WRESTLEVERSE I: Denver, CO - 10/1/04

[DBrunkGXW]

[Darkness. Slow, slightly ominous piano music plays in the background, the notes shimmering softly in the gloom. Slowly a small point of light begins to form on screen, then another, then another. A resonant voice, deep but calm, speaks, the source unseen and unknown.]
"The universe, they say, is ever-changing. It began long ago as nothingness, then suddenly began to expand..."

[As the voice speaks, more and more of those pinpricks of light begin to glow on screen, the piano music quickening, joined by a violin.]

"It has continued like this ever since."

[The music keeps heightening, the screen growing very bright with stars.]

"Tonight, the phenomenon that started in Washington DC grows bigger than ever. Tonight, Denver plays host to a big bang."

[With a sudden blinding flare, the rest of the darkness fills up with stars, leaving the screen a pure, glowing white.]

"Tonight... the wrestling universe changes forever."

[Cue up: "New Beginning" - Trapt. Cut to a montage of scenes highlighting recent EPW action, a mingling of in-ring combat and out-of-ring activity, many scenes features with stars blurring in the background.

Cut to Beast delivering the Absolution to Adam Benjamin.

Cut to Boogie Smallz in the ring with a microphone.

Cut to Lindsay Troy slapping Joey Melton across the face.

Cut to Karl Brown drilling Kin Hiroshi with the Dragon's Bite.

Cut to Christian Sands sitting on a bench, taping his wrists.

Cut to Adam Benjamin clotheslining Beast.

Cut to John Doe in shadows, face etched with madness.

Cut to Troy Douglas laying into a punching bag.

Cut to a rapid montage, culminating in a deep-space panorama that ends with a single image...]



[Cut to the rather spectacular set. Pyro begins to pour from above the massive arch over the entryway, dripping down like liquid fire, columns of gold and silver sparks ascending from the ramp. To either side, bomblike explosions begin to go off one by one. After several explosions, four huge ones ring out as the pyro display ends. The camera zooms in on the screen, which flicks to roving shots of the crowd, who are cheering and screaming their hearts out. A few signs can be spotted among the fans: "WE'RE ALL HERE TO SEE BEAST!", "He's So Hot, He's Melton!", "I Saw Cameron Cruise In A Porno", "WE ARE JA-AHOLICS", "KNEEL BEFORE DODD!", "We Are Marxists", "ADAM BENJAMIN IS THE BEST WRESTLER EVER", "Christian Sands = Ratings", "BLITZ ARE THE ****Z", "I Sold My Brother For These Tickets!", and finally, "DAN RYAN WILL EAT YOUR BABIES".]

[The camera pans across the four sexy Empire Girls, all wearing black and white, before cutting to the broadcast booth. Dave Thomas has exchanged his golf shirt for a crisp tuxedo, and Dean Matthews has left his hat at home; Mike Neely is dressed in a cheesy apricot tuxedo.]

DT: The moment has finally arrived! Welcome, everybody, to the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado! This is Wrestleverse I, brought to you by Empire Pro Wrestling! I'm Dave Thomas, and with me as always are Mike Neely and "The Show Stealer" Dean Matthews! You can just FEEL the electricity in the air, can't you, guys?

DM: You bet, Dave! These people know that this night is gonna be special. I can feel it in my gut that this night is gonna be huge.

MN: I know! This thing's gonna be off the chain!

DT: It certainly is, Mike. We've got a packed card tonight, including two huge triple-threats for both singles titles and an intense tag-team title match.

MN: Tonight's the night, man! Big Daddy English is gonna bring home the big one!

DT: All eyes are certainly on that huge match between Beast, Benjamin, and Smallz at the top of the show - though there are a couple of sets fixed VERY firmly on the triple threat match for the Intercontinental Title.

[Cut to a shot of the front row, where Priest and Eisenkreuz sit sedately. Eisenkreuz is wearing a JA T-shirt.]

DM: Well, there they are.

DT: But we've got a ways to go before we get to those two matches, and we might as well start now! What say we take it to the ring?

DM: Aw yeah!



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Pulsar vs. X

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

[CUE UP: “Whiskey in the Jar” by Metallica. Pulsar walks out from the back, standing in the entrance way a few moments as the fans cheer. He walks casually to the ring, his stride oddly focused, before sliding under the bottom rope and posing with his arms out to the side]

TONY FATORA: From Sydney, Australia, weighing in at two hundred and forty pounds... PUUUUUULLLLLLLLLSAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

DT: Pulsar had a disappointing debut at Aggression, but he looks to put that behind himself here and show everyone why he was the NWL Intercontinental Champion.

DM: He’s good in the ring, but I wonder how that loss last time out is going to affect him.

[CUE UP: “X Gonna Give It To Ya” by DMX. Time passes, strobe lights light up the entrance way and everyone is looking around for X, but he is no where to be found. After a few more seconds, a commotion seems to be erupting in the crowd. X appears in the crowd carrying his patented black steel chair marked with a white X and wrapped in barbed wire. He stands on a chair or anything he can find in the crowd and while still holding his chair in his right hand, he crosses his arms to make an X. He fights his way through the crowd, hops the barrier, and rolls into the ring. He starts banging on the ropes with the chair and then proceeds to make the same X gesture while standing on the middle of the ropes]

TONY FATORA: And his opponent, he weighs in at two hundred and ten pounds, and hails from The Bronx, New York.... XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!

DM: And here’s someone who we haven’t heard from since the Battle Royal, who’s also looking to bounce back from a bad run.

DT: The ref forcing X to drop the chair outside of the ring, as the match is now under way. Pulsar and X locking up in the centre, X with a knee to the gut doubling up the Australian. Clubbing blow to the back, as X whips Pulsar to the corner. Charging in... Pulsar up and over the top there, and X hits the buckles hard.

DM: Pulsar with a hard chop, now a snap suplex out of the corner.

MN: Wilbur in trouble here as Pulsar screws that dragon there.

DT: What he means is a dragon screw leg whip as X gets to his feet.

MN: ‘Tis what I said, Burgerman.

DT: Pulsar now locking in a standing toe hold, but X manages to grab the ropes. The ref forcing the break, and Pulsar obliges. X now sliding out of the ring, but Pulsar follows him, not giving the New Yorker time to recover. A hard forearm to the kidneys, as he looks for an inverted suplex on the outside... NO, as X lands on his feet behind, dropping the larger man with a bulldog. X now sliding back into the ring to break the count, as Pulsar tries to shake the cobwebs, climbing the ring apron. X moves in, punching away, but Pulsar’s fighting back.

DM: Pulsar’s got more to lose in this exchange; he falls and he has the hard floor to land on, whereas X has the mat. Much softer in comparison. Still not soft.

DT: Pulsar’s getting the better of the exchange though... a hard headbutt knocking X down... SOMERSAULT into the ring with the legdrop. A cover... two.. kickout from X there. Pulsar pressing his advantage, tossing X into the corner. Whipping him across the ring... BLACKHOLE!!!! BLACKHOLE!!!! The cover...

TWO...

THREE!!!! PULSAR WINS IN SHORT ORDER!!!

[SFX: *dingdingding*]

TONY FATORA: The winner of the match... PPPPPPPUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

DT: A convincing win for Pulsar here tonight, as he makes up for his performance in his debut by putting away X easily.

DM: The kid impressed me this time around, Dave. I have high hopes for him.

MN: Heehee. Wilbur got served. What's up with him, anyway?

DM: I dunno. Wilbur was one of my favorites, but he's lost a big step lately. I have no idea what's up.

MN: The world may never know...



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[Wrestleverse locker room, Troy Douglas is pacing back and forth. He seems angered, all of a sudden the doors burst open as John Doe strides through. John has a big smirk on his face.]

Douglas: Where in God’s creation have you been? 35 minutes late?! Are you kidding me John! If Freeman or Ryan catch hold of your lateness your ass is grass!

Doe: First off, you mean instead of in God’s creation you could have said where in John’s creation, also, it’s ok, I am very important to this company.

Douglas: Oh, and how do you figure that? Huh?

Doe: I beat Adam Benjamin...

[In the background you can hear cheering from the crowd]

Douglas: You beat Adam, because I trained you to. Hell, it was because of The Path. John understand that you are learning from me, and with me you will be a star success!

Doe: Then how come you don’t let me come down to ringside and watch, I always have to sit back here and see it on the TV set!

Douglas: All in good time my friend! But hell, you got a match with Karl Brown!

[Crowd cheers again more loudly this time]

Douglas: You ready for that bro!?

Doe: No, not really.

Douglas: WHAT!

Doe: Nothing...I just...

Douglas: You just.....

Doe: I left my lucky penny at home....

[Troy’s jaw drops.]

Douglas: I thought we got over that already! Listen up! Karl is ready, you are ready, you can win, if you put your mind to it! Win or lose John I am still right here, and like always I am going to teach you how to improve got that?

Doe: Yes, I got it.

Douglas: Ok well, get changed, and get ready your up shortly.

Doe: Understood.

Douglas: See you soon pal, and remember we are in this together! Got that?

Doe: Understood chief!

Douglas walks out of the room as John laces up his combat boots.

Doe: (mocking Douglas) We are in this together, blah, blah, blah. Whatever Troy, all you have done is found out my first name, that’s it, nothing more. In this together, hell, you weren’t even there for my match with Adam Benjamin! In this together? In this for yourself Troy, that’s all, you want to show off to the crowd that you are great.

[John rolls down his sleeves to his shirt.]

Doe: You just wan to appeal to the crowd that you can train a kid, that you are so good you can make someone else as good as you. Well Troy, I can do it all by myself, I beat Adam on my own, and I sure as hell can beat the next champ...whoever it is....may it be Beast, Benjamin, or Boggie, I can beat any of them. Anytime, with or without Troy. Sick of living in Troy's shadow, as his hand puppet.

[John stands up.]

Doe: But hell, next week I have to go back to Black Water, and once I get my memory back, well Troy will just have a little surprise for him. A thank you present.

[John looks at the camera as he plays witha Zippo lighter, he flicks it on and off, finally he leaves it on. He puts his finger in and out of the flame as he looks at the camera.]

Doe: A little bit of fire never hurt anyone now did it?

[Lights a Marbloro Red. John shuts the Zippo and walks out the locker room pulling down a poster of Troy Douglas on his way out.]

[Cut to a video package of the rivalry between Second Coming and Golem and X-Ecutioner.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Welcome back to the show. Folks, get ready for some action in this next match, as we've got two teams facing off who've been at each others' throats for awhile now.
MN: Awwww, is this a Freaks match?

DT: Yes, Mike. Yes it is. We've got Second Coming against Golem and X-Ecutioner.

MN: Bah, the Freaks ain't nothin'. My man Brian Storms will smoke those furry freaks out.

DM: This isn't really my style of match, but it's going to be off the chain anyway. People love tables. People love ladders. Throw 'em all together and add in some chairs, and we're all set, especially with the winning team getting a shot at the tag titles.

DT: Let's take it down to-

[CUE UP: “Otherworld,” as Leonard Johnson walks out to a chorus of boos, heading straight for the announce table. Despite protests from Thomas, he takes a spare headset, sitting down next to Dean Matthews]

LJ: Didn’t your mother teach you not to gawk?

DT: What are you doing out here?

LJ: I’m here to do my old job as a commentator, or didn’t the headset give that away?

DM: I think this booth is getting a bit crowded.

LJ: That's not an issue. I’m here because Mr Ryan was most insistent I be here.

DT: Right... over to Tony Fatora in the ring for the introductions.



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Tables, Ladders, and Chairs
For a Shot at the EPW World Tag-Team Championship
Golem & X-Ecutioner vs. Second Coming

TONY FATORA: The following is the number one contenders match for the tag team championships, and is a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.

[Cue Up: “The Final Countdown” by Europe. As the opening chords of "The Final Countdown" play, the arena goes black. As the introduction of the song continues, the words "A New Time Has Come" flash on the big screen above the ramp. As the words "The Final Countdown" are heard for the first time, an elaborate display of fireworks and lights signal the entrance of Matt Johansson and Bryan Storms. They walk swiftly past the tables and chair surrounding the ring, before sliding simultaneously under the bottom rope to pose on opposite turnbuckles, taunting the crowd.]

TONY FATORA: At a combined weight of four hundred and seventy pounds... “The Perfect Ten” Matt Johansson, “The New Icon” Bryan Storms.... SECOOOOOOOOOOND... COOOOOOOOOOMIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!!!!!

DT: Second Coming suffered defeat at the hands of Christian Sands and Lindsay Troy at Aggression, and have so far been unable to defeat their bizarre opponents.

DM: They only had the one match against them, Dave.

LJ: They don’t hold a candle to Blitz; neither do those chumps of opponents about the make their way through the curtain, we beat them with their own move LITERALLY.

MN: That was cool!! The way they got the Claw on X-Ecutioner...

LJ: I’m sure Max and Jecht would be more than willing to show you how they did it.

[FADE OUT: “the Final Countdown,” which is replaced by “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails. Golem is carrying a chair as his larger partner strides determined to the ring, pushing over one of the tables littering the ringside area.]

TONY FATORA: Weighing in at a total combined weight of five hundred and twenty three pounds.... GOOOOOLEEEEEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMMMM and the XXX-ECUTIONEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DT: The ref having a tough time keeping these two teams separate, as they barge each other in the ring; there’s a lot of bad blood in there dating back to Unleashed, when Golem and X-Ecutioner attacked the Second Coming in the back.

LJ: This match should never have made PPV. Neither side has what it takes to go for the gold; you have to have a good win-loss record in most places, and neither side has managed to beat Blitz yet, Why we were never added to this match still eludes me. But that’s neither here nor there as Storms punches Golem to the mat with a cheap-shot from behind the ref, and we’re go in the number one contenders match.

DT: Indeed we are as Storms and Johansson take down their opponents with hard right hands. Storms picking up the chair that Golem had, and levelling him between the shoulders. Johansson fighting with X-Ecutioner, backing him into the corner now with those vicious and stinging lefts and rights.

LJ: Good, but listen to a pro; X-Ecutioner, that weakling who couldn’t even outlast his partners submission move, in real trouble here, as one half of the Second String connects with square forearms smashes, bone on bone right on the jaw. Storms drops the leg on the neck of Go-loser, who’s not looking too sharp in there. The thing here is to weaken your opponent before taking it to the weapons, the TLC on the outside to put them away.

MN: Yeah, the Second Coming will win because they got strategy skills.

LJ: And they’d STILL be pummelled if Blitz were involved.

DT: Be that as it may, Storms and Johansson are really taking it to Golem and X-Ecutioner as they start by far the stronger. Golem rolling to the outside, trying to run it seems from Storms, who’s following him straight out. Thumb to the eye by Golem, who now rams Storms into the ringside barrier. Johansson still working on X-Ecutioner...

DM: And Golem ramming the ribs of Storms down on the barrier, onto those ribs he and X-Ecutioner worked over in the last match between these two. This is fast paced action all around; it’s just what you’d expect from two teams that hate each other so much.

MN: Storms should start wearing rib protection; don’t wanna see him injured, that’d be the low point of his career.

LJ: Enough with the bad puns; why you’re employed is beyond me; you’d never have gotten a job working commentary with me. Regardless, Golem is folding up a chair, placing it on Storms’ chest, and... yep, stamping down hard on it. Johansson sees this, slamming X-Ecutioner down, and a running leap over the top to the outside takes down the clawed one. Stupid thing to do really.

DT: And why’s that?

LJ: Ask Dean, he should know.

DM: Well, from a strategic point it lets X-Ecutioner recover; these matches you can’t afford to help your partner out too much because you always have to be working over on someone.

DT: Be that as it may, Johansson may have helped his partner in a massive way there, as he rams Golem’s head into the steel steps.

LJ: And his blunder comes back to haunt him. X-Ecutioner shaking the cobwebs, and making sure the hard work from Golem isn’t put to waste, rolling outside and slamming Storms down hard. Wasted effort there from Johansson as we’re back to square one. X-Ecutioner now setting Storms up... belly to back suplex on the floor there. Storms is in real trouble; Dave, why don’t you and Mike take Golem and Johansson and leave Dean and I the others? Much easier to call the match then.

DT: Why Mike?

LJ: Because he annoys me playing Storms up like he’s some sort of deity when he couldn’t even take a little punishment from these two freaks.

MN: Hey!!

DM: Leaving Neely and Thomas to bicker, this is Dean Matthews and Leonard Johnson bringing you this match as X-Ecutioner looks to continue pressing his advantage, setting Storms up on a table... no, fighting spirit from Storms as he connects with a kick to the head there, stunning X-Ecutioner.

