Smarkdown!

November 11, 2003

Earlier Today…

The Budokan’s locker room area is quiet. SWF Smarkdown won’t start for several hours, but the talent has already begun arriving slowly.

Tom Flesher stands in the hall, clad in his standard polo shirt and jeans with the SWF World Championship belt slung over his shoulder. Nervously, he paces around. Finally, he looks up, and his eyes light up when he sees…

“Grand Slam” Mark Stevens.

“Mark!” he calls out to the commissioner, who acknowledges him as he hobbles toward his office.

“Tom! How are things today?” the Heavy Hitter asks, opening the door to this week’s office. “I wasn’t expecting to see you this early.”

Flesher follows Stevens into the office. The commissioner turns on all the lights and sits down on the nearest chair. Nervous, the World Champion stays standing as Stevens opens his briefcase.

“Mark, about last week…”

“The World Title contender match?” Stevens looks up.

“I don’t think it’s going to make… anyone happy,” Flesher says. “I mean, you’re the one who sent Strangler to see…”

“Edwin,” says Stevens with a nod and a smile. “Strangler came back with renewed killer instinct, and…”

“And if you give Taylor the World Title shot at Ashes 2 Ashes, Strangler might not get a chance to take him on while he’s still fresh.”

Stevens furrows his brow. “Interesting point.”

Flesher nods. “So Mark, I think I have a solution to our problem… by the end of the night, I’ll have everything taken care of. I just need your assurance that everything that’s signed by the end of the night will go through.”

Stevens looks at Flesher, as concerned as ever. “I can’t avoid giving Taylor a shot – ”

“After the pay-per-view,” says Flesher firmly. “He’ll get his shot – just not now.”

Stevens sighs, worried. “Tom?”

“Yeah?”

“This had better work.”

A smile flitters across Flesher’s face.

“Don’t worry, Mark. Everything’s going to turn out just fine… and that, my friend, is a damn promise.”

Flesher walks out of the room, and Stevens goes back to sifting through this evening’s paperwork.

November 11, 2003

(Five minutes before showtime)

"Hey Ted... can you do me a favor?"

Ted Flink looks up from the soundboard and turns towards the voice.

"Yeah, you. I need a favor real quick. I know you have my music cued up but could you change

it for me?"

Flink looks visibly confused at the request.

"Change it?" he asks, "But your entrance has been setup already! We got the lights,

music..."

"I know, the entrance is set just right, I just need a different tune is all! It can't be

that hard, can it?"

Ted thinks it over, "No, it's not hard really, I just don't know why you'd want to switch it

up."

"Let's just say I'm keeping a promise I made a few years back. I told a full house in this

exact building that I'd be back, and I want them to see me as I left is all. That requires

track six on this disc."

"Alright, alright. Track six?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"Gotcha, hope you get the reaction you want!"

The figure turns away from the Head Tech Operator and walks down the hall, donning a fedora

and lighting the cigar that had already been chewed on.

"Yeah, so do I..."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"SAN!"

"NI!"

"ICH!"

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

Pyrotechnics explode from all around the Budokan Hall. Flash cameras sparkle in front of the

crowd as they applaude for the SWF! Live in Japan!

"The loyal followers of truth and justice unite tonight at Budokan Hall!" booms Comet,

"Tonight we come to you from Tokyo, Japan with SmarkDown. Cyclone Comet here with Bobby

Riley as usual, ready to bring to you the finest wrestling on either side of the Pacific!"

"Yes, time to show these Puro-fed nuts that us Americans are no longer inferior! Down the

the monarchy!" screams Riley, frothing from the mouth.

"Good to know that Riley took his medication, but I digress. We have a very special card

showing of the great talent we have here for the Japanese populous. We even have dual

announcership tonight, as you at home hear Funyon in English, we've enlisted the help of

some of the great Japanese announcers to help along the home crowd with what we're saying."

"In other words, we've used magic gnomes so that each country hears our broadcast tonight in

their home language. Don't ask us how we did it, just remember," says Riley, pointing

towards the camera, "We control the gnomes. We. Control. The Gnomes."

Silence falls over the announce table.

"Anyway, tonight we have a rare Three on One match, the Unholy Trinity versus the villanous

Erek Taylor, a tag match showing off the tag champions Justice and Rule versus the team of

Bastion and Xstacy... if that will work. Our main even pits the Boston Strangler and the

Nightmare Michael Craven for honor and prestige," says Comet, pausing for effect, "and to

start, Mark Stevens just dropped the news on us that he invited a rather popular Japanese

Wrestling star, who is making their return to the ring tonight! Keep the screen of viewing

locked right here and drink down a Pepsi Max... or Pocari Sweat if you will! Friends, we

bring you... SWF SMARKDOWN!"

Two men stand in the middle of the ring. A smart-looking japanese man readies his microphone

as the man behind him, recognizable as the SWF's own Funyon, does the same.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," begins Funyon, "The SWF is proud to present the latest addition to

our roster. While using many names in many matches in America, in Japan there has been only

one name used to describe the talented worker we gladly welcome back to the SWF! ...

ICHIBAN!"

"Welcome back?" asks Riley, "Wait a minute, I thought we were just doing a courtesy match

with some Japanese guy."

"You'll see Robert, you'll see," says Comet, tapping his nose with his finger.

"I hate it when you're all secretive. It means I'm not going to like what's about to

happen."

"Don't you know that the good guys ALWAYS have a trick up their sleeve?"

Horns, keyboard, and drums blare into the arena, as a little known Japanese Ska song called

"Down Town Blue Moon" by the Sideburns plays. The crowd shoots to their feet, many

recognizing a song not heard in a wrestling venue in years. Some begins to stomp, some clap,

all starting a steady beat to the music...

*STOMP*STOMP*

*CLAP*CLAP*

"I-CHI-BAN!"

As the piano solo kicks in, a figure walks out from backstage. Donned in a powder blue suit

and fedora, the figure masks any form of identity to the crowd. The audience knows however

as they continue their chant. Ichiban slowly walks down the ramp, raising a single finger to

the skies.

"A momentous occasion to be certain for Ichiban and the people here in Tokyo," starts Comet.

"I'm glad they know what the hell is going on, as I sure don't!" screams Riley, "Are you

certain that this bozo's getting a roster spot."

"That bozo, Robert, is a former Intercontinental Television champion. I would guess that

Commisioner Stevens is glad to see Ichiban back," says Comet.

Riley looks on, as confused as most of the American audience is as the lone Ichiban steps

through the ropes and enters the ring. Walking to the closest turnbuckles, Ichiban climbs up

and points a hand at the crowd like a gun. The familiar pose garners modest applause,

allowing the veteran to show the smile underneath the fedora's rim. Hopping off, Ichiban

heads towards the center of the ring and takes the microphone offered from Funyon. The

announcers leave the ring, allowing Ichiban to be alone with the crowd...

Silence hangs in the air the same way bricks don't.

"Ahhh, it's good to be back in Budokan," says the enigmatic wrestler, "But for those on the

other side of the Pacific Ocean, let me end the suspense," says Ichiban, taking off her hat,

"because Annie "Ichiban" Onita is BACK, in the S! W! F!"

The crowd applaudes, delayed slightly as the translation makes it's way through the Budokan

PA system.

"Aw CRAP!" snaps Riley, "I thought we were rid of the bitch-on-heels!"

Annie waits for the clapping to die down before continuing, "I remember a time when I was

booed here, booed for being the presumptious rookie in the black singlet that I was. Booed

for thinking myself the best right from the start. I also remember a time being cheered

here, cheered as I left to make my fortunes in America as I proved to one and all that I

truly was the best. And you all appreciated me for it. I see now that you still do, and that

I'm still welcome in my home country. For that, I thank you all! I thank you all for

remembering my promise to come back one day, and I thank you for welcoming back!"

"The respect this crowd has for the heroic Ms. Eclectic is immense. Much hard work, and many

righteous dues must have been paid by this heroine," says Cyclone quietly.

Again waiting for the crowd's reaction to lower, Annie prepares her next words carefully.

"So... why am I back? In fact, why am I back right before Ashes to Ashes? Well my friends,

it comes down to getting an offer I couldn't refuse. An offer to wreak havoc and gain

prestige. So I took it, and I'm back for more, back in the SWF! All I have to do is wait...

*cough*for his bail to clear*cough* and the stage is set for the best woman in all of

wrestling to prove what you all know already! That I! AM! NUMBER ONE!"

The audience rises up and cheers their hearts out for their hero in the ring. Annie raises

an single finger to the skies, silently signalling for the chant to begin anew:

*STOMP*STOMP*

*CLAP*CLAP*

"I-CHI-BAN!"

"A hero's welcome for Annie Ecl.. er, Onita! I worry slightly if she's mixing with a

dastardly group, but for now I'll take her word that she knows what she's doing. A great

surprise to start the night off with, wouldn't you say Robert?" asks Comet.

"Lovely. Like stabbing a Clown in the beanbag, only in reverse."

The silence, it returns.

"Yessss, well right-doers hold on for some wrestling action next, on SmarkDown!"

Fade out on the sight of Annie still holding a finger up to the heavens, smiling and letting

a tear drop from the jam packed arena chanting her name...

(cut.)

November 11, 2003

The Budokan is silent. As always, the Japanese fans are unusually sedate between matches, and this has several of the boys backstage worried.

“Don’t worry,” one of them tells the others. “Just give me a minute.”

The lights go down and the SmarkTron begins glowing white. As the opening guitars of the Philosopher Kings’ “I Am The Man” vibrate through the arena, the words “WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION” fade onto the screen in thin blue lettering. The fans begin chanting, “FLEESHAH! FLEESHAH!” anticipating the entrance of the Superior One. After a few seconds…

BOOM!

An explosion of blue pyro and smoke lights up the arena as the song starts to rock out over the sound system! Tom Flesher emerges from the cloud of smoke, clad in a silver silk shirt and dark blue pants, the SWF World Championship belt over his shoulder. He struts to the ring as videos of his signature moves alternate in half-second clips with the words “SUPERIOR ONE,” “AWARD-WINNING,” “MAIN ATTRACTION” and “THE MAN.” Flesher pauses on the ramp, crossing his arms over his chest as the fans applaud him. They continue cheering for him as he falls out of his pose and walks to the ring.

He climbs the steps, entering the ring, and grabs a microphone. He begins to speak, but is drowned out by the chants…

FLEESHAH! FLEESHAH!

He smirks, and quiets them down by murmuring, “Arigato, arigato…” The fans politely stop chanting, and Flesher is able to continue.

“So,” he says, “some of you may have seen last week’s match, where Erek Taylor…”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

“… beat me.” Flesher shakes his head. “Yes, unfortunately, despite the time that I absolutely embarrassed him… put him on his back with a Burning Hammer… stood in for the Boston Strangler, and practically broke his toothpick of a neck… Erek Taylor can claim a win over me. And there’s something wrong with that, people, because honestly, he’s just far, far too ugly to be able to say he’s 1-1 against me.” The crowd applauds politely.

Flesher paces around the ring for a moment, collecting his thoughts. “You see,” he says, “the fact of the matter is, Erek Taylor just isn’t good enough to have a win over me. Strangler? He is.” Once again, this is met with polite applause. “He’s got that killer instinct, that power… Maybe he doesn’t have the technical skill, but he doesn’t need it! He wiped the floor with Thoth! He’s a former…” Flesher smirks and pats the World Championship belt. “Well, I think we all know what he was.”

Flesher continues, “So, we have Erek Taylor, who isn’t good enough to have a win over me, and the Boston Strangler, who is. Who else… well, if Erek Taylor isn’t good enough to beat me, then the guy he beat last week definitely isn’t. And who was that? Why, Michael Craven, of course. A man so pathetic, he has to pick on the commissioner and his bum leg. A man SO pathetic, he can’t bring himself to throw away his Pokemon cards, when Hamtaro is clearly the wave of the future. But, mainly, he’s a man who’s so pathetic that Amy Craven has taken to wearing a cardboard Hardcore belt and…” The crowd issues a collective “OOOOOOOOH!”

“Well,” says Flesher would a subtle cough, “never mind that.” He grins. “So, you see, that’s what I’m out here to address you lovely fans about. As some of you may know, Erek Taylor, last week, won the right to face me at… Ashes 2 Ashes.”

The crowd boos.

“And, if you’ll remember, I am of the opinion that Erek Taylor is simply not good enough to face me at Ashes 2 Ashes. No bull, no beating around the bush… he’s just not. I do, however, know that a man who IS good enough to face Erek Taylor wants him on pay-per-view… and so, Boston Strangler, I have a proposal for you. I know you’re tough as nails, and I know you respect me. Hell, there’s just no reason not to. We’ve pounded the crap out of each other over and over and over, and I like to think you trust me enough to let me watch your back. So, Strangler, let’s do it. You and me on one side… Taylor and Craven on the other… and let’s put the little bitches out of their misery.”

“OOOOOOOOOOOOH!”

Flesher grins at the crowd’s reaction. He pauses, and then says, “Six days, Taylor. Six days, Craven… and after you end the match looking at the lights, you’ll know better than to ever come chasing my title again. Thank you… and have a good night.”

The crowd applauds Flesher as the chorus of “I Am The Man” strikes up over the sound system once again, and he exits the ring as the broadcast fades to commercial.

November 11, 2003

Johnny Dangerous walks into the locker room to find Wildchild stretching out before their tag team match. “Hey, dude,” he says, “do you have a minute to talk about—”

“No time,” replies Wildchild, as he finishes stretching and hastily puts on his chest protector. “We’ve got t’ get out dere for our match!”

Wildchild begins to head for the door, but Johnny places a hand on his shoulder. “Look, Dominic, it’s bad enough that we didn’t have enough time to practice; we barely got here in time for the show. It’s just that there’s something I wanted to talk to you about before we go out there to wrestle as a team…”

“Practice,” asks Wildchild. “Who needs practice? I’ve beaten dese guys before, an’ so have you; we’ll be alright!”

