SWF Lockdown!

[the.weej 0]

As SWF Lockdown kicks off, a massive round of pyro explodes throughout the arena, sending the fans in Topeka’s Landon Arena into a frenzy. The screaming crowd only gets louder as “Godzilla” kicks up in the arena to start off the program. “Citizen Robert, the Boston Strangler is ready to start things off tonight with a speech!”

 

“Comet, it’s REAL obvious what Strangler is gonna do tonight!” cries Riley. “Last time we saw the Boston Strangler, he had just walked out on Erek Taylor after Taylor pointed out Strangler’s indiscretions! Strangler’s gonna come out here, do the right thing, and admit Erek Taylor was right! He’s still a psychotic mess, no matter what he says about changing!”

 

“Robert, I admit that Strangler made a mistake the other day, but he has obviously become a changed man! He has admirably pursued justice since his return to the SWF in April! He has been a steadying influence to Citizen Va’aiga in this hard time, he fought against the former tyranny of Thomas Flesher, and he has done everything possible to keep himself in control against Erek Taylor!”

 

“Regardless, Comet, Strangler showed that the wild side of him still lives! He’s never gonna become the person he wants to be! Instead, he’s just gonna be an animal, someone who’s unworthy of keeping his job here!”

 

Strangler climbs into the ring as Funyon hands him a microphone before exiting the ring. Strangler waits for a second as the crowd starts to die down, but a “T-B-S! T-B-S!” chant starts to echo through the arena. Strangler looks out over the crowd, and it appears that there’s a tear lodged in his right eye as he looks out over the screaming arena. “What the hell is the little girl crying about?” jabs Riley as Strangler readies himself, and starts to speak.

 

“Hello…I’m really, really happy to be here in Topeka tonight” starts Strangler, drawing another big pop from the crowd. Strangler raises his hand, quieting down the fans. “However, I have some things that I need to talk about, so I asked for this time to get everything squared away. You see…”

 

Suddenly, “Numb” by Linkin Park kicks up over the arena, and the arena EXPLODES into boos as Erek Taylor appears at the top of the stage, with the microphone in his hand. Erek immediately starts yelling into his microphone, forcing his voice throughout the 14,388 screaming fans in the Landon Center. “HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY!” screams Taylor into the mic, which kills the heat from the crowd enough for him to get a word in. “Strangler, there’s no way in HELL that you’re getting this started without me! You better listen up real good…”

 

“No Erek, YOU better listen up real good!” shouts Strangler, which cuts Erek off to a huge pop from the crowd. “Erek, I have a damn good reason for this time, and I have a LOT to say. You’ll probably like what I have to say anyways, so I suggest you sit down, shut up, and listen to every goddamn word that I have to say!” The crowd is going nuts for Strangler, and Erek glares, starts to raise his mic, and then lowers it back down again without saying a word. Erek merely shoots evil glances at Strangler, giving the big Bostonian a chance to say his piece.

 

“Well, I wanted to address the allegations that you made last Monday, Erek. On Monday, you came out in front of the crowd, and told me that I was still the same person I was in 2002, when I retired you. That was an incident I’m still ashamed about, and I changed my life afterwards. And when you made those allegations, I was angry as all hell. I just got out of the building as fast as possible, went home, and prepared to blow off some steam. But then, I figured something out: Erek…..you’re…..you’re….you’re right.”

 

The crowd starts buzzing, with a few boos mixed in, and even Erek Taylor looks surprised by the words Strangler had just spoken. “Excuse me?” asks Erek, summing up the thoughts of everyone in the building.

 

“Erek, I still have that person in me. What I did a few weeks ago proved that. I…I did everything I could to change, and I’ve almost always done the right thing. I’ve been looking out for people, and I’ve done the right goddamn thing. But then, I went and pulled that stunt. I got caught up in the rivalry again. I went too goddamn far. I threatened your family, Erek. You might not have a problem doing that to me, but I can’t do that. Last time I started crossing that line, I got fired, thrown into rehab for months, and my life fell apart. And so did yours, Erek. I can’t face this again. So, there’s only one thing for me to do. Effective as of now, I would like to retire from active competition in the Smartmarks Wrestling Federation.”

 

The crowd is dead quiet as Strangler looks out at the crowds, looking absolutely miserable. However, ONE man isn’t silent at all: “YES! HE’S GONE! DING FUCKING DONG, THE WITCH IS DEAD!” screams Erek Taylor, jumping up and down on stage, which draws a HUGE round of boos from the crowd once again. “I did it! He’s GONE! My revenge is complete! How the hell does it feel to lose your job now, Strangler? How the fuck does it feel, you maggoty piece of shit?”

 

“Hey, Erek, I’m not done here!” yells Strangler into the mic, which draws a small pop from the shell-shocked crowd. “You see, I wanted to add in one little condition to this retirement. I am retired from active competition, but only after I have one more match. You see, Erek, I want you. One last time. This is the way things have to be. I need to prove to myself on my way out the door that I can still beat you. I’ll beat you, even if I get pinned. I’m gonna go into the match, fight perfectly cleanly, and walk out a WINNER, Erek! If I get the pinfall, great. But even if you beat me, which you won’t, I’ll walk out knowing that I conquered my demons one last time, Erek. And that’s something you’ll never, EVER be able to feel. You won’t get the feeling of knowing that you’re the best damn person you can be, Erek. You won’t get to hear the fans cheering your name as you walk off into the sunset.”

 

“What was that last bit, Strangler?”

 

“That’s the other thing, Erek. I want this to be your last match too. I don’t want anyone else in this federation to have to go through the same thing I did. I don’t want them to be brought down by Erek Taylor. I care about the people backstage, and I see them give into their temptations. Well Erek, I’m not gonna let you do that to them! I’m not gonna let you corrupt the minds of people like Va’aiga! They’re good kids, and their minds just get poisoned. I’m living proof of what can happen to you when you get like that, Erek! The Clan, Chris Wilson….they did it to me, Erek. And I never, ever want you to be in a position where you’re able to turn these kids away from reaching their fullest potential! So, will you do it, Erek?”

 

“Deal, Strangler. I get the feeling that after all we’ve been through, you still don’t quite understand me. You see, I don’t give a crap about all those dateless losers in the locker room! I don’t care if they’re good, they’re bad, or they’re ugly! I don’t care about the SWF Title, or having Grand Slam like me, or making millions of dollars. You see, Strangler, there’s only one goddamn reason that I bothered to come back to this dump. Not because I could make myself even richer, or to get even hotter women, or to become SWF Champion. I came back because I wanted to beat you, Strangler. I wanted to teach you a lesson that you still hadn’t learned. Now, I think you’ve learned it. You realized that you’re not a good person, Strangler. You realized you’re that same roided animal that you always have been, and that no matter how much you try, you CANNOT make yourself the person you dream of being. You’re always going to be that pawn, the man who retired me, the man who was weak and petty. You will always be that orphan from Boston, alone throughout life, never finding anyone, never finding happiness!”

 

Strangler looks upset at the allegations, and raises his mic. “Hey, Erek, I beg to differ. I might still have that monster in me, but I’m at peace with that. I’d prefer not to leave this place. I love it here, and I love every day that I’ve been a part of the SWF, even the bad ones. But I’ve learned that my happiness, my success aren’t the only important things here. Other people’s safety is, and I’m doing what I need to do to protect that. So, you and me, one on one, at the PPV? Are you on, Erek?”

 

“Hell yeah, we’re on! Last I checked, we’re 1-1 at PPV’s, Strangler. I beat you at Ground Zero in 2002, and you beat me at Apocalypse. And Strangler, I think we need a little stipulation to make this one more interesting.”

 

“Fine. Erek, what stip do you want?”

 

“Albert, there’s only one stip I want. I want a stip where you can’t run, you can’t hide, and you have to turn, face me, and prove that you are that animal, and that you can’t control it. I want you and me, Erek Taylor vs, The Boston Strangler, one on one, in a HELL IN A CELL MATCH!”

 

The crowd explodes into cheers, popping for the stip’s name. Strangler takes a sharp intake of breath, closes his eyes briefly, and then opens them before staring Erek right in the face. “Deal. Hell in a Cell it is. I’ll see you at the PPV, Erek.”

 

“And don’t forget, Albert. That monster lurks within you, whether you want it to or not. And even though you think you’re gonna get to go out with your little ‘moral victory’, you’re not going to. When push comes to shove, you aren’t strong enough to hold off. You’ll revert, Strangler, and then, and only then, will the people finally realize what I’ve said all along. I’ll see you at the PPV.”

 

“Numb” hits over the speakers, and Erek Taylor disappears behind the curtain. Strangler remains in the ring with his microphone, looking out over the crowd. Surprisingly, he raises the microphone again, and begins to speak. “Well, it’s official. My run here in the SWF is over. And like I just said, I’ve loved each and every moment of being here in the SWF the SJL. I loved being the first man to win the SJL European Title for the first time after winning the SJL World Title for the first time. I loved being SWF Hardcore Gamer’s Champion for a then-record 61 days. I loved beating Munich twice on PPV. I loved that Street Fight with Erek, even though I lost. I loved beating Nekura and Thoth in a tag match that put me on the map. I loved coming THIS close to beating Tom Flesher in a 2 out of 3 falls match. And most importantly, I loved being SWF World Champion. It was the greatest moment of my career, and I’ll never, ever forget it.”

 

The fans give Strangler a huge, HUGE pop, the loudest so far, for that little speech. Strangler pauses, then continues on: “And I have to say, I think I know why that title run was the highlight of my career…besides the obvious. Sure, it was great being on top, but there’s only one reason that the moment was as good as it was: Because you, the fans, were there cheering for me. There were a lot of good times, but these last 9 months, from April to December, have been the best, since the fans wanted to see me win. You all cheered for me, you supported me when I thought I didn’t have a chance, and you celebrated with me when I finally did make it to the top. Thank you SO much for this gift that you’ve given me.” The crowd gets a big “STRANG-LER! STRANG-LER! STRANG-LER! STRANG-LER!” chant going throughout the arena, and Strangler is obviously a bit weepy, allowing a couple of tears to roll down his cheek.

 

“Thank you to each and every one of you. I’ll see you at the PPV in a week or two…and I promise, I won’t let you down. Thank you once again.” With that, Strangler drops the mic and walks out of the ring as “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult ushers him out. The ‘STRANG-LER!” chant is still echoing through Landon Arena, mixing with cheers, as the Boston Strangler makes it to the top of the ramp. He turns around, looks out at the fans one last time, gives them a huge wave, and disappears behind the curtain.

 

“Robert, I have to say that it has been a long time since I have felt as emotional as I do right now. That was a beautiful speech by the Boston Strangler, who is doing the good and honorable thing by stepping down to ensure the health and well-being of the rest of our roster.”

 

“Strangler’s full of shit” retorts Riley. “He’s a whiny, do-gooding suck-up asshole, and he won’t make it through that match. He’s never held it together before, and he’s gonna end his career the same way he began it: Without anyone cheering for him.”

 

“Robert, you are incapable of human emotion. We’ll be back here on Lockdown in just a moment, folks”

 

Lockdown fades to commercial as the “STRANG-LER! STRANG-LER!” chant continues to echo throughout the arena…

 

*fade to black*

[the.weej 0]

Card:

 

Hardcore Match

"Judge Mental" William Hearford vs. Terrence "Janus" Bailey

Well, Janus was all set to challenge for the HCG Title tonight... only to be sidelined as Wildchild was called back to the Bahamas for a family emergency. Janus had his heart just set on brutalizing someone. Commissioner Stevens suggested he try his hand at a former hardcore legend of the SWF, and Terrence thought that sounded neat. Judge Mental could not be reached for comment.

 

Non-Title Singles "Classic Wrestling" Match

Dace Night vs. Charlie "Grappler" Matthews

Well, apparently Matthews has challenged our brand new ICTV Champ to a match! The commish is intrigued, but even with the stunning win over TBS last week he isn't quite sure that Charlie is ready for the ICTV title. So first he must face the new champ in a non-title bout... however, then Matthews came up with a really, really strange stip...

 

Singles Match

HVille Thugg vs. Michael Craven

Well, Thugg beat Francis last week just as he said he would. It now falls to Mak to name the stip for the third and final match. To help Thugg stay frosty the commish has scheduled a match against the always formidable Craven! And if Michael has his way, let's just say that that third match won't be a problem for Thugg anymore.

 

Mak Francis speaks!

Well, Thugg won the rematch at the last show, which means that it falls to Francis to name the time, place, and stip for the rubber match in what will be the rubber match of this series. The Commish has mentioned to Francis that the Christmas PPV would be a delightful place to have such a... festive match, but the ultimate decision lays with Mak. Let's see what the Franchise has to offer!

 

Non-Title Singles Match

Tom Flesher vs. Ejiro Fasaki

Flesher successfully defended his title against the always formidable Xstasy, but now the commissioner has to look forward, to the Christmas PPV. Quickly throwing together a short list of candidates, one name seemed to stick out. But Ejiro will need more than name recognition to win tonight! To say the least, Fasaki will need to be better than he has ever been before if he wants to headline a PPV!.

[the.weej 0]

SWF Lockdown comes back on air to the ever-eager cheering of the fans, as the show is live in the Landon (Maddix?) Arena! The camera pivots around the ring, catching the sight of people packing the arena from ringside to rafters, clutching their precious signs! From "Yahnus The Ahhnus!" to "Craven's My Dream!" to "I Less-Than-Three The SWF", the cardboard is here in as much abundance as the people! Continuing their pivotal spin around the arena as the camera's focus comes down towards the announce table, the major sign of the evening so far is one of Tom Flesher - as an anthropomorphic weasel - holding the SWF World Title. And then we're in front of the announcers, "Ambiguously Gay" Bobby Riley and...

 

"I'm CYCLOOOOOOOOOOOOONE COMET! Welcome fans and citizens to this show of SWF Lockdown! We have a great set of matches for you!"

 

"Once we get past the boring stuff like Strangler..." Riley mutters.

 

"Citizen Strangler has been working very hard, Robert. It's impolite of you to complain like that."

 

"So sue me Comet, I'm bored. What's the first match?"

 

The superhero takes a moment to use his powers of precognition - well, not really - to recall what the first match is, but he's interrupted as the lights dim down to a harsh red colour. A steady, slowly growing in volume drumbeat echoes across the arena and the fans begin throwing boos. Riley brightens up as he recognises the beat, which continues undaunted. The song continues to rise in volume, and as the drum hits the cymbal there's a split second of silence...

