WWE: World Title Match

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

Here it is - you guys are welcome to edit it if you spot anything stupid I've done. Reading it back I don't feel I've done justice to the occasion, but hopefully it comes across ok.

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

COLE
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for one of the most crucial matches in OAOAST history. The Heavyweight Championship of the World is on the line, and four men each have the chance to take it home tonight. 

[size=7][b]OAOAST World Heavyweight Title: 
Dan Black vs Tony Brannigan vs Peter Knight vs Stephen Joseph [/b][/size]

CABOOSE
With the dividing lines in the OAOAST at present, one of the sides could gain a huge advantage tonight. With the title, comes the power. Three of these men are extremely familiar with each other, one is not.

COACH
That's right. Brannigan and Black have both gone many rounds with Stephen Joseph over the years, but none of those three has gone up against Peter Knight before. Now obviously Black and Brannigan will work together, but will Knight join up with them or go it alone? And has Calvin Szechstein stacked the deck too far in favour of the Originals with the inclusion of both members of Black T?

CABOOSE
The World Title is on the line. Tony Brannigan had a brief run with the gold that must have only whetted his appetite for more. Dan Black has worked and sweated for many years here in the OAOAST, and this is his first major chance at the big one. I know Tony and Dan are extremely close, but who can tell what will happen in a high pressure environment such as this? 

COLE
It's elimination rules. Two men in the ring at the same time, able to tag out to any other man. There is a strict ringside ban in place - anyone breaking that ban faces loosing their job. Calvin wants a worthy winner tonight, just as we all do. It's been trying times in the OAOAST of late, but you're about to see four men, love them or hate them, who will put it all on the line tonight for that World Title. Make no mistake about that.

The lights go out. A spotlight falls upon the centre of the ring. Into it steps legendary announcer Michael Buffer, to a warm reception. He nods appreciation, before simply delivering his trademark:

"Are you ready to RUUUUUUUUUUUUMBLEEEEEEEEEE!" 

Cue: “Simply Ravishing”

The lights flash up as the crowd rises to cheer a man who has won the public over with his gutsy performances of late. Tony Brannigan swaggers out, dressed in a shimmering gold robe, and raises his hands in a gesture of acceptance of the fans appreciation. He walks slowly down to the ring, signalling his intentions via the universal "I want the belt" hand signal across his waist. 

Cue: "Quiet" 

The expansive mood turns darker, as the "Ice Heart" Dan Black emerges. No gold here; Dan has foregone any extra attire, wearing just short trunks, one leg black, the other white, with black elbow pads and boots. The fans are rather less welcoming to Black, although he manages not to get booed from all quarters as was the case just a few months ago. Black doesn't bother to acknowledge the crowd in any case, walking straight to the ring and sliding in. He stands before Tony Brannigan and the two share a small, tight smile.

Cue: “Oh Hell Yeah!”

The crowd is all approval again as Peter Knight comes out with a huge grin on his face! Knight walks confidently to the ring with his X Title belt around his waist.

Cue: “It Ain’t Over For Me”

Stephen Joseph, self proclaimed most hated man in OAOAST history, comes out with a less than concilatory gesture - a single finger salute to all sides of the arena. Not the most subtle of messages, but the fans are inclined to scream their lungs out in abuse anyway. Smiling with utter confidence, Stephen Joseph Popick climbs up the ringsteps and into the ring to meet his opponents, now one in each corner with Earl Hebner and Buffer in the middle of the ring.

BUFFER 
The following contest is your main event of the evening, the four way elimination match for the World! Heavyweight! Championship! 

The crowd approves! 

BUFFER
Introducing first, from Hollywood, California, weighing 272lbs, he is a multi time former tag team champion and former Heavyweight Champion of the World - The one and only, the "Body", Tony BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRANIGAN!
Tony removes his robe to screams of approval from the females and more higher voiced men in the crowd, revealing simple, deep red tights with the OAOAST title belt printed around his waist.

COLE
Tony has a chance to become a 2-time champ, and with all his experience and ability, I would have to make him my favourite to win.

CABOOSE
Shockingly, that's not a bad pick at all. He has the strength and the technical ability. 

COACH
But does he have the cardio conditioning to go through three falls? 

CABOOSE
Tony's a big man and no doubt he may have spent more time on his muscles than his lungs in the past, but this year he's gotten into good shape. It'll still be a test, undoubtedly.

BUFFER
Our next competitor hails from London, England, weighing in at 241lbs, also a former multi time tag champion and a holder of numerous singles titles both in OAOAST and around the world - one of the finest technical wrestlers ever seen in the OAOAST, the British Legend, the "Ice Heart" Daaaaaaan BLLLLLLLLLAAAAAACK!

Black raises his arm briefly, before shaking hands with Tony Brannigan, pointedly ignoring the other two men. 

COACH
Mikey, you picked Brannigan as your favourite - for obvious reason, let's be honest - but what about Dan Black? He's got to be even hungrier than Brannigan, he's not had a World Title shot since 2003, when he was wrestling as Mystery Eskimo!

COLE
Maybe, but that could count against him. Although he's obviously an experienced wrestler, he hasn't been in this type of high pressured situation before.

CABOOSE
I think Black will thrive on that pressure. Ever since he ditched the Eskimo gimmick, he's been all about wanting to prove to people that his career is much more than a joke gimmick. He has a vicious edge that Brannigan perhaps doesn't. I’m going to pick Black to win.

BUFFER
Next, from Fall River, Massachusetts, weighing 265 pounds, he is the current X Division Champion of the World, Peterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr KNIGHT! 

The X Champ bobs on the spot, stretches back his huge shoulders and grins. Brannigan may be concealing nerves behind his showmanship, and Black behind his icy front, but Knight looks utterly at ease, now leaning back against the ropes.

COLE
Peter Knight is something of the wildcard of this match, as none of the other 3 are familiar with him. Like Dan Black, he's not been in the main event too often, but he doesn't have any of Black's desperation. Will that count for or against him?