LJ: Neither side is able to keep an advantage here, and I know for certain that neither would have better luck against Blitz. Storms now trying to protect his ribs, standing on the table... cross body block off the table.

DT: Meanwhile we’ve got Johansson in trouble with Golem, who just threw some of the timekeeper’s water into the eyes of the Canadian. Johansson staggering, as Golem takes the bell...

MN: THE BELLS!!! THE BELLS!!!

DT: Johansson clobbered there by the ring bell. Leonard, could we PLEASE swap before I clobber Mike?

LJ: No deal. Storms pushing the table onto the prone body of X-Ecutioner, and he looks towards the ladder laying along the barrier. He picks it up, carrying it over... and ramming it hard onto the floor, as X-Ecutioner just gets his legs out of the way there. Nice try Mr Storms, but the PERFECT combination of power and speed you are not.

DM: *muttering something* Storms shaking his hands from the impact on the floor there, the ladder dropping harmlessly to the padded floor. X-Ecutioner now able to push the table off of himself, kicking out at Storms, right square in the shins. Nothing fancy and technical from these teams as yet, as I see Johansson working over the arm of Golem now. Thomas and Neely are too busy to bring you this action, but Johansson has Golem’s arm wrapped around the ring post, as he picks up a chair... RIGHT into the arm. Trying to immobilise the claw there by taking the arm out, smart wrestling.

LJ: X-Ecutioner back on the offensive against Storms, working again on the ribs of the smaller man. You can tell he’s looking to put him through a table, beat those ribs up some more. Simple, but effective strategy. Neither team’s able to keep in control here, which is common in these types of matches; never a lot of technical mastery, always carnage. Then again, ANY match with Max and Jecht has guaranteed carnage.

DM: Johansson still taking it to Golem. A nice hammerlock there, rolling him back into the ring. Johansson looking to use some ring skills rather than brawling. Nice dropkick there, and Golem’s favoring that arm. Leonard, did you cut Dave and Mike’s mics?

LJ: I may have, they were irritating me.

DM: Thought so. Johansson now grabbing Golem’s arm, locking in an armbar on the canvas, really wrenching that arm back. Outside X-Ecutioner’s setting Storms against the guardrail, charging in... BACKDROP from Storms, as X-Ecutioner goes down hard on the cement floor. Looks to me like he may have hurt his knee there. Storms moving back over to the ladder, having trouble picking it up; he barely slides it into the ring, and how smart that was I don’t know. The weight of lifting the ladder probably torqued his back a little.

LJ: Johansson releases the arm bar, and stamps away on the shoulder of Glummy. Say what you will, though, neither side should be in this match until they manage the impossible and beat Blitz-

DM: Oh for the love of Pete, would you SHUT UP?!

LJ: Excuse me?

DM: Must every sentence end in "They're invalids until they beat Blitz?"

LJ: Yes-

DT: Boys, boys, boys! No fighting!

DM: But he started it. Besides, they're invalids until they beat ME.

MN: And shockingly, I'm the only man concentrating on the job. Uh, it looks like Golem just got rammed into the ladder - hell yeah, man, his head's wedged between two steps! That's nuts!

DM: ...This is a new low. Mike Neely's acting more professional than we are. MIKE NEELY.

LJ: We should all hang our heads in shame.

DT: I feel dirty now - but not as dirty as Golem, who's bleeding profusely from the face! Pulls himself out of the ladder - AND STORMS BRINGS HIM UP AND FLAPJACKS HIM FACE-FIRST ONTO A CHAIR!

DM: Now THAT is a facebuster!

DT: I think Golem could be completely out of this match here, as that drop onto the chair has left him immobile. Hold on, what's this? Storms sliding to the floor and setting up a table just outside the ring... He rolls Golem out and sets him on the table... looks like he's getting ready to shoot over the ropes!

LJ: Someone has other plans - BECAUSE X-ECUTIONER JUST BLINDSIDED STORMS with a big elbow from behind!

MN: Oof!

DT: This doesn't look good for Bryan Storms as X-Ecutioner hooks him up... Golem's rolling off the table... X-Ecutioner brings Storms up front-suplex style... AND DROPS HIM TO THE OUTSIDE AND STRAIGHT THROUGH THE DAMN TABLE!!!

(CROWD CHANTING: "HO-LY ****! HO-LY ****! HO-LY ****!")

DM: THAT WAS FREAKIN' SICK!!! DROPPED HIM FROM THE RING TO THE FLOOR THROUGH A TABLE!!!

MN: AAAAAH! THAT'S MY MAIN MAN WHO JUST GOT KILLED!!! GET UP, BRYAN!!!

DT: What a BRUTAL maneuver by X-Ecutioner! He's turning now, setting up a ladder! The big man is climbing! Climbing towards that contract hanging from the rafters!

DM: Hey, Leonard just dropped his headset and he's going down to watch at ringside. What's up with that?

MN: The freak's gonna win it! Someone call the DQ on him!

DT: X-Ecutioner's got the contract within his grasp! He's almost got it -

MN: WAIT A-

DT: Matt Johansson slides into the ring - GOOD GOD, HE PUSHES THE LADDER OVER!!! IT'S FALLING!!! X-ECUTIONER FALLING... RIGHT OUT OF THE DAMN RING TO CRASH DOWN OVER THE RING BARRICADE STOMACH-FIRST!!! MY GOD!!! X-ECUTIONER HAS TO BE DEAD AFTER THAT IMPACT!!!

(CROWD CHANTING: "THAT WAS SICK! THAT WAS SICK! THAT WAS SICK!")

DM: HOLY FLURKING SNIT, THAT COULD'VE BROKEN X IN HALF!

MN: YEAAAAAAAAH! DEAD FREAK!!!

DT: This match has gotten out of control! Johansson now setting up another ladder! He's starting to climb - wait, Golem latches on to the other side! Both men climbing the ladder for all they're worth!

MN: Come on, Matty! COME ON!

DT: Both men at the top of the ladder! Golem and Johansson slugging it out! Johansson winds up - NO! GOLEM PUTS THE CLAW ON HIM FROM THE TOP OF THE LADDER!!!

MN: NO!!!

DM: It's OVER! Johansson's FINISHED!

DT: The Claw applied to Johansson, who's screaming in pain! This match is going to be finished right here - WAIT - BRYAN STORMS!!! THE CHAIR TO THE BACK OF GOLEM - AND HE GERMAN SUPLEXES GOLEM OFF THE LADDER!!!

DM: OUCH!!!

DT: JOHANSSON REACHING! HE'S REACHING FOR IT - YES! YES! HE GETS THE CONTRACT! SECOND COMING WIN THE MATCH!!!

(SFX: *DING* - Bell rings.)

TONY FATORA: Here are your winners... Bryan Storms and Matt Johansson... SECOOOOOOOOOOND... COOOOOOOOOOMIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!



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DT: What a damned brutal matchup between these two teams, but in the end Second Coming walks away victo- what the hell is - BLITZ JUST CAME OUT OF THE CROWD, AND THEY'RE RUSHING THE RING!

MN: Because we got the Freaks - now it's time for the Geeks!

DT: Jecht and Max in as Leonard Johnson comes in from the outside! Pulling Johansson down from the ladder - MAX KILLS HIM WITH A POWERBOMB!!! Jecht now takes ahold of Storms - PRESS SLAM!

DM: And look at Johnson laughing his ass off!

DT: Second Coming can't even defend themselves! They're battered and bloodied after that hellacious match! Max brings Storms up - DAMMIT, MAXIMUM IMPACT TO BRYAN STORMS!!! AND JECHT FOLLOWS WITH THE JECHT BOMBER!!!

MN: NO! DOGG! GET UP AND KILL!!!

DM: I KNEW there was a reason Chuckles was at the booth.

DT: Now Blitz bringing Storms off the mat again - BLITZKRIEG!!! THE BLITZKRIEG HITS, AND BRYAN STORMS IS DOWN AND OUT!!!

MN: That was uncalled for!

DT: This crowd is booing like crazy as Leonard Johnson gets ahold of the microphone!

JOHNSON: As they say, to the victors go the spoils - and there's nothing I enjoy more than spoiling things for the victors. Storms, Johansson, what makes you two invalids believe that you really earned that title shot tonight? So you beat a furry freak and his loafy friend - but you still haven't beaten the perfect combination of strength and speed! You're NOTHING, my friends, until you can stand up and defeat Blitz in the ring.

DT: Wait a second...

MN: Huh?

[The cause of Dave Thomas’ distraction comes from an area in the barricade in the blind-spot of those in the ring, as a dark-haired man in jeans and a flannel shirt hops the barricade. The man’s uncanny speed leaves his image as a blur as he crosses over to the commentator’s desk. Mike Neely receives an unwelcoming surprise.]

JOHNSON (oblivious): This marks a new beginning in tag-team wrestling in Empire Pro Wrestling. From this day forward all will learn to fear this perfect combination, the strength, the speed.

MN: Whoa—

DT: Mike!

[The man, still unnamed but seemingly familiar, leaves the table, with Mike’s chair in hand. He quickly slides into the ring...]

DM: Mike, are you okay!

MN: That son of a ***** stole my chair!

DT: Who is that?!

JOHNSON: And - (notices Black) YOU!

[...and the man proceeds to decimate the members of Blitz in sequence. He opens up with a bullet-like sidekick into the face of Leonard Johnson, knocking him back into the turnbuckle. Before the competitive members of the team can react, Max finds his head enveloped in the chair. The mere surprise, as well as the impact, sends him to the mat like a ton of bricks. But before he even hits the ground, the unknown assailant has already laid attack on Jecht, delivering a swift kick to the gut, and following through with a double-underhook sit-down facedriver.]

DT: That’s...

DM: Jesus Christ, he kicked the livid **** out of them!

DT: Wait a minute, that’s—

MN: What about my chair, damnit?! I’m not doing this show standing up!

DT: That man is Erik Black!

MN: ...wait a second, did you say Erik Black?

DT: The very same...

DM: Holy ****.

[Black stands stolidly in the ring over his fallen victims, looking at his work with a disgusted look spread over his face. He looks briefly to Leonard Johnson, put into another world from the kick to his face. Then, on the outside of the ring, he notices Golem and Bryan Storms coming to their feet.]

DT: Erik Black of the Crimson Calling... the first and former EPW Tag Team Champions, who mysteriously left EPW earlier this year...

MN: But if he’s here, then where’s—

DT: OH MY GOD, LOOK OUT!!

[In an amazing spectacle of high-flying technique, Black sprints to the ropes, arcs over them in a graceful flip, and decimates both Golem and Storms on the spot.]

MN: WHOA!! What the hell is this?!

DT: That’s Erik Black—

MN: I know its Erik Black, but what the hell is GOING ON HERE?!

[Black quickly comes back to his feet and descends upon a wounded Bryan Storms, straddling his chest and laying into his face with a barrage of heavy rights. The look in his eyes is that of pure rage.]

DM: Where has Erik Black—and the Crimson Calling, for that matter—been all this time? Where are Ivan Dalkichev and Nathan Fear? And why the hell has Black gone totally APE**** on the other teams!

DT: I can only imagine the answers to those questions, Mike... and I as well have no idea as to why Erik Black has come down here to engage in this TOTALLY unforeseen attack! ONE MAN is in total control of THREE TEAMS!!

MN: Wait, security is finally here!

[A troupe of black-shirted men boldly make their way down the ramp. Black’s eye quickly catches their presence, and he wisely comes off of Storms to make his retreat through the audience. A security guard quickly hops the barricade in pursuit, but Black, aggressively shoving people out of his way, disappears into the crowd.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: ...what the hell was THAT all about?
MN: Wow, I haven’t seen Erik Black in a while. But if he’s back in EPW, then does that mean the Calling is back as well?

DT: Only time will tell, but if they are, then I wouldn’t be surprised if they were looking to reclaim the belts they were forced to give up when they left the federation months ago...

MN: At any rate, let’s get on with the show... and somebody get me another ******* chair!



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

"I suspected I'd find you here, Xandor."

The man only known to EPW staff, talent, and fans as Cross lifted his head, as his deep meditation was broken.

The person who addressed him, however, knew him on a more personal level.

Lindsay Troy stood before him, absent-mindedly flicking a Zippo lighter on and off, as Cross sat in the center of a circle of candles. "Figured it was only a matter of time before you turned up again somewhere."

The mysterious former champion looked partially annoyed at his visitor who continued to flick the Zippo. Cross didn’t seem to be in the mood for these nonchalant antics from Lindsay. He had been gone from wrestling for 6 months after the death of the uncle who raised him. No one knew for certain if the former A1E World Champion still had in him or if he still wanted it.

Cross slowly stood up from his candlelit abode and stepped out to confront his visitor. He grabbed the Zippo from her hand in a quick movement that caught Troy by surprise. He slowly inched his way closer to her face until he had to look down on her. "Is this your way of welcoming me to EPW? I heard you’re more of a ***** around here. You don’t seem so tough from here, huh Lindz?

Cross knew just where to pick on his long-time friend. Lindsay gave Cross a snarl, then, just as quickly as Cross took her Zippo, Lindsay took her lighter back and put Cross in a behind the back armlock. Cross smiled cynically at the speed of his “opponent” then reversed the move. He held Lindsay close to prevent her from reversing his hold.

"It's good to see you, Lindz."

He released her and playfully pushed her away. Troy didn’t take too kindly to his playful gesture and got in his face. “You know me better than anyone else, kiddo. And you know when you say ‘*****’, it’s an understatement.” A couple intense moments went by, before a rare small smile came to her face. “But, I'd be remiss if I said that I didn't miss you as well."

Troy chuckled, and Cross pulled her in for a hug. She patted his back as the two embraced. "So did you find yourself in the jungles? Or did you just miss the ‘civilized’ world of the professional wrestling business?"

“I found more than myself in the jungle. I could have stayed there forever. But that’s for another day.”

"We’ll have to share jungle stories then. I did make it through FW Survivor Season 1, after all.”

Troy broke from the hug and smirked. "So let me see...the last time I saw you was back in June, and you had just handed me my share of Uncle Xandor’s X-Corp before telling me that you didn’t want to come back to the business. Now if you didn't want to come back, then why are you standing in front of me dressed to crucify Douglas?"

“I shouldn’t have left the business without a championship,” Cross started, “You know that I was raised to be the best and I walked away to be selfish and mope that Xandor died.”

His eyes grew intense like lightning. Lindsay had only seen this look once before when the two of them were atop an arena on scaffolding trying to throw the other one off.

"I’m done pleasing the promotion brass! It’s time I did things for myself!"

"You're too hard on yourself. Always have been.” Troy flicked the Zippo again. "Now quit bull****ting me...are you really doing this for you, or are you doing it for your uncle because you feel you owe him something."

Lindsay had hit a sore spot with Cross. She knew it. But she was never the kind to back down, especially when it came to a family that accepted her as their own.

“I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I came back because of Xandor. But he lived to be the best and taught me to do the same. I want it because I want it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Troy Douglas is only the beginning. Win or lose, he will be the first to admit that I mean business in the ring. You know that crucifixion has and always will be my pleasure.”

“It’s your guilty pleasure, Xandor, and it’s your guilty pleasure because you’re still feeling guilty.”

Cross looked away, his jaw twitching.

“You know I’m right. Your uncle and I were always the ones who were able to figure you out the fastest and understand you the best.”

The silence hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst with thunder, lightning, and rain. They both could feel it.

“Look at me, Xandor.”

Cross whipped his head around, and Troy gently cradled his face in her hands. “You and I have had more than our share of ups and downs in the three years we’ve been friends. But you need to let go of this guilt and anger. I loved your uncle like a father, and I love you like a brother. You and I...your uncle told me we’re like oil and water...we’re still family.”

A battle raged within Cross. His body wanted to release the volcanic emotions, but his mind and spirit became the impenetrable dam. His face grew cold. Cross took Lindsay's caring hands and set them down.

"I didn't come here to relive the past or reopen wounds with you, Lindsay. I have work to do."

Cross turned away from his "adopted" sister and returned to his candlelit circle. For what seemed like an eternity, Cross stood there with his back to her.

“There was a time, not so long ago, when I wanted you to turn your back to me, and you adamantly refused.” Troy walked toward the circle. “Yet you do it now, willingly, because you’re trying to repress the turmoil inside you. But you were never good at that...repression.”

