Above Average 0 Report post Posted December 26, 2006 Well another 15K loser. This time I actually don't quite see it though. Admittedly, Mike's match was better written and stuck with the traditional structure, but I thought flipping that structure made my story and psychology more engaging. Drake had been bringing the fight to Stephens and he'd been really passive all feud - even letting him talk shit with no reprocussions. He'd been bottling it up and then finally let it all go. Then he gets to a point where he's hurt and can't finish Drake so he has to make a choice. I also tried to stray from the normal finisher kick-outs and countered everything (except the Shooting Star Leg drop), but maybe I should've done that for the Celtic Cross spot instead of a ten count, then my match wouldn't have looked so rushed which it was inbetween that spot and the finishing sequence. Our selling was probably equal, but of course I'm going to like mine more and I was going for the whole Orton/Benoit finish with the crowd popping because they saw something special and Drake probably deserved it, but next week they'll still boo the shit out of him. Anyway I cleaned up the tags so here it is. ========= FADE IN… It is December 22nd, three days away from Christmas and most would tell you that it is the most wonderful time of the year. A select few and those watching at home would agree with that statement even more as they watch the scene set in Jefferson, New Hampshire. The gift they're about to receive, a presentation of the Smartmarks Wrestling Federation… 'THE SENSATION' MICHAEL STEPHENS… 'THE BEAST' GABRIEL DRAKE… SWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE! The graphic flies across the screen, letting everyone know what is about to take place. The biting cold and blustery wind set the stage for what will be the last SWF match until the new year. The tense mood for this upcoming confrontation permeates the mock arena in Santa's Village, but that doesn't stop the disembodied voice of 'The Franchise' Mak Francis from speaking its peace… "Cute nicknames and even though it feels blasphemous for me to say, possibly the World Title aside," Mak states in a serious tone, "this match is about two men, Michael Stephens and Gabriel Drake, who have a great deal of history." "Yeah, Francis," The Suicide King voices, now on camera in a Santa hat from Mak's right, "let's talk a little about that history you just mentioned! It was all put out there during the House of Marvelous—which did a gigantic number by the way, straight from the mouth of Gabriel Drake! Toxxic, the backstabber we all knew him to be, ruined his supposed friends lives and didn't even blink! Then he moved up and on to the SWF and did the same thing to Spike Jenkins and Zyon… not that Zyon didn't deserve it." King adds as an afterthought. "He's a life ruiner!" "That's a ridiculous statement and you know it." The Franchise rebuts with a sigh. "Sometimes people don't make it to the big show. Maybe they don't have the drive or the dedication and it just doesn't happen for them. There's a lot of possible reasons why those four didn't make it together, but Gabriel Drake is scum for trying to use that to get into Stephens' head! We all know Michael Stephens had a checkered past under the ring name Toxxic—hell, I went in the ring against him so I know more than most, but he says he's not the same person and I take him at his word." "He's still Toxxic, but fine… you can take him at his word and you'd better prepare to be proved wrong!" King says with a smirk. "Doesn't it say something that he sent Drake to jail after he slept with his girlfriend, because the man was the better wrestler?! What about him trying to destroy Gabe's dream, Francis?" "Blaming somebody for all the hardships in your life because you flipped out and actually killed a man is insane, no matter how convincing your story may sound." "But you admit it is convincing!" King exclaims. "All of your rationalizing can't change the fact that Toxxic's actions during his time in the SWF points to Drake being correct. For the first time in a long time I actually care about how the crowd will respond!" "We've heard the interview segment, seen the ad spots and just witnessed one hell of a retrospective promo video from our production guys," Francis declares, raising his shades to his forehead, "but I can't help thinking it's not enough to define just what we'll see here tonight. If Gabriel Drake's statements during the House of Marvelous are to be believed, this'll be a match that lives up to the title of our aptly named December Pay-per-view, SWF Crimson Yuletide! Who knows what's going to happen or how the crowd will react, but one thing's for certain… we're in for a hell of a fight!" The camera cuts from the announcers table at ringside and moves to the illuminated Ferris wheel slightly off in the distance. Then it shifts again, this time to an aerial view of the stage slowly rotating around in a circular path panning the corral area showing the rabid SWF fans in their jackets due to the cool night. "Great aerial view of Santa's Village courtesy of our Ferris Wheel cam…" Suddenly, the Smarktron flares to life, flashes from The Beasts debut vignettes splashing across the screen, as the deliberate strum of 'The Devil's Rejects' begins to build to a crescendo. Gabriel Drake's two cold hazel eyes stare out from the Smarktron, framed by his black hair with white highlights. An amused sneer crosses his face for a second before one hand reaches out and grips presumably the camera. The picture shakes violently, then blurs and cuts to black as the camera is apparently thrown into a wall. Meanwhile, the slow melody continues and the atmosphere is even amplified by the eerie menacing blue light and the flickering of several bright white strobes cutting across the dark night sky, until finally… "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" …Gabriel Drake himself appears through the curtain. "I am the bad one… Distant and cruel one… I am the dream that, keeps you running down!" Hearing the opening lyrics of the Rob Zombie song, Drake pauses on the stage for a moment, looking around the make-shift bleachers spotting random clumps of fans applauding, while the rest taunt him mercilessly and then proceeds to saunter down towards ringside. "His music claims he's a bad guy and I'd tend to agree." Mak Francis starts. "He's violent and cruel, but no one can deny that he's one hell of an athlete!" "With distraction… Violent reactions… Scars of my actions, watch me running out!" The Smarktron behind him continues to flash scenes from famous wars and bits of destruction while showing him hitting a Musclebuster on Michael Cross, twisting Akira's broken body in the Spite and Malice and deforming Landon Maddix's feature by tossing him into a Steel Cage interspersed… "HELL DOESN'T WANT THEM! HELL DOESN'T NEED THEM! HELL DOESN'T LOVE THEM!" …Until a final picture of an unsuspecting Michael Stephens getting Speared out of his boots! "At six-four, nearly two-sixty, Gabriel Drake has said he hasn't cried a day in his life… and I believe him!" King says, singing Drake's praises. "A second generation wrestler, from Athens, Georgia, he's got this business in his blood." Now at ringside, Drake gets to the ring steps and bounces on his toes before high stepping up the stairs and onto the apron, wiping his feet before swinging his legs through the ropes. "You can see how pumped up Drake is for this match, Francis." King continues. "It's his chance to shine. To reach out and embrace his dream. To embrace his destiny!" "The Devil's Rejects… The Devil's Rejects…" "Destiny or not, this will be Gabriel Drake's first one on one shot at any title in the SWF and it will be for not just any title, but the World Title!" Mak comments. "You have to wonder if this big match atmosphere will throw the rookie off his game, even a little." Inside the ring, brushing by tonight's official, Matthew Kivell, Gabe looks anything but nervous. Dropping to one knee, he slowly extends his arms wide, hands formed in the devil horns, palms toward the crowd accepting their jeers and then pops back up to his feet. "The only person that should be nervous is the guy coming out next!" As King says this every light hits on full and the Smarktron whites out, cutting through the darkness and nearly blinding the crowd night; this phenomenon is followed half a second later by a raucous, rolling chant that blasts out from the Park's PA system setting up a completely different atmosphere than the slow methodical Rob Zombie lyrics… "COME AND HAVE A GO IF YOU THINK YER 'ARD ENOUGH!" "COME AND HAVE A GO IF YOU THINK YER 'ARD ENOUGH!" The opening chord of 'Rookie' crashes out through the PA system, prompting everyone in the arena to rise to their feet as the Smarktron fades quickly down to black, jagged white letters flashing up a familiar slogan, one word at a time: 'PREPARE TO BE PROVED WRONG…' The Smarktron changes again to show famous clips from famous matches, clips that many of those watching know off by heart; the All-Show Brawl with the Insane Luchador; the infamous Glass Jawbreaker on Aecas; the Caffeine Bomb on Nathaniel Kibagami; and the Sunny In England on Tom Flesher at Genesis VII. Finally it changes to show one last clip, that of Mike Van Siclen being taken off a balcony and through a table with the Stephens Shock Syndrome, the devastating landing timed to coincide with the- *BOOOM!* -explosion of red pyro that announces the arrival of the SWF's most decorated Englishman as the main riff hammers out! And through the flame and smoke… "TOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-IC…" …World Title wrapped around his waist with one of the Tag Titles slung over his right shoulder… "TOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-IC…" …blue-black hair hanging down in front of steel-grey eyes, wrapped in his black-and-red canvas trenchcoat… "TOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-IC…" …comes the man once known as Toxxic. "This match is very personal, against an opponent who is out for blood!" Mak Francis declares over the roar of the crowd. "Though make no mistake, fans… Michael Stephens will not back down from a fight! He's on a quest towards El Luchadore Magnifico's record for the longest World Title reign of all time, but he was also a triumphant triple champion until his opponent tonight interjected himself in the Sensation's title defenses and now the question is, is part of that mystique is gone?" "Even I'll admit Toxxic seemed to be unbeatable, sporting more gold than an early 90's rapper and an undefeated streak like none I've ever witnessed," King acknowledges, "but that all came to a screeching halt when Zyon of all people won a Ladder match for the SWF World Cruiserweight Title! Everyone knows he's beatable now and his World Title defense against Jay Hawke shows this as he pushed Stephens to the limit." Michael Stephens reaches the bottom of the entrance ramp, whereupon he unbuckles the World Title with one hand and takes the Tag belt into the other sliding into the ring. He can see some fans giving him the thumbs down as he crosses his arms into the straight-edge 'X' for a moment, then flings them wide with a title belt dangling from each hand as the first verse comes in and more pyro erupts from the top of each ringpost! *bap-bap* *BOOOM!!* 'I never thought this could be me I guess you never do until it's happening to you Like all the fun turns into shame And all the "could-have-beens" rearrange…' Stephens hands the Cruiser title belt to Matthew Kivell and stares down at the World Title in his hands, Kivell having to request the belt breaking him out of his reverie. He strips off his trenchcoat and the personalized England shirt underneath, throwing the latter into the crowd. Then he cracks his neck from side-to-side and stares across the ring at Gabriel Drake, who returns his gaze steadily while bouncing side to side. "Look at the eyes on that man." Francis mentions of Stephens who seems eerily detached. "He could give a damn about mystique! He wants to win this match and end this issue with Drake once and for all, in the ring! It's champion versus challenger! The Sensation versus the Beast! Michael Stephens versus Gabriel Drake for the World Title and it's happening right now!" The SWF's ring announcer Funyon enters the ring, microphone in hand, standing beside Senior referee Matthew Kivell, between the two opponents. The crowd is buzzing in anxious excitement, as the lanky man brings the mic to his lips: "Ladies and Gentlemen, this your Main Event!" Funyon bellows. "The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a sixty minute time limit and is for the Smartmarks Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship of the WOOOOORRLLLDDDDDDD!" "YEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Funyon takes a breath and looks to his left. "Introducing first, in the corner to my left!" He begins. "In the red trunks with black trim! He is the challenger; from Athens, Georgia, weighing in earlier today at two hundred and fifty-eight pounds! He's the number one contender to the SWF World Title! This is the 'BEAST', GAAAAAAB-RI-EELLLLLL… DRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEE!" "YEEAAAHH!" "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" "And his opponent, in the corner to my right!" Funyon turns to face Stephens. "Wearing the solid black pants! He is the champion; from Nottingham, England, weighing in earlier today at two hundred and eighteen pounds! He is one half of the SWF World Tag Team Champions, a Grand Slam Champion and one of three, four-time SWF World Title holders! He's the reigning and defending… SWF Heavyweight Champion of the WORLD! This is the 'SENSATION', MIIIIIIIIIIII-CHAEL… STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-PHEEEENNNNNSSSSSS!" "BOOOOOO!" "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" The reaction is loud, but not deafening so you can hear some dissention in the ranks. Mak Francis comments. "A slightly mixed reaction for both the challenger and champion, but Stephens has many more for him than against." "Stupid fans…" King mumbles, as Kivell shows each man the title, then raises it high, turning to each of the four sides of the squared circle! After walking over and delivering the belt to the time-keeper, Kivell moves towards Drake, running his hands under Gabe's arms… down his torso, across his left leg till underneath the boot and then does the same on the right side. "SWF Senior Referee Matthew Kivell to call this match and there's no denying it." The Franchise adds, as Kivell moves over to the champion, repeating the process. "We saw it in the tale of the tape and heard it in the announcements. Michael Stephens has the accomplishments, experience and the overall edge, period. This is a man nobody would call an underdog unless he's against the most elite in the sport and right now Gabriel Drake isn't that, but should you throw all that out in an emotion driven match like this?" "Toxxic's little SWF.net exclusive would seem to agree with your earlier assessment. Apparently, Gabe isn't anything special to prepare for…" Gabe bounces side to side a satisfied expression on his face, as Kivell finishes. Drake takes some steps out of his corner and the ref, now sure that both men are clean, asks for the bell: *DING-DING-DING!