CABOOSE 
Knight's big, tough and uncomplicated. He's not going to have any demons on his shoulder during this match. He can wrestle without distractions, without hatred of his opponents, and that could actually be a big advantage. 

BUFFER
And finally, from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing 225lbs, he is the self proclaimed most hated man in OAOAST history, a manipulator and a player, a multi time title holder, this is Stephen JOOOO-SEEEEPH!

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" 

SJ raises his hands high and throws back his head, revelling in the contempt of the fans. He then steps into the middle of the ring and looks each of his opponents up and down, shaking his head dismissively. 

CABOOSE
Well here's one man I can tell you definitely won't win this. His arrogance has always been in inverse proportion to his talent.

COLE
He's certainly the least ring ready of the four. And he's bound to be a target for both members of Black T. If Peter Knight gets onside with them, Stephen Joseph could be the first one out.

COACH
You may be right, but you're forgetting one thing - SJ is smart. Who else could have gotten himself into a World Title match only a few months after being back in the company? This match is going to be about more than just muscle and sweat, it's going to take strategy too. SJ can do that. He's my pick.

COLE
Well, the introductions are over, the great Buffer has left the ring. Our senior official Earl Hebner is checking each of the wrestler's over, explaining the rules - and it looks like we're going to get Dan Black and Peter Knight in the ring to start this thing.

Hebner calls for the bell as SJ and Tony Brannigan take up opposite corners. 

*DING DING* 

COACH
Here we go! The future of the OAOAST is on the line! 

Before the match starts, we cut quickly to a shot of the locker room backstage. Multiple OAOAST stars are clustered before a big screen TV to watch the match. We see Zack Malibu, the GPX, Leon Rodez amongst many others. Even Jivin’ JR is back, with a huge bucket of chicken in front of him.

Black and Knight meet in the centre of the ring, making eye contact for the briefest of seconds before thrusting their bodies forward into a firm collar and elbow tie up. Black tries to move PK back, but Knight uses his weight advantage to power Black into one of the empty corners, where Hebner calls for the break. He counts to four, and Knight slowly backs off, arms raised to emphasise the clean break. Black lets Knight move away without going for a cheap shot.

Back into the middle of the squared circle, and Black circles Knight watchfully. Knight is in a ready stance, and so when Dan comes sliding in low, trying to grab his leg, he's able to spin away to safety. Black up to one knee with a thoughtful look on his face. He rises, and they lock up again. Again, Knight starts to use his strength advantage, but Black counters this with a simple raised knee to the gut. Dan then grabs Knight's arm around and applies a wrist lock, exerting pressure as he twists the hand up. Knight is bent forward slightly, but able to start walking towards the ropes. 

Black stops him by applying pressure to the back of Knight's left knee with his boot, forcing him down to one knee, from where Dan drops the wrist lock and wraps on a side headlock with fingers firmly locked together.

COLE
Simple holds being used by Dan Black to start things off. 

CABOOSE
I think a slow start is to be expected - none of these four want to burn out in the opening ten minutes. Stamina is going to be key factor here. Black using an ordinary headlock is smart; it’s the kind of hold that can wear down an opponent.

Knight, still on one knee, starts to push himself into an upright position, and then tries to push Black off to the ropes, but Dan's hold is vice like, and despite a couple of forced steps he remains in control. Knight tries again, but Black won't let go. Knight tries a different tactic, and, putting his arms around Dan's waist, lifts him high up and hits him with a belly to back suplex! 

Knight tries to get up, but Black still has the headlock applied! With both men on their back, Dan suddenly rolls over onto Knight's chest, hooking his own leg under Knight's and pulling them up into a pin attempt!

ONE!


TWO!

Knight kicks out strongly and Dan rolls away from him. Knight back up to one knee, and Black is on him with the headlock again! The crowd is split on this, half approving of Dan's tenacious tactics, the other half wanting things to kick into a higher gear. 

This time Knight reacts quickly, and is able to shove Black off to the ropes. He rebounds and ducks Knight's thrown lariat, swinging behind and grabbing a waistlock, before dropping his arms down around Knight's knees and flipping his legs out from under him, landing Knight face down on the mat. Dan scoots up the big man and locks on another side headlock!

Knight slams the mat in frustration as he strains against the hold. 

COLE
Peter Knight starting to become a little annoyed, perhaps, at Dan Black's approach here. Knight likes to hit the power moves, not struggle against headlocks.

CABOOSE
Knight might want to tag out here and regroup somewhat. I'd like to see him tag Tony Brannigan in, see how Black T is going to play this.

Knight is fighting up to his feet again, but before he can fight back Dan just drops the hold and drives an elbow into his gut, followed by a stinging European uppercut. Black then uses a snapmare takeover to flip Knight to the mat in a sitting position. Dan fires a hard kick between his shoulder blades, followed by another. Half the arena winces as the sounds of boot on spine. Dan smoothes back his hair and delivers a third stiff kick, then applies a headlock!

This seems like the final straw for Knight. Adrenaline flowing from the pain of the kicks, he rises to his feet and just shoves Black off and away. Dan goes flying to the ropes where Tony Brannigan has to leap away to avoid a collision. Black turns, as Knight charges in and sends him over the top rope to the floor with a clothesline!

The crowd yells its approval as Knight climbs over the top rope and lands next to Dan, grabbing him up and sending him straight back down again with a hard forearm strike to the jaw. Tony Brannigan is about to drop down from the apron, but Hebner grabs his arm, telling him to stay out of it. With Hebner distracted, Black takes advantage by poking Knight straight in the eye as PK raises the Ice Heart to his feet.

The fans let Black know what they think of this, but he pays no heed and instead just whips Knight into the side of the ring, before lighting him up with a pectoral splitting knife edge chop that echoes through the arena.

"Woooooo!" 