She stopped right behind him, and flicked the Zippo once more. “Your uncle gave me this...I always thought he meant it in jest, since I don’t smoke, but now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I’m pretty sure he meant it as a warning. I only wish I could have heeded it. Do you want to know what it says?”

As much as Cross wanted to ignore Lindsay, he couldn't. She had a special relationship with his uncle Xandor that not even he understood. Somehow he knew the warning wasn't just for her, it was for him too.

"Damn you, Lindsay. Go ahead."

He couldn’t see it, but the tone of her voice denoted a smirk. “Ah, damn me indeed...if only you knew just how much. But I digress. The inscription says, ‘the wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. Psalm 37, Line 32’.”

She grabbed ahold of Cross’s balled fist, pried his fingers open, and slapped the Zippo into his palm. “I’m afraid I’m too far gone to be saved now, Xandor. You need this more than I do...your uncle would have understood.”

Closing his fingers around the lighter and releasing her grip on his wrist, Troy let Cross’s hand drop back to his side. “Good luck, Xandor. Knowing you though, I don’t think you’ll need it.”

She turned from him, and headed across the room to the door. No sooner had her hand grasped the handle, she was stopped by Cross's voice.

"Though you were once despised and hated and rebuffed by all, you will be beautiful forever. You will be a joy to all, for I will make you so. Isaiah 60, Verse 15."

She sighed and shook her head. Then she left Cross without saying another word.



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

DT: An interesting meeting between Lindsay Troy and the former A1E World Champion Cross. And bear in mind that we'll see Cross making his debut later on in the evening, when he goes one-on one with Troy Douglas.

MN: I wish I could get a hug from Troy.

DM: Troy Douglas?

MN: NO! I mean, um-

DM: Neely wants Troy Douglas, folks. You heard him say it.

MN: Why you-

DT: Ahem! Moving on! The war of words between the men involved in this next match have been extremely heated as of late.

DM: Definitely, Dave. Karl Brown, whose aggressive streak has really come out lately, has taken exception to a lot of the claims John Doe has made about his ability recently. Brown seems to think that Doe is nothing but a fluke, while Doe believes his training under Troy Douglas has elevated him to a whole new level.

DT: Thanks, Dean. Any comments, Mike?

MN: Ehhhhhh.....nope.

DT: Brilliant as always. Tony?



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

[CUT TO: Kenny Lombardo, standing outside the dressing room of “The Dragon”]

KL: I’m here outside the dressing room of Karl Brown. He arrived a few minutes ago, and pushed straight past me, locking himself in his room. I can tell you guys, he looked like a man with a lot on his mind.

[Behind him, the door swings open. Karl Brown stands in the doorway, his face clean shaven, dressed to wrestle. His eyes piece the camera, before he turns to Kenny Lombardo. Without so much as blinking, Karl walks past Kenny, bumping against him shoulder to shoulder. Kenny spins into the doorframe, looking rather disturbed about what happened]

KL: It looks like we’re going to get our answer soon enough. Back to you guys.



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


Karl "The Dragon" Brown vs. John Doe

TONY FATORA: Th’ following contest is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit. Introducing first...

[CUE UP: “Rainmaker” by Iron Maiden. The crowd rises in cheers as “The Dragon” makes his way to the ring, a look of complete seriousness on his face.]

DT: Denver seems to love the Dragon!!!

TONY FATORA: He hails from Nottingham, England. Standing 6’ tall and weighing 211 lbs, he is KARL ... “THE DRAGOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNN” ... BROOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWNNNNN!!!!!!!! His opponent...

[CUE UP: “Hypocritical” by Methods of Mayhem as John Doe comes out from the back to a fairly large response.]

TONY FATORA: Hailing from Parts Unknown, he stands 6’1” and weighs in at 210 lbs...JOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHNNNNNN DOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

[SFX: Bell Rings]

DT: And, we’re off!

MN: This is wrestling, not the Kentucky Derby!

DT: Brown and Doe into the lockup, and the Dragon drives a quick knee into Doe’s abdomen. Brown with the irish whip, and a quick elbow to the sternum drops John Doe to the ground!

DM: Just seconds in, and you can already see Karl’s aggressive streak coming out. Brown’s normally a very patient wrestler, waiting for openings, and he looks like he’s got a “take no prisoners” attitude out here.

DT: Doe seems shocked, but he’s up and calling for another collar-and-elbow. They lock up again, and Brown just shrugs Doe away and sends him to the mat! Doe tries to get up, by Karl BASHES him with a forearm smash and John’s back down face first. Brown brings Doe to his feet, irish whip, and a BIG back body drop! The pin...and a kickout at one and a half by John Doe!

DM: I don’t think Troy Douglas’ teachings prepared Doe for THIS Karl Brown.

MN: Downtown Hardcore Dragon is bringing the A-Game tonight, boys. He’s gonna slaughter Johnny Dwarf.

DT: Brown back on the prowl, setting Doe up. Looking for the clothesline...and Doe drops out of the way! Brown hits the turnbuckles hard and bounces off! Doe from behind...GERMAN SUPLEX WITH A BRIDGE!!!!

ONE...

TWO...

KICKOUT BY BROWN!!!! John Doe finally woke up and caught Brown with that suplex from out of nowhere and almost ended this quickly, and Karl Brown is incensed! He is not going to let John Doe get the better of him here in Denver!

DM: Brown looks really desperate here tonight, he’s been down recently and will look for anything to turn his luck around.

DT: Doe trying to take advantage of the momentum now. Irish whips Brown, looking for the backdrop but he telegraphed it, and Brown kicked him right in the jaw! He brings Doe to his feet, Samoan Drop! He pulls him back up, snap suplex! Up again, and he hits a second!! Brown with the pin...

ONE...

TWO...

NO! Doe got his right shoulder up just in time, but he’s being thrown around like a rag doll here in the early going.

MN: Like I said, stupid mystic “Path” or not, Doe sucks. Big Daddy English had bigger things on his mind last week, and Johnny got lucky. Tonight, he goes DOWN-town.

DT: Thank you, Mike. Brown remains on the offensive, whipping Doe into the corner. He charges...and nails him with a running forearm! He stands Doe up in the corner, and hits a wicked knife edged chop!

MN: Whoo!

DT: And another!

DM: Whoo!

DT: And another!

MN & DT: WHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

DT: This is why I hate my job.

MN: And why I LOVE mine.

DT: Doe staggers around, and Brown is right behind him. Charging is Brown...and a facebuster!! Doe slams into the mat real hard on that one!

DM: Brown’s using a lot of high impact moves, setting up for the Dragon’s Bite as he usually does.

DT: Brown stays on the attack, and he works in a lying full nelson on John Doe, grapevining both of Doe’s legs and bridging back!

MN: Duuuuuuude, that just looks WRONG.

DM: Modified Saturday Night ride by Brown here, putting a lot of strain on the back and neck. The grapevine keeps Doe from being able to push off, and adds a comedic look to the hold.

DT: The Dragon is wrenching back on that full nelson, trying to wear the man from the Black Water Institute down. Doe is writhing, shaking in pain, and Brown is not letting up! Doe is using his elbows to inch ever closer to the ropes, but the pressure on him right now has to be overwhelming!

MN: Yeah, ‘cause he’s getting it up the a-

DT: FAMILY PAY PER VIEW!!!!

MN: Huh?

DT: Yeah. Doe still fighting, but that right arm is coming closer, closer, and closer still to slapping that mat!

MN: He tapped!

DM: He didn’t!

MN: DID!

DM: DIDN’T!!!

MN: DIDN’T!!!!!

DM: DI....what?

DT: DOE GETS TO THE ROPES!!! What a display of resilience by this young man!

DM: I’m impressed.

DT: Doe is wobbly getting up, and Brown clips him in the back of the knee! Doe falls again! Doe tries to rise, and Brown grabs him...DIAMOND CUTTER!!! Doe’s jaw just snapped!!! The pin...

ONE...

TWO...

 

[DBrunkGXW]

THRNOOOOO!!!! John Doe is getting slaughtered but he keeps getting up!
MN: Holy hell, maybe that “Path” bull is working.

DM: I’ll say.

DT: Brown continuing this relentless assault here. He has Doe up...CRADLE PILEDRIVER!!! Brown has this match in control! He’s signaling that he wants to finish this one off!

DM: Here comes the Bite!

DT: Brown hooks the head...DRAGO-NOOOOOOO!!!!! Doe slips out, off the ropes he comes, big diving chop! Brown is felled! Both men up...SUPERKICK from John Doe!!! Out of absolutely nowhere John Doe has come back!!!

MN: SuperDoe? Ehhhhhhh....maybe not.

DT: Doe is a house afire right now! Up comes Brown, and Doe lays into him with rights and lefts! Brown on the stagger, and Doe drops him with a crossbody block! The pin...

ONE...

TWO...

Brown kicks out with time to spare!!

DM: Brown’s assault took a lot out of Doe, and he’s gonna have to find a major second wind to keep this current offensive up.

DT: Doe pulls his opponent to his feet, kick to the solar plexus, and a quick DDT! Now it’s Doe’s turn to wear out Karl Brown! He brings him back to his feet, hooks in the standing headscissors...SITOUT POWERBOMB!!!! The count...

ONE...

TWO...

THREEEEEE!!!! NOOOOOO!!!! Brown got the shoulder up! These two men are pulling out all stops here on Pay Per View at Wrestleverse I!!! Doe looks to have caught fire here, and he HITS the Russian Leg Sweep on Brown! Doe now...SCORPION DEATHLOCK!!! You KNOW he learned this one from Troy Douglas!

DM: Douglas learned this move by watching his boyhood hero, Hornet, and Doe is emulating his mentor.

MN: Hey, and Douglas got the Dragon with this very move at Unleashed. Right?

DT: Right you are, Mike. Doe is pulling back on those legs, putting a ton of pressure on the back of Karl Brown right now. This hold has put away more championship victories than anything else in this business, and Doe is trying to use its historical effectives to his advantage right now.

MN: He’ll blow it, you watch it.

DT: Doe continues to have the Scorpion locked in but Brown is fighting hard and...he...BREAKS THE HOLD!!! A furious kick from the Dragon breaks John Doe’s hold, and Doe can’t believe it! He is storming around the ring and...SCHOOLBOY FROM BROWN!!!!

ONE...

TWO...

THREEEE!!! NOOOOOO!!! NO!!!! John Doe slipped out at the very last moment! Everyone in the arena thought that this match was finished! Both men are up...AMNESIA ATTACK!!!! Doe hit the Amnesia Attack out of nowhere!!!

DM: That’s the big thing about this move, along with being debilitating, can be done at any point in the match from any position, and...what the hell is this idiot doing?

MN: HA! The Dwarf is gonna blow it again!

DT: Doe has Karl Brown down and out, but he’s bringing him to the corner! He sets up on the second rope and...yes...he’s calling for the End of the Road! That’s his mentor’s patented finisher!!!

DM: Let’s see if Doe can execute a move that has put away many of the best in the industry.

DT: Doe sets it up...and Brown hits a low blow!! Doe crumples to the mat in obvious pain, and now Brown is perched on the top rope.

MN: The Dragon is gonna fly!

DT: From the top...MOONSAULT!!!! Karl Brown hit the moonsault on the prone John Doe!!! Lateral press...

ONE...

TWO...

THRRRRRRRRRRNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! John Doe picked up that right shoulder from the mat at the last second possible!!! This kid absolutely REFUSES to go down!

MN: Just like Megatron, he is. Doesn’t know when the hell to give it up.

DT: Brown is absolutely livid right now, and he’s started stomping a ditch in John Doe’s midsection. Just look at the blunt impact of those boots from the Nottingham, England native on John’s ribcage!

DM: Well, if he can’t pin Doe, it’ll help to collapse one of his lungs and just put a finger on him for a pin.

MN: Doe might have to go to a hospital? YAAAAAAAHOOOOOO!!!!!

DT: Brown drags Doe to his feet...Double Arm DDT!!!! Back up again, and Karl Brown locks in the Dragon Sleeper!

DM: Nobody does this move as well as Karl Brown. He cuts off the air flow and puts pressure on the shoulders and back. Plus, he can transition this right into the Bite, which almost always puts a man away.

DT: John Doe is trying to fight this, but his knees are coming closer and closer to falling to the ground. Referee David Rosenkrantz is coming over to check on Doe, and Brown is calling for the official to look for the submission. He raises the arm..

FALLS ONCE...

FALLS TWICE...

FALLS THRRRRNOOOOOOO!!!! Doe holds that left hand up just inches before it hit the mat!!!! What a display of courage from this kid! He’s fought back from impossible odds in this match, and it is NOT over yet!

MN: I’ll even admit that Doe’s impressing me tonight. He’s still a moron, but he shouldn’t be standing anymore.

DT: Brown is in shock right now, and he’s going for the Dragon’s Bite now! He hooks the head and...Doe shoves him away!!!! Brown tumbles to the outside!!! How is John Doe doing all of this?

DM: Sheer will, Dave. His training has obviously had some effect on him.

DT: Here’s Doe, looking for the high risk maneuver...SOMERSAULT PLANCHA!!! Doe hits a huge move, but both men are down outside the ring!!!

MN: If this ends in a double countout, I’m filing an official protest!

DT: Rosenkrantz is counting...

FOUR...

FIVE...

SIX...

SEVEN...

EIGHT...

Doe rolls in and breaks the count!!! Back out he goes, and he tosses Karl back into the squared circle. Brown staggers to his feet. Doe...AMNESIA ATTACK...MISS!!! Brown...SUPERKICK...NOBODY HOME!!!! He spins around...boot to the gut by Doe...FISHERMAN’S SUPLEX!!!! The bridge...

ONE...

TWO...

KICKOUT!!!! Oh so close yet again!!!

DM: These two are going toe-to-toe for every inch and this is an absolutely amazing display. Both guys are really letting everything hang out here at Wrestleverse.

MN: Everything hang out? I didn’t know you swing that way, Matthews.

DT & DM: SHUT UP, MIKE!!!

MN: Meep.

DT: Doe looking to keep the momentum flowing here. He whips Brown into the corner...SPLASH!!! On the rebound...BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!!!! Doe’s signaling for the end again! He wants the Scorpion one more time!!!

DM: He locks this move in and this is OH-VAH.

DT: Doe looking to lock the hold in and...BROWN SHOVES HIM AWAY!!! Doe hits the turnbuckle with his shoulder! Staggering back...DRAGON SUPLEX!!!! The pin...

ONE...

TWO...

THRRRRKICKOOOOUUUUTTT!!!!! Doe slipped out once again!!! Both of these men are completely gassed, but they’re still going strong! Brown grabs Doe...SNAP SUPLEX!!! Brown picks him up, and he’s calling for the Bite! Can he get it?

MN: If he does, that HAS to finish this.

DT: Brown lifts him up...DOE FLOATS OVER!!! What athleticism!! Brown turns around...AMNESIA ATTACK!!! HE HIT THAT ONE WITH FULL FORCE!!! THIS MATCH IS FINISHED!!!

DM: Doe doesn’t have the energy to pin!

DT: This is completely unreal, folks. John Doe just took Karl Brown down with an Amnesia Attack, but he can’t crawl over to get the pin. Both men beginning to stir now...Doe is up first and grabbing Brown. Irish whip into the corner...AMNESIA ATTACK AGAAAAAAAANOOOOOO!!!! Brown ducks and Doe eats turnbuckle!

DM: Wow. Just wow.

DT: Doe wobbles around, Brown is finally aware of it! Hooks the head...DRAGON’S BITE!!!! YESSSSSSS!!! HE FINALLY GOT IT!!! The pin...

ONE...

TWO...

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! THAT ONE DID IT!!!

[SFX: *DING* - Bell rings.]

TONY FATORA: The winner of the match via pinfall...KAAAAAARRRRRRRRLLLL “THE DRAGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNN” BROOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!

MN: WHAT A MATCH!

DM: I do NOT believe what these two just did.

DT: Karl Brown and John Doe just put each other through hell, and the Dragon was able to outlast the youngster. But, despite the result, John Doe has NOTHING to be ashamed of tonight. The Dragon and Doe brought their A-Games, and this was spectacular.

DM: Word to that, my man. Word to that.



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

[The camera’s follow Karl back to the locker room. As he enters, he spots someone familiar standing there; his former trainer, Shinji]

Shinji: Good match tonight, Karl.

Karl: Get out of here. Now.

Shinji: Please, reconsider. The path you are on is not the right one for you.

Karl: Out. Now.

