Aggression 3 - Philadelphia, PA - 2/17/04

[DBrunkGXW]

WEEK THREE

[Fade in from black. The sounds of "Furious Angels" by Rob Dougan cue up as a video montage of Philadelphia, PA is played. Shots roll through of various sights throughout the city, eventually settling upon the Wacovia Center, the camera giving us an aerial view of the arena. ]

V/O: The field has been narrowed, the battlelines have been drawn. Now, eight men will square off

[Just as the voice over finishes, the screen goes to black and "Clubbed to Death" dies out. "Imperial March (Rage Against The Machine Remix) cues up. Several clips are played through, visual effects of gray smoke surrounding them.

Cut to: Christian Sands hitting the Sand Blaster on an unknown opponent.

Cut to: Karl Brown nailing someone with The Dragon's Bite ddt.

Cut to: Jonathan Marx slapping an intense STF on an unknown individual.

Cut to: Adam Benjamin knocking the absolute bejesus out of an opponent with a shining wizard.

Cut to: The Crimson Calling destroying their opponent with a Crimson Crasher.


Cut to: Beast delivering a high impact Tiger Driver '91 to an unnamed man.

Cut to: Dan Ryan, an evil grin on his face, stomping his massive frame towards the camera.

INTRODUCTION

[The shot fades to the inside of the Wacovia Center, where thousands of Empire Pro fans have gathered to watch their favorite superstars compete. The Empire Theme continues to play as pyro ignites, flying out of the entrance way and ramp, shooting off into the rafters. Signs are held up in the audience… some reading “F*CK MARX”, “We’re going to miss you Rob”, “Rocko Daymon 24:7”, “MAELSTROM WILL EAT YOU”, “BEAST IS MY DAD”, and many, many more. The shot cuts to a view of Dave Thomas and Mike Neely, both wearing their traditional Empire polo shirts, adjusting their headsets. Neely makes faces at the camera while Thomas talks…]

DT: Folks… it is DEAFENING in here!!! You’d have to be here to believe it… but Philadelphia is on FIRE tonight! They’ve gotta’ be just as psyched as we are, Mike!

MN: [Startled, stopping his faces] Ahem… yes Dave, I think it’s safe to say our lineup is pretty stacked tonight!

DT: Which match are you looking forward to the most, Mike?

MN: You know, there’s so many to choose from…. I really don’t know…

DT: Mike, you don’t even know the card, do you? Were you out drinking last night?

MN: Last night??? NO! What do you think I am, Thomas?!? You don’t drink the night before a show….

DT: Are you drunk right now?

MN: {hiccups] NO. Let’s go!

DT: Right. So anyways folks, we’ve got some great matches for you tonight, including FOUR…. Yes that’s right I said FOUR World Title Tournament bouts!!

MN: Oh yeah… oh yeah… I remember now. Maelstrom vs. Daymon… ROCK!

DT: Very good, Mike… I think that’s definitely one that’s getting everyone’s attention around here! But don’t forget we’ve got Beast vs. Douglas, Rob Sampson vs. Suicide, and Karl Brown vs. Christian Sands as well!!!

MN: Damn man… you serious??

[Mike looks at Thomas questioningly.]

DT: Sure am! And not only are we going to see those three matchups, but we’ll see two DEBUT tag matches as well! John Doe and Spaz will be taking on Culpa and the Stalker in our first bout of the evening, and the second will feature Kevin Watson and Derek Stoltz up against Tyrone Walker and Cliff Young!

MN: Hell yeah! Newbie action!

DT: They’re not new to the sport, Mike… just Empire.

MN: Right. That’s what I meant… goofball.

DT: And another much talked about match featured on this evening’s card HAS to be the triple threat match for a shot at the IC Title at Black Dawn. The winner secures himself a position not ONLY on Empire’s first PPV, but he also shoots for gold!

MN: Big money hustlin’, babay….

DT: Mike, maybe you should just be quiet for a little bit man.

MN: Sho’ nuff.

DT: Anyways ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been instructed to inform the public about a very serious matter which has come to the attention of several fans lately. The rumors are true… Jonathan Marx was indeed released earlier this week, due to a dispute with management, namely Mr. Freeman. Nobody knows what the exact reason was, but Freeman has gone on record as saying “it was unfortunate that Mr. Marx and I had a dispute, and that now Jonathan is no longer on our active roster. Mr. Marx was an incredible talent, and I wish him the best of luck in any future endeavors.”

MN: What? Marx is gone??

DT: Where have you been Mike?

MN: Hooters.

DT: So that’s what you did before you came to the show?

MN: No… look… second row. Check out the rack on that…

DT: That’s enough of that! Needless to say folks, Mr. Marx will not be competing tonight, and the fatal four way that was supposed to occur has become a triple threat match. The first man to score a pinfall wins… advancing to Black Dawn.

[Thomas holds his headset, and acts shocked as if receiving surprising news.]

DT: Well folks, wait just one minute… I’m being informed that the triple threat match… is now a SINGLES match! Apparently, Tommy Mayhem was INJURED last week at the hands of Suicide with that WICKED burning hammer!

MN: Wait… I thought it was a fatal four way?

DT: No… Mike… it’s a singles match now.

MN: Whatever…

DT: Well folks… let’s go back to last week….

[The screen splits in half, revealing a replay of Suicide’s burning hammer on Tommy Mayhem. The fans in Philadelphia “ooooohhhh” as the video runs through on the Empiratron. The shot then goes back to a full screen of Dave and Mike.]

DT: You can see clearly right there that Mayhem felt the full impact of that move…

MN: I still bet my headache is bigger….

DT: Don’t drink and drive kids…. ANYWAYS… it looks like Adam Benjamin is squaring off against only ONE competitor tonight… and that’s Mike Diamond!

A NEWCOMER

MN: Hold… let’s go… to the back.

DT: Are you going to be sick man?

MN: I’m cool… I just heard there’s somethin’ goin’ on back there…

[Cut To: The rear parking lot. The lot is full of various trucks, cars, buses, etc. From off camera comes a mysterious black male. This man is dressed fairly decent. His Joe Namath throwback, baggy dark blue jeans, and burgundy Timberland boots all comment each other nicely. This man has freshly braided blond cornrows. The man seems to know where he is going. The man walks up to the door of the building, as he enters the doorway he is met with an Empire Pro Interviewer.]

Interviewer: Hey, you used to be Michael Gettis right.

Man: (with a half grin) Still Am...

Interviewer: The last time the world saw you, you got outright beat down by the massive arms of the one known as GUNS in a CSWA Greensboro Title mat--

[Michael's whole demeanor changed instantly. He is obviously not happy with the subject. He cuts the Interviewer off before he could finish.]


Michael: I ain't really feelin' that subject man, next question.

Interviewer: All right, have you signed an Empire Pro contract?

Michael: Anything's possible dog...anything.

Interviewer: What's that supposed to mean?

Michael: Look, I'm just here to see an old homey of mine, plain and simple.

Interviewer: well, everyone will just have to watch and see if the man who goes by the name of 'Big Time' Michael Gettis will be joining the ranks of Empire Pro.

[The seen cuts away as Michael stares into the camera with a somewhat cocky facial expression.]

WARM WELCOME

[Cut to another backstage area. A steel door, marked with "K-9" on a short strip of gray duct tape. A hand moves in the view of the camera pulling the door open. Jake Goldstien moves into view in a sleek black suit jacket and slacks. His blue pin striped dress shirt is accented by his pale blue tie, and gold "JG" cuff links and tie clip.

The room is a small one. Poor lighting, a small bench, and a few chairs. Kevin Watson sits on the bench, his elbows resting on his knees and face in hands. His hands are taped from the knuckles to mid for arm. His tattered leather jacket lays on the bench next to him. His black shirt dawns a green "CIRCA" logo. His pants appear to have at one time been jeans that have been cut into shorts. His loosely laced black boots appear to be old and worn. The once gloss black has faded to a dull flat black. A set of knee and elbow pads lay on the floor close to his feet. He lifts his head, and swings his long knotty hair from his face and looks toward Jake.]

Jake: Here the clippers you asked for.

[Jake hands Kevin the clippers and turns back toward the door on his way back out.]

Jake: I'll catch up with you after the match. I've got to go make sure everything is set up for entrance, and all the little stuff...


[Kevin hardly acknowledges Jake as he exits the room. The door swings shut again and the room grows darker. Kevin removes the clippers from their box and moves to the far wall. He kneels down on his knees, plugging the clippers into a near outlet. He turns them on, and throws his hair back out of his face one last time. He starts at his brow and makes the first stroke with clippers.

He mumbles low to himself, barely loud enough for the audio to pick up]

Kevin: ...I'll show them ... all of them. Starting all over from scratch ... a new man.

[The camera fades back to Dave and Mike while Kevin continues to shave the thick knots from his head.]

DT: Well, that was bizarre.

MN: Yeah, since when has he been the poster boy for sanity!

DT: Well folks, after a brief commercial break, we’ve got a… check this.. QUADRUPLE debut match…

MN: And it’s only the first of TWO!!! WHOOOOO!!!!!

DT: Excited are we?

MN: I don’t know about you Dave… but man… I’m freakin’ rocked!

DT: We’ll be right back with action from EMPIRE PRO!!!

[Cut to commercials for FWI Magazine, A promo for the N.E.W. wrestling promotion, and several other product spots. Cut back to Dave and Mike.]

KEVIN “K-9” WATSON AND DEREK STOLTZ VS. “YOUNGBLOOD” CLIFF YOUNG AND TYRONE WALKER

Dave Thomas: We're back and bringing you tag team action.

Mike Neely: And on top of that a debut for all of the participants.

Dave Thomas: Yes so I doubt we can expect much in the way of a scientific formula tag team contest.

Mike Neely: Of course lack of experience can lead to frustration, or an intesity you won't see in more established stars.

Dave Thomas: Very true.

MN: And I've heard a rumor that someone in this match is a dog or something?

DT: No, I believe that would be Kevin "K9" Watson. Who when I saw him in the back appeared to be all human.

MN: Now would the K9 refer to him having the ferocity of an attack dog, or the intelligence of one?

DT: The former, I would have to assume. The scouts report that he is a fierce competitor.

MN: I see.

DT: And by that logic "Youngblood" Cliff Young would be a newborn.

MN: No, he would simply be a person creating a persona based off of a last name that is also an everyday word. It should be glaringly obvious, even to you.


DT: Before this degenerates further, lets get to the match. Kevin Watson and Derek Stoltz are ready to take on Tyrone Walker and Cliff Young in a match that could establish a new star here in EPW.

["Long Way Home" by Supertramp cues up as Kevin Watson and Derek Stoltz make their way to the ring, Stoltz with his bottle of water which is tossed to a fan, and Watson carrying himself with a certain brash swagger.]

[Black Label Society's "We Live No More" cues up as Cliff Young and Jesse White make their way down to the ring, with Tyrone Walker coming from behind the curtain behind them.]

DT: Cliff Young and Derek Stoltz start things off, circling each other. Stoltz comes in quick trying to get in a forearm, but Young blocks and responds with a right hook, then takes him over with a belly to belly suplex. Stoltz kips up, only to be hit by a kick to the throat from Young, and Young drags Stoltz back to his corner and makes the tag to Walker.

MN: Some decent tag strategy being exhibited by the newcomers.

DT: Walker enters and delivers some heavy elbow smashes to the back of Stoltz's skull then sends him into the ropes and goes for a lariat, but Stoltz ducks, and takes Walker down with a quick spear! He then quickly makes a diving tag to Watson.

MN: And after the brief beating he took, he might as well let the freshman in, even this early in the bout.

DT: Walker gets back to his feet as Watson enters the ring, and Walker gets nailed with the Standing side kick! Watson hooks Walker for a German suplex, but Walker manages to land on his feet, then grabs Watson from behind and nails him with the bulldog!

MN: Some agility from Walker there.

DT: Walker in control again and slows the pace down driving elbows into the skull of K9, and then driving the knee right into his face, and Watson goes down in a heap.

MN: That's going to leave a bloody nose... and he wasn't even a picker.

DT: And these hard stomps won't make it any better.

MN: First Stoltz, now Watson in trouble.