Black rocks back, ready to deliver another chop...but as he flings his hand towards Knight he suddenly stops...and uses the arm to put on a headlock! Black grins as the crowd boos. Hebner has now reached the limit of his patience and starts to count both men out. Black allows him to reach seven before rolling Knight back into the ring and following.

Black and Knight rise at the same time and Knight clocks Black with a closed hand punch that Hebner warns him about. Black staggers away but is ready with a hard chop as Knight tries to reel him in. Dan tries to whip Knight to the ropes, but the bigger man reverses it. Black rebounds at speed and Knight just ducks down and flips Black high up and over with a back drop. Dan bounces off the canvas and scrambles up, clutching his back. He runs in at PK, who meets him with a lariat that floors the Ice Heart. PK covers but Black shoves him off at the count of one and rolls away to Tony Brannigan's corner, where Brannigan gives him a few words of advice.

COLE
Peter Knight starting to disrupt Black's careful approach, and Black looking to his friend and tag partner Tony Brannigan for guidance.

CABOOSE
I wonder if Black might consider tagging Brannigan in here - Tony is more able to match power with Knight. If Black T operate as a tag team in this match, things are going to be pretty tough for Knight and Popick.

Dan doesn't tag Tony however, instead circling around the ring, eyes fixed on Knight. As Black passes Stephen Joseph's corner, however, he turns and SLAPS SJP hard across the face! SJ comes into the ring furiously, but Dan backs off behind Earl Hebner, telling the official that it was just an overenthusiastic tag. 

Black grins his way to the apron as the crowd starts up a chant informing Stephen Joseph that he got bitch slapped!

SJ is still arguing with Hebner when Peter Knight grabs him and shuts his mouth with a forearm shot and a knee to the gut. Knight grabs SJ in a front facelock and tries for a suplex, but SJ stomps his foot twice, shrugs off his hold and whips PK into a vacant corner. Stephen Joseph follows him in and connects with a corner clothesline, then whips Knight all the way across the ring to the other empty corner. SJ again charges in, but Knight gets a boot up. SJ staggers away, and Knight comes after him, locking on a waistlock. He tries for a German suplex, but Stephen Joseph gets his foot behind PK’s own to block it. 

Knight drops the waistlock and fires hard forearm shots into the upper back of Popick. PK grabs a hold of SJ across the shoulders and sweeps his legs out, driving him down hard to the mat with a side Russian legsweep. Knight goes to grapevine Popick’s legs, but he kicks him away.

COACH
Knight going for that Ace in the Hole submission hold. That could eliminate any of his opponents.

COLE
Well, all the men in this match have potent finishing maneuvers. They’re all on guard against making a mistake and falling victim to one in these opening exchanges.

Both men up, and SJ gets the first blow in, stunning Knight and allowing him to torque on a wristlock. Knight quickly counters however, showing his agility by executing a forwards roll to weaken Popick’s grip and then countering to an arm bar of his own. Knight shakes the arm sharply, snapping the joint and causing Popick to grimace in pain.

Knight brings Popick over to Tony Brannigan’s corner, where the former World Champion tags himself in on Knight’s shoulder. In the four seconds Hebner allows Knight to remain, Brannigan fires a series of hard punches into Popick’s exposed arm.

Brannigan then takes over on the armbar, but Popick quickly grabs the ropes before he can be drawn back into the ring. Hebner counts the break, and as Brannigan lets go Stephen Joseph gets in a cheap shot. The crowd boos as Popick slugs Brannigan down to a kneeling position, then runs the ropes and connects with a knee to the side of Tony’s head that sends him down to the mat. SJ takes a moment to pose, which proves to be a mistake as Brannigan quickly pulls himself back up, shaking his head clear.

Popick turns back to Brannigan, who greats him with a hard scoop slam, followed by an elbow drop right to the sternum. Tony brings SJ up, grabs him around the waist and picks him up, before driving him across the ring hard into the turnbuckles. Brannigan spins SJ around and delivers a headbutt into the small of his back, before hitting a textbook belly to back suplex. Tony doesn’t go for a pin, however, instead grabbing Stephen Joseph’s legs and turning him right over into a Boston Crab!

CABOOSE
Brannigan wasting no time in targeting the back of Popick. His Out of Body Experience spinebuster will be even more potent on a weakened back.

Hebner asks Popick if he wants to quit, and gets told “no” in strong language. He crawls forward and grabs the bottom ropes. Tony makes the break, but is right back after SJ, whipping him to the ropes – but Brannigan telegraphs a back drop attempt, and SJ kicks him hard in the chest as he’s bent over. Popick kicks him again, and then tries for a DDT, but Tony resists, and counters into a Northern Lites suplex!

ONE!

TWO!

SJ kicks out. Brannigan up first and draws SJ to his feet, bringing Popick over to Black’s corner, where he tags the Ice Heart. Black in with a European uppercut, and whips SJ to the ropes. Dan tries to spin SJ over into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but Popick slips out and lands on his feet. Black tries a chop but Popick ducks under it and runs the ropes, coming back at Black but just getting an armdrag from the Englishman that sends him sliding across the ring. Popick up and chops Black hard! Dan returns the favour, and the two exchange stiff knife edge blows until Black steps to one side to evade a chop and tries to drag the arm down into the Heart of Ice crosssface!

Popick goes down to one knee but Dan can’t force it further. Black instead lifts Stephen Joseph up and applies a full nelson, looking for a Dragon suplex, but SJ quickly raises and grabs his own leg, pulling down to break Black’s grip. SJ then throws a back elbow, and snaps Dan down to the mat with a simple neckbreaker. Stephen Joseph grabs Black up with a handful of hair and locks of a front facelock. He hoists Dan high into the air and drops him down hard with a brainbuster!
SJ floats over into the cover:

ONE!


TWO!