 

"NOW TESTIFY!"

 

*BOOM BOOM BOOM!*

 

Three red pyrotechnics blast into the air as the song skips to midway through, and the figure of his eminence William Hearford III appears on the ramp. Striding down it with the focused and collected air of someone superior to those around him, the Judge sneers contemptuously at the fans as the consistently impressive announcing of Funyon rings through the air.

 

"The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a HARDCORE match! There are no disqualifications, no countouts, and victory can only be obtained in the ring! Introducing first, hailing from Royal Oak, Michigan! He weighs two hundred and fifty pounds and stands at six-foot-four-inches! Please welcome one half of Justice and Rule... The Judge, WILLIAM HEEAAAAAAAAARFOOOOOOORD!"

 

As the old timer rolls under the rope and stands up in the ring, the crowd voraciously boos him. He simply sneers at them and stretches, limbering himself up for the upcoming match. He doesn't look too pleased at the rules, either, as the camera moves from the Judge back to the announcers. Comet is checking his notes and Riley is politely clapping for the Judge.

 

"How you can applaud such a villainous person is beyond me, Citizen Riley."

 

"Villainous? He's a Judge, Comet! The Judge stands up for what is right."

 

"...Right for him, you mean. This man tried to 'clean up' the hardcore division!"

 

"Nonsense! He just wanted to bring good and honest wrestling to the 'garbage' wrestlers who like the style!"

 

"...Garbage...wrestlers...?"

 

Comet sounds unnaturally annoyed with his co-announcer for several moments - maybe the heat of announcing is getting to him. But we cut away from the two announcers and back to the ring as Funyon lifts his microphone once more, and the lights drop out. The familiar sound of footsteps echoes through the arena, as a pair of black boots walk towards us on the Smarktron. The fans know the signs, and begin to cheer as green words flash into existence before the boots.

 

[HEIGHT: 7'2"]

 

The Smarktron camera pans back, revealing black pants and a long white trenchcoat. Gloved hands flex and tighten... then we're given the privy of seeing a muscular chest with three scars on it. We linger on this as again, green words flash up across the image on the Smarktron.

 

[WEIGHT: 360lbs]

 

And we pan back further still, revealing a mammoth figure walking towards camera, his face framed and hidden by long black and white hair. Words flash up in a deadly, ominous red as the figure lifts his head, the sound of Killswitch Engage's "When Darkness Falls" crashing across the arena....

 

[sTATUS: RELEASED]

 

...revealing the tiredly stern countenance of Terrence "Janus" Bailey! The crowd cheers as the riffs of Killswitch Engage's "When Darkness Falls" echoes out over the arena, and they even sing along with the music!

 

I stand firm in my solidarity

The path I walk (the path I walk)

I walk in with my own resolve...

 

"And his opponent, hailing from Sydney Australia... weighing three hundred and sixty pounds, standing at seven-foot-two..."

 

The stage curtain is swept aside, and a muscular figure adorning a white trenchcoat strides from the backstage area and lifts his arms into the air! Black and white pyrotechnics explode from the stage, as Terrence "Janus" Bailey cracks his neck and lifts a familiar black and barbed-wire wrapped object into the air above his head. As the lights come back up fully after the pyrotechnic explosion, the Judge is clearly not too hot on the idea of the Equalizer.

 

When darkness falls (when darkness falls)

We are reborn

A dream since the fall of man

We are reborn...

 

"...welcome the Anti-Heel Machine.....TERRRRRRRENCE 'JAAAAAAAANUS' BAIIIIIILEEEEEEEEY!"

 

Hearford keeps his distance at the far side of the ring as the giant stalks calmly down the ramp, Equalizer clutched in his hand. Stopping only to discard his trenchcoat and lay it neatly across the steps, Terrence climbs up onto the apron and over the top rope. He's immediately accosted by referee Eddy Long, who indicates that although it's a hardcore match, it's an unfair advantage for Terrence to begin with a weapon. Nodding, the Anti-Heel Machine hands over the Equalizer, and Long throws the nasty weapon out of the ring. Terrence just continues staring at the Judge, who looks at him with an almost smirk.

 

*DING DING DING*

 

"I'd like to point out, to all our fans and citizens at home that Citizen Bailey and Citizen Hearford used to be part of the same dastardly evil group. Now Terrence fights for justice, and the villainous Judge shall be defeated!"

 

"Read many comics, Comet? Evil will triumph because good is DUMB," Riley mutters dryly.

 

"Tell me something, Robert, just how many moves does Citizen Hearford have in his repertoire that he can USE on Citizen Bailey?"

 

"...."

 

A loud series of *SMACK-SMACK-SMACK*s echo through the arena as the Judge begins firing off knife-edged chops into the chest of the Anti-Heel Machine. They have very little effect on the seven-footer however, and as Terrence begins to respond, Hearford slams a quick European uppercut into the giant's chin to stun him. He then wraps his arms around the giant's waist and grunts, before barely lifting the big man off the mat and slamming him down with a Shamrock-style belly-to-belly suplex! He grabs one foot to apply a submission, but Terrence's other boot finds its mark on the Judge's face, and Hearford stumbles back as the seven-footer sits up and begins to rise. Hearford charges in and extends his arm for a lariat... only to find himself scooped up in a powerslam and brought over into a brutal backbreaker across the Anti-Heel Machine's knee! The crowd whoops for the move, and Hearford arches his back in pain before rolling off Terrence's knee. Rising to his full height, the giant stomps on the Judge's back a few times to make him suffer and then looks about to the fans.

 

"The Judge feels what it's like to Crash and Burn, and now what is Citizen Bailey doing?" Comet queries.

 

"Playing to the crowd, of course..." Riley sneers as the giant lifts one arm, and points in the direction of the Equalizer, then down at the 'honourable' Judge.

 

The crowd reaction is immensely positive as they let loose with a cheer and Terrence smiles before heading for the ropes, stepping over them to stand on the apron. Before he can drop to the floor, a rising Hearford charges the monster from behind and rams him solidly - and the crowd boos as the Anti-Heel Machine wavers and goes falling off the apron like a tree. The Judge smirks as Terrence's forehead connects with the guard railing, and as the monster kneels there, the wily old man slides out of the ring to keep the advantage. Kicking his opponent mercilessly in the back of the right knee, Justice grabs a handful of hair... only to have a huge elbow catch him in the side of the head! Stumbling back, the Royal Oak native soon stands face-to-chest with a vertical Terrence, who turns it face-to-face by cracking the Judge's skull with a huge headbutt!

 

"Perhaps that wasn't a wise idea... he took two chair shots last show, and his head bounced off the barrier moments ago..." Comet muses.

 

"Pfft. He's big, he's dumb, and he's got no style," Riley snickers.

 

Terrence rubs his forehead after the headbutt, but the Judge is definitely worse off as he tries to clear the cobwebs - only to have them cleared for him with a big boot! After hobbling a little, Terrence notes the fallen Hearford between himself and the Equalizer. Stepping around the outside of the ring, the Anti-Heel Machine looks under the apron for something appropriate to use instead... and pulls out a good old steel chair. The crowd pops for this as the giant watches the Judge pull himself upright, holding the weapon much like he would hold the Equalizer when he's about to swing it. Grimacing, Hearford lifts himself upright just in time for Terrence to take a baseball-style swing that hits nothing but air! Ducking, the Judge lifts a forearm right into the Anti-Heel Machine's genitalia, forcing him to drop the chair and double over in pain! Wrapping an arm around the monster's head, the Judge mouths off to the crowd...

 

...hoists the giant off the ground by mere inches...

 

...and DROPS his face into the steel chair with the "Judicial Review" Implant DDT! The crowd boos Justice mightily as he struts around the fallen monster before looking down at his foe's legs.

 

"I don't think he liked the Judge's Judicial Review," Riley cackles.

 

"Oh, please, Robert, your fawning is cringe-worthy. NOW what is Citizen Hearford up to?"

 

Grabbing the monster's right leg, the Judge lifts it up into the air and promptly straddles it, before leaning back and cranking on the half-crab! Terrence comes to life almost instantly, grimacing in pain and shaking his head wildly. Eddy Long tries to tell Hearford submissions don't count outside the ring, but Justice ignores him and continues cranking back on the half-crab! Pressing his arms against the mat, the Anti-Heel Machine elevates his body, taking some of the pressure off...

 

...only to drop again as the Judge lowers the giant's leg a little and jumps, dropping the knee back into the thin matting with Hearford SITTING on it! Terrence lets out a howl of pain at the brutal impact, and Justice smiles coldly as he begins to rise and reapply the half-crab. Unfortunately for him, the Anti-Heel Machine pulls his leg free and crawls away a little before trying to rise back up. The camera catches the blood running down the big man's face from that earlier Implant DDT, and it only serves to make him look extremely evil.

 

"Look at Hearford. Like a shark waiting before going for the kill. Isn't it beautiful, Comet?"

 

"It's dastardly, that's what it is. The only reason Citizen Hearford has the advantage was from that low blow earlier!"

 

"Low blow?" Riley questions, a figurative halo above his head. Comet simply groans inwardly as the cameras reveal Terrence rising on one knee.

 

As he shakily begins to stand, Hearford makes his move, charging in with his patented lariat! But for the second time, Terrence evades it by lowering his head and lifting Judge up, flipping him over in a back body drop... no! Hearford grabs the giant's waist and goes for a sunset flip! Stumbling on his bad leg, Terrence nearly goes over... but instead, he chooses to just SIT on Hearford's chest instead! Justice wheezes in pain as the giant keeps his mounted position, before firing off heavy punches into the face of the old timer. The fans count along, and by the time Terrence reaches ten and stands up, it seems all of the Judge's lights are out - and he doesn't look pretty. Groaning in pain, the dazed Hearford is scooped up over one shoulder...

 

...and viciously SLAMMED back down into the mat with a high-angle spinebuster! Hobbling away and leaving the brutalised Hearford on the mat, Terrence picks up the Equalizer and slides it into the ring before limping around his fallen foe and doing the same to the steel chair. Finally scooping up the dazed Justice, the seven foot Australian rolls him into the ring as well before following suit. As the Anti-Heel Machine lifts an arm in a familiar signal, Judge grimaces and begins to slowly rise to his feet.

 

"Terrence looking for his patented chokeslam, Robert!"

 

"Pfftt! Judge may look hammered but he's GOING to win this one, Comet!"

 

"Don't be so sure." the superhero responds sagely as Terrence's hand CLAMPS around his opponent's throat. Hearford can only shake his head as he's lifted into the air...and he HOWLS in agony as the giant chokeslams him RIGHT ONTO THE EQUALIZER! The crowd alternately cheers and winces in sympathetic pain as the Judge rolls off the weapon to reveal a bloodied and torn back. Crying out in obvious pain, Hearford clutches at his spine as Terrence flings himself into the air... and drops a huge right leg across the back of Justice's head! Rolling away, the giant clutches at his battered knee, as Justice looks to be trying to escape the ring, senses and body both equally scrambled. Lifting himself back up, Terrence begins a quick limp towards Judge, as the old timer crawls towards the turnbuckles. As he lifts himself up and senses the Anti-Heel Machine approaching behind him, Hearford reaches into the top turnbuckle, grabbing something metallic and wrapping it around his hand, before taking a deep breath.

 

"Wait! Citizen Terrence! That villain Hearford has the chain! He must've put it in there during Citizen Bailey's introduction!" Comet calls.

 

"He can't hear you, Comet! And it's perfectly legal!" Riley giggles.

 

The giant's hand grabs the Judge by the shoulder and turns him around - and Hearford lets loose with a stunning right hook with his chain-wrapped fist! Landing the blow right to the giant's jaw, Justice watches Terrence stumble back in surprise, and steps forward, lining up his fist and nailing the seven footer in the jaw AGAIN with it! Staggering drunkenly like a tree about to collapse, the Anti-Heel Machine finds Hearford wrapping an arm about his own in a reverse half-nelson, and a chain wrapped hand palming his face. And before the giant can do anything, the Judge takes a deep breath to gather his strength and promptly take the seven foot Trinity member DOWN with his Closing Arguments STO! The ring shakes as Terrence once again meets the canvas, and Hearford rises to his feet to boos from the crowd. Grimacing in pain and clutching his back for several moments, the Judge rolls Terrence onto his stomach and picks up his legs...

 

...stepping around them just so...

 

...before falling back and completing the Reverse Figure Four Leglock known as the Cross Examination! The Anti-Heel Machine roars to life, screaming in obvious pain as the knee that the Judge has so studiously picked out is wrenched by the submission hold. Pain etched across his features, the big man presses himself up, but Judge does as well, keeping the pressure applied until the giant collapses again to the mat, uttering another cry of pain. However, it's not just his knee that's hurting - the impact of Hearford's back upon the Equalizer has the Judge's back throbbing in pain as well. Finally, pain burning through every fibre of his being, the Anti-Heel Machine attempts to roll himself over and reverse the pressure of the Cross Examination.

 

"LET'S GO TERRENCE! LET'S GO!" *clap clap*

"LET'S GO TERRENCE! LET'S GO!" *clap clap*

"LET'S GO TERRENCE! LET'S GO!" *clap clap*

 

Teeth gritted, the Judge attempts to hold the Cross Examination in, but a combination of his own back pain and the giant's indomitable strength tell Hearford that it's a bad idea, and he unlaces his legs and rolls away! The pressure off him, Terrence grimaces in pain and rolls onto his back, sitting up and clutching at his much abused knee. Carefully, (read: trying not to put too much pressure on that leg) the giant once more starts rising to his feet. It's at this point the Judge pounces, wrapping his arms around the Anti-Heel Machine's waist and heaving back for a German suplex that just doesn't come - as William Hearford's own back cries out in pain. A nice back elbow from Terrence knocks the old timer away, and Terrence pivots on his good leg, grabbing the Judge and hoisting him up in a fireman's carry! Limping with his bad leg, the giant begins to rotate, spinning around once, twice, thrice...numerous times.

 

"It's time for Judge's plans to become Thoughts In Chaos!" Comet calls.

 

"I don't think so!" Riley calls as the wily Hearford slides off of Terrence's back, shaking his head to clear the dizziness. The Anti-Heel Machine turns around into a kick to the gut, and as he doubles over Hearford applies a 3/4 facelock and twists around.

