From the Vault: Caged Fury I and II

[Golgo 13 0]

First, the original.

 

In the SJL, plenty of original matches would make their debut, only to later find their way into the SWF, partly because we were used as lab rats by the bookers to see what worked and what didn't. Anyhow, a first not yet seen in the SJL or SWF would be thought of by Mike Van Siclen. Sure, there may've been similar matches in our past, but alas, I'm too lazy to do research and/or ask around.

 

Moving on, there have been variations on the cage match before, but in this instance, there would be no cheap escapes in order to get the win. You would think that you WANT to stay in the cage, to beat your opponent mercilessily and without remorse, to get the decisive victory... and not run away at the first opportunity.

 

No doors at all, and the only reason to escape outside would be to grab the most effective weapon you could find, only to head back in to deliver more beatings. Not to mention, it was also designed to keep people out, even moreso than the cage matches we're used to, brought to us by our good friends in WWE. This was a cage purely for settling personal issues.

 

Only this type of match can truly contain the fury, rage and anger of two opponents... Thus, Caged Fury.

 

In March 2003, Mike Van Siclen and Janus were mired in a heated feud, MVS having just lost his SJL World Title to Janus. He looked to get it back in this very match. One would question MVS' decision to challenge Janus to this, since you'd think Janus has the advantage...

 

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The crowd’s outburst can barely be measured as we return to SJL Wrath, and the greatest announce team in wrestling today, Suicide King and Axis.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Axis exclaims, greeting us with his customary uppity jibber-jabber, “ welcome back to SJL Wrath! We’ve had an exceptional show for you all tonight, but if you’re just tuning in… well, you picked a good time!”

 

“Indeed you did, humble viewer,” King interjects, “as tonight, in that very ring, we will see Mike Van Siclen and Janus square off for the fourth time since Malice in Wonderland, this time in a Caged Fury match with the Smarks Junior Leagues Heavyweight Title on the line! And now, let’s send it to Funyon, in the middle of the ring, for the introductions!”

 

Funyon, standing mid-ring, clears his throat and begins to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to your MAAAAAAIN EVENT! The following contest is a CAAAAAAGED FURY match for the ESS-JAY-ELL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP! Here to introduce to us tonight’s rules, referee Nicholas Soapdish!”

 

Funyon hands the microphone over to the man in stripes, who gets polite applause. Soapdish speaks, in a nasal, grainy tone. “The following contest will be fought inside of a steel cage with no doors. You may leave at any time, but submissions only count in the ring. There are no disqualifications and no count-out, and the winner is the first one to submit.”

 

Funyon takes back the microphone. “Thank you, Nick! And now, introducing first, the challenger!”

 

The four quick cymbals and even quicker guitar riff that begins “Damage Done” by Dark Tranquility blasts throughout the arena, as the lights go out and blue strobes begins to flash in time with the music. Mike Van Siclen steps onto the ramp, his arms extending in a bent crucifix under his acid-green jacket. He spins around the on the ramp, grinning like a madman as he breaks out of his spin cycle and steps cockily down the entrance ramp, pausing at the ring. He throws up the apron, reaching under the ring and pulling out a pair of chairs. The former champion throws both of them into the ring as Funyon intros him.

 

“Weighing in at two-hundred and thirty-seven pounds, this man has been in some of the most grueling matches in the history of the federation! He has engaged in Stairway to F**k matches, he has engaged in Ladder/Steel Pipe matches, but tonight may be the most deadly of them all. Tonight, he gets his shot at his second SJL Heavyweight championship! Ladies and gentlemen, the SJL would like to present tonight’s challenger, MIIIIIIIIIIIIKE VA-AN SIIIIIIIIIC-LEEEEEEEEN!”

 

The crowd boos Van Siclen, who grins like a Cheshire cat as he slides into the ring, posing in crucifix fashion and allowing his jacket to slip off of him. Soapdish, obviously flustered, scurries over to grab the jacket, and he tosses it quickly to the timekeeper as the lights go out all across the arena, plunging the place into darkness. Nothing happens for several moments, until the start of Fear Factory's "Resurrection" can be heard. On either side of the rampway, blue pyros begin to fountain into the air as the lyrics start:

 

"Consumed with memories,

That preceded today.

Given a chance to bereave

Life that's slipping away!"

 

As the heavy guitar chords hit, a spotlight focuses onto the stage entrance as Janus strides out from behind the curtain, tossing his hair from his face and stalking towards the ring. Each blue pyro goes out as he passes it, and he climbs into the ring slowly and stoically.

 

“And, we present to you the champion! Weighing in at three-hundred fifty pounds, this man has been one of the longest-reigning SJL European Champions of all time, and a win over Mike Van Siclen tonight would put him on the road to doing the same thing with the Heavyweight bell. Ladies and gentlemen, the SJL, in association with the Magnificent Seven, is proud to present its HEAVYWEIGHT champion... JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANUS!”

 

He stands in the center of the ring, lit only by the spotlight......and lifts his arms into the air.

 

*BOOM*

 

Blue flame-pyros explode from the turnbuckles ala Kane as the lights come back on and "Resurrection" fades out as Janus waits in the ring as the cage slowly lowers around the two men. The visual of Janus and Mike Van Siclen, each pacing in their respective corners, Mike’s much more of a nervous pace than Janus’. The two men lock eyes, as the gleaming silver begins to fall past them, and the two men stare at each other as the cage lands on the ring apron and stays there. Van Siclen and Janus, through the chain link, look oddly superheroic as Nick Soapdish nervously signals for the bell…

 

-=: Ding Ding Ding :=-

 

“This Heavyweight title match is on!”

 

Janus and Van Siclen begin to circle nervously around the outside of the ring, both men knowing that they may not be able to walk in a half an hour – but neither of them care, as the title is on the line and at the moment, this is all that matters. Janus makes the first stride, and just as quickly Van Siclen charges towards the middle of the ring. Janus looks to lock up, just as in their no-disqualifications match early in February, but Mike has obviously been studying, and he catches Janus with a drop toe hold instead of doing the predictable lock-up! Caught by surprise, Janus falls flat on the mat, and Van Siclen gets up quickly to take advantage by running to the ropes, coming back and dropping a monster knee across the back of Janus’ neck! Janus grabs his neck in pain, rolling over onto his back as he holds it, and Van Siclen quickly starts laying in boots to the head while the referee, helpless to do anything about it, simply lets Van Siclen stomp away.

 

“The champion is put on the mat quickly, as Van Siclen lays in a couple of heavy boots to Janus’ head!”

 

“The tone for this match has been set already, Axis, by that reversal right there. This match’s outcome will come down to whoever has learned the most about their opponent from their previous two meetings – three, if you count Mall Brawl IV.”

 

Van Siclen lays off on the boots after delivering about eight good shots to the head, turning away from Janus and does the “bang!” point at the crowd, who oddly enough begin to cheer him a bit! Van Siclen grins as he turns back to Janus, who by now is on his feet and mighty upset. The champion levels a knee at Mike’s gut, the setup for the Implant DDT… but Mike grabs Janus under the knee! He steps over Janus’ leg with the right foot… and then whips his left leg up, jumping a bit to kick Janus in the GODDAMN FACE~! The crowd pops for the stepover whipkick as Van Siclen rolls through and gets to his feet, tilting his head a bit to the left side so as to prevent it from being stiff as he brushes the hair out of his face, preparing for his next move.

 

“Van Siclen catches Janus with a nice stepover kick there!”

 

“And once again, this is because Mike has been paying attention in prior matches. He’s seen the Implant DDT setup before, and he knows exactly how to counter it. What he needs to worry about right now is not letting his neck get too beat up – Janus killed it the last time these two fought, and on Metal Van Siclen caught a nasty Superkick from Spike Jenkins!”

 

The challenger grabs Janus by his long white hair, lifting the champion to his feet and grabbing him around the neck, in position for a DDT! Van Siclen raises one arm in the air, the now-universal signal for a Code Red as the crowd erupts, waiting for the huge mark so that they can mark out! But just as before, Janus knows the move and knows how to counter, catching Mike with a slick kidney punch that cause Mike to double over a bit, still keeping his grip on Janus’ neck but loosening it up a little – not much, but enough for the giant to wrap his own arm around Mike’s neck and reverse it into a vertical suplex! Janus stands up, now, shaking out his neck a little bit before grabbing Van Siclen by the hair, lifting the challenger to his feet.

 

“Van Siclen looks for the Code Red on Janus, but the big man has seen that move before and made it into a vertical suplex!”

 

“Quite the cagey counter by our resident Australian, and Van Siclen’s going to have to make sure that Janus doesn’t get him in the air so much – if the big man can keep Mike off the mat, he owns him.”

 

Janus grabs Mike around the neck, looking for the chokeslam as the crowd erupts, looking forward to seeing the big impact!... but they are once again robbed, as Van Siclen swings his boot out and rams it right into the jewels of Janus! The big man loosens his grip on Mike with his right hand while grabbing his testes with his left, and Van Siclen takes advantage of this sudden grip-loosening by grabbing Janus by the arm, removing it from his neck and twisting it around in an arm wrench! Janus, apparently satisfied with the feeling in his phallus, runs towards Mike with his left arm extended, looking for a shortarm clothesline… but Mike ducks it!

