Aggression 4 - East Rutherford, NJ - 3/2/04

[DBrunkGXW]

WEEK FOUR
LIVE FROM EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY ​

[Fade in from black. Several recorded events from pass Aggressions begin to play through in black and white. The sounds of “In My World” by Anthrax provide a harsh backdrop for the already violent images… shots of men beating the living hell out of one another, competitors bleeding for the new upstart company that has taken the wrestling world by storm.]

V/O: It has been three weeks of brutal hell. For some, the path was ended much earlier than expected. For others, pain is pushed aside as a climb to the top continues. Now, more so than ever, Empire Pro prepares for a Black Dawn….

Fade from “In My World” to “Imperial March” by Rage Against the Machine.

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 Continental Airlines Arena, 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 “Goodbye Paul Freeman!”, “Suicide broke my neck!”, “Daymon was screwed!”, “Adam Benjamin for Prime Minister”, “Black Dawn on MSG”, 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.]

DT: Ladies and gentlemen… welcome… to Aggression, WEEK FOUR!!

MN: Whoooo daddy… this one is gonna be a good one, Davey! We’ve got a crapload of great matchups tonight… all setting up one of the sweetest PPVs in wrestling history!

DT: That’s right Mike… tonight’s the last stop on the road to Black Dawn, and things look more exciting than ever! We’ve got the Intercontinental Title Tournament match that will determine Adam Benjamin’s opponent at Black Dawn!

MN: Man does that one look good. Daymon, Douglas, and Brown all in one match! That’s some insane talent taking the ring at the same time! It could go any way!

DT: I’m looking forward to it too Mike… it should be an incredible matchup! Also on the agenda is Paul Freeman vs. Jonathan Marx! Lots of people have been talking about this one, Mikey… what’s going to go down? I have to say I fear for the safety of Mr. Freeman in this one!

MN: Man, Freeman’s a goner. There’s no way he can stand up to Jonathan Marx. I guess it was a little tough love applied by Dan Ryan that made this one happen.

DT: Speaking of Mr. Ryan, rumor has it he won’t be in attendance tonight. One has to wonder what the reasoning behind that is.

MN: I dunno, but it’s gotta’ important. Ryan IS a busy man, Thomas. He’s a freakin’ world champion, you know?

DT: Well ladies and gentlemen, things have been chaotic around the Empire offices lately, as I’m sure a lot of you know already.

MN: Chaotic? Try INSANE. The World Title tournament has gone haywire… we’ve lost two… count ‘em TWO… Empire wrestlers to injury in the past weeks, another to contract disputes, and now there’s rumors about Lindsay Troy’s involvement in things… I don’t even know where to start!

DT: I’ve gotta’ agree with you there, Mike. But nonetheless, the show must go on! Tonight we were supposed to originally see Maelstrom vs. Sands, and Suicide vs. Beast. For reasons unknown, Maelstrom has left the Empire roster. Now we’ll see Sands taking on Suicide and Beast in a three way dance! The winners continue on to Black Dawn, where they’ll engage in a showdown to crown the very first World Champion!

MN: Who’s your pick, Thomas?

DT: I don’t really have one, Mike…

MN: Man, me neither…but I’m tellin’ ya, we could see ANY of those men advancing to Black Dawn. You’ve gotta ask yourself though, what’s the deal with the Burning Hammer? IS it banned, or what? And how the hell are we supposed to know if Ryan’s not in the building??

DT: That IS a good question. I’m sure the matters have been taken care of… and we’ll all find out soon enough what’s going down! Folks we’ve got a ton of other matches tonight… let’s kick this show off!

MN: Whoooooo!!

DT: Well, next up we've got -

[CUE UP: "War Machine" - Kiss. The video wall shifts to an image of the United States flag flying behind transparent images of tanks and warplanes. CROWD: "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!"]

DT: - Wait a minute, what's this?

MN: Sounds like everyone's favorite patriotic killing machines!

DT: Covert Ops aren't scheduled to be here, but here they are!

[As the song lyrics kick in, Cloak and Dagger of Covert Ops emerge from behind the curtain, sparking off a volume increase for the USA chants as they wave large American flags above their heads. They walk to the ring, saluting fans here and there along the way before stepping into the squared circle and waving the flags some more. Finally, Cloak grabs a mic as the music dies down.]

CLOAK: ...Something around here is SERIOUSLY FUBAR!!!

[CROWD: *pop!*]

CLOAK: Man... what the hell, Freeman? What the hell, Ryan? What're you guys thinking? Last week you booked eight rookies in two tag matches, yet WE, who SQUASHED one of the most dominant teams on this circuit, went unbooked. I mean, CRAP! Who the hell cares about the f*ckin' STALKER? And is anybody out there really busting their balls to tune in to watch a match with Culpa in it? Derek Shmaltz, John Deere - sh*t! How the HELL did all these kids get on the card while WE are ignored? And THIS week - the SAME MORONS get matches, but NOT US? This is RIDICULOUS!

DAGGER: But hey. If Ryan and Freeman aren't going to let us beat the sh*t out of anyone, I guess we'll take matters into our own hands. See, we've gone too long without beating someone to a bloody pulp. But that's alright, 'cause we're going to remedy that. And in doing so, we're gonna even the score for Uncle Sam. We're full-blooded Americans, born right here in the greatest country in the world - and just like our country, if you f*ck with us, you get f*cked with. Our next guest has f*cked with America. Now it's our turn.

CLOAK: So without further ado... Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, all the way from a rat hole in what's left of Afghanistan... OSAMAAAA BIN LADEEEEENNNN!!!

DT: Osama bin WHAT?!

MN: Boo! Hiss!

[CUTTO: The entrance ramp as a man with a long, ratty-looking beard and a bath towel wrapped around his head prances down towards the ring as "Uncle F*cker" from the South Park movie soundtrack plays. The crowd, naturally, is showering "Osama" with garbage. Osama quickly hops into the ring and prances around like an idiot.]

DT: I can't BELIEVE this! It's either bin Laden or a reasonable facsimile!

MN: Boo! Go back to your cave!

DT: This crowd's certainly mirroring my colleague's sentiments, as they're booing Osama out of the building!

[As Osama prances about, Cloak and Dagger set aside their flags and grin. Dagger promptly grabs Osama by the neck and chokeslams him to a HUGE crowd pop! Osama bounces off the mat once and lands in a heap, and Cloak immediately pounces on him and starts pummeling him with rights and lefts! The crowd, meanwhile, is cheering thunderously!]

DT: This is surreal! These fans are going NUTS as Covert Ops DESTROYS Osama bin Laden!

MN: Yeah! WOO! Show that prick who's boss, boys! Smoke him! WOO!

[After a few more punches, Cloak picks Osama up by the collar and slaps him on both cheeks, then spits in his face, evoking a MASSIVE reaction from the fans! Cloak quickly pushes Osama back into Dagger, who picks him up and DRILLS him with a Dagger Driver! Cloak moves in again, nailing Osama with the Cloak Cutter! The crowd goes wild as Dagger sets Osama up for a powerbomb, bringing him down with the help of a second-rope flying neckbreaker from Cloak to complete Covert Ops' double-team move - Shock and Awe!]

DT: OH! The Shock and Awe! Covert Ops just OBLITERATED Osama!

MN: HELL YEAH, MAN!!! U-S-A! U-S-A! Score one for Uncle Sam, mothafu-

DT: Family show!

MN: -fuggawazza.

DT: What?

MN: Sorry, couldn't think of a good word.

[Osama lies unmoving on the mat, his eyes rolling back in his head. Cloak crosses Osama's arms across his chest funeral-style, then snatches off his turban and throws it into the crowd; it is caught by some moron in a Beast T-shirt. With that, both members of Covert Ops mount a turnbuckle, each crossing his right hand over his heart. The cheering falls silent and everybody comes to their feet as the American national anthem plays across the speakers.]

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

[As the anthem comes to a close, the arena EXPLODES into tumultuous, mindblowing, deafening cheering, which quickly coalesces into a booming chant: "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!" Cloak and Dagger drink in the cheers, still standing resolutely atop the turnbuckles. After a moment, they take up their flags and depart, walking slowly up the ramp, waving the stars and stripes proudly until they finally slip behind the curtain.]

