SWF Storm

[Thoth 0]

SWF Storm fades in on a shot of Interim Commissioner Alex Zenon’s office. Zenon sits at his desk, and the camera is trained on him.

 

“So what you’re trying to tell me,” he says, “is that you think you’ve got a case for the number-one contendership.”

 

The camera pulls back to show Tom Flesher, wearing a white t-shirt with a blue ringer underneath a matching dark denim-jacket-and-jeans set. “I don’t think you can spin it any other way, Alex,” he says with a smirk. “Look at the main event tonight. It’s bad enough that your top man doesn’t have any crossover appeal… he’ll tell you himself… and I really have to question the wisdom of parading around an obvious steroid user for the world to see, especially in the wake of the Olympic doping scandals that got Alexander Leipold, CJ Hunter and Andreea Raducan stripped of their gold medals in 2000. But the guy who’s challenging him isn’t just fragile, he’s a psychopath. Why would you want a man who nearly crippled one of our top crossover stars representing the company?”

 

“And you think giving you a title match under highly favorable circumstances is the way to deal with that,” Zenon says with raised eyebrows.

 

“You don’t have to make it favorable, Alex,” Flesher says. “No matter who wins tonight, I’m ahead of the game. I’ve been putting Williams on his back since we debuted down south, and Kibagami tapped when I faced him. All I want is to be declared the #1 contender and get my shot.”

 

“Well, Tom, you make an interesting case,” says Zenon dryly, “but I have to tell you… I have another visitor scheduled. Don’t worry, you can stay.” Zenon presses the buzzer on his desk and says, “Kristen, can you send in my next appointment?”

 

Flesher looks over to the door, where a stitched-up Dace Night stands.

 

“Dace, pleasure to see you this evening.”

 

Flesher scowls. “What’s this all about?”

 

“Well,” says Zenon, “it seems to me that Dace made a very good point a few nights ago when you made the same argument I just heard. You get a title shot every time you turn around, but for all his work, Dace has barely been in the same room as the World Title.”

 

“Then I can make him my first defense,” says Flesher sourly.

 

“Not quite,” Zenon says. “Neither of you has done anything worthy of a title shot recently. You beat Duran on the downturn in a match that we might as well have called ‘Flesher in a Cell,’ and you,” he says, looking at Dace, “beat Spike and Crow in a tables match. But…” he sighs. “Listen, I’ll cut to the chase. You’re fighting for the #1 contendership.”

 

Dace grins, but Flesher glares. “Oh, sure. You give Night a chance to upset me?”

 

“No, Tom,” says Zenon. “Whoever wins this match is going to have to win three times to get it. You’re going to have a best-of-five series, and the winner is the #1 contender to the SWF World Championship. And,” he says, as Flesher starts to object, “the stipulations change every night. Now, can I trust that neither of you has a problem with that?”

 

Flesher scowls and says, “I don’t understand why you’re making me beat this tool just to get back to a belt I’ve held twice.”

 

“Because, Tom, you’re not as good as you think you are. Like it or not, Dace Night has as good a chance to win this as you do, and you damn well better bring your workboots if you want a shot at that belt.”

 

The camera pulls away as the telecast fades into the card description.

[Thoth 0]

It's Friday night. It's live. It's Storm! And it seems Commissioner Zenon is feeling in a patriotic mood tonight, as rather than the typical 'flash, bang, boom!' pyrotechnical opening to the show, ring announcer Funyon is in the ring. Equally likely, Zenon forgot to get the fireworks. Either way Funyon is ready to kick the show off with his own sort of bang...which is probably cheaper than the fireworks anyway. So it's all good.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen..." Funyon's voice booms in it's typical manner. "...would you please rise for the playing of our National Anthem!"

 

 

 

 

"Dirty Dog

I'm, I'm a dirty dog

I'm a dirty dog

I'm, I'm a dirty dog

Dirty Dog

I'm a dirty dog

Dirty Dog"

 

"Err...last time I checked, this wasn't our National Anthem." mumbles Cyclone Comet, who has had the sense to take his hand away from his heart and sit back down at the announce desk.

 

"I told you MTV was a bad idea." tuts Riley, who had sat down the moment the camera stopped pointing at him.

 

Confusion fills the rest of the arena, with those who had just risen to their feet either sitting back down, or remaining standing to throw their abuse at the man who emerges from behind the curtain moments later...who unsurprisingly is Landon 'La Cucaracha' Maddix, complete with his newly acquired USJL Championship belt around his waist...and his hands behind his back. Megan Skye emerges behind moments later, but keeps out of the grinning Maddix's way, as he takes his right arm from behind his back, revealing...

 

 

...a title belt!?!

 

Confusion again takes over the crowd, as Landon brings his left arm from behind his back...

 

...to reveal a third title belt!?!

 

 

"What the...blazes?" Comet mumbles, still shocked over the interruption. "Are those the..."

 

"SJL European and World Titles belts?" Riley cooly asks, as if he knows something everyone else doesn't. "Why, I do believe they are."

 

"Why the hell has he got them?"

 

"You'll see..."

 

Landon strolls to the ring, as if there were nothing remotely odd about him suddenly having three title belts, while the fans boo him mercilessly as ever. The boos don't show any signs of dying down, as Landon and Megan reach the apron where Landon throws in his two handheld belts, and hops onto the apron before helping up Megan and opening up the ropes for her. Quickly he enters in after, the huge-ass grin on his face growing wider and wider by the second seemingly, as he takes the two belts again and raises them in the air, which gets a bunch more jeers. Funyon is still standing in the center of the ring meanwhile, dumbfounded at the interruption's timing and that his moment in the spotlight has been ruined. Or maybe not, as Landon walks over to him and reaches into his jeans' pocket, passing Funyon a card. Funyon gives him an odd look, but is encouraged to speak by both Landon and Megan...and with nothing else to do, he shrugs and looks at the card.

 

"Ladies and gentlemen...please welcome the SWF USJL...

 

 

...Triple Crown Champion!?!"

 

 

Landon nods to Funyon who seems a little confused, but carries on regardless, as Landon breaks into a pose that shows all three of his belts off.

 

"...LANDON...'LA CUCARACHA'...MAAAAADDIIIXXX!!!"

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

With his introduction taken care of, Landon doesn't need Funyon around, so grabs the microphone off him and basically tells him to hit the road, which he promptly does. By now, "Lapdance" has died down which allows Landon to raise the microphone, ready to address the crowd...

 

 

"LANDON SUCKS! LANDON SUCKS! LANDON SUCKS!"

 

...who clearly do not wish to be addressed. Still, Landon is nothing if not determined, and waits for the chants to calm down before continuing.

 

 

"Thank you." Landon sighs, with much sarcasm. "It seems no matter how much my luck changes...the lack of respect from you ingrate fans will remain the same. But that doesn't bother me anymore. So you might as well save your breath booing me."

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

".....Fine, whatever. I'm not out here to listen to your 'opinions' of me, because believe it or not I have more important things to worry about than that. Incase you hadn't noticed, I finally have SWF gold. It took a few months, sure. But like the saying goes...all good things come to those who wait. I survived losing to Sacred. I survived Wildchild beating me. I survived him and Johnny Dangerous beating me and Todd. I survived Charlie Matthews defeating me in my first World Title shot. But that's all in the past, because now I am FINALLY the SWF USJL Champion. Oh, and incase you hadn't noticed..."

 

Landon smiles smugly, before looking at both of the JL belts in his hands.

 

"...I seem to have a couple more belts than the average champion around here. Call me crazy, but I decided that after all I've been through to finally call myself a champion, I deserved more than just the one piece of gold. And seeing as I actually OWN the JL European and World Title belts that you can see me modelling...I thought, 'Hey, why not.' Just like when I saw Funy over there about to sing the national anthem. I thought about coming out here, and realised 'Hey, why not. After all, I'm the USJL Champion.' Seeing as I own these two belts, it's only natural that I should show them off. Of course, I wasn't going to do that until I had this third belt to complete the set. Now that 'Oy' Coy West finally stepped aside and let someone with a...as he would say...'bootlick' of talent take the belts, I've dusted off these belts. For those of you out there with short memories. Or, judging from the looks of you, half a brain."

 

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

 

"He has a point." Riley agrees. "Look at that one over there. While God was handing out brains, she must have been busy raising her inbred children...or something."

 

"For those of you..." Landon continues. "...I remind you that I was the last ever SJL World Champion. Not to mention the last ever SJL European Champion. And of course, once that company was thrown into the ground and covered over in metaphorical dirt, the executives of the company said to be that I deserved the belts more than anyone else, and that I should keep them...as a momento. Now I thought about selling them on e-Bay, make a little cash. But then I realised that these babies would come in handy someday. And sure enough, they have. Right now, you are looking at the USJL Triple Crown Champion. You know...Japan has Kawada and Muto and Vader, who they stole from us. But as the American Triple Crown Champion, you've got ME! That's not the best bit though. Unless somebody decides to give me ten thousand dollars for each of these here belts, I'm going to be the ONLY USJL Triple Crown Champion. I own two of these belts. The third one, I just plain deserve to have..."

 

 

Suddenly, Landon is cut off in mid speech, as the lights suddenly snap off leaving the arena shrouded in darkness. The crowd do their usual 'Oh my, the lights have gone out, let's scream' bit...which lasts until the SmarkTron suddenly lights up with just one message on it...

 

 

"2 - 2"

 

...before that cuts, and the lights begin to come back on. Landon however isn't waiting around to continue his speech, and is hurriedly scurrying up the rampway, dragging Megan Skye behind him by the wrist as he goes.

 

"An abrupt ending...wow, God really does like me." Comet chuckles.

 

"Don't jest about things like that. Poor Landon, our USJL Triple Crown winner...the man who makes Jumbo Tsuruta look like David Blazenwing, the man who makes Stan Hansen look like Spike Jenkins...he comes out here to celebrate his hard fought victory, and to proclaim himself the US's Triple Crown champion. And someone decides to interrupt him...

 

 

...and by the way, it's Todd, not God."

 

"Well, all I'll say is give me Keiji Muto over Landon Maddix any day."

 

"Fine...but don't blame me when the guy spits his beer in your eyes...COMMERCIAL!"

[Thoth 0]

“Helllooooooo fans! This is the one and only CYCLONE

COOOOOMMMEEEETTTT sitting at the commentary desk with...” Comet stops and looks at his co-commentator.

 

“What?” is Bobby’s simpleton reply.

 

“...”

 

“Oh, right... with Bobby Riley! And we’re bringing you some GREAT wrestling action here tonight!” half-heartedly yells Riley.

 

“Ah no, Robert! You do not seem very interested tonight, is something the matter?”

 

“..wait, what!? You actually believe I’m interested at any of these shows? I’m just here because I’m too lazy to get a real job.”

 

“This is real job,” says Comet.

 

Bobby shakes his head, “Maybe for you, but you’re not the one being driven insane by a spandex-wearing idiot every four, five days.”

 

“Ha! I’ve seen what you wear under that suit, Roberto!”

 

“...how?” queries Riley.

 

“...duh, superhero...”

 

As always, the commentators start to bicker about everything except the upcoming match. However...

 

“HHEEEAAAARRRR ME NNNNOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!”

 

...gives the crowd a clear indication of who is coming out to wrestle first! The lights flicker in a brooding red light as screens at homes around the world become distorted with picture noise. The lights and noise stops as the darkness goes black again... and a spotlight appears in the middle of the stage. Standing amidst the light is Crow, the Antichrist Superstar with his wings spread and head cocked back. The crowd cheers wildly for their beloved superstar.

 

“Hear me now!

Words I vow!

No fucking regrets!”

 

Crow drops his arms and turns around to face the crowd. A cigarette is as always present, the BUTT resting gently between his lips. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his zippo and smiles as he slashes the zippo back and forward across his pants.

 

”Fuck these chains!

No god damn slave!

I will be different!”

 

The Antichristian Phenomenon lights the cigarette in his mouth and proceeds to stride forward. After his second stride he throws the still lit zippo behind him onto the stage and an eruption of fire goes off! The crowd cheers wildly as the flames rise up to two metres in height!

 

“Just hear this reception for the Antichrist Superstar!” shouts Cyclone.

 

Bobby is clutching at his ears, “No, I really don’t want to! Why, oh WHY, can’t these guys ever pick some good music!?”

 

I'll stand here defiantly!

My middle finger raised!

Fuck your prejudice!

 

Crow begins to walk down the aisle with a face made of stone - frustration clearly evident.

 

“Citizen Crow hasn’t been flying through the SWF with grace recently, it’s obvious, Bobby, that his injuries have had a rather large affect on his ability to get it done in the ring,” wisdoms Comet.

 

“Well, duh!” mocks Bobby, “Try feuding with a man who is psychotic, one foot taller and one hundred pounds heavier than you... it’s not a recipe for good living.” Riley muses for a moment as Crow strides up the steels steps and enters the ring, “From being forced to watch his matches, I have noticed that he’s lost a certain edge... like, he’s unable to take as much punishment as he used to be able to.”

 

“Hmm, indeed, that is true,” says Comet as he thinks, “I also noticed in his loss to Tom Flesher he lacked a lot of spirit and fire. The tables match would have to be his lowest point since returning... getting eliminated by Spike Jenkins after taking very minimal punishment.”

 

Bobby Riley smirks, “Of course, it’s true, I said it. It would seem that Crow’s body is tired and I wonder how it’ll go against Insane Luchador here tonight.”

 

Crow cocks his head in every direction to gather a sense of his surroundings before walking his way over to his corner. It’s here he smokes and waits...

 

...

 

“The Gauntlet” kicks up and begins to roar through the arena speakers. Pyrotechnics of an array of colours explode all across the stage as graffiti showers the crowd.

 

“Oh, it must be a special occasion, Robert.”

 

“Of course it is, Comet. It’s a hardcore match... no wait... it’s a GOREcore match!” dryly adds Bobby, “That has to be the cheesiest thing I’ve heard this side of Blind Guardian.”

 

And the Insane Luchador walks out to a huge pop!

 

“Well I had just got back from a break from the fight, I was weighing in heavy but still feeling alright!”

 

...and gets even bigger pop when he goes back behind the curtain to get his cart of weapons! Oh dear, this is going to be a bloodbath! IL then throws his arms into the air to milk the cheers. After a minute of this, he finally strides down, slapping hands and pushing his cart. He places it next to the ring apron and grabs a singapore cane before rushing into the ring and starting shit with the Gothic Avian!

 

*DING DING DING!*

 

“AND HERE WE GOOOOOOO! This fight of valour and justice is proudly brought to you by the people at Pepsi Max...”

 

Rickmen takes a swing but hits nothing but air as Crow ducks under and swings around to lock on a rear waistlock. IL ain’t gonna let that happen and cocks his head left, following up with a Singapore cane shot to Crow’s head! The bird stumbles back into the ropes, but regains his sense just in time before getting clobbered by a charging madman! Crow bends down and launches IL over the ropes... but no! Rickmen lands on the apron, grabs a hold of his opponent’s head and snaps it across the ropes! The Antichrist Superstar is jettisoned forward, allowing the Insane Luchador to step up onto the rope and fly across the ring with his legs in position!

 

...

 

... and he nails Crow with the swan dive dropkick!

 

“Insane Luchador has taken the charge early and completely blown away the Gothic Warrior!” exclaims Cyclone Comet, “If this continues, I don’t see Crow winning this match.”

 

The connection sends Crow spilling over the ropes and to the outside. Insane Luchador milks the crowd for a moment, long enough to allow his opponent to stumble back to his feet, prior to once again showing us his aerial skills. Running, jumping and flipping forwardly over the ropes he flies...

 

...and straight into the concrete floor! The Antichrist Superstar jumped out of the way just in time!

 

“Ooooh! Well, that wasn’t very impressive for a guy who calls himself insane, and more laughably, a ‘luchador’... ahaha,”

 

“It happens to the most heroic of us all, Robert.”

 

“Ha! I never stuff up, I’m so great!” egotistically shouts Bobby.

 

“...you locked your keys in your car today.”

 

“Shut up!”

 

Crow looks to take advantage of this situation and so, he hastily wrenches IL up and locks an arm. IL crashes back-first into the railing as the bird charges and flips into the air, throwing an arm out to catch him across the neck!

 

“360 degree clothesline!”

 

Both have spilt into the crowd, however, the Gothic Warrior is the first man up and... he feels a little sadistic. Hardcore environment, motherfucker!

 

“Oh dear, looks like Crow is going under the ring the pull out some toys!” shouts Comet.

 

Bobby looks at his co-commentator and mocks, “Not those kind of toys, Comet!”

 

Funnily enough, Crow pulls out the first “toy”... which just happens to be a Cyclone Comet Action Figurine! The crowd cheers loudly, and the cheers become even louder when the Antichrist Superstar begins to play with it... only to ditch it at the fallen Insane Luchador!

 

“...I guess you were right, Bobby,” replies Comet.

 

Crow is more successful when he goes under the ring this time... as he pulls out the weapon he made fucking famous in the SJL... the FUCKING GLASS LIGHT TUBE! He swings it around like a cricket bat as he moves towards his prey. Insane Luchador is standing now and is fully aware of what is coming his way... but he doesn’t care, he simply tells his opponent to...

 

“FUCKING BRING IT!”

 

...and so, the Antichristian Phenomenon does! He swings back as he charges forward... and SMASHES the light tube into millions of little pieces across Rickmen’s chest! But wait! IL ain’t going down, in fact, he’s fucking standing in the same position... laughing! He’s fucking laughing!

 

“That’s superhero strength!” exclaims Comet, obviously impressed, “Insane Luchador is standing his ground after having a light tube smashed across his chest! Amazing!”

 

Bobby Riley is quick to reply, “But look, he’s laughing! Goddammit, how do these psychos get into this federation!?”

 

IL smugly looks at his opponent as the blood starts to stream down his chest, “There was a time, when you could receive this kind of punishment and still stand. Not anymore though, hey Crow?”

 

Crow gazes into Rickmen’s eyes and sees a challenge. He jumps back into the outside area and grabs another light tube from under the ring. He then walks back into the crowd area... and hands the light tube to Rickmen.

 

“Stick me, you cunt.”

 

Without hesitation, the Insane Luchador reels back the light tube... and brings it forward with devastating velocity!

 

...

 

*SMASH!*

 

...the light tube is smashed across the bear stomach of the Antichrist Superstar! The connection causes Crow to grunt loudly and clutch at his stomach! He stumbles backwards and looks down at his stomach... pieces of glass protrude from within his skin.

 

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!” he cries before falling to his knees on the outside! The crowd has reached is in a state of confusion - a mix of cheers and boos fill the arena.  The Insane Luchador stands tall over his opponent... and looks down.

 

“You’re weak,” states IL.

 

Crow stops clutching at his stomach and stares up at Rickmen.

 

“That’s right, you weak son of a bitch. Get the fuck up!” shouts the Insane Luchador as he grabs a bunch of Crow’s hair and wrenches him back to his feet. Following this, he grabs a hold of Crow’s head with his other hand, gets a run up and launches Crow into the sea of people! You have never seen people scatter so quickly... and this of course, makes for a much more awkward and brutal landing for the Gothic Warrior! His body is wrecked upon the sea of empty steel chairs! Insane Luchador walks over to Crow and picks up a chair... he raises it up into the chair and brings it down!

 

...

 

NO!

 

Crow rolls out of the way!

 

*CRACK!* is the sound of steel chair hitting the concrete on the outside. IL feels the shimmer throughout his body and drops the chair, thusly allowing the Antichrist Superstar a moment of advantage. Crow jumps up onto his feet and spins around...

 

...nailing DAS WUNDER KICK! Rickmen is sent flying back into the guardrail! Crow rushes forward and spears Rickmen over the railing and into the outside area! It’s time for some more violence! The Antichrist Superstar pulls out a table from under the ring and tries to set it up, but out of nowhere, is booted in the stomach by a lighting fast Luchador. Rickmen grabs hold of Crow’s head and slams it intro the table! He does it again! And again! And again! Repeat ad-nauseam until the Insane Luchador applies a front face lock and DDTs his opponent into the thinly-padded floor.