* …And then Michael Stephens explodes forward shooting at Drake's legs and shouldering him to the canvas in a double leg takedown!! "RRRRGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" "That is five month of pent up frustration!" Mak hollers over the roaring crowd, who has completely forgotten their initial mixed reaction, as Stephens mounts his former friend and rains down upon him with solid right-hands. "No matter what he says, this is damn sure a special opponent to Stephens! Gabriel Drake tried to injure his tag partner at Genesis, tried to maim him in the Elimination Chamber and he just took it. He's been run down in the middle of the ring; snuck attacked, cost the Cruiserweight belt and almost lost the World Title because of him, yet he still took it all in stride," Mak exclaims, while the champ continues to pound away through the stunned Drake's half-guard, "but finally, finally Michael Stephens is done just taking it and has started to give it!" Grabbing the World Champ by the waist, Gabe turns Stephens over and begins an assault through his half-guard! Piston like punches fly from the right-hand of the Beast, who seems to be enjoying his position of power, but not for long as his opponent rolls them over once more, getting ever closer to the ropes. Drake, intent not to stay on the defensive, spins them once again and they end up tumbling under the ropes and off the apron! Still in the grapple, Michael and Gabe land on their feet, breaking apart for only a second before Stephens rears back- *BAM!* -and pops Drake in the face with another right hand! Gabriel's head rockets back, but he grabs the side of Stephens' skull- *WHAM!* -teeing off with a right-hand of his own! In the ring, Kivell gives up on instructing them to get back in and starts his count. Mike doesn't let that stop him at all, continuing to throw fists with the challenger… 'Come on—get it back in the ring, guys! ONE!' *BAM!* *WHAM!* 'TWO!' *BAM!* *BAM!* …and winning, sending Drake stumbling away! 'THREE!" "Don't let his recent forays into the technical aspects of wrestling fool you." Mak shouts out over the noise of the audience. "Stephens is a scrapper from the streets of Nottingham! He can throw down with the best of them!" "Toxxic knows as much about technical wrestling as Landon Maddix," King responds snidely, "which is to say, nothing!" 'FOUR!' "And yet, he still beat Tom Flesher at Genesis, right?" Francis asks rhetorically. "If that isn't being tempered by fire I don't know what is!" "Flukes wins over Tom aside, with your amateur background and technical expertise I would say when he beat you… but that'd be a lie!" King says while laughing. "You've been on your back more than Amy Stephens!" Mak scowls as Kivell's count hits four and the agitated Brit stalks after Drake, who rebalances himself using the apron and fires off a kick to the Sensation's gut! Winding up, Gabe blasts Stephens with a sharp strike to the gut! *WHAM!* 'FIVE!' *BAM!* …but Mike answers right back with a fist to the jaw sending the Beast to the ground! Entwining his hand in Drake's hair, Stephens looms over his opponent who gets to his hands and knees, then fires off rapid-fire fists to the side of his head! 'SIX!' *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* The World Champ prepares to strike Gabe down again as he uses the apron to get to his feet, but Drake hooks the waistband of his Tripp NYC trousers yanking Stephens directly into the ringpost! *THUNK!* 'SEVEN!' Stephens leans against the pole to stay up, after hitting the post face first, so Drake uses this to his advantage, rolling into the ring to break the count… and then slides right back out on the other side!! Pulling Stephens away from the post, Gabe peppers the Sensation with another right-hand, sending him staggering into the guardrail! *WHAM… clank!* 'Oh, come on… ONE!' "What's Kivell crying about?" King asks. "Anybody who thought this match would be a scientific contest was sorely mistaken!" "Drake, breaking the count and going right back out there…" Mak notes, as Drake marches over to Stephens. "As much as he says this match isn't about the title, to officially be the man you have to hold the strap! No sense in getting counted out." 'TWO!' Quickly glancing behind him, Gabe spots the steel steps and grasps Stephens's arm, whipping the World Champ towards impending doom… but Mike, in a show of amazing agility, leaps on a dead run onto the metal stairs and executes a high-arching back-flip his knee cracking Drake in the head as he makes contact!! 'THREE!' "Slick Moonsault press from the ring steps by Stephens, but did you see his knee catch Drake's head, King? That's a good way to get a concussion or knocked out!" King just rolls his eyes as if to say 'like Drake would go down to that', but both men are down while Kivell continues his count… 'FOUR!' Michael is the first to a knee, after dumping himself on top of his opponent, so Stephens stands and attempts to walk off the discomfort. Gabe meanwhile has begun to move, sitting up and rubbing his forehead… 'FIVE!' Coming back to Drake, the Sensation helps him to his feet and then after a final punch to the face, shoves Gabe back into the ring! 'SI-' With Kivell's count interrupted, Francis comments on the scene. "Well, they've finally moved back inside the ring! Maybe the match will settle down a little now?" Mak wonders, as hopping onto the apron, Stephens watches his challenger push himself up to his hands and knees. Not content to just enter through the ropes, Stephens rises to the top cable and then springboards off clipping Drake with a dropkick to the side of his skull! "…I guess not." Proving the Franchise wrong, Stephens stays on his man, lifting him to his feet and lowering Drake's head- *THWAP!* -down into a European uppercut that sends him falling back into the ropes! Latching on to Drake's arm, Mike attempts to toss the Beast across the ring, but Drake reverses the whip sending Stephens on the ride! As Stephens rebounds off the ropes, Gabe ducks his head for a back body drop… and the World Champion's ring experience shows through as he comes to a stop and wrenches Drake's neck while falling to the canvas in a swinging neckbreaker!! Michael spins off his back to his hands and knees hoping to crawl into a pin, but surprisingly his opponent is already trying to get up, while rubbing his neck!! "A rookie mistake from Drake, who normally acts far from green in the ring." Mak says, as Stephens slides over to the challenger and into a side headlock. "Could the pressure be getting to Gabe already?" "Did you really just ask that?" King inquires. "Gabe wasn't even affected by that neckbreaker and all you can talk about is that? Toxxic had to go to that side headlock to try and keep control, but that'll probably be as effective as his neckbreaker!" King adds confidently. "Besides the only green Gabe needs to worry about is the size of the purse for the winner of this main event!" Feeling the Beast attempt to get completely to his feet, Michael Stephens spins down, leveraging Drake back on his back with a side headlock takedown! His shoulders down, Matthew Kivell hits the mat… ONE! …but Drake quickly raises his far shoulder! Stephens tries to force Gabe's body back down to the mat, but the Beast has other plans, pushing them up to a knee, then feet albeit hunched over. Smoothly shifting around behind the Brit, Drake wraps his arm around Stephens's waist and lifts high, arching back in a belly-to-back suplex! And is incensed by the fact that Stephens is still holding on to his headlock!! "The Champ holding on to his headlock like a pitbull and you can tell he's got the psychological advantage over Drake." Francis notes while Gabe keeps his far shoulder up. "This match is moving at his pace, he got the first pin and Stephens took the fight to him winning their battle on the outside. Gabe talked a good game on the House of Marvelous, but has yet to back it up during this match!" Inching on the mat while bracing his body with his right arm, Gabriel Drake slides into a better position in the headlock and slowly works his way back to his knees, then feet once again! Stephens, irony of ironies, can't hold him down this time as Drake drives an elbow deep into his captor's gut! And another! And another elbow finds the mark getting him some separation, as he turns into the headlock and buries his fist square into Stephens's breadbasket! Still not giving up on the hold, Stephens takes another punch to the stomach which finally forces him to break, but Drake isn't ready for Mike's fist- *BAM!* -that catches him right on the chin! Staggered for only a moment, Drake fires right back with a- *WHAM!* -stinging right-hand of his own! Now standing toe-to-toe, Michael Stephens and Gabriel Drake decide it's officially time to throw down!! *BAM!* *WHAM!* "This is like a heavyweight title fight, King!" Francis states, causing Applewhite to give him a look. "Well, it is a heavyweight title fight…" King retorts snarkily, leaving Mak muttering about him meaning in boxing. *BAM!* *WHAM!* *BAM!* *WHAM!* *BAM!* After the last punch from Stephens, the Beast raises his foot and boots him in the gut- *THUMP!* -doubling the World Champ over! "…And Round One was won by Gabriel Drake!" King bellows joyfully. "I feel a knock-out shot coming!" King adds, as grabbing the Sensation by the hair, Drake halls off and hammers Stephens with solid rights taking his time between each strike!! *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WH… whiff!* …but Mike ducks the third haymaker, catching Gabe's arm on the way around and snitching in a half nelson, before grabbing Drake's waistband and implanting him in the mat with a fast facebuster!! "You spoke too soon, King!" Mak says, as Stephens rolls over, shooting the nelson into a lateral press while Kivell moves into position. "Round One really goes to the Champion! He's got the cover, shooting his nelson into the lateral press for the…" ONE! TWO- -but Drake kicks out of the hard hitting maneuver just before two, seemingly not wanting to relinquish a two count! Stephens scurries right back on him covering from the other side! ONE! TW- -and Drake shoves Stephens off the pin once again! Gabe sits up from the mat, trying to catch his breath and eliminate any more pin attempts, but Mike won't let it die… sliding his right arm underneath Gabe's and pinioning the left arm with his near leg, sending the Beast back to the canvas in a modified crucifix pin!! ONE! TWO! …finally getting a two count, before Drake can kick out!! Standing up and walking away towards the ropes, Gabe lets out a frustrated yell while kicking at the bottom cable! On the other side of the ring, Stephens seems pacified now that he's gotten a two count and the crowd reacts accordingly. "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" "It's clear Michael Stephens had a plan coming into this match. He's been waging a psychological war, trying to breakdown and dismantle Gabriel Drake piece by piece mentally and so far it's been working." "You're giving him too much credit, Francis." King says scoffing. "I don't doubt he's trying to breakdown Gabe, but it hasn't been working!" "I disagree," Mak responds, "he's out-wrestled him and shown that, while on paper Gabriel Drake may be the better technician, Stephens's experience and ingenuity pushes him ahead of the Beast in that category! This belief that he's better than the Champ based on their time in the Blue Blood Academy years ago, shows he's still in the past instead of the present." Turning to face Stephens, the Beast shows all the signals of wanting a collar and elbow tie-up. The Sensation circles the ring, then nods his head and the two slowly slide forward for a grapple… …and Stephens gets a knee driven into his gut! "I know you believe that crap, but I can't believe Toxxic really is that gullible!" King states, as Stephens hunches over from the strike. "Gabe played to his over inflated ego; let him think he's affected him and then suckered him in. What Gabe Drake wants to do is hurt, Toxxic! Physically, mentally—basically, any way he can by any means necessary… then shred his face and win the World title, end of story." "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The crowd lets Drake know what they think of him, as King finishes his explanation. Looming over his stunned opponent, Gabriel slides off to the side and then- *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *WHAM!