 

Janus runs right past Mike, realizing it and turning right around… right into a boot to the gut! Janus pauses, doubling over, but Mike grabs him by the hair, lifting up to about ¾ of his full height. The challenger lifts up Janus’ head, putting his chin underneath it… and jumping into the air, sitting out with a hard jawbreaker! Janus bounces up, rubbing his jaw in pain… and Mike runs to the ropes, bouncing off them and coming back with a spinning wheelkick, catching Janus right on the jaw! The big man staggers backwards, into the ropes near the corner, and Mike follows him all the way there, springboarding off of the ropes to the side of Janus and dropkicking the giant right in the face, causing his head to snap back and right into the steel cage! A “HO-LY S**T!” chant breaks out as Janus falls forward, so that the entire arena can see his white-haired scalp beginning to turn red.

 

“Van Siclen with a NASTY springboard dropkick to the face, knocking the back of Janus’ head right into that cage!”

 

“The champion is reeling, Axis! And it all started from Van Siclen’s knowledge of the chokeslam – he took advantage in Janus’ slight delay before the lift, which led right into the bloody mess you see right now!”

 

Van Siclen stands up, looking at the crowd cheering for the move… and takes a bow for them, causing the crowd to roar even louder! Grinning, Mike walks over to Janus’ felled body and lifting the giant to his feet. Mike grabs Janus by the arm, whipping him into the ropes. Janus lands in the turnbuckle, but instead of following for his usual avalanche Mike walks over to where Janus is and steps out of the ring, so that he stands on the ring apron. He steps behind the turnbuckle, grabbing Janus by the head and bending him over the turnbuckle with his right arm in Dragon Sleeper position! He applies the pressure to Janus’ neck, bending Janus’ back over the turnbuckle in impressive fashion! Referee Soapdish, powerless to do anything about it, simply allows Mike to keep Janus in the hold.

 

The challenger begins yelling things at Janus, telling him to “TAP OUT!” and “RESPECT ME!” The crowd, disliking Mike’s comments, begins a small “JA-NUS” chant, to which the Van Siclen fans in the crowd respond with “TAP OUT!” The crowd, now chanting “TAP OUT!” “JA-NUS!”, gets louder and louder as the expression on Mike’s face becomes one of more and more rage as he yells at Janus more and more! The champion’s arm, suddenly rises, and it quivers, looking like it is about to tap the rope… but instead it grabs Van Siclen around the neck, giving him a last-desperation Snapmare! The crowd erupts for the high impact move as Janus, too, falls out of the corner, laying on his stomach next to Van Siclen, who is grabbing his neck from the impact of the snapmare. Soapdish, powerless to count them out, simply allows them to lay there as the crowd, bored, begins to chant “GET UP ASS-CLOWNS!”

 

“This crowd is showing no respect for either man, yelling at them to get up after going through some of the most brutal sequences this fed has seen!”

 

“…and we’re only eight minutes in, Axis! Isn’t it great!”

 

Van Siclen manages to get to his feet first, as Janus is on his knees. In the middle of the ring, Van Siclen sets up a chair in sitting position, and the crowd pops for it, remembering the move Mike used to defeat Janus – the Russian Roulette onto a steel chair! Van Siclen, obviously appreciative of their applause, gives them a slight wave as he turns back to Janus… who is on his feet and angry! The champion grabs Mike around the neck, lifting him up angrily for a vertical suplex… but just as he has done so many times before he does it too fast, allowing the cagey Van Siclen to use the momentum Janus provides to him to roll right down Janus’ back, landing back-to-back with the giant!

 

The two men, back-to-back, are right next to the steel chair, and Van Siclen grabs Janus under the arms, bending over and looking to give the huge man a spike backslide, the move Edwin MacPhisto called the Encore Cross, right onto the steel chair!... but Janus has obviously been watching his Edwin MacPhisto tapes lately, as he swings his arms together to break Van Siclen’s hold on them! Mike, surprised that Janus could pull out a counter, quickly stands up… right into the hold for a chokeslam! Janus, again, looks for the chokeslam on Van Siclen… but yet again the challenger can see the move telegraphed, and he again levels a kick at Janus’ gut, doubling him over and forcing him to release the chokehold! Quickly, Van Siclen grabs Janus in DDT hold, raising one arm quickly before whirling around, grabbing Janus around the neck and giving him a bulldog right onto the mat, or the Code Red!

 

“Van Siclen scores with the Code Red, but he won’t be able to get the pinfall off of it!”

 

“It doesn’t matter anyway, Axis! Janus will get the submission from Van Siclen, even if he has to thoroughly beat him around the head and shoulders to do it!”

 

Van Siclen gets down on the mat, putting his left leg over Janus’ body and kneeling down in catcher’s position on it. Mike grabs Janus’ left arm, pulling it behind his left knee. Mike does the same thing with the right arm, and then puts his left hand underneath Janus’ face! Mike does the same with the right, locking both hands together across the bridge of the champion’s nose and pulling as far back as he can, locking Janus into the Gokuraku Clutch! The crowd erupts for Mike’s signature submission as Janus’ mouth describes the expression of his entire body, dropping open and letting loose sounds of utter pain! Van Siclen responds to this nonverbally, pulling Janus’ neck back even further as the champion’s screams grow louder, and he begins to quiver, the desire to tap there…

 

“Van Siclen has Janus locked into the Cardinal Sin Clutch! It could be all over here…”

 

“Mighty early, no less! I’ve never seen Van Siclen lock in the Clutch this early in a match, but he really wants to end it here, and with everything he’s done to Janus’ neck he just might!”

 

Van Siclen pulls back even farther on the hold, as far as he can go, and he holds it for a short while, screaming at Janus to tap… but the longer the hold stays locked on, the more obvious it becomes that Janus will not tap. Upset a bit, Van Siclen releases the hold with his right hand, shoving Janus’ face into the mat and walking away from the champion, shaking his head angrily and then turning right around and back to Janus, who is struggling to his feet and shaking his neck out.

 

Mike doesn’t help Janus’ neck pains any, lifting the champ to his feet and catching him with a couple hooks to the face and then grabbing him by the hair, leading him over to the chair in the middle of the ring. The challenger knees Janus in the back, doubling him over backwards and applying the hold for a reverse DDT. Mike walks over, the hold still intact, spinning Janus on his axis so he winds up bent over, with his back barely above the chair. Van Siclen raises one arm, signaling for the Russian Roulette… but Janus grabs Van Siclen by the arm, removing it from his neck and spinning Mike around into an arm wrench! Janus moves away so that the arm wrench is not over the chair… and then grabs Mike with his other arm for a chokeslam!

 

“Janus avoids the Russian Roulette, and now he has Mike set up for a chokeslam!”

 

“And again, these two men know each other like the back of their own hands. Janus has had nightmares about that move for weeks, and I’ll bet you that now he knows how to counter it thirty different ways!”

 

Van Siclen looks for another kick to the nuts… but Janus, expecting it this time, grabs Mike by the boot with his free hand, leveling a kick at Mike’s quad! Mike’s leg falls back down into standing position, and Janus lifts Mike high into the air, the former champion dangling with Janus’ long, tree branch arm the only thing supporting him… and it quickly thrusts Mike back to the mat, causing the Spectacular one to land flat on his back! Van Siclen grabs his neck, the first part of him to impact the canvas, in pain, as Janus grabs Mike again and lifts him to his feet.

 

The champion goes behind Mike, standing with Mike’s back in his stomach and then grabbing the challenger under the arms and forcing his hands together across the back of Mike’s neck, putting the Spectacular one in a full nelson! The crowd erupts for Janus’ first submission, and they erupt more when Janus lifts Van Siclen up, swinging him back-and-forth in midair with the full nelson still intact! Van Siclen’s body dangles like a rag doll and his face is twisted into a mask of pain as he swings back and forth in midair, the crowd roaring for Janus’ display of immense power. Janus’ body can’t do this forever, though, and he lifts Van Siclen up even higher, then throws him down with a full nelson slam! The challenger grabs his neck and Janus grabs his as well, both men’s necks have been worked pretty hard thus far.

 

“Janus with the chokeslam, and he follows up with a swinging full nelson into a full nelson slam!”

 

“Janus is steamrolling Van Siclen right here, Axis! I don’t think Mike can hold on much longer!”

 

The champion grabs Mike by the neck, lifting him to his feet and then kneeing him in the gut. Mike doubles over, and Janus grabs Mike and thrusts him into a standing headscissors. The crowd erupts as Janus nonchalantly lifts Mike up into powerbomb position… but Van Siclen falls backwards, even through his dazed state having the state of mind to wrap his legs around Janus’ neck and give him a Hurricanrana! Janus flips forward, landing flat on his back but his neck absorbing the brunt of the impact. The champion tries to sit up, but winds up falling back to the mat, grabbing his neck in pain as Van Siclen, now standing, grabs his own neck, doubling over with his elbows resting on his knees.

 

“Both men are in immense pain here, King!”

 

“This is turning into a battle of whose neck can hold up better, Axis.”

 

“Then they’re both lucky Tom Flesher isn’t in the match.”

