SJL Wrath 1/14/04

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

--cue opening pyro--

Judge: Welcome to SJL Wrath! We've got a great show for you this evening!

Annie: Wait, wasn't this supposed to be SJL Metal?

Ejiro: Who cares?

 

 

 

SJL WRATH CARD

Date: Tuesday, January 13, @ 6 PM EST

Venue: San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California!

 

Alan Clark was given the night off in recognition of the hardship facing having lost the lower of his two belts.

 

POP THE CROWD, BOYS, YOU’RE ON FIRST

Daredevil vs. David Cross

Description: The San Diego crowd should be rabid, as we haven’t been to that coast in ages. (Note: This is probably factually incorrect. The booker does not care.) Hopefully, sending out one of the most exciting workers in the SJL and the most promising rookie to enter the league in recent memory will keep them into the show.

Rules: Standard match. DQ & Countout apply.

 

THAT GOOSE! HE’S GOT MY TEETH!

Jimmy “the Demon” Liston vs. “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins

Description: Liston is sitting on his #1 Contendership to the European Title at this point. Spike was taken out at Season’s Grievings by the Elk, and was thus unable to win a contendership to that title. Since the match ended in a no-contest, however, the second contendership spot remains open. Spike can give himself some consideration with a win over the contender.

Rules: Standard match. DQ & Countout apply.

 

NON-TITLE TABLES MATCH

Landon “La Cucaracha” Maddix © vs. Jacob Helmsley

Description: Maddix, proud of his newly-won European Title, still has a shot at the Happiest Champion On Earth. He’s sitting on it this week, though, because Sophie told me that the same main event two weeks in a row is bad business.

Rules: The first wrestler to put his opponent through a table will be declared the winner. If you accidentally put yourself through a table, you will look very foolish indeed but will not lose. However, you will have wasted lumber, and lumber has a thousand uses.

 

MAIN EVENT – PURE WRESTLING MATCH

Todd Royal vs. “the Black Angel” Aecas

Description: Strong style = money, people!

Rules: Commissioner Raynor is a big fan of Todd, and has tipped the scales ever so slightly in his favor with this match. Following the trend of that Ring of Honor promotion all the kids have been talking about, Raynor is using Pure Wrestling rules here. A competitor is only allowed three rope breaks. Once that competitor uses his three rope breaks, his opponent does not have to release the hold if he reaches the ropes. There will be a 10 count on the floor to ensure that action stays in the ring. No closed fists. If a competitor uses a closed fist, he will be issued a warning. Every closed fist punch thrown after that will result in a penalty of one rope break. If the competitor has no rope breaks left, he will be disqualified. All other rules default to the standard rules of wrestling, though the officials will be especially tight on things like low blows.

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

Daredevil no-showed

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

 

Also missing Cross

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

Liston fuck fuck fuck

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

 

Spike fuck fuck fuck fuck

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

As the show continues, we are sent backstage, where we arrive in a locker room...the only inhabitant being Megan Skye. Of course, she isn't important enough for her own locker room...it's someone elses. Looking very pleased with herself, Megan sits on one of the benches facing the door to the bathroom. A whistling sound can be heard from behind the door, but still we don't know who is in there.

 

Skye- "Oh, hurry up...this wait is killing me."

 

No sooner than Megan finishes speaking, the door swings open and out from the bathroom steps Landon Maddix...wearing his SJL European Championship around his waist, and not a whole lot else besides apart from a pair of boxer shorts.

 

Maddix- "Well?"

Skye- "It's...it's...a very nice...belt."

Maddix- "Yeah, it is. Then again, it probably looks better on me than Alan Clark, so you probably never noticed it before."

Skye- "Not to mention Todd would never wear it like that..."

Maddix- "Not that you know of."

 

With a smile, Maddix winks at Megan before turning away from her...allowing Megan to flash a cheeky smile before he turns back.

 

Maddix- "So, where's Todd at?"

Skye- "Not sure. I think he's trying to get his head around these 'Pure Wrestling' rules."

Maddix- "Ha, poor guy. Luckily for me...I don't need rules tonight. All I need to do is take Jacob Helmsley, toy around with him for a while, and then put him through..."

 

Maddix looks down at the European Title belt, and smiles.

 

Maddix- "'Une tablé'. Simple as that."

Skye- "Very simple."

Maddix- "Oh, yes. I'm feeling very good about tonight Megan. Ever since 'All Man But The Mice' beat me for the European Championship, I've been on a roll. A roll baby. I've beaten Aecas...how many times now? God only knows. Todd should have it easy tonight. After all, his is the one and only. The Holy Todd."

Skye- "Yeah..."

Maddix- "Then I beat Spike Jenkins. His pathetic ass was no problem. Then there was Alan...poor little Alan, who apparantely got a little too big for his braces. I beat him. I took his European Title. And the best part?"

 

Maddix starts walking around the room, one hand over his left eye, stumbling into things as Megan laughs.

 

Maddix- "I’m blind…I’m blind. I can’t see. How am I supposed to ‘watch my head and step’ with only one eye?”

 

Landon stops, and laughs as Megan sheepishly does the same.

 

Maddix- “I took Alan Clark’s eye out. That’s the best part. I heard he can’t show up tonight because he’s suffering from his loss. I also heard he couldn’t show up because he’s too exhausted from the beating I gave him last week. But, Megan…do you know the real reason Alan isn’t here tonight?”

Skye- “Why’s that?”

Maddix- “He got lost.”

Skye- “Lost?”

Maddix- “Yeah…when they gave him the memo saying we’re going to be in Orlando Florida…”

 

Cheap pop in the background, which Maddix obviously can’t hear.

 

Maddix- “…he couldn’t read where it said Orlando!”

 

Again Landon laughs, as Megan does the same…this time, seemingly a lot more forced.

 

Maddix- “Oh…I’m sorry. I guess I shouldn’t make fun of the disabled. After all, I’m sure Dumbo is keeping…an eye on me. But seriously, I really should stop. I have to focus. I’ve got Jacob Helmsley to worry about for now. Between you and me, I’m a little worried. Just a little, but still. After all…this guy’s supposed to be one sick puppy. Or so I’ve heard.”

Skye- “Have you seen anything sick from him?”

Maddix- “Not really. To be honest, he seems like a bit of a loser. When a lump of metal is you’re only friend, you’re either a very horny woman, or a pathetic loser. And Jacob doesn’t look much like the first one.”

 

As he’s talking, Landon finally starts to get changed into his wrestling attire, as Megan sits twiddling her thumbs.

 

Maddix- “The thing is, it’s a Tables Match. So for all I know, this guy’s going to use that pipe on me. Look at this face. Look at it Megan. Does this look like a face that needs a lead pipe beating?”

Skye- “N…no. Certainly…certainly not.”

Maddix- “Exactly. Think of all the photo-shoots I may not get if that pipe damages me and my face. I don’t want that to happen.”

 

Megan finally stands up, walking over to Landon and placing a hand on his shoulder, which quite surprises Landon.

 

Skye- “Landon, relax. You’ve got it in the bag. Jacob Helmsley is no match for ANY follower of Todd. He doesn’t have what it takes to defeat the Disciple.”

Maddix- “You…you’re probably right.”

Skye- “Of course I’m right. You’re the SJL European Champion. The next SJL World Heavyweight Champion. You are a star Landon. Jacob Helmsley is no star. He’s no Disciple. He’s no Landon Maddix. Look at you. You’re a star. A true champion. I’d say one of the best athletes in the SJL today.”

Maddix- “I…do have a good body.”

Skye- “You have a great body.”

Maddix- “Thank you.”

Skye- “You’re faster than Helmsley, smarter than Helmsley, more agile than Helmsley. All these things work in your favour Landon. Face it, there’s no ay you’re going to lose this match. Ever since losing that belt, you’ve been on a role.”

Maddix- “You might say, it was a case of “The Disciple’s New Groove”.

 

Landon laughs at his own personal joke, as Megan obviously doesn’t get it.

 

Skye- “Landon…just go out there, and make Todd proud.”