DT: Walker sets for the suplex, but Watson counters and nails walker with a brain buster! Quick cover, 1, and Walker is up at two.

MN: Good move to try for an early pin while he was stunned.

DT: Watson turns his bag to tag out, and gets rolled up by Walker, but Watson rolls that over, and Walker has to kick out again. Both men get to their feet and Watson tries to keep the advantage with a big haymaker, but Walker ducks and then nails a drop kick to the knee of Watson, and then makes the tag.

MN: Again keeping the fresh man in, and Young applying the ankle lock to keep Watson grounded, and wear down that knee that just got nailed with the dropkick.

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: We'll see how far this strategy can go with the young in experienced team.

MN: Not very far as he lets go, and now waits on Watson to get back to his feet.

DT: Watson avoids a shoulder block from Young and tags Stoltz in, but Stoltz's entrance isn't as fortunate as his partner as he is caught by a Yakuza kick, and then taken down with a drop toe hold.

MN: Wow, Watson just did something I haven't seen before.

DT: Young hit the ropes to follow up on Stoltz, and k9 has grabbed him as he did and hooked him into the Cobra Clutch, could he be looking for his trademark Cobra Clutch suplex this time over the ropes?

MN: Young is fighting it...

DT: Young elbows his way out of it just as Stoltz goes for a running splash that takes his partner out! Young quickly pulls the stunned Stoltz up and delivers a Double Arm DDT! Young backs up as Stoltz staggers to his feet, looking for a Roaring Elbow, but as he attempts to hit Stoltz with it, Watson just recovering on the outside pulls Stoltz down and to the outside of the ring!

MN: I think Young has something to say about that.

DT: Young nails both with a pescado! He grabs Stoltz and rolls him back into the ring as Walker comes around on the outside to deal with Watson.

MN: This might be the end.

DT: Young is looking for the Mercury suplex, but Watson throws Walker into the rail and then dives in to break it up, and the referee has simply lost control of this match.

MN: Fairly heated for two debuting teams.

DT: Young and Watson exchange blows as Stoltz comes to, but doesn't come to soon enough as Walker comes in and delivers the Broken Arrow to Stoltz!

MN: The referee has gotten in ebtween Young and Watson and is forcing Watson out of the ring not even knowing Walker has delivered his big Broken Arrow when he wasn't even the legal man!

DT: Walker grabs Watson off the apron as Young covers, 1, 2...

MN: THREE.

DT: What am I unable to count to three anymore?

MN: You never know.

DT: Never the less, Cliff Young and Tyrone Walker have come up with a very big win against quite game competition. Folks, I think we can expect very big things out of both of these men. Especially since we didn't even get to see half of the amazing maneuvers these two are capable of.

MN: But they were almost taken out when K9 nearly ended the match with that attempted over the ropes Cobra clutch suplex.

DT: No one is taking away from Stoltz and Watson, but a win is a win, especially in a match like that.


WINNERS: “Youngblood” Cliff Young and Tyrone Walker

OWNER'S ASSETS ​

[Cut to the backstage area - Paul Freeman's office as a knock is heard on the door. Before Freeman can answer, Empire Pro owner Dan Ryan opens the door and walks in.]

Freeman: [sigh] What can I do for you, Mr. Ryan.....

Ryan: Actually there is something you can do for me.

Freeman: And that would be......??

Ryan: Well stand up first....

Freeman: Excuse me??

Ryan: Up!...Stand!!.....Stand up!

[Freeman sighs again and stands]

Ryan: [motioning Freeman to the side] "Uhhh....over here please!"

[Freeman comes around the desk to the side Ryan is standing on as Ryan stares at him, eyebrows raised. Without another word, Ryan goes around the desk and sits in Freeman's chair....bringing a furrowing of the brow and a VERY annoyed look to Freeman's face.]

Ryan: Paul, please.....do sit down.

[Freeman mutters something under his breath, but sits down in a chair facing the desk.]

Ryan: Now then, there's a very urgent matter I need to discuss regarding the way you've been running my company. However, before I get started I thought it might be useful to let you know that I'm raising your salary by five thousand dollars per year.

[Freeman gets a look a quick shock on his face, then skepticism.]

Ryan: It's true. In fact, I feel as though we got off on the wrong foot. In reality, I've been very hard on you. But you must understand that I expect excellence. In fact, I expect absolute excellence in everything I touch. So you must understand that when you let the cat out of the bag on Maelstrom I was quite disappointed.

Freeman: Well it's not like....

Ryan: Don't interrupt me when I'm trying to be reasonable.

Freeman: Sorry.

Ryan: No harm done. Now then, we need to be clear with each other. I intend to allow you to do your job. I will not interfere in your decisions......AS LONG AS....you do not allow your emotions to come in between your brain and intelligent decision making again. The bottom line, Mr. Freeman....is that I hired you to run this company effectively and if you fail to do so....I WILL make my presence felt. Is there anything about that statement that you don't understand?

Freeman: Understood. However, I have some...requests of my own.

Ryan: Very well.

Freeman: From now on, if you hire talent or make plans without my knowledge....I cannot do my job effectively.

Ryan: Fair enough....I'll keep you in the loop. Is there anything else you need?

Freeman: Actually, you've been more than fair......[under his breath] ...oddly enough...

Ryan: What was that last part?

Freeman: Oh....nothing.

Ryan: Very well then. You may leave....I'll be leaving in a few moments, but I'll check in before next week's show.

[Freeman and Ryan rise from their chairs and shake hands as Ryan escorts Freeman to the door. The camera follows Freeman out as the door closes behind.]

Freeman: Hold on......that's my office......

[The shot fades back to Dave and Mike.]

DT: Did you see that? Freeman and Ryan coexisting for once?


MN: Sure, they can’t have at it on EVERY show, now can they?

DT: That’s a weird relationship those two share…

MN: Weird like “funny ha ha” weird… or weird like “hey man, you’re getting a little too close for comfort” weird?

DT: Let’s get to our next match…

JOHN DOE AND SPAZ VS. CULPA AND THE STALKER ​

DT: You know we can’t just stop with one though, Mike…

MN: Yeah… I know… it’s time for part two of NEWBIE FUN NIGHT!!! WHOOOOOO! But what is with this Stalker guy?

DT: What do you mean?

MN: Is he some sort of serial killer wanna be?

DT: Now now, maybe he's just a fan of that Police song... the Every Breath You take one.

MN: What?

DT: You didn't know it was about a stalker?

MN: I thought it was a sappy love song.

DT: Uh no... then it'd be the creepiest love song ever. Pay attention to the words man.

MN: And pay attention to discussing a wrestling match man.

DT: Oh, yeah. But I thought Spaz's name would stand out to you before the Stalker.

MN: Hey, it's a match full of odd names and strange faces. I need to start with someone.

DT: And add in a man named Culpa and a John Doe, and it's some strange names int his bout, but tough competitors.

MN: Well, saying anyone who gets in that ring is tough is a bit of an understatement... but what the hell is a Culpa?

DT: Tonight definately is the night of the debuts.

MN: But they wouldn't be in the big leagues if they weren't qualified... despite the odd names.

DT: Rumor has it these guys don't enjoy having their names mocked... and tend to react violently to anyone who would mock them.

MN: Good thing I've had nothing but positive things to say about them.

DT: [rolling eyes] Let's go to the ring where Culpa and the Stalker are waiting for Spaz and John Doe.

MN: Uh, I see The Stalker, but no Culpa.

DT: You're right... I just assumed... this is weird. has Culpa left his partner hanging?

MN: IT would seem so.

[Sic by Slipknot cues up as John Doe and Spaz walk down to the ring, but quickly John Doe breaks into a run and rushes the ring, attacking The Stalker.]

DT: John Doe is going to town on the Stalker!

MN: This might not last very long.

DT: The Stalker gets dropped neck first onto the top rope, then hit with a leaping clothesline that takes him over the top rope as he tried to stand up.

MN: That's some explosive speed.

DT: John Doe climbs onto the apron, then dives onto the Stalker with a massive shoulder block from the Apron! He gets back to his feet and rolls The Stalker back into the ring.

MN: Something tells me Spaz is going to get awful lonely there on the apron.

DT: Doe whips the Stalker into the corner then charges in and delivers an unholy clothesline. Following up quickly he seats himself on the top turnbuckle, and grabbing the Stalker hits him with a vicious tornado DDT!

MN: He might want to just pin him sooner or later.

DT: This match is very close to being over, The Stalker has not had ANY offense so far.

MN: Spoke too soon!

DT: John Doe had hit the ropes and was going to try for another devastating clothesline, but The Stalker just counter it into a firemans carry, then delivered a Samoan drop... but it didn't keep John Doe down! He's up as quickly as The Stalker, and the stalker's kick to the midsection of John Doe does nothing, and John Doe takes him down with a big haymaker!

MN: Ouch. That's a new way to pull a guy up.

DT: John Doe with a fairly crazed look on his face grabs The Stalker by the neck and choking him yanks him up to his feet, then tosses him into the corner! John Doe then takes The Stalker back down to the mat with a hard bulldog from the second rope, and as The Stalker tries to get to his feet is hit with a hard series of three kicks to the head!

MN: Amazing that John Doe didn't take his head off with those.

DT: John Doe backs into the ropes as The Stalker slowly gets back to his feet, and Spaz tries to make a blind tag to get himself into the match before John Doe ends it, but Doe just glares at him after noticing how close Spaz's hand got to his back. The Stalker rights himself, and as he does John Doe charges and hits him with the The Amnesia Attack! He covers, 1, 2, 3!

MN: That massacre is over.

DT: John Doe and Spaz are your winners, although I can't say we got much of a look at Spaz in this match.


MN: Hey, not many things in life are free, let alone a win.

DT: Not saying he shouldn't take it, but that match was ALL John Doe.

MN: Even when The Stalker looked as if he might have a glint of hope at turning the tide John Doe would have none of it and just continued on his path of destruction.

DT: We'll be back.

WINNERS: John Doe and Spaz

HEY DON'T I KNOW YOU ​

[Cut to commercial for a few moments… then back to EPW programming. Cut to: Backstage. Kevin Watson stomps back to his dressing room after his match. He runs his hand across the dark stubble left on top of his head. Pulling the shirt off his back he wipes his face and chest.

Michael Gettis walks around the corner toward Kevin.]

Gettis: Kevin muthaf***in' Watson, the dog himself.

Kevin: Michael Gettis ... where have you been hiding?

Gettis: You know, here ... there ... just got over some hard times. Its been, **** ... how long?

Kevin: ... who knows? After a while time just starts slipping threw your finger tips faster and faster as each day passes along.

Gettis: Hell yeah, I feel ya'.

Kevin: Yeah, so where you living these days?


Gettis: Still in Greensborough. Love the Projects man ...

Kevin: You can have 'em, My fiance and son just moved there not to long ago ... so I hear.

Gettis: No doubt, well **** I got to take care of some things, but I'll catch you next week.

[Gettis starts walking toward the direction Kevin just came from.]

Kevin: ... next week? You here now?

Gettis: fo' sho'...

[Cut to: David Thomas and Mike Neely.]

DT: Well then I guess it's true, Michael Gettis, has signed with Empire Pro, and is here tonight! We'll be seeing more of him in the upcoming weeks, I'm sure.

MN: Who’s Mike Gettis?

MIKE…. GETTIS SOME BEER…​

DT: Mike… shhhhh… you’re making an ass out of yourself.

MN: And this is different from any other day in WHAT way?

DT: I’m not even addressing you anymore… anyhow… I hear something else has occurred in the back… let’s check it out…

 

[DBrunkGXW]

STRONG WORDS ​

[The lights in the First Union Center fade down to nothing, engulfing the arena in darkness.]

DT: What the heck is going on here! This isn't on the format!

[The lights stay down for a few moments, then come back up, covering the crowd with a deep blue light. The sound of chanting monks plays over the PA, and the fans begin buzzing loudly. The video screens light up with "BEAST" flashing in different styles and colors of text, mixed in with video clips of Beast executing various moves on his opponents. A cheer is heard throughout the arena, and the sound of the monks play for a few more seconds, then fade into Nickelback's "Figure You Out", and as the opening guitar chords hit, a blast of red and white pyro go off around the stage area, then the crowd gives a short pop as Beast walks through the smoke down the ramp toward the ring.]