Black kicks out. SJ rolls Dan up to his feet and clocks him with a European uppercut, Black’s own strike of choice. SJ with a snapmare takeover and quickly dropkicks Dan in the back of the head while he’s in a seated position. Black starts to roll over to Tony Brannigan’s corner, but Popick cuts him off, pulling him back and up in the middle of the ring. 

SJ with another Euro uppercut attempt, but Black raises his arm to block it and hooks SJ’s arm around into a hammerlock! Black then throws a couple of raised knee strikes into Popick’s back, spins him around and body slams him with the arm still locked behind SJ!

COLE
Stephen Joseph’s use of the European uppercut cost him the advantage there. He needs to concentrate on his own game, not taunt Black by using his moves. 

COACH
It’s all part of his mind games, Cole. I don’t think he’ll mind getting caught at all.

Black brings SJ to his feet and tags in Tony Brannigan. Black T whip Popick to the ropes and knock him down hard with a double shoulder block. Brannigan lands a leg drop across the throat of their hated rival, while Black drops an elbow to the sternum. As Hebner gets Black out of the ring, Brannigan rolls SJ up and applies a standing headscissors, looking for a piledriver, but its too early and Popick has the energy to grab Brannigan’s legs, blocking the move.

Tony instead whips SJ to the ropes and catches him in a sweetly executed powerslam into cover:

ONE!

TWO!

Kick out!
Brannigan brings Popick up and staggers him with a hard right hand, then wraps his arms around SJ’s midsection and lifts him up and over, slamming him into the mat with a gut wrench suplex. Brannigan grabs Popick up once more and tags back to Dan Black.

COLE
Black and Brannigan really are starting to operate like a tag team now, working together so neither has to spend too long in the ring.

CABOOSE
Its the obvious tactic. They stay warm and loose while Peter Knight cools on the outside.

Brannigan hooks Popick’s arms back, allowing Black to kick him in the gut before whipping him into the corner. Dan runs in with a jumping forearm strike, and then lifts Popick into a sitting position on the top rope. Black runs around to the other side of the ring, and then sprints in at Stephen Joseph, leaping up athletically and delivering a jumping European uppercut to SJ! 

His head snaps back with the force of the blow, and Dan climbs up after him, standing on the 2nd rope, grabbing a front face lock and executing a superplex all the way down to the mat!
Popick shouts in pain, arching his back in reflex against the hard impact on the canvas. Black rolls over into a cover:

ONE!


TWO!

TH- SJ kicks out and sits up, a determined look on his face. Black grabs him by the neck and both men get to their feet. Dan with a couple of chops, and then hoists Stephen Joseph onto his shoulders, perhaps looking for a Death Valley Driver, but SJ fights out of his grip and falls to the mat behind Black.

SJ slugs Dan in the back of the neck with a forearm, before quickly wrapping his arm around Black’s neck and snapping him hard to the mat with a reverse DDT. Popick decides against a cover, getting to his feet and moving slowly over to Peter Knight’s corner…but then changes his mind, and runs to the opposite corner, slapping Tony Brannigan on the shoulder and tagging him in! Before Tony can react, Popick has ducked out of the ring. Earl Hebner orders Tony into the ring. Dan Black is up on his feet, and seeing Brannigan tagged in, turns to make his own tag out to Peter Knight, but Knight drops off the apron, shaking his head.

COLE
Looks like Knight has had enough of Black T working together too! He wants them to go at it!

CABOOSE
Of course he does. At the moment, Dan and Tony are only dealing with two opponents each rather than three.

Hebner yells again at Tony to get in the ring, and he obeys slowly. The crowd starts up a rhythmic clapping, urging Black T to go at it, a never before seen sight in an OAOAST ring.

Dan and Tony meet in the middle of the ring and exchange a few words and smiles, before backing off and starting to circle each other.

COACH
They’re actually going to compete against each other?

CABOOSE
Well, both men are proud athletes. I can’t believe that deep down there isn’t a part of both men that would love to prove who the better man in Black T is.

The two long time friends lock up, arms and legs straining for an advantage. Brannigan, the taller and stronger man, leans down on Black, pushing him back into Peter Knight’s corner. Knight is still watching from the floor, so there’s no easy tag out for either man. Hebner counts the break, and its clean, unsurprisingly.
Another lock up, and this time Dan Black pushes Brannigan into the opposite corner for another clean break.

COLE
Seems like something of a stalemate here. Popick and Knight won’t get into position to tag in, but Black and Brannigan don’t look like they’re going to inflict any damage on each other.

A third lock up, and this time Black switches out of it into a waistlock on Brannigan. Tony counters to his own, which Black breaks and moves into a hammerlock on the former Champ. Brannigan throws a weak looking back elbow to break it, and tries to whip Black to the ropes. Dan reverses, but Brannigan reverses again to send Dan to the cables at high speed. Black comes back like a rocket, and Brannigan steps aside at the last minute, only for Black to dive out over the top rope, crashing into Stephen Joseph on the floor! Black crushes Popick into the guard rail, and both men hit the floor hard.

The crowd yells its approval, along with Tony Brannigan, who then rolls out of the ring and grabs Stephen Joseph up and whips him hard into the steel ring steps!
Brannigan then helps Dan up. Peter Knight comes around, stomping on SJ on his way, and gets in Brannigan’s face.

“Afraid to fight one on one?” Knight asks loudly, to which Brannigan rests Black back on the guard rail and slugs him right in the jaw! Knight fires back, and the two big men exchange a series of bone breaking blows on the outside. Knight gets the advantage and goes to slam Tony’s head into the ring post, but Brannigan raises a boot against it to block it. 

Black picks himself back up and goes to help Tony, but Stephen Joseph is up and tackles him to the ground, throwing punches at his head.
Earl Hebner starts a count:

”ONE!”

”TWO!”

COLE
Both members of Black T could get counted out here! They’re the legal men!

