Aggression 7 - Tampa, FL - 5/1/04

[DBrunkGXW]

[CUE UP: "Imperial March" - Rage Against the Machine. A video montage plays, featuring smoke-wreathed images of various wrestlers, some of them leaving blurred trails as they move.
CUT TO: Christian Sands hitting the Sand Blaster on an unknown opponent.

CUT TO: Karl Brown nailing someone with the Dragon's Bite.

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.

CUTTO: With a clash of metal, a logo slams across the screen, its edges flickering.]





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

[Cut to the ramp, where a wreath of pyro explodes around the EmpireTron and several bomblike, smoky explosions ripple about the entry way. The camera zooms in on the screen as the pyro finally peters out, then blurs to roving shots of the roaring crowd as a small banner in the corner briefly appears to proclaim that EPW is broadcast en Espanol. Various signs are visible in the crowd: "BEAST, BE MY ALPHA MALE!", "Cruisin' For A Bruisin'", "Sexual Harassment Sands", "Adam Benjamin Is The Coolest", "TYRONE WALKER NEEDS TO GO UNION", "How Do You Pronounce Aodhan, Anyway?", "HEY, JOHN DOE, REMEMBER ME?", and finally, "DOWN WITH EPW! DOWN WITH POOR TREATMENT OF WOMEN!" The last message is actually on several picket signs being held by a bunch of women's rights activists in the lower bowl.]

[Cut to ringside, where Dave Thomas and Mike Neely sit at the broadcast booth. Neely is leafing through the latest edition of Playboy, a lecherous grin on his face. The crowd is still roaring.]

DT: This may be the Ice Palace, but it's red-hot here in Tampa tonight! Welcome, everybody, to Empire Pro Wrestling's Aggression! I'm Dave Thomas, and with me as always is the incorrigible Mike Neely!

MN: Ohhhhh mama. Nine pictorials and I still don't get tired of Pam.

DT: Er, Mike, this is a family show.

MN: Oh, come on. I'm not showing the camera the pictures. THEY'RE ALL MINE!!!

DT: You're a pervert, do you know that?

MN: I know. Our World Champion has taught me well. Mweeheehee.

DT: I suppose that's true. Folks, if you weren't with us last week, we were all horrified to see Christian Sands lay out Beast and sexually harass Beast's companion Lindsay Troy. I have a strong feeling that there'll be hell to pay tonight.

MN: If Beast knows what's good for him he'll go hide in his cave and let Troy run to Sands. You know she wants to.

DT: That's horrible, Mike.

MN: Is not. She SO wants him. She's just playing hard-to-get.

DT: What?!

MN: It's true!

DT: No it's not! She hates him!

MN: Suuuuuuuuuure she does.

DT: *sigh* Let's go down to the ring for our first match before certain color commentators rage out of control. Take it away, Tony Fatora!



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

Stephen Waltz vs. Karl "The Dragon" Brown​

TONY FATORA: Th' following contest is scheduled for one fall!

[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.]

TONY FATORA: Introducing first... He hails from Nottingham, England... He weighs in at two hundred and eleven pounds... KARRRRRRRRRRRRL... BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWN!!!

[Cue up: "One Armed Man (Play On)" - Project 86. The crowd offers a few halfhearted cheers as Stephen Waltz strolls to the ring. A moment later, the fans begin singing: "NA NA NA NA, HEY-EYYY, GOOD-BYE, NA NA NA... NA NA NA NA, HEY-EYYY, GOOD-BYE, NA NA NA". Frickin' smarks.]

TONY FATORA: And his opponent... He hails from Kokomo, Indiana... He weighs in at two hundred and forty-four pounds... STEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPHENNNNNNNNNNN... WAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLTZ!!!

DT: This crowd is all over Waltz for some reason.

MN: (snarky) I bet they read something on the Internet about him.

DT: Well, you can't believe everything you read on the Internet.

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

[Waltz and Brown circle for a moment. However, Waltz stops and glares out at the crowd, who are still singing at him. Finally, he locks up with Brown, who surprises the Kokomo native with a go-behind and a double-leg takedown. Brown jimmies into position for a headlock, but Waltz fights to the ropes and rolls out of the ring, staring at the young Englishman.]

DT: Looks like Brown caught Waltz off-guard there!

MN: Come on, how can Waltz stay focused with these idiots singing at him?

DT: Good point. I think these fans are getting to Waltz, who's used to strong fan support.

[Slowly, Waltz slides back into the ring. He and Brown tie-up again. Waltz takes Brown over with a fireman's carry, but Brown comes out on his feet in a matrix position, kipping back up and taking Waltz down with a flipping armbar. The sequence draws applause from the crowd. Waltz fights to the ropes, and Brown breaks the hold. Frustration touches Waltz's face as he comes to his feet.]

DT: Waltz is definitely off his game right now, Mike. These fans are definitely getting under his skin.

MN: He's PISSED! I've never seen him mad before!

[Again Brown and Waltz move to lock up, but Waltz has other plans: He drills Brown in the gut with a knee and slugs him down to the canvas. Scowling, Waltz pushes Brown into a corner and hammers away. The crowd boos him. After a few punches, Waltz glares out at the crowd in disbelief and anger, then stomps a mudhole in Brown. The referee tries to break it up, but Waltz yells at him and begins choking Brown with his boot.]

DT: Stephen Waltz is in a rage! He's so frustrated that he's going to take it all out on Karl Brown in a manner more aggressive than anything I've seen from him-

[Without warning, the lights fall and strobelights kick in. Cue up: "X Gonna Give It To Ya" - DMX. A slim black man in cargo pants and a skullcap appears at the head of the ramp, a chair wrapped in barbed wire gripped in his hand. Quickly, the stranger stalks down the ramp and rolls into the ring.]

DT: Wait a minute, that's Empire Pro's newest talent, the man known as X!

MN: Bro... that chair's crazy, man. Barbed wire AND a chair. Ouch.

[Waltz breaks away from Brown and steps out of the corner, staring at X. X stares back, smiling faintly. He lifts the chair... then whirls and DECKS the now-recovered Karl Brown with a shot to the face! The official immediately signals to the timekeeper.]

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings!]

DT: NO! X JUST LEVELED KARL BROWN WITH THAT BARBED WIRE CHAIR!!! BROWN'S BEEN CUT OPEN!!!

MN: WHAT THE HELL?!

DT: The referee's thrown out the match!

TONY FATORA: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the match by disqualification... KAAAAARLLLLLLL... BROOOOOOOOOOWN!!!



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

DT: I can't believe the audacity of this X! What business does he have - OH!

[X flips Waltz the middle finger, then kicks him in the pit of the stomach. Dropping the chair, X throws Waltz into the ropes, hitting the opposite ropes and rebounding off the middle one to catch Waltz with a flying Ace Crusher onto the barbed-wire chair! Waltz bounces off the wire-wrapped steel, bleeding from several cuts in his face!]

DT: MY GOD!!! THAT'S X'S FINISHING MOVE, THE XECUTION!!!

MN: What the hell is WITH this guy?!?!

[Smiling at his handiwork, X turns and slides out of the ring, leaving the chair behind. He quickly dives into the crowd and vanishes into the concession area as Brown and Waltz lie bleeding in the ring.]

[Commercials.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Welcome back, everyone! Folks, during the break EMTs came down to the ring and took Stephen Waltz to the back. Fortunately, Karl Brown was able to walk out under his own power - but what a sickening attack by X!

MN: Who's that guy think he is, huh? Of all the ways to debut.

DT: Regardless, X has returned to the back, which means we can get on with our next match.

MN: Who've we got?

DT: We've got another debut to continue the recent infusion of new talent into Empire, as this match sees John Doe take on the newcomer, um... Folks, I'm not sure how to pronounce this man's name!

MN: Wha? Lemme see that...

DT: Ayodan? Owdon? Odd Han?

MN: Just use his last name.

DT: Alright then. This match sees John Doe take on a newcomer in "the Fist of Poseidon", Aodhan Lorigan!

MN: I think that's it. Ayodan.

DT: We'll have to ask him after the show. For now, let's go to the ring!



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

John Doe vs. Aodhan "Fist Of Poseidon" Lorigan​

TONY FATORA: Th' following contest is scheduled for one fall!

[Pyro and Fireworks go off in the arena as "EPW" flashes all over the big screen near the top of the rampway. The arena turns pitch black as the camera catches the fans as they start to look at each other. CUEUP: "(Sic)" - Slipknot. The big screen flashes between a blurred face and film of a wrestler. Blue pyro fires off at the entrance ramp as the words John Doe flash and shake on the big screen. From behind the curtain, a wrestler walks out on the ramp and "John Doe" makes his way to the ring.]

