SJL METAL - 8/19/03

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

SJL Metal, August 19th, 2003!

Due Date: Tuesday, 7pm EST.

Venue: MARK of the Quad Cities Center, Moline, Illinois.

Send To: Longdogger_Pete

 

Opening Promo!

Apostle wants to say stuff, in lieu of having to wrestle. And so he shall. Hoo hah.

 

OPENING MATCH

TRIPLE THREAT

Dominic Korgath vs "Suicidal" Jay Freeman vs Tommy Nguyen

Two of these men have been marred in slumps recently. The other, Freeman, lost his debut match. So to speak. Let's see if they can get on track here...

Rules: Triple threat. First pin wins.

 

HWADKORE MATCH

Tryst vs Jay Morrison

Since his return two shows ago, the Sherwood Fable has yet to pick up a win, in two difficult matches against world champion Viktor Tarakanov and European champion English Dragon. Can he get the ball rolling again with a match aginst TV title #1 contender Jay Morrison? (Who will get his shot on the next show, as a note)

Rules: Hardcore. Which is to say, there are none.

 

SINGLES MATCH

EUROPEAN TITLE

Danny Conklin vs English Dragon©

Two European guys, fighing for their namesake title! One's a fun drunkard, the other's a snotrag! Uh, yeah, that's just about all I got. I wanted to give Liston the shot, but he's out. Danny will do just as well. Fight!

Rules: Standard singles match.

 

MAIN EVENT

BOILER ROOM BRAWL

SJL WORLD TITLE

Aecas vs Viktor Tarakanov©

After a long, rocky mountain climb, Viktor Tarakanov has finally reached the summit. Unsurprisingly, he's sickeningly smug about it, too. On Crimson, Aecas took offense to the Red Rage's incredible ego, and laid down a bold challange: A boiler room brawl for the world title. Will Tarakanov be shoved off his glorious peak, so soon after reaching it?

Rules: Both Tarakanov and Aecas start out in the boiler room of the arena. They must make their way to the ring, and collect the world title, which is laid out on the canvas. First man to get there and take is declared champion. There are no rules otherwise.

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

Tuesday –

 

August 19th, 2003 –

 

From the MARK of the Quad Cities Center in Moline, Illinois comes…

 

 

 

SJL METAL~!

 

Pyro explodes from the entranceway and above the crowd as the lights come up and fans try their damndest to get signs on the big screen, most notably “Todd Royal Doesn’t Shower”, “Apostle = Bad Touch”, and a whole row of wonderful girls holding up a “We Love Annie Eclectic” sign. Make no doubt about the fact she’ll be up there after the show.

 

Before the cameras can cut to the announce table, the lights drop out and heavenly lights rain down upon the crowd. The Apostle steps out from behind the curtain, only for the lights to die out and be replaced by the familiar flames that seem to keep him alive. As he walks he pulls a microphone out of his robe, talking as he makes his way to the ring.

 

In the background…on the SmarkTron…the dramatizations of the Apostle vs. Ebon matchup are repeatedly shown, editing in with images of fire and light. The crowd is in a state of awe over the presence that the Apostle seems to command, and they listen to him.

 

Apostle: …as you all should know by now…two years ago I had something taken from me in a little gymnasium by the man you all know as Craig McLennan. Well I’m sick and tired of all the games that have happened these last few weeks.

 

…Craig…Ebon…you attacked me after a hard-fought match and almost killed me…but little did you know exactly what the consequences of your actions would be. And since then you have almost run scared from me, as I have barely seen any of you up until Crimson, where we all got to play a little Calvinball.

 

The crowd pops for the mention of the greatest match ever.

 

Apostle: …now what I see is that you have two choices at this point.

 

One…you can stay back there and make me come looking for you…

 

…or…

 

Two…you can come out here and get in my face and we can settle this the way two men should…with a lot of pain…and a lot of bloodshed. I hope you like stitches, Craig, because when I get to the count of five…whether you are here or not…you had better be praying that I don’t kill you…

 

…And I will kill you.

 

 

One………

 

 

 

 

Two………

 

 

 

 

 

Three………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Fruer Frei” by Rammstein begins to blare…causing the flames the Apostle made rise grow even higher, making a virtual wall of fire for the entrance of Craig McLennan, who walks slowly out through the fire, even stopping to light a cigarette before continuing to the ring.

 

Apostle: This ring is a non-smoking area.

 

Craig smiles and takes the cigarette out of his mouth, shoving it into his mouth lit-end first and biting down, chewing on it for a moment before swallowing…the smile getting bigger on his face as he climbs in the ring and steps up to the Apostle.

 

Apostle: Well…that saved me a lot of walk-

 

Craig cuts the Apostle off and grabs the microphone for himself and begins walking around the ring.

 

Craig: Now listen here, chump. You seem to be forgetting that when I beat you I was on a hunt for the World Title…and I couldn’t be bothered with people like you who seemingly just want to bitch about a bit of a skinned knee. I have seen you out here always running your mouth about how you are going to do this to me and that to me and you are going to…what…KILL ME? That’s rich, boy…

 

Now you say I had two choices…and both end up with me getting my ass kicked…well I’m sorry old pal but that just isn’t going to happen here tonight. If an ambulance or hearse is coming to this arena it will be to carry away your body to the hospital and your career to the cemetery…just like I tried to do two years ago…

 

…but you just wanted to come back didn’t you!

 

I never thought I’d see you again…then one day you just show up and you are out looking for revenge on the past. Well get with the times…the past is gone, forgotten…a faded picture in the scrapbook of life and I’m about to light that shit on FIRE!

 

The flames erupt a bit higher behind Craig as the Apostle moves in quickly and grabs the microphone back…getting right in Craig’s face.

 

Apostle: Time and tide…time and tide, Craig…the only two things that wait for man. Time has changed me…I believe…mostly for the better. But as I stand here and look into your eyes…I see that time hasn’t changed you a bit. And the tide…well as I look into the future…I see it turning blood red…

 

…blood red…

 

Apostle drops the microphone and looks to head out of the ring, but as he turns away, Craig jumps to attack, knocking Apostle down and to the outside. Craig can be seen smiling as he slides out of the opposite side, shoving down a ring-crewmember and grabbing a chair.

 

Apostle is up quicker than Craig imagined, and as he turns around with the chair he is attacked by Apostle, both men’s bodies falling against the barricade, with Apostle striking hard at Craig’s face before whipping him towards the ringpost, but Craig is able to reverse it and Apostle’s body strikes the post, causing him to fall to the ground.

 

Craig is quick to return to his chair, grabbing it and lifting it high above his head. He brings it down, but Apostle moves out of the way just in time and the chair strikes nothing but the floor. Apostle tries to get to his feet, but another chair shot comes down, this time connecting right across his back.

 

The crowd is explosive as two more chairshots come down, but Apostle continues to crawl, making his way around to the entranceway, slowly making it to his feet. Craig hesistates on another chair shot, and Apostle is able to spin and connect with a hard kick to gut, but Craig shrugs it off and strikes the chair down across Apostle’s forehead, busting him open.

 

As blood starts to stream out, Apostle seems to be given new life, sending another kick to Craig’s gut, causing him to finally drop the chair, Apostle laughs and locks in a front facelock, dropping Craig hard into the chair with a DDT.

 

As Craig rolls onto his back, the camera following the two men can see a bit of blood seeping through his mask, and Apostle follows with a hard kick before beginning to walk to the back.

 

Before Apostle can reach the curtain, a recovered Craig spins him around and returns the DDT, Apostle’s head bouncing off the ground. Craig is laughing now as he picks Apostle off the ground and tosses him back into the entranceway and against a barricade, rushing in and clotheslining him hard, sending both men into the crowd.

 

Security is quick to get between the fans and the two men as they trade punches, fighting deeper into the crowd and heading up a first set of stairs toward an opening, but one hard kick sends Apostle rolling down the stairs to the floor once more, and Craig follows with a dive and a legdrop, seemingly no longer caring for his own safety as long as Apostle tastes true pain again.

 

Craig is up slower now, holding his hip and shaking off the pain as he lifts Apostle up and drags him by his hair up the stairs and out into the opening, knocking over a middle-aged fan and laughing as the beer the man was carrying gets dumped all over him. The fan stays down as Craig continues pulling Apostle down the hallway.

 

After a moment of the hair pulling, Apostle finally is able to pull out of the grip his hair is in and land a devastating kick to the back of Craig’s knee, causing him to tumble forward the bit. Apostle kicks again and again, dropping Craig down to one knee, and Apostle follows up with a low dive bulldog, slamming Craig’s head off the concrete. Apostle runs down the hall and around a corner, and as Craig gets up he motions to the cameraman before rushing around the corner, only to fall limply back into frame and down on his back, as the Apostle steps out from around the corner holding a now-dented steel chair.

 

Apostle: Stupid….

 

Apostle raises the chair and goes for another shot, but as the chair comes down Craig is able to get out of the way and roll up to his knees, toying with Apostle to try again. Apostle of course swings again and Craig ducks, rolling through and hitting Apostle with a low blow, doubling him over and allowing Craig to again get to his feet.

 

Craig comes in for what looks to be a famouser, but Apostle shoves him out of the way and Craig bounces of the concrete floor and rolls down the hall a bit. Apostle follows and Craig backs up against a door, and as Apostle rushes through the door flies open and both men tumble into…

 

 

 

 

…COMMISH RAYNOR’S OFFICE!

 

 

Raynor pops up from watching the fight on his monitor to see the brawl going on live right in front of him, the two men ignoring him as they fight, throwing punches and slamming each other against the walls violently.

 

WOAH!

 

Both men land on the desk, and more punches are thrown in both directions

 

WOAH!

 

They continue to fight, ignoring Raynor…

 

STOP RIGHT NOW OR YOU ARE FIRED!

 

Quickly both men stop and fall backwards, each man landing in one of Raynor’s lovely office chairs. The camera sees the pissed off look on Raynor’s face and backs up.

 

Raynor: Now I’ve been watching you two…and I just now called security right before you fell into MY OFFICE…and so when they get to me I’m just going to have them escort you out…

 

You are endangering my wrestlers, my security, and my fans…and that means money to me and the company…and I can NOT have that…you hear me. So you are out of here for tonight…and I’m going to think of a way to get this stupid fighting between you two to stop ONCE AND FOR ALL…

 

…and after it’s over…if I ever…ever…EVER…hear another word about it…there will be hell to pay…

 

 

As Raynor finishes his sentence, security comes into the room and looks at the two bloody men before Raynor signals to escort them out of the arena. The camera follows as security dumps them outside, warning them not to fight in the parking lot or they will be arrested. Apostle smiles and simply walks away, leaving Craig behind…

 

…the scene fades to black…then to commercial…leaving the announcers stunned...

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

Judge: "Welcome back to another edition of SJL METAL!!! We're coming to you live from the MARK in Moline, Illinois! What a show we have for you tonight!"

 

Ejiro: "Commissioner Chris Raynor has pulled out all the stops tonight! The European title will be on the line as defending champion English Dragon faces the Irish madcap, Danny Conklin!"

 

Annie: "But lets not forget that our resident looney bin, Tryst, fresh from Sherwood Forest, will be facing up to newcomer Jay Morrison in a HARDCORE MATCH!"

 

Judge: "All that pales in comparison, of course, to the death-defying stunt that "Hate Personified" Aecas and the SJL WORLD CHAMPION, "Red Rage" Viktor Tarakanov will be pulling off as they face off in a boiler room brawl, one that Aecas himself suggested!"

 

Annie: "Plus, I get to see Janet Quinn! I'm wet with anticipation, already!"

 

Justice and Rule: "TOO MUCH INFORMATION, WOMAN!"