“Wildchild! Will you listen to me for a second?” Johnny moves around to come face-to-face with the Bahama Bomber. “Va’aiga and John Duran aren’t two guys that we want to take lightly; with the kind of power those two have, if we make any mistakes out there, they could eat us alive!”

But Wildchild just jerks his shoulder away from the Barracuda. “Hey, man, I don’ know about you, but *I’ll* be fine. Jus’ try an’ keep up!”

With that, Wildchild spins away from Johnny and walks out of the locker room. Johnny sniffs indignantly as he watches the retreating back of his partner.

As we:

FADE OUT

November 11, 2003

“Welcome to Tokyo, Ladies and Gentlemen,” exclaims our ecstatic masked announcer. “And welcome to SWF Smarkdown! Get ready for two hours of nonstop wrestling action! Alongside Bobby Riley, I am –”

“Don’t say it!”

“CYCLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE COMET!” Comet turns to face the camera, looking insufferably pleased with himself. “With Ashes 2 Ashes on the horizon, tonight’s Smarkdown promises to be a show to remember! We’re going to kick our action off tonight with a tag team match, as SWF Commissioner “Grand Slam” Mark Stevens has reunited Wildchild and Johnny Dangerous, at least for tonight, to take on the team of John Duran and the Maori Badass, Va’aiga!”

“I’m starting to think that Stevens is drunk on power,” grumbles Riley. “He put Craven in that ridiculous match just a couple of weeks ago, he’s got Erek Taylor in a handicap match against the ENTIRE Unholy Trinity, and now he’s apparently decided that he can make these two become friends again.”

“Citizen Riley,” replies Comet, “I’m more inclined to believe that it has more to do with the fact that Johnny Dangerous and Wildchild have had more than a few common enemies in the past several weeks. If they can both manage to take care of the problems that they’ve been having with some of the other SWF stars, then they can both move on to other things, whether they decide to stay as a team or not.”

“I still have my doubts as to whether or not these two will be able to work together at all,” says Riley.

“Well, there’s no question that they were working together last night,” replies Comet. “At SJL’s Wrath last night, Ejiro Fasaki and Judge Mental were on commentary, as usual, when the show was unexpectedly preempted! Let’s take a look!”

The SmarkTron™ flickers to life as the house lights dim and we are taken back to last night’s SJL Wrath show at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Judge Hearford, Annie Eclectic, and Ejiro Fasaki man the Commentators Table. Several scenes are spliced together where two fans wearing Beezel masks sit in the front row behind the commentators table, flicking Ejiro in the ear, tossing paper balls, and giving bunny ears.

Another scene cuts in where the two fans stand up and remove their mask, revealing themselves to be none other than Johnny Dangerous and Wildchild. They quickly plant Judge Mental head first into the floor with a tornado DDT, and follow that by sending Ejiro Fasaki on a trip through the Commentators table with a Dangerous Drop!

That was totally uncalled for,” bellows Riley. “Both those guys should be fined and suspended for that! They had no business on Wrath!”

“Be that as it may,” counters Comet, “Justice and Rule are here tonight as well, and I have been told that we will get a chance to hear their reaction to last night’s events! But, for right now, let’s get into the ring, and the one and only Funyon!”

The SWF’s irrepressible announcer stands in the center of the ring, dressed for the occasion in an ornate red and gold kimono. Raising the microphone to his lips, he says, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to SWF Smarkdown!” After a brief pause in order to allow for polite cheering, he continues. “Our opening contest is a tag team match, scheduled for one fall!”

With that, the arena goes dark. A hush falls over the crowd until the silence is broken by the piercingly harsh voice of the Maori Menace:

WHAT’S MY NAME?

Red strobe lights begin to circle the stage and the entrance ramp as Va’aiga’s silhouette becomes visible from behind the curtain. The bassline to Method Man’s “Bring the Pain” begins to play, with Mister Tical’s smooth lyrics replaced by the ancient Maori Haka “Ka Mate.”

“Making their way to the ring at this time,” continues Funyon, “at a total combined weight of five hundred seventy-four pounds, the team of the Sinner, John Duran, and the Maori Badass… VA-UN-GUH!” The Massive Maori storms down the ramp, his tattooed visage frightening women and children all around the ringside area. Duran trudges down the ramp behind him, wearing a scowl that could curdle milk. Va’aiga slides underneath the bottom rope into the ring and quickly gets to his feet, absentmindedly discarding his robe and heading over towards the edge of the ring, where he leans against the ropes, and shouts out the final “Hi” in beat with the Haka.

Comet shakes his head. “That scoundrel has got a mad on for the entire world!”

“He sure does,” Riley adds gleefully, “And I’m going to love seeing him take his mad out on these two posers!”

JOHNNY DANGEROUS!

The lights remain dim as the eclectic beat of “After the Flesh” begins to pump through the speakers. Red strobe lights are replaced by deep blue and green tones and the crowd begins cheering in earnest as the SWF’s resident super-spy bounds from behind the curtain. “Their opponents,” says Funyon, “first, from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing two hundred seventeen pounds, JOHNNY DAAAAANGEROUS!” The Barracuda strolls down the ramp looking pleased with himself, carousing with the fans at ringside as he heads toward the ring amongst a sea of black and green streamers falling in his path.

“Look at that guy,” grumbles Riley. “I can’t believe that he can come out here and face these people after what he and Wildchild did last night! They should both be ashamed of themselves!”

“After the Flesh” fades into the ethereal, and all of the strobe lights are cut out. A hush once again falls over the crowd, but they quickly begin cheering themselves hoarse as Redman begins to sing “Let’s Get Dirty.” A solitary white spotlight begins to shine on the entrance ramp, flashing off and on in time with the beat, as Wildchild steps from behind the curtain onto the stage, the spotlight remaining centered on him as it continues to flash.

“And,” says Funyon, “his tag team partner! From the Bahamas, weighing two hundred fourteen pounds, the WIIIIILDCHIIIIILD!”

“The fans are going crazy for the Hardcore Champion,” exclaims Comet as the crowds unleash their pale blue and yellow streamers. “They love the Bahama Bomber over here in… Citizen Riley, what is that?”

As the cameraman turns his lens back on the announce table, we see that Comet’s attention was diverted by Bobby Riley hoisting a posterboard sign high into the air. Inscribed upon it, in bold letters, are the words “BAN THE CHEST PROTECTOR,” underneath which is a crude drawing of Wildchild’s chest protector within a red circle, with a line going through it. “I’m exercising my right to protest him being allowed to compete with that contraption on,” Riley says. “If he’s not fit to wrestle, he should be at home!”

As Wildchild somersaults into the ring, the lights finally come back on in the Budokan Hall. The referee leans over the edge of the ring and signals to the timekeeper to start the match.

DING! DING! DING!

Va’aiga barks at Duran, directing him to start the match as he steps out onto the apron, while across the ring, Johnny and Wildchild are engaged in a civil disagreement as to who should begin the contest, with each man politely inviting the other man to step out onto the ring apron.

“This match is underway,” says Comet, “but we appear to be waiting on Johnny and Wildchild, who can’t decide which one of them is going to start this match up.”

“They better get their act together quickly,” adds Riley. “Duran isn’t going to sit there all evening and wait for them to make up their minds!”

Surely enough, Duran attempts to seize the opportunity of his opponents’ distraction to take and early advantage, charging across the ring to surprise both of them, but Wildchild notices him rushing towards them from the side of his eye, and gently pushes Johnny safely out of the line of fire, as he himself ducks out of the way.

“Looks like Wildchild made the decision of who’s going to start for both of them,” says a bemused Riley.

BAP!

The Bahama Bomber lays into Duran with a rapid-fire series of right hands. He pulls Duran out of the corner and towards the center of the ropes, where he grabs him by the wrists and attempts to whip him across the ring, but the Sinner easily reverses, sending Wildchild into the ropes instead.

WHAM!

Wildchild bounces off the ropes and runs right into a big boot from Duran!

“Wow,” remarks Comet. “That was a positively tooth-rattling boot by the Sinner!”

“And it shows that he’s learning,” adds Riley. “Having that chest protector really gave Wildchild an advantage over Duran the last time they faced, and you can see that he’s made steps to adapt to that, by stepping outside of his normal moveset to deliver that boot.”

Wildchild rolls over onto his stomach and pulls himself to his feet, reaching up to his face with one hand to make sure that his chin is still attached to his face. He approaches Duran, as if to engage in a tie-up, and quickly goes behind him, applying a standing waistlock and sweeping his leg out in front of him, tripping the Sinner up as he drops him to the mat with a waistlock takedown.

WHAM!

Duran attempts to scramble back to his feet, but the swift Bahama Bomber races towards him before he can even get off his knees, and leaps into the air, smashing into his back with a running Senton Splash that knocks his head back against the canvas! Wildchild waits until Duran starts to get up before running back towards the ropes, picking up momentum as he bounces off and leaping into the air as the Sinner gets to his feet…

SMACK!

… Sailing through the air and blasting him in the face with a devastating leg lariat!

“Wildchild showing off a little of that technical ability that he’s developed recently,” says Comet, “and mixing it up with his usual high-speed style!”

The Caribbean Cruiser grabs Duran by the back of the head and pulls him up off the mat, trapping him in a front facelock. He forces him back towards his corner, where the Barracuda is gripping the tag rope tightly, anxiously awaiting the chance to enter the ring, but Wildchild waves him off, motioning for him to move out of the corner.

“What do you suppose that was about,” asks Comet.

“What?”

“Wildchild just told Johnny to move aside, like he doesn’t want to make a tag. Do you suppose there’s still some friction between the two of them?”

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” replies Riley. “Johnny did have more than a little to do with Wildchild’s ribs being broken, after all.”

Wildchild pushes Duran back against the turnbuckles and quickly hops onto the top rope beside him, spring off without hesitation and swinging his leg back sharply…

WHAM!

… Striking an unsuspecting Duran with a fierce spinning back kick! The sudden kick sends the Sinner stumbling out of the corner clutching his face, and the Human Hurricane capitalizes on his disorientation, dropping down to the mat and swinging his legs around in a sweep, knocking Duran’s legs out from under him and dropping him on his back and head back to the canvas. But Wildchild will not allow him even that much respite, as he springs back to his feet and leaps onto the top turnbuckle…

WHAM!

… Cocking his arm back as he bounds back off the top turnbuckle, and driving a hard Fistdrop into Duran’s face!

“Fistdrop,” shouts Comet, as Wildchild reaches over to grab the leg. “Could this be it already?”

ONE!

TWO!

THRE—

KICKOUT!

“Wildchild’s done a pretty good job on Duran,” remarks Comet, “but not quite enough to put him away just yet.”

Wildchild gets to his feet and pulls Duran back into a front facelock position, but finds himself distracted as Johnny is screaming at him from the apron to let him into the match. Somewhat reluctantly, the Bahama Bomber reaches back towards his corner and makes the tag to the Barracuda.

“Wildchild makes the tag to Johnny Dangerous,” says Comet. “And maybe now we’ll get to see some of that vintage Wild and Dangerous double-teaming!”

Wildchild and Johnny each grab one of Duran’s arms and whip him towards the opposite end of the ring. As he rebounds, Wildchild spins around to deliver a back elbow, but Johnny rushes forward to deliver a running clothesline, which ends up scoring a hit, but not with the force originally intended. Johnny and Wildchild look at each other awkwardly, as if each of them is blaming the other for the miscommunication. “Just grab his feet,” barks Wildchild, as he walks over towards the ropes to give himself a running start. With a slight nod, Johnny walks over to Duran and picks his feet off the ground, locking his hands together underneath the Sinner’s legs. Wildchild races towards the opposite end of the ring and builds up momentum as he bounces off the ropes. Johnny begins to fall backwards to propel Duran through the air with a slingshot, as the Bahama Bomber leaps onto the top rope and curls into a ball as he springs off the ropes with his patented Pinball attack…

WHOOSH!

… But he apparently miscalculates Wildchild’s incredible speed, as the Cruiser soars right over the head of Duran, entirely failing to make contact. The crowd lets out a collective gasp as Wildchild lands on his feet across the ring, and Duran falls into a relatively harmless slingshot.

“Oh my,” shrieks Comet. “It would appear as though these two haven’t quite got their timing down! I don’t believe I’ve ever seen those two fail to execute on a double team!”

Wildchild storms over to Johnny, unable to keep the irritation out of his face. He shoves him backwards, bellowing, “Hey! What de hell happened?”

“It was an accident,” Johnny shouts back. “I forgot how fast you are!” Meanwhile, as they continue to bicker back and forth, Duran slowly begins to crawl over towards his corner.

“Please cease and desist with your quarreling, young Citizens,” begs Comet. “Keep your minds focused on your objective!”

Unbeknownst to them, however, their objective has managed to make his way back over to his part of the ring, and slowly reaches up to make the tag to Va’aiga. The Maori Badass stomps into the ring and immediately capitalizes on the situation…

WHAM!

… Racing across the ring and smashing into Wildchild and Johnny with a double clothesline that sends them both to the canvas with AUTHORITY!

“Double clothesline for the Maori Menace,” says Comet sorrowfully. “They were too busy arguing over their miscommunication to realize that Duran had managed to make the tag, and now the momentum in this match has decidedly shifted in favor of Va’aiga and Duran!”

Johnny manages to get half way to his feet before Va’aiga absolutely lays into the Barracuda’s back with a series of punches! Rolling himself out of the ring, Wildchild is able to avoid further attack, but he can still hear the hollow echoing sound of the Maori’s fist slamming into Johnny’s spine.

THUNK!