CABOOSE
I wonder if Knight and Popick will try and take that short cut?
PK tries again to slam Brannigan into the post, but the “Body” resists once more, then elbows Knight in the gut to move him away. Brannigan grabs PK and smashes his head onto the ring apron!

“FOUR!”

”FIVE!”

Black is trying to get back into the ring, but Stephen Joseph is hanging on to his legs!
Brannigan moves over to help, but Knight attacks from behind with a lariat to the back of the head that floors Tony!
“SEVEN!”

”EIGHT!”

COLE
C’mon, we can’t lose two competitors like this!
Black kicks Popick away from him and nails Knight with a savage headbutt right between the eyes!

“NINE!”

Black rolls into the ring!

COACH
He’s sacrificing Brannigan so he can stay in the match!

”T-“

Hebner’s final shout is cut off as Black covers his mouth with his hand! Hebner’s eyes bulge and he struggles against Dan! On the outside, Tony Brannigan struggles to his feet and rolls back into the ring, whereupon Black releases the aggrieved official!

Black smiles and nods apologetically, and seems to have convinced Hebner not to outright DQ him in such an important match. 

COACH
Well that was certainly a unique solution from Black. And brave too. Imagine touching Hebner’s mouth!

Peter Knight has climbed onto the apron, and Black takes advantage of his distracted state by tagging him in. 

COLE
And thus ends the Black T confrontation. Not the conflict we hoped for, Caboose?

CABOOSE
Plenty of time for conflict, Mikey.

Brannigan meets Knight coming in with a boot to the stomach and whips him to the ropes. Knight comes back to a shoulder block that doesn’t knock him down. PK fires up and gestures for Brannigan to try again. Tony runs the ropes and drives his shoulder into PK’s. Again no movement. Brannigan shrugs and gestures for PK to try. Knight accepts the challenge and charges Tony – who steps aside and drop toe holds Knight down to the mat instead!

The crowd applauds Brannigan’s sneaky ploy, as Tony lands the sole of his big boot onto Knight’s skull a couple of times, before dragging him up. Knight surprises Tony by shrugging of his grip and landing a boot to the gut, then a knee lift that has Brannigan reeling. Knight grabs Tony and with an effort lifts him up into a gorilla press!

The crowd is wowed by this display of strength, as Knight steadies himself and then drops Tony headfirst onto a turnbuckle! Brannigan is draped, stunned, across the ropes, and Knight quickly grabs a waistlock and hits big German suplex, holding the bridge!

ONE!

TWO!

THR – Dan Black comes in and breaks it up!

COLE
And there’s still no doubt that Black T are still on the same page.

CABOOSE
You don’t expect to see pins broken up in an elimination match. That’s got to frustrate Knight.

Indeed, Knight is on his feet and yelling at Black, who exits the ring with a smug grin. PK turns back to Brannigan and whips him to the ropes, where Stephen Joseph moves along the apron to raise a knee for Brannigan to collide with. Tony staggers forward, and PK gives him a DDT. Knight brings Brannigan up and tags Stephen Joseph. SJ in with a couple of forearm shots, and tries for a snap suplex, but Brannigan blocks it and reverses to his own! Popick is driven to the mat hard, as Tony gets up and gives the crowd the ole snake hips!

Brannigan then steps out on to the apron and climbs to the top ropes!

COACH
What’s he doing?! Tony Brannigan isn’t a high flyer!

Tony balances a little precariously on the top rope, before rising to a standing position and leaping off with a huge elbow drop right to the chest of Stephen Joseph!

Cover!

ONE!


TWO!



THREE!






No! Popick with a shoulder up at the last second!

COLE
High risk move from Tony Brannigan! He obviously feels its time to start putting his opponents away. We’re a good way into this match and still no eliminations.

Tony scrapes SJ up, wringing out his elbow as he does so, and keeps him stunned with a hard right hand. Brannigan applies a standing headscissors, lifts SJ up – and hits a nasty looking Attitude Adjustment piledriver! Cover!


ONE!



TWO!



THREE!





No! Kick out again!

COACH
Say what you want about Stephen Joseph, but he has as much determination as any of the others to win the title.

Brannigan slams the mat in frustration…and heads up to the top rope once more! Dan Black looks on in concern as Brannigan tries for a big legdrop off the top – and Stephen Joseph rolls aside! Brannigan clutches his leg in pain, as SJ moves to the ropes and uses them to pull himself up. SJ then moves over to tag to Peter Knight – but Dan Black runs in and pulls him away!

Tired of Black T’s game plan, Peter Knight runs in and attacks Black, the two slugging it out by the ropes. Tony Brannigan grabs Popick up and sets him for the Rude Awakening, but Knight chooses that moment to whip Black across the ring, and Dan collides hard head first with Brannigan! 

Black falls away, clutching his head, seemingly blinded by the impact, as Hebner gets Knight out of the ring. Stephen Joseph gets to his feet and shoves Brannigan into Black this time! Black turns and hits Tony with a Black Out stunner! 

COLE
What the hell?! He didn’t mean to do that, did he?

Popick covers Brannigan, hooking up his leg and getting extra leverage from the tights, straining with all his body to pin Tony’s shoulders down!


ONE!



TWO!





THREE!





*DING DING*


BUFFER
Tony Brannigan has been eliminated!

Brannigan slowly sits up, a look of horror and disbelief on his face! He turns to Hebner, who confirms it, and then Dan Black, who’s on the floor, clutching his head still! Brannigan takes an unsteady step towards Dan, but Hebner is pushing him out of the ring so the match can continue.

COACH
Black just took out his own friend! His tag partner!

COLE
Well, I don’t think he knew what he was doing. He’d taken a knock to the head, and then when Popick pushed Tony into him, he must have assumed it was another attack.

COACH
Are you sure? Or has Dan just been waiting for an opportunity like that all match?


If Dan planned what happened, he’s a great actor. Black looks horrified as he sees Brannigan exiting. Stephen Joseph grins smugly – and rolls Dan up from behind! Hebner turns to count!