MN: *sniff* That was... SO moving.

DT: I have to admit, the national anthem was a nice touch.

MN: It was just awesome, Dave. God bless America. And to hell with people who screw with America!

DT: I concur. Well… as awesome as that was… we DO have matches to get to! First up is Kevin “K-9” Watson taking on John Doe in our opening bout! Let’s go to the ring!

Kevin "K-9" Watson vs. John Doe ​

[Cue up: Long Way Home by Super Tramp.

Kevin enters the ramp way with a nonschalant swagger. A towel covers his face from site, while his head hangs low. He takes his time making his way down to the ring. He slides into the ring and readies himself for the appearance of Doe. The crowd gives a decent reaction as his music dies down, replaced by (Sic) by Slipknot. The arena goes pitch black as the Empiretron flashes between a blurred face and film of a wrestler. Blue Pyro fires off at the entrance ramp. The words John Doe flash and shake on the screen, blue and red strobe lights flicker all over the arena as fans begin to cheer loudly. John Doe makes his way out from the back to ignite the crowd, sliding into the ring, as pyro erupts from the turnbuckles. The crowd claps for Doe’s appearance.]

DT: These fans are lovin’ John Doe!

MN: You think the man has enough pyro? I’m surprised he hasn’t set the building on fire yet! There’s more smoke in here than a rastafarian family reunion!

DT: Mike, watch it…

MN: Both men look primed and pumped for this opening matchup!

[Doe and Watson lock eyes, encircling each other as the crowd sits down for the show. Watson lunges in first, initiating a collar to elbow tie up. Doe performs a go behind, locking his arms around Kevin’s waist.]

DT: Doe with the go behind…

MN: Watson’s got him…

[Watson reaches up and performs a snapmare that flips Doe over and down to the canvas. Applying a strong sleeper-like choke, Watson works Doe to the mat for a few moments. Doe is able to get back up to his feet though, hitting a few well placed shots the ribs of Watson.]

DT: Doe out of the hold…

MN: I’m not sure who’s got more skill Thomas, but I’d say if it comes down to mat wrestling, Watson could triumph.

DT: A great observation, Mike. Watson’s rough and tumble mat style is incredible….

[After being forced off of the hold, Watson backs up to receive a dropkick to the face at the hands of Doe. Doe then pounces on Watson’s chest, pounding away at his face with some hard right hands. The fans ignite as Doe continues his assault, until being warned by the ref to keep an open fist. After being distracted by the ref for a brief second, Doe is flipped over to the canvas by Watson, who then takes HIS opportunity to brutalize Doe.]

DT: Watson back on top! He’s going crazy with those fists! He doesn’t care about the referee’s warning!

MN: Smart man. Get in… beat the crap out of your opponent… end it quickly. That’s what I’d do.

[Doe holds his head as Watson lays into him, finally getting up to throw his hands in the air in a mock salute to the crowd. He turns back around and pulls Doe up to his feet, then tosses him backwards to the mat with a release German suplex.]

DT: Ouch, Doe’s neck has got to be hurting after that one.

MN: Yeah, Watson’s a horse…

[Watson goes for a quick cover. The ref counts…

1…

2…

kickout by Doe. Kevin gets up to one knee and grabs Doe by his hair, pulling him up as well. Both men are up to their feet, and Watson is quick to set Doe up for a suplex. He snaps him over with ferocious velocity, shaking the ring with the impact.]

DT: Picture perfect snap suplex there…

MN: Yeah right… that was so fast I don’t think ANY camera could have caught that one on film.

 

[DBrunkGXW]

[Doe holds his back as Watson continues the attack, applying a half crap and cinching it in. He leans back with all his might to wear away on Doe’s back, causing John to scream out in pain. The audience rallies behind Doe after the move has been applied for about half a minute. He tries to push himself up off the canvas, but is making no headway. Finally, he starts pounding the mat in frustration, and uses all of his strength to pull himself towards the ropes.]

DT: Doe has GOT to get himself out of this hold… his back could give out at any moment…

MN: The single leg crab IS a devastating move, Dave. I could demonstrate it if you’d like…

DT: No Mike… I’m cool.

MN: No… you most definitely ARE NOT.

[Doe edges his way towards the ropes, but Watson pulls him back to the center of the ring. He leans back and puts more weight on the hold, but Doe refuses to give up. Eventually he starts to make his way back towards the ropes once more. He reaches out as far as he can and finally grips the bottom rope.]

DT: Doe finally makes it to the ropes! He was in that hold for quite some time!

MN: Man’s back’s gotta’ be hurtin.

[Watson wipes his brow and continues his assault, lifting Doe up to his feet once more. He pulls Doe up to his feet and eventually applies a full nelson, tossing him backwards with a wicked suplex. Doe lands on his head and holds it in pain, the audience booing Watson’s actions. Watson goes for yet another suplex… this time of the T-Bone variety. As he applies the hold, Doe uses all of his strength to throw a couple elbows to the back of Watson’s head.]

DT: T-Bone Suplex… NOOOO… Doe fights it off!

MN: Yeah, but does he have enough energy to do anything?

[Doe drops to one knee and performs a European uppercut that knocks Watson to the mat. The crowd pops huge as Doe starts to lay into Watson’s face. Eventually both men get back up to their feet, and Doe whips Watson to the ropes. He then goes for a hurricanrana, which puts Watson head first into the canvas. Doe holds his back, though, from the previous attack of Watson.]

DT: Doe with a comeback!

MN: Look, he’s in some serious pain though…

[Doe struggles to get back up to his feet, but does all he can to push a rising Watson into the turnbuckle. Doe applies a front headlock and gets up on the turnbuckle himself, kicking his legs out to execute a beautiful flowing tornado ddt. The crowd erupts for the move. Doe goes for a cover.

1…

2…

kickout by Watson.]

DT: Ooohh, close call there for Watson.

MN: Doe’s gotta avoid the high impact moves though, he’s already worn down a good bit.

[Doe slowly gets up to his feet and pulls Watson up with him. He goes for yet another Hurricanrana, but this time the hold is reversed into a sit down powerbomb at the hands of Watson. The back of Doe’s head smacks off the mat with a sickening thud. The crowd “oooohhhs” as Watson goes for a cover.

1…

2…

kickout by Doe.]

DT: What a powerbomb by Watson!!

MN: Man, his head just CRACKED off of that mat!

[Watson pulls Doe up to his feet and goes for a cobra clutch suplex. Doe drops to his knees to avoid the move, however, and the crowd applauds. Watson lifts Doe up once more, going for the move yet again. This time he nails it, causing Doe to land limply on the mat. Watson avoids the cover, and instead locks on the cobra clutch with the leg scissors. The crowd starts rallying behind Doe…]

DT: That’s Watson’s finisher!!!

MN: Oh man, Doe’s in some serious trouble!!

[Doe realizes where he’s at in the ring, and tries desperately to put his leg up on the bottom rope. He finally does so, and the crowd erupts!]

DT: He’s made it to the ropes!!! Doe is out of the move!

MN: He narrowly escaped that one!

[Doe is pulled back up to his feet, where he is quickly whipped to the nearest turnbuckle. Halfway through the whip though, Doe reverses with a last ditch effort and falls to his knees. Watson hits the corner hard, and Doe gets up to execute a bulldog. Watson’s face smashes off the mat, but he still shows signs of life.]

DT: Doe could mount another comeback here!!

MN: Awww damn…

[Doe ascends the turnbuckle, taking a good amount of time to get up top. What he doesn’t know, though, is that Watson is right behind him. Watson appies a camel clutch from behind, tossing Doe backwards into the middle of the ring. The crowd gets to its feet and “oooohhh”s as Doe’s head smacks off the mat. Watson makes a cover. The ref counts…

1…

2…

3!]

Winner: Kevin Watson

DT: Watson does it!!! He beats Doe with the Cobra Clutch suplex off the top rope!!!

MN: Damn, that guy scares me!!

DT: Folks, we’ll be right back!!!

"Silent Assassin" Brien Cage vs. Adam Benjamin ​

[Cut to commercials of various Empire products, including the new action figure lineup produced by Todd McFarlane. Shots of the Beast, Sands, and Suicide figures are shown. Fade back in to the Continental Airlines Arena where everyone’s going insane.]



