Losing MAtch Thread

[Guest Goodear]

So like did this get lost in the mail or something? Maybe I'm all crazy and such... but uhhhh Grapplers match came in something like 2000 words under the limit as far as I was counting. Not to say it couldn't still beat me and all but color me perplexed especially considering the wavy psychology around Grap's finish.

 

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

 

Funyon stands tall in the middle of the ring as the crowd begins to buzz at the thought of actually getting to go home after such a long night of looking at the back of Bobby Riley’s head, “Ladies and Gentlemen… THIS is your MAIN EVENT for this evening.”

 

“I have been waiting for this match since the end of the last one,” shouts The Cyclone Comet. “These two men… well lets be honest. They have no history. They have no feud. The only reason these two are going to be going at it as hard as they are is that Charlie Matthews has the SWF ICTV Title and Coy West wants to take it away.”

 

“Yeah,” rumbles Bobby, “I can’t even stare at someone’s ass during this thing. Hell, look at my choices, big hairy beast of a man and the real live version of Cletus the slack jawed local. Not only am I going to be bored but I’m going to be all flaccid too.”

 

“Once again Bobby Riley provides us with more information than I or anyone else could ever possibly imagine,“ says The Cyclone Comet. “Well I guess we’re just going to have to watch this match and just sort of call the action as though this was an actual strait athletic competition.”

 

“Dare we?”

 

“We dare… ALLLLLLLLLLL!”

 

Funyon continues to call out to the crowd, “This match is scheduled for one fall and is for the SWF ICTV Championship. Introducing first…”

 

VROOOOOOOM!

 

With the sounds of Sara Evans already being downed out by the noise of a motor, the New Orleans crowd rises up in interest as Coy West comes riding out of the backstage area in the back of a … swamp boat? Proving the television cliché as being true, West uses the oversized fan on the back of his boat to slide the boat along the arena floor and down to the ring. Stopping the boat a few feet from the ring, Coy cuts off the motor and stands tall on the back of the boat. Pulling the Bubba Gump Shrimp™ hat from off the top of his mullet, West flings it into the mass of the crowd before sliding underneath the bottom rope. Hopping back and forth from leg to leg, Coy shows off just how hyped up he is as Funyon calls out his information.

 

“He weighs in tonight at 240 pounds and hails from his RV the S. S. General Lee Jr. He is the number one contender, ‘The Coyote’ COYYYYYYYYYYYYYY WESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!”

 

Walking over to Funyon, West takes the hand of the ring announcer and gives it a shake before taking the stick away from the announcer. Hopping about the ring Coy starts to call out, “NEWWWWWW ORLEANS! Now I’ve been hanging around here for a few days and I just got to say… Will you all stop giving my wife the beads?” Coy pauses as the crowd gives a slight boo, “Hey folks, don’t get me wrong. The wife loves showing off her boobs. But we got enough beads now to… hell what the hell do you do with them things? I live in a camper for Christ’s sake! I don’t got room for beads! But I think that we can all agree, that there these always room for boobies!”

 

And that is something that everyone can agree with. Handing the microphone back over to Funyon, Coy waves to the crowd one last time before centering his attention on the man about to come through the curtain. The man that not only is the ICTV Champion, not only the man that not only won the Clusterfuck, but also the man that pinned the SWF World Champion last week in a tag team contest. A man known far and wide as ‘The Grappler’.

 

Funyon calls out once again, “And his opponent…”

 

The crowd rises up again, this time not in response to a motor boat or any other fanfare. They rise because they hear the song that heralds the return to the ring of Charlie Matthews. Heralded to the ring by Metallica’s ‘Some Kind of Monster’, Matthews walks out through the curtain. Simply moving down the aisle, The Grappler looks at the swamp boat with a mild look of confusion before simply brushing it off and walking into the ring. Cracking his wrists and neck, Matthews instantly focuses his attention on his opponent for this evening. And although Grappler has to have a whole lot on his mind with a World Title shot against Va’aiga, he shoves those thoughts aside knowing that West has shocked a lot of people lately by sneaking out a few wins in a row. In Charlie’s mind, he hardly even hears the words of Funyon as he calls out the Grappler’s name.

 

“And his opponent… He weighs in tonight at 300 pounds and hails from Kansas City, Missouri. He is the current and reigning SWF Intercontinental Television Champion. He is ‘THE GRAPPLER’ CHARLIE MATTHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWS!”

 

Pulling the twenty pounds of gold off his ample waist, Matthews hands the strap over to referee Nick Soapdish. Carrying the belt over to Coy, Soapdish allows The Coyote to touch the belt for a moment before the referee carries the belt over into the middle of the ring. Lifting the belt to all four sides of the ring, Nick shows the live audience just what these two men are going to be fighting for as long as they can. Handing the belt over to an attendant to the timekeeper, Soapdish strides into the center of the ring and calls for the bell to get the match underway officially.

 

DING! DING!

 

With the sounds of the match getting underway, Matthews hauls his 300 pounds into the center of the ring and stands at the ready to meat Coy there were the champion will have the advantage. Cracking his knuckles in anticipation, West knows that he is going to have to end up there anyway eventually and so cuts off the waiting period by moving in on Matthews and joining him in a collar-and-elbow tie up. Almost immediately forced down to a knee, West gets the full effect of Charlie’s power before forcing his way up and back to a vertical base. Finally, Charlie just shoves West back and into a corner with what seems to be a visible amount of effort. Shaking his mullet loose a bit, West looks about the ring for a moment as though he is trying to figure out what to do with such a large and hairy man. This time leading into Matthews with his hands out in front, West seems to be offering Matthews an opportunity to engage in a test of strength. Hesitantly gripping Coy’s left hand first, Charlie immediately starts to twist West’s hand around in a far more uncomfortable position. But as Grappler reaches out to grip West’s other hand he finds Coy is no longer willing to engage in that test. Sweeping his leg inside and around the arm, West knocks Matthew’s hand away and quickly moves backward to the canvas. Using Grappler’s own grip against him, Coy pulls Matthews over to the canvas with an arm drag and immediately latches on with an armbar.

 

“You know, it’s not anything we’ve ever really mentioned,” starts off The Cyclone Comet, “but Coy West does indeed have a rather firm grip on wrestling basics. I don’t know how exactly a guy with no fixed address and no money managed to learn that sort of thing, but there it is.”

 

Putting his knee against the joint in Grappler’s elbow, Coy uses his now superior grip on the wrist to try and weaken Matthews for perhaps a future submission attempt. But as well schooled as West has proven to be, Charlie probably has even more mat skills. Turning into Coy and releasing most of the pressure, Grappler pushes his way up and shoves Coy all the way back and into a corner. Going along with the referee’s orders, West immediately puts his arms up in the air to follow the referee’s orders. Breaking as well, Charlie gives Coy a bit of a shove as he backs his way back into the center of the ring. Motioning to ‘The Coyote’ to join him in the center of the ring, Matthews looks completely confident as West leans backward into the turnbuckle. Thinking about just how he should attack The Grappler, West comes slowly into the center of the ring before exploding low trying to pull Charlie down with a single leg. But Matthews counters immediately by striking across Coy’s face with a crossface! Immediately pushing the kneeling West over onto his back, Matthews tries to come up with a pinning combination as West immediately struggles and get over onto his back.

