SJL Wrath

[Thoth 0]

There is no opening match. Move along.

 

(Edited in later)

[Thoth 0]

We return back to Wrath, and back to the Winnipeg Arena to be met by the thousands of screaming Canadians, all trying to get themselves and their various signs on T.V. After a few seconds of Canadian mayhem, we go back down to ringside to the SJL’s dysfunctional announce team.

 

Judge- Welcome back to Wrath, live from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada…these Canadian fans are hot tonight, and they’re ready for more SJL action.

Annie- And they’ll get it, because up next we’re going to see the NEW SJL Television Champion Landon Maddix in Non Title action…

Ejiro- See, that’s not right. Todd defended the belt night in and night out when he had it…

Annie- But he doesn’t have it now, so quit whining.

 

The camera cuts to the entrance way, as the intro to “We Took Pelham” has already started up. Boos begin to ring around the crowd, as a lavish set of fireworks are set off running down the entrance way. Through all this grand ceremony, Jay Morrison steps out from the back, to boos from the crowd. Raising his arms in the air, Morrison flicks back his hair and walks down the ramp with his lavish gold robe flapping behind him.

 

Funyon- This contest is a Non Title Match…and is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from London England. Weighing 239lbs, he is JAAAY MORRISON!!!

 

Ejiro- Wow…You know, an entrance like doesn’t come cheap. This guy is loaded with money.

Annie- Guess that explains your hard-on for him…

Judge- HEY! Please, let’s try and get through this show without…as many arguments as usual.

 

Morrison walks on past the abuse and taunts from the crowd, a typically smug look on his face as he jumps to the apron, and jumps to the middle rope, holding his hands out again. His open armed gesture is met with only boos, as he jumps into the ring and removes his gold robe, being very careful not to damage it as he does so.

 

As Morrison stops and leans against the ropes, Marilyn Manson’s “The Fight Song” starts up, and Landon Maddix quickly runs out, and stops at the entrance way. Stopping with a shocked smile on his face, Landon looks around the crowd who are cheering much louder for him than usual…

 

Judge- This crowd has suddenly exploded into cheers for this kid. Say what you want about him, but he’s got his support…

Ejiro- Eh…what do you expect, these fans have no taste.

 

Funyon- And the opponent. From Huron South Dakota and weighing 206lbs…he is the NEW SJL Television Champion…LAAANDON MAAAAADIIIX!!!

 

Getting over his shock, Landon breaks out into a run, sprinting down the aisle and sliding right into the ring. Jay backs off into one of the corners, as Maddix unstraps his newly won belt and holds it proudly aloft in the air…but from behind, Jay takes advantage with a clothesline to the back of the head! The bell rings to start the match, as Morrison is already laying the boots into Landon to heavy boos from the Canadian crowd. Maddix tries to regain his feet, but everytime he manages to get to his knees, a boot from Morrison puts him back down. Eventually Jay allows the TV Champion to get to his feet, but is just waiting on him to get up so he can hit a right hand to the face.

 

Judge- This is good strategy from Jay Morrison, because this Landon Maddix is a firecracker. Jay knows he has to dictate the pace here if he wants to win.

Ejiro- Yeah, he’s a firecracker alright…he makes a lot of noise, he looks pretty flash, but a little more money will get you something more impressive. And more money equals Jay Morrison.

 

Morrison grabs a hold of the arm and irish whips Maddix to the ropes, waiting for him to come back before hooking Landon’s legs and hitting a Stungun across the top rope. Stumbling back holding his throat in pain, Landon walks straight into a superkick to the back of the head! He slumps to the mat on impact, as Jay quickly hooks the leg…

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

..quick kickout.

 

Annie- Way too early to beat Maddix.

Ejiro- Oh come on Annie…how do you know? For all you know, Jay might have paid off the ref.

Annie- Wouldn’t surprise me…

Ejiro- Well, he’s got the money. What was it you said about Megan the other week? If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

Annie- That’s different…Jay doesn’t have breasts.

Ejiro- But if he wanted breasts, he could buy the best implants money can buy.

 

Morrison backs Maddix up against the ropes and fires a stiff knifedge chop to the chest, instantly lighting up Landon. Another chop hits Maddix, breaking more blood vessels as Landon’s chest becomes ever redder. Changing tactics, Jay irish whips Maddix to the ropes and balls up his fist ready to hit a right hand. A baseball slide through the legs from Maddix avoids the right, but Morrison thinks quickly and hits a mule kick before Maddix can capitalise. Doubled over, Landon stands holding his gut, wide open for a forearm across the back. A taunting gesture from Jay is met with more boos, as he hooks up the arms of Maddix and quickly nails a double underhook powerbomb.

 

Judge- I think Landon can be grateful this is a non title match right now. Jay Morrison is dominant so far.

Ejiro- Landon SHOULD be grateful, because he’s getting an easy ride here. Poor Todd ha…

Annie- Oh give it a rest.

 

Landon again tries to get up, but is nailed with a legdrop across the back of the head, causing The Dames to add a quarter of a star to the match. Again Jay looks out at the crowd with outstretched arms, and again is greeted with boos. The boos cause Jay to climb to the middle rope, and shout at some parts of the crowd, as Landon has been allowed back to his feet. By the time Jay turns around, Landon is waiting with a stiff open handed chop to the chest. Morrison yelps out in pain, as Landon hits a second chop, getting a ‘WHOO!’ from the crowd.

 

Judge- Damn, look at the reddening chests of these two men…

Ejiro- …yeah Annie, break the habit of a lifetime.

Annie- Unlike you, who tends to do that sort of thing all the time…if you know what I mean.

 

Landon tries to whip Jay to the ropes, but Morrison puts the brakes on and pulls Landon into a flapjack, driving Maddix face first to the mat. Landon tries to pull himself up to his feet, but Jay drives a boot into the ass of Landon, pushing him down face first into the mat insultingly. Another taunting gesture towards the Winnipeg crowd from Jay Morrison is met with more abuse, as Jay points to the dollar sign on his tights. The distraction allows Landon to get up behind Jay, who doesn’t see him coming with a clothesline to the back of the head! Morrison does not go down, instead he stumbles forward landing throat fist across the middle rope! The crowd suddenly pop, they know what’s about to happen.

 

Annie- Landon Maddix is going to dial it up!!!

Ejiro- You’ve been taking lessons from Michael Cole haven’t ya? Talk about a waste of money…

 

Maddix backs of the ropes, charges forward and grabbing the top and middle ropes, swings around towards Morrison. He hooks the legs around the head, and does a quick ‘no-hands’ to show off a little, before spinning back with the Whiparound which sends Jay Morrison crashing out to the floor!

 

Ejiro- What cockiness…

Judge- What amazing arm athleticism, do use a ‘no-hands’ from that position and still hit the Whiparound.

 

Morrison stands up on the outside with slightly glazed over eyes, looking extremely disorientated. Slowly he stumbles towards the direction of the ring, only for Landon to propel himself over the ropes and wipe out Jay with a plancha!!!

 

“SJL…SJL…SJL”

 

 

The Television Champion grabs a hold of Jay’s ring attire for the leverage to throw him back into the ring, before leaping to the apron himself. Morrison is still disorientated, as he staggers around the ring giving Maddix time to plan out his next move. As Jay comes staggering back over, a stiff roundhouse kick connects with Jay’s temple, dropping him instantly backwards. With a quick look out to the crowd, Landon slingshots into the ring, adjusting in mid air to use the adjacent second rope for a Quebrada moonsault!!!

 

Annie- Outstanding!

Ejiro- Another flashy move from this over flashy kid…

 

Landon quickly hooks the leg for a cover…

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

…TH…

 

…KICKOUT!

 

Quickly Maddix hops to his feet, and lays in a couple of boots to the chest of Jay Morrison before going over to the opposite corner. Jay tries to use the turnbuckles to pull himself up in the corner, but as he gets to his feet Landon sprints across the ring and nails a crossbody splash in the corner on Morrison. Going behind the ‘rich kid of SJL’, Landon hops to the middle rope and hooks Jay’s head for a DDT.

 

Judge- Oh…I thought Landon would have gone for the Crash Landon…

Ejiro- He probably should have…

 

The TV Champ holds out one hand and signals for the crowd to give a little approval, before springing off the ropes and going for the Tornado DDT…

 

 

But Jay pushes him off at the last second, only for Maddix to land on his feet. Gaining his bearing, Landon attempts a standing spin kick, which is ducked by Morrison and countered with a back legsweep. Maddix bounces off the mat, as Jay quickly grabs up the legs and tries to lock on the Texas Cloverleaf. Struggling valiantly, Landon tries to free his legs from Jay’s grasp, but it’s in vain as Jay hooks the legs up and turns Landon over, sitting back and putting pressure on Landon’s weak back.

 

Ejiro- End of the road my friends…poor little Landon Maddix is going to tap out.

Annie- Don’t underestimate him like you did last week…

Judge- Annie’s right…for once…don’t underestimate Landon Maddix.

 

Raising the legs to add even more pressure, Jay begins to stand up in the move, which allows Maddix to start to reach for the ropes. Desperately, the crawl begins as the crowd start to get behind Maddix, clapping their enthusiasm. Morrison sees what is happening, and steps back to put the pressure on the back, but the force with which he steps back ends up causing Landon to slip through the legs onto his back. A shocked look appears on Jay’s face, as Maddix shoves Morrison back into the ropes with his legs, and monkey flips him over as he comes back!

 

Annie- Money can’t buy you brains I guess…

Ejiro- Oh, you’d be surprised. The internet is a powerful place, if you look hard enough you can find anything.

 

Jay gets back to his feet, as does Landon Maddix who charges and hits a running clothesline which this time puts Jay straight down. Running past Jay as he gets to his feet, Landon leaps to the middle rope and springs backwards with a springboard leg lariat, connecting with the jaw of Jay and landing on top for a cover…

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

…TH…

 

 

 

…R…

 

TWO COUNT ONLY!

 

Immediately back to his feet, Landon runs off the ropes again as Jay begins to get back to his feet. A clothesline is aimed at the head of Morrison, only for Jay to wisely duck and hit a stiff forearm to the back. Quickly Jay locks a waistlock on and throws Maddix backwards over his head with a release german suplex, Landon manages to land on his feet though. Jay points to his head to show of his intellectual prowess, but he doesn’t see Landon Maddix climbing up to the top rope behind him.

 

Ejiro- JAY! Behind you…TURN AROUND!

 

Eventually Jay does, and Landon dives off the top rope for a double axehandle, which is cut off in mid-air with a stiff lariat by Morrison, who quickly floats over into a pin…

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

…THR…

 

 

NO! TWO ONLY!

 

 

Giving a glaring glance towards referee Sexton Hardcastle, Jay grabs a hold of Landon by the hair and throws him back into the corner. A series of stinging rights are fired to the face of the TV Champ, followed up with a knee to the gut. In control again, Jay grabs a hold of the hair and tears the headband from off Landon’s head, and gives him an insulting slap.

 

Annie- Oh that’s real tough…

Ejiro- It’s not supposed to be ‘tough’…it’s humiliation, it’s mind games…

Annie- It’s being a dick.

Ejiro- EXACTLY!

 

With the headband in his hands, Morrison pulls out Landon and locks on a sleeper…but seems to be using the headband as a choking weapon at the same time. Landon frantically flails his arms reaching out for an escape, but the combination of the sleeper and the headband choke seem to be putting him down quickly. Chants of ‘Landon…Landon…Landon’ ring around the Winnipeg Arena, as Maddix seems to be trying to react. Morrison cinches up with the sleeper, Landon drops to his knees and it seems all over.

 

 

Referee Sexton Hardcastle grabs Landon’s right hand, raising it in the air…and dropping it once.

 

 

 

Hardcastle raises the arm again…

 

 

 

 

and it drops a second time.

 

 

 

Again Hardcastle grabs the arm…

 

 

 

 

 

Judge- One more time and it’s over…

 

 

 

 

…The arm begins to fall…

 

 

 

 

Ejiro- YES!!!

 

 

BUT STOPS BEFORE DROPPING!!! Hardcastle is caught in the middle of calling for the bell it’s so close, as Landon is trying to fight to his feet. The crowd rally behind him, as he drives an elbow to the gut of Jay. Again he tries to tighten the hold, but another elbow is driven into the ribs and he releases the hold. As he does so, ‘La Cucaracha’ shoves Morrison into the ropes…

 

 

AND LOCKS ON A SLEEPER OF HIS OWN!!!

 

But Jay quickly escapes and goes for a back suplex…

 

 

only for Landon to land on his feet again. Jay is pushed to the ropes again, and Landon charges after him. A clothesline from Maddix is ducked by Jay, as both men run on and collide in the middle of the ring with a double clothesline.

 

Judge- What a collision! But Jay’s up already!!!

Ejiro- That money he spent on cardiovascular training must have paid off!

Judge- Since when did you know what a word like that meant?

Ejiro- Judge, I’m more educated than you and Annie think.

Annie- Well that’s not hard in my case…

Ejiro- Nothin’ ever is!

 

Morrison is indeed already up, but groggy. Landon looks a little worse for wear himself as he gets up, and Jay has recovered enough to charge at Maddix. Seeing him out of the corner of his eye, Landon shoots a leg up and catching Jay FLUSH on the jaw with a stiff superkick!!!

 

 

Cover by Landon…

 

 

 

 

…ONE…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TWOOO…

 

 

 

 

 

…THR…

 

 

 

 

…E…

 

 

 

 

…NOOOOO!!!

 

Judge- Jay Morrison shooting the shoulder up at the last POSSIBLE moment!

Ejiro- Jay’s on a mission…if he can win here, he’s got to be in line for a TV Title shot against Maddix.

 

Landon waits on Jay Morrison to get to his feet, and as he does so Landon launches himself up and hooks the legs for a hurricanrana, only for Jay to block, and hoist Landon back up. In the powerbomb position, Landon looks helpless but begins to fire away with right hands to the head. A few more right hands, and Maddix manages to escape the powerbomb, landing on his feet in front of Jay and hitting a series of forearm to the face. Taking a couple of steps back, Maddix sprints towards Morrison with arm outstretched…but is caught in mid charge and nailed with a vicious SNAP spinebuster, Maddix FOLDED UP ON HIS NECK upon landing!!!

 

Annie- Oh! Oh, he broke his neck!

Judge- Err…that was…bad.

Ejiro- That was beautiful! Arn Anderson would be envious of that spinebuster!

Judge- Yes, but the kid landed across his neck. A neck injury can be career threatening…especially when you land like that on your neck.

 

Obviously worried for Landon’s health, Sexton Hardcastle tries to hold Jay back before going back to check on Landon, who looks seriously hurt. Again Morrison moves in for the kill, but is held back again by the referee who wants to see if Maddix can continue. Jay eventually backs off into a corner, taunting the crowd as he does…to be met by chants of ‘Pussy…Pussy…Pussy’ from the Winnipeg crowd. Snarling, he shouts down at the front row ‘I’ll show you who’s a pussy’, before walking back over and shoving referee Hardcastle to the side.

 

Judge- Hey…HEY…come on, don’t do this. He may be seriously injured…

Ejiro- Yes…but Jay is no doctor. He doesn’t know that, so until we scrape Landon off the mat and get him to a hospital, we won’t really know…

Annie- You’re sick. Do you not care about anyone?

Ejiro- Yes…myself!

 

Jay tries to pull Maddix to his feet, but the TV Champ is dead weight so Morrison gives up, and goes to the top rope. Landon hasn’t moved since the spinebuster, and Jay doesn’t expect him to get up as he climbs up to the top rope and measures Landon…

 

 

AND DROPS A KNEE TO THE BACK OF THE NECK!!!!!

 

 

Judge- Oh my god…get the damn medics out here!!!

Ejiro- Not yet, we’ve got a winner to crown, and that winner is Jay Morrison!