* -Drake assaults Stephens with clubbing blows forcing the Champ to his knees! As Michael struggles to get back up, Gabe clasps his hands around the base of Stephens's neck, initiating a Muay Thai clinch and fires his right knee straight up towards the Champ's face, but Stephens partially deflects the blow! Drake doesn't give up, the clinch holding Stephens in place for a left knee to the ribcage that dazes the Sensation and then another right knee to the jaw that connects clean sending Mike's head rocketing back!! *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* With the final blow having really frazzled Stephens, Drake uses the opportunity to throw the Brit across the ring, forcing him into the turnbuckles back first! Gabe follows the Champion in, but the slightly drained Stephens still has his wits about him and raises his boot, connecting with Drake's chin!! Mike comes out of the corner fists up and flying, with the audience behind him… "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" RIGHT! *BAM!* LEFT! *BAM!* RIGHT! *BAM!* LEFT! *BAM!* "Stephens' making his comeback, winding up the discuss clothesline!" Mak shouts, as Michael twirls on the spot, spinning around leaning forward… *BAP!* Directly into a Drake's left hand, as he snaps off a stinging left jab!! "Denied!" King barks, as Stephens stumbles backwards on shaky legs after the strike! Gabe rushes up to him and shoves the World Champ into the corner buckles propping Michael up!! moving forward, Drake measures his opponent and- *WHAM!* -strikes him across the face with a side-arm punch! Rearing back across from the other side, Drake twists his hips and- *SMACK!* "WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" -unloads a nasty knife-edge chop to the chest of Stephens! Taking his arm back again, the Beast continues to lay waste to Stephens vigorously with alternating strikes!! *WHAM… …SMACK!* "WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" *WHAM… …SMACK!* "WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" *WHAM!* *WHAM!* *…WHAM!!!* Gabe ends it with three straight side-arm punches to the face, the final one lifting Stephens into the air or would have been the final shot, had Drake not driven his knee deep into Michael's midsection, pushing all the air out of him… *CRACK!* …and then caught the slumping Sensation with a back elbow right in his ear-hole!! "This has turned into a mugging, folks, plain and simple!" Mak shouts, "Drake is just mauling the World Champion…" "If Toxxic was waging a psychological war then Gabe Drake is now officially waging the physical one!" Grabbing the ropes for support, the physical war has just begun, for Gabriel Drake! The Beast has a maniacal look in his eyes, as he kicks his foot into Stephens's gut and then proceeds to stomp a mud-hole- *THUMP!* *THUMP!* "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" *THUMP!* "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" *THUMP!* "JAAAAAIIIIIL-BIIIIIRD!" Drake snarls, hearing the chant from the crowd and then decides to pick up the pace! *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* *THUMP!* Then backs away flipping Stephens the double bird! *THUMP!* "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" -And walk that mud-hole dry!!! "Drake channeling his inner redneck there for a moment." Mak says, hoping the SWF doesn't get sued for gimmick infringement, anymore than they already should. Walking back to the middle of the ring, Gabriel spots Stephens pulling himself up using the ropes and dives in, rocking Mike's mug with a high corner knee!! Landing back on the mat Drake turns, pulling him out of the corner by his hair and marching the shaky legged Stephens to the center of ring, before tossing Mike to the canvas, face first!! "All those psychosomatic attacks really did a number on Gabe, eh Francis?" King asks rhetorically as Michael, struggling to rise tries his hardest to get up to his feet and fight! In the mean time, Gabe swoops in from the corner sprinting towards Stephens from his left, just as he – still hunched over – makes it to his feet- *CRACK!* -and Mike eats a running knee-lift to the mouth!! Stephens staggers, miraculously staying on his feet as Gabe strikes off for the ropes, gaining extra momentum before- *THWAAAACK!* "OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHWAH…" -pulverizing the World Champ with a solid Yakuza Kick to the side of his dome!!! "JESUS, he just kicked the crap out of him!" Mak screams over the cries of the crowd, as Drake just looms over his opponent and then takes off for the near ropes, rebounding back with authority for a knee drop to the head… but suddenly stops when Stephens attempts to cover his cranium, so instead he glowers down at Stephens before bounding into the air and crushing his ribcage with a leaping knee!! Francis continues his call lamenting the scene. "That's nearly two hundred and sixty pounds to the World Champion's sternum! His ribs have to be on fire, King!" Lifting Mike by his hair, Drake backs Stephens into the ropes and sends the World Champ on the ride. Still having trouble breathing after having the wind knocked out of him, Michael is easy prey for a solid back elbow to the face! Stephens's head bounces off the mat, causing him to cringe as he sits up and that wince is only intensified when Gabe casually lifts his leg- *THWACK!* -and then strikes the back of Michael Stephens with an exceptionally vicious kick!! Mike sits riveted to the spot, seizing up as the pain registers, but the Beast is far from through with this assault! "Nasty Cowboy kick to Stephens who looks like he had the wind knocked out of him!" Mak calls as Drake grabs Mike by a tuft of hair again, this time lifting him up as if for a body slam and Gabriel's strength allows him to easily carry Stephens' two hundred and eighteen pounds over to the turnbuckles, securing his leg underneath the metal stud… "But the funs only just begun, Francis!" King says, seemingly elated by this turn of events. "Sure, if you're a sadist…" Mak mutters, as Drake takes in his handiwork of placing Stephens in the tree of woe. Stephens himself seems to just be becoming aware of his circumstances, but the large foot of Gabriel Drake reoccupies his attention, as the Beast places his foot on Mike's upside down chin and steps down on the now flailing Brit! Kind of jogging back into the middle of the ring, Drake builds up a full head of steam- *CRACK!* "OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHWAH…" -and then practically buries his knee into Stephens's stomach!! Gabe turns his head to the side, looking out at the cringing crowd from the corner, whose gasps show that they aren't enjoying his battering of the Champion! The Franchise just shakes his head, as Drake grabs a clump of hair, pulling Michael up to about neck level, ducking underneath Stephens's back and bending the Sensation across his broad shoulders in a Canadian Backbreaker!!! "A Canadian Backbreaker Rack in the corner?!" Francis exclaims, as referee snaps out of his reverie from seeing such an unusual move. "He's just trying to brutalize him… there's no need for this!" Walking around to get in the Beast's face, Kivell points his finger in Drake's face and demands that he let go of Stephens, since they're in the ropes already… 'Gabe, break the hold! Okay, ONE!' "It's not like they call it the 'Tree of Woe' for no reason, Mak." King reasons. "Just get over it and let the good times roll!" 'TWO!' 'THREE!' 'FOUR! Break it Drake, goddamnit!' "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" …But the Beast has already let go in the middle of him saying four and raised his hands in false apology. Stephens meanwhile, sways back and forth from being dropped carelessly, trying to shake the cobwebs out! "Oh, you wouldn't want to get disqualified would you?" Mak snaps sarcastically watching the scene unfold. "Well, I think its clear Drake plans to work on the midsection and back of the World Heavyweight Champion. An inventive use of the Canadian Backbreaker if I ever saw one…" After letting Kivell run through his admonishments, Gabe walks towards the opposite corner and turns around, lowering himself into a crouch… and the only thing the crowd, Mak Francis and even Michael Stephens can think is this can't be good. Taking off in a dead sprint, Drake lowers his head and opens his arms for a devastating Spear… *THUNK!* …but crashes into the steel ringpost shoulder first, after the World Heavyweight Champ used his momentum to sit up on the top turnbuckle!!! Gabe moans in pain, as Stephens unhooks his leg from the buckle and tumbles backwards, rolling down Drake's back and landing on the mat in a crouch which puts him in prime position to jut his arm between the Beast's legs and stacks his shoulders to the mat!! "Counter!" Mak yells, as Kivell slides halfway out of the ring to make the count. "Stephens pulls a Houdini out of his hat and rolls up Drake!" ONE! TWO! TH- -but Gabriel Drake kicks out off his shoulders! The normally speedy Stephens is still hurting from all the abuse he's taken, so Gabe gets back to his feet first between the two and immediately kicks the bruised Brit in the gut! Backpedaling into the ropes, Drake rebounds forward sticking his arm out for his Shotgun Lariat… *WHAAAAAA… Whiff!* *BANG!* And Michael Stephens stoops low then reaches back, swinging his opponent face first to the mat from the hangman's position as he sits out to the side!! "Pressure Drop!" Francis shouts. "This is it… Michael Stephens is trying to make a run!" Drake holds his face on the canvas, as Stephens falls back to his back, trying to regain his wind. The fans, realizing the situation start a chant, hoping to spur their Champion on: "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "I hate when they do that!" King complains, as both the Beast and the Sensation slowly push themselves off the squared circle! The chants get louder and stronger as both men make it to their knees!! "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* "LET'S GO STE-PHENS!" *Clap-clap-clapclapclap* Drake is the first to rise completely again, but this time Stephens lands a toe kick to his gut, stopping his advance before he could do the same! Latching on to Drake's arm, Stephens pulls for all he's worth… but the Beast doesn't budge!! Another tug from the World Champ is thwarted as Gabe digs in to prevent the Irish whip and he doesn't stop there, reversing the throw and whipping Stephens into the turnbuckles behind him—nope! The Sensation has gotten most of his wind back now and uses his astonishing agility to leap to the top turnbuckle in a single bound, before jumping off in a hooking clothesline… which Gabriel Drake avoids by nonchalantly catching Stephens in midair!!! "Sorry Francis, but the only running he's doing is running out of luck!" King crows. "Gabe is gonna' spread him like a rib splitter!" The Beast secures the struggling Stephens and lifts him up high before driving Mike's back into his knee! Stephens lets out a strangled yelp, but continues to wiggle weakly, but Drake bending the Sensation across his knee again halts that!! Gabe nods his head proudly, walking the World Champ around the ring in a circle, showing him off to everyone before backing near the ropes and tossing him to the outside!! "YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" The crowds odd reaction clues Drake in that something has gone wrong! Turning around he sees that Stephens has nimbly latched on to the top rope with one hand somehow dangling beside the ring apron!! Lugging himself up and placing his knee on the apron, Michael spots Drake stalking towards the ropes and as Gabe reaches over the cables to grab him, Mike drives his shoulder forward stunning the Beast!! Standing tall, Stephens pulls Gabriel's head down and- *THWAP!* -nails him with a European uppercut to the chops!! Gabe bumbles away, stroking his stinging jaw, while the World Heavyweight Champion takes a huge breath and then elevates himself up to the top rope, springing off the cables and hurtling into the just turning Drake with a hooking clothesline!!! "A springboard flying hooking clothesline!" Mak announces joyfully. "Stephens soars through the air and takes out his challenger!" "Please," King murmurs snidely in response. "Toxxic has the glide path of a stone…" "Here we go!" Mak Francis completely ignores his announce partner's retort, too wrapped up in comeback to care! Pushing himself up to his feet, Mike bounces off the ropes and blazes back towards a rising Gabe, hopping into the air and fastening his legs around Drake's neck in a head-scissors takedown!! The fans are roaring, the momentum is changing and Michael Stephens pops back to his feet, feeling the adrenaline pumping through his body!! Marching up to Drake, Mike comes towards his opponent fists up and flying, with the audience behind him chanting each punch he hits… "RIGHT!" *BAM!* "LEFT!" *BAM!* "RIGHT!" *BAM!* "LEFT!" *BAM!* Michael winds up like a baseball pitcher, then spins around… But Gabe ducks… *WHAM!