TONY FATORA: Introducing first... He hails from parts unknown... He weighs in at two hundred and fifteen pounds... This is the man known as JOOOOOOOOOOOOOHN... DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOE!!!

[Cue up: "In The Wake Of Poseidon" - Grade. Aodhan Lorigan tanks through a succession of pyrotechnics bursting and sizzling from each side of the entranceway, as the music echoes from shaking speakers. He hops onto the ringside, and steps over the ropes; once on stage, he circles the ring, as with a purpose. Finished with his ceremony, he leans his back against the ropes and lets thems sag with his weight.]

TONY FATORA: And the opponent, making his Empire Pro Wrestling debut... He hails from Ankara, Turkey... He weighs in at two hundred and forty-seven pounds... He is the Fist of Poseidon... AODHAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN.. LOOOOOOOOOORIGAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!

MN: There, he said Owdan.

DT: No, I think he's wrong. I'm SURE it's Ayodan.

MN: Are you gonna second-guess Fat Tony? He'll sic his mobsters on you!

DT: Don Fatora. Oh boy.

[Cue up: "The Final Countdown" - Europe. The fans boo as Bryan Storms steps through the curtain, strolling down to ringside. He offers Doe a little wave, then seats himself at ringside, grabbing a headset.]

DT: Er, it looks like we're going to be joined at ringside by Bryan Storms of Second Coming!

MN: Bryyyyy, my MAN! What's up, dogg?

STORMS: I'm not, have never been, and will never be your dogg, Neely.

MN: Don't hate, playa.

STORMS: Just figured I'd sit in on this match. See how bad John Blow up there can embarrass himself.

DT: Now that's pretty vindictive.

STORMS: I know. Ain't it great?

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

[Ignoring Storms for now, Doe and Lorigan square off. Doe moves in for a tie-up, but Lorigan slugs him in the face. Scowling, Doe punches back, and the two brawl for a moment before Lorigan stuns Doe with a knee to the gut. Grabbing Doe's arm, Lorigan whips him into the ropes, shoulder blocking the smaller man down to the canvas.]

STORMS: Twenty seconds in and Doe's already getting owned. What a putz.

DT: You really don't like John Doe, do you?

STORMS: Honestly, I think he's a hack. Why would any sane promoter sign some dumbass mental patient to a contract?

MN: Hey, last week Dan Ryan said Doe draws ratings.

STORMS: I say Dan Ryan's full of sh(FCC).

DT: Watch your language, young man!

[Lorigan quickly runs the ropes, but Doe kicks to his feet and catches the Turkish-born Irishman off guard with a flying forearm. Grunting, Lorigan hits the mat. Hitting the ropes, Doe rebounds and drops an elbow into Lorigan's sternum. As Lorigan rolls to his hands and knees, Doe circles and dropkicks him in the face, knocking the bigger man down again.]

DT: Looks like John Doe's taking control here, trying to keep the larger Lorigan grounded.

STORMS: Yeah, 'cause he knows if Lorigan gets up, he's gonna get creamed in six seconds.

DT: You're being too hard on him.

STORMS: No, I'm giving him the credit he deserves.

[Lorigan again comes to his knees, only for Doe to drop a leg across the back of his neck, forcing him to the canvas. Quickly, Doe rolls Lorigan over and sets his knee on the big man's chest, pummeling away at Lorigan's face with rights and lefts. This continues until the official forces the break. As Lorigan comes to his feet, Doe runs the ropes and comes back with a sharp running DDT!]

DT: Ooh, big DDT on the fly from John Doe!

MN: Lorigan's gonna feel THAT one in the morning!

STORMS: Yeah yeah. I could do that much better.

[Doe rests his hands on his knees, waiting for Lorigan to rise. The big man eventually does so, using the turnbuckles to help himself up. Grinning, Doe charges Lorigan - but Lorigan sidesteps. Doe's momentum carries him between the turnbuckles to slam his shoulder against the steel post!]

DT: John Doe just got posted!

STORMS: I knew that would happen. What kind of idiot charges into the corner that blindly?

[Grabbing Doe by the trunks, Lorigan pulls him out of the corner, hammerlocking Doe's hurt arm and bodyslamming him onto it. Lorigan quickly pulls the target arm out from under Doe and drops a pair of knees across the elbow joint before pulling Doe up by it, then twisting the limb and jerking Doe to the mat again with an armbreaker.]

DT: Wise strategy by Lorigan here, working over that hurt arm of John Doe!

STORMS: I give Doe six seconds.

MN: He some armbusta', man.

[Not relenting, Lorigan pulls Doe to his feet, slugging away at Doe's injured shoulder. The punishment drops Doe to a knee. Gritting his teeth, Doe fights back with a chop, but Lorigan slugs him down, then sticks him in a front facelock and DRILLS him with a brutal running spinning shoulderbreaker!]

DT: OH! He calls that the Rusted Razorblade! Lorigan with the cover! One -

TWO -

Doe kicks out just before the count of three!

MN: That was pretty slick!

STORMS: Slow count! SLOW COUNT!

[With a huff, Lorigan hauls Doe off the mat, whipping him into the ropes. The big man tries for a discus punch, but Doe ducks it, coming up behind him with a quick neckbreaker that brings Lorigan down hard. Doe stops to shake out his hurt arm, then waits for Lorigan to rise. The Irishman does so, but eats a stiff karate kick from Doe!]

DT: There's a Buzzsaw kick from Doe, taking Lorigan upside the jaw!

STORMS: Ooh, he does his little girly kicks. I'm scared now.

[Doe immediately takes advantage of Lorigan's fallen state, hitting the ropes and tumbling back with a big rolling senton splash! From there he goes to the top rope, flipping onto Lorigan with a moonsault that draws oohs from the crowd!]

DT: Oh, and the moonsault follows the Rolling Thunder! The cover by Doe! One -

TWO -

Kickout by Lorigan!

STORMS: Fast count! Lorigan should've been able to kick out at one!

MN: Oh, not even I'M this blind.

STORMS: Who you callin' blind, MIKE?

MN: Uh, no one.

STORMS: Yeah, I thought so.

[Balling his fist, Doe slugs Lorigan in the mouth a few times, then drags him to his feet, only to slug him twice more. He whips Lorigan towards the ropes, but the Irishman reverses. Doe re-reverses, however, and Lorigan is sent into the ropes. Doe hits the opposite ropes and leaps for the Amnesia Attack, but Lorigan drops to the mat and rolls. Doe overshoots him, colliding in midair with the referee!]

DT: OH! Lorigan ducks the Amnesia Attack, sending Doe FLYING into referee Pat Jones!

MN: Jones is completely out - hey, where's Storms going?

[As Doe comes to his feet and attempts to revive the official, Bryan Storms leaves the announce table and slides into the ring. He grabs Doe from behind and kicks him, then heaves him up and KILLS him with the corkscrew Death Valley Driver known as the Red Tide Rising! Doe hits the mat in a prone heap, and Storms slides out of the ring, heading to the back with a smirk on his face!]

DT: WHAT THE - STORMS JUST HIT DOE WITH THE RED TIDE RISING!!!

MN: HAH!!! KILLED HIM!!!

[Lorigan comes to his feet, looking out at Storms and down at Doe. The official, meanwhile, is recovering. With a shrug, Lorigan drops and lays across Doe as referee Pat Jones makes the count.]

DT: Dammit, Lorigan with the cover! One! Two! Three!

MN: It's over!

DT: Lorigan wins, but it's thanks to Bryan Storms!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

TONY FATORA: Here is your winner... AODHAAAAAAANNNNNN.. LOOOOOOOOOOORIGAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!



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

DT: A successful debut for Lorigan, but you have to believe that the issue between John Doe and Bryan Storms is far from over!

MN: What can I say? Doe was askin' for it.

DT: Mike, he was wrestling a match and Storm interfered!

MN: Like I said... Askin' for it.

DT: *sigh* Folks, we've got to take a break, but when we come back it's tag-team action! Second Coming! Golem and X-Ecutioner! NEXT!

[Commercials.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

[Cut to the inside of an office. Paul Freeman sits at his desk, filling out a few papers and stacking them in a pile. The vacant World Tag-Team Titles sit on the desk. As the door opens, Freeman looks up. The camera pans along his line of sight to bring Cameron Cruise into the shot.]

CRUISE: You wanted to see me, Mr. Freeman?

FREEMAN: Actually, I did, Cam. Please, sit down.

[Cruise takes a seat. Freeman nods briskly at him.]