MN: What is this tool doing out here? Why is Freeman giving mic time to this ass-

DT: FAMILY SHOW!

MN: -inine piece of trash?

DT: Much better! But I'm sure that Beast wouldn't have requested this time unless he had something important on his mind.

MN: One thing is, he doesn't look very happy.

[Once in the ring, Beast salutes the fans by touching his fist to his chest over his heart a couple times before raising his hand in the air. The fans respond with a cheer, and Beast heads over to the ropes and receives a microphone from a member of the ring clue. Beast walks back to the center of the ring and looks out at the crowd.]

Beast: Now, I don't usually do this - I like to come out before all you great fans and let my wrestling speak for me, but I've got something that I've got to get off my chest.

[Beast starts walking around the ring.]

Beast: For those of you who follow some of the other wrestling federations out there, and in particular my other home, A1E, some of you may know the name of one of the top female competitors ever to lace on a pair of boots, the Queen of the Ring, Lindsay Troy.

[The crowd gives Beast a respectful applause, while a couple small sections of fans let out a wild cheer. Beast stops and smirks as he says his next line.]

Beast: Those of you that follow both of our careers, you must all know by now that Lindsay and I are somewhat of an item.

[Cat-calls and whistles are heard throughout the crowd. Beast smiles at the fans.]

Beast: So, you'd think that when Lindsay came home one night, and told me that I was lucky she even survived the trip home, that I might have a litte bit of a reason to get upset. You'd think that when she told me that our gracious EPW Owner, the ego-buster himself, Dan Ryan...

[Crowd boos.]

Beast: ... that's right. You'd think that after I hear that the sorry b*stard dragged my girlfriend Lindsay down to the ring in NFW and almost got her killed when the entire ring exploded, that I might be just a little bit pissed off!

[The fans gasp, and get a little restless, waiting to hear the rest of what Beast has to say.]

DT: Uh-oh! I smell trouble!

MN: He'd better watch his tone, or Dan Ryan is going to come out here and fire him!

Beast: What kind of a freaking wrestler forces his manager to be at ringside when the bloody ring is set to explode? What kind of a person takes his manager, a beautiful woman like Lindsay down to ringside and puts her in harm's way like that when he knows the consequences? I'll tell you who.

DT: Don't say it! MN: Yes! Then we can be rid of him!

[Beast points to the back.]

Beast: Only a low-life, scum bag, disrespectful sack of monkey-sh*t douchebag assh*le like Dan Ryan would do that!!!

[The crowd cheers Beast on as he gets wound up.]

MN: Fire him! That's insubordination!

DT: Oh will you shut up… Ryan left the building already!!!

Beast: Dan, in case you didn't understand anything that I just said, I don't think too highly of you. If I could paraphrase one of the great writers past... "Oh, how I do loathe you, let me count the ways." First off, you piss and moan about having to face me in a match the very first night EPW opened their doors with the first Aggression. You covered it up by basting Mr. Freeman for - how did you put it - "blowing his wad" on Beast/Ryan the first time out. You're the owner of this company, and you're a damned fool. What better way to draw some attention to your company the first night out by putting on a blockbuster match that only we could deliver? Wrestling fans from all over the damned world tuned in to see this new federation open up, to see what we could deliver, but you had to blow it all by putting yourself first and desecrating the show with your actions at the end of the match. Yeah, Dan, in case you haven't noticed, yes, I'm still pissed about the way you made me, and EPW look like idiots with that debacle. But that's ok. I know that sooner or later, I'm going to get my hands on you, and when I do, so help me God, you're going to regret ever having screwed me over. Shall I even go on? How about week two, and your neutering of Mr. Freeman in front of millions of people? You took everything that man worked for, took it from him and stomped on it in front of all those people, before pissing on the wreckage. Mr. Freeman, I know you're watching this backstage, and you know that I respect you for how well you treated me when you were trying to sign me into EPW. Let me tell you right now, that I've got your back, and any way we can take this sonofa***** Ryan down, I'll be there to help you out. And one last word for you, Dan Ryan... If I ever, and dammit, I mean EVER, hear of you putting Lindsay near any kind of harm again... So help me God, I'm going to make you wish you were never even born.

[The crowd gives Beast a big reaction as he drops the mic in the middle of the ring, and Nickelback's "Figure You Out" fills the arena one more time, and Beast exits the ring and heads for the back.]

DT: Beast's thrown the gauntlet down to our owner Dan Ryan! I have the feeling that EPW is going to get very interesting over the next few weeks! We’ve gotta go to commercial… but it’s Beast and Douglas…. UP NEXT!!!

[Cut to commercial… then back to the ring where Beast is waiting for Douglas to appear.]

DT: Well folks… right now we’ve got Beast taking on Troy Douglas in a World Title Tournament Match!!!

MN: HELLZ YEAH!!!

BEAST VS. DOUGLAS ​

DT: Folks, this match promises to deliver big-time! Beast and Troy Douglas have gone back and forth all week with their verbal sparring, but now we'll see them back it up in the-

MN: BEAST WARS!!! TRANS-FORMERS!!! Ro-bots in dis-guise!

DT: ...the ring.

MN: Yeah, sure. But man, that guy Beast? He's SO Optimus Prime.

["Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin hits, and Troy Douglas walks to the ring.]

MN: And heeeeeeeere's Megatron!

DT: I don't know, Mike. Last I checked Troy Douglas wasn't purple or metal.

MN: ... MEGATRON, dammit! MASTER OF THE PREDACONS!!! Come on, who ELSE is gonna fight Optimus Prime over here, huh?!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings!]

DT: Well, there's the bell-

MN: OPTIMUS PRIME, MAXIMIIIIIIZE!!!

DT: Wha-

MN: MEGATRON, TERRORIIIIIIIZE!!!

DT: I need to find a new broadcast partner.

[For a moment, neither Beast nor Douglas makes a move to attack. They simply stare each other down, waiting. Finally, they lock up. Beast throws his weight forward and pushes Douglas into a corner. The referee calls for the break; Beast gives it to him, but Douglas hits the big man with a forearm.]

DT: Oh, Beast using his strength there, but Douglas looks fired up.

MN: Megatron's not too happy, eh?

[Beast hammers Douglas with a forearm of his own, but the ref quickly interjects, leading both guys out of the corner. Beast and Douglas again tie up. This time, Douglas sets his shoulders and pushes Beast into a corner, breaking at the ref's insistence.]

DT: Seems we've got a bit of one-upsmanship going on here, Mike!

MN: One-Up? Mang, I want a 7-Up. Make 7 Up Yours!

DT: No thanks. I'd rather call the match.

[Promptly, Beast slugs Douglas in the face, stunning him briefly. From there the big Canadian lunges out of the corner, rocking Douglas with a huge clothesline. Douglas comes to his feet, and Beast charges, knocking him to the canvas with a HUGE boot to the face. Holding his cheek, Douglas rolls to the bottom rope, where Beast begins stomping at him.]

DT: Offensive flurry from Beast here, as he's just pounding away at Troy Douglas with no subtlety whatsoever!

MN: He's focusing the Energon within!

[After a few stomps, Beast reaches down and grabs Douglas by the hair, pulling him to his feet. He hooks him up for a suplex, bringing him up before snapping him down into a HUGE spinebuster!]

DT: WOW! Suplex spinebuster by Beast! He's got the cover -

One -

TWO -

Douglas kicks out!

MN: That was a HUGE move, man! He's trying to put Megatron away early!

[Slowly, Douglas comes to his feet, rubbing his back with one hand. Beast promptly scoops him off the mat and body-slams him with authority, then raises a hand to the crowd with a shout that the fans echo. He follows by dropping a huge elbow on Douglas.]

DT: Oh, big elbow from Beast there.

MN: Optimus is droppin' bows on 'em!

[Coming to his feet, Beast gears up for another elbow; however, Douglas rolls aside, and Beast hits nothing but canvas as he drops. As the Canadian comes to his feet, Douglas hits him about the shoulders and chest with a few martial-arts jabs, then moves in to score with a released Northern Lights suplex!]

DT: Big Northern Lights suplex by Douglas, as he looks to be gaining control of the match!

MN: Megatron's fighting for the pride of the Predacons, Dave! Nobody will steal HIS precious Energon crystals!

[Gritting his teeth, Douglas goes to work stomping away at Beast, then pulls him off the mat and Irish-whips him, but Beast reverses and sends Douglas into a corner. From there, Beast charges in for a clothesline, but Douglas catches him upside the chin with a boot. Beast is stunned by the impact, allowing Douglas to boost himself onto the second turnbuckle and come off with a second-rope missile dropkick!]

DT: Oh, missile dropkick from Douglas! Beast looks to be in trouble!

MN: Wait, Megatron can't fly! But that means... TROY DOUGLAS IS WASPINATOR!!!

DT: I'm missing these jokes.

MN: Wazzzzpinator does not have time to exzzzzplain to you, zzzzztupid!

[Oblivious to the Transformers jokes on commentary, Douglas raises one arm to the crowd, then sets Beast up in a standing headscissors and piledrives him with authority! He immediately hooks one of Beast's legs for a cover.]

DT: There's the cover by Douglas!

One -

TWO -

No, kickout by Beast!

MN: HE'S ALIIIIIIVE!!!

[Douglas comes to his feet, running both hands through his hair as he takes a breath. He then pulls Beast off the canvas, but Beast throws off Douglas' grip and tackles him, pushing him into a corner. The fans cheer as Beast drives shoulder after shoulder into Douglas' gut, then scoops him up and belly-to-belly suplexes him out of the corner!]

DT: Wait, now Beast is in control! HUGE overhead suplex rocks Douglas!

MN: He's on fiiiiire!!!

[As Douglas stumbles to his feet, Beast moves in and kicks him with the gut, whipping him into the ropes and launching him on the rebound with a back body drop. A reeling Douglas wobblingly forces himself to stand, only for Beast to shove him into a standing headscissors, then snap him off the mat and drill him with one of the stiffest powerbombs known to man!]

DT: OH!!! BRUTAL powerbomb from Beast! He's covering!

One!

TWO!

THREE - NO, TWO POINT NINE!!!

MN: MEGATRON KICKED OUT!!!

DT: I thought he was Waspinator.

MN: No way, that powerbomb would've killed Waspinator. Only Megatron can take that stuff, yo.

DT: Oh.

[Raising an arm to the roaring crowd, Beast pulls Douglas up from behind and sets him up an inverted facelock position, taking ahold of one of his arms.]

DT: Looks like we might see the Test of Faith here!

[As Beast winds up to deliver the move, Douglas suddenly drops down and hits the mat on his back, scissoring his legs upward to kick Beast in the chest and push him back into the ropes! As Beast stumbles off the ropes, Douglas sweeps him into a victory roll!]

DT: ROLL-UP BY DOUGLAS!!!
ONE -
TWO -
THREE - NO, BEAST KICKED OUT!!!

MN: WOW!!! That was CLOSE, Dave!

[Both men pop to their feet, each looking fired up. Beast moves in and fires off a punch, but Douglas blocks and answers with a flurry of jabs and low kicks that back Beast up against the ropes. From there Douglas whips Beast off the ropes, catching him on the rebound with a jumping lariat!]

DT: HUGE clothesline from Troy Douglas! He's getting back in control!

MN: Megatron's rockin' the house!

[As Beast tries to move in for another offensive, Douglas shuts him down with a kick to the gut. He then slaps a front facelock on Beast, signalling the crowd with his free hand!]

DT: We could see the Broken Dream here!!

[Douglas quickly brings Beast up for the Broken Dream; however, Beast swings his weight downward and brings himself back down to his feet, then presses in close and knees Douglas in the gut. He then hooks him in a standing headscissors, reaching down to underhook the arms!]

DT: Looks like Absolution time -

[Before Beast can underhook the second arm, Douglas pulls Beast's legs out from under him, knocking him onto his back. From there, Douglas catapults Beast into the nearest corner - but Beast manages to get his hands out to grab the ropes, just barely blocking himself from hitting the turnbuckle. Douglas turns and throws a clothesline, but Beast ducks it and backslides him in a fluid motion!]

DT: BACKSLIDE by Beast!!!