DT: Well fans, as you know our next contest is taking place under some auspicious circumstances. After “Queen of the Ring” Lindsay Troy took legal recourse to block her participation in this match, IC title tournament finalist Adam Benjamin took up Troy’s slot against the debuting “Silent Assassin” Brien Cage.

MN: I like this Cage guy. He is quiet, but yet not quiet.

DT: Huh?

MN: C’mon, Dave. Tom Hanks…movie trailer…and this guy calls himself a “Silent Assassin”?

DT: Why God, why?


MN: The big guy loves ya, Davey. That’s why you’re working with me.

DT: What’s the point. Let’s just go to the ring.

RA: The following match is scheduled for one fall, and will be contested under standard Empire Pro rules. Introducing first…

[A heart with a knife through it appears on the Globe-a-tron. The words "Silent Assassin" surround the heart. Requiem (the fifth) by Trans Siberian Orchestra blasts through the speakers. Brien Cage emerges from behind the curtain. With eyes of a hungry tiger and a look of intensity on his face, he shakes loose his muscles before walking down the ramp towards the ring. After entering the ring he stands in the middle of the ring and holds up fist in the air.]

RA: Making his Empire Pro debut tonight. Hailing from Washington, DC and weighing in at 239 pounds, the “Silent Assassin”…BRRIIIIIEEEEENNNN CAAAAAAAAAAGGGGEEEEEE!!!!!!! His opponent…

[“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.]

RA: He is a finalist for the EPW Intercontinnental Title at Black Dawn. Standing 6 foot 4 and weighing in at 245 pounds, a native of the United Kingdom, he is “YOURS TRULY”…ADAAAAAAMMMMMM BENNNNJAMIIINNNNN!!!!!

[SFX: Bell Rings]

DT: We’ve got a hell of a technical masterpiece ahead of us here, as both of these guys are experienced and talented mat wrestlers.

MN: [snores]

DT: Neely, WAKE UP!!!

MN: Huh? What? Mommy, I don’t wanna go to school! I wanna stay home and bake cookies with you!!!

DT: Neely, PAY ATTENTION!!!

MN: Fine, you take all the fun out of everything.

[Benjamin and Cage finish sizing each other up and walk determinedly towards each other before going into a collar-and-elbow tie up. After either man fails to gain and advantage, Cage quickly ducks under Benji’s right arm and hooks in a standing waistlock. “Yours Truly” attempts to elbow Cage in the head to break the hold, but Brien slips under the arm and tries for a quick released German Suplex. But, the Brit floats over and shoves Cage into the corner, charging in and nailing him with a running shoulderblock.]

DT: A beautiful display of mat wrestling by Benjamin, as he counters Cage’s suplex and gets the early advantage! Cage is very quickly back to his feet, and he charges at Adam Benjamin…BIG CLOTHESLINE…NO!!! Benji got under it. Spinning heel kick by Benjamin, but Cage catches the leg!!! DRAGON SCREW BRINGS BENJAMIN TO THE MAT!!!

MN: This is way to fast for me, man.

DT: Just try and keep up. Benji to his feet, and they tie up once again. Irish whip by Benjamin, and he nails Brien Cage with a flying cross body block!!! Pin attempt…

ONE…

TWO…

THR-NOOOO!!!! The “Silent Assassin” rolls through!! He’s got a pinning predicament now!!

ONE…

TWO…

BENJAMIN KICKS OUT!!! Wow, that was close!!! Both these men picking up the intensity in the early going here, Michael.

MN: Forget sleep. This is gonna be fun!! Brit-boy versus “The Oddly Un-Silent Silent Assassin”.

DT: Is all you do with your free time think of ways to annoy me?

MN: Yup.

DT: Thought so.

[After a quick breather, both Cage and Benjamin get to their feet. What follows is an intense flurry of mat expertise. Cage goes for a side kick, which Benji blocks with his right hand. Cage tries for an enziguri, but Benji slips under and Cage is somehow able to land on his feet. Benjamin locks Cage in a reverse waistlock, which Cage slips out of, setting Benjamin up for a Fisherman’s Suplex. However, Benji again floats over, again locks in a full nelson and hits Cage with a vicious Dragon Suplex. Cage is up quickly, but he is obviously dazed.]

DT: And with THAT incredible display, Adam Benjamin has the “Silent Assassin” reeling!!!

MN: Yeah. T.O.U.S.S.A. is off his game right now.

DT: With the obvious advantage, “Yours Truly” is going on the attack. He’s laying into the EPW newcomer with a barrage of kicks in that far corner. He brings Cage down into a side headlock, and he signals that he’s gonna charge across the ring. Big running bulldog…CAGE SLIDES OUT AND SENDS BENJI CRASHING INTO THE TURNBUCKLE!!!!

MN: YES!!!! Beat his British a-

DT: FAMILY SHOW!! How many times do I have to tell you?

MN:...a-a-armada!!! Ha! Gotcha, Thomas!!!!

DT: If you have any mercy, Lord, you shall smite him down where he stands.

MN: Ain’t gonna happen, buddy. I’m here for LIFE.

DT: Fine. Whatever. Adam Benjamin is obviously stunned after Cage sent him into that turnbuckle, and the D.C. native is trying to establish his first real advantage in this tussle. Irish whip into the ropes…SPINNING SPINEBUSTER!!! Adam Benjamin just got planted into the mat!

MN: What’ll a British guy grow into when he gets planted?

DT: I’ll ignore that one. Cage brings Benji to his feet, and he hooks him up…SNAP SUPLEX!!! He holds on, and he brings the former MCW champion crashing down with another suplex!!! He brings him up one more time, and yes, he’s going for a third suplex. Brings him up…INSIDE CRADLE BY BENJAMIN!!!

ONE!!!!

TWO!!!

THREE!!! NO!! NO!! TWO point NINE!! Brien Cage JUST got out, and Benji is absolutely furious with our official.

MN: [Checks stopwatch] Wow. You guys are good. Two point eight seven three. You’re good Thomas, I’ll give you that.

DT: Back to the action, as neither man has yet to take a hold on this match. Right now, Benjamin has Cage rocking after that sensational counter. In close quarters, and Benji separates himself from Cage with a kneelift to the gut. Irish whip, and a HUGE belly to belly suplex by Adam Benjamin!!! Cage is on the mat, and Benjamin is quickly over to lock in a sitting dragon sleeper. He’s gonna wear the rookie down with that submission hold!!

MN: [Pulls out a copy of the SI Swimsuit Edition] Good. Gives me a chance to catch up on my reading.

DT: Just pay attention, Mike. Then I’ll be happy. “Yours Truly” has that dragon sleeper locked in mighty tight, but Cage is pretty close to those ropes. The referee comes over to check on the “Silent Assassin”, and he brings his arm into the air. ONCE…TWICE… THR-NOOO!!! Cage got the arm up, but that sleeper is still locked in. He’s fighting with all he’s got, but Benji isn’t letting up. He’s got that in tight, but BRIEN CAGE IS NOT LETTING UP!!! He keeps fighting…and…HE CATCHES THE ROPE WITH HIS RIGHT LEG!!!!! Benjamin must break the hold. He got out, but that had to take a lot from Brien Cage’s energy supply.

MN: Yeah. He was talking before, but he might really be a “Silent Assassin” after all that time in Benji’s dragon sleeper.

DT: Cage is obviously weary, but he’s trying to fight back. He fires a spin kick at Benjamin and…he…CONNECTS!!! Brien Cage is alive and well!!! He fires away at Benjamin with lefts and rights, and he’s got him hooked up once again. NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX SENDS BENJAMIN TO THE MAT!!! He’s got him down, and he’s looking to end it!!!

MN: I’ve seen this move in types, and it looks like it would hurt. A lot. A whole damn lot.

DT: He has him in position, and he’s going for the Caged Fear submission, he locks one arm in, but Benjamin counters!!! Inside cradle by Benji, reversed by the Assassin, reversed by Benjamin again!!!

 

[DBrunkGXW]

ONE!!!

TWO!!!