Maddix- “Make Todd proud…you bet I’ll make Todd proud. Todd is going to be over-flowing with pride by the time that match is over. When I drive that unbeliever Jacob Helmsley through that table, it’ll just be another message to Alan Clark. He wants to mess with Todd? Well, when someone messes with Todd…he messes with you Megan, and he also messes with me. And NOBODY messes with me.”

Skye- “Or me.”

Maddix- “Yeah…well…whatever. The point Megan is, tonight I’m going to show Alan what happens when you mess with Todd and me…and…you, I suppose. Once I’ve got rid of Helmsley, then it’s all about being the next SJL World Heavyweight Champion. After all…”

 

Sliding on a Todd Royal replica shirt, reading “I am Your Todd…Bow Down”, Landon unstraps his belt from underneath…throws it over his shoulder, and begins to leave the room. Stopping, he turns back to Megan and smiles…

 

Maddix- “Two eyes…are better than one.”

 

…before leaving the room. Megan sighs with a smile, and sits back down, as the scene cuts away…

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

“Welcome back to San Diego Cal-e-for-nigh-ay!!!” beams William Hearford, as SJL Wrath returns back onto the screen, with the announce team poised. Hearford seems surprisingly happy, although it seems slightly false. Ejiro of course is looking more than despondent, after what happened on Lockdown.

Annie meanwhile, is her usual self…“Or, for those of you who speak English…California. Forget 619, because all I want is six…tee…nine.” she adds with a clear smile on her face.

 

In the background, the fans are going crazy…especially behind the announce table, where the few select fans can see themselves on screen…one of them deciding to hold up a ‘ALL MAN BUT THE MADDIX’ sign.

 

“Lovely Annie.” Judge begins. “Well, we have heard from Landon Maddix already tonight, and we all know what’s coming next. Jacob Helmsley taking on the new SJL European Champion, non title however. And, just to add to the fun…tonight, it’s a tables match. Ejiro?”

“Err…yeah. Just a quick memo first. Apparently, we have to say Happy Birthday to…Mitch…Von Siclen? Happy birthday Mitch…whoever you are, wherever you are. And, yeah…Landon’s great.”

 

Judge laughs at Ejiro’s blatant fake ignorance, as Annie quickly speaks up…“Is that all you can say? No beaming praise, no Todd mentions? No casting aspersions on Helmsley’s ability?”

“Blow me.” is Ejiro’s answer, clearly not in the mood tonight.

“Ahem…” Judge tries to regain the ball. “…anyway, Tables Match up-coming. Can Landon cope with the psychotic Helmsley with no DQ’s? Let’s send it up…to ringside.”

 

In the ring, ring announcer Funyon stands beside the referee for this evening’s match Ced Ordonez…but getting his cue, he instantly steps forward and into the spotlight.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, this following contest…IS A TABLES MATCH!!!”

 

The crowd pop, as Funyon nods knowingly.

 

“Introducing first…”

 

 

"An' I'm sailin'...yeah!"

 

"BOOOOO!!!"

 

The arena suddenly fills with deafening boos as "Suck My Kiss" begins to play, heralding the arrival of the new European Champion. Bursting through the curtain, Maddix stops with a big grin on his face, and raises his European Title belt high above his head. The boos in turn increase, as the white Todd-like spotlight falls upon the belt holding Landon...who is still wearing the Todd Royal shirt.

 

"From Huron South Dakota. He weighs in at two hundred and six pounds...He is the NEW SJL European Champion. The Disciple of Todd. LANDON...'LA CUCARACHA'...MAAADDIIIX!!!"

 

Landon walks towards the ring, belt sitting proudly over his shoulder as the crowd nearest the aisle hurl their abuse. Ignoring it, Maddix continues walking down the aisle, jumping up to the apron as he gets to the ring...just at the right time to sing along...

 

 

"Hit me you can't hurt me...

 

SUCK MY KISS!"

 

...before entering the ring. Again proudly raising the belt in the air again, Landon grins at the abuse he's getting.

 

"There stands the true champion of the SJL. Soon enough, he'll be holding two belts...mark my words." predicts Ejiro.

"Well, that's yet to be seen..." starts Judge...

"Yeah, because Landon's being held away from his shot. But when he gets that shot...new champion, mark my words."

"We'll see..."

"Mark my words."

 

Handing his belt to the outside and removing his Todd Royal shirt, Maddix begins warming up in one corner of the ring...as “Meaning of Life” by Disturbed hits. The crowd surprisingly begin to cheer, as Jacob Helmsley walks into the arena. Showing no emotion, Helmsley walks intimidatingly down the aisle, eyes locked on Landon.

 

"And the opponent. From the wrestling capital of the world, Calgary Alberta Canada. Weighing two hundred twenty seven pounds. This is JACOB...HEEELLLMSLLLEEEYYY!!!"

 

Helmsley stops at the foot of the aisleway, taking off his black, initialed trenchcoat. Reaching to his side, he then pulls the trusty steel pipe from it's holster and places it on the ring apron. In the ring Landon continues to try and prepare himself for the match...as Helmsley grins slightly at him. Taking a step forward, Helmsley begins to climb onto the ring apron...but stops, and drops back down to the floor. Landon looks confused...until Helmsley throws the ring apron up, and dragging from under the ring a table!

 

"I guess Jacob has set his intentions early!" Annie beams, clearly excited at the prospect of hardcore action.

 

As Helmsley begins to set the table up on the floor, a frantic Landon tries to convince him to put the table back. Helmsley however just continues setting up the table, all the while Landon pleading with him from the ring. As Jacob finally rolls into the ring, Landon starts to back away, looking around for an escape...the bell ringing behind him not helping his panic.

 

"This one is underway...and I think Maddix is wishing he was somewhere else right now." comments Judge

"Yeah, like The Moon." adds Annie

 

With nowhere to run, Landon begins to try to reason with Helmsley. However, Jacob just glares in Landon’s direction and takes menacing step after menacing step in the European Champion’s direction. For each step he takes, Landon takes a nervous retreating one back…until he suddenly finds himself with his back to the ropes. Seeing this Helmsley smiles, and breaks into a run…but at the last moment before Jacob connects, Landon uses the ropes for leverage to raise both his feet into Helmsley’s face!

 

“Ha ha! Landon wasn’t scared at all!” Ejiro laughs.

 

Helmsley staggers back a couple of steps, as a suddenly cocky Maddix runs forward looking for a clothesline…only for Helmsley to duck under the outstretched right arm. A shocked Maddix turns on his feet and charges again. Jacob sees him coming though, and ducking again Jacob manages to flip Maddix up and over the top rope and to the floor with a back body drop!

 

SMACK!!!

 

 

Landon bounces off the concrete floor off the concrete with a sickening thud, as Helmsley quickly rolls out of the ring to continue the onslaught. Maddix tries to get to his feet, the fall having knocked the wind out of him. Jacob drives a boot into the side of Landon’s head which puts him back down. Turning towards the announce table, Helmsley laughs sadistically to himself, as the crowd sense what he's planning and cheer to show their approval.

 

"He's not...no, he's not thinking of putting Landon through our table, is he?" Judge questions nervously.

"WHAT!?! No, please no...you realise, if this breaks, it comes out of our paycheck!" Ejiro adds slightly more nervously.

 

Grabbing Landon by the hair, Jacob begins to haul the European Champion up to his feet. He fires a right hand to the defenseless Maddix, before tossing him forwards and into the announce table, as the SWF trio of announcers begin to collect their papers up ready for a hasty escape. Jacob quickly hops up onto the announce table, and seeing this the fans rise to their feet. As a buzz fills the San Diego Sports Arena, Helmsley reaches down for Maddix trying to pull him up...

 

 

...BUT GETS A LOWBLOW!!!

 

"Lowblow! Maddix with a perfectly legal lowblow!" shouts Judge.

 

Landon quickly clambers up onto his knees on the announce table. Seeing Helmsley beginning to recover, Landon throws his arm upwards into the groin of Helmsley again, before using his doubled over frame to get to his feet. With Helmsley gasping for breath, Maddix turns around to the crowd on his right, and raises his arms in the air cockily to the response of rapturous boos. As Maddix stands soaking up the boos, suddenly Helmsley reaches up and nails him with a right hand to the gut! Landon doubles over from the pain, allowing Helmsley to nail an uppercut.

