Post by silentpartner on Feb 10, 2019 16:11:52 GMT -5
Brodie makes her way out to the stage first, the UnYielding Championship being drug behind her down to the ring. She enters to a mixed reaction by the fans, and looks to be more than ready for the encounter by the daggers she stares up the ramp. Francis Ford Cuppola bursts through the curtain, excited at the prospect of this new team of Brodie and Blackman. He passes out fliers for his new film, a buddy action movie about German ninja scuba divers starring Brodie & Black Blackman. Blackman for his part looks imposing, and barks out German phrases that no one, but especially not Francis, can understand. When they get down to the ring, Francis reaches under the ring to pull out a directors chair with his name embroidered on it, and after sitting yells 'Action' up into the ring.
Unlike their opponents, Zachariah Krahe & Rex Rumble make their entrance together like a proper tag team, with Krahe sauntering down to the ring coolly while Rumble randomly points at various members of the crowd, grabs his belt buckle, and spins around several times to the point he's dizzy. Once at ringside Krahe checks his partner who seems off balance, but assures him that he's ready for the contest, and they finally make it into the squared circle. Once there, Krahe leans against the turnbuckle staring intensely at Brodie, whose never taken her eyes off the man. Rumble on the other hand stalks over and gets in Blackman's face, and the German Murder Machine barks insults at him in his domestic language.
Before anyone can blink, Brodie, finally seeming to have had enough of the loud exchange happening beside her, drops Rumble with a right hand, causing even Blackman to step back in surprise. Krahe tears out of the corner, and the two go right for one another, trading blows in the center of the ring while Blackman scoops up Rumble and tosses him to the outside. Finally the bell rings, and the match gets underway with Krahe getting the upper hand on Brodie with a European uppercut that knocks her into the nearby corner. From there he opens up the way that he does with what can only be described as a mugging, rights and lefts and stomps that drive the woman down. She doesn't stay down long, as she fights her way back up by targeting Krahe's shoulder, indicating that it is still injured from their bout on Blitz#9!
The match turns into a game of cat and mouse, with both playing the parts at various times through the contest. Brodie maliciously goes for Krahe's arm, while he fights back with power moves and violent strikes that keep her off balance. Eventually the moment comes where it looks like The Submission Machine is about to lock on the Finality Crossface, but Krahe makes it to the ropes and the referee forces her away. When she moves back in to take control once more, she's booted in the gut and taken down to the mat with a Catalyst DDT instead! Unfortunately, Krahe's shoulder is killing him, and he's unable to make the cover, instead slowly crawling towards his corner where Rex Rumble awaits excitedly extending his hand. Much to everyone's surprise, Brodie begins to do the same thing, and the crowd come to their feet as both competitors make the Hot Tag to their partners.
Rex Rumble comes into the ring hot, closing the distance between himself and Blackman and taking the man down with a clothesline which see's Blackman pop back up to go down two more times off the same move. Rex, feeling fully in control, grabs his belt buckle and spins around the ring, and points to a neutral corner where he steps to the apron, and climbs to the top. He comes off with a double ax handle, but is caught in the midsection by Blackman with a stiff front kick to his gut. Blackman now opens up on Rumble, yelling German slurs with a flurry of punches and martial arts style kicks. Rex looks like he's really on the ropes when Blackman nails him with a running knee strike that drops The Unkempt Hero to the mat. Blackman goes for a cover, but Krahe fires into the ring and breaks up the pin with a stomp to the head.
Suddenly Brodie is there, taking Krahe to the ground with a double leg sweep, and the two roll around on the canvas trading shots with one another until finally reaching the ropes where they dump right out to the concrete. Meanwhile, Blackman gets to his feet and pulls Rumble up with him, moving for another devastating kick. This time, Rumble ducks under it, and when Blackman spins back around he's caught with The Rumble Stumble, three short rocking jabs, followed by a huge overhand right that drops Blackman to the mat. Rumble starts to go for the cover, but gets distracted by the fight taking place between Brodie and Krahe on the outside, which thus far has included whips into the barricade and steel steps. Francis has also noticed the fight, and is imploring the cameraman at ringside to get stock footage for his film and spurring them on to a finale.
This momentary distraction allows Blackman to rise behind Rumble, and he drop kicks the man in the back which sends him hurtling through the ropes to the outside. Blackman follows him out, and the two begin to brawl around ringside, following the lead of their partners. Meanwhile, Santiago is in the ring, starting a count while the action escalates on the outside. Blackman and Rumble somehow manage to deliver a double clothesline to one another, wiping both out on the concrete floor, while on the other side Krahe and Brodie have now fought their way halfway up the ramp, followed by Francis, rolling footage on an imaginary camera while screaming, 'Someone bring in the sharks with lasers on their head!'
Rumble and Blackman begin to stir, and start trying to make their way back to the ring, but they trip over one another just as the referee reaches a count of ten. The bell sounds, and this actually gets the attention of Krahe and Brodie, who momentarily pause their battle to stare back at the ring. Francis insists that he never said 'cut', but they ignore him to listen to the official word that both teams had been counted out. The two superstars stand there blinking for a moment, and then turn their attention right back to one another about the time that security comes rushing down the ramp to intervene. When all is said and done, Francis is left there blubbering, 'That wasn't in the script!'
Unlike their opponents, Zachariah Krahe & Rex Rumble make their entrance together like a proper tag team, with Krahe sauntering down to the ring coolly while Rumble randomly points at various members of the crowd, grabs his belt buckle, and spins around several times to the point he's dizzy. Once at ringside Krahe checks his partner who seems off balance, but assures him that he's ready for the contest, and they finally make it into the squared circle. Once there, Krahe leans against the turnbuckle staring intensely at Brodie, whose never taken her eyes off the man. Rumble on the other hand stalks over and gets in Blackman's face, and the German Murder Machine barks insults at him in his domestic language.
Before anyone can blink, Brodie, finally seeming to have had enough of the loud exchange happening beside her, drops Rumble with a right hand, causing even Blackman to step back in surprise. Krahe tears out of the corner, and the two go right for one another, trading blows in the center of the ring while Blackman scoops up Rumble and tosses him to the outside. Finally the bell rings, and the match gets underway with Krahe getting the upper hand on Brodie with a European uppercut that knocks her into the nearby corner. From there he opens up the way that he does with what can only be described as a mugging, rights and lefts and stomps that drive the woman down. She doesn't stay down long, as she fights her way back up by targeting Krahe's shoulder, indicating that it is still injured from their bout on Blitz#9!
The match turns into a game of cat and mouse, with both playing the parts at various times through the contest. Brodie maliciously goes for Krahe's arm, while he fights back with power moves and violent strikes that keep her off balance. Eventually the moment comes where it looks like The Submission Machine is about to lock on the Finality Crossface, but Krahe makes it to the ropes and the referee forces her away. When she moves back in to take control once more, she's booted in the gut and taken down to the mat with a Catalyst DDT instead! Unfortunately, Krahe's shoulder is killing him, and he's unable to make the cover, instead slowly crawling towards his corner where Rex Rumble awaits excitedly extending his hand. Much to everyone's surprise, Brodie begins to do the same thing, and the crowd come to their feet as both competitors make the Hot Tag to their partners.
Rex Rumble comes into the ring hot, closing the distance between himself and Blackman and taking the man down with a clothesline which see's Blackman pop back up to go down two more times off the same move. Rex, feeling fully in control, grabs his belt buckle and spins around the ring, and points to a neutral corner where he steps to the apron, and climbs to the top. He comes off with a double ax handle, but is caught in the midsection by Blackman with a stiff front kick to his gut. Blackman now opens up on Rumble, yelling German slurs with a flurry of punches and martial arts style kicks. Rex looks like he's really on the ropes when Blackman nails him with a running knee strike that drops The Unkempt Hero to the mat. Blackman goes for a cover, but Krahe fires into the ring and breaks up the pin with a stomp to the head.
Suddenly Brodie is there, taking Krahe to the ground with a double leg sweep, and the two roll around on the canvas trading shots with one another until finally reaching the ropes where they dump right out to the concrete. Meanwhile, Blackman gets to his feet and pulls Rumble up with him, moving for another devastating kick. This time, Rumble ducks under it, and when Blackman spins back around he's caught with The Rumble Stumble, three short rocking jabs, followed by a huge overhand right that drops Blackman to the mat. Rumble starts to go for the cover, but gets distracted by the fight taking place between Brodie and Krahe on the outside, which thus far has included whips into the barricade and steel steps. Francis has also noticed the fight, and is imploring the cameraman at ringside to get stock footage for his film and spurring them on to a finale.
This momentary distraction allows Blackman to rise behind Rumble, and he drop kicks the man in the back which sends him hurtling through the ropes to the outside. Blackman follows him out, and the two begin to brawl around ringside, following the lead of their partners. Meanwhile, Santiago is in the ring, starting a count while the action escalates on the outside. Blackman and Rumble somehow manage to deliver a double clothesline to one another, wiping both out on the concrete floor, while on the other side Krahe and Brodie have now fought their way halfway up the ramp, followed by Francis, rolling footage on an imaginary camera while screaming, 'Someone bring in the sharks with lasers on their head!'
Rumble and Blackman begin to stir, and start trying to make their way back to the ring, but they trip over one another just as the referee reaches a count of ten. The bell sounds, and this actually gets the attention of Krahe and Brodie, who momentarily pause their battle to stare back at the ring. Francis insists that he never said 'cut', but they ignore him to listen to the official word that both teams had been counted out. The two superstars stand there blinking for a moment, and then turn their attention right back to one another about the time that security comes rushing down the ramp to intervene. When all is said and done, Francis is left there blubbering, 'That wasn't in the script!'
Draw by Double Count Out
Cutting backstage, Zack Fantana is seen slinking through the lobby, a far cry from his usual confident stride. Someone sounding vaguely like Brad Stokes made him almost as soon as he stepped in the door, shouting “Zack buddy” through the bustling crowd, but Zack had no plans on stopping. Fantana pushed forward, grabbing a stagehand by the shoulders and leading him toward the door marked with his name.
ZF: Can you do me a big favor and make sure there’s no Zombies, gagged or otherwise, inside my dressing room? I kind of have a big match coming up and I need my space free and clear of distractions and/or bloodletting of any kind.
A peculiar request, to be sure, but the stagehand took it in stride, likely having been employed by VPW for some time and knowing the drill.
Zack placed his back against the wall and waited for the stagehand to return. Soon enough, he emerged and he wasn’t alone.
Stagehand: It’s clear of Zombies, but…
Zack jumped but it was only Emily Burlinggame who emerged from the dressing room, microphone readied in hand.
EB: Zack, it’s only me.
ZF: Sorry. It’s just that irresponsible journalism scares me.
Emily feigned laughter.
EB: Very funny, Zack. I was hoping to catch you before your match.
ZF: And you’re kind of blowing up my spot. This is supposed to be the night of no bullshit for Zack Fantana. My only saving grace may be that Novacaine has like zero self-awareness and is probably shouting racist epithets out in the lobby as we speak, so the Zombies should take their fight elsewhere tonight.
EB: Do you think fatigue will play a factor in your match tonight with Brodie pulling double duty tonight?
ZF: While it’s true that Brodie has only just had her first challenge of the night, it was the opener and our match is on near last. If she really needs to lean on that as an baked-in excuse, I’ve already won.
EB: Well, Kenneth Othello continues to claim that the championship is cursed and-
ZF: You’re talking to the wrong person, Emily. I don’t believe in curses. It’s not my genre. The make believe is more in Brodie’s wheelhouse. What I believe in is Zack Fantana and do you know what? Plenty of other people do too. But I don’t need to pander to the audience and pretend like I’m fighting for this championship in the name of someone else like Brodie either. I’m reclaiming the UnYielding Championship simply because I want it back.
With that, Zack simply skulked into the dressing room and locked the door.
Leela Watts makes her way to the ring to a huge crowd ovation, fans of hers holding signs up in the hopes that she will notice them. She slaps hands around ringside before getting into the ring, and she continues to garner attention from the crowd while waiting for her opponent. Poe Sauer steps past the curtain, and the mood sours as she makes her way down to the ring with a stoic expression. She hops to the apron, and swings into the ring, doing so while never taking her eyes off of Leela. The referee signals for the bell, and both competitors being to circle in the ring.
There are some good back and forth in the early going, as Poe tries to keep Leela off balance and grounded with powerful take downs, and ground and pound like tactics. Eventually, Leela does get free from the woman, and with that takes the fight to Sauer with two consecutive drop kicks, followed by a crossbody off the ropes that results in the first two count. Sauer, not to be outdone by the fan favorite, cuts her off after the flurry with a throat thrust, followed by a swinging neck breaker. The fans pour out their disdain for the woman, as she follows that up by dropping down and using both hands to blatantly choke the woman. The referee calls her down with a five count, and she breaks just in the nick of time to keep from being disqualified.