One -

TWO -

THREE!!! BEAST DID IT!!!

MN: Talk about your out-of-nowhere finishes!!!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings as Beast rolls out of the ring.]

WINNER: Beast

 

[DBrunkGXW]

SUICIDE VS. “MR. MAIN EVENT” ROB SAMPSON ​

DT: Folks up next we’ve got Suicide vs. Rob Sampson. There’s been a lot of speculation as to what’s really going on with Sampson right now.

MN: Go ‘head Davey… let the cat out of the bag.

DT: Folks, this will be Rob Sampson’s final match in Empire Pro Wrestling… as he has decided it is now time to hang up the boots. That’s right folks… I’m sorry to inform you that Mr. Main Event is indeed retiring from our good sport of professional wrestling, and this will be one of his last shows.

MN: AWWWWW. Boo frickity hoo.

DT: Show a little class, Mike…

MN: Hey, you think he’s throwin’ a goodbye party?

DT: Normally people don’t do that for THEMSELVES, Mike.

MN: Well why the hell not, I would…

[Cue Up: “Biggest and the Best” Clawfinger. Sampson enters.]

DT: Mike, Sampson’s been relatively silent this past week, and there have been some rumors floating around that Rob’s been trying to duck the mysterious Suicide.

MN: I know I’d be scared. This Suicide guy freaks me out. I mean, nobody’s even seen his face!

DT: Well, Suicide’s about to come on out, so lets go to the ring.

[Cue Up: “” Tool. The lights go to black as the song begins. As the lights come up, Suicide, clad in a long white trenchcoat and fedora, walks calmly to the match. As always, a white mask adorned with the black “Suicide” symbol covers his entire head. He slides under the ropes and stares intently at Sampson, adjusting his fingerless gloves. The two competitors are about to get into things when “Everyday People” by Pearl Jam cues up. Out from the back comes Paul Freeman, walking straight to the ring with purpose. Both Sampson and Suicide eye him up suspiciously.]

DT: What’s Paul Freeman doing out here?

MN: I have no idea Dave… what the hell do I look like, a crystal ball?

[Freeman calls for a mic and it is promptly given to him.]

PF: Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for stalling this competition, but there’s one important thing I’d like to say. Rob Sampson…

[The fans cheer for Sampson’s name. Some chants of “please don’t go” start up.]

PF: You’ve given your blood, sweat, and tears to this business… and there is absolutely no man out there who could replace you on the Empire Pro roster. Your dedication to this sport, your love for the ring, for the fans, it can’t be ignored. I am simply here to say what’s on everyone’s mind, Rob….

[The fans are cheering wildly.]

PF: Thank you.

[Freeman extends a hand, shaking Sampson’s. The fans pop huge and everyone in the building starts to clap. That is… all except for Suicide. Freeman exits the ring and walks to the back, asking that the bell be rung for the matchup to begin. Sampson salutes the crowd…]

SFX: Bell rings

MN: And here we go in this quarterfinal contest!

[Suicide and Sampson size each other up and final come together in the middle of the ring with a collar and elbow tie up. Sampson attempts to duck under Suicide’s arm, but the mysterious veteran counters with a vicious back elbow to Mr. Main Event’s nose. Very quickly, Suicide hooks Sampson and sends him flying with a belly-to-belly release suplex!]

DT: Big suplex by Suicide, and I’ve gotta say he’s definitely got the early advantage in this matchup.

MN: Leaving the analyzing to me, Davey, that’s what their paying me the fabulous cash to do. You just sit there and be boring.

DT: I hate you.

MN: Just call the match burger-boy.

[Suicide stalks over a stunned Sampson and lifts him up by one arm. He applies a wristlock and attempts to twist Rob’s arm with a standing armbar, but Sampson rolls through and hits Suicide with a spinning heel kick.]

DT: Great veteran move by Sampson to roll out of that armbar and knock Suicide to the ground. Suicide now quickly to his feet-

MN:-He always does that! This guy doesn’t feel any fu-

DT: FAMILY SHOW, NEELY!!!

MN:-fungal growth!!!

DT: Sampson now trying to take the fight to Suicide. He charges, but Suicide leapfrogs! Sampson off the ropes and he absolutely LEVELS Suicide with a vicious lariat!!! Suicide up again, but Sampson has him quickly with a picture perfect standing dropkick!

MN: May be the reason Sampson didn’t say anything this week is because he was, I dunno…PRACTICING???

DT: Maybe, Neely, maybe. Sampson now with the advantage as he hoists Suicide to his feet. Irish whip into the corner, and Rob charges. He’s going for the corner splash.

[As Rob attempts the splash, Suicide vaults himself over Sampson’s head, and Rob hits nothing but turnbuckle!!]

MN: OOOOHHHHH!! That splash was in the KIDDIE POOL!

DT: Nice analogy. Suicide now wailing away on the stunned Sampson with a series of lefts and rights, but Rob isn’t going down! Big right hook by Sampson, but there’s nobody home!!! Sampson brings him into fireman’s carry position….VICIOUS MICHINOKU SUICIDEDRIVER!!!!

MN: Goodnight, Robby!

DT: Suicide with the cover…ONE…TWO…THR-NOOOO!!!! Sampson kicked out at two and seven eighths!!!

MN: How do you announcers always no the exact time when guys kick out?

DT: We don’t. It just sounds dramatic.

MN: Oh. Alright.

DT: Suicide now goes right back to work. Irish whip in to the ropes, and Suicide NAILS Rob Sampson with that patented spinning back knuckle punch!!!

MN: Did he really patent it?

DT[Thinking]: Yes, I believe he did, Mike. Suicide now bounces off the ropes and drives his head into Sampson’s chest with a diving headbutt!!! Pin again … ONE … TWO … SAMPSON GETS A FOOT ON THE ROPES!!!! Rob Sampson simply will not go down!!!

MN: Calm down, Thomas. We’re only a couple of minutes in. Jeez, you play-by-play guys.

[Suicide pulls Sampson up, but Mr. Main Event blocks him with a shoulderblock to the stomach. He bounces off the ropes and hits the doubled-over Suicide with the Shining Wizard.]

DT: Shining Wizard!!! You know what that means, Neely!

MN: You’ll shut up now?

DT: No, The HEADLINER!!! Sampson hoists him up, has him in position…SUICIDE SLIDES DOWN SAMPSON’S BACK AND HITS A NECKBREAKER!!!

MN: Man, everything Rob does, Suicide has an answer for.

DT: That he does, Mike. Suicide seems to have Rob Sampson scouted perfectly after the Triangle Match these two were involved in last week. Sampson gets to his feet once more, but Suicide meets him with a vicious Phantom Kick. He just damn near took Rob Sampson’s head of!!!!

MN: Man, that would REALLY hurt!

DT: What would?

MN: Getting your head taken off, moron!

DT: Somebody make him stop. I beg of you. Please.

MN: Heheheheh.

[Meanwhile, Suicide has clamped Sampson into a Japanese Armbar. The referee comes over to see if Rob wants to submit, but he fervently shakes his head in the classic “No” gesture. Sampson crawls towards the ropes, but Suicide yanks violently at his right arm and brings Sampson back to the center of the ring.]

DT: Suicide’s got that armbar locked in real tight, and if Rob Sampson can’t find a way out of this hold, he’ll find himself saddled with not only a loss, but a dislocated shoulder as well.

MN: You know, Davey, even though I’ve seen very little of Suicide, I gotta say that injuring Rob Sampson is probably his main intention. This guy’s friggin’ vicious!

[Sampson again tries to make his way to the ropes, but this time, when Suicide pulls back, Sampson uses his own weight against him and brings him to the ground with an amateur style takedown.]

DT: Looks like Rob Sampson may have finally figured out the enigma that is Suicide. He stands over Suicide, and drops a knee right across his chest! Sampson off the ropes, looking for a legdrop, but Suicide alertly rolls out of the way!!!

MN: The mystery is apparently still unsolved! Call us if you have any information about the unsolved mystery of wrestling legend Suicide!

DT: Suicide is now back in control off this match. He sends Sampson into the ropes, and nails him with a big flying forearm smash!!! He hooks Sampson up, and brings him crashing to the mat with a double underhook Suicidedriver!!! He brings him up again, and drops Sampson on his neck once more with a Tombstone Suicidedriver! He’s looking to break Rob Sampson’s neck, for Chrissakes!!!

MN: Like I said earlier, not surprised at all. This one might be over.

DT: Apparently Suicide doesn’t think so, as he’s gonna look for YET ANOTHER SUICIDERIVER!!! He hooks him again, but this time Sampson nails Suicide with a low blow!!! Rob Sampson refuses to let Suicide keep him down!!! He locks in a front chinlock on Suicide, and he drives him to the mat with an Implant DDT!!! Cover by Sampson … ONE … TWO … THRE-NOOOO!!!! Suicide kicks out just in time!!!

MN: Definitely not enough to beat Suicide.

DT: Rob Sampson is digging into all the reserves he has tonight, folks. He’s been hit with three monstrous Suicidedrivers, but he still won’t go down for the three count. However, that neck has got to be in a world of pain right now.

MN: Eh. I’ve seen worse.

DT: Sampson now brings Suicide to his feet. Irish whip into the ropes…SHOW STOPPER!!!! Terrific Superkick by Rob Sampson!!! He sets Suicide up…HEADLINER!!! INVERTED DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!!! THIS HAS GOT TO DO IT!!!

MN: I wouldn’t be so sure, Thomas. Suicide’s already up!!!

DT: Holy s(FCC)t!!! Nobody ever gets up from the Headliner, and Suicide just popped up like he was bouncing on a trampoline!!! I’ve never seen ANYTHING like the way this man absorbs pain!!! I am in SHOCK!!!

MN: You ain’t the only one. Rob’s kinda freaking out too.

DT: Rob Sampson can’t believe anyone got up that quickly from his finisher!!! Sampson turns around, and Suicide is waiting for him!!! PHANTOM KI-NOOO!!! Sampson rolled under it! Suicide spins around … SHOW STOPPER REDUX!!!! He hit him out of nowhere with that kick!!! Sampson goes quickly to the top, and I think he wants to end this!!! He’s gonna try for a moonsault!!

MN: Davey, I don’t think Rob’s going to hit much.

DT: Why’s that?

MN: Because, if you would stop marking out, you would realize that Suicide is standing RIGHT BEHIND HIM!!!

DT: OHMIGOD!!! I thought that Show Stopper had knocked Suicide out cold!!! He’s standing on that second rope right behind Rob Sampson!!! Sampson has no idea what’s going on!!!

MN: He does now, Suicide’s just nailed him in the back with a knife edged chop!

DT: Suicide has Sampson up in Torture Rack position. Tell me he’s not gonna do this, Neely!!

MN: OH HELL YES HE IS!!! He’s gonna kill Rob Sampson right here and now!

DT: He sets him up… BURNING HAMMER!!!!! BURNING HAMMER FROM THE SECOND ROPE!!!! ROB SAMPSON’S NECK MUST BE BROKEN, AND THIS MANIAC SUICIDE IS RESPONSIBLE!!!! He pins, but it’s all elementary, as Sampson’s unconscious! Here’s the count …1…2…3!!! Suicide moves on to the semifinals, but the greater concern has to be Rob Sampson’s neck. Folks, the EMTs are coming out to check on Rob Sampson, but Suicide is most certainly not concerned!

MN: I’ll say, because he just left the ring without even having his hand raised by the referee.

WINNER: SUICIDE

PARTING WORDS ​

(Editor's Note - not available: formatting issues)

 

[DBrunkGXW]

ADAM BENJAMIN vs. MIKE DIAMOND – FOR A SHOT AT THE IC TITLE ​

DT: Our next match was originally scheduled to be a fatal four-way, but with Jonathan Marx having been released and Mayhem out after being attacked by Suicide, it's down to one-on-one action!

MN: Just goes to show how unpredictable things can be in this business. You never know what's going to happen next!

DT: No indeed. Adam Benjamin has been extremely impressive during his EPW tenure and a win tonight would only further cement his status.

MN: Eh, he's alright. Nothing impressive.

DT: Well, you're entitled to your opinion. even if it is wrong. Let's go to the ring!