 

"This is a damn brawl directly above us." Annie exclaims.

"And all it's going to take is one simple move, and somebody's going through a table." comments Judge.

 

Landon staggers back to the edge of the announce table, as Helmsley gets back to his feet also. Again Helmsley nails a right hand, which sends Maddix even closer to falling off the table...but somehow he manages to keep his balance. Again Jacob winds up...but, takes too long, allowing Maddix to hit a boot to the gut. Maddix hits a right hand of his own, as the match slowly degenerates into a slugfest. Maddix continues with the right hands, slowly but surely weakening Helmsley...but only momentarily, as he suddenly launches forward...

 

 

...SPEARING MADDIX OFF THE TABLE!!!

 

Both men crash to the floor hard, but Helmsley is able to break his fall and immediately fire away with mounted right hands.

 

"Good god...a spear from the table to the floor...that's about a two foot drop onto concrete!" exclaims Judge.

"This is unfair on Landon!" Ejiro quickly snaps. "It's obvious this Helmsley guy is a sadistic weirdo...and Landon's getting torn apart!"

 

After pounding Maddix with some more rights, Helmsley stands up from his mounted position, before walking over to the ring apron. Throwing the cover away, Helmsley reaches under the ring and pulls out another table, clearly intent on winning his match as soon as possible. Quickly setting up the table, Helmsley stops for a moment as the crowd have begun a 'Tables' chant. The momentary pause comes back to bite Helmsley, as Maddix quickly pushes Helmsley forward chest first into the ring apron. Thinking quickly, Maddix bundles Helmsley into the ring, before turning to the announce table. Pushing Funyon aside, Maddix reaches over and grabs hold of his European Title belt...rolling back into the ring with it, as Jacob begins to pull himself up. With the European Title in his clutches Maddix drops into a crouching position...as Jacob pulls himself up. Slowly he turns around...

 

...and gets SMACKED in the head with title belt!!!

 

"OLE!" yells Ejiro, as the crowd boo wildly in the background.

 

Helmsley is laid flat out in the middle of the ring, as Maddix turns to the hostile crowd and raises the title belt aloft in the air.

 

 

"YOU SUCK DICK! YOU SUCK DICK! YOU SUCK DICK!"

 

The very non-politically correct chant rings out from the Floridians, as Maddix proceeds to place his belt safely on the apron. Walking back over to Helmsley, Landon ruthlessly begins to lay in the boots on his fallen adversary. Ced Ordonez tries to stop Landon, but with the no disqualifications rule Maddix just turns to Ced and mockingly tells him he's doing nothing wrong. Grabbing a handful of hair Landon pulls Helmsley up to his feet, hitting a dis-respectful slap on Jacob's way up. An irish whip sends Helmsley into the ropes, and as he comes back Landon leaps and hits a high-leg clothesline...jumping instantly up to his feet, and holding out his hands again.

 

"That is a true champion." gleams Ejiro. "There's not many people who've been better European Champions...well, besides me."

"Of course." drawls Annie.

 

Helmsley quickly gets back to his feet, to be met with another boot to the gut from Landon. Following that up with a European uppercut, Maddix then runs to the ropes and comes back with a flying forearm. Helmsley hits the mat, as Landon runs to the ropes again...this time leaving his feet, and landing across Helmsley's gut with a running senton. Totally dominant, Maddix rolls onto his knees and mockingly flexes his muscles, as Helmsley is already trying to get to his feet.

 

"I'm surprised Helmsley is still fighting after that vicious belt shot..." comments Judge.

"One belt shot won't keep Jacob Helmsley down." Annie confidently states. "This isn't Jacob's first hardcore match."

"Yeah, but it may be his last." laughs Ejiro.

"We'll see..."

 

Seeing Helmsley struggling up to his feet, the over-confident Maddix starts to strut over to him. Helmsley gets to his knees before Maddix hits a swift kick to the ribs, rolling him across the ring. A second shot to the ribs connects, and again Helmsley rolls back onto his hands and knees. Smiling, Maddix drops to a crouching position, and starts to rub his hands together. Seemingly checking something near the ceiling, Maddix suddenly breaks forward into a run...hitting an even stiffer kick to the ribs, the smacking sound of which being heard around the arena. As Helmsley holds his ribs in a crumbled heap on the mat, Maddix pretends he's watching a football fly through the air, hand over his brow...and judging from his reaction, the 'kick is good'.

 

"That's a field go..."

"No, no...that's a conversion. In Europe they play Rugby see." Ejiro quickly points out to the discaring duo beside him.

 

As Jacob remains on the mat in pain, Maddix rolls out of the ring over near the aisle. The table Jacob set up earlier is quickly un-set up by Maddix, and slid into the ring, before the European Champion follows in. Quickly he grabs the wooden table and props it up against the turnbuckles in the bottom left corner of the ring as the camera looks. On the opposite side of the ring, Helmsley begins to pull himself up using the ropes, but Maddix by now has the table set up and walks over towards him. Helping Jacob up to his feet, Landon shoves him back into the corner and hits a stinging chop across the chest. Landon reels back and hits a second chop, turning around upon contact and letting out a loud 'WHOO!'...

 

 

...but turning back around, into a ROAR from an infuriated Jacob Helmsley!

 

 

"The chops had no effect! My god Helmsley didn't feel those stinging knifedge chops!" yells a shocked Judge.

 

Maddix looks shocked, as Helmsley EXPLODES out of the corner with a clothesline. Maddix instinctively bounces off the mat and to his feet...and gets shoved back into the corner...

 

 

...SLAP...

 

"WHOO!"

 

A karate style chop for Maddix.

 

 

...SLAP...

 

"WHOO!"

 

 

...another connects.

 

 

...SLAP...

 

"WHOO!"

 

A third chop, as Maddix's chest is BRIGHT F'N RED!!!

 

 

Jacob grabs hold of Maddix by the wrist, and flings him forwards with an irish whip. Unable to stop himself, Maddix hurtles towards the table propped up in the corner...

 

 

...SMACK!!!

 

Maddix crashes back first into the table, but the wood doesn't break from the impact! Maddix clutches his back, clearly in pain from the unforgiving wood he crashed into...as Jacob suddenly drops into a football stance.

 

"Maddix escaped the first collision...but he won't escape the second!" shouts Annie excitedly.

 

 

Jacob breaks forward, sprinting across the ring. Head down, at the last moment Jacob dives forward with a diving Gore...

 

 

 

...WHICH MISSES...

 

 

 

CCCRRRAAACCCKKK!!!!!

 

Helmsley crashes through the table head first, as Maddix, who had just managed to dive out of his way, lays flat on his face on the mat relieved to have avoided the contact.

 

"Helmsley CRASHED through that table!!!" Annie says in shock.

"But Maddix didn't put him through. He could only dive out of the way, and didn't have the presence of mind to actually PUT him through the table. So this match continues..." Judge explains, as Ced Ordonez is in discussion with Funyon at ringside.

 

 

Funyon: "Referee Ced Ordonez has ruled that Landon Maddix made no contact with Jacob Helmsley before he went through the table...therefore, this match must continue!"

 

Some of the crowd cheer, but most are still shocked at Jacob Helmsley spearing himself through the table. As he lays in amongst the shards and splinters of wood in the corner of the ring, a desperate looking Landon Maddix begins to scramble to his feet.

 

 

"The question is, can Jacob continue in this match anyway?" Judge points out. "That was one hell of a collision with that table."

"Yeah, and it looks like the table may have won out that time." Ejiro adds.

"Well, Jacob isn't broken into tiny pieces..." Annie argues.

"But the table isn't knocked senseless."

"Of course it isn..."

"And it's also not about to get it's ass kicked by Landon Maddix either!"