ONE!



TWO!



THREE!





No! Black kicks out!


COACH
Stephen Joseph almost taking out both members of Black T within a minute!
Brannigan is slowly making his way backstage, still looking distraught.

CABOOSE
I wonder what he’ll have to say to Black later?

COLE
Maybe if Dan wins the title, he can give Tony the first shot at it. 

COACH
Well, we’re down to three, and now it’s every man for himself.

Popick and Black to their feet, and Black slugs away angrily at SJ, abandoning his usual crisp uppercuts and chops in favour of hammering punches. Dan with a boot to the gut, and tries for his Black Out stunner on the right target this time, but SJ pushes him off to the ropes. Black bounces back and rolls under Popick’s swing, hooking his arms around SJ’s neck in a full nelson and lifting him up and over, dropping him on his head and neck with a Dragon suplex!



ONE!


TWO!



THREE – kick out!
Black bodyslams SJ into the middle of the ring and climbs to the top rope. The crowd buzzes as he stands upright and then leaps off high through the air, arms outstretched, coming down head first onto Stephen Joseph with a huge swandive headbutt! 

The impact of skull on skull leaves both men clutching their heads in agony, but Black manages to roll over and hook up a leg:

ONE!


TWO!



THRE – No! SJ kicks out again!

COLE
Black really unloading on Popick! Clearly he blames SJ for Tony Brannigan’s elimination.

COACH
Stephen Joseph didn’t break any rules. Black just screwed up. If it wasn’t deliberate.


Dan brings a groggy SJ to his feet and double underhooks his arms, looking for his Pitch Black (Angel’s Wings), but as he lifts and rotates, SJ kicks and lands his feet back on the mat. With a determined effort Popick backdrops Dan up and over. SJ remains on top for a pinning position:

ONE!



TWO!


Black kicks out, and both men get to their feet. Black with a swing and a miss, and SJ drags him into a backslide pin:

ONE!


TWO!

TH – Black kicks out. Both up and SJ with the first strike this time, a short jab to the throat that knocks the air out of Dan and allows Stephen Joseph to lift Black up in a suplex position, but just drop him down gut first on the top rope. With Black momentarily balanced on the cable, SJ then grabs his head and DDT’s him down to the mat from the elevated position! Popick pulls Black away from the ropes for the cover:

ONE!

TWO!


THREE!

No! Dan throws up a shoulder.
COLE
Black took that right on his head! A DDT with his legs on the top rope – that’s got to have Dan in trouble now.

CABOOSE
And Peter Knight on the apron must be enjoying this. Black and Popick are throwing big moves at each other, wearing each other down, while Knight just waits to pick up the pieces. 

Stephen Joseph brings Black to his feet and locks on an abdominal stretch.

COLE
Popick smartly putting pressure on Black while giving himself time to get some air.
Dan tries to get to the ropes, but Stephen Joseph holds him in place, stretching out the chest and stomach of Black so that he’s scowling in pain. 

After a minute or so, Dan manages to get his arm free and uses back elbows to break the hold, winding Stephen Joseph in the process. Black runs the ropes and comes back with a leap over SJ’s crouched form, dragging him over with a sunset flip!

ONE!


TWO!


THREE!


No! 

Both men up, and exchange right hand blows. Black gains the upper hand, and goes behind Stephen Joseph, locking his arms around Popick’s waist and lifting him up, driving him over and down into the mat with a big German suplex! Black rolls through it and grabs SJ’s arms back – Tiger suplex!

ONE!



TWO!




THREE!





NO! Popick with the kick out once again!

Both men remain down as Peter Knight extends his hand, wanting into the match, not caring who reaches him first. Both Black and Popick see him, and start to crawl over!

COLE
Who’s going to get the tag!

CABOOSE
What a useful comment, Cole.

Both men go for the tag – and referee Hebner rules that Stephen Joseph made it! Knight climbs into the ring to a big pop from the crowd as Dan Black rises, and hits him with a pair of hard forearm shots.
Black is staggered and unable to fight back as Knight whips him to the ropes and hits him with a big sidewalk slam as Dan returns. 

ONE!

TWO!

TH- Black throws up a shoulder. Knight brings him off the canvas, applies a front facelock and lifts Dan into the vertical suplex position. He holds him there, the blood rushing to Black’s head, for a good twenty seconds, before finally dropping back to complete the suplex. Knight twists to one side, keeping his hold on Dan, and lifts him upright once again! This time Knight keeps Black up for even longer, the crowd counting along and reaching twenty five before PK plunges Black to the mat!

Again, Knight rolls Black up and lifts him into a vertical suplex position, but now wastes no time in planting Dan down face first into the canvas with a Falcon Arrow!
Cover!

ONE!


TWO!




THREE!


No! Dan raises a shoulder just inches off the mat to halt the count. 
Knight brings Black up and twists on an arm bar, before going to work on the exposed shoulder with a series of jabs and elbow strikes. Knight whips Black to the ropes and as he comes back drags him down into a Fujiwara armbar! Knight clamps back on the arm, straining the joint with all his considerable strength! Black shakes his head when Hebner asks him the question, but his teethe are gritted in agony. 

The crowd encourages Knight, sensing that a worn down Black may give it up. Dan shifts his body, and manages to just touch the bottom rope with the tip of his boot. Knight breaks the hold, and waits for Black to get to his feet. Dan tries to make it along the rope to tag Stephen Joseph, but SJ doesn’t want to know, and Knight intercepts Black with a knee to the gut. He grabs the Fujiwara-d arm and executes a Divorce Court arm bar take down! Knight stomps the arm a few times, and then just drags Black up by it.

A jaw bruising forearm strike, and PK whips Dan hard into a corner. 

COACH
Knight just starting to demolish Black here. He’s got momentum with him.

CABOOSE
I don’t want either of these men eliminated. How can Popick have a chance at the World Title? It’s just not right.