* Right into a kneeling facebuster!!! Spotting the dodge ahead of time, Stephens stops his momentum and drives Drake's face into his knee, then as the Beast's head recoils, the World Champ twirls on his feet again and hits the: *WHAAAAM!* "DISCUSS CLOTHESLINE!" Mak calls, practically jumping (not really) for joy. "In just under a minute's time, Michael Stephens has shown why he is the SWF World Heavyweight Champion!" Breathing somewhat heavily on his knees, but now on a roll, Stephens jumps back up dragging Drake with him as he backs the challenger into the ropes, but Gabe reverses yet again making Mike run the cables! Upon his return, Michael ducks under an overhand right hitting the far ropes and sprints back, this time dodging a back elbow attempt! Rebounding from the cables one more time, Mike plans his next move not spotting Gabe step forwarding after missing his second attack! Catching Stephens by surprise, Drake lifts him up on his shoulder and then backpedals to drop him across the top rope throat first!! Stephens tumbles back and flops over to his belly gasping for breath, while the Beast leans in the ropes rubbing his jaw! "Rejected!" King yells. "Even hell knows to snub Toxxic! He's too much of a liability… he would probably try to break the Devil's neck to get his spot on top!" "Good one…" Francis answers, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, Drake's Devil's Reject, that Stun Gun-like maneuver has halted all the World Champ's momentum. He was really firing on all cylinders too!" Drake surveys the scene, plotting his next move as Stephens takes big wheezing breaths trying to gulp in the air! Forcing himself to get up, Michael is too busy coughing to notice his opponent stalking him from behind and Stephens turns- *THWACK!* *THWACK!* -directly into a right palm to the jaw and left palm to the cheek! Then Drake pivots on his heels, flashing around in a loop with his right fist raises- *THWAP!* -knocking him senseless with a spinning back fist!! With the Sensation staggered by part of the KENTA combo, Gabe wraps his arm around Stephens's neck stepping behind him to bend the Brit backwards for his swinging Flatliner, but Drake pauses to show everyone in the crowd what he's got planned and that's all the time Michael Stephens needs to counter! Driving his right elbow into the nape of Gabriel's neck, Stephens halts the oncoming Brute-force trauma and then continues his assault with elbow… after elbow, after elbow—breaking the hold! "Brute-force trauma—no, Side effect! A Side Effect!" Mak calls, as Mike quickly encircles his right arm around Gabe's head clasping it under Drake's shoulder with his left and prepares to lift, only for the Beast to begin an elbow barrage of his own! Francis retracts his statement. "NO! Drake countering with elbows too! And now he's got a-a-an Arm Triangle choke!!" The Franchise stutters trying to keep up with the fast paced action, as Gabe Drake slaps on an Arm Triangle choke, squeezing his forearm into the side of Stephens's neck pinning it and his arm against Drake's shoulder! The World Champion's face begins to turn red from his restricted oxygen flow, so Gabe starts to lift the Brit for a slam to get him ground, but Michael Stephens will not be taken down and made to submit without some difficulty! Shoving his elbow down to relieve a little of the pressure, Stephens leans his skull away from Drake's and- *CRACK!* -whips it ahead stinging Gabe's ear with the side of his head! Landing back on his feet, but still feeling a little faint, Mike realizes just how close he is to being choked out and alarmed at the thought, frenetically picks up the pace of his attack! *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* The final headbutt gives him the mobility of his right arm and then with his arm finally free, Michael hammers his elbow down into the nape of Gabe's collar breaking the hold!! *CRACK!* Stephens's head is swimming, but the Champ sees an opportunity and strikes, pirouetting in front of Drake while reaching back with his left arm to secure Gabe's head!! Mak's face lights up… “It might be nighttime here on the East Coast but it’s always… SUNNY IN ENGLAND!” “YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!” Lunging towards the turnbuckles, the bedraggled Stephens tries to stay latched to his opponent with the three-quarters facelock for his version of the Slice Bread #2 – but Drake has his wits about him and shoves the Sensation off into the turnbuckle, Stephens just barely able to turn to his back and cushion the blow! This doesn’t stop him from stumbling out of the corner wearily and colliding with Gabriel Drake’s shoulder, as the Beast lowers his head and mangles him into a certified train wreck!!! *WHAAAAAAAAM!* “SPEAR!” King shouts rising out of his seat, as Stephens tumbles over to his belly from the impact! “He got him—WAIT, where is Stephens going! Damnit… that bitch just rolled out of the ring!” And King’s statement is true. The World Champion is now facedown on the outside having rolled himself through the ropes, while Drake sits up looking around for Stephens. Mak Francis explains how everything played out. “Stephens was passing out and he went by pure instincts to get out of a tough jam, then spotted an opening for the Sunny in England and took it, King.” The Franchise says, while his partner fumes. “Drake showed some wherewithal by pushing off the World Champ, but like many times before this his instincts save him once again, as Michael rolling out of the ring probably saved him the title!” “He’s a coward!” King cries out, while Drake finally spots Stephens and rolls out of the ring after him. Kivell starts his count without trying to reason with Gabe, realizing that the only way to get him back in is to use the threat of a count-out. ‘ONE!’ Mak tries to rebuke the claim, but King interrupts. “End of story, Francis!” The aforementioned Francis’s words die in his mouth, as Gabe tries to decide on what he’s going to do with the helpless Stephens… ‘TWO!’ Having made a decision, Drake lifts his struggling opponent to his feet and show everyone his next move… backing Michael into the apron by his lower lumbar! He’s decided to punish!! ‘THREE!’ Stephens clenches his teeth and attempts to protect his ribs, but Drake will have none of that! “I wanna’ hear you fuckin’ beg!” Well, that confirms it. Pulling him back, Drake rams Stephens into the apron again! And again! And again, seemingly trying to force the Brit to cry out in agony!! ‘FOUR!’ “If there’s one thing Michael Stephens is, it’s defiant!” Francis notes, as Drake grabs Stephens in a front headlock and drags him over towards the railing. Holding on to the waistband of his Tripp NYC trousers, Gabriel Drake hoists the World Champ up and then not-so-gently places him down straddling the metal guardrail!! *…Clank!* “OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHWAH…” The crowd shows it sympathy, but Stephens’s wide-eyed stare and low moan is met with a snug right-hand knocking him into the first row fans laps, the real best seats in the house! ‘FIVE!’ The crowd attempts to clear out, as Gabe feints a backhand to a 13 year old kid cursing him out while he reaches over the security railing, snitching in another front headlock and snapping the Sensation over the rail and onto the thinly padded floor in a suplex!! Stephens arches his back in pain and then tries to sit up, falling back to the floor! Unable to get up the first time, Stephens feels Drake grip him by the hair and ‘help’ him to his knees! ‘SIX!’ The Beast shoves his finger into Mike’s face and shouts at him: “Beg, you bitch!” And young Michael’s reply: “Piss off, wanker…” When the World Champ just stares him in the eyes, after that response and fires off a weak punch to the body, Gabe picks him all the way up and takes a quick look behind him… “No-no-no! Don’t do it!” Francis implores, as Drake whips Stephens into the steel steps so hard he doesn’t even have a chance to turn and cushion the bloWii! *CLANG!* ‘SEVEN!’ “Oh, he did it and I enjoyed watching it too!” King shouts gleefully, as Stephens sits huddled over the stairs after hitting them sternum first! “This is the mean streak necessary to win a World Title! If he’s going to live his dream then Toxxic will have to be crushed!” Meanwhile, Gabriel looks at Kivell, who seems at his wits end and smiles. This’ll only get worse from him. The Beast rolls into the ring, allowing the senior referee to break the count and giving him hope that he’ll finally have some control again… but it’s not to be, as Drake steps through the ropes onto the apron and moves around the pole to the steel stairs. ‘EI-’ Glaring down at his opponent, Gabriel Drake hunches over and asks Stephens if he’ll ‘finally fuckin’ beg’, but the World Champion does the one thing he knows will get to Gabe. “Fuck you…” …And flips him the British V-sign just incase he didn’t get the message! “That probably wasn’t such a hot idea…” Drake blinks and does a double take, seemingly in denial that Stephens actually just said that, but when he realizes it was real the Beast stomps down hard crushing Mike’s hand into the stairs!! *BANG!* Walking down the steps, Gabe grabs Stephens, who’s cradling his hurt hand and tosses him under the ropes back into the ring! Drake slides in after him with a sadistic scorned look in his eyes and you can tell he’s planning to do something about it!! Michael sits on his knees, flexing his left digits to get some of the feeling back, but Drake snatches him off the canvas by the head and pants then wheels around, sending him skidding under the buckles on his belly- *THUNK!* -shoulder first into the steel ringpost! Drake slides out of the ring and grips Stephens’s ailing left arm, wrapping it around the pole once more! *THUNK!* Then the Beast grabs the arm, thumping it down against the steel trying to injure the limb again! And again! And again and again and again and again!!! *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* Then with a sadistic grin flings it into the pole one last time! *THUNK!* “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The referee tries to reprimand Drake, but the Beast just smiles on the outside telling him to start the five count if he must! As Kivell starts, Gabe just lets go of the arm and slides back into the ring!! The World Champion cradles his tenderized arm to his body, hoping to protect the limb, as the ref gets in Drake’s face to back him away! Matt Kivell has been around the block so he isn’t intimidated by the wrestler, but he’s not supposed to physically stop them. Kivell shoves Drake back, pointing at the logo on his shirt and not allowing the challenger to advance on Stephens, who is now pulling himself up to his feet using one arm! “Don’t do it, Drake!” Francis cautions, as Gabe seems to be contemplating pushing the referee right back, but common sense prevails when the Beast just smiles and steps around Kivell. He doesn’t want to get DQed, but that doesn’t mean he can’t bend the rules a little! “Kivell shouldn’t have touched him!” King retorts supporting the Beast. “Referees are there to count the pinfalls and submissions! Not get in the wrestlers faces when they adhere to the rules!” “Adhere to the rules!” Mak counters incensed. “Kivell stepped in because he had to enforce the damn rules, King!” With Stephens finally up to his vertical base, Gabe goes about his new plan! Marching up to the Sensation who is cradling his left arm to his midsection, Drake shoots at his leg, pulling the champion off his feet and spinning him down to the mat! Surprised by the new plan of attack, Stephens had no way to defend against the Dragon Screw takedown!! Now in control of the joint, Gabriel drops an elbow into the crook of the limb, banging it into the canvas!! Standing again, his grip still on the ankle, Drake repeats the process, driving the point of his elbow into the knee of the Brit!! Stephens clutches at his leg while trying to protect it, swatting at his opponent who looms over him, then steps on Mike’s abdomen before rocketing over top trying to hyperextend his knee by pulling the hamstring!! “A change of direction from the norm for Gabriel Drake.” Francis notes. “All match he’s been focused on the midsection and back of his opponent, but now he’s attacking the left leg?” “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The Beast stands to jeers from the crowd, glancing over at his opponent who is attempting to crawl his way into the ropes! Surveying his handiwork from afar, while the World Champ claws ever closer to the cables, Drake walks behind him cockily and steps on his ankle to hinder his progress!! “Now that just total disrespect for the champion!” Mak says, “I already knew he was an ass, but I’ll be honest, this whole new mode of attack makes no sense to me-” “-It makes perfect sense to me!” King interrupts. “Gabe’s dissecting him piece by piece just like he said he would, Francis!” The ropes are just inches away, so close in fact that a final lurch from the Champ puts him with reach! Kivell steps in once again, physically backing Drake away since Stephens has pulled himself into the ropes by wrapping his arm around it, seemingly getting as close as possible to it now that Drake has released his ankle!! Hitching himself up to his feet, Michael stands gingerly on the left leg, using the ropes for balance! The senior referee has no choice, but to let Drake advance and Gabe does just that, quickly coming from the side with a swift kick behind the joint! Again! And Again! Mike attempts to hobble away toward the other corner using the ropes, as Gabe rears back- *THWACK!