 

A heavily breathing Maddix pulls himself up, unable to hide his relief at not being drilled through the table. Grabbing a hold of Jacob by the leg, Maddix slowly drags Jacob's limp body from out of the table wreckage and the corner. Even that task seems to take something out of Maddix. With Jacob away from the corner, Ced quickly starts to push the remains of it out of the ring. Meanwhile, Landon steps out onto the apron and takes a moment to get his breath back. Sensing he's in the way, Ced gets out of the corner...as Maddix slingshots in from the apron, landing on the middle rope, and using that to hit the Quebrada on Helmsley! Obviously not going for a cover, instead Maddix rolls out of the ring.

 

Going under the ring, Maddix routes around presumably for another table...

 

 

...or not, as he comes back out brandishing a steel chair!

 

"Oh boy...time to go hardcore!" beams Annie.

"You are such a sadist sometimes." says Ejiro, although hardly dis-approving of the situation.

 

Rolling quickly back in, Maddix places the chair forcefully on the mat, before turning back to Helmsley. Taking a handful of hair Landon pulls Jacob's dead weight up onto it's weakened feet. Dragging Jacob over towards the chair, Landon hooks on a front facelock. Before he can hit a DDT, Jacob summons up the strength to lift Landon off his feet, and carry him towards the corner. Landon manages to land his feet on the middle ropes though, and eventually uppercut his way free of Jacob's grip. Keeping a hold of the front facelock, Maddix propels himself off the middle rope looking for a tornado DDT. Jacob manages to launch Landon off in mid-move however...causing Maddix to crash gut first across the chair!!!

 

Now both men are down and hurt...Maddix holding his gut from falling onto the chair, Jacob still groggy from his trip through the table. Both men start to try and get to their feet, but are both groggy on their feet. At about he same time they reach their feet, and begin to exchange right hands, neither of them possessing the zing in their punches they had earlier. Jacob unsurprisingly gains the advantage with the right hands, so Landon counters with a knee to the gut. With an irish whip Landon sends Jacob into the ropes. As Jacob comes back, Landon goes to connect with a superkick. Managing to duck, Jacob puts the brakes on, as Landon is slow to react. Eventually he turns around…into a boot to the gut. Jacob quickly hooks both of Landon arms, and attempts a Double Arm DDT…

 

…but Landon spins out of the move, and pushes Jacob into and over the ropes, onto the apron. Turning around for a moment, Jacob realizes he is near the other table, but before he can react Landon pulls him up. Landon goes for a right, but Helmsley blocks and hits one of his own…followed by a knee. Quickly hooking Landon’s arm, Jacob goes to suplex him out through the table, which brings the crowd to their feet.

 

“Wait…no! Don’t do this!” screams Ejiro in panic.

 

Jacob hoists Maddix into the air, but he kicks his legs frantically which forces his weight down to counter. Jacob tries again, but again Landon counters…before quickly snapping Jacob back in for a suplex. Helmsley floats over and lands on his feet though behind Maddix, as Landon takes a moment to turn around. Jacob boots him in the gut, and irish whips him across the ring. Jacob swings with a clothesline but Landon ducks, and goes a spinning heel kick. Jacob however ducks that, and hits one of his own…driving Maddix down to the mat with the Blackout…and locking on the chokehold submission at the end of the move!

 

“Come on…he’s choking him out!” yells Ejiro.

“It’s no DQ braniac.” Annie counters.

“So it’s ok to choke someone out?”

“It’s no DQ braniac.”

“But he’s going to choke Landon until he’s totally unconscious!”

“Is that headset working Ejiro? It’s…No…DQ.”

 

Landon tries to struggle out of the choke, but as Jacob tightens up, the fighting begins to become less and less hard fought. Cinching his leg back Jacob causes Landon’s body to spasm from the pressure, and seemingly knock all the life out of it. Knowing he cannot win with the chokeout, Jacob releases the hold and leaves a flat out Maddix laying on the mat. Turning to the outside, Jacob rolls out of the ring, and starts to work on folding the table back up. It takes just a few seconds for Jacob to fold down the legs and roll the table back in…but rather than roll back in himself, Jacob strolls around the ring…getting to the ring apron…

 

 

…and grabbing the steel pipe!!!

 

“Oh…oh no. No, not that!” Ejiro begins to panic for his favourite Disciple.

“Well, it may be No DQ…but, still…this may be a little too far!” adds Judge.

 

Jacob rolls back in clutching the steel pipe in his two hands and starts to maniacally smile as Landon staggers up to his feet. Not seeing Jacob behind him, Landon begins to brush himself off and try to regain some composure. As he begins to turn around, Jacob suddenly charges forward…

 

 

…RAMMING THE PIPE INTO THE HEAD OF MADDIX!!!

 

“JACOB! JACOB! JACOB!”

 

Getting some very unfamiliar crowd support, Helmsley grabs Landon off the floor and starts to pull him up…backing off a few steps, and NAILING ANOTHER RUNNING PIPE SHOT TO THE HEAD!!!

 

“Stop the pain!” yells Ejiro. “This is wrong, No DQ or not!”

“That one caught Landon with the edge of that pipe…and oh my, Landon’s been cut open!” comments Judge.

“Oh NO!”

 

Maddix tries to get up…the pressure he uses to do so beginning to pump blood out of a cut opened up on his forehead! Jacob sees the blood and smiles again, before grabbing the table and starting to set it up in the middle of the ring. Meanwhile Landon suddenly sees his own blood dripping down in front of his eyes, and collapses back to the mat in shock. Meanwhile Jacob has set up the table. Grabbing a hold of Maddix by the hair, he pulls him up to his feet…the blood beginning to stain Landon’s blond hair. With a right hand, Jacob snaps Landon’s neck back, and sends beads of blood flying through the air.

 

“This is going too far. I hope Spike Jenkins and Alan Clark are happy.” Ejiro angrily snaps.

“I’d assume they are.” Annie happily replies.

 

Jacob drags Maddix nearer to the table, and whips him into the ropes. As Maddix comes back, Jacob ducks his head…but Maddix puts the breaks on, and nails a boot to the chest. The force knocks Jacob backwards, so he is leant backwards over the table. Quickly Landon climbs to the top rope, as Jacob starts to come around. Landon gets to the top rope…and dives off, as Jacob rolls off the table…

 

 

 

…Landon manages to adjust in mid-air though, and land on his feet. Landon also puts his hands out to stop him crashing through the table face first, but as he lands Jacob quickly hits a boot to the ribs. Landon holds his gut, as Jacob pulls him in, and sets him up for the ‘Downfall’…the powerbomb through the table. Jacob hoists Landon up into the air…but as Landon gets on Jacob’s shoulders he suddenly finds new life, firing away with right hands to the temple. Eventually Jacob is staggered enough for Maddix to find an escape over the back. Hooking his arms around Jacob’s waist Landon hits as much of a back suplex as he can manage, staying on the mat as he lands.

 

“Both these men are spent.” starts Judge. “Landon’s losing a lot of blood. Jacob’s still recovering from that head-first dive through the table. And the longer this match goes, the weaker these guys are going to get.”

“That’s why this isn’t fair. Alan gets the night off, while Maddix has to go through this? Hardly fair.” complains Ejiro.

 

“TABLES! TABLES! TABLES!”

 

Not showing much concern for the competitors in the ring, the San Diego crowd want to see someone go through a table. First to his feet is Jacob Helmsley, as Maddix is still bleeding profusely. Jacob boots Maddix out of desperation, before helping him to his feet. Driving a knee to the gut and a forearm to the back, Helmsley looks at the table quickly…the time wasted all Landon needed to hit a punch to the gut, and a desperation DDT. This time Maddix manages to groggily get to his feet very quickly, using the table to prop himself up as he looks out to the crowd.

 

“YOU WANT TABLES!?!” Maddix yells. “YOU’LL GET YOUR GOD-DAMN TABLES!!!” he then screams.

 

The crowd give a mixed reaction, as Landon then pulls Helmsley up to his feet. Hitting a couple of right hands, Maddix pounds Helmsley down until he is laid lengthways across the table…before turning to the turnbuckles. With a weary look in his blood soaked eyes, Maddix begins to slowly clamber backwards up the turnbuckles, ready for a moonsault. Getting to the middle rope, suddenly Jacob begins to stir, as the crowd are buzzing.

 

“LANDON! BEHIND YOU!” yells Ejiro in desperation.

