himself to the attendees to worship. BOOOOOO! Rejecting the crowd, Jay climbs through the ropes, roughly rolls Tommy Nguyen over with his boot, and covers with a rather lazy pinning attempt…

ONE!

TWO!!

THR…NO!!!

Axis: Tommy Nguyen must be running on autopilot, he just got a shoulder up.

King: Bah! This match should be over… eh.

Axis: Quite the F’ing-eh crap now!

King: Who’s talking about asses here?

…bolting to his feet, Jay steps up into the referee’s face, and begins to argue about a perceived slow count. As the ref explains what happened during the count, Tommy pushes himself up to his feet, and grabbing Morrison by the shoulder backs him away from the ref and into a waiting forearm. Pressing the attack, Tommy Nguyen drives a second elbow into Jay’s back before spinning him around. Now face to face with is foe, Nguyen launches into a series of hard shots from both his hands and his feet. The crowd noise rises with each consecutive strike, until it reaches a near deafening volume at which point Tommy pauses before burying his left foot deep into jay Morrison’s gut. Catching his rival’s head as Jay doubles over, Tommy applies a standing head scissors, lifts Morrison till he is inverted, joins his hands behind Jay’s back…

Axis: Michinoku Driver II on Jay Morrison. Tommy Nguyen is raging back after taking a hellacious beating.

King: None of this should even be happening, if it weren’t for that imbecilic ref, eh.

…rolling over, Tommy quickly pins and hooks one of Morrison’s legs..

ONE!

TWO!!

THR…

King: Yes! Jay Morrison got an arm up, eh.

Axis: Fuck it, that’s all I can take. If you day eh one more damn time, I’m going to go so postal on your ass, they’ll be picking pieces of your janky ass out of orbit for years!

King: Axis, my man, you need to chill; its just a bit, ya know.

…having rocketed to his feet, Tommy strides to Jays feet, grasps one foot with each hand, spreads Morrison’s legs apart, and Nguyen kicks both of his feet up and out.

CRUNCH!!

King: Hells yeah. Jay Morrison countered the Saigon Surprise by driving both of his feet into Tommy Nguyen’s chin.

Axis: Nguyen may be out cold.

…out racing Tommy to his feet, Morrison connects a pair of open palm strikes staggering before whipping Nguyen into the ropes. Off the rebound Jay takes a few steps forward before connecting with a lariat, sending the smaller Nguyen twisting off his feet. Glancing down at Tommy, not even trying to conceal the smirk on his face, bends down and pulls Tommy to his feet. Once more looking to the crowd for some recognition, Morrison wraps his arm over Tommy Nguyen’s head, and bends over looking to hook on of Nguyen’s legs…

Axis: Jay Morrison is going to end it now with the Phoenix Thunder Driver

King: The guys in the truck need to go ahead and cue up “We Took Pelham” cause this match is over.

CRACK!

Axis: Wrong King, Morrison took to long to execute the move and little Tommy Nguyen was able to drive the bottom of his foot into Jay’s face.

CRACK!!

…sensing that Jay was loosening his grip on his head after the second kick, Tommy lifted both of his feet off the mat using gravity to break Morrison’s grip on his head. Once on the mat, Nguyen quickly wrapped both his legs around Jay’s ankles and rotates his body on his right shoulder; causing Morrison to fall to the mat face first…

Axis: Tommy Nguyen drops Morrison with a modified drop toe hold.

…counting the roll that brought Morrison down, Tommy reaches over the downed wrestler’s body, wraps his arms round Jay’s elbow, leans back, then lends towards Morrison’s head causing the majority of Jay’s weight to be supported on his neck..

DING! DING!! DING!!!

Axis: Suicide Dreams! Suicide Dreams!! Nguyen is able to go from a drop toe hold to a brutal submission hold in a matter of seconds, and picks up his second victory in as many matches.

King: I’m really starting to hate that little short bastard.

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the match, by submission TOMMMMYY NGUYENNNN!

“No Shelter” returns to the GM Place’s public address system, as Tommy Nguyen rolls under the bottom rope leaving the ring. As he starts to make his way up the ramp, Tommy takes extra time to except the congratulations of all those along the ramp; even going as far as to pose for a photo with a group of college co-eds. Upon reaching the top of the ramp, Tommy takes on last moment to take in the spectacle of thousands of people cheering for him; and raises his arms up in the air in a appreciatory salute.

Axis: Tommy Nguyen is now two for two in his short time here in the SJL, and must be considered a rising star.

King: The only thing I’ll consider him as, is somebody who could use a good pair of those elevated shoes you see advertised for in the back of old comic books.

Axis: You still read comic books?

King: No but I’ve got a wicked cool collection back at the house!

Axis: (Shaking his head) Somehow I’m not even stunned by that. Folks stay tuned cause there’s plenty more Metal left to come tonight, live from the GM Place.

July 23, 2003

Axis: We're back on SJL METAL. Up next, we have a no-disqualification submission match between Todd Royal and English Dragon for the SJL TV Title.

King: This match is going to be rough. Both these guys are fully qualified technical wrestlers. And with a no-DQ, there's nothing stopping Royal from using the Hand of Todd. We may have a new TV Champ tonight.

"WHY DON'T YOU ASK ME WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A FREAK?"

Rob Zombie's "Demon Speeding" thunders through the arena as Jimmy Liston walks out from backstage and down the ramp.

Axis: What... what's going on?

King: It's Liston! He's coming out!

Axis: Oh no. What does he want?

King: Not to help, that's for sure. He's not exactly buddies with either Dragon or Royal.

Liston slides into the ring. He crosses and asks for a microphone. He then straightens, salutes the crowd, and speaks:

Liston: HELLO VANCOUVER!!!

The crowd cheers their home town. Liston, under the impression that he is loved, pretends to quiet the crowd.

Liston: Now let me ask you, how many of you watched Wrathapalooza?

The crowd cheers again, Axis and King look on silently.

Liston: And how many of you saw the victory of the incredible Demon?

Axis: What the hell is he talking about?

King: Liston's as stuck up as ever. He's bragging about his victory over Viktor Tarakanov at Wrathapalooza.

Axis: But he wasn't even wrestling! It was a joust match!

Liston: For those of you who didn't see, I have prepared a little film clip. Roll the tape, please.

The Smarktron lights up with a video feed from Wrathapalooza. On-screen, Liston, wearing a full American Gladiators outfit, is seen at the edge of his raised platform, back to Tarakanov. The Red Rage winds up and swings, Liston ducks, and Tarakanov loses his balance. Liston reaches out and taps Tarakanov with his jousting stick, and the big man falls to the protective mat below. The scene cuts to Liston celebrating, walking back up the ramp with Tyler Sullivan at his side. Finally, it cuts to a scene in Liston's dressing room. Liston, wearing only a towel, and a shirtless Sullivan open beers and knock them together, spilling beer and foam on each other.

Liston: Uh, cut the tape. Let's not go any further. Suffice it to say that we got good and drunk that night, and some things happened that are better off left unsaid.

Axis: Woah, good thing he turned that tape off when he did. I didn’t like the direction it was going in.

King: Well, I expected that much of Tyler Sullivan, but not Liston.

Liston: The point is, for the first time that night, you finally recognized the greatness that is The Demon!

Axis: Don't flatter yourself. They weren't cheering you, they were booing Tarakanov.

King: Ssh, let the man have his minute of glory.

Liston: Your cheers still echo in my mind. "USA! USA!"

Axis: You idiot! We're in Canada!

King: Forget it, he's rolling.

Liston: I have finally made my glorious mark, and you are all ready to see what I can really do. So, I have an announcement to make concerni...

A bagpipe begins playing Dropkick Murphys' "Cadence to Arms" as an image of spinning yellow letters appears on the Smarktron. Two words wrap around and eventually stop in the middle of the screen and flash "Tyler Sullivan" as the music picks up. Tyler Sullivan crosses the curtain, holding his arms out wide to the generally unresponsive crowd.

Axis: It's Sullivan! Liston's manager is coming out!

King: What the hell is he doing? And since when did he get his own entrance?

Tyler, looking somewhat pissed, approaches the ring. Liston watches him, confused. Sullivan enters the ring, walks up to Liston, and takes out a microphone as his music dies.

Sullivan: ...You were saying?

Liston: I have an announcement to make for...

Sullivan: Shut up!

Axis: Wow, Sullivan looks pretty mad.

King: I fully understand. I know where this is going.

Axis: Brawl?

King: Lovers quarrel.

Sullivan: I know what you're out here to do. You want to go for the TV Title again.

Liston: It's my time. I'm ready, and I can take either one of these fools.

Sullivan: Well, you can count me out.

Liston: That's the general idea.

Sullivan appears shocked.

Axis: What?

Liston: This is for you failing your job. You nearly cost me the match at Wrathapalooza. But, even more so, this is for what happened after my match. Roll the tape.

King: No! We don't want to see this!!!

The Smarktron lights up again. It shows an image of the match. Eddy Long is arguing with Tyler Sullivan, ejecting him from ringside. Suddenly Tarakanov's body comes from above and lands on top of Sullivan. A laughing Eddy Long calls for a stretcher, and Sullivan is wheeled backstage. The video cuts back to the same scene in Liston's dressing room. The beers collide, foam and beer spill onto the two.

Sullivan: Good win, man. At this rate, you'll get your title back in no time.

Liston: Yeah, but when I do, I won't be needing any of your help.

Sullivan: What? What are you talking about?

Liston: You know, you nearly got me disqualified tonight... And then you broke Tarakanov's fall...

Sullivan: I was only trying to help.

Liston: Well, from now on, don't bother. I mean, when was the last time you actually helped me win? Leave the ring work to the professionals.

Suddenly, Sullivan punches Liston with the hand holding the beer can. Sullivan proceeds to deliver a beating on to his client. The Smarktron goes blank.

King: ...That's it? That's what this is all about?

Sullivan: What do you want, an apology? Forget it. I don't take kindly to insults, especially from half-talents like you.

Liston: I don't want an apology. For that stunt, Tyler Sullivan, YOU'RE FIRED!!!

Sullivan: And what are you going to do without me? Who's going to save your ass?

Liston: I don't need you. I've won the idiots in the crowd, and that's all I need.

The crowd starts to boo Liston. Apparently, they don't take kindly to insults either.

Liston: That's right. Boo Sullivan. Send him on his way.

Sullivan: You'll need me. I trained you. I prepared you for the SJL. If you want to take the TV Title, you'll need more of my help.

Liston: Tell you what. I'm feeling good today. I'll give you a fighting chance. I'll spend some time out of the ring, and I'll keep paying you to be my manager and trainer.

Sullivan: And what do I have to do?

Liston: You have to get me in the running for the World Title. It's time for me to show that I'm the greatest. I've beaten a contender, and I can beat Charlie Matthews. I'm looking forward to kicking his ass and taking his gold.

Sullivan: I'll see what I can do. I'm not promising anything.

Liston: If you fail again, it's your ass, not mine.

The two shake hands and exit the ring, walking backstage.

Axis: Well, that was... awkward.

King: If Liston thinks Sullivan can get him a shot at the World Title, he's mistaken. Liston has to earn a shot.

Axis: So, it looks like Sullivan will soon be out of a job.

King: Unless he's really lucky. We'll see when Liston returns from conditioning.

Axis: As if anyone really cares. Anyway, up next, the TV Title match between Todd Royal and English Dragon. Don't go away, SJL Metal will be right back.

July 23, 2003

As we return from break, the crowd in the GM Place is a buzz from the events that have already occurred on Metal, and with anticipation of the matches still to come. As the camera pans the crowd, we can see lines of spectators anxiously returning to their seats with freshly bought beverages in hand. As the crowd finds their seats, the camera finds Axis and Suicide King at the announce booth.

Axis: What a show we’re having on our first night in Canada…eh?

King: Don’t EVER do that again…but how about those words from Jimmy Liston moments ago? Sounds like The Demon is ready to re-dedicate his career and hopefully find success here in the SJL.

Axis: Yeah, Liston seemed serious about earning a spot at the top of the SJL after suffering a few less than spectacular losses, including one to Todd Royal. That match, a #1 contendership bout for the TV Title resulted in the amazing ladder match at Wrathapalooza II with English Dragon coming out on top. Royal regrouped however, and defeated Michael D. Lockwood on Crimson to earn a rematch, which is coming up…NEXT.

King: SEGUE~!!!

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen…the following is a SUBMISSIONS MATCH for the SJL WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP!!! Announcing first…Accompanied by Megan Skye and weighing in at 220 pounds…from San Diego, California…TODD ROYAL!!!!

The crowd gets to their feet, but boos as the lights in the arena dim to darkness. A spotlight from the rafters illuminates the curtain as a heavenly chorus coos Megan Skye through the drapes. Wearing a purple sports bra emblazoned with the “TODDESS” logo and holding a black baseball bat, Skye points to the curtain as the opening riffs of Motley Crue’s “Live Wire” blare over the PA and Todd Royal steps onto the ramp. Royal spins around, revealing a vest that reads “IN TODD WE TRUST”, before heading to the ring. Stepping between the ropes to a chorus of jeers, Todd removes his vest to reveal a heavily taped rib cage with “PLACE BELT HERE” scrawled in magic marker over the bottom strip.

Funyon: And his opponent…making his way to the ring from London, England…weighing in at 220 pounds…he is the TWO TIME DEFENDING, SMARKS JUNIOR LEAGUE WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION…This is, ENGLISH DRAGON!!!

The crowd continues to boo even louder as the loudspeakers dispense the sounds of “Land of Hope and Glory” through the building. Through the curtain steps English Dragon, a red white and gold mask over his face and the SJL TV belt across his hips. Dragon shines his strap with his wrist as he pauses at the top of the ramp, then slowly and methodically stalks to ringside. As the ringside fans yell insults at the champion, Dragon slowly climbs the stairs and wipes his feet across the apron before climbing into the ring. Removing the belt and handing it to referee Eddy Long, Dragon gives a polite wave to the Vancouver fans, drawing a huge round of boos.

Long checks Dragon’s trunks and boots for foreign objects, and satisfied, moves to check Royal. After patting down his boots and tights, the referee checks the rib tape, drawing a grimace from Royal. Todd shoves him away in outrage and screams not to touch his ribs. Megan verbally blasts the official as well before bending down to kiss the injury, drawing another scowl of pain from the challenger. Long just shakes his head and holds up the title belt, signaling to the time keeper.

*DING* *DING* *DING*

Circling each other in the center of the ring, both never break eye contact. Dragon makes the first move towards his challenger, but Todd backs off, protecting his ribs with his hands. Dragon simply stands back up and wrings his hands as the audience boos Todd’s failure to start the match. Royal glances down at his midsection and grimaces before charging forward and colliding with the Dragon, engaging in a collar and elbow tie-up.