 

The challenger turns around, facing Janus and looking for some inspiration in the ring… and, inexplicably, he sees it in the crowd! Van Siclen cracks a smile in the middle of the ring, turning back to face Janus and grabbing him by the hair, lifting him to his feet by the hair and leading him over to the cage wall… and rams his face right into it! The crowd “OOOOOH”s, wincing from the face-smash as Van Siclen pulls Janus back, revealing a number of thin cuts across Janus’ face. Mike grabs the giant by the arm, whipping him to the other side of the ring, following right behind… and clotheslining Janus face-first into the cage as they hit the other side! The crowd, now, is booing the challenger, and Van Siclen shrugs as he grabs Janus by the ponytail, pulling him away from the cage… and then violently throwing his face into it! The crowd, now, boos Mike even harder, as Janus falls away from the cage, his face now streaked with thin lines of blood, making a near-spiderweb across his face. The challenger throws in a couple of kicks at Janus’ face for good measure, drawing even more boos and a small “ASS-HOLE!” chant as Janus simply lies on the mat, possibly unconscious.

 

“Janus is a bloody mess here, King, and I have to ask myself if he’s gone too far!”

 

“In any other match he would have, Axis… but this match is for the World title, and you just can’t go far enough after that!”

 

Van Siclen walks around a little bit, exhaling and twisting his neck in an attempt to shake out all the kinks in it before turning back around, facing Janus’ body, still laying face-up on the mat with blood streaking his face. Mike grabs Janus by the long, white hair, turning Janus over once again. The champ once again straddles Janus, then grabs him under the right arm, forcing it behind his head and pressing his hand into Janus’ neck. With the other arm, Mike grabs Janus around the throat, grabbing his other wrist to complete the tazzmission choke, which Van Siclen called for a while the Van Siclenmission!

 

Janus’ face twists into a pained expression, his eyes bulging out of their sockets as he yells out in pain, the desire to tap there once again and only egged on by Van Siclen whispering in his ear to “Tap… taaap…” Janus, trying to hold on, flails with his legs, but it is no use, and the visual of Janus’ face, blood-streaked and held in the Van Siclenmission, is a very chilling one indeed… thankfully, though, it doesn’t last for long, as Van Siclen lets go of the hold, standing up and brushing the hair out of his face. He kicks Janus once in the neck, causing the champ to grab it and roll over onto his stomach in pain, and grinning, Mike walks over to the side of the cage.

 

“Van Siclenmission on Janus very nearly gets the large man to tap out, but Janus still has enough in the tank!”

 

“I’m surprised he does, to be perfectly honest. Mike has been trying to snap Janus’ neck off the entire match, and a lesser man would’ve tapped out by now.”

 

“But he’s no lesser man – he’s our World champion!”

 

Van Siclen steps through the ropes and onto the apron, looking up at the steel bars atop the cage. The challenger grins, grabbing a hold on the cage and beginning to climb it. Janus, down on the mat, turns his head over to see what all the fuss is about… and sees Mike Van Siclen climbing the cage, slowly, as the fans roar in anticipation! Knowing what is to come and not liking it very much, Janus turns over onto his stomach, pushing himself up with his arm and shaking his neck out, going over to Van Siclen and grabbing the young upstart by the hair, forcefully ripping him off of the cage! Like a rag doll, Mike falls off the cage, his body landing on the ropes and sliding down so that his legs rest on the top rope while his head is lying on the inside of the ring. Janus, grinning, levels one huge stomp at Mike’s head, causing the Spectacular one to grab his head and roll over in pain from the maneuver, his legs falling off of the ropes. Janus allows himself an inward smile, in hot pursuit of the challenger.

 

“Mike Van Siclen gets denied looking for something off of the top of the cage!”

 

“Even going for the hot finish, you need to be careful, and Mike Van Siclen didn’t exercise too much caution right there. And it cost him.”

 

Janus grabs Mike by the arm, lifting the challenger to his feet and whipping him into the turnbuckle! Van Siclen lands snugly in the corner… but he is quickly shaken by Janus, who is following right behind Van Siclen and crushes his body into the turnbuckle with an Avalanche! Van Siclen slides down to the second buckle, and Janus grabs the ropes for balance and kicks Mike repeatedly in the head, causing Mike’s head to repeatedly bounce off of the second buckle! Janus, in a fury now, kicks Mike over and over again, while the referee is powerless to do anything.

 

Janus finally gets bored, stalking away from Van Siclen and brushing the long white hair out of his eyes, turning back to face Mike Van Siclen. Janus gets down in a three-point stance, looking for the finishing maneuver that may cripple him but will cripple Van Siclen more! The challenger, missing Janus, pushes himself up on the turnbuckle… and Janus charges, looking for the Gore! Van Siclen, thinking as quickly as he can, leapfrogs Janus, and the big man grabs the ropes in an attempt to halt his momentum. He turns around in the corner… where Van Siclen is, bouncing off of the second rope and dropkicking Janus right in the mouth, causing him to bounce off the turnbuckle and fall straight forward for the second time in the match!

 

“ANOTHER springboard dropkick to the face by Van Siclen, and your theory on Janus and Van Siclen knowing each other is really starting to fall apart, King.”

 

“Van Siclen and Janus are dead, Axis. They don’t know where they are… I don’t think I know where they are.”

 

Van Siclen gets to his feet, staggering around a little bit as he looks at Janus, who is quite nearly dead! He turns around once again, looking at the cage… and his eyes light up, with the realization of how to finish the match. The challenger looks down at Janus, facedown on the mat, and looks back at the cage… and realizes exactly what must be done. Van Siclen again steps between the ropes, so that his body is pressed against the cage.

 

And he climbs. And climbs, and climbs, and the crowd gets louder with every step until it hits a crescendo, as Van Siclen steps onto the huge steel bars that are the top of the cage! Van Siclen turns around, looking straight down about twelve feet at the champion who, if he has his way, will soon be dethroned. Van Siclen flashes the Jimmy Snuka “I Love You” sign, and then leaps off, falling all..

 

 

The way…

 

Down…

 

Flipping over in midair, and landing in a leg drop right across Janus’ neck, the move known as the Sin Aerial! Van Siclen rolls away from Janus in pain, but Janus is in more pain, grabbing his neck from the impact and kicking his legs out in the pain of a man just destroyed… which, fittingly enough, he is.

 

“SIN AERIAL! SIN AERIAL ON JANUS!”

 

“Van Siclen sure hasn’t used that move in a while, but he picked the perfect time to pull it out once more!”

 

Van Siclen pulls himself to his feet, shaking his head to get the kinks out before turning to Janus, who is still grabbing his neck in pain. Van Siclen levels a couple of stomps into the big man, knocking him over onto his stomach. Van Siclen straddles Janus once more, possibly for the final time! This time, he puts Janus’ arms behind his knees, putting Janus into Camel Clutch position. Van Siclen then reaches forward, pulling back Janus’ neck with a Crossface! Pulling back as far as he can Van Siclen lets out a roar of energy, as Janus’ mouth describes all of his pain, opening up and yelling out in rage as his brain, urging him to tap off, is nearly shut off as all of the blood loss and pain he’s been through thus far, especially on the neck, comes rushing back to him, amplified by Van Siclen’s iron grip on his face!

 

But Janus, ever the resourceful one, puts his right hand into a fist underneath Van Siclen’s leg and lifts up, catching him with a half-powered punch to the leg! Mike, barely feeling it because of the adrenaline high, simply pulls the hold back more… but Janus does it again, this time full power, and Mike lets go of the hold in shock! Janus grabs Mike by the waist and shoves him off, standing up to his full height and yelling at Mike loudly, his eyes ablaze as he shakes out his neck and begins to stalk the challenger.

 

“Van Siclen once again locks Janus in the Cardinal Sin Clutch, but Janus still had enough to break the hold!”

 

“And that’s all Janus has had the strength to do at this point, Axis… I don’t think he has enough strength to get the tap from MVS!”

 

Janus grabs Van Siclen, lifting him up and into a DDT hold, the setup for the Rage Unleashed!

 

“What is Janus doing, King!?”

 

“Janus is looking for the Rage Unleashed, which could be very risky, as it’s going to put a lot of pressure on his neck!”

 

Janus lifts Mike up, into vertical suplex position, but just as King said his neck, weakened, can’t hold up, and he’s forced to drop Van Siclen in a weak front suplex variant! Mike, not affected fully by the move, gets to his feet slowly, as Janus wobbles around a bit, grabbing his neck in pain and leaning against the ropes for support, wiping blood off of his face!

 

“Looks like you were right, King!”

 

“Of course I was right. They don’t call me the King for nothing!”

 

Mike stands up fully, wobbling a bit and grabbing his neck, but he shakes his head thoroughly and looks at Janus, his line of vision clear! Van Siclen bounces off of the ropes, coming at Janus full steam… and giving him a violent leaping lariat, driving the back of Janus’ head into the cage! Janus’ head bounces off of the cage and falls to the mat limply, and the crowd gets a clear shot of the back of his head, his white ponytail, now an eerie shade of crimson. Van Siclen looks at Janus, seeing him gently come up and down on the mat, his breathing the only sign of consciousness.

 

And Mike smiles.

 

And then he gets on top of Janus, straddling the giant and one more time putting his arms behind his knees, locking Janus into a camel clutch… and then applying a Crossface to Janus’ neck, pulling the champion’s neck way back! Janus’ face once again twists into a mask of pain, of rage, of trying valiantly not to give up…

 

Trying valiantly not to give up…

 

And his hand hits the mat. And again. And again.