 

“You thought that WEAK Wunder Kick was gonna put me down, Crow?” mocks Rickmen.

 

IL leans over the railing and asks a fan for a chair. Of course, he gets one from an eager fanatic, but instead of saying “Thank you!” he turns around and starts unleashing a barrage of sickening chair shots to Crow’s stomach and back!

 

*CRACK!*

 

*CRACK!*

 

*CRACK!*

 

*CRACK!*

 

*CRACK!*

 

“When will you realise that you are a shadow of what you used to be.”

 

He throws the chair on the ground and wrenches his opponent onto the table. Have a chop to the chop for good measure, Crow! The Gothic Warrior is dazed and tries to regain some sense as Rickmen runs over to the cart he brought to ringside earlier and shuffles around for a quality weapon.

 

...

 

He’s pulled out the big guns.

 

Five.

 

Fucking.

 

Light Tubes.

 

“Oh yes! More light tubes! Maybe this match will finally get interesting,” gleefully says Bobby.

 

“This doesn’t bode well for Citizen Crow and I’d advised him to gather all his superhero powers to stand up and fly away,” Comet commentates, “However, in this state, I think only a true superhero like myself has such an ability.”

 

Cyclone Comet is correct, Crow can’t fly away and is only now starting to realise what’s going on. Insane Luchador holds the light tubes up in the air to a huge pop from the crowd, jumps up onto the apron and walks over until he is parallel with table. Crow’s eyes widen as Rickmen lifts one light tube into the air and jumps off the apron! IL brings the light tube down as he falls and SMASHES IT ACROSS THE ANTICHRISTIAN PHENOMENON’S CHEST!

 

...

 

He doesn’t stop there as he jumps back up onto the apron, grabs another light tube... AND DOES THE SAME FUCKING THING!

 

...

 

AND AGAIN!

 

“Goodness me! This is terrifying, Citizen Crow has glass shards sticking, literally STICKING out of his stomach!” cries Comet, seeing the valour disappear in the Gothic Warrior.

 

“Ahahahahaha! This is sensational stuff, Comet!” evilly laughs Robert.

 

Two lights tubes remain... and the Insane Luchador has the perfect use for them. Firstly, he moves the table into an appropriate position, parallel to the ring apron. Room is necessary. Secondly, he places the light tubes across his weakened opponent’s stomach and picks up the chair he threw on the floor earlier.

 

“This is the end for you. It’s sad, I used to respect you for never, ever giving up and having a huge masochist streak. Oh well, I guess you are a pussy.”

 

After verbally insulting the Antichrist Superstar, IL steps up onto the apron and jumps onto the top rope. Bunching his legs, he presses the chair against his stomach and springboards off – flipping backwards two-hundred-and-seventy-degrees!

 

 

..

 

 

.

 

 

THE INSANE LUCHADOR CRUSHES THE TUBES WITH THE CHAIR AS HE CONNECTS WITH AN ASAI MOONSAULT THAT BREAKS THE TABLE AND CROW IN HALF!

 

“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”

 

“It’s wreckage! Absolute wreckage! Citizen Crow is not getting up from that!” yells Comet.

 

“Well...” Bobby Riley begins, “This has been a whitewash, hasn’t it? Insane Luchador has completely dominated Crow, and I remember back in the SJL when Crow stomped all over IL in a match. This just goes to show, as I said, Crow has lost the edge and does not belong in the ring anymore.”

 

The momentum of the move has caused the Insane Luchador to roll off of the Antichrist Superstar and so, he doesn’t get the pin automatically. Instead, he opts to clutch at his stomach and attempt to decrease the pain for a minute... wouldn’t you? I mean, come on, Crow is done for! Eventually, Rickmen drapes himself over his opponent...

 

 

ONE!

 

 

.

 

 

..

 

 

...

 

 

TWO!

 

 

.

 

 

..

 

 

...

 

 

..

 

 

.

 

 

THHHHHHRRRNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

The crowd erupts in a frenzy of cheers as the Antichristian Phenomenon, Crow, KICKS OUT AFTER TAKING A HHHUUUGEEEE MOVE! RICKMEN CAN’T BELIEVE IT AND TRIES TO PIN CROW AGAIN!

 

 

NOO!

 

IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

 

He tries again and again! But no! Not happening, son! Insane Luchador swears loudly as he struggles to keep pinning, but every time, Crow kicks out!

 

“...I’m not a pussy, you fucking cunt!” shouts the Antichrist Superstar.

 

Insane Luchador stands up, looks down at the already rising Crow, and realises that he is in a world of FUCKING SHIT. Rushing to a certain section of the ring, he reaches and under and pulls out the really big fucking gun – A GLASS TUBE COVERED TABLE! He quickly sets it up close to a corner of the ring, turns around and rushes back to where Crow was lying.

 

...

 

However, when Rickmen gets there... he notices that Crow... is not lying there anymore! Confused, he looks around.

 

He’s not around.

 

Where is he?

 

“Has Crow used his superhero powers to disappear?” asks Comet.

 

“No, he hasn’t. See, there he is... standing right behind IL with a pane of glass.... hey, what!? He’s got a pane of glass!”

 

Crow was hiding under the ring and came out when the opportune moment presented itself... he’s not behind the Insane Luchador and is ready to take him out.

 

“Hey Andrew,” says Crow, prompting IL to turn around, “...I still have my fucking masochist streak!”

 

Upon completing his sentence, the Antichristian Phenomenon lifts the pane in the air... AND SMASHES IT DOWN ON RICKMEN’S HEAD!

 

“Robert, Citizen Crow just showed this Insane Luchador what the true meaning of valour is!”

 

“No, he didn’t... he just broke a goddamn window over the guy’s head,” teases Riley.

 

Insane Luchador falls onto his knees and clutches at his head...

 

“You used to be able to take this!” shouts Crow as he kicks IL in the face prior to wrenching him up and rolling him into the ring. On the inside, Crow lifts Rickmen up and shouts “I am not weak!” while he unleashes a flurry of punches and kicks upon the Insane Luchador. Crow whips his opponent into the ropes and waits for him to come back. IL comes back and feels the force of a devastating Wunder Kick to the stomach! He’s doubled over and Crow applies a front face lock, grabs the pants and heaves him up – prepped for the Natural Born Chaos!

 

 

...

 

 

..

 

 

.

 

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

INSANE LUCHADOR FLIPS OUT THE MOVE AND LANDS BEHIND! He quickly applies a rear waistlock and drives Crow towards the ropes, in an effort to roll back into a reverse pin... but the bird grabs the top rope! He turns around and charges forward, nailing a low dropkick to Rickmen’s face! The shot sends blood flying off the Insane Luchador’s head, but he gets up almost immediately... only to be whipped into the corner that just happens to be dangerously close to the glass light tube covered table on the outside! The force of the whip causes Rickmen to flip into the turnbuckles and end up on the apron outside! He’s stunned as to where he is! Crow rushes over to IL and starts unleashing the fury of his punches!

 

Cyclone Comet is watching intently, “Citizen Rickmen is dangerously close to falling back onto that table!”

 

No! Crow pulls him back to the ropes and smashes his head against the turnbuckle. The Gothic Warrior now, decides to take action...

 

...he applies a strong front face lock and ascends to the top rope. Sitting on the turnbuckle, facing towards the outside, Crow musters all of his left over strength and heaves the Insane Luchador into the air! Rickmen is upside vertical in the air and kicks his legs wildly as Crow somehow manages to step up on the top ropes... and says...

 

“I am NOT a shadow of my former self... I am the same man. I am the motherfucking Antichrist Superstar.”

 

 

...

 

 

..

 

 

.

 

 

HE THEN JUMPS INTO THE AIR AND FALLS BACK, DRIVING HIMSELF AND INSANE LUCHADOR’S HEAD THROUGH THE GLASS LIGHT TUBE COVERED TABLE AND INTO THE COLD, MOTHERFUCKING FLOOR!

 

“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”

 

“Oh my goodness, Robert! Crow has just defeated both himself and Insane Luchador at the same time! What a move! Justice! JUSTICE! JUSTICE!” screams Cyclone Comet at the top of his lungs. He’s up on the commentary table now.

 

Bobby Riley is shaking his head, “Gah! Terrible move! Now there’s going to be no winner... they’re both dead!”

 

For a moment, the referee thinks that might just be the case and checks on both men.

 

 

...

 

 

..

 

 

.

 

 

CROW’S ALIVE! And with his last ounce of strength, after being humiliated, insulted and fucking battered, he lifts his arm into the air and places it over the chest of the Insane Luchador Andrew Rickmen. The referee jumps onto the floor...

 

 

ONE!

 

 

.

 

 

..

 

 

...

 

 

TWO!

 

 

.

 

 

..

 

 

...

 

 

..

 

 

.

 

 

TTTTHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

 

*DING DING DING!*

 

“And your winner... as a result of pinfall.... THE ANTICHRIST SUPERSTAR, CRRRROOOOOOWWWWW!”

 

The crowd erupts with cheers as the medical team rushes down to the wreckage by ringside. It’s a mess.

 

Cyclone Comet claps, “Oh, what a performance. Crow ended up serving Insane Luchador the dish he so rudely ordered! The dish of justice!”

 

“...” Bobby tries to find the words, “...that has to be the worst analogy EVER.”

 

“Delivered promptly, while piping hot and with a side of glass shards, Robert,” adds Comet. The medical team slowly pulls the Antichristian Phenomenon out of the wreckage, but he pushes them off and gets up himself, albeit struggling and clutching his wounds.

 

“Sigh...” Bobby groans, “Nevertheless, I must say that Crow did ‘serve’ it up to Insane Luchador at the end there. Andrew Rickmen threw down the challenge near the beginning with the glass light tubes and promptly took control of the match... but Crow took the moves IL gave him and then fought back! He took the gauntlet and threw it back at Rickmen, so to speak. I said during the match that he doesn’t belong in a wrestling ring anymore because he’s lost the edge... but now, I think he’s regained it.”

 

Crow pulls a cigarette out of the deck that was just thrown at him and lights it. Nothing better.

 

“Indeed, well that just about wraps it up for this match, but stay tuned, as there is more wrestling coming your way, including Nathaniel Kibagami versus the SWF World Champion Danny Williams! Keep watching!” says Comet as the screen fades to commercials on the image of Crow walking up the aisle, smoking a cigarette... and standing victorious.

[Thoth 0]

“Ladies and gentlemen,” bellows Funyon, as we return from commercial break and the shows theme fades away. “The following contest will be a TRIPLE THREAT ELIMINATION match for the SMARTMARK WRESTLING FEDERATION CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!”

 

A tremendous cheer booms from the crowd, prompting our ring announcer, Funyon, to halt his introductions. As he does, the cameras pan over toward the table helmed by the commentating duo of Bobby Riley and Cyclone Comet.

 

“Welcome back to SWF Storm, Citizens,” greets Comet. “You are just in time for our Cruiserweight Title match, and what a match this looks to be! For the first time ever in the SWF here, the Cruiserweight Championship will be decided in a triple threat match!”

 

“Indeed,” chimes Bobby. “Austin Sly is making his first attempt at SWF gold here tonight, while Alan Clark, on the other hand, will be looking to regain the title from the same man he lost it to…Johnny Dangerous. Three men…and they all want the same thing… the Cruiserweight Title!”

 

“This will also be Johnny’s first defense of the title on top of the emotional rollercoaster ride he’s been on since his partner, Wildchild, was savagely beaten by Mike Van Siclen, seemingly ending his career. With all of that, I have to say it won’t be an easy defense for the Barracuda…not by a long shot!”

 

“Introducing first,” Funyon continues, as the sound of a storm in the distance picks up over the speakers along with the opening notes to “Wanted Dead or Alive”, and the audience, already knowing who is about to come out, begin to cheer mightily!

 

“It looks like Alan Clark will be stepping through the curtain first tonight,” notes Comet, just before…

 

BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

 

Thunder booms across the BSU Pavilion, jarring everyone loose from their seats, but suddenly…the rainstorm comes to a screeching halt and there is silence…

 

…

 

 

“Smile,” a soft-spoken voice finally breathes through the speakers before exploding in the hard driving beats of "Smile" by Taproot, and bringing Alan Clark out on stage to a mighty ovation from the Boise fans! Normally you would have seen Alan with a guitar slung over his shoulder, and wearing a smile from ear to ear. Tonight, however, he carries under his arm a thick book with a black vinyl cover --

 

“The Book of Clark,” exclaims Comet.

 

“I tell you, Alan Clark is just begging for Landon to come out here and shove that book straight up his ass,” roars Bobby. “Maddix already destroyed Alan’s partner, Coy West, on Smarkdown and it looks like Alan will be next!”

 

“From Long Beach, California, weighing two hundred twenty-five pounds, he is one half of the Wayward Sons, he is… AAAAAAALAN CLAAAAAAAAAAAARK!!”

 

In the ring, Alan raises the Book of Clark to the fans, receiving another well-rounded pop, then heads out of the ring to deposit the book in a safe location.

 

“Introducing second,” says Funyon as the BSU Pavilion is suddenly bathed in a cool blue hue as the sounds of an acoustic guitar -- strumming a rather powerful riff -- flows from the massive speakers, while boos flow from the crowd’s mouths! The song plays on, slowly growing louder and louder. All the while, the lights flicker, and seemingly, they grow more violent by the minute, pulsing in perfect time with the music…

 

BOOOOOM!!

 

Explosions rock the front of the stage, and as the smoke starts fanning off the ramp, Austin Sly strolls out onto the stage just as cockily as one could imagine! He pantomimes a title belt around his waist with a snicker, and struts down the ramp.

 

“From St. Louis Missouri, and weighing in at two hundred thirty pounds, this is… AUUSTIIIIIIIIN SLY!!”

 

“These Idaho fans don’t seem to be very keen on Austin Sly here tonight,” notes Comet. “I don’t think they have much to worry about though, this match is going to go down to the wire with Alan versus Johnny for the Championship.”

 

“Oh, so you mean Alan and Johnny are going to team up to beat Austin,” ask Bobby. “I wouldn’t put it past them, but I don’t think it will matter…they can’t hold a candlestick to Austin Sly’s talents, not even together!”

 

Austin and Alan stand on opposite lengths of the ring, pointing fingers and toward one another and promising defeat.

 

“Hmm,” says Riley. “The trash talking has already begun between these two. Hopefully they’ll wait until Johnny struts out here before tearing into each other.”

 

“Introducing last,” says Funyon, just before the lights dim, and a voice picks up on the speakers, whispering a name in a deep, sultry voice…

 

“JOHNNY DANGEROUS~!”

 

“After the Flesh” thunders out across the BSU Pavilion while the stage begins to fill with the haze of white smoke billowing out from the sides. Dozens of strobes light up the set, partially illuminating the Barracuda as he emerges through the cloud of smoke with the Cruiserweight Title strapped around his waist. He is dressed in his usual sleek-black casual attire with a pair of high-tech shades, but unlike the Johnny we have come to know in times past, his look is rather menacing to say the least.

 

“From Las Vegas, Nevada,” continues Funyon, “and weighing in at two hundred and seventeen pounds, he is the SWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIOOOOON… JOOOOOHNNY ‘THE BARRACUDA’ DAAAANGEROUUUUUUS!!”

 

“Look at him,” says Bobby. “He’s still pouting over the Wildchild deal. It’s obvious his head isn’t on straight enough to make it out of this match with the title.”

 

“Quite frankly, I’m afraid of what he might do to our other competitors in the ring if he has the same viciousness in him as he did on Smarkdown,” Comet says. “I totally back the Barracuda for coming out of this match with the victory.”

 

“What, you mean you don’t want Alan to win?”

 

“Right now Citizen Clark has other issues to deal with – namely Landon Maddix. He needs to focus on that, and get the job taken care of for once and for all. Johnny, on the other hand, has nothing else but the Cruiserweight Championship. It is all that is left of the Wildchild, and his legacy. If Johnny wants truly wants to honor his fallen partner, he needs to put everything he’s got into making that belt THE belt of the under card…Johnny Dangerous HAS to win here tonight!”

 

“Great Story, Comet, it really is. However, neither Alan nor Austin is going to just lie down for Johnny so he can keep Wildchild’s legacy alive. They have their own agendas with that belt, and it has nothing to do with Johnny Dangerous OR…the Wildchild’s legacy.”

 

Johnny climbs into the ring and hands over the title to Matthew Kivell with absolutely no hesitation in the least. As Johnny strips of his trench coat and shades, Kivell displays the title to both Contenders then raises it to the audience, and finally, hands it off to a ringside assistant before signaling for the start of the match.

 

DING! DING! DING!

 

“Bells gone,” says Comet, “and we have us an old-fashioned stare down to kick this one off!”

 

Sure enough, all three men keep their eyes on their opponents, slowly edging to the middle of the ring and waiting for someone to make the first move. Johnny, finally breaking the stalemate, rushes in and plants his fist right into Austin Sly’s mouth, popping the challenger’s head back!

 

Wham!

 

“Here we go,” exclaims Comet, as Johnny chases after Austin, pulling back on Sly’s arm and nailing him in the mouth a second time! “Now we are really underway!”

 

Wham!

 

Again Sly is sent reeling, falling against the ropes as Alan Clark storms in to join the fight! Clark shoves Austin against the ropes and cocks his hand back --

 

-- Johnny reaches out and grabs Alan’s out-stretched arm, snapping it backward with an arm wrench that elicits a howling cry of pain from Clark’s lips! Alan tries to pull out of the move and reverse, but just as he begins to move Johnny slings the tip of his foot into the Wayward Son’s midsection -- stopping him dead in his tracks – then cranks back on the arm wrench, giving it another snap!

 

“So much for your theory of Citizen’s Clark and Dangerous teaming up to take out Sly,” scoffs Comet. “It appears to be everyman for himself here tonight!

 

Austin tip-toes in from behind, placing all his faith into Johnny being so occupied with Alan Clark that the Barracuda won’t even detect Sly’s presence. He grabs around Johnny’s waist from behind, definitely catching the Secret Agent by surprise…but *like* a secret agent, Johnny’s reflexes are second to none, and he instinctively slings an elbow back, nailing Austin in his face, right between his eyes!

 

Whack!

 

And as quick as he came, Austin is gone, staggering backwards with a hand to his face, while Johnny, still holding his wrench on Alan kicks his foot out…

 

CRACK!

 

…and paste the sole of his shoe into Austin Sly’s mouth, flooring the Challenger instantaneously! Johnny turns back around towards Clark and leaps up, scissoring Alan’s arm between his legs and pulling the Wayward Son down to the canvas and locking in a crucifix armbar!

 

“Johnny is really working that arm of Alan’s,” notes Comet. “If he pulls much harder he’ll rip it right out of its socket!”

 

“So long as Austin Sly uses it to beat these other two clowns to death,” Riley tosses in.

 

Alan cries out in pain, and he tries to worm his arm free, but the Barracuda isn’t feeding him so much as an inch tonight! Fortunately, for Clark, he’s in a triple threat match tonight and Austin scrambles back to his feet, rushes forward, leaps into the air…

 

Whack!

 

…and drops the point of his elbow directly into Johnny’s throat!

 

“Whoa,” exclaims Comet. “Austin Sly is making his presence felt with that move – he’s picked up a nasty bit of intensity for tonight’s match!”

 

Johnny bucks and flails, worming his way across the canvas as he writhes in utter pain! He’s stopped short from his little “episode” when Sly strolls right up and begins a vicious tap dance all over the Barracuda, sticking his foot into any open spot he can find! Meanwhile, Alan slithers away to the far side of the ring to regroup.

 

Stomp!

Stomp!

Stomp!

 

Ending his stomping game, Austin takes his foot and begins to crush the Barracuda’s throat – pressing the sole of his foot against Johnny’s neck! Kivell admonishes Sly’s actions, but the Challenger doesn’t pay no heed to the ref’s advice, instead forcing Kivell to utilize a count.

 

“Incase you haven’t noticed before,” notes Bobby. “Austin Sly is quite the ring technician, and he’s showing his prowess her by completely destroying that thing holding Johnny’s head to his body!”

 

“You mean his neck?