 

Morrison rolls Landon’s limp body over, and hooks a leg with a cocky smile on his face. Hardcastle crawls back over and makes a cover…

 

 

…ONE…

 

Judge- This one is academic…

 

 

 

 

 

…TWO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TH…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…R…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…E…KICKOUTBYMADDIX!!!!!

 

Judge- HOW THE HELL!?!

Ejiro- I don’t BELIEVE this!!!

 

The crowd explode as Maddix kicks out, and so does Jay Morrison who explodes with fury and starts to yell at Sexton. Grabbing the ref by the shirt, he starts getting in his face and shouting some more, only for Hardcastle to shove Jay’s arm off his shirt and yell back.

 

Annie- The referee’s not going to stand for this jerk’s attitude! Somebody needs to stand up to him.

 

Sexton angrily shoves Hardcastle away, and turns around…

 

 

LOWBLOW BY MADDIX!!!

 

 

Ejiro- HEY! I thought he was hurt.

Annie- He looks hurt to me…

Ejiro- Not too hurt to hit an ILLEGAL MOVE!!!

 

 

Jay is doubled over, as Landon tries to pull himself up, grimacing in pain from his neck injury. Morrison gets back to a standing base first though, and swings with a right hand. Landon somehow ducks and shoves Jay chest first into the corner before hopping to the middle rope. Staggering over, Morrison’s head is hooked, Maddix bounces off the middle rope and swings around with the CRASH LANDON!!! Jay smashes face first to the mat, as the landing Landon takes seems to damage his neck slightly, but he still manages to drape an arm over Morrison…

 

 

 

FOR THE…

 

 

…OOONEEE…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…TWOOO…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ejiro- NO!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

…THR…

 

 

 

 

…E…

 

 

 

 

 

EEEEE!!!!!

 

The crowd ERUPT, as Landon’s limp arm is raised in victory by Hardcastle.

 

Judge- He did it again. By god, somehow, Landon Maddix did it again!

Ejiro- AH…this kid makes me sick! How does he keep eeking out wins like this?

Judge- I don’t know, and I’m not sure he does either!

 

Funyon- Here is your winner…LAAANDOOON MAAAAADIIIX!!!

 

“The Fight Song” blares out around the arena, as Maddix tries to get up, but drops quickly back down pointing to his neck. Hardcastle checks to see if he’s ok, as Jay Morrison rolls out of the ring angry at his loss.

 

Judge- We may need some medical attention for Landon Maddix…that spinebuster may have screwed up his neck big time…

Annie- He doesn’t care guys…he’s getting up!

 

Slowly, with the help of Hardcastle he does get up, as the Television Championship belt is passed up to him. Backing away from the ropes, Landon raises the belt in the air to large amounts of respectful applause from the crowd, still grimacing in pain and favouring his neck.

 

Judge- You’ve got to give this kid credit. Great guts and determination, through what could very well be an injured neck.

Ejiro- Oh come on Judge. He’s not injured, he’s just playing for sympathy.

Judge- Did you…did you not SEE the spinebuster. Were you too busy eating or something. He landed on his god damn neck!

Ejiro- And he came back, hit a lowblow and the Crash Landon. You don’t do that on an injured neck…

Annie- You just can’t say anything good about this kid can you…

Ejiro- Well what about Jay Morrison. You seem to forget the effort put in.

Judge- He did, and he deserves credit too. But Landon Maddix fought through adversity, and wins here and maintains his unbeaten record. We’ve got to go to a commercial , we’ll be back after this!

[Thoth 0]

The camera opens back up to the trio of Annie, Judge and Ejiro seated at the commentating desk. Annie grins, “Welcome back fans to SJL’s Wrath here in the Winnipeg Arena” comments Annie.

 

“I can’t wait for this next match as this man no showed Metal and should be fired!” says Ejiro with a smug look.

 

“Yeah, Danny Conklin no shows a major SJL event and doesn’t even get a slap on the wrist” replies Judge.

 

Annie glares, “Well you guys both know that Danny’s plane had engine trouble…” replies Annie as Ejiro snickers.

 

“Yeah sure Annie. Anyways, Todd Royal will calmly pick apart Conklin,” comments Ejiro.

 

“Speaking of which, let’s head down to Funyon who’s ready to introduce the combatants” replies Judge as the attention of the camera pans over to Funyon who’s standing, microphone in hand.

 

“This match is 1 fall, scheduled for a 30 minute time limit. Making his way to the ring, hailing from Dublin, Ireland and weighing in at 220 lbs, accompanied by Janet, Daaaaaannyyyyyyyyyyyy Coooooooonnkliiiiiiiinnn!” booms Funyon over the hot crowd.

 

A good pop rises from the crowd as Off Kilter’s “Danny Boy” strikes up over the PA System. Danny walks out, raising both arms into the air as Janet follows, the wooden mallet resting against her right shoulder as she smiles to the crowd, waving. Danny and Janet make their way down the ramp as Janet assumes her ringside position while Danny slides into the ring. Danny climbs up onto the second turnbuckle and grins, before blowing a big kiss to the crowd. Danny steps down and waits for Todd Royal to make his entrance as Funyon gets back to his feet.

 

“And his opponent, making his way to the ring, hailing from San Diego, California, weighing in at 220 lbs. And accompanied by Megan Skye, Toooooooooooooooooooodd Roooooooooyalll!” shouts Funyon over the still cheering crowd whom quickly refer to booing loudly at Todd’s entrance.

 

A light flashes down from the rafters of which the source cannot be located as an “Ahhhhh” accompanies it. Motley Crue’s “Livewire” begins to play over the arena. Todd and Megan both walk out onto the ramp amidst loud boos and “Todd Sucks” chants to which Todd covers Megan’s ears as the duo make their way down the ramp. Todd rolls into the ring as Janet and Megan glare at each other from across the ring. Todd jumps a bit, trying to loosen himself up as referee Matthew Kivell walks forward, calling the two competitors forward to meet each other in the middle of the ring.

 

“Referee Matthew Kivell is calling both men to the middle of the ring, probably to make sure that a cheater of Danny’s magnitude doesn’t have something up his sleeve” comments Judge as Ejiro smirks and the duo slap a high five while Annie looks at them with disgust.

 

“Ugh…if anything he should be checking Todd’s tights for any illegal objects,” replies Annie as Judge and Ejiro just look at her with disbelief and shock. Annie just rolls her eyes, returning her gaze to the ring.

 

Kivell signals to the ring announcer who rings the bell as the both Todd and Danny remain rooted in their spots, just staring at one another and probably mentally anticipating the first move that the other will do. Both men take a step forward; now nose-to-nose as they begin to talk trash. Both men soon tie each other up with a collar and elbow tie up, trying to force the other into a corner however neither man is faring very well. Finally, they break the tie up and back off before tying up yet again. Todd manages to gain the leverage before locking on a hammerlock to Conklin. Danny begins to try to look for a way out however Todd is not giving him any advantage. Danny finally manages to duck under Todd’s arm, locking on a hammerlock of his own as Janet shouts encouragement while Megan tries to get her man back into this. Todd elbows Danny repeatedly in the face before whipping him hard into the ropes. Todd hits the ground as Danny skips over him, bouncing off the ropes and ducking a clothesline. Danny bounces off the ropes, catching Todd with a dropkick that sends the Royal one out of the ring and to the floor where Megan quickly runs over to make sure he’s okay as the crowd gives out a slight cheer when Danny raises both arms into the air.

 

“Danny displaying his speed in the ring and he’ll need it if he wants to overcome Royal” comments Annie.

 

“Don’t get yourself worked up Annie because Todd’s already defeated Conklin once” replies Judge.

 

“Yeah and when Todd gets a hold of Danny, the Irish boy’s losing streak will continue” says Ejiro with glee as Annie shoots a glare in his direction which he just ignores.

 

Todd rolls back into the ring, now showing cautiousness as he advances towards the fired up Irish man. Both men lock up as Todd quickly locks on a hammerlock once again. Todd wrenches on the arm before lifting Danny up high into the air and slamming him down to the mat, Danny landing with his full body weight on his hand, which he quickly pulls out from underneath his back and clutches in pain. Todd grins to the jeering crowd as he places his black boot on Danny’s face before spinning and scraping the sole over his nose. Todd stomps away at Danny before taking a few steps away and raising both arms into the air to loud boos and chants of “You Suck” from the crowd.

 

“Todd damn…this man is bringing the ruthlessness in that ring” quips Ejiro.

 

“Todd certainly has the upper hand right now but he better focus on Danny or else this could come back to haunt him…Mmm…wish I had Megan or Janet haunting me at night” replies Annie with a slightly glazed look as Judge just sighs and turns his attention back to the match at hand.

 

Danny slowly makes it to his hands and knees but Todd nails him with a hard double axe handle smash, sending Conklin back down to the mat stomach first as Todd continues to stomp away at Conklin, showing no mercy at all. Todd grins as he backs up against the ropes, just casually waiting as Danny staggers up to his feet. Todd charges forward, driving his knee up against Danny’s chin with a running knee lift as Danny quickly finds himself staring up at the lights yet again. Todd makes a cover however ignores hooking the leg at this time of the match. Referee Matthew Kivell slides to the mat, beginning to administer the count.

 

1…

 

 

2…

 

 

Kick out by Conklin as the crowd lets out a slight cheer. Todd grabs Danny by the hair, lifting him to his mat and resting him against the ropes. Todd lays in a couple hard right hands before whipping Danny into the ropes. Danny bounces back as Todd delivers a hard kick to the stomach and executing a nicely done swinging neck breaker.

 

“Todd maintains the advantage here in the match so far, keeping Danny on the mat which is definitely a smart strategy on his part” comments Judge.

 

“Certainly, as a man who uses his speed to keep himself in the game can’t do that very well if he continues to stay down on the mat” agrees Ejiro.

 

Annie meanwhile is having thoughts dancing through her head of the two lovely ladies at ringside as Ejiro and Judge both shake their heads, wondering how she even got this position in the first place.

 

Todd now is standing by a face down Conklin. The Royal deity grabs Conklin’s leg, lifting it up high into the air before driving it down to the mat hard as Danny instinctively clutches at his knee in pain. Todd grins as he lifts up a limping Conklin to his feet and delivers a swift Russian leg sweep before transitioning that into a leg bar as Danny cries out in pain, extending his arms towards the ropes, which seem miles away.

 

“Todd now targeting Danny’s leg!” cries out Judge with great glee.

 

“Snap it off!” shouts Ejiro, also getting into the moment as Annie seems to momentarily have come back to earth.

 

“I have to admit, if Todd keeps this technique up then he may just pull out the victory” comments Annie as Judge and Ejiro wear shocked looks on their faces. Ejiro leans over to Judge.

 

“Did she just agree with us?” asks Ejiro.

 

“I think so…something suspicious is going on,” responds Judge as the duo glance over at Annie who is focused on the action currently going on in the ring.

 

Todd continues to wrench on Danny’s leg as Danny continues to cry out in pain with Janet trying to cheer him closer to the ropes. Todd finally breaks off the hold but keeps a grip on Danny’s leg as he drags Danny over towards the ropes. Todd places Danny’s leg on the bottom rope before using the ropes to propel himself up in the air, landing BUTT first across Danny’s leg as Danny crawls away, clutching his leg in great pain as Todd continues the focused attack. Todd sneers at Danny as he grabs Danny by his hair, roughly pulling him to his feet. Todd grabs Danny’s injured leg, quickly executing a harsh dragon screw leg whip that sends Danny rolling to the mat and nearly taking his leg out of it’s socket. Todd manages to keep a hold on the leg as he delivers a couple stomps before dropping an elbow drop and casually resting against the turnbuckle, just watching Danny roll around in pain with a sick smile.

 

“Todd is being a cruel and sadistic man in that ring right now” calls out Annie as Ejiro grins.

 

“Come on Annie, the whole point of a match is to win by any means necessary and Todd’s method right now is neither illegal nor malicious” replies Ejiro with a twinkle in his eye. Annie just glares at him as Judge rolls his eyes at the hatred those two show towards each other.

 

Todd walks forward, deliver a leg drop across the throat of Conklin as Todd rolls Danny onto the mat stomach first and walks towards Danny’s injured leg. Todd grabs Danny’s leg and takes a seat on his mid back, pulling the leg back as far as he can get it as Danny cries out in major pain, desperately reaching for the ropes to get out of this predicament.

 

“Tap you damn sonofabitch, tap Todd Damnit!” shouts Todd over Danny’s cries of pain as Danny continues to reach towards the ropes.

 

Danny reaches with all he has, finally grasping the bottom rope as referee Matthew Kivell notices this and walks over to Todd to get him to break the hold however Royal is quite reluctant to do this.

 

1…

 

 

2…

 

 

3…

 

 

4…

 

 

5.and Todd releases the hold, sneering at Matthew as he smiles over the crowd, listening to the loud boos emanating from the front row all the way to the farthest back row. Todd grabs Danny and picks him up, grabbing Danny’s injured leg yet again. Danny hops in place as Todd spits in Danny’s face! Danny’s eyes blaze as he swings his leg up, smacking Todd hard in the back of his head with an enziguiri to a decent pop from the crowd. Todd rolls out of the ring, trying to get his bearings as Danny leans against the ropes, waiting. Finally Todd turns to face the ring as Danny comes flying over the top rope with a Slingshot Plancha to a big pop however Danny quickly rolls away, clutching his injured leg in pain as Kivell begins to start the mandatory 10 count.

 

1…

 

 

2…

 

 

3…

 

Todd is on one knee, trying to use the ring apron to help himself back to his feet.

 

4…

 

 

5…

 

 

6…

 

 

Todd delivers a couple of stomps to Conklin as Danny remains on the ground in quite a bit of pain. Todd glances back up at Kivell who continues to count.

 

7…

 

 

8…

 

 

Todd rolls into the ring, breaking the count before immediately rolling back outside and picking Danny up, tossing him into the ring. Todd pauses, remaining outside as he jaws with a few fans before rolling into the ring himself.

 

“Danny’s brief spurt of offense was quickly cut off” comments Judge.

 

“Well, that was a stupid move on Danny’s part as it was a high risk move that only furthered the pain in his injured leg,” comments Ejiro.

 

“While Danny may have hurt himself, it probably cast a bit of doubt in Todd’s head that his method is as effective as he though” comments Annie.

 

Todd picks up a limping Danny as Todd grabs Danny’s leg before delivering a Fisherman’s Suplex. Matthew Kivell hits the ring, hand poised in the air and ready to count as Todd pulls on Danny’s leg towards him as Danny cries out in pain as Kivell begins the 3 count.

 

1…

 

 

 

 

2…

 

 

 

Kick out by Conklin as Todd breaks his grip on Danny’s shoulder and is now using both arms to pull Danny’s leg towards his body, weakening his hamstring. Danny continues to cry out in pain as Matthew stands, repeatedly asking Danny if he gives up but only receiving a loud “No!” and “Never” as Todd continues to pull, knowing that Danny doesn’t have much left in his tank with the work he’s done on his leg. Todd finally releases the leg, realizing he won’t tap. Todd delivers a series of stomps to Danny’s stomach before picking him up and delivering a couple hard shots to the stomach, sending Danny against the ropes. Todd whips Danny hard towards the ropes as Danny hops at the momentum, barely staying up. He bounces back, only to get slammed hard into the mat by a Todd Royal spine buster! Todd grabs both of Danny’s legs and leaps over him with a jackknife pinning hold as Matthew hits the mat!

 

1…

 

 

 

 

2…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3! No!

 

“Conklin kicks out!” shouts Annie with happiness.

 

“Todd damnit” mutters Judge under his breath, not happy at the kick out.

 

“Todd damn right” replies Ejiro, arms folded across his chest, glaring at Danny.