* -and finally kicks the leg out from underneath him! Stephens crash to the ground holding his leg as the crowd voices its displeasure… “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” “Punish him, Gabe!” King shouts anxious to see what Drake will come up with next after his last display. “Break him down!” Lifting Stephens up by his hair, Drake backs Stephens into the corner and then hauls him across the ring in a cross corner whip… or he would have been whipped into the buckles- *THUNK!* -if the Sensation’s leg hadn’t given out briefly, forcing him to slide into the ringpost on his side!!!! Dropping down to the canvas, Gabe grabs Stephens’s left leg and drags him back into the corner under the pads! Sliding out of the ring with a firm grip on the Sensation’s foot, Drake yanks him forward and bends the World Champ on the pole, earning a baleful look from Kivell in the process!! Twisting his former friend’s body around the ringpost, while he reaches around Mike’s throat, Gabriel Drake secures both the leg and head… “I’ve never quite seen a set-up like this…” Mak call, as Drake pulls back wrenching Stephens around the ringpost!!!! “Oh god, it’s a Bow and Arrow AROUND THE RINGPOST!” “My boys inventive!” King boasts, as Michael’s arms flail about trying anything to relieve some of the pressure!! On the outside, the Beast just continues to lean back, pulling down on his legs and neck while he waits for the inevitable five count. The World Champ screams writhing in pain, his free arm banging against the post! Kivell immediately flies into a count! He’s got to stop this… make Drake break! ‘ONE!’ ‘TWO!’ “What goes around comes around!” King declares, as Stephens shakes his head and hollers ‘No’, just encase Kivell’s thinking of stopping the match. “This is what you deserve when you ruin a man’s dream!” ‘THREE!’ ‘FOUR!’ “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” And prompt as always Drake releases the hold! Breaking the torturous hold at four, the Beast mollifies Kivell by sliding back into the ring. Stephens meanwhile pulls himself from around the post, trying and failing to gain some distance between him and his challenger! Done trying to reprimand Drake for his excessive attacks, the referee attempts to reason with him, but Gabe calmly reminds him yet again that he’s got a four count, so he can’t DQ the challenger! Drake grabs Stephens by the wrist and drags him from under the turnbuckles into the center of the ring, dropping on top of the World Champ in a lateral press! “Finally, a damn cover!” The Franchise says, as Kivell falls to his knees, thankful that Drake’s finally seen reason. “This is Drake’s first attempt to actually end the match… and he might just do it.” ONE- -Kivell’s hand doesn’t even get to strike the mat… because the Beast lifts Stephens’s off the mat by his scalp and stares the ref in the face!! Gripping the Sensation’s head, Gabe shakes his head and lets Kivell know he’s not done! “You *bleep*-ing son of a bitch!” Mak Francis fumes completely irate at Drake, finally losing his cool after many false starts! “I don’t get why you’re so upset,” King asks calmly, “we all knew this was how it’d go, right? Hell, in my opinion Toxxic deserves this! He tried to destroy the man’s dream! His destiny! You’re not god, Francis.” King adds in a condescending manner. “You can’t even walk let alone walk on water, so who’re you to go against destiny?!” “Now you’re just being an *bleep*-ing ass, Brian!” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Above Average 0 Report post Posted December 26, 2006 If somebody could delete this one for me it'd be appreciated. And for some reason the board's saying that 5K is too long to post underneath this so if anybody can help me with that I'll finish posting my match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JHawk 0 Report post Posted December 26, 2006 This admittedly sucks, but since Raynor actually liked the finish I figured I might as well throw it in. ---------------- As Crimson Yuletide returns from an in house advertisement for the Ashes 2 Ashes DVD, we get a shot of the ring, as a pole is set up in each corner. At the top of each pole is a platform. On each platform is a gift-wrapped box. Francis: "Crimson Yuletide is once again on the air, and we have a fantastic match coming your way for the Hardcore Championship here tonight. Jimmy the Doom is set to defend his title against not one, not two, but three opponents." King: "By the time this match is over, not only is somebody walking out of here with the hardcore championship belt around their waist, but quite possibly somebody is walking out of there with a brand new car." Francis: "We'll let Funyon get to the rules in just a few moments, but let's take a quick look at how this match came about." King: "Well, last week on Lockdown, Jay Hawke was scheduled to meet Jimmy the Doom in a hardcore match, but he chose to forfeit that match rather than fight because the title was not on the line." Francis: "Well, nobody can say Joseph Peters isn't charitable this time of year. He has given Jay Hawke a shot at the title tonight, but Peters has added Insane Luchador and Devin Benson into the mix tonight." King: "Well, these are four guys who only have one thing in common. They want to win. Because winning brings more mony, money buys more stuff, and having more stuff is the most important thing. That's the spirit of Christmas, you know." Francis: "Leave it to you to bastardize the season of giving. Anyway, why don't we let Funyon take things from here? Funyon?" Funyon: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a Christmas Gift Match scheduled for one fall for the SWF Hardcore Championship!" "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!" Funyon: "There are four gifts hanging above the ring from poles. During the course of the match, each wrestler is allowed to climb one pole and grab one giftwrapped box, then open it up. Whatever a wrestler opens is his Christmas present, and it's legal for him to use during the match! One lucky wrestler will receive the keys a brand-new Porsche 9-11!" "Learning to Fly" by Pink Floyd comes on the PA as the lights dim. Funyon: "Introducing...from the Hall of Fame City of Cleveland, Ohio, and weighing in at 215 pounds...he is "The Dean of Professional Wrestling"...Jay Hawke!" A spotlight shines on Jay Hawke as he makes his way to the ring. As Hawke makes his way onto the ring apron, he takes off his robe, folds it, and hands it to the ring attendant. Then he stands up on the turnbuckle with both arms in the air as the crowd boos. Francis: "Nothing fancy from Hawke here tonight, King. He simply comes to the ring focused and ready to go." King: "Just the way it should be, Mak. Hey, depending on what is in those gift boxes, this could be a bloody, violent matchup. There's no time for tomfoolery or screwing around." The arena darkens as "Poison Godmachine" by Nevermore plays over the PA, and the aisleway fills with smoke as red strobe lights fill the aisle. Funyon: "Introducing next, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, weighing in at 185 pounds ... Devin Benson!" Francis: "This guy might be the dark horse in this whole thing, King. A solid showing here, and he might very well pull off the upset." King: "I don't know, Mak. I think he's going to be so far out of his element here that he's not going to stand a chance!" "Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains begins and a surge of red and black, yes black, pyrotechnics goes off. Insane Luchador emerges from the lingering smoke and energetically throws his arms up into the air to rally the crowd. Funyon: "From Easton, Pennsylvania, weighing in at 223 pounds ... 'Your Psychotic Hero' ... INSANE LUCHADOR!" Insane Luchador then sprints down the aisle while slapping fans’ hands until he hits ringside, where he slides into the ring, roll up, and then waits for his final opponent. Francis: "Now here's a guy who is far from out of his element, King!" King: "No, but let's be honest here. Last year, Jay Hawke hit this guy with a DDT that injured him for so long that people thought he was dead. And he's going to chance being injured like that again here?" Francis: "He's got that fighting spirit, King." King: "And that gives him an excuse to commit career suicide?" The arena lights go out suddenly and two columns of hooded druids/monks/acolytes/Jedis march down the ramp and to the ring, chanting “Doom” the entire time. They place themselves against the crowd barriers, facing the ring, but leaving a gap from the entrance ramp open. The lights come back on, the chanting stops immediately, and Boots Randolph’s “Yakety Sax” plays over the speakers. Funyon: "And accompanied to the ring by Lois the Unethical ... from Doomopolis, Doomtopia ... weighing in at 230 pounds ... the SWF Hardcore Champion ... JIMMY THE DOOM!" Jimmy the Doom and Lois the Unethical walk down the ramp, then Jimmy shouts try to catch me. He weaves in and out from between the druids, now not only spreading along the aisle, but also among many of the displays throughout Santa's Village. Lois doesn't even try to humor Jimmy, who is too busy zigzagging through the druids to notice. Francis: "Well, this is certainly one of the ... um... most ... unique entrances in SWF history." King: "Well, he does list Wonko the Sane and Marge Schott as his role models, so I can't say I'm surprised." Jimmy the Doom finally enters the ring, looking at Lois and going, "Nyah nyah, you missed me!" With that, referee Nick Soapdish takes the title belt from him and holds it over his head. Francis: "It looks like we're just about ready to get this one underway!" King: "Thank God. That entrance was right out of the Vince Russo playbook, and that is not a good thing." DING DING DING! At the bell, the three challengers start to move in toward each other, but Jimmy the Doom stops them. As the three men look at each other in confusion, Jimmy points at the corners and says "Gifts first!" The challengers look at each other and shrug their shoulders, and Jay Hawke nods, saying "What a Doomtabulous idea!" Jimmy jumps up and down and claps like a junior high school cheerleader about to have her first kiss and makes his way to a corner. As he starts climbing, all three challengers charge, hitting a triple dropkick into the back that sends Jimmy the Doom face-first into the pole. Francis: "Well, Jimmy had an idea that they might as well grab the weapons first, but it seems the challengers had something else in mind entirely." King: "Well, one thing we should point out is this isn't an elimination style four way. The first fall wins it." Knowing that, the three challengers begin trading forearm blows in the center of the ring. A solid shot from Devin Benson sends Jay Hawke sprawling back into the corner, leaving Benson and Luchador to their warring forearms. Sensing an opportunity, Jay Hawke begins to climb in the corner. Francis: "And Jay Hawke makes his first attempt at getting one of those presents." King: "I personally hope that's the corner with the midget stripper. She's a hottie." Francis: "What?" Jay Hawke has made his way to the top rope just as Devin Benson dropsaults Insane Luchador, who takes a tumble to the corner near Jimmy the Doom. Benson immediately charges after Hawke, leaps, springboards off the top rope, then dropkicks Hawke in the ribs. Hawke tumbles off the top rope to the floor, hitting the concrete floor hard. Francis: "Impressive move by Devin Benson in the early going here!" King: "It looked impressive, and it takes Hawke out of the equation, but moves like that could be the death of him if he tries them too often!" As Benson soaks in the cheers of the crowd, Jimmy the Doom makes his way to his feet, stumbling around like a 62-year-old man who had a few too many drinks the night before. Or Terry Funk after a chairshot. Either description works. Benson walks over and dropkicks him, and Jimmy is down and rolls to the floor as Insane Luchador gets to all fours. With that, Benson steps on Insane Luchador's back, using him as a stepping stone to begin his climb up a corner. King: "Here we go! Grab something and bloody something with it!" As Benson reaches the top rope, Insane Luchador reaches up and grabs a hold of Benson before climbing up after him. He locks in a waistlock then falls backwards, releasing him on the way down but not preventing himself from taking a hard tumble himself. "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Francis: "Release German suplex off the top rope, and while I'm sure the Luchador got the best of it, he didn't exactly land with a lot of flair!" King: "That's the problem with matches like these! Getting the gifts off the poles isn't necessary to win the match, but it's simply too inviting to pass up! That leads to big moves and risks that don't necessarily need done!" Jay Hawke crawls into the ring, with Jimmy the Doom climbing in a second or two later. Hawke, probably taking the champion a little too lightly, moves in quickly, only to get caught with a karate kick to the thigh that buckles his legs. Jimmy then unleashes a series of martial arts kicks to the legs, breaking the challenger down until he's on both knees with his head bowed down. A roundhouse kick catches Hawke in the temple, and Hawke collapses to the mat in a heap as the crowd goes wild: "JIMMY! JIMMY! JIMMY!" Jimmy takes a moment to do the Cabbage Patch for the fans, unaware that Insane Luchador has made his way to his feet behind him. IL doesn't even wait for the champion to turn around, instead catching him in mid-cabbage patch with a rear naked choke. Francis: "This could do it right here! If Jimmy taps or passes out, Insane Luchador will win the championship without a weapon