Johnny rolls over onto his stomach as Va’aiga’s finally relents, holding dearly to his back while grimacing in pain, but the Maori Badass is far from done! He rises to his feet, swings his elbow out, and drops it right into Johnny’s sternum! Johnny convulses from the impact, but it’s still not enough. The Maori springs to his feet and again, swings the elbow out and drops it into the Barracuda’s chest!

“One might think that’s a rather weak offensive move,” says Bobby. “But with the weight of Va’aiga coming down with it, that’s like taking a sledge hammer straight to the chest!”

Va’aiga rolls onto his stomach and presses both of his palms into Johnny’s chest for a cover. As expected the Referee drops for the count...

ONE!!!!

TW-NO!!!!

Johnny thrusts his shoulder off the mat just a fraction of a second before the end of two, and the crowds release a good-sized cheer!

“Va’aiga here is looking to take a win with a straight mauling of Johnny Dangerous,” says Comet, “but he’s going to need a bit more to send the Barracuda packing!”

“And if Johnny was smart he never would have unpacked in the first place,” says Bobby. “Especially after what he did to poor Ejiro!”

Confident in his domination of Johnny, Va’aiga takes a moment to flex for the crowds. They respond with a loud boo, but the Maori simply dismisses them with a wave, and then turns back towards Johnny.

“What the hell are you doing,” shouts Duran from the corner turnbuckle, loud enough for the entire arena to hear him. “Finish him off!”

The Maori scowls towards his partner muttering something not quite audible, and then dismisses Duran with a wave as he did the crowd. He goes back towards Johnny, who by now has begun to regroup, and started pulling himself to his feet, but Va’aiga grabs a fist full of hair and drags Johnny to his feet - kicking and screaming the whole way. The Maori Badass is suddenly caught off guard when the Barracuda swats Va’aiga’s arm down from his hair, and slings a sharp right hook into him!

WHACK!

The punch knocks the Maori off balance, giving Johnny the second he needs to take control! Johnny swings another fist out, catching Va’aiga right in the temple, and knocking him back a step! A second swing, followed by a quick knee, propels Va’aiga back into the ropes, and with the crowds excitement rising, Johnny hauls off across the ring, hits the far ropes, and SPRINGS~ back towards a staggering Va’aiga…

CRACK!

… BUT VA’AIGA SUDDENLY ROCKETS FORWARD, SENDING THE HEEL OF HIS FOOT STRAIGHT INTO JOHNNY’S JAW - THE BARRACUDA IS INSTANTLY FLOORED!

“HA,” snorts Bobby, “I hope these two like SOLE food, because that’s the second Big Boot this team has eaten tonight!”

“Oh,” replies Comet, “that was bad, Citizen Riley, that was real bad.”

From his corner, Wildchild looks on in horror. After a minute of thanking the heavens that wasn’t him, he begins to slam his hand into the top of the turnbuckle, hoping to jumpstart the Barracuda. Va’aiga, on the other hand, drops down for a cover.

ONE!!!!

“This one is over,” says Bobby, shaking his head at Comet as if to say I told you so.

TWO!!!!!!

THRE-KICK OUT!!!!!

Just a nanosecond before the pinfall, Johnny once again gets the shoulder up. Va’aiga angrily slams his fist into the canvas. Nonetheless, the Maori Badass remains determined to finish this for once and for all! He stands to his feet and crouches down like someone ready to steal Home Plate, readying his ever so deadly Lariat with his arm cocked back, ready to fire!

“Here it comes!” shouts Bobby, his excitement bubbling over. “Johnny’s about to have his head permanently separated from his shoulders! He won’t want to face the Maori Badass again for that U.S. Title!”

Boos fill the arena, and Wildchild shouts towards Johnny, trying his hardest to warn him of the impending danger! Yet the Secret Agent slowly begins to try and stand, and as he spins around towards Va’aiga his eyes widen like a deer caught in somebody’s headlights!

With enough power to level an entire city block, Va’aiga SWINGS out his massive arm for a-

“-LARRRRRIIIOOOOOOOTOOOOOHHHH!!!”

NO!

JUST BEFORE VA’AIGA CAN SEND JOHNNY’S HEAD FLYING OFF INTO THE GRANDSTAND, THE BARRACUDA DUCKS DOWN, CATCHING THE MAORI’S SWINGING ARM, HOOKS HIS LEG, AND HAULS HIM UP, AND OVER WITH A-

- “MIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!”

SAAAA-LAAAAM!!!!

“MI SLAM! MI SLAM,” cries Comet. “But I think it took everything Johnny had just to deliver that move!”

Johnny slowly crawls over to the Maori, and heaves his arm over Va’aiga’s chest.

ONE!!!!!!

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

THR-KICK OUT!!!!!!!!!!

“YES!” cheers Bobby as the Maori thunders his arm off the mat for the save, knocking Johnny off of him. For what seems like at least a minute both men just lie on the mat, and then in unison they begin to edge towards their respective corners to tag in their partners.

Finally Va’aiga reaches his neck of the woods, and reaches up to tag in John Duran!

TAG!

“Duran’s in!” says Bobby.

Wasting no time, Duran lunges through the ropes, but before he can put a stop to the Barracuda’s advance, Johnny makes a desperate leap to his corner to tag in the Wildchild!

“And here comes the Wildchild,” exclaims Comet. The fans let out a joyous cheer when the tag is made, as Johnny slumps down into the corner.

Wildchild quickly leaps up to the top of the turnbuckle, hurdles himself off, and plants both feet into Duran’s chest with a drop kick!

WHAM!

Duran’s body is propelled backwards into the mat, landing with a vicious thud! He scrambles to get to his feet, but Wildchild is on him like white on rice!

BAP!

For the second time tonight, Wildchild lays into John Duran with several rapid right hands, each one backing the Sinner up a step until he is pressed against the ropes! The Bahama Bomber grabs Duran by the arm and begins to whip him towards the far side of the ring, but the Sinner slams the breaks on, reversing the whip-

-Wildchild puts his foot down just as well, and a reversal of a reversal is in order, only this time the Caribbean Cruiser swoops down and kicks the Sinner’s feet from right out under him! Duran falls, but quickly rolls onto his stomach and begins to push himself off the mat, giving Wildchild just the opportunity he was looking for! The Bahama Bomber quickly hops a leg over Duran’s head, straddling over him as he reaches back to hook his arms, then kicks his feet out, and DRILLS the Sinner’s skull into the canvas!

WHAAAMM!!!!

By Odin’s merciful hand,” cries Comet. “A Wild-Driver out of absolutely no where! This could be the end of this match!”

Wildchild drops down onto Duran after rolling him onto his back, hooks his leg, and firmly pins the Sinner’s shoulders to the mat. From his corner, the Maori sees the fall of Duran and scrambles to his feet, stomping towards Wildchild-

ONE!!!!!!

- But Johnny Dangerous swings into action from his own corner! With speed in his favor, he streaks across the ring towards Va’aiga, and slings the heel of his foot up and straight into the Maori Badass’ chin!

CRACKK!!!

TWO!!!!

Caught by complete surprise, the Maori is thrown back into the ropes, and tumbles over the side to the arena floor! Not a second too soon either, as the referee’s hand comes down for the third and final time to seal the deal!

THREE!!!!!!!!!

DING! DING! DING!

“And this one is over,” Comet shouts ecstatically. “Wildchild and Johnny Dangerous have done it!!”

The Referee grabs both men by one arm, and raises it up in victory as Funyon slides back into the ring with a microphone in hand.

“The winners of this match,” bellows Funyon, “WIIIIIIILD ANNNNND DANGEROUUSS!!”

Johnny and Wildchild glance towards each other after hearing Wild and Dangerous announced. After a moment, Johnny turns away nodding his head, and pumps his fist out to the crowd while the Bahama Bomber seems to trail off in his thoughts.

“I think Funyon might be jumping to a conclusion there,” says Comet. “But no matter, as we were just treated to one hell of a match to kick off Smarkdown!”

“More like one hell of a let down,” counters Riley. “Can’t anyone stop this Wild and Dangerous revival before it actually becomes a reality?”

“I don’t think so, Bobby,” says Comet. “It would take more than a loss to stop these two from fulfilling their destiny.”

“PFFFFT! Anyway, we’ll be right back after this.”

November 11, 2003

Tom Flesher, still dressed from his appearance, wanders around the back. He sets himself in front of a monitor by the catering tray and pours himself a cup of coffee. As he stirs it, he watches the monitor intently, waiting for the next match to start up.

WHAM!

Ejiro Fasaki charges in behind him and slams a Tag Team Title belt against the back of his head! Flesher staggers forward, the SWF World Championship falling off his shoulder and onto the floor! Ejiro grabs him by the collar of his shirt and slams him head-first into the monitor, sending the television crashing to the ground and Flesher stumbling backwards! Ejiro stands back as Flesher tries to regain his footing, grinning his smarmy smile. Flesher starts to balance himself out, but Rule simply measures him up and spins to the side, sending the World Champion to the floor with a screaming elbow!

“What?” screams Fasaki. “What, am I not good enough for you? I’ve done everything you did, and I’ve done it better!”

Flesher starts to push himself off the floor, but Fasaki kicks him in the ribs and sends him back down.

“You think I’m not good enough to headline? Do you remember who beat you for the Tag Team Titles, you son of a bitch? I pinned you, one, two, three! I’m undefeated against you, Flesher! I own you!”

Once again, Tom starts to get up. This time, Ejiro lets Flesher get up, and grabs his head. He guides the champion over to the World Title belt, then drives a stiff knee into his stomach.

“I’m better than you, Flesher, and I can prove it!”

With that, Ejiro locks on a double underhook. Road agents begin to gather, but know that interfering now could have disastrous consequences. Flesher struggles to get out, but before he knows what hit him, Ejiro lifts him off the ground and flips him upside down! As the onlookers cringe, Faski sits out, slamming Flesher head-first onto the belt with the Ejirocation! Flesher crumbles into a heap on the floor, holding his head, and Fasaki springs to his feet.

“Are you still superior, Flesher? Do you still think you’re better than me?”

The agents rush to get him out of the way, and as the camera focuses in on Flesher holding his head, Smarkdown fades to commercial.

November 11, 2003

The cameras on SWF Smarkdown burst into life to catch the roaring and screaming of the fans as the show comes back on the air. Panning around to catch the cheering and screaming fans, it picks up such signs as "Strangler Rocks Your Socks!" and "UNHOLY TRINITY!". As we pan down towards the announce table towards everyone's favourite pair of announcer's, we catch another sign proclaiming that "Justice And Rule Suck", before we finally come to a halt. Bobby Riley's grin is a little forced as he notices the camera, and Comet as always leaps into the spotlight - so to speak.

Comet: Welcome back to SWF Smaaaaaarkdown, citizens! I'm CYCLOOOOOOOOOOOONE Comet, here with Citizen Riley to show you match after match of heroic goodness!

Riley: If you can say this next match is heroically good.....

Comet: Of course it is, Citizen Riley! The nefarious Erek Taylor is being made to pay for his crimes, and what better way than a match like this?

Riley: Stevens is just being unfairly biased.

Before Cyclone Comet can make a justice-filled reply, Linkin Park's "Numb" begin to play over the speakers, and the crowd realises who's coming. As the slow melody continues to echo over the speakers, white strobes begin to flash on and off. This heralds the arrival of one of the most hated stars of the SWF, as he sweeps the stage curtain aside. Erek Taylor strides from backstage, absorbing the hail of boos from the fans as he stands on the stage. Glowering at them, at the ring, and everything, the Wonder Kid absorbs the fans' hatred as he stalks down towards the ring.

"The following contest is a HANDICAP match! Introducing first, the man who must pin two of his three opponents! From Anaheim California.....he stands at six-foot-two and weighs one hundred and eighty pounds.....the WOOOOOOOONDER KIIIIIIID......EREEEEEK TAAAAAAAAYLOOOOOR!"

The crowd's booing intensifies as the Wonder Kid walks around the ring and snatches Funyon's chair before rolling back into the ring with it and waiting. The announcer eyes Taylor with a flicker of fear as he lifts his microphone once more. Before he can announce anything though, the lights go dim and red lights flash around the entrance. The fans wait eagerly, and rise to their feet as a familiar voice roars through the silence!

"LET FREEDOM RING WITH A SHOTGUN BLAST!"

The crowd, simply put, EXPLODES! The cheers rock the arena from roof to floor, from ringside seats to nosebleed seats, at the figures emerging from the entryway. One small and stocky. One average and muscular. The third tall and powerful. With a smile on his face, Funyon lifts his microphone.

"And his OPPONENTS! At a combined weight of eight hundred and fifty pounds They are ‘Deathwish’ Danny Williams.....Dace..."

And the crowd roars! "FUCKING!"

"Night....and Terrence "Janus" Bailey! THEY ARE THE UNHOOOOOLY TRINITTTTTTTTTTYYYYYYY!"

Comet: Listen to the fans, Citizen Riley! They love this new Trinity!

TRIN-IT-E! TRIN-IT-E! TRIN-IT-E!

Riley: They love three people who are known for dismantling their opponents, and not the honest man who's in the ring? PFft!

Comet: Citizen Taylor is as honest in wrestling as you are about your desires, Robert.

Riley: Hey....what does THAT mean?

Comet merely smiles as the three members of the Unholy Trinity walk down the ramp. In the darkened ring, Erek Taylor stands ready with his chair - at least until referee Sexton Hardcastle tries to take it from him! Taylor turns on Hardcastle, ready to rip the referee a new one because there's no disqualifications, but then the lights come back up all around. The Wonder Kid keeps a hold of his chair, and turns around slowly to stare at the three opponents standing across from him. Danny looks focused and intense, Dace pops his neck and grins, and Terrence stretches his arms before him and then punches his right fist into his left palm with a calm smile.

*DING DING DING*

Riley: This...is going to get ugly, Comet.