As the competitors sway back and forth, Royal ducks under the arm of the champion, wrenching his limb into a hammerlock. Dragon stomps on the foot of his challenger however, and spins around into a waistlock to gain control, drawing a yelp of pain from Todd. With Royal focused on the pain, Dragon lunges upward into a release German Suplex, but Royal is able to regain composure and land on his feet behind the back of English Dragon.

King: Amazing agility and balance shown by Todd Royal, landing on his feet from that suplex…err..su-play…attempt from the Dragon.

Axis: Yeah, but you’ll notice the obvious pain Royal was in from that simple waistlock. If the ribs are so sore that even a kiss from his valet causes him pain then how long will he last in a match where pain is his worst enemy?

King: Pain is your worst enemy in ANY match Axis. Well, that and locusts. And there are a lot of things I imagine I would feel if Megan kissed me, but pain ‘aint one of them.

As Dragon, oblivious to Royal’s recovery, points at his hooded head Todd charges from behind. Ducking his head, Royal stands up into an electric chair position, with Dragon seated on his shoulders. Smiling, Todd spins the champion down and around him, holding onto the left leg and dropping him down to the mat. Royal looks to turn his opponent over into a half-crab, but Dragon leg sweeps with his free limb and takes Royal to the mat. Floating over the body of the challenger, Dragon hooks on a headlock and wrenches back.

Royal makes his way to his feet and tries to lift Dragon into a side suplex, but the champion shifts his weight and rolls forward, taking Todd over and marinating his grip on the headlock. Frustrated, Todd fights to his feet and shoves Dragon off of him. As the champion hits the ropes, Todd fires his arm out in a clothesline. Dragon ducks the move however and catches the arm, spinning it around into a hammerlock takedown.

Axis: Impressive technical wrestling from both men in the early going. Both these men are excellent mat wrestlers, who have both wrestled extensively in international competition.

King: Yeah, but look at that move by Dragon! He spun around in mid-air, taking Todd down in a hammerlock! If he can apply all his submission holds on the run we may be in for a short bout!

Royal is obviously displeased with his inability to gain an advantage as he fights into a standing position again while locked in the hold. Once on his feet he reaches through his legs, grabbing the left leg of his opponent and yanking it forward. As Dragon falls backwards, Todd sits down on the leg, applying pressure at the knee. Unable to wrench his leg free, the champion thrusts his free foot forward into the back of his opponent, sending Todd off the opposite ropes. As Royal rebounds, Dragon backdrops him, but Todd again lands on his feet. Spinning around, both competitors come face to face and again stare each other down as the crowd applauds in appreciation of the sequence.

King: The crowd finally showing its appreciation for two upstanding men! Great mat work from both competitors, and if you notice, all of Royal’s holds focused on the leg, perhaps setting up for the Wrath of Todd.

Axis: Well, after an impressive feeling-out process it looks like these two are ready to tear each other apart the way they’re glaring at each other!!

King: These two do NOT like each other. Royal came extremely close to ending Dragon’s title reign before it ever got off the ground at Wrathapalooza, and it was the English Dragon who injure Royal’s ribs in that same match.

Axis: And don’t forget, Dragon attacked Todd again on Crimson, laying him out with the Dragon Driver after Royal’s match with Michael Lockwood.

Circling each other again, the two men lock up once more. As Royal tries to maneuver out again, Dragon charges forward, backing Todd into the corner. The challenger breaks the lock-up and begs off, and Dragon complies momentarily before booting Royal hard in the ribs. Todd grunts in pain and doubles over, tumbling out of the ring to the mat on the outside.

Royal gets to his feet while clutching his ribs, and Megan runs over to console him. In the ring, Dragon runs the opposite ropes and dives to the mat, hitting a baseball slide dropkick to the back of Todd, and sending him hurtling rib-cage first into the guard rail. Todd reels back and collapses in pain, gasping for air as Dragon spins around and drops an elbow hard on the chest of his fallen opponent.

Axis: Dragon immediately going to his cheating ways, using the hardware around the ring to his advantage in this match.

King: Yeah, but it isn’t cheating in a match like this! There are NO pin falls, NO count outs and NO disqualifications in this contest. The only way to win this match is to make your opponent tap out in the middle of the ring.

Dragon picks his opponent up and rolls him into the ring. Climbing onto the ring apron, he slingshots himself in, dropping in with a senton splash. As Royal clenches his eyes in pain, Dragon grabs him by the ankles. Falling backwards, he slingshots Todd across the ring, sending him crashing head-on into the turnbuckle. Royal’s eyes pop open as he hurtles backwards, into a spin kick to the back of his head from the champion. As Todd flops onto the mat, Dragon mounts him and - grabbing his chin - rears back, putting on a Camel Clutch.

King: An absolutely vicious and methodical assault on Todd Royal’s ribs by the English Dragon. Even that Camel Clutch, usually a move used to work over the neck and spine, is in this situation used to stretch those injured ribs.

Axis: Wow. Insight. Huh.

Royal’s face begins to redden in pain as he slowly forces his way to his feet. Dragon tries to grip the hold tighter, but Todd spins around and slams backwards, crushing the Television Champion into the turnbuckles. Dragon releases the hold and Todd breaks free, grabbing his opponent’s leg and spinning to the mat with a Dragon Screw. Bracing Dragon’s leg straight up, Royal hits a series of stiff strikes to the knee cap, forcing Dragon to grunt in pain.

Royal places his knee against the side of Dragon’s and pulls back, using his own joint as a fulcrum to tear at the limb of the champion. Dragon spins out of the hold, but before he can move from a prone position, Todd jams his foot in the back of his knee and lifts up, slamming him down with a knee cracker. The Dragon rolls on the mat and clutches his knee, but in lieu of capitalizing, Royal stands in place gasping shallowly for air. When Todd recovers enough to move in, Dragon elbows him hard in the gut and, snap maring him over, knees him hard in the face.

Axis: Looks like the injured ribs are catching up with the challenger here. Royal was finally able to gain an extended advantage, but he had to stop and nurse the injury instead of following up, a move that cost him the momentum.

King: But I believe in Todd! He may be down and out now, but he’s out Todd and Savior and I’m sure he’ll be back on top momentarily.

Dragon picks his opponent up and whips him into the corner, following him in and hitting a series of STIFF chops to the chest of Royal. Todd winces in pain with each of the blows and finally slumps to the mat, allowing Dragon to step on his face while “dusting off” his tights. The crowd boos the brash behavior by the champion as Dragon lifts Todd to his feet. Standing behind the challenger, Dragon hooks his legs under the arms of his opponent and leans over the ropes, grabbing Todd’s feet in a Tarantula hold.

Axis: The TARANTULA by Dragon!! That’s an illegal hold in most matches, but there are NO rope breaks in a match like this! With Royal being stretched like taffy across those ropes, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Todd taps out!

T…

.

TA….

.

NO!

As Eddy Long looks to get the tap out from Todd, Megan Skye rushes around the ring. Hooking her towel around the neck of Dragon, she pulls back, prying the champion off of the hold, and tumbling him to the floor. Royal collapses on the mat, clutching the tape around his ribs as the crowd shows their disdain for Megan.

“SLUT” “SLUT” “SLUT” “SLUT”

Axis: That very well could have been the finish of the match, if Megan Skye hadn’t gotten in the way!

King: It looks like the champ is going to have to deal with two people if he wants to hold on to his Television championship one more night!

Dragon gets to his feet and lunges at Megan, sending her rushing around the corner of the ring. As the champion gives chase to Skye around the ringside area, Todd Royal begins to make his way to his knees in the middle of the ring. Megan rolls under the bottom rope and into the ring, and English Dragon soon follows, but Todd lunges forward, driving the champion into the mat with a vicious spear!

Todd places Dragon’s leg on the mat and stomps on his knee, drawing a groan of pain from the champion. Dragon grabs his leg and rolls over onto his face, and Todd capitalizes by locking on an Indian Deathlock. As the challenger torques the knee of the champ, the crowd jeers the resurgent Royal.

“TODD DAMN ROYAL!” “TODD DAMN ROYAL!” “TODD DAMN ROYAL!”

Axis: Royal going right back to work on the knee of English Dragon. His ribs must be in extreme amounts of pain, and he must know his opportunities in this match will be few and far between.

King: That’s right, so he’s working that Todd Damn knee for all he has at every chance, hoping to set up the Wrath of Todd.

Axis: Yeah, but all it takes is one well placed shot from the Dragon and the momentum could swing one more time.

Dragon fights his leg free from the hold and tries to crawl away, but Royal leaps on top of him and, grabbing the champion’s arms, crosses them up into his neck. With the Todd’s Eye locked on, Royal leans back allowing Megan to roll the towel and crack it right across the face of the Dragon, drawing an “OH!” from the Vancouver crowd. Referee Eddy Long drops to the mat, checking on the champ’s status.

T…

.

TA…

.

NO!

Dragon shifts his body weight forward, sending Todd flying forward and clothes lining his neck across the middle rope. With Royal laying across the cable, Dragon runs to the other side of the ring and leaps, crashing down on the empty rope when Royal ducks out of the way. Todd hooks the left leg of his opponent over the rope and kicks his body under the bottom cable, stepping on the knee and eliciting screams of agony from Dragon.

Royal finally releases the pressure and pulls the champion back into the ring. With Dragon focusing on the pain in his knee, the challenger turns him over- locking on a Single Leg Crab. With his left foot on the loose right leg, Royal wrenches at the left limb as Long drops down and raises the arm of the champ.

ONCE!…

.

TWICE!…

.

THR….

.

NO!

Axis: Dragon was INCHES away from having his hand hit the mat for a third time!!! We almost had a new TV Champ!!

King: Don’t jump to “had” too quickly buddy! Dragon may not have tapped out there, but he hasn’t broken the hold! The champ still has to escape this single leg Boston Crab if he wants any chance to continue his reign.

With Dragon refusing to give up, Royal releases his vise on the free foot and sits down, pressing the left knee to the mat and yanking it back even harder. Royal’s face turns as red as Dragon’s as he closes his eyes and wrenches the hold, and the champion releases a yowl of pain before attempting to press Royal off of his back. Royal clenches the hold in tighter as Dragon slowly crawls to the ropes. As the champion’s muscles tense, he grabs the middle rope and pulls himself forward, pushing Todd’s back against the ropes and knocking him off the hold.

As Royal tumbles forward into the ring, Dragon pulls himself up to a standing position on the apron. Todd gets to his knees and then to his feet, as Dragon grasps the top rope. Royal slowly turns towards the apron as Dragon springboards to the top rope. As his feet hit the cable and he looks to spring forward, however, the champion’s knee gives out and he tumbles to the mat. The crowd “OOOOH”’s as Royal mauls the fallen champion.

King: Dragon was able to free himself from the Leg hold, but the damage was already done to the leg, as it caved in just when the champion needed it most!!

Axis: English Dragon might be in REAL trouble right now King, as Royal saw the weakness in the knee and is now attacking it, looking to finish it off.

Smirking at his attack, but still breathing shallowly, Royal drags his opponent into the middle of the ring. As the crowd boos, Todd steps to the ring apron and begins to scale the turnbuckles. As Todd makes it to a standing position on the top with his back to the ring, he closes his eyes and flips backwards, launching himself with a highly arcing moonsault…..and hits nothing but knee. Royal deflates, hurling spit across the ring as he collapses to the mat clutching his mid-section, and Dragon yells upon impact, grasping at his knee and rolling out of the ring. The fans are on their feet in anticipation as both competitors lie in pain.

Axis: OH MY! Royal tried to get cocky and hit a moonsault, but he is in no position to gloat! The showboating by Todd led to nothing but trouble, as his ribs may well be broken from the impact!!

King: But Dragon, having been hit with that move at Wrathapalooza, instinctively pulled his knees up to block. Dragon’s left knee is shredded right now however, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more damage was done to English Dragon than Todd Royal!!!

Both men stir at ringside, and Royal is the first to his knees, as Dragon has trouble bracing his leg. Royal crawls to the ropes and using them to bring himself to his feet, leans through and hacks saliva onto his opponent, drawing huge boos from the crowd. Dragon, on one foot, pops up, nailing Todd with a European Uppercut that sends Royal reeling back into the ring.

As Royal crashes to the mat, Dragon leaps up to the ring apron. The champion, favoring the injured leg, somersaults over the top rope, nailing another senton splash to the ribs of Todd. As Royal crumples in pain, Dragon floats over to the legs, turning the challenger over into an Elevated Boston Crab.

King: Dragon is not done yet! And now he’s fighting back with that Elevated Crab submission!

Axis: And while Todd Royal used the crab hold to wrench the knee of Dragon, English Dragon is using an elevated variation- shades of Chris Jericho- to put a TREMENDOUS amount of pressure on the rib cage of Royal!!

King: Now Eddy Long is down, looking to drop the hand of Todd and count the end of the match!

ONCE!…

.

TWICE!!…

.

THR…

.

IC…

.

NO!

As the official drops Todd’s arm for the third time, Royal throws it back, catching the knee of the Dragon and sending him crashing out of the hold. Dragon slumps to the mat, and Royal stalks over him, but the champion drive his shoulder up, catching the gut of Todd and doubling him over. Dragon gets to his knees, and grabs Todd, bringing him up with him as he gets to his feet. Locking his hands together and leaning against the turnbuckles to relieve the pressure on his legs, Dragon cinches the Torture Rack on as the crowd chants their disdain for the mother country.

“CAN-A-DA!” “CAN-A-DA!” “CAN-A-DA!”

King: Well, that’s interesting, can’t say I’ve heard that chant too often. And since neither one of these guys are Canadian, they seem to just be chanting for themselves.

Axis: I think that’s the point, the fans are showing their hatred for both men with that chant. But it could be Dragon who retains the belt, as that Torture Rack is compressing Royal’s ribs like a vise and I can’t believe Todd can escape.

King: Todd forbid Royal submitting!

T….

.

TA…

.

TA…a.a.a….a…

.

OH!!!

As blood trickles from the mouth of Royal and his eyes water with pain, Todd shifts his weight backwards, sending both competitors sailing over the top rope and plummeting to the concrete. As the fans leap to their feet and look to the outside, Royal gets to his feet and pulls himself into the ring, trailing a small stream of blood from his grimacing lips. As Megan towels the blood from her man’s face, Dragon too limps back under the ropes. Dragon tries to charge at his opponent, but Todd spins around, chop blocking Dragon to the mat.

Todd pulls Dragon to his feet and hooks in a front chancery, draping the champ’s arm over his neck. Slamming backwards with a back suplex, Royal spins his hips and regains his footing. Pausing to regain his wind, Royal lifts the Dragon up and falls back, delivering the second leg of the Trinity, the straight vertical suplex. A second roll of the hips brings both men to their feet again, and Todd takes a longer break before lifting the champion up and resting him there. As Todd holds the delayed Vertical suplex, Dragon shifts his weight and spins behind him, scissoring the ribs and falling backwards into a Dragon Sleeper!!!