 

And Van Siclen lets go of the hold, standing up to his full height and raising his arms in the air.

 

And Janus’ head falls flat on the mat, blood beginning to form a small puddle on the mat.

 

And the referee signals for the bell.

 

-=: Ding Ding Ding :=-

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, your winner, and the NEEEEW SJL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION… MIIIIIIIIIKE VA-AN SIIIIIC-LEEEEN!”

 

The crowd greets this news with a mixed reaction, partial cheering and partial booing echoing throughout the arena as the cage begins to lift skyward, leaving only Mike Van Siclen in the ring, standing over the falling giant’s body. Soapdish, having just retrieved the title, hands it to Mike, and the newly crowned champion lifts the title high into the air as we…

 

Fade to black…

[Golgo 13 0]

June 2003, the PPV known as 13th Hour. Both Mike Van Siclen and Sean Atlas had come up to the SWF not long before. Naturally, they collided right off the bat in their efforts to establish (or re-establish, as we'd come to find out) themselves in the SWF. Naturally, along with MVS, the match known as Caged Fury tagged along.

 

MVS would again be facing an imposing threat in Sean Atlas. Not so much with the height and large presence, but the guy was just creepy. See, he was a cheery fellow who loved walks along the beach, sunsets, charming block gardens, destroying all religion as we know it, generally hurting people, etc. MVS couldn't win again, could he?

 

----

 

Fade back into the Pengrowth Saddledome, where a sustained murmur is suddenly interrupted by the rhythm of “Seven Nation Army” and flashes of multiple strobe lights from the ceiling. The steel construction hanging above the ring begins to slowly descend towards the surface of the arena, inciting shouts of excitement from the surrounding fans. Ring attendants quietly march into the ringside area, waiting for the cage’s arrival from above. Seated near the ring, Grand Slam Mark Stevens and Bobby Riley discuss the match to follow.

 

“Fifteen foot high, solid steel construction, no door, no pinfall, no mercy – this is Caged Fury!” announces a triumphant Mark Stevens.

 

“It’s come down to this” Bobby Riley explains. “Two men at odds, one consistently dominated by the other, wanting nothing more than to redeem himself and prove to be the better of the two. This is his type of match – one in which he defeated the Hell Machine Janus not so long ago. Can he do the same to Sean Atlas?”

 

“Soon enough, Riley, we shall know.” Mark Stevens replies.

 

The cage now lowered, ringside attendants attach all but one side to the ring, leaving the fourth edge free to allow the competitors and referee Eddy Long – already present - access to the ring inside. Meanwhile, our esteemed announcer Funyon stands at cageside, cue cards in hand, introducing the Calgary crowd to the mêlée about to be presented.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a Caged Fury Match! Taking place inside a fifteen-foot high steel cage without a door, competitors may leave over the top, but may only win the match by Submission! No-Disqualification and No-Countout rules are in effect!”

 

TING! TING! TING! TING!

 

Just as the suited announcer ends his speech, four quick cymbals and even quicker guitar riff that begin “Damage Done” by Dark Tranquility blast throughout the arena. As blue strobe lights flash accordingly with the music in a darkened Pengrowth Saddledome, Mike Van Siclen steps onto the ramp, his arms extending in a bent crucifix under his acid-green jacket. He spins around the on the ramp, grinning like a madman as he breaks out of his spin cycle and steps cockily down the entrance ramp.

 

Supported by cheers of the Calgary faithful, Van Siclen reaches the caged squared circle, ducks underneath the unfastened cage wall and rolls into the ring. Once there, he quickly hops onto the middle rope, balancing on it as he fires up the crowd. But his excitement is cut short when his music begins to face away, replaces by a small moment of silence that’s followed by the battle hymn of his enemy...

 

“Heaven’s a Lie” by Lacuna Coil slowly intensifies, inflaming the crowd to turn against the man soon to emerge. As the electric guitar of the intro reaches a Zenith, the fans nearest to the stage plug their ears, knowing exactly what’s about to hit them...

 

 

!*BOOM*!

 

 

The gargantuan white explosion detonates on the stage, leaving behind it a large plume of thick smoke, illuminated by the white light shining through the ramp grating. All eyes fixed upon this haze soon begin to see a defined shape making its way through the murkiness, and as expected, the form reveals itself to be that of the masked malice, Sean Atlas. He increases the pace of his walk, almost to a full run as he trots to the ring, under the cage wall and slides inside... heading right for Van Siclen!

 

 

DING-DING-DING!

 

 

“And they’re off!” bellows Riley as Sean Atlas takes to the sir against Van Siclen, hitting a Lou Thesz Press! He immediately pulls of and pummels MVS with brutal fists to the jaw. Meanwhile, the ring attendants seal up the remaining exposed cage wall and secure it, locking the two combatants inside for good.

 

Sean’s grounded punches have been turned against him as Van Siclen overpowers him and rolls him over, gaining the upper hand. Atlas doesn’t wait around to receive them all though, choosing instead to break free of Siclen’s clutches and roll away. As Atlas rises to his feet, Van Siclen is right there to meet him, aggressively taking him by the hand and sends him into the ropes.

 

Sean bounces, his back making slight contact with the steel cage wall behind the ropes, and returns towards Mike, who drops as Sean comes near and tangles his feet with those of Atlas’, taking him down with a Drop Toe Hold. MVS instantly jumps to his knees and grabs hold of Atlas’ foot, twisting it in an attempt to put on an Ankle Lock...!

 

 

“Mike Van Siclen, using the submission holds early on!” yells an excited Mark Stevens. But the Sean Atlas, his reflexes still strong, rolls onto his back and pulls Mike closer, then picks him away!

 

“Maybe a little bit too early” notes Riley. “He’d be better off working one single body part as he has before.”

 

 

After being pushed away, Van Siclen quickly rolled into a kneeling position, then stood up just before Sean Atlas did so. The two men spring forward, heading for a collision course with one another, but Van Siclen gets an arm out to his side, bringing the masked man down on his back. He continues to run, bouncing off the ropes and scampers back to the downed Atlas... who flattens out at MVS hops over him, heading for the other set of rope.

 

Springing to his feet at a moment’s notice, Atlas gets himself standing just as Mike recoils off the ropes and cage wall. Siclen sprints to his opponent, increasing his speed as he gets near, but just before he rams into Atlas, Sean leaves his feet and leapfrogs over the Spectacle! He lands back down with the thud of his boots hitting the mat, thinking he evaded Van Siclen yet again. But when he turns around, a shooting pain enters his midsection as MVS sends a hard kick to the gut of Sean Atlas!

 

 

“Great strategy by The Spectacular One on that exchange” notes Stevens.

 

“What, hitting a man when he’s not looking?” Riley retorts, with a sly smirk on his face.

 

“No, Bobby” Grand Slam answers. “It’s changing speed and direction to use the element of surprise against him.”

 

 

With Atlas doubled over in the center of the ring, Van Siclen darts towards the near ropes, bounces off hard enough to hit the cage nearby, and leaves his feet as he returns to Atlas, lifting his leg high in the air for the Guillotine Leg Drop...! But the Van Siclen Guillotine misses its target! Atlas straightens out and evades his leg as Mike comes crashing down, landing awkwardly with his side to his masked opponent.

 

Thinking quickly, Sean immediately, slides his foot behind Mike’s, extending an arm across his back and falls, hitting a Russian Leg Sweep! Both men land with a resounding thud, then quickly roll in opposite directions to race back to their feet. Van Siclen slightly wins that particular challenge and attempts another lariat, but doesn’t connect with it as Sean drives his knee into the gut of the spectacular one.

 

Now doubled over, Mike feels his arm forcefully extended to the side. Atlas steps over it, holding it between his legs as he sets Mike up for one of his most unique maneuvers – the Stepover Legdrop. But having been victim to this once before, Van Siclen knows the move and escapes it using one of Sean’s own tricks... the Rear Leg Takedown!

 

 

“Oh, so now he’s stealing Sean’s own signature moves?” asks a bothered Robert Riley.

 

“That’s a basic amateur takedown!” Grand Slam replies. “There’s nothing wrong with- wait, look!”

 

 

After bringing Sean Atlas face down on the Mask, Van Siclen instantly grabs hold of his ankle, trying once again to put on an ankle lock... and does it! He twists and torques Sean’s foot as Atlas struggles around, trying to find a way to escape the hold!

 

 

“Seems to me like The Spectacular One is trying to take Sean’s legs out from under him” notes Stevens. “A worthy strategy that we rarely see from Atlas’ opponents.”

 

“Why though?” questions Mr. Riley “He almost always goes after the neck, and doesn’t have too many maneuvers to work the legs.”

 

“Because doing so will not only slow Sean down, but will lower his ability to leave the cage, hit many suplexes, and most of all, stop him from leaving his feet for the Saint’s Demise.”

 

 

But just as the rationale for working the legs becomes clear, Sean Atlas gets the necessary room to roll forward, flipping to force MVS over and down onto his back, escaping the ankle lock. Seemingly unharmed by the hold, Sean stands up first, moving on the offensive to counter Van Siclen’s relentlessness. But as he reaches the Spectacular One, Mike grabs onto his head and...

 

 

“Sitout Jawbreaker!” bellows grand Slam. “You know what’s coming next!”