 

ONE!

 

 

TW-NOO!! As Austin places his hands on his hips, bouncing on the ball of one foot, Johnny swings his leg up, and hooks it around the front side of Austin, dropping him back-first to the mat! Johnny quickly traps Austin’s leg, scissoring it with both legs and grabs the Challenger’s ankle and twist on it for all it’s worth!

 

“RAAAAAAAAAH!!”

 

“What a reversal,” cheers Comet, as Austin shrills in pain. “Johnny caught Citizen Sly completely off-guard there and trapped him in another Martial Art’s based submission – the deadly ankle lock!”

 

“Why is Alan just standing there and watching all this go down,” cries Bobby. “He should help Austin before Johnny forces him to submit!”

 

“This is an elimination match, you tool! If Johnny can eliminate Austin Sly than that is one less person Alan will have to go through. He can focus entirely on Johnny and the Cruiserweight Championship!”

 

Thankfully, if you’re an Austin Sly fan, the ropes loom *very* close. Austin notices this as well and he quickly reaches back with both hands while gritting down on his teeth…and snags the rope with both hands! Kivell immediately calls for the break, and Johnny, though silently damning himself for allowing Austin to slip away, obliges. He stands to his feet and strolls over to Austin, pulling the challenger to his feet with a quick arm wrench, and stepping forward to whip him across the ring. Austin heads off with a noticeable limp and he tries to shake it off, not even noticing Alan Clark moving into the line of fire…

 

SMACK! “WHOOOOO!”

SMACK! “WHOOOOO!”

 

…and runs right into a *double* knife-edged chop by Alan Clark that sends him staggering back! He clutches his chest, gritting his teeth as Alan grabs him by the other arm to whip him BACK across the ring, back from which he came. Johnny approaches –

 

“Just look at that,” says Bobby, quite cross. “Those two clowns are going to double team poor Austin… I thought this was everyman for himself?”

 

Alan keeps his eyeballs locked so hard on Johnny’s eyes that he doesn’t even see the Barracuda’s foot swing up, kicking Clark in the gut!

 

“Oof!”

 

“See there,” points Comet. Alan doubles over, clenching his stomach. “It IS everyman for himself in there, however…I think Alan was hoping for a little assistance from the Barracuda to his dismay.”

 

Johnny simply shoves Alan to the mat, removing Clark from his intended victim, which at this time…is Austin Sly. He spins on his heel to face Austin again…

 

WHAM!!

 

Turning directly into a well-packed punch from Austin, that pops the Cruiserweight Champion’s head back! Johnny is stunned for a brief second, and that second is all Austin needs…or so he had hoped. He swings for the Barracuda’s skull again, but Johnny dodge’s this blow – hooking Sly’s arm and using the leverage to force the Challenger down across his knee!

 

“And just like that,” says Comet, “the Barracuda has kept control of this match. For a second I thought he was about to loose it, but he held on right there.”

 

Hunkered over and holding his gut, Austin tries to hobble to safety, but before he even gets a step away Johnny snaps on a front-face lock and takes off for the side of the ring, pulling Sly along for the ride! He hops over the top rope to the floor, clotheslining Austin across the top rope to a tremendous cheer! Austin grabs his neck with both hands, simply writhing at the pain as he staggers backward…

 

WHAAM!!

 

Into a dropkick from Alan Clark, that propels Austin through the middle rope, and out of the ring…

 

“Watch out, Johnny!”

 

…and plowing right into the Cruiserweight Champion, knocking him to the thinly-padded concrete floor!

 

“This looks more like a car wreck…and like those bad drivers on the highway, I can’t help but break my neck trying to get a glimpse,” muses Riley, amongst a rising cheer from the crowd. “I hope these guys have insurance!”

 

“Oh…look…Alan’s going up top,” notes Comet, as Clark ascends a corner turnbuckle. “What’s he up to?”

 

On the outside, Austin and Johnny climb to their feet while slinging punches into each other’s face, unaware of Clark standing on the top of the turnbuckle with his back to them. The crowd on the other hand is more than aware, and they rise to their feet cheering wildly! Clark acknowledges them with a salute, then back-flips off the turnbuckle to the outside…

 

WHAAAAM!!

 

CRASHING INTO BOTH JOHNNY AND AUSTIN WITH A MOONSAULT MARKED BY A THUNDEROUS CHEER FROM THE IDAHO FANS!

 

“By Thor’s hammer,” exclaims Comet. “Citizen Clark just took out both of his opponents with a moonsault from the turnbuckle -- what a hit! This is now a three car pile up, Robert!”

 

“AAAAL-AN!”

“AAAAL-AN!”

“AAAAL-AN!”

 

Kivell moves to the edge of the ring as he starts the count out, but before he can get much farther than two, Clark rises back to his feet. He grabs onto the Barracuda’s thick black mane and jerks him to his feet, then rolls him back into the ring, closely following after. Johnny rolls onto his stomach, clenching his back as he pushes off the mat with one arm, but Alan knocks the Barracuda over onto his back and drops an elbow into his sternum!

 

“Alan’s taking the fight straight to the Champion,” notes Comet. “If he can knock the Barracuda out of the match first, he might have a far easier time taking the win against Austin Sly.”

 

“He just might,” Riley informs, “cause we have a cover!”

 

ONE!!

 

 

 

 

TWO!!

 

 

 

 

 

NO!! Johnny kicks out, and rolls back over onto his stomach, reaching for the ropes to pull himself back up! He’s certainly hurting now, and the expression on his face telegraphs it to the world…and more importantly to Alan Clark. Clark himself lets a smile cross his mouth as he moves in on Johnny and shoves him back into a turnbuckle –

 

SMACK! “WHOOOOO!”

SMACK! “WHOOOOO!”

SMACK! “WHOOOOO!”

SMACK! “WHOOOOO!”

 

Unloading with a series of eye-watering knife-edged chops, lighting up Johnny’s chest! Alan tucks his chops away, and ducks down, thrusting his shoulder into the Barracuda’s midsection, and knocking the wind right out of his pipes! Alan ducks underneath Johnny, wrapping his arms around the Barracuda’s legs then stands up with Johnny draped over his back for a Alabama Slam! He takes a running three steps forward then slings Johnny over his shoulders…

 

WHAAAM!!

 

“The Southern Rock,” calls Comet, as the Barracuda slams back-first into the canvas with a sickening thud! “That will certainly take the starch out of you, and for Johnny…it just may have taken then Cruiserweight Title off his waist!”

 

“We could only hope,” adds Bobby, spitefully. “If it winds up back around Alan’s waist though, I’m going to get *very* unpleasant.”

 

“What do you mean by your going to? Since when have you ever been pleasant?”

 

Alan drops over Johnny once more. As expected, Kivell slides in to count…

 

 

ONEE!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOO!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TH-NOOOO!!!!

 

“Damn,” curses Bobby. “Who gave him more starch!”

 

“Apparently, Alan must have only knocked one crease out of Johnny’s pants,” says Comet. “He’s got some fight still left in him!”

 

Johnny staggers to his feet, stunned out of his mind still, and puts up absolutely no hesitation as Alan swoops in from behind, hooking the Barracuda’s leg with one arm and grabbing Johnny’s near arm with the other, and hauling him up, and over…

 

“Oh, my…”

 

AND COMPLETELY SHATTERS JOHNNY’S SHOULDER’S AND NECK WITH THE BARRACUDA’S OWN FALLAWAY SLAM!!

 

“RAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

 

“By Zeus, an MI Slam,” shouts Comet. “Alan just used Johnny’s own finisher against him – desperate to send the Barracuda packing he MUST be!”

 

Johnny hits the mat and his body bounces off the canvas, flopping to the ring once more…and rolling right out of the ring, dropping to the outside floor like a freshly shot deer!

 

“What a tremendous series of moves by the challenger, Alan Clark,” exclaims Comet. “Johnny might have inadvertently avoided a pin, but Alan just very well might have put Johnny down for the entire twenty-count!”

 

“That’d be one hell of a slap to the face for Johnny Dangerous,” pipes Riley. “He’s the Champion right now, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be eliminated first. If anything, we will be crowning a new Champion tonight, and for that, Alan Clark…I love you! Unfortunately, I don’t think that crown will be settling on Alan’s head; he wore himself out quite a bit just trying to dispatch of Johnny Dangerous!”

 

Alan takes a step away from the ropes, raising both arms out to the fans as Kivell slides out of the ring to check on Johnny then begin the count out. However, unbeknownst to him, Austin Sly is lurking in the distance with a scowl on his face. He slithers in from behind, sneaking up on Alan like he’s Ryu Hayabusa…

 

“Watch out, Citizen Clark,” warns Comet, but his warnings fall on deaf ears, and Austin quickly pumps his fist in between Alan’s legs, right in the crotch, to a howl of boos!

 

“Whoa,” cries Comet. “That was an illegal low blow -- Matthew Kivell should disqualify Citizen Sly for that!”

 

“Like hell he should,” snaps Bobby. “The ref didn’t see the offense occur and as *such* making a call on it when he didn’t pay witness to it would be completely and totally absurd!”

 

Clark’s hands instinctively move to cradle his jewels as his jaw drops to the canvas, and Austin reaches from behind, pulling the Wayward Son over with a textbook schoolboy rollup!

 

“Dear Zeus, no,” roars Comet, but Kivell, oblivious to the illegal nut-shot, quickly spots the pin and slides back into the ring. He begins to count, paying no mind to Austin as he gets his feet up on the ropes for some extra leverage against Alan, who is failing his arms desperately. “Don’t count that, ref, look at Austin, LOOK!”

 

ONEEE!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

“Yes,” cheers Riley. He excitedly throws his hands into the air as Austin hops off the ropes a nanosecond before Kivell swivels his head towards the timekeeper signaling for the elimination!

 

DING! DING! DING!

 

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

 

As the crowd roars in defiance, Alan jumps to his feet and gets right in Kivells face! He tries as he might to desperately explain the low blow and underhanded tactics – waving one finger in the ref’s face while griping his groin with his other hand, but the referee is hearing NONE of it tonight – not one bit! With one swift motion, Kivell snaps his arm out… pointing his finger toward backstage to another loud boo!

 

“And take that stupid Book of Clark with you!”

 

Finally, yet begrudgingly, Clark leaves the ring and makes his way up the ramp, but not before collecting his book and turning toward one snickering Austin Sly and promising retribution!

 

“Ho-ho-ho,” sniggers Bobby. “Look who’s pulling their BIG OLD bright-red boot out of their mouth now! Alan Clark has been eliminated…so much for your predictions of a Johnny-Alan finale, Spandex-pants!”

 

“Citizen Clark wasn’t eliminated, he was robbed! How will Citizen Sly be able to live with himself after that kind of treachery?”

 

“I’m sure the Cruiserweight Title will be more than enough comfort,” Riley says, rather smugly. “All Austin needs to do now is make good on Alan’s handiwork and that title is as good as his!”

 

“I highly doubt that! Citizen Sly may have eliminated Alan Clark, but there is no way he can pin Johnny too.”

 

“He already proved you wrong once,” says Riley. “Besides, if you ask me, I think Austin’s going to make him tap like a straight punk-ass b(Bleep!)h!”

 

“Nobody asked!”

 

Austin slides out of the ring and makes his way over to Johnny, who is just starting to gather his bearings and is up on his hands and knees. However, all it takes is one well placed stomp to the back from the Challenger, and the Barracuda is driven face-first into the floor!

 

Comet winces, “Man… Citizen Sly is going to be a marked man if he keeps this kind of stuff up.”

 

“Well he’s going to be counted out if he stays out there to long that’s a definite,” notes Bobby, the referee having started a count out on the two men. “What strikes me as odd, however, is why Kivell waited for Austin to slide out of the ring before starting his count. I mean, come on… he should already be at ten at least just with Dangerous.”

 

“It’s kind of hard to count somebody out when the ref has to count a pin-fall,” Comet defensively replies. “Not that he should have counted it in the first place, but…”

 

WHAM!

 

“Oh, another stomp to the back,” shouts Comet, Austin having spiked the heel of his boot into the small of Johnny’s back. “I tell you, this villain is just trying to embarrass the Cruiserweight Champion out there; there’s no need for all that!”

 

“Like there is a need for Johnny to begin with,” snaps Bobby. “The Barracuda is an embarrassment by himself to this federation!”

 

As Kivell finally reaches the count of “SIX”, Sly grabs Johnny by his chin and pulls him to his feet. He snaps in a quick headlock on the Barracuda, walking him to the edge of the ring, but before rolling the Secret Agent back in…

 

WHACK!

 

Austin plows Johnny’s head into the ring apron, and the Barracuda’s head bounces off like a well-aired basketball! Johnny staggers backwards in an utter daze before the Challenger snaps on another headlock and walks Dangerous to the ring, this time actually rolling him inside.

 

“About time he decided to take the action back in the ring where it belongs,” mutters Comet.

 

Austin rolls in behind the Secret Agent, and immediately goes for a cover – two palms into Johnny’s chest, and nodding snidely as Kivell drops to count.

 

“Well,” says Bobby, smacking his lips. “Looks like He’s going to pin both Johnny and Alan on the same night after all.”

 

“It’s not his pin to take,” grumbles Comet. “This was Citizen Clark’s!”

 

 

ONEE!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOO!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THR-NOOO!!!! To a roar of cheers, Johnny thrusts his shoulder into the air! Austin jumps to his feet and goes right to the ref, putting three fingers in Kivell’s face.

 

“Austin’s trying to dispute the count; he thinks that should have been three,” notes Comet. “I’d like to dispute him even being in this match still!”

 

“And I’d like to dispute you being my announcing partner,” snaps Bobby. “I’m filing for a divorce!”

 

“As long as you leave me the house and kid’s, that would be just dandy!”

 

Johnny start’s to get to his feet, but before he can get much farther than sitting up on his knees, Austin slides in from behind and kicks his foot into Johnny’s back!

 

THWACK!!

 

Johnny grips his back, howling in pain and the Challenger lets loose with another kick, this time knocking Johnny into the mat once more! Austin floats over, grabbing Johnny’s leg and locks in his deadly half crab to a tremendous boo!

 

“THIS IS IT,” cheers Riley. “Nobody escapes the crab, and it’s high time somebody used it against the Barracuda!”

 

“On most occasions I’d tell you Austin hasn’t done nearly any damage to Johnny’s leg, but with the Barracuda simply drained this could spell the end!”

 

“AHHHH,” cries Johnny, trying his hardest to fight back the surging pain! He shoves off the mat with both hands, and looks towards the nearby ropes. Slowly, but surely, he begins inching his way across the ring, digging his fingers into the mat and pulling forward as the crowd begins to chant his name!

 

“JOHN-NY!”

“JOHN-NY!”

“JOHN-NY!”

 

“COME ON, JOHNNY,” shouts Comet, dripping with frustration. “You can’t let yourself fall…not like this! Don’t let the Wildchild have fallen in vain!”

 

“Will you shut up,” hisses Bobby. “Austin is just paying Johnny back for bruising his foot with that ankle lock earlier. Now it’s Austin Sly’s turn to leave the bruising!”

 

Austin sees the ropes getting closer, and he knows the stronger Barracuda WILL in fact make it to them, so he lets go of the foot, spins around, and begins stomping the holy hell out of the Secret Agent’s back!

 

Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham!

 

The crowd boos with GUSTO~, not wanting to see the Cruiserweight Champion fall to the evil of Austin Sly, but the Challenger dismisses them with a wave and pulls the Barracuda into a standing head-scissors!

 

“Earthquake coming right up,” Bobby shouts, gleefully. “This is the end of the Wild and Dangerous legacy right here, and the beginning of a new one!”

 

Austin bends over to lock his hands around the Barracuda’s waist –

 

“Yes, sir…this is the end of the line! Nice knowing you, Johnny Dangerous, you sucked too the end!”

 

 

 

 

 

BUT JOHNNY SUDDENLY POWERS OUT OF THE HEAD-SCISSORS, GRABBING ONTO AUSTIN’S ARM AS ROLLS OUT OF THE MOVE, PULLS THE CHALLENGER’S ARM BACK AND…

 

 

 

 

WHACK!!

 

“RAAAAAAAAAAH!!”

 

“SHOTEI!”

 

WHACK!!

 

“SHOTEI,” exclaims Comet. “The Barracuda is FIGHTING with EVERYTHING he has left now -- he isn’t going to let the Cruiserweight Title escape his clutches that easy!”

 

Austin – stunned out of not only his, but his momma’s mind as well, stumbles backwards and nearly into the ropes, and he would have if not for the Barracuda grabbing him by his wrist, and pulling him back up! Johnny steps forward, whipping the Challenger across the ring –

 

-- NO! Austin slams on the breaks, and uses what little he has left to reverse the whip, sending Johnny across the ring instead! He hits the ropes and springs back toward the Challenger! Austin steps in, looking for a clothesline…

 

WHOOSH!!

 

“Nobody home,” says Comet, as the Barracuda ducks under the arm! Austin quickly spins around…

 

KA-RAAAAAACK!!

 

 

“Johnny Kick,” grumbles Bobby, as the Barracuda’s foot SLICES~ through the air and SLAMS~ into the Challenger’s jaw, shattering it to a million pieces! “God damn it, now THAT should be a banned move!”

 

Austin is knocked for a loop and he plummets face-first to the ring, lifelessly landing in a heap, Johnny drops down and hooks onto Austin’s leg, pinning him to the mat with total AUTHORITY~!

 

“What a come back for Johnny Dangerous,” shouts Comet, “but can he capitalize?”

 

ONEEE!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

DING! DING! DING!

 

“After the Flesh” thunders through the Pavilion once more, and after signaling the timekeeper to end the match, Kivell fetches the Cruiserweight Championship and returns to Johnny. He hands the Barracuda his belt back then grabs Johnny by his arm, raising it in victory!

 

“The winner of this match,” booms Funyon, “and STIIIIIIL SMARTMARK WRESTLING FEDERATION CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIOOOOOON…of the WOOOOOOOORLD…JOOOOOOOHN-NY DAAANGEROUUUUS!!!!”

 

“What did I tell you, Citizen Robert,” says Comet. “Johnny Dangerous prevailed in a match that would make the Wildchild proud – this legacy is unstoppable!”

 

“Hmph! Austin Sly will get another chance, and when he does… Johnny better watch out cause that title will be Austin’s!”

 

Johnny clutches the Cruiserweight Championship, holding it close to his heart as the crowd simply goes ballistic, AND…

 

 

 

 

 

As we:

FADE OUT.

[Thoth 0]

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

 

Megan Skye, slightly perturbed by the aforementioned query, raises one eyebrow cautiously and places her right hand on her hip. She continues to look, caught off her guard; her mind sputtering for an answer. She was just minding her business, walking down the hall, when this guy looked away from the direction panels on the building wall and just asked her that—out of the blue! She turns and looks at him, catching him in mid swallow of a dark liquid, quickly noticing his obviously dyed blonde hair (she should know, she’s seen plenty of wannabe’s try and get her natural hair color) unshaved face and oddly enough, green eyes…

 

But they’re hidden behind some yellow shades, although it’s kinda odd that he’d wear yellow sunglasses inside the building, but hey, he’s probably a wrestler from the looks of it and everyone knows they love their sunglasses… even in the dark.

 

Skye shakes her head. “Uh, ex—excuse me?”

 

“I said, do—”

 

“I know what you said—I’m just wondering who you are and why you’d even be talking to me.”

 

“Me, well… well I’m Ryan. Ryan Dustin; at your beck and call, but only if you’ll have me.” Ryan puts back another swig of the brown liquid in his glass bottle and chuckles. “Actually, I was hoping you could escort me to the commissioners office?” adds the man who’s name is obviously Ryan Dustin, now.

 

Megan rolls her eyes, but sneaks another look at the man—in a grey suit, solid blue shirt and loosely hung silver tie. He has to be new, she astutely observes, or at least in for an interview. “I’ve got to get ready for Landon’s match. He’s on next, so you’ll have to find somebody else to take you to commissioner Zenon’s office.”

 

“Landon?”