 

"Surprise Witness!"

 

"Blocked!" Comet responds, as the giant's arms wrap around Hearford's waist to prevent the Diamond Cutter. His grip tightens and then the giant heaves back, throwing Hearford aaaaaaall the way over with a powerful released German suplex! But Hearford once again escapes certain death by barely managing to land on his feet! It only takes the Judge a moment to regain his balance, and he lunges forward! Leaping onto Terrence's back, the Judge wraps his arms around the giant's head, and his legs around the seven footer's waist to complete the Doushime Sleeper!

 

"HEARFORD SUCKS! HEARFORD SUCKS!" roars one side of the arena.

 

"WE WANT HARDCORE!" "WE WANT HARDCORE!" responds the other side.

 

The crowd's chants don't affect the old timer in the least as he holds onto Terrence tightly. The giant refuses to fall to the mat, and so the Judge clings like a tenacious spider as the giant reels around, trying to shake Hearford off. Running backwards as fast as his hobbled knee can take him, the Anti-Heel Machine hopes for either the turnbuckles or the ropes - and gets the former! Judge cries out in pain as his battered spine collides with the corner, and releases the doushime sleeper! Justice slumps against the turnbuckle as Terrence drops to hands and knees, trying to get some air into his lungs and clearing his head. Spine aching, Hearford recovers first as he looks down and sees Terrence still before him...and more importantly, the giant's legs. Diving like a hyena on wounded prey, the Judge grabs one leg in hopes of being able to reapply the Cross Examination...

 

...*DING!*...

 

"Low blow!" Riley whines.

 

"Legal revenge!" responds Comet.

 

...but finds his expectations as shattered as his genitals as the giant's boot finds its mark! Clutching himself, the Judge slumps back in the turnbuckles as Terrence crawls away a little and grabs the steel chair, pulling it with him as he rises to unsteady feet. Pivoting on his good foot, the Anti-Heel Machine throws the unforgiving chair at Hearford, who reflexively catches the weapon out of the air... and has his head PULVERISED as it's sandwiched between the chair and the turnbuckle when Terrence delivers a Knuckle Bomb to the steel! Blood splashes across the chair as Hearford drops it and begins to fall out of the corner. But he slumps against the chest of the Anti-Heel Machine, who closes his arms like a vice around not only the Judge's torso but his own arms, before squeezing with all his might! Hearford SCREAMS in agony at the power of the arm-capture bearhug, brains scrambled and face bloodied from that brutal shot earlier, not to mention the pain burning like fire in his back.

 

"It's Over and Out for you, my friend!" Comet calls almost cheerily.

 

"And you said my lines were lame" Riley grumps.

 

Were he of sounder mind, Hearford would have escaped by a blow to the groin or a kick to the giant's damaged knee. As it stood, with his torso burning in white-hot pain and his spine feeling like it's about to snap, the Judge only has one choice. And he screams it out loud as Terrence cinches the hold tighter, without remorse.

 

"I GIVE UP!!"

 

*DING DING DING*

 

Terrence releases the body of William Hearford and lets it drop to the mat, before leaning on the ropes and lifting an arm to wave to the crowd, as Funyon's voice echoes over the arena. The crowd cheers at the victory.

 

"The WINNER of this bout.....the ANTI-HEEL MACHINE....TERRRRRENCE 'JAAAAAAAAANUS' BAAAAAAAAILLLLEEEYYYY!"

 

Picking up his Equalizer, the giant lets Long raise his hand in victory, before stepping over the top rope and carefully dropping to the floor. Almost using his cricket bat as a cane, the seven foot Anti-Heel Machine begins a slow hobble to the backstage area as Comet and Riley watch him go.

 

"Citizen Bailey wins the match through the powers of justice, battling through against the 'anti-hardcore' villain Hearford!"

 

"Judge had it! That low blow was unfair!"

 

"It's called 'returning the favour', Robert! Now don't go away, fans and citizens - as next up, we have a Classic Wrestling match between Charlie 'Grappler' Matthews, and Citizen Bailey's fellow Trinity member Dace..."

 

The crowd is as always, on cue. "FUCKING!"

 

"...Night! It should promise to be intriguing!"

 

"Grappler is going to OWN Dace - without his 'horrorcore', Night is just a pansy."

 

"He's also ICTV champion, Citizen Riley."

 

"Shaddup."

 

The camera focuses on officials checking Hearford's ribs in the ring, and then the stage curtain, where Terrence "Janus" Bailey stands hobbling on one leg. The crowd cheers as the giant lifts the Equalizer up above his head, before turning and limping backstage as we cut to commercial.

Edited December 6, 2003 by Grand Slam

[the.weej 0]

“Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen,” says an excited Cyclone Comet, “to this Special Edition of Lockdown! Just before the break, we saw Terrance “Janus” Bailey taking on Judge William Hearford in a tremendous match!”

 

“I’m still waiting for Janus to stop pretending to be normal,” says Bobby Riley, “and go back to his old self. I know that there’s still a monster in there, somewhere; I just KNOW it!”

 

“Speaking of Citizen Bailey,” continues Comet, “just a few weeks ago at Ashes 2 Ashes, Terrance Bailey defeated the legendary Annie Onita in a match to determine the number one contender to the Hardcore Title.”

 

“Since you bring it up,” interjects Riley, “I can’t help but notice that Wildchild has been ducking Janus since Ashes 2 Ashes. He doesn’t want any part of the big monster!”

 

“I don’t know if I’d be so quick to assume that Wildchild is afraid of Citizen Bailey,” replies Comet. “After all, in the one head-to-head matchup the two have had, Wildchild defeated him cleanly in the middle of the ring.”

 

“I also seem to recall something about a Dark Bomb and a ladder,” replies Riley.

 

“At any rate,” continues Comet, “Wildchild was scheduled to make his highly-anticipated title defense against Citizen Bailey on this Special Edition of Lockdown here tonight, but he had a family emergency and had to return to the Bahamas.”

 

“He probably made the whole thing up,” says Riley. “He’s goldbricking to get out of the match, just like he did against Charlie Matthews!”

 

“Will you STOP,” barks Comet. “Wildchild’s grandmother had a heart attack! How DARE you insinuate that he would lie about something like that!” At Comet’s admonitions, Riley lowers his head sheepishly. “Well, ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to provide you a special phone interview with the SWF Hardcore Champion, the Wildchild, direct from the island of Andros in the Bahamas. Wildchild, thanks for joining us this evening, and let me start by asking how your grandmother is doing?”

 

As Comet is awaiting a response, the screen shifts to a stock photo of Wildchild, accompanied by the words “on phone” in block letters near the bottom center of the screen. “Well, t’ank you very much, Comet,” says the Bahama Bomber. “My grandmother is recovering nicely. She had a mild heart attack, but she’s doin’ okay now. She’s jus’ at dat age when anything could be it, y’know?”

 

“Glad to hear it,” says Comet. “So, you expect to be back in time for the next show?”

 

“Oui,” responds Wildchild. “I know I owe Terrance a title shot, and de next show, I plan t’give it to him.”

 

“Wildchild,” says Bobby, “This is Bobby Riley here. I want to ask you why you’ve been avoiding Janus since Ashes 2 Ashes?”

 

“Well,” replies Wildchild, “first of all, I don’ make de cards for de show, so I don’ have nothin’ t’do with when I wressle, and against who.”

 

“Well,” replies Riley, “I’ll say this; if you were going to lie, that’s probably the kind of lie you’d tell. Isn’t it true that you still have recurring nightmares from when he gave you that Dark Bomb several months ago?”

 

“Dat’s absolutely ridiculous,” replies Wildchild. “I don’ have nightmares; I don’ fear any man in de SWF.”

 

“Wildchild,” says Comet, “it’s Cyclone Comet again. Have you and Terrance Bailey ever spoken to each other since that attack all those months ago?”

 

“We have not,” replies Wildchild. “I haven’ had a chance t’speak to him since he’s returned to de SWF. But, I’m still cool wit’ Dace, an’ if he’s cool wit’ Terrance, den I guess he’s cool wit’ me.”

 

“So,” says Comet, “you’ve forgiven him for forcing you to forfeit your first Hardcore Title reign?”

 

“Well,” replies the Bahama Bomber, “I didn’ exactly say DAT. De way I see it, if it weren’t for him, I might have never even lost dis title, so I kinda owe him for costing me a chance to make history de first time.”

 

“Well, your current title reign is pretty historic in its own right,” says Comet. “No Hardcore Champion has ever held the title nearly as long as you have. What are you going to have to do to get by Terrance?”

 

Wildchild chuckles over the phone. “Well, I can’t exactly give my strategy away, but expect to see some stuff from me dat you haven’ seen before.”

 

“Alright then,” Comet says with a laugh. “Well, Wildchild, we won’t keep you any longer. Go ahead and get back to your family, and we’ll see you back here soon!”

 

“Alright, then,” says Wildchild. “Later, guys.”

 

*CLICK*

 

The camera shifts permanently back to Comet and Riley. “That was Wildchild, the SWF’s reigning Hardcore Champion, from his home in the Bahamas. And we’ll be back right after this with Dace Night and Charlie Matthews. Don’t go away!”

 

As we:

FADE OUT

[the.weej 0]

Comet: “Welcome back to SWF Sto… Ermm LOCKDOWN fans! Topeka Kansas is giving a great welcome and we’re already seen a massive contest between Judge Mental and Terrence Bailey.”

 

Riley: “You just have to love the planning around this place don’t you Comet. Like the posters saying this show was on Monday the Fifth of December. Honestly.”

 

Comet: “Well, yes Citizen Riley, these things slips through the net from time to time. But never mind, on with the show.”

 

Riley: “Quite.”

 

Funyon: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the following None Title contest will be held under ‘Classic Wrestling’ rules! In this match up, any attacks on the outside of the ring will result in a disqualification. Throwing your opponent over the top rope will result in a disqualification. Passing over the top rope on your own accord will result in a disqualification. Also, all Sleeper Holds and moves are illegal!”

 

Comet: “This is a very interesting stipulation indeed and might be right up Citizen Matthews’ street.”

 

Riley: “This reminds me of the bad parts of Watts’ Dubbya Cee Dubbya.”

 

Funyon: “Introducing firstly, from Birmingham England, weighing two hundred and fifty two pounds, the SWF ICTV Champion …. DACE…”

 

FUCKING!

 

Funyon: “NIGHT!”

 

YYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

 

Captor of Sin screams into life as the swirling red lights cover the entrance ramp. Standing at the top of the ramp, Dace looks around at the fans before striding down the ramp, followed by bursts of white pyro. Sliding under the bottom rope, Dace leans over the ropes, holding the title belt out to the cheering fans. Circling the ring and flashing the horns to the fans. Handing the ICTV belt over to the time keeper, Night leans back in the corner and tracks his neck from side to side as he awaits Charlie Matthews.

 

Funyon: “And his opponent, from Kansas City Missouri, weighing in at two hundred and eighty seven pounds, accompanied to the ring by James Matheson, … CHARLIE ‘GRAPPLER’ MATTHEWS!”

 

BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Some Kind of Monster kicks into life as all put one spotlight on the entrance ramp goes out. Matheson walks out, taunting the booing fans with well trained southern style as Matthews plods slowly to the ring, focusing on Dace Night in the ring. Matheson hops under the ropes and immediately starts jaw jacking with Referee Nick Soapdish as The Grappler climbs over the ropes and into the ring. Matheson turns his attentions to hurling insults at Dace as he hides behind Charlie’s form.

 

Comet: “Looks like James Matheson is up to his usual antics. While this match by be right up The Grappler’s street, with Sleeper moves banded, what will he do without him favourite finisher.”

 

Riley: “Please, he’ll have a million other ways to beat Dace Night. I’d be more worried about Dace, seen as he only won the ICTV title by choking out Xstasy.”

 

Almost having to push Matheson out of the ring, Soapdish finally waves his arms for the opening bell.

 

DING, DING, DING!

 

RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

 

Both men rush forwards into a tie up, grappling for position in the centre of the ring. Matthews slugs in a quick knee to the ribs to surprised Dace and whip him off into the ropes, but Dace digs his heels into the mat and reverses the whip, launching The Grappler off instead. Measuring him for a moment, Night charges after Charlie and swings for a Lariat but the big man ducks under it and slips into a Rear Waistlock. Crashing a Back Elbow off the side of Charlie’s head, Dace breaks the Rear Waistlock, twisting around while still holding Charlie’s arm. Firing the Grappler off into the ropes but this time Matthews’ reverses and hauls Dace straight into a Short Arm Clothesline. Keeping his grip Matthews twists Dace around and latches on another Rear Waistlock, looking for a Backdrop Suplex. Dace counters by wrapping his arms tight around Charlie’s ducked head and forming a Side Headlock.

 

YYYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

Shifting the weight on his legs, the Hardcore Goth drops down, taking Charlie Matthews to one knee while twisting on his head with the Side Headlock, arms firmly around the head and not the neck so as to be legal. The Grappler shoves both hands into Night’s back, trying to power his way back to his feet and break free of the hold. Looping his arms around Night’s mid section as best he can, almost trying to Suplex Dace from a kneeling position to escape. Finally digging his feet back into the mat, Matthews surges forwards, forcing Night up to his feet. Dace is sent staggering forwards to kicks his feet out and drops to the mat, splaying his legs out infront of him and dragging Charlie down with him.

 

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

Comet: “Quick Irish Whip exchange, Grappler scores a Clothesline and goes for a Backdrop but gets caught in a Side Headlock and can’t seem to get out of it.”

 

Riley: “Hey Soapdish, keep checking on Dace, make sure he doesn’t turn that Headlock into some kind of Sleeper. Can’t trust a guy like him.”

 

Thrashing his body around on the mat, Grappler hammers wildly thrown fists into Horrorcore’s ribs and back, trying to shake him off. Dace simple clamps down tighter on the Headlock, squeezing his powerful arms around the sides of Charlie’s skull. Tucking his legs underneath himself and pushing up with his arms, Matthews deadlifts the weight around his head as he pushes himself up. Quickly launching the off balance Dace Night into the ropes, Charlie ducks back down and stands up. Catching Dace with the motion of his body and flipping Night up and over head with a Backbody Drop.