Comet: I have no doubt of that, Robert

Swinging the chair through the air, the Wonder Kid lashes out vainly towards the Trinity members, only for Janus to pluck it from the air without a second thought. Turning on his heel and leaping for the ropes, vaulting over the top to the floor, Erek looks for some better place to fight from or some other weapons to as Night and Williams side out to one side of the ring each as Terrence paces around the ring slowly, all three of them glaring at Erek.

BBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Riley: Hear that, these people can’t stand the Trinity. Really, Comet!

Comet: I think it’s more a case of them not standing Erek Taylor’s running away Robert.

Desperately grabbing the time keeper’s chair out from under him, Taylor grits his teeth and vaults towards Danny Williams. Bounding onto the ring steps, Taylor once again launches the chair through the air, watching as Danny swats it away before diving off the steps with a Missile Dropkick into the Trinity Leader’s chest, knocking him sprawling into the security barrier as Janus climbs over the ropes towards Taylor. Across the ring, there’s a bustle in the crowds as fans are shoved out of the way and a figure leaps the security barrier, drilling a chair into Dace Night’s head as he turns around.

CRACK!

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Comet: It’s Michael Craven! He’s attacking Dace Night!

Riley: Looks like Craven took exception to Mr. Night’s message on his Semi last week and is here to set matters straight. Now this is a fairer match I tell you Comet!

Dropping to the floor, Terrence wraps a hand around Erek’s neck, but a boot slams into his groin as Taylor grabs his head and spikes Janus into the mat with an Evenflow DDT, as Terrence almost bounces off the padding on the floor. Quickly grabbing the discarded chair, Erek brings it through the air and smashes it again Danny’s head as he tries to recover.

CRACK!

On the over side of the ring, the Chimera unleashes a series of chairshots on Horrorcore’s head, taking advantage of Va’aiga’s beat down from last week. Sliding the chair into the ring, Craven rolls Dace in after it before hoping onto the apron and scrambling through the ropes. Hardcastle simply looks around as two battles go on at once. On the outside, Erek starts to hammer away with chairshots on Janus as he tries to struggle back to his feet.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! SMACK!

OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Shaking his head out and diving forwards, Deathwish drives his arm through the back of the Wonder Kid’s head with an Enzui-Lariat. Seeing his pupil in trouble, Danny dives into the ring as the King of Nightmares stomps on Dace. Throwing himself off the ropes, Danny barrels across the ring and sends an elbow flying towards the Chimera but Michael ducks at the last moment and twists away….

CRACK!

…Only to be caught by a Reverse Spinning Elbow Smash as Danny whips himself around. Taking the staggering Chimera by surprises again, Williams’ leaps from his feet and slams both feet into his chest with a Dropkick that knocks Craven sprawling along the mat.

Comet: I don’t know if Craven has teamed up with Taylor, but it looks like both of them are willing to go to any means to inflict a beating on the Unholy Trinity!

Riley: Please, it’s No DQ Comet, they can do whatever they want. The Trinity got themselves into this match, so they can take what comes with it!

Forcing himself back up, Janus grabs a staggering Taylor by the shoulder and hauls him upright before rearing back and smashing his head against the Wonder Kid’s with a skull crushing Headbutt. Shoving Taylor against the apron, Terrence steps back before swinging his huge arm around and drilling it into Erek’s neck, crushing him against the ring apron with a Lariat. Tossing Erek under the ropes, back into the ring. Danny helps Horrorcore back to his feet, checking the blood flowing from the reopened wounds on his head.

Comet: Looks like Michael Craven managed to reopen all those wounds Va’aiga made when he took Dace out with the chair last time Robert.

Riley: Speaking of Va’aiga, where is the Maori Badass, I thought he’d be out here to take a chance to beat down the Trinity. Made he’s waiting for the right moment.

Stalking over the rising King of Nightmares, Danny Williams slips being him shoving him forwards into Dace Night’s waiting arms. The Hardcore Goth sweeps Carven off his feet into the before slamming him back down to the mat with a rib cage jarring Spinebuster. Meanwhile, Terrence drags Erek Taylor into the air as if he was a rag doll, holding him high overhead in a Gorilla Press. Releasing him, the Anti Heel Machine watches as the Wonder Kid plummets to the mat below and bounces with a thud, clutching at his chest.

YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

Comet: Craven takes a Spinebuster while Terrence hauls Taylor up as if he was a feather!

Riley: This fans are disgraceful, cheering a handicapped beat down like this. It’s just not right. Just wait till Va’aiga gets out here.

Rubbing some of the blood from his face, Dace glares down at Craven before dropping a knee straight into his chest. Dace and Terrence pulls Taylor and Craven to their feet. Nodding to each other, they shoot both men out across the ring, sending them sailing past each other. Dace clubs Erek off his feet with a Lariat as Janus catches the Chimera with a Lariat of his own. Grabbing Erek’s leg and hooking it back, Deathwish drops over him for a pin as Hardcastle dives in to count it.

……ONE!

……TWO!

Kickout!

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Comet: Hardcastle make the count as Williams covers off the Lariat but only gets a two. Why hasn’t he tried to eject Michael Craven from the ring yet?

Riley: Because like I said Comet, it’s No DQ so he can’t. Craven is here to even the odds. You couldn’t be complaining if it was three on one against Danny Williams and Dace and Janus came out to even the odds.

Taylor flops onto his front as he kicks out. Forcing himself to his hands and knees, he tries to stand, but Danny doesn’t give him the chance, slamming his boots into the Wonder Kid’s ribs with short, stiff Punt Kicks the drive the air out of Erek’s body. Night steps in and snaps a Front Facelock on Erek Taylor. Twisting around and over, Dace drops back to the mat with a Neckbreaker, jarring Erek’s neck across his shoulder.

Janus reaches down and wrenches the Chimera back up with one hand, scooping him up over his shoulder for an Airplane Spin. Spinning round and round, Terrence Bailey goes to drop Michael Craven into a Diamond Cutter, but the Chimera kicks his legs madly, slipping from the giant’s shoulders and back to the mat. Hammering his forearm into the back of Janus’ head, Craven reaches up, slipping his hands quickly into a Full Nelson before leaping up and driving his weight onto Janus’ back, toppling him forwards to the mat with a Full Nelson Bulldog.

CRAVEN SUCKS! CRAVEN SUCKS! CRAVEN SUCKS!

Racing across the ring, the King of Nightmares catches Danny Williams from behind. Kicking his leg forwards though Danny’s legs, Michael kicks him square in the groin before clamming on a Rear Waistlock and arching his body backwards, taking the Trinity Leader over head and dumping him into the mat with a German Suplex. Rolling to his feet, Craven dives out of the way as Dace picks up the chair from the mat and swings for his head. Bounding into the air, Craven swings his foot around and cracks it into the back of Night’s head with an Enzuigiri, pitching him face first into the chair as he crashes to the mat.

BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOO!

Comet: Craven with a Low Blow, letting him catch Danny Williams with a German Suplex before nailing Dace Night with a Chair.

Riley: This is what I like to see. Good, clean fun eh Comet.

Rising back to his feet, Janus stalks across the ring towards Michael Craven. The Chimera throws a wild Forearm Smash at the Anti Heel Machine, but Janus blocks it with one arm and slams his massive boot into the Chimera’s gut. Locking a hand around the Chimera's throat, Terrence shoots it into the air, dragging Craven up like he was a little child. He pauses for a bare moment before sending him thundering back into the mat with a Chokeslam that has the crowd on it’s feet and roaring.

TERR-ENCE! TERR-ENCE! TERR-ENCE!

Scrambling back to his feet, Erek Taylor races towards Terrence while his back is turned, looking to level the giant anyway he back, but Williams shakes his head and dives into Erek’s back, stopping him head with an Elbow Smash…

CRACK! YYYYYYAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

… leaving him to collapse into Janus’ waiting arms. Janus scoops Erek up and slams him down with a Scoop Slam that’s still devastating from some of Terrence’s size and power. Pulling himself up with the ropes, Dace spits blood for a moment before moving back into the fray. Grinning from under the blood on his face, Horrorcore dives forwards in time with Deathwish as the pair slam their knees into Taylor’s chest with Double Knee Drops. Night drops his weight onto the Wonder Kid’s shoulders and grabs a leg, making a cover as Hardcastle dives into place.

……ONE!

……TWO!

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

……TWO AND A HALF!

Kickout!

BBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Comet: The Trinity are just man handling Erek Taylor, but they haven’t put him down yet and here comes Michael Craven again!

Riley: You think Craven is just going to stand by a let this go down Comet? He couldn’t stand to see something this unjust happen while he needs vengeance.

Charging across the ring, Craven barrels into Danny, knocking him flying with a spear that drives him into the mat. Scrambling back to his feet as a Knuckle Bomb from Terrence misses by an inch, the Chimera boots Terrence in the gut, stunning him. He boots him again and doubles him over, and the Chimera slips on a Front Facelock and leaps backwards, spiking Terrence into the mat with a DDT. Rolling back to his feet just as Dace Night wades in, elbow swinging, Craven dodges past the blow and slips his shoulder under Night’s body, standing up and popping him into a Fireman’s Carry. Not wasting a moment, Craven twists around and swings Dace towards the mat, dropping him head first with a Craven Driver. Quickly dragging Taylor on top of Dace, Craven watches him make a cover.

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Turning back towards Williams, Craven catches him with a boot to mid section as he rises, forcing him to double over. Stepping to his side, Craven leaps into the air and brings his foot crashing over head and onto the back of Danny’s head with a Craven Scissor Kick, just as Hardcastle starts the count on Erek’s cover.

……ONE!

……TWO!

YYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Riley: Craven Driver on Dace Night and Erek makes the cover but that damn Aussie breaks it up!

Comet: Craven shouldn't even be out here, Citizen Riley! This is meant to be Taylor alone! I'll have to...

The ambiguously gay announcer makes sure Comet stays put, as Terrence drags Erek upright and whips him into the ropes. The Wonder Kid comes back by leaping into the air, clinging to the giant's chest and wrapping an arm around his neck! Stumbling under the impact of the Flying Morale, the seven footer's head snaps back with each punch, blood running down his face from the earlier chairshots, but he remains standing and smiles as he grabs Taylor around the waist...

...but the interfering King of Nightmares dives in from behind, clipping the monster's leg out from under him and sending him crashing to the mat! Taylor keeps hammering punches into the newest Trinity member's face as Craven turns his attention back to Dace. The High Priest of Horrorcore is holding his neck as he starts climbing upright, into a brutal kick to the stomach! Hoisting Dace up onto his shoulders, yelling about being insulted, he prepares to deliver the Gulf Coast Crunch. Unfortunately for him, Danny Williams is upright and not happy...

...and lets the Chimera know about it as he charges across the ring with a devastating enzui-lariat to the back of Craven's head! The Chimera collapses, and Danny is forced to catch his partner and set him down. Still drilling fists into Terrence's face, Erek Taylor turns and spots the other two members of the Trinity in the corner.

Comet: That dastardly Craven has distracted the Trinity!

Riley: All's fair in this match! There's no disqualifications!

Springing to his feet, the Wonder Kid tears towards the corner, and both remaining members of the Trinity turn around as Taylor hops once, and throws out not one, but TWO forearms! Each finds its mark in the face of Danny and Dace, and the double Diving Adelphia sends them crashing to the mat. The ring is filled with fallen bodies - Michael Craven stirring after Danny's attack, and the seven foot Terrence slowly sitting up and not looking too pleased with the situation. Across the ring, the Chimera spots the monster looking in his direction. As Terrence lumbers upright, the King of Nightmares rolls out of the ring, rubbing the back of his neck.

Comet: The craven ... Craven leaving the ring, not wanting to face the Anti-Heel Machine!

Riley: It's strategy and......THE HELL!?

The Anti-Heel Machine, while Craven had exited the ring, had hit the opposite ropes to gain momentum. Storming across the ring, green eyes shining in a bloody face, the seven foot monster dives through the ropes! The crowd roars as he slams a shoulder into the small of Craven's back with a diving Gore, sending both of them to the ground!

"TERRRRRRRRRRRRENCE! TERRRRRRRRRRRENCE! TERRRRRRRRRRRENCE!"

The cheering soon turns to boos as back in the ring, Erek Taylor pushes the dazed Deathwish out and hoists Dace up, locking on a front facelock! He twists around, spinning Dace with him...and the High Priest of Horrorcore crumples to the canvas as Taylor nails the Fame and Fury! He quickly hooks the leg of the battered Brummie as the referee drops down to count - and out of the official's view, Erek grabs a handful of tights!

……ONE!

……TWO!!

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

……TWO AND A HALF!

……TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

……THREEEEEEEEEE!!

*DING DING*

Funyon: Dace Night has been ELIMINATED!

Riley: Hear that! Now all he has to do is pin Danny or the seven foot Aussie and that's it!

Comet: Eliminated isn't the right word Riley...although he's been pinned, Dace can still participate in the match!

Riley: He won't be doing that soon, Comet!

Taylor rains stomps down on Dace's battered body, before stepping across the ring to the earlier discarded steel chair. The sound of the bell has caught the attention of the other two Trinity members, and both Terrence and Danny stare up at the ring as Erek holds up the chair and points at Dace, yelling at both the Anti-Heel Machine and the leader of the Trinity. Looking from the downed Craven to Erek, the man known as Janus looks at Danny and points at the Wonder Kid before slashing his throat. Deathwish nods and heads around the side of the ring to punish Craven some more.

"What's wrong!? Scared!? Come on, big guy!" Erek cries from in the ring.