 

In preparation for the next match, the lights in the MARK of the Quad Cities goes dark. “Mouth For War” by Pantera hits and plays for about eight measures before fireworks shoot off from the arena stage and a red spotlight shines on the entrance. Jay emerges, walking slightly quickly down to the ring.

 

Funyon: "The next triple-threat match is scheduled for ONE FALL! Introducing first, from New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing at 220 lbs, he is "Suicidal" Jay FREEEEEEEEEEMAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNN!"

 

Jay clenches his fists, his eyes boring holes into the ring. Sliding through the ropes, Jay remains on all fours as he crawls to the ring. He then goes on one knee and stares at the mat for several seconds before jumping up and screaming in rage as fire shoots from the ring posts. As the fire subsides and his music fades, Jay walks slowly to one of the turnbuckles, turns around and moves to a squatting position, facing the center of the ring, holding the ropes for support.

 

Annie: "That is one weird mutha, if you know what I mean."

 

Ejiro: "Who does?"

 

“Creatures” by 311 starts up, and starts up every light in the arena flashes on as “Tommy Nguyen” flashes on the Smarktron. The crowd cheers respectably as they anticipate a good match from this high-flyer.

 

Funyon: "Next, his opponent, weighing at 187 lbs, from Seattle, Washington, he is TOMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYY NGUYEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNN!"

 

Tommy makes his way down the ramp as red, orange and yellow pyros goes off around the entrance, much to the delight of the crowd. Tommy cautiously slides into the ring and staring down Freeman, goes to one of the other corners and awaits the last man.

 

Before long, the all too familiar beats of Zack de la Rocha's "March Of Death" plays and the crowd changes their tune and begins to rain hatred on the now-emerging man. Dominic Korgath, the big brutal enforcer of the Urban Decay stable emerges from behind the curtain, wielding his iron staff high into the air. He then walks down towards the ring, his arms outstretched, pointing to the sky, even as he surveys his two opponents through his demon mask.

 

Funyon: "Now making his way to the ring, weighing at 350 lbs, he is the third man in this triple threat match, "Big Demon" Dominic KORRRRRRRRGGGGAAAAAATTTTH!"

 

Referee Sexton Hardcastle faces the big wrestler and warns him that this is NOT a hardcore match, so he will simply have to put his staff outside the ring. Korgath simply stares the smaller referee down, before pushing him away without another word. Hardcastle looks furious and seems ready to disqualify the giant, when he notices that Korgath had no intention of using the staff anyway and relents.

 

The iron staff safely in the corner of Dominic Korgath, the bell is rung to signal the start of the match.

 

*DING DING DING*

 

The two cruiserweights, despite not exactly liking each other, put their differences aside and charge for the big, masked man in the centre of the ring. Grabbing one arm each, the two attempt to irish whip the Big Demon without success. They try again, despite their initial failure, but their persistance is instead repaid with a stiff double lariat to both men, sending them down to the mat.

 

Dominic Korgath turns his attention to Jay Freeman, as the giant lays into the SJL newcomer with some furious punches to the gut. Freeman is helpless against the attack and drops back towards the ropes in a desperate attempt to escape. However, before Korgath can lay a killer blow on Freeman, Nguyen turns Korgath around and lays into the monster with a spinning heel kick! Korgath drops to the ground, holding his jaw in pain, stunned at the daring attack that just laid him out.

 

Before he can recover, however, the two cruiserweights continue the assault with two perfectly Asai moonsaults simultaneously executed, Nguyen followed by Freeman, onto the body of Korgath! The crowd cheers for this acrobatic display, but their cheers are soon silenced when Korgath reaches his hands out and catches both of them by their necks!

 

Judge: "No way! No way!"

 

Ejiro: "What massive strength by the Big Demon! The cruisers never saw that coming!"

 

Korgath's anger fuels his body as he lifts both high-flyers up into the air, before sending them hurtling down to earth with a double chokeslam! Still not satisfied, he bounces off the ropes and crushes Nguyen's windpipe with a massive leg drop! Nguyen rolls about in pain as Korgath continues to rain blows on the helpless man.

 

Then, picking up the Seattle native, Korgath hoists Nguyen up with both hands and throws the small man out of the ring, into the steel steps!

 

Annie: "Holy Shit! Holy Shit!"

 

The crowd joins in Annie's chant as Sexton Hardcastle goes to check on Tommy Nguyen. Dominic Korgath looks down at Nguyen's broken body before turning around...

 

... right smack into his own staff!!!

 

Ejiro: "You've gotta be kidding!"

 

Judge: "Jay Freeman took advantage of the fact that Hardcastle is occupied to stun Korgath with his own staff!"

 

Annie: "Maybe now the big oaf will stop bringing it to the ring."

 

Freeman looks mighty pleased with himself and starts dancing around, playing to the crowd when suddenly, Korgath sits up! The crowd roars in anger and Freeman can't believe it himself.

 

Ejiro: "What the HELL!?"

 

Judge: "Oh shit, he no-sold a blow from his own staff!"

 

Annie: "Now, now, let's not get TOO smarky."

 

Korgath takes the staff from Freeman, who is too stunned to react, and chucking the staff away, drops Freeman to the ground with a HUGE CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!

 

Korgath goes for the lateral press as Hardcastle begins his count.

 

 

ONE!!!!

 

 

...

 

 

TWO!!!

 

...

 

 

Ejiro: "NO!!!

 

Annie: "Dominic Korgath stopped his own pinfall! He's cost himself his own victory!"

 

Judge: "Or maybe he has something else in mind."

 

Dominic Korgath looks down at the still frame of Jay Freeman, his masked face not betraying any of the emotion that he's feeling right now. He then looks around at the audience, expectantly, before moving towards the ropes.

 

Annie: "What's he doing?"

 

Korgath climbs through the ropes and heads immediately for Tommy Nguyen. The man from Seattle, Washington tries to get to his feet, but Dominic Korgath does the work for him by lifting the lithe wrestler by the neck and throwing him into the ringpost!

 

Ejiro: "Wahoo!! I never thought I'd see the big man demonstrate a streak of cruelty!"

 

Annie: "It seems like Korgath's not satisfied with the damage he's already done. He's rolling Nguyen through the ropes!"

 

Korgath climbs back onto the apron and starts to ascend the top rope!

 

Referee Sexton Hardcastle tries to dissuade the big man, but all Dominic Korgath does is push the official away like an insignificant fly.

 

Ejiro: "He's crazy! It'll never work!"

 

But it does, as the mat shakes violently when the full 350 lbs mass comes crashing down on Tommy Nguyen. Nguyen spasms crazily for several seconds before laying still, the damage obviously more than any human body can take. Korgath gestures to Hardcastle, who immediately starts the count for the pinfall.

 

ONE!!!

 

 

...

 

 

TWO!!!

 

 

...

 

 

NOOOOOOOOO!!!

 

Korgath picks up the body of Nguyen before the count ends! The crowd boos their hate, as Hardcastle tries to comprehend why anyone would do that twice.

 

Judge: "He's crazy!"

 

Ejiro: "He's nuts!"

 

Annie: "I told you so."

 

Korgath then drags his fallen opponent across the ring and sets the Asian-American on top of the lifeless Jay Freeman. Then, bouncing off the ropes, the Big Demon takes a gigantic leap, before landing his massive torso above the two insta-corpses.

 

Judge: "It looks like he wants to pin BOTH his opponents at once!

 

Hardcastle goes for the reluctant count.

 

ONE!!!

 

 

...

 

 

Annie: "$36 says he picks them both up before the count is over."

 

TWO!!!

 

 

...

 

 

Ejiro: "You're on, Annie!"

 

 

...

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Funyon: "Your winner by pinfall, Dominic KOOOOORRRRRRRGGGAAAAAATHHHHHH!"

 

Ejiro: "I win! Pay up!"

 

Annie: "Thirty-six dollars? Uh... I meant... Religious collars!"

 

Ejiro: "Bah!"

 

Judge: "A total, absolute squash. Dominic Korgath has simply proven his dominance over these two high-flyers."

 

Ejiro: "Blame the booker, I always say. They're never going to give the cruiserweights a fighting chance if they keep throwing them at the Big Demon!"

 

Annie: "Screw the losers. They didn't bring out any women."

 

Justice and Rule: "Right. Whatever."

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

Annie: Welcome back guys and especially girls! Coming up next we take a walk on the wild side with a Hardcore match between two of the best the SJL has to offer.

 

William: It’s the battle of Britain here on Metal tonight, we have SJL legend Tryst who’s been off form lately but is going to be ready to change his form tonight and pardon the pun, put a new feather in his bow.

 

Ejiro: He’s going up against teenage sensation Jay Morrison, who despite his 50/50 win/loss record, he scored a huge victory over Tommy Nguyen this past week and would want to continue his current form.

 

Annie: Lets go to ringside!

 

[Camera cuts to the ring, where SJL’s ever present ring announcer Funyon is standing with his cue cards and a microphone.]

 

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen this match is scheduled for one fall, with a 40 minute time limit and is being contested under…Hardcore rules!

 

[Crowd pops ready for violence.]

 

Funyon: Introducing first…

 

[The lights in the arena black out, as the crowd go silent. At the entrance way a deep green spotlight shines down from above. The SmarkTron plays a video of Sherwood’s green picturesque forest at great speed, it finally stops about 20 feet in front of a man, wielding a bow and arrow. He pulls the arrow back, releases, and as it reaches the screen, pyrotechnics on the opposite wall explode as ““Forest”” by System of a Down blasts across the PA system, the crowd buzz as Tryst comes rushing out of the back to stand under the spotlight, with his bow in one hand, arrow in the other. ]

 

Funyon: He enters the match at a height of six feet, one inch tall, weighing in at two hundred and eighteen pounds, from Bairnsdale, England…Tryst!

 

[upon hearing his name Tryst walks down the ramp, he takes off his quiver of arrows and hands it to the timekeeper, along with his bow as he rolls into the ring and soaks in the cheers from his huge fan base. The lights fade back up to normal, and he awaits his opponent.]

 

Ejiro: Here’s a guy a few cans short of a six-pack.

 

Annie: There’s nothing wrong with looking up to your hero. Landon Maddix does and he’s the champion.

 

William: Maddix doesn’t look up to a 600-year-old thief.

 

Funyon: His opponent…

 

[The drum & bass intro to “We Took Pelham” kicks in over the PA, as a blue strobe lights flickers around the entrance way. This ends once the trumpet kicks in as slowly fireworks shoot in a line down the entrance walkway forming an arc. As the cacophony of instrument finally play in the track Jay walks out in a gold robe with diamond encrypted into it.]

 

Funyon: He comes into the match 6 feet 1 inches, weighing in at 239 ½ pounds, from London, England…Jay Morrison.

 

[The Smark Tron flashes his name in gold as Jay looks up at the crowd and raises his arm as he proceeds down the aisle. Once on the ring apron when the violins are rapidly playing Jay scale the top rope and holds his arms out to jeers of the crowd.]

 

William: That entrance gives me goose bumps, simply spectacular

 

Annie: All the glitz in the world can’t win you a match and I think Jay’s really out of his element here.

 

Ejiro: True, the hardcore rules do seem to favour Tryst an experienced competitor, unlike Jay whom to my knowledge has never competed in a bout like this.

 

[The referee rings the bell as Jay Morrison and Tryst immediately lock up and thrash blows at each other. They keep each other close so as not to allow the other any room to gain leverage in any way. They both keep swinging away while trying to restrain each other at the same time. Eventually Tryst backs Jay up against the ropes, and he presses him into the ropes, Tryst whips Jay to the opposite ropes, Jay comes roaring back with a lariat but Tryst ducks, Morrison comes back off other ropes and is caught by a drop toe hold from Tryst. Tryst leaps for an elbow drop but Jay rolls out of the way. They both roll off to their sides and stand back up, ending up face to face in the middle of the ring, staring each other down.]