 

“Landon Maddix, I’m his manager—his perfect 10,” adds Megan, looking up at the taller man she now knows as Ryan Dustin, for whatever that’s worth, “or I’m gonna’ be…” mumbles Skye under her breath. Now it is Ryan’s turn to arch an eyebrow, as the girl seems to be… blushing?

 

“Versus?” prods Ryan.

 

“Versus?” responds Megan, clearly forgetting the direction of this conversation, in lieu of something or maybe someone else. Ryan shakes his head a little and then a little light bulb goes off over her blonde locks. “Oh, versus, uh… “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins, not that it matters who he’s facing.”

 

“Hollywood, eh…” adds Ryan, pondering over the name.

 

Skye now seems to be blushing more. “Sorry, had a blonde moment.”

 

Ryan’s eyes open wide at the ditz joke, and all of a sudden he cracks up laughing. After getting a hold of himself, Dustin takes a quick drink from his bottle. The girl has that expression on her face again that says, what in the hell’s ta’ matter with you. “Inside joke,” mentions Ryan dismissively, “so, you sure you couldn’t show me the way to the commissioners’ office, what was it?”

 

“I didn’t say.”

 

“Right, you didn’t.”

 

“Oh—yeah, anyway, I need to find Landon.”

 

“Well, hurry off kid… maybe I’ll see you around.” Ryan pats her on the ass, as she quickly takes off on her way through the corridors, now running with a look of slight indignation across her features, leaving a bemused Dustin to find his own way. If she had the time she might tell the guy off, but he did seem to have a charisma about him and… was he… maybe… a little drunk?

 

Ryan checks out the retreating figure of Skye, who’s name he still doesn’t know, shrugs his shoulders and walks in the direction that Megan originally came in, but, now intrigued by the flashing graphic that comes up for the next match, he pauses.

 

““La Cucaracha”—and “Hollywood”… interesting, with Megan Skye... now this looks like it’ll be fun. Looks like these kids know how to wrestle…”

 

A pause.

 

“…Not like I know where I’m going anyway.” mumbles Dustin, as he hops onto an anvil case, setting down his left over three quarters of a bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey, after one last sip. "Erm... Strong". He coughs out, as his green eyes focus on the monitor, the match getting ready to start…

[Thoth 0]

“And after that amazing Triple Threat match for the SWF Cruiserweight Championship, we head straight into a single’s match between two of the top talent’s SWF has to offer.”

 

“Two? There is Landon Maddix, but who is the other?”

 

“Umm…Spike Jenkins…?”

 

“Spike is a top talent? My has the quality of talent gone down.” Sighs Riley.

 

“Why must you be so sarcastic?”

 

“Me? Sarcastic? Noooo.”

 

Just then, the lights turn down as blue strobe lights hit the entranceway. “The Song About Nothing” by the Malibu Boy scouts start’s up as the crowd begins cheering.

 

“Out comes the challenger to the champion in this non-title match…”

 

After a few moments, “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins makes his appearance in Boise, Idaho as he walks out from behind the entrance curtain. Spike starts walking down the entranceway, slapping hands with fans in the front row and flashing a big smile.

 

“The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and is a Non-Title match! First making his way to the ring, weighing in at a total of Two Hundred and Twenty-Five pounds. Hailing from Hollywood, California! He is “Hollywood” Spike Jenkins!!!!!!!”

 

Funyon finishes his introduction as Spike slides under the bottom rope into the ring. Spike jumps to his feet and charges into the corner, leaping up onto the middle rope and posing for the fans.

 

“Spike Jenkins is out here after a grueling Triple Threat Elimination Table’s match with ‘The Antichrist Superstar’ Crow and ‘The High Priest of Horrocore’ Dace Night.”

 

“I hated that match. Sure, all three of them killed each other. But still, I dislike all three guys in that match. And I was very happy when Spike put Crow through a table, only to be dropped on his head through a table by Dace Night!”

 

Spike hops down from the middle rope. He stretches over the ropes, waiting for his opponent. And right on cue, the lights are cut as the playing of N.E.R.D's "Lap dance" is met with resounding boos from the Boise crowd.

 

"Dirty Dog

I'm, I'm a dirty dog

I'm a dirty dog

I'm, I'm a dirty dog

Dirty Dog

I'm a dirty dog

Dirty Dog"

 

The drumbeat kicks in, just as Landon Maddix emerges from behind the curtains with his arms already held aloft in preparation for the ever-present wall of jeers that hits him. And the first thing noticeable about him is his newly won SWF United States/Junior League Championship. Right behind Landon of course is Megan Skye, who skips over towards Landon and thrusts her hands towards him, as if presenting a prize on a game show.

 

“Landon Maddix pulled up the upset of his life as he took the SWF United States/Junior League Championship away from “Wild” Coy West.”

 

“An upset? Yeah, right! Landon Maddix is a follower of Todd Royal and is more talented then half of this roster.” Claims Bobby Riley.

 

“Is he, now?” questions Cyclone Comet.

 

“Yes, he is.”

 

“Then why did he need Megan Skye and to choke out Coy West to win the title? His cheating tactics may have gone undetected from the referee, but not from the Cyclone Comet~~!”

 

“You are a weird, weird little man.”

 

"And his opponent!” booms Funyon. “Accompanied to the ring by his 'perfect 10' Megan Skye. Weighing in at Two Hundred and Ten pounds. Hailing from Huron, South Dakota. He represents The Unnamed, and remains the last ever JL Champion...The Disciple of Todd…LANDON...'LA CUCARACHA'...MAAAAADDIIIX!!!"

 

Funyon quietly steps out of the ring. The crowd stands on their feet, booing the follower of Todd and current USJL Champion. Reaching the apron, Landon hops up and extends his arm to Megan, helping her up and opening the ropes to allow her in. He then struts across the apron, before jumping to the middle turnbuckle and again posturing to the jeering crowd, as Megan looks on with a grin. The USJL Title gleams as flash photography goes off all around the arena capturing the champion.

 

“That title is beautiful around his waist.”

 

“Okay, now THAT was creepy.” Says a little freaked out Comet.

 

“What? I can’t admire his hard word and determination?”

 

“I am not going to justify that with an answer.”

 

Landon hops over the top rope and lands in the ring. Landon unstraps the USJL Title from around his waist, and hands it to Megan Skye, who puts it over her shoulder as she exits the ring to the floor. The referee walks over, and checks Landon for weapons as he did Spike. When satisfied, he calls for the bell to signal the start of the match!

 

 

*Ding Ding Ding*

 

 

Both men walk out of their corner, as they circle around the ring.

 

“This will be an interesting match between these two. They both know each other from their past in the SJL. Not to mention, Landon Maddix runs on a highflying, high offense style. Spike Jenkins used to have the same style, but since his knee injury, he has been forced off it into a slower mat based style. Spike may have the advantage as he knows what Maddix is thinking.”

 

Both men enter the center of the ring, and meet each other with a collar-elbow tie up. Landon struggle to get the advantage, but the stronger Spike pulls him into a side headlock. Spike wrenches on the neck. Spike attempts to flip Landon over onto his back with a headlock takedown, but the follower of Todd plants his feet into the mat, refusing to go anywhere.

 

“Spike quickly working in the headlock, and trying to take the weaker Landon down.”

 

Spike continues wrenching on the neck and again tries to flip the USJL Champion over onto his back, but Landon stands with his feet firmly planted into the mat. Landon throws some elbows into the kidney area of Spike, but he fights through the pain. Spike pulls on the neck, leaving Landon the only option to either get pulled over, or to fight his way to the ropes. Landon keeps his feet planted on the mat, and begins his long struggle to the ropes.

 

“Come on! This isn’t fair! Spike has Landon in a choke!”

 

“That’s a headlock…”

 

“His cheating tactics may have gone undetected from you, Comet. But not from me, Bobby Riley~!”

 

“I really hate you.”

 

“Umm…let me think. How about, No?”

 

Back to the action, Spike wrenches on the head of Landon. Spike once again attempts to flip Landon over onto his back, but Landon holds on again and is finally able to grab the top rope. The referee gets in Spike’s face, and begins to start a five count before Spike can break the hold. But since Spike is the baby face of this match, he releases the hold before the count even begins.

 

“Spike releases the headlock, as Landon Maddix just grabs the rope.”

 

“Come on! It was a choke hold!”

 

“No…it was a headlock.”

 

“Umm…let me think. How about, No?”

 

“Stop saying that!”

 

Spike backs away from Landon, but quickly plans on going back to the attack. Landon sees his opening, and his cockiness gets to him…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*SLAP*

 

 

 

 

Landon gives Spike a hard slap across the face!

 

 

 

“Hahaha! The USJL Champion just smacked that little punk around!”

 

 

 

Spike’s eyes widen in anger, as he nearly dives at Landon. But Landon ducks in between the ropes, and the referee is forced to push Spike back. Everybody in Boise begin booing as Landon gives off a cocky smile and Megan begins clapping.

 

“Lack of respect from the champion.”

 

“Why should the champion respect Spike? What has Spike proven that deserves respect?”

 

Spike stands in the middle of the ring, and yells at Landon to “come on”. Landon uncovers himself from the ropes, and both men begin circling around the ring. They meet in the center of the ring, and engage in a collar-elbow tie up. Landon tries to gain the advantage, but the now angry Spike quickly pulls him into a headlock.

 

“Not again!”

 

“Spike is keeping that headlock on tight. Most likely due to Landon not being able to counter out of it. Spike is the stronger and more technically advanced of the two. Landon may not know what to do in this situation.”

 

“But Landon also has some training from the great Todd Royal. Royal is a master of the mat work. I’m sure he showed Landon a few counters here and there.”

 

“Possibly, but Todd Royal teaching Landon Maddix the basics? He probably showed Landon a bunch of fancy smancy moves. You know how Todd Royal is.”

 

“No, I don’t. Care to explain?”

 

“Okay. Todd Royal is cocky and arrogant. There.”

 

“See! I knew you were a fan of Todd Royal. Todd Bless You!”

 

Spike wrenches on the head of Landon, and again tries to flip him over with a headlock takedown. But once again, Landon plants his feet, and holds on for dear life. Maddix realizes that he is stuck in the same situation, and instantly starts pulling towards the ropes. Spike sees Landon do this, and unwillingly follows with him. Spike tries one last attempt at a headlock takedown, but Landon holds firm and grabs onto the rope. The referee comes to break it up again but Spike refuses to let go this time, causing the referee to start the five count.

 

 

 

 

One!

 

 

 

 

 

Two!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three!

 

 

 

 

 

Four!

 

 

 

 

 

Fiv…and Spike breaks the hold.

 

 

“Oh No! Spike’s mad! He kept a headlock on till the four count! Whatever will Landon do now?” mocks Riley.

 

Spike backs away, but goes back to the attack, now angrier then before. Landon, of course being the cocky and not so smart person that he is, again tries to slap Spike across the face…

 

 

 

 

 

*SLA…

 

 

 

 

 

 

No! Spike blocks it with his left arm, and in return…

 

 

 

 

 

*CRACK*

 

 

 

 

…Decks Landon across the side of his face with a right elbow.

 

 

“HEY!”

 

 

Landon falls back into the ropes, with his eyes glazed over. Spike grabs Landon by the hair, and pulls him into a headlock, before flipping him over to the mat with a headlock takedown! Spike gets his body into position, and starts tearing at Landon’s neck.

 

“Spike finally getting the headlock takedown and locks in on Landon’s neck.”

 

“No thanks to an illegal elbow!” cries Riley.

 

“An illegal elbow? How?” questions Comet?

 

“Landon wasn’t ready!”

 

“Landon tried to slap Spike…again!”

 

“So?”

 

Spike wrenches on the neck, as Landon screams out in pain. The referee jumps down to the mat, and starts asking Landon if he gives up. Landon, disgraced if he submits to a headlock, refuses. Landon tries to wiggle out of the headlock, but Spike just pulls tighter at the neck.

 

“Spike is cutting Landon off at the knees. It seems Spike came in ready with a game plan, and is in full effect of using it.”

 

Landon tries to kick at the back of Spike, but Spike has positioned himself just out of reach of Landon’s legs. Landon starts to kick the mat, as Megan Skye starts slapping her hands on the mat, cheering on for the USJL Champion. Spike pulls on the neck, causing the supply of oxygen in Landon’s body to cut off at the head. The only thing Landon can think of is to fight out of it, and starts whipping out weak elbows to the back of Spike. Spike shrugs them off, but this gives Landon the opportunity to pull Spike over onto his shoulders and get him in a pinning predicament!

 

 

 

 

One!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thr…No! Spike floats over Landon and back into the headlock! Spike continues pulling at the neck, as Landon screams in pain.

 

“Damn it, Spike! Let go of the choke hold!”

 

“For the last time, it’s a Headlock!”

 

Spike keeps the hold locked in, as Landon starts whipping Spike’s back with elbows again and again. Spike clutches at his back in pain, allowing Landon the time needed to pull him and Spike up to his knees, and ultimately up to his feet.

 

“Yes! Smartness coming from The Disciple of Todd!”

 

“Did you just use the word, smartness?”

 

“Yes. Yes, I did.”

 

Spike holds on to the hold as tight as possible, knowing that Landon has the chance to escape it now. Landon, who is losing oxygen fast, just pulls all of his weight backwards. This causes him and Spike to stumble back and fall into the ropes.

 

“Great move by Landon! Just throw yourself into the ropes and make the referee break the hold!” exclaims Riley.

 

The referee jumps in between both guys, but Spike already has let go of the hold and tries to get to his feet. Spike gets to a full stance. Planning on staying on the attack, he reaches down and grabs Landon by the hair, pulling him to his feet. Spike locks Landon with a headlock, and tries to take him over with another headlock takedown…

 

 

 

 

 

…But no! Landon rings his arm over the top rope, and Spike drops face first to the mat as Landon stands above him. Spike quickly tries to get to his feet, but catches a knee to the back by Landon. Landon locks Spike in a reverse front face lock, and with a quick spin drives Spike into the mat, back of the headfirst.

 

“The Landon Eye!” yells out Bobby Riley.

 

“The Landon Eye. The first of Landon Maddix’s offense of the match so far.”

 

“Trust me. There will be more.”

 

Spike lies on the mat, holding the back of his head. Landon himself falls into a sitting position on the middle rope, as Megan Skye runs around to check on him. The Disciple of Todd clutches at his neck, a little distraught from the pressure his opponent put on it. Landon gets up to his feet and reaches down, grabbing the near crawling Spike Jenkins up by his hair. Landon wraps his arm around Spike’s shoulder and in between his legs and lifts him into the air. Landon drives Spike back first into the mat with a powerslam. Landon grabs at his neck, as he heads into the corner, and steps through the middle and top rope, and begins to make his way up to the top rope. Still fumbling at his neck, he stands on the top rope, and does a cocky pose for the fans that begin booing immediately. Megan Skye stands on the outside, cheering for her protégé, as he leaps through the air. Landon aims at Spike’s shoulder as he comes crashing down with The Disciple Flying Head BUTT…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…But Spike moves out of the way! Landon comes crashing down and hits nothing but mat!

 

 

“Disciple Flying Head BUTT misses! All the pressure Spike put on the neck causes Landon to take too much time on the top rope! Not to mention him posing…”

 

“His posing was fine! It’s all the neck work Spike did to him. Landon can’t breath properly thanks to that damn headlock!”

 

 

Spike rolls over onto his stomach, and struggles up to his feet. Landon on the other hand, stands on his knees, kneeling over and grabbing at his neck. Spike crawls into the corner, and uses the ropes to pull himself to his feet. Landon stands on his feet, but seems a little preoccupied with his neck. Landon turns around towards Spike, as he comes charging out of the corner. Spike dives down, and drives his shoulders into the rib cage of Landon with a spear! Landon falls back first to the mat, with his head snapping against the mat.

 

 

“Spike Berg with the spear!”

 

“Spike Berg?” asks Riley.

 

“He might as well steal another gimmick to try and get over.”

 

“That doesn’t sound like something a superhero like you would say…”

 

“Hey. Superhero’s speak the truth, you know.”

 

 

Spike gets up to his feet, flips his hair back. Spike signals for the crowd to get up, as they continue cheering on the Hollywood Superstar. Spike turns back to Landon, who holds the back of his head on the mat. Spike walks over, reaches down and grabs Landon by the hair. Spike pulls him up to his feet, and gives him a quick kick to the gut. Landon doubles over, allowing Spike to lock him in a front face lock. Spike slaps the back of Landon and drops down, driving Landon head first into the mat with a DDT!

 

“Big DDT by Spike Jenkins! Spike looks to have everything under control!”

 

“It’s not fair! He used an illegal choke hold on Landon!”

 

“IT WAS A HEADLOCK!!” yells Cyclone Comet.

 

Spike sits up, and quickly turns Landon over onto his back. Spike hops up to his feet, reaches down, and pulls Landon up to a sitting position by his hair. Spike places his legs to the side of Landon and now stands over him. He reaches down and locks Landon in a front face lock. Spike drops down and sits on the legs of Landon, wrapping his own legs around the USJL Champion’s waist. Spike keeps the front face lock locked in, and begins pulling at the neck of the champion!

 

 

“Guillotine Choke by Spike Jenkins!”

 

“Choke! IT’S A CHOKE! Break the move, Ref!”

 

“It’s technically not a choke…”

 

“Technically my ass! It’s called a choke!”

 

 

The referee dives into position, checking to see if Landon gives up. Landon screams in pain, as Megan stands on the outside not knowing what to do. Landon waves his arms around, but has nowhere to go as Spike has him all tied up…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*TAP TAP TAP*

 

 

 

 

 

The referee sees the tap out and calls for the bell!

 

 

 

 

*DING DING DING*

 

 

“NO!”

 

“Spike Jenkins pulls the upset victory over the SWF United States/Junior League Champion, Landon Maddix!” says a now excited Comet.

 

“I don’t believe this!”

 

 

Spike releases the hold as “The Song About Nothing” starts playing over the PA again. Spike gets to his feet, and holds his arms in the air in victory. The fans in the arena start chanting “Holl-E Wood” as he circles the ring.

 

 

“Spike gets the non-title victory over the USJL Champion! Landon better be careful because next time, his title may be on the line!”

 

“Don’t jinx him, Comet! THAT WAS A CHOKE HOLD DAMN IT!”

 

“Anyway fans, we have to go to a quick commercial break. But when Storm returns, the SWF Tag Team Titles will be on the line, as Aecas and Janus, former members of the Trinity and the despisers of each other take on The In Crowd! Fan’s don’t go away, we will be right back!”

 

 

Spike exits the ring and begins to make his way to the back as Megan Skye enters and hovers over Landon. She clutches the title to her chest, as SWF Storm goes to a commercial break.

[Thoth 0]

“People! People! Please! One at a time! I’m an incredibly busy man!”

 

The commotion in the parking lot soon spills into the arena hallways as employees leap out of the way to safe themselves from the stampede, the stampede of the rabid entourage surrounding the latest sensation to hit the SWF in recent memory, the Sovereign of Swagger! The Prince of Pizzazz! The Captain of Charisma! The Head Honcho of Haughtiness…!

 

“Oh come on, give me a god damn break! That last one is just ridiculous!”

 

“Silence knave! Your job is to film me, camera boy, now hop to it squire!”

 

“…Ugh…”

 

The reflection from the camera’s lens shows the sparkling teeth in the perfect smile from the dashing man signing the autographs for his most loyal fans, but behind the camera, the man behind the scenes simply shakes his head, seeing right through the whole façade.

 

Another disgruntled sigh comes from the cameraman as the pompous jackass spills more cocksure drivel while flashbulbs… flash, and members of the press try to get the inside scoop with the star.

 

“Well, How, About, THIS!” Says the newest addition to the SWF family, Ace Lezaire! He flashes his fans a smile, charming wink and tilt of the head. Ace notices his subordinates dissatisfaction and decides to stir the pot some more.

 

“Come now Steve, don’t feel too bad, maybe one day, you’ll be in my position, with fans coming from the rafters to see you! Sure, you’re not as handsome as me, or charming as me, or as talented as me, or as intelligent as me, or…

 

“Ugh, I’m becoming nauseous…”

 

“All I’m saying is, I’m sure there are some cameraman groupies somewhere.”