[With that, Karl pushes Shinji out of the door, slamming it in his face, the frame shaking from the force. Shinji looks at the door dejectedly, pausing for several seconds, before muttering something under his breath, and walking away.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

[Cue Up: “Kashmir’ Led Zeppelin. The music plays for a minute before a figure appears at the entranceway. It is, predictably, that of Troy Douglas. The crowd pops huge in response to the entrance of the former number one contender.]
DT: Troy Douglas making his way to the ring, just moments before his match with Cross.

DM: I think, Thomas, that he’s got something to say.

DT: As well he should, as there has been an uproar in many places as to why Douglas was removed from tonight’s main event, which he won a spot in at Unleashed.

MN: Feh. The less I see Megatron, the better.

[Douglas slides into the ring and poses for a second, before taking off his leather jacket and hanging on a ringpost. He calls for a microphone from a production assistant, who tosses him one.]

TD: Y’know, folks, it’s been a good long while since I came out to the middle of a wrestling ring and spoke to you great fans live.

I figure that now is as good a time as any, seeing as we’re on Pay Per View here in Denver.

Now, there’s been a lot of talk going on in the past week or so as to just why our “esteemed” owner Dan Ryan made the decision to take my rightfully earned World Title shot away from me at the card before this show. Now, I have no problem with Adam Benjamin OR Boogie Smallz having shots at Beast’s title.

Just...not tonight. Tonight, Wrestleverse I, was supposed to be MY night. I EARNED this match, fair and square, middle of the ring against Karl “The Dragon” Brown a few months back. In Vegas, Daniel decided that he’d rather not have an “unreliable” character such as myself holding up one half of his Pay Per View main event.

As you all saw, I was shocked when the boss told me he had made this decision. It was at that point I decided to go home to Greensboro, think for a little bit, and formulate a new plan of a attack.

I must say, I’ve got a damn good one cooked for y’all.

Dan, if you’ve been in your office at all tonight, you’ll notice an envelope on your desk marked “Urgent”. If you haven’t opened that by now, go ahead and do so. Either way, I’ll take my time explaining this process to the masses.

Boys, if you’ll put Exhibit A on the big screen, please.

[The camera cuts to the EmpireTron, where an image of a contract on EPW legal forms appears. The contract has four prominent signatures on it; Troy Douglas, Marcus “Beast” Wescott, Paul Freeman, and Dan Ryan.]

TD: Thank you kindly. Now, that contract you see there is my legally binding copy of the contract signed immediately after I beat Karl Brown and Marcus beat Christian Sands at Unleashed. That document says, in plain English, that I am unequivocally the number one contender to the Empire Pro World Title. Furthermore, that contract gave me the EXCLUSIVE right to name the time and date of that match, a right that could not legally be revoked by any man barring medical reasons.

Now, I’m healthy, and Beast is healthy, so I’m pretty sure this match should be taking place right here tonight. Right?

However, for some reason, some agenda of his own, I guess Dan Ryan doesn’t consider Troy Douglas a big enough draw to carry a PPV main event. So, he pulled me out, as you all know by now. So, legally, I could stop this show right now and DEMAND my title match, and Dan would have no choice but to acquiesce.

But, I’ve enough respect for this company, it’s champion, and the good people who laid out their hard-earned money on this show to interrupt the program with a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo. That does NOT, however, mean that I’m just gonna sit here and let Dan Ryan throw everything that I’ve worked for into the f*cking garbage.

So...here’s what I’ve done.

In that envelope addressed to Dan Ryan, there are two documents. You, Danny, have a choice as to which one you’ll choose to sign. One is a contract for a match between me and whoever the champion is after tonight’s event, next week, under MY rules. The other, well, I don’t think you’d like that one so much, Daniel.

Sitting in that envelope is a subpoena to the U.S. District Court in New York, Dan. You don’t give me that title match next week at Aggression, I have my lawyers send the papers to the courts, and I sue for breach of contract and collateral damages. You don’t sign that match, Mister Ryan, and that nice stack of money you’ve built up begins to get smaller and smaller.

And Dan, you can’t tell me you couldn’t see something like this coming. You’re an educated man, as am I. You should know that I understand how to make a power play, especially when I’m right, and you know it too. You, especially, should know about politics, Danny.

So, Mister Ryan, I’ll see you at the end of the road.

Or...

I’ll see you in court.

[There is silence... Which is suddenly broken by the opening notes of "Till I Collapse" by Eminem, evoking a big pop from the crowd!]



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


Troy Douglas vs. Cross

TONY FATORA: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Already in the ring is Troy Douglas - and en route, weighing in at 285 pounds, the former A1E Champion... CRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

Cross slides in the ring smirking at Troy and gives him a little wink.

DT: Cross and Douglas looking at each other, Douglas with a smirk across his face, and they tie up! Douglas with the go behind, Cross elbowing Douglas in the eye as Troy backs away.

DM: An elbow in the eye, that can cause a loss of vision, giving Cross the upper hand.

MN: nice observation Sherlock Homes, and Cross starting to tie up, But Douglas grabs his arm, Arm Drag from Troy Douglas!

DM; And that’s exactly what you have to watch for when you go head to head with Douglas, he’s quick and has a lot of technique

DT: Cross is up and ties up with Douglas, Douglas going for a go behind again....German suplex from Douglas.

MN: Douglas let Cross go, Douglas is to his feet, Cross is getting their. Douglas lining up his body.... WHAT A MARTIAL ARTS KICK FROM DOUGLAS! RIGHT TO THE TEMPLE OF CROSS!

DM: Cover from Douglas....1....2...kick out. And that is a kick that can knock you out when you hit your opponent right in the sweet spot!

DT: Douglas forcing Cross to his feet, Irish whip from Douglas, Cross rebound, Shoulder block from Douglas. Cross popping up, and slides between Toy’s legs, toll up pin from Cross....1...kick from Douglas.

DM: If Cross would have worn Troy down that pin would have been his. Most guys don’t think like that anymore though. And they are both on their feet, Cross with a low kick, he picks up Douglas, Shin Breaker! Douglas holding his leg as Cross starts mud hole stomping that leg.

DT: Cross is working that leg of Troy Douglas...Cross locking a half Boston Crab on that leg! Douglas is in pain you can see it in his eyes!

DM: Very nice technique you injure a body part then you attack it! Cross is using his noggin!

MN: Unlike you. And Troy reaching out for that bottom rope, the crowd is behind Troy...NO! Cross pulling Troy back to the center of the ring as he gives Troy a punch to that shin!

DT: Troy getting up on his hands and is reaching between his legs.

MN: What is he doing?

DT: Troy grabbing Crosses legs, TROY PULLING THE LEG! CORSS HIT’S THE FLOOR AS TROY SWINGS BEHIND STILL HOLDING THE LEG! ANKLE LOCK BY TROY DOUGLAS!

DM: WHAT A REVERSAL! Cross is in some trouble, Cross trying to spin to his back but Troy just turning the ankle the other way! Cross reaching for the ropes but Troy pulls him to the center.

MN: This is a great match! Cross getting on his palms...AND CROSS SENDS HIS LEG STRAIGHT UP THE MIDDLE! TROY FALLS OVER AS HE MIGHT NTO BE HAVING KIDS ANYTIME SOON!

DM: Now that was not a smart move, cheating is never a way to win....cover by Cross..1...2...kick out from Douglas. And Cross grabbing Douglas by his hair. Douglas punching Cross in the ribs, and another shot.

DT: Snap suplex by Troy Douglas, he goes for another but Cross doesn’t budge! Cross going up in the air, but comes right back down.....CROSS GRABIGN DOUGLAS’S LEG! SMALL PACKAGE FROM CROSS! 1...2....3...NO FAINT KICK OUT!

DM: NO! Cross is arguing with the ref! Not a good move...not a good move at all, Douglas getting up...BACK BODY DROP FROM DOUGLAS!

MN: Cross lifting his upper body....TROY DOUGLAS BOUNCING OFF THE ROPES, MISSLE DROP KICK RIGHT INTO THE FACE OF CROSS! What a move!

DT: Troy Douglas pulling Cross into the turnbuckle...Douglas signals for The End of The Road! The crowd is totally behind Douglas!

DM: Douglas on the top of that turnbuckle he is pulling up Cross! NO! Cross is fighting! Cross punching Douglas in eh face....CORSS LOCKS UP SUPERPLEX OFF THE TOP ROPE FROM CROSS!!!!!

MN: Cover from Cross! 1...2.... Rope break. Cross lifting up Douglas, Irish whip, Douglas hitting the ropes but grabs them to stop. Cross charging at Troy.....TROY PULLING THE ROPES DOWN AND CROSS GOING OVER THE TOP!

DT: Douglas with a smirk on his face as he rolls out the ring as well. The ref yelling at Douglas and Cross to get in the ring. Douglas lifting Cross up. Cross kicking Douglas in the ribs, CROSS IRISH WHIPPING DOUGLAS TO THE STEEL RING STEPS....NO! DOUGLAS WITH THE REWHIP...CROSS HITTING THOSE STEEL STEPS AND FRONTFLIPING OVER THEM FROM THE IMPACT!

REF: 1......2.......3.......4.........5........

DM: Looks like the ref isn’t playing games with Douglas anymore. And Troy lifting Cross up but Cross punches Douglas in the face! Cross lifting Douglas over his head!

MN: Oh...my....God....CROSS THROWING DOUGLAS INTO THE OUTSIDE OF THAT TURNBUCKLE!

REF: 6.....7......8.....9.....10!

[SFX: *DING* - Bell rings.]

TONY FATORA: Both Cross and Troy Douglas have been counted out, leaving this match a DRAW!

DM: Cross is stomping on Douglas’s back! Douglas low blowing Cross! Douglas and Cross slugging back and forth!

MN: FIGHT! FIGHT! Security! HELP!

DT: They are fighting up the ring entrance! This is insanity! Douglas is against the titan tron, Cross choke holding Douglas against it!

MN: NO! Douglas grabbing Cross’s head and slamming it into the titan tron! AND HERE COMES THE SECURITY!

DM: Those guys are the best! They are pulling Douglas and Cross apart.

MN: Douglas stepping away saying he is fine, NO! Don’t listen to him! Douglas walking about two feet away....AND HE TURNS AROUND CHARGING THROUGHT HE SECURTIY AND KICKS CROSS! IMPLAT DDT FROM DOUGLAS AS SECURITY PULLS DOUGLAS AWAY FORCEFULLY!

DT: What a match! Cross being pulled back stage also!

DM: Wow, just wow, this is nuts.....

MN: I am loving it already!



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

["Yours Truly Adam Benjamin is seen backstage walking down a hall way. "Your Hero" Sebastian Dodd is seen walking down a hallway. Soon enough the two stars cross each others paths looking one another up and down]

Benjamin: I made that belt you are fighting for, don't blow your chance tonight Dodd!

Dodd: This is my first shot at this title my friend, and I'm going to capitalize...unlike YOU. Seems to me that you blew your first World Title opportunity...didn't you? And while you might have put that belt on the map. I'm the man who's going make people actually care about it.

[The two men get into each others faces, however they are quickly separated by several referees and EPW crew.]

[Cut to a video package of the Cameron Cruise Project.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Mike, two hours in, you have to say Wrestleverse I has been an amazing success.
MN: In comparison to what? A train wreck? An old man (censor) himself at a bus stop?

DT: That’s nice.

MN: It’s PPV Thomas. You should be thankful your career even reached the apex of people ‘paying’ to hear you perform.

DT: You really think there’s someone out there who’s sole consideration in charging Wrestleverse to their bill was my commentary?

DM: More like mine.

MN: Hell no. But then I never thought a man would lock himself in a 6x6 cell sixty-feet in the air over a side-walk in London, with no food or drink, either. It’s all relative Thomas.

DT: Of course it is. You about done, or can we go on to the next match?

MN: Move when you’re ready, but understand one thing...I’m trying to help here. Cameron Cruise is up next. I’m just trying to buy us some leeway. Good material can go a long way Dave trust me.

DT: Right, what you’re doing here rivals Leno pre-Tonight show days. And those people behind us aren’t sitting impatiently they’re bowing in the face of your excellence.

MN: Really? (Mike quickly turns around.)

DM: *snort* Please let me hit him.



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


EPW World Tag-Team Championship
The Cameron Cruise Project (C) vs. Christian Sands/"Queen of the Ring" Lindsay Troy

[The lights in the arena go out as the haunting strains of "Dark Machine" by Paul Oakenfold cue up. Smoke billows up on the stage and ramp as Christian Sands slowly strides out from the back. He stops center stage, the red strobelight pulsating in the background, and casts a sideways glance toward the curtain.]

MN: Killjoy.

["Dark Machine" cuts off to make way for the opening guitar riff of "Heartbreaker" by Led Zeppelin. White-hot spotlights swirl around the arena before blazing down upon the curtain. Pyro goes off on either side of the stage as Lindsay Troy, the reigning Queen of the Ring, saunters onto the stage. She gives Christian a smirk and a wink before continuing to walk down the ramp. Sands swaggers after her, ignoring the jeers and trash-talk from the fans lucky enough to get seats next to the ramp barricade.]

[The two vault themselves over the top rope and Sands stretches out in a corner. Troy just stands with her hands on her hips facing the stage, her mouth curled slightly upward in a sneer.]

DT: The Pepsi Center abuzz in anticipation of this World Tag Team Title match-up!

MN: It’s non-title Dave pay attention.

DT: Mike... Lindsa---

MN: Don’t Mike me! Look at your papers, idiot.

(pause)

DT: Well...

MN: Ha! Now we’re even. Fans are abuzz over this, but you tend to draw that reaction when Amazon women have crammed themselves into baby doll t-shirts. That’s right folks we’re not performing Shakespeare here. It’s Tits and Ass meets the Junior Sears Clothing Department. Speaking of which, there’s now great sales on silicon breasts...

DT: This may be PPV but show some constraint!

MN: That’s enough Dave; we’ll have no more of this Obi-Wan Kenobi Gibberish.

DM: ...I think I'm just going to be quiet. You two are having SO much fun that I dare not interrupt.

DT: (Sigh)

[The house lights furiously dim, blanketing the Pepsi Center in darkness: the cold black emptiness their lives regrettably knew before Joey Melton rode into EPW territory on a white horse and promise to clean up the town. Work the rooms, flexing his mental muscle, and drive the dead weight clinging to the company’s heels to a lesser promotion. Someplace where you don’t have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time to be considered high-end talent.]

[There’s a void of light and silence for two seconds, only the anticipation and hope of someone greater brightening the atmosphere sounding in the air.]

[Loud red sirens burst into action atop of the stage set, sounding the alarm on Wrestleverse. The sheriff and his deputy were back with orders to round up the usual suspects. The talentless hacks who dared to question Melton and Cruise’s place in the business, the validity of their title reign.]

“Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?”

[As Bonnie Tyler sang, accompanied by the genius of studio musicians, spotlights--seconds removed from being held captive by a couple of bores, return their full attention home. To Joey Melton and Cameron Cruise.]

“Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?”

[Melton and Cruise sporting matching black diamond studded sequin robes slip three steps down the rampway as if carried by their arrogance or the hand of God, and fan the remnants of smoke left by their opponent’s entrance. Wiping as if the scene taken by their eyes was a dry-erase board, and the mark made by those far below “The Cameron Cruise Project” could be snuffed from existence. Circled and called a mistake, one Melton and Cruise were put together to correct. And correct it they have.[

“Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream of what I need”

Flanked by Cruise’s wife, and Melton’s playdate Mercedes, the World Tag Team Champions gracefully make their way down the ramp. The piercing glare of 20,000 strong probing for a weakness, but this team has none.

“I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life”

[If there’s a crack in the wall, it’s Lindsay Troy, Joey’s host and fantasy lover. As Melton moves an inch from the outstretched hands of ringside fans helplessly groping for a piece of the All-American (a story they could leave behind for future generations. I touched greatness, if only ever so briefly), he pats Cruise on the back: A sign of assurance that Troy’s not an issue tonight. Melton’s professional hat is on, and his partner can count on him thinking with the right head.]

DT: Melton and Cruise simultaneously leap onto the ring apron---

MN: They’re a well-oiled machine Dave. We’re about to see the sort of teamwork that’ll inspire an entire section of women to coordinate their periods in accordance with one another.

DT: Oh man...

DM: ...Mike Neely describing Cameron Cruise as well-oiled disturbs me.

[As Melton and Cruise step through the ropes Troy and Sands rush over, quickly moving on the offensive with hard right hands.]