From there Sauer places Leela in a Guillotine Choke, and Watts fights against the urge to go under. The referee asks several times as the woman screams no from the awkward position under Sauer's arm, but slowly begins to fade in the center of the ring. The ref lifts her arm once, then twice, but on the third time Leela finds her fighting spirit, and the crowd lends her their voice to make a comeback. She manages to lower herself to the mat, and her right knee fires up to strike Poe in the face, forcing her to break the hold. With Sauer clutching her nose, Leela manages to get back to her feet, and after some spring off the ropes comes soaring in with a headscissors takeover that sends Poe to the mat.
Poe is up quickly, however, but is met by Leela with a dropkick that knocks her back into the nearby corner. Leela gets a running go and leaves her feat to deliver a crushing second dropkick that leaves Sauer dazed. She whips her to the other side, but Poe manages to get her feet out in front of her to stop herself against the turnbuckles, and when Leela follows her in, she's met with a back elbow that snaps her down to the mat. Poe quickly climbs up the ropes, and leaps back wards with both feet pointed down for a double stomp. Leela manages to roll out of the way, and comes up only to be met by Sauer, who landed on her feet, and catches her with a knee lift. She drags her out to the middle of the ring where she hooks her around the head, but Watts manages to block it, suddenly sitting straight down into a sit out jaw breaker to Poe.
Poe stumbles around the ring clutching at her jaw as Leela gets back to her feet, and springboards off the rope towards Sauer while hooking her around the head and driving her skull into the mat with a Tornado DDT. Sauer seems out on the mat and Leela quickly rolls her over onto her front, places her knee's into her spine while grabbing at her thigh with one hand while hooking around the chin with the other, and then rocks back into her Follow Your Arrow submission. Poe comes alive in pain, but she's dead center of the ring with no where to go, and after a few agonizing moments feverishly taps against Leela's arm.
The ref calls for the bell and Watts drops the hold, coming up to her feet while grinning ear to ear in excitement and throws her hands up in the air as the fans go nuts. The ref takes her by the wrist and makes it official by raising her arm, and Leela thanks him before jumping out of the ring and celebrating with those at ringside. Sitting in the middle of the ring, Poe stares balefully at Leela as she slaps hands, clutching at her lower back. Eventually she moves to make her exit while Watts continues to celebrate before the scene cuts backstage.
Winner by Submission: Leela Watts
DR: “Man, these are the moments I live for, you know? It’s crazy how much just being in the building and hearing the fans can do for a person’s soul. You guys are wild out there, seriously, and I can’t wait to get out there and put on a show for you all tonight.”
With a wave of his hand he seemed to swat away the question that he knew was hanging on the air, and that would have been asked if someone had been present to ask it.
DR: “I’m going to put my best foot forward no matter what Andrew decides to do tonight, you know? I meant what I said, though, and I’m going to hope that he listens to reason. I mean there’s no denying the guy has accomplished a lot in this business and that there are things that I could learn from him. But man, he needs to find his love for what he’s doing again. He needs to find his passion for what he’s doing, again. And it’s on nights like this one, where the fans are screaming their lungs out, that that kind of change can happen, you know? That’s the power that you guys have.”
Nodding his head, and once more starting to get into a rhythm with his words, Rizzo continued.
DR: “I mean, I won’t lie. I’ve been down in the dumps since Equinox, really. And when I went out there and went to do battle with Lorean, man I let all of you down because my heart wasn’t fully there. But just walking in here tonight was a reminder to me of how much you guys love getting to watch what we do. And how lucky I am to be able to do this. No matter what happens tonight. No matter if I have to bust Nova right in his chops. No matter if I have to fight the Zombie Clan on my own. No matter if we win, if we lose. If I win or lose on my own. I’m doing this not just for myself, but for you guys too.”
With a wink to the camera he held up his two fingers in the infamous Boy Scouts symbol for giving their word.
DR: “Scouts honor.”
And with a laugh, Danny picked up his bowl of noodles once more as the scene switched elsewhere.
Legion stalks out of the curtain to the sounds of 'Legion' by Hammerfall, and continues her no nonsense walk down the ramp, glowering at the ring. Once at ringside she rolls under the bottom rope, and stalks back and forth in the ring, before finally falling back into far corner, sliding down the turnbuckles into a seated position and staring hard at the entrance stage. 'Brainfog' by Static X hits over the PA and light blue lights begin flashing in tandem with the electronic beats against a backdrop that appears to be a mirror. From the fractured prism steps E Bradley Knox, a cool veneer to his expression as he makes his way to ringside. Once there, he climbs the steps, cleans his feet on the ring apron, and then enters the ring.
Almost immediately Legion is upon him, wrapping one arm around his throat to latch onto his back, while hammering away with the other into the back of his skull. Knox shows no surprise, but neither does he come away unscathed as the woman continues her assault, finally dropping down from his back, hooking him around the waist, and taking him hard to the mat in a release German suplex, indicating some hidden strength that belies her stature. Knox comes up quickly, but Legion is there to meet him, this time locking onto him from the front, and sending him for another suplex, this time a release overhead belly to belly. Knox lands flat on his back, but again comes right back up, no expression on his face despite having must felt the impact.
Legion comes roaring in a third time, but Knox answers with a left jab that momentarily pauses the wild woman. He comes firing out with more lefts, and then a right hook that sends her stumbling to her left. He allows her to come upright before hammering with a European uppercut that knocks her all the way to the mat, which she pops back up and is met with a double leg take down. Knox floats from her legs to her head, still expressionless, hooking her into a deep front face lock, cutting off her oxygen supply. Legion works to push Knox to his feet, and takes him to the mat with a northern lights suplex with a bridge for the first pinfall attempt, but he kicks out at two.
Both competitors come to their feet at the same time, and Legions moves in with a lariat, but her arm is caught by Knox, and she suddenly finds herself in a her own finishing move, the Kamura lock. For the first time, Legion's face changes from glowering to panicked, as Knox leaps and wraps both legs around her midsection, dragging her to the canvas in the dangerous hold. A violent twist see's the woman awash with pain, and she shakes her head 'No' through gritted teeth at the referee's insistent questions. She kicks and digs in with her legs, and manages to push both her and Knox over near the ropes, where she just barely fingertips the bottom rope. Knox releases the hold without incident, but Legion is left clutching at her arm.
Several stomps to her elbow joint bring a raised awareness to her face, and Legion works to get to her feet, trying to turn to keep the injury from her attacker. Her good arm flashes out from her side, and her claws find his eyes as she rakes them across his face. Knox, momentarily blinded, begs off, and Legion rushes out angrily to catch him around the head and drive him to the mat with a bulldog. She comes up and begins stomping at his arm in return, viciously pulling it free from his body to attack the joints. Knox manages to roll over onto his back, and brings both feet up to plant in her chest, knocking her away from him. He is up quickly, but Legion comes rushing back in, diving into a European uppercut of her own, but Knox manages to get out of the way.
Just as she gets turned around, she walks right into a ring rattling spine buster from Knox, who comes back up to his feet to a slight pop from the crowd. He takes a step back, his stoic features like a statue as he watches the woman struggle to her knee's, and then tears off into a gallop, driving his shin and the top of his foot across the side of her face and the back of her head with a devastating shining wizard he calls #000000 Out! He hooks the leg as the referee drops to make the pin, resulting in three!
Knox gets to his feet, still staring blankly out at the crowd as some of them are now on their feet in applause while others converse, somewhat impressed. He allows the referee to raise his arm as Legion rolls under the bottom rope to the outside, clutching the side of her head, conversing with herself in what appears to be an argument with no one. Knox nods, pats the referee on the shoulder, and abruptly exits the ring and makes his way up the ramp. Legion finally looks up to watch his exit, and the look on her face spells that she will not be taking this loss lightly.
Winner by Pinfall: E. Bradley Knox
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UNDERCARD MAIN EVENT
Cross Recoba enters the arena in Thailand in his usual cocksure manner, titanium cane in hand, a grin on his face that screams asshole. The fans boo him voraciously as he makes his way down to the ring, where he climbs the steps and enters the ring, throwing both hands out to his side to take in the outpouring of disdain. When Alexis Terry makes her way onto the stage, the fans are a little less rowdy, but still she flips her hair at the reaction she receives. Reaching ringside she hops up to the apron, slips into the ring, and looks bemused with Recoba as her opponent. She rolls her eyes as he cheekily offers her his hand, and signals that she's ready to begin.
The bell rings with the two circling one another, Cross moving in for a lock up, but Terry expertly dodging it and driving an elbow into the back of his head as he passes. Cross takes the insult, and stares at Alexis in what almost looks like newfound respect, but the minute they move to lock up again, it's Recoba who cuts her off with a knee to the gut, and then an unnecessary eye poke that sends her blindly falling into the ropes. Cross follows her in with nasty chops, moving her over to the corner, and continuing the beat down with mud hole stomps against the turnbuckles. Once Terry has dropped to a seated position, he takes a few steps back, and then rushes back in with a foot wash that almost seems to peel her face from her skull.
Cross, enjoying the early control, pulls Terry out of the corner and takes her to the mat with a gut wrench suplex, pops up quickly, and moves to drop the elbow, but Alexis gets out of the way. Cross comes up quickly to meet her, but she ducks his lariat attempt, and when he spins back around is caught square in the face with a Yakuza kick that sends him thundering to the mat. Terry follows this up with a standing shooting star press that crushes Cross into the mat, and she hooks the leg for a pin, but only gets a one count for her troubles.
Terry gets to her feet and waits by the ropes to lie in wait for Recoba to get to his feet, and the second he does, she thunders across the ring and catches him right in the face with a V-Trigger running knee. Cross snaps down to the mat clutching his face, and Terry covers him again, this time for a two and a half. Recoba quickly rolls under the bottom rope to the outside after the pin attempt, and stalks around clutching his nose, and kicking at the guardrail in frustration. The fans jibe him unmercifully, and he threatens a few, turning around just in time to see Alexis sailing from the top with a Missle Drop Kick to the outside.
The entire arena gasps as Cross quickly darts out of the way, and England's Most Glamorous Export splats on the concrete floor. Cross grins now, causing the fans to start back up with their boo's, and he slides back into the ring to wait for Terry to get to her feet. She slowly ambles up, and Cross hit's off the ropes on the opposite side for spring, thundering back across the ring to leap right up and over the top to crash into Alexis with his Million Lira dropkick. The move sends her hurtling spine first into the steel barricade, and Recoba rubs his hands together at the obvious injury displayed on her pain ridden face.
After tossing her back in the ring, he delivers several knee drops into her spine, before peeling her off the canvas and dropping her again into a nasty looking back breaker. He goes for a cover, but only gets a two and a half, but it doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest as he gets her up and sends her off the ropes. Upon her return he delivers a high back body drop that sends her crashing to the mat, and the damage to her spine is obvious by the way she clutches at her lower back. She moves to get up, but Cross is already there, tucking her head between his legs, and then pulling her up to sit on his chest before driving her back down to the mat in a thunderous sit out powerbomb. He retains hold of her legs for a cover, and she barely gets her shoulder up before the three.
Now a little perturbed, Cross pulls her legs up, looking for the dreaded Garibaldi's Guillotine, but Terry has the move well scouted, and fight with everything she's got to stay out of it. A few well placed boots to Recoba's face begs him off long enough for her to get to her feet, and when he comes wading back in she surprises everyone with a lightening fast superkick that sends him crashing to the mat. Terry yanks him up to his feet, and this time it's her tucking his head between her legs, grabbing the back of his tights, and then pulling him up and sitting down into a wicked piledriver. Cross clutches at his neck, as Terry pushes him over onto his back for a pin that see's a very close two and a half.
Terry, deciding she needs to go big, steps over to the nearest corner and leaps up to the second. Just as Cross starts to get to his feet, she launches herself off, swinging both feet up and out in front of her for a front drop kick. To everyone's amazement Cross catches her legs, and slams her spine first to the canvas, before turning her over into Garibaldi's Guillotine. The fans are on their feet in boo's as Terry screams out in pain, and Cross just grins, yelling at Santiago, "Ask her, Ref! Ask her!" Terry shakes her head violently 'No', all the while clawing at the mat to try and bring her closer to the ropes. She's barely able to get two fingers on the bottom rope, when Cross sits down right into her spine, still yanking back on her legs. Santiago calls him down with a five count, but he shakes his head 'No'.
Just when it looks like Santiago is going to call for the bell, Cross lets her go and cuts the referee off, showing that he had done as he was asked. The referee warns him sternly as he nods, making his way to exit the ring. Now Santiago follows him to the edge, telling him to get back in the ring, when Cross steps over to the time keepers table and gets hold of one of the free standing steel chairs. He brings it back over to the ring, and rolls in with it. Santiago cuts him off with more stern warnings, threatening to disqualify him if he takes another step towards Terry. Cross offers a Cheshire grin, handing the chair to the referee, who shakes his head and walks it towards the edge of the ring.
With the referee's back turned, Cross reaches through the ropes to grab his titanium cane that was leaned against the ring steps, and brings it in. Just as Alexis Terry makes it to her feet, he brings the cane crashing down across her shoulder blades for a thunderous crack. The fans boo for all their worth, but by the time Santiago has returned the chair to the timekeepers table, and gotten back in the ring, he's none the wiser when he spies Cross Recoba with a deep leg hook on Terry. He drops for the one, two, three, and it's over.