Axis: DRAGON SLEEPER!! English Dragon broke out of the Trinity and hooked on the Dragon Sleeper, crushing the ribs with that hold!!

King: This is what English Dragon has been building to all match, and may be his only hope! He’s thrown every submission in the book at Todd with no result! He’s down to his last ditch effort, and it may be exactly what he needs to put Todd away!!

Axis: Referee Eddy Long looking for the submission, this could be it!!

ONCE!…

.

TWICE!!…

.

THR…

.

I…

.

C…

.

CRACK!!!

The fans recoil as Megan Skye raises the black baseball bat and crashes it down across the knee of Dragon. English Dragon screams in pain and releases the hold, rolling on the mat in pain as Skye drops the weapon and slides into the ring to check on Todd.

Axis: NO! Megan Skye destroys the knee with that bat, breaking up the Dragon Sleeper and preventing the submission!

King: YES! And It’s ALL LEGAL! We mentioned before that Dragon had to deal with Megan, and he hasn’t done that, and now he suffers the consequence!

As Megan towels the sweat and blood from Royal’s face, English Dragon gets to his feet and spins her around. Elbowing her in the gut, Dragon pulls her up and hooks her arms underneath his legs, falling forward and crushing her with a Dragon Driver, drawing a huge pop from the crowd!

Dragon spins to his feet, but from behind, Todd Royal hooks his arms in a full nelson. Closing his eyes and mumbling something under his breath, Todd lurches back, sending Dragon flipping across the ring with a HUGE release Dragon Suplex!!

King: TODD DAMN! The Todd Damn on English Dragon!! It’s OVER!!!

Axis: Not yet it isn’t!! Remember, there are NO pinfalls in this match! Royal has to do a lot more than just drape his arm over for the cover, he has to cinch in a hold and lock it in tight to get the submission! He is spent however, and I don’t know if he CAN!

Royal mounts the face-down champion and slowly chicken-wings each arm. Planting his skull in-between the shoulder blades of Dragon, Todd flips forward bridging into a Cattle Mutilation. As the exhausted fans boo Royal’s comeback, the official drops to his knees and checks for the tap out from an obviously pain-ridden Dragon.

T…

.

TA..

.

TA…a…a..a…..

.

NO!!!

Axis: Royal tried to use the cattle mutilation to capitalize on the damage done to the neck with the Todd Damn, but he CAN’T HOLD THE BRIDGE!!

King: The ribs of Todd Royal are too far gone to keep the hold on!! Royal is in BIG TROUBLE!

Royal clutches his mid-section in anguish and gasps desperately for air as Dragon slowly rolls over onto his back. The champion tries to pull himself to his feet, but Royal spins around and leaps with a Shining Wizard, sending his opponent crashing to the mat. Royal unwraps his rib tape to the buzz of the crowd, and grasping the right leg of Dragon, spins around. As he collapses to the mat, Todd wraps the tape around the right ankle, taping it securely to the left knee in the Figure 4. The crowd boos as Todd leans back and grabs the middle rope for leverage.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

ONCE!…

.

TWICE!!…

.

THR…

.

I…

.

CE!

THRICE!!!

*DING* *DING* *DING*

King: TODD BLESS! We have a NEW TV Champ!

Axis: Royal used that crippling rib injury to his advantage, taking the rib tape off and using it to prevent English Dragon from escaping the Wrath of Todd!! We need to take a commercial, but stay tuned to Metal! The World Title will be defended in a Stairway to Hell match, and Urban Decay Vs. Aecas is NEXT!

Funyon: (fading out as we go to break): The Winner of this match and NEEEEEEWWWW SJL Television Champion…TODD ROYAL!!!

“BOOOOOOOooooooooooooo…”

July 23, 2003

SJL Metal roars back from commercial with a long roving shot of the packed full GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The camera view zooms over the thousands of Canadian fans squeezed into this one arena, every one of them hyped up from what they’ve seen so far and desperately wanting more before the night is out. The cameras finally switch to a view of the announcers table and as ever Axis and the Suicide King are seated there ready to call the action once again.

Axis: Hello everyone and welcome back to SJL Metal! Its been a great night so far folks but as always it just keeps getting better and better!

King: Its been interesting so far Axis and we’ve got three matches left tonight, including a Street Fight for the European Title. Craig Mclennan, Bloodshed, and Scott Solomon will all be competing for the title right in the middle on Vancouver’s own Hastings Street. And in tonight’s Main Event Charlie “The Grappler” Matthews will face off against Manson in a Stairway To Hell match for the SJL World Title!

Axis: And don’t forget that John Duran will be prowling around that ring as The Enforcer for this match up, the odds seem stacked against Matthews tonight King, having to content with Manson is bad enough but with Duran in an official position things can only get worse!

King: You might be right there Axis, but Matthews knew the score when he put that belt around his waist for the first time, when you’re champion you take on all comers in whatever kind of match gets thrown your way.

Axis: Well there’s only one ay to find out the winner of that match. But coming up next we have a Handicap match. Chris Trepanier and Dominic Korgath, two members of Duran’s Urban Decay are here tonight to try and take down the Black Angel, and I have to think that Aecas is going into this match at a serious disadvantage.

King: You love to state the obvious don’t you Axis? A handicap match is bad enough, but against two men the size of Trepanier and Korgath anyone is going to struggle to win.

Axis’ reply is cut off as “This is the New Shit" by Marilyn Manson hits the arena speakers jolting the crowd into life and up to their feet cheers rising from their throats. The music plays for a few seconds until Chris Trepanier strides out from the entrance way, pausing for a brief moment on the stage as the fans roar in approval for a fellow Canadian. Trepanier shows no reaction to the crowds approval and starts to slowly walk down the aisle towards the ring, as Funyon raises his microphone.

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following match is scheduled for one fall and will be under Handicap rules! Introducing first, weighing 272lbs and hailing from Grand Rapids, Manitoba Canada!

Funyon pauses briefly as the crowd pops even louder before continuing.

Funyon: He is Canadian Thunder! Chris Trepanier!!!!

Trepanier slides into the ring as the crowd continues to cheer for him but he still doesn’t respond, clearly focused on the match to come as he moves to one corner of the ring and leans into it, awaiting his partner and stable mate. Funyon exits the ring as a loud Oriental gong starts to sound over the speakers, as the gong strikes for the third time the arena lights shut off, only the sudden boos of the crowd permeating through the blackness. The arena lights snap back on 5 seconds later and Dominic Korgath stands in the centre of the ring, Iron Staff in hand as the crowd rain boos down on him.

Axis: Both members of the Urban Decay are now in the ring as we await the arrival of their opponent, and I really don’t like Aecas’ chances tonight King.

King: Aecas had better bring his “A” game with him tonight Axis or this could be over very quickly. As it stands though Urban Decay could really use a win here to cement their status as a team, while Aecas is in here for revenge stemming from that attack at Wrathpalooza.

The arena is suddenly plunged into darkness for a second time, the fans starting to cheer once again as a graveyard bell starts to toll mournfully, the sound echoing around the arena as smoke boils out of the entranceway. The Smarktron shows a figure shrouded in shadows, stabs of light highlight pale white flesh and snaking black scales, slowly sliding up the body revealing muscle tone and the faint lines of scars. One of the slivers of light moves past a mouth, the lips painted black, before stopping on a white milky orb of an eye.

“Are you scared?”

“He’s here….”

Emperor’s “Curse You All Men” blast out of the speakers as red alert lights start to flash all over the arena, like an alarm system suddenly gone terribly wrong. A blood red spotlight suddenly snaps on, the beam stabbing deep into the depths of the smoke cloud highlighting a huge figure standing in the midst of the vapour. Aecas slowly steps forwards out of the smoke one hand carrying a large staff, easily as tall as he is, he pauses for a moment as the fans bombard him with cheers before slowly raising the staff diagonally above his head.

Axis: What is that? Is he mocking Korgath?

A huge scythe blade suddenly snaps out from the staff, the cameras zooming in on Aecas face, his terrible grin looking all the more frightening in the blood red light as the crowd roars in approval of this new toy. Aecas slowly brings the scythe back to rest across one shoulder before starting to stride towards the ring with deadly intent.

Axis: Aecas is bringing some back up tonight!

King: Where the hell did he get that?! Who in their right mind would willingly give this man something like that?!

Funyon: And their opponent! From Shrewsbury, England, weighing 315lbs. The Black Angel! Aecas!!!

Aecas jumps up onto the ring apron, taking his scythe from his shoulder and stepping in through the ropes and into the ring, the Black Angel locks gazes with his opponents for a moment before twirling his scythe with a single hand the weapon turning into a blur for a moment before he slams the base down onto the mat, the blade snapping closed. Eddy Long is already between the three men ready to keep them separated until the bell rings, Aecas doesn’t seem to notice the referee as he walks across the ring and tosses his scythe to the timekeeper who visibly sags under the weight of the weapon as he hauls it over to his seat. Eddy Long checks the competitors one more time before signalling for the bell.

DING! DING! DING!!!!

The instant the bell rings Aecas is jumped by both members of the Urban Decay, the Black Angel blocks a punch from Trepanier and sends him reeling with a right cross of his own. As Aecas tries to follow up on Trepanier he gets broadside with a big elbow to the side of the head from Dominic Korgath. Korgath continues to keep Aecas rocked back on his heels, slamming punch after punch into the face of the Black Angel, Chris Trepanier quickly moves up alongside Korgath and both men kick Aecas in the gut, doubling the big man over. The Urban Decay grab Aecas’ arms and sling them over their shoulders, simultaneously wrapping their free arm around the big mans head, and taking him up and over with a massive Double Suplex the entire ring shaking with the impact.

Axis: The Urban Decay are all over Aecas like flies on rotting meat!

King: Smart move by these two, hit your opponent hard and fast and try to keep him off balance, that’s the way to win a match like this Axis, don’t give them a chance to recover.

Korgath and Trepanier waste no time in stomping gleefully away on their downed opponent, Eddy Long grabs Trepanier’s arm, getting in the face of “Canadian Thunder” as the crowd boos thunderously as Korgath continues to assault Aecas behind Long’s back. Trepanier slowly backs away into the corner stalling Long as much as possible, Korgath making the most of the opportunity by grabbing Aecas’ feet, lifting the big mans legs up before stamping down hard on his crotch with a blatant low blow.

Axis: Low blow! Come on ref get Trepanier out there and focus on the match!

King: Its smart planning Axis! When are you gonna learn that? What the ref can’t see he can’t act on they’re doing the right thing.

Trepanier finally steps out of the ring as Aecas rolls towards a corner clutching at his groin, Korgath goes right after his opponent continuing to whale on Aecas in the corner until Eddy Long breaks it up, forcing Korgath back from Aecas for a moment as the Black Angel starts to get to his feet, using the ropes to pull himself up. As soon as Aecas regains his feet, Korgath rushes forwards once again rocking Aecas with another hard punch before dragging him out of the corner towards Trepanier. Just before he reaches the corner Korgath turns and slams a knee hard into Aecas’ midsection before wrapping an arm around the giant’s neck and planting his head into the canvas with a hard DDT, rolling on top of Aecas for a quick cover.

ONE!!!!!!

…

TWOOOO-KICKOUT!!!!

Aecas’ right arm shoots off the canvas before Long even counts two, Korgath raises his arm towards the corner and slaps palms with Trepanier as “Canadian Thunder” tags himself into the match to a moderate pop from the crowd. Trepanier picks up where Korgath left off, grabbing Aecas by the hair and dragging him back up to his feet, taking hold of the giant’s left arm, Trepanier tries to Irish Whip his opponent into the ropes. Aecas finally manages to take the advantage as he reverse the Irish Whip sending Trepanier hurtling into the ropes, rebounding straight into a massive Big Boot, the Canadian superstar goes down hard but is quick to get back to his feet as Aecas advances on him.

The two men slam together in a collar and elbow tie up, pushing back and forth against one another as each man tries to get the upper hand on his opponent. Aecas greater strength ends the contest as he breaks the tie up by whipping Trepanier into the ropes for a second time, the Canadian superstar rebounds from the ropes ducking under a hard clothesline attempt from Aecas. Trepanier bounces off the ropes for a second time gaining speed only to be swept off his feet and over his head, as Aecas scoops him over with a quick Powerslam, holding on for the pin.

ONE!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!

…

KICKOUT!!!!

Axis: What a Powerslam! Trepanier never knew what hit him!

King: Trepanier and Korgath are in dangerous waters here, they need to keep Aecas off balance, they can’t afford to let him get any kind of advantage here, there truly is strength in numbers Axis!

Aecas slowly climbs back up to his feet slowly, still suffering some lingering effects from the low blow he suffered earlier; he wraps an arm around Trepanier’s head, repeating the move with his opponents arm. The Black Angel pauses for a moment, grabbing a handful of the masked man’s tights and taking him up and over with a Vertical Suplex, Aecas grimly hangs on and climbs back up to his feet, lifting Trepanier up once again and holding him in the air for several long seconds before dropping him back first into the canvas with a second Suplex. This time Aecas lets go of Trepanier, before half dragging him to his feet and shoving him over into his corner, the Black Angel points at Korgath and beckons with a finger as the crowd get more vocal as the Black Angel seems to be getting into the swing of the match.

Axis: Aecas is requesting that Korgath get into the ring now! He must be after some payback from that low blow at the start of the match.

King: It’s not a smart move though Axis, he had Trepanier reeling and even though Aecas is a big guy, Korgath outweighs him by a good 35lbs. I know Aecas is strong but he’s never faced anyone of Korgath’s combined strength and weight.

Axis: You might be right King but I think we’re about to find out!

Korgath looks at Aecas for a moment before leaning forwards and tagging Trepanier, Eddy Long slaps his hands together as he confirms the legal tag, and Korgath steps through the ropes as the Canadian superstar moves back to the apron. Korgath moves into the centre of the ring standing toe to toe with Aecas, not giving an inch as he stares up into his opponents eyes, before slamming into a collar and elbow tie up. The two men strain against one another in what appears to be an equal match ending as Aecas quickly slips out of the tie up, grabbing Korgath’s left arm and Irish Whipping his large opponent into the ropes. Korgath thunders across the ring, the ropes bending more than usual as he gains momentum and charges at Aecas like a raging bull, both competitors meet in the middle of their ring and Korgath takes the lack Angel down with a solid looking Shoulder Block.

Axis: The two men meet and down goes Aecas!

King: I told you Axis! I don’t think Aecas is strong enough to deal with Korgath! He went straight down from that Shoulder Block, and Korgath isn’t even fazed!