 

“

 

 

Right on cue, Mike stands up, grabs both legs and hits the Double Leg Wishbone! To the sound of fan adulation, Mike pops right back up and yanks on Atlas’ arm to get him standing. Van Siclen whips the masked man towards the far ropes, launching him hard enough that Sean’s back hits the cage wall. As Atlas comes back, MVS leaps in the air, sending a Spinning Wheelkick directly at him...!

 

But Sean evades it! He slides down onto the canvas, letting the leg fly over his head. He quickly hops back up, sliding his arms behind Mike’s to lock him in a Full Nelson, then slides his feet in front of him to set up the Forward Russian Leg Sweep... But struggles as he forces it! Van Siclen fights it off, prying Sean’s left arm loose! Yet the quick-witted Atlas grabs it once again in a Chickenwing, then lifts Mike’s body up in the air...

 

And hits the Tequila Sunrise Suplex!

 

 

“Atlas continues to control the match here in the early going, but Van Siclen’s persistence doesn’t waiver” states Grand Slam.

 

“Sooner or later, Mike will have to give up.” Riley replies. “Atlas has always had the upper hand over him, why should now be any different?”

 

 

Sean is up first, clearly behind the wheel as he forces the Spectacle to rise to his feet. Then, amidst a sustained round of jeers and crowd anticipation...

 

*SMACK*

 

...Chop to the chest by Sean Atlas!

 

*SMACK*

 

Another one follows, sending Mike reeling!!

 

*SMACK*

 

A third now, forcing Van Siclen closer to the ropes and cage wall.

 

*SMACK*

 

A fourth and final knife edge chop powers Mike into the ropes, where Sean takes his hand and pushes him against the ropes and steel barrier, then takes a step back and tugs on the arm, sending him running... But no! Atlas holds on, and Van Siclen snaps back to Atlas! Sean throws his arms around MVS, preparing to hit a Bell-t-Belly Suplex – directly into the cage wall! Atlas lifts...

 

But Mike’s foot clings to the back of Sean’s leg! Atlas prepares to try it once more, but realizing the futility of it, he moves away. Instead, Atlas quickly grabs both of MVS’ hands, then snaps him around as he maneuver’s Van Siclen under his own arm, setting him up for a Straightjacket Suplex! Atlas hauls the Spectacle off his feet...

 

And takes him over his head, but no further as Van Siclen shifts his weight back down! Landing flat on the mat with his boots, MVS rapidly ducks down to spin out of the grip of his own two arms, then uses the momentum to twist Sean Atlas around, wrapping the masked man’s arms around his own head... And as the applause for Van Siclen grows louder, he falls to the mat, bringing Sean Atlas down with him for a Crossface Halo!

 

 

“What a reversal!” bellows Mark Stevens. “Mike Van Siclen fought his way out of the Straightjacket, then in one fluid motion turned it into a Crossface Halo and brought Atlas down to the canvas!”

 

“Mike seems to have interrupted Sean’s strategy of attacking the back and neck, though it’s not all that clear what Mike is trying to do now either.” Says the color[ful] man.

 

“At this point,” Grand Slam replies. “I think MVS is just trying to get control of this match, Riley.”

 

 

Siclen gets himself off the mat, just in time to greet a doubled-over Sean Atlas. Mike immediately latches onto his neck, putting the masked menace into a front face lock. Fluidly, MVS grabs Sean’s pants at the waist and lifts, then snaps him back down with a Snap Suplex. Rolling over, onto his chest, Mike brings Atlas along with him, but doesn’t stand up, keeping the front head lock on...

 

 

“And now a neck submission from MVS...” says Stevens. “Good flow of maneuvers from the Suplex.”

 

He tightens the hold and puts more pressure on the head and neck, seemingly converting the suplex into a Front Face Hold... Atlas awkwardly waves his arms, trying to pry Van Siclen off, just as referee Eddy Long kneels down to him... The fans quickly realize that they’re witnessing a submission and start to get behind MVS, cheering him on as he applies more pressure...

 

But Sean Atlas presses on... He brings his hands near his chest and almost like a pushup, elevated his body above the surface of the mat, forcing Van Siclen to compromise the hold... MVS stands up with him, trying to keep at least a decent grip on the neck, but has little luck as Sean strikes him in the gut with a boot... Another kick and Mike’s grip breaks loose!

 

Atlas instantly takes Mike’s hand and whips him to the ropes. Once again, the steel construction shakes a bit as MVS’ back makes contact with it. He makes his way back to Sean, who stands to the side, ready to use a Superkick... But the Spectacle stops short and holds on to the leg!! As Atlas hobbles around with only half of hit feet available to him, Mike teases using a Dragon Screw legwhip, but doesn’t get it off in time as Sean jumps and flips back, using Mike’s own body as a step...

 

 

“Watch out, it’s the cruise kick!” yells Riley...

 

 

!*SLAM*!

 

 

“No, it’s not!!!” screams an animated Mark Stevens as Van Siclen stops Sean from making the full rotation, latches on to his head and brings it down in a sitout Mat Slam! “Great reflexes by the Spectacle!”

 

“He took Sean right out of the air with that X-Factor-like move...” Riley notes, “countering yet another of Sean’s moves.”

 

 

Though the opportunity for another face lock is right there in front of him, Van Siclen chooses instead to lift Atlas to his feet and drag him into the corner, using several forearms along the way. Leaning in as he takes the hand, Mike steps back and launches Atlas across the ring. Sean rams into the opposite corner with his back, hitting that set of turnbuckle pads. Mike was running right behind him however, and moments after Sean’s impact, MVS adds more to it with a clothesline!

 

Lowering his shoulder, Van Siclen grabs onto the middle rope on either side of Atlas and yanks on both, ramming the gut of the masked man! He pulls out... and thrusts his shoulder in again! Moves away... and tugs on the ropes a third time to crush Atlas midsection! He pulls out, seemingly finished... but he jerks on the ropes and propels himself into the gut of Atlas yet again!

 

 

“He just won’t let up, will he?” Riley complains. “What does humping Sean’s gut with your shoulder have to do with anything?”

 

“It has to do with that fact that Atlas did the same to Mike in their first encounter, and apparently, MVS learned a thing or two from that match” Stevens answers. “Now please, don’t mix business with pleasure and start talking about humping.”

 

 

Finally finished with the shoulder thrusts, MVS steps out of the corner, turning around to confidently wave his arms to the crowd. Arousing applause, MVS turns back to Atlas, but sees the masked man stepping away from the corner. Refusing to fall victim to Sean Atlas now, the Spectacle charges at the ropes adjacent to Atlas, leaves his feet to jump on the middle one and jumps, thrusting his legs forward to hit a Springboard dropkick!

 

Atlas stumbles off to the side, where normally he would be knocked off the apron. But having been inside the ring and aside from that, inside a cage, he hits the ropes instead and ricochets off, staggering back to where MVS landed. A sudden kick to the midsection however causes him to double over immediately, and MVS hooks the neck, setting up a DDT...!

 

But instead, comes around with his other elbow, driving it into the upper back of Sean Atlas to hit the CODE RED! The Calgary fans release a round of cheers as a grounded MVS takes Sean’s arm and clasps it with his legs, then reaches around Sean’s head and clinches his hands together, locking on a grounded Armbar Crossface!!!

 

 

“Mike Van Siclen sets up the Crossface, finally locking in a major submission move!” Stevens excitedly shouts. “There are no rope breaks here, so despite the position, Sean atlas is definitely in trouble!”

 

“Mike’s been working that neck more and more... is this what he was building to?” Riley questions. “We haven’t seen him use this before... are there more tricks up those sleeves?”

 

“He may not need any if this hold does the job!”

 

 

Referee Eddy Long comes down, anticipating the submission... He hears no sign of Atlas quitting, only grunts of misery coming from behind Atlas’ mask... Mike meanwhile, shakes his head back and fourth, urging Atlas to quit and putting more pressure on the submission hold... The fans remain in support of the Spectacle, applauding him for his continued efforts...

 

Sean maintains his resilience though, refusing to tap or verbalize himself quitting... He shifts his body over just a bit, reaching for the bottom rope despite its relative uselessness... He latches on to it, then pushes up, trying to turn himself onto his back to escape the hold... But it’s of no use as his right arm remains locked between the legs of the Spectacular One...

 

 

“He’s running out of options.” says Stevens. “That hold is taking a serious toll on his neck and hand, Riley.”

 

“It can’t be over this soon. That’s not the Sean Atlas we all know and love.” Riley replies.

 

“Maybe you love him, fruit loop, but look at these fans! Every one of them is behind Mike Van Siclen!”

 

 

The one free arm of Sean Atlas’ continues to flail wildly as he gives up on using the rope for leverage... Instead, he tries reaching around his back to knock MVS off... But he can’t reach far enough. He tries to roll the opposite way, reaching under his own body to loosen Van Siclen’s grip... Again, no dice. He grabs onto Mike’s hands in an attempt to try them off his face... But his mask begins to move along with them, quickly putting an end to that idea...

 

Eddy Long continues to pester him, asking for the two simple words or at least a tap of the mat... Sean replies with nothing more than louder cries of agony, feeling his neck and arm being bent beyond their limits... In a last ditch effort, he presses his palm down against the canvas, pushing himself up and using Mike’s own efforts against him to elevate his body... It seemingly works as Sean’s chest comes off the mat, then his torso, and then his legs, giving him enough room to up a knee down and duck...