 

Ace shoots Steve a condescending grin and wink, before going back to his pressing business of having his fans drool all over him, striking heroic poses for the snapshots.

 

“Having a good time then Ace? Enjoying your time in the SWF so far?”

 

“Who wouldn’t?! Treated like royalty, greeted like a hero, yep, I could really get used to this!”

 

“Well, don’t get used to it…” mutters Steve, finally cracking a smile as he announces, “OK PEOPLE! IT’S 8:30! TIME TO CLOCK OFF!”

 

A cloud of dust fills the surrounding area, and when it passes, all that’s left is the two men, alone, while a wolf howls, and a dust ball glides by, which the two men watch until it rolls out of sight.

 

Ace whimpers as he looks around, wondering where all his loving and adoring fans have gone.

 

The red light on the camera flickers out, and Steve nods his head approvingly. “I’d say they were money well spent, got some great footage.”

 

“You mean, they weren’t…”

 

“Nope.”

 

“And they were…”

 

“Yep.”

 

Looking down the empty hallways, Ace puts his disappointment behind him, reassuring himself of his fame by looking in a mirror, and brushing his flowing locks back.

 

“No skin off my nose,” He says, admiring his perfect bone structure. “Soon enough, everyone will fall victim to my charm, and my talent. They’ll come flocking back to me. And to begin…”

 

Ace motions Steve to begin recording, who rolls his eyes, raising the camera onto his shoulder and into position.

 

Lezaire, intensity written on his face as he cocks an eyebrow, and takes a dramatic turn towards the camera…

 

“I think it’s high time I, Ace Lezaire, made… an impact.”

 

His eyebrows work over time selling the line, as Steve sighs yet again, and Lezaire storms down the corridor, Steve in close pursuit, dreading ever getting into this business…

[Thoth 0]

The synthesized, melodic beginning to "This Is Your Life" by Switchfoot echoes through the BSU Pavillion, as Storm returns from break with a marquee match for the SWF World Tag Team Titles.

 

"Welcome back fans, and if you're still pouring that drink or heating up that burrito, you'd better hurry up, because one hell of a match is about to break out!" proclaims an ecstatic Bobby Riley.

 

As Riley comments on his expectations for the upcoming match, the challengers in this contest, Mike Van Siclen and Todd Cortez, step out onto the stage, with Van Siclen's cocky demeanor drawing a less than positive reaction from the crowd.

 

FUNYON

Laaaaaadieeeeees and Gentlemennnnn, the following contest, is for the SWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! Approaching the ring at this time are the challengers. First, hailing from "The Streets", he is the "Urban Legend", TODD CORRRRRTEZZZZZ! His partner is the current reigning Hardcore Gamers Champion, and hails from Harrison, IL...MIKE VANNNN SISSSSS-LENNNNN. They weigh in at combined weight of four hundred, fifty two pounds, and are former SWF World Tag Team Champions...they are HOLLEEEE-WOODDD BOULLLLLEVARRRRRRRD!

 

The duo have just hit the ring, with Van Siclen sliding in and continuing to egg the fans on with his taunts, while Cortez stands on the floor, engaging in his pre-match "prayer" before sliding into the ring. Some fans pop out of respect for the new superstar, but it's still a mystery to them why he'd be involved with a man like Mike Van Siclen.

 

"A lot of combustible elements are going to be in play during this matchup, Riley. First off, you've got Aecas and Janus who could break out into their own match at any time, and they're the champs! Then youv'e got two men who are not only former tag champions, but who are coming off singles victories. Not to mention that when Hollywood Boulevard, then called The In Crowd, first won the tag belts, it was at the expense of Janus and Aecas! It's been a short while since Cortez debuted, but there's still a lot of history involved here!"

 

"Comet, take a breath before you pass out!" says Bobby.

 

The theme for the challengers fades out, and is replaced with silence, and then darkness, as fans pop when the lights are dimmed.

 

"ARE YOU SCARED?"

 

The fans pop in recognition of the catchphrase.

 

"HE'S HERE!"

 

"Death In Fire" booms out of every speaker in the Pavillion, as a flash of lightning shows the face of Aecas on the Smarktron. Red lights pulse throughout the arena, as the co-holder of the Tag Titles steps out amidst the smoke clouding the entranceway. Aecas, with the SWF Tag Title strapped around his waist, stands tall, soaking in the response of the crowd, as he raises the Flick Scythe up with one hand, and spews a red mist out, drawing more of a pop from his fans.

 

"This man has a score to settle with every other man in this contest, and that includes his own partner!" comments Comet.

 

Aecas walks to the ring, as Cortez and Van Siclen keep their eyes on him as he approaches. No sooner is Aecas stepping through than Cortez and Van Siclen pounce on him, attacking him while he's caught off guard! Brian Hebner quickly calls for the bell, as Hollywood Boulevard double up on Aecas, hammering across the back of his neck and his back with forearms. Fighting off the pre-bell attack, Aecas stands up, and delivers forearm shots to each mans face, knocking them to the canvas! After knocking Cortez down, Aecas turns to Van Siclen, but catches a thumb to the eye from the sneaky veteran. Cortez gets up, and he and Van Siclen each grab an arm, sending Aecas into the ropes and catching him on the rebound with a double dropkick! Aecas, still on his feet, stumbles back into the ropes, and as Hollywood Boulevard get to their feet, bursts forward and levels them both with a double clothesline! Van Siclen rolls under the bottom rope, out onto the apron upon hitting the canvas, while Cortez is pulled up to his feet by Aecas. Van Siclen struggles with the ropes, using them as an aid to get to his feet on the apron, but is immediately sent flying backwards through the air, crashing into the security rail, as Aecas whips Cortez into his own partner! Todd stumbles forward, and Aecas quickly scoops him up and spins around with Cortez in his arms, squashing him with a snap powerslam! Aecas keeps the leg hooked, as Hebner counts the fall...

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

KICKOUT!

 

Cortez throws a shoulder up, showing that it's going to take more than that to keep him down for a fall. Aecas gets up off of him, but as soon as Todd is up to his feet, he finds a knee driven into his gut, keeling him over. Aecas reaches down and lifts Todd, pressing him above his head, and showcasing his strength, keeping the lighter Cortez held above his head. Aecas walks over towards the ropes, as Mike Van Siclen has just recovered, and looks to launch Cortez over the ropes onto him. Van Siclen pleads with Aecas not to do it, but the fans think otherwise, egging Aecas on. After holding Cortez up for what must seem like an eternity to him, Aecas releases the press, dropping Cortez face first on the canvas behind him! The fans pop as Cortez lands, and now Aecas steps out to the apron and hops down, giving chase to the man who eeked out a victory over him just days ago!

 

"The action has been pretty intense in these opening minutes, but where on earth is Janus, Bobby?"

 

"Good question. We know he's in the building, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize he's doing this intentionally to mess with his former friend's mind."

 

Aecas hops to the floor from the apron, and Van Siclen backs away, pleading for Aecas not to kill him. Aecas rounds the corner in pursuit of Van Siclen, who quickly rolls into the ring, avoiding any contact with his foe on the floor. Aecas slides in after him, but as he's getting to his feet, Van Siclen wraps an arm around his head, holding him in a front facelock. Seeing his partner recovering out of the corner of his eye, Mike calls out to Todd Cortez, drawing him over as well. Cortez applies the same hold as his partner, and together the members of Hollywood Boulevard reach down with their free hands and hooks Aecas' waistband, carrying him over with a double suplex that rocks the ring! Cortez and Van Siclen get up to their feet, and Mike tells Todd to go take a breather on the apron, while he continues on as the legal man for their team. Aecas sits up, and Mike quickly applies a chinlock, knowing that in order to combat Aecas' strength advantage he'll have to wear him out, but the big man has none of it. He powers up to his feet, with Mike desperately hanging onto him with a side headlock, and reaches out, grabbing around Mike's waist and pulling him up so that Mike is horizontal in the air, held in Aecas' one arm. Aecas paces a few steps, showing off his strength for the crowd, and then jumps with Van Siclen in his grasp, leaning his weight into Van Siclen as he drives him to the mat with a sidewalk slam! Aecas rolls to his feet, and with Calvin imprinted on the canvas after that last move, he jogs to the ropes, bouncing off the far end and running to the opposite side before jumping in the air and coming down with an elbowdrop that could cave someone's chest in! The fans cheer wildly as Aecas stands up, bringing Van Siclen up with him by the throat, and holds him in a neck hanging tree hold! Van Siclen's eyes bug out as Aecas squeezes his throat, and at the count of four, Aecas breaks the hold by throwing Van Siclen backwards and to the canvas! Mike crawls to the corner, pulling himself up with the ropes, but as he turns back towards Aecas he gets an extreme closeup of his old nemesis, as Aecas barges into him with a corner clothesline, crushing him! Mike falls down to a seated position, and Aecas backs up, then charges in again, driving his knee into Mike's temple!

 

"I'm beginning to think Aecas doesn't need Janus tonight. He's manhandling Van Siclen with ease!" says Comet, reviewing the last several minutes of action.

 

Aecas drags Van Siclen up off the mat, leaning him up against the ropes in the corner, and takes his big hand and brings it down HARD across Mike's chest with an open hand chop. Aecas raises his hand again...SMACK~! Same result, and Van Siclen is reeling as his chest is being turned into ground beef. Aecas gives him another one for good measure, and the final shot leaves Van Siclen with an unpleasant reminder of the damage, as a red handprint is visible on his chest! With Mike rockin' and reelin', Aecas sends him flying into the other corner, and Mike hits so hard he rebounds out, stumbling forward, as Aecas darts towards him with a GORE~! GORE~! GORE~!...AND MISSES! Van Siclen, perhaps his only line of defense, grabs the top rope and pulls himself over to it, sidestepping Aecas and causes him to crash into the corner, hitting his shoulder~! Aecas pulls himself out, but favors his left shoulder after the crash, and turns around, right into a desperation single arm DDT by Mike Van Siclen!

 

"Great presence of mind by Van Siclen, knowing enough to get to work on that wounded shoulder. Even still, if Hollywood Boulevard want any chance at winning this match, Van Siclen needs to make the tag soon. Aecas might be hurt, but that doesn't equal defeat." analyzes Bobby Riley.

 

"Can't forget the "x factor" in this match, Bobby, that being Janus, if and when he decides to show up!"

 

Both men struggle to recover on the mat, Aecas more quick to do so since he hasn't felt as much damage as his unluckier foe has. The crowd is abuzz as both men stir, with Van Siclen crawling towards his corner, reaching for the tag. Cortez leans in as far as he can, stretching his arm out to his partner. Aecas lunges for Mike's legs, but can't get a grip on his ankle. Van Siclen scurries further towards his corner, and finally makes the tag to the "Urban Legend" before Aecas can prevent it!

 

Cortez slingshots in, greeted with jeers from the fans who have had it with the antics of Mike Van Siclen these last few years, causing him to be "hated by association". Undaunted by the catcalls, Cortez goes right at Aecas, grabbing the left arm and wrenching it once, then twice, each time tugging on the shoulder of the big man. Cortez wrenches again, putting more pressure on the shoulder, and this time, while still maintaining control with the standing armbar, kicks at the back of Aecas' knee, the instep of his foot making a cracking sound every time it connects with Aecas' leg. After several shots, Aecas gives in to the impact, falling to one, and Cortez releases the armbar, running to the ropes and catching Aecas as he stands up straight with a floatover dropkick, nailing him in the chest and stunning him. Cortez backs up to the ropes again, and charges towards Aecas, ducking under a haymaker shot and rebounding off the ropes behind him, going low this time and drilling him in the back of the knee with a basement dropkick! Aecas falls backwards to the mat, but quickly sits up, groaning in pain, as Cortez runs the ropes a third time, this time catching Aecas as he's in a seated position, hitting a basement dropkick that connects with Aecas' chin!

 

"Trifecta of dropkicks from Todd Cortez has stunned the big man!" exclaims Comet.

 

Cortez, sensing an opportunity to wear his foe out, gets up and walks over to Aecas' upper body, and pulls him up to a seated postion, then wraps his right arm around Aecas' face/neck, possibly looking for the Street Dreams! The fans holler for Aecas to fight, and fight he does, as he pushes himself up to one knee and snapmares Cortez over his shoulder, preventing the move from being put on! Aecas shrugs off the pain in the left shoulder and stands up. As Cortez sits up, Aecas delivers a soccer kick to the back of Cortez, sending shivers up and down his spine, as the fans gasp at the ensuing SMACK~! that echoes through the arena! Cortez grits his teeth, grunting in pain as he stands up, and gets spun around so that he's facing Aecas. Aecas throws an arm across the chest of Cortez, looking for a uranage, but Cortez quickly drives several elbows into the cheek of Aecas, knocking him away. Aecas staggers, leaning his head over as he rubs his cheek, and Cortez spins around, jumping up to kick him in the back of the head with an enzugiri...that Aecas ducks! Cortez falls to the mat facefirst, stunning himself, and as he gets up, he backs into Aecas, who quickly grabs a waistlock and throws Cortez up and over with a release German Suplex that folds him over, drawing a huge pop!

 

"I wonder if Cortez qualifies for the Mile High Club now, seeing as how Aecas just tossed him!" ponders Riley.

 

Aecas stands up, eyeing Mike Van Siclen, who is mouthing off from the apron. The fans egg Aecas on, cheering him as he lumbers towards Van Siclen, cupping his ear to mock Van Siclen, as if he can't hear him. Van Siclen climbs up onto the second rope and leans in further, continuing to run down Aecas, until the big man moves forward and grabs him by the throat! The crowd goes wild as Mike's jaw drops, and Aecas pulls him up onto the top rope, then looks over at Cortez. Seeing Cortez getting to his feet, Aecas launches Van Siclen like a lawn dart, and Cortez turns his head to see his own partner flying at him, and gets taken out by Aecas' version of a rocket launcher!

 

"Aecas is a one man wrecking machine, and the crowd is loving every minute of it!"

 

"AECAS! AECAS! AECAS!"

 

The chant goes up, as both members of Hollywood Boulevard have seen better days. Van Siclen gets to his feet, then finds himself knocked off of them again, as he's taken out of the ring the hard way when Aecas drives him over the top rope and to the floor with a clothesline! The rabid fans continue to cheer the Tag Champion, as he turns to Cortez, delivering a boot to the gut that doubles him over, and then pulls him in, tucking his head between his legs, and the setup draws the fans up to their feet, as they know what's coming!

 

"The Executioner! Aecas is going to make history by successfully defending the belts on his own tonight!"

 

Aecas reaches down, pulling Cortez up, but instead of hanging downward, Cortez propels himself upward, wrapping an arm around Aecas' head and pulling him to the canvas the hard way with a DDT...NO! Aecas stops the momentum, not allowing his head to be driven in the canvas, and wraps his arms around Cortez and lifts, throwing him over his head with a release belly to belly suplex! Aecas gets up and raises his arms, pumping his fists as he works the crowd, and they respond with nothing but adulation for The Black Angel. The adulation quickly turns to boos, however, but not for Aecas. Instead, it's for the fact that Janus has finally appeared, and he's standing on the entrance stage!

 

"Well, for anyone who thought he no-showed, there he is!"

 

"Look at him, he's just hanging by the entrance way, as if he's a spectator, when he's supposed to be a part of the match we've been watching for the last ten or so minutes!" proclaims Comet.

 

Aecas turns around to see why the booing has started, and spies his former friend residing all the way up at the top of the aisleway. Aecas locks eyes with Janus, who sneers at him, but it provides enough distraction that Mike Van Siclen recovers from being sent over the top rope, comes up onto the apron, and drops Aecas throat first across the top rope! Stunned, the big man hobbles backward, and gets pulled into a front facelock by Todd Cortez, who kicks off the second rope and spins around, drilling Aecas headfirst into the ring with a tornado DDT! Cortez hooks the leg, and urges referee Hebner to quickly make the count!

 

ONE!

 

TWO!!

 

THRE....NO! KICKOUT BY AECAS!

 

The fans roar, as Cortez quickly backs away, giving Aecas the room to recover, while Janus continues watching on from his spot on the ramp. Aecas rolls over, then pushes up to a knee, but as he does Cortez fires off a stiff snap jab to Aecas' cheek to daze him, then runs backwards, coming off the ropes towards Aecas, but before any move can be executed, Aecas pops up, turning towards Cortez and grabbing him as he runs, lifting him in the air and sending him back down with a uranage out of nowhere! The electric crowd at the BSU Pavillion continues on with their cheerleading for Aecas, all while his Tag Team Championship partner is watching on.

 

"You know, Janus thinks that this is getting to Aecas in some way, but if Aecas pulls out a victory, then what does that say about Janus?"

 

"That'd be a huge coup, Bobby. Not only would Aecas have defeated this upstart tag team, but he would have cemented Janus as the weak link in their team!" says Comet.

 

Van Siclen, seeing his partner down, calls for him to make the tag, and with Aecas still dazed from the high impact assaults and shortcuts taken by Hollywood Boulevard, Janus now begins making his way, albeit slowly, down to ringside, never taking his eye off his wounded former partner.

 

"Here he comes, and I don't think that could be good for any of these three men!" shouts Comet.

 

Aecas gets to his feet first, and when he stands up he again locks eyes with Janus, this time as Janus is climbing up the ring steps and onto the apron. Aecas inches closer to his corner, shouting "Where were you!?" at his friend turned foe, but Janus brushes off the comment, speaking through action, not words. Aecas inches closer, again demanding to know where Janus has been, and pays no attention to the screams of the fans, urging him to notice Todd Cortez making his way towards Van Siclen...and making the tag!

 

Aecas, still with his back turned, doesn't see Mike charge in full throttle, delivering an elbow shot to the back of his neck and sending him staggering forward a few steps. Janus continues to watch as Mike spins Aecas towards him, peppering him with forearm shots, and then a European uppercut. Aecas reels, and Mike grabs him by the arm, backing him into the ropes before Irish whipping him in to the other side. Mike falls onto his stomach, and when Aecas rebounds he hops over Mike, and runs to the other side. As he comes off the ropes for a second time, Mike jumps up to leapfrog over him, but Aecas puts the brakes on, and catches Mike by his legs in mid air, slamming him forward with a modified spinebuster! Aecas, more frustrated than before now with the appearance of Janus, picks Mike up by the throat, and then biels him into his corner. Janus doesn't even react, watching on with a stoneface as Aecas runs an elbow into Mike's jaw, staggering him in the corner, and then lifting him up onto his shoulders before spinning him outward, slamming Mike facefirst with a fireman's carry pancake! Mike gets to his knees before doing a Ric Flair style flop to the canvas, but when Aecas gets up from delivering the move, and offers his hand to Janus, knowing he's not going to take it. Janus still doesn't respond, and Aecas, who figured as much, picks Mike up, but again Mike resorts to the cheapest tactics he knows, and thumbs Aecas in the eye, temporarily blinding him! With Aecas unable to see right now, he backs away from Mike, but nears his own corner...and Janus reaches over, smacking Aecas on the back and blind tagging himself in! Janus quickly moves towards Van Siclen, scooping him up over his shoulder, and preparing for ADF II...until AECAS of all people pulls Van Siclen down to the canvas, free from Janus' grip!

 

"I never thought I'd see the day!" exclaims Riley.

 

Janus, in angered disbelief, turns around to see Aecas staring at him coldly. The two giants go nose to nose, and Hebner tries to come between them and break up the tension before all hell breaks loose. Neither man pays any attention to Hebner, as they continue to burn a hole through each other with their glares, and again, the distraction provides Mike Van Siclen with ample opportunity to dart to his corner and tag in Todd Cortez!

 

"Aecas didn't want Janus coming in and getting the glory after he did the dirty work, and that could very well cost them tonight!"