 

BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Shaking his head out for a moment, Matthews hauls Night back to his feet, slamming a boot into his mid section just to be safe. Raining down clubbing Forearm Blows to the back, Charlie leads Night slowly back towards the ropes. Grabbing the back of Night’s head and hauling him upright, Charlie bounds forwards and slams Dace throat first into the top rope.

 

BBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Comet: “What underhand tactics from The Grappler, slamming Dace’s throat into that top rope!”

 

Soapdish levels as Matthews as he forces the spluttering Horrorcore across the second rope and pulls the rope up around his throat, choking him. Soapdish launches into a five count as Matheson circles around on the outside and starts to yell in Dace’s face.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

CHARLIE SUCKS! CHARLIE SUCKS!

 

THREE!

 

MATHESON SUCKS HIM! MATHESON SUCKS HIM!

 

FOUR!

 

FIV…

 

At the last second The Grappler release the ropes and steps back, letting the gasping Dace drop to the mat, clutching at his throat. Stomping away with his heavy boots into Night’s chest, keeping the air out of his lungs, Charlie looks over to see Soapdish leaning through the ropes and arguing with Matheson. Dragging Dace to his feet, Charlie kicks him square in the groin, behind the ref’s back. Ducking his body under Dace’s and hauling Dace up across his shoulders, Torture Rack style. Holding him up for a few seconds before spinning around and planting Dace’s back into the ring with a Judgement Slam. Rolling over and cradling Horrorcore’s leg, the Old School Heel makes a cover as Matheson backs away from Soapdish, allowing him turn around to count the fall.

 

BBBBOOOOOOOOOO!

 

……ONE!

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

Kickout!

 

RRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

 

Comet: “Even more cheating from Matthews and Matheson. James has the referee distracted while Matthews uses a low blow to set up the Judgement Slam.”

 

Riley: “Well, if Soapdish didn’t see it, it didn’t happen. Besides in a match like this, with all these ways to be DQed, what’s one little low blow going to hurt?”

 

Not letting Dace get away from him, Charlie grabs and leg and hauls him in along the mat.

Clubbing his forearm into the back of Horrorcore’s head as he rolls him into a sitting position,

facing out across the ring. Lacing his legs around Dace’s ribs in a Body Scissors, Charlie reaches his left arm under Dace’s left arm in a Chicken Wing. Reaching across Night’s back, Matthews Hammerlocks Dace’s arm with his left arm, trapping both arms in one move. With his free right hand, he pounds away with slaps and blows to the side and back of Dace’s head as he tries to struggle out. Hunching forwards, Night tries to roll his head away from the blows and break free of the Chicken Wing Hammerlock combo but Grappler holds his fast.

 

CHARLIE SUCKS! CHARLIE SUCKS! CHARLIE SUCKS!

 

As Soapdish slides in alongside, as Grappler pushes down on the back of Dace’s head, crunching on his neck, trying to wretch one bit of his neck and shoulders or another.

 

SLAP! BBBBBOOOOOOOO! SLAP! BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOO! SLAP! BBBBBOOOOOOOO!

 

Clinching up his left arm, wrenching back on both of Night’s arms, Grappler squeezes his legs, forcing the air out of Night’s body as he hammers away on his neck. Soapdish steps infront of Dace Night and asks him if he wants to give up, but gets a growled no of defiance back. As the ref is distracted by checking on Dace, Matthews leans back and with his free right hand, grabs the middle rope and pulls on it, unfairly using the ropes for leverage!

 

Comet: “Damn it Soapdish, turn around and see what’s happening! Charlie’s getting an unfair advantage!”

 

Riley: “Unfair? Bullspit, Comet. Dace is the one that claims to be ‘Horrorcore’ and all…if he can’t withstand this, what can he endure?”

 

Matthews continues to both wrench in on the body scissors and on the rope, as Nick Soapdish remains oblivious, continuously asking Dace if he wants to quit.

 

DACE F’N NIGHT! DACE F’N NIGHT! DACE F’N NIGHT!

 

Dace growls yet another defiant ‘no’, but Soapdish keeps his attention on Dace, for god knows what reason. Grappler continues to squeeze tightly, and Soapdish checks Dace…but then quickly looks up, and sees Grappler clutching the ropes! Matthews’ eyes become saucers as he whips his hand away from the rope, causing it to shake madly as proof! Finally, Soapdish demands that Charlie break the hold, to the delight of the Topeka fans! Begrudgingly, Grappler releases Dace, only to continue to stomp down on the ICTV Champion. Finally, Matthews brings Night up to his feet and wraps his arms around his waist! The fans begin to jeer as they expect THE BEARHUG~, but instead, Grappler hoists Dace into the air and drops him back down across his knee with an inverted atomic drop! With Dace stunned, Matthews ducks behind him and hoists him at an angle into the air, before dropping him down again across his knee, this time with a regular atomic drop! As Night staggers forward, Charlie grabs him from behind and then drives his elbow into Dace’s back, and Dace collapses to the mat! Grappler quickly drops down and covers the High Priest of Horrorcore, as Nick Soapdish counts!

 

 

……ONE!

 

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

…but Dace easily gets a shoulder up as the crowd lets out a cheer!

 

Comet: “What a combo by Matthews, relentlessly attacking Dace’s…uh, what exactly do those moves focus on?”

 

Riley: “Lower low back, duh. Anyway, no surprise that Dace kicked out, but hey, that just means more fun for Mr. Matthews.”

 

Groaning, Charlie lifts Night off the canvas, but is met with a hard elbow to the gut for his troubles! Grappler doubles over, which allows Dace to knee him hard in the forehead, causing him to snap backward into standing position. Night grabs Matthews’ arm and tries to whip him into the ropes, but Matthews spins around, sending Dace to the other side. As Dace comes charging back, Grappler swings with his club-like arm for a clothesline, but Dace ducks under this and quickly wraps his arm around his head, sweeping his leg and driving him hard to the mat with an STO!

 

Comet: “Merciful Kryptonite, Dace came out of NOWHERESVILLE with that STO! It could be over here!”

 

Soapdish drops to the mat as the Landon Arena counts with every word uttered out of Soapdish’s mouth.

 

……ONE!.

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A HALF!

 

 

 

 

 

 

…….TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

 

NOOOOOOOOO!

 

Soapdish waves off the count as Grappler barely gets the shoulder up, Matheson sweating bullets (as usual) at ringside. Dace stands but then drops three consecutive knees on the fallen body of Matthews, continuing to bring the pain. Finally, Matthews is able to pull himself up on his own accord, only to turn around right into a knife-edge chop by Dace!

 

SMACK! WOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

SMACK! WOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Grappler reels, holding his chest, as the ICTV Champion sends a hard kick into his midsection. As Charlie doubles over, Dace places him in a Standing Headscissors and makes the international sign for the Piledriver. He reaches under the big man and hoists him up vertically upside down…but Grappler shifts his weight and lands back on his feet, before standing up and flipping Dace up and over down to the mat with a BIG back body drop!

 

BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Dace hits the mat but quickly rises up to his feet again. However, Charlie is waiting for him, as he charges forward and leaps into the air, driving his knee right into Dace’s face! The impact of the blow sends the champion hard onto the mat, leaning against the second rope. From there, Matthews builds up steam and lowers his shoulder, tackling his opponent, causing both men to tumble through the bottom rope and spill on the outside of the ring!

 

Comet: “This is an interesting predicament, Robert. Neither man is disqualified because they didn’t go over the top rope, but if either man throws a punch in this ringside area, they will be disqualified!”

 

Riley: “Oh man, I hope Dace forgets that. It’ll be sweet victory for the deserving ICTV Champion, Charlie Matthews.”

 

Comet: “…deserving?”

 

Riley: “He beat The Boston Strangler last week! He deserves the WORLD Title…or at least a medal.”

 

Matthews picks himself up and dusts himself off, just at the same time as Dace does. Seeing this, Grappler runs from the High Priest of Horrorcore, avoiding any conflict! Dace follows, trying to get into the head of Matthews. After running around the ring once, Grappler stops next to James Matheson and confers with him for a second. Confidently, Matthews turns around to Dace and spreads out his arms, as if to say “take your best shot.” Night looks at the crowd, then at Grappler, and pulls his arm back, swinging it forward!

 

…but he stops himself just before connecting with an elbow to Grappler’s head! Remembering the rules, Dace pulls back, as the Topeka fans show their depreciation for the match’s stipulations!

 

BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Comet: “The fans can boo all they want, but Dace just stopped himself from getting disqualified!”

 

Both men simultaneously slide back into the ring, and as they reach their feet, Dace charges at Matthews with malice in his eyes! However, Charlie is able to sidestep this charge, and when he stands behind him, he wraps his left arm around Night’s throat and begins to place his right hand over Dace’s forehead, but he too remembers the stipulations and pulls his arm back, refusing to lock in an illegal sleeper hold!

 

Comet: “…and Citizen Charles does the smart thing as well, saving himself from being disqualified with that Sleeper…now he just has a choke hold on Dace. Come on, ref!”

 

Riley: “Well, you know, this is kind of unfair to Matthews. The Sleeper Hold is one of his signature finishing manoeuvres…he beat The Boston Strangler with it last week!”

 

Comet: “You’ll just keep reminding us all of that won’t you?”

 

Riley: “Till I die, Comet, till I die.”

 

Meanwhile, Matthews keeps a firm hold on the standing Chinlock, cutting off Dace’s oxygen supply. However, the master of Horrorcore is able to counter this by charging backwards, driving Grappler right into the turnbuckle! Freed, Dace turns around and charges, levelling Matthews right in the head with a hard elbow smash! Grappler staggers out of the corner, dazed, but the ICTV Champion turns him around and wraps in a tight Rear Waistlock. From there, Night showcases impressive strength, arching backwards and lifting Matthews up and over, right onto his neck with a German Suplex! The crowd roars as Dace holds onto the bridge, and Nick Soapdish begins to count the pin!

 

……ONE!

 

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

…….TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A HALF!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…….THREEEEEEEEENOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Matthews barely rolls off his shoulders and out of danger to avoid the pinning predicament. Dace walks back into the corner, yelling “YAKUZA!” to the Landon Arena fans.

 

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

 

Sensing impending danger, James Matheson LEAPS onto the apron next to Dace, holding onto his arm to stop him from executing the deadly kick! As Dace easily manhandles the manager, shoving him off the apron and onto the floor below, Grappler is up and charges forward, sending his own boot right into Dace’s face, driving him hard against the turnbuckle!

 

BBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Comet: “That damned James Matheson! Can’t he mind his own business?”

 

Riley: “The real question is why can’t Dace just ignore it? Poor James Matheson might need medical assistance after that fall!”

 

Matthews pulls Dace out of the corner and brings him right in the centre of the ring, before wrapping his arms tightly around his body and squeezing with all of his might in the deadliest move in pro wrestling history!

 

Riley: “IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT’S BEARHUG TIME!”

 

The fans groan with boredom as Matthews cinches the Bearhug in tight, squeezing every ounce of energy out of the Intercontinental Television Champion. The fans, as usual, grow restless with this hold, and let their thoughts be known.

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!

 

Night struggles to break free, unleashing a flurry of Elbow Smashes against the side of Charlie Matthews’ head…

 

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

 

…Rocking The Grappler’s head from side to side, Dace slams his knee into Grappler’s ribs as he shoves him off. Twisting on his feet, Night swings around launching his elbow through the air towards Charlie’s head, but Charlie ducks under the Rolling Elbow. Matthews lungs forwards to catch Dace from behind, but gets caught with a Back Elbow to the face. Spinning back around, Night slams a boot into Charlie’s mid section and doubles him over. Dragging Grappler into a Standing Headscissors. Leaning over and wrapping his arms around Grappler’s waist, Dace digs his heels back into the mat and drags all of Charlie Matthews two hundred and eighty plus pounds up into the air.

 

Comet: “It’s Powerbomb time! This one could be over right here!”

 

Riley: “Please, Dace can never do a Powerbomb like Charlie Matthews does!”

 

Lifting Matthews all the way up over head, Dace lets him slide back down his shoulders, hooking his arms under Grappler’s into a Crucifix. Night spreads out his arms and raises Grappler up, looking for a Black Nova as Charlie desperately kicks his feet and wriggles his body, trying to escape the move before he gets dropped neck first onto Night’s shoulder. With one last kick, Grappler breaks free, sliding down Dace back and pushing his feet out, over the top rope and down on to the apron. Soapdish waves his arms in the air and calls for the bell.

 

DING! DING! DING!

 

Funyon: “Ladies and Gentlemen, here is your winner by Disqualification … CHARLIE MATTHEWS!”

 

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Comet: “What?! What’s going on!”

 

Riley: “Dace sent Matthews over the top rope, so he got dqed. It’s plan to see, there no problem there!”

 

Comet: “But Matthews slid out of the Black Nova and went over the top rope on his own!”

 

Swinging around, Dace slides under the bottom rope to the outside after Charlie Matthews. As the Grappler plods away from the ring up the ramp, Dace charges past James Matheson, slamming a foot into his face with a Yakuza Kick…

 

RRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

 

Comet: “Dace just KOed James Matheson with a Yakuza Kick and now he’s going after The Grappler.”

 

Riley: “Looks like we’ve got an old fashioned brawl on our hands!”

 

Spinning Grappler around, Night hammers a fist into Charlie’s head as the Grappler sways with blow and fires back of his own. Staggering up the ramp as the go, the pair fire off crashing rights and lefts into each other as the bell rings again and again.

 

DING, DING, DING! DING, DING, DING!

 

Comet: “Looks like these two have just boiled over and are going all out right here on the stage!”

 

Riley: “Damn in, where’s security when you need them? Someone needs to hold Dace Night down some Matthews can give him a real old school beatdown that he’s not going to forget for a long time!”

 

At the top of the ramp, Dace and Grappler continue to trade blows back and forth as security and referees poor out of the entrance, jumping on both men, trying to drag them apart. Yelling and swearing each other as the teams of security staff and referees finally drags them apart, Horrorcore and Matthews lock eyes in a cold stare, burning holes in each other from across the as the image fades out….

[the.weej 0]

Darkness...

 

 

BOOOOOOO!!!!

 

 

The fans hit the switch and begin to boo like crazy as the strobe lights start to pulse to the beat of Saliva's "King of My World". A pale blue light covers the arena and illuminates his figure when he steps onto the stage with no particular expression on his face.

 

(Riley) - This should be interesting, huh Comet?