Aecas is quick to get back to his feet after the knock down, staring down Korgath once again, before he Whips his giant opponent into the ropes for a second time, this time Aecas ducks under a huge Lariat attempt, spinning around as Korgath rebounds off the ropes for a second time. Aecas ducks down as Korgath runs towards him, and just before the big men collide for a second time he grabs Korgath by the head and crotch, using his opponents momentum against him as he hoists him high into the air into a Military Press! The crowd is on their feet as Aecas holds his struggling opponent high in the air, the muscles of his arms bunching with the effort as his face is contorted into a mask of concentration and anger.

Axis: Aecas has got Korgath up! And he’s HOLDING him up there!

King: I don’t believe it Axis! I didn’t think it possible but Aecas proved me wrong!

Aecas holds Korgath up for a moment longer before releasing his opponent, dropping down to one leg as he does so, sending Korgath crashing down stomach first across the hard bone of his knee.

Axis: Stomach Crusher! I think the whole ring moved on that one King!

Aecas gets back up to his feet, flicking the hair out of his face as the fans almost blow the roof off of the arena at the display of power they just saw, the Black Angel looks over at Trepanier for a moment before moving over to where Korgath lies, clutching at his gut. Grabbing the masked man’s head Aecas pulls his opponent back up to his feet, shoving his head down and underhooking first his right and then his left arm. Aecas pauses for a moment before jumping into the air, dragging Korgath’s body with him, and driving his opponents head into the mat with a hard Double Arm DDT, quickly rolling Korgath over onto his back immediately after the impact for another pinfall.

ONE!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!

…

TWO AND A HAL…

Chris Trepanier breaks up the pinfall with a hard stamp to the back of Aecas’ head, the Black Angel jumps back to his feet and immediately goes after “Canadian Thunder” only to be barely held back by Eddy Long. The plucky referee desperately pushes at the irate giant as Korgath crawls over to the corner and out of the ring onto the apron, Trepanier slaps his hands together loud enough to distract Eddy Long before he rushes at Aecas once again. Aecas grabs Trepanier around the throat with one huge hand as Eddy Long tries to work out what is going on.

Axis: Trepanier is in there illegally! There was no tag made but Long’s letting it slide!

King: He heard the sound Axis; he has to go by what he knows.

Aecas tightens his grip on Trepanier’s throat, he tosses the Canadian superstars right arm over his shoulder before placing his hand on the small of his opponents back, heaving the smaller an into the air for a Chokeslam. Trepanier is not caught unprepared and manages to wriggle free of Aecas’ grasp in mid air, twisting around to land behind the giant and quickly locking his arms around the Black Angel’s waist. Aecas tries to break the hold slamming his elbow back into the side of Trepanier’s head, but the Canadian superstar shakes off the blow and heaves his large opponent backwards with a huge German Suplex, shaking the ring with the impact. Trepanier grimly hangs on as he drags Aecas back up to his feet taking him over and dropping him on his head once again as the crowd starts to count along.

TWO!!!!!!

WHAM!

THREE!!!!!

WHAM!

FOUR!!!!!

Trepanier heaves one last time, planting his huge opponent on his head and shoulders before arching his body into a perfect bridge as Eddy Long once again makes counts the pinfall.

ONE!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!

…

TWO AND A HALF!!!!!!

…

TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!!!!

…

THREEEE-NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aecas kicks out before Long’s palm hits the canvas for a third time, the Black Angel shaking his head trying to clear it as Trepanier reaches over getting a quick tag from Korgath, the masked man dragging Aecas into the corner and starting to stomp down hard on his opponents chest and head. Eddy Long slowly counts to four as Korgath continues his assault before ordering the masked man off of Aecas, Korgath responds by tagging in Trepanier who picks up where Korgath left off, stamping hard on Aecas before slamming his boot into the giant’s throat and leaning back choking his opponent. Once again Eddy Long makes a four count before ordering the break and again a tag is made, this time from Trepanier to Korgath.

Axis: A succession of quick tags by the Urban Decay here.

King: Smart move, keep changing and keep the pressure on you opponent, this is a time-tested tactic to wear down your opponent’s resistance and he ref can’t do much about it.

Axis: Aecas has got to get out of that corner or this match is going to be over in a matter of minutes.

King: This is the problem everyone faces in Handicap matches Axis, two opponents is simply too much for most people.

Aecas is physically dragged out of the corner and pushed down as Korgath shoves the Black Angel’s head between his legs and leaning forwards to wrap his arms around the giant’s waist. Pausing for a moment Korgath hauls Aecas up onto his shoulders, Trepanier moves to stand opposite Korgath grabbing Aecas by the hair and dragging him back until he can wrap an arm around the Black Angel’s throat. The Urban Decay look at one another and share a nod before dropping Aecas straight down, Korgath sitting out with a hard Powerbomb as Trepanier dives onto his front driving the back of Aecas’ head into the canvas with a Reverse DDT.

Axis: A Sit-out Powerbomb combined with a Reverse DDT!

King: Trepanier’s out of the ring and Long’s going for the count! This has gotta be it Axis!

Axis: It can’t end this way King!

King: Don’t be so biased Axis! Aecas knew what he was getting into when he came down that ramp, he’s getting everything he deserved and then some!

ONE!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!

…

TWO AND A HALF!!!!!

…

TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!!!!!!

…

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Axis: He kicked out! He kicked out!

King: How many times do you have to drop this idiot on his head before he stays down Axis?!

The crowd explodes as Aecas’ shoulders clear the mat, a fraction of a second away from the pinfall that would have ended the match, Korgath sits up slapping the canvas in frustration, hardly believing that the double tam failed to get the job done. Trepanier is just as frustrated as Korgath stamping his foot on the apron and demanding that Korgath tag him back in, the masked man grudgingly stretches out his arm and tags the Canadian Superstar back in. Trepanier steps into the ring, pushing aside Eddy Long as he tries to order Korgath out of the ring, the Canadian superstar exchanges a few words with his partner gesticulating with the universal gesture for a Moonsault.

Korgath nods and drags Aecas into the centre of the ring, pulling his opponent by the hair as Trepanier moves over to the corner and slowly begins to climb up the turnbuckles. Aecas starts to slowly rise, much to Korgath’s chagrin as the masked man slams several hard punches into the side of Aecas’ head, trying to keep the Black Angel down. Korgath rears back for a huge Haymaker, only to have it blocked by a massive arm as Aecas’ head snaps up, his dead eyes staring into Korgath’s as he rocks his opponent back with a hard punch..and another..and another…each blow sending Korgath reeling backwards until Aecas grabs one of his opponent’s arms and whips him hard into the ropes.

Axis: Aecas is fighting back here King!

King: And Trepanier can’t see it!

Korgath slams into the ropes dislodging Trepanier as he makes it to the top, the Canadian superstar crotching himself on the top turnbuckle with a yell of pain, echoed by the male members of the audience. Korgath meanwhile charges back towards Aecas, clearly intent on flattening his opponent, the Black Angel ducks under Korgath’s outstretched arm, scooping his opponent up into a Sidewalk Slam position. Aecas spins around with the momentum, shifting Korgath so the masked man hangs in front of him in a Tombstone like position. The giant’s hand gripping Korgath’s waist tightly as he leaps into the air, still spinning around and driving Korgath’s head into the canvas with an inverted Executioner!

HOLY SHIT!

Axis: OH MY GOD! Aecas has just killed Dominic Korgath!

King: But Korgath isn’t the legal man Axis! Aecas can’t get the pin!

Axis: I think he’s about to rectify that King! And Trepanier doesn’t know what happened!

Aecas slowly gets back up to his feet, staggering over towards the still trapped Trepanier as Aecas chants start to reverberate throughout the arena, echoing in the ears of the Black Angel as he climbs onto the corner behind Trepanier, standing on the second turnbuckle and trapping the Canadian superstar in a vice-like waistlock.

Axis: What’s he going to do now?

King: Whatever it is I’m glad I’m not Chris Trepanier right now Axis.

Trepanier has just enough time to register exactly who has grabbed him before Aecas’ bunches his legs and uses the middle rope as a springboard catapulting both himself and Trepanier into the air and across the ring. At the apex of the jump Aecas hurls Trepanier backwards, German Suplexing him in MID AIR! Both men crash down to the canvas, Aecas square on his back, Trepanier landing right on his head and shoulders, the kinetic force rolling him over to flop down onto his front as the crowd explode once again.

HOLY SHIT!

Axis: Mid Air Suplex! Aecas German Suplex’d Chris Trepanier in MID AIR! King! Have you ever….

King: I have NEVER seen anything like that Axis!

Axis: Aecas has rolled Trepanier over! He’s got the pin on the legal man! This is over! THIS IS OVER!

ONE!!!!!!

…

TWO!!!!!

…

TWO AND A HALF!!!!!!

…

TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!!!!!

…

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DING! DING! DING!!!!!!!!!!!

Funyon: The winner of the match by pinfall! THE BLACK ANGEL! AECAS!!!!!!!

Aecas rests on top of Trepanier for a moment before pulling himself back up to his feet grinning as Eddy long raises his hand in victory, he leans against the ropes letting the cheering of the fans surround him as Emperor’s “Curse You All Men” thunders through the speakers, vying for dominance with the fans. The Black Angel slowly walks across the ring stepping through the ropes and down to the floor, retrieving his Flick Scythe from the timekeeper’s table and slowly walking around the ring, the staff braced across his shoulders by his arms as he grins in savage victory.

Axis: Well he did it King! Aecas did what you swore he couldn’t do! He beat two members of the Urban Decay on his own!

King: An impressive victory for Aecas tonight, but this could have easily swung the other way.

Axis: True enough King, but the fact of the matter is that Aecas succeeded in giving the Urban Decay a bloody nose tonight.

As Axis and the Suicide King talk Aecas makes his way slowly up the ramp, fans reaching out and slapping his arms as he passes them by , the Black Angel pauses at the top of the ramp before the entrance way, turning around and raising the staff high above his head with both hands. The scythe blade snaps out again to the roar of the crowd as the cameras focus on the demonic glee stamped across Aecas’ face. His mouth moves as he shouts to the crowd but the words are lost in the roar of the fans as he finally turns and exits the arena.

Axis: Another great match from the SJL tonight King, and we still aren’t finished on Metal.

King: That’s right Axis, coming up next we have a Street Fight for the European title, and we’ll see whether Scott Solomon can keep hold of his title or whether Bloodshed, or Craig Mclennan can wrest it off of him.

Axis And after that we have the big one, a Stairway to Hell match between Charlie Matthews and Manson, with John Duran as the Special Enforcer! We’re going to commercial now folks but stay tunes as we’ll be back with more SJL Metal!

Edited July 23, 2003 by realitycheck

July 23, 2003

Coming back from commercial, a narrator’s voice leads the crowd into the next match. The SmarkTron blips to life showing Vancouver’s main drag…Hastings Street. Drunken bar patrons and other pedestrians stand idly by, seemingly unprepared for the brutality that they will be witnessing in a few short moments.

VO: Sometimes it takes nothing more than a little bloodshed to create an enemy. When your past explodes in front of you, you have nothing left to do but to try and escape…but escape is not an option.

Scenes from the 7/17 Crimson are shown, including Bloodshed and Craig’s entrance together, some of their ‘teamwork’, and an in-depth look at the end of the match

VO: Unbelievably…three men in that match…three men that felt pain and saw blood, whether it be on their face or the faces of those they oppose…have been put together on the streets of Vancouver to do battle once more.

…but this time…Gold is on the line.

Axis: Five days ago, we saw Bloodshed and Craig McLennan…seemingly mortal enemies…destroy Scott Solomon, Dominic Korgath, and each other in a brutal tag team contest.

King: Scott Solomon wasn’t too happy about having a body dropped on him and being put through a table…as I’m sure if anyone DID enjoy that kind of punishment that they would be hauled away and placed in solitary…cause that’s CRAZY!

Axis: No doubt, King…so Solomon went to Commish Raynor and asked for this match. Is Solomon being smart here?

King: Of course he is…those two will kill each other before they even touch him…

Axis: You could be right, King…now let’s go to the STREETS!

From Axis and King and the lovely air-conditioned climate to the mean streets of Vancouver, British Columbia…where the three competitors are waiting for there cues. Guest Introductionist and SWF retiree Annie Eclectic is standing by…keeping with her cue cards so she can remember who the guys behind her actually are.

Annie: Axis…Suicide King…All you silly bastards back at the arena…are you ready?

Of course she can’t hear anything.

Annie: You three morons behind me…are you ready?

The three men shake their heads.

Annie: Okay then… introducing first the challengers…

…from Duncan, British Columbia, Canada…….the man with a burning desire…CRAIG MCLENNNNNNNNNNAAAAANNNNNNN!

…and to his left…from Las Vegas, Nevada…the man that donates more blood by accident than on purpose…BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDSSSSHHHEEEEEDDDDDD!

…and now the champion…hailing from East Saint Louis, Illionis…he has two S’s…he has 4 Os…he has the European Title…..he is SCOTT SOLLLLLLOOOOMMMMMMOOOONNNN!

A few pedestrians clap for Annie’s introductions, but most try to ignore her brooding sexual presence. With a wave of her hands and the signal to fight, she runs out of there and into the nearest bar.

Axis: Here we go! First person to score a pinfall wins! Scott doesn’t even have to be part of the decision! We have referees all over the area and even one that just follows them around.

King: That is so unfair…and look at what is happening!

The two smaller challengers have seemingly forgotten their differences early on, as both men are continuing what they stared on Crimson, attacking the now-injured ribs of the champion.

Axis: Look at that! They are going right for those injured ribs!

King: But both Craig and Bloodshed are injured as well…so hopefully Scott can capitalize!

Bloodshed also has his ribs taped up and Craig is sporting nose tape due to the consequences of the tag match. As both the challengers pound Solomon down the sidewalk, pedestrians try their best to move out of the way.

Suddenly Bloodshed lifts Solomon to his feet and signals for Craig to help him out. Both men hook their arms and legs around the champ and smile at each other before falling back with a double-team Russian legsweep!

Axis: Great teamwork from the challengers!

King: But Bloodshed’s ribs are hurt as well…and now he is rolling in pain! What an idiot!

Solomon and Bloodshed are down, and as Craig makes it to his feet he takes a moment to look over the two men before jumping over Solomon and falling across Bloodshed’s taped ribs with a rolling knee.

Bloodshed rolls into the street and would obviously have been struck by a car had the SJL not blocked off the street and turned the area into a huge block party for fans and anyone else that likes free booze and violence.

Craig passes no mind to Solomon as he chases Bloodshed across the pavement and continues his assault on the ribs with stomps. As Bloodshed hits the opposite side of the street, Craig picks him up by the hair and holds him in place before giving him a hard punch to the face.

Axis: He’s trying to bust him open!

King: That won’t be hard…

Craig seems miffed that Bloodshed didn’t live up to his name on that punch, so with a casual look around he spots an old mailbox and whips Bloodshed hard into the side. Bloodshed hits it and lets out a groan before falling slightly limp to the sidewalk. A few bystanders gasp but before Craig can do any more damage, a recovered Solomon catches Craig from behind and spins him around, hitting him with a hard chop. A few more follow and soon a few of the surrounding drunks get the point and start a small “WOO!” chant toward Solomon, who simply laughs it off before whipping Craig around and into the same mailbox that Bloodshed just bounced off of.