The fans fling their popcorn and hot dog wrappers into the ring at Recoba who acts as if his victory is the second coming. He makes as if he's kicking dirt up onto Alexis Terry, before forcing the referee to lift his arm in victory. He laughs all the while as the fans jeer and boo, before making his way out of the ring. The referee checks on Terry as he exits, and finding her unresponsive signals for medical, who come rushing to the ring. From the top of the stage, Cross continues to belly laugh while the crowd reacts disparagingly at the cheat.
The bell rings with the two circling one another, Cross moving in for a lock up, but Terry expertly dodging it and driving an elbow into the back of his head as he passes. Cross takes the insult, and stares at Alexis in what almost looks like newfound respect, but the minute they move to lock up again, it's Recoba who cuts her off with a knee to the gut, and then an unnecessary eye poke that sends her blindly falling into the ropes. Cross follows her in with nasty chops, moving her over to the corner, and continuing the beat down with mud hole stomps against the turnbuckles. Once Terry has dropped to a seated position, he takes a few steps back, and then rushes back in with a foot wash that almost seems to peel her face from her skull.
Cross, enjoying the early control, pulls Terry out of the corner and takes her to the mat with a gut wrench suplex, pops up quickly, and moves to drop the elbow, but Alexis gets out of the way. Cross comes up quickly to meet her, but she ducks his lariat attempt, and when he spins back around is caught square in the face with a Yakuza kick that sends him thundering to the mat. Terry follows this up with a standing shooting star press that crushes Cross into the mat, and she hooks the leg for a pin, but only gets a one count for her troubles.
Terry gets to her feet and waits by the ropes to lie in wait for Recoba to get to his feet, and the second he does, she thunders across the ring and catches him right in the face with a V-Trigger running knee. Cross snaps down to the mat clutching his face, and Terry covers him again, this time for a two and a half. Recoba quickly rolls under the bottom rope to the outside after the pin attempt, and stalks around clutching his nose, and kicking at the guardrail in frustration. The fans jibe him unmercifully, and he threatens a few, turning around just in time to see Alexis sailing from the top with a Missle Drop Kick to the outside.
The entire arena gasps as Cross quickly darts out of the way, and England's Most Glamorous Export splats on the concrete floor. Cross grins now, causing the fans to start back up with their boo's, and he slides back into the ring to wait for Terry to get to her feet. She slowly ambles up, and Cross hit's off the ropes on the opposite side for spring, thundering back across the ring to leap right up and over the top to crash into Alexis with his Million Lira dropkick. The move sends her hurtling spine first into the steel barricade, and Recoba rubs his hands together at the obvious injury displayed on her pain ridden face.
After tossing her back in the ring, he delivers several knee drops into her spine, before peeling her off the canvas and dropping her again into a nasty looking back breaker. He goes for a cover, but only gets a two and a half, but it doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest as he gets her up and sends her off the ropes. Upon her return he delivers a high back body drop that sends her crashing to the mat, and the damage to her spine is obvious by the way she clutches at her lower back. She moves to get up, but Cross is already there, tucking her head between his legs, and then pulling her up to sit on his chest before driving her back down to the mat in a thunderous sit out powerbomb. He retains hold of her legs for a cover, and she barely gets her shoulder up before the three.
Now a little perturbed, Cross pulls her legs up, looking for the dreaded Garibaldi's Guillotine, but Terry has the move well scouted, and fight with everything she's got to stay out of it. A few well placed boots to Recoba's face begs him off long enough for her to get to her feet, and when he comes wading back in she surprises everyone with a lightening fast superkick that sends him crashing to the mat. Terry yanks him up to his feet, and this time it's her tucking his head between her legs, grabbing the back of his tights, and then pulling him up and sitting down into a wicked piledriver. Cross clutches at his neck, as Terry pushes him over onto his back for a pin that see's a very close two and a half.
Terry, deciding she needs to go big, steps over to the nearest corner and leaps up to the second. Just as Cross starts to get to his feet, she launches herself off, swinging both feet up and out in front of her for a front drop kick. To everyone's amazement Cross catches her legs, and slams her spine first to the canvas, before turning her over into Garibaldi's Guillotine. The fans are on their feet in boo's as Terry screams out in pain, and Cross just grins, yelling at Santiago, "Ask her, Ref! Ask her!" Terry shakes her head violently 'No', all the while clawing at the mat to try and bring her closer to the ropes. She's barely able to get two fingers on the bottom rope, when Cross sits down right into her spine, still yanking back on her legs. Santiago calls him down with a five count, but he shakes his head 'No'.
Just when it looks like Santiago is going to call for the bell, Cross lets her go and cuts the referee off, showing that he had done as he was asked. The referee warns him sternly as he nods, making his way to exit the ring. Now Santiago follows him to the edge, telling him to get back in the ring, when Cross steps over to the time keepers table and gets hold of one of the free standing steel chairs. He brings it back over to the ring, and rolls in with it. Santiago cuts him off with more stern warnings, threatening to disqualify him if he takes another step towards Terry. Cross offers a Cheshire grin, handing the chair to the referee, who shakes his head and walks it towards the edge of the ring.
With the referee's back turned, Cross reaches through the ropes to grab his titanium cane that was leaned against the ring steps, and brings it in. Just as Alexis Terry makes it to her feet, he brings the cane crashing down across her shoulder blades for a thunderous crack. The fans boo for all their worth, but by the time Santiago has returned the chair to the timekeepers table, and gotten back in the ring, he's none the wiser when he spies Cross Recoba with a deep leg hook on Terry. He drops for the one, two, three, and it's over.
The fans fling their popcorn and hot dog wrappers into the ring at Recoba who acts as if his victory is the second coming. He makes as if he's kicking dirt up onto Alexis Terry, before forcing the referee to lift his arm in victory. He laughs all the while as the fans jeer and boo, before making his way out of the ring. The referee checks on Terry as he exits, and finding her unresponsive signals for medical, who come rushing to the ring. From the top of the stage, Cross continues to belly laugh while the crowd reacts disparagingly at the cheat.
Winner by Pinfall: Cross Recoba
The camera pans the confines of the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium as a few straggling fans find their seats, those already in place holding up various signs, some in English, some in Taiwanese. One reads '#Trendsetters are my role models', while another says 'Skellicorn for life', and yet another reads 'I want to be Brodie's next vicitim'! The Blitz logo with Dakota Jenning's face suddenly appearing on the big screen above the stage causes a huge pop. Fireworks and pyro shoot off, and suddenly the camera view switches to the top of the stage, traveling down the ramp towards the ring, right up and over the top rope, and finally coming to settle on the announce booth.
Laurence Othello: Hello everyone, and welcome to another addition of Blitz on Fite TV coming to you live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand! I am Laurence Othello, and the dapper gentleman to my right is my brother from another mother, Kenneth Othello, and we will be your hosts this evening for another exciting episode of Valor Pro Wrestling!
Kenneth Othello: Man, I tell you, Laur, The Undercard matches are starting to get as good as the Main Show matches!
LO: No doubt about it, Ken, but this Blitz has so much more to come that I can't hardly wait!
KO: I know I'm hot about our Main Event this evening, consisting of another round between Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters!
LO: I'm sure you are, considering you've been nonstop running your mouth about it the entire time we've been in Thailand. Listen, Ken, I don't know how to tell you this, but you're a bit too old for any of those ladies to consider seriously. I'm sorry.
KO: Oh, brother-of-mine, I don't need them to take me seriously. I just need them to take me!
Laurence rolls his eyes and sighs, before moving right along.
LO: But before that, we have a first time meeting tonight in an exciting match up for the UnYielding Championship!
KO: Belt is cursed!
LO: So you've said, but Brodie will be defending her title for the first time against former champion and crowd favorite, Zack Fantana!
KO: Man, I tell you what, that Brodie is a technical monster in the ring. If there was anyone who could break the curse of the UnYielding Championship, it'd be her. I mean.....she probably eats curses for breakfast!
LO: I know that she hands out a few, as every opponent she's ever faced has had to have their shoulders put in a sling, but you can't count a guy like Fantana out. He's already had success with Lethal Lottery partner, Andrew Vilar, in the first round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, and I'm sure he'd like nothing more than to be a dual champion!
KO: Stiff competition in that tournament, Laur, and it gets even tougher tonight as the other two first round matches will decide who moves on. Although, I do have a question for you...
LO: Shoot...
KO: Well, since Rex Rumble & Krahe and Brodie & Blackman were both counted out, what does that mean for the brackets. Last I checked, that leaves someone receiving a bye.
LO: That's a good question, but I'm betting management already has a plan in place to contend with that.
KO: Wish they'd share with us. I mean, we are just the voices of the entire show.
LO: Easy, Ken, I like this job.
KO: Anyways, speaking of Chimera Tag Tournament action, the first of those matches will see the unlikely team of NovaCaine & Danny Rizzo take on the enigmatic Zombie Clan duo of Aokigahara & Siberia Zombie. With all the activity as of late thanks to the Zombie Clan, this one should be interesting.
LO: I want to know how Danny Rizzo is supposed to contend with that vile sack of human excrement, NovaCaine?
KO: Wow! I see that you really don't like this guy? Is it the racism thing, or the toxic masculinity?
LO: Both! Quite frankly, after seeing what he did to sweet Fallon Lockhart last show, I thought perhaps management would ban him, at the very least, fine him...but No! Here he is again, trying to sully the good name of another young superstar with a bright future.
KO: Well you heard the man earlier this week. He might not sully anything if he decides to bail on the kid. I guess we'll have to find out later tonight.
LO: That's right, because we have another Chimera Tag Tournament match that sees another insane combination! Brennan Devlin, a man who has been a thorn in Vanessa Byrne's side for months, will be tagging with the very man he had an incredible Apex Championship match with at Equinox, Cosmo Cooper!
KO: You talk about dysfunctional! These two guys hate each other, but according to Devlin, he's really going to try and win this thing. He wants to rub this victory into Cosmo's face later down the line, and drive the man batty!
LO: And I think it's working. All of the disparaging remarks about Cosmo's real life recent loss, coupled with his constant goading and unrelenting jibes.....I don't see how it will work!
KO: Well, it definitely plays into the favor of Fallon Lockhart and Lorean Moore, who seemed to be willing to get along at least for the sake of the Tournament. Who knows, Laur, maybe they'll be able to use this to their advantage, although i doubt it. Lockhart will probably get out here and try to get the two of them to play nice. I guess we'll see.
LO: Yeah, and if that isn't enough, Zachariah Krahe has something to say, and what better place to do that than on 'Where There's Stoke's, There's Fire'!
KO: Um....in a Thailand McDonald's?
LO: Funny, Ken. I want to know what Krahe is thinking now that he's a three time 'FORMER' UnYielding Champion, and also what he plans to do about this Zombie Clan situation.
KO: The Catalyst definitely has a full dance card, but what about our opening bout...Valor Pro's resident superhero is set to take on the up and coming Andrew Vilar!
LO: Vilar and Fantana have already made it through to the next round, and you have to believe if they both win here tonight, that will make for waves as the tournament continues.
KO: No doubt, but instead of talking about it, why don't we let the Generic Ring Ann---
Kenneth is suddenly cut off by the sounds of 'Turn To Stone' by Joe Walsh hitting over the PA System, and the fans automatically churn out the boo's for the theme music they've already heard once tonight. Kenneth and Laurence both exchange glances, looking at their notes, and then shrug as the cameras cut to the stage.
Laurence Othello: Hello everyone, and welcome to another addition of Blitz on Fite TV coming to you live from the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand! I am Laurence Othello, and the dapper gentleman to my right is my brother from another mother, Kenneth Othello, and we will be your hosts this evening for another exciting episode of Valor Pro Wrestling!
Kenneth Othello: Man, I tell you, Laur, The Undercard matches are starting to get as good as the Main Show matches!
LO: No doubt about it, Ken, but this Blitz has so much more to come that I can't hardly wait!
KO: I know I'm hot about our Main Event this evening, consisting of another round between Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters!
LO: I'm sure you are, considering you've been nonstop running your mouth about it the entire time we've been in Thailand. Listen, Ken, I don't know how to tell you this, but you're a bit too old for any of those ladies to consider seriously. I'm sorry.
KO: Oh, brother-of-mine, I don't need them to take me seriously. I just need them to take me!
Laurence rolls his eyes and sighs, before moving right along.
LO: But before that, we have a first time meeting tonight in an exciting match up for the UnYielding Championship!
KO: Belt is cursed!
LO: So you've said, but Brodie will be defending her title for the first time against former champion and crowd favorite, Zack Fantana!
KO: Man, I tell you what, that Brodie is a technical monster in the ring. If there was anyone who could break the curse of the UnYielding Championship, it'd be her. I mean.....she probably eats curses for breakfast!
LO: I know that she hands out a few, as every opponent she's ever faced has had to have their shoulders put in a sling, but you can't count a guy like Fantana out. He's already had success with Lethal Lottery partner, Andrew Vilar, in the first round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, and I'm sure he'd like nothing more than to be a dual champion!
KO: Stiff competition in that tournament, Laur, and it gets even tougher tonight as the other two first round matches will decide who moves on. Although, I do have a question for you...