Terrence merely circles around the ring, as if looking for something under the apron. Erek smiles as he watches the giant, who tugs something from under the apron. Yelling another challenge, Taylor swings the chair as if practicing. The boos being directed at the Wonder Kid turn to sudden cheers as Terrence lifts something black and metallic above his head. A cricket bat, with barbed wire. Erek's eyes go wide, and he charges the ropes, swinging the chair down in an attempt to catch the Anti-Heel Machine off guard, but it backfires as the monster uses his right hand to nail an uppercut Knuckle Bomb into the chair, snapping it back into Taylor's head!

Comet: The crowd are loving this! The Anti-Heel Machine has Taylor off balance, while Danny keeps Craven from ever interfering again!

Riley: He might've hurt himself there though, he's shaking out his right hand!

As Janus slides into the ring to do some more damage to Erek, Danny sits calmly on Craven's chest and hammers elbows into the Chimera's head, and Craven's face is looking like red pea soup with all the blows the leader of the Trinity is slamming into it. Only after the King of Nightmares stops moving does Deathwish finally stand up and turns his head to look at the ring. Erek parries the Equalizer with the chair, and kicks Terrence square in the groin before hitting the ropes, springing into the air and slamming the steel into the monster's face! The monster collapses to the mat, and the Wonder Kid begins hammering the monster repeatedly with the chair!

But Danny Williams is rolling back into the ring, and Taylor spots this out of the corner of his eye.

Leaving Terrence battered and bleeding on the mat, he lifts the chair and turns towards the leader of the Trinity. Danny stops, eyeing the chair - and almost smiles as it's yanked out of Taylor's grip! The Wonder Kid turns around, and stares right into the scarred, pissed off face of the eliminated High Priest of Horrorcore, who doesn't hesitate in bringing the chair down on Taylor's skull! As Erek stumbles woozily, Dace looks to Danny and lifts one arm, patting the elbow and pointing at the Wonder Kid's face. The two members of the Trinity run past Erek and each other, hitting opposite ropes and adjusting themselves slightly as they leap into the air...

...AND CRUSHING TAYLOR'S SKULL BETWEEN THEM WITH A DOUBLE FLYING ELBOW! The Wonder Kid collapses like so much dead weight, much to the crowd's delight, his face a bloody mess!

"TRIN-I-TY! TRIN-I-TY! TRIN-I-TY!"

Riley: NOOOOOO! Why the hell isn't the Maori Badass out here to stop the Trinity!?

Comet: The fans adored that, Robert! The dastardly Erek Taylor is paying for his deeds!

Danny drops across the body of Erek Taylor, as the referee drops down to check the shoulders before counting!

……ONE!

……TWO!!

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

……TWO AND A HALF!

……TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

THREEEEEEEEE.....NO! NOOOOOOO!

Comet: That dastardly Craven is still conscious! He just pulled the referee out of the ring! The Unholy Trinity had this match won!

Riley: Nonsense! Taylor would have kicked out easily!

As the referee argues with Craven about pulling him out of the ring, Dace helps Terrence up. The seven foot monster wipes the blood from his face, and both the two Trinity members look to their leader. Danny is glaring out of the ring at Craven, and steps forward, but Janus puts a hand on his shoulder. Deathwish turns around, and Terrence says something that the microphones don't catch. Dace's face cracks into a smile, and Danny nods his head. Rolling out of the ring on either side of the Chimera, the two smaller Trinity members grab the arguing Craven by the arms and roll him into the ring...

...where Terrence slams a huge boot into his stomach and hoists him up into a powerbomb position! Dace rolls into the ring and rises up, helping the giant hold the King of Nightmares in the air. As the fans try to figure out what's up, Janus and Dace turn so that the elevated Craven is facing a turnbuckle...as Danny Williams comes soaring off the top and creams the King of Nightmares with a flying elbow! As it hits, Terrence and Dace snap Craven down into a double powerbomb, and the crowd goes WILD!

Riley: ...What...the HELL...was THAT?

Comet winces.

Comet: Something...rather brutal, Citizen Riley...

Almost folded up like an accordion, Craven goes limp on the mat as the three Trinity members exchange small handshakes over the elimination of that particular threat. And then Dace howls in pain, collapsing to the mat with blood streaming from the back of his head. Standing behind him, with glazed eyes, is Erek Taylor - and he has the Equalizer. Swinging it wildly, he slams it into the side of Danny's face, taking the Trinity leader down bloodily, and he jams it into Terrence's ribs! The giant doubles over, and Taylor hooks the giant's head, pressing the weapon against it before HITTING AN EVENFLOW DDT, DRILLING TERRENCE'S FACE INTO THE EQUALIZER!

BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Right after this desperate assault on the Trinity, Taylor drops to his back, taking in ragged breaths, completely wasted. The ring is littered with fallen bodies, and no one looks to be getting to their feet anytime soon. Looking around at the carnage, the referee can't even begin a ten count. The ring and the crowd are silent for several moments, before there's a ripple of noise in the fans...and filled with hatred towards Erek Taylor, the crowd finally loses its state of awe and rips into a huge chant for their heroes to get up!

"GET THE FUCK UP!"

"TRIN-I-TY!"

"GET THE FUCK UP!"

"TRIN-I-TY!"

Comet: A retaliation by that dastardly Citizen Taylor has taken the Trinity down! What heinous actions, attacking from behind!

Riley: Get up, Taylor! You can finish this! You can pin them! Where the hell is Va'aiga to help out, anyway!?

Comet: ...By god, Robert! Look! Citizen Taylor is still moving!

Groaning in pain, the Wonder Kid tries to force himself upright, pain aching through every fibre of his being. By every right he shouldn't be getting up - but he had to win the match. His body feeling like it were on fire, Taylor crawls the short distance that seperates him from the Anti-Heel Machine, crawling across the monster's chest and weakly trying to hook a leg as the referee notes the movement and dives down!

……ONE!

……TWO!!

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

……TWO AND A HALF!

……TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

THREEEEEEE.....NO!

On instinct, and most likely nothing more, Terrence kicks out of the pin attempt! Rolling off the giant, Taylor presses a hand to his forehead before crawling across the body of "Deathwish" Danny Williams! Once more getting into position to see the shoulders of the pinned individual, the referee's hand hits the canvas again!

……ONE!

TWO!!

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

……TWO AND A HALF!

……TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

THREEEE......NOOOOO!

Much like the Anti-Heel Machine before him, Danny kicks out on pure instinct and nothing else, inciting a huge roar from the crowd! Desperation clearly visible upon his exhausted face, Erek pushes at the body of the High Priest of Horrorcore, rolling Dace over and hooking a leg! For the third time, the referee drops down to make the three count, and Taylor squeezes his eyes shut and prays as the referee's hand hits the mat.

……ONE!

……TWO!!

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

……TWO AND A HALF!

……TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

……THREE....NOPE!

The referee points at one of the Brummie Goth's feet, draped across the bottom rope. Taylor sighs and flops onto his back, staring up at the lights as the crowd rises to its feet once more. The chants for the Trinity are rocking the entire building, as Taylor rolls away from the fallen trio and vainly attempts to regain his feet. Clutching at the ring ropes, Terrence is doing likewise, attempting to regain his feet. His face looks human in shape only, slashed up and bloodied almost beyond recognition.

Taylor crawls across the ring to the far ropes, as the Anti-Heel Machine leans on the ropes, green eyes glazed.

Danny Williams and Dace Night are also coming to their senses - the former pulling himself up to a seated position in the corner, and the latter hanging over the bottom ring rope and staring out at the fans before valiantly dragging himself up. Across the far side of the ring, Taylor uses the ropes to pull himself upright, hanging onto them as he turns his eyes to the opposite side of the ring. This being the only thing seperating them, Taylor's eyes lock with those of Terrence, Danny, and Dace. Between them lay the fallen body of the interferer Michael Craven, but no one cared about him.

Comet: Look at these men. What most likely would have been a quick and painful match for Erek Taylor has turned into a slaughterhouse for all involved!

Riley: Erek has a disadvantage! Craven only came out because he believed in fairness and justice!

Comet: ...

Riley: What?

Comet slaps Riley across the head, causing the ambigiously gay announcer to whine like a baby. The attention goes back to the ring, where Erek Taylor and the Unholy Trinity continue to stare at each other. Pain and exhaustion ran high among them all, but this match had to end. And end it would. Dace dives forwards, ploughing into Erek Taylor’s legs and wrapping his arms around him, trying to drive the Wonder Kid onto his back, but Taylor pounds franticly on Dace’s back to try and fight him off but it’s no good as Danny snaps Erek’s head back with an Elbow Smash that drops him flat on his back…

CRACK!

…As Erek slams into the back, Terrence is backing up across the ring, bouncing off the ropes. Dace wraps his arms completely around Taylor’s legs and falls backwards, catapulting Erek up from the mat, over head, through the air …and straight into Janus’ Gore.

CCRRUUNNCCHHH!

HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!

Comet: My god Robert! Taylor is broken in half! Literality!

Riley: What the hell was that!

As Erek’s crumpled and bent body topples to the mat, still bent double from the body mangling force, Terrence, Danny and Dace all collapse on top of as Hardcastle steps in for the count as the fans yell along…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

DING! DING! DING!

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen… here are your winners … THE UNHOLY TRRIIINNNIITTTYYYY!

TRIN-IT-E! TRIN-IT-E! TRIN-IT-E! TRIN-IT-E!

Comet: Look at the devastation in this ring. This match turned into a bloody war. And after that body crippling move from Dace and Terrence, it’s finally over!

The bleeding and battered bodies of all five men lay in the ring, barely moving. Even as the Trinity members sit up slowly and look around. Grinning at each other and the fans..

Fade Out.

November 11, 2003

“Tom,” says Mark Stevens, as the camera fades in, “I just can’t DO that.”

Flesher glares at the commissioner, sitting in a corner with an ice pack on his neck. “And why not?”

“Well, FIRST of all, I’ve already let you escape your contractual responsibilities once. You tell me you don’t want to face Taylor one-on-one, and so I let it slide and let you make a tag match. That was bad enough. Now, you want me to shuffle the whole card again, and take Taylor out of the main event ENTIRELY, to make it you and Strangler against Justice & Rule?”

“What the hell would be the problem with that? I want it. They want it. The people want it!”

“You don’t know what the people want!” the commissioner snaps. “You’re trying to get the people to trust you and then you go and screw them over with this kind of booking n a whim? Tom, you just don’t get it!”

“Well,” Flesher says, trying to think fast, “What about a three-way? Me and TBS, Justice & Rule and Taylor and Craven? First pin wins, and throw the Tag Titles on the line.”

“You just can’t throw two teams that have never worked together before into a Tag Team Title match. That’s ridiculous. It’s spitting on the titles!”

“And Ejiro piledriving me on my title belt isn’t spitting on the World Title?”

“Worry about him next month,” says Stevens. “Right now, your bed’s been made. You’ve got to lie in it. Go out there and solve this yourself, but Taylor’s not getting tossed out of the main event, and you’re not getting a shot at the Tag Titles.”

Flesher gets up, glaring. “I swear, Mark, sometimes I wish Brian was still sitting behind that desk.”

He walks off, leaving an angry Stevens with his papers.

November 11, 2003

“ATTTENTIONNNNNNNNNNNNNNN…”

DING DING DING

-Riley “Here we are, the Tag Team show down. A big guy, and a little guy, are set to take on the CHAMPIONS!”

-Comet “Right you are, Citizen Booby!”

-Riley “Bobby.”

-Comet “Whatever. And here comes the first contestant… that big guy you were talking about.”

-Funyon “The following Tag Team Contest is scheduled for ONE FALL! Introducing first, from Washington, D.C., weighing in at 385 pounds… BASSS-TIONNNNNNN!!”

“Never Scared” continues to play throughout the arena as the Beast emerges into the arena and walks down the ramp. Walking briskly, he enters the ring, and waits for someone to beat up, looking at Funyon for a quick second, before deciding against it.

-Riley “The Beast is DOMINATING in that ring. You can feel the fear that follows his presence.”

-Comet “Yes, and you can also smell the stench. Does that guy ever bathe?”

-Riley “When you kick ass all day, every day, there’s not much time for showering.”

“AND I WANT YOU!!!!”

BOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

“YOU ARE THE PERFECT DRUG, THE PERFECT DRUG, THE PERFECT DRUG!”

Tokyo comes alive like never before when the Drug steps on the scene. The sparks silhouette his frame, until they die down, and the Upstart is revealed!

-Comet “Well, here comes a man who showers often… but never alone…”

-Riley “As much as I hate to admit it… that was a good one.”

-Funyon “His partner, also from the Capital of the United States, weighing in at 211 pounds, he IS the Intercontinental/ Television Champion…. EXXXXXXX-STASEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

-Comet “Ya know, our ICTV champ has really been pumped as of late, and I can’t wait to see him face off against Bastion on Ashes 2 Ashes!”

-Riley “The question is, how will they fare tonight… on the same team?”

-Comet “Are they really the friends we think they are?”

Adorned in a Rising Sun headband tied tightly around his dreadlocks, Xstasy smiles and waves to the passionate crowd. He stops to bow to an older gentleman beside the ramp, winks at an apparent Japanese schoolgirl, then hops the rope, and climbs the far turnbuckle and displaying the sign of the X, his title held aloft. The amount of flashbulbs nearly blind his eyes, as this international crowd doesn’t often get to see the SWF live! As X makes his way to the other turnbuckle for another celebration of facedom, he is interrupted by REM.

JUSTICE

-Comet “Uh oh…”

RULE

-Comet “Oh no…”

BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAM

-Comet “Gratuitous…”

-Riley “Stop playa hatin’!”

The red stutter pyro quickly explodes on the sides of the stage as Justice and Rule emerge, both looking a little reluctant. Still, they retain a confident swagger as they approach the ring, clutching their titles more like security blankets than trophies, and neither of them taking their eyes off of the two men glaring back at them.