 

Annie: Where’s the pain! I thought this was hardcore

Ejiro: You can’t just run and grabs a weapon, you need to wear your opponent down to get the opportunity to strike with an outside agent.

 

William: Thus preventing it backfiring on you.

 

Annie: Damn geek boys.

 

[Jay starts running his mouth a Tryst about everything from Robin Hood, the state of Northern England and his wrestling ability in general. Tryst looks at him bemused slightly humoured by this. This pisses off Jay who slaps him across the face with his right hand.]

 

William: Uh-oh

 

Ejiro: That’s for sure.

 

Annie: Why isn’t Tryst doing anything?

 

[Tryst’’s head tilts a bit after the slap as he raises his hand to his jaw after the impact. Yet, he simply stands his ground. Morrison continues the verbal assault and hauls off with another slap to the face. This time the anger on Tryst’ face begins to grow. ]

 

William What a pussy, he’s allowing himself to be slapped around!

 

Annie: Did you say pussy…

 

[Morrison turns to the crowd yelling some obscenities and turns around ready to clock Tryst once again.]

 

Ejiro: He’s over stepped the boundary.

 

[As Jay swivels around, he’s met with a huge uppercut under the chin. Jay is rocked back and nearly loses his footing. Tryst connects again with a right hand, and again. Tryst leans Jay into the ropes now and sends him in to the far side. Morrison reverses it and wraps Tryst up for a short arm clothesline. Tryst ducks, and he sends Morrison over the top rope and to the outside with a clothesline of his own]

 

William: Tryst is in full ass kicking mode tonight and the fans love it!

 

[Tryst pumps his fist to the crowd. Tryst yells for Morrison to get his ass back in the ring and begins to play to the fans as Jay staggers around on the outside trying to regain his composure. Morrison hears this and goes berserk, steaming in under the bottom rope and charging at Tryst swinging a wild haymaker. Morrison throws a right hand, but it’s blocked by Tryst, he tries again and once again Tryst blocks it, returning the favour with a punch to the jaw!]

 

Ejiro: Fans of technical chain wrestling might away look away now as you’re gonna watch a brawl to the finish here.

 

[Jay is rocked backwards, as he hits the mat hard. Holding his jaw, he uses the ropes to help him to his feet. As he rises to his feet, this time he challenges Tryst to a test of strength.]

William: Smart move by Jay here. He knows he has a strength advantage over Tryst, if he can’t out brawl him; he’ll out power him.

 

Annie: I guess it’s obvious Jay doesn’t won’t to resort to hardcore an area he’s not used to.

 

[The two lock hands, Tryst gets the early advantage, leaning on Jay, forcing his shoulders near the mat, however his weight advantage comes into play again as Morrison powers out of his position and begins to push Tryst’ shoulders down to the mat. Tryst manages to bend his body into a bridge as he powers back up to a vertical base now, Jay in shock, as he can’t quite fathom how Tryst is doing this. Both men are now standing vertically, so Jay plants a knee in to the gut of Tryst, doubling him over. Jay plants some strong forearms into the back of Tryst, and then leans him into the near side, sending him off of the ropes. Tryst ducks under a leapfrog and shoots back across the ring where he’s met with a hip toss attempt from Morrison. Tryst blocks the hip toss and connects with a knee to the gut of Jay. Using Jay’s head and shoulders to his advantage, Tryst back flips out of the hip toss, he ducks another clothesline attempt and thrust kicks Jay down hard.]

 

Ejiro: What a thunderous kick to the chest of Jay.

 

William: Tryst just murdered him with that kick and he’s moving in to attack.

 

[Tryst leaps on top of Jay and begins to pummel Morrison, throwing punch after punch into his skull, unrelenting in his assault on Jay, as finally after around eight straight blows, Tryst finally lets go of his opponent and slides to the outside of the ring. Tryst reaches underneath the ring where he pulls out a garbage can and tosses it in the ring. But he doesn’t stop there. Tryst slides out a ladder and lays it outside of the ring. Followed by a table, and lastly a barbed wire covered steel chair. ]

 

Ejiro: Here comes the pain!

 

William: Erm, you might want to rephrase that.

 

Ejiro: The crimson filled agony draws closer

 

Annie: I like it

 

[Tryst slides into the ring after holding the barbed wire steel chair up to the crowd for a few seconds, he slides back into the ring and holds the chair up once again. The camera zoom in and on closer inspection, it appears like the chair is wrapped with some sort of material underneath the barbed wire. Tryst now lifts his other arm in the air to reveal a small bottle of lighter fluid. ]

 

Annie: What’s the hell is that?

 

Ejiro: Looks like lighter fluid to me.

 

William: He’s not going to set the chair on fire…is he?

 

Ejiro: This might hurt a little.

 

[Tryst douses the chair with the fluid, he asks for a lighter of a fan whom gladly provides and proceeds to light the chair a blaze! Tryst holds it in the air once again as Jay staggers back to his feet, from the blows. As Morrison turns around, Tryst runs at him, swinging the burning barbed wire steel chair.]

 

Annie: I can’t look at this

 

Ejiro: This is sickening

 

[Tryst aims for the head of Jay, and his misses! Jay ducks the strikes at the last second. Tryst turns around only to be on the receiving end of a flying shoulder tackle that take him down and send the chair to the mat.]

 

William: Morrison saved his skin and now he’s grabbing hold of the chair.

 

[Morrison grabs the chair of the mat and looks out to the arena audience with that trademark smirk on his face. He then looks towards Tryst, doubled over recovering from the tackle, and an evil grin appears his face. Morrison extends the flaming barbed wire covered steel chair high above his head and smashes it down with all of his power into the back of Tryst. Tryst keels forward immediately as the flames connect with his back and the barbed wire digs into his skin, pulling some of his flesh away at the same time. Blood begins to trickle down several areas of his back as a red imprint burn mark of the chair appears on the back of the screaming Tryst.]

 

William: Holy crap! That was brutal

 

Annie: I think I’m going to be sick. That was nasty.

 

Ejiro: I’d have to agree with you there. Wait a second… he’s getting up… TRYST IS GETTING UP!

 

[Tryst slowly rises to his feet, but has trouble extending his back the entire way. Seeing this, Jay holds onto the steel chair, and smiles again as Tryst turn back around.]

 

Annie: For the love of your fellow man, not again!

[Jay screams ‘die’ at Tryst as he extends the chair once again and cracks Tryst on his forehead as hard as he possibly can.]

 

Ejiro: Oh my lord, call for paramedics.

 

William: He’s still on his feet.

 

Ejiro: He’s not f**king human!

 

[Tryst is sent staggering back as his knees begin to look like jelly, wobbling left and right. Blood begins to gush down the middle of his face as Morrison rears back and slams the barbed wire chair into the side of Tryst’ skull with a sickening thud! Tryst crumples to the mat in a heap from the power of the blows, laying in fetal position not moving]

 

Annie: Pin him Jay and end this bloodbath.

 

William: I apologise to those with weak stomachs but hopefully Jay will pin Tryst and it will be all over.

Ejiro: Tryst is a mess. There’s blood all over his back, and now it’s flowing freely from his head! He is in deep trouble.

 

[Morrison drops the chair as he walks over to the limp body of Tryst, and kicks it so Tryst’s shoulders are on the mat. Jay places one foot on top of him as the referee makes the pin]

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

E…

 

NO!

 

Ejiro: Oh my god!

 

William: He’s alive! Tryst is alive!

 

[Jay has a face of thunder that Tryst could kick out; frustrated he throws he starts pulling Tryst up by the hair. Tryst body is like a sack of potatoes, so Morrison drops Tryst’ dead weight and now slides to the outside of the ring where he picks up the table that Tryst retrieved earlier. Morrison slides the table inside the ring and sets it up near one of the corners. ]

 

Annie: He doesn’t want to beat Tryst! He wants to punish Tryst!

 

[Jay takes his time with Tryst, toying with him before bringing him back to his feet. Jay hooks Tryst around the waist in position for a belly-to-back suplex. He picks Tryst up and sits him on the top turnbuckle, facing the outside of the ring. Morrison climbs up to the top rope where he hooks Tryst in a back suplex position. Jay takes a little more time before yelling at Tryst that ‘it’s over’]

 

William: To quote my favourite manager: ‘Turn the lights out, the party’s over’

 

Annie: Hold your horses…

 

[Tryst somehow finds some life inside of his battered body and plants an elbow to the kidney area of Morrison. And another. Tryst begins to fire away with elbows, and as he turns himself around, he lands a hard right hand to the side of Jay’s head.]

 

Annie: Tryst fighting back now! He’s getting his second wind!

 

[Tryst leaps over Jay’s body with sunset flip, he then pulls Morrison’s body over his and sit down powerbombs him through the table]

 

William: Unbelievable!

 

Ejiro: I’m speechless at these two men and their will to win.

 

[Neither man moves too much at all as the fans continue to cheer in appreciation.]

 

Ejiro: I don’t think either man could possibly have the energy to even pin the other.

 

[Tryst manages to drag his body over the top of Morrison that’s scattered with broken table as the referee makes the count.]

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

E…

 

SHOULDER UP!

 

Annie: A spilt second away from a decision.

 

[Tryst slumps off Morrison as both Tryst and Morrison are slowly trying to drag themselves from the debris. Morrison staggers by the ropes as Tryst grabs hold of Morrison and headbutts him in the face, causing him to stagger backwards and stumble to the bottom of the entrance ramp. Tryst rolls out after him as they trade blows on floor in a groggy state.]

 

Annie: They seem to have recovered slightly, and are now trading blows with each other!

 

William This is truly a test of endurance. I didn’t think either man would be able to keep going like they are now!

 

Ejiro: Yes but they are in no way shape or form in fighting condition

 

[Morrison and Tryst are now slugging it out on top of the entrance ramp. Back and forth they go, slinging fists into each other with each man trying to get the upper hand. Morrison reaches into his trunks and pulls out some talcum powder and holds it ready to blind Tryst, but Tryst kicks the flour back into his face! Jay now blinded staggers to the top of the ramp way, there he is blindsided by an incoming Tryst who strikes with a smooth spinning heel kick that lays Jay out.]

 

Ejiro: Old school trick by Jay failed and now he’s on the defence.

 

[Tryst pulls Jay to his feet and hooks his head under Jay right arm, with tryst in front face lock position he elevates jay up and falls back bridging with a Northern Lights Suplex for a pin attempt.]

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

E…

 

E…

 

NO! JAY ROLLED HIS SHOULDER OF THE RAMP!

 

Annie: Why isn’t ‘Forest’ playing?

 

Ejiro: Jay somehow kicked out!

 

William: Amazing, both men are amazing.

 

[Tryst pulls his hair out in frustration of the kickout. Tryst grabs a hold of Morrison's hair, forcing him back up to his knees, but Morrison fights back with a low blow to genital area of Tryst.]

 

Males in the crowd: Oooooh!

 

William: Oooooh!

Ejiro: There’s my pick for hardcore move of the night!

 

[Morrison low blows Tryst’s “Robin Hood and two now not merry men!” again for good measure, sending Tryst down to both his knees as Jay stands up. Morrison then takes a few steps back before unleashing a yakuza kick to the jaw of Tryst then sends him hard to the unforgiving steel ramp. Morrison stands up next to Tryst’s head and looks down and launches into an offensive assault, hitting Tryst with a series of knee drops to the head of Tryst and stiff kick into his midsection. Morrison then lifts up Tryst by his hair and puts his head between his knees in a front head scissors.]