LO: Shoot...
KO: Well, since Rex Rumble & Krahe and Brodie & Blackman were both counted out, what does that mean for the brackets. Last I checked, that leaves someone receiving a bye.
LO: That's a good question, but I'm betting management already has a plan in place to contend with that.
KO: Wish they'd share with us. I mean, we are just the voices of the entire show.
LO: Easy, Ken, I like this job.
KO: Anyways, speaking of Chimera Tag Tournament action, the first of those matches will see the unlikely team of NovaCaine & Danny Rizzo take on the enigmatic Zombie Clan duo of Aokigahara & Siberia Zombie. With all the activity as of late thanks to the Zombie Clan, this one should be interesting.
LO: I want to know how Danny Rizzo is supposed to contend with that vile sack of human excrement, NovaCaine?
KO: Wow! I see that you really don't like this guy? Is it the racism thing, or the toxic masculinity?
LO: Both! Quite frankly, after seeing what he did to sweet Fallon Lockhart last show, I thought perhaps management would ban him, at the very least, fine him...but No! Here he is again, trying to sully the good name of another young superstar with a bright future.
KO: Well you heard the man earlier this week. He might not sully anything if he decides to bail on the kid. I guess we'll have to find out later tonight.
LO: That's right, because we have another Chimera Tag Tournament match that sees another insane combination! Brennan Devlin, a man who has been a thorn in Vanessa Byrne's side for months, will be tagging with the very man he had an incredible Apex Championship match with at Equinox, Cosmo Cooper!
KO: You talk about dysfunctional! These two guys hate each other, but according to Devlin, he's really going to try and win this thing. He wants to rub this victory into Cosmo's face later down the line, and drive the man batty!
LO: And I think it's working. All of the disparaging remarks about Cosmo's real life recent loss, coupled with his constant goading and unrelenting jibes.....I don't see how it will work!
KO: Well, it definitely plays into the favor of Fallon Lockhart and Lorean Moore, who seemed to be willing to get along at least for the sake of the Tournament. Who knows, Laur, maybe they'll be able to use this to their advantage, although i doubt it. Lockhart will probably get out here and try to get the two of them to play nice. I guess we'll see.
LO: Yeah, and if that isn't enough, Zachariah Krahe has something to say, and what better place to do that than on 'Where There's Stoke's, There's Fire'!
KO: Um....in a Thailand McDonald's?
LO: Funny, Ken. I want to know what Krahe is thinking now that he's a three time 'FORMER' UnYielding Champion, and also what he plans to do about this Zombie Clan situation.
KO: The Catalyst definitely has a full dance card, but what about our opening bout...Valor Pro's resident superhero is set to take on the up and coming Andrew Vilar!
LO: Vilar and Fantana have already made it through to the next round, and you have to believe if they both win here tonight, that will make for waves as the tournament continues.
KO: No doubt, but instead of talking about it, why don't we let the Generic Ring Ann---
Kenneth is suddenly cut off by the sounds of 'Turn To Stone' by Joe Walsh hitting over the PA System, and the fans automatically churn out the boo's for the theme music they've already heard once tonight. Kenneth and Laurence both exchange glances, looking at their notes, and then shrug as the cameras cut to the stage.
Cross comes out from the back dressed immaculately in a charcoal suit, he surveys the crowd and seems pleased with the commotion his arrival has caused. He starts to walk down the aisle as the crowd shows the fans in the aisle flipping him off. A sign in the front row reads ‘CROSS THE CHOKER!’.
He rolls into the ring with a microphone as his music fades out.
CROSS RECOBA: Welcome Bangkok, tonight you saw the beginning of the return of Cross...Recoba! You saw it as clear as day earlier, I put her down and out ready to return to a bar near you anytime now!
He starts to smile as he paces the ring.
CROSS RECOBA: You people hadn’t seen a beating on an Englishman like that since you called this cesspit SIam!
The Bangkok crowd boo vociferously at the mention of Siam.
CROSS RECOBA: But that was earlier, that was the past. It’s time to look to the future, to what can become…
Cross pulls out a clicket from his jacket pocket.
CROSS RECOBA: You see, this is the year where I don’t just rise to the top but I also put every setback, every slight, every insult I’ve incurred since I signed right! There isn’t going to be an intervention this week from ‘everyone’s favorite candy-striper’, Dakota Jennings. This week you WILL HEAR ME OUT!
The video screen at the top of the ramp springs into life and shows the words ‘2019 HITLIST’.
CROSS RECOBA: Now, I get it, Valor Pro isn’t all about Cross Recoba, it’s for everyone. Which is why I’ve devised a plan that ALL OF YOU can take part in, whether you’re in the front row, the nosebleeds, or in the back!
Cross presses a button and the faces of Kowloon and Fukushima Zombie flash up on the video screen with a $5k valuation under each name, across the top reads ‘BAG THE PAIR - $15K!’
CROSS RECOBA: Let me explain this for you all, each of these names has a monetary valuation next to them. If you can take them out of action to the point they cannot fulfil their contractually obligated match that night….you win the money! I’m sure Krähe is watching out back and he’ll be the first in line to try and collect that cash!
Another click, this time it shows Zack Fantana, his valuation is $15k.
CROSS RECOBA: If you want a little more ‘bang for your buck’ - then Fantana is available and I’m willing to shell out fifteen big ones to make sure that he is unable to make another run at the UnYielding Title for a long time coming! Brodie, do you want to win or do you want to maim? I’ll leave you to answer that one later in the show!
Another click, this time it shows Vannah White, the price has shot up to $20k.
CROSS RECOBA: Some might call this petty, after all - The Zombie Clan took me out of contention for the VPW Tag Title belts, Fantana...well, we waged wars over that UnYielding belt, but White? Is it because of the way she polluted Dakota’s head? No. Is it because she beat me going into Equinox? No. It’s simple, I will not rest until she is sent packing from Valor Pro...her price reflects that, it’s a hundred bucks for every view she gets…don’t worry though, we’ll be done with the list soon enough…
The roster picture of Zachariah Krähe shows up on the screen, the bounty? $50k
CROSS RECOBA: Krähe managed to keep up the trait of the UnYielding Champion and lost it when we went to India to Brodie, surely that should be enough, right? WRONG! You see, his misfit army rhetoric is what is wrong with Valor Pro and you people EAT IT UP!
A larger picture appears on the screen this time with $100k above it. The picture? Lady Munin.
CROSS RECOBA: Lastly, we have Krähe’s Keeper, Lady Munin. Where do I even begin with her? How about how she was behind The Bombtrax, the people who left me needing a cane for nearly a year straight! How she then aligned herself with Krähe? Mark my words, I will not give up on this until she finds herself in endless physio appointments, hearing the metal clank as she tries to walk, wondering if she’ll ever be able to run again…
Cross leans over the top rope.
CROSS RECOBA: So, here’s the deal, put one of these in the hospital waiting room and get your prize! If you’re on the list, be warned - I’m not just offering this to everyone else, I’ll be waiting for you all around every corner, behind every door, and when this is all through you will realise why I am THE MAN WORTH A THOUSAND BULLETS!
Cross drops the mic as the music starts back over the PA system.
He rolls into the ring with a microphone as his music fades out.
CROSS RECOBA: Welcome Bangkok, tonight you saw the beginning of the return of Cross...Recoba! You saw it as clear as day earlier, I put her down and out ready to return to a bar near you anytime now!
He starts to smile as he paces the ring.
CROSS RECOBA: You people hadn’t seen a beating on an Englishman like that since you called this cesspit SIam!
The Bangkok crowd boo vociferously at the mention of Siam.
CROSS RECOBA: But that was earlier, that was the past. It’s time to look to the future, to what can become…
Cross pulls out a clicket from his jacket pocket.
CROSS RECOBA: You see, this is the year where I don’t just rise to the top but I also put every setback, every slight, every insult I’ve incurred since I signed right! There isn’t going to be an intervention this week from ‘everyone’s favorite candy-striper’, Dakota Jennings. This week you WILL HEAR ME OUT!
The video screen at the top of the ramp springs into life and shows the words ‘2019 HITLIST’.
CROSS RECOBA: Now, I get it, Valor Pro isn’t all about Cross Recoba, it’s for everyone. Which is why I’ve devised a plan that ALL OF YOU can take part in, whether you’re in the front row, the nosebleeds, or in the back!
Cross presses a button and the faces of Kowloon and Fukushima Zombie flash up on the video screen with a $5k valuation under each name, across the top reads ‘BAG THE PAIR - $15K!’
CROSS RECOBA: Let me explain this for you all, each of these names has a monetary valuation next to them. If you can take them out of action to the point they cannot fulfil their contractually obligated match that night….you win the money! I’m sure Krähe is watching out back and he’ll be the first in line to try and collect that cash!
Another click, this time it shows Zack Fantana, his valuation is $15k.
CROSS RECOBA: If you want a little more ‘bang for your buck’ - then Fantana is available and I’m willing to shell out fifteen big ones to make sure that he is unable to make another run at the UnYielding Title for a long time coming! Brodie, do you want to win or do you want to maim? I’ll leave you to answer that one later in the show!
Another click, this time it shows Vannah White, the price has shot up to $20k.
CROSS RECOBA: Some might call this petty, after all - The Zombie Clan took me out of contention for the VPW Tag Title belts, Fantana...well, we waged wars over that UnYielding belt, but White? Is it because of the way she polluted Dakota’s head? No. Is it because she beat me going into Equinox? No. It’s simple, I will not rest until she is sent packing from Valor Pro...her price reflects that, it’s a hundred bucks for every view she gets…don’t worry though, we’ll be done with the list soon enough…
The roster picture of Zachariah Krähe shows up on the screen, the bounty? $50k
CROSS RECOBA: Krähe managed to keep up the trait of the UnYielding Champion and lost it when we went to India to Brodie, surely that should be enough, right? WRONG! You see, his misfit army rhetoric is what is wrong with Valor Pro and you people EAT IT UP!
A larger picture appears on the screen this time with $100k above it. The picture? Lady Munin.
CROSS RECOBA: Lastly, we have Krähe’s Keeper, Lady Munin. Where do I even begin with her? How about how she was behind The Bombtrax, the people who left me needing a cane for nearly a year straight! How she then aligned herself with Krähe? Mark my words, I will not give up on this until she finds herself in endless physio appointments, hearing the metal clank as she tries to walk, wondering if she’ll ever be able to run again…
Cross leans over the top rope.
CROSS RECOBA: So, here’s the deal, put one of these in the hospital waiting room and get your prize! If you’re on the list, be warned - I’m not just offering this to everyone else, I’ll be waiting for you all around every corner, behind every door, and when this is all through you will realise why I am THE MAN WORTH A THOUSAND BULLETS!
Cross drops the mic as the music starts back over the PA system.
OPENING BOUT
{Singles Match}
LO: I can't believe what we just witnessed...
KO: Genius, pure and simple! Cross Recoba has put a hit on the Valor Pro roster!
LO: He's trying to tear the fed apart, Ken, how can you be happy about that?
KO: No, what he's done, is given incentive to anyone out there looking to make a little extra cash!
LO: Do...do you think anyone will take him up on his offer?
KO: Zachariah Krahe already has once, and now he's made the list marked for termination. I'm sure there's somebody out there willing to do the work. There always is.
LO: I...I don't know what to think....let's just focus on our opening bout...
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a Singles Match scheduled for one fall or submission...
"Victory" by Puff Daddy and The Family hits over the PA System, and as Notorious B.I.G. counts them in and the Rocky Theme cues up, the lights dim and Andrew Vilar steps out into a green spotlight wearing a black boxing robe with green trim, hood up. The fans give him a loud ovation, and he bounces around on stage, phantom punching before delivering a final blow that sends his hood flying off his head and a burst of gold pyro blasting off behind him before he starts making his way down to the ring with a determined stare.
Ring Announcer: And introducing first, standing at six foot one and weighting in at 213 pounds, hailing from Champaign, Illinois...he is ANDREW VILLLAARRR!!
Vilar reaches ringside and takes the steps two at a time as he gets to the ring apron and swings himself into the ring. He takes the turnbuckle closest to him, beating his chest and pointing out at the cheering crowd before dropping down to disrobe and await his opponents.
LO: Andrew Vilar comes into this contest off the back of a big win with his partner, Zack Fantana, in the first round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, and now we're going to get the chance to see what may be a preview of what could happen in Tag Team Turmoil at Allegiance!
KO: That is if both of these teams advance past the second round.
LO: I'm optimistic about the team of Vilar & Fantana, but I think time will tell considering we don't even know who Roxi Johnson's replacement partner will be for Davy Blossom.
KO: I'd just like to send a big well wishes to Davy and Elegance after that horrible car accident in India, and hope he gets better soon. We need the uppercrust represented in Valor Pro!
LO: I don't know about that, but I do hope for a speedy recovery...
Well wishes are cast aside as the lights go dim, and 'The Touch' by Stan Bush's 80's theme hits over the PA System. All of the lead lights pulse pink, and then swing down to illuminate the stage when Roxi Johnson bursts through the curtain full of energy. The fans come to their feet as she stops at the top of the ramp, running in place, and she pumps her fist in the air. A resounding cheer goes up as she moves from one end of the stage to the other, peering out at the crowd as they pump their fists right back at her.