-Funyon “And their opponents, at a combined weight of 460 pounds, the ARE the SWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSSS… Ejiro Fasaki, the Honorable William Hearford… JUSTICE… ANNNNNNNNNNNNND RULE!!!!!!”

-Comet “Heh heh, the nefarious tag team villains don’t look too X-Cited to be steppin’ in with X and the Beast!”

As J & R approach ringside, X hands his title to the referee. He heads toward his southwest corner, bringing Bastion with him. However, as soon as the Tag Champs slide into the ring, the Beast EXPLODES back to the North side of the ring and lays into Judge Mental with powerful punches!

-Riley “HEY! The match hasn’t even begun!”

-Comet “Since when did Bastion CARE?”

Ejiro fires a club to the back of the big man, then gasps in horror as Bastion stops, and turns to him! Fasaki does exactly what one would expect… he RUNS to his corner at northeast, and slides down to the floor. Xstasy, meanwhile, goes to the apron, laughing the entire way.

DING DING DING

-Comet “It’s official… these two teams are at it!”

Bastion immediately turns, and finds his chest whacked with a HARD chop!

WHACK!

-Riley “NICE shot!”

The Beast responds with a HUGE open hand chop that sends Hearford to his knees! WHAPPPP!! But Judge is no rookie, and as Bastion draws nigh, he immediately goes for the right leg, taking it out while still on the ground, and twisting, while Bastion grabs onto the top rope to steady himself!

-Comet “Did you see the big hand of Bastion come down like that? Jeez… that’s gonna leave an imprint!”

-Riley “But the professionalism of the Judge, still able to go low on the big man and take out hi base!”

With a quick yank, the Judge is able to get B away from the ropes and falling over, but as he falls, he begins to land club punches to the back of Judge! As Bastion is on his knees, he continues to throw wild overhead haymakers at Hearford, who tries desperately to cover up!

-Riley “That kid is out of control… someone’s gotta stop him!”

-Comet “I nominate… you.”

-Riley “And let him bash in this beautiful face? You MUST be joking.”

Finally, the Justice launches himself towards Bastion, getting a waistlock and circling behind him! He nails a forearm to the back of the head, then goes down to the right leg again, and thrusts forward. Spinning around, Hearford begins to lock on a half crab, while Bastion is on his knees! But with one big KICK, the Monster is able to shake free of the lock, and stand to his feet! Now anxious, Judge climbs aboard Bastion’s back and begins to lock on his signature sleeper!

-Riley “Ha ha… that’s exactly how the Judge beat Bastion last time!”

-Comet “But is Bastion dumb enough to fall for it two shows in a row?”

As dumb as Bastion may be, not even he is THAT dumb, and he immediately charges back, RAMMING Will Hearford into the southeast ring post before he gets a chance to fully lock the Doushime! As he sticks in the corner, Bastion walks away, then turns and charges!

-Comet “Here comes BASTION!”

WHAMMM!!

-Riley “OOOH, that musta hurt!”

In the NICK OF TIME, the Justice skirts Brandon McKinney, who goes shoulder first into the ring post! Sensing an opportunity, Hearford goes to his corner, receiving a head shake of denial from Ejiro, but making the tag nonetheless!

-Comet “Great ring sense by the Judge, and in steps his partner!”

Fasaki comes into the ring, and decides he might as well go all out! He begins nailing wild right and left forearms to the back of the Beast! With every strike, Ejiro shouts, himself getting more and more winded, his victim getting more and more PISSED OFF!

-Riley “Ummm… Ejiro… you might not want to brawl with him…”

Finally, Ejiro winds up for a huge forearm, and finds himself FLOORED by a clothesline that would rip the head off of a bull! The Beast then ignores his opponent, and heads towards the J & R corner in a rage!

-Comet “HVT’s brother nearly decapitates Fasaki, and now he’s going after the Judge!”

-Riley “After that defeat last week, its no wonder he wants revenge!”

Bastion swipes out at Judge, who narrowly evades by leaning back! Now the referee shouts at Bastion to continue the match at hand, making the 7-foot monster even more upset! But a swiftly rising Fasaki sees Bastion’s exposed back, and nails it with a HUGE Front Dropkick! Bastion leans backward to tend to his aching lower back, and Ejiro immediately locks onto his neck back to back and falls to the mat! WHAMMMMMMM!

-Comet “Falling neckbreaker! Bad move by Bastion, leaving his opponent to recover like that!”

-Riley “We both know that Ejiro can take advantage of any situation!”

After the canvas stops shaking, Ejiro’s neckbreaker having done its intended damage, Fasaki immediately locks onto Bastion’s near arm, wraps his legs around it, and wrenches it towards him! Xstasy leans in the ring, shouting “Come on, B!” while the Rule tries his best to weaken the huge Python that is Bastion’s Extremity. In the midst of all of this, Bastion is able to look past the pain, and somehow, start standing!

-Riley “Whoa…”

As Bastion rises to a knee, Ejiro continues to hold onto his armlock! And when the Monster finally stands, Fasaki realizes that he’s in quite a bad situation! Still locked onto the arm, he is hoisted up off of the mat by the brother of HVT!!

-Comet “My LORD… the STRENGTH of Bastion… it’s amazing!”

Bastion literally falls over on top of Ejiro, and the much smaller man collapses on the canvas under the weight! B lays on top of his victim, and the ref counts!

ONE

TWO

TWOOOOOOOOOOO

-Riley “NOPE!”

A half-hearted kick out saves the Tag Champs, but prompts Bastion to raise Ejiro! Immediately, Bastion gets a whip to the Northwest corner, and charges in with a splash against it, flattening Fasaki! Another quick whip takes the co-tag champ to the Southeast corner, and he falls seated to the mat as Bastion approaches, grabs the top ropes, and stomps away!

-Comet “It’s HARD to figure out how to handle a man of that size and power!”

-Riley “Well for one thing, you can’t even get a grip on him! He’s just so… HUGE!”

The ref warns Bastion to get him out of the corner, and after a quick angry black glance, the Beast complies, pulling Ejiro out of the corner and covering!

-Comet “Here’s the cover by Bastion…”

ONE

TWO

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

-Riley “He doesn’t even hook the leg. You can’t make those kinds of mistakes against a tactician like Fasaki!”

Bastion raises Ejiro up again, and now whips him to the north ropes! Fasaki rebounds, leaps, and NAILS Bastion in the forehead with a flying elbow! As B staggers back, Ejiro takes some time to get himself up, and spins in place, nailing another elbow to Bastion’s temple! Fasaki then grabs the wrist, locks it up, swings a leg over, and nails a drop that sends Bastion to his knees, and his shoulder nearly to the mat!

-Comet “Bastion still won’t fall!”

Ejiro nails a kick to the head, then a HARD knee drop to the back to get the big man down! As Fasaki rolls Bastion over for the cover, the big man suddenly shoots out his right hand, WHACK, catching Ejiro around the neck! Before he can protest, Bastion is rising again, this time with a choke that threatens to bring Fasaki off of the ground!

-Comet “And when he goes down, he won’t stay down!”

-Riley “I think he’s looking for the untamed here!”

Somehow, Ejiro is able to grab the wrist, and rotate out of the grip of the monstrosity! He kicks out a leg, which is caught by Bastion, then rolls through with his other foot, catching B in the face and landing on the mat! Bastion shakes off the blow, but Ejiro is up again, nailing a HUGE spinning kick to the face of the beast! Again, Bastion refuses to go down! Once more, Fasaki lets his feet fly, this time to the gut! The Beast doubles, and Ejiro grabs him around the waist, lifting for a piledriver, before being completely TOSSED overhead by a full standing pissed off black man!

-Riley “You’re kidding me?”

-Comet “Every advantage you can get is canceled out by the sheer POWER of the man known as Bastion! If TWO guys are having this much trouble with him, how will Xstasy EVER beat him for the title at the pay per view?”

-Riley “Easy… he won’t.”

Landing near his corner, Ejiro grimaces, somehow able to stand, and tag in the Judge! Meanwhile Xstasy calls for the tag, and Bastion ignores him, turining instead back towards the enemy camp, and getting CLOTHESLINED off his rocker for the trouble! But Justice stands mouth agape as he realizes that…

-Comet “Bastion is STILL standing… even after that HUGE Lariat?”

-Riley “He doesn’t even need to tag X. He IS a team!”

Immediately Hearford drops, tripping up the larger man to the mat! He is able to loop his legs with Bastion’s, roll over, and pull back as the bigger man grunts in pain to his legs in the reverse Figure Four!

-Comet “Uh oh, the submission master has the legs locked, and this could be trouble for Bastion!”

-Riley “Maybe he should’ve taken that tag from Xstasy after all”

As the ref goes down to ask the monster for a tap out, Justice grabs a hold of the nearby bottom rope, and pulls on it for leverage! The nearby Japanese fans boo, but then begin to cheer as Xstasy sees the development and hops into the ring! He kicks Hearford’s arm, making him release the rope and curse in pain as the referee rises and pushes X away!

-Comet “Xstasy puts an end to those despicable tactics!”

-Riley “He’s not the legal man, and he shouldn’t be in there, end of story.”

-Comet “But Judge had the ropes!”

X tries to explain, but the ref will have none of it! Worse, the Judge is now pointing to a recovered Ejiro, who pulls Bastion’s head under the rope! As the big man’s head hangs off the apron, Ejiro comes down on it with a HUGE Elbow!! He then goes back to his corner while Will Hearford stands, and lands a few kicks to the monster’s side! As Xstasy slides out of the ring, he helps Bastion to stand, and rolls an arm through in a lock, before going to his corner and tagging to the innocent eyed Ejiro!

-Comet “Look at these two Hyenas, picking at the remains while the Lion’s back is turned!”

-Riley “Its teamwork like that that wins belts, Cyke. These guys know what needs to be done, and against a monster like Bastion, can you blame them?”

Fasaki immediately hits Bastion’s exposed side with a knee! Then, he helps Hearford double the big man over, and as the Judge positions B in a headscissors, Ejiro tries to help him push Bastion over! Unfortunately for the both of them, he is not easy to maneuver!

-Riley “It looks like they’re going for the Overruled!”

-Comet “Yeah, good luck…”

Instead of continuing to try to get the Beast in the air, Judge nods, and Ejiro hops up, both of them falling and driving Bastion’s head to the mat in an impromptu spike piledriver! Then, as if to further prove their superiority, they continue to stomp Bastion until the ref pushes Judge out of the ring! Ejiro covers!

-Riley “My god…”

ONE

TWO

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

-Comet “How did he do that? Any other man would have… well… died!”

Where he usually would have kicked out at one, the huge monster kicks out at the last second, a feat that Ejiro Fasaki relishes in! The Rule stands, and points to Xstasy, indicating a much needed tag! He helps Bastion stand, then lands a HARD knee to his stomach, followed by an elbow to the back of the head! Now he walks towards his corner, and pushes B over the ropes! Well… at least he tries, but the big man won’t go over! Hearford grabs the big man and together, they are able to get him over and down on the floor outside! The referee angrily shouts at Judge, who argues with him long enough to allow Fasaki to slide out of the ring and search under the apron for an object… preferably made of steel!

-Comet “After that huge Spike Piledriver, they cheapen their own ingenuity like this!”

-Riley “Yeah ref, that’s it, tell him what’s what!”

-Comet “REF! On the side!”

While Hearford continues to distract the referee, Ejiro finds the chair he’s looking for, and lays it on the ground. He then begins to stand Bastion up, unheeding to the cheers that have suddenly risen around him! It isn’t until it is too late that he hesitates, wondering about the sudden crowd noise… and that is when he feels his head grabbed from behind, and suddenly thrust downward in a Bulldog… CLANKK!!!

-Curry “Right onto that STEEL CHAIR!!”

-Riley “That sneaky, conniving BASTARD!”

-Curry “X knew something was going on! He KNEW Fasaki was up to no good, and here he is, delivering swift JUSTICE!”

Bastion on one knee, shakes out the cobwebs and rises, seeing a downed Ejiro and pulling him to his feet as his partner makes his way back around to his corner! Bastion rolls Ejiro into the ring, then, without warning, he cuts the corner and YANKS Judge Hearford off of the apron and down to the floor! The ref SHOUTS at Bastion to get back in, but Bastion won’t listen. At least not until he whips the Justice HARD into the corner steps with a CLANNGGG!!!

-Riley “You see that, not even the legal man!”

-Curry “Bastion needs to pay attention to the task at hand… or he’s not going anywhere!”

Bastion gets back in, just as the referee slides out to tend to Judge! A disoriented Fasaki slowly crawls to what he thinks is his corner, but is actually coming within a few feet of the Perfect Drug, which causes the people to cheer! X holds out his hand for the tag, and Bastion approaches, but instead of tagging, he lifts Ejiro to his feet and prepares to headscissor him!

-Curry “Tag him you big oaf! What is his problem?”

-Riley “I think Ejiro’s the one with the problem. Bastion’s about to take him out!”

As Bastion prepares for the Third Offense, Ejiro’s forearm FLIES up and nails Bastion right where the sun don’t shine! The monster freezes, and clutches himself as Ejiro falls back to the mat, his head now visibly bleeding from the Bulldog on the chair!

-Curry “OWWWWWWWW!!”

“F-U! FA-SA-KI! F-U! FA-SA-KI!!”

-Riley “That one hurt ME.”

-Curry “What a croc! The ref isn’t even paying attention, and Ejiro could capitalize on this one…”

Ejiro pants as Bastion stands stone still, completely unprepared for that kind of onslaught. Slowly, the Beast falls over to the canvas, but not before his smaller partner reaches over the ropes, and slaps him HARD on the shoulder!

“RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

-Riley “NO!”

-Curry “XSTASY gets it! And He’s pumped for action!!”