FREEMAN: I called you in here because I've got a couple of ideas I want to run by you.

CRUISE: Alright, shoot.

FREEMAN: Since the Crimson Calling have decided not to continue competing, the tag-team titles have been declared vacant. As you've probably heard, we'll be holding two or three qualifying matches on the next show, depending on how many teams are interested, to decide the teams who will compete for the titles at Unleashed. How would you like to jump into that little tournament?

[Cruise squints at Freeman, half concerned, half interested.]

CRUISE: Keep going, boss. I'm with ya.

FREEMAN: You've been loyal to the company thus far, and I think it's fair that you be rewarded. But there's a problem.

CRUISE: Yeah. I don't have a partner.

FREEMAN: Exactly. Fortunately, I've got it covered.

[An intrigued Cruise nods.]

CRUISE: Go on.

FREEMAN: Let's just say....he's someone right up your alley. As a matter of fact, he's someone you ought to head out to the bar tonight with and get to know more.

CRUISE: Paul... what do you mean?

[Smiling, Freeman reaches for the intercom on his desk.]

FREEMAN: Francine, send him in.

[Switching the intercom off, Freeman looks up and offers Cruise a sly grin.]

FREEMAN: Cam, I hope you don't have plans for the next few minutes, because you're going to... LOVE... the man I've selected to wrestle as your tag team partner.

CRUISE: Love? EDDY LOVE? What the-

[The door suddenly swings open.]

VOICE: Here I am. Please, no autographs.

[As the voice speaks, the camera pans over, bringing an unlikely figure into the shot: JOEY MELTON. Cruise's face twists in sick recognition.]

CRUISE: Are you SERIOUS, Paul?! After all the hard work I've put in, you're gonna saddle me with Melton-

MELTON: [grabbing Cruise by the arm] C'mon, Cam! I'm takin' you out on the town, partner!

[Grinning, Melton drags a struggling Cruise out the door.]

CRUISE: But wait a - I never - I didn't - but - PAAAAAAULLLLLLLLL!!!

[A smiling Freeman gets up and closes the door behind Cruise and Melton, stopping to lean out and wave.]

FREEMAN: Have fun!

[With that, Freeman closes the door and returns to his desk, seating himself and returning to his paperwork.]



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

MN: DID I JUST SEE WHO I THINK I SAW?!

DT: I think you did, and I can't believe it either! JOEY MELTON! The man who, fifteen years ago, became the first CSWA World Champion EVER, is HERE in Empire Pro Wrestling!

MN: Aw, DAG, yo! I'm PSYCHED for this! Melton and Cruise in the tag tournament! I think we've got our new tag champs!

DT: You could very well be right! And speaking of tag-team action, this next match IS a tag-team match that will see yet ANOTHER new team join the EPW family! For those of you unfamiliar with Golem, he was a mainstay of the late Great Lakes Championship Wrestling, now teaming with the monster known as X-Ecutioner!

MN: But they've gotta get past Storms and Johansson of Second Coming!

DT: What say we get that match under way, Mike? Take it away, Tony!



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

Second Coming vs. Golem & X-Ecutioner​

TONY FATORA: The following tag-team contest is scheduled for one fall!

[The arena goes pitch black. Silence ensues, and the opening chords of "The Final Countdown" pulse from large speakers. The song continues into it's opening lines as the phrase "A New Time Has Come" flickers in white splendor across the large screen above the ramp. The song progresses, but as soon as "The Final Countdown" is heard for the first time, fireworks launch from either side of the ramp, and MATT JOHANSSON and BRIAN STORMS appear. They both clamber toward ringside, amidst a shower of boo's from the crowd. They shrug the boo's and slide under the ropes. STORMS climbs a turnbuckle and JOHANSSON climbs the opposite one. They both shout obscenities at the angry fans.]

TONY FATORA: Introducing first... At a combined weight of two hundred and seventy pounds... Bryan Storms... Matt Johansson... SSSSSSSSECOOOOOOOOOONNNND... COOOOOMIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!

[The arena darkens slightly as the hunched creature known as GOLEM scrambles to the top of the ramp. He holds his claw close to his chest and looks warily at the crowd. At his entrance, they begin to hail him with garbage. Suddenly, "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails blares, and X-ECUTIONER strides from the back room. He and GOLEM move toward the ring collectively. GOLEM crawls onto the mat as STORMS and JOHANSSON begin cirling. X-ECUTIONER makes his way up the steps, one by one. He hops over the top rope effortlessly, and his huge frame shudders the ring's foundation. GOLEM slides through the ropes and waits on the ringside. STORMS laughs with conceit and he too slides to the outside.]

TONY FATORA: And introducing the challengers... Making their Empire Pro Wrestling debuts... At a combined weight of five hundred and twenty-three pounds... X-ECUTIONERRRRRRRRRR ANNNNNNNND GOOOOOOOOOOLEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

[X-ECUTIONER stands tall. JOHANSSON circles in an athletic pose. He pounces at X-ECUTIONER, a fist aimed between his eyes. X-ECUTIONER barely dodges the more agile JOHANSSON's punch, and lets his body sag into the ropes behind him. He propels off, and tries a massive forearm shot to the face. It cuts the air as JOHANSSON ducks. He sends a quick jab at X-ECUTIONER's ribs. X-ECUTIONER hardly winces, as JOHANSSON boots him in the gut. This curls X over - and JOHANSSON hooks his arms in a chicken wing. He starts to drop into a DDT, but X gives resistance. He tries again - X stands straight, and sends JOHANSSON flipping over him! He bounces off the top rope and rag dolls his way toward the pavement. At this point, the ref calls a slow 10 count. JOHANSSON slowly gets on one knee. All of a sudden, BAM! X hits a Flying Elbow Drop against JOHANSSON's head! JOHANSSON gets pounded into the pavement. X scrambles to his feet - JOHANSSON is limp.]

DT: What an elbow from X-ecutioner! Johansson's feeling the hurt from that one!

MN: That guy's a BEAST!

[The ref watches closely. X walks up the steps, then back into the ring. JOHANSSON does not move.]

...5!
...6!

[A small gesture is noticeable - JOHANSSON begins to moves his hand...then his arm.]

...7!

DT: Johansson had better hurry up, or he'll be counted out!

[STORMS shouts at the top of his lungs, "C'mon, Matt! Get up!" JOHANSSON has now managed to push himself up. He fumbles to get to his feet.]

...8!

[X tags with GOLEM. GOLEM crawls through the ropes with a fury, and runs the far rope - the one STORMS rests his muscled arms across. The ropes pull back with GOLEM's mass - STORMS is knocked onto the pavement. He lands on his feet, and angrily pushes back onto the side of the ring, grabbing at GOLEM who stares at him evilly. GOLEM is slightly too far for STORM's reach.]

..9!

DT: It's gonna be close...

[JOHANSSON finally rolls onto the mat, holding his head.]

MN: About damn time.

[GOLEM eagerly pulls JOHANSSON to his feet. JOHANSSON staggers backward a little - too far, as X grabs JOHANSSON with a headlock from behind the ropes. GOLEM sniggers maniacally as he puts his jagged claw in the gaping mouth of JOHANSSON! He pulls with a vicious force - with his finger comes a splash of blood! GOLEM just tore the flesh inside JOHANSSON's mouth with The Claw!]

DT: MY GOD! THAT VICIOUS CLAW JUST SLICED THE INSIDE OF JOHANSSON'S MOUTH!!!

MN: THAT'S FREAKIN' SICK!!! DISQUALIFY HIM!!! THAT THING'S A WEAPON!!!

[The ref comes over and pulls X off of JOHANSSON. JOHANSSON drops to a knee and flops onto his stomach. He crawls slowly forward...a tag with STORMS appears to be his only option. GOLEM stands back and watches. He does nothing to stop JOHANSSON's slow movement. STORMS reaches in as far as he can without falling onto the mat. JOHANSSON inches closer and...A TAG IS MADE!]

DT: And there's the tag - and a welcome one, as Johansson's bleeding from the mouth from that HIDEOUS claw of Golem's!

MN: Stop dancin' around, ref! DQ! DQ! Second Coming wins!

[STORMS flies into the ring - he begins a flurry of punches, pummeling GOLEM's body. GOLEM is sent recoiling, punch after punch after punch. STORMS leaps onto GOLEM's face, and locks his legs. He drops backward and flips - Frankensteiner! STORMS immediately goes for the cover - He gets a count of 2, then GOLEM kicks out.]

DT: Oh, close call off the Frankensteiner by Storms!

MN: As long as the claw NEVER comes into play again. Ugh.