THR-KICKOUT!!! Narrow escape once again by Cage, but Adam Benjamin is back!!! He springs to his feet with the momentum behind him. He pulls Cage up, and sends him into the ropes…SHINING WIZ-CAGE DUCKS UNDER!!! Cage bounces of…and Benjamin evades the flying forearm attempt!! The two cross one more time, and NOW Benjamin connects with that Shining Wizard!!! He hooks a standing headscissors, and hoists Brien Cage up in the air.

MN: Benji Driver, baby!!!

DT: He’s going for that patented Benjamin Driver. He signals to the crowd. Cage is UP…but he turns it into a hurricanrana!!! Fantastic counter, and Adam Benjamin is livid!!!

MN: Yeah, and Brien Cage doesn’t have much left in the tank at all.

DT: Cage looking to end it right here. He’s setting Benji up for a Tombstone Piledriver. Benjamin is up, but he tilts the weight in his favor and his a picture perfect reverse DDT!!!! Whips Cage into the ropes, and he nails the Shining Wizard ONE MORE TIME!!!!

MN: Goodnight, Bri-bri.

DT: He hooks him once again, and this time Brien Cage is near unconsciousness. Up into powerbomb position…BENJAMIN DRIVER!!!! Lights out for Brien Cage!!!

ONE!!!!

TWO!!!!

THREE!!!! Adam Benjamin piles up the momentum before the IC title match at Black Dawn in a hell of a contest, and Brien Cage showed us some of the future of EPW tonight with a marvelous effort in an outstanding match. All I can say, ladies, gentlemen, and Mike Neely, is wow!!!

MN: Yeah…HEY!!!!

DT: YES!!!! I FINALLY GOT HIM!!!!

MN: [sheepishly] Let’s get to the next match… alright?

WINNER: ADAM BENJAMIN

"Big Time" Michael Gettis vs. Tyrone Walker ​

DT: Folks, this next match -

[CUE UP: "Sharp Dressed Man" - ZZ Top, interrupting Dave Thomas' introduction.]

DT: - Wait a minute, what's this?

MN: Don't know anyone here who uses this music!

[CUTTO: The stage. The video wall is showing clips of mesmerized little kids staring out at the crowd and hot bikini-clad women in the throes of passion. The crowd boos furiously as Dean Matthews prances through the curtain in his cheesy white suit, top hat, and shades, doing a little jig before raising his arms to set off a flood of gold and white pyro behind him.]

MN: Oh... HIM.

DT: Folks, it looks like we're about to hear from "The Show Stealer" Dean Matthews, a man who's been making a nuisance of himself in promotional segments recently!

MN: And he's coming over here!

DT: Wha- Oh, uh, there's an extra-

DM: Yeah yeah, I found it, I found it. 'Sup, pimps? Naw, don't answer that.

DT: Uh, glad to have you at our announce table, Dean.

MN: What's the deal, hombre?

DM: Just chillin', Mikeman. Thought I'd come out here to scope out some of the good ol' ackalaction.

MN: Heh, ackalaction. That's awesome.

[The lights dim as the voice of Jamie Madrox booms over the PA and the beats kick in beginning Twiztid's "Where It's Goin Down." A single spot light shining down at the entrance way shows Tyrone Walker walking from behind the curtains and to the edge of the entrance way where he stops to scan the building, taking in the entire view for a moment. As the moment passes he turns his attention back to the ring and begins to casually stride to the ring making sure to take his time before he reaches the ringside area. Taking a few quick steps he leaps from the floor to the ring and hurls himself over the top rope and landing on his feet. Taking a few steps into the ring he shuffles over to the farside corner and leans casually into the turnbuckles as he waits...]

DT: Folks, this matchup should be an interesting one between these two newcomers to Empire Pro! Tyrone Walker gives up about forty pounds to his opponent, Michael Gettis, but judging from the intensity in his eyes he'll fight tooth and nail regardless!

DM: 'Course he will, yo. He's SUPER INTENSE!!!

MN: Aggro-intenzity?

DM: Hey hey hey! Quit shilling other feds before I throw this Met-Rex Energy Shake at you!

(CUE UP: “Headbusta” by lil’ scrappy. As the music starts to blare Michael Gettis steps out from the back. He stands in the entrance way for a second staring at the ring jumping up and down psyching himself up. A row of pyro goes off behind him and he briskly struts to the ring.)

DT: We haven't heard much from Michael Gettis recently, but apparently he's a solid competitor who should give Walker a run for his money.

DM: And his music rules too. We some headbutt! We some headbutt! We done knock your head out, we some headbutt!

MN: It's headbusta, not headbutt.

DM: Sounds like headbutt to me.

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING - Bell rings.]

[Gettis and Walker immediately move to lock up, but Gettis staggers Walker with a right hand, following by knocking him down with a headbutt.]

DM: See? Headbutt.

MN: But that's not the song - bah, nevermind.

DT: Oh, big headbusta - I mean, headbutt from Gettis!

[Walker quickly rolls to his feet. Gettis moves in after him, but Walker quickly waistlocks him and pushes him into the corner, then pulls back and absolutely SMOKES him in the face with one of the stiffest forearm shots in recorded history. Gettis' eyes dim, and he stumbles out of the corner, where Walker takes him down with a discus punch.]

DT: I think that forearm just turned Michael Gettis' lights out!

MN: Well, if the forearm didn't, the punch did!

DM: Are you sure his name isn't Tyrone Tyson?


[Grimly, Walker pulls Gettis up by the head and lays into him with some stiff rights and lefts, then steps back to slam the big man upside the chin with a snap kick. Gettis slumps to his knees, only to find himself hitting the mat on his side as Walker nearly beheads him with a BRUTAL roundhouse kick!]

DT: My God! That roundhouse was absolutely vile!

DM: His head almost got busted right off his neck!

MN: Ouch! He'll never be the head of a major corporation!

[Rubbing the side of his head, Gettis slowly pulls himself to a standing position. Walker quickly goes on the offensive, peppering Gettis' right shin with swift kicks before stunning him with a jawbreaker, then scoring with a dragon sleeper. From there Walker applies a half-crab, but Gettis quickly reaches the ropes, forcing the break.]

DT: Half Boston crab by Walker - no, he had Gettis too close to the ropes!

MN: Close, but no banana!

[As Gettis rises again, Walker sets himself up, then scores with a baseball slide to Gettis' right knee, staggering the big man. Again, Walker waits for Gettis to stand, then throws a big spin kick - but Gettis catches him at the last second, drags him in, and dumps him up and over with a monstrous fallaway slam!]

MN: Ooh!

DT: Big fallaway from Gettis there, as he tries to turn this match around!

DM: Don't faaaaall awaaaaaaay... leave me to myself... don't faaaaaall awaaaaay... leave life leave life in my hands, in my-

MN: Hey, Fuel! Nobody plays that song anymore!

DM: I do. And since you all want to be like me, you should too.

[Reaching down, Gettis adjusts his right kneepad as if to block some of the pain in his knee, then scoops Walker up and body slams him with authority. The big man presses the attack by picking Walker up again, going for a suplex. Walker floats through and comes down behind Gettis, waistlocking him and pushing him against the ropes before falling back for a roll-up!]

DT: Wait, roll-up by Walker! One - TWO - No, Gettis kicked out!


MN: Wooh! Close one!

[Both men roll to their feet. Walker throws a punch, but Gettis ducks it, spinning Walker back around before heaving him up to MAUL him with a brutal spinebuster that nearly puts a hole in the canvas! With a roar, Gettis gestures to the ceiling before climbing up to a turnbuckle.]

DT: We could see the Big Tyma here!

DM: The rappers?

MN: The finisher!

[However, 'tis not to be - Walker kips up to a crowd pop, then sprints up the ropes like a cat, hooking Gettis up before flinging him off with a move that appears to be an unholy combination of a moonsault and a uranage!]

DT: OH! SKY-WALKER CONNECTS!!!

DM: ...What the canuck was that?

MN: The Sky-Walker! Looks like a, uh... what, a uranage and a backflip or something.

DM: Looks more like two guys falling out of a tree.

[The impact of the unorthodox Sky-Walker leaves Gettis sprawled on the canvas. Walker wastes no time, picking Gettis up and lifting him Falcon Arrow-style before seguing into a reverse brainbuster, dropping Gettis right on his head!]