 

And escape the hold!!!

 

 

“He’s out!” Riley exclaims. “Sean escapes the Crappler Crossface!”

 

“Sure, fear it when it puts your boy in danger,” Stevens says “But when it doesn’t work, you mock it.”

 

“Quiet, bat-boy. Atlas is fighting back!” The color man’s claims are a bit exaggerated though, as Atlas doesn’t fight back so much as defend himself from Siclen’s forearms.

 

Mike stands him up and forced him all the way up against the ropes, then whips him off to the other side. Bouncing off, Sean heads back towards Mike who stands, waiting for the masked man’s approach... But Atlas slides down on the mat, slithering in between Van Siclen’s legs with a baseball slide. He quickly tries t grab MVS around the waist for a Belly-to-Back suplex, but before he gets a solid grip, Siclen whirls around, raising his leg high in the air for a Spinning Wheel Kick!

 

 

“Quick reflexes by Van Siclen!” notes Mark Stevens. “He’s sure got his wits about him thus far.”

 

“Unlike my esteemed colleague here, who failed to notice that Mike set himself up for Atlas to slide underneath him, taking quite a risk” Riley retorts.

 

 

Sean staggers back, using the ropes to prevent a fall to the mat. He slightly recoils off them, however while Mike dashes towards him and grabs him by the head with both hands.... then SLAMS his head down onto the mat with a Two Handed Facebuster! Working quickly, MVS gets Sean standing and kicks him in the gut to keep him doubled over. Running to the ropes, the Spectacle launches himself off them and heads for Atlas’ neck in a Swinging Neckbreaker attempt...!!

 

But Sean evades him! Mike’s body comes crashing down on its own at Atlas’ feet, who suddenly gets the opportunity to go on the offensive. He rolls MVS flat on his chest, keeping him grounded in the process. Then, standing by his feet with his back close to the ropes, Sean wraps his arms around the Spectacle’s waist and clenches them together, and lifts him off the canvas....

 

 

SENDING HIM INTO THE WALL OF THE CAGE WITH A WHEELBARROW SUPLEX!!!!!

 

 

“Brutal Suplex from Sean Atlas!!” Stevens screams. “That came completely out of nowhere!”

 

“I think Mike just got far too overconfident with that Swinging Neckbreaker,” Riley suggests. “Thinking that Sean wouldn’t move at all until he came back.”

 

“And he suffers for it as Atlas tosses him into the cage, using it well for what was seemingly the first time in this match.”

 

 

As Mike Van Siclen’s body collapses to the mat, Atlas capitalizes on his newfound advantage and peels him off the canvas. Taking him by the hand, Sean maneuvers his arm between his legs, then hooks the other arm, setting up a pumphandle. He tugs on the lower and pushes on the upper one to lifts Mike off his feet, over his head and falls back, slamming the Spectacle down onto the canvas!

 

With the hand still in his clutches, Sean gets himself and drags Mike to his feet as well. He takes a step back and whips him towards the near side... but rather than let go, Sean holds on and forces Van Siclen to snap right back to him. Spreading his arms wide to catch the Spectacular One, Atlas wraps them around Mike’s body and hooks them together, then pops his hips...

 

 

And hits a Belly-to-Belly suplex!

 

 

“Atlas’ advantage is growing here, midway through the bout as he takes it to Mike Van Siclen” notes Grand Slam.

 

“Damn right it’s growing.” Riley says. “He’s beaten Mike twice before, so this is nothing new.”

 

“But he’s never beaten him directly!” Says a fervent Mark Stevens. “A Tag match, yeah. A Triple Threat, sure. But one on one, he’s never defeated The Spectacle.”

 

 

Forcing himself to stand up, Sean comes to his feet first and slowly drags Mike to his feet. He walks him over into the corner, placing him back first against the turnbuckle pads. Then, grabbing him by the arm once more, Atlas backs up a few steps, whips the arm and launches MVS towards the other corner, pushing on his back to force him to leave his feet and crash into the cage...!!!

 

But Van Siclen lands on the second rope!! Clutching the chain linked wall of the cage, he gets his balance and pulls himself higher onto the top rope. Then, amidst the crowd cheers and camera flashes, Siclen springs off the top rope and flips back, heading right for the slowly-evading body of Sean Atlas....

 

LANDING ATOP HIM WITH A MOONSAULT!

 

 

“Mike Van Siclen retaliates, pulling out a Moonsault much to Atlas’ surprise!” excitedly yells Mark Stevens.

 

“But it didn’t catch all of Atlas.” Riley notes. “Sean was backing up just as Van Siclen collided with him, avoiding the brunt of the impact.

 

“But with all these impact moves, neither man has been able to set up a submission hold, outside of the Crossface by Van Siclen.”

 

 

At any rate, both men rolls away from one another and come to their knees, then to their feet... then in direct eyesight of one another! Atlas charges first, going for a lariat, and runs directly into an Arm Drag from Siclen! As Sean stands up, Mike runs towards him with the same intentions... but falls victim to an Arm Drag from Atlas! Both men stand and sprint towards each other, but this time both grab the other’s hand. They each turn to wrap an arm around their opponent’s head, trapping the neck inside the crook of the elbow.......

 

And they fall to the mat, slamming each other into the canvas with twin Arm Trap Shoulder Neckbreakers!!

 

 

“It’s coincidence city here in Calgary as Sean Atlas and Mike Van Siclen each use the same move at the same time!” Riley announces.

 

“Though it’s really the same maneuver, Atlas calls that the Immaculate Neckbreaker while MVS dubbed with the Blackjack Neckbreaker.” claims Grand Slam. “Judging from their reactions, it seems Mike took the better of that fall. He’s already on his way to standing while Sean still reels from the impact, further compounded by the earlier Crossface.”

 

 

Shaking off the impact of the sudden double Neckbreaker, Mike rises to his feet, slower than the last time they each stood up, but still faster than Atlas. He moves on the offensive, taking Sean’s hand and whipping him to the ropes. Atlas reaches the rubber-covered steel and bounces off, once again tipping the metal cage behind him. He returns to Mike and is still a bit too discombobulated to avoid being lifted, tilt-a-whirled around MVS, and lifted onto his shoulders for the DISCORDIAL POWERBOMB.......!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

!*SLAM*!

 

 

BUT REVERSES IT INTO A DDT!!!!!

 

 

“Did I just see what I think I saw???” Asks an animated Riley.

 

“I think so!” Stevens replies. “If what you saw was Atlas seemingly converting Mike’s Powerbomb attempt into a DDT Of his own, then yes, that’s what it was!”

 

“What quick reflexes! What adaptation! Sean Atlas truly is the man.” Riley exclaims.

 

“Yeah...” Mark concurs. “And a bigger man than you’ll ever be.”

 

 

Atlas rolls away, shaking off the impact of the DDT, which hurt him nearly as much as it did Siclen. He slaws his way down to the ropes, which he uses for leverage to stand up. Mike meanwhile chooses the lay-still-and-rest option and regains his energy as Atlas slowly approaches him. That option turns out to be the worst one though, as Atlas steps over him, faces his feet and lifts his legs up, pulling them back to trap Van Siclen in a Boston Crab!!!

 

 

“Boston Crab!” yells Riley. “Atlas has Mike locked in a Boston Crab!”

 

“But what kind of strategy is that?” Grand Slam asks. “Atlas hasn’t show consistency at all thus far, changing his area off attack every time MVS defends himself.”

 

“I’m not sure, but this time, he seems to be attacking the back and legs.” Riley replies. “Perhaps he’s not setting up for the Katahajime Choke after all...”

 

 

Sean pulls back, keeping a tight grip on the legs of the Spectacular One... Referee Eddy Long dives down to Mike’s face, waiting for a sign of submission... Mike shakes his head, refusing to give up as he tries to figure out a way to escape the hold... He claws around in front of him, past the referee, trying to get to the ropes and use them for leverage... They aren’t quite that near though, and he searches for other ways...

 

Above him, Atlas fights to keep the pressure on... He steps further back to get a better angle on the body of Van Siclen, applying more force and more torque to the hold... Doing so prevents MVS from lifting his chest up just as Atlas did to escape from Mike’s submission holds earlier... However, shifting closer to the upper body of the Spectacular one proves to be an error in judgment and his feet are soon taken hold of by Van Siclen!

 

 

“He’s getting out of it” yells Stevens. “He’s trying to take Atlas’ feet out from under him!”

 

 

Mike is doing exactly that as he awkwardly reaches back to grab hold of both of Sean’s boots. He pushes them forward (backward to Sean) but that doesn’t quite help as much. Then, with one final surge of power, MVS kicks his legs out, pulling Atlas upper body in one direction just as he pushes on the feet, pulling his lower body in another!

 

Sean Atlas collapses facemask first onto the mat, laying amidst the legs of Van Siclen. Mike, meanwhile, still holding one of Sean’s feet, slithers out form under him, feeling the pain in his back caused by the hold. Quickly, he sits up on his knees, just as Atlas starts trying to crawl away. MVS pulls back on the leg, places it in the crook of the other while stepping over it with his shin as he leans forward, then reaches around Atlas head and struggles to lock his hands together, setting up the Step Over Crossface!