 

The crowd lets out a solid pop as Todd slaps the mat with frustration, sweat glistening off his body. Todd picks up Danny but Danny delivers a hard punch to the stomach, another and another! Danny bounces off the ropes, only to eat a hard knee from Royal that sends Conklin flipping to the mat, landing on his back. Danny clutches his ribs in pain as Todd raises both arms to loud “Todd Sucks” chants as Todd covers his ears, shaking his head repeatedly. Todd grabs Danny by the hair, lifting him to his feet before shoving Conklin against the turnbuckles. Todd delivers a series of hard chops as he lifts up Danny, seating him on the top turnbuckle. Todd begins to climb up but Danny pokes him in the eye! Todd spins around, clutching his eye in pain as Danny climbs onto Todd’s shoulders…Victory Roll!! Kivell dives to the mat as the crowd chants along!

 

1…

 

 

 

 

 

 

2….

 

 

 

 

 

 

3!! NO! Todd kicks out at 2 and a ½ as the crowd lets out a loud “Oh” believing that was the finish.

 

“Close near fall there for Conklin” says Annie, with a grin spreading across her face as Ejiro sneers in disgust.

 

“Don’t get yourself hyped up Annie, that was a fluke move and heck, Danny resorted to a cheap tactic! Kivell should’ve DQ his ass!” retorts Ejiro as Annie shoots a glare in his direction.

 

“I told you Annie, Conklin can’t be trusted especially after pulling out such a despicable cheap shot such as that eye poke. Todd could be blind now ya know” comments Judge as Annie just glares back at the ring as Judge and Ejiro crack grins to one another.

 

Todd makes it back to his feet first as does Conklin as the two men begin to slug away, Conklin’s knee beginning to buckle beneath his body weight. Todd whips Conklin hard into the ropes, looking for a super kick, which connects snapping Conklin’s head back as Conklin hits the mat nearly out of it. Todd grabs Danny’s leg, locking him in a knee bar as Conklin covers his face at the signals rushing his brain. Conklin stretches one arm out, trying to grab the ropes however the Irishman is dead center in the ring and has nowhere to go. Danny cries out in pain as Todd wrenches it harder with Kivell there to ask if Danny gives up however Danny continues to deny quitting. Danny reaches out, slowly moving closer to the ropes as Todd tries to offset this by wrenching harder.

 

“He’s going to tap out any second!” calls Ejiro, both hands clasped together.

 

“Yes, Conklin you have nowhere to go! Tap out!” shouts Judge trying to sway Conklin’s fighting attitude.

 

“Danny’s getting closer to the ropes now guys,” says Annie with a grin.

 

Indeed. Danny is slowly getting closer to the ropes as Todd begins to look worried. He releases the hold and begins to drag Danny back to the center of the ring however Conklin nails a couple hard kicks to the stomach breaking Royal’s grip on his injured leg. Danny manages to quickly rise to his feet as the crowd lets out a big cheer. Danny can barely stand on his leg however as Todd charges but Danny manages to sidestep him. Royal bounces off the ropes as Danny bends down for a back body drop but Royal telegraphs it with a hard kick to the face. Royal grabs Conklin’s tights, nailing a beautiful snap suplex as he rolls to the side, lifting up Conklin again for a regular vertical suplex and rolling a third time before lifting up Danny and holding him in the air for 8 seconds in an impressive feat of strength before slamming him down to the mat as Ejiro is practically on his feet.

 

“There’s The Trinity by Royal! It could be over,” shouts Ejiro in glee.

 

“There’s the cover,” comments Annie.

 

Todd slowly rolls onto Conklin, barely having the strength to hook the leg. Referee Matthew Kivell races over, sliding down and begins to count amidst boos and counting along of the fans.

 

1…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3!!

 

“No, Conklin barely gets the kick out!” shouts Annie as Ejiro and Judge both have looks of disgust crossing their face.

 

“The referee tripped, otherwise Royal had the match won” snarls Ejiro.

 

“The referee may have just screwed Todd Royal out of a potential victory right there” comments Judge with a slight sneer, watching Kivell raise his hands to show the 2 to the crowd.

 

Todd gets to his feet in disgust, immediately arguing with Matthew that it was a three count however Kivell insists that it was 2 as Todd turns around and picks up Conklin. Todd lifts up a limp Conklin and hooks him up in a full nelson! Todd stands there as the crowd slowly rises to their feet, booing their hearts out at the Royal man. Todd uses his strength to flip Conklin over, causing Danny to land hard on the back of his neck as Matthew slides to the mat, first making sure that Danny’s shoulders are on the mat as Todd’s are both raised just barely. Matthew begins to count as the crowd shouts along.

 

 

1…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.999999999!!!!

 

“What the hell! Conklin got his shoulder up!” shouts Ejiro in both outrage and straight up disbelief. Judge sits there in stunned silence as Annie pumps her fist into the air in jubilation.

 

Todd is absolutely irate as he spins around, backing Kivell into a corner. Conklin is very slowly getting back to his feet as the crowd lets out a building cheer. Todd turns around, walking up to Conklin as the two begin to slug it out in the middle of the ring. Todd sends Danny against the ropes and whips him but Danny hangs onto Todd’s wrist, reversing it. Rotating power slam connects by Conklin who rolls off in pain from the earlier attack on the ribs. Danny uses the ropes to aid himself to his feet as he begins to ascend the turnbuckle. He pauses at the top.

 

“Moonsault connects!!!” shouts Annie over the cheers of the crowd.

 

1…

 

 

 

 

 

 

2…

 

 

 

 

 

No!! Royal manages to kick out to another “Oh” from the crowd who are now on their feet.

 

“Oh god, I can’t watch,” mutters Ejiro.

 

“Jeez…” comments Annie who just rolls her eyes as Judge shakes his head at Ejiro.

 

Danny rolls off Royal, very fatigued and his leg still giving him considerable pain. Danny staggers to his feet, trying to find an opening that’ll let him get the victory while trying to shake the pain from his leg. He waits as Todd slowly makes it to his feet. Danny walks up and grabs Todd from behind but Todd exchanges a waist lock! He sets up Conklin for another Todd Damn as Conklin struggles to get out of it and does! He quickly turns, back to back to Todd and grabs his arms as both men struggle over the backslide, neither man getting much of an advantage. Todd manages to get Conklin completely off his feet however struggling mightily; Conklin gets back to his feet and now has Todd in the air…backslide!

 

“Oh no…” moans Judge.

 

“Come on Conklin!” shouts Annie, cheering the Irish kid along.

 

Matthew Kivell slides down to the mat, ready to administer the count!

 

1…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3!!!

 

“Conklin wins!!” shouts Annie over the cheering crowd.

 

“Oh bullocks, that was a fluke victory by Danny” comments Ejiro.

 

“Come on Ejiro, Danny’s leg was getting worked on the whole match which made most of Danny’s offense too hard to attempt” replies Annie as Ejiro and Judge just glare in her direction where Janet slides into the ring, attending to Conklin as Danny remains down on the mat in pain while Todd stands on the ramp next to Megan, very pissed off and making gestures and unintelligible comments at the two in the ring.

 

“Anyways, let’s go to commercial as we’ll be right back with more action and women at ring…er here on Wrath” says Annie who quickly tries to cover her blush.

[Thoth 0]

Annie: Welcome back to SJL Wrath! We're coming to you LIVE from the Winnipeg Arena, Manitoba, Canada!

 

Funyon: The next five-man prism match is scheduled for ONE FALL! Making his way first to the ring, weighing in at 184 lbs and hailing from Seattle, Washington, TOMMMMMYYYYYY NGGGUYYEEEEEENNNN!

 

“No Shelter” by Rage Against the Machine starts up, and as the guitar starts up every light in the arena flashes on and “Tommy Nguyen” flashes on the Smarktron as the cruiserweight makes his way down the ramp. The accompanying video clip begins to play highlights from Tommy's various matches in Japan, even as the man himself slides into the ring, and awaits his opponent from the corner.

 

Judge: And now for the match of the night! Yes, you heard me right. Better than seeing your TODD and mine beat the hell out of Irishman Danny Conklin, better than the upcoming STEEL CAGE match between the newly dubbed Apostle and that maniacal monster Manson and yes, even better than our MAIN EVENT tonight, but only just.

 

Ejiro: That's right! We've got a FIVE MAN, FIVE MAN, FIVE MAN everyone for himself, self-declared PRISM match!

 

Annie: Whoopdefreakingdoo.

 

Funyon: The next contestant hails from the Bronx in New York, USA! Weighing in at 241 lbs, he is HYYYYYYYBRRRRRRIIIIIIDDDDDDD!!!

 

Fuel’s “Cancer” hits and Hybrid stands defiant at the top of the ramp. A pyro blasts out of nowhere to signal his entrance, as he makes his way to the ring. Hybrid then steps through the ropes and await the next three men, all the while keeping Tommy Nguyen in his sights.

 

Ejiro: But better than that, we've got three representatives of the current DOMINANT FACTION in the SJL, the Urban Decay!

 

Suddenly, as if to spite Ejiro, Marilyn Manson's “This is the New Shit" hits and the crowd is in an absolute uproar as "Canadian Thunder" Chris Trepanier appears from behind the curtain to a overblown crowd reaction. He surveys the fans, flexing his muscles a little, milking the intense fan reaction for all its worth. Then, only slightly, Trepanier allows himself the luxury of twitching the tip of his lips into a slight smile. The message is clear: He's home.

 

Funyon: The next competitor, weighing at 272 lbs, he hails from THIS VERY STATE of Manitoba, Canada, he is, "Canadian Thunder" CHRIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS TREEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAANNNIIIEERRRRRRRR!

 

Judge: Chris Trepanier looks like he's entering this match with the crowd solidly behind him, Eji.

 

Ejiro: But, but, he's a member of the Urban Decay! He's a part of the BIGGEST POLITICAL POWER here in the SJL! What's gotten into him?

 

"ON THE LEFT!"

 

As if on cue, the opening strains of Zack de la Rocha’s "March of Death" echoes through the arena and the crowd boos loudly as two men emerge from the curtain. Raising his iron staff into the air, Dominic Korgath commands the hatred of the crowd long enough before making way for the "Arsenal" Scott Solomon.

 

Funyon: Now entering the arena, weighing at a combined weight of 606 lbs, representing the URBAN DECAY, Dominic Korgath and SCOTT SOLOMMMMMOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!

 

"Canadian Thunder" twirls around to face his stablemates. The impression he gives to the crowd seems to be that he doesn't want the heat of Urban Decay to sour his reputation here in Manitoba.

 

Ejiro: It looks like Trepanier is selling out! The bastard, he's trading his success with the faction of Urban Decay for a one night only adulation as "hometown hero"!

 

Annie: And that's the way it ought to be. To some, power isn't everything, Eji. Some things can and are more important than being a dominant force, Eji. Why, I think Trepanier is going to forego his position in Urban Decay and ride on his popularity alone! In fact, I'll wager that he's going to win this match as a result!

 

Judge: And if you lose...?

 

Annie: I'll keep quiet for the rest of the show!

 

Ejiro: Deal!

 

The three men are still discussing at the top of the ramp, the riffs of "March of Death" still in the background. Trepanier seems dead against anything Solomon seems to be proposing to him and looks genuinely disturbed. Trepanier turns away from his stablemates as a chant starts to build among the fans.

 

"THUN-DER! THUN-DER! THUN-DER! THUN-DER!"

 

Chris looks expectantly at the crowd, then makes his decision. He turns towards Solomon and Korgath, grabs their shoulders...

 

... and raises his arms in the salute of the Urban Decay! Solomon and Korgath both raise their hands in response as the crowd's chants quickly turn into death threats.

 

Annie: WHAT?!?!

 

Judge: I can't believe it!

 

Ejiro: Haha! Trepanier's a genius! He had the crowd practically eating out of his hand and he insulted them all by turning of them! What a man! What a man!

 

Annie: I still can't believe it! What in the...

 

Ejiro: Shut up, Annie! You lost the bet!

 

Annie: No I...

 

Judge: Zip!

 

Annie: But...

 

Ejiro: Can't hear you!

 

The three members of Urban Decay slide into the ring, but before they can do anything, the other two men in this match, Tommy Nguyen and Hybrid quickly get in some offense. Referee Ced Ordonez quickly calls for the bell to start the match.

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Tommy Nguyen tries to beat down on the back of Scott Solomon but the “Arsenal” treats it no differently from that of an insect bite. Together, he and Dominic Korgath quickly drag the cruiserweight into a corner as they begin to stomp on the Seattle native, raining kicks and boots as Nguyen huddles, helplessly.

 

Seeing Nguyen being well taken care of, Chris Trepanier focuses his attention on Hybrid, who tries to get the upper hand on the Canadian superstar, only to be easily overpowered. Hybrid only manages to hit a single chop, much to the crowd’s disappointment, before Trepanier quickly fires in several chops of his own. An irish whip sends the weaker Hybrid flying into the ropes, and a quick backdrop sends the self-proclaimed “technical high-flyer” reeling into the corner.

 

“Canadian Thunder” climbs onto the top rope and begins raining down punches on the exposed head of Hybrid before the referee begins counting to ten. After he has hit all the blows he can, Trepanier gets off the ropes and leaves Hybrid to recover, but not before slapping the face of the dazed New Yorker, eliciting a chorus of boos from the Manitoba crowd.

 

Trepanier plays to the crowd for several moments before turning back to his opponent, but Hybrid has already been given enough opportunity to recover and launches at the hometown anti-hero with a barrage of punches, taking Trepanier by surprise.

 

The offensive by Hybrid forces Trepanier into the ropes and Hybrid starts chopping away at the muscular chest of “Canadian Thunder”. Hybrid hits one chop (*WOOOOO*) after another (*WOOOO WOOOOO*) and the crowd for some sick reason, is really into seeing their fellow native get hammered.

 

Hybrid finishes off his attack with a carefully timed scoop slam which sees Trepanier showing his first sign of pain. The Bronx fighter then finishes his move by leaping off the second rope and landing on Trepanier’s chest with a huge legdrop.

 

Judge: Beautifully executed leg drop by Hybrid, who’s really taking it to the hometown “hero” Trepanier.

 

Ejiro: Hybrid must learn that it doesn’t pay to cross ANY member of the Urban Decay, or Commissioner Chris Raynor!

 

Annie: But Hybrid…

 

Ejiro: I thought I heard something. Did you hear something, Bill?

 

Judge: Can’t say I have.

 

While Chris Trepanier has his hands full with Hybrid, the two remaining members of Urban Decay start double-teaming the helpless Tommy Nguyen! Solomon and Korgath take turns to land massive fist after massive fist, beating down on the back of the Seattle native. The offence is long and drawn out, and Nguyen looks ready to collapse anytime. Solomon plants Nguyen with a pendulum backbreaker, one of the "Arsenal"'s many signature moves and Korgath simply adds insult to injury by stepping on the back of the downed Nguyen, putting his full 350 lbs weight on the already damaged back of the Asian-American.

 

The Urban Decay, more than satisfied with their work, raise their arms in the infamous salute, much to the unhappiness of the Canadian crowd, who seem very close to rioting at this point in time. Fueled by the anger of the audience, Solomon signals to Korgath for a double team manuever and the two men pick up Nguyen as if he were no better than a rag doll.

 

Solomon delivers several chops to the chest of Tommy Nguyen, as if softening the high-flyer for the move Urban Decay is planning to execute. The crowd continues to boo "the Arsenal" even louder, as the Korgath and Solomon, now very close to the edge of the ring, irish whip Nguyen and bend over in preparation for the double back body drop out of the ring! Despite all the damage done, however, Nguyen still posseses the right state of mind to take advantage of the situation and launch a stunning super kick to the jaw of Dominic Korgath, sending the Big Demon careening out through the middle ropes!

 

Judge: You’ve gotta be kidding me! Did Nguyen just do the impossible?

 

Ejiro: Sure looks like it from this angle, Bill! Tommy Nguyen’s superkick off the ropes has just sent the 350 lbs monster out of the ring! It looks like Dominic Korgath is going to be seeing stars for a few more days now.

 

Annie: I’d like to make YOU see…

 

Judge: What?