 

Cortez comes in, and Janus turns away from Aecas, as if to say "I have something better to do", and then locks up with Cortez. Showing his strength and freshness, Janus shoves Cortez down to the canvas, then pounds his chest, calling Cortez to give it another try. Cortez gathers his thoughts, and comes in towards Janus again, signalling for another lockup. They do, but the speedster quickly uses a go behind, and then segues into a waistlock on Janus. As Janus looks to fire back an elbow, Todd turns with him, staying behind him with the waistlock and pushing off, sending Janus stumbling a few feet into his own corner...and Aecas tags himself back in to a big pop!

 

"Aecas just gave Janus a taste of his own medicine, and I don't think Janus liked the flavor!" says Comet.

 

Janus stares at Aecas, and as he comes into the ring, Janus grabs him by the hair, jerking him up to a vertical base and looking dead in his eyes. Aecas shoves Janus off, and flies at him in a rage, dazing him with punch after punch after punch!

 

"ALL HELL HAS BROKEN LOOSE NOW!" hollers Comet. "We've got two teams beating on each other, and now we've got partners beating on each other!"

 

Aecas backs Janus up, and when Cortez goes to move in for the kill, Van Siclen comes in and holds him back, probably telling him to let the two giants kill each other before they pick up the spoils of war. Janus cuts off the assault with a knee to the gut, and then whips Aecas into the ropes, however Aecas reverses the momentum and pulls Janus into a knee of his own, doubling him over, then pulls him in, setting up THE EXECUTIONER ON JANUS! Almost instantly, Janus shoves him backwards, breaking the attempt, then stands up and grabs Aecas by the throat, but Aecas quickly elbows out of it! He sends Janus in, but now it's Janus who reverses the whip, and sends Aecas in...AND AECAS REBOUNDS WITH A GORE~! Janus got DRILLED~!, but Aecas comes up, favoring his left shoulder again...and now Cortez sees an opportunity! As Aecas is getting up, Todd jumps on his back, wrapping his right arm around his face with an inverted facelock, and tugging back on the left arm with his own left, putting more pressure on the shoulder! Aecas powers to his feet, even with Cortez wrapping his legs around his waist, trying desperately to get a firm lock on the hold. Janus is still rolling on the canvas after the shock and impact of the Gore, while the fans rumble with pleads and chants for Aecas not to tap out. Van Siclen seems to be the only one cheering on his partner, as Cortez fights for control with Aecas. Not worn down enough to stop putting up a fight, Aecas backs up, ramming Cortez into the corner and crushing him, knocking the wind out of him and getting him to release the hold. A weary Aecas walks forward, shaking the cobwebs loose, but Janus has gotten up, and quickly scoops up Aecas with ease, holding him over his shoulder, and then planting him with an ADF II!

 

"My God, he could have put him through the ring!" proclaims Riley.

 

The crowd boos loudly, as Janus turns towards Cortez, then looks back at Mike Van Siclen, and then simply just steps over the ropes, exiting the ring as the crowd continues to show their displeasure. Cortez shakes the cobwebs loose, and Van Siclen leans in, like a cheerleader on acid, shouting for Cortez to pin Aecas. Todd slides across him, hooking the leg, as Janus walks up the aisle, unaffected by what he's just done. Hebner slides to the canvas for the count, and the crowd counts along with it...

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

NO! NO NO! KICKOUT BY AECAS!

 

The fans ERUPT, and Janus stops dead in his tracks, turning back and snarling at what has just happened. Van Siclen nor Cortez can believe it either, but Aecas has just kicked out after being left for dead by his own partner!

 

"If I didn't see it, I'd never have believed it!" shouts an ecstatic Bobby Riley.

 

Not wanting to let up his efforts in the quest to capture the tag belts, Cortez heads for the corner, seeing that Aecas could be polished off with one more high risk move. Cortez climbs the ropes, but a recovered Aecas follows suit, and tucks his head between Todd's legs, lifting him onto his shoulders and pulling him away from the ropes. Knowing that Aecas is looking to finish him off ASAP, Cortez falls backwards, flipping over off of Aecas' shoulders and then jumping on him piggyback style, again looking for the Street Dreams! Aecas squirms, trying to shake the smaller Spaniard off of him, but to no avail, as Cortez locks the Dragon Sleeper on him, and pulls back on the bad left arm and shoulder, adding to the damage it can do. After struggling valiantly, attempting to stay on his feet, Aecas falls to one knee, and Cortez rears back, pulling Aecas into a leg grapevine, wrapping himself around the big guy!

 

"Todd Cortez has the Street Dreams locked in, Comet!"

 

"Aecas won't tap out, Bobbo! That man is a fighter, and has proven as much tonight!"

 

"AECAS! AECAS!" calls the crowd, hoping their chants will revitalize the man. The fans, Mike Van Siclen, and Janus all look on at the scene in the ring, with Cortez expending all his energy to keep the hold applied. Brian Hebner crouches down next to them, looking on for a tapout, but Aecas keeps his right arm extended to show that he's still alive. Van Siclen shouts for Aecas to "give it up!", and the fans are all over him for that one. Hebner keeps an eye on Aecas, who is fighting with every ounce of his being, but is growing tired by the minute. Janus stays midway up the aisle, watching on, as Hebner looks down while Aecas' arm drops slightly, again, and then eventually goes limp. He calls for the bell, and the fans boo loudly, while Janus just snickers to himself.

 

FUNYON

LAAAAADIEEEEESSSS AND GENNNNNTELLLLLMENNNNN, YOUR WINNERS, AND NEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...HOLL-EEEEEEEEWOOOOOD BOULLLLLEVARRRRRRRRDDDDD!!!

 

"This Is Your Life" starts up, as Cortez gets up and is greeted with a hug by an overexcited Mike Van Siclen.

The duo embrace, and hold their newly won World Tag Titles up high, the second time they've accomplished such a feat. Van Siclen raises his belt up with both hands, while Cortez climbs to the middle rope and shows his off, although the fans aren't happy with their victory.

 

"You have to hand it to Aecas, Riley, because he had to go at this match alone all the way through. In fact, I highly doubt Hollywood Boulevard would be the champs had it not been for what Janus did tonight!"

 

"I'd agree, Comet. For now though, Hollywood Boulevard reign supreme, and you can bet that this unholy war between Aecas and Janus is far from over. Speaking of far from over, don't you dare go away, because Storm will be back with more action, right after this!"

[Thoth 0]

Message Forwarded From Dace59

 

The sold out BSU Pavilion is packed full of fans all the way down to the floor, around the security railings. The ever present sea of signs and banners are found all over the crowd, including a huge 3 row high graph of Kibagami and Williams, set for the World Title Match. A “TOXXIC GOT DEPUSHED LOL OMGWTF2K4!!” has been lovingly hand written by one fan in the third row. Above the ring, the steel cage is slowly lowered into position, locking over the ring apron to two people in and everyone else out. Opening the door, Referee Hardcastle steps through the ropes to the inside of the cage as Funyon stands outside on the floor.

 

Comet: Welcome back to SWF Storm Citizens. What a night we’ve had here infront of this fantastic Idaho crowd! We’ve seen a great opening Hardcore Match, the Cruiserweight Title has been on the line on a triple threat match and we’ve just seen an interesting tag team match to say the least.

 

Riley: Well Comet, if people insist on falling about with Janus, this was bound to happen in the end. He’s not to blame. You know who to blame? Kibagami, that’s who! He must have cheated to beat Toxxic to get a shot at the World Title. And now… Zed’s taken Toxxic off the card so he couldn’t kick Dace Night’s ass!

 

Comet: Robert, Citizen Toxxic was removed from the card because he was declared to be completely unfit to wrestle after that Demonstar just a few days ago. Citizen Stryke will be a fine replacement for this match up. It’s a big opportunity for him after all.

 

Riley: As long as Dace doesn’t play his usual tricks and choke the poor guy out, or bring weapons into the cage. Still, a win will prove to all these stupid people that Stryke can bring the goods and that Dace Night is just a hack.

 

Funyon: Ladies and Gentlemen, the following contest will be a no escape, pinfalls only cage match…

 

Yyyyyyyyaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Funyon: Introducing first, from Sydney Australia, he weighs in at two hundred and nineteen pounds … STRYKE!

 

Bbbbbbbboooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

‘How Could I Just Kill A Man?’ kicks into life over the arena as Stryke stands at the top of the ramp, just waving on the crowds jeering. Strutting down the entrance ramp, he stops off to steal a fan’s beer and swig it back before tossing the empty cup back at him. Sliding through the cage door, the Aussie half scales the cage, balancing on the top rope and holding on with one hand. Shaking the cage like an animal, Stryke yells at the crowd and flips with them off with his free hand before hopping back to the mat. Jawing a few words at Hardcastle, Stryke ignoring the booing crowd as he paces around the cage, flexing a little as he goes.

 

Funyon: And his opponent, weighing in at two hundred and fifty two pounds, from Birmingham England, he is … DACE…

 

FUCKING!

 

Funyon: NIGHT!

 

Rrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Hero rips into life over the PA system as the ramp is covered in a hail of sparks from the blasts of white pyro. As smoke clouds up the entranceway, Dace Night steps out onto the ramp. Waving at the cheering crowd, Dace paces down the ramp, half running, high fiving people as he goes past. Making a circle of the ring on the outside, Dace stares into the cage at Stryke as he climbs the ring steps. Moving through the door into the cage, Dace shoots a look over his shoulder as the door is locked shut behind him.

 

Comet: And that cage door is locked. Just like Citizens Duran and Flesher, there’s no getting out of that cage until the match is over. And if that match up was anything to go by, the ring is going to be covered in blood after this one.

 

Riley: Only because that’s one of the few ways Dace can pop the fans Comet. I bet he’ll bump off it as well. Now Stryke, that man as an exciting style, he knows what to do in the ring. Another reason why to like Australians.

 

DING, DING, DING!

 

Waving his arm for the opening bell, Hardcastle steps away as Dace and Stryke move towards each other. Stryke makes up for being thirty pounds lighter by dancing around Night, forcing him to move around the ring in circle looking for an opening. Extending one hand, the Aussie leans forwards, as if for an lock up, but as soon as Night moves in, he leaps away and flips off the Hardcore Goth. Growling, Dace charges forwards, trying to hound Stryke down into a lock up, but once against Stryke leaps away and waves him on.

 

Bbbbbbbboooooooooo!

 

STRYKE SUCKS! STRYKE SUCKS! STRYKE SUCKS! STRYKE SUCKS!

 

Comet: Citizen Stryke is just playing cat and mouse tease offs right here. I think he’s looking to show he can out pace Dace and juts to rile him up before he sets to work.

 

Riley: Make him angry, that’s a smart plan. Come on Stryke, just pin this lumbering oaf quickly.

 

This time, Dace swings his leg out and knees the Aussie in the ribs as he tries to edge in again. Grabbing the flying Aussie by the head, Dace spins on one heel and charges towards the nearest side of the ring. Launching Stryke forwards, Horrorcore tries to ram his head into the steel mesh of the cage, but Stryke sticks out a boot against the ropes to stop it. With his face just an inch or two from the steel, Stryke sends a frantic back elbow into Night’s mid section and quickly spins around, clamping on a Front Facelock. Kicking his legs out backwards, Stryke scales the ropes behind him and pushes off the cage wall for a Tornado DDT…

 

Bbbbbbbbbboooooooooo……

 

Only to have Night power him down onto his feet and lock his arms. Shifting his weight, Dace tries to snap his body backwards and launch the flying Aussie into the cage with a Northern Lights Suplex. But Stryke sees it coming from the Flesher/Duran cage match and slams his forearm across Night’s back, once, twice, three times. The force of the blows causes Dace’s vice like grip to loosen up, just enough for Stryke to force his way free and back into a proper Front Facelock. Grabbing a handful of Dace’s tights, he tries to take him over with a quick Snap Suplex to make some breathing room. But Horrorcore out manoeuvres him and wraps his leg around Stryke’s to block toe move. Muscling Stryke backwards, Dace hauls him up for a Suplex of his own, leaving the Aussie hanging upside down in mid air. But even upside down, Stryke has the speed advantage as he kicks his legs and twists his body weight, gracefully dropping to the mat behind Dace. Stryke grabs onto a Rear Waistlock on wrestling instinct, but Dace kicks off the mat and throws all his weight backwards…

 

SMACK! Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Comet: Citizen Night just sandwiched Citizen Stryke between himself and that cage wall! After blocking a Tornado DDT and a Suplex, only to have one of his own reversed, Dace just out powered Stryke.

 

Riley: Yer, but John Duran tried to out power Tom Flesher and look where that go him. And Dace Night is no Duran. All it’s going to take is one of those cage assisted moves like Stryke just went for to end this mach.

 

Comet: But he has to hit one of those moves first Riley and that’s not going to be easy with Dace around.

 

Before the Aussie can recover from the impact against the unforgiving steel, Night twists around and hammers an elbow into his temple. Almost headlocking Stryke, Dace barrels across the ring at full tilt, slamming the smaller man head first into the cage wall at full speed…

 

SMACK! Rrrrrrraaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

 

Slumping for a moment, Stryke almost stick to the cage like it’s fly paper before toppling backwards to the mat with a helpful shove from Dace. The Hardcore Goth dives on him in an instant, cradle up a leg to make a cover as Hardcastle slides down onto the mat to make the fall…

 

……ONE!

 

Kickout! Bbbbbbbbbooooooooooooooooo!

 

LET’S GO DACE! LET’S GO DACE! LET’S GO DACE!

 

Comet: Once again Dace uses this cage like a weapon, and that’s how you win a match like this.

 

Riley: See, no wrestling at all from this man. Stryke’s having to bring it all. And tell me Comet, what happens when Stryke counters these vile cage shots? Hmmmmm?

 

Sitting up to his knees, Dace regards Stryke for just a second before gritting his teeth and grabs the flying Aussie by the arm. Planting first one then another knee into Stryke’s face as he falls him up, Dace keeps a tight grip, not letting him go anywhere as he clamps on a Waistlock. Easily hauling over all two twenty of the flyer’s frame in a Gut Wrench Suplex, Dace slams him into the mat before floating straight over into another quick cover…

 

……ONE!

 

 

……Kickout!

 

Bbbbbbbbbbbooooooooooooo!

 

Riley: Hah, Dace can’t even get a two count on Stryke yet. That just shows you don’t have to be some insane ultraviolent brawler to be tough in wrestling.

 

Standing back up, Dace brings Stryke along with him, hold on like a dog on a leash. Forcing him into a Standing Headscissors, Night wastes no time in locking his arms around the Aussie’s mid section, but even as he does so, Stryke struggles to stand up. Slowly but surely tipping Dace over his back, at his full height, Stryke looks behind him to see Dace laying on the mat like a drop sack of potatoes. Grabbing the top rope, Stryke just rains in a hail of stomps and kicks to Dace’s head as he struggles to his feet. Mockingly waving for the crowd, Stryke lets Dace roll away for a few paces before springing to the middle rope. Kicking off the cage for extra bounce, Stryke goes flying through the air just as Dace stands up and cannons into him with a Springboard Dropkick that sends him straight back to the mat.

 

Rrrrrrrraaaaaaahhhhhhh!

 

Swinging his body over, Stryke moves his weight across Night’s shoulders to make a cover of his own…

 

……ONE!

 

 

……TWO! Kickout!

 

Yyyyyyyaaaaahhhhhhhh!

 

Flipping off the crowd as they cheer for Dace, Stryke keeps his cool and takes to the air again, dropping his weight back first into Night’s chest with a Senton Splash. Rolling over and back to his feet, Stryke springs into the air and drops a leg across Night’s throat. With a mocking grin on his face, the flying Aussie waves t the fans before slowly hauling Dace back to his feet. With a careful Facelock, Stryke twisted around, cradling Dace’s head against his shoulder before falling back to the mat with a Neckbreaker.

 

Comet: Stryke is keeping the pressure on Dace here, using that Neckbreaker to keep him down. He’s probably setting up another flying assault to try and keep Night down for the three count.

 

Riley: Just like other matches, Stryke is thinking out side of the box and using the cage to his advantage. Dace has nowhere to hide from his aerial assaults.

 

Hoping backwards onto the second turnbuckle, the flying Aussie uses the cage to pull himself up to the top rope. Perching like an eagle about to dive down onto it’s pray, Stryke stays still, watching Dace as Horrorcore stumbling back up to his feet, holding for neck for a moment. Leaping form the turnbuckles, Stryke flies through the air and drills both boots into the back of Night’s head with an Enzui-Dropkick.

 

SMACK!

 

Pitching forwards like a tree, Night thuds into the mat, holding the back of his head and shaking for a second before laying still. Looking down and smirking as he rolls Dace over, Stryke gives him a middle finger before dropping down to make a cover…

 

 

STRYKE SUCKS! STRYKE SUCKS! STRYKE SUCKS! STRYKE SUCKS!

 

……ONE!

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

……Kickout!

 

Oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Comet: Huge Missile Dropkick to the back of the head from Citizen Stryke, he looks like he’s got Citizen Dace on the run right now.

 

Signalling by swinging his finger in the air, the Aussie drags the Hardcore Goth up to his feet and slaps his straight across the face. Not letting Dace get fired up, Stryke clamps down on his with suffocating Front Facelock. With a quick hop, Stryke makes it onto the second rope, leaning forwards on the Facelock to balance himself and add in even more pressure to the hold. Another well practiced leap has Stryke in the air and kicking off the cage. Twisting his weight around like a snake, the Flying Aussie cuts through the air and plummets back to the mat, dragging Dace over with him. Before Dace even has a chance to counter, his head slams into the canvas from a huge cage assisted Tornado DDT. Once again, Stryke twists himself over, rolling Dace over and dropping straight into a cover across his shoulders.

 

Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

……ONE!

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A HALF!

 

 

 

 

 

…… TWO .. KICKOUT!

 

Yyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Riley: Come on Stryke, you’ve got this lumbering sod on the ropes. He can’t take another one of those cage assisted DDTs. Look at Dace, he’s probably punch drunk as it.

 

Comet: Well Robert, that may be, but this Dace Night we’re talking about. And while Stryke might have the advantage now, Dace is tough to say the least. Citizen Stryke needs to keep up the pace is he wants to win.

 

Scowling as a slams the heel of his boot into Night’s head, Stryke slowly hauls him back to his feet before planting a fist in his face for good measure. Returning to the Front Facelock once again, Stryke doesn’t pause this time, hooking Dace’s leg as he starts to struggle. Snapping his body sideways like he’s been shot, Stryke nails Dace into the mat with a Swinging Fisherman’s. As Dace lays on the mat, barely twitch, the Aussie bounds across the ring and scrambles up to the top rope again. Glancing down to check Dace hasn’t made a frantic roll to safety, Stryke takes to the air yet again, flying through it like a cannon ball, extending his leg. Dropping all of his weight leg first across Night’s throat, Stryke watches his body shake and spasms from the shock before leaning sideways into a cover…

 

……ONE!

 

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A HALF!

 

 

 

 

 

……KICKOUT!

 

Rrrrrrraaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Yelling at Hardcastle about the count, Stryke spits on Dace and slams his boot into the prone Horrorcore over and over. Shoving Hardcastle out of the way as he races into the corner, Stryke springs to the top rope, looking down into the ring, seeing Dace trying to roll over and get away from the onslaught. Wasting no more time, the flying Aussie dives again, spreading his body out for maximum impact with his All Time High Frog Splash. Coming crashing down with all his weight, Stryke makes the biggest possible impact he can… on the ring canvas…

 

THUD! Ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Comet: FROG SPLASH! HE MISSED! Citizen Stryke went to follow up that Top Rope Leg Drop with a Frog Splash to put Dace away but he missed! This could be Citizen Night’s chance to get back in the game!

 

Riley: No, damn it! See, just because that freak gets hit with chairs all the time, he get lucky and dodges one lousy Frog Splash. Come on Stryke, your fresh, you can make it back up first. All that nailing Dace in the head will have done something!

 

LET’S GO DACE! LET’S GO! LET’S GO DACE! LET’S GO!

STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!