 

 

“STF!!!!” Yells an excited Mark Stevens. “Mike Van Siclen reverses the Boston Crab into an STF, as both men pour on the submission holds!”

 

“Now I see it!” Riley claims. “Mike is attacking both the legs an neck, working the extremes of Sean’s body. He’s missing one key point, however.”

 

“And what would that be, Riley.” Stevens asks with a smirk on his face. “Which extreme appendage is Siclen not focusing on that you have so much interest in?”

 

“Why do you give me attitude, Mark, why?”

 

 

Just like during the Crossface earlier, Mike shakes his head to and fro as he applies more pressure to the neck of Sean Atlas... He drags the head close and closer, putting Sean’s neck in an even more awkward angle... He leans in to get a tighter grip, just as the referee comes around to Sean’s face, awaiting a sign of submission...

 

Atlas doesn’t give in though... He ignores Eddy Long’s presence and simply yells in reply, trying to slide out from the hold somehow. Having both hands free is certainly helpful, but as he tries to force Mike’s hands of, his mask starts to slide again and he chooses not to continue with that plan...

 

Instead, he slides his wrists in between his head and Mike’s arms, pushing or pulling, depending on the perspective, him forward.... Against the noise of the crowd and the pain on his head, neck, back and leg, somehow, someway, Atlas manages to force Mike’s arms off his head, falling forward onto the canvas!

 

 

“And now Atlas escaped A submission hold, though he remains vulnerable!” says Grand Slam.

 

“Depending on how much Mike wants to use that to his advantage, Atlas could be in really big trouble now...” Riley notes, concurringly.

 

 

MVS lets Sean’s legs go free as he sits up on his knees, coming up with a plan for what to do next. Sean’s continues efforts to escape his holds, though similar to one another, still anger him. He bends forward sliding his arms along Sean’s sides to maneuver them onto Atlas’, then pushes then under Sean’s crossing them around Atlas’ head. Standing up, Mike walks around to Sean’s front and grabs the wrists poking out from the sides of Sean Atlas.

 

He pulls the masked man off the mat, dragging him to a doubled over position and sliding Sean’s head between his legs. Then, in one swift pull, Mike flips Atlas onto his shoulder, as if for a Canadian Backbreaker, inciting much too much excitement from the arena crowd....

 

 

“That’s the Riot Act II!” yells Stevens. “Van Siclen’s old finisher!”

 

“No... Not now, that’s not possible...” A concerned Riley says.

 

 

But there isn’t much to be concerned about as Sean slithers his way out of the position, landing on his feet behind Van Siclen...

 

 

*OOHHHHH*

 

 

The crowd reaction says it all as MVS doubles over, crotch in pain after the back-toback low blow from Sean Atlas, who kicked him in the loins after escaping. The “Ooohhhs” turn into boos as Atlas urns Mike around, places him in a standing head scissors and lifts him up, getting MVS onto his shoulders for a Powerbomb!!!

 

 

“And the tables have turned here in Caged Fury as Atlas now has Mike in the Powerbomb position!” says Riley.

 

“This could spell the end for Van Siclen...” worries Grand Slam.

 

But his worrying is futile once Van Siclen pulls himself back, trying to rana out of the hold. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get too far and is stuck upside down, his legs over Atlas shoulders... Sean desperately tries to bring him back up for the Powerbomb, hoping to use it against Mike to finish him off. He can’t quite do it though and instead, looks to an alternative.

 

He steps over one of Mike’s arms with his right leg and over the other with his left. Quickly the fans begin to recognize what’s coming, but Mike doesn’t see it quickly enough and he feels his body twist, fall, and...

 

 

!!*CRASH*!!

 

 

...ONTO THE CANVAS AS ATLAS HITS THE RIOT ACT!!!!!!!

 

 

“RIOT ACT!” yells Mark Stevens. “SEAN ATLAS USED THE SPECTACLE’S OWN FINISHER AGAINST HIM!!!

 

“AND MAY THE ATHEIST GOD BLESS HIM FOR IT!”

 

 

But seeing as how this is a submission match, impact moves can only do so much to help one win. Thus, Sean bends down and bends one of Mike’s limp legs into the crook of the knee of the other. He then bends the second limp led and pulls it up, keeping the first leg steady as he slides MVS’ foot under his shoulder and hoosk both of his arms around the bent leg, locking on something that the SWF hasn’t seen in quite a long time....

 

 

“THE TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!!?” Mark yells.

 

“YES!” exclaims Bobby. “The man who once looked like Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre has placed Mike Van Siclen in the Texas Cloverleaf, rounding out his Lonestar State references!”

 

“Could this be the end for Van Siclen? Could this finish him off here as Atlas tugs away in a seemingly impossible move to escape?”

 

 

Referee Eddy Long approaches Mike, asking is he prefers to quit now, or when he loses the feeling in his lower extremities... As usual, he is utterly ignored and replied to with nothing but agonizing grunts... MVS’ back and legs send his spine-tingling pain receptors to the extreme as Sean pulls as hard as his own body allows... His feet no far enough away to prevent reaching from MVS, he seems to be secure...

 

Van Siclen looks around for a way out... He searches high and low for a way to escape the Submission hold... Finding nothing however, he tries to reach back to grab Sean Atlas in any way possible.... Pulling him closer, pushing him away or just grabbing him does nothing to aid in his quest to escape the Texas Cloverleaf, though and quickly, Van Siclen begins to lose hope....

 

His arms stop their consistent motion... His head stopped turning a while ago... He now shows less resistance as he fades away, eyes closed from lack of consciousness rather than the presence of pain... Not knowing what else to do, eddy Long takes on of his arm and raises it as high as Mike’s anatomy allows...

 

 

It drops.

 

 

 

“ONE!”

 

 

 

He does it again, raising it just as high this time....

 

 

 

 

“TWO!”

 

 

 

One more and Mike will have lost this match... Long lifts it and releases...

 

 

 

 

 

“THR...........NO!”

 

 

“IT STAYED UP!” yells Mark Stevens! “His arm did not fall, and maybe, just maybe, Mike Van Siclen still has a chance here!!

 

“How! How was he out of energy for the first to times but not for the third??” Riley wonders. “Unbelievable!”

 

 

As angry as the color man seem though, Sean Atlas is even more furious as he drops the hold, turning around to confront the referee. He approaches Eddy Long, holding up three fingers in a sign of winning the match. But Long replies with only two fingers, signifying that he didn’t. In return Sean sends back a gesture with only one finger, insulting the man in the striped shirt.

 

He turns back to Mike, who lays limply on the floor of the ring. Moving him a bit closer to one of the corners, Sean decides to try something a bit different as he lays Mike down, exposing his back to all kinds of hard impact moves. Turning around, Atlas heads for the corner, climbing the ropes one by one on his way to the top. He uses the cage for balance as he turns around, facing Van Siclen and preparing to hit one of his rare aerial moves on him...

 

But suddenly and much to everyone’s surprise, the Spectacle staggers up, stumbles to the corner and sends his arm flying high in the air, pointed right at the family jewels of the masked man who owns them! The fans reach wildly as Atlas leans forward, grabbing his crotch with one arm and holding on to the cage wall with the other. Van Siclen though, who seems to be running on nothing but adrenaline at this point, pulls him further down, laying him across his shoulders, cradling his neck and legs as he falls away from the corner...

 

 

AND HITS THE SAINT’S DEMISE ON SEAN ATLAS HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!

 

 

“THAT’S HOW SWEET REVENGE IS, MY FRIEND!” yells an overly excited Mark Stevens. “Nothing beats using your opponent’s finisher to win! NOTHING!!!”

 

“But he hasn’t won!” Riley complains. “He’s still got to make Atlas submit!”

 

“Keep watching, switch hitter.” Grand Slam replies.

 

 

Van Siclen recovers from the fall, sits up and rolls Atlas over onto his chest. Pulling his upper body back, Mike stands over the fallen masked man and places each arm on one of his knees in a camel clutch. Then, as expected by the announcers, the audience, and the many fans at home, Van Siclen once again locks his wrists in front of Sean’s face, using the third submission move involving a Crossface...

 

 

“IT’S THE CARDINAL SIN CLUTCH!” Stevens hollers. “IT’S ALL OVER FOR SEAN ATLAS!”

 

“Nooo! Not this way! Not on Pay Per View!” Riley yells.

 

“Inside a steel cage with no escape, no interference and no one but you and your opponent, Mike Van Siclen is about to triumph in front of millions!” proudly announces Mark Stevens.

 

 

And the situation in the ring reflects it as the submission hold takes its toll on Atlas, for the first time, taking away the use of his arms.... Behind the mask and Mike’s hands, he screams, yelling for someone to come and help him.... No one can though, and the only person to appear is the referee, provoking him and asking for submission...

 

Sean refuses though.... He will not tap on anything and cannot pronounce the words “I Quit”, even if he wanted to.... Instead, he simply drifts away, must like Van Siclen did moments ago, and shuts his eyes, already hardly visible behind the stained-white leather mask... Stuck in the Camel Clutch position with a Crossface hold on his head, Atlas s powerless as Eddy Long lifts his arm in the air...

 

 

 

It drops.

 

 

“ONE!”

 

 

 

He lifts it again, stretching it as high as Sean’s anatomy allows...

 

 

 

It drops again.

 

 

“TWO!”

 

 

 

“The referee lifts it up again, straight as an arrow...