 

Annie: I said…

 

Ejiro: Now, now, Annie… the bet!

 

Solomon tries to get in a couple of quick right hooks, but Nguyen blocks both of them and returns fire with several punches of his own. The half-Vietnamese continues to pummel into the Urban Decay member, sending Scott Solomon staggering back with each blow. After Nguyen feels Solomon has suffered enough, he drags "the Arsenal" as if for an irish whip, but pulls back at the last minute and using the momentum, plants Scott with a brutal face first piledriver! The impact causes Solomon to bounce a little off the canvas as he clutches his head in pain. Nguyen turns to the crowd and raises his arms, causing the Manitoba audience to pop big time in anticipation of the Saigon Surprise!

 

Tommy takes the left leg of Solomon, then the right, before leaping into the air and landing feet first right into the crotch of Scott Solomon! The crowd pops big for this blatant show of disrespect to the SJL's dominant heel faction and Nguyen, ever the crowd pleaser, points to the top turnbuckle!

 

Ejiro: Tommy Nguyen is clutching his back. This does not bode well for either man.

 

Judge: That crazy kid! Is he trying to paralyze himself?

 

Still clutching his back, Tommy Nguyen begins his ascension to the top rope, obviously looking to hurt the downed Scott Solomon in a big way. The Seattle native steps lithely onto the ropes, his right hand grabbing the rope to balance himself. Tommy is signalling for the N-Tron Bomb! This is it! Nguyen's going to win this match!

 

The Asian-American athlete prepares to take-off...

 

... NO! Chris Trepanier, seeing his Urban Decay mate in trouble, has picked up his fallen stablemate Dominic Korgath and irish whips the Big Demon into the ropes! This unexpected move causes Nguyen to lose his balance and crotch himself on the top turnbuckle! Tommy's hurting and it's painfully apparent as the high-flyer comes crashing to the mat and begins rolling about in sheer agony. Taking advantage of the situation, Korgath and Trepanier start pounding away at the fallen man, plowing into the smaller man with a barrage of stiff boots to the chest and face.

 

Judge: Urban Decay responding to the high-flying moves of Nguyen with some old-fashioned beating. Here comes the hurting, boy!

 

After several blows to the fallen man, Korgath drags Nguyen to the centre of the ring! The Big Demon launches himself off the ropes and crushes Nguyen with the full weight of his massive girth! Referee Ced Ordonez goes down to count the pin.

 

ONE!

 

...

 

TWO!

 

...

 

TWO AND A HALF!

 

...

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

Hybrid has broken the fall! Hybrid roars his defiance as he attempts to kick the living hell out of Dominic Korgath! The Big Demon tries to block the blows from landing, even as he's trying to get to his feet, but Hybrid is on fire! Korgath gets a knee up and is about to make the New Yorker pay for his insolence, but Hybrid leaps off the exposed knee and slams a foot right into the side of Korgath's face!

 

Ejiro: SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNINNNNNNG WIIIIZARRRRD!

 

Judge: You know, that move is severely overhyped.

 

Ejiro: So's Urban Decay, when you think about it.

 

Annie: Then again, the same could be said for Justi...

 

Ejiro: Did someone say something, Bill?

 

Hybrid has taken Korgath down with that stiff kick to the jaw and it looks as if the Big Demon's time in this match is over. Hybrid gets into the face of Dominic Korgath and starts trash talking before signalling for the Hybrid Theory! The fighter from the Bronx, demonstrating an agility not many people his size possess, lithely leaps to the middle rope before climbing to the top. Getting to his feet, Hybrid lets out one more roar to the audience before jumping off the top rope onto the massive form of the fallen Korgath!

 

Hybrid lands...

 

 

...

 

... onto the mat! Chris Trepanier and Scott Solomon drag their stablemate out of the way just in time!

 

Ejiro: Hybrid tested his Theory, but came up short when there was nobody home!

 

Judge: Never discount the presence of the Urban Decay during this match! They look out for their own!

 

Annie: If only the same could be said about Ray...

 

Judge: Did you say something, Eji?

 

Slowly coming to his senses, Dominic Korgath barely manages to put an arm over the downed body of Hybrid. Ced Ordonez, seeing the cover, starts slapping the mat for the 3-count.

 

ONE!

 

...

 

Nguyen gets to his feet...

 

...

 

TWO!

 

...

 

The Asian-American rushes over...

 

...

 

Ejiro: SPEAR!!!! SPEAR!!!! SPEAR!!!!

 

Judge: My god! Scott Solomon just threw his full body weight against Tommy Nguyen, sending both men hurtling out of the ring! And the pinfall still continues!

 

...

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

 

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Ejiro: He did it! Korgath did it!

 

Funyon: Your winner, surviving a five-man prism match, representing the URRRRRBBBBAAAANNN DEEEECAAAAAAYYY, the Big Demon, DOMINIC KOOOOORRRRRRRRRRGAAAAAAAAAAATTTHHH!

 

Judge: An fine display of teamwork from the Urban Decay. Their winning streak sure doesn’t look to end any time soon.

 

Annie: NOW CAN I SAY….

 

"ON THE LEFT!"

 

The "March Of Death" hits as Scott Solomon and Chris Trepanier both raise the arms of Dominic Korgath, still looking very dazed, as the crowd boos yet another victory for the Urban Decay. The three men continue to stand triumphant in the ring as the show cuts to commericials.

[Thoth 0]

We come back from the break and briefly take in the enthusiastic crowd packing out the Winnipeg Arena, before panning around to take in our now established trio of commentators.

 

Judge: Welcome back to SJL Wrath…the atmosphere here is electric as we await our huge main event for our world title.

Ejiro: I can’t wait to see BEEP walk away with the belt! BEEP is great!

Annie: Why the hell are you saying “BEEP”?

Ejiro: So I don’t give away the mystery man, of course!

Annie: You just don’t know who it is, do you?

Ejiro: Of course I do- it’s BEEP!

Judge: As entertaining as this is, up next we have our new European Champion, the English Dragon, taking on the Aecas, in a non-title match.

Annie: At last, Dragon will finally get what’s coming to him.

Ejiro: Some kind of medal and a crown?

Annie: I was thinking more along the lines of a merciless beating.

Judge: A tough test for Dragon, it’s true…but Aecas also needs a win to keep his quest for the World title on track…let’s get to it!

 

FUNYON: Ladies and Gentleman….the following contest is set for one fall and is a non-title match…

 

“Land of Hope and Glory” strikes up, and red and white streamers begin to drop from the ceiling. The English Dragon strides out, proudly pointing to the European Title belt strapped around his waist.

 

FUNYON: Introducing first…from London, England, weighing in at 223lbs, he is the SJL European Champion, the English Draaaaaaagooooooooooon!

 

Dragon walks through the falling streamers, himself wearing red and white mask and tights. Dragon is closely followed by his loyal butler, Robertson, immaculately turned out in a sharp suit. The Englishman steps into the ring and holds up his belt in one hand, waving to the crowd with the other. The fans are seemingly unimpressed with Dragon’s celebrations, and boo him happily.

 

Judge: Last Tuesday on Crimson Dragon pinned the Apostle to take the European title…

Ejiro: And what a great victory, what a great champion he will be. Could there be a better representative of Europe in the SJL?

Annie: Yes, how about-

Ejiro: Save it! I’m not going to let your wisecracks spoil this moment.

 

Dragon shakes hands with referee Sexton Hardcastle as his music suddenly cuts out. Dragon turns to the entrance sharply, as the lights drop. The crowd waits in darkness for a moment, as a graveyard bell begins to chime out, its deep tones reverberating across the arena. Aecas’ video starts to play on the SmarkTron as a deep voice intones:

 

”Are you scared?”

 

The voice echoes into…

 

“He’s here….”

 

Emperor’s “Curse You All Men” explodes out as red lights flash out across the arena. A E C A S flashes on the SmarkTron amidst shots of vicious action, as thick smoke pours out from the entranceway. A red spotlight settles on the Black Angel, Aecas, as he appears in the smoke, drawing a huge cheer from the crowd. Aecas raises his ever present scythe, snapping the blade out, and begins to walk purposefully to the ring.

 

FUNYON: Aaaaaaaaaaaand his opponent…from Shrewsbury, England, weighing 315lbs…..”The Black Angel”, AECAS~!

 

Ejiro: At last! I was about to fall asleep his entrance takes so long.

Annie: I’d have thought you’d be grateful- its another few minutes you can still pretend Dragon has a chance.

 

Aecas reaches the ring and steps in, as Dragon backs away into one corner. The music cuts out as the lights go back up, and Aecas stares at Dragon, a small smile playing on his white lips. Sexton Hardcastle takes the Scythe, staggering under its weight, and drags it out of the ring. Aecas walks over to Dragon, who flinches as Aecas sticks out a hand, inducing laughs from the fans.

 

Annie: Dragon is clearly intimidated by Aecas- and that’s probably the smartest thing you can credit him with.

Ejiro: He’s not intimidated! Aecas was going to cheap shot him!

 

Aecas keeps the hand out until Dragon slowly extends his own, and we get a clean shake! Sexton Hardcastle, panting after the exertion of removing the scythe, attempts to explain the rules, but gives up from a lack of breath and just waves the two men to get it on.

 

DING DING DING

 

Dragon walks away, wringing out his wrists and rolling his shoulders. The Black Angel merely turns and watches. EngDrag, seemingly making a decision, steps forward quickly. Aecas moves forward to meet him, and they snap their arms across each others shoulders, going into a tie up. Dragon bends his back, trying to shift his opponent, but Aecas easily pushes Dragon back into the nearest corner. Sexton makes the count to break, and Aecas backs away cleanly. Dragon holds his shoulder and rolls them again, seemingly already feeling the effect of Aecas’ brutal strength.

 

Judge: Aecas has over a foot in height and nearly 100lbs in weight on Dragon. There’s no way he can attempt to match power with him.

Ejiro: He doesn’t need to. Dragon is to Aecas as Einstein is to…well, Annie for example. Dragon can outthink the big lump, use tactics.

Annie: It’ll be interesting to see what tactics Dragon employs when he has no teeth left.

 

Dragon shakes his head, and charges Aecas! They go into another lock up, and again Aecas just overpowers Dragon and pushes him back into a corner. Before Sexton can come over, Dragon uses his free arm to pat Aecas quickly on his back. With the Black Angel facing the other way, he assumes the touch is Sexton calling for the break, and steps away from Dragon.

 

EngDrag takes advantage by poking Aecas square in the eye. Hardcastle, standing behind Aecas, doesn’t see the gouge and merely watches as Dragon begins to fire

right hands into the jaw of Aecas. One, two, three, four punches, and EngDrag grabs his opponent’s arm. Dragon whips Aecas off the ropes, but Aecas is in full control of his movement and as he comes back drives his shoulder into the body of Dragon, knocking him hard to the mat to a cheer from the crowd.

 

Judge: Dragon can’t put himself in positions like that…he needs to be moving, not Aecas.

Annie: It really doesn’t matter. C’mon William, do you honestly think Dragon has a chance here?

Judge: Well-

Ejiro: Of course he does! Dragon is just toying with Aecas!

 

Meanwhile, Dragon has sprung straight back from the knockdown, and runs to the ropes. Dragon bounces off quickly and ducks under Aecas’ swinging arm. The Londoner rebounds from the ropes on the other side and drops down into a slide, going through the legs of the Black Angel.

 

Dragon springs to his feet as Aecas turns, and leaps into the air, extending his legs out in front of him and driving his boots forward so the soles connect with the jaw of Aecas with a SNAP! Dragon falls down to the mat and looks up…to see Aecas still standing!

 

The European Champion scuttles to his feet once more, as Aecas grabs for him. Dragon spins to one side and fires a couple of European forearms way up to the head of Aecas. Dragon follows up with a couple of hard chops, driving the edge of his hand into Aecas massive chest. EngDrag jumps up in front of his opponent, grabbing Aecas’ head in both hands and pulling down, so that Aecas’ jaw is slammed into the top of Dragon’s skull.

 

Ejiro: Beautiful jaw breaker! Aecas is STUNNED!

 

Aecas is bent over, holding his jaw, as Dragon steps out of the ring and quickly climbs to the top rope.

 

Judge: It could be too early for this though…

 

Aecas turns to the corner, and EngDrag leaps off, extending his body horizontally and looking to connect with a flying cross-body. Aecas is far too aware however, and, virtually all in one movement, catches Dragon and swings him over, POWERING him into the canvas with a hard powerslam! Dragon bounces off the mat with the impact, but Aecas is on top and presses him down for a cover:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

Annie: Stupid…one jaw breaker isn’t going to slow Aecas down enough to be prey to a simple cross body.

Ejiro: Aecas just got lucky! He slipped on the mat and bumped into Dragon!

Annie: Sure. Just like he’s going to slip right now?

 

Aecas picks Dragon up with one massive hand and places his head between his legs, grabbing the Londoner around the waist.

 

Annie: The Executioner. It’s over. A squash.

Ejiro: He’s not allowed to do that already!

 

Aecas pulls Dragon up, but his fellow Englishman fights back and is able to slip out of Aecas’ grip and land on his feet. Dragon backs away as Aecas comes straight back after him, and retreats so far that he eventually hits the ropes and tumbles out under the top to the floor. Aecas gives another small smile and slides out of the ring after his opponent. Dragon runs around the ring to the other side and Aecas follows, to a big pop from the crowd.

 

Dragon slides back into the ring and stands. Aecas comes right in after him, but as he goes under the bottom rope is left exposed to stomps and kicks from his opponent. Dragon drives his boot repeatedly into the body of Aecas. The ferocity of the assault has Aecas at last temporarily subdued, and Dragon takes the opportunity to place Aecas’ left leg on the bottom rope. EngDrag takes a couple of steps back and jump forward, bending his right leg back and coming down with his knee onto Aecas’ leg.

 

Ejiro: Here we go. Dragon is going to pick apart Aecas piece by piece.

Annie: I don’t know why you don’t like Aecas. He’s big, he’s violent.

Ejiro: Yeah, but violence by the rules just isn’t the same.

Judge: This is Dragon’s best chance, If he can take out that leg he’ll hamper Aecas’ ability to hit big power moves and also give himself a chance of a submission with the figure four.

 

Dragon gets up and kicks Aecas’ leg hard off the rope, before attempting to pull Aecas up. The Black Angel comes up, but it seems more his own effort than Dragon’s. EngDrag attempts to whip Aecas to the ropes, but Aecas shifts his weight and stops himself. The Shrewsbury native pulls around, reversing the whip so that Dragon is sent flying to the ropes.

 

EngDrag comes back in control of his motion, and leaps forward, diving low, feet outstretched in front of him. Dragon sends his boots into the left knee of Aecas with a basement dropkick, and the impact is enough to knock the leg out and send Aecas down onto his face.

 

Dragon, with a huge effort, rolls Aecas onto his back and hooks a huge leg:

 

ONE!

 

 

Aecas THROWS Dragon off him! The European champion is propelled high into the air and hits the mat hard as the crowd roar in appreciation. Aecas quickly gets back to his feet, briefly putting extra weight on his left leg to check any damage. Dragon is up, and Aecas swings a punch at him, but EngDrag ducks it and scoots around behind the Black Angel, wrapping his arms around the waist of his opponent. Dragon struggles to move Aecas, who merely stands still and smiles.

 

Aecas moves forwards quickly onto the ropes and holds onto the top rope. The sudden change in momentum bounces Dragon off Aecas, and he rolls backwards back to his feet. Dragon charges in at the back of Aecas, who calmly turns and SLAMS his arm forward into the neck of Dragon, nearly decapitating him with a lariat!

 

Annie: That has got to hurt…

Ejiro: It’s ok, Dragon knows how to take pain.