“Will you at least TRY to be impartial!” snaps an irritated Annie in response.

 

Jacob gets back up off the table, as Landon finally reaches the top rope…only for Jacob to lunge forward, and push his legs from off the ropes, and causing Landon to crash groin first across the top turnbuckle!!!

 

 

“OOOHHHHH!!!”

 

The crowd feel Landon’s pain, as Helmsley begins to climb to the middle rope…as he gets there, he for some reason decides to turn so he’s facing the ring. The crowd by now are on their feet, sensing something BIG is about to happen. Maddix instinctively starts to get to his feet on the top rope, as Helmsley stays on the second…and hooks Landon’s arms behind his back.

 

“Oh…NO! Not the Black Stallion…FROM THE TOP!?!” exclaims Judge, as the arena is electric.

 

Suddenly, the buzzing crowd begins to be filtered with boos…those boos gradually becoming more vocal, as the down the aisle charges Megan Skye, Todd’s Toddess.

 

 

In the meantime, very gingerly Helmsley climbs up to the top rope with Landon, who seems helpless…

 

…until Megan rolls into the ring, standing in front of the table, to HUGE heat from the crowd.

 

“Megan had better get out of there, this is no place for a woma…” Judge starts, but stops as he realizes who is sitting next to him.

“This isn’t a place for MEGAN.” corrects Annie. “But, it looks like she may have saved Landon!”

 

Seeing Megan standing in front of the table, pleading with Helmsley for mercy, he climbs down onto the second rope…a quick elbow to the ribs of Maddix enough to send him crashing down groin first across the steel again for good measure. Megan suddenly starts to begin pleading for her OWN mercy, as Helmsley climbs from off the turnbuckles, and glares at Megan. Looking extremely nervous, she looks for an escape…and starts to try and make an exit…

 

 

…ONLY FOR HELMSLEY TO GRAB A HANDFUL OF HAIR!!!

 

 

“MEGAN’S CAUGHT!” yells Judge.

“NO! Someone help her…this isn’t right at all.” Ejiro whines, as the crowd meanwhile don’t share his view.

 

Helmsley starts to yell at Megan, who looks up with total fear on her face. The crowd are going nuts yelling at Jacob to finish Megan off…but instead, he shoves her to one side, causing the Toddess to fall out of the ring!

 

Meanwhile, Landon has recovered and is on the top rope, facing the ring now. As Jacob looks down on Megan on the outside, he notices Landon out of the corner of his eye…the European Champion diving off the top rope with a flying clothesline attempt…

 

 

…BUT JACOB MOVES…

 

 

 

…SSSMMMAAASSSSSHHH!!!

 

LANDON THROUGH THE TABLE!!!

 

 

Referee Ced Ordonez is quick to wave it off, as Funyon stands up knowing what to do.

 

Funyon: "Referee Ced Ordonez has ruled that Jacob Helmsley made no contact with Landon Maddix before he went through the table...therefore, this match must continue!"

 

As Landon lays in the middle of the broken table, Helmsley walks across the ring, not too concerned at the continuation of the match. Rather than go for Maddx though, Helmsley grabs the steel chair still laying in the ring!

 

“Oh no…enough is enough surely.” pleads Ejiro.

“Maybe you should go up there, seeing as you want this match to end so badly.” Annie retorts.

“Err…nah, it’s my night off for wrestling.” Ejiro hits back.

 

Landon begins to stir in amongst the broken table, but Jacob decides to give him a helping hand out anyway. Pulling Landon up onto his knees, Jacob raises the chair over his head, ready to strike. However, Jacob gets up in the crowd noise he is so un-used to, giving Landon time to launch forward, and nail a lowblow!!! Jacob instantly drops the chair, as Maddix gathers it up, and gets to his feet. Jacob holds his groin in pain…

 

 

CRACK!

 

…as Landon brings the chair down across Jacob’s back. Jacob hits the deck, but quickly gets back up…so Landon readies himself again.

 

 

CRACK!

 

…another chair shot connects with the back of Helmsley. Again he instantly begins to get to his knees, so Landon adjusts his position…with a blood soaked sickening smile on his face…

 

 

 

CCCRRRAAACCCKKK!!!

 

…Landon hits a SICKENING baseball swing like chair shot to the face of Jacob Helmsley, denting the chair and seemingly knocking Jacob COMPLETELY unconscious.

 

“Good GOD…WHAT A CHAIR SHOT!” yells Judge is shock.

“STEEE…RIKE THREE! Jacob Helmsley is…OUT!!!” Ejiro gleefully shouts in response.

 

 

“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”

 

The crowd chant their opinions, as Landon drops the chair, that same sickening smile still on his claret soaked face. Turning to Megan who is on the floor holding her wrist in discomfort, Landon yells at the Toddess to get another table, as Ced leans down to Jacob Helmsley, checking to see if he can still continue. Seeing this, Landon walks over and shoves former SWF legend Ced Ordonez across the ring, yelling at him that he’s not going to stop the match. Jacob still hasn’t moved. Meantime, Megan has pulled another table out from underneath the ring, and has propped it up against the apron. Before she can begin to set it up, her wrist begins to hurt again, so she decides to leave the table for Landon to retrieve.

 

“Both these men have been through tables, both through their own doing. Now, we need someone to go through a table…courtesy of their opponent.” Judge points out the obvious.

 

Landon turns to the table, sighing at where it is…as suddenly, Jacob begins to stir!!!

 

“Oh…my…god…he’s getting up!” Ejiro mumbles in disbelief.

 

Helmsley is able to stir, but not do much else as he’s still seeing stars. Landon pulls him up to his feet, taking a good few seconds to do so, before hitting a knee to the gut. Retrieving the chair, he winds up for another swing…only for Jacob to hit a desperation clothesline, sending the chair and Landon flying! Landon pops back up in shock…and gets another clothesline. Jacob quickly hits a third, as suddenly he’s running on pure adrenaline!

 

“This is unbelievable!” says the astonished Annie.

 

Landon stumbles over…and gets caught with a Russian legsweep by Jacob, the fall to the mat affecting him as well as Landon however. Still, he manages to get to his feet first though after just a few seconds. Landon is close behind, the blood beginning to affect his vision. Jacob quickly hits a right hand, which seems to open up the wound a bit as Maddix holds his head in pain instantly. All Maddix can do is push Jacob away a few steps, but that isn’t enough, as Jacob instantly hits a big lariat, the force causing Maddix to roll across the length of the ring.

 

“How is Jacob Helmsley still fighting?” questions Annie.

“How the hell should I know!?!” snaps Ejiro. “I thought he was dead a minute ago!”

 

As Maddix uses the ropes to pull himself up, Helmsley backs off the opposite side ropes, and charges forward. Weak at the knees he isn’t as fast as usual…even so, he still looks for a clothesline. At the last second, Maddix avoids the contact, ducks his head and backdrops Helmsley over the top rope…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…AND THROUGH THE PROPPED UP TABLE!!!

 

 

 

DING DING!

 

“WHAT!?!” Judge shouts surprised. “It’s over!”

“YES!” yells Ejiro. “Helmsley went through that table Megan left…left for Maddix. Todd Bless Megan!!!”

“I totally forgot about that.” mumbles a surprised Annie.

“A Bad Ride, and a Worse Landing for Jacob Helmsley! Landon Maddix proves why he’s the number one contender! Todd Bless Landon!” an ecstatic Ejiro beams.

 

 

“Here is your winner by putting Jacob Helmsley through the table…The SJL European Champion…LAAANDOOON ‘LA CUCARACHA’ MAAADDIIIX!!!”

 

“Suck My Kiss” hits, as the bloody Maddix drops to his knees in ecstasy, Megan looking surprised at the fact her laziness has just gifted Landon the match. Quickly she scrambles into the ring and hugs the victorious Landon, making sure not to get her clothes bloody, as Maddix asks for his belt.

 

“One of the more brutal matches we have seen in the SJL in recent months has ended…with the bloody Landon Maddix defeating Jacob Helmsley. And you have to say, it was a bit of a fluke…” Judge starts, but is cut off…

“FLUKE!?!” Ejiro buts in. “That was no fluke. Maddix meant that. That’s why he’s the next World Heavyweight Champion!”