 

Craven starts his descent towards the ring, turning backwards to stretch his arms out wide and soak up all the sneers and jeers of the crowd. He turns back towards the ring and continues on his path as Funyon prepares to announce him.

 

 

BOOM!!

 

 

(Funyon) - The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL! Introducing first, weighing in at 280 pounds...from Tampa, Florida...MIIIIICHAELLLLLLL CRAAAAAAAAVEEEEEEENNNNNN!!!

 

The fans boo the Nightmare one more time as he casually walks through the ropes and scales the near right turnbuckle. At its apex, Craven opens his arms wide once again to a chorus of heavy boos and a white spotlight that isolates in the corner.

 

(Comet) - You're right Bobby, this will be an interesting match here tonight on Lockdown. I'm not sure if anyone remembers, but at Genesis II, Craven was involved in the three-way match for the commissionership, representing Suicide King. Now, Thugg wasn't IN that match, but he was represented by his brother Bastion, who, as we all know, is no longer with us.

 

(Riley) - Jesus...that's a lot to remember.

 

(Comet) - I have little pad...see?

 

(Riley) - Hmmm...interesting.

 

Craven remains on the turnbuckle, watching the stage for...

 

 

"Muwhahahaha!"

 

...the electric guitar hits, and the fans are relatively happy. The lights are still down, and as the words come in, the red hue fills the arena.

 

"They don't know..."

"Who we be!"

 

"They don't know..."

"Who we be!"

 

"What they don't know is..."

 

 

KA-BOOOOOOM!!!

 

The trademark wall of fire erupts on the stage, illuminating the enormous man standing in the entranceway.

 

(Comet) - And here comes the man himself...the SWF Hall of Famer...

 

Through the hard beats of "Who We Be" by DMX, HVT steps into the path between the fire, and takes a moment to look around menacingly. Some fans cheer, while others make no noise at all, and HVT starts his slow stomp towards the ring.

 

(Funyon) - And his opponent...weighing in at 386 pounds...from the nation's capitol, Washington, DC...H...V...T!!!

 

(Riley) - Oh, did you hear what he told everyone in the back earlier this week?

 

(Comet) - No, what?

 

(Riley) - You're gonna love this...So, HVT no longer wants to be called Hville Thugg...he says that he's either HVT or Thugg, but preferably HVT.

 

(Comet) - Are you serious?

 

(Riley) - Yeah, serious. So, don't get your ass kicked by calling him Hville...

 

(Comet) - You've done it twice.

 

(Riley) - Wha? Huh? No, I was just saying...I mean...See, what had happened was...

 

While Comet laughs heartedly at Riley, Thugg reaches the ring and stops at the apron, where he stares up at Craven who is still on turnbuckle. The two lock eyes, but before anything can come of it, Craven hops down backwards. As per referee Sexton Hardcastle's request, Craven backs up to the far side of the ring while Thugg steps over the top rope and into the ring.

 

(Comet) - Ok, so HVT wants to be called...uhhh...HVT? I think I can do that.

 

(Riley) - You better.

 

(Comet) - Ok, well...here we go with this intense matchup. Craven didn't win that match at Genesis...Dace Night did, but I know for a fact there is no love lost between Craven and HVT, as they are two of the few superstars that have been here for over three years.

 

Thugg and Craven meet in the center of the ring, and the staredown begins. Thugg cracks his neck, while Craven cracks his knuckles, and the fans prepare for violence. Craven starts to circle as Thugg follows him with his eyes, and after Craven has circled, HVT smirks and waves him in with his hand. Almost as if he was waiting for the invitation, Craven delivers a crushing blow to HVT that snaps the big man’s head.

 

(Comet) – OH! A hard shot from Michael Craven that connects hard with Thugg’s face!!

 

(Riley) – Doesn’t look like that fazed him much, and while you were babbling, Thugg just floored Michael Craven with a single punch!

 

Meanwhile, inside the ring, Thugg is all over Michael Craven with hard stomps to the head and the fans pick up steam. He grabs Craven by the head and lifts the heel up to his feet before whipping him to the far ropes. Craven rebounds at fill tilt, but runs directly into Thugg’s huge boot, with his face!

 

(Comet) – And HVT nearly takes Craven’s head off with that Big Boot.

 

Craven goes down on his back easily, and Thugg stands over his body like it were a corpse. He looks out at the fans, who actually start to cheer him, and then he lifts Craven again.

 

(Riley) – Sounds like that fans are behind HVT a bit more tonight.

 

(Comet) – That’s probably because they hate Michael Craven so much.

 

Thugg cockily lifts Craven again, but alertly, Michael jams his thumb in Thugg’s eye, forcing the big man to turn away and check his eye for damage. Hardcastle, who was conveniently blocked by HVT, darts over and issues Craven a warning, while Craven denies the illegal tactic, and then checks his face for blood before heading over to HVT.

 

(Comet) – And gee, there’s a surprise. Craven with the illegal thumb to the eye.

 

(Riley) – Didn’t HVT fall for that exact same move in his match with Mak Francis on Smarkdown?

 

With Thugg’s back to him, Craven strolls over to take the offensive. Upon reaching HVT, Craven grabs his left arm and twists it twice, causing considerable pain for the giant from DC.

 

(Comet) – You know…I think he did. And on top of that, Craven’s got that armbar on the same arm that Thugg hurt in that very match.

 

Thugg takes a swing at Craven to break the hold, but the Nightmare ducks the blow, which causes Thugg to spin all the way around so his back is to Craven. Michael quickly locks on a waistlock from behind, but before he can even think about a German Suplex, Thugg throws an elbow backwards that connects with Craven’s head, sending him stumbling backwards and causing the crowd to pop ever so slightly.

 

(Comet) – And an interesting exchange there.

 

(Riley) – Craven was smart to know the punch was coming, but I think he went for too much to go for that German right there.

 

(Comet) – He paid for it too cause Thugg is going after him.

 

Thugg reaches Craven, pushes him against the near ropes, and whips him to the far ropes. Craven rebounds, ducks a huge clothesline from Thugg, and bounces off the near ropes. This time, on his rebound, the King of Nightmares leaves his feet, and as HVT turns, Craven delivers a diving forearm right to Thugg’s face!!

 

(Comet) – But Craven counters the whip with a diving forearm, and I think that hurt Thugg right there.

 

Thugg stumbles back, and Craven, who landed on his knees, jumps back up to immediately deliver hard punches that keep HVT at bay. After every right hand from Craven, his confidence rises, until he has Thugg backed all the way up to the far ropes, teetering as if he is ready to topple for the first time in this match.

 

(Comet) – And it looks like we could see the big man go down for the first time tonight.

 

(Riley) – Funny thing…we talk about Thugg because he’s freaking huge, but we haven’t mentioned that Craven is no small man himself.

 

Craven, obviously looking to take Thugg over the top and to the outside, looks to his left and opens his arms. He follows that up be repeating the feat on the right side, causing all the fans in attendance to boo their heads off. Satisfied that he has thoroughly pissed everyone off, he darts towards HVT, his arm raised for the clothesline that will send Thugg over the top ropes and to the outside of the ring…

 

 

 

 

 

…but Thugg, instead, dips his shoulder, and lifts craven up…

 

 

 

up…

 

 

 

 

 

up…

 

 

 

 

and down…

 

 

 

 

down…

 

 

 

 

down…

 

 

 

 

down…

 

 

 

BAM!!

 

 

…ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON THE OUTSIDE!!

 

(Riley) – OH ME, OH MY!! Craven went sky high Comet!!

 

(Comet) – He sure did Bobby! Thugg, with that Back Body Drop, sends Craven in the air and all the way down to this thinly padded floor in front of us!

 

The fans pop significantly as they see Craven soaring through the air and down to the floor below. Thugg takes a look out at the crowd cheering for him, and then makes his way out of the ring as well by stepping over the top rope and hopping down off the apron.

 

(Comet) – And now Thugg is coming out here to join Craven, and we could see some damage done here.

 

Hardcastle tries to get Thugg to return to the ring, but his requests fall on deaf ears as Thugg finds Craven on the ground near the announce table. He lifts Craven up by the head, and before moving on, he gives Craven’s head a hard slam on the announce table, startling the two announcers.

 

(Comet) – HEY!!

 

Thugg walks with Craven across from the announce table, and then slams his head on the ring apron before turning the Nightmare around so his back is against the apron. With the crowd behind him, HVT raises his huge paw and…

 

SMACK!

 

“Oooo!”

 

…pounds Craven’s chest with a hard, open-handed slap.

 

(Riley) – AHHHHH! I could feel that from here Comet.

 

SLAP!

 

“Oooo!”

 

Another slap makes Craven scream and cringe, and the Nightmare rolls away from Thugg, but remains on the apron. Thugg gives chase as Craven walks near the ring steps, and he slams Craven’s head hard on the steel ring steps.

 

(Comet) – Ever since that illegal poke to the eye, Thugg has been not only dominant, but vicious even.

 

After the headshot, Craven start to walk away from Thugg along the right side of the ring. Thugg chases him down and rolls him into the ring, much to the delight of referee Sexton Hardcastle. HVT slides in behind Craven, and gets to his feet just before Craven does. Although on his feet, Craven remains crouched as Thugg approaches, and when HVT goes in to grab the Nightmare, Craven launches upwards and smacks the absolute shit out of Thugg with a forearm!

 

(Comet) – And back comes Craven with that High Power Forearm Smash!!

 

(Riley) – What a shot Comet! That nearly floored the big man!

 

Unlike most people, HVT does not go down, per say, from the blow, but he teeters WAY back as Craven gets back to his feet. Seeing his opportunity, Craven darts in and gives Thugg a quick boot to the midsection, and then bounces off the left side ropes, runs towards a hunched over Thugg, and delivers a Scissors Kick to the back of HVT’s head!!

 

(Comet) – Craven Kick!!! Michael Craven is making is move now, scoring with that kick to the back of Thugg’s head!

 

The kick to the head finally takes Thugg off his feet when he hits the canvas face down and bounces over onto his back, prompting Michael Craven to cover the big man and hook the leg…

 

(Comet) – Nightmare with the cover!!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

(Comet) – NO! Thugg with the shoulder up!

 

(Riley) – I think Craven surprised Thugg there. I don’t think he realized that Craven could come with that kind of power with that forearm, and then the Scissors Kick.

 

Craven gets back to his feet, followed slowly by HVT, and he immediately throws a hard punch that stuns the big man. A second right hand staggers HVT once again, but Thugg shrugs it off and delivers a quick thigh to Craven’s stomach, doubling him.

 

(Comet) – But just that quickly, Thugg is back in control.

 

With Craven doubled, HVT slams his massive forearm right on his back, taking the Nightmare down to one knee. The fans start to get back into it as HVT gets Craven back up and places him in a Front Face Lock. He then heaves backwards, pulling him straight up in the air for a Suplex, but instead of falling backwards, Thugg holds his adversary in the air.

 

(Comet) – And look at the strength from Thugg here!

 

(Riley) – We’ve seen him do this move a million times Comet.

 

(Comet) – Yep, and every time I see it, I’m still amazed.

 

Thousands of flash bulbs flicker as Thugg holds Craven in the air for 5 seconds now…

 

 

 

 

 

…10 seconds…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…15 seconds…

 

 

 

 

 

…20 seconds…

 

 

 

 

 

…25 seconds…

 

 

 

 

 

…30 seconds!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAM!

 

 

(Comet) – Feel that impact!!

 

Just before Craven passes out from having all the blood rush to his head, Thugg falls backwards, slamming him to the mad with a Supreme Stalling Suplex!!

 

(Riley) – Still not so impressed.

 

(Comet) – Don ‘t care Bobby. He had Craven in the air for an eternity, and that causes all the blood to rush to Michael’s head before dropping him with that Suplex.

 

Craven lays near dead on the canvas as the fans pop for the move. HVT quickly drops down to his knees and then covers the Nightmare…

 

(Comet) – Thugg with the cover!

 

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Comet) – This could be it right here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

 

(Riley) – NO!!! Michael Craven gets his shoulder up!!!

 

The fans let out a huge sigh because Craven turns his shoulder up off the canvas milliseconds before the three count. Thugg gets to his knees and wipes his brow, obviously bothered that his move didn’t put Craven down for good. Craven, however, remains on his back, still in obvious pain.

 

(Comet) – I think that was sheer pride that made Craven get his shoulder up there because he is obviously in some serious pain right now.

 

Thugg gets back to his feet, and then quickly falls back down, dropping his elbow right across Michael Craven’s chest and neck, causing him to scream out in pain. HVT jumps back up, and delivers another elbow drop to the Nightmare, not giving him any chance at a comeback.

 

(Comet) – Thugg with ALL the momentum now…

 

(Riley) – Craven’s biding his time.

 

(Comet) – Yeah, right…

 

Thugg grabs Craven and lifts him to his feet. He takes the weary Nightmare, and whips him to the far ropes, and when Michael stumbles back, Thugg slams his boot into his face again, knocking his adversary to the canvas. HVT immediately bounces off the right side ropes, jumps in the air, and drops his gigantic leg right on Michael Craven’s throat!

 

(Comet) – The big boot again…and right into a leg drop!

 

(Riley) – That’s a huge leg to land on your throat like that. His leg alone has gotta weigh like 200 pounds.

 

(Comet) – Probably more like 150, but it’s still a huge amount of weight to have dropped on your neck like that…WAIT! THUGG WITH THE COVER!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Comet) – It’s all over Bobby!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEE!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Riley) – NO IT’S NOT!! He kicked out again!!

 

(Comet) – And what heart Michael Craven is showing out here tonight. He’s taking the best that HVT’s got to offer, and he won’t stay down. Beating a Hall of Famer like Thugg could do wonders for his career, and I think Craven wants this real bad!

 

Thugg, on his knees again, looks up at referee Hardcastle for confirmation of the count, and Sexton holds up two fingers confidently. Thugg gives him a hard stare, and then turns back to Craven to lift him to his feet. Salivating, Thugg scoops Michael up, and then drops him hard, side-first, on his own knee with a vicious Rib Breaker!

 

(Comet) – Thugg with the Rib Breakers, and with the power of Thugg, that might have cracked a few ribs.

 

Thugg looks at Hardcastle again, still rather upset by the lack of a three count, and then grabs Craven up once more. Craven, standing only due to Thugg’s support, can do nothing by fall into place as Thugg whips him to the near ropes. Craven rebounds off said ropes, and when he returns he finds Thugg bent over…AND DELIVERS A DESTRUCTIVE KICK RIGHT TO THUGG’S CHEST!