 

“This just cannot be where West wanted to be…” notes Bobby Riley.

 

“Well of course not,” replies The Cyclone Comet before Bobby can finish his thought. “Matthews in a command position on the canvas is always a horrible place to be for an opponent.”

 

“Well that and West would rather pitch than catch. You know its true.”

 

“The only thing I know is true is that you get more and more disturbed every week.”

 

Oblivious to the erotic underpinnings of the commentaries, Matthews continues to maul West on the canvas by putting a forearm in the back of the redneck’s neck. Pounding away with the forearm, Matthews continues to batter away at West’s head as the challenger struggles to cover up. Floating over the top, Matthews clamps down on the head once again with a front facelock. Tucking his chin as well as he can, West manages to keep his airway open as Grappler pops up on his toes in order to keep as much pressure on the facelock as he can. But West has another trick up his sleeveless shirt as he uses both of his hands to grain a firm grip on Matthews’ left wrist. Then quickly spinning loose of the grip, West manages an escape and come out the back door with a controlling hammerlock on the ICTV Champion. Rolling over to his seat on the canvas, Charlie looks back and forth looking for a way out of this new predicament. Finally settling on a path loose, Grappler reaches behind his back in order to grab a hold of West’s neck. Using it to pull his body as well as his attackers up to a standing position, Charlie quickly drops down to a knee and flings his challenger up and over his head with a snap mare. Instantly on his opponent once again, Charlie latches onto Coy’s head yet again with a reverse chinlock as the crowd starts to grow a little restless at the lack of punching and kicking.

 

“It has been a mat wrestling battle thus far and I am not sure that either man really has an advantage of yet,” calls The Cyclone Comet. “West has targeted Charlie’s left arm while Matthews is going right at that neck. I have to wonder which will prove to be more effective.”

 

And so we shall see as Matthews keeps West corralled with a reverse chinlock. But before his neck is bent so much that it restricts the flow of blood through his carotid artery, West turns into Matthews a bit and tosses a pair of short forearms to the ribs. Pressing into Matthews, West lifts Charlie up all the way so both men are up to their feet. Putting a few more forearms to the ribs, Coy gets a bit more space in order to shuck The Grappler into the ropes to effect an escape. But on the rebound, Charlie simply lowers a shoulder and sends Coy down tot he canvas with 300 pounds worth of shoulder tackle. Hopping for a moment, Matthews hits the other side of the ropes as West starts to move. Ducking low at Matthews’ feet, West allows the champion to go up and over the top into the ropes yet again. Rising up to his legs, Coy leaps into the air with a leapfrog to keep The Grappler’s momentum rolling. Immediately turning yet again, West manages to snag an out of control Matthews and plow him into the canvas with a belly-to-belly suplex! Hooking each and every part of Matthews that he can, West tries to steal a win…

 

 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

 

TWOONOTEVENTHREEWHATISTHIS!

 

Kicking loose with more than enough power, Charlie manages to keep his ICTV Title for the foreseeable future. But as Matthews works his way up to his knees, West once again controls his arm and turns it over with a wristlock. Spinning around the arm yet again, The Coyote drives Matthews down to a knee once again. Turning around the arm yet again, Coy once again tries to turn the match back into a holds based contest. But Charlie has seemingly had enough of that and simply pulls West into him and crushes him down with a short-arm clothesline! Knocked flat on the back of his neck, West turns over onto his back of a moment as Matthews works loose the problems with his arm. Immediately grabbing Coy by the back of the head, Charlie pulls his foe up to his feet just long enough to batter him back down with a clubbing forearm to the back of the head. Fighting up to his knees almost instantly, West tosses a right hand into the furry belly of his opponent only to have the powerful Grappler batter him right back down with another clubbing forearm.

 

Comet rants, “I think West might have been better off trying to out wrestle Matthews than trying to trade high impact blows with him. The Grappler simply has too much power for Coy to batter it out with.”

 

Bobby Riley mentions, “I think Coy has really depended way too much on luck in recent weeks. How else can you explain him getting past Todd Royal and Sacred? It sure as hell wasn’t skill.”

 

Plucking West off the mat yet again, Charlie grabs his opponent by the arm and shucks him across the ring with an Irish whip. Then charging ahead like a rhino, Matthews tries to mash Coy into the corner with a clothesline. But as Charlie extends his arm out for the clothesline, West kicks out and catches his opponent right on the arm! Clutching at the joint, The Grappler stumbles backward out of the corner all the while trying to test his arm to see if it is still operable. But when he turns into back towards West, Grappler finds that Coy is right there to smash him across the chest with a running clothesline. But Coy does not put enough into it to do more than just stun the larger Matthews. Heading into the ropes yet again, West once again crashes into Grappler with another clothesline that sends the ICTV champion leaning backward on one foot with just enough balance to keep his feet. Unwilling to give up on the plan just yet though, West leans into the ropes once again…

 

And runs right into a high knee!

 

WHAM!

 

Leaping into the air, Matthews catches West right on the side of the head and knocks him to the mat with a sickening thud. Wandering into the ropes, Matthews leans against them for a moment to shake off the impact of those clotheslines as well as the damage to his arm as well. Shaking off that damage after taking that moment to relax his body, Matthews gets back on the attack by slowly maneuvering his way behind his opponent as West tries to shake the cobwebs out from his brain pan. Working his powerful arms around the rampaging redneck, Grappler pushes down on the neck with a full nelson that immediately drives West down to a knee. Pulling West from one side to the other, Matthews continues to crank the neck of his challenger forward as West struggles to keep from submitting to the pain. His neck being pushed forward so hard simply makes Coy ever the more willing to sink to the kind of depths that had him bite the hell out of Janus’ eye just last week. Knowing that he doesn’t want to give up this close to the title, West presses up against the nelson and works his way up to his feet yet again. Slowly working his way forward towards the ropes, West looks for a way to get himself into the ropes to force a break. Finally just throwing his entire body ahead as far as he can, West puts a leg in between the ropes in order to make Charlie breaks the hold. Simply whipping West to the canvas, Charlie allows his opponent to once again injure his neck.

 

The Comet looks on, “And now Matthews has taken that initial point of attack and turned it into a definitive advantage where can now build to a finishing sort of maneuver. West has to be extra careful to avoid that running ‘time machine’ Death Valley driver.”

 

“But it might not come down to high impact,” corrects Bobby Riley. “If Matthews keeps going to these choke holds and submissions, it could be just as dangerous to West.”

 

Picking West off the mat, Charlie once again uses a hard forearm to the back of the head to knock West down to a knee yet again. Grabbing Coy around the head yet again, Charlie slowly and methodically turns West over for a reverse neckbreaker. But rather than go quietly into the night, Coy once again uses a double grip to gain control of Matthews’ wrist in order to counter his way out of the hold. Quickly pulling his way free of the precarious position, Coy turns his way back out of the hold quickly and turns his way free of the neckbreaker. Immediately catching Matthews around the head, Coy easily falls backward into the mat and jams Charlie into the canvas with the DDT! Flipping head over heels, Charlie lands on his back with West only a moment after in order to apply his second cover of the contest!