Judge: That was just brutal. Here’s the cover:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

Dragon manages to break the cover, but is helpless to prevent Aecas grabbing him to his feet once more. Aecas sends Dragon to the ropes and ducks down, looking to back drop his opponent, but as EngDrag flies back he vaults over the Black Angel, coming down behind him and continuing to the other side of the ring. Dragon bounces back but Aecas has turned and is ready for him.

 

Aecas gets his right arm underneath Dragon’s body, grabbing him up high and then spinning around and slamming Dragon down to the mat. Aecas takes Dragon’s arm and pulls him into the nearest corner.

 

Judge: Huge side slam from Aecas…and he’s going up top!

Annie: It’s an awesome sight when Aecas takes to the air.

Ejiro: Bah…stop it with the sycophancy. The amount of ass kissing you’re doing anyone would think Aecas was female. Although he does have hair like a girl.

 

Aecas steps out onto the apron and slowly climbs to the top rope. Dragon is lying prone in front of him, and Aecas balances himself…but suddenly falls down onto the top turnbuckle as Robertson pulls his legs out from under him! Robertson quickly moves away. To add insult to injury, Sexton’s eyes were on Dragon and he missed the interference.

 

Annie: That fool…that’s twice he’s missed blatant cheating already!

Ejiro: Excellent officiating. He was checking Dragon hadn’t been hurt by the unnecessarily stiff slam.

 

Dragon becomes aware that Aecas has been knocked down and winded, and gets to his feet as quickly as he can. Dragon climbs up to the second rope and fires a few quick forearm shots to the head of his opponent. Dragon wraps his right arm around the head of Aecas and steps up to the top rope, drawing Aecas with him. EngDrag grabs the top of Aecas’ leather pants and attempts to pull him back and over…but Aecas resists, and his weight is too much for Dragon to move!

 

Aecas fights out of the headlock, but Dragon drops down to the second rope and hits him with another couple of punches. Dragon slowly turns away from Aecas, and gets his right arm around the head of the Black Angel.

 

Judge: What does Dragon have planned here?

Annie: He couldn’t suplex Aecas, even from the top, so he’s just going to try and drag him off!

 

Indeed, Dragon leaps forward off the second rope, getting distance and pulling Aecas with him. As they crash to the mat Aecas’ head and neck is SMASHED into Dragon’s shoulder! The fans let out a cry of surprise as both men lie on the mat.

 

Ejiro: Beautiful! Dragon pulling Aecas down with a neckbreaker off the top! Brilliant improvisation!

Judge: Dragon using gravity and his own weight rather than pure strength, and it could turn the tide for him here.

 

Aecas holds his head as Dragon gets to his feet. The Londoner grabs Aecas’ long left leg and begins to kick, driving the toe of his boot into the joint. EngDrag holds the leg on the mat and drives his knee into it, once, twice, three times. Dragon keeps his knee in place after the third strike and grinds it in, pulling back hard on Aecas’ lower leg.

 

The Black Angel starts to fight back, shifting onto his back from his side and sitting up. Dragon, his knee still in place, chops the chest of Aecas, who shakes his head and just smiles. Dragon chops again, to no effect. A third chop also bounces off, and Dragon releases the leg to unleash more blows, but Aecas is ready and just grabs Dragon around the throat in his huge right hand.

 

Annie: Here we go! So much for Dragon’s “intelligence”, Ej. He got frustrated at the ineffectiveness of his chops and abandoned the attack on the leg too quickly.

Ejiro: That’s a blatant choke! C’mon Sexton, do your job!

 

Aecas, still gripping Dragon, rises to his feet, and Dragon has no choice but to follow. The Black Angel tenses, and hoists Dragon off the mat by the throat! Dragon dangles in the air, legs kicking, before Aecas DRIVES him down to the canvas hard with the chokeslam! Dragon bounces away from Aecas, who goes to move after him, but is slightly slowed by a limp that appears to have developed in his left leg. Aecas gets down for the cover:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEE-KICKOUT!

 

Judge: Dragon escapes with just inches to spare! Aecas is back in total control. Look at him posing, disgusting!

Ejiro: The kickout there should prove that Aecas CANNOT pin Dragon.

 

Aecas gets to his feet, and draws Dragon into his grasp. Aecas has Dragon facing him, and grabs him with one arm across his stomach and the other around his back. Aecas pulls up, twisting Dragon into the air and positioning him for a shoulder breaker. Dragon wriggles in Aecas’ clutches however, and pushes on Aecas’ body with his hands, slowly propelling himself up his giant opponent’s body!

 

Dragon manages to move himself high enough to drop back over Aecas’ shoulder, and as he does so he wraps his right arm around Aecas’ neck and pulls his head back into a Dragon sleeper! Dragon gets his legs around Aecas’ midriff and wrenches back on the sleeper whilst on his opponent’s back.

 

Judge: Yes! Dragon Sleeper, and Aecas is in trouble.

Ejiro: What a counter from Dragon! Let’s see how long Aecas can last before he taps!

Annie: Has either of you EVER seen Aecas tap? Let alone to a runt like Dragon?

 

Aecas staggers, waving his right arm and tries to throw Dragon off by spinning around, but Dragon holds tight. After a few seconds, Aecas’ left leg drops and the Black Angel falls down to one knee, enabling Dragon to get his feet on the mat. EngDrag pulls back on the sleeper as the crowd encourages Aecas to escape.

 

Dragon nods his head in approval, but Aecas is still fighting. The giant has to use all his strength to push up with his left leg, and, as he does so, Aecas swiftly spins around breaking the sleeper. Aecas grabs Dragon’s head under his left arm and drops back, smashing EngDrag’s head into the mat with a DDT!

 

Dragon is down and looks to have been stunned by the blow. Aecas stays down too, feeling the effects of the sleeper.

 

Judge: A desperation move from Aecas to escape, and both men are down.

Ejiro: That’s where Dragon needs to keep him. Everyone’s the same height on the mat.

Annie: That would be Dragon’s best chance to win…if he had any chance at all.

 

Dragon starts to crawl away and up. Aecas also stands, favouring his right leg. Dragon turns and runs in, but Aecas just swats him down to the mat with a back elbow. Dragon rolls back to his feet and goes to the ropes, springing off and attempting to attack with greater velocity, but Aecas is ready and lifts his right leg horizontally into the air, thrusting his boot forward and SMASHING it into Dragon’s face! Dragon crashes to the mat, but Aecas stumbles, having put all his weight on his damaged left leg.

 

However, the pain in his leg doesn’t register on the big man’s face as he flips Dragon onto his back and sits next to him. The crowd pops as Aecas takes a hold of Dragon’s wrists, one in each hand, and locks his legs around Dragon’s arms and necks in a full nelson position. Aecas pulls back on the arms hard, locking in-

 

Annie: The Wings Of Fire! A deadly submission hold!

Ejiro: Dragon won’t tap! Dragon never taps!

 

The Londoner is shaking his head as Sexton asks if he wants to give it up, but his shouts of pain seem to belie his assertions that he’s fine. Aecas grins in sadistic pleasure as he bends the arms back even more….but Dragon manages to move and shift his body position enough to extend his right leg fully so that it’s just brushing the bottom rope. Sexton counts the break, and Aecas gets up reluctantly.

 

Dragon pulls himself up using the ropes and rests there. Aecas sizes up his opponent, helplessly spread across the top rope, and walks to the ropes directly opposite him, looking to bounce off and charge at the European Champion. As he reaches the ropes however, an unnoticed Robertson SLAMS a punch into the back of his left knee! There’s a glint of brass knuckles as Robertson serenely moves away. Sexton was unsighted by the massive bulk of Aecas and only watches as Aecas falls forward to the mat, rolling onto his back and clutching his leg in pain.

 

Ejiro: His leg gave out! Dragon’s assault pays off!

Annie: It didn’t give out- that damn butler punched it with knucks!

Ejiro: Knucks? What are knucks?

Judge: This is it! What an upset for Dragon!

 

The Londoner staggers forward off the ropes and stands over the Black Angel. Dragon nods and waves to the crowd, receiving a torrent of abuse for his troubles. EngDrag grabs the left leg of Aecas, bending it around his own leg, and spins around. Dragon is picking up Aecas’ right leg when the big man kicks hard with it, propelling Dragon off and down to the mat. The crowd cheers this escape but resumes booing again as Dragon gets to his feet behind Aecas, gesturing for his opponent to get up, crouched ready to attack.

 

Aecas obliges, picking himself from the mat and standing slowly on one leg…only for Dragon to dive forwards and drive his shoulder into the back of the left knee, clipping the leg out from under Aecas and sending him down once more! Dragon kicks Aecas over onto his back and, grabbing both legs, pull him into the centre of the ring. Dragon steps in, hooking Aecas’ left leg around and spinning around. This time Dragon gets a hold of the right leg and is able to drop back and cinch in the Cross of St George figure four before Aecas can kick him off!

 

Dragon drops back, pulling hard on the right leg and shouting in triumph. Aecas grimaces in pain as the crowd chants for him to escape…and…Aecas’ hand rises!

 

Ejiro: He’s going to tap! A huge win for Dragon!

Judge: The Cross of St George beats the Wings Of Fire!

Annie: Ah…I don’t see him tapping…

 

And Aecas’ hand doesn’t tap! He plants his elbow down into the mat and uses it to try and turn himself over. Dragon shakes his head in panic and tries to hold on, but Aecas’ strength is irresistible, and Aecas slowly, slowly turns the figure four over! Dragon struggles in panic and pain in the reversed figure four, and drags himself forwards to grab the bottom rope. The break, and our competitors extract themselves.

 

Dragon gets to his feet first and lets loose a torrent of abuse at Aecas, who lies on his back, recovering from the effort of reversing Dragon’s hold. EngDrag moves to the corner and climbs up, his back to the ring, but Aecas is up too! The Black Angel limps over as Dragon is waving to the crowd and slams a HARD forearm shot into his back. Dragon is almost knocked out of the ring, but Aecas has a hold on his tights.

 

Aecas stands facing the ring and puts his right hand under Dragon’s left arm, doing the same on the other side.

 

Judge: Aecas looks pissed!

Annie: He’s put up with Dragon and his goon’s cheating all match, and now it’s pay back time!

 

Aecas lifts up with his arms, and Dragon is raised onto this back! Aecas steps out of the corner shakily, and starts to run forward!

 

Judge: My God, running powerbomb attempt!

Ejiro: Gouge his eyes! Low blow! Anything!

 

As Aecas moves forward however his left leg buckles under the weight! Aecas and Dragon tumble down to the mat, and with the sudden change in direction Dragon crashes into Sexton Hardcastle, who can’t get out of the way in time! Hardcastle is bumped down to the mat and holds his head!

 

Dragon took more of the fall, and Aecas is up, focusing on EngDrag and seemingly not noticing the fallen referee. Aecas picks Dragon up and wraps his arms around his waist, rapidly hoisting him up and letting Dragon hang down his body. A jump and a spin, and Aecas POWERS Dragon’s head into the matt with the Executioner! Aecas crosses Dragon’s arms and the crowd counts the pin:

 

1!

 

 

2!

 

 

3!

 

 

4!

 

 

5!

 

Frustrated, Aecas releases the hold and goes over to Hardcastle, attempting to revive him. As he does so, there’s a THUNK as Robertson tosses a steel chair into the ring. Aecas is too preoccupied with Sexton to notice, but slowly Dragon crawls over to it. EngDrag picks himself up, standing unsteadily and grabs the chair,

 

Annie: No…this is disgusting! Turn around Aecas!

Ejiro: Shut up woman! Don’t interfere in the match!

 

Dragon staggers towards Aecas…who turns around! The big man shakes his head and smiles tightly. Dragon takes a step forward…and throws the chair towards Aecas! The Black Angel catches the chair and looks at it, a quizzical look on his face.

 

The crowd encourages Aecas to use the chair, but before Aecas can do anything, Dragon drops back onto the mat, clutching his head! The fall is perfectly timed, as at that moment Sexton shakes his head clear and surveys the match scene! The crowd boos heartily…and Sexton looks at the fallen Dragon and the still chair wielding Aecas!

 

Annie: Oh no…Sexton, please don’t be a fool…

Ejiro: Think, Sexton! You can see what happened here!

 

Aecas grabs Sexton by his shirt and shakes his head angrily…but this only serves as encouragement for Hardcastle to call for the bell!

 

DING DING DING

 

Aecas shoves Sexton down to the mat, who slides out of the ring and speaks to Funyon.

 

FUNYON: The winner of the match….as a result of a disqualification….the English DRAAAAAAAGOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

 

“BULLSHIT! BULLSHIT!” comes the chant from the fans, as Aecas stands, furious. EngDrag is getting to his feet, “selling” the chair shot for all he’s worth. Aecas looks at him and grins, the chair still in his huge left hand. One swing and CRACK, and Dragon is back on the mat to huge cheers from the crowd.

 

Aecas lands three more hard chair shots to the body of Dragon before Robertson grabs his employer’s leg and pulls him out of the ring.

 

Judge: A huge win for English Dragon!

Annie: That’s disgusting, total screw job. We need some better referees in the SJL. For God’s sake, that was just---I’m speechless.

Ejiro: We can all be thankful for that. Aecas got what he deserved- using that chair was a sick and cowardly act.

Annie: Dragon couldn’t beat Aecas. He couldn’t get a pin, a tap, nothing, so he resorted to this.

Judge: A win is a win, and Dragon continues on a roll! We’ll be back with so much more after these messages.

[Thoth 0]

Returning from another patented SJL commercial break puts the arena into a virtual frenzy of screams and various chanting that could warm your heart if you could really hear them. Fans can be seen running from the concession stands and souvenir stands, trying to get to their seats.

 

An instrumental remix of “Time” by Taproot begins to play as the arena lights dim…

 

…down from the ceiling descends the fifteen foot high steel cage that will try to contain the next match. As it continues to drop, the camera swings around to the announce position.

 

Annie: Welcome back everyone…up next is going to be a brutal steel cage match…as the former European Champion Apostle takes on Manson in what will most likely turn into a match in who can cause more pain to the other.

Judge: Now that loopy bastard doesn’t have the title anymore…and I’m sure he isn’t too happy about that. I am also sure he is happy that Craig McLennan can’t interfere in this match…

Ejiro: …yeah…Bloodshed…or whatever…has been on the losing end of a lot of McLennan’s antics as of late, and maybe today he’ll get back on the winning track.

 

The cage finally locks in place, as some of the ring-crew work to secure the cage down. Funyon stands outside of the ring, holding his handy dandy microphone. The lights stay faded down and the music fades out as a spotlight appears on Funyon as he announces the first competitor.

 

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen…the following contest will take place…inside a STEEL CAGE~!

 

The crowd explodes at the very mention of those two words…as if those words control their souls and the very essence of their lives.

 

…the winner will be the person that exits the cage either through the door or by climbing to the TOP…

 

…and over to the outside causing both feet to touch the floor!

 

The crowd explodes again just as a voice booms over the P.A…

 

Voice: Failure……is your ONLY option……

 

Heavenly lights fall to the entranceway as The Apostle slowly makes his way out…but as his figure enters the lights they begin to flicker out and die…only to be replaced by flames shooting down each side of the entranceway. A close-up shows the former European Champion’s face with a smile as he makes his way toward the cage.

 

Funyon: Introducing first……from Las Vegas, Nevada…the man that claims to know The Answer and the one that just may show us all the way….

 

…THE APOSSSSSSSSTLE~!

 

The Apostle gets to the ring and reaches for the door, but stops as his hand rubs against the steel. For a moment he stands there, his right hand pressed against the door, his fingers rolling through the chain-link structure. The flames flicker out for a moment, but a close-up of the Apostle shows a smile on his face once more as his head shots up and looks toward Funyon.

 

Judge: What is he looking at him for!