DT: The Challengers not wasting any time in this title bout getting started! Pounding the Cameron Cruise Project with a furry of closed-fists!

MN: Everytime a bell rings an angel gets it’s wings, and everytime you say “The Cameron Cruise Project” a virgin is soiled in some part of the world...it’s true.

DT: Sands rocks Cruise with a left hook and Cameron goes up and over the top rope!!! Troy caves Melton’s gut in with her left boot!

MN: I think it was more the foot in the boot that did the damage Thomas...but yes.

DT: She and Sands whip Melton across the ring, off the ropes, double dropkick and Joey goes down hard!!

MN: Let the man get his diamond sequin robe off first! That thing’s worth more than your life! And mine too!

DT: Troy rips the tag belt off Melton’s waist and hoists it over her head! A precursor of what’s to come, and if so the fans are lovin’ it!

[Sands bounces off the ropes and drives a knee into Melton’s forehead.]

DM: Nice knee lift there. Melton might need a new nose job, and these fans really DO love it.

MN: Keep in mind the majority of these idiots also love the Friends spin-off “Joey”.

DT: Sands and Troy have Melton back to his feet, and again he’s shot off the ropes---but is pulled outside by Cruise! Cameron reached under the bottom rope and yanked Melton outside the ring in the knick of time!

[Joey finally works off the robe and angrily tosses it at a stagehand.]

DT: The Cameron Cruise Project---

MN: (singing) Proud young virgin...

DT: Enough! The Cameron Cruise Project regrouping as the ref works the count to five.

[Lindsay and Christian sit on the middle rope and create a more comfortable opening by lifting the top rope above their heads. It’s shake’n’bake and they helped.]

MN: Good you got the memo about keeping the officials nameless. That’ll teach’em to form a union. Nameless Ref #1138!

DM: Thank you, George Lucas.

DT: Melton and Cruise seem a slight unhinged by the sell-out crowd in the early getting. Joey motioning for Troy and Sands to back up...but they’re not budging!

MN: Great sportsmanship from Troy and Sands. One of the all-time greats asks a favor, and you blow him off. Show the man some respect and scoot back ten feet, and remember he’s your social better. Zero eye contact as well.

DT: Joey huddling with his partner again---no! Melton just slid Cruise under the bottom rope against his will and Sands and Troy are going to town! Stomping over every inch of Cameron’s body! Melton, throwing his co-champion to the wolves!

MN: It’s called tough love.

DT: Yeah, Melton’s a real father figure Neely...

[Lindsay and Christian whip Cruise across the ring, off the ropes...]

MN: He is to Lindsay!

DT: Cameron leapfrogs over Sands, but is caught mid-air with a SUPERKICK from Lindsay Troy. No question that one found it’s mark, nameless ref—NEELY! The ref makes the cover...2 and nothing more!

MN: Nameless ref. Good one Thomas. The man has a family watching. Ass.

[Joey finally gets to his corner, turning briefly to make a sarcastic comment to a fan in the front row.]

DT: Side headlock from Troy, as this battle for the EPW World Tag Team Titles showing some structure at last. Lindsay digging in with her forearms, you can hear Cruise’s screams from where we are.

MN: Sounds kinda like a baby Raptor from Jurassic Park, no?

DT: Cruise at the command of his wife and manager Mercedes powers to his feet...

MN: That’s right. Cammy’s ass belongs to her, not some under-dressed Amazon.

DT: Cruise buries an elbow in Lindsay’s belly, but goes down in a flash!

[SPLIT SCREEN REPLY: Troy pulling Cammy down with a handful of hair.]

[Crowd pops.]

DT: The Queen Of The Ring going outside the rulebook for that takedown, but the official never saw it.

[Cruise back up to his feet.]

MN: Then it didn’t happen. What’s the ol’ saying? If a woman screams in Melton’s garage bunker and nobody hears, is he breaking the law?

DT: Classy. Cameron scoops Troy’s legs, BACKDROP! BUT TROY HOLDS ON! Unwilling to break the headlock! Cruise’s is getting lightheaded Mike. It’s been thirty years, but I’ve seen matches won with this!

DM: So have I, but I had to pay $20 to watch in an old friend’s living room and I wasn’t allowed to touch.

DT: Troy bullies Cruise to her corner and Sands tags himself in. Christian perched on the middle-rope, FLYING KNEE INTO CAMERON’S exposed ribs! Half of the tag team champions shot to the mat in a heartbeat after that crushing blow from Sands!

[Sands wraps Cammy’s arm over the top rope, exposing his ribs to a series of hard uppercuts.]

MN: I think Cruise is role-playing again. He’s the rack of lamb in Paulie’s freezer. (yells to ring) You’re not fighting Creed, Cruise...enough with the dramatics.

DT: Quick tag to Troy, short rest her the Queen, but I’m sure she prefers doing the majority of the legwork. (Sands holds Cruise’s left arm up, exposing his ribs again.) Lindsay off the middle-ropes with a double axe handle!

DM: If he dies...he dies.

[Troy applies an arm bar, twisting Cameron’s arm devilishly.]

DT: Mercedes barking orders to her man as she eyes Troy’s every move three feet away...Cruise to his feet...hurting but driven...

[Cruise flips forward, bounces off the mat and drop kicks Sands off the apron.]

DT: Cameron on his feet...ARM DRAG! Cruise airborne, LEG SCISSORS TAKEDOWN! (crowd pop)

MN: Now come on Cruise, make the tag to your social better.

DT: Cameron shoots Troy off the ropes, leap frog! Troy off the ropes, FRANK’N’CRUISE! Troy gets her feet under Cameron’s shoulders, reverse into a pin...ONE, TWO...MELTON jumps in and breaks the pin with a hard kick to Troy’s back! So close to having new EPW World Tag Team Champions!

MN: How close? A section of balloons imprisoned in the rafters were let free. Releasing victory balloons...how easy is it? And why must the Democrats make fools of themselves every four years?

DT: The official backs Melton into his corner...and as he does Cruise choking Troy over the top rope! Come on ref!!

MN: It’s Jimmy I believe.

[As the ref turns, Cruise slingshots Troy’s head off the ropes, sending her to the mat in a heap.]

DT: Whatever! Cameron tags in Melton (crowd pop)! Joey pushing Lindsay, his manager! Into the corner...KNIFE EDGE CHOPS!

[Melton smirks as he chops Troy again]

DM: Careful Joey, I’ve seen those things pop before in a match. Ironically to your sister, Teri!

DT: Melton again with a calculated chop across Troy’s chest!

MN: Whipping her breasts...you can count the number of men in the Pepsi Center without erections on one hand...

[SPLIT SCREEN REPLAY: Neely pointing to Thomas.]

[Melton sets Troy’s legs outside the ropes and sits her on the middle turnbuckle.]

DT: Joey backing up....he wouldn’t....he couldn’t....

MN: He really shouldn’t, but...

[crowd pop as Joey kicks the middle turnbuckle]

MN: That had to be therapeutic Dave.

DT: I’m not touching that one...

MN: (laughs) You just did unwittingly. Geez you’re easy.

DT: Tag to Cruise. The World champs slow to begin but they’ve got the match under their control now. No disputing that. Joey SLINGSHOT SUPLEX....Cruise under Troy’s legs as she falls....HOT SHOT ACROSS THE TOP ROPE! That looked vicious.

[Pin attempt: 2]

MN: I’ve seen worse.

DT: Cruise with a side-headlock, returning the favor from minutes ago. Cameron leans back, quick pin...1....2....NO! Lindsay almost got napping!

DM: Troy double-teamed by The Project...this is like something out of Troy’s dreams.

DT: Lindsay gamely to her feet...she needs to make a tag, elbow to Cameron’s gut! Troy hits the mat in a hurry!

[SPLIT SCREEN REPLAY: Cruise taking Lindsay down with a handful of hair.]

[Crowd boos.]

DT: Tag to Melton, the champs are insync now!

MN: It’s beautiful to watch, is it not?

DT: Cruise pinning Troy’s arms back, holding her up for Joey...KNIFE EDGE CHOP!! (Melton turns and struts away.) MULE KICK FROM TROY!!

[Troy tosses Cameron through the ropes.]

MN: Ewww. Cruise we’ll be picking nuts out of his teeth for weeks after that one.

DT: TROY OFF THE ROPES, SAVAT KICK AS MELTON TURNS! (crowd pop) She’s not wasting any time! Lindsay backs Joey in a corner, CHOPS OF HER OWN! (Crowd stands.) ANOTHER! A martial art’s kick, and THRUST TO JOEY’S THROAT! She’s got him reeling!

[Troy sends Melton across the ring and over the opposite turn buckle. Flair flip.]

DT: Melton runs into Cruise who was recovering on the apron! Joey barely hanging on, fingertips over the top rope saving him from a hard fall...TROY FLYING CLOTHESLINE! The Tag Champs are down!

[Sands rushes over.]

MN: I think even Dave has an erection at this point.

DT: Sands clotheslines Melton! Clotheslines Cruise! He’s bided his time and can’t wait no more. Christian drops Joey throat first over the security railing!

MN: Melton’s senses are out of whack. The man doesn’t know where he is...he’s getting hammered by Sands, and on the other hand...he’s involved with some heavy foreplay with Troy! Ups down in Melton’s world right now...dogs and cats getting along.

[Sands lays Melton’s chest over the railing and lifts his legs off the ground, exposing his back to Troy who flies over the top rope...]

DT: DROPICK BY CRUISE! (Troy rams headfirst into Sands.)

(Crowd ‘ooohs’)

DT: Cameron saved the tag belts there!

MN: They can’t exchange hands outside the ring, but he saved Melton from being bed ridden for two weeks....and Joey’s hating him for it as we speak.

DT: Cruise fires Sands head first into the ring steps!

[Troy’s crumpled by the feet of the railing. Cruise rolls Sands into the ring and winks at Mercedes.]

DT: Melton hurriedly kneels at Troy’s side. I think he’s generally concerned for her well-being Mike!

[CLOSE-UP: Troy’s face is busted open. Melton has Lindsay’s hair pulled back with his left hand and is calmly rubbing the small of her back with the other.]

MN: Cats and dogs, Thomas.

DM: Joey’s helping Troy to her feet. She may not be able to continue... (Lindsay wraps an arm around Melton’s neck) WAIT—SIDE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP BY TROY!

[Crowd pop.]

DT: She shrugged Melton off and dropped him on the cement floor!

DM: The women’s movement’s ruined everything. I’d hate to see how the (censor) reacts to having a car door held open for her.

DT: Melton’s reveling in pain as the fans here in Denver mercilessly taunt him.

[Cruise side-slams Sands in the ring.]

DT: Troy rolls back in the squared circle...

[Troy jumps over a sitting Cruise, grabbing his head and snapping it forward as she zooms by.]

DT: Sands with a quick pin...1....2..NO!

[Stereo elbow drop from Troy and Sands.]

DT: It’s two against one...not very good odds if you’re Cameron Cruise!

MN: It may stay that way too Dave. Melton’s finished.

[CLOSE-UP: Joey disgustedly waves off Troy and heads back up the rampway.]

DT: What? Joey Melton leaving in the middle of this match! What’s he thinking?

MN: If I knew the answer to that I’d never have to work another day in my life. If he doesn’t come back the end is near for Cruise. The man has trouble winning matches one-on-one. Unless he’s just largely been unmotivated...I don’t see us discovering his secret talent is winning handicap matches.

[Sands has Cruise in an Ad. Stretch.]

DT: Sands reaching back for extra leverage, adding an extra inch to Cameron’s body!

MN: Oh, you’d love that.

DM: ZING!

[Lindsay hops off the apron and runs after Melton. The crowd stands and watches in disbelief as Lindsay disappears backstage.]

DT: Christian can’t believe it either...HIP TOSS BY CRUISE! (Sands pops up and throws his hands up in the air as the last of Troy’s body leaves the rampway) Cruise clips the back of Sands’ left knee!

MN: Sands knows better than to turn his back on an opponent. Especially one who’s likely to trip and fall into the back of his knees...

DT: Cameron extending Sands left leg, and dropping his full weight over the knee! He can tear Christian’s ACL if he’s not careful!

MN: Um...

[Cruise scoots outside, reaching back in to drag Sands to the iron post. He measures the distance then whips Sands’ left leg over the iron post.]

DT: That could be Christian’s career! Cruise again ramming that leg across the post! Come on ref!

MN: Will you leave that poor man alone!

DT: Cruise taking his time getting back in the ring. The damage is done. Cameron pins the left leg back under, KNEE DROP! Sands’ noticeably hobbling....

[Cruise off the ropes...]

DT: Kicking at that leg! Cameron doing what he can to retain the tag belts right here...Sands has to start thinking about the future.

MN: Why start now?

DT: Cruise...figure four!!

MN: Brilliant! Melton’s taught him well! If Joey’s not here...play the role yourself.

DT: Sands rocks over, REVERSAL! Cruise screaming out in pain! Ref asking him if he wants to give...the tag titles could change hands on Cruise’s submission.....

[Cameron crawls...inches his way to the ropes.]

DT: Cruise reaching...he’s got the ropes!!

[ref calls for the break.]

MN: He may be nameless, but he works well! I say keep him!

DT: Cameron struggles to his feet and he’s met there by hard right hands from Christian Sands! Rocking one half of the tag team champions back into the ropes...JAWBREAKER!! Cruise up, but not over!!

MN: If he was happily married Mercedes would be in there giving her body for the common good.

DT: Cruise shot off the ropes, BACKDROP! Cameron’s close to the edge! Sands again whips him off the ropes, Backdrop—no Cruise sees it...

[Cameron kicks at Sands, but Sands pulls him, as Cruise flies off his feet..]

DT: What a set-up from Sands...he catches Cruise’s legs in mid-air, turns...BOSTON CRAB! Submission move!!

MN: Mercedes must really hate that man..

DT: What about Melton? Both partners missing... Sands sitting in nicely...Cruise is finished...

MN: Amazingly not yet!

[Mercedes jumps in. Sands coolly knocks her out of the ring.]

DT: Sands back to work...

DM: It took a lot...but she finally answered the call. Good girl.

DT: German suplex! Another! Rolling German suplexes!

[The crowd stirs as Little Voltron jogs down the rampaway, cardboard cut-out of Joey Melton in his arms.]

[Crowd cheers.]

DT: Sands...powerslam! Cover...ONE......TWO......TH-NO! What the hell is this?

MN: It’s a midget Dave. Relax. He’s not demon spawn.

DT: I didn’t mean Little Voltron...I meant...THIS. The situation...

[Little Volton hops up in Cruise’s corner...and props the cut-out of Melton up next to him.]

DT: Sands suplex attempt, but Cruise blocks it! Snap suplex from Cameron Cruise!! He’s not going quietly!

MM: The man’s a champion.

DT: Say that ten times fast.

MN: Heh.

DT: And like the champion he is...he’s trying to make the tag...to...a paper Melton! This is nuts...

[Little Volton extends the cut-out through the ropes, reaching for Cruise’s hand.]

DT: Cameron staggering on his feet...dives for Paper Melton’s hand... (Little Voltron pulls the cut-out away; Cruise comes up empty.) No!! (Crowd cheers)

MN: Trouble in paradise! Melton won’t tag!

DT: That’s not Melton!

MN: Sure looks like him to me!

DT: Cruise is standing in the corner in disbelief! Sands with a clothesline over the back of his neck! Sands nails Paper Melton and the cut-out goes flying! Climbing the ropes!! Perched on the middle ropes...Sands pounds a series of jabs in Cruise’s forehead!

[Crowd counts them off. 1,2,3,4,5...]

DT: Cameron wraps Christian’s legs...ATOMIC DROP!

[Cruise turns and dives for the corner, but no one’s home. Paper Melton and Little Voltron on the outside nursing their wounds.]

DT: Nobody’s home!! It’s up to Cameron to win this match himself!

[As he turns, Sands buries a foot in his gut.]

DT: SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Sands is climbing the top rope!!! (fans stand) If he hits this...TOP ROPE FROGSPLASH!!

MN: Goodnight Gracie.

DT: Cruise stirred but couldn’t move in time...the cover, ONE............TWO..............THREE!!!!!!!!! (Fans roar) We’ve got new EPW World Tag Team Champions!

[SFX: *DING* - Bell rings.]

TONY FATORA: Here are your winners and the NEEEEEEEEEEEW Tag-Team Cham-pions of the World... LLLLLLLLINDSAY TROOOOOOOOY ANNNNNND CHHHHHHHHHHRISTIAAAAAANNNN SAAAAAAAAANNNNNDSSSSSSS!!!