Ring Announcer: Introducing his opponent, standing at five foot six and weighting in at 132 pounds, hailing from Tampa, Florida....she is Valor Pro's resident Super Hero....ROXI JOHNNSSOONNNN!!!
Roxi makes her way down the ramp, slapping hands with fans, and acknowledging signs that were made just for her. When she reaches ringside she slides to the center of the ring under the bottom rope, and pops up, leaping to the second turnbuckle of the far corner and pumps her fist one more time while the fans pour out their adulation.
LO: Roxi Johnson did the lions share of the work last show for her team, but I have to admit, it surprised me when Davy came in to cut off one of the Mimes to keep their momentum going.
KO: It shouldn't, Laur. Davy wanted to win the gold. He told me his encounter with Roxi at Equinox had reformed him and Elegance, and that he was a new man.
LO: Maybe, but it was Roxi who really came in like a ball of fire and eventually picked up the victory over The French Mime Assassins. Not to mention she's been on quite the roll as of late, and wants to continue that party here tonight, despite not knowing who her partner is for her future second round Chimera Tag Tournament match!
KO: Well we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it, cause Santiago just signaled for the bell, and this one is underway!
Roxi and Andrew circle in the center of the ring before moving in for a collar and elbow tie up. Roxi quickly slides her hand back to grab Vilar by the wrist, and takes him into a dragon twist. He slaps at his shoulder, keeping his eyes on her as she performs another twist, torquing the arm further. His face tells of discomfort, but he coolly falls into a front roll that takes some of the pressure off, and then pops his wrist to break her hold, reversing it into a dragon twist on her. Roxi, much the same, searches for an escape as Andy twists through her arm one more time to apply pressure. Instead of a front roll, Roxi falls flat to her back, and then uses her foot to break his grasp on her arm. She kips up to her feet, but Vilar is there to meet her with a clothesline, which she ducks. Vilar continues on to the ropes for momentum.
LO: Vilar coming back now, and nails Roxi with a shoulder tackle that takes her to the mat! Vilar with an elbow drop to follow up, but Roxi rolls out of the way...
KO: Andy up quick after that misstep, but Roxi is right there with a high drop kick that catches him right in the chest!
LO: Vilar stumbles back into the ropes, and springs forwards again, and ANOTHER Drop Kick sends him down to the mat!
Roxi goes for a quick cover, but Vilar kicks out at one, and she pulls him into a seated position and locks in a deep headlock. He's already pushing up to his feet, however, forcing her up as well, and he wraps his arms around her waist as he leverages her back into the ropes and shoves her off. Roxi hit's the other side and comes back, running right into a back body drop from Vilar that see's her soar through the air before crashing down to the mat. She pops up quickly, and turns into Andrew as he thunders in with a knee lift that sends her falling back through the ropes to the outside.
LO: Andy Vilar just sent Roxi to the concrete floor off of that knee lift, and is now posted by the ropes grabbing the top....VAULTING HIMSELF UP AND OVER, BUT ROXI MOVED OUT OF THE WAY!
KO: YEAH, BUT HE LANDED ON HIS FEET IN FRONT OF HER!
LO: Roxi ducks his lariat attempt, and Vilar spins around...DROP TOE HOLD FROM ROXI SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL BARRICADE!
Vilar stumbles back clutching at his nose, as Roxi gets a handful of tights and the back of the man's head and sends him back into the ring. She hops up onto the apron, and the crowd is electric as she vaults herself over the top rope into a rolling senton that crushes him into the mat. She quickly scoots back so that she's lying across the top of him, and hooks the leg.
1...
2...
LO: Vilar out at two, and LOOK AT THIS! VILAR HOOKS ROXI'S ARMS IN A CRUCIFIX AND PULLS HER INTO A SLIDING PIN!
1...
2...
KO: Johnson kicks out, and both competitors come up to their feet! Roxi with an attempted forearm smash, but Andy blocked it and fires in a straight left jab that rocks her back! Another one, and Again! Now he's winding up, and BIG RIGHT HAND drops her to the canvas.
LO: Vilar not attempting a cover, but rather pulling her back to her feet, hooks her around the head, and Suplexes her back to the mat hard. Vilar floats over to where he's at Roxi's head, and immediately locks her up in a dragon sleeper!
Roxi struggles as Vilar sits on his knee's, choking up around Johnson's head. Her hands flail for a moment, but then she calms herself and grabs at his shoulders to try and pull herself up. Slowly but surely she pushes against him until both are back on their feet, but then suddenly Vilar switches his hold so that now he has her in a hangman's position, and drops straight down to his rear with a neck breaker! Roxi flops around the mat cradling the back of her skull, as Vilar holds her shoulders to the mat for an attempted pin.
1...
2...
LO: Roxi out at two, and getting her into a seated position, and then quickly wraps his legs around her head in a leg scissors! Man, Andy Vilar is putting on a wrestling clinic here tonight!
KO: Yeah, and you know what else he's doing? He's keeping Roxi grounded. If she can't fly, she can't work to her main strengths!
Roxi grabs at Vilar's thighs as he lifts his entire body off the mat with this arms, while clamping down with his legs, treating Roxi's head like it's between a vice. Referee Santiago is in position to accept a submission, but Roxi can be heard yelling 'No', though it's muffled through Vilar's muscular calves. Roxi manages to lie down out of the seated position she was in, and squirms painfully until she's flat on her back. The referee starts to go for a count, but before he can get a one, Roxi attempts a kip up. Vilar snarls as he tenses up his muscles to try and prevent her escape, but despite his best efforts, another kip up attempt breaks her free. Both competitors scramble to their feet, and Vilar rushes at Roxi to try for another shoulder tackle. Much to his surprise, she leap frogs right over him, and when he spins around to face her, he's caught with a boot to the gut that bends him forward. Roxi hooks him around the head, and with a twirl of her other hand around in the air, she leaps up, and then spins through into a tornado DDT that spikes his skull off the canvas!
LO: Big Move from Roxi to get the momentum back, and she's already back up and DOUBLE LEG DROP right across Vilar's chest while she rolls backwards up to her feet, hit's off the ropes, and ROLLING THUNDER CRUSHES VILAR INTO THE MAT!
KO: Roxi's hooking the leg after that one!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-KICK OUT! Vilar out at two and a half, and Roxi helping him to his feet and forcing him back to the ropes so she can shoot him off...
Vilar bounces off the other side, and Roxi comes rushing right at him, leaping into a cross body. Vilar, however, is able to catch her and stay upright, and a look of shock crosses Roxi's face as he lifts her up, and then throws himself forwards to land right on top of her with a slam. Instead of going for the cover, he retains his hold on Valor Pro's resident superhero, and in a feat of strength bets his knee under him, and lifts up with her in tow. He then drops back down to one knee, while the other one ends up under Roxi for a back breaker! This time he hooks the leg for the cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Roxi out at two an a half, but it's obvious that she's in pain by the way she's clutching at her spine...
KO: Vilar now rolling her over onto her side, and drops both knee's into her back....Uh-Oh, Roxi is in trouble as he rocks back into a surfboard submission!
LO: You have to be impressed with Andy Vilar here tonight, as he has shown some real technical prowess, especially against someone the caliber of Roxi Johnson...
KO: True, but he doesn't have her legs hooked the way he should, and she's already trying to fight out...
Roxi manages to get her leg free from Vilar's grasp, and she swings both over her head, rolling herself off of his knee's, and breaking his hold under her chin. She lands on her feet, and as Vilar moves to get to his feet, she throws both feet out into a falling drop kick that collides with the side of his head. He face plants to the mat, but is already trying to push back up as she reaches her feet. She takes off past him to hit the ropes for spring, and as he stands completely upright, she leaps into the air, grabbing the back of his head and face planting him back down into the mat. The force of impact causes Vilar to flip over onto his back grabbing at his face, and Roxi quickly moves to the ropes and springboards off the second into a lionsault that catches him right across his midsection!
LO: TAKE FLIGHT BY ROXI! AND THERE'S THE COVER!
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! VILAR KICKS OUT JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME!
LO: Roxi thought she had it there, hitting the mat in frustration as she gets back to her feet. She heads for the apron, and starts the climb to the top...
KO: She's almost at her perch, but Vilar is stirring....he's getting to his feet, and HERE COMES ROXI JOHNSON WITH A BLOCKBUSTER!
LO: The back of Vilar's head just bounced off the canvas, and Roxi scrambles to hook the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Vilar literally got out within nano-seconds of that count!
KO: Yeah, and now Roxi's looking to end it, and these fans are on their feet as she positions herself behind Vilar and signals for him to get to his feet!
Vilar slowly rolls onto his stomach, not sure which way to go after the barrage of punishment dished out by the superhero. He finally manages to get a knee under him, and he pushes up off the canvas to an upright position. Just then a flash of red passes by him, as Roxi rushes the ropes, leaps to the second for a springboard, and then swings her foot around looking to take Vilar's head off with a disaster kick. He has just enough time to duck down, and Roxi's foot flies over his head and she lands off balance behind him. He spins on instinct, wraps his arms around her waist, and then takes her over into a German suplex, rolls through while pulling her with him, and then in a dead lift takes her back over for a second German suplex. The crowd goes absolutely nuts.
LO: ANDREW VILAR WITH ROLLING GERMAN SUPLEXES, AND ROXI JOHNSON HAS BEEN FOLDED UP LIKE AN ACCORDIAN!
KO: Yeah, but it was out of desperation, Laur! He can't capitalize cause he's sucking wind!
LO: Both competitors have really taken it to one another in this contest, and now Santiago is checking them both.....and he's started a count!
Both competitors start moving at the count of five, clawing their way over to the ropes to help pull themselves up. Both get to their feet at the count of eight, and spy one another haggardly holding onto the top rope for support. Vilar wipes sweat from his forehead, and determinedly stalks towards the superhero, and Roxi nods, moving out to meet him. Vilar fires in with a right hand, but to his surprise Roxi blocks it, firing in a right of her own. He falls back a step, but moves back in again for a swing which is blocked a second time, a right answering right back. Vilar is rocked after the second right from Roxi, and she fires in another, and another, driving him all the way back to the ropes.
LO: Roxi is building momentum here, shooting Vilar off to the far side, BUT he reverses!
KO: Roxi throws her foot up onto the middle rope to put on the brakes, here comes Vilar...RAY OF HOPE FROM ROXI! NO! VILAR DUCKED UNDER IT!
LO: Roxi spins around, and here comes Vilar with a lariat, and ROXI LEAPS UP WITH A HIGH KNEE UNDER THE JAW, AND FALLS ONTO HER BACK DRAGGING VILAR WITH HER INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE!
KO: We haven't see her use this one very often, but she calls it The Justice Lock!
LO: Well whatever she calls it, Vilar is dead center of the ring, and he is grabbing for the ropes, but they are too far away! Roxi really cranking the back of his head, putting pressure on the shin she has embedded in his throat....and.....I think Andrew is fading!
Vilar reaches a quivering arm towards the ropes, and the camera focuses in on his face as he labors to find breath in the dangerous submission. Finally, his eyes glossed completely over, a weak hand taps against Roxi's thigh, and the Santiago calls for the bell. Roxi releases the hold, and pushes back in a seated position, resting her forearms on her knee's taking in deep breaths. She nods in respect to the young man before getting up to her feet, and allowing the referee to lift her arm in victory.
Ring Announcer: And the winner of this match by pinfall, SUPERHERO ROXI JOHNNNSSSOOONN!!!
Roxi smiles for the adoring crowd, thanking the referee as he steps back over to check on Andrew Vilar who is just now trying to sit up. She takes the second turnbuckle of the nearby corner, and pumps her fist, and the Taiwanese crowd returns the gesture right back to her.
LO: Well the good times keep rolling for Roxi Johnson, who will be in tag action the next time we see her, only she has no idea who will be replacing Davy as her tag partner.
KO: Yeah, and neither do we. It's unacceptable, Laur.
LO: Well, I hear that the asshole has something to say before his tag match in a few minutes.
KO: Must be talking about NovaCaine. I mean, really, Laur, what has this guy done to you?
LO: His very nature personally offends me.
KO: Sounds like gas to me. But whatever, production truck, do your thing.
KO: Genius, pure and simple! Cross Recoba has put a hit on the Valor Pro roster!
LO: He's trying to tear the fed apart, Ken, how can you be happy about that?
KO: No, what he's done, is given incentive to anyone out there looking to make a little extra cash!
LO: Do...do you think anyone will take him up on his offer?
KO: Zachariah Krahe already has once, and now he's made the list marked for termination. I'm sure there's somebody out there willing to do the work. There always is.
LO: I...I don't know what to think....let's just focus on our opening bout...
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a Singles Match scheduled for one fall or submission...
"Victory" by Puff Daddy and The Family hits over the PA System, and as Notorious B.I.G. counts them in and the Rocky Theme cues up, the lights dim and Andrew Vilar steps out into a green spotlight wearing a black boxing robe with green trim, hood up. The fans give him a loud ovation, and he bounces around on stage, phantom punching before delivering a final blow that sends his hood flying off his head and a burst of gold pyro blasting off behind him before he starts making his way down to the ring with a determined stare.