 

The arena whips itself into a frenzy as Dace and Stryke struggle to climb back to their feet. Stryke holds his ribs his one arm as he pushes himself back up, while Dace sits up at rubs the back of is head before slowly rising to his feet. Staggering forwards, the flying Aussie goes straight back to the attack and hold onto his advantage. But Coming head to head again, even after Stryke’s flying assaults, Dace still has more cards to play. A boot to the mid section doubles Stryke over in pain before an elbow cracks off either side of his head. Surging forwards, Dace burries his knee into Stryke’s chest three times, nearly breaking the smaller man in half. A final elbow to the face from Horrorcore leaves Stryke wobbling and almost pitching into the mat, but Dace grabs his arm and launches him hard into the nearest turnbuckles. Backing up along the ropes, holding the for support as his head slowly clearing, Night glares across the ring, measure up his target. Rushing forwards like a rhino, Night throws all two hundred and fifty pounds behind his boot as it hammers into the side of Stryke’s face like a meteor and crushes his head against the side of the steel cage.

 

SSMMMAAACCCKK! Yyyyyyyyyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

DACE! DACE! DACE! DACE! DACE! DACE!

 

Yelling out at the impact, Dace grins for just a second before setting his face again, feeling the fog lifting further and further from his mind. Reaching down and scooping up Stryke like he weighs almost nothing, the Hardcore Goth holds him across his chest and steps backwards out of the corner. With the Aussie across his chest, Dace pitches his body backwards, throwing his arms overhead and releases Stryke into the air and down onto the mat with a Blockbuster Suplex.  Sitting back up, Dace has to hold is head for just a moment before scrambling over to Stryke and dropping over him to make a cover…

 

Comet: YAKUZA KICK INTO THE CAGE! Citizen Night fights back head to head and proves he can still take it to Stryke like that!

 

Riley: Aww damn it. Come on Stryke, use the Half and Half to beat him at his own game!

 

……ONE!

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

……TWO AND A …KICKOUT!

 

Bbbbbbbbbbboooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

Slamming his fist into the ring canvas, frustration showing across his face, Night snarls as he wrenches Stryke up from the mat like a rag doll. Not even pausing to make it a smooth motion, Dace launches him into the ropes and the side of the cage like he’s trying to throw Stryke through the steel. As the Aussie ricochets off the steel and the ropes, Night sweeps him off his feet like a baby, taking him high up into the air before driving him straight back down with a Spinebuster Slam. Grabbing both off Stryke’s legs while his back is still arched up from the impact, Dace doubles them over the Aussie’s head and leans his weight down, making another cover as Hardcastle dashes into place to count.

 

……ONE!

 

 

 

 

……TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND A HALF!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND …KICKOUT!

 

Oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Comet: Citizen Stryke kicks out again! Even with that full cover from Dace Night he still gets that shoulder up. He’s certainly tougher that the average cruiserweight around there.

 

Riley: And that’s what gives Stryke an even bigger advantage, not only can he run rings around Dace in this catch, he can take all of Dace’s limited moveset and still kick out. Hah!

 

Thumping the mat again, Dace drills an elbow into the flying Aussie’s face before hauling him up like dead weight to his feet. Forcing the smaller man into a Standing Headscissors, Night slips his arms under Stryke’s shoulders and locks his hands behind his back in a Double Underhook. Squeezing his arms together as tight as he can, Horrorcore tries to pop Stryke’s shoulders out as he pulls him from the mat up into the air. As he flips upside down, Stryke matches a desperate effort to flip his legs around and overhead, locking them around Dace Night’s head. With the sudden shift of balance, Stryke arches his weight backwards and throws Dace overhead to the mat with a Hurricanrana. Rolling to the side of the ring, Stryke slowly hauls himself back up, stumbling slightly as he goes. Springing back to his feet, Dace cracks his neck in an instant before launching at Stryke like bloodlust filled tiger ready rip the flying Aussie limb from limb. Ducking a Lariat that was sure to snap his neck like a twig, Stryke spins behind Dace and throws his arms put in near panic. Locking them around Night’s neck in the tightest grip he can manage, tugging him backwards into a Sleeper Hold. Thrashing around like an animal trapped in a net, Dace vainly tries to nail Stryke with a wild elbow to shake him off.

 

Bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbboooooooooooooooooo!

 

Digging his heels into the mat, Stryke keeps on twisting, making sure Dace never gets the chance to ram him backwards into the cage or the turnbuckles. Holding on tight like he’s riding a bronco, Stryke locks up his grip even tighter and tighter as he feels Night’s strength slipping away slowly, bit by bit. Hardcastle yells at Dace if he wants to give up, but just gets told where to shove it, even as Stryke almost pulls Dace down to the mat with the suffocating Sleeper Hold. Barely twisting himself out of the way of a Reverse Elbow Smash while still keeping the hold on, Stryke keeps on struggling, milking the hold for every single bit he can get from it.

 

Comet: Desperation Sleeper Hold from Stryke on Citizen Night, but it’s not going to work, it’s pinfall only.

 

Riley: Yer, but if he puts Dace to sleep, he’s not going to kick out of a cover now is he spandex boy? All he’s got to do is hold onto this one and he’s got it won!

 

Feeling Dace fade deeper and deeper into the fog of sleep, Stryke throws his legs out behind himself and plummets to the mat, snapping Dace down along with him in a Sleeper Drop. Not playing around anymore, Stryke floats over and cradles up both legs and an arm to make the most textbook cover he’s ever made as Hardcastle franticly slides in to count the fall…

 

……ONE!

 

…….TWO!

 

 

……TWO AND A QUARTER!

 

 

 

……TWO AND A HALF!

 

 

 

 

 

……TWO AND THREE QUARTERS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

……KICKOUT!

 

Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Comet: But it’s still not enough to put Citizen Night away!

 

Riley: I know it doesn’t take a bump off a roof every single match to put this guy away, come on Stryke, show me I’m right to think you own his ass!

 

Darting back to his feet, the flying Aussie yells at Hardcastle again, asking him if he can even count to three right. Throwing his arms up in disgust, Stryke turns his attentions back to Horrorcore and rains in another hail of boots just to try and soften him up that one last little bit for the kill. Reaching down, Stryke gets right in the face of the Hardcore Goth, ready to spit at him…

 

CRACK! Rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

 

A frantic Elbow Smash nails him right in the face, knocking him backwards, but Dace can’t even stand to make a fight back. Clutching his head with one hand, Stryke kicks Dace straight in the head before hauling him up and punching him repeatedly in the temple for good measure. Slipping  behind Horrorcore, the Aussie grabs one of his legs along with a Rear Waistlock and drags him up into the air. Not able to hold Dace up, Stryke spins on his feel and drops back to the mat, driving Night down again with a Spinning Backdrop Suplex. Rather than trying to pin Dace, Stryke pushes himself back up, strain starting to show in his every movement, just as Dace lays on the mat, twitching, trying to curl up and groan at the battering he’s taking. Slowly reaching down this, keeping an eye on Dace’s arms, Stryke pulls Night back up and leans back, to shoot him off across the ring.

 

CRAKC! Rrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Shaking off the wild elbow, Stryke punches him in the face and digs back again…

 

CRACK! Rrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Dazed by the second blow, Stryke can barely hold on, almost collapsing backwards, Dace tries to push forwards and attack again, but it’s no good as a fist cracks into his face and snaps his head back. And again, and again, and again. Just for added measure, Stryke makes a half turn and crushes Dace’s head into the steel wall of the cage before launching him across the ring into the turnbuckles.

 

Comet: Citizen Night is valiantly trying to fight back, but after the beating from Stryke, he just can’t capitalise on his blows.

 

Riley: That’s because all he can do is brawl and when that doesn’t work he’s screwed. Stryke still looks like he could hit ninety percent of his moves. And if he can’t hit the Low End Theory, you can bet he’s got other moves to win with.

 

Sucking down vital lung fulls of air, Stryke kicks himself into over drive and goes for the final assault, racing across the ring like a bullet, trying to just sandwich Dace between the literally cruiserweight and the turnbuckles. Looking through half closes, foggy eyes Night sees the figure racing towards him in slow motion. Reaching down deep inside, for all the little places he has left, he tries to move his arm, fighting to life it up, fighting to defend himself. Just inches away, Stryke can see victory in his grasp, a chance to show all these fans they should respect him, just like John Duran and Tom Flesher. He can see…. An elbow….

 

CRACK! Rrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Comet: ELBOW! DACE BLOCKED!

 

Almost toppling over onto his ass after ramming himself full speed into Dace Night’s elbow, Stryke knows he has to do something to hold on, but he doesn’t have it in him as another elbow whips into his face, and then another. Almost sleepwalking  through the twist, Dace copies history and slams his elbow full force into Stryke face and almost snaps his jaw with the impact.

 

Comet: ROLLING ELBOW! ROLLING ELBOW!

 

Riley: NOOOOO!

 

Both men hit the mat together, like dead people in Reservoir Dogs, Dace and Stryke lay sprawled out and prone, not a twitch between them as Hardcastle stands over them checking to see if both men are still alive. Grabbing them wrist, shaking their arms limply, Hardcastle watches them flop back mat lifelessly…

 

DACE! DACE! DACE! LET’S GO DACE! LET’S GO! LET’S GO DACE! LET’S GO!

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

 

Riley: It’s a race to the finish now, the first man back up has got with match won. Come on Stryke, move it boy move it!

 

Slowly, like the moving of mountains the two men start to move, Horrorcore rolls over and looks up at the lights, feeling his body acting, burning. Stryke sits up, like a baby, wobbling as he goes. But he not fast enough, fueled on by hitting the Rolling Elbow, Dace ignores as much of the pain as he can manage, climbing back up to his feet. The flying Aussie tries to push the limit and attack first, but only gets another skill ringing elbow to the face for his troubles. As Stryke twists on his heel, Dace clamps on one of his trademark vice like Rear Waistlocks and snaps he’s body like a cannon. Stryke flies through the air once again, but this time for all the wrong reasons. Normally he would have sailed over the ropes and out onto the floor, but there’s just the slight problem of a steel cage being in his path this time…

CRASH! Rrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

Comet: GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE STEEL CAGE! IT’S OVER!

 

Riley: Damn it, damn it no!

 

Crumpling down to the mat like a bird shot from the air, the Aussie just lays there in a ball, unmoving and not even making a sound. But even that’s not the end as Dace drags him clear of the ropes and into the middle of the ring. Having to deadlift two hundred and twenty pounds of  barely moving Aussie Cruiserweight isn’t easy, but Dace gets him up and clamps him down into a Standing Headscissors. Locking on a Double Underhook, Dace roars that it’s over, flipping Stryke up into the air and drives his already injured back down into the mat with a bone crushing Tiger Driver.

 

Yyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

ONE!

 

 

 

 

 

TWO!

 

 

 

 

 

THREE!

 

DING! DING! DING!

 

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

 

Funyon: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner, DACE NIGHT!

 

Comet: Tiger Driver and it’s over! Stryke almost defeated Citizen Night there, but in the end he just didn’t have enough.

 

Riley: Oh quiet spandex boy, just for once. Please.

 

As the cage is slowly lifted away from the ring, the two men have nothing left to roll out of the ring. As the crowd chants on and on, they gear up for another battle… for the World Title….

 

Fade Out.

[Thoth 0]

The BSU Pavilion lights up as SWF Storm returns from a commercial break, and the fans are already on their feet! The energy in the air is palpable tonight – the crowd is quite literally buzzing as the cameras return to Cyclone Comet and Bobby Riley.

 

“I think you’re expecting too much out of them, Comet. The both of them are injury-prone, and they both have a history of drug abuse. It’s amazing that they even make it into the ring nowadays, much less wrestle inside it. I say somebody blows out a shoulder or a knee five minutes in and we all go home early.”

 

“And I would offer that you’re underestimating each man’s desire to win, Bobbi. Citizen Nathaniel has been on the warpath since Battleground, shoving his way into a title scene that’s been turbulent to say the least. Danny Williams has resolved to defend his belt as long as he’s able, and what better way to prove himself than besting the most experienced veteran in the federation in his first defense?”

 

“He could try defending against somebody deserving – somebody like Tom Flesher. Why hasn’t Flesher had a shot at the belt lately?”

 

”Perhaps because he’s been involved primarily with the women of the fed as of late?”

 

Riley shoots Comet the dirtiest look imaginable – the caped crusader simply beams a smile at the camera. “Let’s go to Funyon, shall we, Bobbi?”

 

The crowd goes berserk as Funyon steps in the ring – they can’t wait to see this main event, and they nearly drown out the man who’s trying to announce it.

 

And as Funyon steps through the ropes, the lights go out.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen...”

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

“The following matchup is scheduled for one fall –“

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

“And is for the SWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!”

 

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

 

“Introducing first, weighing in at two hundred and sixty-one pounds...”

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

“And hailing from Phoenix, Arizona....”

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAM!

 

 

“NATHANIELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL KIBAGAMI!”

 

 

Through the bright lights and the wall of smoke comes the River Dragon, a look of complete determination etched on his face as he strides down the ramp towards the ring. He has never been particularly demonstrative towards the fans, but tonight he seems more distant than ever before – his mind is totally focused on the match at hand.

 

For him, this night is fourteen years in the making.

 

“Citizen Nathaniel looks as prepared as I’ve ever seen him!” Comet shouts over the roar of the crowd, but even Riley can barely hear him amidst the din. Kibagami slides under the ropes and climbs onto the turnbuckle, setting off a wave of flash photography as he extends his arms in the familiar crucifix pose. After a moment, the lights come all the way up, and the Silent One climbs down and stalks over to the opposite corner, where he calmly awaits the arrival of the champion.

 

The gentle melodies of In Flames’ “The Jester’s Dance” float out of the speakers as the crowd pops  just as loud for the arrival of the World champion.

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

Williams walks through the curtain with his belt strapped around his waist, looking every bit as purposeful as his challenger. He slowly makes his way down the ramp, head held high, and reaches the ring. He climbs the steps, and as the fans continue to cheer for him, he enters the ring, eyes locked on Kibagami.

 

“The tension in that ring must be unbelievable. These two defenders of justice parallel each other in so many ways...the outcome of this matchup is almost impossible to predict!”

 

“I’ll go with Kibagami on the grounds that he’s been taking steroids longer than Williams. But they’re both off them now, I think, so that gives the advantage to Danny. Unless Zenon doesn’t test as often as Mark does, and that means...damn it, you’re right. We should just flip a coin.”

 

The music fades out, and Danny takes his spot in his corner as Funyon begins his announcement.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, currently in the ring, from Louisville, Kentucky, and weighing in at 245 pounds, he is the SWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION... ‘DEATHWISH’ DANNY WILLIAMSSSSSSSSSSSSS!”

 

Referee Ced Ordonez raises the World title high above his head for all to see – the fans pop even louder at the sight of the belt – before signaling for the bell.

 

DING DING DING!

 

”And this one’s underway!”

 

The two men approach each other in the center of the ring.

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

The crowd is split down the middle; the love Williams has for the business has captured the fans’ hearts...

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

but Kibagami’s single-minded drive may very well surpass the champion’s own. The two men respect each other – that much is certain. Neither is completely sure what the other can do.

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

They only know that the other man will give no quarter.

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

But there is one question in particular that both the wrestlers and the fans need answered:

 

Is it Danny Williams that hits the hardest, or is it Nathaniel Kibagami?

 

 

BAM!

 

Williams fires the first shot, rocking the challenger with a hard elbow to the jaw!

 

CRACK!

 

Kibagami responds in kind, burying the toe of his boot in the champion’s ribs!

 

BAM!

 

CRACK!

 

BAM!

 

CRACK!

 

“These two are laying into each other, Bobbi!”

 

BAM!

 

CRACK!

 

“Roid rage, Comet – it’s an ugly thing!”

 

BAM!

 

CRACK-CRACK!

 

A hard double kesagiri sends the champion stumbling back, giving Kibagami room to sprint towards the ropes and bound off of them –

 

CRACK!

 

– with a vicious Yakuza kick that sends Danny Williams sprawling to the outside!

 

“And citizen Nathaniel wins the first exchange! I could feel those strikes from here, Bobbi – one can only imagine how focused these two must be to shrug off such massive blows!”

 

”Percocet, most likely.”

 

”Hush, Bobbi! Both champion and challenger are models of Justice in Action!”

 

”That’s a pretty badly flawed model, if you ask me. Does justice always involve hypodermic needles, or are they optional?”

 

”Call the match, criminal!”

 

On the outside, Williams rises from the mat – just as Kibagami comes flying through the ropes, catching the champion off his guard with a tope!

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

”Zounds! Such reckless behavior is uncharacteristic of citizen Nathaniel!”

 

”Maybe he’s hoping for that blown knee I mentioned. Throw all your body weight on the other man and hope for the best – I want to hit the clubs early tonight.”

 

”Isn’t tonight the Rainbow’s grand re-opening?”

 

”It is – I mean, is it?”

 

The Silent One regains his feet, only slightly worse for wear, and pulls the champion back up to a vertical base –

 

BAM! BAM! BAM!

 

– only to be staggered by a flurry of elbows from Deathwish!

 

BAM!

 

A hard reverse spinning elbow catches Kibagami in the side of the head and sends him stumbling backwards, leaving him easy prey for Williams – the champion grabs a waistlock and pulls the River Dragon up off his feet and drops him down to the thin mats surrounding the ring with a hard backdrop suplex!

 

“And the champion responds in kind!” notes Riley, resigning himself to calling the match at last. “Williams doesn’t want to become another addition to the recent list of paper champions – he’s going to fight tooth and nail to gain any advantage he can! Kibagami better have more surprises up his sleeve if he wants to go toe-to-toe with Williams.”

 

Williams pulls Kibagami to his feet by the hair and rolls the larger man back into the ring – he’s not giving the Silent one any more time to recover than absolutely necessary. Danny slides into the ring and pushes himself to his feet and immediately tees off on the fallen challenger with his trademark cowboy kicks!

 

CRACK! CRACK!

 

“Citizen Danny returning the favor, it seems!”

 

Kibagami tries to move into the center of the ring, attempting to avoid further abuse –

 

CRACK!

 

– but the champion is nothing if not persistent, and a final kick to the ribs sends the challenger sprawling!

 

”Danny has a tendency to get rather fired up in big matches like this, and it usually works in his favor – sort of an ‘anything you can do, I can do better’ attitude. As long as he keeps his head about him, he’s going to be very tough to beat.”

 

Williams drops a hard elbow on the back of the challenger’s neck, then pulls the Slaughterer to his feet and sends him barreling across the ring with an Irish whip! Nathaniel bounces off the ropes and comes racing back towards the champion – only to be met with a high dropkick that sends him crashing back to the canvas! Deathwish is quick to hook the leg for the cover –

 

ONE!

 

TWO – Kibagami kicks out, but the champion is undeterred. Grabbing hold of Kibagami’s right leg once again, Danny pulls him up into a high-angled half-crab, placing his left foot on the challenger’s neck for added leverage!

 

”What a vicious hold that is! Citizen Nathaniel’s neck must be on fire!”

 

”It’s a smart hold, too – he’s attacking Kibagami’s biggest weakness while chipping away at one of his most potent weapons. Shades of his days with Tom Flesher in the Magnificent Seven, I say.”

 

The crowd adores such disrespect for an opponent’s well-being, of course:

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN–

 

CRACK

 

A sharp kick to the mouth from the Silent One’s free leg sends the champion stumbling back, forcing him to release the hold! Kibagami pushes himself to his feet, visibly angered by the early assault on his neck, and launches into a collar-and-elbow tie-up with Williams!

 

”An impressive counter from Kibagami, reminding Danny Williams the hard way just how difficult it is to take Silent’s legs out from under him!”

 

”The two men seem evenly matched thus far, Bobbi. I can’t imagine what it’s going to take for one of them to stay down...”

 

The Slaughterer drives a pair of hard knees into Williams’ gut, knocking the wind out of him long enough for the Silent One to cinch him up and snap him back with a textbook snap suplex! Kibagami deftly floats over into a pin –

 

ONE!

 

TWO – the champion kicks out comfortably, but before he can get his feet under him, the challenger spins to his feet and drives the toe of his boot –

 

CRACK!

 

– squarely into Danny’s ribs, sending him rolling out onto the apron for a breather!

 

”Citizen Nathaniel won’t be outdone, it seems, answering the champion’s brutal kicks in kind!”