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DT: Well, that was a hell of a match... but wait a second, who is this?

MN: It’s ERIK BLACK again! He’s hopping the barricade, and—

DM: Watch your chair, Mike!

MN: ****!!

[Mike tumbles to the floor for the second time in the evening as Erik Black, moving with incalculable yet stable speed, shoves him aside and takes his seat with him into the ring.]

DT: Black in the ring, and he’s going after Sands... NO!! Sands narrowly ducks a chair shot!!

[Moving off of an inherent sixth sense from years of experience, Sands manages to turn in time to see the assailant coming to him. Reflexively, he rolls out of the way, as Black runs by with the chair in motion. The big man steps to one end of the ring, still exhausted from his invigorating performance, but prepared for another physical bout. Black spins around, but decides against charging Christian head on, no longer having the element of surprise and not entirely eager to bum-rush the former World's Champion without the odds in his favor.]

DT: WHOA!! That nearly took Christian Sands’ head off! Now the men are involved in a standoff... with the lone tag-team champion on one end, and Erik Black on the other!

MN: I knew he was going to be here for this match... and hey, can somebody get me another chair please?

DM: Can someone get this guy a chair?

[As a member of the ring crew finds a replacement for Mike, “Stay In Shadow” by Finger Eleven suddenly comes over the PA. The men in the ring seem to notice the music, but don’t take their eyes off of each other. Then, upon the ramp...]

DT: Oh my God, it’s THEM!!

MN: It’s official; The Crimson Calling is BACK!!

[...Nathan Fear and the seven-foot tall Ivan Dalkichev appear from the entryway, wearing dismal expressions. Boldly, the two make their way down to the ring, entering on Black’s side. Fear has a mic in hand, as the Raging Russian, rather than coming to his partner’s side, removes the chair from Erik Black’s grip and sets it aside. Sands watches carefully, now knowing the numbers have changed. Fear paces in the ring for a moment, and then turns to Black.]

NF: This is very unprofessional of you, Erik... coming out here and throwing this temper tantrum. I let you get away with it in the case of the other teams... but these two?

[He shakes his head with disappointment, then turns to Sands.]

NF: I open-heartedly apologize for Mr. Black’s actions, Mr. Sands. There’s nothing worse than busting your ass to claim your titles, only to get lambasted out of nowhere from a person who doesn’t have the balls to fight you face to face. Nobody should have to be subjected to that... not even one half of the World Tag Champions.

[He looks up at the big Canadian, smiling slightly.]

NF: I can’t ruin your celebration... because I want you to celebrate as much as humanly possible. All proud thoughts will eventually end, because the Crimson Calling has returned... and we’ve come to reclaim what is rightfully ours.

[Fear comes over to Black.]

NF: Now apologize...

[He hands the mic to Erik, who looks as though he’s ready to explode. Black hesitates, then brings the mic to his face, looking directly at Sands...]

EK: Go **** yourself...

[Black furiously drops the mic, and makes his exeunt, followed by Dalkichev and Fear to the tune of “Stay In Shadow.” Sands remains in the ring, thinly smirking.]

DT: Jesus, I almost had a heart-attack!

MN: I wouldn’t be surprised if you did, fatass!

DT: Shut up, Mike. Christian Sands and Lindsay Troy have captured the tag-team gold, but the celebration seems short lived, thanks to the presence of the FORMER champions, the Crimson Calling. The Calling, as you know, where never defeated for the titles, but were instead forced to forfeit them when they left EPW for unspecified reasons.

DM: They’re undefeated... but so are Sands and Troy, ya know! If, um, Troy's even on the team... where the hell did she go, anyway?

DT: Now THAT is a good question...

[Cut to a video package for JA, Sebastian Dodd, and Jonathan Marx, but not before panning to Priest and Eisenkreuz grinning in the front row...]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Alright, it’s time for our big Intercontinental Championship three-way match, and boy this should be a doozy.
MN: Doozy? Damn it, Thomas, get out of the 19th Century.

DM: Neely, you’re a jive turkey. This match should be the bees’ knees.

MN: (sighs)

DT: One has to wonder what role, if any, Priest will play in this match.

MN: Are you kidding? Priest said he wouldn’t interfere in the match. His word is his bond.

DT: I don’t know how you can say that, seeing that we know little to nothing about Priest.

DM: Well, hopefully, he won’t, because all title matches should end clean. Unlike last week...

DT: Well, Dodd had no business interfering in that match, and speaking of him...



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


EPW Intercontinental Championship
Triple Threat Match
JA (C) vs. "Your Hero" Sebastian Dodd vs. "Gentleman" Jonathan Marx

[“Stellar” hits on the PA and “Your Hero” Sebastian Dodd comes out to thundering boos.]

DT: Dodd is eschewing his normal shtick. He’s coming to the ring with a purpose.

MN: Yeah, a purpose to take the Eye-See title off of the undeserving waist of JA.

DM: Please Neely, JA didn’t ask for Dodd to come down, and in fact, if things went to plan, it would have been JA that was on the receiving end of that shot. Besides, what wrestler comes down to that song anyway?

DT: Well, judging theme songs aside, here comes the former champion...

[“Only Happy When It Rains” hits on the PA and former IC Champ “Gentleman” Jonathan Marx comes out to a mixed reaction.]

DM: Marx is another man possessed. He thinks he was wronged out of the title, and he wants it back.

MN: Well, he’s not going to get it back, seeing that he’s in the ring with the Almighty Dodd.

DT: And don’t forget the man who’s holding the title...

[“Eat the Rich” hits on the PA and the crowd explodes for the Intercontinental Champion. JA comes out with the title slung over his shoulder. He gets to the threshold of the ring, takes off his Elway jersey and tosses it into the crowd.]

MN: Shameless pandering!

DM: You’re just jealous because you’re not as popular, Neels.

MN: I’m popular. I was voted the number one wrestling announcer in Moose Jaw and Kamloomps.

DT: Hey, I didn’t win in Kamloomps? Gosh darn it!

DM: Alright kiddies, the match is about to start.

[SFX: *ding ding*]

DT: Alright, both challengers are eyeing up the champion and Dodd rushes in to charge at JA, but OH MY! He just ate turnbuckle! JA moved out of the way and now he’s eyeing up Dodd stumbling back, but...

DM: Wham bam thank you ma’am!

DT: Marx with a reverse DDT on the unsuspecting champ!

DM: JA let his guard down early and it cost him. Not the way you want to start off the match.

DT: Marx looking to grab JA, but, OH MY! Dodd just nailed him with a clothesline!

MN: There you go, Almighty Dodd! Kill ‘em both!

DT: Dodd’s now in early control of the match. JA’s getting to his feet, but Dodd kicks him in the face as he’s getting up! Dodd is a house on fire!

DM: Well, he obviously doesn’t respect JA, this doesn’t surprise me at all.

DT: Dodd’s got JA in a sleeper hold, but Marx is back up and he stomps both Dodd and JA! Marx picks JA and Dodd up, but...

DM: Rama-lama-ham-dam-a!

MN: Marx was right! JA and Dodd are working together!

DT: Well, they’re working together here as they’re both pummeling Marx here! Dodd with a left, JA with a right and Marx to the canvas. Dodd turns around and, HE JUST CLOCKED JA!

DM: So much for the teamwork theory.

MN: Well, Dodd has the right idea here. GO MY HERO!

DM: Don’t you mean Kenny Lombardo’s Hero?

DT: Whoever’s hero he is, Dodd has just tossed JA out of the ring. And now, he’s going to work on the former champ. Dodd goes over to Marx and he drops him *hard* with a side backbreaker.

MN: Almighty Dodd is taking no prisoners here! Go Sebastian, go!

DM: It’s only a backbreaker, Neels. I’d hate to see what you’d do if he hit a real move.

DT: Well, Dodd’s certainly not done yet. He’s got Marx in a Boston crab, locked in tight. The ref is checking with the former champ, but he’s not going to tap here.

DM: Of course not. Marx is battle-tested. It’ll take a lot more than that to make him tap.

DT: Dodd breaks the hold and drags Marx to his feet. He...

MN: ...McGreeveys him!

DT and DM: Shut up!

MN: Sheesh!

DT: Anyway, Dodd behind Marx and... BIG GERMAN SUPLEX WITH A BRIDGE...

One...

But Marx kicks out. Not so close call there, but Dodd’s going back to work.

MN: Almighty Dodd is a student of the game.

DM: And so are the other two wrestlers here, which is why this has been and will be an outstanding match.

MN: Other two? JA is still outside the ring.

DM: Strategy. JA will get back in the match.

DT: But Dodd is handling Marx right now... ouch! Big time Russian side leg sweep right there. Dodd back to the canvas, this time with a sleeper hold on Marx.

DM: Dodd is aggressive like a pit bull here, Dave. I like this intensity.

MN: Finally, you fools are coming around to seeing the Almighty Dodd’s greatness.

DM: No one ever denied that he’s good, Neels. Thing is, we don’t worship him like he’s God either.

DT: Don’t you mean Dodd?

MN: Haha, very funny.

DT: What’s not funny here is that Marx looks like he’s getting worn down here. Ref raises his arm once, and Marx drops. Two times... and Marx’s arm stays up. Dodd breaks the hold and just STOMPS Marx right in his back!

DM: Mean streak~!

DT: Dodd picks Marx up and crashes him right back down the canvas again with a huge DDT! He covers again...

One...

...two...

...but Marx kicks out again!

DM: Great tenacity by Marx here. He’s holdin’ on to the niiiight...

MN: Thanks for the eighties flashback there, Don Henley.

DM: Wait, Don Henley didn’t sing that song, did he?

DT: I don’t know, but Marx is in trouble here. Dodd’s going for the D-O-DDT, but wait... JA’s back in the ring and on the top rope...

DM: Come fly with him...

DT: MISSILE DROPKICK RIGHT TO DODD’S HEAD!

MN: Disqualify him! Loaded boots! Loaded boots!

DM: John Elway never flew like that, but then again, John Elway’s not a luchador!

DT: Dodd is on the canvas, he took those boots right to the temple! JA takes Marx and sets him up... OH MY! LUCKY SEVEN SUPLEX! JA just *planted* Marx on his head. He covers...

One...

...two...

...but Dodd somehow got over to break it up!

DM: I don’t know how he got up, but that’s MOXIE!

MN: No it’s not, it’s the Almighty Dodd being... almighty!

DT: JA and Dodd both get up, and Dodd goes in with a left cross, but JA blocks it and nails him with a right jab! Dodd stumbles back and JA nails him with a clothesline!

DM: Promo-bot 7500X is malfunctioning!

MN: Show some respect to the Almighty Dodd!

DM: Much like you show tons of respect to the World Champ?

MN: Hey, Big Loafy doesn’t deserve respect, mkay?

DT: Well irregardless, JA’s got Dodd back on his feet and... chop!

Crowd: WOOOO!

DT: ...and another...

Crowd: WOOO!

DT: And another!

Crowd: WOOO!

DT: Dodd back against the ropes and JA whips him off. Dodd on the rebound and... FLAPJACK!

DM: With syrup!

DT: JA covers...

One...

...but Dodd kicks out!

MN: I can’t believe this display of ripping off here. First the chops, then the flapjack...

DM: Oh please, next thing you’re going to tell me is that the vertical suplex is the domain and the domain only of Joey Melton.

MN: Well duh, who didn’t know that?

DT: I didn’t. I’ve seen people do the suplex for ages.

DM: Well, he does have a point. I mean, how old is Melton anyway?

MN: Hey, show some res...

DT: OH MY! JA JUST NAILED DODD WITH A TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER OUT OF THE IRISH WHIP! He covers again...

One...

...two...

...but Dodd kicks out again!

MN: This is blatant!

DM: Yes, blatantly punishing. JA’s taking out all his aggressions from Aggression out on Dodd here.

DT: And now JA grabs the legs and, oh my, I think we’re going to see a Liontamer here!

DM: Walls of Jericoholic! Walls of Jericoholic!

DT: JA’s pulling back tight, but... it’s Marx! Marx is up and he just nailed JA with a vicious clothesline!

DM: Payback for that nasty Joshi suplex JA whipped out on Marx earlier.

DT: Marx nails Dodd right in the back of the head with a knee drop and goes right back after JA.

DM: I don’t understand this. Pin Dodd, he’s out.

DT: But JA’s still pretty cognizant. This might be good strategy here by the Gentleman.

DM: Perhaps...

DT: JA’s back up, but Marx sends him back down to the canvas with another clothesline! Marx then with the knee right to JA’s throat! Ouch!

MN: Good job Marx. Shut that jerk-store up!

DT: Marx back up and BACK DOWN AGAIN WITH ANOTHER KNEE ACROSS JA’S THROAT! And he’s back up and... A THIRD KNEE!

DM: Christ Jesus, you’d think Marx would have been doing that to Dodd considering how much he annoyed him this week.

DT: Marx back down on the canvas and he’s got JA in a Dragon sleeper!

DM: Hey, Neels, how about calling Marx out here on that totally unoriginal move.

MN: Bite me, that’s totally original.

DM: Right...

DT: I don’t know how JA is breathing here, Marx has that hold locked in tight. The ref is checking with JA, but the champ will not give up. Marx relinquishes the hold and grabs the champ. He’s picking JA up and he puts JA’s throat across his knee.

DM: I don’t like the looks of this...

DT: Marx leaps up and... DRIVES JA’S THROAT RIGHT INTO HIS KNEE! JA is GASPING for air here! Cover...

One...

...two...

...but the champion kicks out! Marx wasting no time getting back and he DRIVES JA’s head down onto the canvas with a strong DDT. Another cover...

One...

...two...

JA kicks out again!

DM: Marx is possessed. He wants his belt back.

DT: He sure does, and he’s gonna try to make JA tap in the bow and arrow hold to get it back! Marx with the hold cinched in, but Dodd’s up and he just LEVELED Marx with a boot to the face! Now he’s got JA and... DDT! He just planted the Anglo Luchador with that DDT!

DM: Dodd’s in a good position right now.

MN: Yes, the Almighty Dodd is going to win right here!

DT: Dodd’s grabbing JA back up and now he’s got Marx.

DM: Looks like we’re gonna see a COCONUT CRUNCH!

DT: That’s exactly what Dodd’s looking to do, but JA and Marx block it! Double kick to the gut and a double DDT! JA covers...

One...

No! Marx drags JA off! Now he’s covering...

One...

But JA drags him off! Now JA’s in Marx’s face! Right hand to Marx’s face! Marx fires back with a right of his own, and another, and another, now he’s grabbing the Anglo Luchador and... GOURDBUSTER! Marx covers...

One...

Two...

But Dodd breaks up the pinfall and he covers...

One...

Two...

Marx drags Dodd off and just NAILS him with a reverse DDT! Now Marx is going for a figure four on Dodd!

DM: Whoa, I think I need a cigarette after that.

MN: Yeah, that was intense, but not as intense as my night last night, ba-beee!

DM: Dude, all you did was look at the Sears catalogue.

MN: Hey, shut up!

DT: Marx’s got that hold locked in tight, but... here comes JA! Leg drop across Marx’s chest! Marx breaks the hold!

MN: More infringement!

DT: Infringement or not, JA’s got Dodd now and... OH NO! DODD JUST REVERSED JA INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!

One...

Two...

But JA kicks out. Both men back to their feet, but... MARX JUST NAILED BOTH OF THEM WITH A DUAL CLOTHESLINE!

DM: This is insane!

DT: Marx grabs Dodd and whips him off the ropes... SPINEBUSTER! He’s gonna try to cover, but JA grabs him from behind... DRAGON SUPLEX! That’s the second big suplex JA has landed on Marx this match!

DM: HEADA DOROPPINGU!

MN: Freak!

DT: JA’s now going to the top rope, he jumps... frogsplash on Marx... NO! Marx moved! Marx moved!

MN: And here comes the Almighty Dodd!

DT: Dodd is up and.... BIG RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX ON JA! Now he’s got the champ and.... HERO’S END! DODD’S GOT HIM IN THE HERO’S END!

DM: Not for long!

DT: OUCH! Marx just came out of NOWHERE and nailed Dodd with a bulldog! Marx’s got JA and... MARXISM! He’s stretching the champion!

MN: Here comes Dodd!

DT: And Dodd with a stomp right on the back of Marx’s head! Dodd grabs Marx and...

MN: HOLY SHI...

DT: FAMILY SHOW!

MN: SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS!