DT: THERE IT IS!!! THE BROKEN ARROW!!! THE COVER!!! ONE - TWO - THREE!!! WALKER WINS IT!!!

MN: WHAT A MOVE!!!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

DT: What a match for Tyrone Walker, as he puts away Michael Gettis with relative ease!

DM: Yeah yeah. Excuse me, fellas...

[As Walker's music plays, Matthews removes his headset, picks up his cane, and swaggers to the ring, grabbing the ring announcer's mic as he slips between the ropes.]

DT: Now what's he up to?

MN: Gonna crash Walker's victory celebration, I bet.

MATTHEWS: Hey, great stuff there, kiddo. You sure know how to take a bunch of normal moves and mash them together. And I mean that. That Luke Skywalker move was really something. But there's a problem - THESE FANS DON'T CARE!!! That can change, though. All you gotta do is become my pal, and I'll help ya out. Heck, I like ya - so I'll even waive the service charge. Whaddaya say?

DT: Oh lord.

MN: What a maroon!

[Walker simply looks at Matthews for a long moment, then turns away and walks towards the ropes.]

MATTHEWS: 'S'cool. Give it some thought -

[Without warning, Matthews is cut off as Walker turns and superkicks him into next week! The impact of foot against chin is caught by the mic, causing the smack to echo throughout the arena. The crowd cheers like mad for the gesture. Walker smirks faintly, then turns and departs.]

DT: OH!

MN: He just superkicked Matthews' head off! HAH!

DT: Well, he deserved it.

MN: These fans certainly DO care. See? Listen to 'em! They loved that!

DT: Folks, the referee's helping Matthews to the back - and with that, the show must go on!

A CHALLENGE ​

[Lights turn complete off except for some strobe lights flickering]

[(Sic) By Slipknot Roars over the PA system]

[Titontron flashes between a blurred face and film of a John Doe]

[Blue Pyro fires off at the entrance ramp]

[ The words John Doe flash and shake on the titan tron]

[ Doe walks out on the ramp]

MN: Oh here he comes, didn’t he lose?

[The crowd rises to their feet to cheer on John Doe. Doe slides in the ring as he does so the turnbuckles explode with red pyrotechnics. John gets on each turnbuckle one at a time and taunts the crowd, once he finishes he gets a microphone. The lights come on as the music fades out.]

DT: The crowd cheering for John Doe.

Doe: Now, we all know That Watson won that match. Watson didn’t have a chance, hegot a good move on me, it was a cheap shot, but let me say this once and once only! Watson was lucky, he didn’t have a chance never have, never will. Especially with a superstar as my self. Now, I see that Black Dawn is coming, EPW first Pay Per View.

[Crowd cheers loudly as Doe brings up Black Dawn]

DT: Doe’s right he should of won that match, I mean look at him he has some awesome moves and wrestling styles!

MN: Are you kidding me? Watson was beating Doe like a rag doll! Doe: But I know that Watson is gloating backstage about his little insignificant win over me. Watson let me break this to you, I am the better wrestler. And I want to prove that to you, and the whole world at Black Dawn!

DT: WHAT!

Doe: That’s right Watson, I’m challenging you to a CAGE MATCH!

[Crowd cheers loudly as doe faces towards the entrance ramp]

Doe: Sign it Freeman!

[With that, Doe makes his way to the back amidst the cheers of the fans. Cut to Dave Thomas.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Well, that was interesting… but I hear we’ve got a HUGE MATCHUP coming up… it’s Paul Freeman… vs. Jonathan MARX!!

[Cut to the entrance ramp where “Everyday People” by Pearl Jam cues up. The crowd erupts as Paul Freeman makes his way out from the back, a look of worry crossing his features. However, for the most part the fans are not cheering, they’re booing. He slowly makes his way to the ring, stepping between the ropes and asking for a microphone.]

DT: And here’s Paul Freeman! Let’s see what he has to say!

MN: Great… just what we need. God I’m getting sick of seeing him around here… I hope Marx whips him in haste.

[Freeman taps on the mic, then clears his throat to speak. A look of surprise crosses his face as chants of “you screwed Rocko” cue up.]

Freeman: Ladies and gentlemen, let me just say that it’s an honor to be here tonight…

[Crowd boos tremendously.]

Freeman: Ok, let me set things straight. First off… I did NOT screw Mr. Daymon. It was as much a shock to me as all of you when Maelstrom left. I wish to apologize for….

[Freeman is suddenly cut off when “Only Happy When It Rains” by Garbage cues up. The fans go wild as Jonathan Marx steps out from the entranceway to a loud reception. He puts his hands on his hips, smiling at Freeman from afar. The camera cuts to show Freeman’s look of concern, then back to Marx who slowly walks down the ramp. The cameras cut to a wide shot of the ring…]

Freeman: Jonathan… Jonathan, hold on just one second….

[Marx continues to advance, rubbing his chin nonchalantly.]

Freeman: Look, I know we haven’t seen eye to eye on things… I’m sorry… I’ve made some mistakes lately.

[The fans are cheering wildly for Marx when all of a sudden Jonathan grabs the microphone and puts his hand on the top of it, silencing Freeman. Freeman is shaking in his boots as Marx raises a finger to his mouth with a “shhhh” gesture. The fans go insane. Marx quickly kicks Freeman in the gut, doubling him over.]

DT: OH MY!!! And Jonathan Marx is going to get his revenge here tonight!!! He and Freeman didn’t see eye to eye a couple weeks ago, and it cost Mr. Marx his job!

MN: Yeah, but when you work for Dan Ryan… you’re covered baby!!!

[SFX: DING DING DING]

[Marx tosses a few punches into Freeman’s face, pushing him back against the ropes. He then quickly performs a belly to belly suplex that launches Freeman half way across the ring. Freeman flops around in his business suit like a fish out of water to sell the move, holding his back in pain. He quickly dives for the microphone…]

Freeman: [breathing heavily] Wait!!! Marx… I’ll give you whatever you want… just take it easy man…. I’ll give you whatever you want.

[Jonathan grabs Freeman by the collar, cocking his fist back….]

Freeman: Wait, NO!!! Just listen… I swear… listen to me!!

[Marx relaxes his fist a little. The crowd chants “HIT HIM”.]

Freeman: Howabout this… at Black Dawn.. you’re in the number one contender’s match!!

[Freeman flinches slightly as Marx again throws up his fist.]

Freeman: Wait… it’s not just for the intercontinental contendership… it’s for the World Title number one contender as well!!! A four corners elimination match… you and three other men… I promise… you’ll be back in the same place you were before you left man, I promise!!!

[The crowd boos, but Marx relaxes his fist once more… finally offering it in front of Freeman for a handshake. Freeman smiles and takes his hand, shaking feverishly… then getting up to his feet to celebrate. He holds Marx’s arm in the air and points to him in jubilation, the whole time the crowd booing.]

DT: Well folks, you heard it here first… Jonathan Marx has been entered into a number one contenders match!!!


MN: Whoooooo!!!!!!

[Marx suddenly drops his arm, then drops to the mat to perform a drop toe hold. Freeman’s face smacks off the mat, and Marx locks him up in an STF. The fans start to go insane as Freeman begs for mercy… tapping out almost immediately.]

DT: OH MY GOD!!! STF ON PAUL FREEMAN!!!!

MN: AHAHAHAHAHA!!!

WINNER: JONATHAN MARX

DT: Folks, I can’t believe what I just saw!!! Jonathan Marx got a match at Black Dawn… AND he just forced one of our top company execs to TAP OUT!!!

MN: That’s how all business meetings should be conducted. Marx is a true diplomat.

DT: What are you talking about… he’s gone wild!

MN: Girls gone wild? Hell yeah.. I bet that’s up next… because here comes some commercials!!! WHOOO!!!

Troy Douglas vs. Rocko Daymon vs. Karl Brown ​

[Fade to commercials for Girls Gone Wild: Totally Hot Empirical Broads. Cut back to the arena after the ring has been cleared from the previous matchup. 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 waiting in the centre of the ring for his opponent. Proudly standing in the middle of the ring is Tony Fatora, Empire Pro’s ring announcer, speaks into his microphone.]