[They both scramble to their feet, and begin circling. STORMS looks winded from his onslaught, and GOLEM looks slightly beaten. Suddenly GOLEM reaches for a tag - then pulls STORMS into a front face lock - he drops quickly, DDT!]

DT: Ouch! Storms' head SPIKES off the canvas!

[X grabs STORMS by the hair, and pulls him to his feet. He applies an inverted face lock, and lifts into a suplex. He maintains the hold as GOLEM quickly climbs a turnbuckle. With a final guffaw, GOLEM leaps at STORMS - Cross Body Block! X and GOLEM fall together, GOLEM on top of STORMS. The ref pulls GOLEM out of the ring - X lifts STORMS' leg in a pin - JOHANSSON staggers onto the mat from the outside, and applies a heavy fist to the top of X's head. X drops the leg, and lays out - ON TOP OF STORMS! This could be it! JOHANSSON mightily peels X off of STORMS - then leaves the ring.]

DT: Smart move by Johansson, saving the match for his team.

MN: I still say this should've been a DQ win for the Coming as soon as Golem whipped out that whacked-out finger.

[The ref has finally gotten GOLEM to stay ringside, and comes back. STORMS manages to get to his feet - he runs the ropes and is about to come back for a Shooting Star Press, when JOHN DOE runs down the ramp! He grabs GOLEM by the ankles, and pulls - he hits his CHIN AGAINST THE RING! GOLEM is bleeding, and not moving. He is positioned so that his torso is mangled, and leaned against the apron. DOE rushes under the ropes, and begins punching X-ECUTIONER with heavy, mean fists!]

DT: WAIT A MINUTE!!! JOHN DOE JUST ATTACKED GOLEM AND X-ECUTIONER!!!

[The ref has seen all this, and calls the match!]

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

TONY FATORA: Here are your winners by a disqualification... X-ECUTIONERRRRRRRRR ANNNNND GOOOOOOOOOOOOOLEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!



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

DT: Oh, I see! Doe attacked Golem and X-Ecutioner to draw the DQ and cost Storms and Johansson the match!

MN: Why not just clock 'em with a chair?

DT: Well, he's crazy.

[DOE ISN'T FINISHED YET! He begins pounding STORMS in the chest, and ribs! JOHANSSON ducks under the rope and comes in with a Body Splash...DOE jumps aside, and begins kicking JOHANSSON in the back!]

[STORMS HITS A MOONSAULT ON DOE! DOE forgot to check his back, and STORMS capitalized with a beautiful Moonsault. STORMS is absolutely clobbering DOE! Huge boot's to DOE's head! JOHANSSON is hardly alive, but he's still fighting! He manages to stand with the aid of a nearby rope, and drops and elbow onto DOE's head! Things look bleak for DOE, when all of a sudden, AODHAN LORIGAN slides under the ropes! It is a complete massacre in there! AODHAN applies a standing head scissor to STORMS - with agility he lifts STORMS into a POWERBOMB! STORMS is not moving! AODHAN swings to his feet, and blocks a slow punch from the weary JOHANSSON - he counters with a massive Shoulder Tackle! Grabbing JOHANSSON by his hair, and pulling him to his feet, AODHAN slaps a monstrous hand around JOHANSSON's throat! Pushing his thumb hard, JOHANSSON begins to gag. AODHAN lifts and slams JOHANSSON into a powerful Under the Radar Chokeslam!]

[AODHAN looks around - X-ECUTIONER and GOLEM have left the ring, and made their way up the ramp. STORMS, and JOHANSSON are both layed out on the ground. DOE begins to stand.]

[DOE presses his foot on STORMS and rolls him out of the ring. He flops to the concrete. DOE lifts JOHANSSON to his feet - he has to hold him up. Grabbing him by the waist, DOE sets his feet - Snap Suplex! JOHANSSON tumbles through the ropes, and rolls onto the ground. DOE circles about, and facing AODHAN.]

[DOE looks angrily and he lifts a strong fist - then reaches out for AODHAN. AODHAN looks down at the offering, and then snatches the handshake!]

[JOHANSSON and STORMS have made their way up the ramp - they look at the ring, and wince in pain. Meanwhile, DOE turns and grabs the mic from Tony Fatora.]

DOE: Hey! Storms! You want to run around here costing me matches? How's it feel to be on the receiving end, you piece of sh(BOMB)? You know what? I want a piece of you, Storms, and I've already gotten Ryan to sign it! It's you and me at Unleashed - in an I QUIT match, with your buddy Johansson BARRED from ringside!

[A furious Storms yells a few obscenities up the ramp.]

DOE: Talk all the sh(BOMB) you want. But at Unleashed I'll make you pay for taking shots at me - 'cause buddy... I'M NOT JUST ANYONE... I AM JOHN!!! DOE!!!

[Violently, Doe throws down the mic, then turns and clasps hands with Lorigan as the two celebrate in the ring, leaving Storms and Johansson to slink to the back!]



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

DT: And the grudge between John Doe and Bryan Storms continues to heat up, as they'll face off in an I Quit match on Pay-Per-View!

MN: But won't that mean Storms could wrestle twice? He might get to the finals of the tag tournament!

DT: That is true... but he's a good athlete. He can handle it.

MN: I hope so.

DT: We've got to take a break! Don't go away! When we come back, it's Adam Benjamin and Tyrone Walker, non-title!

[Commercials.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Welcome back to the show, everyone!
MN: And welcome back to ME. I know you love me.

DT: Folks, before we continue...

[Cutto: A promotional graphic for the next Pay-Per-View event.]



DT (v/o): ...we've got to remind you that Empire Pro Wrestling presents Unleashed, live on Pay-Per-View!

[Cutto: An advertising banner for Burger Sultan, featuring the chain's trademark grinning genie.]

MN (v/o): Brought to you by Burger Sultan! Hungry? Head down to Burger Sultan, where they'll fulfill all your eating wishes! Now for a limited time, sultan-size your combo for JUST ninety-nine cents!

[Cutto: An advertising banner for The Lock.]

DT (v/o): And by The Lock! Put it on your refrigerator and you'll lose weight in no time fat! Got weight problems? Lock 'em down!

[Cut back to ringside.]

DT: Now that we've finished our shillfest as requested by our sponsors, let's move on to our next match of the evening. Tyrone Walker lost his match against Karl Brown and Jonathan Marx last week, but he's got a chance to redeem himself in a non-title match against Intercontinental Champion Adam Benjamin!

MN: Walker's a punk. Who's this guy think he is, running around badmouthing the fed all the time? Benjamin's gonna have his lunch.

DT: Let's head to the ring!



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

Tyrone Walker vs. "Yours Truly" Adam Benjamin​

TONY FATORA: The following contest is scheduled for one fall!

[CUE UP: "Where It's Goin’ Down" By: Twiztid. A single spot light shining down at the entranceway shows Tyrone Walker walking from behind the curtains 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 far-side corner and leans casually into the turnbuckles as he waits.]

TONY FATORA: Introducing first, from Detroit, Michigan... He weighs in at 230 pounds... TYRONNNNNE WALLLLKKKERRRRRR!!!!

MN: This bum needs to leave before Adam kicks his skull inside out!

DT: My, aren't we impartial.

MN: I'm the bad-guy color commentator. I'm SUPPOSED to be biased.

DT: I thought Walker WAS a bad guy.

MN: But he hates the fed.

[CUE UP: Loose yourself by Eminem. "Yours Truly" Adam Benjamin makes his way slowly to the ring. Adam makes his way into the ring and stands firm at ringside.]

TONY FATORA: And his opponent... He hails from the United Kingdom... He weighs in at two hundred and forty-five pounds and is the Empire Pro Wrestling IN-tercontinental Champion... ADAAAAAAAAAAMMMM... BEEEEEEEEEEEN-JAMIIIIIINNNNNN!!!

DT: And “Your’s Truly” staying ont eh outside of the ring, Benjamin trying to grab that bottom rop but Walker kicking at Benjamin to scare him away.

MN: What a chicken! Doesn't wanna get himself a whippin'!

[Benjamin grabs for the bottom rop again. Walker goes to kick down at Adam, but Adam catches his foot and trips him. Benjamin slides in the ring. Walker gets up and Adam nails a clothesline on Walker.]

DT: AND BENJAMIN ALMOST TAKING WALKER'S HEAD OFF WITH THAT CLOTHESLINE! Walker getting up as Benjamin fires off a big kick to the stomach of Walker. Benjamin with a Snap Suplex, And another Snap Suplex from Benjamin!

MN: What did I tell you Wendy’s boy!?! Benjamin is tearing Walker apart!