Ejiro: This could get ugly…

 

Flames burst up the entranceway again as The Apostle walks towards Funyon, but goes right past him, grabbing two chairs and walking back toward the door. Apostle tosses the chairs into the cage and then goes under the ring, pulling out more chairs and tossing them in…

 

The fans watch in awe as soon a dozen or so chairs litter the ring. Again the Apostle eyes Funyon, walking toward him and grabbing his microphone. Apostle smiles and rubs Funyon’s head a bit, then he climbs into the ring, unfolding a chair and disrobing, sitting down in the chair and looking toward the entranceway and out toward the crowd.

 

Apostle: What this match needed…was a bit…more…METAL~!

 

The fans pop at finally learning the method to his madness.

 

Apostle: Now Manson…I’ve seen you all week and I’ve seen you in the previous weeks…and you always act the same way. Who cares how bad your childhood was…who cares how much shit you had to put up with? These people don’t! All they want to see is a FIGHT…and tonight we are going to give them just that.

 

…but the thing is…Manson…is that there can only be ONE WINNER. I am that winner…and you will once again fail. You are doomed to fail, Manson. You are not even paying attention to my voice right now…as you are too busy thinking about how much you are going to fail!

 

Judge: Holy…..

Ejiro: …God…

Annie: Yes?

Ejiro: ……………

 

Apostle: Failure is your only option…so just get out here so we can get this over with and at least entertain all of these people for as long as it takes me to destroy you and leave you knowing one more of The Answers…

 

Apostle tosses the mic up over the top of the cage behind his head…and Funyon can be seen chasing it down as “Hate Song” by the Haunted begins to blare out through the arena. The lights completely drop out once more and a barrage of red strobe takes over the senses…leaving Funyon stumbling his introduction…

 

Funyon: And his….his…his opponent…from Denver, Colorado…he calls himself Hate Personified…

 

…he is…..MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNSSSSSOOOOOOON~!

 

Manson appears in the entranceway and looks to the center of the cage, where the Apostle still sits, his head bowed in apparent prayer. Manson wastes no time shedding his jacket at the top of the entranceway and takes off running, crawling into the ring and shutting the door on the way. An official can be seen locking the door as Manson walks up to the still praying Apostle.

 

Judge: What the…

 

The lights return to normal, putting Manson only inches away from his opponent.

 

Ejiro: Is he praying?

Annie: I don’t know why he does that…I still won’t go out with him…

Judge: ...lord…

Annie: That’s a good start, Judge…but the answer is still no…

Judge: …

 

Manson seems confused at these actions, and looks over at the official momentarily, who simply shrugs and signals for the bell…

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Before Manson can even think twice about the bell, The Apostle launches from his chair and tackles him down, dropping his wrist across his neck and starting things off inside the cage with a vicious choke.

 

Judge: He was playing possum…

Ejiro: …or Mantis…

Judge: And who better than Mantis?

Annie: I think you mean Mortis, Judge…

Judge/Ejiro: …who?

Annie: Nevermind…

 

Being caught off guard, Manson takes a moment to regain his composure and is able to get free after a hard punch right to side of the Apostle’s head…and another separates the two men and gives them a little breathing room inside the confines of the shiny metal structure around them. The Apostle smiles and grabs two chairs, holding them in the air and tossing one of them to Manson, who catches it and looks confused.

 

Judge: What’s going on now?

Ejiro: What an idiot…

Annie: At least he’s being fair…

Ejiro: Fair? What’s that?

Judge: A place with monkeys, tigers, games, rides, and possibly Ash Ketchum…

Ejiro: …oh…

 

Apostle: Let’s Duel, boy!

 

Manson smiles at the invitation and runs in swinging…flailing almost wildly and trying to connect on Apostle, but Apostle instead dodges out of the way and drops Manson in a toehold, sending him and the chair down to the canvas, where they obviously bounce off each other. The sudden daze gives Apostle his first swing, slamming Manson’s head between both chairs.

 

Ejiro: That was ALMOST a veteran move…almost…

Annie: Give the devil…or the Apostle in this case…his due…that was sweet!

 

Apostle drops the chair and heads for the door. A camera on the outside shows the referee hunting for his key, but it cannot be found.

 

Judge: That moron can’t find his key!

 

Apostle shakes the cage in anger upon this realization, but calms down quickly enough to begin scaling the side wall just as Manson reaches his feet. Manson notices the rapidly escaping Apostle and yanks him down, dropping him to his back on the canvas. Manson holds the top rope with his hands and springboards up to the second rope, dropping back with an elbow on his fallen opponent.

 

Manson stands quickly and he too heads for the door, but the ref is still keyless. Manson also voices his disapproval before trying his hand at cage climbing. Before he can get too high up, however, the Apostle is back up and is wielding a chair, connecting to an unsuspecting Manson’s back, dropping him down as well. Apostle laughs and points towards the entranceway as flames burst up, showing the Apostle’s power.

 

Judge: HOLY SHIT!

Ejiro: I thought you were gonna say “Todd Damn!”

Judge: Shut up!

Annie: I wish I could do that…it would make going to the supermarket easier.

 

Judge and Ejiro can be heard stifling laughter as the flames continue to burn up the entranceway and the Apostle starts laying in boots to Manson, causing him to roll under the ropes toward the cage wall. Apostle steps back a moment before running away and off the opposite ropes…rushing in quickly and baseball sliding right into Manson’s head, sandwiching it between his feet and the chain-link cage.

 

Judge: Ouch!

Ejiro: That’ll either cure or cause a massive headache there…

 

Apostle stands and pins his feet against Manson’s head once more, holding onto to the top rope and pushing hard, putting pressure all over Manson’s head. The crowd seems to be getting into the pain inflicted as a close-up sees Apostle’s eyes concentrating on the flames he created.

 

After a moment the ref can be seen on the outside yelling to the Apostle to let off, and only after a few more seconds of Manson’s flailing does the Apostle finally relent and begin to scale the cage himself…staring at the flames the whole way.

 

As the Apostle climbs, Manson can be seen making his way to his feet below, and before Apostle can even get both hands on the top, Manson has grabbed both of the Apostle’s feet. Manson pulls outward hard, but the Apostle’s hands seem glued to the top. Only after a seriously hard pull does the Apostle’s body come crashing down from twelve feet to the canvas, his head missing the top rope by a foot or so.

 

Ejiro: Wow…and Apostle’s still moving. That’s amazing!

Judge: He’ll get up from anything to win…

 

A replay off the Apostle’s fall plays in the corner as Manson sends a few kicks into the Apostle’s head as a bit of payback from earlier. The crowd is chanting almost in rhythmic sound, not exactly chanting or even saying a word…but more of an operatic echo burning through the arena as the flames begin to die down with each shot to the Apostle’s head.

 

Judge: The flames are dying!

Ejiro: …and so are the Apostle’s chances at winning this match, Judge…

Annie: Oh come on…probably just ran out of gasoline…

Ejiro: ….

Annie: What…it can happen!

 

Manson pulls the Apostle up and wipes him towards the ropes, catching him with a picture perfect tilt a whirl backbreaker as he comes back around. The Apostle’s body almost bounces off Manson’s knee before slumping to the canvas, leaving Manson to try his hand at escaping once more.

 

Judge: The ref still doesn’t have that key!

 

Manson grabs the cage wall again and begins his climb, his fingers entwining themselves into the fence in case the Apostle awakens. Behind his back, the Apostle has made it up to his knees and is just noticing his opponent’s escape attempt. Apostle is up and grabs onto Manson’s body, giving it a tug…but Manson does not budge, trying instead to kick his assailant away. Apostle tries once more but the same result occurs, and Manson moves closer to escape. Just as he is to reach the top, however, a springboarding and chair-welding Apostle jumps into frame and swings his chair, connecting right into Manson’s knuckles, causing him to scream in pain and fall from the cage wall, hitting the canvas hard on his back. The Apostle also falls and stumbles into the ropes, his body being held up by the top rope as he drops the chair.

 

Annie: What a counter to Manson’s almost foolproof plan

Ejiro: Apostle’s just too much of a fool for Manson’s plan I guess…

Judge: He could’ve broken his fingers!

Annie: Calm down, Judge.

 

Manson is indeed clutching his hands as he tries to get back to his feet, wincing in pain momentarily before being attacked by Apostle once more. A hard knee to the guy sends Manson reeling backwards…almost tripping over his own feet. A clothesline from the Apostle sends Manson down on his back once more, and the Apostle instinctively goes for Manson’s hands, grabbing them and squeezing them, making Manson almost beg for mercy.

 

Annie: If the Apostle can injure Manson’s hands…

Judge: …it might make it a bit harder for Manson to climb at all…

Ejiro: Yeah…but if the ref gets a spare key Manson could just walk out during the Apostle’s elaborate exit…

Annie: good point.

Ejiro: Oh…I know.

 

The smile on the Apostle’s face grows as he tightens his grip on Manson’s hands, pulling him up to his feet. The Apostle walks over to the corner and sits on the top turnbuckle, holding Manson’s hands out in front of him. With a big leap, Apostle flies over Manson’s head and down, landing in a legdrop position behind him…but holding onto his opponent’s hands brings Manson crashing back with him, and a small shift in Apostle’s weight brings Manson’s back right across the Apostle’s shoulder, causing another moan of pain.

 

Judge: What a move there by the Apostle…

Ejiro: I honestly don’t think I’ve seen that before

Annie: I have you guys…it’s called a Whiplash Backbreaker…very orgasmic…

Ejiro/Judge: ………

 

Manson rolls to the ground, but the Apostle took a hard hit to his lower back and shoulder during the move, and he too rolls over a bit and tries to regain his composure.

 

Ejiro: HA! How’s your orgasmic move now!

Annie: Hunny…I can do things that would rock your world…

Ejiro: ……

 

The crowd seems stuck in a state of anticipation as to what the two men will do next inside the cage, as both men reach their feet at about the same time, but with the Apostle getting a bit of an advantage and rushing in for the attack…only to be lifted him and dropped face first into the side of the cage.

 

Apostle’s body falls and hits the rope, sending him backwards to the canvas. As the camera moves in for a close-up it can be seen that the cage shot busted him open.

 

Judge: Apostle goes….well….Bloodshed…or something!

Ejiro: You didn’t think he lose all the blood just because his name changed did you?

Judge: ……

Annie/Ejiro: HA!

 

But the blood seems to not affect the Apostle, as he is quick to get back to his feet…surprising the crowd and Manson himself, who simply attacks his bloody opponent once more.

 

The Apostle tries to fight back with punches, but Manson’s a bit quicker on the exchange and his able to get him off the ground once more, slamming him hard with a scoop and following up with a quick elbow right into the Apostle’s face. The Apostle rolls toward the ropes instinctively, but Manson decides that eye for an eye would be a good policy, and repeats the Apostle’s move from earlier, baseball sliding the Apostle’s bloody face right into the side of the cage, no doubt causing more bloodshed to occur.

 

Judge: Manson just isn’t relenting right here…

Ejiro: He wants to win this match…

Annie: …well DUH.

 

Manson stands and looks up the entranceway…finally noticing that the Apostle’s fire has died out…symbolically showing the Apostle’s pain. Manson laughs to himself and goes for the cage door once more, but the still shrugging referee causes Manson to start his climb.

 

Annie: Manson is trying to climb, but his hands are just in too much pain.

Judge: He can still make it!

 

Quite slowly Manson works his way up the side as the Apostle can be seen climbing up the ropes to his feet. The Apostle notices the escape quickly and tries to catch him, with his uninjured hands helping him to catch Manson just as he reaches the top. The Apostle hangs on with one hand and sends a hard right into Manson’s kidney that stops him in his tracks and almost makes him fall, but the Apostle has other ideas.

 

Judge: What is he doing?

 

Apostle drops down, balancing himself on the top rope, pulling Manson down with him and hooking his right arm around his waist. With a lift and a jump both men go flying backwards towards the middle of the ring, with Manson landing hard on his upper back!

 

Annie: Springboard Back Suplex!

Judge: And both men are HURT!

 

Both men roll away from each other…and the crowd can only watch on to see who will get to their feet first.

 

Apostle gets to his knees and begins almost crawling toward Manson, who has made his way to the opposite ropes and is slowly climbing up to his feet. Just as Manson makes it to his feet and looks out into the crowd, a close-up camera shows a nasty look of pain cross his face as he drops out of frame and to the ground next to Apostle.

 

Judge: I can’t believe that!

Ejiro: I saw it!

Annie: What…what’d I miss?

 

A replay from the other side of the ring shows the Apostle dive in and low blow Manson just as he gets to his feet, dropping him down to his knees and to his back in pain.

 

Annie: Now that’s a veteran cage move…

Judge: That’s cheating!

Annie: You would have done it too

Judge: But I’m allowed! I’m the Judge!

 

Apostle gets back to his feet, as a camera catches the flames begin to burn once again up the entranceway. A stunning image as the Apostle looks down on the body of Manson before jumping up and springboarding back with a legdrop to the dazed Manson, his leg dropping down right across his throat.

 

Manson rolls away in agony, but the Apostle stops him and lifts him up, hooking in a front facelock and picking him up high for a suplex…but instead of falling backwards he tosses Manson forward and into the side of the cage upside down.

 

As Manson rolls away from the cage it can be seen that he too has been busted open. The crowd cheers at the bloodspill and continues to cheer momentarily as the Apostle continues his attack on Manson’s face, busting him open just as Manson had done to him earlier in the match.

 

Annie: Blood for blood! This is great!

 

The Apostle allows Manson to get back to his feet, but only for a moment before grabbing his wrist and whipping him off the ropes, jumping high and catching him with a release rana that sends Manson flying across the ring and into the ropes and the cage wall once more. Just as Manson hits the cage the flames shoot high, returning to ‘normal’ as the Apostle gets back to his feet and continues to attack, bringing the boots to Manson for a moment before lifting him up once more.

 

But now the blood seems to be helping Manson, as he pushes the Apostle’s hands away and grabs his wrist, trying to whip him into the cage wall, but the Apostle is prepared and jumps up, his feet catching the chain-link and running up the wall before coming back down and springboarding off the top rope and spinning down, bringing an axe handle chop across the elbow of Manson.

 

Judge: Holy SHIT!

Ejiro: …matrix-y…

Annie: Well that’s one way to get out of hold…

 

The crowd is stunned at the athletic display of the Apostle as he dizzily spins out of control for a moment before dropping to his knees in a silent prayer. The flames flicker out and the heavenly lights drop down upon his figure. He stays in this position as Manson makes it back to his feet and rushes him, but again he can’t connect as the Apostle ducks out of the prayer position and somersaults forward and up to his feet as the lights die out. Manson is quick to turn however, and he rushes back at the Apostle and both men connect with vicious flying clotheslines that put them both down once more.

 

Judge: They are bloody, beaten, and battered right now…

Ejiro: …and possibly whomever can make it to their feet first could win this!

 

Manson is up to his feet first after a moment, and he finally remembers all the chairs scattered throughout the ring. Manson grabs a chair and swings at the Apostle, who has made it to his knees, and the shot connects right to his back, dropping him down and causing a small moan of agony as the flames flicker out once more.

 

Manson smiles and attacks the back once more with the chair, hitting two more hard shots before heading up the side of the cage again. His hands are still in pain though, so the climb is still very slow. As he is about to make it to the top of the cage the cameraman catches a recovered Apostle following him up the same side, carrying a car at his side. Just as Manson gets to the top and throws a leg over, his other leg is hit by a hard shot, and when he looks down and grabs his leg he gets another hard shot to the head, bringing forth more blood.

 

Judge: If Apostle isn’t careful he could knock Manson off the top to the outside…and Manson would win…but at quite the price…

Annie: I think Apostle just wants to hurt him…he doesn’t care about the match anymore…he’s lost his belt and I know he is mad about that…

Ejiro: How?

Annie: Were you mad when you lost your belts?

Ejiro: ….yes…

Annie: Exactly, chump…

 

The Apostle uses Manson’s down time to also get to the top of the cage…straddling the top and trying not to injure any needed organs. Manson looks up at the Apostle just in time to catch another chair to the face that sends him falling toward the ring, but his leg gets STUCK!