 

An exhausted Maddix uses Megan to keep on his feet, as she helps him out of the ring. Meanwhile, EMTs have come down to ringside to check on Helmsley, who will no doubt have a concussion after the vicious chair shot. Maddix bypasses the EMTs however, too elated to about the wound on his forehead. Dragging the European Title belt with him, Landon stops at the top of the ramp with Megan…and together, the two raise their arms in the air, Landon with the belt too, to mostly boos from the San Diego crowd.

 

“Well…what can we say…apart from congratulations to Landon!” Ejiro beams.

“Well folks…if you liked that…tough. Next up, it’s time for a change. From hardcore wrestling…to pure wrestling. Todd Royal and Aecas are next…so stay tuned to the SJL!” Judge finishes up, before we go to a commercial, with Landon and Megan still standing tall at the top of the ramp.

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

As the final commercial break comes to an end, SJL Wrath roars back onto TV screens across the globe. A brief video clip recaps the mayhem of earlier in the night for viewers just tuning in, showing tables breaking and men flying through the air. As loud rock music plays, and the crowd roars, we return to the announce table.

 

Annie: And we’re BACK on SJL Wrath!! We are LIVE from the San Diego Sports Arena, in picturesque and WARM San Diego, California…

 

Ejiro: Home of our hero, our savior, our REAL world champion and all around good guy, Todd Royal!!

 

Judge: Indeed, it’s a bit of a homecoming for Royal, as he returns to action in Southern California. He won’t have an easy night ahead of him though, as he has the massive black Angel, Aecas as his welcome wagon.

 

Ejiro: Royal and Aecas will compete in the SJL’s first-ever Pure Wrestling rules match, a match that certainly plays to the strength of our Todd and Savior!

 

As Fasaki sings the praises of Todd, the background music fades out and the crowd settles into their seats. In the center of the arena, SJL ring announcer supreme, Funyon, is making his way into the ring. Raising the microphone to his face, the announcer silences the crowd and begins to speak.

 

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen…the following is your MAIN EVENT!!!…It is scheduled for one fall, with TV time remaining, and will be held under Pure Wrestling Rules…

 

A portion of the crowd pops at the announcement as the lights in the Sports Arena suddenly flash off. The crowd buzzes, and from the entrance curtain comes a soft chorus of voices. The camera slowly turns toward the sound, and dozens of candles flicker on, illuminating the faces of a church choir that flanks the curtain. As the voices continue to increase in decibel level, a spotlight falls from the rafters, illuminating a stained glass portrait of Todd Royal that hangs in front of the SmarkTron.

 

Funyon: Announcing first…accompanied to the ring by Megan Skye and weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds…from San Diego, California…TODD ROYAL!!!

 

A small faction of the crowd pops for the hometown boy, but the majority of the fans unleash a cascade of boos as strobe lights flash and AC/DC’s “Shoot to Thrill” blares over the PA system. The curtain parts, and Megan Skye emerges, wearing a tied up San Francisco Giants jersey and holding the curtain open for Todd. Royal follows, a grin upon his face and “Todd’s Country” scrawled on the back of his vest. Marching toward the ring, Todd basks in the glory of the image hanging above him.

 

Ejiro: Nice! The choir of Todd is back! I missed those guys last week…

 

Annie: I didn’t.

 

Judge: Royal, cocky as always, but he’ll have a tough challenge ahead of him. Last time these two met, the World Heavyweight Title was on the line, and Todd emerged victorious, taking the belt from the Black Angel. Aecas nearly crippled him in the process, however, and Todd will no doubt be looking to escape in better condition this time around.

 

As Royal slides into the ring and removes his vest and sunglasses, the strobe lights cut out and the music stops. The spotlight on the stained glass portrait remains however, eliciting a confused buzz from the crowd. As the camera zooms in, the spotlight becomes a deep shade of red, and suddenly- with a loud crack- the glass shatters, showing pieces of Todd Royal’s face all over the stage.

 

“ARE YOU SCARED?….”

 

The crowd erupts as spires of light on the SmarkTron reveal the shrouded figure of a tattooed man. As the image pans upward it reveals scars and even more of the macabre tattoo. As the image freezes on a vacant white eye, several voices bellow.

 

“HE’S…HERE…”

 

As Dark Funeral’s “Dead Skin Mask” plays over the speakers, and red emergency lights canvas the crowd, smoke begins to billow out of the stage. The letters “A E C A S” appear in blood on the screen as the crowd explodes in cheers.

 

Funyon: And his opponent…from Shrewsbury, England…weighing in at three hundred and fifteen pounds…he is the BLACK ANGEL…AECAS!!!

 

Standing in the blanket of smoke, a massive shadow of a man holds his arm into the air, a long staff gripped in his hand. As a long blade snaps out above his head, the man begins to stalk towards the ring, a sadistic smile along the face of the Black Angel.

 

Annie: Remember though, Aecas holds a victory of his own over Todd Royal, having beaten Todd in a four corners match back in September. Aecas knows he CAN beat Royal, and he has revenge on his mind tonight.

 

Ejiro: But tonight, he’s playing by TODD’s rules.

 

Judge: I wouldn’t underestimate Aecas in this match by ANY means. He may be big, but he can hang in the ring and on the mat with the best of them. Now, lets go down to Funyon for a run-down of the rules for this match.

 

As the fans settle back into their seats, and Aecas surrenders his scythe to referee Ced Ordonez, Funyon raises the microphone again.

 

Funyon: Gentlemen…this match will be contested under SJL Pure Wrestling Rules. Each competitor is allowed THREE rope breaks, with which to break-up a pin or submission. If you uses all three of your rope breaks, pins will count in the ropes, and you must counter a hold or submit.…closed fists are ILLEGAL. You will receive one warning if you chose to break this rule, and every infraction from then on will result in the loss of one rope break…Falls can come by pinfall, submission, countout or disqualification.

 

Both men, having been checked for foreign objects by Ordonez, nod at Funyon, and he and Megan both exit the ring. As Royal and Aecas back into their corners to prepare, Ordonez signals for the bell.

 

*DING* *DING* *DING*

 

The bell rings, and both men circle each other intensely. Aecas is the first to step forward, raising his arms in the air and challenging his opponent to a test of strength. Todd smirks and shakes his head, ducking under the big man’s arm and drilling Aecas in the kneecap with a shin strike.

 

Ejiro: Nice work by Todd. He’s too smart to fall for Aecas’ mind games, and he goes right to work on chopping the giant down.

 

Annie: Doesn’t look like that shot fazed Aecas though, as he barely flinched at the impact of that shot.

 

Ejiro: I bet he’s crying on the inside…

 

Indeed, the Black Angel just staggers and growls as Royal spins around and blasts him with a second stiff strike. The scowl on Aecas’ face just grows deeper, however, and when Todd lets loose with a third attempt, the big man catches him by the ankle. Before Royal can even react, Aecas spins him around, catching him in a waist lock.

 

Panicking, Royal tries to power out of his opponent’s grasp. That proves futile, however, so Todd reaches up, peppering Aecas with a pair of forearm shots to the face. As the big man reacts to the blows, Todd drops out of the hold, landing on the canvas. Spinning around and catching the Black Angel around the ankle, he attempts to drop-toe-hold Aecas to the mat.

 

Judge: Nice counter by Royal…

 

Todd cannot bring Aecas down, however, as the massive man refuses to fall. A frustrated Royal gives up on the takedown, thrusting both feet into the back of Aecas’ knee. The Black Angel finally breaks, dropping to one knee, and allowing Todd to leap up and clamp on a headlock.

 

Annie: Dropkick to the knee by Royal, finally sends Aecas off his vertical base. And Royal follows up by immediately pouncing on him.

 

Todd grinds in the headlock, but Aecas is not off his feet for long. Planting his right leg again, the Black Angel raises to his full 7 feet. With a violent sweep of his arms, he flings his opponent off him, flinging him to the ropes.

 

Judge: But the big man is right back up, firing away on Todd Royal.