Ring Announcer: And introducing first, standing at six foot one and weighting in at 213 pounds, hailing from Champaign, Illinois...he is ANDREW VILLLAARRR!!
Vilar reaches ringside and takes the steps two at a time as he gets to the ring apron and swings himself into the ring. He takes the turnbuckle closest to him, beating his chest and pointing out at the cheering crowd before dropping down to disrobe and await his opponents.
LO: Andrew Vilar comes into this contest off the back of a big win with his partner, Zack Fantana, in the first round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, and now we're going to get the chance to see what may be a preview of what could happen in Tag Team Turmoil at Allegiance!
KO: That is if both of these teams advance past the second round.
LO: I'm optimistic about the team of Vilar & Fantana, but I think time will tell considering we don't even know who Roxi Johnson's replacement partner will be for Davy Blossom.
KO: I'd just like to send a big well wishes to Davy and Elegance after that horrible car accident in India, and hope he gets better soon. We need the uppercrust represented in Valor Pro!
LO: I don't know about that, but I do hope for a speedy recovery...
Well wishes are cast aside as the lights go dim, and 'The Touch' by Stan Bush's 80's theme hits over the PA System. All of the lead lights pulse pink, and then swing down to illuminate the stage when Roxi Johnson bursts through the curtain full of energy. The fans come to their feet as she stops at the top of the ramp, running in place, and she pumps her fist in the air. A resounding cheer goes up as she moves from one end of the stage to the other, peering out at the crowd as they pump their fists right back at her.
Ring Announcer: Introducing his opponent, standing at five foot six and weighting in at 132 pounds, hailing from Tampa, Florida....she is Valor Pro's resident Super Hero....ROXI JOHNNSSOONNNN!!!
Roxi makes her way down the ramp, slapping hands with fans, and acknowledging signs that were made just for her. When she reaches ringside she slides to the center of the ring under the bottom rope, and pops up, leaping to the second turnbuckle of the far corner and pumps her fist one more time while the fans pour out their adulation.
LO: Roxi Johnson did the lions share of the work last show for her team, but I have to admit, it surprised me when Davy came in to cut off one of the Mimes to keep their momentum going.
KO: It shouldn't, Laur. Davy wanted to win the gold. He told me his encounter with Roxi at Equinox had reformed him and Elegance, and that he was a new man.
LO: Maybe, but it was Roxi who really came in like a ball of fire and eventually picked up the victory over The French Mime Assassins. Not to mention she's been on quite the roll as of late, and wants to continue that party here tonight, despite not knowing who her partner is for her future second round Chimera Tag Tournament match!
KO: Well we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it, cause Santiago just signaled for the bell, and this one is underway!
Roxi and Andrew circle in the center of the ring before moving in for a collar and elbow tie up. Roxi quickly slides her hand back to grab Vilar by the wrist, and takes him into a dragon twist. He slaps at his shoulder, keeping his eyes on her as she performs another twist, torquing the arm further. His face tells of discomfort, but he coolly falls into a front roll that takes some of the pressure off, and then pops his wrist to break her hold, reversing it into a dragon twist on her. Roxi, much the same, searches for an escape as Andy twists through her arm one more time to apply pressure. Instead of a front roll, Roxi falls flat to her back, and then uses her foot to break his grasp on her arm. She kips up to her feet, but Vilar is there to meet her with a clothesline, which she ducks. Vilar continues on to the ropes for momentum.
LO: Vilar coming back now, and nails Roxi with a shoulder tackle that takes her to the mat! Vilar with an elbow drop to follow up, but Roxi rolls out of the way...
KO: Andy up quick after that misstep, but Roxi is right there with a high drop kick that catches him right in the chest!
LO: Vilar stumbles back into the ropes, and springs forwards again, and ANOTHER Drop Kick sends him down to the mat!
Roxi goes for a quick cover, but Vilar kicks out at one, and she pulls him into a seated position and locks in a deep headlock. He's already pushing up to his feet, however, forcing her up as well, and he wraps his arms around her waist as he leverages her back into the ropes and shoves her off. Roxi hit's the other side and comes back, running right into a back body drop from Vilar that see's her soar through the air before crashing down to the mat. She pops up quickly, and turns into Andrew as he thunders in with a knee lift that sends her falling back through the ropes to the outside.
LO: Andy Vilar just sent Roxi to the concrete floor off of that knee lift, and is now posted by the ropes grabbing the top....VAULTING HIMSELF UP AND OVER, BUT ROXI MOVED OUT OF THE WAY!
KO: YEAH, BUT HE LANDED ON HIS FEET IN FRONT OF HER!
LO: Roxi ducks his lariat attempt, and Vilar spins around...DROP TOE HOLD FROM ROXI SENDS HIM FACE FIRST INTO THE STEEL BARRICADE!
Vilar stumbles back clutching at his nose, as Roxi gets a handful of tights and the back of the man's head and sends him back into the ring. She hops up onto the apron, and the crowd is electric as she vaults herself over the top rope into a rolling senton that crushes him into the mat. She quickly scoots back so that she's lying across the top of him, and hooks the leg.
1...
2...
LO: Vilar out at two, and LOOK AT THIS! VILAR HOOKS ROXI'S ARMS IN A CRUCIFIX AND PULLS HER INTO A SLIDING PIN!
1...
2...
KO: Johnson kicks out, and both competitors come up to their feet! Roxi with an attempted forearm smash, but Andy blocked it and fires in a straight left jab that rocks her back! Another one, and Again! Now he's winding up, and BIG RIGHT HAND drops her to the canvas.
LO: Vilar not attempting a cover, but rather pulling her back to her feet, hooks her around the head, and Suplexes her back to the mat hard. Vilar floats over to where he's at Roxi's head, and immediately locks her up in a dragon sleeper!
Roxi struggles as Vilar sits on his knee's, choking up around Johnson's head. Her hands flail for a moment, but then she calms herself and grabs at his shoulders to try and pull herself up. Slowly but surely she pushes against him until both are back on their feet, but then suddenly Vilar switches his hold so that now he has her in a hangman's position, and drops straight down to his rear with a neck breaker! Roxi flops around the mat cradling the back of her skull, as Vilar holds her shoulders to the mat for an attempted pin.
1...
2...
LO: Roxi out at two, and getting her into a seated position, and then quickly wraps his legs around her head in a leg scissors! Man, Andy Vilar is putting on a wrestling clinic here tonight!
KO: Yeah, and you know what else he's doing? He's keeping Roxi grounded. If she can't fly, she can't work to her main strengths!
Roxi grabs at Vilar's thighs as he lifts his entire body off the mat with this arms, while clamping down with his legs, treating Roxi's head like it's between a vice. Referee Santiago is in position to accept a submission, but Roxi can be heard yelling 'No', though it's muffled through Vilar's muscular calves. Roxi manages to lie down out of the seated position she was in, and squirms painfully until she's flat on her back. The referee starts to go for a count, but before he can get a one, Roxi attempts a kip up. Vilar snarls as he tenses up his muscles to try and prevent her escape, but despite his best efforts, another kip up attempt breaks her free. Both competitors scramble to their feet, and Vilar rushes at Roxi to try for another shoulder tackle. Much to his surprise, she leap frogs right over him, and when he spins around to face her, he's caught with a boot to the gut that bends him forward. Roxi hooks him around the head, and with a twirl of her other hand around in the air, she leaps up, and then spins through into a tornado DDT that spikes his skull off the canvas!
LO: Big Move from Roxi to get the momentum back, and she's already back up and DOUBLE LEG DROP right across Vilar's chest while she rolls backwards up to her feet, hit's off the ropes, and ROLLING THUNDER CRUSHES VILAR INTO THE MAT!
KO: Roxi's hooking the leg after that one!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-KICK OUT! Vilar out at two and a half, and Roxi helping him to his feet and forcing him back to the ropes so she can shoot him off...
Vilar bounces off the other side, and Roxi comes rushing right at him, leaping into a cross body. Vilar, however, is able to catch her and stay upright, and a look of shock crosses Roxi's face as he lifts her up, and then throws himself forwards to land right on top of her with a slam. Instead of going for the cover, he retains his hold on Valor Pro's resident superhero, and in a feat of strength bets his knee under him, and lifts up with her in tow. He then drops back down to one knee, while the other one ends up under Roxi for a back breaker! This time he hooks the leg for the cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Roxi out at two an a half, but it's obvious that she's in pain by the way she's clutching at her spine...
KO: Vilar now rolling her over onto her side, and drops both knee's into her back....Uh-Oh, Roxi is in trouble as he rocks back into a surfboard submission!
LO: You have to be impressed with Andy Vilar here tonight, as he has shown some real technical prowess, especially against someone the caliber of Roxi Johnson...
KO: True, but he doesn't have her legs hooked the way he should, and she's already trying to fight out...
Roxi manages to get her leg free from Vilar's grasp, and she swings both over her head, rolling herself off of his knee's, and breaking his hold under her chin. She lands on her feet, and as Vilar moves to get to his feet, she throws both feet out into a falling drop kick that collides with the side of his head. He face plants to the mat, but is already trying to push back up as she reaches her feet. She takes off past him to hit the ropes for spring, and as he stands completely upright, she leaps into the air, grabbing the back of his head and face planting him back down into the mat. The force of impact causes Vilar to flip over onto his back grabbing at his face, and Roxi quickly moves to the ropes and springboards off the second into a lionsault that catches him right across his midsection!
LO: TAKE FLIGHT BY ROXI! AND THERE'S THE COVER!
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! VILAR KICKS OUT JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME!
LO: Roxi thought she had it there, hitting the mat in frustration as she gets back to her feet. She heads for the apron, and starts the climb to the top...
KO: She's almost at her perch, but Vilar is stirring....he's getting to his feet, and HERE COMES ROXI JOHNSON WITH A BLOCKBUSTER!
LO: The back of Vilar's head just bounced off the canvas, and Roxi scrambles to hook the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Vilar literally got out within nano-seconds of that count!
KO: Yeah, and now Roxi's looking to end it, and these fans are on their feet as she positions herself behind Vilar and signals for him to get to his feet!
Vilar slowly rolls onto his stomach, not sure which way to go after the barrage of punishment dished out by the superhero. He finally manages to get a knee under him, and he pushes up off the canvas to an upright position. Just then a flash of red passes by him, as Roxi rushes the ropes, leaps to the second for a springboard, and then swings her foot around looking to take Vilar's head off with a disaster kick. He has just enough time to duck down, and Roxi's foot flies over his head and she lands off balance behind him. He spins on instinct, wraps his arms around her waist, and then takes her over into a German suplex, rolls through while pulling her with him, and then in a dead lift takes her back over for a second German suplex. The crowd goes absolutely nuts.
LO: ANDREW VILAR WITH ROLLING GERMAN SUPLEXES, AND ROXI JOHNSON HAS BEEN FOLDED UP LIKE AN ACCORDIAN!
KO: Yeah, but it was out of desperation, Laur! He can't capitalize cause he's sucking wind!
LO: Both competitors have really taken it to one another in this contest, and now Santiago is checking them both.....and he's started a count!
Both competitors start moving at the count of five, clawing their way over to the ropes to help pull themselves up. Both get to their feet at the count of eight, and spy one another haggardly holding onto the top rope for support. Vilar wipes sweat from his forehead, and determinedly stalks towards the superhero, and Roxi nods, moving out to meet him. Vilar fires in with a right hand, but to his surprise Roxi blocks it, firing in a right of her own. He falls back a step, but moves back in again for a swing which is blocked a second time, a right answering right back. Vilar is rocked after the second right from Roxi, and she fires in another, and another, driving him all the way back to the ropes.
LO: Roxi is building momentum here, shooting Vilar off to the far side, BUT he reverses!
KO: Roxi throws her foot up onto the middle rope to put on the brakes, here comes Vilar...RAY OF HOPE FROM ROXI! NO! VILAR DUCKED UNDER IT!
LO: Roxi spins around, and here comes Vilar with a lariat, and ROXI LEAPS UP WITH A HIGH KNEE UNDER THE JAW, AND FALLS ONTO HER BACK DRAGGING VILAR WITH HER INTO A TRIANGLE CHOKE!
KO: We haven't see her use this one very often, but she calls it The Justice Lock!
LO: Well whatever she calls it, Vilar is dead center of the ring, and he is grabbing for the ropes, but they are too far away! Roxi really cranking the back of his head, putting pressure on the shin she has embedded in his throat....and.....I think Andrew is fading!
Vilar reaches a quivering arm towards the ropes, and the camera focuses in on his face as he labors to find breath in the dangerous submission. Finally, his eyes glossed completely over, a weak hand taps against Roxi's thigh, and the Santiago calls for the bell. Roxi releases the hold, and pushes back in a seated position, resting her forearms on her knee's taking in deep breaths. She nods in respect to the young man before getting up to her feet, and allowing the referee to lift her arm in victory.
Ring Announcer: And the winner of this match by pinfall, SUPERHERO ROXI JOHNNNSSSOOONN!!!