Axis: Special Delivery for Mr. McLennan…

King: Oh god what a stupid joke…

Solomon reaches down to lift up Bloodshed now, but instead he gets a hard kick to the gut and staggers back a bit.

King: Bloodshed was playing possum a bit there! He’s smarter than he looks…

Bloodshed stands and rushes Solomon, but the champ quickly moves and Bloodshed’s face meets lamppost…

King: …I stand corrected.

…causing Bloodshed to be slightly busted open. Solomon turns and grabs his bleeding challenger and slams his head off the lamppost a few more times. Bloodshed looks dazed as Solomon lifts him up for a Sidewalk Slam, but Craig comes from behind and gives the champ a hard shot right to his ribs, causing Solomon to flinch and drop Bloodshed down to the sidewalk.

As Solomon regains his balance he is met by another shot to the ribs, but before Craig can try for a third one, Solomon grabs his neck and squeezes hard, causing Craig to flail a bit before Solomon finally lets go.

King: If he would have squeezed any harder, Craig’s head would have opened up and a flame would have shot out!

Axis: ……

Solomon rushes in and connects with a knee to the stomach as Craig tries to get some air, but before he can even open his mouth he is in the air again, and Solomon finally hits a sidewalk slam!

Axis: Sidewalk slam on the sidewalk!

King: …like we haven’t seen THAT spot a million times…

Axis: ……

Solomon is quick to go for a cover after the slam, and the referee is right there waiting…

1…

2…

KICKOUT from Craig! Craig rolls away from Solomon as he stands, looking around for Bloodshed, but he can’t be found. Solomon accosts the ref.

Scott: Have you seen the other guy?

Ref: Nope…

Scott: Well son of-

Before Scott can even finish the sentence he is hit hard from behind. As he falls to the ground, his assailant is revealed to be Bloodshed, wielding a cane.

Axis: Where did he get that from!?

Bloodshed turns and hands the cane back over to an older gentleman.

Shed: Thanks, pops.

Old man: No problem, sonny…

He turns back around and kicks Solomon in the ribs once more before following up with a nice Mexican Surfboard, arching the champ’s back and further putting pressure on the ribs. The ref can only stand and watch…as only pinfalls are allowed in this match.

Axis: Solomon is in pain, King!

King: Yeah…but that doesn’t matter! Bloodshed needs a pin to win!

Bloodshed continues putting on the pressure, but is stopped out of nowhere by McLennan, who rushes into view and follows up with a falling dropkick right to the side of Bloodshed’s head, causing more blood loss and for him to break the hold.

King: Now that’s how you break up a hold!

Solomon drops to the ground clutching his ribs and Bloodshed rolls a few feet away holding his head. Craig sees the chance to win and hits a Standing Senton on the champ, hooking a leg as he lands. The ref hits the pavement….

1….

2….

KICKOUT by Solomon!

Axis: So close for Craig there! A short count away from being European Champion!

Bloodshed is back on his feet, but still holding his head as he takes a run down the sidewalk. Craig gives Solomon another boot to the ribs and follows Bloodshed as they both dart and weave through the crowd.

King: He should have let Bloodshed run! He could have stayed on the champ and won before Bloodshed even knew what happened!

Axis: Where in the hell is that bleeding bastard going, anyway?

Suddenly Bloodshed darts into a building, causing Craig to almost run right past him, but his keen eye catches him and Craig follows him into the building.

King: Where are they now!?

Axis: Let’s watch…

A camera inside shows the building to house a gigantic nightclub. “Club Whirrrr” is the newest and most fabulous night club on the main drag of Vancouver, featuring beautiful women, hot tunes, hotter moves, and even a security go-cart track on the roof. Bloodshed enters the main dance floor and tries to lose Craig in the dark…but the pyromaniac has other plans, as he heads to an upper floor and reaches over the balcony, grabbing a small white spotlight and shining it through the crowd.

King: What a plan…he’ll spot that bleeding fool!

Axis: …if you say so, King…

As the light passes over the crowd, Bloodshed tries to blend in to the dancers, flailing his arms and jumping around like a madman to the crazy techno beat. But all is lost when he accidentally gets caught up in the moment and finishes with a flourish, busting out a sign with the name “Grappler” on it and waving it in the air.

Axis: He might have just given himself away…

King: …yeah…LOOK!

Craig spots the flag, but Bloodshed realizes his mistake and takes off. So Craig does what any reasonable man would do and yells out at the top of his lungs…

Craig: STAGE DIVE!

…causing the crowd to look up at him as he flips over the railing and falls into the crowd of people, being caught perfectly and being passed around.

King: What a psycho!

Craig screams to be pushed toward Bloodshed, and as he makes his way over Bloodshed tries once more to hide, jumping up onto the DJ platform.

Shed: Mind if I play a tune?

DJ: …uhhhh…

Shed: Great!

Bloodshed grabs a CD and tosses it in, busting out a techno remix of “Wait and Bleed” by Slipknot. As Craig reaches the ground the music hits its peak, and he looks to see Bloodshed thanking the DJ and making a run for the door. Craig is quick on his feet, however, and dives up to the DJ platform, almost knocking him over…before leaping off the platform and right onto Bloodshed, dropping them both to the ground. Craig stands and sees an opportunity, running towards the wall and scaling it slightly with his feet before flipping off with a moonsault right onto Bloodshed’s ribs! A dancing ref catches the pin…

1….

2….

KICKOUT by Bloodshed!

Axis: Bloodshed almost didn’t make it!

Bloodshed tries to crawl to his feet, but Craig is quick to catch him…pulling him up and whipping him right back out onto the street, where Bloodshed trips over the curb and falls to the pavement with an audible thud. Craig looks to follow up but on his way out the door he is blindsided by Solomon, who has finally found his two challengers.

King: The champ is back!

Axis: …he doesn’t look happy…

Scott’s blindside tackle put both men on the ground, but with Craig taking the brunt of the pain…being sandwiched between Solomon and concrete. A few feet away a pedestrian is actually tapping Bloodshed with his foot.

Bystander: …is he alive?

Suddenly Bloodshed twitches to life, rolling over and spitting blood up into the air. The curious drunk jumps back and takes off running down the street.

Axis: That guy got one heck of a soberity test there, didn’t he? Hahahahahaha…

King: I’ll make the jokes around here…

Axis: …ha………….

Back around to Solomon, who has Craig lifted off his feet and draped over his shoulder. Craig tries to kick, punch, wiggle…anything to get out of his grasp. Suddenly Craig has an idea….

Craig: RAPE!!

Solomon quickly drops Craig to the ground and backs away, not making any sudden movements. Craig gets to his feet, but almost can’t stay standing with tears of laughter running down his face. Solomon’s scared expression turns to rage as he takes another blind run at the joker, but Craig is quick to sidestep, tripping Solomon in the process and dropping him head-first into the pavement next to a recovering Bloodshed.

Axis: And Solomon might be busted open!

Solomon rolls over and looks up at the streetlights, and everyone can see a bit of a crimson mask forming.

King: HE IS!

Bloodshed takes advantage of the champ and jumps on top of him…

1…..

2…..And Craig breaks up the pin! Bloodshed rolls back into the street before crawling off through the crowd. Craig tries to follow him with his eyes but can’t…but remembering the still-fallen champion…

1….

2….and Solomon kicks out!

Axis: Craig took a bit too long to deal with Bloodshed there…he could have won the match!

King: …the match?! He could have won THE TITLE!

Solomon tries to pull himself up, but the blood dripping down his face blinds him as he searches for anything to grab for help. Just as he reaches his feet, Craig continues his assault with a kick to the back of the knee, dropping Solomon down…and another to the small of the back…and Solomon is almost completely down. Craig jumps up and drops another knee across the injured back and Solomon is now on his stomach. Craig once again sees his chance, rolling the champ over and going for another pin attempt.

1…..

2….

…and from out of nowhere comes Bloodshed, breaking up the pin with…

Axis: Is that a tray of drinks?!

King: Where did he get that?!

Bloodshed slams the full drink tray on the back of Craig’s head…causing the ref and most of the people in the surrounding area to get soaked in alcohol. One girl gets a little too excited at the show and rips her shirt off. SJL censors are quick to cover up the girl with little “For SWF Eyes Only” signs.

King: I’m SWF! LEMME SEE!

Two refs appear and grab the girl, but one ref gets a bit overzealous and eats high-heel shoe because of it…but after a moment she is safely removed most likely to the comforts of Charlie Matthew’s hotel room.

Bloodshed was still catching a bloody eyeful of the lady as Craig returned the drink tray shot, opening up Bloodshed a bit more and knocking him back into the street. As they battle across the street they are caught by Solomon…

King: I thought he was down!

Axis: Let’s check the replay!

**REPLAY**

As Bloodshed and Craig stare in wonderment at the drunken girl, Solomon takes the time to sneak off into the crowd

**REPLAY**

Axis: Smart man…catch ‘em off guard…

King: That’s why he’s the champ!

…Solomon grabs both of his challengers by the throat, trying once more to just squeeze the life out of them, but Craig and Bloodshed are not stupid (no matter what the other one says) and they both give the champ a good kick in the gut, dropping him down and allowing the challengers to hook in a double front facelock and drop him down with a hard double DDT!

Axis: Solomon could be OUT!

And Craig goes for the pin!

1….

2…Broken up by Bloodshed!

Axis: And now Bloodshed looking for the pin!

1…

2…Craig breaks it up!

King: Craig’s trying again!

1…

Bloodshed breaks it up, lifting Craig up to his feet and almost dragging him a few feet away.

Bloodshed: You want me to kick you in the nose again?

Craig: What? Screw you!

Bloodshed: This is my match, Zippo boy!

Craig: That’s what you think, pal…

Bloodshed laughs a bit, but is quickly shut up by a hard right hand by Craig that catches him in the ear.

Bloodshed: What the fuck?! You hit me in the ear!

Craig: So?

As Bloodshed complains, Craig continues his attack, tossing in an old-school uppercut to send Bloodshed reeling backwards…and over a small fence! Around the fallen Bloodshed sit what seem to be many well-to-do couples. Bloodshed is on his feet as fast as he can be, and while wiping blood from his face he apologizes for ruining their dinner.

Axis: ….jesus…what a gentleman…

Bloodshed tries to hop back over the fence, but Craig is waiting on the other side and hits a superkick on his enemy, causing Bloodshed to fall backwards and crash through a waiter’s tray full of food.

King: Who ordered the bloody chicken! Table 5?

Bloodshed tries to get to his feet, grabbing a table and pulling his body up, but the tablecloth simply slips from the table, causing a serving for six to land on top of him. As if this can’t get any more embarrassing, suddenly Craig springs off the railing, but goes a bit too far and lands on the table in front of the six dinner guests that just had their meal ruined. Luckily the table doesn’t break…

King: Craig is redder than his outfit right now…how embarrassing…

Axis: Let me guess… he’s a steak…burnt to a crisp…

King: …if you say so!

Bloodshed is back up, but as he turns to leave the scene he is clotheslined down by a bloody Scott Solomon, recently recovered from the DDT. Solomon looks over at Craig, still laying across the table in a bit of pain…and grabs Bloodshed by the neck.

Scott: Time to return the favor…

Axis: Is he going to….

King: …I THINK HE IS!

Solomon shoves Bloodshed’s body down and lifts him up, flipping him over and carrying him toward Craig, who has really no idea what’s about to happen. Craig rolls over just in time to see the look on Scott’s face as he powerbombs Bloodshed down across Craig…busting the table into what could be described as antique Canadian toothpicks…before trying to pin Bloodshed.

1…

2….

But Craig is able to kick the ref, knocking him over and breaking up the count! Craig tries to crawl away and down the street, but Solomon is quick to stop him. Solomon picks up the damaged McLennan and tries for another powerbomb, pushing Craig’s head down…but Craig goes deadweight and hits the concrete, and before Solomon and pick him back up…Craig retaliates with a hard lowblow!

Axis and Suicide King can be heard noticeably shivering at the site, as Solomon drops down and Craig continues his getaway, making it up to an almost standing position, hobbling down the street and holding his back.

The camera follows Craig and as Craig tries to find a safe place to hide…he almost runs into…

Axis: …is that…

King: …CUTTHROAT?!

Craig dodges around Cutthroat, who seems to be involved in a bit of a conversation.

CT: Okay…so we go to your hotel and…

Girl: …and…well… you know…

CT: …I get to pin you?

Girl: …uhhhmmm… you can put it that way yes…

CT: w00t…sweet…let’s go!

Axis: Was he just…is he trying to…

King: Looks like Cutthroat’s out to “get his first win” if you know what I’m saying…

Axis: …

Cutthroat and the Girl walk away as Craig continues walking in the background, he disappears around the corner just as the cameraman gets knocked suddenly forward. The cameraman spins around and down to see Bloodshed lying at his feet, and a noticeably pissed Solomon following right behind, pushing past bystanders like Silent at an old folks home…though without the cool sound effects.

Axis: It looks like the champ is taking out his pain on Bloodshed now…

King: He’ll get to Craig sooner or later…

Solomon bends down and goes for Bloodshed’s throat, but Bloodshed is quick to roll out of the way and into the street. Solomon tries once more, but again Bloodshed moves. Bloodshed and Solomon continue this odd game of cat-and-mouse a few more times, with Bloodshed deliberately rolling in certain directions…seemingly heading for something.

Axis: Bloodshed seems to be doing all of this on purpose.

King: …yeah…TO GET AWAY, MORON!

Bloodshed reaches the other end of the street, a bit ahead of the staggering champ, and gets to his knees and crawls underneath another street side table. By the time Solomon hits where Bloodshed disappeared…he can’t find him.

King: Look. Under. The. TABLE!

Axis: …he can’t hear you, King.

King: Yeah, well…I saw something like this in a fucking movie once ya know…guy hid from the bad guy and when he wasn’t looking…WHAM…took him out with a tool box…god damn that Macaulay Culkin! Joe Pesci SO 0WNZ YOU!

Axis: Calm down, King…

Solomon finally decides to do the smart thing and look under the tables, and as he reaches for the one Bloodshed is under…the tablecloth flies up and Solomon is met with a hard boot to the shin.

Solomon staggers back, but only momentarily before diving head first under the table. The cloth can be seen moving around a bit and after a moment Solomon’s head comes shooting out with a pissed off look. The camera moves in to get a close look as Solomon crawls out a bit more and lifts the cloth…to show that Bloodshed has disappeared!

King: Shit…where did that bleeding bastard go now!?

Axis: I…don’t know, King…

The camera begins to pan back up as Solomon crawls completely out, but before he can make it to his feet the camera finds Bloodshed standing on the top of the table, with a smirk on his face.