DT: D-O-DDT! Marx has gotta be out!

One...

Two...

Thr...

And JA breaks up the pinfall!

DM: This match certainly isn’t for the faint of heart!

DT: I know. JA’s got Dodd and one shot to the head, but Dodd absorbs it and shoots another one back. JA with another right cross, but Dodd fires right back with a jab. JA goes with a wild haymaker, but Dodd ducks it and... BACK SUPLEX! Dodd covers...

One...

Two...

...but Marx breaks up the pinfall!

MN: That’s not very gentlemanly of Marx!

DM: When titles are on the line, Neels, gentlemanliness goes out the window.

DT: You’re right. Marx grabs Dodd and PLANTS him with a gourdbuster. He goes over to JA... NO! JA just clocked Marx with an uppercut to his abdominal area... SITOUT POWERBOMB! JA with the pin...

One...

Two...

Th... NO! Dodd breaks up the pin attempt with a pinpoint dropkick right to JA’s head as he was sitting there!

DM: Holy crap, man. All three of these guys are dishing out and taking massive amounts of punishment.

MN: And this is where Dodd’s almightiness will go in his favor.

DT: Dodd’s got JA and it looks like he’s gonna give him the D-O-DDT too. What? He can’t hit the move... because Marx is hanging on his legs!

MN: Talk about desperation!

DM: This is Empire gold we’re talking about here. Doesn’t matter if it’s the Eye-See belt or the Big One, it’s an honor and a prestige to carry it. And Marx wants desperately to carry it!

DT: Marx to his feet and... reverse DDT on Dodd, but Dodd didn’t let go of JA, so he got a DDT too! All three men are down on the canvas!

DM: It looks like a war zone in there!

MN: Oh man, this is where Dodd rises from the dead to win the match!

DT: Cut the blasphemy out, Neely! We don’t want to offend our Christian viewers!

MN: Well, we signed Cross to a contract, so too late for that.

DT: All three men are stirring, trying to get up. Have we ever had a triple count out before?

DM: Not that I know of, and I hope we don’t start here - hey look at that!

DT: Folks, Adam Benjamin has just come down the ramp and is setting up a chair at ringside - he's settling in to watch the match!

MN: It's Big Daddy English!

DT: JA to his knees over on the ropes. Dodd’s crawling on all fours here. Marx is the first one to his feet full. He goes over to Dodd and... OKLAHOMA ROLL!

One...

...two...

But Dodd kicks out. JA now up to his feet and he’s stalking Marx.... SCHOOL BOY!

One...

...two...

NO! Marx kicks out.

DM: So many close calls here.

DT: And here comes another one as Dodd sneaks up behind JA and rolls him up!

One...

...two...

NO! JA kicks out. Dodd rolls quickly to a corner.

DM: Good strategy here by Dodd, seeing as how everyone’s been getting snuck up on here.

DT: JA and Marx similarly retreat to corners as the crowd is wildly cheering each of these three men’s efforts.

DM: Is it safe to say that we’re at the beginning of round two here?

MN: A round where the Almighty Dodd will score a big win!

DT: All three men come out of their corners, and... OH MY! JA AND MARX JUST TOOK DODD’S HEAD OFF WITH THAT DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!

MN: Blasphemy! Dodd Almighty, get up!

DM: I think both of these men were tired of Dodd’s antics during the week and want to settle this match themselves, like they should have been able to do last week.

DT: Collar and elbow tie... NO! Dodd just got up and clocked JA on the side of the head! Now he’s engaging Marx! This has turned into a donnybrook!

DM: Very uncharacteristic for the Gentleman, but his emotions are besting him right here!

DT: Right from Dodd, left from Marx, right from Dodd, another right from Dodd, left uppercut from Dodd misses and Marx counters with a jumping armbreaker!

DM: Now that’s more in the Gentleman’s wheelhouse!

DT: Marx grabs Dodd and gets him in a hammerlock, but look at this! JA’s to his feet and he’s going to the top again. He jumps and... MISSES WITH THE MISSILE DROPKICK! Marx released the hold and JA missed both Marx and Dodd!

DM: Went to the well one time too many if you asked me!

MN: Well, we didn’t ask you... even though I agree with you.

DM: Jerk.

DT: Marx goes over to JA and he’s got him in a half crab! JA’s in pain here, guys, and... oh man, look, Dodd’s up! What’s he doing?

MN: This is genius! He’s got the other leg! It’s a double Boston crab! Long live Dodd Almighty!

DM: Holy crap, that is genius. Taking him down like that. Although one question, what happens if JA taps here? Who wins?

DT: I don’t know, but I’m sure JA doesn’t want to find out here. He’s trying to inch closer to the ropes, but I don’t know how long he can hold out.

MN: Tap! Tap you silly bastard!

DM: He likes his title too much. I don’t think it’s in him.

DT: JA looks like he’s about to pass out. The ref is checking him and... WHAT? DODD JUST RELEASED HIS END OF THE HOL D AND CLOCKED JONATHAN MARX!

DM: I guess Dodd didn’t want to find out what would have happened if JA tapped here.

MN: Good strategy. Leech off of Marx and put JA out of commission. The title is Dodd’s!

DT: Dodd picks up Marx and locks him up in a sleeper hold!

MN: Lights out! New champion!

DT: Dodd has that hold locked in, and Marx seems to be fading fast... ref holds the arm up once... drops! He holds the arm up twice... drops.

DM: Not looking good for the former champ...

DT: Holds it up third time... and MARX KEEPS IT UP!

MN: Blood doping! Blood doping!

DT: Marx pushes back and drives Dodd into the corner with all his power. Dodd breaks the hold and Marx turns around... KICK TO THE GUT by Dodd! Oh my, Dodd saw it coming! Dodd locks him up... slingshot suplex! He covers...

One...

...two...

Thr... NO! Marx kicks out. In the other corner, JA is finally getting to his feet.

DM: That may have been a big mistake. JA’s legs were hurting, but he’s back to his feet now.

MN: The damage has been done. Let’s pay attention to the new champion now, the Almighty Dodd!

DT: Dodd’s picking Marx up, and now he’s taunting the Gentleman! He kicks him in the gut and motions to the crowd... I think we’re going to see another D-O-DDT here... but... NO! JA just came in and saved Jonathan Marx by giving Sebastian Dodd a spinning heel kick to the face!

DM: I didn’t know he had it in him! This guy truly has the heart of a champion!

DT: JA back up, one crack to Dodd’s face, two, three, four, five. Dodd’s back into the corner, exhausted. JA charges in and... NO! He just ate turnbuckle there! JA stumbles out and Dodd goes to kick him in the gut but JA blocks it and almost immediately spins Dodd around three hundred sixty degrees! JA kicks Dodd in the gut and grabs him, spins him around and...

DM: KARELIN DRIVER! KARELIN DRIVER! Full force too! I think Dodd’s knocked stone cold out!

DT: JA with the chance to pin and win here...

One...

...two...

NO! Marx breaks up the pin with a fist to JA’s back and now he’s got him in the MARXISM! MARXISM! That STF! JA has nowhere to go.

DM: The Gentleman is gonna get his belt back, and there’s no Dodd to save JA now!

MN: Crap! Get up Dodd! Get up!

DM: What, to save JA?

MN: No, to kick the crap out of both of them and win the match!

DT: JA is flailing, and he’s inching closer to the ropes. Can he get there? He’s slowly dragging Marx to the ropes! JA reaches... NO! He can’t reach! He stretches his arm back out...

DM: Marx has got that thing cinched in! He’s stretching like a madman!

DT: JA reaching his arm out... he’s stretching, he’s stretching...

MN: NO! Tap JA! Tap! IF Dodd can’t win, then Marx had better!

DT: JA’s got his arm in the air... is he gonna reach the ropes or is he gonna tap... he... REACHES THE ROPES! JA IS IN THE ROPES!

MN: I can’t friggin believe it! But how much does the Anglo Luchador have left in his tank?

DT: Who knows? This match has been among the most intense straight up wrestling matches I’ve ever seen in my life. Marx back to his feet, visibly frustrated! He grabs JA and whips him into the turnbuckle. Marx heads over and puts JA on the top rope.

DM: I think we’re going to see that super DDT he used to finish off Troy Douglas a few weeks back!

DT: Marx climbs up and puts JA in the front facelock but... NO! JA just landed one, two, three shots to Marx’s kidneys! Marx is wobbly and... JA SHOVED HIM FROM THE TOP ROPES!

DM: Is he thinking aerial move?

DT: JA’s just standing there. I think the missed frogsplash and missile dropkick from earlier are in his head right now. And... JA’s descending from the top. He grabs Marx and picks him up, but Marx lands a blow to JA’s head!

DM: Oh man, how much fight is left in both these guys?

MN: Too much...

DT: Marx goes for another right hand, but JA blocks it and kicks low in Marx’s gut. He grabs Marx and....

DM: KARELIN DRIVER! ANOTHER KARELIN DRIVER!

DT: JA covers....

One...

...two...

...THREE!

[SFX: *ding ding ding*]

Tony Fatora: Here is your winner, and STILL EMPIRE PRO INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION...

JAAAAAAAAY-AAAAAAYEEE!



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

DT: JA has done it! He’s legitimized his claim to the Intercontinental Championship, but he had to fight a war to do it!

DM: That’s an understatement, Dave. Both Jonathan Marx and Sebastian Dodd brought their A-games tonight and all three men had me whoaing like Keanu Reeves over here.

MN: Bah, the best moment is yet to come.

DM: What’s that?

MN: When JA’s victory is overturned due to steroid abuse and blood doping.

DT: Oh will you give it a rest?

MN: No, I wo...

DT: Wait, what’s that?

DM: Looks like Priest just hopped over the rail here.

DT: He’s heading into the ring. I don’t like the looks of this.

MN: Aw, come on. Priest kept his word. He didn’t interfere in the match.

DT: JA finally to his feet with his belt now around his waist. And he sees Priest, and if looks could kill.

DM: Uh-oh.

DT: Priest just stands there and... he extends his hand.

DM: Wow, looks like JA was expecting something different.

MN: See? I told you Priest was good people.

DT: Well JA shakes his hand... this is strange. Priest is pointing at JA who has the Eye-See title around his waist and now he’s out of the ring. Well, that was much ado over nothing.

MN: That was just JA’s biggest fan giving him props.

DM: Whatever. I think there’s more than what meets the eye here.

DT: Anyway, JA’s out and we can prepare for our next match - and that's our main event of the evening! It's next!

[As Sebastian Dodd gets up and begins to slink up the ramp, he passes Adam Benjamin, who smiles at him and spreads his arms in a 'what happened?' gesture. Dodd glares at him, then returns to the back to lick his wounds.]

 

[DBrunkGXW]

DT: Well, folks, this is the match we've all been waiting for! The huge triple-threat main event between Beast, Adam Benjamin and Boogie Smallz!
DM: Man, this one's going to be off the CHAIN. Beast and Benjamin tore the house down last time they faced off, but with Boogie Smallz in there who knows what could happen.

MN: Tonight's the night! I can smell it! Big Loafy's going to get knocked off his throne by Big Daddy English or the Boogie Woogie Man!

DT: I wouldn't be so sure, Mike Neely. Beast has been dominant as champion ever since defeating Christian Sands for the title months ago, and he's rolled through everyone who's challenged him. We could see more of that tonight. Take it away, Tony!



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


MAIN EVENT
EPW World Heavyweight Championship
Elimination Match
Beast (c) vs. "Yours Truly" Adam Benjamin vs. Boogie Smallz

TONY FATORA: Th' following contest is scheduled as an elimination match of two falls! The last man standing will be crowned the World Heavyweight Champion! There is a sixty-minute time limit!

[Cue up: "Lose Yourself" - Eminem. "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.]

TONY FATORA: Introducing first, at a weight of two hundred and forty five pounds... He hails from the United Kingdom and is a former EPW Intercontinental Champion... This... iss... ADAAAAAAAAMMMMMM... BEEEEEEEN-JAMIIIIIIINNNNN!

DT: Listen to the mixed reaction from this crowd as Adam Benjamin makes his way to the ring.

DM: Screw anyone who boos. Adam Benjamin is one of the greatest wrestlers of our time and deserves respect and admiration from everyone who dares call himself a wrestling fan.

MN: Big Daddy English rules!

[Cue up: "Black Superman" - Above The Law. The crowd promptly begins to boo as Boogie Smallz saunters down the ramp, bong in one hand, blunt in the other. He puffs his spliff and blows smoke in the face of a man at ringside as he climbs into the ring, handing the bong to referee Pat Jones.]

TONY FATORA: From Brooklyn, New York... He weighs in at one hundred an' forty-three kilos... He issss BOOGIEEEEEEEEE... SMAAAAAAALLLLLLLLZZZ!

DT: And this crowd is all over Boogie Smallz, the last [BEEP] champion-

DM: Hey, wait a second, they beep out [BEEP] now?

DT: Wow, they do. [BEEP]. [BEEP]. [BEEP].

MN: Hey, cool! Do they beep GWA?

DM: No, just [BEEP].

MN: Ah, so there has to be an E at the end of the GW. What about GW...Eh? Or [BEEP].

DM: it used to be called that. But they can't beep GYW!

DT: *groan*

[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.]

TONY FATORA: And finally, from Winnipeg, Manitoba! He weighs two hundred and ninety pounds! He is the reigning and defending Empire Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Cham-pion of the World! Thissss issss BEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSST!!!

DT: What a huge ovation for the World's Heavyweight Champion! This crowd is on their feet!

MN: Sit down, you bums! Loafy doesn't deserve this!

DM: Shh! The match is starting!

[SFX: *DING* - Bell rings.]

DT: There's the bell, and that puts this main event under way! No blows yet - it's Beast and Smallz staring each other down inTENsely!

MN: You can bet that Beast still hasn't forgiven Smallz for screwing him in War Games!

DT: These two powerhouses, going nose to nose now-

DM: Get a load of Big Daddy English!

DT: *chuckling* Smallz and Beast nose to nose, and Adam Benjamin jumping around alongside, waving his arms!

MN: He's being overlooked.

DM: Benjis need love too, Mikeman.

DT: Smallz and Beast talking some trash now, still ignoring Benjamin... Smallz signaling for the test of strength... Beast takes it... AND THEY TURN AND NAIL BENJAMIN WITH A DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE!!!

DM: SWERVE!

MN: Ow! Benji got ROCKED!

DT: Benjamin comes to his feet in surprise - Beast SLUGS him in the face! And another big right hand! Benjamin staggers away - into a right from Boogie! Beast! Boogie! They're bouncing Benjamin around like a pinball!

DM: You've got to believe that Beast and Smallz want to tear into each other, so they're going to take A-Benj out of the equation first.

DT: Big right from Beast - and he whips Benjamin into the ropes, boosting him to the outside!

MN: Up he goes!

DM: Interesting tactic by Beast. In this match you CAN be counted out because it's elimination style. He can toss Benjamin out and let the timekeeper take him out of contention, leaving just Beast and Boogie.

DT: And now these two great monsters staring each other down... there's the lock-up, and Beast powers Boogie towards the corner! Boogie braces himself and locks up, pushing Beast back to the center of the ring!

MN: It's like watching two bulls lock horns!

DM: These are both huge guys with a big power advantage. The styles are very similar. I WANT to see these two go at it.

DT: Both men straining now, trying to gain an advantage... wait, Benjamin slides back into the ring and slugs Beast in the back, allowing Smallz to power Beast down!

MN: So much for count-outs.

DT: Benjamin and Smallz taking turns stomping away at Beast now. The World's Champion fighting towards the corner, but Benjamin just pushes him into it and starts stomping a mudhole into Beast.

DM: Benjamin's fired up. You can see the killer instinct in his eyes. That's the sort of thing that made him MCW Champion, and it could make him EPW Champion right here tonight.

DT: Stomping away - Smallz now pushing Benjamin to the side to stomp at Beast himself! Benjamin's indignant - pulls Beast away, and we have ourselves an argument brewing here!

MN: They both want a piece of Beast!

DT: The heated exchange, and BENJAMIN SLAPS SMALLZ RIGHT ACROSS THE FACE! Smallz did NOT like that one bit - HUGE knee to the gut! Whips Benjamin into the ropes! BIG BOOT connects!

MN: I think Boogie got ahold of some bad stuff, man!

DT: A reeling Benjamin comes to his feet and advances on Smallz, but gets caught with the big sideslam from the final GWE Champion. Smallz with the cover - There's two - Kickout by Adam Benjamin.