 

 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

THRENOOOOOHEKICKSOUT!

 

 

Pushing his way off the mat, Charlie proves just why the DDT is no longer the feared finisher that it used to be. But the move seemingly did its job as the move provides Coy with the chance to get his wits back together after the damage done to his neck in the minutes prior. Slowly and painfully both men rise up to their feet only to have Coy strike first with a looping roundhouse of a right hand that catches The Grappler right underneath the chin. Bashing Charlie once again, West gets his opponent wobbling back on one foot once again but Matthews refuses to fall just yet. Taking another swing though finds that Matthews has enough in his head to duck low and out of the way. Quickly tossing a clothesline back West’s way, Charlie finds that he has no better luck as Coy also moves out of range and takes to the air. Catching Matthews in the chest with a dropkick, Coy finally sends The Grappler down to the mat. Popping up to his feet, Coy waits on Matthews to get to his feet before knocking him right back down to the mat with another dropkick! A third dropkick finds the mark and allows West to make another cover in the hopes that this is the AWA and his real name is Greg Gagne.

 

 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

TH… Come on it was a flurry of dropkicks. How excited can I be?

 

But Coy West proves to b a very excitable person as he quickly mounts his larger opponent and begins to batter away with a barrage of closed fists to the top of the head. Again and again the right hand finds its mark until the furious Grappler puts up an arm in defense. Blocking the strike with his thick arm, Matthews reaches up from his position underneath West and uses his grip on West’s neck to flip their respective positions on the canvas. Gaining the mount, Grappler waists nary a second before brutally ripping across Coy’s head with a number of crushing forearms that all have just one target on the neck of the challenger.

 

BOOM!

 

BOOM!

 

BOOM!

 

“Good god in heaven,” admits The Cyclone Comet as Matthews gets off his battered opponent. “The Grappler just absorbed those strikes and has gone right back to the song that brought him to the dance, while West has been unable to establish an offensive attack.”

 

Grabbing West off the canvas, Matthews locks down with a front facelock once again before pulling West vertical and dumping him into the canvas with a textbook suplex! Wrenching Coy’s neck as he releases him from the suplex, Charlie continues to use his every move to build towards the Death Valley driver. Feeling the momentum entirely on his side yet again, The Grappler collects his challenger off the mat and drives a knee into his midsection. Doubled over like the victim of a beheading in ancient times, West starts to wonder just how much cleaner an axe might be as Charlie starts to chop asunder with a flurry of hard elbows to the back of the head. Again and again the elbow hammers into the base of Coy’s skull as Grappler simply keeps battering away until West finally collapses all the way down to the mat with an unconscious thud. Dropping down on his foe, Charlie hooks West up in an attempt to pull this match away as Nick Soapdish slides into position for the…

 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

THRENOTGOINGTOHAPPEN!

 

Kicking his way loose from under the 300 pounds of ICTV Champion, Coy West keeps his bid for the title alive by forcing a shoulder up and off the canvas. Not really all that bothered; Charlie continues the attack as he pulls The Coyote up and off the canvas by the wrist. Winding up the arm for a little bit of torque, Charlie pulls his opponent in and simply cuts him down with a short-arm clothesline that turns the rampaging redneck head over heels before coming to rest on the canvas. Not even bothering with a cover, Charlie is immediately back on his foe and lowers his shoulders just enough to lift Coy up in a fireman’s carry.

 

“Here it comes! Back in the time machine!”

 

Holding Coy up there though proves to be a harder chore than Matthews might have imagined as the challenger fights his way out his opponent’s grip. Sliding down Grappler’s back, West hooks Charlie for the starting point of a sunset flip. But rather then get pulled over to the canvas, Matthews holds on to his feet and twists a knee down right on the forehead of his opponent. Rising up off his downed and tired opponent, Grappler moves over to the ropes for a moment and looks out to the New Orleans crowd before heading back over to assault his challenger once again. Slamming a knee into the face of his opponent yet again, Charlie seizes the match yet again as he slams West across the back of the head with another forearm. Grabbing Coy by the arm, Charlie heaves his foe into the ropes and lowers a shoulder for a backdrop onto to get kicked right in the chest by the desperate Coyote. Knocked to the mat with the force of the blow, Matthews starts to rise almost immediately as West backs off into the ropes in the hopes of getting his head and neck back together.

 

Comet says, “West needs to rally and rally NOW! He might not get another shot at this so he has to go on the attack right this moment.”

 

Moving in on Charlie Matthews as the champ get sup on his feet, Coy jerks the champion up for just a moment before jamming him downward with a perfectly executed reverse atomic drop! Clenching his teeth at the truth of having his spine dropped on Coy’s knees; Charlie struggles to pull himself together as West continues to try and keep this moving. Backing into the ropes as Matthews finally straitens up; Coy flies back at Matthews and takes his opponent right down to the canvas with a leaping lariat across the throat! Knowing that he needs to keep moving or Matthews will get a bead on him, West rolls up to his feet before heading out to the apron and all the way up to the very top rope. Keeping a hand on his neck all the while, West gets his bearings just as Charlie once again finds his feet. Leaping into the stratosphere, West hits Matthews right in the chest with a missile dropkick that sends the champion to the canvas! Immediately rolling over the top, West lies across his hairy foe as Nick Soapdish counts…

 

 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

THREWHATSWITHALLTHEDROPKICKS!

 

Kicking out from under his opponent, Charlie pushes his way out from underneath his struggling challenger. Struggling up with as much energy as one could expect at this point, Coy waits on the SWF ICTV Champion to get to his feet as well before wrapping his arms around the champ and heaving him up to his shoulders. Turning Matthews over in his arms, Coy jams Charlie into the canvas with a body slam before hitting the ropes yet again in order to get the momentum he needs for his next move. Which proves to be of interest as West hits the air before turning about and cramming down on Matthews with a corkscrew elbow drop right to the middle of Grappler’s chest! Struggling to move even after his offensive shot, West moves up to his feet yet again and awaits his opponent’s rise up to his feet yet again. Taking each and every second that he can to rest himself, Coy looks across the ring as Charlie moves up to his vertical base once again. Charging his foe, West comes flying in as quickly as he can only to have Grappler press him up into the air and drop West right across the top rope.

 

PLINNNNNNNNNNG!

 

Springing off the top rope strand, West clutches at his neck yet again as Matthews slowly works his way into the ropes. Springing back at his challenger, Charlie leaps into the air as well as he can before catching West right in the side of the head with startling bicycle kick! Crashing to the canvas in a rather unwashed heap, West rolls to the ropes as The Grappler takes yet another moment or two to get his wind back into his lungs. His body heaving from the battle fought already in this contest, Charlie enjoys this moment of conquest as West seems to be even in worse shape as he seems to literally hang off the ropes as he struggles to pull his way to his feet. Going over to his opponent, Charlie snags his opponent by the mullet and pulls him up to his feet. Pulling Coy up to his feet, Matthews once again lifts West up into a fireman’s carry only to have Coy slide right off his shoulders! Immediately hooking Charlie from behind, West sweeps his opponent backward with a Russian neckbreaker that leaves both men down on the mat again trying to get their bodies back together.