["Diamond Is Forever" by Jay Z blasts over the PA system as out walks Mike Diamond to a chorus of boos... He stands on the entry way sucking it all in with a smile and then walks down to the ring. Diamond comes up to the apron and hops up on it and climbs through the ropes as he looks ready for action...]

MN: Now, HERE is a real superstar in the making!

DT: Mike Diamond certainly is a cocky individual but I don't really see that working in his favor here tonight.

["Lose Yourself" by Eminem begins to blast as "Yours Truly" Adam Benjamin makes his way slowly to the ring. Adam is wearing two English flag bandana's one that cover his head and the other that covers the lower part of his face revealing only his stone cold eyes. Adam makes his way into the ring and stands firm in his corner waiting for the bell to ring.]

DT: And Adam Benjamin is getting a great response from this crowd!

MN: Shows what these rubes know!

[SFX: Bell rings.]

[Mike Diamond rushes over to attack Adam Benjamin but is met with a swift kick to the midsection. Benjamin rams Diamond's head into the turnbuckle and then takes him down with a fireman's carry. Diamond gets to his feet and tries to taunt Benjamin into rushing him but "Yours Truly" will have none of it. Diamond finally loses his composure and goes after Benjamin, only to take another vicious kick to the midsection.]

DT: Mike Diamond better get his emotions under control or he's going to find himself on the losing end of this match real fast!

MN: Bah! It's just a few kicks! He can take it!

[Benjamin plays up to the crowd for a second before hooking Diamond up and then taking him up and over with a vertical suplex. He covers, but Diamond kicks out at 2. Benjamin smoothly rolls to his feet and pulls Diamond up. He unleashes a quick snap kick to Diamond's midsection and then follows up with a roundhouse kick to the face, sending Diamond head over heels across the ring.]

DT: Wow! Can you believe the power behind those kicks?!

MN: I can't believe Diamond is getting his ass handed to him like this!

DT: Welcome to the big-time, Mike Diamond!

[Benjamin walks over to where Diamond is laying and nails him with a few soccer-style kicks to the ribs. He then pulls Diamond up and pumphandle suplexes him back down. He drops down on top of Diamond and goes for the cover, but Diamond is too near the ropes and is able to get a foot on the bottom one to break the pin. Benjamin, looking slightly annoyed, pulls Diamond up again and executes an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Benjamin then signals to the crowd.]

DT: Adam Benjamin is calling for something here..

MN: This can't be good. He's destroying Mike Diamond!

[The crowd claps and cheers wildly as Mike Diamond slowly, but surely, tries to stand up. He falters several times and finally seems to be on the verge of regaining his senses when Benjamin suddenly charges across the ring and unleashes a wicked Shining Wizard that has the crowd "ooh"ing and "aah"ing throughout the arena.]

DT: What a Shining Wizard from Adam Benjamin!!

MN: Mike Diamond's gonna need an orthodontist after that!!

DT: Benjamin's not finished though!!


[With the crowd still cheering wildly, Benjamin picks up the still-dazed Mike Diamond and pulls him into a standing head scissors. He picks Diamond up for a powerbomb but turns into a powerbomb at the last second.]

DT: BENJAMIN DRIVER!! HE NAILED IT!!

MN: This can't be good!!

[Benjamin covers his opponent and hooks a leg and the referee drops down to make the count: One! Two! Three!]

DT: Adam Benjamin has won this match!! He DOMINATED Mike Diamond!!

MN: He'll get his someday! I know it!

Winner: “Yours Truly” Adam Benjamin

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES ​

[Fade backstage... inside the personal dressing room of Rochester Vincent Daymon, which he shares with his wife. Daymon, sitting on the edge of a plush chair, is geared up and ready, finishing the laces on his shoes. His pads are all strapped on, and besides wearing a black Punisher Skull Logo t-shirt, he looks ready to go into the ring at any second. In a simple word, Rocko Daymon looks pumped.]

[There's a knock at the door. He looks up. The shadow of his wife crosses the room as she goes to answer the door.]

Caitlyn: I'll get it...

[Pan to the left, revealing Caitlyn and her fineley shaped figure in leather pants and a blue Hawaiian shirt as she turns the doorknob and opens the door. On the other side is the CEO of Empire Pro, Paul Freeman.]

Freeman: Hey, Rocko! Sorry to bother you.

Daymon: Freeman... please, come inside.

[Nodding, Paul walks in. The camera follows him as he comes into a seat next to Rocko's.]

Freeman: I think... I made a mistake.

Daymon: A... "mistake"?

[Rocko smirks.]

Daymon: Listen to me, Paul... you knew exactly what you were doing when you signed me into this match against Maelstrom. If you look back on that decision now as a "mistake", then I doubt your credibility as a man who can control this federation. This will be the biggest match of the evening... perhaps the biggest until the World Title match at Black Dawn... A "mistake", Mr. Freeman? Not the way I see it. This match has been off and on since the moment you made that announcement, and I'll be damned if you pull the plug on it again. I've trained... I've gotten into my mindset... I am READY to beat Maelstrom, and you aren't going to deny me of that...

Freeman: No, Rocko, you misunderstood me! The match isn't a mistake... I mean, I made a TECHNICAL mistake, and I felt I should pass it on to you.

Daymon: Oh... then explain.

Freeman: Well, you see, at every show, I have to give a small script to the entrance crew... which basically just cues the effects with the lights and music, you know?

Daymon: Yeah, I'm aware with it. What's the problem?

Freeman: Okay... earlier today, I was doing yours. And, by accident, I had the fireworks and red flare begin at the CHORUS instead of the intro!

Daymon: Hmm... I see how that can be a problem. Caitlyn and I wouldn't want to step out onto the stage while there's an inferno taking place.

Freeman: Yeah, so you see my problem...

Daymon: So why are you talking to me? Couldn't you just call those guys on their walkie talkies, and tell them to correct your little blurb?

Freeman: Unfortunately, it's not that easy. I have to meet with Mr. Ryan in five minutes, and I don't have the time to run down there and back to my office. So...

Daymon: ...you want me to take care of it personally.

Freeman: Yeah. I'm really sorry about this...

Daymon: No problem. It's my entrance we're talking about, after all.

[Rocko comes out of his seat, and Freeman stands as well. Rocko looks to his wife.]

Daymon: I'll take care of this matter... shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Caitlyn: Okay.

[The two men step out of the room, followed by the camera, and amble through the hallways.]

Daymon: So where am I headed?

Freeman: The tech guys are set up in the power room... that way they can control the lights, you know?

Daymon: Uh huh... can't say I've ever been there in this arena.

Freeman: Yeah, it's underground... through a lot of tunnels, and whatnot. You could easily get lost, and I don't want you to be late for your match. How about we step into my office, and I give you the blueprints. When you look at the layout, you'll see it's quite easy to find the place.

Daymon: Sounds good. So, they control all the fireworks, music, and lights from this one room?

Freeman: You bet... everything's fed to them through monitors. Has to be timed perfectly...

Daymon: Yeah, I suppose it has to...

[They arrive at their first destination... Freeman's office. The lights are off.]

Freeman: Hm... I don't remember shutting the lights off when I left. Oh well... must be the janitor.

[Freeman opens the door and enters, leaving Rocko in the hallway. He hits the switch, giving life to the lights. Immediately, something is noticably out of place. A mist hangs about the room, as if a man had walked through while puffing at a cigar.]

Freeman: Wow, what a smoky room! Must have been that janitor. Somebody needs to read those NO SMOKING signs out in the hall! What arena hires employees who can't follow arena customs? Ah, well... what this room needs is a little ventilation.

[Freeman goes to the wall, and turns on the fan. Nearby is his filing cabinet. He opens the top shelf and starts sifting through various blue prints. After a moment of analyzing through the various rolls, a puzzled expression crosses over his face.]

Freeman: That's funny... everything except the basement layout is here, and that's exactly what I was looking for. It was here when I left.

[Shaking his head and giving up, Freeman closes the drawer and turns around to face Rocko Daymon.]

Freeman: Well, sorry, Rocko, but I guess you'll have to be looking for it on your own after all. Maybe I'll have a techie escort you so you don't go...

[As he turns around the entire way, he sees that Rocko Daymon has disappeared.]

Freeman: ...missing?

[Fade out, as Paul Freeman is left standing in his smoky office, scratching his head.]

CHRISTIAN SANDS VS. KARL “THE DRAGON” BROWN ​

[The haunting strains of "Dark Machine" by Paul Oakenfold cue up, and the lights in the arena go out; the GlobalTron lights up with an image of Christian Sands gazing down from a distance, his face illuminated as if by car headlights through a window. After the first fourteen seconds of the song, a red strobelight kicks in. Smoke machines begin blowing a drifting mist horizontally across the ramp as Christian Sands emerges, striding down the ramp with the mist curling about his feet. He vaults into the ring over the top rope and stretches his arms briefly before boosting himself up to a turnbuckle, seating himself there facing inward to await Karl Brown’s entrance.]

DT: Sands looks poised to continue on in this tournament, Mike….

MN: I’ll say…


[The arena is bathed in darkness seconds before "Rainmaker" blares out, causing a cascade of green and white lights to flicker across the arena in time to the music and pyro to explode from the side of the stage. With the first words, Karl steps through the curtains, looking around at the crowd. He
high-fives fans either side of the aisle, stopping for autographs along the way, as he walks to the ring. Circles the ring once, then vaults over the top rope, standing on the second rope, arms aloft, saluting the fans on each side of the ring, before turning to face Christian Sands.

[With the sound of the bell, both men immediately come at each other with burning velocity. Christian Sands comes into Karl Brown with a swinging right, and "The Dragon" comes back with one of his own. The fist-fight ensues until Brown blocks a telegraphed left from Sands and follows through with a Shoulder Toss, whipping his opponent to the ground by the arm. Keeping ahold of the arm, Brown drops a leg over the bicep, pressuring it to bend the wrong way. Sands is left holding onto his hurting arm as he comes back to his feet.]

DT: Karl Brown takes early control of this match!

MN: Nah, this ain't control...

DT: Christian Sands comes back to his feet, but his focus has been narrowed with that hurt arm, and Brown slips behind him! Brown with a Low Dropkick to Sands' LEGS!

[Sands tumbles down to the mat under his own weight, and Brown quickly comes around to capitalize with his control. But as he brings Sands up to his feet again, Christian goes low and sweeps out his legs. Brown falls to the mat, and before he can react, Sands parts his legs and goes for a fist to the groin, causing the crowd to shudder.]

DT: Ooh... a FIST to the groin by Christian Sands!

MN: You see? Now THAT'S control.

DT: Whatever you say, Mike...

[Sands waits for a moment while Brown curls himself on the mat in agony to shake his wounded arm. Then he takes Karl Brown around the waist and brings him back up to his feet, poised for a German Suplex! But suddenly, Brown reverses the hold! With the crowd cheering behind him, Brown pulls Sands off the mat and DROPS him onto his KNEE!]

DT: BACKBREAKER from Karl Brown!

MN: Bah...

DT: So much for Christian Sands' "control", eh Mike?

MN: Shut the hell up!

[Brown keeps the momentum going with an elbow drop over Sands sternum, and hooks the leg for a cover.]

DT: First cover in the match...


One!


Two!


NO! Sands with a strong kickout...

MN: It'll take much more than THAT to put down Christian Sands!

[Brown brings Sands up onto his feet and locks on a side headlock. The hold doesn't stay on for very long though, as Sands backs into the ropes and Brown is shoved off. Brown runs against the opposite side of the ropes, barely DUCKING a clothesline from Sands. Brown makes the return, but is this time put to the mat with a quick hiptoss from Sands! Brown quickly gets to his feet, but gets BOTH of Christian Sands' boots put into his face for the effort!]

DT: DROPKICK from Christian Sands! We've seen a lot of back and forth action thus far...

MN: Well that ends now...

[Brown gets to his feet again, this time not as fast. Sands quickly takes advantage of the loss of speed by hooking him and sending him over with a Verticle Suplex! Sands rolls over for a cover, but Brown shoves him off before the referee can even drop to his knees. Both men get to their feet at the same time, but Sands remains strong by planting a boot into the gut of Karl Brown and dropping him with a DDT!]