The Drug hops the top rope, and comes down leg first onto Ejiro! Fasaki, trying to get to his feet, finds himself victim to a HARD foot lashing by the Capoeira Kid, who then leaps to the second rope, Moonsaults off, and lands on Ejiro’s back! X gets to his feet, unzips his wetsuit and pulls it down around his waist!

-Japanese Ladies “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Paying no heed to the gorgeous Red Sun women, the Drug crosses his arms over his head as Ejiro begins to rise to his knees… now to one knee… ever so slowly to his feet… swaying… staggering… turning around…

-Riley “DON’T TURN AROUND!”

… and then, a knee to the gut, a lock, a spin… WHAMMMMM!!!!!

-Comet & Riley “X-CEPTION!!!!”

With a loud “COVER!” shout, Xstasy drops down over a dead Fasaki and hooks the leg! The referee, hearing the call, slides in, prepares to count, and then stops, standing up and shaking his head! Xstasy immediately rises, but the ref pushes him back, pointing at the grounded Bastion and signaling no tag!

-Riley “YES!”

-Comet “Are you kidding me?”

-Riley “The ref didn’t see it!”

-Comet “Just like he didn’t see Judge grabbing the ropes, or that low blow on Bastion! Or any of the other things that these two ingrates do!”

Furious now, the Upstart claps his hands together, yelling “BLIND TAG!” over and over again, to a referee who just might have a death wish! But the zebra stands his ground, and Xstasy growls at him. Neither of them are heeding the increasing boos as Judge Mental, recovering from his little outside spill, comes near the West side of the ring and reaches under, pulling his partner on top of Bastion!

-Comet “SEE… there they go again!”

-Riley “If the ref don’t see it, it’s called teamwork!”

Just as Hearford gets Ejiro’s arm over the 380 plus pound monster, Xstasy turns and sees him. Without any signal whatsoever, he DIVES through the ropes and SPEARS the HELL out of the Justice!

-Comet “OH! Xstasy just speared the HELL out of Justice!”

-Riley “Somehow, that seems redundant…”

The people go nuts, but the referee, content to let them brawl drops down to count.

ONE…

NOOOOOO!!

Pointing to Bastion’s arm draped loosely over the bottom rope, the Ref calls for a rope break, and the crowd sighs gently! Fasaki, coming to his senses, begins to crawl away, looking for his corner. Slowly he makes his way there, recovering with every step, and even making it up to a knee, before looking up and realizing… there’s no Judge!

-Riley “Where’s his partner…”

At that moment, the as yet motionless Bastion POPS UP!

-Comet “I wouldn’t be worried about his PARTNER if I were him…”

From his seated position, Bastion stands, looking with ruthless aggression at Fasaki, who hears only a loud crowd roar. As he turns around to look for Judge, a whole lot of pounds run at him at a whole LOT of speed, sending him straight to a whole LOT of pain! WHAMMMMM!!!

-Riley “OWWW!”

-Comet “B-LINE! B-LINE for EJIRO!!! And what a HARD shot it was!”

Bastion immediately covers his quarry, and the ref drops down…

-Comet “Is that it?”

ONE

TWOOOO

THREEEEEEEEEEE!!!

DING DING DING!!

-Comet “What a match. I don’t think Bastion ever came out of the ring!”

-Funyon “Here are your winners… BASTION… and EX-STASEEEEE!!”

“Never Scared” begins to play as X picks himself off of the Justice and slides into the ring to meet the victorious Bastion. B stands over his opponent, but the Perfect Drug suddenly turns him around and points in his face!

-Riley “Ooh, now this is interesting. X ain’t too happy about Bastion not tagging him in.”

-Comet “I can’t blame him. That big lug nearly cost them the match.”

Xstasy can be seen mouthing something, while Bastion stares blankly at his partner. The ref presents X with his title, which is slung over the shoulder, and Xstasy turns away from Bastion to exit…

-Riley “Uh oh!”

A HUGE dark hand on X’s shoulder stops him!

-Riley “We might not have to wait until Ashes 2 Ashes, Comet…”

With authority, Bastion turns Xstasy around to face him. Without saying anything, his intentions are already made known. B’s eyes light on the ICTV belt that X holds, and the Drug just glares at him, daring him to make a move! The sudden bustle of the crowd in anticipation, suddenly turns into boos of warning, but to no avail! Hard metal links come down over the back of Xstasy’s head as he falls to the ground, floored by…

-Comet “JUDGE MENTAL!!!”

The Justice then takes his chain to the dome of Bastion, who falls in slower, but similar, fashion! Judge then slides his partner out of the ring and grabs the belts offered to them by the attendant, helping Ejiro towards the ramp as their music plays once again!

-Comet “The ‘Honorable’ William Hearford is as dishonorable as they come!”

-Riley “Hey, a good partner never leaves a man in that ring alone…”

-Comet “Unless of course a match is going on.”

-Riley “Well… not even then.”

-Comet “But that’s cheating Riley?”

-Riley “It’s always ‘cheating’ this, and ‘cheating’ that with you, isn’t it? What about honor? Trust? Dignity? Isn’t that worth cheating for?”

-Comet “Maybe… but a cheap, tainted win, sure isn’t.”

-Riley “Look, they lost already!”

-Comet “I’m not sure who the real losers are in this matchup…”

Both ICTV Champ and number one contender are laid out in the ring. Between them, on the mat, glistening in gold, is the Intercontinental/ Television Belt. A symbolic image as the show fades to commercial.

FIN

November 11, 2003

The thunderous roars projecting over the television sets of America can tell us but one thing: SWF Smarkdown is on the air! Live from the Land of The Rising Sun, where hundreds of well-dressed businessmen and screaming schoolgirls are contained inside the venue, along with puro fans and normal citizens, all chanting for what they desire most:

Crowd: WE WANT VIOLENT! WE WANT VIOLENT!

Engrish is fun. *wink*

Comet: Welcome back to a special Smarkdown, the premier show of the Smarks’ Winner’s Federation! Joined by my young associate, “” Bobby Riley, I am CYCLOOOOOOOONE COMET!

The crowd roars loudly for their pop culture icon, showing their adoration for him with a special chant:

Crowd: WE HEART COH-MET! *stomp stomp stomp-stomp* WE HEART COH-MET! *stomp stomp stomp-stomp*

Riley: ... I hate Japan.

The Japanese people boo loudly at the comment, quickly changing their chant to fit the new situation:

Crowd: RI-LEY HEART COHCK! *stomp stomp stomp-stomp* RI-LEY HEART COHCK! *stomp stomp stomp-stomp*

Riley: “I heart Coke?” What the hell are they saying, Comet?

Comet: It is insignificant, for we are now at tonight’s MAIN EVENT~!

Riley: ... They were making a gay joke, weren’t they-

Comet: SILENCE! None of that matters at this moment! Tell us of how this epic battle came to be, sidekick!

Riley: Both of these men have been flirting with the main event in recent weeks. On Lockdown, TBS finally let loose on Taylor much to the delight of the crowd. This week, since Taylor is a little busy, TBS will have to deal with the "King of Nightmares". A win here will look really nice come time for the next #1 Contender's match! Do your rules thing now, Comet.

Comet: Well, it’s just a standard singles match, Robert...

Riley: I’m astounded, Comet. You’ve usually got more than that to say. Let’s just get this started.

As the announcers anticipate the match, the lights cut out, the crowd going silent. Suddenly, strobe lights pulse to the beat of the guitar and drums in the background as Saliva’s “King of My World” kicks in, the crowd booing loudly as they realize who it is. As the first words kick in, the strobes cut out, a pale blue light covering the arena, illuminating the figure of Michael Craven as he walks out onto the stage, no expression visible on his shadowed face. Continuing his slow walk down to the ring, he turns around at the top of the ramp, walking backwards as he stretches his arms out wide, soaking in the crowd’s jeers. Halfway down the ramp, though, he abruptly spins back around, swinging his right arm in a straight path across the top of the stage.

“BOOM!”

A huge blast of bright white pyro kicks up, the smoke lingering on stage for quite some time as Craven finishes the spin, continuing his walk to ringside without interruption.

Funyon: The following contest is scheduled for one-fall! Introducing first: from Tampa, Florida, weighing in at 280 pounds, The King Of Nightmares... MICHAEL CRAVENNNNN!!!

Entering casually through the middle and top ropes, Craven quickly scales the turnbuckle closest to him, opening his arms wide and soaking in the crowd’s response, a chorus of heavy boos, as a white spotlight shines down upon him, casting shadows across his face. Bringing his arms down, he hops down, moving to his corner to begin warming up.

Comet: Citizen Craven has already made an appearance tonight, interfering in Erek Taylor’s punishment match against the reformed Unholy Trinity!

Riley: Yeah, but he had a reason for doing so. Craven himself was once a victim of a punishment match, and this is why Commissioner Stevens MUST be stopped! He is a power glutton!

Suddenly, though, the arena goes dim as the opening chords of “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult start to play. As the song launches into the opening guitar riff, the SmarkTron™ lights up with the name “STRANGLER” in big white letters as a massive burst of white pyro explodes from the stage. As the pyro begins to die down, Strangler emerges from the pyro. He raises one fist into the air as he looks out onto the crowd, then slowly begins to walk down the ramp.

Funyon: And his opponent: from Boston, Massachusetts, weighing in at 303 pounds, ladies and gentlemen... THE BOSTONNNN STRANGLERRRRRRR!!!

He slides into the ring, and climbs to the second turnbuckle. He raises both arms into the air, fists closed, and then walks into the center of the ring and waits for Craven to turn around and meet him in the middle of the ring.

Comet: Citizen Strangler certainly could be a credible threat to the SWF World Championship held by Tom Flesher, especially with a win here over the forces of evil tonight!

Riley: That big, roided up piece of crap? I can’t see why they let him back into the business in the first place!

As he finishes warming up, Michael Craven looks up, calmly walking to the middle of the ring, where he confronts Strangler. Referee Timothy Thompson, tonight’s rule regulator, makes his way over to the two larger men, getting his arms in between them. He makes sure to go over the rules, especially Craven, even though this is just a normal singles match. Craven and Strangler shove him out of the way as he speaks, though, staring each other down before Thompson signals to the timekeeper...

DING DING DING!

Riley: And here we go! Main event under way!

The Japanese crowd roars to life as the two men stand face to face, looking at each other with menacing stares. But as they do, Craven lifts a knee up into Strangler’s gut, catching him by surprise. The big man doubles over momentarily, allowing Mike the opportunity to attack first, beating down on Strangler’s head and neck with forearms as if he were beating a conga drum with his palms. Strangler cries out with each blow as they connect, one after another, The King of Nightmares relentless in his assault. Not too much later, the forearms stop raining down, replaced by a pair of swift kicks to the head. Strangler is knocked upright, staggering back as Craven leaps into the air, thrusting his legs out into a beautiful dropkick that knocks Strangler to the mat!

Riley: Craven coming right out of the gate at Strangler! He is just brutalizing the big man’s neck!

The King of Nightmares flips back, landing on his chest, but as he pushes himself up, he drops to his knees, collecting Strangler on his shoulders as he rises to his feet before flipping him onto a fireman’s carry. Strangler lands in a sitting position on the mat as Craven holds on, transitioning into a rear chinlock! The combo, designed to work Strangler’s head and neck, grounds the monster from Beantown for the moment, but Strangler plants his palms against the canvas, pushing against it while Craven continues to hold on. As he rises, though, Strangler reaches back, grabbing Craven around the head with both arms, and nearly getting to his feet, pulls Craven from behind him, whipping him back-first into the mat!

Comet: Perhaps you have spoken too soon, ambitious announcer of action, for it is Citizen Strangler who now has the upper-hand!

Craven grabs his back as he staggers to his feet, but Strangler meets him, swinging his arm into Craven’s chest as he knife-edge chops him!

“SLAP!”

Craven cries out in pain, grabbing his chest and staggering back. The Japanese even know what you’re supposed to do when someone delivers a chop:

Crowd: WOOOOOOOO-AAAAAHHHH!

... OK, maybe not exactly.

Even so, Strangler grabs Craven’s hand on his chest, pulling it off just so he can knife-edge chop him again!

“SLAP!”

Crowd: WOOOOOOOO-AAAAAHHHH!

Craven clutches his chest again, but Strangler grabs his other arm this time, pulling on it as he attempts to whip Craven to the ropes! However, Craven reverses sending Strangler to the ropes instead. As TBS bounces back off them, Craven bends forward, catching Strangler on his shoulder before he forces himself upright, flipping Strangler back with a back body drop! Strangler hits the mat back first, grabbing his back as he rolls onto his chest, but Craven follows up his move, dropping an elbow into the back of Strangler’s neck!

Riley: Ooooh, and an elbow drop to Strangler! That one had to hurt!

Comet: For any normal man, yes it would, but Strangler has the powers of good on his side!

Riley: And that helps... how?

The Bostonian cries out in pain, but Craven quickly rolls him onto his back, jumping on top of him for the quick cover!

One!

Strangler immediately gets the shoulder up! It’s going to take a lot more than that to keep a former World Champion on the mat. Still, though, Craven grabs hold of Strangler, pounding into his head with right hands as he pulls the big man to his feet.

Riley: Only one for Craven! Definitely surprising, but Craven’s still got a lot of weapons left to use against Strangler.

Comet: Don’t forget that Strangler does as well, Robert. Carelessness can lead to-

Riley: Yeah, yeah, heard this before. Focus on the match.

Craven continues to pummel the big man’s head as he pulls him to his feet. Strangler, though, shoves Craven, sending him flying onto his back! Craven slowly gets to his feet, where he is met by Strangler and Strangler’s right fist. The punch sends Craven staggering back, but Strangler grabs Craven’s arm, this time succeeding with the Irish whip to the ropes. Craven hits the ropes and bounces off them, flying back at Strangler, who slides Craven across his shoulders, then falls back into a Samoan drop!