 

The Cyclone Comet brings some analysis, “And a second attempt at the Time Machine DVD proves to be even less effective. You know, Bobby, a whole lot of people seem to think that going after one body part is the only way to win a match. But what al this neck work has also done is make West hyper aware that the DVD is right around the corner.”

 

Together both men come up to their feet as the referee looks on wondering just like everyone else just how much longer this match can go on. The first one up to his feet, West tries to strike first with a right hook only to have Matthews knock the arm away the blow. Quickly retaliating, Grappler jams a forearm into his opponent’s face and sends him right back down to the mat. Moving in on his opponent, Charlie kicks West across the side of the head with enough force to send the challenger rolling all the way out of the ring. Shaking his head at the thought of losing an opportunity to win the match in the middle of the ring, Matthews nonetheless heads to the outside of the ring with nary a delay as the referee starts that very long count towards an out of the ring disqualification. Grabbing West around the head almost immediately, Grappler jams his opponent’s head in between his legs for a standing head scissors.

 

Comet calls out with a hint of panic in his voice, “Look out! Charlie is heading for the piledriver out on the floor! This could break West’s neck in twain!”

 

“Who in the hell still says twain?”

 

But there is a bigger issue to deal with right now as West feels his body being pulled vertical with only the hard concrete below. Immediately dropping down a knee in order to make himself into as much deadweight as he can, Coy struggles to keep the powerful Matthews from crushing his vertebrae. Then rising up as fast as he can, West sends his opponent over his head with a makeshift backdrop that sends Matthews crashing into the concrete! Leaning forward into the ring post, West takes a moment to get his head back together as Grappler also struggles to get his spine rearranged back into its natural position. But as Matthews gets back up to his feet, West is there to blast him across the face with a right hook before shoving the Grappler back inside the ring in order to keep the match going and keep West’s chance at the ICTV title still alive. Quickly following his opponent into the ring, West begins to hop about the ring a bit, finally catching that second wind that nearly rivals the amount of energy he had at the start of the match. Smashing his hand into Matthews’ face yet again, West batters the ICTV Champion about the face once again and knocks the champion back against the rope. Pushing Matthews into the ropes, West takes tot he air for a dropkick…

 

And gets nothing but air!

 

WHAM!

 

“Damn it really looked like West was about to rally… oh my God! STF! STF!”

 

Whiffing entirely on his leaping kick, Coy lands right on the back of his head and allows Matthews to gain a purchase on his leg. Quickly stepping into West’s knee, Charlie leans down onto his opponent with all 300 of his pounds and clutches Coy around the head. Immediately prying back on the neck, Charlie tries to get the much-needed submission out of his foe as West almost immediately shudders in painful convulsions. But rather than tapping out from the increasingly painful STF, West stretches out as far as he can in order to get a hold of the bottom rope. Reaching as far as his lanky body will allow, The Coyote tries to get to the ropes to force a break as Charlie continues to put as much stress on the crossface portion of the hold.

 

“TAP! TAAAAAAAAAAP!” shouts out Charlie Matthews at the top of his lungs as West screams out in response.

 

But no tap out is forthcoming as West just continues to gut out the pain while moving his body as far as he can to the ropes. After what seems to be an eternity of suffering, Coy finally gets a finger across the bottom rope and forces Charlie to release the hold much to the frustration of the ICTV Champion. Releasing West with a little extra added force than one would think, Grappler rips across Coy with a crossface just as Matthews gets up to his feet. Grabbing the top rope himself, Charlie begins to simply stomp away on the back of West’s head simply to make The Coyote all the more miserable. Almost tearing Coy right off the mat, The Grappler waists nary a moment before sending his opponent into the far corner with an Irish whip. But as Charlie moves in after his prey, he finds West grabbing the top rope and using it to propel himself over the charging Champion.

 

But he does not propel quite far enough!

 

Catching West across his shoulder in position for a powerslam, Charlie yanks his challenger right out of the corner! Pulling Coy free of the buckles, Charlie takes a few steps out of the corner before jamming West down with a shoulderbreaker! Flopping off Charlie’s knee like a salmon, Coy lands in the middle of the ring as The Grappler almost immediately leans across West for a cover of…

 

 

 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

THREEHEISNTODONEYET!

 

Kicking off the mat, West survives another near fall as Charlie rises up with all the anger one might expect from someone who has been smelling Coy West up close for so long. Blasting Coy with another kick to the head, Matthews picks his opponent off the mat and tries to send him into the ring only to have West exhaustedly reverse the whip and send Matthews into the ropes instead. Desperately leaping to one side, West grabs Charlie around the neck and captures his opponent in a sleeper hold! Almost immediately leaping onto Grappler’s back, West tries to put as much pressure on the sleeper as he can as Charlie struggles to somehow get this monkey off his back. Wandering about the ring, Matthews looks to grab a hold of the ropes only to find that his legs simply do not wish to carry him out that far. But that does not mean that Charlie has run out of ideas. Reaching back behind his head, Charlie snags West by the mullet and pulls him forward onto his shoulders!

 

“SWEET ZOMBUIE JESUSSSSSSSSS!”

 

Readjusting West in midair, Charlie holds his challenger up on his shoulders before finally and convincingly jamming The Coyote into the mat with…

 

“TIMMMMMMMMMMMME MACHINNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!”

 

WHAM!

 

“THIS ONE IS OVER!”

 

 

ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE!

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

FOOT ON THE ROPESSSSSSSSSSSSS!

 

 

 

“WEST STILL LIVES!”

 

Just barely sticking a leg across the bottom rope, West staves off elimination as Charlie simply looks as the referee points out the boot still draped across the strand. Putting his hands on his head, Matthews looks like he just about had an embolism. Being disoriented from the sleeper, Charlie just did not have the sense to put West down in the center of the ring. Knowing that to be his own damn fault, Charlie shakes his head loose as though to shake the frustration away from his mind. Getting up to his feet, Matthews collects the rather limp body of his opponent and pulls him into a front facelock.

 

“If the Time Machine couldn’t do it,” admits The Cyclone Comet, “he sure can still set one hell of a Wake-Up Call.”

 

Pulling West’s arm over his own, Matthews pulls the pile away from the ropes so that there will be no rope break this time. Taking a moment to savor the moment, Charlie points up to the air as if to signal…

 

 

And gets pulled down to the canvas with a small package!

 

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

…

 

“My god…”

 

“My ever loving god…”

 

“MY EVER LOVING BLUE EYED GOD!”

 

“WE HAVE ANEW CHAMPION!”

 

Sitting up on the canvas, Charlie’s eyes go wide as the crowd bursts at the seams! Putting his hand on his head in shock, the now former ICTV Champion seemingly doesn’t know what the hell to do with himself as the bell rings to signal the end of his momentous title reign. It is almost as though he is dreaming as he hears the words of Funyon echo through the arena…

 

“The winner of this match and NEWWWWWWWW SWF Intercontinental Television Champion… ‘The Coyote’ COYYYYYYYYYYYY WESSSSSSSSSSSSST!”

 

“We are out of time and we have a new champion! For Bobby Riley, this is the Cyclone Comet… bidding everyone a good night. And what a good night for Coy West and his entire family! We have a new champion!”