Roxi smiles for the adoring crowd, thanking the referee as he steps back over to check on Andrew Vilar who is just now trying to sit up. She takes the second turnbuckle of the nearby corner, and pumps her fist, and the Taiwanese crowd returns the gesture right back to her.
LO: Well the good times keep rolling for Roxi Johnson, who will be in tag action the next time we see her, only she has no idea who will be replacing Davy as her tag partner.
KO: Yeah, and neither do we. It's unacceptable, Laur.
LO: Well, I hear that the asshole has something to say before his tag match in a few minutes.
KO: Must be talking about NovaCaine. I mean, really, Laur, what has this guy done to you?
LO: His very nature personally offends me.
KO: Sounds like gas to me. But whatever, production truck, do your thing.
Blitz cuts backstage where the Camera slowly pans around to show The Cancer of Wrestling, NovaCaine standing in the hallway waiting to make his entrance. He slowly rolls a Silver Dollar between his fingers. The man that prides himself on a Heritage of Hate, looks up at the Camera and flashes that notorious Caine smirk.
" In just a few short minutes I will walk out before a sold out crowd here in the Bang Little Kids Capital of the World to have my first Tag Match in Valor Pro against the Lady Boy and her partner Captain S and M. I find myself still very conflicted upon what I want to do when that bell rings. Do I help the Kid beat down the Ching Chong Clan and continue my winning ways or do I stand in the corner, scratching my nuts and giving the girls in the front row a reason to season their panties and watch the Kid get destroyed?"
Nova rubs his chin slowly between his thumb and index finger.
"It's a rough decision. On one hand I really like to win, but on the other hand watching Mommy's Boy getting squashed would also make me smile. So I guess its a flip of the coin that will decide my actions out there. Heads, I put down the Ching Chongs and let everyone know if Siberia is packing Sausage in her pants or Tails, I watch with great amusement while Rizzo is ripped to shreds."
Nova tosses the Coin into the air, catching it on the way down. He slaps the piece of silver against the top of his hand covering it with the other. The Cancer takes a deep breath, lifting his hand to see what the decision will be. Nova stares at the Coin for a long second before shoving it into the cuff of his boot with a shrug of his shoulders.
" So be it...Decision made"
Nova walks away with a chuckle leaving everyone to speculate if it was Heads or Tails as the Camera cuts back to ringside.
" In just a few short minutes I will walk out before a sold out crowd here in the Bang Little Kids Capital of the World to have my first Tag Match in Valor Pro against the Lady Boy and her partner Captain S and M. I find myself still very conflicted upon what I want to do when that bell rings. Do I help the Kid beat down the Ching Chong Clan and continue my winning ways or do I stand in the corner, scratching my nuts and giving the girls in the front row a reason to season their panties and watch the Kid get destroyed?"
Nova rubs his chin slowly between his thumb and index finger.
"It's a rough decision. On one hand I really like to win, but on the other hand watching Mommy's Boy getting squashed would also make me smile. So I guess its a flip of the coin that will decide my actions out there. Heads, I put down the Ching Chongs and let everyone know if Siberia is packing Sausage in her pants or Tails, I watch with great amusement while Rizzo is ripped to shreds."
Nova tosses the Coin into the air, catching it on the way down. He slaps the piece of silver against the top of his hand covering it with the other. The Cancer takes a deep breath, lifting his hand to see what the decision will be. Nova stares at the Coin for a long second before shoving it into the cuff of his boot with a shrug of his shoulders.
" So be it...Decision made"
Nova walks away with a chuckle leaving everyone to speculate if it was Heads or Tails as the Camera cuts back to ringside.
LO: What a piece of shi---
KO: WHOA, LAURENCE! You can't say that on television, even if it is a streaming service. That's one of the seven no-no words in broadcasting!
LO: I don't care, I hate that guy, and now Danny Rizzo is going to have to have eyes in the back of his head, even from his own partner.
KO: Hey, he flipped a coin with two options, and we are about to find out the results. Don't be so quick to judgment.
LO: Whatever, Generic Ring Announcer, take it away...
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a First Round Chimera Tag Tournament Match scheduled for one fall or submission....
The gentle thrum of 'Black Holes' by The Blue Stones comes across the speakers, and the fans in the arena all come to their feet to see the former legend resurface to relevance. No flashy lights or smoke, and NovaCaine steps out onto the stage, a casual look on his weathered face, black trunks, boots, adorning a well muscled body. He smirks at the boo's he recieves, and brushes his shoulder off before making his way cockily down the ramp.
Ring Announcer: Making his way to the ring, standing at six foot three and weighing in at 225 pounds, he hails from the City of Lost Angels, Lost Angeles, California.....He is 'The Cancer of Wrestling', 'Your Moms Favorite Wrestler', NOVA...CAINNNEEE!!
Nova reaches ringside and points out a particularly attractive woman in the front row, sizes her up, and then produces a hotel room key from out of nowhere, and palms it into her hand. She looks at him blankly for a moment, and he just winks and laughs before making his way towards the ring. Just as he leaps to the apron, his music is abruptly cut, and replaced by the opening drums of 'A Warrior's Call' by Volbeat and Danny Rizzo rips through the curtain right at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" wearing a leather vest with 'Rizzo' airbrushed across the back. He takes to one side of the stage jumping up and down, and then to the other, pumping a fist as the song breaks into 'Fight, Fight, Fight'. He finally comes to a stop at the top of the ramp, points down at the ring at NovaCaine, and shakes his head disappointedly before taking off into a sprint.
Ring Announcer: And his partner, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....This Is DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny has slid right into the ring, rushing a neutral corner and taking the second turnbuckle while beating his chest and letting out a warrior yell. The fans come to their feet in cheers, and Danny hops down bobbing his head to the music until coming to a dead stop at the sight of Nova leaned against a neutral just watching him in mock amusement. Danny's excitable nature drops as he shakes out of his vest, and drops it to the ring attendant on the floor.
LO: It is no surprise that Danny is a little unsettled about who he drew as a partner in the Lethal Lottery. These two men don't like each other.
KO: That's only cause Danny want's to shake everyone's hand, while NovaCaine wants to tear everyone's off and beat them with it!
LO: Well, I can understand why Danny isn't thrilled about this partnership, considering what happened to Fallon Lockhart last time we saw him. He's a vile disgusting human being...
KO: I think he's just a man willing to absolutely humiliate his opponents, and thus far it's worked.
The announce team don't get to debate any further after being cut off by the lights going dim, and the big screen above the stage flickering to life with the sound of an army of marching zombies filtering through the screen. Smoke fills the entry way as 'Courage' by the Minutemen comes over the PA System, and out steps Aokigahara Zombie wearing his ring gear and his trademark black leather motor cycle jacket. He's followed by Siberia, wearing her traditional robe with warring dragons, and the two step side by side up to the top of the stage to a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Ring Announcer: And introducing their opponents, weighting in at a combined weight of 360 pounds, and hailing from Japan and Russia respectively, SIBERIA ZOMBIE...AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE....THE ZOMBIE CLAN!
Aoki roars and starts down to the ring, while Siberia stalks beside him, determined eyes never leaving her opponents in the ring. They reach ringside, and Aoki climbs the steps while Siberia leaps to the apron, both entering the ring at the same time. Siberia immediately disrobes, and delivers martial art's style strikes to the top turnbuckle in their corner, while Aoki slips out of his jacket while flashing a grin of anticipation across the ring at their opponents.
LO: The Zombie Clan has come into Valor Pro and taken over, delivering a beat down to Zachariah Krahe at the end of Equinox, and then another one last show. That time, Brodie got caught up in the party, and taken out on one of the biggest victories of her career, becoming the UnYielding Champion!
KO: Not to mention they've already got a team that's advanced in the Tournament in Fukushima and Kowloon, what happens if all four of them make it to Allegiance?
LO: Good question, but for right now they'll have their hands full, because NovaCaine will do anything to get the 'W', and Danny Rizzo has proven he's a force to be reckoned with.
KO: That might be true, Laur, but I think Aoki can dish out just as much as he takes, and he apparently can take quite a lot if reports are to be believed. Did you hear how upset he was last show when Krahe wouldn't torture him? The guy is mental!
LO: Well we're about to find out how much he can take, cause it looks like he's going to start this off with Rizzo, and there's the bell!
Rizzo and Aoki being to circle one another before tying up in the center of the ring. Rizzo quickly pulls Zombie into a side headlock, but Zombie is already pushing his hands through, forcing a top wrist lock which see's him push out of the headlock and force Danny arms over his head as Aoki stands at his side. He continues to push, but Danny is able to resist, that is before Aoki uses his left calf to sweep the legs forcing Danny down to the mat. The ref drops for a count on Danny, but before he can start Danny bridges up onto his head, showing amazing neck strength. Aoki snarls as he tries to force the man back down onto his shoulders, but instead Danny shows a burst of strength by forcing both men back up to their feet. Zombie retains the top wrist lock, but Danny is forcing him back now, and eventually breaks the hold and snatches Aoki back into the side headlock.
LO: Aoki looking for a way out as his head is ground between Rizzo's body and his arm, and now lifts him up for a side suplex, but Danny saw it coming, and just rolled forward, taking Zombie down to the mat in a high headlock takeover.
KO: Kid's showing some tenacity out here. NovaCaine must be rubbing off on him already.
LO: I don't know about that, but Danny is an accomplished wrestler and striker. It should be interesting to see how that compares to someone with Aoki's long standing credentials as a veteran.
Zombie pushes against Danny's chin, and attempts a headscissors, but Rizzo shakes free and avoids it, forcing Aoki to go with a different strategy. Zombie forces himself up to his knee, which in turn forces Danny to his feet, and then pushes off so now he's back in a standing side headlock. Zombie pushes Danny back into the ropes to try and shoot him off, but to everyone's amazement Danny remains latched onto the headlock, dragging Zombie back down to the mat in the center of the ring. Aoki slams his fist off the mat in frustration, while Rizzo torques up on the hold.
LO: Danny Rizzo just wearing Aoki down here, each attempt at getting out of it forcing him to spend that much more energy.
KO: It's a basic hold, but a classic for that reason, Ken.
Zombie, once again gets to his knee forcing both men to their feet, and this time instead of strategy, he tries for blunt force. A elbow into Danny's ribs has the youngster wearing an uncomfortable expression, and two more see's the hold finally broken. Zombie comes up with right hands into Danny's jaw, driving him back towards the ropes where he takes him by the wrist and shoots him off. Danny bounces off the other side, and Zombie lets out a war cry before tearing off to meet him with a lariat, but Rizzo ducks it. He passes through to bounce off the ropes once again, and this time when he comes back Zombie ducks his head for a back body drop. Rizzo leaps into a twist and rolls right across Zombie's back to end up behind him, rushing the ropes for a third time. He bounces back to go on the attack, but is brought to an abrupt stop by a flap jack by Aoki.
LO: Danny Rizzo's face and chest bounced off the canvas, and trying to recover here, but Zombie with a front kick right to the temple sends the man back to the mat.
KO: Aoki wearing an almost euphoric grin as he yanks the man up by his nose...geez...and delivers a headbutt that sends Rizzo stumbling back into the neutral corner.
LO: Zombie wading in now, rights and lefts, just trying to box Danny's ears, and it's funny, because this is more Danny's forte.
KO: Yeah, but Zombie's doing it well, and just stepped up onto the second rope and pushed Danny's forehead back, and RIGHT HANDS reigning down on the Chicago native!
The fans begin to count along with the strikes off Danny's skull, but when they reach six, Rizzo suddenly grabs Aoki around the knee's and walks him out to the center of the ring before lowering him into an inverted atomic drop. Aoki clutches at his lower regions in surprise, turning all the way towards his partner as if wanting to make a tag, but Danny slips his head under his arm from behind, and lifts Zombie up, and drops him for a normal atomic drop across his knee. Now Zombie doesn't know whether to grab his front or his back, as he stumbles around the ring awkwardly. Rizzo flashes right past him into the ropes, and bounces back with a spin wheel kick that pops Zombie right in the face and sends him crashing to the mat. Rizzo scrambles to hook the leg for the cover.
1...
2...
LO: KICK OUT! Zombie out at two, and Danny has him pulled up into a seated position, placing his knee in the mans back, and grabbing both arms and pulling back in a bow and arrow!
KO: Aoki letting out a snarl, but look.....the guy's smiling through the pain. What a whack job!
Aoki indeed continues to smile as he stomps his boot in front of him while Siberia watches on with an expression of concern. Danny, for his part, torques back on Zombies arms while his knee stays firmly pressed into the mans shoulder blades. Eventually Aoki starts to rally some support from the fans, and he manages to roll to his side to get his knee under him, forcing Danny to a standing position. With a big burst of strength Aoki gets to his feet, and Danny comes up with him, and Zombie spins to his right, and then quickly shifts the opposite direction, spinning Rizzo right along with him. He continues to spin until they've made a full revolution, but somehow Aoki has squirmed it so that he has both of Danny's arms hooked, and they are now back to back. He falls forwards to his knee's, pulling Rizzo along with him into a backslide pin.
1...
2...