 

Ejiro: Good God! What's Morrison thinking now?

 

Annie: Looking where Tryst’s head is I think Jay wants him to do more than one ‘job’ tonight.

 

Ejiro: What in the hell you're talking about!

 

William: I thought Liston was the homosexual.

 

[Morrison hooks the arms of Tryst around his, then in double underhook position, Jay elevates Tryst in the air, he holds him vertical for around five seconds before tossing him in the air, shifting both weights forward and watching him land back first for a double underhook powerbomb.]

 

Ejiro: Tryst looks to be almost out of this one! I don’t think he can take any more than this!

 

William: Damn that was brutal! Bit like your love life Annie.

 

Annie: What? You munch the pick taco as well as me!

 

Ejiro: Two men are killing each other and you talk about that!

 

[Jay places one foot on the body of Tryst as the referee leaps down onto the steel to make the cover.]

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

E…

 

NO! SHOULDER UP FROM TRYST

 

Ejiro: No way!

 

William: He must be Robin Hood re-incarnated because he’s not human!

 

[Jay walks to the edge of the ramp tearing his hair out audibly swearing that Tryst kicked out, he reaches the edges and asks the pyrotechnic below the hand him a ladder. Fearing the wrath of a pissed off Jay he hands a good 15 footer up to Morrison. Jay pulls it up onto the ramp and sets it up near the prone body of Tryst. To make sure he’s down Jay elbow drops him in the ribs and begins scaling the ladder.]

 

Annie: I don’t care what he does but if he strikes Tryst from that height, Jay’s won.

 

William: I don’t know, Tryst has the experience to fight through this

 

[Jay gets eight feet up the ladder when Tryst reaches his feet. Tryst starts scaling the ladder behind Jay, Morrison spots him and starts’ kicking backwards to send him back hard to the ramp, but his boot is caught by Tryst. Tryst hooks it over his shoulder and hooks his head between the legs of Jay and falls backwards off the ladder dropping Morrison down with a electric chair drop.]

 

Ejiro: This HAS to be over!

 

[Tryst looks at Jay Morrison’s limp body lying waiting for the pin. The crowd are rhapsodic for Tryst to win the match when suddenly as if a light bulb was appearing above his head Tryst eyes widen and he looks at the SmarkTron.]

 

Annie: What on earth is he doing?

 

William: Why isn’t he pinning Morrison, you know you can’t always keep the sob down.

 

[Tryst points at the top of the SmarkTron and the crowd go absolutely bananas. Upon hearing their reaction Tryst takes the ladder and places it in front of the SmarkTron. He then stands on the ladder and begins to climb up the SmarkTron.]

 

William: What is the crazy bastard doing?

 

[Tryst keeps going higher and higher on the ladder 15 feet in the air, he then climbs off the ladder up the side until he's about 1/2 way up the 50 foot big screen around 25- 30 feet into the air on the side. He looks down at a slowly moving Jay who’s getting to his feet in a daze in the middle of the ramp staggering towards the direction Tryst is. Tryst holds onto the side of one hand, he swings he body weight backwards and then leaps forward flying 35 feet in the air from the elevation]

 

William: HOLY SHIT!

 

[Tryst flips his body forward corkscrewing as he comes down, at about 10 feet from Jay, Morrison spots him but it looks to be too late as Tryst comes flying feet first at Jay to dropkick him.]

 

Annie: The Arrow’s path from 30 feet.

 

[bUT TRYST MISSES!!! He only catches Jay with his heel that send Jay to the end of the ramp on his back, as he goes over the top of Jay and falls below the ramp on the pyrotechnics area full of tables, boxes and wire...]

 

Ejiro: TRYST MISSED! TRYST MISSED!

 

William: HOLY F**KING SHIT!

 

[Tryst's body crashes through some boxes and tables as he hits the floor with a sickening thump. The crowd goes silent as the camera closes in on his limp motionless body.]

 

Annie: Call 9-1-1 we need some help! Seriously!

 

[We hear one of the announcers drop their headset to get of the ring crew to run for help. Jay somehow, staggers back to his feet and looks down over the ramp towards a near-dead Morrison. The referee is shouting at Jay to get down there and pin him to stop the match and get some help.]

 

William: Helps on its way but Jay needs to end the match otherwise we can’t get paramedics out there. They’re not insured to be out there while a match is in progress for their own health.

 

[The referee shouts at Jay again, a confused Morrison points to his chest and the referee nods. The sick smirk appear on Jay’s face.]

 

Annie: I don’t like that smirk.

 

Jay: If you say so Hardcastle!

 

[Jay leaps from the ramp towards the prone body of Tryst and drops a huge knee across his head from 8 feet in the air!]

 

Annie: That bastard!

 

William: In the name of god cover him now.

 

[upon impact Morrison’s body rolls into clutter of broken tables on the floor, he lays sucking wind arm on top of Tryst, as the referee goes down for a pinfall.]

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR…

 

E…

 

E…

 

[DING! DING! DING!]

 

Annie: Thank god for that.

 

[Paramedics come running out from the back with a stretcher to help Tryst up, Jay is helped up to his feet as Funyon makes the official word.]

 

Funyon: The winner of the match by pinfall…Jay Morrison

 

[‘We Took Pelham’ strikes up again as SJL officials help jay to the back while EMT’s check on Tryst’s condition.]

 

Ejiro: It took one flashy, over the top move to end this match.

 

William: Just think, imagine if Tryst hit The Arrow’s path from that height it would be Jay Morrison being tended to.

 

Annie: I give credit to Tryst for giving us a hell of a performance, but jay can go to hell for his sportsmanship of lack of it.

 

William: Wait Tryst is getting up…

 

[indeed the camera cut back to the pyrotechnics area next to the stage where Tryst refuses the stretcher and slowly gets to his feet. The crowd follow suit as they rise to their feet applauding Tryst’s efforts.

 

Annie: You know what I’m gonna join them, he put on a show to remember.

 

[Tryst slowly limps to the back holding a hand in the air for appreciation as everyone from, William, Ejiro, Annie, Funyon and the fans applause his courage. The scene fades to the commercials.]

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

We return from the latest batch of commercials, taking in a wide shot of the Center, packed out with excited SJL fans. A group of young men wave a huge Irish flag, grinning in anticipation of our next match. From a close up of their happy faces, we cut to the slightly less enraptured faces of our trio of hosts. Annie is ignoring William and Ejiro and fixing her make up, while the two friends snicker to themselves.

 

Judge: She looks like an explosion in a paint factory- Oh, welcome back to Metal!

Ejiro: Annie, what exactly are you doing?

Annie: Just fixing a few things before the next match.

Ejiro: Sad, truly sad…

Annie: What?

Judge: You do realise that Janet Quinn is straight?

Annie: Like that matters. You two claim to be straight and look at the cock sucking you get up to every week right here at the commentary table.

Ejiro: WHAT? You F-

Judge: Ah, let’s get to it. Funyon?

 

In the ring, the legendary announcer smiles slightly and raises a microphone to his golden lips.

 

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

 

“Danny Boy” begins the refrain that welcomes the first man to the ring, as Danny Conklin appears to a rapturous reception from the crowd.

 

FUNYON: Introducing first the challenger, from Dublin, Ireland, weighing 220lbs…Danny COOOOOOOOOONKKKKKKKKLIIIIIIIN!!!

 

Conklin, followed closely by the clover distributing Janet, walks down to the ring. There’s a steely look in the eyes of the normally cheerful looking Irishman, as he forgoes his usual salute to the crowd and merely bounces in a corner, eyes focused on the entranceway. Wearing black tights with green clovers embossed on the sides, Conklin crouches, pushing up his blonde fringe.

 

Annie: Ok, you boys talk, I have to take care of something.

 

Annie leaves the commentary area and walks around the ring to Janet, where she strikes up a conversation. Unfortunately, Annie has removed her microphone, but we see Janet blushing prettily and Danny looking a little confused.

 

Judge: Well…if we can have everyone’s attention back over here? Thank you.

Ejiro: Conklin’s looking determined in there, but I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew here tonight. What was he thinking, a little Irish chump like him challenging a great British aristocrat like English Dragon?

Judge: It is a huge test for Conklin, there’s no denying it.

 

Conklin’s music fades out to be replaced by the majestic sounds of “Land of Hope and Glory” as the English Dragon steps out into a wall of heat from the SJL fans. Wearing all white and with his European Title belt strapped firmly around his waist, the Dragon walks to the ring, closely followed by his huge butler, Robertson.

 

FUNYON: Aaaaaaaaaaaand his opponent….from London, England….weighing 223lbs….he is the reigning and defending S…J…L European Champion, the English DRAAAAAAAAGOOOOOOOOOOON!!

 

Dragon reaches the ring and is about to climb onto the apron when he sees Annie and Janet, still in conversation. Dragon saunters around the ring and bows to both women, who look at him in disgust. Dragon steps forward to take Janet’s hand, drawing more boos from the crowd, only to be slammed down onto his face on the floor by Danny Conklin from behind!

 

Annie kisses Janet on the cheek and walks back round to the commentary table as Conklin throws Dragon into the ring.

 

Referee Matthew Kivell signals for the start of the match, allowing Danny to continue his assault.

 

DING DING DING

 

Judge: Well, we’re all just dying to know how that went?

Annie: I got her number…

Ejiro: I didn’t see you write anything down.

Annie: I never forget.

Ejiro: Oh, like an elephant?

 

In the ring, Conklin stomps on the back of English Dragon as he lies on the mat, driving his boot into Dragon’s shoulder blades. Satisfied that his opponent is stunned, Conklin grabs Dragon up by his mask and hauls him to his feet. The Irishman takes the champion’s arm and whips him to the ropes. Dragon rebounds but ducks under the arm that Conklin flings forward.

 

EngDrag reaches the other side of the ring, turning and bouncing back off the ropes towards Conklin. Danny jumps into the air, getting high elevation and snapping his legs towards Dragon. Conklin’s boots CRACK into the jaw of Dragon, and the Londoner is knocked onto his back to a cheer from the audience.

 

Danny gets to his feet and moves over to Dragon, who has rolled onto his front to avoid the pin and is slowly picking himself up. As EngDrag rights himself, Conklin throws a forearm shot into the back of Dragon’s head and slips his arms around the champion’s waist. Danny attempt to squeeze on a waistlock, but before he can grip fully Dragon twists round, breaking Conklin’s hold. Dragon scoots behind Danny and grips him into his own waistlock. Dragon tenses, looking to hold Danny in place.

 

Judge: The Dragon will be trying to slow the pace of the match down after Conklin’s early flurry.

Ejiro: Dragon can mop the mat with him. Conklin wouldn’t know a wristlock from a wrist watch.

Annie: Gee, that’s original…Danny has a great chance to win his first title in the SJL. He’s got skill, he’s got fight, he’s got Janet…

Ejiro: And Dragon has Robertson! What a huge man! What a HOSS!

 

Danny tries to pry apart Dragon’s hands from his mid-section, but Dragon won’t be moved. Conklin tries a different approach, and runs forward quickly to the ropes, pulling Dragon with him. The Irishman grabs the top rope, and Dragon is bounced off by the sudden stop. Dragon is thrown down to the mat but rolls backwards to his feet.

 

Conklin turns his head and sees Dragon approaching. Immediately, Danny jumps with both feet onto the second rope, bouncing off it and twisting in the air. The challenger extends his body horizontally and crashes into the chest of Dragon, flattening him to the mat. Danny hooks up a leg for Matthew Kivell’s first canvas slapping of the match:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

Annie: Beautiful springboard into a cross body! Danny can pull amazing moves like that out all night.

Ejiro: He was scared and trying to run out of the ring, and the ropes accidentally bounced him back onto Dragon!