Knight charges in at Black, but Dan rolls aside and PK hits the buckles. Dan slams Knight’s head onto the top turnbuckle, and steps onto the apron to climb up to the top. He reaches down and pulls Knight up with him, underhooking both Knight’s arms!

COLE
Black’s going for his Pitch Black off the top!

COACH
That would be a Pepsi Plunge. Oh yeah, the Coach loves the Indies!

Knight fights back, trying to backdrop Dan down to the ring, but Black slams a flurry of punches into his back and neck, and Knight subsides. With a huge effort, Black picks Knight up and drops him all the way down into the ring with a Pepsi Plunge!

The big man lands on his head and doesn’t move! Black is on his back, eyes wide and breathing hard with the effort of the move!

The crowd roars!

COLE
He did it! He hit Knight with a huge move, that’s got to be it for Peter Knight!
It takes a moment for Dan to roll over to Knight, and another for him to slowly force PK over onto his back, but the cover comes:

ONE!



TWO!






THREE!







No! Knight kicks out!


The fans are shocked, but not more so than Dan Black, who falls back with his head in his hands in dismay. 

COLE
Knight kicked out!

CABOOSE
What do they pay you for? Anyway, Knight hasn’t wrestled a lot of this match. Clearly, he had enough left in the tank.

Black is struggling to his feet. He staggers towards Stephen Joseph’s corner, wanting a tag to give himself time to recover.

Black stretches out his arm – and instead of tagging it, SJ grabs it, and slams it down on the top rope! Black grabs it away in pain, but SJ enters the ring, grabs the stunned Black in and nails him with a big shoulderbreaker! SJ puts the boots to the shoulder and upper arm of Black until Hebner finally manages to eject him again!

COLE
What a cheap assault from Popick!

Black is on the mat, clutching at his arm. Peter Knight is starting to move, and Dan forces himself to his feet too. Black attacks from behind, dragging Knight down into the Heart of Ice crossface! 

Dan, face white with effort, hauls back on the hold, wrenching back PK’s neck. Knight shouts in pain, and tries to move, but he’s right in the middle of the ring and the ropes are a long way away!

The fans buzz, sensing a tap out – but suddenly Black relinquishes the hold!

COACH
That injured arm gave out on him! There’s no strength to keep the hold applied!
Before Dan can move away, PK fires into life, sitting up and grabbing his right arm into the Fujiwara once more!

COLE
And Knight slips right back into that arm bar! The pain has got to be unbearable! 

Black’s arm is bent at a sick angle, the muscles visibly strained and taught. Knight’s forehead is glistening with sweat as he rips at the joint. Dan tries to move, somewhere, anywhere, but Knight’s hold is vice like…




And Hebner calls for the bell!

*DING DING*

BUFFER
Dan Black has been eliminated!

COACH
Black submitted!

COLE
Or he passed out. 

CABOOSE
Either way, it doesn’t matter. That arm took a lot of punishment, and that little attack from Popick was the final straw. We’re down to two men. The next OAOAST World Champ is Peter Knight or Stephen Joseph. If it wouldn’t cost me my job, I’d get in the ring myself to make sure it wasn’t Popick.

Knight is on his back, breathing heavily, trying to suck in enough air to recover from taking the Plunge, and then the effort of defeating Black. Tony Brannigan comes down to ringside once more. Dan has rolled out of the ring and is slumped on the floor. Brannigan looks down at Black….


….and with a sigh picks him up and supports the barely conscious Black on his shoulder, taking him to the back.

COACH
Aww, Black T leave together! They’re still friends!

COLE
It’s not been a good night for Black and Brannigan. You had to think that by working together one of them would be the new champ, but bad luck and Stephen Joseph have conspired to eliminate both of them.

Popick enters the ring, a huge grin on his face. Knight is up to one knee, and SJ wastes no time, slamming a couple of punches into the side of his head. The blows don’t stop Knight however, as he gets to his feet and staggers Popick with a huge punch of his own. PK grabs his opponent, underhooks his arms and drags him over, high through the air, with a Butterfly suplex.

Cover only gets two, as Popick is well rested from plenty of time on the apron. Knight brings SJ up and works him over with a series of stiff kicks to the legs and side, trying to knock some strength out of Popick. PK grabs SJ up, holding him at a right angle to his own body, steps back and hurls Popick over with a fall away slam – right into the turnbuckles!

Popick is driven into the padding and lands in a heap in the corner. Knight drags him out and covers:

ONE!


TWO!




THREE!


No! Shoulder up! 
Knight leaves Popick on the mat and backs away to the other side of the ring. He stomps his right boot on the mat once. Popick uses the ropes to pull himself up, and unsteadily turns – and Knight charges at him with a big boot! SJ ducks under it at the last minute, and dropkicks Knight’s unbalanced standing leg, sending him down to the mat!

COLE
Wow, I think if that boot had hit Stephen Joseph’s head would be in about the eighth row right now.

Popick goes to work on the leg he dropkicked, driving the point of his boot into the back of Knight’s knee. He goes to apply a figure four, but Knight propels him off with his free leg before SJ can get it hooked.
Knight up to one knee, and SJ comes running in looking for the Shining Wizard, but Knight blocks the knee with crossed arms, punches Popick and whips him to the ropes. Stephen Joseph comes back at Knight, who lifts him up and over, driving him down with a Blue Thunder Bomb! Popick’s shoulders are pinned to the mat!

ONE!


TWO!



THREE- no!

Knight rolls away from SJ, once again waiting for him to get up. As he does this time, Knight hoists him onto his shoulders! Big pop from the crowd!

COLE
He’s going for the Knightmare! This can put away Stephen Joseph for sure!

COACH
But he won’t fall victim to it so easily!

Indeed, Popick struggles against Knight’s grip, trying to escape from his hold. He manages to slip off his shoulders and land behind Knight, and then jumps up and lands an enziguiri kick to Knight’s face! PK staggers on the spot but doesn’t go down. 