being used!" King: "A hardcore title match without a weapon used? Why not a cruiserweight match with two 350 pounders while we're at it?" Jimmy the Doom is starting to fade, and Insane Luchador pulls him down to the mat for the full effect of the hold. As he tightens in the hold, Devin Benson appears out of nowhere, coming in with a baseball slide that catches IL in the head to break the hold. Francis: "And Devin Benson breaks the hold before it can put Jimmy the Doom out." King: "What happens if this match ends before somebody wins the car?" Francis: "I don't know. Knowing Peters, he'll try keeping the car for himself." King: "Maybe he'll give it to me for my Christmas bonus." Devin Benson begins to climb the turnbuckle, reaching the top rope in fairly short order. He begins to climb up the pole, unaware that Jay Hawke is behind him.... "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Francis: "Low blow!" Hawke then shoves Benson off the pole, and he hits the ring apron as he falls to the floor. Hawke then begins his own slow climb up the pole to try to get his gift. Francis: "Jay Hawke is once again making his way up that pole, looking for that first Christmas gift of the contest!" King: "And it appears as though he's going to make it up there, Mak!" Hawke reaches up for the gift on the platform, getting one hand on it. As he reaches up to cradle it, Devin Benson climbs onto the apron. Out of a combination of desperation and instinct, he leaps, grabbing the ringpost, swinging around it, and kicking Hawke in the face to knock him back into the ring. With the Dean of Wrestling landing hard, Benson decides to climb up the pole himself. Francis: "What a move!" Devin Benson reaches up and pulls down the first gift box, and he pulls off the lid to reveal a pair of brass knuckles. King: "Good! It's about damn time somebody gets to use a weapon against somebody tonight!" Devin Benson comes down from the pole and slides the brass knuckles over his fingers, unaware that Insane Luchador is standing behind him. As he turns around, he is met by a kick to the midsection, which is followed by an implant DDT that lays him out flat on the canvas. Seemingly, this would be the perfect opportunity to go for a pin, but Insane Luchador instead decides he wants to climb up one of the poles. Francis: "Insane Luchador making his way up the pole now. Could be taking a big chance here." King: "As is everybody else." Francis: "This is true." Jimmy the Doom has regained his bearings as well (at least as much as Jimmy the Doom can), and he is actually climbing up the corner on the opposite end of the ring. Francis: "But Jimmy the Doom is coming up on the other side as well!" King: "There's a 67% chance that somebody's about to win a car right here!" Each man grabs a gift box and removes the lids to look inside. For Insane Luchador, he holds up the keys to a brand new Porsche 9-11. Francis: "Luchador gets the car and Jimmy gets...?" King: "A rubber chicken?" Indeed, Jimmy the Doom hops off of the turnbuckle with a rubber chicken in his hand. Weighted of course. I mean, how much damage could a rubber chicken do otherwise? At any rate, The Insane One hops off his corner as well, and the two men charge, hitting each other with a double clothesline and falling to the mat, dropping their gifts on the mat. This is an opportunity for Jay Hawke, who has rolled to the corner in the middle of all the confusion. He climbs up the last turnbuckle, hellbent on making this last gift count. He opens the gift box and pulls out... ... ...a piece of paper? Francis: "What?" King: "What's he going to do with that, get somebody to bleed to death via paper cut?" Hawke looks quizzically at the paper, then smiles, showing it to referee Nick Soapdish. Soapdish looks it over with a puzzled look on his face, then shrugs his shoulders and calls for the bell. DING DING DING! "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Francis: "What the...?" King: "I think the Clusterfuck just came about six weeks early. I'm confused." Nick Soapdish heads over to confirm with Funyon, grabbing the title belt as the conversation ends. Funyon: "Ladies and gentlemen, the gift box Jay Hawke opened had a note on official SWF letterhead signed by Joseph Peters, which says the following: Congratulations. Grab the hardcore belt and go. My Christmas gift to you? You are the hardcore champion. Therefore, the winner of this match ... and new SWF Hardcore Champion ... JAY HAWKE!" "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! BULL-SHIT! BULL-SHIT! BULL-SHIT!" Francis: "I've got to agree with the crowd in this one, King." King: "Hell, I've got to agree with the crowd. What the hell was the point of this match if grabbing the gift box was enough for a victory?" Francis: "At any rate, that ends what had been shaping up to be a fantastic match, but we have other matches that are guaranteed to please coming your way in just a matter of moments!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Above Average 0 Report post Posted December 26, 2006 Picking Michael up to his vertical base, Gabe seizes Stephens’s arm and backpedals a little whipping Mike into the corner with so much authority he falls to his knees, causing the World Champ to hit the buckles so hard he rockets to the canvas face first!!! Drake stands, slowly extending his arms wide, hands formed in the devil horns, palms toward the crowd practically pleading for their jeers with his taunt... “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” And he definitely gets them! While Drake is posing, Stephens groans on the mat, holding his back and thumping his leg against the canvas… but Mike is a tough son-of-a-gun and he attempts to suck it up, reaching above him and grasping the middle rope! Rising sluggishly, Stephens finally makes it up enough to prop himself up in the corner! “He should just stay down.” King comments, as Drake walks towards Stephens. “Toxxic’s six-feet nothing, two hundred pounds maybe soaking wet! His body will probably be broken at the end of this, if it isn’t already!” Gabriel bends at the waist, hoisting Stephens onto his shoulder and slams him down on the metal stud! Looking up at Stephens as he refuses to whimper, Drake starts his climb up the turnbuckles, heading up top for what will presumably be a Top Rope Superplex! Clubbing Mike on the back of his neck, Drake places his left foot on the top rope, preparing to go all the way up top, but the woozy World Champion bangs his forehead into the Beast’s head, madly picking up the pace of each headbutt as he goes!! *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* “YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!” Mike deliberately encircles his right arm around Gabe’s head clasping it under Drake’s shoulder with his left which throbs so painfully he contemplates not doing what he’s thinking of, but then he stares out at the crowd… he did this to the tosser once before and it may hurt him, but damnit, if that’s the case then this one’s gonna’ REALLY bleedin’ hurt Gabe… *BANG!* …When he dives off the ropes, slamming Drake into the mat on the back of his head at such a nasty angle, he flops over to his stomach like a mackerel!!!! “HO-LY SHIT!” “HO-LY SHIT!” “HO-LY SHIT!” “HO-LY SHIT!” “SIDE EFFECT OFF THE TOP ROPE!” Mak roars over the chanting fans, grabbing his announcer partner’s shoulders and shaking him so vigorously that his Santa hat falls off! “No matter how fragile you think Michael Stephens is… he’s the World Champ because the guy just won’t give up! He perseveres through anything you throw at him and then shoves it right back down your throat! The man has heart, end of story!” “Yeah, yeah,” King says looking at Mak funnily after his odd reaction, “The spot-monkey pulled off the same thing at the Elimination Chamber, but this time the match is one-on-one! There’s no Landon Maddix to throw soft-drinks or fluke pins by Zyon to save him from Gabe tonight!” Kivell checks on Drake first after the nasty fall, raising his fist as Gabe responds and then verifies that Stephens wants to continue, pumping his fist high after making sure he can still go! From there the ref immediately goes into his count: ‘ONE!’ No body moves. ‘TWO!’ The crowd cottons on counting along and stomping their feet while both men still sit on the mat! “THREEEEEEEEEEEE!” The noise continues to get louder as both Drake and Stephens barely begin to move! The Sensation clutching his ribs and reaching for his knee, while the Beast holds the back of his neck banging his fist repeatedly into the canvas. “The crowd can feel it!” Mak shouts over the roar. “Their World Champ can begin to turn the tide right here! It may be cliché but the first man to his feet will have the advantage!” “FOOOOOOOOO-UR!” “Tired clichés are right up your alley and where do you get off calling him their World Champion, Francis?” King requests of the Franchise. “Does having the fans support really mean anything? When I won the title I was their World Champ too, whether they liked it or not!” Another count down, as both men struggle to rise! Stephens sits up, flexing his hand and trying to shake the cobwebs out, while to his off to his right, Gabriel Drake pushes himself to his hands and knees!! “FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-VE!” “And I’m sure the ratings reflected that.” Francis mumbles, getting a good dig at King, who proceeds to rant about how much of a draw he was. Mak interrupts intent on actually calling the action. “-Now the question is who’s going to get up first…” Suddenly, Mike and Gabe’s eyes meet! It’s now real apparent to the both of them that they have to hurry or risk losing the advantage! Stephens turns to the side and plants his hands, pushing up just as Drake does the same from his knees… “SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-IX!” “…Damnit!” Mak curses, as Matthew Kivell claps his hands together signaling that Drake has made it to his feet, while Stephens shakes out his numbing left arm still on the mat! The audience practically groan as one as Drake ambles over towards Stephens, still holding the back of his head while reaching down with his other hand to pull Mike up to his vertical base – but the Brit from Nottingham uses his hard head to his advantage once again, yanking Gabe chin into his head as he sits-out on the mat!! “Sit-out jawbreaker!” King and Mak announce at the same time, one in sorrow and one in joy! “Clichés are made to be broken!” Francis adds, the crowd letting out a huge cheer while Mike gets to his feet! “YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!” The Beast backpedals away into the ropes holding his jacked-up jaw and stumbles forward from the momentum, right into the diving shins and feet of Michael Stephens forcing him to face plant!! Using the ropes to get up, the Sensation stands over Drake who has gotten to his knees and turned around, but is still feeling the effects of the soccer tackle!! Pulling Gabe into a standing head-scissors, Mike underhooks both arms, but Drake’s arms unlike his legs are perfectly fine and he yanks down, pulling his right arm from Stephens’s left! It’s as if he steals the Champion’s crutch when he picks the single leg, sending Mike quickly to the mat! Then the Beast drops down, crossing both legs at the ankle and sure they’re secure reaches around Stephens’s upper torso cranking his head and body at an awkward angle!!! “YES!” King bellows and then begins laughing. “He’s got him in the Regal Stretch! What a great way to achieve his dream, by using the move of the chump who passed him up for Toxxic all those years ago!” “I actually have to agree with you there.” Mak adds begrudgingly shocked by the scene. “This would have to be the ultimate humiliation for the Champion! Beaten by the move taught to him by his mentor… but Drake’s made a mistake!” Francis adds, watching the ring carefully. “He wasn’t thinking about his ring positioning when he shot the takedown, just embarrassing Stephens most likely and he’s pushed his opponent back into range of the ropes!” Michael Stephens shuts his eyes and cries out in agony! He knows that the ropes are right in front of him, but the pain is searing through his body! He can’t focus on the cable probably just a little outside of his arms normal reach! This hold is very potent and he knows it! The longer this goes on the easier it will become to succumb to the pain, so with his ribcage burning more and more from each inch he stretches out his left hand, Stephens makes a play for the ropes!! Opening his eyes wide, he spots the rabid fans stomping their feet, screaming and pleading for him not to tap as his gropes… …But his hand falls just short! ]“Tap! TAP, Motherfucker! TAAAAAP, you son of a bitch!” With Drake shouting in his ear, a sharp pain in his side informs him that this is as far as he can go… Stephens’s left hand hovers for a second, seemingly having a mind of its own, but the will of the champion overrides what his body is telling him and with a final lunge and immense pain… …He makes the ropes!!!! “YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!” Kivell moves in asking for a break and after two counts, Gabe drops the hold. Rolling away to his knees, the Beast stares at Stephens, whose hand has not yet let go of the bottom rope. “I don’t believe it!” King says disconcerted by the scene. “He shouldn’t have been able to reach…” Standing up, the Beast grabs Stephens by the ankle and tugs a few times trying to get him center ring, but the Champ’s grip on the ropes is too strong! Looking at Stephens with what can only be wonder, Gabe uses both hands and finally haul him towards the middle of the ring! Walking around in front of his former friend, Drake grabs him by the head and sticks him into a standing head-scissors!! “He’s going for a Demon-bomb folks and with Drake’s raw power this match may be over… if he decides to pin him.” Mak adds as an afterthought. Bending at the waist Gabriel hoists the World Heavyweight Champion up onto his shoulders, holding him at the apex for a second… Before Stephens flips out!!! “COUNTER!” Mak calls, in full markout mode! “Where does Stephens get this from after all the punishment?! He’s superhuman, King!” Using his extraordinary dexterity, the Sensation lands on his one knee and wrapping his right arm around Gabe’s leg, Michael stands, picking Drake’s leg while back-tripping the other and bracing it with his left arm!! Mike attempts to flip Gabe over onto his belly, but the challenger is much too strong for that, so mostly using his uninjured right arm, Stephens lifts Gabriel’s body up enough to slide his feet under and once secure leans back directly towards the corner, heaving the Beast overhead… …Over the turnbuckles… “NO LOOKOUT!” King squeals, seeing Drake continue to fly. …And into the STEEL RINGPOST FACE FIRST!!!!! *THUNK!