DM: You're not going to put away Benjamin with a sideslam, Dave. The kid may give up a lot of weight to these two beasts, but he's resilient and has a fine grasp of ring psychology.

MN: Hell, look at how hard Beast had it last time!

DT: Smallz now cradling Benjamin's head, bringing him to his feet... up for the scoop slam but Benjamin floats through! Smallz turning - boot to the gut by Benjamin, and there's the snap suplex!

MN: Wooh! Crisp!

DM: Benji knows his ****.

DT: DEAN! FAMILY SHOW-

DM: DAVE! PAY-PER-VIEW!

DT: *grumble* Benjamin now taking control of this matchup, moving to his very technical, mat-based offense. Slugging away at Boogie's neck with big right hands, and there's the neck vice-

DM: Oh snap!

DT: - But Beast NAILS Benjamin with a kick to the jaw! Benjamin is down, and Beast is hammering away on Smallz's head with huge right hands!

MN: It's like a boxing match in there!

DT: Referee Pat Jones gets in there to break it up - Benjamin jumps on Beast from behind with clubbing blows! Beast hammering back with big right hands! We've got an all-out slugfest erupting here!

MN: Dey be sluggin', dey be sluggin'!

DM: It's sluggin' and buggin'!

DT: Beast takes control with the big knee lift to the gut of Benjamin, stunning Yours Truly. Backs him into the corner - OH, WHAT a chop by Beast!

(CROWD: Wooooo!)

DM: That's gonna leave a welt!

DT: Now the World's Champion on the attack, driving those shoulders into the gut of Adam Benjamin. Whips him into the opposite corner - Benjamin hits the buckles and bounces out - RIGHT INTO A SPINEBUSTER FROM THE CHAMPION!!! The cover! One! Two! No, Boogie Smallz broke up the count!

MN: That spinebuster shook the ring!

DM: That's the advantage of Beast. He's so damn powerful and intense that he can just hurl people around like rag dolls.

DT: And Beast and Boogie again giving each other the evil eye! Smallz with a right hand! Beast now! Slugging away! Beast gaining control, backing Smallz into the ropes - clotheslines him to the outside!

MN: Down he goes!

DT: Beast turning to take on Benjamin again - No, Benjamin's up! DDTs Smallz down and holds on to apply a guillotine choke, mixed martial arts style!

DM: Good call by Benjamin there, cutting off the flow of blood to Beast's head.

DT: Smallz beginning to recover on the outside -

(CROWD: *HUGE POP*)

DT: WAIT A MINUTE! IS THAT WHO I THINK IT IS?!?!

DM: HOLY ****!

DT: KEVIN POWERS JUST STEPPED OUT OF THE CROWD - AND GABRIEL POE RIGHT BEHIND HIM!!! THE DARK CARNIVAL IS HERE IN DENVER!!!

MN: WHAAAAT! What're THEY doing here!

DT: The referee's busy watching the submission in the ring - AND MISSES POWERS LEVELING BOOGIE SMALLZ WITH A FIERCE RIGHT HOOK! POE NOW STOMPING THE LIFE OUT OF SMALLZ ON THE FLOOR!

DM: And the timekeeper's over there counting down!

TIMEKEEPER: Four!... Five!...

DT: DAMMIT, THIS IS NOT RIGHT!! Powers now scooping up Smallz... Oh my God, no - NO!!! DAMMIT, KISS THE CANVAS!!! THAT DAMN SLINGSHOT POWERBOMB BOUNCES SMALLZ OFF THE RING BARRICADE DOWN ONTO THE STEEL RAMP!!!

TIMEKEEPER: Six!... Seven!...

DM: SMALLZ JUST GOT LAID THE HELL OUT!!!

MN: THAT'S NUTS!!!

DT: Dammit, Smallz is OUT! He's not moving and the damn Dark Carnival are heading up the ramp laughing!

TIMEKEEPER: Eight!... Nine!... Ten!

(SFX: *DING* - Bell rings.)

TONY FATORA: By virtue of a count-out, BOOGIE SMALLZ HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

DT: And just like that, Boogie Smallz' dreams of victory tonight go up in smoke as the Dark Carnival leave their mark!

DM: Yeah yeah. Check the ring.

DT: Back to the action - Beast POWERS out of Benjamin's chokehold, finally! Backs Yours Truly into a corner and HAMMERS away with shoulder thrusts! Now BEELS Benjamin into the center of the ring!

MN: It's Beast-Benjamin round two!

DM: And this one's gonna be intense!

DT: Benjamin coming to his feet... Beast whips him off into the ropes. Looking for a big boot - Benjamin DUCKS - BEAST HANGS HIS LEG UP ON THE TOP ROPE, AND HE IS SCREAMING IN PAIN!

DM: That's HELL on his quadricep muscles, the way his leg is hung up like that! I remember an athlete of my acquaintance actually ripping his quad clean off like that.

MN: Loafy got pwned!

DT: Now Benjamin in behind Beast... pulls him off the ropes with the big neckbreaker! Now circles around and starts dropping knees onto that injured quadricep of Beast!

DM: This could give Benjamin the match. He smells blood, and if I know him he'll tear that quad apart like a wild dog.

DT: Beast trying to fight to the ropes, but Benjamin grabs the foot of his bag right leg - lifts the entire leg and SLAMS IT INTO THE MAT! BEAST IS IN AGONY!

MN: Man! BDE's going to TOWN on that leg!

DT: You can see the cocky grin on Adam Benjamin's face as he waits for Beast to get to his feet! Now he moves in - DROPKICK to the quad takes Beast back down!

DM: Some mind games there by Adam Benjamin. He let Beast get back up, then took him down again. That can't sit well with the Champ.

DT: The challenger is in total control here at Wrestleverse, wearing down that leg of Beast's. Big stomps to the quad, and Beast is clutching his leg in pain!

MN: I've never seen anyone pick Big Loafy apart like this.

DT: Benjamin now, resting Beast's leg on the ropes... straddles his quad... boosts himself up and COMES DOWN ACROSS THAT QUAD WITH ALL HIS WEIGHT! BEAST IS SCREAMING AND CLUTCHING HIS QUAD AS HE ROLLS AWAY!

DM: What'd I tell ya! That's the Benji Advantage! He grabs that body part and destroys it!

DT: And he's not done yet! Benjamin grabs Beast's leg, flips him over! Signals to the crowd... LOOKING FOR THE FIGURE FOUR - BEAST KICKS HIM AWAY WITH HIS GOOD LEG! Benjamin falls into the ropes and springs forward into a bridge roll-up!

One!

TWO!

Beast kicks out!

MN: There's still loaf in the life! I mean, life in the loaf!

DM: Give it up.

MN: Aw.

DT: Adam Benjamin seems a bit taken aback by Beast's resilience! DROPS the big knee to the quad! Another cover - Kickout by Beast! Benjamin again with the cover - no, big kickout by Beast!

DM: There you see it. The tried-and-true tactic of wearing a man down with pin covers.

DT: A frustrated Benjamin now bringing Beast to his feet... hooks him up, could be looking for the fisherman's suplex... But Beast won't budge!

MN: Loafy's too big!

DT: Benjamin tries again - BEAST LOCKS HIS ARMS AROUND THE CHALLENGER AND DESTROYS ADAM BENJAMIN WITH A BELLY-TO-BELLY SUPLEX, and now both men are down and out!

DM: That suplex had a LOT of power behind it, but it was very much a desperation maneuver. Beast's still hurting from all the punishment Adam Benjamin out him through.

MN: Come on, Big Daddy English! Get up and kick his ass!

DT: Referee Pat Jones beginning the count... both men are on their feet at seven. Benjamin moves in and swings - Beast BLOCKS it and chops Benjamin hard! Another chop! Another, and this crowd is ROARING their approval!

MN: He's starting to feel the RAAAAHR!

DT: Beast chopping! He's taking a trip to the woodshed on Adam Benjamin! Backs him into the ropes! The whip - HUGE clothesline from the Apex Predator! Benjamin up - Beast clotheslines him down! Again Benjamin up - SNAP RELEASE POWERSLAM BY BEAST! Benjamin is reeling, and he rolls to the floor to recover!

DM: That's a double-edged sword there, Dave Thomas. Benjamin needs to get some of his focus back, but at the same time he's giving Beast time to shake some of the pain out of his quad.

DT: You can see Beast pushing his kneepad up a little to protect the lower part of his quad, and now massaging the leg muscles to try and dull the pain.

MN: I'd like the sexy Empire Girls to give ME a massage. Yow!

DM: Mike. Get your mind outta the gutter.

MN: Whaaaat!

DM: Besides, Ruby's mine.

DT: A very frustrated Adam Benjamin continues to roam at ringside - what - wait a minute, Benjamin just pulled a chair out of the crowd and is sliding back into the ring!

MN: Ooooohhh.

DT: Pat Jones is having none of this! He's pulling that chair away from Benjamin - he's got it! The official taking the chair outside - AND BENJAMIN KICKS BEAST SQUARE IN THE GROIN WHILE THE REFEREE'S BACK IS TURNED!!!

DM: Ouch! That had to hurt!

MN: He just got hit in his Alpha Malehood!

DT: Beast is down! Benjamin rolls into the cover! Dammit, we have a new champion!

One!

TWO!

THREE!!

NO! NO!! TWO POINT NINE!!! BEAST GOT THAT SHOULDER UP!!!

DM: What resilience by the champion, kicking out after that freakin' SOCCER KICK to the nuts!

MN: He's superhuman, man! He must have, like, balls of steel!

DT: And Adam Benjamin can't believe it! He's pounding on the canvas yelling 'That was three!' He's arguing the count with referee Pat Jones!

MN: Pat ain't budging on this one.

DT: Benjamin rather insistent - uh oh, Beast sitting up now... climbing to his feet, and he's GLARING DAGGERS at Adam Benjamin's back!

DM: This is bad for Adam. Very bad for Adam.

MN: Don't turn around, BDE!

DT: Benjamin turning now... AND BEAST SPEARS THE CHALLENGER STRAIGHT OUT OF HIS BOOTS!!!

MN: That shook the whole RING!

DT: Beast just broke Adam Benjamin in half! The challenger to his feet weakly - MASSIVE SHOULDER BLOCK BY BEAST levels Benjamin! Now Beast grabs Benjamin by the arm - LEVELS him with a short-arm lariat! There's the cover! One! TWO! ...No, two and a half!

DM: Benjamin's still in the game here!

DT: You can see the focus and the intensity in the face of the World Champion, Beast! He brings Benjamin up by the hair - Whips him off into the ropes, and CATCHES HIM WITH THE ONE EIGHTY DEGREE SPINEBUSTER!!! WHAT A MANEUVER!!! COVER!!!

One!

TWO!!

Three - NO! Benjamin got a shoulder up!

DM: But you have to believe Benjamin's hurting now, too.

MN: Ooh, this is getting intense! - and hey, look who's watching from the ramp!

DM: It's Sebastian Dodd, and he's watching Adam Benjamin!

DT: Again Beast pulling up Benjamin and sending him into the ropes - BAAAACK BODY DROP by Beast, and this crowd is on its feet! Beast's feeding off the energy of the crowd here! Benjamin up! CLOTHESLINE by the big man! Now Beast with the press slam - NO, Beast's bad leg just gave out and Benjamin fell on top in a crossboy position! One! Two - Beast kicks out!

MN: Wow, Benjamin's work DID pay off.

DM: Definitely, Mike. Beast's adrenaline was pumping like crazy and he was ignoring most of the pain, but that time it just caught up with him.

DT: The tide seems to have turned here in Denver as Benjamin immediately takes advantage! Kneedrops to the quad of Beast... and Benjamin LOCKS IN THE FIGURE FOUR ON THE BAD QUAD!!! BEAST IS IN A WORLD OF HURT!!!@

MN: Listen to him scream! SQUEAL, Piggeh, SQUEAL!

DM: This hold is just ripping Beast apart right now! It's putting all the pressure on his legs in a big way!

DT: Beast fighting to hold on! He's trying to turn that hold over!

MN: Give it up, Loafy! GIVE IT UP!

DM: It'll take a lot of pain for Beast to tap! Last time Beast lost by submission his opponent had to choke him into unconsciousness!

DT: Beast beginning to pitch towards the side! Benjamin trying to keep the hold locked in!

MN: He's tipping!

DT: Wait, Benjamin breaks the hold! Flips Beast onto his back... ANKLELOCK APPLIED!!!

DM: SMART, SMART move by Adam Benjamin! He saw that Beast was going to turn the hold over on him and bailed out before Beast could reverse the pressure!

MN: Beast's gotta tap now!

DT: This crowd is rallying behind Beast! The champion is in agony, but he's not giving up! He's fighting towards the ropes!

MN: Not gonna make it!

DT: He's THIS CLOSE to the ropes - BENJAMIN PULLS HIM BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!!!

DM: Ooooooh. Benjamin's got him.

MN: TAAAAAAP!

DT: Wait! Beast turns over - Kicks Benjamin in the gut! Benjamin backs into the ropes and stomps on Beast's face! Now pulling the champion off the mat - Whips Beast into the ropes, looking for a back body drop - BEAST CATCHES HIM IN A HEADSCISSORS! UNDERHOOKS THE ARMS - YES! ABSOLUTION! ABSOLUTION!!!

MN: NO!!

DM: What a desperation move!

DT: The Absolution connects - but Beast is completely out! Both men are down on the canvas, not moving an inch!

DM: This has been one hell of a match here tonight, Dave Thomas. Both of these guys have thrown themselves at each other, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a double KO counted here.

DT: Pat Jones beginning the count.

MN: We can't have a double KO! We can't!

DM: We might.

DT: It doesn't look lke we will, as both men are stirring! Slowly coming to their feet - no, Beast falls to one knee as his quad buckles again!

DM: And that's what could finish beast. That leg of his might not be able to support him.

MN: Hope not! World Champion, Adam Benjamin, baby!

DT: Benjamin sees Beast down on that knee... hits the ropes - SHINING WIZARD! BEAST GOES DOWN HARD!!! BENJAMIN WITH THE COVER!!!

DM: IT'S OVER!!!

DT: ONE!!!


TWO!!!!



THREEEEEE!!!

... NO!!! NO!!! PAT JONES IS SAYING BEAST GOT HIS SHOULDER OFF THE CANVAS!!!

DM: NO WAY!!!

MN: WHAAAAT?!

DT: I CANNOT BELIEVE THE RESILIENCE OF THE WORLD'S CHAMPION!!! Beast just refuses to go down! And Benjamin is FURIOUS, pounding the canvas in a fit of rage!

MN: Come on, Benji! Finish him off!

DT: A furious Benjamin dragging Beast into the corner! Leans him against the turnbuckles and boosts him onto the top! Going up... we could see a superplex here!

DM: This is going to hurt.

MN: Goodbyyyye, Loafy!

DT: Benjamin coming up - Beast recovers enough to slug him in the face! Benjamin is stunned - another punch by Beast drops him to the mat on his feet!

DM: Uh-oh...

DT: Another right from Beast - oh my dear lord, he's underhooking the arms! DON'T TELL ME!!!

MN: OH NO!

DM: NO WAY!!!

DT: BRINGS BENJAMIN UP!!! MY GOD!!! THE ABSOLUTION OFF THE TOP ROPE, AND ADAM BENJAMIN MIGHT AS WELL BE A DAMN CORPSE!!!

DM: THAT WAS SICK!!! HIS NECK COULD BE BROKEN!!!

MN: AAAAAAH!!!

DT: BEAST WITH THE COVER!!!

ONE!!!


TWO!!!!



THREEEEEEEE!!! IT'S OVER!!!

[SFX: *DING* - Bell rings.]

TONY FATORA: Here is your winner, and STILLLLLLLL Heavyweight Cham-pion of the Worrrrrrrld... BEEEEEEEEEEEEASSSSSSSSSSST!!!



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

DT: Adam Benjamin poured his heart and soul into that match, but in the end it wasn't enough to overcome the sheer determination of the Champion Beast.

DM: Still, though. Adam keeps getting closer and closer. Maybe tonight wasn't his night, but someday, it will be.

MN: Hey, where's Dodd going?

[As Beast heads to the back, Sebastian Dodd strolls to ringside, gazing in at the recovering Benjamin. The two men lock eyes. Smirking, Dodd gives Benjamin a 'What happened?' gesture, spreading his arms at his sides. Benjamin glares daggers at him.]

[Fade to credits, then to black, leaving us with the image of Dodd and Benjamin staring holes through each other...]