Bulldog from Popick, and as Knight rolls over onto his back he climbs up top.

COLE
We’re seeing these men go up top a lot more than they usually would. That’s how much they want this match.

CABOOSE
Of course. Power, money, prestige – oh, but you don’t know what any of that’s like. I’m sorry.

COACH
Don’t diss Mikey just because Stephen Joseph might win!

Popick steadies himself on top – when Knight suddenly rolls up and springs up the ropes after him! He grabs Popick and quickly hits him with a belly to belly throw off the top rope! SJ hits the mat with a huge crash, and Knight covers:

ONE!



TWO!




THREE!


No! The kick out comes once again!

Knight starts to look frustrated. He grape vines Popick’s legs, looking for his stretch submission, but  SJ rapidly drags himself backwards and grabs the ropes before Knight can start to apply the hold.

Hebner counts the break, SJ comes over his shoulder with a punch, and then simply cradles Knight down to the mat:

ONE!


TWO!


Knight kicks out! Both men roll up, and Popick just grabs Knight’s legs out from under him, into a cover:

ONE!




TWO!



Popick has his feet on the ropes!



THREE!





No! Hebner spots SJ’s cheating, and calls off the count. Knight rolls backwards, and before Popick can get off the ropes just boots him straight in the head! PK flips Popick onto his shoulders – 

KNIGHTMARE!


Knight brings SJ into the middle of the ring!
ONE!



TWO!




THREE!


No? Hebner’s hand doesn’t hit the mat for the third time – Stephen Joseph has grabbed it! Hebner angrily tries to shake his hand free, and Knight gets up and stomps SJ’s arm to force him. PK puts Popick onto his shoulders, and tries for another Knightmare – but as he turns SJ’s boots collide with Hebner’s head!  Stunned, Hebner falls to all fours, holding the side of his head.

COLE
Oh no! Hebner couldn’t get out of the way in time!

CABOOSE
Someone get another referee out here, quick!

The impact with our near geriatric official causes Knight to lose his grip and Popick falls to the mat – cue instantaneous low blow! 

Knight collapses to his knees as the fans scream displeasure. Popick brings Knight to the corner and applies a full nelson – then jumps off and round and delivers FINALITY!

Cover!  Hebner recovers quickly and gets in position for the count.

ONE!





TWO!






CABOOSE
No! No!



THREE!




*DING DING DING*

Trash begins to fill the ring as Stephen Joseph rolls off Knight, clenching his fists and pumping them, repeatedly screaming "YES!" as Hebner retrieves the belt.

BUFFER
The winner of the match....

CABOOSE
Don't say it, Buffer.

BUFFER
and NUUUUUUUUUUUUUU ([i]Caboose:[/i] GODDAMNIT!!!) OAOAST Heavyweight Champion of the World – STEEEEEEEEPHEN JOOOOOOSEPH!

The new champ grabs the title from Earl Hebner and raises it high above his head, grinning from ear to ear.

We cut to the locker room, where Zack Malibu has his head in his hands, Leon Rodez looks stunned and disbelieving, Black T sitting, tired and defeated. The Puerto Rican seemingly cannot decide whether to be elated or jealous, but the GPX and the Upstarts are popping champagne bottles. 

COLE
Our new champion – Stephen Joseph. 

COACH
He’s been here since the beginning. It’s always been his goal. He’s worked hard, no matter his methods. Let’s show some respect to the new champ.

CABOOSE
Are you kidding? Off all the outcomes – hell, of all the guys in the company, he’s the worst one to hold that title. It makes me sick. 

The fans are still booing as Stephen Joseph scales a turnbuckle, holding the golden strap aloft for all to see. The new era of the OAOAST will be led by a familiar face. There’s a locker room packed with challengers itching to destroy him.  Knight, feeling too dejected to protest, sits on his knees and stares at the mat, having once again come so close only to fall short in the end.

COLE
Knight, Brannigan and Black have reason to feel aggrieved, but it doesn’t matter! A new champion has been crowned and – well, we’re all going to have to get used to seeing gold around his waist. Even you, Caboose. Fans, thanks for being with us tonight, for Jonathon Coachman and Caboose, I’m Michael Cole – we’ll see you on HeldDown – the fall out from this is going to be something else. Goodnight!

We fade on Stephen Joseph strapping the belt firmly around his waist…we have a new Champion. And who would have thought it was this man...

Edited October 30, 2005 by KingPK

[KingPK 0]

"Didn't do justice to the occasion?" I don't think so. The ending was even better than the one that I was thinking of. I might add in a spot or two with PK if I think it's needed, but I see no problem with this match. I liked how Hebner was just stunned and not completely knocked out like it usually is with ref bumps.

 

EDIT: I just added a little bit to the ending.

[Stephen Joseph 0]

I LOVED the hand to the mouth and SJ grabbing Hebner's hand.

 

I dont think Ive ever seen that spot in real life

 

I corrected several spelling mistakes =)

Edited October 29, 2005 by Stephen Joseph

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

Ah, I always forget spell checker. Thanks! Glad you guys like the match.

[KingPK 0]

I LOVED the hand to the mouth and SJ grabbing Hebner's hand.

 

I dont think Ive ever seen that spot in real life

 

I corrected several spelling mistakes =)

 

At WM XX, HHH grabbed Michaels' hand to prevent him from tapping to Benoit's Crossface in the triple threat match.

[Stephen Joseph 0]

I LOVED the hand to the mouth and SJ grabbing Hebner's hand.

 

I dont think Ive ever seen that spot in real life

 

I corrected several spelling mistakes =)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

At WM XX, HHH grabbed Michaels' hand to prevent him from tapping to Benoit's Crossface in the triple threat match.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

cool! I never saw that

[KingPK 0]

I put the (CODE) tag around the match for Tony, since that's how we roll here in GCF.