MN: BOOYAH! DDT from my boy, Christian Sands... TOLD you that back and forth action was going to end...

DT: Karl Brown has been put to the ground, and it will be a while before he moves again... meanwhile, Christian Sands has a good opportunity to wear his opponent down while he has control at this point.

MN: This match is in his pocket...

DT: Here's Christian Sands with his first cover...

One!


Two!

 

[DBrunkGXW]

NO! Brown with a kickout...

MN: Damnit... some people just don't understand...

[Sands returns to his feet, taking Brown by the head and bringing him up with him. Christian Sands quickly goes for an arm wrench, keeping Brown at bay and in a world of hurt. Sands delivers a HARD right into the strained shoulder of Karl Brown, forcing "The Dragon" to drop to a knee. With a few more clubbing blows, Sands forces Brown onto BOTH knees, before twisting the arm around again with another force to flip Brown over onto his back. He quickly follows through by locking on a fujiwara armbar onto Brown's injured arm.]

DT: I'll tell ya... Christian Sands is just going for the kill here!

MN: Darn right he is... he's always 100% in that ring. There's nobody who can match that sort of confidence and determination...

DT: Well, I beg to differ, but he surely brought his A-Game tonight.

[Christian Sands applies more pressure onto the hold, and Brown winces in pain. His free arm reaches out for the bottom rope, but he's a foot short. He stalls for a moment, trying to fight back the pain. He doesn't show any signs of quitting, but Sands applies the strain again.]

DT: Karl Brown is in a BAD position here...

MN: Heh... Chris could pull his arm right out of the socket!

DT: Don't count Karl Brown out just yet... he doesn't look to be throwing in the towel yet.

MN: The key word is... YET! He'll give up sooner or later.

DT: We'll see...

[Finally, Brown musters the strength to inch his way to the bottom rope. Sands sees this, and attempts to crawl back to the middle of the ring, but he's too late. Within a few moments, Karl Brown snatches the bottom rope. The ref orders Sands to release the hold, and he does, with a look of disgust on his face. Brown takes a few breaths, but Sands doesn't allow him to recover any further as he gets him up to his feet, and wraps his arms around the waist.]

DT: Here comes Christian Sands... with a GERMAN SUPLEX on Karl Brown! And he holds on, getting him back onto his feet!

MN: Heh heh... HERE we go!

DT: Sands with a SECOND German Suplex... holds on, gets Brown up, goes for a THI--OH WAIT!!

MN: EH?

DT: Brown lands on his FEET... takes Sands from behind... BIG RELEASED GERMAN SUPLEX!!

MN: WHAAAAT?!

DT: Karl Brown has TURNED this match around!

[Sands gets to his feet in a daze, and walks RIGHT into a clothesline from Karl Brown! "The Dragon" doesn't miss a beat as he jumps to the second rope, leaps off, and comes DOWN over Christian Sands face with a fist drop! The devastating impact sends the audience into an uproar, and Brown quickly makes the cover.]

DT: Here's a pin!


ONE!


TWO!!


OH NO!! ...Sands kicks out.

MN: Of course he does! This is preposterous!

[To save himself, Sands rolls to the outside.]

DT: And Sands is running away!

MN: Watch your mouth, Dave! He's not running! It's just that Karl Brown, who is OBVIOUSLY breaking the rules, isn't giving his opponent a proper advantage to catch his breath! How is he supposed to wrestle under these brutal conditions?

DT: And you think Sands would do the same for Brown...?

MN: Of course!

DT: Whatever...

[Sands takes a moment to catch a breather, the referee beginning the ten count. As he turns around, his feet kiss the heels of Karl Brown as he smashes into him with a Baseball Slide! Sands goes reeling back, landing over the barricade. Brown, coming to his feet on the outside, quickly hooks him from behind, and executes a Dragon Suplex! Beaten and exasperated, Sands crawls around on the mats for a few moments, trying to escape the salvo of attacks. But Brown quickly catches up to him and DRIVES him head-first into the steel steps!]

DT: WOW! Christian Sands is getting his ASS handed to him!

MN: Someone's gotta stop this! This isn't FAIR, damnit!

DT: Look... Sands rolled OUT of the ring to escape Brown... now he's rolling back INTO the ring for the same reasons!

MN: Shut up, Dave, you don't know what you're looking at!

DT: I know EXACTLY what I'm looking at, Mike!

[Brown follows Sands into the ring. Christian has retreated to a corner. As Brown approaches, Sands delivers a kick to the gut. This only momentarily stuns the man in control, who comes back with a BIG right hand into Sands' face! Following that, Brown takes his opponent by the arm, and whips him HARD into the other corner! Sands stumbles out in a daze, walking right into a DEVASTATING T-Bone Suplex!]

DT: T-BONE SUPLEX on the part of Karl Brown!

MN: What the HELL is this? Something isn't right here...

DT: Here's Karl Brown with another cover!


ONE!!


TWO!!


THR--OH NO!! Sands with a kickout...

MN: PHEW!

DT: This match is getting close... Brown looking for another way to put an end to Sands... he gets him back to his feet... goes for a whip to the ropes--NO!! It's reversed by Sands!

[Sands reverses the Irish Whip, sending Karl Brown into the ropes! Brown springs back with a crossbody block, but it's quickly countered into a DEVASTATING Powerslam! Sands comes back to his feet and spits on the fallen body of Karl Brown. He quickly drops a knee over his opponent's face for added effect. Brown finally gets the picture and tries to get away. As he gets to his knees, Sands catches him again, this time locking his opponent into a standing headscissor and pasting him into the mat with a POWERFUL Front Pancake Slam!]

DT: OOH... Sands is taking it to Karl Brown, hardcore!

MN: Damn right he is. NOW we're going to see some REAL professional wrestling!

[Brown, still moving, tries to get to his feet again. Sands quickly grabs him from behind and NAILS him with a chickenwing Suplex that tosses his opponent across the ring!]

DT: OH MY GOD, Chickenwing Suplex! That had AUTHORI-TAH!!

MN: Yeah, baby!

DT: And here comes Sands... he drops down, and hooks the leg for a COVER...


ONE!!


TWO!!


THR--NOO!! Karl Brown kicks out.

MN: Damnit, doesn't he give up?

[Sands shakes his head, getting frutrated. But he keeps his cool for the time being, taking Brown by the arm and bringing him back to his feet. Sands goes for an Irish Whip, and nearly DECAPITATES Karl Brown with a clothesline upon his return! Christian follows this by taking a moment to look into the audience with a sadistic grin as he looks out into the booing audience. Then he returns his focus to Karl Brown who is getting back to his feet in the corner.]

DT: Brown is back up...

MN: But not for long!

DT: In comes Sands with a BIG right hand to the face! Sands, now, going for chops across the chest of Karl Brown!

MN: WHOOO!!

DT: Sands with ANOTHER big chop!

MN: WHOOO!!

DT: For the love of God, Mike, that IS annoying...

MN: Deal with it!

[After a few more repeating blows to the head, Sands finally opts to make his move. He quickly sets Brown onto the top rope...]

MN: Oh, HERE we go! Sands taking Brown to the top rope!

DT: If Brown hopes to stay alive in this match, he better do something now!

MN: Sands going up with him... hooks Brown around the waist... OH MY GOD!!

DT: OVERHEAD BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX FROM THE TOP ROPE!!

MN: That's it... Brown has HAD IT!! He can't get up from that...

DT: Karl Brown is in trouble... and here's Christian Sands with the cover!

MN: This is it!

DT: Maybe...

ONE!!!

TWO!!!

THREE--OH WAIT, NO!!

MN: WHAT?!

DT: Karl Brown KICKED OUT!!

MN: I don't BELIEVE IT!!

[Christian Sands SLAPS the mat in utter frustration! Finally, he yanks Karl Brown back to his feet, having enough!]

MN: That's it... Sands means business now!

DT: Christian Sands grabs Karl Brown from behind... LOCKS ON THE SANDMAN'S CLUTCH!!

MN: HA HA!! There's NO WAY Karl Brown can survive the SANDSTORM!!

[Brown is brought to his knees, fighting the obvious pain.]

DT: I can only IMAGINE what Karl Brown is going through at this point... he certainly can't be feeling ANY good locked in the Cobra Clutch Crossface!

MN: He is only seconds away from tapping...

DT: Are you sure? He looks to be holding himself!

MN: Trust me, Dave...

[Then, fighting everything, Karl Brown slowly gets to his feet again!]

DT: Hey, what's this! Karl Brown is FIGHTING it!

MN: What?! It's USELESS, Brown! Just tap and get it over with!!

DT: Wait, BROWN with an ELBOW TO THE GUT WITH HIS FREE ARM!!

MN: OH NO!!

[Without warning, Christian Sands releases the hold. Brown slips around him like an eel, plants a knee into the smalls of his back, and locks on the Dragon Sleeper!]

DT: DRAGON SLEEPER FROM KARL BROWN!!

MN: NO WAY!!

DT: The tables have been turned... Karl Brown has it locked on perfectly!

MN: Fight it, Christian!

DT: Brown follows through... DRAGON'S BITE!!!

MN: NOOOOO!!!!

DT: THIS IS IT, IT'S OVER!! KARL BROWN WITH THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!


TWO!!!


[DARKNESS].


DT: What what... what happened?!

MN: Hey, I can't see!!

DT: Someone turned off the LIGHTS!!

MN: HEY!! Who just touched me!

DT: No, I can't believe it... Karl Brown was a MILISECOND AWAY from winning this match!

MN: *******it, Dave, you homo, get your hands off my balls!

DT: I'm not touching you, Mike...

MN: AAHH!! Get these smelly fans away from me!

[All at once, the lights come back on. Brown is standing in the ring, looking around in confusion, as is the referee. Sands is on his hands and knees, looking around with a dazed look in his eye as the after-effects of the Dragon's Bite where's off.]

DT: What was that all about?

MN: No clue... game on!

[While Brown is distracted, Sands suddenly gets a golden opportunity. Call it luck, or simply blame it on experience... but suddenly, Christian Sands darts forward and LOW BLOWS Karl Brown with VENGEANCE! The referee, still stunned with the recent blackout, doesn't see a thing! Sands quickly grabs a weakened Karl Brown from behind, and...]

DT: SAND BLASTER!!

MN: YYEEEEAAAAHH!!!

DT: I don't believe it, that was so CHEAP!!

MN: You do ANYTHING to win...

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: The ref turns around as Sands makes the cover....


ONE!!!


TWO!!!

TTTHHHREEEEEEE!!!!


MN: HAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!

DT: Oh, shut up, Mike... Karl Brown got robbed! Who turned off those lights?!

MN: Who cares? It was a simply electrical outage... happens all the time.

DT: "Happens all the time" my ass! Whenever it happens, SOMEBODY is behind it!

MN: Whatever...

WINNER: CHRISTIAN SANDS

SURPRISE SURPRISE. ​

[Cut to the backstage area where Paul Freeman sits at his desk, kicking his feet up and relaxing slightly. All of a sudden, the interviewer from the Ryan/Suicide segment opens the door. Freeman pulls his feet off of the desk abruptly, then straightens his tie.]

Freeman: Yes, can I help you?

Interviewer: Sir, I was instructed by Mr. Ryan to give this to you…

[Paul leans back slightly.]

Freeman: You can read it to me, if you’d like…

Interviewer: Surely sir…

[The man opens up the envelope and begins to rattle off the contents of the note inside.]

Interviewer: “Paul, there was something I forgot to bring up when we last talked. Remember how I mentioned to you about making poor decisions? Well I just happened to be leaving the office tonight when I remembered one of the worst decisions you’ve made in the past couple of weeks. Releasing Jonathan Marx? Tsk Tsk. You know better than to get rid of talent without telling me. We just can’t have this kind of stuff. I’m sorry this just happened to slip my mind earlier… but remember that match you were SUPPOSED to have this week? Well it’s been moved to next week… and your newly reinstated opponent… is none other than “Gentleman” Jonathan Marx.

[The crowd pops and Freeman’s eyes get wide with surprise. He sits up in shock, then puts his hands on his head, shaking it back and forth.]

Interviewer: “Thanks for your….”

Freeman: Enough! That’ll be fine, thanks….