 

”These two are hardheaded, Comet – both of them habitually try to make the other man wrestle their match, but it just so happens that they both have a very similar approach! They both want to hammer the other man into submission, and neither of them is willing to give an inch!”

 

Danny tries to find his footing on the apron, but the Silent One is already upon him, trying to bring him back in the hard way – Kibagami cinches the champion up for a suplex, but Williams sandbags to prevent it – another hard knee strike from the challenger knocks the wind out of him, though, and the Slaughterer lifts Deathwish up and over...but Danny floats over and lands on his feet, immediately sprinting for the ropes! The challenger turns around to face his opponent –

 

BAM!

 

– and is met instead with a hard jumping elbow, sending him toppling outside!

 

The champion does not pause, despite the admonitions of Ced Ordonez – he sprints back towards the ropes, intent on the man outside the ring. Nathaniel, on the other hand, struggles to regain his feet, trying to clear the cobwebs in his head, but he doesn’t get the chance – he barely has time to register the 243-lb. missile hurtling at him in the form of a Danny Williams elbow suicida!

 

CRASH!

 

Champion and challenger tumble into the barricades – it’s difficult to say which of them is more injured, but Williams is the first to his feet, adjusting his tights and smirking visibly as he pitches the Silent One back into the ring.

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

“See what I mean, Comet? Danny could’ve played it safe and recuperated in the ring while Kibagami recovered – but anything his challenger does, Williams has to do better. He wants nothing more than to be the Man in the SWF, and with the recent vacuum in the main event, tonight’s his chance to establish himself as the standard!”

 

“A noble goal, of course. Perhaps citizen Danny can cement his status as the federation’s top man tonight – but the Silent One is hardly going to go out without a fight!”

 

Back in the ring, Williams pulls Kibagami into the center of the canvas and tenaciously reapplies the half-crab, cranking back on the hold to put as much pressure on the neck as possible. Kibagami begins clawing his way towards the ropes – he knows the champion will be expecting another kick, and rather than offer him the opportunity to sink in a Boston crab, the Silent One wisely fights his way to the ropes.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

FOUR!

 

Deathwish breaks the hold just before the referee reaches the five-count, obviously displeased with his inability to do more damage with it. Frustrated, he pulls the challenger to his feet – only to be snapped down to the mat by a sudden armdrag! Kibagami maintains his hold on Williams’ right arm and hastily shifts around, and suddenly the champion finds himself on the wrong end of a cross armbreaker!

 

“Zounds! Just like that, the momentum shifts in favor of citizen Nathaniel!”

 

The crowd is chomping at the bit – they know just how deadly the Silent One’s submissions can be. Fortunately for the champion, he’s still close to the ropes – even with the searing pain in his arm, Deathwish has the presence of mind to scramble to safety, hooking the bottom rope with his leg and forcing a break.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

FOUR!

 

Kibagami reluctantly breaks the hold at Ordonez’s behest, leaving the champion to cradle his right arm to his chest as he pushes himself to his feet.

 

“A quick reversal of fortune by Kibagami – Williams may want to reconsider his game plan and work towards the neck more frequently. You don’t want to be establishing yourself or sending messages to others when you’re in the ring with the Slaughterer – you do whatever’s necessary to win, and then you get the hell out of dodge.”

 

”Bobby, I must say, I’m impressed with your professionalism thus far.”

 

”It’s really nothing, Comet. Every time the crowd cheers for something these junkies do to each other, I just picture one of them in the Superior Stretch – it gives me the will to go on.”

 

The challenger attempts to whip his opponent across the ring, but the champion reverses –

 

BAM!

 

– into a vicious elbow strike!

 

CRACK!

 

And Kibagami responds with a harsh kick to the thigh!

 

BAM!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

CRACK!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

“Here we go again!”

 

BAM!

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

CRACK!

 

“God, this is ugly.”

 

BAM!

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

CRACK!

 

BAM!

 

The River Dragon spins backwards, looking to deliver another series of kesagiri chops, but the champion deftly hooks his arms around the challenger’s neck and falls back, wrapping his legs around Kibagami’s waist and cinching in a doushime sleeper! The Silent One tries to roll towards the ropes, but only succeeds in rolling onto his stomach before Deathwish manages to stop his progress!

 

”The champion hooks in a doushime sleeper, and the tides of battle have shifted yet again!”

 

”That doushime sleeper was a favorite of Judge Mental, who actually scored a victory over the Grappler with it several months ago. Properly applied, it’s nothing to sneeze at, as I’m sure Kibagami could tell you.”

 

Comet looks slack-jawed at his companion. “...Bobbi, why is it you can’t be so topical every other day of the year?”

 

Riley snorts. “Because every other day of the year, Flesher is in the main event, and I don’t have to try and keep things interesting.”

 

Kibagami crawls slowly towards the ropes – despite Danny’s best efforts, he’s not in a position to halt the River Dragon’s progress; he can only cinch the sleeper in tighter and hope it’s enough to halt the challenger...

 

...but it isn’t – Nathaniel drapes one arm over the ropes to a tremendous round of applause!

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

FOUR!

 

Deathwish breaks the hold and immediately pulls the Silent One up to his feet – Ordonez attempts to force a break of sorts, but then thinks the better of getting between the two opponents as Williams sends Kibagami across the ring with an Irish whip, catching him on the way back with a hard neckbreaker drop! The champion immediately pulls the challenger up to a sitting position, trying to hook the Stretch Plum on, but Kibagami struggles valiantly against the hold –

 

BAM! BAM!

 

– but two sharp elbow strikes to the back of the head stun him long enough for Danny to hook the facelock and twist sharply to the left, torquing the Slaughterer’s neck and ribs!

 

”Citizen Danny locks in the Stretch Plum – a favorite submission of his! The champion seems to be wearing citizen Nathaniel down slowly and methodically!”

 

”Kibagami has been matching him in the striking department, so Williams is taking his openings as they come to him. Nathaniel can only power his way out of so many holds before they start to take a toll on him – Danny’s just wearing him down and opening him up for his bigger moves.”

 

“ASK HIM!” shouts Williams as he cranks back on the hold, and Ordonez obliges, only to be met by a fierce “NO!” from the River Dragon. Undaunted, the champion cranks back on the hold even harder – just because his challenger isn’t submitting doesn’t mean he isn’t hurting. Kibagami continues to struggle against it, but he’s got next to no leverage, and he slowly starts to fade.

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

The fans attempt to revive Kibagami to no avail; Deathwish abruptly releases the hold and shoves Kibagami to the mat, pinning his shoulders...

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THR – NO!

 

The Silent One kicks out, sending the Idaho crowd into a frenzy! The fans are split evenly down the middle – dueling chants for Deathwish and the Silent One echo throughout the arena as the champion pulls Kibagami up to his feet and whips him towards the ropes, only to have Kibagami reverse the whip and –

 

BAM!

 

– FLOOR Danny Williams with a skull-cracking Burning Lariat! The River Dragon nearly collapses onto the champion as he drops to the mat for the pin!

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE! NO!

 

Undeterred, the challenger hauls the champion up to his feet and grabs hold of Danny’s right arm before taking him back down to the mat with a single-arm DDT!

 

“Kibagami wisely going after that right arm of Danny’s – Danny tends to rely on those elbows to lead into everything else in his arsenal; take those away and you’ve practically won the match outright.”

 

”I wouldn’t write the champion off quite that easily, Bobbi...”

 

Nathaniel pulls Williams up to his feet once again and whips him towards the ropes –

 

“It seems to me that it would be just as difficult to injure the champion’s arm...”

 

– and Deathwish reverses –

 

“...as it is to injure the challenger’s legs!”

 

BAM!

 

– into a tremendous elbow strike to the side of the River Dragon’s head! Nathaniel staggers back towards the ropes, and Danny spins towards him before –

 

BAM!

 

– knocking the challenger out of the ring with a vicious rolling elbow!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

“The champion floors citizen Nathaniel with a rolling elbow, sending him out to the floor in the process!”

 

”Quite the lucky break for Kibagami – that’s the move that put John Duran out cold on Lockdown. Danny might’ve had his first defense in the bag if he’d hit that in the center of the ring.”

 

Deathwish follows the Silent One to the outside – he’s visibly frustrated to see Kibagami outside the ring; perhaps Riley was right. The champion pulls the challenger into a standing headscissors, looking to score with his powerbomb while the Slaughterer is out on his feet, but Nathaniel springs to life, pulling himself away from the headscissors and ramming his shoulder into Danny’s gut, driving the champion back into the ring apron!

 

“It seems a little too early for such a momentum-shifting maneuver – citizen Nathaniel deftly counters the powerbomb!”

 

Williams is stunned, the wind driven out of him, and Kibagami rolls him back into the ring. The Slaughterer slides back in and rises to his feet, pulling the champion up with him –

 

BAM!

 

– and rocking Williams with a sharp elbow to the jaw! A collective “OOOO!” goes up from the crowd; the strike is roughly equivalent to a slap in the face, a challenge to do better, and the champion responds the best way he knows how –

 

CRACK!

 

– with a sharp kick to Kibagami’s thigh!

 

BAM!

 

“These two are getting into it now, Bobby!”

 

CRACK!

 

“Danny has to be careful not to let his emotions get the best of him –“

 

BAM!

 

“While he’s in there with one of the most manipulative men to ever grace the SWF...”

 

Danny fires off another cowboy kick, intent on beating some respect into the challenger, but Kibagami catches the blow and pulls the champion in towards him, trapping Danny’s leg against his chest, before sending Deathwish flying into the middle of the ring! with a tremendous capture suplex!

 

”And that’s why! The Silent One suckered Danny right into that one!”

 

Williams tries to struggle to his feet and ignore the pain in his back, but the Slaughterer is already on top of him – he pulls the champion up and into a modified waistlock, reaching around to trap Danny’s leg against his own chest once again before bridging back and spiking Williams with a cradle suplex!

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

Kibagami releases his hold on Williams – that damnable bridge still eludes him – and twists around, jackknifing the champion’s legs over his head and pinning his shoulders to the mat.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

NO!

 

“Such magnificent resilience from citizen Danny!”

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

“Danny Williams wants to be the Man, Comet – and the Man overcomes the odds no matter what. It’s going to take more than a suplex or two to keep him down for the three while he’s got that title around his waist.”

 

The Silent One pulls the champion up to his feet –

 

BAM! BAM!

 

– and is met with a pair of elbows! Williams fires off a third, looking to press his advantage, but Kibagami catches the blow, grabs hold of Danny’s arm, and whips him over his shoulder with a hard ippon seionage throw! Nathaniel keeps his grip on the arm and locks in another cross armbreaker – Deathwish instinctively looks to hook the bottom rope with his boot, but he’s too far away!

 

”Cross armbreaker from the challenger, and Danny Williams is in trouble! If Kibagami can hold on long enough, he can put a serious dent in the champion’s offense – Deathwish does everything with that right arm!”

 

Comet only stares at Riley, who blinks innocently. “What? What did I say now?”

 

Danny thrashes wildly towards the ropes, trying to pull Kibagami’s 261 pounds along with him without hyper extending his elbow – the Silent One pulls back as hard as he can, but it’s not enough to keep the champion from finally hooking the ropes!

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

FOUR!

 

The challenger rolls away and up to his feet just before Ordonez reaches five, but the damage has already been done; Williams clutches at his right arm as he rises from the mat, and Kibagami is quick to zero in on it with a hard snap kick!

 

CRACK!

 

BAM! BAM! BAM!

 

Deathwish snaps off three sharp elbows to the face in response, and they drive the stunned challenger back – Williams rushes in with a lariat, but Kibagami ducks it –

 

BAM!

 

– only to fall to the mat like a stone as Danny connects with a hard enzui lariat to the back of his head!

 

“A devastating counter from citizen Danny, and he seems to have the challenger on the ropes!”

 

”Not necessarily, Comet – Williams may have done more harm than good by swinging that right arm about so freely.”

 

Williams drops to the mat and tries to pull his opponent onto his back with his good arm, but Kibagami is simply too heavy. His eyes are a little glassy; he’s moving more on instinct right now, having had little time to recover from Kibagami’s suplexes. The grimace on the champion’s face tells all too well how much abuse has been inflicted on his right arm; the toll it takes on Danny to simply roll the challenger over seems to bode poorly for him.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

NO!

 

”The River Dragon kicks out, but one has to wonder how much he owes to Danny’s shortsightedness – that enzui lariat seems to have done more to aggravate his own condition than it did to slow Kibagami down!”

 

Williams pulls the Slaughterer up into a standing headscissors and wraps his arms around Kibagami’s waist, looking to connect with the powerbomb that has won him so many matches. The crowd starts to buzz amongst themselves as Deathwish strains against Nathaniel’s weight and his own injured arm, trying in vain to lift the River Dragon from the mat.

 

“The champion is looking to put citizen Nathaniel away with his patented powerbomb!”

 

”If he can, Comet. I can’t tell whether that arm of his is giving him more trouble than Kibagami’s sandbagging, but it’s doubtful that he’ll be able to overcome both unless Kibagami blunders his way into the powerbomb on his own!”

 

As the words leave Riley’s mouth, the champion heaves...

 

“RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

 

...and goes sailing overhead as the River Dragon backdrops out of the powerbomb attempt! The crowd whips themselves into a frenzy as Danny shakily rises to his feet and turns around into a hard knee to the gut that doubles him over – the Silent One applies a standing headscissors and lifts him with little resistance, spreading Williams’ arms out at the apex of the move...

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

WHAM!

 

ONE!

 

”FALL FROM GRACE!”

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

“Citizen Danny kicks out of the Fall From Grace, and this crowd is on their feet! Words cannot do justice to the sound of this arena, ladies and gentlemen – these two men have totally captured the attention of eighteen thousand people!”

 

”They certainly have. Do you see what happens when the front office leaves Flesher off the card?”

 

”The people are happy?”

 

”...no, they...that’s not...goddamn it!”

 

The River Dragon remains calm in the face of adversity – Williams may have kicked out of one finisher, but that simply means that there are two more he’ll have to get through. The Silent One roughly hauls the champion to his feet and cinches in a waistlock, preparing for the Rough Redemption. He lifts Danny up and begins to rotate...but Deathwish slides out of his grasp and lands behind him! Kibagami has only a moment to realize his error before he finds himself lifted up and backwards...

 

 

WHAM!

 

 

...into the canvas with an ugly Dangerous Backdrop!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

The River Dragon lies motionless on his stomach, and Danny Williams crawls towards him, intent on pinning his shoulders to the mat and ending this hellish match!

 

“Good gracious! That may be all for citizen Nathaniel – his fragile neck can’t possibly hold up after such a brutal maneuver!”

 

Deathwish tries to turn Kibagami onto his back, but the Slaughterer is dead weight – it takes a long, long moment for the champion to shove the challenger onto his back with his good arm and hook the leg for what should be the academic pin.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO!

 

“How did he kick out of that?!?” shouts Riley, and Danny Williams shares his sentiments – the ring mics don’t pick up his heated exchange with Ced Ordonez, but one can certainly infer the subject of discussion.

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

The crowd is livelier than ever, now – it’s going to take something extra to end this match, and they can sense it just as well as the champion can. Deathwish pulls a near-unconscious Kibagami up to his feet, intent on ending the match, but the River Dragon surprises him with a sharp knee to the gut! Williams doubles over –

 

CRACK!

 

– and jumps back as Kibagami brings his boot into the side of the champion’s head –

 

CRACK!

 

“Gamengiri from the Silent One, and the champion is down!” yells Cyclone Comet as Williams topples to the canvas. Both men lie motionless, trying to catch their respective breath, as Ordonez begins to administer the count...

 

ONE!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

TWO!

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

THREE!

 

”These men have thrown almost everything they’ve got at each other!”

 

FOUR!

 

”Something has to give soon, Bobbi! They can’t keep this pace up much longer!”

 

FIVE!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

SIX!

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

SEVEN!

 

DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E! DAN-E!

 

EIGHT!

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

NINE!

 

Danny Williams is the first to his feet, and he charges towards Kibagami looking for a running elbow, but the Slaughterer manages to dodge out of the way! The champion stops himself at the turnbuckles and whips back towards the center of the ring, intent on catching the challenger by surprise with a lariat, but the Silent One is ready and waiting – he takes Deathwish down to the mat with a Fujiwara armbar!

 

”Citizen Danny’s recklessness works against him once again! That right arm of his must be practically useless by now, and he’s running out of weapons to use against his challenger!”

 

A shout of rage and frustration escapes the champion as he claws his ways back towards the ropes.

 

ONE!

 

TWO!

 

THREE!

 

The Silent One hangs onto the injured limb like a pitbull –

 

FOUR!

 

FI –

 

– only releasing the hold when he absolutely must! Ordonez tries to force a clean break so he can check on Danny’s condition, but the Slaughterer has no time for such niceties – he brusquely pushes his way past the referee, intent on pressing the wounded Williams.

 

Kibagami reaches down to pull the champion up to his feet, but Deathwish abruptly shoves the River Dragon away – Williams begins firing off elbow strikes with his damaged right arm –

 

CRACK!

 

– but a sharp kick from the Silent One quickly puts a stop to them!

 

CRACK-CRACK!

 

Another double kesagiri staggers the champion long enough for Kibagami to lift him for a scoop slam...but he quickly shifts Williams around into position for a tombstone piledriver, keeping his arm cradled as he drives Deathwish down onto his unprotected skull!

 

THUD!

 

“RIOT OF THE BLOOD!” hollers Comet, and the crowd explodes as Williams falls to the mat – they can sense that the end is near, and they know exactly how this match will end...

 

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-LENT...

 

...at least, they think they do.

 

The challenger drags the fallen champion away from the ropes and a little closer to the center of the ring before turning away – he knows that the piledriver will keep Williams in place long enough for what he has in mind – and beginning to climb the turnbuckles. The fans begin to buzz, their chants interrupted; Kibagami doesn’t go to the top rope often, and most of them are confused by it.

 

“What the hell is he doing? All those elbows must’ve scrambled his brain – this isn’t the time for high-risk maneuvers!”

 

”Citizen Nathaniel seems to have a plan, Bobbi, and he has the match well in hand at the moment...what could he be planning?”

 

Nathaniel Kibagami reaches the top rope, and looks out at the fans for the briefest of moments. He has no time to acknowledge them – Williams could move at any moment. Doubt eats at him for a split-second, but as he backflips off the turnbuckle, he knows that he has won.

 

The Silent One spirals down to Earth.

 

WHAM!

 

“YEAR OF THE DRAGON!”

 

The crowd roars, but he barely hears them.

 

ONE!

 

What matters now –

 

TWO!

 

Is the count –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE!

 

 

RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

 

DING DING DING!

 

“HE DID IT!” shouts Comet, and the entire arena is on their feet – Ordonez helps Kibagami to his feet and raises his arm in victory – nearly drowning out Nevermore and Funyon together with their applause, their cheers, and their ever-present chant.

 

“Your winner by pinfall...and NEW SWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION....NATHANIEL “SILENT” KIBAGAMI!”

 

”I’ll be damned. He really won it. That’s three new champions in three weeks. Ridiculous.” Riley does his best to sound smug and resigned, but there’s a hint of something else in his voice – even he has to concede that Nathaniel Kibagami has finally earned his place.

 

Danny Williams rolls out of the ring; two nearby ring attendants help him to his feet. For all his courage, all his heart, tonight he has come up against an obstacle that simple willpower cannot overcome. Many men might wear the title that was around his waist this evening, but only one of them can be The Man. Perhaps another time, another place, Danny Williams may finally climb to the top of the mountain. But tonight is not that night – could not have been that night.

 

Funyon straps the World title around Kibagami’s waist, and the Silent One immediately makes his way to the turnbuckle. It takes him a moment to get there – his head is ringing from all the elbows – but he slowly makes his way to the top and extends his arms in the crucifix pose that has become familiar to so many. The belt seems to belong around his waist; he carries it well.

 

There is no reminder to watch Lockdown to close the show tonight. There is simply a shot of Kibagami standing triumphant after fourteen years, the most prestigious prize in the business wrapped around his waist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is high time.