 

(Comet) – But back comes Craven!! Thugg set up too early for that Back Body Drop, and Craven took advantage with a kick to the chest.

 

(Riley) – Told you…opportunistic Craven is.

 

The kick to the chest stands Thugg straight up, and Craven, running on empty at this point, dips down like a shortstop, and throws his forearm up, straight at Thugg’s face…but Thugg steps to the side, and locks Craven’s right arm behind him in a Half Nelson.

 

(Comet) – Craven going for that huge forearm again…but he misses! Thugg’s got him in a half nelson.

 

Thugg quickly hooks Craven ‘s other arm to complete the Full Nelson, after which, he lifts Michael straight up, turns a bit, and throws Michael Craven hard to the canvas with a Full Nelson Slam, ala Test.

 

(Riley) – Damn!

 

(Comet) – Short lived comeback for Craven there, as Thugg hits the Full Nelson…ANOTHER COVER BY THUGG!

 

 

ONE!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Riley) – C’mon Michael…kick out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Comet) – He’s done! Here comes three!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Riley) – NOOOOOO! HE KICKED OUT!! HE KICKED OUT AT THE LAST SECOND!! THE MATCH CONTINUES!

 

(Comet) – I can’t believe Michael Craven keeps kicking out! He’s gotta have nothing at all left in the tank against Thugg. How does he keep going?

 

Thugg stares at Hardcastle with wide eyes, until he jumps up and gets in the face of the veteran official. Sexton backs up to towards the far left corner while holding up two fingers. The fans start to get juiced up as Thugg leaves Hardcastle and turns back to Craven who, courageously, gets to all fours.

 

(Comet) – I think Thugg is fed up with Craven now…

 

Obviously frustrated, Thugg gets a murderous look in his eyes and lifts Michael to his feet. Ready to finish this match, Thugg whips his opponent to the near side ropes, and up on Craven’s return, Thugg grabs him up in a Bearhug, and then throws him to the ground with a Bearhug Front Slam!

 

(Comet) – The Bearhug Front Slam!! We know what comes next…WHAT’S THIS?!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Riley) – That’s Mak Francis!!! What the hell is he doing out here?!?

 

Sure enough, Francis is standing on the stage as the fans cheer him. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Mak’s presence, Thugg runs his thumb across his neck, indicating the end for Michael Craven.

 

(Comet) – I don’t know Bobby, but Thugg’s about to finish off Michael Craven right now!

 

(Riley) – But Francis is a tad early for his promo, this match isn’t over yet. I just know he’s gonna get involved!

 

Thugg grabs a limp Craven off the canvas, and only pauses for a short second before pressing Mike over his head. He stands in the center of the ring, absorbing the crowd’s cheers, until he hears…

 

“FRAN-CIS!”

 

“FRAN-CIS!”

 

“FRAN-CIS!”

 

“FRAN-CIS!”

 

Upon hearing the name of a man he has serious beef with, it doesn’t take Thugg long to put two and two together and turn to the ramp. When his eyes reach the stage, he sees that Francis is already on his way down the ramp, walking however, not running. Thugg immediately drops Craven to the canvas and goes to the near side ropes to meet Mak Francis, but before either man reaches the ropes, Sexton Hardcastle jumps in front of HVT, causing the crowd to boo. Francis, however, keeps coming, and when he reaches the apron, Thugg tries to push past Hardcastle to get at The Franchise.

 

(Riley) – They’re gonna tear each other apart Comet!!!

 

(Comet) – Not if Hardcastle has anything to say about it. We’ve still got a match going here, and I’m going to agree with you and say that Francis’s presence here is unnecessary.

 

“You want some bitch!”

 

“Oh please, you washed up, fat, old geizer! Stop hiding behind that ref and step to me!”

 

“Bring it…get your bitch ass in da ring fucker…I’ll straight wreck yo AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Comet) – LOW BLOW!!! LOW BLOW FROM MICHAEL CRAVEN!!!

 

(Riley) – THERE’S HIS OPPORTUNITY!!!

 

The boos rain down like a typhoon as Thugg keels over in excruciating pain from Michael Craven driving his arm right into his crotch. Hardcastle turns around, but all he manages to catch is Craven pulling Thugg down into a School Boy!

 

(Comet) – School boy from Craven! He’s got Thugg rolled up!

 

ONE!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Comet) – SEXTON!!! CRAVEN’S GOT HIS FEET ON THE ROPES!!!

 

TWO!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Riley) – This is it for Thugg! It’s over…Craven wins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Comet) – NOOOOOOO!! HE KICKED OUT!!! THUGG KICKED OUT!! HE USED ALL THE POWER IN HIS BODY AND HE BROKE CRAVEN’S ROLLUP, EVEN WITH HIS FEET ON THE ROPES!!

 

The fans cheer like crazy as Thugg’s kick out sends Craven flying awkwardly to the side. Meanwhile, Mak Francis walks slowly around the right side of the ring, his eyes only watching HVT in the ring.

 

(Comet) – Thugg was distracted by Mak Francis, and Craven scored with the low blow and the rollup, but Thugg was able to kick out. What an exchange!

 

(Riley) – I told you Francis had no business down here. He almost cost your boy Thugg the match.

 

(Comet) – My boy!?! He’s NOT my boy, BUT, Francis did almost cost Thugg the match.

 

Thugg jumps to his knees, and immediately scours the premise for the sneaky Craven, and he finds him getting to his feet near the right side ropes. HVT jumps to his feet with smoke coming out his ears, and he charges the standing, but near death, Michael Craven. Out of no where, however, Craven dips his head, and uses Thugg’s own momentum to lift HVT up into a Fireman’s Carry position, and quickly drive his head to the mat directly in front of him!!!

 

(Riley) – CRAVEN DRIVER!!! OUT OF FREAKING NO WHERE! HE HIT IT! IT’S OVER GODDAMMIT! IT’S EFFING OVER!

 

The boos really start to shakes the arena as Craven falls back to the canvas from the trademark Craven Driver. Thugg lay flat on his back near the far right corner, while Craven lay nearby, trying to gather up the energy to finish Thugg after his flurry.

 

(Comet) – What a set of events we’ve seen unfold here Bobby! First Thugg goes for the Last Stand, but he’s interrupted by Mak Francis, opening the door for Craven to nearly get the pin with a School Boy. Now this huge Craven Driver! All Mike has to do is cover and this could be over!

 

Before Hardcastle can administer his ten count, Craven gets to his knees, his eyes glazed over from the punishment. He staggers to his feet, while Francis looks on from the outside, and the fans begin throwing things at him. Ignoring them and gathering energy, Craven stumbles over to the far right corner, not far from where Thugg lays, and scales the turnbuckle to the top.

 

(Riley) – YES!! YES!! FINISH THAT FAT BASTARD!!

 

(Comet) – You were cheering that “fat bastard” last week…what gives?

 

(Riley) – I gotta go with a winner…and Craven’s a freaking winner baby! Learn to love it!

 

Michael Craven looks around at the seething crowd, and suddenly, their heat grows louder as they know it’s coming.

 

(Riley) – He’s going for it Comet!!

 

Craven bends at the knees, and suddenly takes flight. He soars high like a bird as he starts to flip his body backwards. In mid air, he moves towards the motionless Thugg as his body flips upside down and then right side up. He soars…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…down…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…down…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…down…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…down…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…pointing his knee right at Thugg’s chest…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAM!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Comet) – HE MISSED!! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?!? MICHAEL CRAVEN MISSED WITH THE KINGDOME COME!!! THUGG JUST SAT RIGHT UP!! HE SAT RIGHT UP LIKE HE WAS TOTALLY UNFAZED!! WHAT A HUGE MISS FOR CRAVEN!!

 

(Riley) – NOOOOOOOOOO!

 

The fans ex-freaking-splode when Michael Craven’s knee slams hard on the mat, with no Thugg to be found underneath it. Upon hitting his knee, Craven immediately pops back up and starts to hop around in severe pain. With the fans cheering, Craven hops nearly all over the ring, until he runs in to…

 

 

 

SLAP!!

 

 

 

(Comet) – THUGG’S GOT ‘EM!! HE’S GOT HIM SET UP!

 

The fans explode even more than you might think they would for Thugg’s finisher, and there appears to be nothing that Craven can do to stop it. He flails his arms about as Thugg foams at the mouth, and then HVT raises him high into the air with one arm.

 

(Comet) – Thugg’s freaking pissed! He’s gonna break Craven in half…OH MY GOD!!!

 

 

 

SMACK!!!

 

 

 

 

…and Thugg drops Craven!

 

 

 

 

 

(Riley) – MAK FRANCIS!! MAK FREAKING FRANCIS!!

 

(Comet) – Mak Francis just saved Michael Craven’s life! He just drilled HVT right in the back with a steel chair!!

 

Now the fans are out of their seats and nearly at ringside with excitement as The Franchise stands over Thugg, who is on one knee, holding a slightly damaged steel chair. Watching the whole thing unfold, referee Sexton Hardcastle has no choice to call for the bell.

 

DING DING DING

 

(Comet) – That’s it! It’s over! Craven has been disqualified because of Mak’s interference!!

 

(Riley) – NO! That’s wrong!

 

With Craven in a heap not far away, HVT staggers up to his feet with all his might, but when he turns around…

 

 

 

SMACK!

 

 

 

…he is floored with a bone rattling, brain scrambling chair shot from Mak Francis.

 

(Riley) – How can they cheer this fool! He just ruined a match against two great athletes! And most important, Craven suffers because of Mak Francis since Thugg wins the match by DQ!

 

(Comet) – Forget that…Mak Francis just turned Thugg’s lights out with that chair shot!

 

Craven, realizing what just happened, gets to his feet, but all his gets for his trouble is…

 

 

 

SMACK!

 

 

 

…a chair shot right to the head!!!

 

(Comet) – And now Craven goes down! The Franchise is cleaning house!!

 

DING DING DING DING DING DING DING

 

The timekeeper rings the bell furiously, but the damage has been done as Mak now stands over a falled HVT and Michael Craven. With the fans screaming, stomping, and clapping for the Franchise, Mak tosses the chair aside, and puts both hands in the air, eliciting an even louder pop for his actions. He then strolls to the far edge of the ring and demands Funyon’s microphone just as he is about to announce Thugg as the winner.

 

(Riley) – And now he’s going for a mic?? What’s he want with that? What’s Mak Francis up to here?

 

(Comet) – I think he’s going to make his announcement about his match with Thugg right now!

 

(Riley) – After all that?!? What a jackass!

 

(Comet) – Mak Francis has just laid out HVT AND Michael Craven! The fans love it, and now he’s got a mic. Hopefully we can get some explanation for these actions here tonight, and he should make his match announcement. And we’ll find out what he’s got to say…right after this!

 

Fade to commercial.

[the.weej 0]

"Superhero Francis has just laid out the H-Ville Thugg and I'm as surprised as anyone by these latest twists and turns." says Comet, clearly in shock.

 

"I guess we won't have to wait till the commercial break to hear from him then..." mumbles Riley.

 

Standing in the ring over the downed Thugg, Mak tilts his shades to the bridge of his nose, and tosses the chair he had, getting a mic instead.

 

“Normally I wouldn’t do this, but hey some times you gotta break the rules… my bad people—but it was a really good chair shot wasn’t it?”

 

The crowd pops in approval of the shot to the Angry Black Man’s head. “Thugg, I noticed that you were talking down to me last show, like I don’t even matter. I’m not good enough to beat the Hall of Fame H-Ville Thugg?” questions Francis, shaking his head in mock disgust.

 

“Hey, I know I’m brash, and I’m cocky, but hell, that's why the people love me... cause I’m good enough to back it up and if you don’t believe me, when you actually get up off the mat, I may show you why.” Mak fakes a cough, and then continues. “I have to list the credentials, don’t I. A three time US champ; the longest reigning ICTV champion in the history of the SWF. Yeah, I beat out your record EASY Thugg.”

 

The Franchise’s tone begins to get serious as he paces the ring, back and forth in front of the now, starting to move Thugg. “I’ve always been there, lurking… you know. Never quite getting that shot at the top. I worked my way up through the ranks. I spilled my guts in the ring, always just on the cusp. When I beat Danny Williams in that Ironman match, everyone finally saw me as something. I finally had the crowds respect, and Danny’s. So I defended the ICTV title with my heart and soul… to prove to people that I deserved that respect I had won!"

 

A pause.

 

“I thought I’d never have to worry about respect again, but then came Genesis… and we all know how that—” suddenly Mak stops and tilts his head to the side, looking into the eyes of the now rising H-Ville Thugg. “—Just give me a second folks. Thugg I don’t think you seem to understand. When you try to get up, I gotta knock you back down, cause you might up and wreck my shit, so do me a favor and—

 

*Ding!*

 

—stay down for a sec.” finishes Mak not skipping a beat.

 

"Merciful Matlock, that was not very nice."

 

The crowd attempts to suppress their laughs at the straight punt to the Thugg’s groin, “Now that’s gotta hurt…” says Mak as he hams it up, play to the crowd, by bringing his index finger to his lips. “Let’s just keep that between us folks.”

 

"Oh come on," shouts Riley, "that was a blatant low blow, you boob! He's a cheat, and a scam artist--"

 

"And if you didn't dislike him you be cheering right now." adds Comet, cutting in. "Even superheroes have kryptonite and Mak Francis' just happens to be cheating..."

 

"I guess yours is speaking coherently, cause you avoid that like the plague."

 

“Now, back to you.” starts Francis, remembering where he was going before being so rudely interrupted. “I just want your respect Thugg. Sacred, he didn’t respect me one bit. And the thing is; I didn’t just lose to Sacred at Genesis… I gave up. I’ve got something to prove at the X-mas pay per view. To you… the fans—no, to everybody! I can’t give up if I want respect. Not to another Hall of Famer that doesn’t want me to reach the top. I won’t be held back. The fans won't let me!"

 

FRAN-CHISE! FRAN-CHISE! FRAN-CHISE!

 

“These fans have been chanting my name too long, for me not to show them I have what it takes to beat the best. Clearly and decisively, without a shred of doubt.”

 

FRAN-CHISE! FRAN-CHISE! FRAN-CHISE!