Interviewer: Sorry sir…

Freeman: Oh lord… this is just freakin’ wonderful…

[The cameras cut back to the main arena feed…]

ROCKO DAYMON VS. MAELSTROM ​

[The house lights dim as the EmpireTron flickers to life. Revealed is a figure wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, his back to the viewer. On his back is the twisted symbol associated with the Daymon legacy. The opening bass drone of "Capricorn (A Brand New Name)" by 30 Seconds to Mars fades in as words scroll upon the screen, reading "THE LEGEND LIVES ON."]

[Then, as the music kicks into it's grinding electric guitar riffs and special effects, the stage becomes a livid display of red and white lights. A pyro explodes before the entrance, sending smoke upward in the shape of a mushroom cloud. After a few measures, Jared Leto's forlorn voice begins as the man of the hour, Rocko Daymon, confidently strides out onto the stage, clad in his black pads and boots and denim cutoff jeans. He is strapping on a pair of fingerless gloves. A fraction of a second behind him follows his manager, Caitlyn Daymon. The two stand at the top of the ramp for a moment, gazing over the mass of screaming fans around them, allowing their presence of sink in.]

"So I run, hide, tear myself up,
"Star again with a brand new name,
"And eyes that see into infinity."

[As the first verse begins, Rocko and Caitlyn make their way down the ramp at an assertive pace. Rocko slaps the hands of many of the fans reaching out over the barricade as his wife and manager patiently waits his every step. Upon reaching ringside, Rocko turns to his wife, pecks her on the forehead, and rolls into the ring. He comes to his feet, pacing from corner to corner like a caged animal for a few moments. And when the initial adrenaline of the entrance has eased, he quietly goes to his corner and sits down on his knees, putting his mind into an intense state of focus.]

DT: Man, had Daymon looked extremely focused lately, or what?

MN: zzzzzz….

DT: Mike...

MN: zzzzzzz…

DT: MIKE!!!

MN: zz….HUH??? WHA?? Oh damn… are we still on? Man I’m sorry Dave…

DT: Just how much DID you have to drink earlier on? You’ve been talking crazy all night. First Hooters… then Transformers… what is going ON with you?

MN: I dunno dude, since when did this become the grand inquisition? [Stretching] What’s next?

DT: Daymon vs. Maelstrom… the main event… and it’s already started.

MN: Man… wake me up when the entrances are over…

DT: Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for my colleague…

MN: Hell no Davey, don’t apologize for me… funk that everyone… Dave retracts his statement… hey I’m laying back down for a couple of minutes….

DT: Right.

[Cue up “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. Maelstrom comes down very stoically, he is totally oblivious of the fans around him, paying them no mind whatsoever, totally ignoring them as they reach out to touch him and ask for autographs. His focus is 100% on the Daymon as he strides slowly in a somewhat arrogant manner toward the ring.]

DT: Man, Maelstrom is one mean dude. Wouldn’t you agree Mike?

MN: zzzzz….

DT: MIKE! ENTRANCES ARE OVER BUD!

MN: HUH??? Wha?? Oh… right… right. Yeah Dave… that so WAS a wicked suplex.

DT: Damn you…

MN: Whoah… easy on the language there Mr. Thomas… this IS a family show, after all.

DT: One of these days Mike… one of these days.

[The bell rings and Daymon and Maelstrom immediately lock eyes. Daymon tests the ropes, then paces back and forth a little bit as Maelstrom stands with his arms crossed in his corner. The fans are going wild as Daymon tries to ignite them by raising his hands in the air.]

DT: Daymon trying to fire this crowd up in Philadelphia.

MN: Yeah… I guess it’s working ‘cuz they’re giving me a headache.

[All of a sudden, without notice, Daymon darts towards Maelstrom. In an instant, the big man brings his huge size MILLION boot up into Daymon’s face, knocking him backwards to the mat.]

[SFX: Crowd boos tremendously.]

JG: Oh… and Daymon just got LEVELED with that boot to the face! I’ll tell you what though, a simple boot isn’t going to keep Daymon down tonight, he’s got some incredible drive.

MN: Yeah… a SIMPLE boot won’t hold him down, but maybe a MAELSTROM boot will.

[Daymon slowly rolls back up to his feet, shaking off the cobwebs and readjusting his ring attire. He bounces up and down a few times and comes running in at Maelstrom once more. This time, instead of a boot, he is on the receiving end of a vicious clothesline. Maelstrom smiles and eggs on the fans.]

MN: AHHAHA!! 0 for 2 Mr. Daymon!

DT: And Daymon has tried twice now to get things started in his favor, only to have it come back in his face.

[Maelstrom allows Daymon to get back up to his feet, and the camera reveals that Rocko is now bleeding from his mouth. He puts his hands on his hips, casually spitting out a little blood in the process. Maelstrom crosses his arms and chuckles slightly, then raises a hand as if to say “you wanna try again?” Daymon immediately rushes forth, and this time, slides in between the legs of the big man. Maelstrom, confused at the move, doesn’t know what to do when all of a sudden Daymon jumps on his back and applies a sleeper hold.]

[SFX: CROWD POPS HUGE]

DT: SLEEPER BY DAYMON!!! Maelstrom got him twice, but Daymon wasn’t about to let it happen again! And listen to this place, it’s electric.

MN: Just give it some time… Maelstrom owns all.

[Maelstrom slumps to one knee, but Daymon is tenacious in his attack. He tightens his hold around Mael’s head, cinching it in as hard as possible. The referee starts to walk over and check on Maelstrom, but the big man is able to get back up to his feet, with Daymon still on his back. He runs as he can (as fast as a man could run while carrying another man on his back), and does a quick 180 before slamming Daymon back first into the turnbuckles. Daymon releases the hold, falling to a knee and holding his ribs.]

MN: HAHA… YEAH!! He’s impervious to this (beep) I swear.

DT: I’ve gotta’ tell you folks, this man is huge… you wouldn’t believe it unless you saw him in person.

MN: Daymon, on the other hand, is a runt.

DT: He is NOT, Mike!

MN: Ok, so what… Maelstrom’s bigger.

[Maelstrom grabs a handful of Daymon’s hair and starts to lay some POWERFUL fists into this forehead. He pulls his fist back after each strike, cocking it for the next immense blow. Daymon’s head snaps back with each hit, but with Maelstrom holding his hair, he’s not going anywhere.]

DT: Vicious blows by Maelstrom there!!!

MN: Ouch, Daymon’s gonna have a bump there in the mornin’.

[After receiving a warning from the ref about pulling the hair, Maelstrom lifts Daymon to his feet, scooping him up for a running powerslam. He flies across the ring and slams Daymon straight to the canvas, then hooks a leg for the cover. The ref counts….

1……


2…..


kickout by Daymon.]

DT: An emphatic kickout by Daymon there…. he means business here!

MN: I should hope a powerslam wouldn’t end this match…

[Daymon is lifted back up to his feet, and this time Maelstrom sets him up for a vertical suplex. Daymon offers some resistance, but its no use as he soon finds himself up and over, impacting with the mat at incredible force. Maelstrom gets to his feet, then bounces off the ropes to deliver a huge leg drop across Daymon’s throat.]

DT: That suplex has got to be what… about 7 feet in the air?

MN: Damn… that’s rough….

[Daymon puts a hand around his own throat, gasping for air. Maelstrom gets up to his feet then drops a quick fist to Daymon’s forehead. He repeats the process, then pulls Daymon up to his feet once more. In an instant, Daymon is sent to the corner with a hard irish whip. Maelstrom goes down to one knee after exerting such force for the move and Daymon bounces hard off the turnbuckle padding. He stumbles out a few feet, and Maelstrom uses the opportunity to deliver a rising shoulder block that puts Daymon back to the mat.]

DT: Maelstrom is in clear control here…

MN: He’s whipping Daymon from pillar to post… literally.

DT: I’m not counting Rocko out. This is for a chance to advance in the tournament… he’s got the will to do it.

MN: The mind can be willing… but what about the body?

[Daymon lays motionless in the middle of the ring as Maelstrom stares down at him menacingly. He picks him up once more, sending him to the ropes this time. Rocko is able to grab the top rope and stop his process, but Maelstrom comes flying in with a clothesline that takes both men up and over the top rope. Daymon does a full flip, his hip impacting with the apron before he hits the ground. Maelstrom flies straight to the floor, making a loud thud.]

DT: Both men on the outside now!

MN: This is where things get interesting!

DT: You’ve got that right, Mike…

[Both men are slow to recover, but Maelstrom is the first to his feet. He grabs Daymon by the hair after a few moments, then lifts him up to his feet. He grabs a hold of Daymon’s arm, whipping him hard into the far barricade. Rocko’s back slams against the metal, and he slumps down slightly after the impact. Maelstrom is relentless, immediately coming over to perform the move once more. He attempts to whip Daymon to the other barricade, but this time Rocko reverses, sending Maelstrom flying. His back hits hard against the metal, causing him to fall face first to the concrete floor. Daymon falls to a knee and starts to breathe heavily as the fans go wild.]

[SFX: Crowd pop!]

DT: Daymon’s coming back!

MN: He’s definitely determined.

[Daymon slowly gets to his feet and charges Maelstrom, who is now getting to his feet as well. Suddenly, Daymon connects with a powerful spear, taking Maelstrom back first into the commentators’ table. The back of Mael’s head smacks off the set piece, but Rocko shows no remorse. He violently slams his fists into the face of Maelstrom, grabbing a wad of his hair, similar to what happened earlier.]

DT: And now Maelstrom is on the receiving end of those vicious punches!

MN: These guys are beating the holy hell out of one another!

[Daymon finally lets up on his punching attack, pulling Maelstrom to his feet. He screams “**** YOU” to Mael’s face, which manages to slip past the booth. Thomas and Neely back up from the table as Daymon slams Maelstrom’s face off the top of it repeatedly. The crowd chants along with the stikes…

[SFX: CROWD: 1! 2! 3! 4!!! 5!! 6!! 7!]

DT: Daymon is a man possessed! He’s beating Maelstrom’s face into our table… a mere few feet in front of me!

MN: You gonna’ be ok, Thomas? You look like you’re going to wet yourself…

[After the seventh strike, Daymon goes to slam Mael’s face again, but it’s blocked by the big man. After Maelstrom blocks it, however, Daymon slams a hard fist into his face that levels him to the ground. Daymon then uses the opportunity to get on top of the commentators’ table. He waits for Maelstrom to get to his feet, then leaps off with what appears to be a double axe handle. Mael catches him in midair, though, and holds on, keeping Daymon on his shoulder. Maelstrom then trucks as hard as he can to slam Rocko’s back into the ring post.]

[SFX: CROWD “OOOOOHHHHH”s.]

DT: My god these two are dismantling each other!!!

MN: Daymon’s spine’s gotta’ be cracked in like five places after that one!

[Wiping a bit of blood from his nose, Maelstrom looks up to see that the referee is reaching the end of his 10 count. He quickly grabs Daymon and rolls him back into the ring, following him in. Maelstrom rolls Daymon over onto his back, then goes for a cover. The ref counts….

1….

2…..

kickout by Daymon!]

[SFX: Crowd pop!]

DT: Daymon’s as tough as nails, Mike!

MN: Yeah, but Maelstrom EATS NAILS for BREAKFAST.

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Wouldn’t that be a sight?

MN: Oh I’ve seen it done. It’s kinda’ like those hindu glass eater guys….. you know where they…

DT: That’s a little too graphic for this program…

MN: What? You’ve got wrestlers bashing each others’ face off of our announcers’ table, and you’re saying I’M too graphic?

[Maelstrom pulls Daymon to his feet, sending him hard to the ropes with an irish whip. Daymon suddenly ducks a clothesline attempt, then flies to the opposite ropes. He comes roaring back with a flying forearm that takes Maelstrom straight down to the mat, igniting the fans.]

[SFX: Crowd pop!]

[Daymon follows up his attack by pouncing over and applying a side headlock. Maelstrom tries to peel back Rocko’s arms, but Daymon’s grip is extremely tight. Daymon lets out a roar as he applies the hold with as much strength as he can. The fans start a “let’s go Rock-O” chant as Maelstrom starts to work his way up to a knee. Daymon continues to apply pressure, but Maelstrom quickly throws an elbow into his gut. Daymon refuses to release, and Mael hits another elbow. Finally, Rocko bounces off of Maelstrom, who then quickly goes for a short clothesline. Daymon ducks, kicking Maelstrom in the gut. While he’s doubled over, Daymon hooks both arms and performs a double arm ddt.]