King: Turn around, Champ!

Axis: He can’t hear you, King…

King ……

Solomon gets to his feet and turns around…and is met by Bloodshed diving off the table and right into his arms. Solomon is the one smirking now and he raises his bleeding challenger into the air, but Bloodshed is ready and hits…

Axis: BLOODMIST!

King: Ewwwwwwww~!!!!

Solomon drops Bloodshed and tries to wipe his eyes, but Bloodshed is quick to move in and hook the arms…using all the energy he has to lift Solomon into the air and drop him down hard across his knee with a devastating backbreaker. Bloodshed falls on top of the champ for the pin…

1………

2……….

BROKEN UP BY CRAIG! McLennan returns, wielding one of the café’s chairs and hitting Bloodshed hard across the back with it to break up the pin. Bloodshed rolls off in pain, holding his injured back. Craig pulls him back toward him and goes for a pin…

1……….

2……….

BLOODSHED KICKED OUT!

Axis: Holy Shit!

King: He must be used to all that pain!

Craig gets up quickly, and notices that Solomon is still down and goes for another pin attempt.

1……….

2……….

SOLOMON KICKS OUT!

Axis: Craig’s gotta be hating this!

King: Well he shouldn’t have let him lay there for so long!

Axis: That’s a good point, King…and now Solomon is trying to get to his feet.

Craig tries to continue his assault on the champ, but Solomon’s adrenaline finally kicks in, and Craig’s final punches are blocked as Scott finally gets to a vertical base. The camera swings around, showing Bloodshed still down in the background…and Solomon on the offense, connecting with right hands and the occasional knee to the stomach to try and wear McLennan down.

King: Come on, Scott! Beat that pyromaniac into gunpowder…then set him on fire…yeah! Fans would love to see that!

Axis: I am beginning to feel that you have a lot of pent up aggression deep within you…

Craig won’t go down however, and fires back with a punch right to Solomon’s ribs, that causes him to wince in pain momentarily and helps get Craig back on the offensive side of the board, connecting with more punches to the ribs and kidneys and following it up with a hard roundhouse kick that sends Solomon stumbling toward the camera…but the cameraman also quickly backs up and out of the way…trying to get as close as possible to the action without actually being a part of it.

Axis: Solomon almost got an extreme close-up there!

King: …you are so not funny…

Craig comes running from behind and as Solomon turns around Craig jumps up and goes for a hurricanrana…

…but it’s BLOCKED!

Axis: …Solomon could end it here…

King: …he seems to be setting up for something…

THE BLASTER!

McLennan is dropped hard to the sidewalk and Solomon goes for the cover…

1………….

2……………………….

Axis: WAIT? WHAT THE FUCK!?

King: WHERE’S THE FINISH!?

The scene on the SmarkTron suddenly blacks out…leaving the fans in attendance completely pissed and wanting to see the finish.

Axis: Somebody turn on another camera quick!

A few moments later…and even more suddenly…the original camera turns back on…showing the referee raising BLOODSHED’S HAND! Solomon and Craig are lying on the ground next to each other, both knocked out…as Annie appears from the crowd and announces the winner….

Annie: The winner of this match…and NEEEEEEWWWWWWW EUROPEAN CHAMPIONNNNNNNN…….BLOOOOOOOOODDDDDSSSSSHHHHHEEEEDDD!

King: What the fuck! How did he…what did he…he was…HOW!?

Axis: Did another camera happen to catch the end of the match? Huh?

The scene on the screen changes…and the words “REPLAY” appear underneath…as a camera on a balcony across the street happened to catch the action.

**REPLAY**

As Solomon goes for the pin, CUTTHROAT suddenly comes flying out of the building near the fight and runs into the cameraman, apparently knocking it out…the resulting confusion from the referee causes the count to be stopped

Ref: What are you doing!

Cutthroat *looking into building*: What do you mean I have to pay you?!

…and from behind comes a recovered Bloodshed, who grabs the confused Solomon and hooks him up…using all his strength for what seems to be a powerbomb, but after getting him in the air he drops him down…

King: Was he going to drop him on his head like that!? His that how he won?

…Bloodshed hooks his legs around Solomon’s arms and jumps into the air, splashing down on top of Craig, sandwiching the champ between both men!

Axis: That was one half of the Bloody Carcass, King!

Bloodshed flips Solomon over and goes for the pin…

1…..

2…..

3!!!!

And just as the ref raises Bloodshed’s arm…the original camera becomes functional again.

***END REPLAY***

King: Unbelievable…

Axis: Bloodshed came from out of nowhere…with the unlikely interference from Cutthroat…to get the win and become the new European Champion.

King: Still Unbelievable…

The cameras cut back to Axis and King…with King holding his head down and shaking it back and forth…

Axis: We have tons more action to get to tonight…but first we have to go to commercial…

SJL Metal cuts to commercial right after showing replays from the Hastings Brawl…including Solomon’s sidewalk slam, the nightclub stage dive, Craig and Bloodshed’s DDT, the powerbomb through the table, Bloodmist, Solomon’s Blaster on Craig…the confusing finish…and finally Bloodshed celebrating on the streets of Vancouver with tons of drunks and hot chicks.

July 23, 2003

(The camera revives itself revealing the cameraman struggling to stalk the two SJL superstars going through the halls. The two men walk at quite a brisk pace, their walk giving off an aggressive vibe).

“Now what’s this all about?” Axis asks.

“I don’t know, but let’s hope its Urban Decay going to jump SS!” King beams.

The cameraman pauses as if in terror as he watches the two SJL wrestlers burst through the door. As the door slams shut the gold plate is revealed reading, “Chris Raynor.”

”Uh-oh.” Is all Axis can comment.

The cameraman opens the door himself, showing two men from the back stalking at the commissioner, who’s looking shocked. The cameraman quickly perches himself to the right, revealing the two men to be Tim Dillon and Danny Conklin! The crowd pops madly for the sight of the two Irishman, but they pop even louder as Tim Dillon lunges at Raynor! Chris’ legs which were cockily resting on his desk are knocked off by Tim’s slap, causing Raynor to leap into the air in defense the second his feet touch the ground.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Raynor demands, looking very pissed off.

“Who the bloody hell do you think you are!” Tim immediately shouts back, as Danny secures the door shut after glancing around for any sign of Urban Decay.

Chris Raynor’s jaw drops in disbelief, “Do you realize who I am…”

The fuming Tim cuts in. “Do you realize who I am? You may be a SJL commissioner, FORMER SWF superstar… but I’m one of the best bare knuckle brawlers and brawlers in the world period! You fucked us over!” The censors somewhere scramble to censor the language that freely flows from Tim’s mouth.

Chris is simply bewildered and glancing around, hoping his lackeys would leap out and take down the very pissed off Irishmen. The two slowly advance in and the camera zooms in on Raynor’s clutched fists.

“You fucked me over personally, more importantly you fucked over the fans! Come in acting like you were some sort of Jesus, washed of all sins. As if you didn’t drive Edwin out of the SWF and damned well nearly killed yourself while at that!” Tim screams, spit flying out of his mouth. Raynor and Dillon stare, Tim’s arms straining to not strike his boss.

“My God, these are very powerful words from Tim, who would usually be Irish jigging or singing ‘Danny Boy’ while drunk right now…” Axis points out, somewhat baffled.

“Then you take one of, if not THE, greatest talent we have and form a stable to destroy him?” Conklin butts in, calmer but seemingly upset.

Tim Dillon takes another step towards the desk, towards Raynor.

Chris panicks, “Another step and you’re the one who’s fucked.”

Tim gives a dazzling white grin, and then defies Raynor but taking another step. “If I didn’t have such hopes for a future, I’d kick your ass. This whole Urban Decay thing didn’t settle easily with Conklin and I. After a few pints we realized something, it’s time to defy you. Defy your ‘top notch stable’, destroy Urban Decay.”

Raynor just laughs nervously, “As if you two could take them on.”

Tim Dillon then sends a swing right at Chris, stopping inches from his face. “That easily could have been a broken nose if you’re lucky. But then again…” Tim purposely cracks his neck smirking, “You’ve broken worst things.”

Danny Conklin steps up. “This isn’t the last you’ll be seeing of us, sir.” He addresses Raynor with pure sarcasm. The two turn around and begin to stalk out as Raynor struggles to retort or anything. But then Tim reaches his hand into his pocket, grinning with traces of malice on his face. He pulls out a manila folder.

“I thought this day would come, I wanted to be prepared.” He flings the thing at Chris. The two Irishmen open the door then slam it, nearly breaking the door.

“Damn Micks and their tempers.” Raynor mutters as he collapses into his black leather swivel chair, cautiously opening the folder. He then pulls out a piece of paper, his eyes going from utter confusion to pure rage. He slams the pictures on his desk, grabbing a nearby coffee mug filled with pencils as he chucks it at the wall to vent. It explodes and Chris gets up, muttering about getting Urban Decay as he storms from his office.

“Well, apparently Tim and Danny have made an alliance against Urban Decay.” Axis states the obvious.

“But what were the pictures?” King asks.

The camera then slowly zooms in, revealing a picture of Edwin posing with his blender, obviously a signature some fan got before MacPhisto disappeared. In big red pen it reads,

“To my biggest fan…

-Love, Edwin MacPhisto”

Somewhere in the hall is the satisfied laughter of two united Irishmen.

July 23, 2003

BOOM~!

The July 22nd edition of Smarks Junior League Metal EXPLODES back onto the airwaves as a jam-packed GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia roars at the camera like a lion! The camera surveys the rabid Canadian crowd, and every single Canuck tries to get their sign on camera, but it only focuses on a handful.

“I MISS SPIKE JENKINS GREATLY!”

“Na na na na…”

“Get rid of the Decay, Aecas!”

Finally, the camera pans around to ringside, where the most formidable announce team ever, Axis and Suicide King, stand ready to call the final match of the evening.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to SJL Metal!” greets Axis, smile-clad, “and what a show it’s been so far! A fantastic submissions match, a 36 & Hastings St. Brawl, and, sadly-“

“PLENTY OF URBAN DECAY!” butts in Suicide King, approval in his voice, “I’ll tell you what, Axis, this group may be the most dominant EVER in the SJL, and I’m proud of every single action they’ve done so far!”

“Think whatever you want, King,” begins Axis, annoyed at his colleague, “but the actions of this stable have been despicable since the day they aligned! And speaking of Urban Decay, their leader certainly got what he wanted tonight…”

“Damn right, Axis. Charlie Matthews is FINALLY going to lose his title tonight in what we call a Stairway to Hell match against Manson. See, my favorite SJL wrestler, JOHN DURAN, is the guest enforcer, ensuring that Grappler is NEVER going to retain his title.”

The camera cuts to the ring, where the kerosene soaked towel holding the large bundle of barbed wire hangs about fifteen feet above the ring, and then lowers to see Funyon standing in the middle ready to announce the beginning of the match.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, the following contest is the STAIRWAY TO HELL MATCH FOR THE S–J –L HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WOOOOOOORLD!!” He waits for the initial cheer from the crowd to die down, before continuing, “Introducing first, the special guest enforcer!”

“Sinner” blares over the GM Place, but the jeers from the fans nearly drown out the music, and finally, John Duran steps out of the curtain, standing at the top of the ramp wearing a black “Urban Decay” t-shirt with cut-off sleeves. He begins to walk down the ramp as Funyon continues his introduction.

“From Champaign, Illinois, he is the leader of Urban Decay and assigned this enforcer position by Commissioner Raynor, this is ‘The Sinner’ JOHN DURAAAAAAN!”

Nothing can be heard inside of the arena except booing from the fans, showing their depreciation for the leader of Urban Decay. Duran ignores this, however, and simply paces around the ring, hate burning in his eyes as he waits for the match to begin.

“Introducing next, the participants! First, the challenger: from Denver, Colorado, and weighing in at 215 pounds, this is Hate Personified, this…is… MAAAAAAANSON!!!”

The Haunted’s “Hate Song” blasts across Vancouver and the fans continue their jeering as the Hate Machine finally steps out of the curtain ready for what could be the biggest match of his career. Manson continues walking to the ring, ignoring the fans, before walking up the ring steps and ducking into the ring. He looks outside the ring at Duran, and then up directly above him, where the barbed wire dangles. At that moment, the house lights dim, and the crowd immediately begins to cheer, knowing what’s next.

“AND NOW…Ladies and gentlemen, from Kansas City, Missouri, weighing in at just under 300 pounds, this is the ESSSS JAAAAY ELLLL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WOOOOOOOOORLD……CHAAAAAARLIE ‘GRAPPLER’ MAAAAAATTHEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“THUN-DER!” The opening beats of AC/DC’s hit “Thunderstruck” echo off the walls of the GM Place, as the Canadian crowd EXPLODES! At the top of the ramp, Charlie Matthews appears, with determination in his eyes and SJL Championship belt around his waist. After briefly acknowledging the fans, Grappler marches down the ramp with haste, climbing up the steps and stepping through the ropes. Charlie doesn’t take his eyes off John Duran on the outside as he removes his belt and hands it to referee Nick Soapdish, who holds the belt up for all in Vancouver to see, before signaling for the bell to ring and begin this contest!

*DING DING DING*

Even after the bell sounds, Charlie doesn’t take his eyes off of enforcer John Duran, walking all the way over to his side of the ring and pointing at him, telling him to stay out of this. Taking advantage, Manson charges at the champion and blindsides him with a clubbing blow to the side of the head, but Matthews hardly budges as he turns to face his opponent. Manson tries to make a dent in the armored car-like body of Grappler, throwing forearms at his upper torso, but Grappler simply grabs the head of his opponent and rears back, driving his head into Manson’s, and with a loud “thunk”, drops him to the canvas!

“So, let me get this straight,” begins Suicide King, “Duran is only there to make sure GRAPPLER adheres to the rules, since Manson would never break them, and he’d take Soapdish’s place if he was injured?”

Axis sighs, before answering, “Yes, King. But remember, Manson is giving up over eighty pounds to Grappler, and I don’t think he can even lift him!”

Hate Personified hurries to his feet, trying not to be shown up by the Champion. However, as soon as he approaches Matthews, he is scooped up off of his feet and hoisted onto the Champion’s shoulder, as he proceeds to drop Manson to the mat with a devastating body slam! Charlie picks Manson up and stands behind him, ducking under his shoulder and lifting him up for a back suplex…but using his agility, Manson flips out and lands behind Matthews, shoving him into the ropes. Grappler pushes into the ropes and comes back towards the challenger, who jumps up and forward, sending his right knee directly into Charlie’s midsection! With the wind knocked out of the champion temporarily, Manson swings his left leg around and catches Grappler right in the side of the head with a roundhouse kick, causing him to stumble back against the ropes…and at that moment, Duran runs to the side of that side of the ring and reaches up, pulling the top rope down and causing Charlie to fall all the way over the ropes and down to the floor!