 

Royal hits the ropes running full speed, and rebounds heading straight for the Black Angel. Aecas catches him coming in, leveling him with a lariat that plants Todd on the mat. Royal, moving now at half speed, immediately tries to get back to his feet, but Aecas immediately clamps down again with a waistlock.

 

With a grunt and a forceful tug, the Black Angel lifts Todd back into a standing position. He pauses only briefly however, before lifting Royal up again and spinning him down with an amateur takedown. Rolling into a hammerlock, Aecas rains down on Royal with forearms to the back of the neck.

 

Ejiro: This is an incredibly unfair size advantage. I think Todd should be awarded a bonus rope-break to make up for it…

 

Judge: Aecas is certainly using his added height and weight to his advantage in this one, throwing Royal around like a rag doll in the early going, and trying to wear Todd down into submission.

 

Todd reaches for the ropes to pull himself out of the hold, but quickly thinks better of it and recoils. Another forearm shot sends him to the canvas however, and Aecas steps over his opponent’s body, grabbing Royal under the chin. Leaning back and pulling at Todd’s neck until the back of his head touches his shoulders.

 

Annie: Camel Clutch by Aecas! He’s wrenching at Royal, trying to destroy that neck.

 

Royal tries to power out of the hold, planting his feet and trying to lift off his opponent. The weight of the Black Angel is too much for him however, as Aecas leans back even further. With no other option, Todd reaches forward, wrapping his fingers around the middle rope.

 

Judge: That’s one rope break used for Todd Royal! The Camel Clutch forcing Royal to use one of his breaks early on, and that only leaves him with two for the entire rest of the match. You’ve got to give the advantage here to Aecas.

 

Annie: Good strategy by the Black Angel, trying to wear Todd down in the early part of the match and force him to use his rope breaks, then Royal won’t have an escape for later on.

 

Ced Ordonez forces the break, planting his hands on Aecas chest and forcing him up and off of Todd. As soon as the massive weight is off him, Royal rolls to the outside, holding his neck and leaning up against the guardrail. As the fans begin to boo Royal’s cowardice, Aecas growls, sliding out of the ring after his opponent.

 

As soon as the Black Angel exit’s the ring however, Todd dives in. Getting to his feet and running at the opposite ropes, Royal’s face is etched with determination. As he rebounds however, Aecas steps into the ring, and as Todd approaches, the giant lifts his foot, catching Royal under the jaw with a big boot. As Aecas drops an elbow to follow up, however, Todd rolls out of the way and Aecas drops to the canvas with a thud.

 

Ejiro: Can’t keep a good man down for too long however!! Royal’s got the speed and the mental quickness to take down Aecas.

 

Quickly, Todd pounces on the Black Angel, wrapping his arms around Aecas’ head and locking on a front chancery. Aecas plants his hand and immediately begins to rise again, but Todd counters, lifting his knees repeatedly into the pale face of the giant. Rolling forward across Aecas’ back, Royal snaps his opponent’s neck and traps his massive leg in a leg bar.

 

Judge: Nice series of moves by Todd to get Aecas down, and then keep him down, working his way to the leg, where he can set up for the Wrath of Todd.

 

Ejiro: A well placed submission hold here could force Aecas to use a rope break of his own, and even up the score.

 

Thinking the same thoughts, Royal grapevines Aecas’ captured leg around his own, and spins his body parallel to his opponent’s. Reaching his arms up and wrapping them around the Black Angel’s head, Todd cinches in with an STF.

 

“AECAS!” “AECAS!” “AECAS!”

 

Drawing on the cheers of the crowd, and desperate not to use one of his rationed rope breaks, Aecas plants his hands on the canvas- refusing to crawl towards the ropes. As Royal wrenches back on the hold, Aecas slips his hands into Todd’s grasp. Forcing his huge paws apart, the Black Angel tears Royal off of him.

 

Ejiro: What?!? NO! Stay down you freak!

 

Annie: That right there may be the biggest challenge facing Royal in this match. When Aecas locked on the camel clutch, Todd was unable to overcome the power differential, and had to use his rope break.

 

Judge: But it’s going to take a lot more wearing down for Todd to be able to keep a hold on Aecas, and force him to use one of his breaks.

 

Ejiro: Hence my plan for BONUS rope breaks…

 

As Ejiro rambles, Royal scrambles to his feet. On the other side of the ring, Aecas pulls himself to one knee, just as Todd charges at him again. Planting his feet on the Black Angel’s knee, Royal lifts himself into the air, driving his knee into the side of Aecas’ head.

 

Ejiro: Shining Wizard!!

 

Aecas crashes backwards to the canvas, and just as quickly, Todd floats over- covering his opponent as Ordonez hit’s the mat to count.

 

ONE!…

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

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TWO!!…

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KICKOUT!!!

 

Judge: Aecas just POWERS out at the count of two, sending Royal off of the cover, and flying halfway across the ring!!

 

Annie: The big man is rested and out for revenge, and it’s going to take a lot to keep him down tonight.

 

Again, the Black Angel begins to claw his way to his feet, but again Royal pounces. Diving across the ring, Todd clips his opponent, dropping Aecas spine first onto the canvas again.

 

“OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

 

Spinning around his opponent’s body, Royal goes back to work on the left leg of Aecas. Firing off a series of shots to the inside of the knee of the Black Angel, Todd torques his opponent’s ankle. Planting the sole of his boot on the inside of the knee, Royal drops back, arching the leg high in the air.

 

Ejiro: Aha! That’s got to be it! Aecas’ knee has been softened the whole match, and if this hold doesn’t get the submission for Todd, it’s going to cost Aecas a rope break.

 

The pain is evident on the face of the Black Angel, as Royal leans back, ripping at the leg. Aecas grimaces and paws at Todd, clasping Royal’s arm. Finally able to reposition his free leg, the big man plants his boot in Todd’s ribs and shoves his smaller opponent off, keeping control of the arm and spinning into a Fujiwara Armbar.

 

Annie: Impressive counter there by Aecas!! He tore Royal right off of him, and spun it into a submission hold of his own.

 

Ejiro: The man is superhuman! How can he not even have used a rope break?

 

The fans applaud as Aecas cinches in the armbar, planting his feet and bridging backwards to increase the pressure. At ringside, Megan screams for Todd to do something, begging him not to use one of his breaks. Royal grunts and with all his energy, slides under Aecas, hooking him between the legs and rolling him backwards into a cradle. The crowd gasps as Ordonez drops to his knees again.

 

ONE!…

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TWO!!…

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KICKOUT!!!

 

Judge: Another near fall by Royal, sliding under the armbar and cradling Aecas for 2.

 

Grimacing as he pulls himself off the canvas, Royal rolls to his feet again. Walking over to his opponent, Todd grabs Aecas by the hair and pulls him to his feet. Letting out a loud “WHOOOO!”, Royal wraps his arm around his opponent’s neck. Grabbing a handful of leather, Todd lunges backwards, snapping Aecas over his head and hard into the canvas.

 

Judge: Todd Royal going for the Trinity here, a potentially match ending series of suplexes.

 

As Megan cheers him on, Todd rolls his hips and gets back to his feet. Grabbing another handful of his opponent’s tights, Royal lifts Aecas into the air. Halfway through the arc, however, Todd grabs at his neck, dropping Aecas back down in front of him. Reacting quickly, the Black Angel spins to the mat, taking Royal down in a spinning neck breaker.

 

Annie: Royal was able to complete the first third of the Trinity, but when he slowed it down for the vertical suplex, his neck couldn’t stand the pressure, and Aecas took the opening to hit a big neck breaker.

 

With Todd down, clutching at his neck in obvious pain, Aecas crawls over to his fallen opponent. Draping his impressive arm over Royal’s chest, the giant goes for his first cover of the match.

 

Ejiro: C’mon Todd, Kickout!!

 

ONE!…

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TWO!!…

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KICKOUT!!

 

Ejiro: Woohoo! Believe in Todd!! Our Savior rises from the depths of death again!!

 

Annie: Calm down moron. This match is far from over, and as you can see, Royal’s neck is obviously in a lot of pain.