Riley: Damn! I can’t believe Strangler did that!

Comet: AHA! So you admit defeat, supporter of sin!

Riley: What?! What are you talking about?!?!

Craven lands on his side hard, grabbing it as he gets to his feet, but Strangler keeps on the offensive, tripping Craven up as he begins to rise to his feet. Craven falls forward, landing face first on the mat and slowly rising up alongside Strangler. TBS, however, changes the direction of the match further as he grabs hold of Craven, sliding him onto his shoulders for a fireman’s carry, but instead, he drops to one knee, throwing Craven chest-first onto his other knee!

Comet: A massive stomach crusher of justice from Citizen Strangler! This young vigilante is giving evil a tough fight and succeeding!

Craven grabs his ribs, crying in pain as Strangler rolls him over and covers him, Thompson dropping to count...

One!

Craven kicks out before two! The crowd quiets down, unhappy with the result of the pinfall attempt, but Strangler doesn’t give up, grabbing Craven by the head as he slowly pushes off the mat.

Comet: Craven kicks out, but the crowd doesn’t seem too pleased...

Riley: They’re just jealous of Craven. These brainless morons just want to see one of their own beat him!

Stangler pulls Craven to his feet, battering his body with hard jabs and hooks before he grabs him, whipping him to the ropes. Craven bounces hard off them, flying back at Strangler, who grabs Craven by the legs, lifting him into the air before he falls back and slams Craven down on his face with a flapjack! The King of Nightmares grabs his head, slowly recovering from the powerful move. Craven staggers up to his feet, but Strangler scoops him up across his chest, his back facing the ropes as he falls back, throwing Craven backwards with a fallaway slam! Craven sails through the air, his body thrown over the top rope, now plummeting towards the hard ringside floor!

“THUD!”

Craven lands in a heap outside the ring, the Japanese crowd responding to the move with shock:

Crowd: Uhwahhhh!!!

Riley: ... OK, now what was that they just said?

Comet: They were amazed by the move, Robert.

Riley: Sure didn’t sound like it. Sounded more like they all something shiny and were drawn to it...

Craven starts to recover, grabbing his head as he slowly gets to his feet at ringside, but as he does, Strangler rises to his feet in the ring, the crowd cheering loudly for him. Strangler, though, is not yet done, running to the ropes. Bouncing off them, he runs as fast as he can towards the ropes, then in in an unbelieveable moment, jumps into the air, vaulting over the top rope to the outside at Craven~!!!!!!

Riley: OH MY GOD!

Comet: He IS a superhero! Look at him fly!

As Strangler leaps over the top rope, a rising Craven looks up, and is suddenly struck with fear as all 303 pounds of Strangler descend towards him...

“THUD!”

Crowd: Uhwahhhh!!!

This time, though, the fans cry out in shock as Craven ducks out of the way, causing Strangler to eat a faceful of ringside floor! The big man grabs his face and rolls over as Craven slowly pulls himself to his feet, the crowd now booing loudly.

Riley: Ha, he missed! Some superhero he is!

Comet: It’s all about trying, Robert. I see that is a lesson you shall have to learn, young superhero-in-training.

Riley: Comet... I DON’T WANT TO BE A SUPERHERO!!!

Both men stay down for a second as Thompson makes his way over towards them, and after waiting for a second, begins to count them out...

Thompson: One!

Craven gets to his feet at this time, making his way to Strangler, pulling him up at the count of...

Thompson: Twoooo!

Craven pulls Strangler halfway up, then drags him over to the steel railing surrounding the ring. Grabbing him by the back of the head, he lifts him up, the slams him head first into the railing with great force!

“CLANK!”

Strangler’s head bounces off the railing, but Craven holds on, not yet done with Strangler.

Thompson: Three!

Comet: How unjust! Craven resorting to cheating!

Riley: It’s not cheating! Thompson hasn’t DQed him, so it must be legal!

Grabbing Strangler and pulling him to his feet, Craven nails him in the face with a forearm, then grabs him by the wrist...

Thompson: Four!

...Irish whipping him head-first into the steel ring post!

“CLANG!”

The shot echoes throughout the arena as Strangler collapses back, Craven making his way over towards his downed opponent while the crowd jeers.

Riley: Atta boy, Craven! Show him who’s better!

Thompson: Five!

Comet: Oh, come on! You know that’s not right, Robert!

Riley: You know what they say, Comet: “All’s fair in love and war!”

Craven grabs Strangler by the back of the head, pulling him up onto his feet...

Thompson: Six!

...and once there, he slams Strangler’s face into the steel ring steps for good measure!

“THUD!”

Strangler’s head bounces off the ring steps, but Craven holds on, even as the count reaches...

Thompson: Seven!

The crowd boos loudly, but their boos only cause Craven to smile, pull Strangler up by the back of the head, and do it once again!

“THUD!”

Thompson: Eight!

Craven releases Strangler’s head, allowing him to grabs his face as he falls to the floor, Riley having to scream over the booing crowd.

Thompson: Nine!

Craven, though, takes his mind off Strangler for a moment, quickly sliding in and back out of the ring to reset the count!

Once again, Thompson waits a second before he starts the count...

Thompson: One!

Craven once again makes his way over towards Strangler, but this time, when he pulls him up, he clamps on a front facelock...

Thompson: Twoooo!

Craven then stops, looking out at the fans, and making a throat-slitting taunt with his free arm, drops back, DDTing Strangler into the ringside floor below!

“THUD!”

Thompson: Three!

Riley: Massive DDT from Craven! Strangler’s got to be out cold!

The King of Nightmares releases the Beantown Monster, slowly getting to his feet. The crowd hails him with boos, but those boos all but bounce off Craven’s skin, for he has become accustomed to them.

Thompson: Four!

Now on his feet, Craven looks down at Strangler, who slowly tries to get up after the move. Displeased to see his opponent still moving, he throws a boot into the back of Strangler’s head, stomping him back to the ground!

Thompson: Five!

With Strangler pinned on the ground, Craven takes the liberty of adding in a few more stomps for good measure, Strangler crying out in pain with each one. following the boots, Craven grabs Strangler by the back of the head, pulling him to his feet...

Thompson: Six!

Once there, Craven directs Strangler towards the apron, slamming his head into it!

“THUD!”

The crowd’s boos spike for a second, then die back down as Craven slides Strangler back under the ropes.

Thompson: Seven!

Craven himself then slides into the ring, quickly covering Strangler for a pinfall attempt! Thompson drops to count...

One!

Two!

Strangler kicks out at two and a half! Craven seems a little frustrated, quickly turning and screaming at Thompson about the count. Thompson, though, stands his ground, the crowd slightly cheering for Strangler’s kickout.

Riley: I can’t believe it! After all that, Strangler still kicked out! That’s impossible!

Comet: Not with the powers of good it isn’t-

Riley: Shut it, you.

Craven slowly gets to his feet, pulling up Strangler, nailing him hard with two right shots before whipping him to the ropes. Strangler, though, reverses the whip, pulling Craven back towardshim as he sticks his arm out and short-arm clotheslines Craven to the mat! The King of Nightmares hits the canvas hard, remaining there as Strangler covers him, the crowd cheering while Kivell drops to count:

One!

Two!

Craven kicks out! Craven, however, is grabbed by the hair and is pulled to his feet and whipped into the corner. He hits the turnbuckle hard, but Stranger follows up, nailing Craven with a hard charging clothesline!

Comet: A powerful clothesline from Citizen Strangler! Perhaps that’ll knock the evil out of Craven!

Craven staggers out of the corner,but as he staggers out, he tries to swing at Strangler. Strangler, though, ducks, grabbing him under the arm, then the other one before he lifts him up and sits out, executing a full nelson atomic drop! Craven looks to be in pain, but Strangler lifts him back up, still in the full nelson. Craven, though, rears his head back, slamming it into Strangler’s to free himself. Strangler staggers back, giving Craven the opportunity to grab him by the arm and whip him to the ropes. Strangler, though, reverses, holding onto Craven’s arm as he sticks his other arm out and clotheslines Craven into the mat! Craven slams down into it, slowly getting to his feet. It is there that Strangler draws his arm back before clamping it around Craven’s throat. Then, he lifts him off the mat, only to slam him back down with a mighty chokeslam!

Comet: STRANGLER HITS THE PLUNGE! JUSTICE IS ABOUT TO WIN AGAIN!

However, as Strangler hits The Plunge, the Japanese crowd begins to boo, a familiar face making his way through the crowd...

Riley: Wait, that’s-

Strangler quickly drops on top of Craven as Thompson counts...

One!

Two!

THREE!!!!!

Four!

Five!

Six!

Strangler looks up, seeing that Thompson has been distracted by a chair-wielding Erek Taylor! The #1 Contender to Flesher’s title has slid into the ring within Thompson’s line of sight, and when Thompson saw him, he stopped the count to stop Erek from using the chair. At the moemnt, the two are engaged ina vigorous conversation on the ethics and regulations of the Smarks Wrestling Federation, which Erek is clearly losing. The Bostonian, though, is not happy with Erek’s interference, and as he rises, he moves towards his rival, wanting nothing more than to make hm pay for what he’s done.

Comet: What a cheap tactic! Craven ran in for Taylor, and now he’s repaying the favor!

Riley: Cheap? That’s brilliant! these two are working in sync beautifully!

Taylor, sensing danger from the approaching Strangler, shoves Thompson aside, lifting the chair as he charges at Strangler, but the big man sticks his leg up, booting the chair back into Erek Taylor’s face!

“CRACK!”

Erek drops to the mat hard, a satisfied Stangler turning back to face a recovering Craven. It is at this time Craven moves... sliding him onto his shoulders! Craven holds the 303-pound Strangler for a second before he leans to the side and helicopter spins him, dropping him down into a stunner as he nails his secondary finishing move in the SWF, the Gulf Coast Crunch!

Riley: GULF COAST CRUNCH! STRANGLER IS DOWN! Craven’s got a shot of winning!

Strangler’s head bounces off Craven’s shoulder, and the King of Nightmares covers him as he lands on his back, some crowd members shouting out the count while the rest boo as Thompson counts:

One!

Two!

THREE!

Strangler kicks out!

But it’s too late...

DING DING DING!

“King of My World” kicks up as Taylor helps Craven to his feet, Strangler slowly moving to get up before Taylor smacks him in the head with a boot to the face. Strangler falls back to the mat as Erek continues stomping at him, Thompson trying to interject himself to prevent Taylor’s beatdown.

Funyon: The winner of the match... MICHAEL CRAAAAAVEN!!!

The crowd still boos loudly, Craven finally signaling for Erek to stop. The two men then take a moment to position themselves, Craven planting a foot on Strangler’s chest like Washington did on the front of his boat as he crossed the Delaware, proud of his tainted victory over Strangler. But a win’s a win in ths business, no matter what the means are.

Riley: And Craven comes out on top once again! What will this mean for Ashes 2 Ashes? And what will Strangler do to either of these two men if he gets his hands on them? We’ll have to wait and see! For Cyclone Comet, I’m Bobby Riley! Good night, everyone! See you at the PPV!

November 11, 2003

“I know you don’t have any reason to trust me,” Flesher sighs as the camera fades in on him. “And… I know that I haven’t done anything for you lately. But I also know that what happened tonight wasn’t right,” he continues, the emotion showing in his face. “I want to get him back for what he did to me. There’s no way I’m giving up that chance.”

He pauses, pacing a few steps, and then turns back toward his off-screen conversation partners. “I know how bad I want him tonight. Are you going to tell me, after all the crap he’s given you, you’re not going to take that chance? Or that you’re going to deny that chance to someone who wants him almost as bad? Damn it! I know I shouldn’t expect this of you…”

The camera starts to pull back.

“But…”

It reveals that Flesher is talking to Wildchild and Johnny Dangerous.

“Damn it, Wildchild… come get Ejiro with me. Johnny, help a brother out. I need you two on my side!”

Wildchild’s face is still brick. He doesn’t show any emotion; he barely moves a muscle.

Flesher holds his breath, anticipating the answer…

“Yeah. We gon’ help you out. Four on four, Ash to Ash.”

Flesher grins. “I can’t thank you enough…”

“Don’ thank me. Jus’ lemme at dat sunovabitch and we’re even.”

November 11, 2003

Flesher smirks as he walks up to Mark Stevens’ office. He flings the door open and looks to see Stevens once again behind the desk.

“Rough night?” he asks.

“Yeah,” Stevens sighs. “I just can’t get out of here.”

“Well, listen. I have one more thing to tell you.”

“Oh?”

Flesher leans on the desk. “Eight man tag. Craven, Taylor, Justice & Rule… against me, Strangler and Wild & Dangrous. TELL me you’re not going to approve that.”

“I’m not going to approve that,” says Stevens flatly.

Flesher, taken aback, does a double take. “You’re not – Mark, what the hell?! I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off all night! If Ejiro had his way, I WOULD be a chicken with my head cut off! And you’re not going to give me a match that everyone wants?”

“It’s November, Tom. Do you know what that means?”

“Do I care?” Flesher is obviously pissed off.

“It means, Tom, that you can’t just throw eight guys in a ring together. You guys are going to fight… Survivor style.”

The live crowd bursts into cheers as a smile spreads across Flesher’s face.

“Thank you, Mark. You won’t regret this.”

FADE.

November 11, 2003

For the proud and the brave, there is no greater trial of ones fortitude. No higher an accomplishment, than coming back to finish what you started. To achieve that which you are destine to. Some, would even say it's fate. But are fate and destiny two seperate things?

If you were inclined to believe in such things...

...Every Man Rises...

...Every Man Falls...

...But Few Rise Again...

COMING SOON...

The Return of A Hero

November 11, 2003

A rather interesting show, if I do say so myself. I encourage its reading.

PPV card up early tonight.

Smarkdown!

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