“Damn him!” shouts Axis, “I should’ve known that John Duran couldn’t keep his nose out of this match for too long.”

“You’ve got it all wrong,” begins Suicide King, “he was just trying to get a better look at the action by reaching up to the ropes and standing on the apron, but Grappler was in the way! I mean, what a klutz!”

Manson catches his breath inside of the ring, and Matthews uses the ring steps to pull himself up, and immediately begins stalking Duran, malice in his eyes. The Sinner simply stands his ground, smiling smugly at Grappler, and as he inches closer…

WHAM~!

Manson appears like a rocket, diving through the middle and top ropes and tackling Grappler down to the concrete floor again! As Matthews goes down, his head smacks against the security railing and he holds his head in pain. John Duran, despite discouragement from Nick Soapdish, picks Charlie up by the head and begins charging towards the ring post, SLAMMING Grappler’s head right into it! Charlie stumbles back, seeing stars, as Manson now grabs him and rolls him back into the ring, but not before digging under the ring apron and revealing…

The Ladder!

The crowd pops at the sight of the climbing device, as Manson quickly slides it into the ring and follows it back in. Grappler struggles to a corner, where he pulls himself up groggily. Meanwhile, Manson sets the ladder up in the opposite corner of Grappler and walks over to him. The challenger immediately begins firing elbows to the side of Matthews’ head, stunning him momentarily. He then grabs Charlie’s arm and whips him toward the ladder in the corner, but Grappler spins around, reversing the momentum and sending MANSON into the ladder…but the Hate Machine, using his quickness, jumps onto a rung of the ladder and quickly jumps off, turning in mid-air to attack Grappler…who CATCHES him! Matthews attempts to hoist Manson over with a suplex, but Hate Personified once AGAIN lands on his feet behind Charlie, and before the champion even realizes what’s happening, Manson leaps into the air and sends a dropkick right into his back, pushing him face-first into the ladder! Charlie stumbles backwards, and capitalizing on this, Manson lifts his extended arm up enough to catch Matthews right under the jaw, taking the woozy Champion down with a clothesline!

“I have to admit,” begins Axis, “that I am SHOCKED at how Manson has control of Charlie Matthews! Granted, a lot of it is with help from John Duran, but nevertheless, the Hate Machine is using his agility to get the upper hand early on.”

“I’m telling you, Axis,” starts Suicide King, “I can feel it; Manson WILL take the title away from Grappler tonight! He’s too preoccupied with John Duran and Urban Decay to worry about his challenger, and it’s going to cost him!”

Trying to maintain the advantage he has, Hate Personified picks the ladder out of the corner, and then, mustering all the strength he can, slams it down hard across Grappler’s body. He leaves the ladder on top of Charlie’s body, and then steps under the ropes onto the apron. The challenger then pulls onto the ropes and springboards to the top, leaping off vertically and bringing all of his weight down in a double stomp on the ladder, sandwiching Matthews between the ladder and the mat! With Charlie lying motionless, Manson moves the ladder away and leaves Grappler on the mat, before ducking to the apron once again. In the same fluid motion, the Hate Machine springboards to the top rope and sails off again, this time with his legs bent, as he drives his knee right into the throat of the champion! Manson scrambles and hooks Grappler’s far leg tightly, as Soapdish drops to count for the first pin of this match:

ONE!!!

TWOOO!!!!

KICKOUT~!!!!

For the third consecutive time, Manson steps between the ropes and stands on the apron with a firm grasp on the rope, ready to springboard, although he waits for Charlie to (albeit slowly and wearily) get to his feet. Matthews slowly turns around, and the Hate Machine leaps up and off of the top rope, shooting his legs outward for a dropkick…but Grappler steps backward, and grabs Manson’s legs, dropping him to the mat. Charlie holds onto his legs, however, and slowly begins rotating, until Manson is in the air, spinning for the one and only GIANT SWING as the fans count along with each rotation!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FIVE!

SIX!

Because of the beating from earlier in the match, the Champion is forced to halt the merry – go – round from hell at just six rotations, sending the lightweight Manson hurdling through the air…

CRASH~!

…and landing right on top of the ladder! To inflict more pain on the challenger, a woozy Grappler backs into the ropes and propels off of them, approaching Manson, on top of the ladder, and he leaps into the air in a sitting position, bringing his leg down right across the throat of Manson! The force of the tree-trunk leg coming down across his throat causes Manson’s head to bounce against the ladder, and he rolls off the ladder and all the way out of the ring in pain.

“Well, what do you know,” begins Axis, grinning at his colleague, “it looks like Matthews is gaining the sure-fire advantage right now!”

“Bah,” begins King, rolling his eyes, “he’s too scared to even follow Manson outside of the ring, because of John Duran!”

Thinking better of another stand-off with Duran, Grappler stays inside of the ring, and notices quite a large number of fans telling him to climb the ladder and retrieve the barbed wire inside of the kerosene-soaked towel! Charlie obliges to his fans, as he slowly walks over to the ladder and sets it up in the middle of the ring, before, sure enough, beginning his ascent up the ladder! Matthews makes it three rungs up, before Manson returns to the ring, and seeing the Champion on the ladder, he stands to the side of the device and leaps into the air, rotating while shooting his leg out, executing a jumping back kick to the ladder, causing it to topple over and send the 300 pound Matthews crashing down to the canvas!

CRASH-BOOM-BAH~!

With Grappler on the mat once again, Manson decides to take it to the air, with a bit of an insurance policy. He grabs the ladder and stands it against a corner, as he steps out and scales the ropes until he’s standing on the very top rope. Manson then reaches down and picks the ladder up, keeping his balance as he stands on top of the rope, holding the ladder vertically as he waits for Grappler to get up. Once he does, the Hate Machine leaps off and rotates slightly, looking for a ladder-assisted cross body block…but Matthews catches both Manson AND the ladder, and he ducks down, hoisting both onto his shoulders! With the crowd showing their approval loudly, Charlie once again begins to spin uncontrollably, rotation after rotation as the crowd once again chants along with each airplane spin.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!

FIVE!

SIX!

SEVEN!

As usual, Charlie heaves Manson, and the ladder, off of his shoulders as he regains equilibrium, sending the 215 pound Hate Machine sailing through the air, seemingly attached to the ladder, and down to the canvas with a loud crack.

Grappler regains his bearings and waits for Manson to reach his feet, ready for his next big move. The champion backs into the ropes to push off of them…and is halted by John Duran, who grabs Charlie’s ankle and hinders his progress. Matthews turns around to face his arch nemesis, but quick as a cat, the Sinner leaps onto the apron, on his knees, and brings his extended arm up between Grappler’s legs, crushing his testicles with a low blow. With the champion doubled over, Manson charges from the other side of the ring towards his opponent, and noticing Charlie doubled over, the challenger leaps into the air with his left leg bent, sending his knee right into the head of Matthews, dropping him to the mat again.

*CRACK~!*

“This is great!” begins King, excitement ringing, “Manson has had Grappler’s number for this entire match, and he can’t even lift him up!”

“Hello, genius,” begins Axis, ready to shoot down his colleague, “that’s because every time Matthews gets the momentum in his favor, John Duran has to make his presence felt by distracting and/or attacking Grappler in some way.”

Possibly looking for the end of this match, Manson drags Charlie Matthews off the canvas and brings him over to the corner, perching himself on the second rope as he grabs a double underhook on the Champion. Manson shouts to the crowd for the Thrill Kill II, but as he prepares for takeoff, Matthews shows his endurance by flipping Manson off the rope and over his head with a back body drop, taking him down to the canvas! Charlie leans onto the turnbuckle, catching his breath for a second, as Manson scrambles to his feet to try and halt Grappler’s momentum. However, Charlie, seemingly with new life, catches the oncoming Manson with an arm around the neck, as he expeditiously sweeps his leg out from under him and DRIVES him to the mat with the Short Trip Over!

Charlie picks up Manson, and retrieves the ladder from the mat. He then presses the ladder against Manson’s back, and proceeds to wrap his arms around both Manson and the ladder, squeezing with all of his might as the crowd lets out a roar!

“IIIIIIIIIIIT’S BEARHUG TIME~!” shouts Axis joyously, “and with the ladder assisting him, we may just see a submission by Manson here!”

“Oh, please,” begins Suicide King, “Charlie Matthews has just BEGUN to get an advantage…Manson has inflicted much more damage, with a *little* help from John Duran, but nothing major.”

Grappler continues to apply pressure with the ladder-assisted bearhug, as Manson screams in pain. To exert more force, the Champion drops to a knee, squeezing even tighter as Manson’s motions slow down considerably. Nick Soapdish, noticing Manson going seemingly limp, begins to check for the submission.

He raises the arm once…

And it drops!

The arm is raised a second time…

And it drops!

Manson’s arm is raised for the third and final time……

*CRAAAAAAAACK~!*

Out of NOWHERE, John Duran appears behind Grappler and swings a steel chair with all of his might, stunning the Champion and causing him to release his stronghold on Manson! Stunned and hurt, Charlie turns around…

*CRAAAAAAACK~!*

…as The Sinner rears back and swings the chair again with all of his might, connecting right with the top of Grappler’s head, dropping him to the mat without struggle! Duran trudges over to Manson, helping him to his feet. The Sinner then grabs the ladder from the mat and sets it up in the center of the ring, telling the Hate Machine to climb up and retrieve the barbed wire! The crowd boos relentlessly as Duran exits the ring, and the challenger begins climbing up the ladder, rung by rung, as Grappler lies on the mat, motionless. Manson finally reaches the top rung, as he extends his arm up, and pulls the bundle of wire packed inside of the soaked towel, pulling it free! Manson tosses it down to the mat below, and looks down to see Charlie still down on the mat.

With that, Hate Personified ascends once more, now standing on the very top of the ladder. He flashes the metal hand sign, and then leaps off, in a sitting position, sailing ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CANVAS, dropping his leg across Grappler’s throat! The crowd immediately begins a “Holy Shit!” chant as Manson rolls off of Matthews, holding his leg after the impact of the leg drop.

“Unbelievable!” shouts Axis, “Manson retrieves the barbed wire spool bundled in the kerosene soaked towel, and then proceeds to hit a LEG DROP FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER on Charlie Matthews! It’s a shame he can’t capitalize on this by attempting a pin!”

“The thing is,” rebuts King, “Manson doesn’t WANT to pin Grappler, because he knows that the match could be over if he does. He wants to have some fun using the barbed wire, and hopefully, the kerosene-soaked towel. Awesome.”

However, as Manson tries to recover from the breathtaking leg drop, John Duran reaches into the ring and pulls out the bundle of barbed wire, and then searches under the ring apron…and pulls out bolt cutters! Carefully, the enforcer unwraps some of the barbed wire from the spool and uses the cutters to cut it, and then slides into the ring. The Sinner ignores Nick Soapdish and walks to a turnbuckle, where he tears the top pad off, exposing the solid steel bolt. With malice in his eyes, Duran pulls the piece of barbed wire up and carefully wraps it around the steel bolt, keeping it in place for its hopeful target, Charlie Matthews. Duran slides out of the ring as if nothing happened, surveying the action with a sadistic smile on his face.

Manson is up on his feet and he picks the groggy Champion up, before noticing the barbed wire-wrapped steel bolt in the corner. The Hate Machine grabs Charlie by the head and charges towards the corner, looking to send his head right into the barbed wire…but Matthews is able to shoot his arms forward, catching the ropes and stopping himself from going into it. Grappler then whips his head back, sending it right into Manson’s face and causing him to stagger back, holding his face. With violent thoughts in his mind, the champion grabs the head of Manson and points towards the turnbuckle…but DURAN leaps onto the apron, once again getting into the face of Matthews! Showing he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, Charlie releases Manson and heads over to his enemy, taking a mighty swing with his extended arm, but the Sinner ducks this and grabs Charlie’s head, before jumping off the apron, dropping Matthews’ throat against the ropes. He staggers back, as the now recovered Manson grabs Charlie’s head and slams it RIGHT INTO THE BARBED WIRE BOLT! Charlie holds his face in agony, as Manson quickly drops behind him and brings his arm between Grappler’s legs, rolling him back into a schoolboy as Soapdish counts!

ONE!!!

TWOO!!!!!!

KICKOUT~!!!!!

“My God,” begins Axis, sounding concerned, “Grappler’s face just connected with not only barbed wire, but that steel bolt! This match could get real ugly, real fast.”

“What were you expecting, Axis? This match *is* called Stairway to Hell, after all. And look at Grappler – he’s a mess!”

The camera zooms in on the face of Grappler, as he has a stream of blood coming out of his forehead. Meanwhile, Manson rests on the opposite ropes, regaining his composure as he continues his quest to win the title from Grappler. The Hate Machine screams at his opponent to get up, and Charlie slowly does, pulling himself up using the turnbuckle. Manson picks the ladder up off the canvas, and stands in the opposite corner waiting for Matthews. When he turns around, Hate Personified charges like a bull, and tosses the ladder at Charlie. Reflexively, the Champion catches the ladder, only to see Manson continue running, lifting his leg up and driving it into the ladder, back into Matthew’s face with a YAKUZA KICK~!

*CRACK~!!!*

Matthews falls back not unlike a tree, as Manson looks down at him like the lumberjack he is. With Grappler down yet again in this title match, Manson moves in for the kill, as he rolls his opponent onto his stomach and runs to the ropes, pushing off of them and leaping into the air, driving his knee right into Charlie’s neck. Continuing the assault, Manson stands back up, but quickly drops the point of his elbow on the neck, and then turns to his stomach and wraps his arm around Matthews’ head, cinching in tight with a front facelock. Grappler can be heard groaning in pain at the newly applied pressure on his neck. While Nick Soapdish goes down to ask Charlie if he wants to submit, Manson uses his ring position to his advantage, as he sneaks his legs up, and onto the second rope, using the extra leverage to apply even more pressure!

“Let’s – Go – Grappler!”

The crowd continues to rally behind the champion, as he refuses to quit. Soapdish returns to his normal position and scolds Manson for using the extra leverage, but remembers that the match is no-disqualifications and he can’t do anything about it. However, being close to the ropes as well, Grappler extends his arm to the side, and grabs the bottom rope! This doesn’t get the break, but he instead uses it to help himself mount onto his knees and back into a standing position as the crowd bursts into cheers! Manson still has the facelock applied, however, and he tries to drop Matthews down again, but the Champion arches backward, flipping his opponent over and onto his shoulders with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!!

“Ahahaha,” laughs King, “What a fool! Did he think he would beat Manson with a SUPLEX after being the brunt of the punishment in this match? I can’t WAIT till Grappler loses his title tonight.”

“I’m sure he was just using it to counter Manson’s momentum, King. Grappler KNOWS he has an uphill battle ahead, which, to me, is quite surprising.”