 

Judge: Oh no! He could get himself killed thanks to the Apostle!

 

Manson hangs loosely for a second, not really sure where he is. The Apostle simply smiles and lifts Manson’s leg out of it’s predicament and pushes Manson down, causing him to flip and land on his back hard near the center of the ring.

 

Annie: The Apostle could win if he just climbs down!

 

The Apostle stands up on the top of the cage and looks down toward the floor and the ref, but before he can climb down he looks up to the sky, and the heavenly lights burn down. A smile again appears on his face as he shows his now dented chair to the crowd and holds it against his chest…facing out towards them…

 

Judge: Is he going to…

Ejiro: No fucking way…

Annie: ????

 

Apostle looks down toward the ring and the fallen Manson…before leaping backwards and flipping over in the air, falling and holding the chair against himself as he lands almost perfectly across Manson’s body, sandwiching the chair between both of them.

 

Ejiro/Annie/Judge/Everyone: MY GOD~!

 

The Apostle rolls off the chair, looking to be knocked out as well. Manson hasn’t moved an inch since his fall. The crowd is in shock and even the referee is flipping out on the outside. He begins to signal for EMTs…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…but the Apostle nips up!

 

 

Judge: HOLY SHIT! CHOIR BOY NIPPED UP!

 

The Apostle shots off his back and lands on his feet, spinning around momentarily and looking in all directions before noticing the destruction his dive has caused…the body of Manson laying there…with barely any motion.

 

The Apostle signals to go up and over and out…and as he climbs the camera and the crowd can see Manson begin to move, looking up and over at the ref…who has finally gotten a key.

 

Annie: How’d he get that key!?

 

A replay of the moments before the dive has a camera catching a ring crew member handing the referee a key before rushing backstage.

 

Annie: My God…both men have a chance if Manson can hurry!

 

The Apostle again straddles the top of the cage and looks down, seeing the referee unlocking the cage for a weary Manson, who is inching closer to the door. The Apostle FREAKS OUT as flames fly high up the entranceway. He begins his climb down the other side and is hanging from the top of the cage as Manson’s begins to exit…

 

Apostle: I DON’T THINK SO!!

 

 

With a loud scream the Apostle swings toward the door and lets go of the cage, falling in seemingly slow motion before kicking the door shut right on the head of Manson and falling TO THE FLOOR!

 

Manson rolls back into the ring in pain as the Apostle lays hurt on the outside, the ref looking down in awe.

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Funyon: Here is your winner……THE APOOOOOOOOOOOOOSTLE~!

 

The ref helps the bloody winner up and again calls for EMTs, but they seem to be having trouble getting past the flaming entranceway. Apostle simply smiles as the flames die out and the EMTs rush the cage as it begins to raise up and allow them to get at Manson, but the Apostle shrugs off medical attention and slowly works his way backstage, holding his hand up high as he goes.

 

 

The crowd cheers the performance of both men…as whether they are hated or loved…they put their lives on the line for the crowd tonight.

 

Judge: Amazing…I don’t know how he did it…he nipped up after almost killing himself…

Ejiro: I don’t know Judge…

Annie: If he can take that much of a beating and still get up that quick…Craig better watch out…or he very well just might know The Answer…

 

SJL Wrath fades to commercial after showing various replays from the match, including the insane ending sequence that left The Apostle the victor and Manson with a severe headache.

[Thoth 0]

The electric crowd in the Winnipeg Arena are on their feet and other people’s as well as they hear Wrath theme music pumping through the speakers, signaling the end of the commercial break. They wave signs and cups of beer in the air as the crowd passes over them, getting one last sweeping look at the crowd before the main event. The raucous crowd finally calms down and settles in for what is promised to be an incredible match.

 

Annie: Alright wrestling fans, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for! The main event of SJL Wrath, featuring that damn commie Viktor Tarakanov fighting that bastard John Duran for his World Title. With Duran’s recent hiring to the SWF, it leaves Viktor Tarakanov as the number one contender to the strap, and the most likely person to take a hold of it when Duran leaves. However, SJL Commissioner Chris Raynor, has decided to make Viktor’s shot at the belt just a liiiiiitle more difficult...

 

Judge: I believe Raynor’s exact words were “I’d rather have some random Joe off the street take Duran’s belt than that communist piece of shit.”

 

Ejiro: Yeah, something like that. So, being the wonderful human being that he is, Raynor gave a mystery opponent a chance to take on Duran and Tarakanov to get the belt.

 

Annie: This mystery man is SO secret in fact, that even the internet wrestling community is unaware as to who he or she is.

 

Judge: That’s quite a feat these days. Anyways, you’ve got to wonder what “The Sinner’s” mind-frame is, coming into this match. On one hand, he’s got a bright future in the SWF ahead of him. On the other, he’s got a title in the SJL that is still technically his, and it very well might be the last piece of gold he has for a long time.

 

Ejiro: You’re supposed to just drop the belt when you’re getting bumped. That’s what everyone does.

 

Annie: Well, that might not be how Duran looks at things. You’ve got to remember that he’s an egomaniacal bastard and any win is still glory for him. It’s the factor of the mystery man that is going to really decide this match.

 

Ejiro: I swear, if it’s friggin’ Jenkins...

 

Funyon steps into the center of the ring, dressed to kill (I don’t know what) in his dazzlingly lime-green crushed velvet suit. The near legendary ring announcer raises the mic to his face and commands a small pop from his cult-like following scattered amongst the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen! This is tonight’s MAIN EVENT!! This bout is scheduled for ONE fall and is for the Smarks Junior League’s World Heavyweight Championship!! Introducing first...”

 

Funyon is cut off by the onslaught that is “Sinner” by Drowning Pool. The crowd recognizes the theme music instantly and fills the arena with a hatred so thick it rivals the oatmeal at the local county jail. The World champion then steps through the curtain and the crowd’s hatred redoubles. Pissed off as usual, Duran walks down the ramp with a purpose this evening, as his golden World belt glistens in the light of the Winnipeg Arena. John Duran nears the ring as a small chant of “JOHN DURAN SUCKS!!” breaks out amongst the crowd. The big man rolls into the ring quickly and proudly holds up his belt, causing the crowd to boo the gloating champion even louder than before.

 

Annie: Yeah, Big Cunt certainly hasn’t attracted many fans over the course of his SJL tenure.

 

Judge: He never wrestled to gain the popularity of the crowd.

 

Ejiro: Don’t say that word. You make it sound dirty.

 

Annie: At least I’ve seen one... besides my own.

 

Ejiro: Yeah, well... HEY!! *pause as Ejiro gets the second part of the insult* HEY!!

 

Funyon begins to announce again “He weighs in tonight at--” but he is cut off by Duran who grabs the mic away from Funyon and rudely signals for him to leave the ring. Duran himself now speaks, in a manner most agitated. “There’s no need to announce me, these people know who I am. Alright scumbags, I’m gonna make this quick because I’ve got a REAL match in about a half hour. *boos* I’ve got a couple things to say before I get started tonight. First things first: I hate you all. Since day one all you people have done is shit on me and my career for no good reason. I guess that’d make anyone a little bit bitter, huh? Maybe even a bit angry. So, fuck you.” The curtness of Duran’s last bit catches the fans off guard and delays their booing.

 

“Secondly,” the World champ continues “concerning my title. Now, I know better than anyone that I’m leaving this place and that I cant take my belt with me. I’ve grown to accept that. But what I do not accept is the prerequisite that I should just drop the belt to the number one contender.” The crowd grows quiet upon hearing this. “Look at the number one contender to my belt. He might be the one person in this fed that you people hate more than me. I don’t know who this ‘Mystery Man’ might be, and frankly I could give a rat’s ass. But what I do know, is that I am NOT about to job my belt to that Communist piece of shit!”

 

Ejiro: At least he’s honest.

 

This last comment catches the crowd off guard and they are unsure how to react. He continues, now weaving a bit of a story for the crowd. “You see, I got a little sentimental last night, seeing as how it was my last night with the company, so Raynor and the boys of Urban Decay threw me a little party in Raynor’s office. We were having a hell of a time, tearful goodbyes aside, and I decided to have a little fun by deciding to officially display the end of my SJL career by tearing my contract in half. The boys all raised their glass to me and just before I was going to tear it up... I noticed something. Right towards the bottom of my contract, which had been updated when I became champ, was a little clause pertaining to what was gonna happen to my belt when I left.”

 

“I stopped and read that last part over, and saw something that made my day. It said that for the last match, here, if I were to win the match... then the belt would go up for a tournament for the strap. I liked that idea a lot. Because anything I can do to slow that Russian bastard from becoming champ sounds good to me. So NO, I’m not going to half ass this match just because I’ve got another later on tonight. I’m gonna do everything within my power to see that that son of a bitch NEVER gets that title!” And with that, Duran drops the mic and walks back to the corner, tossing his belt outside the ring to the timekeeper.

 

Judge: Powerful words from John Duran, who seems damn adamant about not allowing Viktor Tarakanov anywhere near the belt.

 

Annie: I like the part about not letting Vik get the belt, but I think John Duran is SERIOUSLY underestimating the influence that the mystery man is going to have.

 

Ejiro: Bah, the mystery man is just gonna be Cutthroat.

 

Judge: Or Spike Jenkins.

 

Ejiro: ... Is there a difference?

 

...

 

All: BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

 

 

*KABOOM!!*

 

 

*TAAAAAA!!*

 

 

The merrymaking of the announcing team at Spike Jenkins’ expense is abruptly cut short by a massive explosion of pyro and the blaring opening chord of the Soviet National Anthem. The entrance confuses no one as they instantly recognize the arrival of the man who may just be more hated than John Duran. The boos, hisses, and garbage are directed at the ring even before the wrestler himself steps through the curtain. But as he does, the hatred of the crowd showers down upon the stage like rain on the savanna. Viktor Tarakanov also acts as a desert, absorbing all of the dislike from the crowd and channeling it into his focus. The proud Soviet marches down the ramp coolly and refuses to acknowledge the presence of the fans that rain their hate upon him.

 

“And his opponent...” Funyon announces “he weighs in at two hundred and eighty pounds... fighting out of Astrakhan, Russia... he is ‘The Red Rage’ VIKTOR TARAKAAAANOOOOV!!”

 

As he approaches the ring, Tarakanov sneers at several taunting fans and swears at them in Russian before tightening his wrist tape and ascending the steel steps. Viktor quickly wipes off his boots before stepping into the ring quickly, never allowing John Duran to see his back. Viktor quickly walks over to the corner opposite Duran and uses the ropes to stretch lightly, the two men’s glaring eyes never leaving each other. “The Sinner” does much the same thing at his corner, either taking a cue from Tarakanov and stretching before what promises to be an arduous match, or mocking his opponent, playing some sort of mind games with his focused opposition.

 

Annie: These two do not take kindly to each other in the least. These two have faced off five times with Tarakanov holding most of the victories out of that series.

 

Judge: In fact, Tarakanov had his first SJL match against John Duran where he came out victorious with a single punch.

 

Ejiro: One has to wonder if “The Red Rage” intends to end this match and win the title in a similar fashion.

 

Annie: Well, it really doesn’t matter what Viktor intends, his plans may be thwarted by the next wrestler.

 

The crowd is brought down to a silence, still crackling with electricity as the fans eagerly await to find out who the mystery wrestler is. The arena is almost completely still as the house lights are brought down slowly like in a movie theater. The heartbeats of the fans are nearly audible as there isn’t a sound being made in the entire place. No rustling of clothes, no sipping of nearly empty drinks, no crunching of popcorn.

 

 

Nothing.

 

 

Until...

 

 

A green spotlight cuts through the darkness and splashes the stage with color.

 

 

The SmarkTron fades up to the view of someone running through a forest.

 

 

The rampant footsteps can be heard as leaves and twigs crackle and snap.

 

 

In the distance, a man can be seen standing, but his person is not recognizable.

 

 

Suddenly the camera stops some distance from the man as he can now be seen more clearly...

 

 

Pulling back a bow...

 

 

The crowd recognizes the entrance just as the bow is released and shot directly at the camera. As the fans literally LEAP to their feet, a giant green explosion erupts from the back wall and the crowd explodes in cheers for The Sherwood Fable. “Forest” by System of a Down hits the speakers and Tryst steps into the spotlight on the stage, posing with his bow and arrows. The tremendous reaction in the crowd causes Tryst to jog to the ring with a huge smile on his face, slapping the hands of many fans as he makes his way to the ring, accompanied by the incredible response of the crowd. As he reaches the ring, Tryst hops up to the ring apron and then hops over the top rope and into the ring. The man’s charming grin showcases how pleased he is to be back in the SJL.

 

Funyon speaks with great enthusiasm as he announces the returning wrestler. “And the MYSTERY OPPONENT!! He weighs in at two hundred and eighteen pounds... hailing from Bairnsdale, Britain... please welcome back to the SJL... TRRRRYYYYSSSST!!”

 

As he stands in the ring, he quickly removes an arrow from his quiver and shoots it to the ceiling as the song accompanies with a symbol crash. As the arrow hits the ceiling, a shower of green pyro explodes and rains down on the ring and Tryst, who holds out his arms wide as the crowd continues to praise The Sherwood Fable. The pyro stops and Tryst walks around the ring, waving with his hands for the crowd to make more noise, a request which seems impossible to grant, but the crowd make their best effort to do so. The crowd begins to chant “SHERWOOD FABLE!!” as Tryst removes his bow and arrow quiver and hands them to someone on the outside.

 

Annie: WHOA!! TRYST IS BACK!!

 

Judge: He looks to be in terrific shape, here’s hoping he will still be able to wrestle like he did before he left.

 

Ejiro: I remember this guy. He’s a nut-job. Thinks he’s Robin Hood! That’s no sort of way to conduct business by allowing a mental-case into your company.

 

Annie: Well, crazy or not, Tryst certainly looks like he’s ready to compete tonight. What a mystery opponent! I never thought that Tryst would be the mystery contender for the belt.

 

“Forest” fades and Tryst stands in the ring wearing a dark green dress shirt, left open to show off his small but chiseled frame. He waves his opponents who are standing on either side of the ring, to enter and fight. Either tremendously valiant or tremendously stupid, Tryst seems to fear nothing as the two much larger fighters enter the ring. The two big men simultaneously approach Tryst, who throws several forearms and chops at his opponents, but their sheer size and strength muscles Tryst over. The two whip The Sherwood Fable into the ropes and nail him to the mat with a double clothesline. Perhaps being in so many tag matches as of late has the two men thinking like a tag team tonight.

 

Either way, they shake off any thought of being friendly with one another directly afterward and show this by smacking each other with hard punches. They then lock up and Duran pushes Viktor back into the corner, still grappling. The referee then approaches and orders Duran to let go of the grapple. Slowly... Duran complies. As he backs off with his hands raised in the air in the classic “I didn’t do anything wrong” position, Tarakanov is quick to take control with a kick to Duran’s gut. As “The Sinner” attempts to double over from the attack, Viktor Tarakanov quickly grabs Duran by his “SIN TO WIN” t-shirt and muscles him into the turnbuckle.

 

Judge: Turnbuckle exchange by the big men. Oddly enough, both men seemed to be on the same wavelength, using a tag maneuver with an opponent to take down another opponent.

 

Ejiro: Yeah, we saw Tarakanov do that last week with Manson, and we could expect that from John Duran, seeing as how he’s used to teaming up with members of Urban Decay.

 

Annie: Odd though, that they’d do that with each other. We heard what Duran had to say about Tarakanov earlier, and Vik never seems to like anybody, really...

 

Viktor gives Duran a quick body shot and pauses. He then hits another with his left hand. Then another with his right, and another with his left, and another with his right, slowly gaining speed with each shot. His body shots begin to stray and become headshots as his punches begin to rapidly increase their speed until his arms are nearly a blur. Viktor stops suddenly and catches his breath for a beat, before slapping Duran’s face mockingly, trying to see if he’s “awake.” Viktor Tarakanov turns around and looks out at the crowd with his arms outstretched, saying “There is your champion!” referring to the now beaten Duran. The crowd boos the arrogant man, as if they weren’t already booing.