[Bejamin Irish whips Walker into the ropes. Walker rebounds and goes for a Clothesline, but Benjamin ducks and catches Walker's arm, tossing him across the ring with a deep arm drag.]

DT: And Adam Benjamin with total control of this match up! Benjamin grabbing that arm - he just flipped Walker up and over with an arm drag. Benjamin attacking that elbow.

MN: See he’s a smart guy. Looking him go. Benjamin with a... sleeper? Restholds already? I guess it's one of those technical wrestling things.

[Adam starts squeezing the life out of Tyrone Walker. Walker inches to the ropes and grabs ahold. The Referee makes Benjamin break the hold. Walker uses the ropes and bounces off them. Walker charges at Benjamin. Benjamin gets hold of Walker and scores with a belly-to-belly suplex, taking the wind out of Walker!]

DT: And Walker looking like a rag doll as Benjamin sends him halfway across the ring with that Belly to Belly Suplex!

MN: That’s right I told you Dave, I told you he was going to beat his skull in! Benjamin picking Walker up. Walker with those right hooks to the face of Adam!

[Adam lets go of Walker as Walker keeps hitting Benjamin with lefts and rights. Benjamin falls to one knee. Walker kicks Benjamin up by his hair and Irish Whips him to the ropes. Walker rebounds off the opposite ropes, but Benjamin gets the upper hand and nails a Side Effect]

DT: And Benjamin looked as he was down but had the upper hand in that and hits the side effect!

MN: Benjamin with a pin! 1... 2... kickout by Walker. Adam seeing he is in the middle of the ring and grabs Walkers legs! BENJAMIN HAS LOCKED THE CURE AND WALKER IS SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING!

[Benjamin applies more pressure as Walker screams in pain. Walker reaches out to the ropes but they are to far. The referee continues to ask Walker if he wishes to give up. Walker taps his hand twice but stops himself from tapping the third]

DT: Close call there as Walker almost tapped out! And Benjamin letting go to the hold as he starts Mud Hole Stomping Walker into the ring. Benjamin pulling up Walker by his hair and Walker is up.

MN: Look at this! Walker is a loser. Wait! Walker with a punch to Adams ribs and another Adam holding his ribs. Walker running to the turnbuckle and climbing it, Adam looking up as Walker jumps off!

[Adam catches Tyrone in midair and sends him crashing down with a hard powerbomb! Walker lies there holding his head in pain.]

DT: ADAM BENJAMIN WITH THAT POWERBOMB NOW WITH THE PIN! 1….2….3..NO! WALKER WAS ABLE TO GET HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!

MN: ADAM IS FURIOUS! He’s dragging Walker to the middle again. Now pulling Walker up by his hair. Benjamin with the Drop Kick to the knee and Walker dropping to one knee! Adam Signaling for the Shinning Wizard!

[Adam runs to the ropes then rebounds heading full speed towards Walker. Adam jumps onto Tyrone’s knee and goes for the kick to his temple, but Walker ducks and Benjamin spins around from the missed kick. Gruffly, Benjamin picks Walker up for a headlock, but Walker snaps off a mule kick, catching Benjamin right in the nuts! Benjamin keels over, and Walker cradles him, grabbing a handful of tights!]

DT: AND WALKER WITH THE PIN - BUT HE'S HOLDING BENJAMINS TIGHTS!!! 1!!! 2!!! 3!!! WALKER HAS WON!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

MN: BULL! BULL! FIRE THAT REF!!! HE SHOULD'VE SEEN THAT!!!

DT: I concur.

TONY FATORA: HERE IS YOUR WINNER... TYRONE WALLLLKEEERRRR!!!!



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

DT: What an unfortunate night for Adam Benjamin, as he was in total control of Tyrone Walker until he fell prey to the low blow and the handful of tights!

MN: That's total bull, man. Benjamin was smoking him.

DT: Perhaps in the future we'll see a rematch between these two that ends in a less controversial manner.



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

[Cut to the backstage area - a conference room. Dan Ryan and Paul Freeman sit at the table in front of a big screen TV.]

RYAN: Hello, viewers. As you've no doubt guessed, next week will mark the start of a makeshift tournament to decide the new EPW Tag-Team Champions, a position vacated by the departing Crimson Calling. Paul and I are here to run down the contenders for you. Tell 'em, Paul.

FREEMAN: There will be three matches-

RYAN (interrupting): There'll be three matches next week, as we've had six entrants approach us. The winners of these matches will advance to a three-way elimination tag match at Unleashed. Tell 'em about the first match, Paul.

FREEMAN: In the first match-

RYAN (interrupting): The first match will see two of Empire Pro Wrestling's finest young teams face off, as Blitz battles Second Coming.

[The TV screen flicks to a graphic with Blitz in one corner and Second Coming in another.]

RYAN: Tell 'em about the second match, Paul.

FREEMAN: The second match will-

RYAN (interrupting): In the second match, two relatively new teams will go head-to-head. It's the duo of Golem and X-ecutioner against the tandem known as the Black Thunder - John Doe and Aodhan Lorigan!

[The TV screen flicks to a graphic. John Doe and Aodhan Lorigan stand together on the left side of the screen, while Golem and X-Ecutioner brood on the right side.]

RYAN: As John Doe and Bryan Storms are already booked in a singles match later on the Pay-Per-View, we will open the show with the tag title match in order to give both men the opportunity to rest up. Now tell 'em about the last qualifier, Paul.

FREEMAN: Are you going to cut me off again?

RYAN: Of course not.

FREEMAN: Alright. The third match-

RYAN (interrupting): The third match will see the debut of a few big names. In one corner, it will be two decorated veterans in Cameron Cruise and Joey Melton. In the other corner, the two-time GXW/GWE Tag-Team Champions, the Monsta Boyz!

[The TV screen flicks to a graphic. On the left side of the screen, the hulking Monsta Boyz grin. On the right, Joey Melton also grins, while Cruise mopes.]

RYAN: As you've noticed, we've more or less booked teams against like teams. Blitz and Second Coming have both been loyal to EPW. Black Lightning and Golem and X are both teams who have either formed or arrived recently, and the Monsta Boyz and Joey Melton have made names for themselves elsewhere but are making their Empire debuts. This proves once again that Empire Pro Wrestling is an equal-opportunity employer, as the three-way match will come down to a team of EPW veterans versus a team of relative newcomers versus a team of marquee-name stars. We here at Empire Pro Wrestling feel that this sort of mixture will create a dynamic, anything-can-happen atmosphere in the tag scene and rejuvenate interest in the division. Be sure to tune in to Empire programming to catch all the action. Paul, wish the viewers off.

FREEMAN (grumpy): And now back to-

RYAN (interrupting): We now return you to your regularly scheduled program. Enjoy the show, everyone.

[Cut back to ringside.]



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

DT: And there you have it - a blockbuster lineup for the tag tournament leading into Unleashed!

MN: Did Ryan ever dig up some names or what? The Monsta Boyz! Cameron Cruise! JOEY F'N MELTON!!! That match right there is gonna rock the house!

DT: And don't forget that there's bound to be heat between the Black Thunder and Golem and X-Ecutioner after Doe attacked Golem and X tonight!

MN: And Blitz and Second Coming... those guys have never wrestled before, and they're both damn good! This is gonna be FUN!

DT: The card is indeed stacked, but you have to wonder how John Doe and Bryan Storms will cope should they have to wrestle twice at Unleashed!

MN: Eh, they'll live.

DT: We've got to take a break, but when we come back, we've got some more in-ring action! Troy Douglas! Christian Sands! That's NEXT!

[Commercials.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

[Cutto: A roving shot of the crowd before we cut back to ringside.]
DT: Folks, this next match could be a match that defines a career! Troy Douglas has fought long and hard to get to the top, and if he can defeat World Champion Christian Sands, nobody will be able to doubt him as a main event contender!

MN: Ah, good ol' Megatron. Let's see how long he lasts against the Sandymaaaaan!

DT: The Megatron gag got old three or four shows ago.

MN: No way. My jokes are ALWAYS fresh. Now Biggie-size my fries 'fore I smack you.

DT: *sigh* Let's just start the match. Tony Fatora, take it away!



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

Christian Sands vs. Troy Douglas​

TONY FATORA: Th' following non-title contest is scheduled for one fall!

[Cue up: "Dark Machine" - Paul Oakenfold. 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 his opponent.]

TONY FATORA: Introducing first... He hails from Barrie, Ontario, Canada... He weighs in at two hundred and seventy pounds... He is the reigning Empire Pro Wrestling HEAvyweight Cham-pion of the World... CHRRRRRRRRISTIAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN... SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNDSSSSSSS!!!