Judge: Sounds plausible.

 

Conklin has a hold of Dragon’s head and, turning, brings both men to their feet. Danny is a little too slow in resuming his assault, and receives a swift jab to the eyes from his opponent. Kivell gets in Dragon’s face, but the champion merely shrugs and grabs Conklin’s left arm. Dragon flings the Irishman to the ropes and waits for his return.

 

As Danny bounces back, Dragon simply gets his shoulder onto Danny’s and blocks him down to the mat. The crowd jeers Dragon as he places his left boot on the chest of Dragon and waves to the crowd. Kivell counts it:

 

ONE!

 

Danny throws up a shoulder and starts to get to his feet, looking angry at being mocked with the cover. Dragon remains in control however, and grabs his opponent around the head and neck with both arms. The Londoner flips Conklin forwards head over feet with a snap mare takeover that leaves Danny sitting on his behind on the mat.

 

Dragon steps back and CRACK! EngDrag slams a hard kick into the shoulder blades of Conklin. Dragon nods his head and slams his boot into the back of the challenger once again. Danny shouts, his face screwed up in pain and his fists clenched. Dragon bounces back one more time and this time kicks Conklin HARD on the back of his neck!

 

Judge: Stiff kick from Dragon, and Conklin took the whole impact on his neck.

Ejiro: Break it! End the little bitch’s career!

Annie: What did Danny ever do to you?

Ejiro: (puzzled) Do to me? Nothing, why?

 

Danny’s head dangles for a few seconds, before he shakes it, attempting to clear his senses. Dragon doesn’t allow him more than a couple of seconds however before resuming his assault. EngDrag stands to the side and slightly behind of his opponent, before moving swiftly forward.

 

Dragon executes a quick forward roll over the shoulder of Conklin, but as he does so grabs hold of Danny’s head with both hands. Dragon rolls over, pulling Conklin with him, and as he reaches the mat the impact SNAPS Conklin’s head hard out of his grasp. Danny collapses back to the mat and rolls onto his side.

 

The crowd boos as Dragon stands over the fallen Irishman and kicks at his neck again. There’s not much power in the kicks as Dragon seems to be more intent on humiliating his opponent and infuriating the fans.

 

The Englishman drops to the mat next to Conklin and wraps his left arm tightly around his head, hooking his fingers together and putting pressure on. Kivell checks on the arm, making sure Dragon hasn’t slipped on a choke hold, and then moves over to watch Conklin.

 

Judge: Dragon seems to have targeted the head and neck of Conklin.

Ejiro: Genius! That Irish drunk will find it very hard to do any of his flippy floppy crap if every time he hits the mat he’s in fear of being paralysed.

Annie: It’ll take more than a headlock to take a fighter like Danny out.

 

Dragon seems to heed Annie’s words, as he shifts his body so his boots rest near the ropes. With Kivell intent on Danny, Dragon is able to put both feet on the second rope, applying extra pressure to the headlock.

 

Annie: Kivell! Look up you blind fool!

Ejiro: Be quiet woman! There’s nothing wrong with that, Dragon’s just resting his feet.

 

With Kivell still oblivious, Dragon starts to rock up and down, pulling back on the head and neck of his opponent. At last the intense booing of the fans alert the hapless referee to the situation, and he pushes Dragon’s legs off the ropes to a big cheer!

 

Dragon gets to his feet and presses his face into Kivell’s, wagging his finger. The Englishman is so intent on giving the referee a piece of his mind he is oblivious to Conklin, who is up and behind Dragon! Danny grabs the back of the Englishman’s tights and pulls him down past him, pinning his shoulders to the mat with a schoolboy roll up!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - KICKOUT!

 

Dragon’s kick throws Conklin back a few steps and allows him time to get to his feet. Danny is right back after him and blocks Dragon’s punch before firing his own right hand into the champion’s face. The Dublin native goes for a kick to Dragon’s thigh, but EngDrag catches it! Dragon holds the leg, and…waves to the crowd! A look of disbelief crosses the face of Conklin before he jumps into the air, whipping his free leg through the air and bringing his boot into the back of Dragon’s head with a huge SNAP!

 

Annie: Dragon really needs to cut out the waving and show boating if he doesn’t want to go home title-less.

Ejiro: He’s giving the fans what they want! Look at them, they love this guy!

 

The camera catches a “Die Dragon Die” sign in the crowd. We hear muffled giggles from Annie.

 

In the ring, Conklin’s enzugiri has knocked Dragon flat on his face, but the Englishman is climbing up once more, holding the back of his head. Conklin runs to the ropes and rebounds, coming rapidly up behind his opponent. The challenger jumps into the air alongside the half risen Dragon, grabbing him by the mask at the nape of his neck. As Danny falls, he MASHES Dragon’s face into the mat with a bulldog!

 

The impact bounces Dragon off the mat and onto his back where he lies, dazed from the punishment he’s just absorbed to both front and back of his head. Danny is up quickly and stands with his back to Dragon. The crowd pops as Conklin gives them a double thumbs up with a grin, and ROARS as he leaps backwards into the air, bringing his body over in a graceful arc! Danny’s feet sail back, and his torso SLAMS into Dragon’s!

 

Annie: BEAUTIFUL standing moonsault! What a move!

Ejiro: It looked like he slipped on some soap. What an idiot.

Judge: That seems to have knocked all the air out of Dragon…Conklin hooks the leg.

 

ONE!

 

 

 

TWO!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - NOOOOO!

 

Danny is quickly up, and drags Dragon into the nearest corner by one arm. The Irishman vaults onto the top rope, facing out to the crowd. Another thumbs up, and Conklin again leaps backwards, this time with the moonsault off the top. Danny gets huge elevation, camera’s flashing throughout the arena as his body turns over slowly, before he plummets to the mat and HITS THE MAT HARD!

 

Judge: Dragon rolled away!

Ejiro: He was playing possum. How can Conklin compete with that kind of intelligence?

Annie: It was a desperation move, Ej, Dragon didn’t plan that!

 

Dragon is slowly pulling himself up onto one knee. Conklin, having bounced off the mat at high velocity, holds the back of his neck, feeling the effect of having his head snapped back by the unforgiving canvas.

 

Dragon moves over to the lying Danny and smites him on the neck with a forearm shot. The European champion gets behind Conklin and pulls him up. Dragon hooks his left arm under the Irishman’s left leg and grabs him around the waist with his right. EngDrag pulls up, swinging his opponent up in a classic belly to back suplex position, but instead of completing the regular move just drops Danny vertically down onto the back of his head and neck!

 

The crowd draw in their collective breath at the sight of Conklin’s neck folding over like paper, and boo the Dragon as he gets to his feet and moves over to Danny, who holds his neck and kicks his legs in pain. Dragon pushes the challenger onto his back with his right boot and proceeds to wipe first his right foot, then his left onto the body of his opponent!

 

Annie: My God, that’s disgusting. This man has just no class at all.

Ejiro: What? He’s a refined gentleman! A doormat is all the likes of Danny are good enough for!

Judge: And here comes the next part of Dragon’s master plan!

 

Passing up on the chance of a cover, EngDrag pulls Conklin into a sitting position and crouches behind him. Swiftly, Dragon hooks his right arm around and back across the throat of Danny, pulling back hard with a Dragon Sleeper! Conklin’s head is wrenched back and Dragon nods in approval as Kivell gets down to check on him.

 

Judge: The Dragon sleeper will be putting huge pressure on that neck of Conklin.

Ejiro: Sleep time, Danny boy! Close your eyes and the pain will all be over.

Annie: I hate to break it to you boys, but he’s still fighting.

 

Indeed, buoyed by the chant of the crowd (“LET’S GO CONK-LIN! LET’S GO CONK-LIN!”) the Irishman is pushing himself up onto one knee. Dragon is forced to half stand and shakes his head in disbelief as Conklin continues to rise! The Irish hero strains…pushes…and stands! Dragon tries to force him back down, but Conklin spins sharply to his right, breaking out of the sleeper and spinning round in front of Dragon!

 

Before EngDrag can make a move, Conklin snakes his arms around the torso of the Dragon, locking them around his body. Danny pulls backwards, lifting Dragon clean up and over and slamming him hard down to the mat on his back. Conklin pushes his legs up and maintains his lock for the bridged northernlites suplex cover:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - - - - - - NOOOO!

 

KICKOUT!

 

Conklin falls to the mat next to Dragon, holding his neck. The Englishman rolls away, as Janet starts to lead the crowd in clapping for Danny to get up.

 

Annie: Hey, you know what, she can clap those hands on my-

Judge: We just don’t care anymore.

Ejiro: Yeah. Lesbian’s aren’t big and they aren’t clever.

Annie: (sulkily) Fine…I’ll call the match then!

Judge: Ok…ok…you can do the lesbian schtick.

 

Conklin and Dragon are both up, but are also both moving a little groggily. They move slowly into the middle of the ring, and Conklin hits Dragon with a quick pair of punches. Dragon is staggered but fires back with a European uppercut to the jaw of the Irishman. Another uppercut and Dragon whips Conklin into the corner on the opposite side of the ring.

 

The champion grabs Kivell and pulls him in front of him, starting to talk quickly and gesticulate wildly, seemingly complaining about something. With Kivell’s back to Conklin, Dragon’s butler Robertson makes a move, stepping onto the apron and pulling back a hand to punch Danny in the corner!

 

The crowd’s hisses turn to roars of delight as Janet, running around and standing behind Robertson, swings her arm up and connects with the groin of the huge butler! Robertson’s eyes cross and he stumbles down onto the floor. Janet delivers a few choice pieces of Irish wisdom to Dragon’s fallen aide before jumping onto the apron and YELLING at Kivell, who at last breaks away from Dragon.

 

Annie: Yeah! That’s my girl!

Ejiro: What the hell was she doing to poor Robertson?

Annie: He was going to attack her boyfriend, you idiot.

Ejiro: No, no, he was just going to offer him some tea.

 

Conklin is out of the corner, and, as Kivell moves aside, charges at Dragon! The Englishman is taken back, and Conklin is able to drive his knee twice into his stomach. A couple of punches to the head add to the effect, before Conklin gets around behind his opponent. The Irishman slides his arms under those of Dragon’s and, bending his forearms back and linking his hands on the back of Dragon’s neck, locks in a full nelson!

 

Janet applauds as Danny tries to pull the Londoner over with a Dragon suplex, but EngDrag is struggling and keeps his feet on the mat. Conklin tries again, lifting Dragon into the air, but the champion reaches around with both arms, just getting them onto the top of Danny’s head with an effort. EngDrag lets all his weight drop forward, and he lands on the mat. Conklin is pulled down with him, his jaw CRACKING into Dragon’s skull!

 

Judge: Dragon escapes with a jaw breaker! What a counter!

Ejiro: An awesome man, an awesome wrestler.

Annie: Do I even have to mention how many times he’s cheated already?

 

Conklin drops back, holding his chin, and Dragon whips round behind him, slapping his arms around Danny and locking him in a full nelson of his own! Dragon pulls up and back and DETONATES Conklin’s head and neck onto the mat with a Dragon suplex! Dragon holds the bridge:

 

ONE!

 

 

 

TWOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

Conklin broke the bridge at the last possible second! Dragon slaps the mat in frustration but quickly gets back to his feet, bringing Conklin with him. Dragon thrusts Danny’s head between his legs and performs a quick cut throat gesture with his right hand.

 

Judge: If the champion hits the Dragon Driver, it’s good night Danny Conklin!

Ejiro: Danny should tap out or get the towel thrown in to save himself the pain.

Annie: Well…if Janet wants to throw any of her clothing in, I’m fine with that.