Edited February 26, 2004 by Goodear

[Hank Kingsley 0]

So like did this get lost in the mail or something? Maybe I'm all crazy and such... but uhhhh Grapplers match came in something like 2000 words under the limit as far as I was counting. Not to say it couldn't still beat me and all but color me perplexed especially considering the wavy psychology around Grap's finish.

 

I haven't had time to read yours yet, but I'd bet it's much better than mine.

[Kaertos 0]

I just knew I was going to hear about this one either way when I made the decision. It was a very difficult decision. Yeah, Grap's match was shorter. To be fair though, you were like 38 words over by my count West. I could have just DQd the match, but I made the executive decision to mark off some points for that and grade anyways.

 

I don't want to get into too many specifics because A: I don;t like critiqing anyone;s match in an open forumn and B: I really am trying to write up the Smarkdown card, but since it is posted, here are the two things I remember being negatives on your match West.

 

- You repeated phrases like "once again" over and over and over in your match which made it very difficult for me to read fluidly

- Something about the suddeness of the ending made it seem like you were cooking along, saw the word limit getting close and just wrote a roll-up ending.

 

That's just me. I'm sure everyone will disagree with me, but them's the breaks.

[Dace59 0]

The first thing that I though of the ending was Raven/Funk ECW Barely Legal 97. Seems a similar (ish) sort of end.

[Guest ToddRoyal]

Here's mine. It's nowhere near as good as WC's and the ending especially is rushed becuase of time issues. I don't think the story I wanted came across nearly as well as I would have hoped, but I'm in rut-central right now anyhow. sigh.

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

 

Returning live to SWF Lockdown, the crowd in the New Orleans Arena is a buzz (literally and figuratively), with the excitement of Mardi Gras. Packed tightly into the building, the crowd stands and roars, reveling in the excess of the holiday week. Panning past the audience, the camera comes to rest on the announce position, where hero to Cajuns everywhere Cyclone Comet sits besides a heavily beaded Bobby Riley.

 

“Welcome back to Lockdown! We’re live from the biggest party of the year in New Orleans, with another night of SWF action!” Riley shouts.

 

“That’s right, Bobbo. We’re building to our OWN extravaganza at From the Fire, and already tonight we’ve seen contenders determined for the Hardcore and USJL titles! With three big matches still to come, I’m sure we’re in for an amazing night. Now if only you’d stop lifting your shirt for beads…” Comet trails off as Riley flips up his top and catches another purple strand.

 

“Hey, I’m only doing it until that guy in NNN runs out!” Riley smiles back, draping the necklace over his headset.

 

“Coming up next folks, we’ve got an exciting match if there ever was one. The Human Hurricane, Wildchild defends the Cruiserweight title against the Unnamed’s Todd Royal! These two men will be on opposite sides of the tag title match at From the Fire, so you’ll see some real heated action!”

 

As Comet shills the upcoming match, the camera slowly pans back into the arena, where Funyon is stepping between the ropes, microphone in hand. As the spotlights fall back on the ring, Funyon raises the mic to his lips and hushes the celebratory crowd.

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen…the following contest is scheduled for ONE fall, with a 30 minute time limit…and it is for the S…W…F…CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!”

 

Pausing to let the crowd roar in anticipation, Funyon raises the microphone again just as the lights in the arena fall completely black. Mumbling quietly, the crowd is soon drowned out by the melodies of a gospel choir singing quiet praise.

 

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

 

The crowd begins to boo as a bright white spotlight snaps on, illuminating a stained glass portrait of The Unnamed that hangs over the SmarkTron. Candle lights flicker on below, unveiling a fully decked out gospel choir singing the praise chorus. With a thunderous clap, however, strobe lights flash and AC/DC’s “Shoot to Thrill” blares over the PA. As the curtain parts, the booing intensifies.

 

“Announcing first…the challenger…accompanied to the ring by Megan Skye and Landon “La Cucaracha” Maddix and representing the UNNAMED…he hails from San Diego, California and weighs in at two hundred and twenty pounds….TODD ROOYYYYAAALLLLLLLL!!!”

 

The entire arena jeers as Megan Skye and Landon Maddix step onto the stage, holding hands and dressed in matching Blue and Silver outfits. As they take a step towards the ring, Todd Royal bursts from backstage, slamming through their joined hands and out in front. Lowering his sunglasses and smirking at the camera, Royal spins around to reveal his “Todd Bless America” vest and moonwalks back to the ring.

 

“I think we’re ALL impressed by this young rookie, Todd Royal. He won every title in the SJL, and in the next week he has a VERY good chance of winning two of the most prestigious SWF Championships. And Wildchild could take both falls!!” Riley yells excitedly.

 

“No doubt citizen Royal is a talented prospect, but he’s also cocky to a fault and it’s no small feet to defeat Wildchild twice in such a short period of time. In fact it’s been next to impossible to defeat the Cruiserweight champ in recent weeks!” Comet responds.

 

The trio hops on to the apron, and Megan pulls the ropes open for Todd, allowing him into the ring to bask in the boos. As Landon holds open the ropes for Skye, the lights come back on and AC/DC fades out. Royal’s celebration of himself is cut short, however, as Redman’s “Lets Get Dirty” blasts over the speakers, shooting the crowd into a frenzy.

 

“And his opponent….from Morgan’s Bluff, Andros, Bahamas…weighing in at two hundred and fifteen pounds…he is ONE HALF of the SWF Tag Team Champions…and the current, reigning and defending SWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION….WIIIIILLLLDDD CHIIIIILLLLDDD!!!”

 

Bursting through the curtain, Wildchild leaps down the aisle, a grin on his face, the tag team title over his shoulder and the cruiserweight belt around his waist. Slapping hands with all of the fans, the Bahama Bomber is bombarded with beads from the stands, and more than a couple of peep shows from excited sorority girls in the stands. Acknowledging the cheers of the crowd, the champion rushes the ring, leaping first to the apron, then the top rope before coming down in the ring.

 

“Hey, at least we’re finally in a place where people understand what Wildchild is saying when he talks. Crazy Creoles and their crawfish…” Riley mutters, half drowned out by the roaring audience.

 

“Like I said, Wildchild is nearly unbeatable right now, and has already defeated former SJL champions Alan Clark and Landon Maddix in recent weeks. Royal’s going to have to pull out ALL the stops to succeed where his colleagues failed.”

 

The pounding music dies down, and the crowd calms a bit as referee Anthony Michael Hall escorts Maddix and Skye from the ring and steps in between the competitors. Taking the belts from Wildchild, Hall flashes them at a grinning Royal before handing them through the ropes to Funyon. Stepping back into the center of the ring, the official pats down the champion, declaring him free of illegal objects. When he turns to do the same to Todd, however, Royal scoffs, taking a towel from Megan and demanding Hall wipe his hands before touching his boots. The crowd boos as the official reluctantly obliges, before stepping back and signaling for the bell.

 

*DING* *DING* *DING*

 

As the crowd slumps back into their seats, both men begin to circle the ring. Megan Skye lets out a cry of support as Royal raises his arms and lunges forward, looking for a collar-and-elbow. Wildchild ducks out of the way, however, spinning past Royal as Todd stumbles awkwardly into the ropes.