[Cue up: "Kashmir" - Led Zeppelin. The fans pop loudly as Troy Douglas strides down to the ring, vaulting over the top rope and stretching his arms.]

TONY FATORA: And his opponent... He hails froM Greensboro, North Carolina... He weighs in at two hundred and sixty pounds... TRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOY... DOOOOOOOOOOUGLAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS!!!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

DT: And folks, I'd wager that what you're going to see is a very even match-up. Sands outweighs Douglas by ten pounds, but Douglas has an extra two inches of leverage, so it balances out somewhat.

[Sands and Douglas circle for a moment. They lock up, each man jockeying for position. Sands drops to the canvas and clips Douglas' leg, vaulting over him to shoot for the arm, but Douglas grabs for Sands' neck and flips him over onto the canvas. He tries for a headlock, but Sands pushes him into an armbar. Douglas bridges out of it to take Sands down with an arm drag.]

DT: Impressive display of chain wrestling from these two!

[Douglas holds onto the arm drag, locking in a tight armbar. However, Sands grabs Douglas' near leg and pulls him down to the mat, bridging over for a one count. Douglas pushes himself up and responds with a backslide for a one count. Both men come to their feet. Douglas leads in with a right hand, which Sands ducks, coming up behind the Greensboro native. As Douglas turns, Sands opens fire with a stiff knife-edged chop, drawing "WOOOOOOO"s from the crowd.]

DT: Oh, Sands with that big chop!

MN: He's treating Troy Douglas like a woodpile!

[The impact causes Douglas to recoil. Sands keeps on him, firing away with more chops to push Douglas into a corner. Douglas attempts to cover up, but Sands just slugs him and drapes Douglas' arms over the ropes, then delivers two more chops.]

DT: Sands just hammering away relentlessly, not allowing Douglas to muster any offense whatsoever!

MN: That's why he's World Champion! Once Sands takes control of a match, he'll keep it!

[Delivering another chop for good measure, Sands grabs Douglas by the leg and drags him out of the corner. He drops a pair of elbow across the leg before picking Douglas up and whipping him to the ropes. As Douglas rebounds, Sands goes low and takes out the leg with a chop-block.]

DT: Looks like the champion's done his homework, as he's attacking the leg and knee Douglas injured about a year ago.

MN: You THINK old injuries heal, but you're never a hundred percent, huh?

DT: Exactly.

[Sands cradles Douglas' head and pulls him to his feet, only to take him down with a Russian legsweep. From there he grabs Douglas' leg and sets it on the middle rope, straddling it and boosting himself up to drop all his weight down across the bad knee! Douglas rolls away from the ropes, holding his knee in pain.]

DT: Oh, Sands coming down hard onto that knee of Troy Douglas!

MN: Looked like he sat on it. Teehee.

[Unrelenting as always, Sands advances on Douglas, but the former Throwback rolls Sands up in a small package.]

DT: Wait, SMALL PACKAGE by Douglas! One - TWO - Sands kicks out!

MN: Close one!

[Both men come to their feet. Sands shoots in to take out Douglas' leg, but Douglas kicks him in the face, stunning the Canadian. From there Douglas whips Sands into the ropes and decks him with a heavy clothesline. With Sands down, Douglas pauses for a moment to stoop and adjust his kneepad.]

DT: Douglas on the attack now with the big clothesline, but he's definitely feeling pain in his knee.

MN: And why wouldn't he? Sands has been hammering the thing all match long.

[With the pad adjusted to his satisfaction, Douglas grabs Sands and picks him up, Irish-whipping him into the corner and charging in to hit a clothesline. From there Douglas scoops Sands off the mat and delivers a hard bodyslam, following up with a tandem of elbow drops across the World Champion's neck and chest. Sands rolls to his hands and knees, and Douglas pulls him up before dropping him to the mat on his head with a hard implant DDT!]

DT: Ooh, big implant DDT by Douglas, as he's working over the neck to set up the End Of The Road!

MN: He's a headbusta!

[Dragging Sands into the center of the ring, Douglas heads to a corner and climbs the ropes. As he reaches the third turnbuckle, however, Sands rolls to his feet and charges the corner, wrapping Douglas up and hurling him to the canvas in a fisherman's suplex!]

DT: OHHHH NO! Douglas went up but got fisherman's-suplexed off the top!

MN: They're BOTH down!

DT: That move took the wind out of both men! Whoever gets up first here could take control of the match!

[Slowly, Sands and Douglas rise. Sands fires off a right hand, but Douglas blocks and hits Sands with a hard forearm. Another forearm follows, and Douglas whips Sands into the ropes, taking him over with a hiptoss - or trying, rather. Sands anchors his leg around Douglas' and fights it. Douglas tries again, but Sands slugs him and chopblocks the leg.]

DT: And Sands goes right back to Douglas' previously-injured knee. There's the psychology of the champ coming into play, as he targets a body part and keeps on it.

[Sands drops a pair of knees across Douglas' leg. He quickly flips the taller man over, slamming Douglas' knee into the canvas with authority and drawing a yell of pain from the Greensboro native. Taking this as a good sign, Sands repeats the procedure, evoking another yell. He then drags Douglas up by the leg, hitting the bad knee with a brutal shin breaker!]

DT: Douglas' knee has got to be killing him right now. Sands' assault has been completely relentless.

MN: He's a machine, man. Like one of those guys from the Matrix. AGENT SANDS REPRESENT, YO!!!

DT: Et tu, sci-fi dork?

MN: Man, that Trinity is a fox. Rrowr!

[Holding Douglas' leg up, Sands drives the toe of his boot into the back of Douglas' knee repeatedly. An idea suddenly crosses his mind, and he smiles thinly, flipping Douglas over and stepping over to apply a Scorpion Deathlock!]

DT: SCORPION DEATHLOCK! The submission favored by one of Troy Douglas' boyhood heroes, Hornet! Sands is trying to psyche Douglas out AND make him tap!

MN: THE MATRIX HAS YOU, DOUGLAS!!! TAP!!! TAP!!!

DT: Douglas is in pain here! This is a deadly hold, tearing apart Douglas' back and legs!

MN: Good! That's what Douglas gets for not taking the red pill.

DT: Look at Douglas pushing himself off the canvas, trying to alleviate the pressure on his back and legs by straightening his spine!

MN: Aw, he's doing push-ups. What is this, Bally's?

DT: Douglas trying to fight to the ropes!

MN: THERE ARE NO ROPES! THERE IS NO SPOON!

DT: Do you MIND?

MN: Hey, it's not MY fault you took the blue pill.

DT: YES! Douglas gets to the bottom rope! Referee Pat Jones calling for the break - Sands gives it to him!

[Reluctantly, Sands releases Douglas from the Deathlock. However, he keeps Douglas' leg gripped in one hand. He roughly drags Douglas into the center of the ring and applies an anklelock, dropping to one knee!]

DT: Oh, now an ANKLELOCK by Sands!

MN: Stupid Mr. Douglas! Every man who's ever fought an Agent has lost!

DT: Notice how Sands is on one knee as he applies the hold! This allows him to keep a firm vertical base, making it more difficult for opponents to reverse the submission!

MN: He's a smart cookie!

DT: Douglas trying to fight it! Again pushing himself up, trying to straighten his leg - but Sands continuing to twist that ankle!

MN: BREAK IT OFF, AGENT SANDS!!! SNAP HIS FOOT OFF!!! SEND IN THE SENTINELS!!!

DT: Douglas crawling towards that bottom rope! Almost there - SANDS PULLS HIM BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!

MN: It's SO over!

[No it ain't. Clenching his teeth, Douglas flips over and drives his free foot into Sands' face several times, forcing him to break the hold. Sands immediately tries for an anklelock again, but Douglas drop toe holds him, sending him falling chest-first across the top rope! From there, Douglas grabs Sands' legs and pushes him to the outside before falling into a corner, holding his leg in pain.]

DT: Douglas still in the fight! Sends Sands to the outside to buy himself some valuable time to recover!

MN: Chicken, that's what he is!

DT: Give me a break! Douglas' leg has been worked over since the start of the match! He needs to give it time to heal!

MN: BLARGH!

[On the outside, Sands pushes himself to his feet, shaking himself off. He slides back into the ring. Douglas pushes himself unsteadily to his feet and immediately tackles Sands, hammering away with huge right hands. Sands manages to scissor Douglas off of him, but the Greensboro resident rolls across the mat, dropping an elbow on Sands' face.]

DT: Big elbow from Douglas! But notice he didn't stand all the way before dropping that elbow, and most of his weight was on his good leg.