 

Suddenly though the crowd pops with cheers and Tarakanov, knowing enough about the wrestling business to know that that isn’t a good sign, whirls around. Tryst is now perched on the top turnbuckle over Duran and leaps off onto Tarakanov, grabbing him around the neck with his arm and twirling him to the ground with a Tornado DDT. The crowd cheers wildly as Tryst shoots up from the ground and waves his arms in a fired up manner. He then moves over to Duran and throws a couple forearms to his chest to stun him before using all of his might to whip Duran into the opposite turnbuckle. Tryst succeeds, for about six feet until Duran turns around and reverses the whip by bringing Tryst’s gut into his knee.

 

Judge: Viktor pummels Duran in the corner with hard shots until Tryst gets to the top and takes Viktor down with a Tornado DDT. It’s almost hard to imagine Mr. Whitt as a threat in this match against opponents that are so much larger than himself, but he is holding his own surprisingly well.

 

Annie: Hey, size doesn’t matter for anything, guys. I mean, I’m a lesbian and I’m more than satisfied. That and I’m a woman wrestler who can more than hold her own against the men-folk.

 

Ejiro: It doesn’t?! SWEET!! I mean... umm... damn lesbians...

 

Duran grins as the much smaller man is now safely incapacitated and at his mercy. “The Sinner” lifts up Tryst and locks on a quick full nelson. The crowd erupts in boos as they realize that John Duran is about to go for the Break Point. Duran holds Tryst in the position for a good long moment, turning around to show all of the crowd exactly what he caught and foreshadowing the carnage to come. Suddenly, Tryst becomes aware enough to bring up his left foot and kicks Duran square in the face, causing him to release the hold. Tryst falls but catches himself as Duran stumbles back, holding his face.

 

The eager Tryst readies himself for Duran to move into position and when he staggers into the middle of the ring, Tryst shoots himself into the ropes. As he bounces back, he flings himself into the air and catches Duran across the face with the heel of his boot, which is quite a feat as Duran is nearly seven feet. The crowd goes wild as they see Duran hit the mat hard and Tryst roll back to his feet, with his arms held out for the crowd, proudly displaying how easily he can topple a giant. The crowd’s excitement shifts over to a warning for Tryst, but as he catches their noise a second too late. Not given the time to even turn around, Tryst feels two massive arms wrapped around his midsection and knows what to expect.

 

Judge: Looks like Tarakanov is going for a German suplex.

 

Tarakanov is going for a German suplex, but has something else in store as well. As Viktor lifts his much smaller opponent up over his head he releases him. But instead of being slammed on his head and neck on the mat, he is flung with extra force... outside the ring. The crowd watches and gasps in horror as Tryst goes sailing over the top rope and lands on the outside in a sickening position. Several EMTs rush over to him to check if he is even alive. The referee is about to start counting Tryst out but is distracted by Viktor pinning Duran.

 

 

~1~

 

.

 

.

 

 

~KICKOUT!!~

 

Duran isn’t about to be taken out by a pinfall and quickly kicks out of the pinning attempt. Not satisfied with Duran’s determination, Tarakanov quickly smashes his face with his elbow. Now, with Duran a bit more preoccupied with his pain, Viktor again makes a pinning attempt.

 

 

~1~

 

.

 

.

 

 

~2~

 

~KICKOUT!!~

 

Annie: Kick-out by Duran. Did you SEE that German suplex on Tryst? It’s a wonder that that man is even alive.

 

Ejiro: The ref is too distracted by Viktor’s constant pinning attempts to count Tryst out though.

 

Judge: It’s a lucky thing that Tarakanov is so stubborn, or else tryst would have been counted out by now.

 

Now even more frustrated than before, Viktor Tarakanov stands and drags Duran up with him. Viktor nails Duran with several quick punches to the face, trying to stagger Duran even more to set up a move. But Duran quickly snaps to, and begins to fight Viktor back. They exchange blows until Duran begins to catch Tarakanov’s shots, and respond with ultra hard right hands. Now Tarakanov looks staggered after only four of such shots, and allows Duran to whip the Russian into the ropes. As he comes back, Duran catches Viktor, lifts him up and slams him back to the mat with unbelievable force. Duran nails Tarakanov with a spinebuster and then instantly moves over to the ropes and begins to respond to some particularly vicious shouts from the crowd.

 

With the crowd now roaring with boos at Duran, they neglect to notice that “The Red Rage” has essentially ignored the spinebuster and shrugged off it’s effects extremely fast. Viktor crouches down and holds his right wrist, signifying that this next punch is to be the big one. The match ender. Duran tires of the crowd and turns around just in time to see the a big Russian fist heading towards him. With his arm flexed to the max and his face red from struggle, Tarakanov nails Duran to the mat with a BIG punch. The young referee, trying to talk to the EMTs on the outside, wondering if he should count Tryst out or call him dead, hasn’t seen at all what just transpired. Viktor grabs him and whirls him around, ordering him to count to ten and herald Viktor’s victory.

 

Judge: Viktor Tarakanov just NAILED Duran with a big punch, and is now waiting for the referee to call the knockout.

 

Annie: That’s how he beat Duran in his first match. Lets see if history can repeat itself tonight.

 

Ejiro: Get up Duran! That’s no way to lose your title!

 

“ONE!!”

 

 

The referee shouts again:

 

 

“TWO!!”

 

 

Tarakanov cracks a smile on his experienced face and walks slowly to the corner and leans against it cockily, resting himself.

 

 

“THREE!!”

 

 

The body of John Duran remains motionless, not even holding his own face

 

 

“FOUR!!”

 

 

Annie: What a hell of a way to win a title! Beating the man you beat in your first match in his last match with the same move you used then!

 

Ejiro: I cant believe this is going to end like this...

 

 

“FIVE!!”

 

 

A twitch.

 

 

“SIX!!”

 

 

“The Sinner” starts to move, slowly at first, but soon speeding up.

 

 

“SEVEN!!”

 

 

John Duran is now up to one of his knees, holding his face in one hand.

 

 

“EIGHT!!”

 

 

Duran is almost to his feet, struggling to lift himself off of that one knee.

 

Tarakanov’s face hasn’t changed, still cool and confident.

 

 

“NINE!!”

 

 

Duran is almost up, he is clearly off both knees now and struggling to stand...

 

 

...

 

 

But the referee is yanked off his feet by Tryst who has recovered enough to see what was happening in the match and to formulate a plan to stop it! The toll of the match is taken on John Duran and he crumples to the mat in an exhausted heap.

 

Ejiro: WHAT?!

 

Annie: YES!!

 

Judge: Tryst is now miraculously on his feet and back into the swing of things by the looks of it!

 

Annie: Alright! That crazy bastard isn’t dead! Tryst is up and looking to kick some ass!

 

Tryst runs to the other side of the ring quickly before the referee can see who tripped him and instantly leaps up to the top turnbuckle. A boiling mad Viktor Tarakanov charges the corner with Tryst upon it, but the lightweight quickly leaps off and flips forward and around in mid-air! The crowd goes NUTS as they recognize the move as Tryst finisher The Arrow’s Path! Tryst completes the flips and nails Vik square in the chest with a dropkick, sending him flying back and crashing to the mat. After hitting such a big time aerial move, Tryst is forced to lie on the mat for a moment to recover.

 

The fans again start to chant “SHERWOOD FABLE!!” to get Tryst fired up enough to make the cover. As their chant grows louder and louder, Tryst finally flings his arm up and flops it down on Tarakanov’s chest, making the cover. The fans chant along with the referee’s count as they rejoice in their new champion.

 

~1~

 

.

 

.

 

 

~2~

 

.

 

.

 

 

~3-NO!!~

 

The count is broken up by a vicious boot to the back by John Duran. The crowd is crushed upon seeing Duran’s treacherous act.

 

Annie: AWW HORSESHIT!! Tryst was SO CLOSE!!

 

Ejiro: No way! Duran had him spotted a mile away. He just wanted to get up Tryst’s hopes and piss off the fans.

 

Judge: That sounds accurate.

 

After all of Tryst’s efforts, Duran stops him short of achieving the title. “The Sinner” cant help but smile to himself, as he sees the look on Tryst’s face. Now pissed as hell, Tristan Whitt springs to his feet and begins to lay in heavy chops to Duran’s chest, staggering the champion back. The crowd’s energy builds behind Tryst as he chops his way through the big tree that is John Duran, until he backs the champ into the corner. Tryst then leaps up over Duran and lands himself on the top rope, but the big man is not to be denied his final SJL win and prevents Tryst from trying anything by grabbing him off the top rope and setting the smaller man on his shoulders, staring at the ceiling.

 

Duran gets a grin on his face before walking forward and flinging Tryst’s feet backward and falling back forcing The Sherwood Fable to fall on the mat. With his head still on Duran’s shoulder, the TKO-like maneuver called Blunt Force Trauma nearly snaps Tryst’s neck. The crowd boos for the slaying of their impromptu hero but the fans hatred doesn’t distract Duran. Instead he looks up before attempting a pin attempt, not wanting the same thing he did to Tryst to happen to him, and sure enough, there is Viktor Tarakanov leaning against the corner, waiting for Duran to make his move.

 

Annie: That Blunt Force Trauma has an accurate name! It looks like Tryst is about done!

 

Judge: That it does. Now it seems to be down to Viktor Tarakanov and John Duran.

 

Ejiro: The two men best suited for the job!

 

Duran gets to his feet and meets Viktor Tarakanov half way and the two start to exchange blows. Both men are near exhaustion at this point, and their once strong blows now barely seem effective. Both men are grasping at straws to find out what will finally put the other down. Tarakanov suddenly gets some of his wind back and his punches now regain their previous force as Duran stops trying to throw punches and staggers back. Finally, with one last mighty blow, Viktor nails Duran square in the nose, even getting a small bit of blood out of it. The action in the ring stops as Duran staggers back, severely disoriented, not sure of where he is or of the license plate number on the truck that just hit him.

 

Everything is calm... still... until Duran suddenly falls backward into the middle of the ring. Having fought Duran many times and having thrown his signature finishing punch earlier in the match, Viktor Tarakanov knows what Duran can do and what he is capable of. He knows that if his finishing punch couldn’t take out John Duran, then the Bolshevik Revolution might not get the job done either on this highly determined man. Instead, Tarakanov decides to try something he’s never done before. Something that he’s never even honestly considered trying before. Viktor Tarakanov is about to go to the top rope.

 

Judge: WHAT?!

 

Annie: Viktor Tarakanov is walking over to the corner... there’s no WAY he’d be able to hit something from the top rope...

 

Ejiro: Why the hell not? Just because he’s forty one, doesn’t mean that he cant get to the top rope.

 

Annie: No, that’s not it. It’s the fact that he’s never done it before. He might not have the slightest clue what to do when he’s up there.

 

Ejiro: Here’s a clue: JUMP!!

 

Viktor climbs the turnbuckles hesitantly, not sure exactly how this is going to work. With shaky knees he climbs the turnbuckles, not used to the amount that they give when he steps on them. The crowd is now half booing and half gasping in anticipation. What’s he going to do? A splash? A leg drop? An elbow drop? Those are amongst the popular guesses in the crowd. But the reality of the situation is a thousand times more deadly, and more unpredictable. Viktor gets to the top rope and his knees are no longer shaky; he has no fear as he stares out at the crowd, with his back to the ring. The reality of the situation hits the crowd like a ton of bricks.

 

 

Viktor Tarakanov is going to attempt a moonsault.

 

 

Annie: WHAT THE FUCK IS HE THINKING?!

 

Ejiro: There’s no WAY he can do this!

 

Judge: No, no there isn’t. But I’ll be damned if that Russian bastard isn’t going to try!

 

The crowd literally gasps as the two hundred and eighty pound Russian leaps backwards off the top rope and brings his legs up in the air. John Duran is now conscious but still relatively incapacitated as he yells in fear “HOLY SHIT!!” The crowd’s reaction is much the same, but the look on Viktor’s face says otherwise. With a tremendous crash, the big Russian lands on his stomach on the champion, John Duran. Duran is now out, half from the pain of a two hundred and eighty pound man landing on him, half from exhaustion, and half from the shock that Tarakanov even tried a moonsault. The crowd begins to chant the words “HOLY SHIT!!” and a more accurate expression for the moment couldn’t be used.

 

Annie: HOLY SHIT!!

 

Ejiro: Wow. He did it...

 

Judge: I cannot believe it! Viktor Tarakanov, the Russian shoot fighter, the man who still isn’t completely adjusted to American style wrestling... JUST HIT A FUCKING MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP ROPE!!

 

Annie and Ejiro stare in shock at Judge Mental.

 

With John Duran clearly incapacitated, Viktor Tarakanov hooks John Duran’s leg while lying on his back across his chest. The shocked referee makes the pinfall as the crowd boos like mad. Tryst attempts to crawl toward the pinfall but he stops every so often to hold his neck in pain.

 

 

~1~

 

Annie: No... fucking... way...

 

.

 

Tryst crawls closer to Viktor and John...

 

.

 

He stops and holds his neck in pain...

 

 

~2~

 

Ejiro: YES WAY!!

 

.

 

His fingers graze Tarakanov’s side...

 

.

 

But he is in too much pain to prevent the pinfall.

 

.

 

You cannot stop the inevitable.

 

.

 

 

~3~

 

 

DING!! DING!! DING!!

 

 

Judge: WE HAVE A NEW WORLD CHAMPION!!

 

The crowd explodes in boos as the Soviet National Anthem starts up. Tarakanov is not yet ready to stand up after hitting such a huge move, and he remains pinning John Duran as his music and the crowd’s hatred blare around him. Finally, Viktor reaches his feet and holds up his hands in celebration, mocking the fans belief that they could have a perfect champion. It isn’t about how much the fans like you, in the end it comes down to sheer unadulterated power. And in the end, “The Red Rage” swept through all opposition and took control. In the end, there is only one.

 

Funyon looks almost dejected outside the ring, but has no choice but to sound as enthusiastic as possible as he officially announces the dreadful news to the masses. “Here is your winner... and... NEW SMARKS JUNIOR LEAGUES WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION... ‘THE RED RAGE’ VIKTOR TARAKAAAANOOOOV!!”

 

At the sound of the name Tarakanov, all of the numerous flags and banners that hang around the ceiling of the arena, announcing the involvement of many countries in the arena and the many victories of those sports teams, are replaced... by red. The red flag of the Soviet Union falls down upon every one, blocking out any memory of any other country besides the mighty Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The fans boo now louder than ever at the sight that they see all around the arena. But the grand finale hasn’t yet arrived. For as Viktor, with his new belt, has his hand raised proudly in the ring by the referee a gigantic red pyro, even larger than the one in his entrance, explodes on the entrance ramp.

 

 

And down in front of the SmarkTron...

 

 

Falls a giant Soviet flag...

 

 

Annie: Well of all the arrogant things one could do for a celebration...

 

Ejiro: Well, he deserves it. He worked hard to get that belt.

 

Judge: I’m sure that most other people feel otherwise, Ejiro. Anyway, thanks for watching SJL Wrath! Now switch over to your local Pay Per View provider and tune in to SWF Ground Zero! Goodnight!

 

The fans boo like never before as the arena is bathed in the Hammer and Sickle. Their new champion exists the ring, walking backwards up the ramp with his hands held high. In one of those hands is the glistening SJL World Championship belt. The arena covered in the flag of his country makes Viktor Tarakanov feel complete, as he exits the stage with a smile.

 

*fade out on a close-up view of the Hammer and Sickle over the SmarkTron*

 

 

*Copyright 2003 SJL Productions*

[Thoth 0]

Good stuff, good stuff. English Dragon gets a special mention, apparently, for whooping ass.