 

“Todd Royal, whiffing completely on a lockup attempt. I don’t know if Royal is prepared for a man of Wildchild’s speed, as there was no one quite that speedy in the SJL.” says Comet as Todd pushes off the ropes and spins back to face his smiling opponent.

 

“I don’t know about that, Comet. Todd DOES have experience in Mexico before joining the SJL…” Riley responds, as Royal wrings his wrists and lunges forward again.

 

Wildchild reacts immediately, sliding to his left and under the outstretched arms of Royal. As Todd staggers by, Wildchild strikes out, drilling his opponent in the chest with the snap of kick. Doubling over, Royal grunts, catching the ropes and cursing out loud.

 

“That was months ago, Bobbo, and it appears Royal isn’t quite used to someone with the speed of WC!” says Comet, responding to his partner’s comments.

 

Kicking the ropes, Todd spins immediately back around, slicking back his hair and wrinkling his nose. Bouncing back in forth between his feet, Wildchild smiles, silently offering Royal to try his luck for a third time. Stepping in, Todd obliges, throwing out his hands and blowing by his opponent again. This time, however, Royal reacts quickly, striking out and catching Wildchild’s tights, wrapping around the champion and grabbing him with a waistlock.

 

“Never underestimate our Todd and Savior! Royal’s caught Wildchild now, and with his skills, it is only a matter of time before WC is on the ground screaming in pain and tapping away that Cruiserweight title!” Riley shouts triumphantly as a smile breaks over Royal’s face for the first time in the match.

 

Before Todd can work the waistlock however, Wildchild spins out of it, switching positions and locking on a waistlock of his own. The crowd pops as Megan slaps the mat in frustration, drawing a look of frustration from Royal. Sweeping out his leg, the champion drives Todd face-first into the mat. Readjusting himself into a mount position, Wildchild grinds his opponent into the canvas.

 

Grimacing and fighting out of the hold, the challenger hooks his opponent’s arm. In a flash, Royal spins on top of Wildchild, reversing into a mount of his own. The champion reacts quickly in an attempt to spin out, but Todd slides over into a chancery. Skidding across the mat, Wildchild continues to spin out of the hold, but Royal continues to spin with him. Within seconds, however, the challenger is proved a step too slow, as Wildchild rotates away, leaving Todd spinning in the air before crashing face-first into the canvas.

 

“AMAZING speed and technique by WC! He went toe-to-toe with one of the best technical wrestlers in the SWF and left him humiliated on the canvas!” Shouts Comet, over the roar of the crowd.

 

Wildchild grins, adjusting the tape on his forearms as Royal slams his hands on the mat in anger. Rolling into the corner and using the ropes to pull himself up, Todd shakes his head and glares across the ring. Landon offers words of encouragement from outside the ropes, as Wildchild takes off, spinning around and blasting Royal across the face with an elbow.

 

*THWACK!*

 

Todd’s head whips back on impact, but fueled by anger Royal fires back, immediately slashing at the champion and laying his palm across Wildchild’s chest with a knife-edge chop.

 

*SMACK!*

 

“OOOH! Wildchild’s done it now! He’s got Royal angry, and the last thing the champ wants to feel tonight is the wrath of a vengeful Todd!!” Riley screams as Wildchild reaches back, firing off a second stiff shot.

 

Putting up his forearms to block, the challenger winces at the pain of even blocking the shot as he lashes out with his leg, driving his shin into Wildchild’s knee. The champion falls face down on the canvas, but rolls away immediately when Todd tries to follow up with a knee.

 

Planting his hands and kipping up, Wildchild turns to his opponent, hooking Royal under the arm and spinning to the mat with an arm drag. The crowd begins to buzz as Todd scrambles to his feet, desperately firing off a lariat, and catching nothing but air as the champion zips by him.

 

“Seems like whatever Royal tries, Wildchild has an answer to. He’s got the experience and the speed edge, and It’s going to take something big…”

 

“Like an act of Todd?!?”

 

“I suppose so,” Comet finishes “ to beat Wildchild for that title on this night!”

 

Royal recovers from missing the strike, and turns around as his opponent bounces off the ropes. Wildchild charges in like a lightning bolt, but a quick-thinking Royal kicks out his legs, leaping into the air and sailing over the champion’s head. Todd smiles at his ingenuity, but before the challenger can even finish raising his finger to his temple, he tumbles forward- the victim of a backflip kick from behind.

 

“YEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!”

 

The crowd roars at the impact, and Wildchild quickly snaps to his feet. Angry, and already fatigued, Royal follows slowly, clenching his fist and breathing heavily. Reaching out his hand and growling, Todd grabs his opponent by the wrist, snapping Wildchild to the ropes with an Irish whip.

 

“See, that’s what I like about Todd Royal. He’s persistent. If something doesn’t work out, he tries again. That’s something to admire!” Riley gushes.

 

Todd steps back, bouncing against the near ropes as his opponent rebounds off the far cables. Charging forward with his foot extended, Royal whiffs on a Yakuza kick, and stumbles against the opposite ropes. Blowing by the challenger, Wildchild leaps up onto the middle rope, pivots, and springboards backwards, catching Todd with a leg lariat and driving him into the mat.

 

“WILD-CHILD!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap* “WILD-CHILD!” *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap*

 

As Royal scrambles under the ropes to the outside, the crowd explodes, chanting the champion’s name and bringing a smile to his face. As Wildchild spins to his feet again, even Bobby Riley can’t help but praise him.

 

“ I gotta hand it to Wildchild, he is certainly on his game tonight. But I’ve seen Royal comeback from adversity from before to win big matches. It’s probably a good strategy to powder right now, and form a new plan of attack.”

 

“YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH”

 

The crowd erupts as Wildchild bounds to the top rope, running deftly along the cable before springing off the turnbuckle and curling into a ball. At ringside, Maddix and Skye have barely gotten Todd to his feet when the cannonball champion plows all three down, landing on his feet and raising his fist in victory.

 

“Unfortunately for Royal, there’s NEVER a moment to breathe when WC is across the ring! Todd bailed out of the ring, but Wildchild was right there after him, firing off with an AMAZING Pinball Andros Dive!” Comet shouts, as the champion grabs Royal’s tights, rolling him under the ropes.

 

As Maddix tends to Megan on the outside, Wildchild pulls himself up onto the apron. Springing to the top rope, the champion spins to the inside of the ring, sticking out his arm and driving his right elbow into Royal’s sternum. With the crowd on their feet and cheering, Wildchild hooks the leg, making the first cover of the match.

 

ONNNNNNEEEEEEEE…..

 

 

 

 

TTTWWW…..

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!

 

“Quick cover by Wildchild, but Royal still has enough in the tank to kickout!” Comet shouts, as Anthony Michael Hall throws up two fingers.

 

Slightly annoyed, Riley fires back, defending the challenger. “Wildchild may be on fire tonight, but it’s going to take a LOT more than that to put Todd down for the count!”

 

Obviously tired already, Royal pulls himself off the mat again and wipes the sweat from his forehead. Showing no such signs of fatigue, his opponent steps forward, pivoting on his left foot and plastering Todd with another roaring elbow.

 

*THWACK!*

 

Royal staggers, but again retaliates with a knife-edge chop, only to have Wildchild duck the blow and come up swinging, searing Todd’s chest with a stiff chop of his own.