 

Dragon casually hoists Conklin up, but is a little too confident, as Danny wraps his legs around Dragon’s head and pulls back hard! Conklin drags Dragon over head first with a head scissors take over, SLAMMING Dragon down onto his back on the canvas and coming out sitting on top of him for the cover!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

 

KICKOUT!

 

Judge: Dragon escapes, but Conklin is still alive and fighting hard.

Annie: So close to a new champion! Amazing athleticism from Danny even at this stage of the match.

Ejiro: He-

Annie: Let me guess, he slipped again?

Ejiro: No…he…er…cheated…

Annie: That’s lame even for you.

 

Conklin crawls away from Dragon but doesn’t allow his dazed opponent any time to recuperate as he pulls him up. Danny puts Dragon’s head between his legs as the crowd begins to guess what that half grin on Conklin’s face indicates, and cheers in anticipation. Danny grips Dragon around the waist with both hands and pulls him up vertically!

 

As Dragon dangles down the Irishman’s body, Danny carefully hooks Dragon’s left arm back with his left leg!

 

Ejiro: You’re not allowed to do that! You disrespectful Irish cu-

Judge: Dragon’s fighting back!

 

Dragon’s body is twitching as he tries to escape, but Conklin’s hold is tight, and he quickly hooks back the other arm and DROPS FORWARD! Dragon is MASHED into the mat with his own Dragon Driver! Conklin just manages to keep his legs in place and slowly turns Dragon over onto his back, pinning his shoulders to the mat!

 

ONE!!

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW CHAMPION!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

KICKOUT!

 

The crowd groans in disappointment as Dragon throws up a shoulder with Kivell’s hand mere inches above the mat for the third count. A brief look of disappointment flickers across the face of Conklin before he pushes the body of his opponent away from him.

 

Judge: Dragon shows how much the European Title means to him in kicking out of his own finishing move-

Ejiro: -that Conklin had no right to use! No one else has done that in the SJL!

Annie: And it took Dragon totally by surprise! Now Danny has a chance to finish the job.

 

Conklin gets up to his feet, slowly, feeling the back of his neck still. The Irishman pulls Dragon, almost dead weight, to his feet with a huge effort. Danny whips EngDrag to the ropes, but the Englishman stops there, as Robertson grabs his employers foot to prevent his return to Conklin. Dragon flops onto the top rope, but Danny simply walks over and pulls him away and into his grasp. The challenger kicks Dragon in the gut and grabs him up, hoisting him high into a powerbomb position!

 

Danny twists back to the ropes as he brings Dragon down, and the Englishman’s upper back is bounced off the top rope. Conklin uses the rebound to propel EngDrag around and drop down, planting Dragon HARD to the mat with a sit out slingshot powerbomb! The SJL fans are rapturous for this move, as Conklin hooks his legs over Dragon’s arms for the cover!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!!!

 

So close again!

 

Ejiro: And now Conklin knows, he CANNOT beat Dragon.

Annie: That was just a prelude, Ej. See where Danny’s headed?

Judge: Dragon needs to get himself out of the corner and fast!

 

Conklin stand and points with one finger to the top rope, earning another big POP!

The Irish hero steps out of the ring and climbs to the top, with Dragon prone and perfectly positioned in the corner. More flashbulbs flicker across the arena as Conklin leaps forward, flipping his legs back over his own head and turning over, diving onto Dragon with his “Car Bomb” shooting star press that sends him SLAMMING onto Dragon! The slap and crash of flesh and bone colliding is heard through out the arena!

 

The challenger is looking a little stunned by the impact. Dragon however isn’t moving at all, and there’s no doubt about the cover as Kivell gets down to count! The arena is screaming for the new champion!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

 

 

The whole crowd erupts as Danny jumps to his feet!

 

Annie: YES! What a great champion!

 

Conklin raises his arms in delight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kivell points to Dragon’s leg resting on the bottom rope, shaking his head and voiding the pinfall!

 

Ejiro: AHAHAHA! Aww, poor Danny! I TOLD you, he can’t beat Dragon!

Annie: Dragon didn’t get his leg there, that damn butler did it!

 

We cut to a replay from an different angle:

 

REPLAY

 

As Kivell is counting two, Robertson calmly places Dragon’s left leg onto the rope. Kivell is unsighted and continues his count until Danny gets up, allowing him to see the leg.

 

Annie: I swear, I’m going to get every one of these referee’s fired if it’s the last thing I do in this place!

Judge: It doesn’t matter! The match is still going on.

 

To HUGE boos from the crowd, Dragon has pulled himself to a sitting position. Danny is trying to appeal to Kivell, but the referee just urges him on to the match. Dragon uses the ropes to get himself up and steps forward a little. Danny turns, sees him up and just flings himself forward!

 

Reacting with whatever he has left, Dragon drops to the side and snaps his left leg into the back of Danny’s, tripping him down with a drop toe hold. Conklin falls forward and his neck SLICES onto the middle rope! Danny hangs on the ropes, eyes glassy, the impact surely having caused severe pain.

 

Dragon is up and staggers forward…to Kivell! The Englishman distracts the referee long enough for Robertson, still standing serenely in the same place, to smash the helpless Conklin in the face with his brass knucks embossed fist.

 

Danny’s head drops over the rope as the crowd gets in serious danger of losing their voices. Dragon steps over and hooks his arm around Conklin’s head, bending it back and pulling him away from the ropes, locking in the Dragon sleeper in the middle of the ring!

 

Annie: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

Judge: Dragon sleeper on tightly!

Ejiro: That fall on the ropes sure took a lot out of Conklin!

 

With Dragon urging him on, Kivell raises Danny’s arm.

 

It falls.

 

Kivell, who, despite having seen nothing, is aware from the crowd that something is wrong, gives Conklin all the time he can before lifting the arm again.

 

It falls.

 

Kivell lifts it again, as the crowd plead with Danny to keep it up…

 

Annie: NO….Janet, do something!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DING DING DING

 

FUNYON: Ladies and Gentleman, here is your winner and STILL ESS JAY ELL European Champion, the ENGLISH DRAAAAAAAAAAAAGOOOOOOOOOOON!

 

The crowd start up a familiar post Dragon match chant:

 

“BULL SHIT! BULL SHIT!”

 

Dragon releases the sleeper and stumbles away. The champion slides out of the ring as Janet enters, tending to her man.

 

Judge: Conklin gave it everything. But Dragon had too much experience, too much skill-

Annie: Too much bullshit.

Ejiro: Don’t take on so, Annie! Conklin did ok, for a little runt!

Judge: The damage done to the Irishman’s neck earlier convinced Kivell he was out cold, and Dragon retains the title.

Ejiro: What a European!

Judge: There’s no time to get our breath back- next it’s the boiler room match for the SJL World Heavyweight Title. If you go anywhere, you’re an idiot.

 

COMMERCIALS

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

The moment of anticipation is upon the crowd as they settle into their chairs and prepare for the match of the night. There are no cheers, there are no boos, just the anxious anticipation of the crowd; sort of a low buzzing. With all the fans food and drink and bathroom requirements fulfilled, due to a long pause in the show as the lone cameraman heads down into the deep dark bowels of the arena. Filming this match is not resident cameraman Gus, alas a bit too out of shape for this strenuous filming task. He is replaced this evening by Jim, a younger and certainly more in shape man. The SmarkTron presents a montage showing brief clips of the boiler room, giving a sense of what’s to come.

 

Annie: Alright folks, now we’re ready for tonight’s main event that will not take place in the ring, the backstage area, the parking lot, or the Mississippi river... this match is a Boiler Room Brawl, and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.

 

Judge: If our mood is a bit somber for this match, it is because of the serious nature of the risk involved.

 

Ejiro: Indeed, we have absolutely NO idea what’s going to happen down there! There’s nothing rigged up, nothing staged, it’s just two big angry men beating the crap out of each other in the most unusual and hopefully entertaining ways possible.

 

Annie: Hopefully... we’re gonna go now to the ring with Funyon.

 

Funyon stands in the middle of the ring, with his note-cards and his microphone, obviously prepared to make an announcement of some magnitude. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is our main event and is a Boiler Room Brawl! In this contest, both men will start out in the boiler room and will battle it out without any restrictions. The winner of the match, will be the first man to leave the boiler room and reach the ring, wherein, the World Title shall be placed. The man who grabs the belt will be declared the winner. Let me now direct your attention to the SmarkTron, where we will watch the carnage unfold!” Funyon gets a decent sized pop for his speech and the bell rings.

 

 

DING!! DING!! DING!!

 

 

The SmarkTron fills with a view of Ben Hardy standing by with Tarakanov.

 

“Hello, I’m Ben Hardy and I’m standing by with Viktor Tarakanov...” Hardy is cut off by the arrogant Russian accent of Viktor “That is WORLD CHAMPION Viktor Tarakanov!” he says smugly. “Yes, World Champion Viktor Tarakanov. I would just like to get your thoughts on this dangerous and highly unconventional brawl.” Tarakanov instantly snaps back “My thoughts? My thoughts are that I am facing a lunatic in a place where he has the advantage. It stinks down here. It stinks like every place in this country; like pestilence, poverty, and pain. I am prepared though. Aecas is already in the room, hiding from me. He is afraid of what I will do to preserve my World Title. Although he may have the advantage in the boiler room... Aecas fears me.”

 

Judge: That’s a bold statement.

 

Ejiro: Not really, it’s true.

 

Annie: Well I suppose the World Champion is supposed to have a chip on his shoulder, but it looks like Viktor has a whole damn bag of chips on his shoulder!

 

Judge: That’s not what they mean by chip, Annie.

 

Viktor turns and walks down a very narrow hallway, almost scraping his thick shoulders as he approaches the end of the hallway, followed close behind by the lone cameraman. Tarakanov looks at the door and the sign on it that reads “Caution! Boiler Room”, with a snicker he opens the door slowly and enters into a room of darkness. The room is so dark, in fact, that the cameraman is forced to turn on his the spotlight mounted on the top of the camera. The only light besides that on the camera, is an eerie red glow that fills the place, emanated from the lights on the numerous boilers and pipes about. Tarakanov walks in a few paces and looks a bit at his surroundings.

 

First of all, he is on a metal grid sort of a cat walk, suspended quite a ways from the actual ground beneath. To either side of him there is a set of stairs leading to the level below. Viktor decides to take this to the largest area of the room and find Aecas. He walks to the staircase to his right and descends slowly, cautiously, into the chasm below. Reaching the first landing of the stairs, Tarakanov looks around, making certain that there is no one waiting in ambush for him. He quickly descends the second flight of stairs and reaches the floor, finding the air very moist, filled with steam from the faulty pipes. Also a curiosity, it appears to be raining inside the room, a fault caused by the many leaky water fixtures held above, making many ominous dripping sounds.

 

Judge: We know conclusively, that Aecas is in that boiler room... someplace.

 

Ejiro: He's been in there all night though. We saw him go in towards the beginning of the show and haven’t heard from him yet.

 

Annie: No one ever said that Aecas was mentally stable.

 

The room itself seems to be alive, the very innards of the arena, making many odd hissing and dripping noises. The boiler room almost feels like one were in the belly of the beast. Tarakanov walks forward and peaks between two ten foot boilers; nothing. He walks on to his right and now walks between a sort of makeshift hallway made by parallel rows of the massive boilers. There could be an ambush waiting behind any of the boilers at any time. Sucking up what could best be described as caution, Viktor walks slowly between the rows, looking quickly to the right and to the left, making sure that no one is present. Tarakanov reaches half way through the hallway when a voice echoes through the boiler room:

 

 

“Are you scared?”