TF: Ladies and Gentlemen our next match for the evening will be a triple threat match set for one fall. Introducing first. hailing from Nottingham, England, weighing in at 211 pounds… KARL “THE DRAGON” BROOOOOOWWWWNNNN!!!!

[With the calling of his name, Brown turns to the audience and poses, getting a big pop.]

MN: I wonder if this guy is related to Robin Hood.

DT: …what?!

MN: Well, he’s from Nottingham, ain’t he? You know, Robin Hood, Little John, all those guys in Sherwood Forest… they come to Nottingham, and fight the Sheriff.

DT: Yeah… I‘ve seen Prince of Thieves, Mike, but I somehow doubt Karl Brown is related to Robin Hood.

MN: Y’know if his last name was Hood, maybe…

[“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin kicks in over the PA system as Troy Douglas steps out and proudly makes his way to the ring.]

TF: Introducing next… hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina… weighing in at 260 pounds… please welcome… TROY… DOOOOOUUUGLAAAAASSS!!!

[Douglas throws both arms into the air before rolling into the ring. He moves to his corner and gets ready.]

DT: Troy Douglas is the recent victor of GXW’s X-Treme Title. He went through a HELL of a match against the champion Clapper, and for fighting all the way to the end, he was awarded the title…

MN: Clapper, huh? Sounds like a venereal disease!

DT: Heh, don’t be so cocky, Mike… Clapper has hospitalized nearly TWICE as many people as we’ve seen from Suicide. The very fact that Troy Douglas SURVIVED that match and came out as the champion goes to show that he’s the kind of guy willing to do anything for victory.

MN: Well, we’ll see how motivated he is for the Intercontinental Title… still has Brown, Daymon, and Benjamin to go through.

[“Capricorn” by 30 Seconds to Mars fades in and hits with explosive symphony. The stage becomes a display of red lights.)

TF: And finally… hailing from Tacoma, Washington… weighing in at 246 pounds… here is… ROCKO… DAAAAAAYMOOOOOOONNNN!!

[Spotlight hits the stage and the curtain doesn’t move. Moments pass by, and tension begins to build. Still, nobody steps through and Rocko is nowhere to be seen.]

DT: Where the hell is Rocko Daymon?

MN: Heh… maybe he’s afraid? Or wait, I know… probably getting a quickie before he comes out. I know I’D be getting’ a quickie with a wife like that!

DT: Enough, Mike… Rocko has yet to show, and I’d certainly like to know what’s keeping him.

[The music is cut. In the ring, an official runs up to the apron and calls over Tony. Fatora listens, nods, and stands again, with a new announcement.]

TF: Ladies and gentlemen… I’ve just been informed that Rocko Daymon has not checked into the arena, and has not been seen backstage. Because of his absence, it has been decided that he will not be participating in this match. This event will continue as Karl Brown versus Troy Douglas for one fall.

[Fatora finishes this statement by stepping out of the ring. Murmurs of confusion and question stir about the audience.]

MN: Hm… guess he no-showed. Maelstrom must have beaten him SO bad, he didn’t even have the nerve to show his FACE tonight!

DT: As everybody knows, Rocko Daymon suffered a heavy loss last week at Aggression against Maelstrom… a match that eliminated Daymon from the World Title Tournament, and was promptly followed by Maelstrom leaving the federation.

MN: Yeah, did they ever say why he left?

DT: I don’t think so, Dave…

MN: Probably thought everybody was untalented as Rocko Daymon from that one match, and decided he could have done better.

DT: Ahem… at any rate, things should be interesting between Douglas and Brown, who both seem to want this bad.

[With the ringing of the bell, Douglas and Brown slowly advance upon each other. Without warning, the two lock up and test strengths. Douglas, with a slight weight advantage puts Brown to the mat with a hard shoves. Brown quickly rolls back to his feet and goes low, sweeping Douglas legs from under him. Douglas counters by rolling back into a Monkey Flip, putting Brown onto his back.]

DT: Good technical match thus far…

MN: Not another of these.. I’m going to get another nosebleed!


[Both men come to their feet at the same time, hesitant to approach each other. After a short stare-down, Brown fakes going in low, throwing Douglas off guard. Brown takes him down with a diving clothesline. Brown comes back to his feet, this time bringing a dazed Troy Douglas with him. He puts his opponent into a standing leg-scissor, but is suddenly thrown over in a back body drop, and connects with the mat with force.]

DT: OOH! Big back body drop on the part of Troy Douglas, countering whatever it was that Brown had planned…

MN: They don’t see much of that back in Sherwood Forest.

[Brown quickly comes to his feet and catches a mid-height kick delivered by Douglas. Douglas quickly counters it with an Enziguri, putting Brown back to the mat and getting a big pop from the audience! With the crowd behind him, Douglas takes ahold of Brown’s right leg and kicks the side of Brown’s knee. “The Dragon” yells out in pain. Douglas quickly maintains momentum by bringing Karl Brown back to his feet, hooking him from behind, and performing a Knee Crusher that furthers the strain on Brown’s right leg.]

MN: Looks like Douglas takes control…

DT: Indeed he does, and it looks like he’s focusing on the right leg of Karl Brown!

[Douglas quickly locks on a leg grapevine, putting on more pain. Brown groans in agony, and the referee gets close to his face, asking if he’s going to give in. Brown is in too much pain to answer at first; he reaches for the ropes, a few inches away from his reach, and shakes his head. Using all of the strength he can muster, he inches his way to the bottom rope, and finally takes ahold of it. The referee orders Douglas to break the hold, who does so without delay. Douglas quickly gets back to his feet, but Brown takes a few extra seconds, using the ropes as support. With an open advantage, Douglas runs in and goes for a low dropkick into Brown’s weak right leg. Brown lets out a yelp of pain and goes tumbling to the ground.]

DT: Troy Douglas is taking no prisoners here…

MN: Damn right! Freakin’ British!

DT: Douglas getting Brown up again, and it looks like he’s going to focus on something else…hooks him from behind… oh, BIG GERMAN SUPLEX!!

[Douglas throws Brown with the German Suplex, releasing him on impact. The move gets a major pop from the audience. Douglas quickly takes advantage by dragging Brown away from the ropes and making a cover.]

DT: First cover in the match…

One…

Two…

And Karl Brown kicks out!

MN: Heh…

[Douglas shakes his head, then gets back to his feet, determined to continue with the offensive momentum. He gets Brown back to his feet and hooks him for a suplex when suddenly his opponent blocks it, and counters with a snap suplex of his own! Not missing a beat, Brown gets to his feet, and drops an elbow into Douglas’ sternum. He bounds back up, and delivers a second elbow! Standing up again, Brown goes for yet a THIRD powerful elbow drop, when Douglas tries to sit up! He gets a boot to the chest for his effort, and Brown follows through with one WHOPPING English Elbow.]

MN: HAHAHA!! That was funny…

DT: Karl Brown is doing whatever he can… FEROCIOUS elbow drops, and what has he up his sleeve next?

[Brown quickly gets Douglas back onto his feet, and drops him down again with a snapmare. Brown locks on a reverse chin lock, pulling back against Troy Douglas’ neck. Douglas shows no signs of giving in to the pain. He forces himself back to his feet and attempts a reverse jawbreaker, but Brown lets go before he can do so. Troy Douglas hits the mat, buttocks first, groaning in pain. Brown follows with a dropkick to the back of his head.]

DT: Payback time for Karl Brown…

MN: Heh… Douglas fell on his ass!

DT: This is turning out to be quite a match. I’m almost glad it wasn’t triple threat.

MN: Yeah, but I’m glad it isn’t for other reasons…

[Holding the back of his head with one hand, Douglas rolls to his feet, but Brown is waiting for him; he quickly sails in and cracks the bigger man down to the mat with a crisp neckbreaker that draws oohs from the crowd. Not wasting any time, Brown scoops Douglas up and scores with a brutal DDT! Douglas' head spikes off the mat, and he seems to stand on his head for a moment with his legs kicking in the air before he falls on his back.]

DT: Oh, huge DDT from Brown there!

MN: Douglas was doing a HEADSTAND, man!

[The impact of the maneuver seems to have stunned Douglas. He stumbles to a standing position, his eyes glazed over. Brown promptly capitalizes, dashing in to deliver a hard forearm to the kidneys before setting Douglas up inverted facelock-style and signalling to the crowd.]