 

*SMACK!*

 

A welt forming on his chest, and his face reddening equally as quick, Royal grimaces and steps forward, kicking out his leg and snapping off a shin strike. This blow also finds nothing but air, as Wildchild shuffles away from the kick and blasts Todd in the gut with a strike of his own. The challenger doubles over, and Wildchild continues to fire, snapping Royal back up with a kick to the face.

 

“Wildchild is just teeing off on Todd Royal right now! He knows he’s got to face Royal again for the tag titles in just a few weeks, and he wants to put him away as quickly as possible.” says the Cyclone Comet, “Meanwhile, Todd is battling just to stay alive, firing blindly and just hoping something, ANYTHING connects!”

 

Indeed, as Comet says, an enraged and frustrated Todd Royal lashes out, his back against the ropes, only to have each blow dodged by the speedy champion. Wildchild sidesteps a shin strike, shuffles under a chop and blocks a forearm, all while laying into the challenger with blows of his own that echo throughout the arena.

 

Missing badly on a fourth chop, Todd groans, desperately kicking out his right knee. His eyes snap open as his shin makes contact, striking Wildchild’s kneecap and dropping the champion to one knee. Sensing a rare opportunity, Royal lunges forward, springing off his opponent’s leg and burying his knee into the champ’s face.

 

“OHHHHHH!”

 

As the crowd deflates, Royal summons his strength and lays his arm over Wildchild’s chest. Anthony Michael Hall falls to his knees, slapping the canvas for the count.

 

ONNNNNNEEEEE….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!!

 

 

“Kickout by Wildchild!! Brutal Shining Wizard from Todd Royal, but the champion is out at one!”

 

As Comet calls the near fall, a distraught Royal pleads with the official, making a futile argument for two extra counts.

 

“You can’t blame Todd for being emotional. With all he went through before hitting that Shining Wizard, in Royal’s mind he can’t fathom that it wouldn’t be enough to win the match. Unfortunately for him, Wildchild isn’t nearly as worn down.” Riley points out as both competitors climb to their feet.

 

With blue and yellow paint flecks clinging to his black kneepad, Royal grabs his opponent by the hair and hooks a front face-lock. Reaching down and grabbing a handful of tights, the challenger lurches backward, planting Wildchild on the canvas with a snap suplex.

 

Clenching his teeth and summoning all his strength to roll his hips, Royal gets to his knees, and then his feet. Still holding onto the face-lock, Todd strengthens his grip on his opponent’s tights and pulls up, arcing backward and dropping Wildchild to the canvas with a vertical suplex.

 

“Royal knows he has an opportunity here,” Comet explains, “and it looks like he’s going to make the most of it. Todd’s going for that Trinity of suplexes, a series of moves that has put many down before.”

 

As the challenger rolls slowly to his knees again, he takes a deep breath. This momentary pause is all it takes to reverse the momentum however, as it’s Wildchild who pulls Royal to a standing position. Hooking his own hands around Todd’s neck, the champion pulls back, pulling his opponent perpendicular to the mat. Spinning in place, Wildchild falls to the mat, dropping Todd spine-first into the canvas.

 

“Corkscrew suplex! And just as quickly, WC is back in control!”

 

As Comet reacts to the move, Wildchild is already rolling to his knees, shaking his head to clear the effects of the suplexes, the champion takes a few steps back from his opponent. Royal pulls himself to his knees and breathes heavily as he climbs to his feet, but Wildchild pounces, leaping into the air and dragging Royal right back onto the canvas.

 

“Whiplash!” Riley screams out, as on the outside Megan Skye screams her own frustrations at ringside, “Wildchild isn’t even letting Royal get to his feet!”

 

“The Cruiserweight champion flying high right now, and Todd Royal is on the receiving end!” As if providing a demonstration of Comet’s comments, Wildchild snaps immediately back to his feet and takes off for the other side of the ring.

 

Royal groans as he rolls onto his back, and Wildchild leaps into the air, bouncing off the middle rope and flipping backwards through the air, dropping down across his opponent with an Asai Moonsault. With the crowd on their feet, Wildchild hooks the leg, drawing the count from the referee.

 

OOONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEE!!!!!…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTTTWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO!!!!…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTTTHHHHRRRRRR…

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!!

 

 

“Kickout! What a kickout by Todd Royal!” Bobby Riley erupts as Royal’s shoulder leaps off the mat. “Summoning the strength of Todd, Royal kicks out where most men would not! Hail Todd!”

 

The crowd reacts with disappointment to the near fall, but continues to buzz, knowing Wildchild is in full control. Rubbing his knee slightly, but feeling the same sense, the champion climbs off the mat, catching Royal by the wrist and jerking him off the canvas. Without even a momentary pause, Wildchild leaps into the air, wrapping his legs around his opponent’s head and flipping to the mat, sending Todd skidding into the corner with a rana.

 

His eyes glazed over, the challenger grabs the top ropes and pulls himself to his feet. By the time Royal plants his boots on the canvas, however, Wildchild has already begun to run across the ring. Halfway across the ring, the champion leaps into the air and spirals around, crashing down on Todd with a corner splash.

 

“BLUE CRUSH!” Comet erupts as Royal slumps down, falling between the ropes and tumbling to the outside. As Maddix and Skye rush to his aid, the crowd erupts in response to the champion.

 

“DUB-CEE!” “DUB-CEE!” “DUB-CEE!”

 

As the House of Todd congregates at ringside, Wildchild is already planning his next move. With the crowd chanting his initials, the Bahama Bomber takes off, bounding up the turnbuckles and careening to the outside, twisting in midair as he barrels toward his opponent.

 

At the last second, a wide-eyed Landon Maddix shoves his leader aside, leaving himself and Megan to take the full force of the dive. As the champion sails toward them, the disciples of Todd tumble over the gaurdrail, sending everyone but Royal into the first rows of the crowd.

 

“HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!” “HOLY SHIT!”

 

“Todd Almighty!” Riley erupts, “ Wildchild just plowed over Landon Maddix and Megan Skye! Todd Bless La Cucaracha for getting Royal out of the way!”

 

“WC nearly took out half the crowd, and they don’t even care! The crowd LOVES Wildchild in New Orleans!” Comet crows, praising the cruiserweight champion.

 

Breaking free from the crowd that swarms him, Wildchild leaps back over the guard rail, leaving Maddix and Skye in a heap. As the champion lands on the ringside mats, however, Royal strikes, diving at Wildchild and clipping his leg out from under him. The champion buckles, howling in pain as he grabs his leg in pain.

 

Todd huffs as he lifts up his opponent, rolling him under the bottom rope. Following him in, and grabbing the injured leg, Royal drops to the mat, driving his own knee into the back of Wildchild’s.

 

“The Human Hurricane has been calmed for now, Comet!” Riley gushes, singing the praises of the challenger, “They’re called high risk moves for a reason, and Wildchild may have just cost HIMSELF the cruiserweight title!”

 

Turning the champion over, Royal places his boot on the inside of the knee. Jerking Wildchild up by the ankle, Todd stomps downward, slamming the inured knee hard into the canvas. As the champion writhes in pain, Royal continues the assault, hooking his opponent’s leg and dragging him across the ring.