MN: Yeah, 'cause Sands killed his other leg.

[Pulling Sands to his feet, Douglas whips him into the ropes, catching him on the rebound with a neckbreaker drop. From there, Douglas sets Sands up in a standing headscissors, jerking him to the mat headfirst with a brutal stump piledriver!]

DT: PILEDRIVER by Douglas! The cover!

One -

TWO -

Shoulder up for Sands!

MN: Like I said, no human can beat an Agent!

DT: The One can.

MN: Douglas ain't the One, Wendyman. Keanu Reeves is, and he doesn't wrestle for this company.

DT: *sigh*

[Quickly, Douglas grabs Sands and whips him into the corner, limping over to chop the heavier man several times to a chorus of "WOOOOOOO"s from the crowd. Grunting, Douglas sets Sands on the top rope and goes up after him, hooking him up for a superplex. However, Sands hooks his legs around the top rope and will not go down.]

DT: Douglas trying for a superplex here, but Sands won't let him get it going!

MN: Of course not, Biggie Size! If I were up there I wouldn't let him superplex ME, either!

[Balling one fist, Sands punches Douglas in the gut several times. He then hooks the other man and boosts him onto his shoulders in a sitting position, leaping off the top to KILL Douglas with a leaping sitout powerbomb! However, he comes down onto referee Pat Jones, who takes a tumble!]

DT: OH MY GOD!!! TOP-ROPE FLYING POWERBOMB FROM SANDS TO DOUGLAS!!!

MN: AW, TAG, YO! DOUGLAS IS DONE!!!

DT: Wait a minute - there's no official to make the count - and LOOK WHO'S COMING THROUGH THE CROWD!

[As Sands comes to his feet, the crowd suddenly roars. Cut to ringside, where Lindsay Troy wades out of the crowd and climbs the ropes behind Sands. She puts two fingers to her mouth and whistles. Sands turns... and walks right into a missile dropkick from Troy!]

DT: OH! TROY WITH THE MISSILE DROPKICK TO THE CHAMPION!!! She's paying him back in front of her hometown for what Sands did to her last week-

MN: RAAHR!!!

DT: Wha- NOW look who it is!

[Troy rolls out of the ring as Sands recovers and tries to chase her. He gets something entirely different, as BEAST charges out of the crowd and into the ring to level Sands with a huge spear! As Troy works up the crowd on the outside, Beast grabs Sands and hooks him up, then DESTROYS him with an Absolution in the center of the ring! As Sands folds over in the ring, Beast slides out under the bottom rope, and he and Troy wade back through the crowd.]

DT: IT'S BEAST!!! BEAST IS HERE, AND HE JUST DELIVERED THE ABSOLUTION TO CHRISTIAN SANDS!!!

MN: BULL!!! BULL!!! DQ!!! DQ!!! CALL THE DQ!!!

DT: I don't think referee Pat Jones saw what happened!

[In the ring, everyone but Sands is coming to. Not aware of what happened, Douglas picks up Sands' prone form and drags him to the corner. where he hooks him up and takes him off the top with a double underhook piledriver!]

DT: END OF THE ROAD!!! DOUGLAS HITS THE END OF THE ROAD!!! THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!


TWO!!!



THREEEEE!!! MY GOD, TROY DOUGLAS HAS JUST PINNED THE WORLD'S CHAMPION!!!

MN: BECAUSE OF BEAST!!! RAAHR-BOY HANDED THE MATCH TO HIM!!!

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings.]

TONY FATORA: Here is your winner... TRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOY... DOOOOOOOOOUGLAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!



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

DT: What a great moment for Troy Douglas, as his victory over Sands here tonight leaves no doubt in my mind that he IS a main event contender!

MN: Aw, be quiet! Sands got screwed! He would've won had Beast not cost him the match!

DT: What about Lindsay Troy?

MN: ...Well, I forgive her 'cause she's a hottie.

DT: What?!

MN: How can you stay mad at a face like hers?!

DT: You're such a pervert.

MN: Besides, I bet Beast put her up to it! Told her he wouldn't make her feel the RAAHR anymore unless she cost her dreamboat the match.

DT: DREAMboat?

MN: She LOVES Sands, man! Did you se her face when he kissed her? She's just playing hard-to-get!

DT: Oh, baloney. In any case, a huge win here tonight for Troy Douglas, as the future is certainly looking up for him.

MN: Yeah yeah, Megatron needs more energon.

DT: We've got to head to break, folks, but when we come back it's our main event of the evening! Beast and Jonathan Marx, NEXT!

[Commercials.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: As always, we are BACK!

MN: Speak for yourself. I'm front.

DT: Last week, our next two combatants learned that they would be the number one contenders to the World and Intercontinental Titles, respectively. Tonight, here in Tampa, these two fine athletes square off. It’s Beast, it’s Marx, and it is NOW!

MN: RAAAAAAAAAAHHHHRRRR!!!!

DT: You always ruin the mood.

MN: It’s what I do best.

DT: Tony, you’re on.



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

Beast vs. Jonathan Marx​

TF: The following match is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first...

[CUE UP: “Only Happy When it Rains” by Garbage as the crowd erupts in a wave a boos for the 2003 FW Illustrated Rookie of the Year, who walks out on the ramp with his usual look of smug confidence and ambles to the ring where he awaits his opponent.]

TF:...He hails from Princeton, New Jersey and weighs in at 215 pounds and is the NUMBER ONE CONTENDER to Adam Benjamin’s Intercontinental Championship.... “THEEEEEEE GEEEEEENTLEMAAAAANN” JONATHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN MAAAAAAAAAARRRRXXXXXX!!!!

[“Only Happy When it Rains” fades out and the arena lights fade down to darkness, then slowly come back up in deep blue as the sound of chanting monks fill the arena, and 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. The chanting monks play for about 15 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 Beast walks through the smoke down the ramp and to the ring. 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.]

TF:...his opponent is the NUMBER ONE CONTENDER to the Heavyweight Championship of the World. He hails from Winnipeg...Manitoba...Canada, weighs in at 290 pounds, and is accompanied to the ring by Lindsay Troy ... THIS ... IS ... BEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSTTTTTT!!!!!

[SFX: DING]

DT: Marx is off and running. He charges at Beast...and gets LEVELED with a quick clothesline from Beast! Marx pops up, and Beast SHOVES him back down to the ground. The big Manitoban is making his 75 pound weight advantage very evident in the opening moments of this one.

MN: He’s got the only advantage you need...LINDSAY!!!

DT: Pervert. Just pay attention to the match.

MN: But I don’t WANNA!!!! It’s not fair!!!

DT: God, you’re petulant.

[Marx gets up again, but this time Beast meets him with a knee to the face and an irish whip into the ropes. On the rebound, Beast catches Marx with a back body drop. Beast pins, and Marx kicks out at one and a half. Beast tries for the irish whip again, but Marx counters it into a high impact neckbreaker!]

DT: “The Gentleman” with a demonstration of his mat excellence...

MN:...and proof that he’s actually alive! Whoa! That would be creepy!

DT: What?

MN: Wrestling a dead guy.

DT: Oy. Marx now off the ropes, and a flying crossbody block! Both men up, and another crossbody by Marx! Beast rises again, and Marx comes off the ropes with a THIRD flying crossbody!!! Marx is using his quickness to counter Beast’s size advantage.

MN: If Marx wins, will that make him the “Emperaaaaaahhhhrrr”?.

DT: Yes. I mean no. Oh god, just be quiet.

[Thomas pulls out some construction paper and a 64-pack of Crayola crayons.]

MN: What’s that?

DT: Saved this for an emergency. Here, keep yourself busy.

[As Neely draws, Marx sends Beast into the turnbuckle and charges, nailing him with a reverse elbow smash. Beast wobbles out of the corner, and Marx sends his face crashing into the mat with a drop toe hold, then applies a Boston Crab.]

DT: Marx is employing the age-old strategy of keeping the bigger man from reaching his vertical base. He’s wrenching back on that Crab, but Beast is palming the mat and he...has...BROKEN THE HOLD!!!! Beast powers out and sends Marx staggering to the corner!

MN: Look what I drew.

[Neely has drawn a very detailed picture of Lindsay Troy in a not-so-flattering outfit.]

DT: OKAY, NO MORE CRAYONS FOR YOU!!!

MN: Whaddya want me to do now, Burgerboy?

DT: Fine. Just help me call the match, like your getting paid to do.