DT: We could see the Dragon's Bite here!

 

[DBrunkGXW]

[Alas, 'tis not to be - Douglas drops to the mat and rolls Brown up deftly.]

DT: Wait, there's a roll-up!

One - TWO - NO, kickout by Brown!

MN: Ooh, close call there!

[Both men come to their feet. Brown comes in with a spinning kick, but Douglas catches the smaller man's foot and reels him in like a fish, scooping him up and bringing him down with a stiff-looking bodyslam. Douglas pauses for a moment to shake the cobwebs out of his head, then scoops the reeling Brown off the mat and decks him with a shin breaker!]

DT: Douglas going right back to work on that leg of Karl Brown here!

MN: Workin' him over, workin' him over.

[As Brown lies on the canvas, holding his knee, Douglas advances. He grabs Brown by the foot and stomps on the Englishman's knee repeatedly, drawing a few choked howls of pain. Ignoring the outcries, Douglas scoops Brown up and slams him into a Tree of Woe in the corner, then scales the ropes and begins stomping on Brown's knee repeatedly!]

DT: Unique setup there by Douglas, as he's got Brown in the Tree of Woe as he works the leg!

MN: It's Upside-Down Land!

[After a moment, Douglas dismounts the ropes, allowing Brown to slump down and fall on his head. Grunting, Douglas hauls the limp little man to his feet, then presses him over his head and slams him to the canvas with authority, but Brown takes out the ref on the way down.]

DT: What a slam there by Douglas!

MN: He's a HOSS! AND he took out the ref without even trying!! WHOOO!

[Douglas wastes no time pressing the advantage. He scoops Brown up into a front face lock, then signals to the crowd.]

DT: We could see the Broken Dream here!

[But before Douglas can throw the move, the air is suddenly electrified as the speakers crack to life. "Mother Puncher" by Mastodon throbs through the intense atmosphere as a familiar red twist logo appears on the EmpireTron, spasming in rhythm to the music. All eyes are directed to the stage, looking for someone to make an entrance. But the curtain remains still.]

DT: What is this...?

MN: Hey, you know what that symbol is?

DT: Why that's... Rocko Daymon's symbol! Maybe he WILL make an appearance tonight!

MN: What?! Well, where is he?

[While all eyes are focused on the stage, few recognize the shape jump the barricade, next to the commentators. Dave and Mike immediately look to the right, and recognize the individual immediately.]

DT: Oh my God, it's DAYMON!

MN: What, whe--WHOA!!

[Without warning, Rocko takes Mike Neely by the shirt and tears him out of his chair. Daymon leaves him there on the ground as he picks up the steel chair, turns to the ring, and rolls inside.]

DT: Oh my God, Mike Neely has just been ACCOSTED by Rocko Daymon... and now he's in the ring, with Karl Brown and Troy Douglas!

[Both men turn to see what the commotion is. Brown doesn't get a chance to recognize his assailant, as the chair is wrapped around his head. He falls flat to the mat, his legs twitching slightly. Douglas has an extra moment to brace himself as Daymon brings the chair bouncing off of Brown's head into a backhanded blow that sweeps his second victim off of his feet. The audience is too shocked to react. Many would boo in this situation, but it is difficult to understand how THIS could be happening, with ROCKO DAYMON. What could have caused him to do something like this?]

DT: OH MY GOD, DAYMON JUST TOOK OUT BROWN AND DOUGLAS!!

[At ringside, Mike Neely, coming back onto his feet, picks up his headset and readjusts it. He is left without a chair.]

MN: That son of a *****! He took my chair!

DT: Mike, did you just SEE that?!

MN: See what?!

[Daymon drops the chair, looking down at the fallen wrestlers. Then, he stoops down... takes Karl Brown by the arm, and drags him over the lifeless body of Troy Douglas. With that, he falls over the ropes, hops the barricade, and disappears in the crowd. His music fades.]

DT: I... I just can't believe it! What was Rocko THINKING!?

MN: Probably of pissing me off!

DT: Oh, forget the chair, Mike!

MN: Hey, what happened to Karl and Troy?

DT: You idiot, Rocko just DESTROYED them!!

MN: When did that happen?

DT: After you lost your chair!

MN: ...oh...

DT: Wait, the referee is crawling over... Brown is still on top of Douglas... HERE'S THE COUNT!!

ONE!!!

TWO!!!

THHREEEEEEE!!!!!!

[The bell rings, and "Rainmaker" begins to play.]

TF: Ladies and gentlemen... here is your winner.... KARL... "THE DRAGON".... BROOOOOWWWWNNN!!!

MN: And we have a winner! It's Benjamin vs. Brown at Black Dawn for the IC Title!

DT: I can't believe it... why did Rocko just DO that?! Troy Douglas had a good opportunity to win this match, and it was ended by the hands of Rocko Daymon!

MN: You know, I'm not telepathetic... Rocko Daymon is screwed up in the head, and I say, SCREW HIM!!

DT: Unbelievable... folks we've gotta go to commercial... we'll be right back!

Beast vs. Suicide vs. Christian Sands ​

[Cut back from commercial, after Beast, Sands, and Suicide have all made their respective entrances. The fans look completely energized for the matchup.

DT: Well folks if you're just joining us, we've got a good one comin up! All three men are circling each other sizing things up.

MN: Well it's just plain unfair. Sands should have had a bye to the finals!

Suicide suddenly makes a beeline for Christian Sands, but Beast steps in his path and delivers a kick to the midsection. Suicide doubles over momentarily but quickly regains his composure and slugs it out with Beast in the center of the ring. Sands rests in a neutral corner and lets a smile tug at the corner of his mouth as his two opponents battle it out.

MN: See, that's what I call an intelligent.

DT: Intelligent, but cowardly. Sands taking the safe approach and letting the other two men go at it here.

MN: That's what I said...

Beast begins to get the upper hand and repeatedly staggers Suicide with straight right hands, backing him up into the ropes. Beast quickly whips Suicide in the other direction but his motion is reversed and Beast goes into the opposite ropes. He comes back with a clothesline that sends Suicide to the mat and he quickly rolls out of the ring to regain his senses.

DT: Big clothesline by Beast! Suicide is reeling!

MN: What a cheater.

DT: What are you talking about?

MN: He obviously raked his eyes!

DT: …it was a clothesline, for crying out loud.

MN: So?

DT: Forget it.

Beast goes to the ropes and glares down at Suicide as the crowd cheers loudly for the fan favorite. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, Beast sees Christian Sands smiling broadly at him and they lock eyes for the first time. Beast backs his way into the middle of the ring as Sands walks out to meet him. Both men get face-to-face and jaw at each other as the crowd eats it up.

MN: Come on! Knock him out!

DT: The crowd is digging this showdown in the middle of the ring as these two men are having a rather heated exchange verbally right now!

As both men continue to talk, Suicide slowly makes his way in from the opposite side of the ring. Simultaneously both Sands and Beast turn and run at Suicide, double clotheslining him back out of the ring to loud crowd approval.

DT: Big double clothesline and apparently these two are working together after all... um... never mind...

Sands goes to Beast as he plays to the crowd with his back to the ring and drives a boot into the back of Beast's knee, causing it to buckle. Sands continues to stomp away at the knee until finally Beast falls to the mat, one arm clutching his knee and the other grasping at the rope. Sands drops an elbow with his full weight on the knee and twists it under him, holding it in a vice as the ref calls for the break.

DT: Sands is using his weight advantage here and going hard to work on that knee. Very intelligent wrestling here.

MN: I told you, the man's a genius.

Sands breaks the hold and drags Beast back to the center of the ring. He goes for an elbow across the throat, but Beast rolls out of the way. A visibly annoyed Sands comes back to his feet and viciously stomps the knee two more times in quick succession.

MN: The champ doesn't like it when you move, Beast. Stay there like a good little challenger.

DT: Um, Sands isn’t the champ...

MN: You mean he’s not the champion YET…

DT: Well that’s a matter for conjecture.

MN: Yeah, yeah… Mr. College Degree.