 

“Everytime Royal has been able to land a shot, he has taken it at WC’s leg,” Comet points out, “and now that he has an advantage, he’s focusing all his attention on it. You have to believe he wants to hook on the Wrath of Todd, and he wants to do it soon.”

 

“Don’t worry,” Riley assures his partner, “Wildchild won’t escape this time. Royal’s got all the time in the world!”

 

Placing Wildchild’s leg over the middle rope, Royal lays in the boots, kicking furiously at the knee of the champion. Wildchild struggles to escape, but standing on his opponent’s hair, Todd refuses to allow him to leave. With a final boot to the knee, Royal drags the champion back into the center of the ring, a grin sliding across his weary face.

 

“I think Todd Royal is finally comfortable in this match for the first time. He has slowed WC down to his speed, and has the Tropical Tumbler right where he wants him.” Comet says, with more than a little resentment in his voice.

 

Peeling Wildchild off the canvas, Royal adjusts his grip on the leg, swirling his finger to signal the crowd for a Dragon Screw whip. Before Todd can cut down his leg, however, Wildchild leaps into the air, kicking out his free leg and plastering Royal across the face with his kick pad.

 

“Gamengiri!” shouts Comet, as excited as the crowd to see a comeback from Wildchild. Just as quickly, Riley fires back however, pointing out the situation on the mat.

 

“Wildchild may have hit a big move, but Royal isn’t budging! He’s worked too hard to get to this point, and he knows what will happen if Wildchild escapes. It’s going to take the hand of Todd to pry Royal off of him!”

 

Indeed, though he has fallen to one knee, Royal maintains his grasp on his opponent’s leg. Growling as he climbs back to his feet, Todd’s eyes flash with anger as he pulls Wildchild toward him. Hooking the champion’s arm around his neck, Royal jerks his body up , cradling the leg and dropping to one knee.

 

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

 

Wildchild screams as his knee is driven down across the knee of his opponent. Royal grins sadistically, as the champion tries to hop away, grabbing the ankle and pulling his thumb across his throat. With a tug of the boot laces, Wildchild spins toward him, and Royal grabs him around the waist.

 

Reaching down and hooking Wildchild between the legs, Todd braces himself and lifts the smaller man into the air. Pushing the champion’s shoulder away from him and spinning Wildchild around, Royal grabs his opponent by the legs and drops him to the mat, remaining standing and jackknifing him on the canvas. The crowd gasps, as Hall slides into position.

 

ONNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE…

 

 

 

 

 

“Standing Blue Thunder Powerbomb by Todd Royal!” screams Riley.

 

 

 

 

 

TWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…

 

 

“Wildchild’s taken a beating! Can he kick out?!” asks Comet as the official’s hand drops for a second count.

 

 

 

 

 

TTTHHHHHRRRRR…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KICKOUT!!!

 

 

“YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH”

 

 

The crowd erupts as Wildchild forces his shoulder off the canvas, but Royal follows it up, rolling with the champion and laying him face-down on the mat. Grapevining the injured leg, Todd falls down next to his opponent, hooking on an STF.

 

“Beautiful chain wrestling by Todd Royal! He rolled right into that STF, and with Wildchild trapped in the center of the ring, this could be IT for the champ!” Riley cries, urging Todd to keep the hold in tight.

 

“You can see the pain in the eyes of Royal,” Comet points out, “from all the punishment he took early on. But he knows if he can keep WC down for a few more minutes he can bring him to the same level of pain, and possibly win the match.”

 

“PLEASE DON’T TAP!” “PLEASE DON’T TAP!” “PLEASE DON’T TAP!”

 

The crowd chimes in their opinion, and Wildchild inches forward as Comet continues. “I honestly believe though, that Wildchild is the best in the business right now. With the beating Todd took, it could be a miracle if he pulls this out.

 

Todd Royal’s confidence seems to drain from his face in each drop of sweat as he struggles to keep his opponent in the ring. Wildchild claws his way across the canvas however, and with one final effort, drapes his taped arm across the bottom rope. Royal continues to jerk back, but Anthony Michael Hall steps in, forcing Todd off and backing him across the ring.

 

“The Human Hurricane makes the ropes! What a show of heart by WC! You can tell how much that cruiserweight belt means to him, and he’s not about to let Royal come back and steal a win.”

 

As Comet sings his praises, Wildchild gets to his feet and shakes the pain from his knee. As Todd starts across the ring, the champion takes off, leaping into the air and grabbing Royal around the neck. Whipping his body around his opponent’s body and driving Todd into the canvas.

 

“NO!” Riley erupts, “Tornado DDT!!”

 

As the crowd erupts, Wildchild crawls over, laying his arm over Royal’s chest for a pin cover. The official slides to make the count, and the audience follows along.

 

OOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTTTTWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

 

“Praise be to Todd! For all things good and holy, Royal is still alive!”

 

As Riley lays hands at the temple of Todd, the crowd reacts in shock to Hall’s two outstretched fingers. The only one not fazed by the count is Wildchild, who pulls himself off his opponent with his eyes fixed firmly on the ropes.

 

“I honestly thought that might do it,” Comet confesses, “when Royal lost control of the match, he lost his confidence, and I didn’t think he’d be able to kick out of that DDT. One more big move, however and WC will have this match in hand.”

 

At ringside, Megan Skye shrieks at her man, drawing a glare from the official, and catcalls from the audience, as Wildchild leaps up onto the top rope. With the referee’s attention momentarily averted though, Landon Maddix leaps up, driving his forearm into the knee of the champion. Wildchild buckles, crashes off the ropes and lands hard on his head, as Hall spins around to see the impact.

 

“NO!” Comet shouts, finding no further words to express his outrage.

 

“Cover…cover…COVER!!!” Riley screams, only slightly more verbose.

 

Crawling over, and rolling Wildchild up, Royal drapes his legs over the middle rope. With the crowd beginning to toss soda cups at the ring, Hall drops to his knees again.

 

 

OOOOONNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTTTTTHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE?!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEE!!!

 

 

*DING* *DING* *DING*

 

Screaming over the bell, Bobby Riley’s voice is reminiscent of a Sunday morning Televangelist. “Praise be to Todd!! It’s a miracle! A MIRACLE!! Our Todd and Savior is our new Cruiserweight Champ!! Hail Todd!! You said it yourself, a Todd-damned miracle!”

 

 

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!”

 

 

Dejected, Comet snaps back, uncharacteristically angry. “I said if ROYAL won the match, it would be a miracle. Landon Maddix won this match just as much, and it’s a travesty of justice.”

 

The jeers of the crowd rain out, only cut through by the booming voice of Funyon. “Ladies and gentlemen….your winner, as a result of a pinfall…and NEEEEWWW SWF Cruiserweight Champion….TODD ROYAL!!”

 

“What a night, Comet! The Unnamed captures another title belt”

 

“All Royal did was make Wildchild angry though, and at From the fire, The House of Todd will have to deal with Wild and Dangerous!! Landon and Todd can run now, but at From the Fire, they’ll have NO where to hide!”

 

“Don’t be such a spoilsport Comet. Right now, just bask in the glory of Todd, and we’ll be…right…back!”