Manson scrambles away from Charlie, and to try and halt his momentum yet again, he grabs the spool of barbed wire from Duran. Matthews is unbeknownst to this as he rises in the corner, but as he turns around he sees the Hate Machine charging with the entire spool of wire, he summons all of the speed and leg strength he can muster, before leaping into the air and shooting his legs out, sending a dropkick into the barbed wire spool, which goes back into the face of Manson, taking him down! The crowd bursts into another “Grappler!” chant after the rare dropkick, but Matthews seems to have new fire in his eyes, as he grabs both the barbed wire spool and the bolt cutters, which John Duran left lying in the ring. Charlie rolls a large strand of wire and cuts it, before picking the ladder up and wrapping the barbed wire around it! The Sinner leaps onto the apron once again to distract the Champion, but luckily, Grappler doesn’t have ADD, as he ignores Duran and picks the barbed wire ladder up, into a gorilla press position high above his head, and as he carries it over to Manson…

*THWACK~!*

…he swings an edge of the ladder at Duran on the apron, blindsiding him and sending him down to the floor! Charlie turns around to see Manson up, as he swings his left leg up and around…but Matthews sidesteps the roundhouse kick and drops the ladder down onto Manson’s head like a chair, dropping him to the mat with some barbed wire stuck to his face! Adding insult to injury, the champion begins stomping the ladder, driving the wire even further under Manson’s skin. Matthews then picks the ladder up, revealing blood on Manson’s face and arms, as he throws the ladder to the side. He picks Manson up and stands behind him, pulling his left arm under his crotch in a pump handle position, and Grappler wraps his left arm around Manson’s neck, and then lifts him up and spins him around, slamming him down onto the barbed wire ladder with a pump handle sambo suplex! The champion rolls Manson off of the ladder (albeit with resistance from the barbs) and hooks the near leg, as Soapdish counts:

ONE!!!

TWOO!!!!!!!

…DURAN BREAKS UP THE PIN! The Sinner quickly removes himself from the ring after saving Manson, but takes the barbed wire spool and bolt cutters out with him as Grappler ignores the distraction. He brings Manson up to his feet and then backs into the ropes…and is tripped, falling right onto his face by John Duran, and a strand of barbed wire! The camera zooms in to show cuts all over the lower legs of Grappler, as Duran passes the barbed wire to Manson. He calls the Hate Machine closer, though, and whispers something to him, before producing a pair of gloves from under the ring. Manson puts them on and then straddles Grappler’s back, before holding the wire in his hands and lifting up Charlie’s neck with a camel clutch while raking the barbed wire against his face!

“OH MY GOD!!” screams Axis, “this is an absolutely DISGUSTING display of brutality by Manson!”

“Hey, it was Duran’s idea, and he’s a genius when it comes to this type of stuff. You saw his barbed wire match with Spike at Wrathapalooza, right?”

“Of course, but not only is he tearing Grappler’s face apart with the barbed wire, but also working on the neck, which he attacked earlier, and that may set up the Stretch Plum.”

The crowd is worked into a frenzy to get Matthews fired up, beginning another “Let’s – Go – Grappler!” chant. Charlie screams in agonizing pain as Manson rubs the wire over his mouth, nose, cheeks, and forehead. However, the champion seems to get a new surge of adrenaline as he powers up to his knees with Manson still on his back, and then in one swift motion, rises to his feet and falls back, landing right on top of Manson and breaking the hold! Grappler is now wearing the proverbial crimson mask as he tries to pull himself up, and slowly does, to meet Manson waiting for him, as he leaps into the air and brings his right leg around, catching Charlie right in the side of the head with a jumping roundhouse kick, taking him down. Manson tells Duran to hand him another ladder, and the enforcer obliges, pulling it out from under the ring and sliding it in. Manson sets it up in the center of the ring, and mustering the endurance, begins climbing up, rung after rung. The crowd’s anticipation grows with every step, a mixed reaction of boos and excitement. Finally, Manson reaches the very top of the ladder and looks to the crowd, and then down at Grappler. With nothing to lose…he jumps forward, arching back and completing a backflip as he comes down with the SHADOWS FALL SHOOTING STAR PRESS FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!!!!!!!!!!

…………BUT GRAPPLER ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY AT THE VERY LAST SECOND~!!!!!!!

“Holy shit!”

“OH MY GOD!!!” screams Axis, “That would’ve been it! Manson just performed the Shadows Fall from the top of the ladder! What a move!”

“What an idiot! That was a completely unnecessary risk! Why didn’t he just call Duran in to do some double teaming?!”

“Maybe he wanted to win the SJL Championship by himself?”

“…that’s lame.”

Matthews, seizing the moment, rolls on top of the unmoving Manson and hooks a leg as Soapdish counts, with the entire Vancouver crowd counting along:

ONE!!!!!!

TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEENOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manson shoots his shoulder up at the VERY LAST POSSIBLE millisecond, and Grappler is in shock. Meanwhile, John Duran is on the outside of the ring, holding the kerosene soaked cloth! The crowd’s anticipation grows, as John Duran pulls something out of a pocket…

A LIGHTER.

The fire snaps to life and the crowd reaches a fever pitch, as Duran steps into the ring, unbeknownst to Grappler and Manson. The Sinner looks on maliciously, and then, without wasting anymore time, brings the lighter to the cloth…

AND IGNITES IT.

Matthews pulls Manson to his feet, still unaware of the burning cloth, which Duran quickly THROWS AT GRAPPLER…

…BUT GRAPPLER MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AND THE CLOTH LANDS ON MANSON’S FACE!!! Manson falls back to the mat holding his face and screaming in pain as Nick Soapdish does whatever he can to try and put the fire out. As he stomps the cloth, Charlie turns to Duran, who is shocked at this turn of events.

“HOLY SHIT!” screams Axis, in complete shock, “MANSON’S FACE IS ON FIRE!!!!”

The Sinner decides to do whatever he can to attack the Champion, as he swings for a punch, but Charlie ducks and charges to the ropes, propelling off of them and swinging his arm out wildly, catching Duran right under the jaw with the UP IN FLAMES LARIAT~!!!

*BOOM~!*

The crowd roars as Duran goes down, rolling out of the ring, possibly knocked out from the blow. Matthews looks over to Manson, still holding his face in sheer agony. The Champion has compassion in his eyes, but decides he has to do what he has to do, so he turns Manson over onto his stomach and straddles him, facing his legs, pulling them up into a Boston Crab position! Matthews doesn’t keep this hold on long, however, and he cinches Manson up, so his head is off the canvas. Grappler keeps Manson in this position for a second, and in a flash, kicks his legs forward and SITS OUT, DRIVING MANSON’S HEAD DIRECTLY INTO THE CANVAS!!!!!!!!

“HOLY SHIT!”

”HOLY SHIT!”

Matthews rolls off of Manson, surprising even himself at the devastating piledriver variation he just performed. Seeing Duran out on the outside, and Manson quite possibly DEAD on the inside, Grappler rolls onto his opponent and hooks a leg, and even with blood pouring down his face, sees Soapdish making the official count with Vancouver counting along:

ONE!!!!!!!!!!

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

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*DING DING DING*

“Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, and STIIIIIIIIILLLLL ESSSSS JAAAAAAAY EEELLLLLLLLLL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WOOOOOOOOOORLD……CHAAAAAAARLIE “GRAPPLER” MAAAAAAAATTHEWSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

”I can’t believe it, King, but Charlie Matthews did it! He overcame the odds and retained his title against Manson tonight!”

“Tell me this is a nightmare, Axis, this just can’t be! Manson had this thing WON, I mean, John Duran was the enforcer and everything! Grappler was supposed to break the rules so that Duran could shut him down and kick his ass!”

“Well, he DID go out of his way to interfere in this match, providing some key distractions for Manson, but unfortunately for him, couldn’t get the job done.”

“Thunderstruck” continues to blare over the GM Place as the fans give a standing ovation to both men. Soapdish takes the SJL Championship and hands it to Grappler, who is still on the mat, exhausted in victory. A team of paramedics come down to ringside to assist Manson, who, along with burns on his face, may have damage done to his neck after the piledriver. Matthews finally pulls himself off the mat, and leans in the corner watching Manson being helped up…but the Hate Machine REFUSES medical attention, and slowly but surely, starts to walk up the ramp on his own bearings, and the crowd gives him a standing ovation!

“And that is what it’s all about, King. These people may not always agree with what Manson does, but he showed guts out here tonight.”

“Meh……oh, hey, look behind you, Grappler! Or better yet…don’t!”

The camera cuts back to the ring after King’s words…to see John Duran back in the ring, behind Grappler…holding a steel chair!

*CRACK!*

Duran swings for the fences and connects the chair with the back of Charlie’s head, dropping him to the canvas as the crowd begins to savagely boo the leader of Urban Decay. The Sinner drops the chair and walks over to the spool of barbed wire, and unrolls it completely, throwing the empty spool outside of the ring and laying all of the barbed wire in a pile in the center of the ring. Noticing something missing, he walks over to the corner of the ring and picks up THE KEROSENE SOAKED TOWEL. He then pulls the lighter out again, holding against the towel and igniting it once again!! He quickly throws it onto the pile of barbed wire, and a bonfire begins inside of the ring! Referees Soapdish, Hardcastle, and Long all come to the ring to try and stop Duran, but he simply shoves them all away, staring intently at Grappler. He picks up the unmoving champion and hoists him onto his shoulders in an inverted fireman’s carry, before walking over to the fire.

“Oh my God…” begins Axis, unable to continue.

“THIS IS IT, Axis, this is it! John Duran is going to retire Charlie Matthews right here and now! I’ve been waiting for this for months!”

With Duran’s back to the barbed wire flame, he pushes Grappler’s legs back and spins him around, dropping him

ALL

THE

WAY

DOWN

ONTO THE FLAMING BARBED WIRE WITH THE BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“NO!!!!” shouts Axis, removing his headset and rushing to the ring.

Fading in and out of consciousness, The Champion rolls out of the fire, but it’s too late, as burns are already evident on his back and neck. Blood washes over his body from the hot barbs, and he lies a bloody heap of Champion as Axis and myriad officials and paramedics come in to help the Champion as the picture slowly fades…

“And that’s all she wrote, folks! For that softie, Axis, this is Suicide King, telling you that Urban Decay officially owns the SJL! Good night!”

July 23, 2003

The camera fades in on a shot of a plain looking office. It's just your standard office fair, with white walls, a potted plant, a modest cedar desk and a dartboard with Edwin MacPhisto's picture pinned on it.

That last one should be a dead giveaway, shouldn't it?

At this desk, SJL commissioner Chris Raynor sits, mumbling incoherantly as he looks over some papers... "Nguyen wants the next show off... McLelland wants the next week... this makes 8 of the little bastards with time away. I should just book them all in a battle royale and fire them when they don't show up." Raynor's expression sours as he crumples up the paper into a ball and tosses it over his shoulder. He picks up another one.

"Dear Mr. Raynor, you may have already won 10 million--oh, god, NEXT!" The paper finds the same fate as the last one. As Chris goes to pick up another paper, he's interrupted by...

**KNOCK**KNOCK**KNOCK**

Raynor sighs, and leans back in his chair. "Come in!"

With a creak, the door to his office swings open, as none other than SWF commissioner and JL commentator extraordinaire, the Suicide King steps through. Raynor's face falls as he and King exchange tempered looks.

"Brian."

"Chris."

Pause. King's demeanor suddenly brightens. "Raynor! It's been too long. Man, I'm so glad someone like got this job. I was seriously worried they'd give this position to another silly bitch like MacPhisto. Hey, speaking of which, you realize you ended up being his successor? The iron--"

King's obvious attempt to get on Raynor's good side is cut short by Chris, "Cut the crap, King. What do you want?"

King's expression receeds into a slight smirk. "How odd. I never remembered you to be the type to skip the pesantries, Raynor."

"Yeah, well, people change," says Chris. "You know what happened to me. Hell, you should know that better than anyone else."

"I suppose." King muses, before getting back to point, "Raynor, I'll get right to the point. When you were named commissioner, I was... somewhat concerned that with me on commentary, and you probably making announcements every other night... some sparks might fly. Although, that was before you revealed you were evil again--beautiful job on that, by the way. I don't think any of us saw it--"

"They still could." Raynor interrupts, locking eyes with King.

King coughs. "Yes, well then... if that's the case, then it's a good thing I decided to go ahead with this. Now, as much as I love commentating down here," the acidic sarcasm is heavy on King's words, "I've decided to tender my resignation as JL commentator."

Raynor blinks. "...really?"

"Yes, indeed. And, as per written in the contract, if I resign before my agreement expires, I get to name my replacement..." the Suicide King slides a form next to Raynor, which the JL commish doesn't even look at, never breaking eyes with King.

"Anyway, Raynor, I think this is the end of the line for me in the JL. Happy trails!" King gives a little wave, before exiting back though the office's door. There's a pause... and King sticks his head back through the door way. "Oh, and no hard feelings, right?"

"...right." Raynor stops leaning in his chair as King finally leaves, reaching out to pick up the form he was given. A moment passes as his reads it, and Raynor looks... bemused. "Huh. I would've bet a million dollars he gave the job to Flesher instead..." Chris sets the form down, and is just about to go back to doing paperwork, but is interrupted by another...

**KNOCK**KNOCK**KNOCK**

Raynor sighs. Again. "Come in!"

And with that, the SJL's other commentator, Axis, lumbers through. Raynor gives the big Aussie the once over, looking at him with one eyebrow raised. Axis returns a blank look.

"'Ello, Chris."

"Axis. What do you want? I am rather busy, and..."

"Yeah, yeah, well I won't take much of your time, then." The big Aussie gruffs, before producing a paper identical to the one King gave Raynor. "I heard King decided to get off of JL commentary, yes?"

"Yes..." Raynor responds.

"Well, I thought about it, and I figured he might not have a bad idea. I've been doing this longer than I was been active, eh? I guessed it might not be a bad time to hang up the headset," Axis says.

"Uh, very well. I guess I'll start looking for a replacement for Wrath..." Raynor starts, before Axis cuts in. The Australian grins as he hands his paper over.

"Nah, that won't be neseccary. My contract still had a couple more months on it... and just like King, I get to name my replacement. I hope you find her services up standard King and I set, eh?" Axis chuckles for a minute, before looking at the JL commish one last time. "Well. I'll be seeing you, then." Axis thumps out from whence he came, as Raynor gives a quizzical look. "Her...?" He picks up the form, and his expression continues to be a surprised one after he finishes reading. "Wow. I wonder how much she paied him..."

And then, something occurs to Chris. He picks up King's form, and give it another look. He looks at Axis's form. And then King's. And then Axis's. And then he can't help but laugh.

"Now THIS is going to be an interesting commentary team..."

Raynor sets the papers down and returns to his sorting, as we fade out...

++++++++++++++++++++++++

SJL METAL 7/22/03

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