* A dull thud echoes in the cool nights air, as blood practically explodes from Drake’s forehead!! “Oh, he busted his head wide open…” The Suicide King states, concern in his voice, as Gabe staggers backwards, dark red viscous liquid seeping from a gash in his face!! “Stephens finding the strength from god knows where catapulted the Beast into the unforgiving steel ringpost…” Mak calls suddenly cringing as he gets a clear shot of Drake, once he has stopped staggering backwards; now instead breathing heavily while the blood flows down his face, over the side of his nose and to his chest! “And the challenger has been busted WIDE open!” In the center of the ring the Beast stands on wobbly legs seemingly teetering on the spot, ready to fall at any moment! Michael Stephens hobbles to his feet and takes off for the near ropes hoping to topple his former friend face to face- *WHAAAAAAAAM!* -but he gets DECKED by his lacerated opponent while he falls to a knee in a sickening Lariat!!!! “SHOTGUN LARIAT!” King shouts, eyes going wide. “It certainly sounded like a damn shotgun blast!” “Good god you’re right, Brian, what a Lariat,” Mak adds surveying the violence, “but neither man is in any position to do anything either way!” “Yeah,” King agrees. “Drake’s bloodier than a used tampon and Toxxic is probably KOed!” Stephens gets completely turned inside out by the blow, landing on the back of his neck and rolling onto his belly, while the bloody Drake slumps to all fours!! Crawling to a neutral corner, Gabe turns, leaning back into the pads for support and watches as the World Champ slowly stands, briefly on his feet before stumbling into the opposite corner, a dazed look in his eyes!! Pulling himself up using the ropes, Gabriel measures Stephens from across the ring and dashes out of the corner, charging full speed ahead while leaping right knee out in his best Harley Race imitation… *CHING!* “OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHWAH…” Or would have if Stephens hadn’t dropped to the canvas!!! The male’s in the audience can’t help but feel a little sympathetic as Drake straddles the top rope clearly wincing in pain!! The World Champ crawls from the corner and then stands pulling Gabe down by his torso, his right foot already trapped under the metal stud!! “When we first started this match, Michael Stephens had five months of aggression to take out on Gabriel Drake and he was whooping his ass from pillar to post because of it. Now with everything that’s gone down in this match I guarantee only one thing is on his mind.” Francis flashes a smile. “Payback’s a bitch!” The adrenaline pumping, the World Champ forgets about the pain in his midsection, left knee and arm. Michael Stephens is focused on the pain his former friend Gabriel Drake is going to feel! Backing into the opposite corner with mean intentions on his mind, Stephens smiles… Payback’s a bitch! Sprinting from the corner, Stephens leads with his feet, baseball sliding into Drake’s bloody forehead with an appalling stiff dropkick!!! *CRACK!* “YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!” Getting up to his feet, the World Champ isn’t through just yet! Blood spurts from Drake’s face, sliding into his hair and turning his dyed white streaks maroon! Gabe blinks, his crimson stained face scrunching up in pain as he opens his eyes and sees the upside down image of the man who ruined his life! Gabriel sits powerless to stop it, as Mike takes off from the corner again, this time leaping into the air and seemingly floating before- *CEEEEERACK!* “RRRRGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! -Plastering him with another horrendous hard dropkick!!!! “Brutal Hesitation dropkick from Michael Stephen, who has taken to attacking Drake, ironically enough, like a shark who smells blood!” Mak Francis says, as Gabe is even bloodier than before, a fresh wave leaking from his cut! Stephens stands up and releases his opponent from the tree of woe and he slumps to the crimson stained mat below! Grabbing Drake in a front headlock and slowly but surely using the leverage to pull him towards center ring, Michael pulls his knee back and just starts driving it repeatedly into the challenger’s head… *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* “YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” If he were to be honest, it’s not the blood lust of the crowd that drives Michael on as they high-five and cheer the disfiguring and dismantling of his heated rival! This is personal! Double underhooking Gabe’s arms, “Squire” Stephens channels someone from their mutual past, much like Drake did and arches back in a Butterfly suplex floating over while holding the arms in a lateral press pin!!! Kivell drops to count… ONE! TWO! THR- -but he can’t hold the pin, his left arm screaming in protest as Gabe kicks out!!! “The World Champ trying to feed Gabe Drake a little karma with that British-plex after he attempted to make Stephens tap to the Regal Stretch!” “Toxxic is a bitter, bitter man, Francis!” King responds. “Not only does he want to continue his blood-letting, but he’s trying to embarrass his opponent as well!” “Hypocritical much, King?” Mak asks. “Didn’t Drake try to do the same thing?” “That’s different… he has destiny on his side!” Stephens shakes out the offending arm that denied him his revenge and decides to get some revenge off his own! Lifting Drake up by his blood soaked hair, Stephens grabs him by his head and tights then whirls around tossing Gabe through the corner pads into the steel post shoulder first!! *THUNK!* Walking around an admonishing Kivell and climbing the turnbuckles, Stephens sits on the top rope, his dangling feet perched on the second rope. Reaching down with his right arm, Stephens once again underhooks Drake’s arm! “Could we be about to see the Triple S from Stephens?” The Franchise asks, as Mike reaches down with his left arm but winces in pain! Underneath him the dormant Beast begins to show signs of life, so without any better option, Michael Stephens rotates off the second rope… *BANG!* -Implanting Gabriel Drake’s face into a pool of his own blood with a one-arm Stephens Shock Syndrome!!!! “STEPHENS SHOCK SYNDROME!” “TOXXIC SHOCK SYNDROME!” Both announcers call out at the same time giving each other odd looks! Since Stephens already pretty much has a half nelson, Mike shoots Drake over while Kivell slides to the mat… ONE! TWO! THREE- -but Drake kicks out barely shoving his opponent off him!! Michael sits up looking to Kivell who says Gabe got the shoulder up and then grabs at the ropes pulling himself to his feet. “Destiny lives!” The Suicide King shouts, ready to go into a boast. “I knew I couldn’t be wrong because—well, I’m never wrong!” “Drake kicking out of a big move there,” Mak admits, “as Michael Stephens has put down quite a few wrestlers with that maneuver!” Stepping through the ropes one more time, Stephens holds his back, the adrenaline beginning to wear off. Limping on the apron, Mike slowly climbs the turnbuckles, but this time the World Champ gains his balance and stands tall readying himself for something big! “What the hell is he up too?” King questions, as some fans catch on and begin to take out their cameras! “Damned if I know…” The funny thing is that the crowd sure knows what’s going on and waits with baited breath! He knows it’s going to take a lot out of him with a sore knee and his core bruised up, but figuring what the hell, Stephens shrugs and flashes his trademark lopsided grin… “You don’t think-” Then Michael Stephens leaps, tucking his legs into his body as he swirls around in a backwards 360- *BANG!* “OH MY GOD!” Mak screams, channeling Philadelphia’s most beloved wrestling announcer! -Hitting the Shooting Star Leg drop!!!!!!!! Stephens collapses to his back the jarring pain in his lower lumbar and ribs setting his world on fire! Gabe Drake sits motionless, as Michael slowly sits up and pulls himself over to Drake’s body, then leans back into a cover, hooking the near leg!! Kivell slides halfway out of the ring to get in position as he counts… ONE! TWO! THREE! “KICK OUT!” They both yell in amazement, while the crowd nearly riots sure they were seeing Stephens pick up the win! “THAT WAS THREE!” “THAT WAS THREE!” “THAT WAS THREE!” Mike looks up at senior referee Matt Kivell who’s shaking his head in disbelief, but affirms that Drake did indeed get his far shoulder up!!! Stephens runs a hand through his hair and stands not quite sure what he’s going to do next! “…I think they’re right, King, that should have been three!” “You saw it as well as I did Francis!” King responds. “All the could’ve-should’ve-would’ves in the world won’t change the fact that Gabe Drake just kicked out of Toxxic’s Inglorious!” Pulling himself up in the corner, Michael Stephens looks down at his opponent, who has rolled to his belly from the kick-out! Moving over to his head, Stephens bends and using a tries to pull Drake to his feet, but is unable to get the sandbagging challenger up! Dropping to his knees, Stephens latches on a front headlock and uses it to drag the Beast away from the corner towards the middle of the ring! Leveraging Gabe up to his feet, Stephens turns into a three quarter facelock and points towards the ropes directly in front of him!! “YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” “Stephens is calling his shot like the Great Bambino!” Mak notes, as the crowd cheers in anticipation of the big move that might finally put the challenger down! The Sensation takes off for the ropes knowing that he’ll need the extra spring to make it up overtop after the beating his body has taken, but on blind instinct seemingly sensing danger, the Beast pushes him off for the second time tonight! “But there is no joy in mudville as mighty Stephens has struck out!” This time though, Mike’s ring awareness shines through. He remembers back to a time when he wasn’t sure he could lay claim to the title of being the man. A match against an opponent who he couldn’t outwrestle, but could outmaneuver! As the World Champ rushes forward, it all clicks into place. Taking a huge gamble, Stephens leaps, landing precariously on the top rope. Bending his knees, Mike wonders if he can make the distance, but then banishes the thought from his mind… Springboarding back for the SUNNY IN ENGLAND!!!! *BANG!* …but he overshoots!! Landing on the canvas with a thud, Stephens hand goes down to his knee! “That move is a crapshoot any way you slice it, but Stephens probably overcompensated for his knee and just couldn’t reach back and get the facelock like he did against Tom at Genesis...” Mak calls as Stephens cringes, concentration momentarily seized by the pain and in that second Drake himself reaches back hooking Mike into a facelock off his own, hoisting the World Champ onto his shoulders like a backpack!!! “MARK OF THE BEAST!” King yells. “It’s SIX-SIX-SIX time! If he hits this Stephens will be down for an eighteen count!” …But you should know by now that Stephens will never go quietly! The threat of losing the title bringing him out of his stupor, Mike begins wildly kicking his leg to free it from Gabe’s grasp, while hammering Drake with his right forearm across the bridge of his nose with a cross-face! The challenger stumbles to the left under the force of the blow and releases the champ who immediately throws his free arm around the Beast’s neck in an inverted facelock!! Michael falls from Gabe’s shoulders with Drake no longer able to hold his leg and lands on bended knee, causing his opponent’s back to spasm- “Counter!” Mak shills. “An Inverted DDT on the knee!” -then wheeling Gabe around, Mike swings back with no pause at all, spiking Drake into the canvas on the top of his dome!!! “…Evenflow DDT?!” The Franchise adds apparently perplexed as Stephens sits up, his back groaning in protest while he rolls off the mat and crawls into a cover, hooking the leg! Kivell makes the count… ONE! TWO! THREE- -but the challenger shoves Stephens off him one more time breaking the pin!!! “Did we just see the Detoxx, King?!” Mak asks his announce partner. “We haven’t seen that one since we last called him by the Toxxic ring name! Stephens is pulling out all the stop here in New Hamsphire!” “Since when have I ever stopped calling him Toxxic, Francis?” “Good point…” Standing up using the ropes behind him for support, Michael Stephens stumbles into the corner and blows the hair out of his eyes. Pushing himself up onto the second buckle the battered Brit waits for his man. “I think this is a mistake by the champion.” Mak announces, as Drake slowly but surely gets to his feet, staggering around looking for his opponent. “He needs to stay on Drake, not give him time to reco-” Francis stops in the middle of his sentence because once Gabe spots him, the World Champion leaps from the cables, diving forward- *THWAAAAAAAAP!