 

Scared the champion appears to be as he frantically whips his head back and forth, looking for the man who delivered the ominous words. Not seeing his opponent and perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed for showing fear on national television, Tarakanov walks the rest of the way down the little hallway, jolting his head from side to side as he passes the boilers. As he reaches the end, he turns back around and more or less shrugs his shoulders, baffled as to how such a large man could hide in such cramped quarters. He moves swiftly back down the hallway and pushes past the cameraman. As he walks back, the attention of the cameraman is directed upwards.

 

Ejiro: What’s that cameraman looking at?

 

Judge: I cant tell, it’s too dark...

 

The cameraman then takes a step back and mumbles “Holy shit...” as the figure above him becomes clear. Viktor hears the footsteps of the camera man stop and he turns around to see what’s delaying him. As he turns, he sees a great figure lower itself from a steel pipe on the ceiling. Tarakanov has fear in his eyes as he sees the massive frame of Aecas lower himself from the pipe like a gymnast from a chin-up bar. Aecas quickly delivers a massive boot to Viktor’s chest, stumbling him backwards, before dropping from his hanging position. Aecas lets loose a maniacal laugh before charging forward at the champion. Aecas grabs Viktor by the back of his neck and quickly says:

 

“You’re in my world now!”

 

The Black Angel quickly smashes Tarakanov’s head into an inactive boiler, prompting a loud clang from it. Viktor stumbles back, but the massive Aecas grabs his Russian arm and slams him back into the boiler, this time leaving a small dent in it. Viktor stumbles back, swearing to himself in Russian, but Aecas isn’t near done with the punishment he has in store. Aecas whips Viktor to the left of the entrance and Tarakanov trips over a knee-high pipe, sending him flying to the concrete below. Aecas can be seen grinning before he moves over to his fallen opponent and remarks “Watch your step...”

 

Ejiro: Well isn’t THAT thoughtful! Aecas even takes the time out of his busy schedule to insult the World Champion.

 

Annie: It IS no DQ, I guess that includes bad puns as well.

 

With Aecas clearly dominating, he moves slowly with his opponent, bringing him to his feet, taking his time. Viktor is not completely out yet, though, and he shows it by releasing several stiff jabs at Aecas face. Aecas takes these in stride and does little more to counter than push Tarakanov backwards, causing him to trip over the same pipe that tripped him before. Aecas chuckles at the usually serious Tarakanov making an ass of himself by falling for the same trick twice. You can almost hear the fans in the arena laughing along with Aecas as Tarakanov lies on the concrete with a sore bum. Heavily pissed off, Viktor Tarakanov gets to his feet and leaps forward, spearing Aecas against the brick wall behind him.

 

Viktor then stands up and brushes himself off, confident that Aecas is down for a while. To his chagrin, Aecas gets back up remarkably fast and moves toward Tarakanov. Nearly shocked to see The Black Angel back on his feet, Viktor takes a step back and nearly trips again over the pipe, but steps over it in time. “The Red Rage” then takes control of the situation, delivering a solid right hand to the nose of Aecas, stunning the big man long enough for Viktor to grab Aecas by his stringy black hair and escort him to a series of thick pipes. The enraged Russian then takes Aecas’ face and smashes it into the largest pipe, not realizing that it is filled with incredibly hot steam.

 

Annie: Owww! That’s gotta burn! It takes some kind of personality to be able to inflict that kind of damage on your opponent.

 

Judge: The boiler room is one of the most dangerous places in any building. In most cases only trained professionals are aloud inside.

 

Ejiro: Only a sadistic bastard would purposely do something like that.

 

Seemingly on cue with Ejiro’s comment, Viktor adds together the heat emanating off the pipe, the hissing noise when Aecas’ flesh pressed against it, and Aecas’ uncharacteristic scream, and decides that this pipe is an effective weapon. Looking to keep whatever sort of advantage he can get, Viktor takes Aecas’ face and presses it against the pipe again, this time, near grinding the flesh into the metal. Aecas screams loudly and kicks his foot back in desperation, luckily catching Tarakanov in the crotch. Viktor himself lets out a utterance of pain and releases Aecas from his scorching torment. Aecas then spins around wildly and drives his elbow into the face of “The Red Rage”.

 

As Aecas stops moving, we can see through the darkness that Aecas’ face is now slightly burned along the lower right side of his face. The majority of that part of his face is toasted with soot, making his piercing white eyes even more striking. Aecas touches his face lightly and shrugs off the pain as best he can, more focused on the title than his pain. Aecas then grabs Tarakanov by the hair and brings his victim’s head into collision with his fist multiple times, nearly whipping the Russian into his fist. After several shockingly brutal blows, The Black Angel relents and ceases the blazon fury of his fist, settling instead for a headbutt, knocking Tarakanov back into a boiler.

 

Annie: That’s friggin’ crazy! Aecas just got his face BURNED on that pipe... and he just shrugged it off!

 

Judge: He was never a big advocate for admitting his pain before, Annie. Aecas has been struggling to get that World Title for a while now, perhaps now he finally has the chance to get the belt.

 

Ejiro: Bah, that’s an unlikely scenario. Viktor is in COMPLETE control!

 

With Tarakanov nearly completely incapacitated, Aecas looks to his left and sees a small assortment of pipes propped up against a boiler. The Black Angel grins from beneath his darkened face and grabs a pipe near four feet long and holds it up like a swordsman about to duel. With a flick of his wrist, Aecas twirls the pipe once like a samurai sword and then charges forward, looking to decapitate Viktor Tarakanov. Just a split second before the pipe were to come in contact with his head, the Soviet drops to his knees quickly, just barely dodging the dangerous weapon. As the pipe grazes his dark hair, Viktor instantly charges forward, spearing Aecas into the boiler behind him.

 

The boiler goes clang as Tarakanov pins his opponent to the large heating device. Viktor stands up and rests himself for a moment, thinking through his strategy. He had anticipated a much easier match, but Aecas is in complete control of the match. Fighting in the boiler room allows his opponent the advantage, favoring him at every exchange. Viktor’s fighting style now is reduced to nothing but the occasional punch and spear against something hard, a stark contrast from his usual barrage of punches and suplexes. As Viktor stands, looking at his opponent, already beginning to stir, there is but one strategy left: survival.

 

Judge: Aecas just plain REFUSES to stay down! He’s taken some of Viktor’s best shots and simply got back up.

 

Annie: Tarakanov is going to have to change gears here. If he can only keep Aecas down for a matter of seconds, he’d better hope that his boots hold out on him, ‘cause he’s gonna need to do a bit of running!

 

Ejiro: No way. Even though Aecas doesn’t want to stay down for very long, I doubt that Tarakanov is going to be the kind to make a hasty retreat.

 

Viktor now becomes seriously intent on keeping Aecas down, which is evident by the repeated kicks to Aecas’ midsection. These cannot even be considered boots to Aecas upper body, as they are in fact swift and effective toe kicks to the solar plexus of The Black Angel. With the rage growing red hot inside of him, Viktor Tarakanov kneels down by Aecas and grabs him by his dark hair and begins to pummel away at Aecas’ eyebrow, trying by any means to get him to bleed or to give him a concussion. Either of which should slow him down. Unfortunately, Viktor is only able to extract a small amount of blood from his opponent, but Aecas does seem down for the moment.

 

Tarakanov quickly rises and looks down at Aecas; battered, burned, and bloody, Aecas should be down for a while. Viktor grins briefly and walks to his right to ascend the stairs to the left of the entrance. The camera man follows the World Champion as he ascends the stairs and stands on the catwalk overlooking the battleground below. He looks down to see if he can see Aecas, lying bleeding on the concrete, but the body is too obscured by the perpetual haze of the boiler room. Viktor is unaffected by not seeing his beaten opponent before he leaves, as he opens the door and is struck hard... by the bright fluorescent lights of the hall, much different from the dark red of the boiler room.

 

Judge: Viktor Tarakanov is now out of the boiler room! All he has to do now is to make his way to the ring and claim his belt.

 

Ejiro: See? I told ya he had this match in the bag!

 

Tarakanov walks down the narrow hallway, almost to the point of reaching an adjoining hallway which leads to the entrance to the stage, when he suddenly hears footsteps behind him. Viktor turns to investigate, and gets absolutely nailed in the head by Aecas’ flick scythe. The large steel staff catches Tarakanov in the head, thankfully lacking it’s extended blade. Aecas smiles above his opponent as Viktor lies face down on the cold concrete, unconscious. With Vik’s back exposed, Aecas gets that devilish gleam in his eye and hits the button on his staff, sending the two foot blade shooting out and locking in place. The crowd can nearly be heard shuddering as they can nearly foresee what’s to come.

 

Aecas then very carefully turns the scythe upside down and holds the blade steady with his right hand. Then, like an artist to his canvas, Aecas gently brings the blade across Tarakanov’s back diagonally towards the right, cutting open the skin on the back of his opponent. Although unconscious, Viktor still cries out. The Black Angel then does the same cut but to the left, spilling even more blood onto the light gray concrete. Then, the piest se resistance, a horizontal line in the middle of the two diagonals, making the letter ‘A’ for Aecas. With a maniacal glint in his eye, The Black Angel throws back his head and laughs insanely at his marvelous signature upon the back of his opponent.

 

Judge: That’s just not right...

 

Ejiro: Uugghh... Aecas perhaps extracting a bit of revenge on Tarakanov for burning his face.

 

Annie: Ahh, Horrorcore... Dace Night will be proud.

 

Judge: How can you condone something so... sick?

 

Annie: Well, I’m not condoning it, as much as I am respecting the decision. Think of it this way: Aecas may still not win this match, but he might like to give Tarakanov a little token of gratitude anyway. What better way than to scar him up a bit?

 

With satanic delight, Aecas turns Viktor onto his back, done admiring the bloody ‘A’ on Viktor’s back, and begins to drag him by his feet back down the hall, towards the boiler room. Aecas quietly mumbles something “I’m not done with you yet...” as blood smears in a massive streak across the floor of the hallway. With a jerk, Aecas whips open the door and drags his still unconscious opponent back down into the bowels of the arena. The sound of Viktor’s head bouncing off the steel stairs is sickening, but it stops as Aecas drags him to the concrete, flopping his body down onto the floor.

 

Aecas quickly walks in between two boilers, disappearing out of sight, leaving Viktor to come to his senses on the ground. Not gone long though, Aecas quickly returns with a ten foot ladder and props it up against some low hanging pipes on the ceiling of the boiler room. Viktor attempts to crawl away but as he sees Aecas approach, he stops crawling and plays possum. Aecas looks at his helpless opponent and cannot help but smile before ascending the rickety ladder. With unusual grace and speed, the seven foot man ascends the ladder and turns himself around when near the top. Aecas steadies himself on some pipes at the top and the crowd can nearly be heard gasping with anticipation.

 

Annie: He’s not gonna try it...

 

Ejiro: Is he going to freaking try a Swanton?

 

Judge: I don’t think that he could even execute the move, there’s no room to jump.

 

Annie: That’s just insane... he’s gonna try the Decent into Darkness on the concrete? It’ll do just as much damage to him as it will to Viktor.

 

Well, no one ever said that Aecas was sane... The Black Angel takes flight without hesitation and executes what could better be described as a falling senton bomb, rather than the usual jumping Swanton bomb. Either way, the size of Aecas leaping through the air is extremely impressive, as is the destruction that is to follow. As Aecas comes soaring to the cold hard concrete, the haze below him disperses and he can see that Tarakanov is nowhere to be found. Unfortunately too late to do anything about it, The Black Angel comes crashing to the cement floor with a sickening thud.