 

“And you were the best Thugg…”

 

OHHHHHHHHHHH

 

"Francis, dropping the punk card on the H-Ville Thugg... what in the hell is this kid thinking?"

 

"Yeah I said it!" spouts off the Franchise. "To paraphrase an old friend of mine that's been AWOL recently... maybe I'm good, maybe I'm drunk... maybe I'm good and drunk, but I said it and I mean it!"

 

Mak continues to speak, as Thugg scowls. “Everyone saw that you got the pin me, and I definitely know that I can pin you, so why don’t we get rid of that option all together. It doesn’t prove a damn thing if we just pin each other again and I’m all about proving something. You’ve got something to prove too Thugg. That some upstart punk can’t take out the dominate, badass, and all around EVIIIIIL Thugg.”

 

“But I know I can.” says the Franchise with a confident smirk. “Since both of us like to talk the talk during our most recent run-ins, let’s see just who can walk the walk, while a mic’s shoved into our faces…

 

“And then the first person to get the other to say “I Quit” won’t have anything to prove anymore.”

 

The audience cheers in anticipation of a match that’s sure to be one for the ages. Thugg, still on the ground, is cursing Francis out, while feverishly pushing himself up off the canvas, but he can't be hear over Mak's voice on the microphone.

 

“I respect your career Thugg and everything you’ve done here in the SWF, but I’m going to beat you. It’s my time to shine. The Franchise, he’s breaking into the big time. And if I have to use you as a stepping stone, I’m sorry, but that’s the way it’s gotta be… I’m no legend killer, but when it’s all said and done I won’t be the person that says—”

 

 

I Quit!

 

 

Finishes the crowd, as Mak throws down the mic and quickly rolls out of the ring, so as not to incur the wrath of Thugg. "Well, hopefully things will settle down, after that interesting conflict."

 

"I sincerely doubt that Comet... we still have more show left and Ejiro vs. Tom as our main event!"

 

The last image seen is that of HVT getting to his feet livid, as Mak backpedals up the ramp and the SWF goes to commercial break.

[the.weej 0]

The arena is abuzz as the camera fades in from a commercial for Disney-brand Band-Aids featuring Alan Clark. The fans are shown, some holding up signs such as “EJIRO: 2 FLESHER: EVERYTHING ELSE,” “THE GUY BEHIND ME CAN’T THROW HIS BEER AT EJIRO” and the ever-popular “I SLEPT WITH EJIRO’S SISTER AND ALL I GOT WAS HERPES.” As the camera pans the sea of blue-and-white “I Am Superior” shirts, offset by Justice and Rule football jerseys, Bobby Riley says, “I just don’t get it.”

 

“What?” asks Comet. “Herpes?”

 

“No, you tool. I don’t understand why so many of these idiots are backing Tom Flesher. He’s on his way down. Over the hill. Ejiro Fasaki is the wave of the future!”

 

“Over the hill? The Superior Citizen is barely twenty-two years old!”

 

Riley shrugs. “Is it my fault it’s a small hill?”

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen… THIS is your main event!” roars Funyon as the crowd begins to buzz excitedly at the prospect of yet another hard-hitting contest from the SWF. “This next contest will be a non-title affair and scheduled for one fall… INTRODUCING FIRST!”

 

JUSTICE!

 

RULE!

 

POPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOPPOP!

 

Through the curtain comes the more belligerent half of the World Tag Team champions, Ejiro Fasaki. Not even bothering to wear his tag team belt or a SWF Shopzone Exclusive Justice and Rule football jersey, Fasaki looks to be all business this evening as he stalks down the aisle. Not even looking at the crowd once this evening, Ejiro has all of his energy focused on the task at hand. The task of finally facing Tom Flesher in a singles contest, one-on-one. Sliding into the ring, Fasaki does not even bother performing his customary salute to the crowd as his eyes instead focus entirely on the spot on the ramp way where Tom Flesher will be coming in just a few moments. Simply placing his hands on his knees, Ejiro leans forward and appears almost serenely calm as Funyon calls out his information to the populace.

 

“Introducing first, he is one half of the World Tag Team Champions, Justice and Rule. Hailing from Sarasota, Florida and weighing in tonight at 210 pounds. This is THE RULE … EEEEEEEEEEEEJIROOOOOOOO FASAKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!”

 

Cyclone Comet speaks up, “you can tell just by looking at him just how important this match is going to be for Ejiro Fasaki. Despite the World Title not being on the line here, Fasaki is completely and totally focused on taking it to Tom Flesher right here and right now.”

 

“That’s right,” adds Riley. “That’s absolutely right. This will be the first one-on-one contest between these two men and it is of extreme importance as far as Ejiro getting a title shot in the near future. Granted he’s already beaten Tom Flesher twice in tag team matches, he shouldn’t have to sing for his supper, but you know Mark Stevens… you have to prove yourself a billion times if he doesn’t like you. He goes out of his way to make your life miserable… he even made me take down my Suicide King Holy Water Font!”

 

“It wasn’t so much the holy water font, Robert, but the fact that you kept trying to get him to take communion with you.”

 

“What can I say? Taking the host in the name of the Suicide King gives me a warm feeling inside.”

 

“That’s not communion, Robert. You just watch old matches and eat ’Nilla Wafers.”

 

“And his opponent!”

 

The SmarkTron sends out a blinding white light through out the arena as the crowd once more rises up to its collective feet in order to usher in the man of the hour. The guitars of The Philosopher Kings sing throughout the arena until familiar words begin to fly across the white screen.

 

SUPERIOR ONE

 

AWARD-WINNING

 

MAIN ATTRACTION

 

THE MAN

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

 

And with that a blue explosion blasts into the air in order to herald the arrival of the SWF World Heavyweight Champion Tom Flesher. Hopping from foot to foot from one side of the entrance way to the other, Flesher stops on both ends to extend a happy and hearty golf clap that the crowd happily return with close approximations of the champ’s expression. Finding his way back to the center of the staging area, Tom folds his arms across his chest in order to allow a number of flash bulbs to capture his immortal presence. Satisfied with that, Flesher makes his way down the aisle and up to the side of the ring. Wiping his feet across the ring apron, ‘The Superior One’ steps inside the ring…

 

Funyon calls out, “Introducing… from Buffalo, New York. He weighs in tonight at 213 pounds and is the current and TWO TIME HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WOOOOOOOOORLD. He is ‘THE SUPERIOR ONE’ TOM FLESHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!”

 

Basking in the crowd’s adoration for a moment, Flesher holds the World Title high above his head while showing it off to each of the ring's four sides. Passing the strap off to referee Nick Soapdish, Tom casually pulls off his blue warm up suit to the rather embarrassing glee of some of the female members of the audience. Regardless of all the pageantry however, Ejiro Fasaki has refused to even blink as he focuses the entirety of his concentration on the World Champion. So razor sharp is his concentration that Ejiro barely even hears the referee’s last second instructions. But what he does hear is the bell that sounds to get this contest underway.

 

 

DING! DING!

 

 

Almost sprinting at the sound of the bell, Ejiro attempts to overwhelm the World Champion with a savage attack at the outset. Rather than meet Fasaki in a brawling capacity, though, Flesher calmly drops down to the canvas and takes the overly ambitious Ejiro down to the mat with a drop toehold. Floating over the top of the pile with his usual fluid movements, Flesher locks down on Ejiro with an amateur style mount. Trying to get off the mat as quickly as possible, Ejiro tries to fight up to his feet and get back to his vertical base. As he tries to explode off the canvas, though, Tom reaches low and grabs an ankle. Gaining purchase, Tom presses his body against that back of Fasaki’s leg and presses him flat against the canvas yet again. Keeping the leg in hold, Tom burrows his head down into the side of his former stablemate and drives him over onto his back as the referee scrambles into position.

 

ONE!

 

 

But one is all Flesher can get on this occasion before Fasaki rolls back onto his stomach in order to protect himself from another pinning combination. Flesher, well-versed in mat wrestling, simply knows just about every trick there is from the mat and easily maneuvers his body once again to the side of the defensive Fasaki. Popping a crossface across Fasaki’s nose, Tom reaches across and grips Ejiro’s far arm. Pulling it into his own body, Tom once again manages to turn Fasaki and attempt another cradle, only to have Fasaki successfully bridge up on his neck and avoid the pinning predicament. Popping up on his toes, Tom continues to keep the pressure on Ejiro’s neck while maneuvering his body around his downed foe and grab what would normally be a dragon sleeper if both men weren’t down on the canvas. Reaching up with his arms, Fasaki attempts to find a way to get out of this hold as Flesher continues to stay on his toes to press down with the maximum amount of pressure. Even that does not prove to be enough as Fasaki grabs Tom around the body and uses it to bridge all the way up! Still, once again calmly countering is the World Champion, who uses his grip in order to twist Ejiro into a front facelock.

 

BOOM!

 

A knee finds its home right in the middle of Fasaki’s face!

 

BOOM!

 

BOOM!

 

Two more knees strike Ejiro’s mug as the Tag Team champion is locked down tightly by a ‘superior’ hold. Finally finished with the strikes, Flesher hops into Fasaki ever so slightly for momentum before tossing Ejiro overhead with a released Cement Mixer front headlock suplex! Rising to his feet and with his opponent on the canvas, Tom saunters over to Fasaki as the potential challenger struggles to pull himself up. He finds a harsh reception.

 

SMACK!

 

Slapping Ejiro HARD across the face, Tom knocks his opponent right back down to the canvas. Pointing down at the former member of the Magnificent Seven, Tom has only one thing to say to his opponent.

 

“YOU AREN’T BETTER THAN ME!”

 

STOMP!

 

“YOU CAN’T PROVE IT!”

 

Make that two.

 

“Tom Flesher is in control and he knows it,” reports Cyclone Comet. “He’s heard every word that Ejiro has ever said and is about to feed every word right back to that little bastard.”

 

“TAAMO! TAAMO! TAAMO!” the arena resonates as Flesher decided to take this match up a notch or two now that he has Fasaki in a compromised position.

 

Pulling the stunned tag team specialist into the front facelock once again, Flesher locks down tightly once more before tossing another stunning knee into his opponent’s face. With Fasaki battered once again, Flesher takes the opportunity to pull Ejiro’s right arm over his head before lifting up high in position for a suplex. Holding Fasaki upside down five feet in the air, the deceptively powerful World Champion causes the blood to flow into the brain of his adversary as the entire arena looks on, awed by the display of power. Finally, after ten long seconds, Tom takes a step forward and simply drops Ejiro strait down on the top rope guts first! Hung out to dry, Ejiro hangs there suspended as Tom looks at his handiwork with a rather high amount of appreciation and a matching smug grin. “It’s going to be a real shame to ruin it,” he seems to think, before running to the far ropes for momentum. “But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

 

WHAM!

 

“YAKUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZA KICK! Tom kicked him right in the FACE!” screams out Comet as Ejiro is knocked right over the top rope and all the way out to the arena floor!

 

“That should be a disqualification! He purposely knocked Ejiro over the top rope!” whines Bobby Riley as he forgets that this is not the AWA, nor is Charlie Matthews competing.

 

Stopping to take a look out at the crowd, Tom places his hands together for a golf clap as literally the whole arena returns the favor. But that reveille does not last long before Tom puts his attention right back where it belongs - on the stammering and wobbling Ejiro Fasaki, who has barely managed to pull himself up using the ringside skirting. Popping into the ropes, Tom looks to add to his offensive barrage as he breaks into a baseball slide and locks his legs around Fasaki’s head! Pushing his body to one side with the momentum of the slide behind it, Tom looks to turn the slide into a flying head scissors!

 

WHAMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

 

He’s had better plans.

 

Nearly missing Tom as he swings around, Fasaki barely manages to move the pile a step too far back and swings Flesher out by his legs! He manages to crack Flesher right across the ringside barrier! His head crashing into the steel, Tom flops to the hard concrete as Fasaki once again finds himself clinging to the ringside apron in order to keep from falling to the canvas.

 

“Flesher took a chance and it did NOT pay off here,” reports Comet as the crowd looks on in fear for their hero.

 

“Those sort of moves are so dangerous,” notes Bobby Riley. “Especially for a ground wrestler like Tom Flesher, taking a risk like that where you only have a minute amount of room for error. Let’ s just say that it’s like trying to beat the house at Vegas. It very rarely pays enough to live on.”

 

Shaking out his head trying to remove the mess of cobwebs that Tom placed there with the Yakuza kick, Ejiro sneaks a head underneath the bottom rope rather than risking the chance that a count out might occur while he had Flesher down outside of the ring. Staggering back over to grab Flesher by his short hair, Ejiro starts to drag the ‘Superior One’ around the ring and to the corner of the ring where the arena steps are placed. But instead of whipping Tom into them or dislodging the steps to use as a weapon, Ejiro has a much simpler and more dangerous tactic in mind.

 

CLANG!

 

“SWEET ZOMBIE JESUS!” calls out Comet as Tom collapses to the arena floor. “Ejiro just jammed Tom’s head into what appeared to be the EDGE of those steps! What the hell is that bastard thinking?”

 

“He’s thinking that he needs to take Tom apart!”

 

“Oh no,” mutters Comet as Tom pokes his head up on the side of the ring apron. “He took that shot just above the eye!”

 

“He tapped a gusher!” blurts Bobby Riley with a sarcastic glee. “Ejiro just opened up a cut the size of Texas on Tom Flesher’s eye brow and the World Champion is bleeding like a pig that got stuck! … What do you stick a pig with anyway?”

 

Sliding into the ring entirely now, Ejiro Fasaki takes center court as Flesher tries to pull himself onward despite the completely obvious injury that he took against the metal steps. But just as Tom puts his head into the ring, Fasaki is there to drive a kick into his face that causes ‘The Superior One’ to fall forward into the ring while tangling his legs in the ropes. And as he hits the canvas, Tom only has a moment before Fasaki is right back on him. Kneeling right in front of the bloody champion, Fasaki strikes away at the face with a number of short right hands to the head that all hope to widen the cut ever the more and make it totally impossible even for Tom to see, much less fight back. Finally it is the referee who is forced to step in and physically pull the ravenous Fasaki off his prey, at least for a moment. Immediately brushing past the referee, Ejiro collects the battered Flesher off the reddening canvas and pushes him back into a corner.

 

“Holy Moses!” shouts Comet. “Look at the relentless assault being administered to Flesher by the vile Fasaki! It’s like he has no regard for his opponent’s well-being!”