Sands drags Beast to his feet and backs him into the corner. He unleashes two vicious chops across his chest, then whips him toward the opposite corner but Beast stumbles halfway and goes down favoring his bad knee. As Sands goes to follow up, Suicide rolls back into the ring and clotheslines him from behind. Suicide stomps away at the back of Sands' head, then turns and stomps Beast's knee for good measure.

DT: Looks like the two inside the ring forgot all about Suicide and now they're paying the price.

MN: See, that's what I've been saying all along. Suicide is a very intelligent man. I had faith in him from the beginning.

Suicide pulls Beast to his feet and in one motion violently throws him head first toward the ropes, sending him sprawling over the top and to the concrete. Suicide turns and stands over Sands and looks down on him with a smirk, then suddenly spits on his back. Suicide pulls Sands up by the hair on the back of his head and sends him into the ropes. Using his momentum, Suicide leaps into the air and pulls Sands down with a textbook hurricanrana and goes for the pin....

One....

Two...


.. kickout.

DT: Close call there!

MN: Holding my breath... holding my breath…

DT: I thought you wanted Suicide to win?

MN: Nah, Sands' too smart to let that happen....

Suicide leaps up immediately and goes to the nearest corner. He climbs to the top and comes flying off the top rope with a frog splash across the chest of the Sands.

DT: Big move by Suicide right here!

One...

Two...

Thr... kickout.


DT: NO!!!

Suicide slaps the mat in frustration and goes immediately back to the top rope. He looks toward Sands but out of the corner of his eyes he sees Beast starting to grab onto the ropes in an effort to come to his feet. At the last second, Suicide turns and leaps toward Beast hitting a devastating missile dropkick that sends Beast into the steel steps and knocks the wind out of Suicide as well.

DT: Big big move by Suicide!! He's in full control of this match right now!!

MN: My GOD! I haven't seen Suicide go after a man like this since the last time Jared Leto was in town!!

DT: What the hell is that supposed to mean?!?!

MN: I dunno....I'm just saying.....

DT: Retard...

Suicide slowly makes it to his feet but surprisingly so does Beast who is suddenly showing signs of anger. He nails Suicide with a two quick right hands then suddenly whips him into the steel post, crumpling Suicide to the mat in pain. Beast pulls Suicide to his feet when suddenly to the surprise of both, Christian Sands catapults himself over the top rope down on top of both men.

MN: HOLY SH!!!

DT: UNBELIEVABLE MOVE BY CHRISTIAN SANDS!!!!

MN: (yelling over the crowd buzz) See!! I told you Sands was too smart for these clowns!!

As all three men lay on the floor, the Empiretron lights up and a countdown appears.

DT: What’s this??

MN: It’s a countdown or something.

DT: I can SEE that, Mike, but what’s it for??

The countdown begins at 10 and slowly ticks down to 0. When it reaches 0, the number starts to glow intensely and then fades out.

MN: Okay, that was incredibly pointless.

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: We don’t have time to ponder it now though. The competitors are stirring!

All three men slowly come to their feet. Sands takes a shot at Suicide, sending him leaning back against the guardrail. Beast swings at Sands, spinning him half way around to put one hand on the rail to steady himself. Suicide fires back at Beast, dropping Beast to a seat against the apron. Suicide musters all the energy he can and dropkicks Beast in the face up against the apron shooting the top half of his torso under the ring so that only his body from the waist down can be seen.

DT: Big time action from these men!! No one is backing down!!

Sands gets to Suicide before he can turn back around and locks in a full nelson and then snaps him over with a release German suplex that sends Suicide sprawling onto the entryway/aisle down to the ring.

DT: Sands dropped Suicide right on the back of his head!! I don’t know if he can come back from that one! Right on the concrete!!

MN: My man’s got him right where he wants him!!

DT: Would you make up your damn mind already?!?

MN: I HAVE!! I’m with Sands all the way! I think…

Sandss drags a limp Beast out from under the ring, when suddenly Beast pops up and drops right back down with a jawbreaker.

DT: Beast was obviously playing possum there, Mike!

MN: That’s the brains my man!

DT: I’m really getting tired of you.

MN: What do you mean??

DT: Just. Shut. Up.

Beast walks around the ring toward the announce table and shoves the timekeeper off of his chair. He takes the chair and raises it high overhead to the crowd’s delight as he approaches the side of the ring where Sands and Suicide are both laid out. Suicide rises first and ducks a Beast chair shot and goes for a superkick, but Beast ducks as well and this time cracks Suicide right between the eyes with a wicked shot. Beast turns and runs at Sands, but Sands rolls under the bottom rope into the ring to escape the assault. Beast takes the chair with him and walks back to the other side of the ring and begins to put the chair back down near the timekeeper, then thinks twice and takes it with him as he climbs up onto the apron slowly.

DT: Looks like Beast’s gonna take in the great equalizer!!

MN: Well Beast’s a sma…

DT: Don’t even finish that sentence…

The ref runs over to Beast and starts to wrestle the chair away from him, but Christian Sands somes flying in to attack Beast and accidentally takes out the ref as well.

MN: WHOOOO! ANOTHER REF BUMP!

Beast watches as Sands comes to a stand and slowly, wavering, throws a weak punch in his direction that barely grazes him. Sands drops to a knee and Beast once again looks around with indecision, when with all of his strength Christian Sands throws his arm up and hits a low blow, crumpling Beast to the mat in front of him.

DT: Sands is busting out the dirty tricks!!

MN: Come on!! Come on!!

Sands gets to his feet and with all the energy he can muster, puts Beast into a standing headscissors. He motions to the crowd and goes to raise Beast but he doesn’t have the strength and Beast comes back down into a standing position. In one motion he kicks Sands in the midsection and then drops him with a high-angle double underhook face buster.

DT: Absolution! Absolution! He nailed it!

MN: NO!! KICK OUT SANDS!!

Beast appears to be about to go for the pin when Suicide comes from out of nowhere and attacks Beast. Beast fights back, but Suicide gains the upper hand. He gets Beast up for the Burning Hammer, but all of a sudden a masked man comes running out from the back. He hauls ass all the way down the ramp until he's in the ring with the three combatants.

MN: What the hell is this??

DT: I have no idea Mike...

As soon as Suicide takes notice of the individual, he drops Beast and focuses his attention on the man. The masked man flies in with a kick to the Suicide's midsection, following it up with a flatliner-like move. The fans roar their approval.

DT: OH MY GOD... I know where I've seen that move before...

MN: Heh... me too man...

The masked man revives the ref, then slides out of the ring without hesitation. Beast throws an arm over the fallen suicide, making a cover.


..


..

3!!!

MN: I can’t believe Suicide’s gone!!

DT: Believe it! Beast is one step closer to making his dream come true!!

MN: Never!!


WINNERS: BEAST AND SANDS


After the bell rings the masked man comes back into the ring, this time a microphone in his hand.

Man in mask: To quote one of the greater men this sport has ever seen... "enough is enough, and it's time for a change!" Suicide, you've been injuring people right and left around here lately, and quite frankly, that ends TONIGHT! You want some aggression??? Well you've got it!!!

The man takes off his mask to reveal that he is none other than Cameron Cruise. The fans in attendance go insane at the revelation. Cruise soaks in the cheers, then rolls out of the ring to exit through the crowd.

DT: MY GOD!!! CAMERON CRUISE!?!?! HERE IN EMPIRE PRO????

MN: AND HE JUST COST SUICIDE THE MATCHUP!!! WHAT A DORK!

DT: All hell has broken lose!!!

MN: Seriously... we need better security!

DT: Good God!! What the hell is Sands doing?!

Through all the commotion, Sands gets to his feet and attacks the fallen Beast. He lifts him up to his feet in preparation for something...

MN: He’s making sure he’s got the advantage at Aggression, Thomas!!

DT: Beast has just won a hard-fought match and now he’s got to go thru this?! It’s not right!!

MN: Who cares??

DT: Sand Blaster!! He just laid Beast out!!

MN: A message has been sent here tonight, Thomas!! No on… NO ONE… is going to get that belt before Christian Sands!! And don't piss off Cameron Cruise... cuz he'll run in on one of your matches and dump you on your head!

DT: By God... what a show to set up our pay per view!!! This is pure mayhem!!!

(Fade out as Sands stands over the fallen Beast with a malicious look on his face.)