[Enraged at his lapse in judgment, Beast charges Marx looking for a clothesline, but Marx ducks under and, combined with Beast’s momentum, sends the bigger man through the top two ropes and out of the ring, where he collides with the barricade. Marx sets himself up on the apron and takes off with an elbow drop, but Beast quickly rises and slams Marx’s head into the security barrier. He picks up the groggy Princetonian and rams his back into the steel pole on the corner of the ring.]

MN: That NEVER feels good.

DT: Marx’s back felt the full impact of that steel, and now Beast has flung Jonathan Marx back into the ring to stop the 10 count. Beast grabs Jonathan’s arm, and he whips him straight into a knee lift!

MN: I think Jon just got the wind knocked out of him by that one.

DT: Beast hoists Marx into the air...BRAINBUSTER!!! The pin...

ONE...

TWO...

THRNOOOOOOO!!!!! Jonathan Marx escaped by the skin of his teeth right there, but you gotta wonder how much longer he can last against Beast.

MN: Hmmmmm...7 minute, 14 seconds?

DT: What?

MN: Just a guess.

[Beast wastes no time getting back to work, picking up Marx and driving him forcefully to the mat with a powerslam. He sends Marx off the ropes again, this time lifting him high in the air and bringing him back down with a stiff spinebuster that audibly shakes the ring. He pins, but gets naught but another two count. He pulls Marx from his position on the mat and kicks him in the gut, then applying the double underhook.]

DT: Absolution coming up...

MN: Well, not quite 7:14.

DT: He lifts Marx UP, but Marx turns it into a Samurai Driver!!! What a counter by Jonathan Marx! He brings Beast up, rear waistlock applied – Beast reverses – GERMAN SU-WAIT!!! Marx schoolboys Beast! The count...

ONE...

TWO...

NO!!!! Beast was taken by surprise, but no enough to lose this encounter!!

[Both men get up, and Marx tries to assert his advantage by chop blocking Beast, who flips over and lands on his back. He rises, but Marx again takes the legs out from under him, this time applying an Indian Deathlock.]

MN: Eh. Beast has the RAAAHR to power him, he’ll get out.

DT: Marx is clamping on that hold, making sure that even if he doesn’t submit, Beast’ll have a good deal of trouble walking for the rest of tonight. Beast is making his way towards that bottom rope and...he...grabs it with his right hand!!! Marx must release the Indian Deathlock!

MN: See. Told ya.

DT: I know, Mike. Jonathan Marx is wasting no time in keeping the pressure on the number one contender to the World Title. Marx with a standing facelock, and a quick snap suplex! Marx to the second rope, shades of fellow NFW wrestler Jean Rabesque here. Second Rope Elbow...CONNECTS!!!!

ONE...

TWO...

THRBEAST KICKS OUT!!!!!

MN: I’m telling you. It’s not enough. Plus, Lindsay won’t let her man get pinned.

DT: Marx brings Beast up...RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP!!! To the second rope again, Guillotine Legdrop...AND JONATHAN MARX WENT TO THE WELL ONCE TOO OFTEN!!! Beast moved out of the way and Marx ended up on his, well...

MN: SAY IT BURGERMAN!!! A(BLEEP)!

DT: This is why I hate you so much.

MN: Yeah. It’s a gift.

[Beast gets up and grabs at Marx’s hair, then throws his opponent into the corner shoulder first, his arm impacting the steel pole again. He pulls Marx back from the corner and applies the full nelson, then sends Jonathan flying across the squared circle with a textbook dragon suplex.]

MN: AIR MAIL!!!!

DT: Beast has taken the momentum back, and he’s a house afire! Military Press by Beast, and he just DROPS Jonathan Marx to the mat face-first. And with Beast’s long arms, and they way he just TOSSED him into the air, Marx had to have fallen 10, 11 feet right there! Beast now, off the ropes...RUNNING FIST DROP...BUT MARX GETS OUT OF THE WAY!!!

MN: His fist just put a DENT in the canvas!

DT: Marx now, stalking Beast...INSIDE CRADLE!!!!

ONE...

TWO...

THREEEE!!!! NO! NO! Beast got out in the nick of time and...BACKSLIDE on Marx!

ONE...

TWO...

THRNOOOOO!!! These two are trading near falls one after another!

MN: Can we get a time-out, or intermission, or something? This action is tiring me out.

DT: Beast is up, and he’s backing Marx into the corner. He grabs the middle rope, and LAUNCHES his right shoulder into Marx’s midsection! He rears back, and NAILS HIM AGAIN!!! Pulls back ONE MORE TIME...

MN:...This won’t be good for Beastie.

DT:Marx VAULTS onto the top rope and Beast catches the steel with his shoulder. Marx sits on the top turnbuckle, and he comes off with a Victory Roll!

ONE...

TWO...

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Beast used the bottom rope to pull himself out of that pinning predicament!

MN: And the hits just keep on coming here in Tampa, FLA.

DT: Marx with a forearm smash...and the BIG BACK SUPLEX plants Beast on the mat! He picks him up again...REVERSE IMPLANT DDT!!!! Beast is down!!! Marx lords over him, and he signals to the crowd for the Marxism, and they DO NOT like that!

MN: All hail the Emperaaaaaahhhrrr!

DT: Grabs the right leg, and Beast just smashes him in the face with it to break up the opportunity!!! Marx took just a little bit too long to set that one up, and Beast took advantage.

MN: I’ll take advantage of something.

DT: NOT AGAIN!

[Beast begins stomping into Marx, impacting him with a dozen shots with his big boots before Jonathan staggers away into the corner and grabs the bottom rope. Beast stands over him and tries to pull Marx up, but he is met with several forearms to the midsection as Marx stands up. He tries to irish whip Beast, but is countered and Beast drops him with a rough Northern Lights Suplex.]

DT: Beast continues to use that superior size and strength to overpower the smaller Marx. He has him in a standing headscissors...and an absolutely BRUTAL powerbomb downs Marx yet again. The cover, and this one is probably over...

ONE...

TWO...

THREEEEE!!!! IT’S OVER!!! WAIT! WAIT! The official is saying Marx got his shoulder up just before the third slap of the mat, and I can’t believe it!

MN: Hey, he’s royalty!

DT: Beast is livid, and he’s gonna try and put Marx away quickly now. He brings him to vertical suplex position, suplex into the spinebuster coming up...BUT MARX floats over!!! Full nelson applied...LEGSWEEP FACEBUSTER!!! The Marxism STF is now locked in!!!

MN: Gotta love pro wrestling. Just a couple of minutes ago, he was completely dead!

DT: Beast is struggling to those ropes, but he’s tired after this long struggle with Marx! 20 seconds now...25...30...35...Beast STILL crawling towards those ropes!!! 50 SECONDS in the Marxism...and...BEAST...MAKES IT TO THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!!! But, how long will Beast be able to keep it up?

MN: I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.

DT: Marx setting up a suplex variation...blocked by Beast!!! He hoists him up...JACKHAMMER!!! Brings him up again...SUPLEX INTO THE SPINEBUSTER!!! Beast is going to town, and now he’s calling for the Absolution! Double underhook...and the Tiger Driver ’91 with ATTITUDE!!!

ONE...

TWO...

THREEEEEEEEE!!!! NO!!!! NO!!! HOW IN THE WORLD DID MARX KICK OUT?

MN: HOLY F(BLEEP)ING HELL!!!

DT: Jonathan Marx is showing a ton of resiliency tonight, but there’s not much left in the tank. Beast double underhooks again...A SECOND ABSOLUTION!!!! And now, Beast isn’t even bothering with the pin, he locks in the Judas Cradle!!! Marx is in pain, and is damn near unconscious!

MN: Well, I think the momentum shifted.

DT: Beast releases the hold, and now he double underhooks Marx AGAIN!!! Pulls him up...ABSOLUTION ONE MORE TIME!!!

MN: Ya know, just for insurance.

DT: The pin...

ONE...

TWO...

THREEEEEEEEEEE!!!! And this time it’s for real, as Jonathan Marx isn’t even MOVING after putting up an unbelievable fight, but in the end he was unable to hold up to the momentum of Christian Sands’ number one rival.

FATORA: The winner of the match via pinfall....BEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSTTT!!!!!!



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

DT: What a match between these two, as Beast sends yet another message to Christian Sands - he's here, he's pissed, and he's coming to take the title!

MN: Big deal! Raahr-Boy lost to Sands once already, and history always repeats itself, especially when you're a Neanderthal like Beast!

DT: I wouldn't count on it, Mike. In any case, folks, we're out of time! For Mike Neely, I'm Dave Thomas, and this has been Aggression! Tune in next week for the tag-team qualifying matches and MORE hot action! Goodnight!

[Fade to credits, then to black.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

Updated 12/7/06