 

“He doesn’t give a damn about Flesher’s well-being! He doesn’t care about Flesher’s safety, or his ability to continue, or even whether he loses that eye! Fasaki knows he can beat Flesher right in the center of the ring, and that’s all he cares about right now.”

 

BAM!

 

BAM!

 

BAM!

 

Slowly and with complete precision, Ejiro sends his fist into Tom’s eye as little explosions of blood sprinkle into the air. But Fasaki pays his coloration virtually no mind as he simply continues to pound away time after time on the cut. Finally, the referee once again has to physically assert his authority in order to get Fasaki to break out of the corner. Calmly enough though, Fasaki barely even looks at Soapdish as his attention is squarely on the World Heavyweight Champion. Diving back into the fray, Ejiro starts to dig into the cut with his fingers as the crowd gasps at the sheer barbaric nature of the attack and begin to chant their displeasure.

 

“F-U FASAKI! F-U FASAKI! F-U FASAKI!”

 

Paying them about as much heed as he is the official, Rule continues to maul his opponent with an almost blank look across his face. Breaking off again, Fasaki looks down at his now red fingers and cracks the tiniest of grins as Tom finally pulls his body out of the corner and starts to walk his way across the ring with the help of the ring ropes. But Flesher does not get much farther than that before Ejiro clocks him in the back of the head with a haymaker punch in order to knock the World Champion down to a knee. Rule immediately stays on the champion and presses Tom’s neck down across the middle rope strand while simultaneously digging at the cut and causing the red fluid to continually roll down his face. Breaking once again at the urging of the referee, Ejiro leaves Tom laying on the ropes before running to the other side of the ring for momentum. Charging back at his target, Fasaki leaps into the air and crushes Flesher underneath every little bit of his 210 pounds. Allowing Tom to rebound back into the center of the ring, Fasaki calmly follows his prey there before reaching down to pull down a kneepad. Finally leaping as high as he can into the air, Ejiro crushes Tom right in the cut again with a measured knee as the crowd continues to try and rally behind their champion…

 

“TAAMO! TAAMO! TAAMO!”

 

Ejiro, however, pays no attention to the crowd, and simply hooks Flesher’s leg for

 

ONE!

 

 

 

TWO!!!!!

 

 

 

KICKOUT! Flesher gets a shoulder up. Before Ejiro can cover him again, he bellies down, and Ejiro mounts him for control.

 

“Flesher is still looking disoriented,” says Cyclone Comet. “He may be losing too much blood, and his wrestling will suffer.”

 

“Yeah,” Bobby agrees. “It’ll also suffer because he’s in the ring with someone who owns him for free. I wonder what it’s like to experience a vision of your own mortality, especially when your own mortality is a shrimpy Japanese guy.”

 

With Flesher bellied down on the mat, Fasaki takes the opportunity to straddle his back and grab his left arm. Flesher tries to resist, but the potential challenger fights him and manages to use his leverage advantage to wrestle the arm into his own control. Even so, Flesher continues trying to fight, but Ejiro responds by attempting to rip the arm right out of the socket. As Flesher tries to retract, Ejiro uses the poor position Flesher finds himself in to apply a Fujiwara armbar! Flesher grimaces, and the crowd starts cheering him on.

 

“It might look inconsistent,” says Bobby Riley, “for Fasaki to apply an armbar here, since he hasn’t been attacking Flesher’s arm at all this match. Of course, Fasaki’s attacks to that limb are a big part of his strategy, but I think there’s a higher motive here. He’s trying to keep Flesher under stress for as long as possible, keep that heart rate and blood pressure up so that Flesher loses as much blood as possible. He wants to bleed the champion dry.”

 

“Personally,” says Comet, “I find the idea of continual bleeding disturbing.”

 

“I know,” Riley agrees. “I don’t want to get near anything that bleeds for five days straight and doesn’t die.”

 

Flesher continues fighting, attempting to get to the ropes. The crowd continues chanting…

 

“TAAMO! TAAMO! TAAMO!”

 

Fasaki sags, dragging his hips along the mat to increase the amount of weight Flesher has to drag toward the ropes. The World Champion continues fighting, though, and gradually gets closer to the edge of the mat.

 

“The crowd is really getting behind the Superior Citizen here,” says Cyclone Comet as the chant continues. “I can’t imagine the inspiration that a wrestler could draw from an entire crowd chanting his name! … Actually, I’m more than able to… but I’m sure you’re having trouble.”

 

“Who hired you?” sighs Riley. “And why didn’t they keep NTD?”

 

Flesher slowly moves toward the ropes, the crowd still chanting, and finally he hooks a boot over the bottom strand! The crowd bursts into applause as Nick Soapdish orders Fasaki to break the hold! Ejiro holds on for the full allowable four seconds before finally breaking the hold, and Flesher sits up, then gets to one knee, his eyes focused on Fasaki and burning with the fires of determination.

 

“Look at the focus in Flesher’s eyes!” marvels the Masked Marvel. “He knows that Fasaki is, for lack of a better term, bringing it, and he’s starting to focus on his opponent despite the non-title nature of the match! What a fighter.”

 

“Yeah, what a fighter,” says Riley with the audible equivalent of an eyeroll. “If Flesher was such a hardass, he would have been fighting right off the bat, but as it is he relaxed because it’s a non-title match, and Fasaki’s been running the show.”

 

“I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that…”

 

“There’s a lot you disagree with. That doesn’t mean your weekly show in Hong Kong deserved to stay on the air, boyo,” says Riley smugly.

 

Flesher takes a moment on his knee to collect his thoughts, holding on to the middle rope to ensure that Nick Soapdish will protect him from Fasaki’s assault. He slowly makes his way back up to his feet, and as soon as he releases the ropes, Fasaki lunges at him! Flesher sidesteps, hooking Fasaki by the arm and shooting as if he were executing a single-leg takedown, then standing up with Fasaki’s arm threaded into a pumphandle! Before the would-be challenger for the title even knows what’s happening, Flesher grabs him by the head and executes a picture-perfect back arch, dumping Fasaki straight onto his head with a pumphandle exploder suplex!

 

“LOGICAL DISCONNECT!” shouts Comet, clearly excited. “I ENJOY PASTA BECAUSE MY HOUSE IS MADE OF BRICKS, AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT!”

 

“What the hell are you ON?” asks Riley, in utter disbelief that Comet can hold down a job.

 

Fasaki hits on the crown of his head and crumbles into a heap on the canvas. Flesher slowly rolls over onto him, covering him for

 

 

ONE!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

TWO!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOULDER UP! Fasaki lays on the mat, grimacing in pain, but manages to get a shoulder up before the three-count.

 

“Flesher hits the Logical Disconnect, but is unable to secure the fall that would usually come off of such a devastating maneuver because of the lack of prior fatiguing maneuvers,” says Comet. “Perhaps, though, the move can provide a turning point of sorts for the World Champion.”

 

“Yeah, or maybe he got lucky once and Ejiro’s gonna go back to hammering him from here to next week,” replies Riley. “Flesher can’t count on pulling big throws out of his ass whenever he gets into trouble, not against an athlete like Ejiro Fasaki. It’s just not going to work, because Fasaki’s too good to get caught consistently.”

 

Flesher gets up, still a beat behind his usual speed as he grabs Fasaki by the hair and pulls him into a tight front headlock. Ejiro tries to resist, but Flesher tightens the hold, pressuring Fasaki’s windpipe as he grabs a breather.

 

“I mean, look at that,” says Riley. “Flesher’s tired already.”

 

“He IS losing large quantities of blood,” says Comet. “That would tire you out too.”

 

After pausing to regain his breath, Flesher ducks down under Fasaki’s arm and quickly lifts him into position for a stalling vertical suplex. Instead of falling backwards, though, Flesher turns Fasaki around and then sits out, slamming Ejiro back-first to the mat with the Superiority Complex variation on the falcon arrow! As Ejiro hits, Flesher grabs his legs and cradles him into a pinning combination!

 

ONE!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THRE- NO!!!!!!!!! Fasaki kicks out! Flesher lets out a huge sigh, looking down at Ejiro through bloodied eyes and seeing that the future challenger kicked out once again. He stands up, grabbing Ejiro by an arm, and starts to whip him to the corner, but Fasaki quickly regains his balance and reverses the whip! Flesher hits the corner hard and staggers forward, only to be met with a stiff elbow strike from Fasaki that homes in on the torn wound on his forehead! Blood sprays into the air as Flesher backpedals, stumbling into the corner! Ejiro steps back, then throws another elbow strike directly onto the cut! Flesher grimaces in the pain as the crowd lets out an “Ooooooh!”

 

“And look at that sadism!” shouts Comet. “Can you believe the sheer disregard for Flesher that would bring Fasaki to continue assaulting him like this?”

 

“Absolutely,” says Riley without missing a beat. “Fasaki is just better than Flesher. There’s no two ways about it. He’ll do what it takes to get that singles victory over him, but he won’t be denied. If he has to draw a little blood, so be it.”

 

Of course, “a little” blood is a relative term. Flesher, wearing the crimson mask for the second time in three shows, stares blankly as Ejiro continues throwing a series of stiff elbows, nailing him with surgical precision each time, widening the cut further and further! Flesher, finally in too much pain, shoots his hands up, trying to block the shots. Ejiro continues the attack until finally Flesher throws a stiff palm strike that catches him off-guard! Fasaki staggers backwards, and Flesher follows up with another shotei to take him back down to the mat!

 

“And look at the power of the World Champion!” says Comet. “He’s fighting through the pain and kicking Ejiro Fasaki out of the driver’s seat! Truly, this is JUSTICE IN ACTION~!”

 

Flesher grabs Fasaki and yanks him to his feet, but once again leans on him for a front headlock instead of attempting a move. Clearly, he looks gassed and has lost enough blood to cause concern. Instead of giving up, though, Flesher tightens the headlock and grabs Fasaki, pulling him into position for a vertical suplex once again. Going for a brainbuster, he starts to lift Fasaki off his feet. Ejiro, however, grapevines his leg to avoid being lifted! Flesher tries again, once again attempting to get Fasaki off his feet in order to drop him on his head and buy a few precious seconds of recovery time. Still, Ejiro blocks the move, and Flesher finds himself with no way to finish his move! Fasaki, however, takes the opportunity to fall back and slam Flesher to the mat with a snap suplex! Before the disoriented Flesher can block it, Fasaki rolls through and lifts him up, slamming him down with another snap suplex! The crowd boos, but Fasaki continues the motion, rolling through once more. He lifts Flesher up, this time holding him upside down and stalling! The blood rushes to Flesher’s head and drips out as Fasaki holds him.

 

“What on earth could Ejiro be doing?”

 

“Possibly a brainbuster,” says Riley, “possibly something a little more…”

 

Suddenly, Ejiro shoves Flesher forward and sits out, slamming him to the mat with an Orange Crush Powerbomb!

 

“… crushing.”

 

The crowd bursts into a chorus of boos as Nick Soapdish drops down and counts

 

 

ONE!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

 

 

DING DING DING!!!!

 

 

The crowd boos, almost in disbelief that Ejiro Fasaki has beaten Tom Flesher, cleanly! Fasaki jumps up, pumping his fists in excitement! Soapdish raises his arms as Flesher rolls to his stomach, holding his head.

 

“The winner of this match… EJIRO FASAKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

“Well,” says Riley, “you heard it! Ejiro Fasaki beat Tom Flesher in the middle of the ring, cleanly, no tricks. You can’t blame it on cheating, you can’t say there was anything fishy with the result…. Ejiro Fasaki is just… plain… better than Flesher!”

 

Cyclone Comet simply sits silent.

 

Fasaki, however, drags the stunned Flesher to the corner. As the crowd continues booing, he sits Flesher up in the corner and begins kicking him in the face! Finally, he plants a boot in Flesher’s throat and begins choking him!

 

“F-U FASAKI! F-U FASAKI! F-U FASAKI!”

 

Fasaki looks toward the entrance, and out comes William Hearford! The crowd continues booing as Hearford jogs down the aisle and slides into the ring! He charges at the corner, and Ejiro politely moves out of the way for the Judge to throw a dropkick into Flesher’s face!

 

“This is disgusting!” says Comet. “This is simply unnecessary!”

 

Hearford continues kicking Flesher as Fasaki slides out of the ring, grabbing Flesher’s title belt. He slides into the ring and holds the belt over his head, drawing boos and flying garbage from the crowd. Fasaki lays the belt down on the mat, and Hearford drags Flesher to the center.

 

“No,” says Comet, “not again! Flesher took an Ejirocation on the belt just before Ashes 2 Ashes! Not again!”

 

Ejiro grabs Flesher and cockily underhooks his arms, setting up the double underhook piledriver, but suddenly the crowd bursts into cheers!

 

“MAK FRANCIS!” shouts Riley. “What the hell is he doing here?!”

 

Francis quickly answers the question by grabbing Hearford from behind and escorting him out of the ring and onto the floor by way of the top rope! Ejiro drops Flesher, unable to finish the Ejirocation, but Francis strikes him preemptively with a pair of quick right hands! Ejiro tries to fight back, but the perfectly fresh Francis slams another fist into his face and then throws a dropkick that catches him in the chest and sends him over the top rope! Fasaki hits hard, but both he and Hearford are quickly on their feet and heading to the locker room, swearing revenge!

 

Flesher, for his part, is shaking off the impact of his clean loss to Fasaki. The belt is covered with his blood after he was dropped onto it, but Mak Francis offers him a hand. Flesher stands up, still shaken, but clasps Mak’s hand. He pointedly looks down at Francis’ hand and pumps it, giving him a respectful handshake and mouthing, “Thanks.”

 

The crowd cheers, and Flesher and Francis stay in the ring for a moment, but as SWF Lockdown fades out, the last thing we see is the SWF World Title belt…

 

stained with the blood of Tom Flesher at the hands of Ejiro Fasaki. It is, it seems, only a matter of time.

 

===

SWF Lockdown. December 5, 2003.

© White Apple Productions. All rights reserved.

The Smarks Wrestling Federation: “Raising Workrate by Typing Faster.”

[the.weej 0]

Results!

 

Everyone jobbed to Mr. Galatea.

 

...well, okay, they didn't. But if you want something beyond that, you're going to have to read the frigging show. Bitches.

 

Card up immediately, since I finished it while I was waiting. OMG!