* -lunging into Drake with a European uppercut from the second rope!!! “A SUPER European Uppercut!” Mak Francis cries, as the Beast tumbles to the ground. “Gabe Drake has been taking heavy blows to the head all match and it wouldn’t surprise me if that one just rang his bell!” On the mat, Drake shakes his head trying to get rid of the ringing in his ears, while Stephens rolls to his feet, a bloody imprint on his right arm from where he rocketed it into Drake’s skull!! Gabe fights to a knee, holding the back off his head and moaning softly, as the World Champion walks over and underhooks his arms!! Expecting a standing head-scissors the kneeling Drake preps to sandbag, but he’s not thinking straight after having just gotten up from the devastating blow of Stephens, because he never expects to end up in a butterfly lock!!! “RTF II!” Mak yells loudly. “Stephens may not only beat Drake but take away his streak of never having submitted in a match!” Mike’s arm is killing him, but a lift is out of the question right now. He’s got to end this and this is one of the few moves he hasn’t tried yet tonight. Locking his hands together, Stephens believes if it’s a battle of wills between him and Gabe, he’ll win out. This may be his last stand. “Gabe looks moments away from passing out, but he’s fighting it!” King calls, as Gabe’s face is a mix of red from the effort, lack of oxygen and blood! Suddenly, Drake’s hand hovers over the World Champ’s back for the tap out, seemingly having a mind of its own, but it won’t happen this way. Michael Stephens will not crush his dream like he’s done so many others! Stephens looks around in shock, as his arms begin to quake under the new pressure being exerted upon them!! “Drake’s fighting!” Mak calls shocked by the display. “This is an unbelievable show of power!” Mike grips tighter with his right hand, trying to push through the pain, but his left arm succumbs to the power of the Beast, breaking the double underhook submission! Lugging Michael’s weight with him Gabe slowly stands his breathing erratic and shallow… and then lowers Stephens down his back and off to the side, sitting out and slamming his neck into the canvas- *BOOM!* -in an Air Raid Crash!!!!! “I’ve seen that move before from a teacher at the Blue Blood Academy!” King crows. “While Stephens was busy working sucking up to Regal, I bet you Gabe had Dave Finlay work with him!” “Well, hitting Finlay’s Celtic Cross is a huge blow in favor of the challenger, but he seems too injured to make a cover…” Kivell checks that both men are alright and then pumps a fist in the air, starting his count: “OOOOOOOOOOOO-NE!”’ No body moves. “TWWWWWOOOOOO!” Both men exhausted from the match so far. “THREEEEEEEEEEEE!” The noise continues to get louder as both Drake and Stephens barely begin to move! Stephens clutching his ribs and reaching for his head, while the Beast holds the back of his neck gasping for a second wind. “FOOOOOOOOO-UR!” Another count down, as both men struggle to rise! “FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-VE!” Michael Stephens sits up, his arm quivering while he tries to shake the cobwebs out!! “SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-IX!” Gabriel Drake pushes himself to his hands and knees!! “SEEEEEEEEEEE-VEN!” …And they’re up! Drake isn’t ready for Mike’s fist- *BAM!* -that catches him right on the chin! Staggered for only a moment, Drake fires right back with a- *WHAM!* -stinging right-hand of his own! Now standing toe-to-toe, Michael Stephens and Gabriel Drake decide it’s once again time to throw down!! *BAM!* *WHAM!* “It’s come down to a brawl in the center of the ring!” Francis yells, causing Applewhite smile. “And who one Round 1, Francis?” The answer to that question would be Gabriel Drake, as they continue to trade blows back and forth!!! *BAM!* *WHAM!* *BAM!* *WHAM!* *BAM!* *WHAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* …but this time it’s a different story as Michael Stephens takes command, rearing back for the knock-out blow… *BANG!* …but Drake dodges, catching the arm and dragging him into an arm trap neckbreaker!!! “Union Jack neckbreaker! Gabe pulls a counter out of his ass much like Stephens did early in the match!” “What goes around comes around!” King crows, as Drake slowly sits up and pulls himself over to Mike’s body, then Gabriel gains a side mount and repeatedly drives his knee into Stephens’s ribcage!!! *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* *CRACK!* Moving down towards his legs Drake wraps Mike’s leg around the back of his neck for the Stretch Muffler Crab… “SPITE AND MALICE!” King shills. “No-one has survived this move without submitting! If he locks it on it’s over!” …but as Drake lifts him into the air to turn the World Champ over, Stephens kicks him in the face, and then once again sending him into the ropes!! The kicks to the face having hurt his pride, Gabe tries to retaliate with a Yakuza kick, lunging at Stephens, but he ducks low and lifts him up into an Electric Chair position… Mak Francis looks on, hoping he’s not seeing what he thinks he is, but Stephens just falls back to the canvas instead!! “Electric Chair Drop, but it looks like Stephens caught the worst of it… for a second there I thought he was going for something else.” Apparently realizing what could’ve just happened, Drake works his way to his feet and gets serious. Stephens is slow to get up, holding his back in pain and Drake explodes forward slamming him down into the canvas with his Pie-face STO!!! Having reassert himself, then Gabe decides he’s ending this right now! Officially pissed off, Gabriel lifts his opponent to his feet and ushers Stephens into the corner! Setting him up top, Drake spins- *THWAP!* -then plasters the Sensation with his leaping palm strike!! Packing Stephens up on his shoulders Gabe gets read to turn and walk towards the middle of the ring for a Musclebuster, but the sensational Sensation Michael Stephens flips out off his grip and lands, catching Drake- *THWAAAAAAACK!* -right on the point of the jaw with a ‘Superkick!!!! “Stephenskick!” Mak shouts. “Just when I thought it was over for sure Michael Stephens pulls an ace out of his sleeve!” Falling back into a pin, Mike splays his body over the challenger and hooks the far leg, stacking Drake onto his shoulders as much as he can without falling over!!!! Kivell counts… ONE! TWO! THREE! …but Gabe kicks out! Stephens has tried almost everything. His back couldn’t take the pressure of the Joker Driver even though he’s not quite sure if wanted to actually hit the move… Weary from all the punishment he’s both taken and given, Stephens goes on autopilot, placing Gabe into a standing head-scissors, this time interlocking his arms! “Why’s he going for the Toxxic Shock Syndrome again?” Applewhite asks. “It didn’t work off the second rope so why would it work now?” “I don’t think that’s what he’s going for…” “Don’t do it, Toxxic!” Francis shouts, the name slipping from his lips before he could think about it, among King’s voice in the background saying ‘I told you so’. “You’ll put him in the hospital!” His back and mid-section are on fire, but this is his last hope. He won’t lose this match. He can’t. Attempting to lift Drake perpendicular to the mat, Michael hoists his former friend halfway up for the move that’s ended more careers the any other in the SWF, but looking around at the shocked awe on the fans faces gives him pause. Is he really doing this? Should he? The accumulated injuries to his back, left arm and leg all hit him full force as he tries to suspend Drake in the air without the previous leverage and momentum he’s lost. Gabriel comes back down to mat, safely without his neck broken, which gives him the chance to arch backwards pinning Stephens underneath him!!! ONE! He sees it happening almost as if it were a dream. TWO! He unlocks his hands which have trapped him, his reaction slowed by the numb arm unable to follow his commands. THREE! Not allowing him to raise a shoulder in time. *DING-DING-DING!* ‘The Devil’s Reject’s’ blasts forth from the PA system and Matthew Kivell retrieves the World Title from the time keeper! Drake falls off Stephens and ends up on his knees, as Funyon makes the call: “The winner of this match… and your NEEEEEEW S-W-F WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION… the ‘BEAST’, GAAAAAAB-RI-EELLLLLL… DRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEE!” “YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” The pop is surprising to hear, but whether it’s because they realized they’ve just seen history made or that a mans destiny has been fulfilled, the people who hadn’t backed Drake and some who did during this match all cheer as one! “It’s a dream no more!” King shouts as Kivell hands Drake the title and he clutches it to his chest as if trying to protect it from anyone who may take the belt from him! The senior referee helps Drake to his feet and then raises Gabe’s arm in the air, but as soon as he lets go the new champion drops back to his knees! On the other side of the ring, the former champion sits on the mat in the corner after having crawled there, running through things in his head. He was pushed to the limit and the old Toxxic tried to come out, but it was that slight hesitation that cost him the title. He nearly had him up, but that isn’t Michael Stephens and now he sits without the gold. Wondering about just who he is and No longer the best this business has to offer. Looking over at Gabriel Drake, suddenly their eyes lock and Mike nods his head slowly mouthing ‘I’m sorry’ to the new champion. Rolling out of the ring, Stephens starts his walk to the back, while in the ring Gabe begins to blink. “A great gesture by the former Champion, leaving the ring to give Gabriel Drake his moment.” Rubbing at his eyes, Drake raises his blood stained face to look at the man exiting the arena area. Michael Stephens has changed. Gabe’s eyes follow his opponent, who looks up at the Smarktron and with one last look over his shoulder goes through the curtain. “Is he… is Gabe crying?!” King asks his partner, as Drake stands and walks over towards the turnbuckles. “…An emotional night for Gabriel Drake who has lived his dream and officially become the man in the SWF!” Mak Francis states surprised that he’s uttering the words to the viewing audience. “For the Suicide King, I’m Mak Francis saying good night and happy holidays! We’ll see you in the new year!” The final image of the new year is Gabriel Drake on the turnbuckles, the title belt held high in his left hand while tear stains can be seen from his eyes to his chin through a crimson mask! Heading in to 2007 Gabriel Drake is officially the man, because he had to be. It’s finally all about him. ©2006 Smartmarks Wrestling Federation Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toxxic 0 Report post Posted December 27, 2006 A very different match to mine, and a very different way of showing the end. I wanted to basically show Drake as just being too strong, too vicious to be contained even by someone of Toxxic's Houdini-like abilities in title matches, and Toxx certainly wasn't shown as being friendly or sorry or anything else afterwards. You had Drake's resilience force Toxx into a choice where he chose poorly and got pinned as a result - I suppose you could say that in the end you had Toxx lose the title, whereas I had Drake win it. I'm certainly going to be intrigued to see where you go with Drake from here now he's World Champion! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Above Average 0 Report post Posted December 27, 2006 A very different match to mine, and a very different way of showing the end. I wanted to basically show Drake as just being too strong, too vicious to be contained even by someone of Toxxic's Houdini-like abilities in title matches, and Toxx certainly wasn't shown as being friendly or sorry or anything else afterwards. You had Drake's resilience force Toxx into a choice where he chose poorly and got pinned as a result - I suppose you could say that in the end you had Toxx lose the title, whereas I had Drake win it. I'm certainly going to be intrigued to see where you go with Drake from here now he's World Champion! Right in one. I think you covered our differences more concisely than I could've. The main reason I went in the opposite direction of your match plan was because I didn't think Drake should beat him one-on-one, since he's an extreme underdog in the situation. The 'I'm sorry' was more like when Benoit when up to Orton and told him to be a man moment than Toxxic actually showing remorse. He was sorry he almost hurt him, but the question I wanted to leave unanswered was WOULD he do it if he physically COULD have. I had Gabe cry because it was his big moment and it was also supposed to be ironic in a way. In the end, Stephens HAD proved Drake wrong and apologized, so even in defeat he still comes out on top, but Drake doesn't care (and is moved to tears) cause he's finally the man and it's his time to shine. I should've made Gabe more incredulous at the 'I'm Sorry'. EDIT - I just noticed a typo... it's supposed to say 'Michael Stephens hasn't changed.' That might make it more clear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