 

Ejiro: You’re the only pain in the neck I can…

 

Judge: Alright…

 

As Aecas roars in frustration and gets to his feet, the crowd roars in anticipation. Rubbing his left knee and wincing in pain, the big giant stalks up to his opponent. Grabbing Royal by the tights, the Black Angel rips Todd off the canvas and plants him in a standing base. Todd rocks back and forth, swaying in pain as Aecas spins around behind him.

 

Ducking his head under Royal’s legs, the Black Angel roars to his feet. With Todd up on his shoulders, Aecas lets out a growl. He takes a step forward, but grimaces at the added weight, and- as his left leg buckles- drops towards the mat…

 

“OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

 

The crowd gasps, but Aecas puts on the brakes before he tumbles to the mat. Down on one knee, and with sweat dripping down his face, the Aecas clenches his teeth and powers out to both feet. Grabbing Todd by the wrists, the Black Angel drops into a sitting position, driving Royal head-first into the canvas.

 

Annie: ASSAULT DRIVER!!! What a move by Aecas!!!

 

Judge: And right on the neck he’s been working on all match!! This could definitely be the end for Todd!!

 

The crowd erupts, as the big man rolls Todd onto his shoulders. Pressing down on his opponent’s shoulders, Aecas demands a count from Ordonez.

 

ONE!…

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TWO!!…

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NOOOOO!!!!!

 

Ejiro: Foot on the ropes!!! Royal’s still hanging in there!!!

 

Annie: Yeah, but he’s down to one rope break now! With the pain he must be in after that Assault Driver, that may not be enough to win this match!

 

Holding up two fingers, Ced Ordonez points at Todd’s leg, which has flopped down between the top and middle ropes. Aecas growls, half in frustration half in pain, and throws Todd forward as he pulls away. As the crowd begins to stand and clap, a sadistic half-smile creeps across the Black Angel’s face.

 

Judge: This could be it for Todd Royal. He can barely turn his head, and that sick grin on the face of Aecas may mean he’s about ready to end this.

 

Indeed, the big man raises his thumb to his throat, slowly pulling it across to signal the future his opponent is looking at. Blocking out the screaming protest of Megan Skye, Aecas grabs Royal by the hair and lifts him to his knees. Stepping into a standing head scissors, the dark giant places his hands on Todd’s ribs.

 

Annie: Here we go…if this is what I think it is, Royal’s DONE!

 

Lifting Royal into the air, Aecas holds his opponent upside-down in front of him. The crowd explodes, as Royal flails helplessly, grasping at the Black Angel’s knees.

 

Annie: EXECUTIONER!! No one gets up from this!!

 

Before Aecas can spin around and drop Todd on his head, however, Royal elbows his opponent hard in the left knee cap. Aecas howls as he topples backwards, Todd’s body landing on top of his. The crowd hushes immediately, as Ordonez drops to the mat.

 

ONE!…

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Judge: Todd blocks the Executioner by attacking that knee!! And he falls on top for the pin!

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TWO!!…

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Ejiro: This is how Todd won his second world title!!!

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THR…

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NOOO!!!

 

Annie: NO! Not this time!!! Aecas gets his foot under the bottom rope and breaks up the pin! Royal’s going to have to develop a new strategy to beat the big man this time around!!

 

Ejiro: But he used a rope break!! Todd’s weakened Aecas so much he can’t use his power to escape any more!

 

Royal is exasperated, but stays on his opponent, rolling over to Aecas’ leg, and dropping down shin-first across the big man’s knee. Aecas grunts in pain as Todd lifts the leg into the air and buries his kneecap into the back of the Black Angel’s. Royal begins to crank on the joint, but suddenly grins, breaking the hold and laying Aecas’ foot across the bottom cable.

 

Judge: Todd Royal, going to work again on that knee. He’s had that leg in his sights the whole time, and he’ll try to separate the knee joint right now.

 

Leaping up in the air, Todd comes down across the knee, snapping it off the rope and into the mat. As the crowd boos, Royal repositions the leg on the ropes. Instead of jumping however, Todd hooks the knee around the rope, pulling up on the ankle. As Aecas writhes in pain, Ced Ordonez pries Royal off, backing him into the middle of the ring.

 

Ejiro: HAHA!! That’s two rope breaks for Aecas!

 

Annie: What?! Aecas didn’t even reach for the ropes! Todd dragged him there and put the hold on in the ropes!

 

Ejiro: I don’t remember any rule AGAINST that! Ced broke up the hold, that’s a rope-break baby. We’re even at one!

 

“ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!” “ASS-HOLE!”

 

Once the crowd realizes what has happened, they let loose on Todd with a barrage of insults and curses. Todd just smirks and heads back for his opponent, grabbing Aecas’ foot and placing it on the ropes again. The crowd boos heavily, but before Royal can hook the heel again, Aecas sweeps his leg, taking Todd down throat-first across the middle rope.

 

Annie: Aecas may be half-crippled, but he’s still kicking, and he’s PISSED! Todd’s in real trouble here.

 

Pulling his left leg as dead weight behind him, the Black Angel gets to his feet and limps behind Royal, who is laid across the ropes clutching his neck in pain. Grabbing Todd by the back of the neck and ripping him out of the ropes, Aecas wraps his huge arm around Royal’s left arm and neck. His vacant eyes squinting in rage, the Black Angel lurches backwards, arcing Todd over his body and drilling him on the canvas.

 

Judge: Uranage Suplex!! Todd’s done! He could be paralyzed!!

 

Ejiro: Not our Todd and Savior!!

 

Aecas is slow to get up, but once he does, he does not turn Todd over to pin him. Instead spinning Royal into a sitting position, the Black Angel sits down beside his opponent, drawing his thumb across his throat again. As the crowd stands and roars, Aecas wraps his tree-trunk like legs around Todd’s arms, locking them behind his head. Grabbing his opponent’s arms, the dark giant pulls back, ripping at Royal’s head and neck.

 

Annie: WINGS OF FIRE!! Todd’s neck is trashed!! He HAS to submit!

 

“AECAS!” “AECAS!” “AECAS!”

 

Pain overcomes the face of both competitors as Aecas works in the hold. The San Diego crowd is electric, but Royal is still hanging on by a thread. Lunging with all of his strength, Todd manages to snake his leg around the bottom rope, forcing Ced to pull Aecas off.

 

Ejiro: YES!! Todd makes the ropes! Royal escapes the Wings of Fire!!!

 

Judge: But he’s all out of rope breaks now! All Aecas has to do is lock in the hold again and he’ll be the winner. Royal may be fighting with his last breath.

 

Aecas’ sweat-soaked face is a picture of pain and frustration, but- driven by a sense of impending victory- he grabs Todd by the hair and rips him off the ropes. As Royal crashes hard to the mat in the center of the ring, Aecas drops to the canvas again.

 

Annie: Here it comes! Wings of Fire one more time!!! Todd Royal has no escape!

 

Aecas wraps his right leg around Todd’s right arm and traps it firmly behind Royal’s head. Taking a deep breath, the Black Angel grapevines his left leg around Todd’s left arm. As pain shoots through the leg though, Aecas pauses, grimacing in pain.

 

The pause is momentary, but all a half-conscious Todd Royal needs. Spinning out of the hold, Todd keeps his grasp on Aecas’ left leg. The Black Angel flails in pain, but Todd grabs the right leg as well, grapevining it over the left and falling back in the Figure 4.

 

Ejiro: Wrath of Todd!!! It’s Over!! No one survives this!!

 

Annie: Hold on, Aecas still has a rope break!

 

Judge: But Aecas is right in the middle of the ring! He CAN’T make the ropes!

 

Aecas fights to power out of the hold, fights to get to the ropes. But with pain surging through his knee, the Black Angel has no choice but to submit, tapping his hand repeatedly against the mat.

 

*DING* *DING* *DING*

 

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!”

 

Ejiro: Royal wins!! Todd conquers all!!

 

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen…your winner by submission…TODD ROYAL!!

 

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

 

Judge: We’re out of time…join us next time for more SJL Action! For Ejiro and Annie, I’m Judge Mental…COURT DISMISSED!!