DT: HUGE DOUBLE ARM DDT BY DAYMON!!!

MN: Maelstrom’s busted open… yeah baby!! Blooooooood!!!!

[Rocko rolls Maelstrom over and goes for a cover. The ref drops to the mat and counts.
1….

2…..

kickout by Maelstrom! Daymon slams the mat in frustration, then decides to get to his feet and lay a few well placed kicks into Maelstrom’s knee. He braces Mael’s leg with his hands, then jumps up to drop a knee into it. He repeats the process two more times before getting up to his feet again. The fans clap for Rocko’s tenacity.]

DT: This is a smart move on Daymon’s part. He’s going to work the legs to try and take away Maelstrom’s base…

MN: He’s doin’ a damn good job right now…

[Daymon grabs both of Maelstrom’s feet, lifting his legs up. He then drives a hard elbow to the inside of Maelstom’s thigh. He repeats the move one more time, and on the second go around, decides to hold the leg and wrench back on it. Maelstrom holds his leg as Daymon pulls back with all his might, not giving him an inch. After a few moments in the move, Daymon backs off and lets Maelstrom slowly get to his feet. After he does so, Daymon comes hauling ass in toward Mael, throwing a shoulder into the back of his leg, swiping it out from under him. Maelstrom goes flying back to the canvas, and Daymon runs a hand through his own hair to clear the sweat out of his eyes. He then grabs a hold of Mael’s legs, looking out to the crowd for approval.]

[SFX: Crowd pop!]

DT: What’s Daymon got planned now?

MN: Man, he is really takin’ it to those legs!

[Daymon applies a texas cloverleaf, flipping Maelstrom over onto his stomach and pulling back with all his might. Maelstrom cries out in pain, then laughs slightly, then cries out in pain some more. Daymon gets a look of “what the ****?” on his face as he applies the hold even harder.]

DT: Do you see that? Maelstrom’s actually ENJOYING the pain!!

MN: Well… Daymon’s feeling giving, so he’s got a lot to dish out!

DT: I highly doubt Maelstrom will submit… to my knowledge that’s rarer than a blue moon. He’ll probably pass out from the pain if this goes on much longer…

[Daymon continues to apply the hold, leaning back as far as possible. Maelstrom starts to edge his way towards the ropes, but Daymon is quick to drag him back to the center of the ring and apply the move with even more force. After a few MINUTES, Daymon finally releases the hold, tossing Mael’s legs down in disgust. He heaves some deep breathes from the constant pressure he just applied, but Maelstrom holds his knee, obviously worse off.]

DT: I can’t believe that… Rocko Daymon just had Maelstrom in a texas cloverleaf for 2 minutes and 23 seconds…

MN: It doesn’t matter… Maelstrom eats lightning and craps thunder, dude.

[Maelstrom tries to use the ropes to pull himself up to his feet, but Daymon is quick to attack. He puts a couple boots into Mael’s midsection, then forces him over to the nearest corner. After taking a couple seconds to gather his strength, Daymon uses all his energy to hoist Mael up onto the top turnbuckle. Daymon follows him up, then throws Mael’s arm over his neck. He looks out to the crowd as he grasps Maelstrom’s ring attire, and the fans react to what he’s about to do.]

[SFX: CROWD POP!]

DT: No… don’t tell me… Daymon’s going to superplex Maelstrom off the top rope!!!

MN: Damn, this could be risky…

[Sure enough, Daymon hoists Maelstrom up and over with all of his strength to superplex the big man straight to the mat. The arena booms with excitement as both men lay motionless on the canvas.]

DT: He did it! What a superplex!!!

MN: Yeah but do you know how much energy that must’ve taken out of him?

[The ref starts his 10 count for both men.

1….

2….

3….

4….

5….

6….

…. And Daymon starts to stir. He reaches his hand over and makes a cover on the fallen Maelstrom.]

DT: Daymon with the cover!

1…

2….

3!!!

NO!!! Maelstrom kicks out!!! What a war these two are having!!!

MN: Damn, what a contest!

[Daymon is the first to his feet, and he slowly makes his way over to pick Maelstrom up as well. Rocko then whips Maelstrom to the turnbuckle, allowing him to rest there for a couple seconds. Then Daymon comes flying in for the Phantom Train, but misses as Maelstrom moves out of the way at the last second. Rocko smacks his back off the turnbuckles, and Maelstrom uses the opportunity to hit a HUGE clothesline that nearly decapitates Rocko.]

[SFX: Crowd “oooooohhhhh”s.]

DT: Oh my!!! What a clothesline! Maelstrom must have put every bit of energy he had in his body into that one!

MN: Yeah, that’s why Daymon probably just swallowed a mouth full of teeth…

[Still favoring his leg, Maelstrom pushes Daymon to the nearest turnbuckle and lays a few hard punches into his face. He then goes to the back elbows, hitting them on the side of Rocko’s head. After that comes the furious set of shoulders to the gut, followed by the hard knees to the stomach. At the end of the move set, Daymon is gasping for air, as well as Maelstrom from the amount of energy used.]

DT: MY GOD… Maelstrom is going wild!!

MN: Awww damn, he’s pissed…

[Maelstrom puts all of his strength into lifting Daymon up on the top turnbuckle, but his leg almost gives out as he does so. Eventually, he gets Rocko into a sitting position, then goes through the ropes to the outside apron.]

DT: Mike… what the hell is Maelstrom doing? I’m freakin’ out here…

MN: Well Dave, whatever it is.. I think it involves Rocko Daymon and a world of pain…

[Maelstrom looks out to the crowd, then slaps his hand across the throat of Daymon. The fans react with a big gasp of “OOOOOOOOHHHH SHIIIIITTTTTT”. Daymon snaps out of his daze and starts to claw at Maelstrom’s hand, but the big man is dead set on what he wants to accomplish. He puts another hand on Rocko’s back, then uses his momentum and strength to pull Daymon off the turnbuckle and to the outside with a chokeslam. The rough part is… Daymon comes crashing down through the commentators’ table.]

DT: HOLY SH….

MN: DAVE!! FAMILY SHOW!!! DAMN!!!

DT: Daymon has got to be dead!!! I don’t believe it… oh my God!!!

MN: Chill out, Dave… these kind of things happen all the time. Matter of fact, I’m surprised it took us until the third week to have someone go through this thing. Ha ha!

DT: How can you be so light hearted right now?? Rocko Daymon is completely decimated in the rubble of what used to be OUR table!

MN: Bummer. You know what really sucks? Here comes Maelstrom. Move over Dave, I think we need to jump the barricade….

[Thomas and Neely make their way over the barricade as Maelstrom takes his time limping towards Daymon. A few moments pass and Maelstrom finally pulls a near unconscious Daymon up to his feet. Mael then takes Daymon’s head and begins to slam it off of the ring barrier repeatedly, eventually busting him open. Daymon’s blood coats his face, then Maelstrom’s hands. Mael looks at the crimson liquid, smiles evilly, and looks out to the fans.

[SFX: Crowd booooos!]

[Mael then wipes the blood off on his chest before continuing his assault. He goes to slam Rocko’s face off the barrier once more, but to everyone’s surprise, Daymon blocks it!!! He nails Maelstrom in the gut, then slams his face off the barrier instead! The arena goes ballistic!]

[SFX: CROWD POPS!]

DT: OH MY GOD!! DAYMON’S FIGHTING BACK!!! DAYMON’S FIGHTING BACK!

MN: I thought he was dead!!!

[After a few hard blows to the barricade with Mael’s face, Daymon grabs a hold of his arm and whips him solidly into the nearest set of ring steps. Maelstrom hits them with his knees, doing a full frontal flip over them and to the floor. Daymon hobbles his way over to pursue Maelstrom, but it takes him a while to get there. After a few seconds, Rocko starts to beat the living crap out of Mael’s face with his fists. Putting as much effort as he possibly can into every punch, he wails away on the now bloodied features of Maelstrom, much to the crowd’s delight.]

DT: LOOK AT HIM GO!!! ROCKO DAYMON IS GOING WILD!!! MY GOD!

MN: Dude, just look at this scene… Daymon and Maelstrom are both busted open… our table’s broke… and this place is on its feet. THIS is what Empire is all about!

[Daymon slowly pulls Maelstrom up to his feet and rolls him in under the bottom rope, following him in. He goes for a cover, hooking the leg. The referee counts, as well as the fans.

1…..

2….

KICKOUT by Maelstrom!!]

DT: These guys are relentless!! What’s it going to take??

MN: I don’t know man, but they’re brutalizing each other!

[Daymon lifts Maelstrom up to his feet and applies a standing headscissor, then all of a sudden hooks his one arm. The fans start to erupt, but it’s premature as Maelstrom performs a back body drop. Daymon bounces off the canvas and Maelstrom falls to one knee.]

DT: Do you think Daymon was going for the Brain Rocker Redux there?

MN: Yeah man, seemed like a prime time to do it….

DT: But now Maelstrom’s on the offensive again!!!

[Maelstrom quickly limps over to Daymon and applies a standing headscissor of his own. He lifts with all his might, pulling Daymon up onto his shoulders. His knee, however, starts to give out, but not before Daymon is on his way down to the canvas from a vicious jackknife powerbomb.]

[SFX: Crowd “ooooooooohhhhhs”]

MN: Damn, did you see Daymon’s head smack off the mat???

DT: He’s out like a light!!

[Maelstrom, now on the mat as well, uses all his energy to crawl over to the fallen Daymon, applying a half-nelson/claw hold.]

DT: MORTAL SIN!!! MORTAL SIN!!! That’s Maelstrom’s finishing hold!!! But does he have enough energy to keep it on?!?

MN: Come on Rocko… all you gotta do is hold out man….

DT: I can’t belive it… this is amazing!!! Daymon’s thrashing around with all his might…. He can’t escape!!!

MN: This is an extremely difficult hold to escape from Dave… only two people in the past six years have done it!!

DT: Come on Rocko… we’re pullin’ for ya’ man!!! I can’t believe this… look at the fight in Rocko Daymon!!!

MN: He’s a horse!!!

[Maelstrom applies the move even harder, screaming out a loud war cry. Daymon kicks his legs about attempting to get to his feet any way possible. Maelstrom refuses to relinquish the hold, and eventually Daymon’s legs stop kicking. He desperately tries to peel Mael’s hands away from him, but there’s no use…]

MN: HOLY CRAP… DAYMON’S BEEN IN THAT THING FOR ALMOST A MINUTE!!

DT: This is insane… do you see the amount of blood Rocko’s lost?

[After another minute in the hold, the fans start to chant “ROCK – O, ROCK –O”, but their calls fall on deaf ears, as Daymon finally slumps to the mat, passing out from the pain. The ref checks him, and his hand is raised and dropped….

1 time.

DT: Come on Rocko….

MN: Yeah man… come on… raise your hand.


2 times.


DT: …

MN: Let’s go Daymon…


3 times.


[SFX: DING DING DING]


WINNER: Maelstrom

[And the referee calls for the bell as the arena goes SILENT. Maelstrom releases the hold, breathing heavily, wiping the blood from his eyes. A pindrop could be heard as Mael slowly crawls over to the ropes, facing the nearest camera.]

DT: My god…. We just witnessed an incredible display by both of these men…

MN: Rocko Daymon just earned my respect, that’s for fu…

DT: Mike, I don’t think now’s the time…

[As Maelstrom looks into the lens of the camera, his black blood soaked hair hangs down in front of his face. He pulls it out of the way, revealing the huge gash on his forehead, which still spits blood out over his features. His eyes narrow… followed by a simple smile.]

Maelstrom: See ya’ next week, Sands…

[The copyright information appears at the bottom of the screen, then the picture starts to fade out. Dave Thomas speaks over the broadcast as it goes off the air…]

DT: My god… ladies and gentlemen… I don’t even know what to say. This man just went to WAR with Rocko Daymon… who can stop him???

MN: Somebody get out here to check on Rocko…

[Fade to black.]