 

 

AND ATLAS ESCAPES!!!

 

 

“WHAT????” asks Grand Slam. “How did he just get out of that??”

 

“Oh, what an evil genius!” Riley says. “He pretended to be unconscious so that Long would lift his arm, allowing him to escape the camel clutch and twist out of it! Fucking BRILLIANT!”

 

“But why did he wait for the third time to do it??” Stevens asks.

 

“Mind games, Mark. Mind games.” Says Riley. “He made Siclen think the match is nearly over and got everyone to believe the same. Slick, effective, and just plain wicked!”

 

 

Atlas crawls away, slithering out from under Van Siclen and recovers at the edge of the ring, leaning on the ropes. An irate Mike Van Siclen staggers up and approaches Atlas, greeting him with the sole of his shoe. He lifts Sean off the canvas and faces his back, locking his arms in a Full Nelson. Backing in towards the corner, Mike tightens his grip and plants his feet to attempt something he’s never really tried before... He pops his hips and tosses Atlas over his head as he falls, releasing him midway...

 

AND HITS THE DRAGON SUPLEX INTO THE CORNER OF THE CAGE!!!!!

 

 

“WHAT STRENGTH!” exclaims Mark. “What agility from Van Siclen!!” To be able to lift Sean Atlas up like that? Un-freakin-believale!”

 

“But what was the point of that? What is he setting up now???”

 

 

That question begins to be answered as Van Siclen comes up to Sean, seated on the top turnbuckle and holding his aching back. Mike lowers his head, inserting it under Atlas as he forces Sean to stand up on the middle rope. Then, with his arms wrapped around the masked man’s legs, Mike stands atop the bottom rope, leaning back lightly so as to force Sean forward...

 

 

“It looks like... It looks like an elevated VAN SLAMINATOR!!!!!” yells Stevens.

 

 

His guess is proven true as Van Siclen falls back further, Sean’s body doubled over, back to chest, quickly heading towards the hard and unforgiving canvas... But in mid-fall, just as Mike tips farther back on the bottom rope, Atlas slides down, grabbing MVS’s waist as he falls, letting his feet hit the ground rather than his head and pushes Mike down for a SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!!!!!

 

 

“HE REVERSES IT!” Riley screams. “SEAN TURNED THINGS AROUND IN MID-AIR, POWERBOMBING MIKE VAN SICLEN INTO THE RING!!!”

 

 

“That was supposed to be a Van Slaminator!” complains Stevens. “Mike had the match all wrapped up!!!”

 

“Well he should have used better wrapping paper!” says Riley, then smiles at the horrible pun he tried to make.

 

 

Meanwhile, Sean Atlas stands leaning on the turnbuckle pads, supporting Mike’s legs with his own. Suddenly, he lunges forward, grabbing both legs and stepping through them, planting his foot to the side. He crossed Siclen’s legs across his on leg, hooks them around with his ar, , the flips Mike over on his chest and rears back, successfully locking on the one move that he was counting on to win the match for him...

 

 

“THE SHARPSHOOTER!!!!” yells Riley. “IT’S THE SHARPSHOOTER BY SEAN ATLAS!”

 

“This has to be it for Van Siclen! There’s no more to the threshold of pain a man can stand!” states Grand Slam.

 

 

As Atlas leans back, pulling away at the legs of MVS, the horrible tortures caused by the Boston Crab and Texas Cloverleaf return to Siclen, mounting as the Sharpshooter adds more... He watches the referee climb around into the small space near the corner that he just stood in moments ago, positioned very close to him.... Long asks for submission but heads nothing but muffled screaming from the Spectacle, not looking as spectacular as he usually does...

 

Slowly, Mike tries to make his way to that corner, hopefully using the turnbuckle pads for leverage... He claws his way here and there, making ground very gradually until he forces Sean to take a step or two back... Atlas’ own ability to hold the submission is fading as he’s suffered more than he expected tonight... Thus, he can do nothing as Mike reaches the corner, propping himself up on the bottom rope...!

 

He places both hands on it, then pulls and pushes his body weight to force Sean forward, testing his stamina... His screams are drowned away by the crowd noise, so loud that even the commentators stay quiet to allow the moment to present itself... Will Van Siclen force Atlas to release the hold? Will Sean Atlas prove to have more vitality in his soul and outlast the Spectacular One?

 

 

“HE LETS GO!” yells Stevens.

 

“Who?”

 

 

 

 

 

“ATLAS!!!!!!!”

 

 

Sean Atlas drops the legs, collapsing forward while trying to catch his breath... Meanwhile, Van Siclen keeps the grip on the rope, holding it like a security blanket after it saved the match for him. Through the chain links in the very seldom used Cage in this match, Mike sees the fans beyond it cheer for him, his ability to overpower Sean Atlas and his determination to win this match....

 

But sooner than he expected, and enrages man within this cage, between these ropes and inside this ring pulls him away from the security of the corner. Sean crossed MVS’ legs at the shin level, then falls to his knees to keep them in place. Leaning forward, Atlas reaches around Mike’s head, slithering one arm around his neck and the other around his shoulder, securing them tightly enough to lock in...

 

 

“THE KATAHAJIME CHOKE!” proclaims Bobby Riley. “ATLAS’ SIGNATURE SUBMISSION WITH AN ADDED LEG HOLD!”

 

“This can’t be it.. this can’t be!” Stevens says. “It’s not just, nor is it fair or right! Mike Van Siclen deserves to win! He deserves to persevere over this wicked malice once and for all!”

 

“But that wicked malice will not allow it!” Riley insists. “And in a few short moment you’ll see who the better man of the two really is.”

 

 

Van Siclen knows this feeling all too well: A referee in his face, his legs pushed one way, and now his head pulled another way... The pain that’s been visiting his body is slowly moving in, settling down and leaving traces of long-lasting damage in his flesh and bones... His screams, those of the fans and the constant remarks from Eddy Long add up to one big aura of noise, unshakeable and unbearable...

 

Atlas screams as well as he pulls on the arm and neck, allowing the one free arm to flail wildly... Siclen tries reaching back, but can’t bend that far to get Sean’s head... He accidentally hits his own back, his head, Sean’s arm and the referee, but nothing that will help him escape this hold... Slowly but surely, the arm slows down in its movement, grows less lively and just spasms occasionally until it falls weakly to the mat...

 

The referee looks at Van Siclen’s face, watching it grow paler from the choke hold... He lifts the arm, obviously limp and weak, different from the way Sean’s arm felt earlier... He extends it high in the air, giving it plenty of room to fall where it needs to... and drops it.

 

 

 

It falls.

 

 

 

“ONE!”

 

 

 

 

 

He lifts it again...

 

 

 

 

 

 

It falls.

 

 

 

“TWO!”

 

 

 

 

 

It’s lifted a third time, and apparently the finally time in this match...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And comes back up!!!

 

 

“WHAT?” yells Stevens. “HE’S STILL IN IT!”

 

“NO! HIS ARM HIT THE MAT!” Riley claims.

 

“BUT IT’S LIVELY AND MOVING!”

 

 

Siclen once again flails the arm, spurring the crowd on for one last stand! Atlas’ eyes widen behind the mask as he tightens the hold, reacting to this strange turn of events! Mike’s arm, alive and well, shakes up and down, reaching this way and that, trying to find a way to end this pain, end this hold, and end this bloody match...!

 

 

 

 

And the lively arm finds it on the surface of the ring as it falls to the canvas...

 

 

And falls to the canvas...

 

 

And falls to the canvas...

 

 

 

And falls...

 

 

 

And falls...

 

 

 

And falls...

 

 

 

...

 

 

 

DING-DING-DING!

 

 

“Ladies and Gentleman, the winner of the Cagey Fury Match.... SSSEEEEAAAANNN AAAATTLLAAASS!!!!” announces Funyon.

 

 

“So that’s it then?” asks a sarcastic Mark Stevens. “This is what we do here, allow the antagonists to prosper? Allow the guys who cheat to earn their victories to dominate those who try with all their might to triumph?”

 

“If that’s the way the matchups are, then yes we do.” replies Riley as the ring attendants return.

 

“Keep in mind” Riley continues “that not one drop of blood was spilled in this match, despite the steel cage. Not once did anybody try to escape and reach for a weapon. Neither man scaled the walls of the steel structure to show the other up and fly from the top. This was a man-to-man, one on one Submission match confined to the wresting ring and nothing more.”

 

“Well put Riley, and when described that way, I have no right to complain about the outcome.” Says Stevens as the cage is released from the ring, providing us all with a better view of the combatants inside, nearly passed out from the twenty-plus minutes of action.

 

The camera zooms in on both wrestlers’ beaten bodies, sweaty and bruised from the brutal battle that they’ve been through. The announcers stay silent amidst the jeering, allowing the additional referees to help Sean Atlas and Mike Van Siclen out of the ring. Meanwhile, the cage rises above the squared circle and ring tech prepare it for the hardcore battle featuring Jay Dawg and Va’aiga to follow.

[Chuck Woolery 0]

As a note, Janus, I told you the chair was always in the ring.

[janusd 0]

As a note, Janus, I told you the chair was always in the ring.

Point conceded.

 

But I still think you suck.

[Chuck Woolery 0]

Can't win 'em all, I suppose. In my case, can't win more than 50% of 'em.