 

Tarakanov has now effectively crawled away upon seeing Aecas scale the ladder, hiding himself away beneath the mist. With a great deal of effort, Viktor gets to his feet, his back still bleeding profusely from Aecas scythe. The battered champion staggers off to his left, not sure exactly where he is. Knowing for certain that even a failed Decent into Darkness on the concrete cant put Aecas out for long, Viktor Tarakanov approaches a nearby pipe with a release valve on it. He turns the big wheel and allows quite a bit of steam to leak out of the pressure release port. The Russian then walks off looking for a different exit, allowing the steam to fill the boiler room, obscuring his retreat from Aecas.

 

Annie: Well, I’ll be damned. The courageous World champ just ran off!

 

Ejiro: He did NOT run off! Viktor simply went off looking for another exit... that’s all.

 

Judge: Exactly.

 

Annie: Well, he went looking for another direction because he knew that Aecas was guarding the first one.

 

Ejiro: Pfft, a likely story...

 

Viktor walks rather quickly, trying to avoid the oncoming haze that’s been set as a smoke-screen to throw Aecas off his trail. Now very much conscious, Tarakanov wanders down a darkened corridor, lined on the right by boilers and pipes, on the left by a concrete block wall. Like something out of a horror movie, Viktor Tarakanov is led down the dark hall, illuminated only by the cameraman’s light and the perpetual red glow of the boiler room. The hallway suddenly turns to the right and through the haze, Viktor spots an exit sign, glowing bright red like the boiler room itself. Though he still needs to keep on his guard, he approaches the end of the hall cautiously.

 

Viktor keeps walking down the hall, though, and passes an office of sorts. Darkened, bare, and locked, the room is of little import to the Soviet Champion. He keeps walking but slows down, convinced he heard something, somewhere. Viktor continues to walk but the camera man apparently trips over something so he stops for a moment. When he recovers, we see that the camera is now looking from a much higher perspective, nearly looking down at the champion. Viktor thinks nothing of it and simply keeps walking until he notices a faint chuckling sound. As he turns around, ready to admonish the cameraman for laughing, the camera itself charges forward and smashes into Viktor’s face!

 

Annie: The fans at home just got an eyeful of the World Champion! His ugly mug pressed up against the screen of everyone’s home!

 

Ejiro: I think it’s safe to say that that camera man is going to be reprimanded thoroughly!

 

Judge: Umm, Ejiro... I believe that was Aecas manning the camera. Not the cameraman.

 

Annie: Clever tactics used by The Black Angel. I still find it hard to grasp that the man actually enjoys pain. I mean, I put up with it and I suppose that it gives ya a kind of a thrill, but this dude refuses to stay down, craving that extra bit of pain.

 

The light on the camera seems to break and a small crack appears across the lens of the camera as Aecas drops it to the floor. Luckily for the viewers, the camera falls facing the exit and we are afforded a view of their heinous World Champion crawling toward the exit in vain. Aecas is heard speaking loudly, his deep voice echoing around the boiler room “Not that way... I know a short cut!” Aecas grabs Viktor by his foot and drags him to the side, disappearing between two boilers as the camera remains still, observing nothing but the exit sign and the boilers to the right, all bathed in a deep red light. We can hear Aecas footsteps and the sound of Tarakanov’s body being dragged amongst the hissing and rattling of the boiler room.

 

Suddenly, the footsteps and dragging stop, as Aecas suddenly flies out from between the boilers and brings his Goth New Rock boot square into the lens of the camera, making it appear to the viewers at home as though Aecas is kicking right into their very living rooms. The screen hisses, crackles and fades out from video but we can still hear the maniacal laughing of Aecas booming throughout the boiler room. The camera then hisses loudly and ceases to work. The camera crew switches to a shot of the crowd in the arena, sort of puzzled as to what is going to happen. With no way to know when the wrestlers will emerge, the fans are a bit peeved at the current situation.

 

Annie: Well, Aecas sort of ruined the camera in the boiler room... so... what do we do now?

 

Judge: Um... I suppose we just have to keep the audience entertained.

 

Ejiro: How do you propose we do that, Bill?

 

Judge: Well... I could tell some jokes.

 

Annie and Ejiro: ...

 

Judge: That was the joke. Pretending as though I told jokes... That was as far as my humor extends.

 

Annie: ...

 

Ejiro: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! That was great! You rule, Bill!

 

Judge: No, you’re Rule. I’m Justice.

 

Annie: ...

 

Ejiro falls out of his chair, laughing too hard to form an intelligible sentence.

 

Annie: Whew... Man, I’d love to party with you guys! You’re a barrel of laughs...

 

Ejiro getting up from the floor: Alright, Miss Sarcasm, what would YOU recommend to keep the audience entertained?

 

Annie: Well, my girlfriend and I had some wild sex last night. I could tell some stories.

 

Ejiro: ... ... ... ... ... SWEET!!

 

Judge: Wait just a second, kids. I’ve been informed that there’s some sort of disturbance at ringside! Let’s have a cameraman investigate.

 

We switch to a shot of the side of the ring, underneath the metallic gray “protective” mats on the outside. In one section, they are moving up and down, it’s not quite clear as to why. The fans lean over the barricade and look down in wonder at the scene below, suddenly the mat flies up and a heavy steel trap door flies up with it. We see who raised the door as he emerges from the pit. Aecas rises from the pit and the crowd explodes in cheers, causing Aecas to recoil slightly, too used to the silence of the boiler room. Shaking off the massive applause of the crowd, he continues to walk out of the pit, dragging Tarakanov by the hand up the steps.

 

Aecas stands up on the ground, looking out at the crowd, before looking the ring at the belt. The Black Angel then grins and walks closer to the ring, but before he can get close enough to spring in the ring and claim his title, his foot is grabbed by Viktor Tarakanov. Aecas turns around and tries to free himself, but he sees that “The Red Rage” has one hell of a grip. Playing possum nearly this whole time, simply trying to escape the match with his life and health in tact, Viktor quickly gets up to his feet and adjusts his grip on Aecas’ boot. It looks as though Aecas is about to go for an enziguri as he bounces up and down, trying to keep his balance, but Tarakanov simply pushes Aecas back into the ring apron and then charges forward with his Iron Curtain lariat, squashing his opponent.

 

Annie: That BASTARD!! He’s been playing possum this WHOLE TIME!!

 

Ejiro: It’s BRILLIANT!! What a champion! He makes me proud to be a heel!

 

Judge: That really was excellent strategy. It was obvious from the start of the match that Aecas had the advantage in the boiler room, and Tarakanov picked up on it. So he started to go down easier than expected to avoid further damage on himself. Knowing full well that Aecas wanted to inflict pain just as much as he wanted the title, Viktor allowed himself to be beaten and cut to a bloody pulp. Vik also knew that Aecas would want to beat the crud out of him for as long as he possibly could and would bring him out to the ring to see his title taken away from him. Calculating the odds, Viktor knew that by then he would have had enough rest to be able to take the match in the ring.

 

Ejiro: Excellent analysis, Bill! I couldn’t have said it better myself.

 

Viktor takes a step back, looking on his fooled opponent with contempt. Aecas suddenly springs back to life after being nailed by the stiff lariat, and kicks the unsuspecting Viktor in the gut. Aecas then tucks Vik’s head between his legs and signals to the crowd for the Executioner.

 

Annie: EXECUTIONER!! EXECUTIONER!!

 

They explode in cheers as Aecas then lifts Tarakanov up onto his shoulders, but instead of flopping down into a hanging position, Viktor keeps his sitting form, drilling Aecas in the head with extremely hard fists to the head, re-opening the small gash on Aecas’ eyebrow. After several hard shots, Aecas collapses and drops Tarakanov, allowing him control.

 

Viktor takes a step forward and flips the heavy steel door closed with his foot, perhaps for safety reasons. While he does this Aecas comes back to awareness with a grin on his face, and Viktor realizes that there is very little that will take down Aecas. With a look of desperation on his face, Tarakanov begins to hammer at Aecas face with the hardest punches he’s ever thrown, punches that would take down most normal men with one or two shots. They only manage to stagger Aecas, but that’s all that Viktor needs. Viktor tucks his opponent’s head between his legs and lifts the three hundred and fifteen pounder onto his shoulder... and approaches the thick steel door.

 

Annie: You’re fucking kidding me...

 

Ejiro: Wow... is that really necessary?

 

Judge: Aecas has taken everything of Viktor’s with a smile and come back for more. This move might just take The Black Angel out.

 

The move by all means ought to kill him. Viktor flips his opponent forward in the Bolshevik Revolution, but instead of flipping Aecas all the way so he lands on his stomach, Aecas is only flipped about half of the way. In a literally sickening move, Viktor flips Aecas forward and slams his opponent’s head and neck onto the thick steel door. As he hits, his head instantly shifts to the side, signifying a forced weakness in the neck. The crowd gasps and nearly shits their pants as the witness the sickening move. Aecas falls nearly lifeless to the exposed metal, no expression visible on his face. The fans begin to boo as they realize that Aecas is no longer a factor in the match.

 

Ejiro: Good LORD!! That was the most sickening maneuver I have EVER seen!!

 

Annie: That was almost unreal... I’m having trouble believing that Aecas is still alive...

 

Judge: I’d be inclined to agree...

 

Viktor looks down at his handiwork and smiles uneasily. The thought through his head reads “Hopefully I did not kill him... that would definitely mean a cut in pay.” he chuckles to himself before rolling into the ring. The crowd’s boos are nearly turning into a vocal riot as many of the fans are becoming unruly, deep in hatred for the America hating bastard. Tarakanov stands in the ring, and looks out at the crowd surrounding him, mocking them with his victory. He nonchalantly walks over to his belt and picks it up, holding it high above his head, causing the bell to ring.

 

 

DING!! DING!! DING!!

 

 

Funyon announces from ringside in his mock-enthusiastic voice, hiding his own dislike for the champion “Here is your winner, and STILL Smarks Junior League World Heavyweight Champion... ‘The Red Rage’ VIKTOR TARAKANOV!!”

 

The Soviet National Anthem hits the speakers and Vik walks around the ring with the title in one hand raised high in the air, mocking the crowd for ever believing. He is supremely pleased with himself as he trots around the ring with his belt held high and the anthem of his country playing in the background, but stops dead as he looks out of the ring and sees an extraordinary sight. There is a ring of EMTs around where Aecas lies but Viktor can see clearly over top of them. What we see is Aecas crawling and lifting up the heavy door with what little energy he has left. After doing so, The Black Angel then slithers down the steps, back into the darkness from whence he came.

 

Annie: That man gave everything he had tonight, he has earned my respect.

 

Ejiro: Not mine! He lost, apparently he didn’t give ALL he had!

 

The puzzled ring of EMTs stands unmoving around the trap door. There is absolutely no movement... until one of them thoughtfully closes the steel door, leaving Aecas some peace to mend. The dumbfounded men scratch their heads and quietly disperse, not quite sure if they should follow Aecas or not. Standing in the exact same spot in the ring, Viktor is visibly perturbed by Aecas’ apparent ignoring of the sickening move. Not wanting to let such negative thoughts fill his head, Tarakanov quickly leaves the ring and heads to the back. As he walks up the ramp, he cannot help but think of the resilience of Aecas. How he took everything he had and just kept coming.

 

He might not ever say it, and he’ll deny it if asked... but Viktor Tarakanov respects Aecas.

 

Annie: I cant believe that bastard won... again...

 

Ejiro: Come on! He fought hard, he used his head. Vik deserves that belt!

 

Judge: That he does. That’s all for SJL Metal, tune in next week for more exciting action! For Annie Eclectic and Ejiro Fasaki, I’m Judge William Hearford. Thanks for watching!

 

*The camera fades out on an ominous shot of the red glow of the boiler room emanating from the cracks in the steel trap door*

 

 

*Copyright SJL 2003*