LO: Danny kicks out at two, and both men quickly to their feet, and OH! Boot to Danny's midsection from Zombie, and SITDOWN JAW BREAKER SNAPS DANNY BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS WITH AUTHORITY!
KO: Might've broke the boy's face, Laur!
Zombie flashes that strange euphoric grin before sliding over to Siberia and making the tag. She doesn't share any of his elation coming into the ring, rather a focused determination as she approaches Danny whose just worked himself back to his feet. He turns into her as she comes in like a wood chipper, fists, palm strikes, and kicks driving him back into a neutral corner. From there the assault continues, Danny not sure which part to try and protect as she seems to strike them all at different times. Finally, she ends the combo with a spinning roundhouse to the gut that crushes him against the turnbuckles and sends him down into a seated position. Siberia stalks to the opposite side of the ring, and then cuts back to come rushing back in for something devastating when she runs head long into a lariat from NovaCaine that tears her head off.
LO: NOVACAINE JUST INTERJECTED HIMSELF INTO THIS MATCH AND NEARLY DECAPITATED SIBERIA ZOMBIE!
KO: Now that's a man that knows a thing or two about tag teaming.
LO: Are you kidding me, right now? Santiago is trying to get him out of the ring, but he just rushed in on Aoki and blasted him right off the ring apron to the concrete floor!
KO: Alright, see...NOW he's agreeing with the referee, and making his way back out of the ring.
LO: Yeah, after the damage is already done!
NovaCaine steps back out onto the ring apron, still partially jawing with the referee, when he thrusts his hand out in Rizzo's direction, and bluntly tells him to make the 'God Damn Tag'. Rizzo, for his part, looks at the destruction just caused by his tag partner, and shakes his head in dismay. Instead of going for the tag, he steps over to check on Siberia, who reaches up and drags him down into a surprise small package.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Siberia Zombie almost stole one here, and Danny just popped up backpedaling in shock...AND NOVACAINE JUST SLAPPED HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD FOR THE TAG!
KO: Oh, now it's about to get good. You think they'll go at it?
Danny spins around on his partner as he gets into the ring, and jerks his thumb for Rizzo to get out. Danny spits fire, but exits the ring as NovaCaine measures Siberia as she rises for a superkick that catches her right in the spine. Her arms arch back as if she was just hit with a taser, and she falls to her knees clutching at her lower back. Caine steps right in from behind to stand over her, using one hand to grip her by the chin and force her face up as he lays in rabbit like punches right into her forehead. The referee gets onto him about letting her up, and he smirks at Santiago before grabbing Siberia by both arms, putting his foot up on her shoulders, and then face plants her hard down into the canvas.
LO: Good God, NovaCaine is brutal out here....now just stomping the ever loving Bejesus out of Siberia Zombie!
KO: Well, at least Aoki's made it back up onto the apron.....that is if Caine gives her enough room to ever make a tag.
Nova finally abandons stomping the woman, and instead jerks her up by the hair of the head. The referee admonishes him, but a thunderous knife edge chop silences all in the arena as Siberia falls back into the nearby corner with a look of pain. Nova steps in and delivers another, then another, and a fourth that causes Zombie to push past him clutching her chest so she can get out of the trap. Caine just smirks, following her out to the center of the ring where he spins her around and boots her in the midsection. He hooks her around the head while throwing her arm around his, and then lifts her up, holding her in the air in vertical suplex position, before snapping down to the mat in a vicious brain buster.
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! SHE MIGHT BE OUT COLD AFTER THAT ONE!
KO: Caine laughing, wiping his hands clean as he leans back on top of her for a lazy cover...
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! What an arrogant ass?
KO: He would have had the three if he had just hooked the leg, but he seems to be having too much fun for that.
Nova looks over at his opponent with a grin, and pushes up to his feet, helping her up all the same. He pushes her into the ropes, and shoots her off to the far side. Siberia comes rushing back in, and he points up at the sky just as she comes back and he pops her up into the air, and hooks her for a powerbomb, which she promptly turns into a hurricanrana. Instead of flipping over, however, Nova is sent hurtling forwards to land on the middle rope chest first so that he's left there draped across it. Zombie, still feeling the effects of the brutal brain buster, shakes the cobwebs, and upon seeing her opponent displayed before her, hit's off the opposite ropes, and comes rushing back in. She throws both feet through the middle and top rope while hooking it with her body, and spins all the way around to smash them into Nova's face! Nova grabs at his nose as he stands upright, and Siberia stands up on the apron, calling for him to turn around.
LO: Nova looks like he might be in trouble here as Zombie grabs the top rope, and he turns back towards her...SPRINGBOARD CROSS BODY FROM THE TOP!
KO: BUT NOVA WITH A DROP KICK CATCHES HER IN MIDAIR! MY GOD WHAT A REVERSAL!
Zombie skids off the canvas clutching her midsection while Nova is still concerned about his face thanks to the woman's smash mouth offense. By the time he finally manages to focus back on his opponent, he finds that she has nearly made it to her corner for the tag. Nova quickly rushes over to grab her by the ankle to prevent it, but it's already too late, and Aokigahara leaps right over the top rope throwing both feet out to catch Caine square in the chest. Nova is knocked backwards by the move, but doesn't go down, and rushes right back in only to get caught with a spinning back elbow that does send him crashing to the mat. Aoki nods eagerly as Nova starts back peddling across the canvas, holding his jaw, and staring in fury. He spits out some exploitive deletives before reaching back and slapping Danny Rizzo's outstretch hand for a tag.
LO: Well, we're right back to the start here as Danny gets into the ring, and Zombie brings both hands out in front of him and waggles his fingers to say, 'Come get some!'
KO: And would you look at that, Rizzo rushing right in at Aoki, WHO FLOORS HIM WITH A SPRAY OF MIST RIGHT IN THE FACE! What the hell is that stuff?!?
LO: I don't know, but Danny is momentarily blinded here as Zombie moves in and boots him in the midsection, tucks his head, and POWERBOMBS HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: Aoki dropping and hooking the leg for good measure!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Danny just barely made it out, and he's still rubbing at his eyes as Zombie grins out at the crowd who are on their feet in anticipation!
Danny blindly finds the ropes and pulls himself up to his feet, turning around and stumbling right into the waiting arms of Zombie, who rares back and jams two of his fingers forwards right into Rizzo's mouth!
LO: ITAI CLAW ON RIZZO, AND OH MY GOD...I THINK I'M GOING TO BE SICK!
KO: Ewww....That's nasty. Where do you think those fingers have been?
LO: SHUT UP KEN! Seriously...I....I think I might barf.
NovaCaine can be seen pacing the apron, cursing under his breath, and after watching Danny drop to one knee from the mandible claw, he shakes his head and thunders into the ring despite the referee's warnings. Just as he reaches the two men, however, he's suddenly stunned when Aoki jabs out with his free hand and jams two fingers into his mouth as well, both men suddenly suffering the effects of the dread, if not unsanitary, submission hold.
LO: OH MY GOD! DOUBLE ITAI CLAWS!
KO: It's like doublement gum, but not fresh...
LO: NovaCaine and Danny are being subjected to Zombie's will, and Aoki looks absolutely insane....OH! Danny & NovaCaine with a double boot to Zombie's gut, breaking the hold, and now they hook him around the head....DOUBLE SUPLEX HARD TO THE CANVAS!
Aoki clutches at his spine as the referee forces NovaCaine back out to his corner, and he spits the taste of Zombie out of his mouth. Danny coughs and chokes in the center of the ring, doing much the same thing, before getting up off his knee's and stepping to his corner to make the tag. Caine comes back in, and he looks pissed, as he closes the distance and starts laying the boots to Aoki. Zombie laughs between grunts, seeming to enjoy the punishment, which only incites Caine even more. He snatches Aoki up off the canvas and drags him to the nearby corner where he scoop slams him onto the top turnbuckle spine first. Aoki slips down the corner, but before his head can bash off the canvas, his leg gets caught in the top rope trapping him in the tree of woe.
LO: I was really hoping we wouldn't see this happen a second time....
KO: What? He's just going to check and make sure Zombie's packing....hahahaha
Nova smirks at the crowd before using Zombie's crotch as a step, and there is no more amusement from Aoki as Caine grinds his heel into his privates. The referee steps in and admonishes with a five count, and Caine uses every second before dropping down to break the count. He is the one laughing now as he takes a few steps back, and then runs in with a low drop kick that impacts off of Zombie's face. Aoki's leg comes unhooked from the top, and he falls to the mat awkwardly on the back of his head and shoulders, folded up like an accordion. Caine for his part grabs him by the hair of the head and drags him to the center of the ring, where he traps his arms behind his back, and starts barking orders for Danny to go to the top and nail him.
LO: Danny Rizzo is being berated by Caine to cheat, but he's standing steadfast in his corner, refusing to budge..
KO: What an idiot! Take advantage while you can, kid! It will win you matches!
NovaCaine nearly flips his lid as he tosses Zombie to the side, and stalks over to his corner where he buries his finger in Danny's chest and yells for him to get in here and do something. Rizzo slaps the finger out of his chest, and shakes his head 'No' defiantly, resulting in a sudden paint brush slap from Caine. Danny stands there with his jaw clenched, and he makes to enter the ring, but then thinks better of it, and swings his leg back out onto the apron. Danny indicates back into the ring to Nova, and effectively says do it clean, or not at all.
LO: Danny Rizzo showing why he is a class act, and will not be goaded by this bully, NovaCaine!
KO: Whatever! Caine is being awfully generous here, trying to teach this pup a few lessons about the wrestling business, and just like an ungrateful brat he is refusing to listen. Don't bite the hand that feeds you kid.
LO: You're feeding our listeners a whole mess of BS right now, Ken, so I don't think I can agree with that sentiment.
NovaCaine just laughs at Danny's forthrightness, but his smug expression switches to surprise when he's attacked from behind by Ahokigahara Zombie, who hooks him around the waist and shoves him forwards. Caine runs head long into Rizzo, ejecting him from the apron down to the concrete floor, and is pulled back and lifted into a nasty Backdrop Driver.
LO: TO THE LOST ON CAINE, AND NOW AOKI TURNING HIM OVER FOR A COVER!
KO: SEE WHAT YOU DID DANNY RIZZO!!!
1...
2...
3!!!
Danny rises on the outside just in time to see the pinfall, and he slaps the mat, and glowers at NovaCaine who clutches at the back of his skull. Aoki rises clutching his groin area, and is joined by Siberia who slips under his other arm to help prop him up.
Ring Announcer: And the winners of this match via pinfall, THE ZOMBIE CLAN, AOKIGAHARA AND SIBERIA ZOMBIEEEE!!
LO: Folks, that is what I've been saying about this guy all along. Hell, he says it about himself. HE REALLY IS THE CANCER OF WRESTLING!
KO: You sure as hell are focused on him, but what about Danny Rizzo! If he would have just come in and cheated a little, they'd be the ones walking out of this thing as the winners! He cheated himself, and he cheated NovaCaine!
LO: Regardless, it's The Zombie Clan who have moved on to the next round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, which puts all four members still in! What could that mean for the Main Event of Allegiance?
KO: It means that I bet they won't have a damn problem taking advantage of the numbers game, and making sure that The Zombie Clan walks out the champions!
LO: Well, Aoki and Siberia are making their way up the ramp to celebrate in the back, and now Danny Rizzo just rolled into the ring to stare down at Nova. How disappointed he must feel?
Danny shakes his head in disgust at Nova, and starts to exit, but is stopped by Caine grabbing at his ankle. He looks down at the man, and NovaCaine reaches up so that Danny can take his hand and help him to his feet. Danny turns as if to exit again, but pauses, sighing deeply and looking perturbed. He turns back reluctantly and accepts the man's hand, and helps pull the man to his feet. And that is the exact moment that NovaCaine digs his hands into Danny's armpits, lifts him skyward, and then drives him back down to the mat into a modified powerbomb.
LO: THE PAIN KILLER TO DANNY RIZZO! GOD DAMN IT!
KO: That'll teach that mama's boy!
NovaCaine falls back into the ropes so that they can hold him up, staring daggers at Danny, whose laid out on the canvas. He finally shoves off the ropes to exit, and spits on Danny in disgust as he passes. The fans are in complete upheaval at this sign of disrespect.
LO: I can't believe you condone this behavior, Ken. This man is despicable! He cost his time the chance to advance in the Chimera Tag Tournament, and just spat on his tag partner. It isn't right!
KO: I didn't say I condone it, I just said I know where he's coming from. The Cancer of Wrestling warned this kid to do what was necessary and not get in his way, and at the end of the day, Danny didn't take the invitation. Caine has a right to be pissed!
LO: Whatever, can we find something in the back to cut to so that this mess can get sorted out. It's just a damn shame.....
KO: WHOA, LAURENCE! You can't say that on television, even if it is a streaming service. That's one of the seven no-no words in broadcasting!
LO: I don't care, I hate that guy, and now Danny Rizzo is going to have to have eyes in the back of his head, even from his own partner.
KO: Hey, he flipped a coin with two options, and we are about to find out the results. Don't be so quick to judgment.
LO: Whatever, Generic Ring Announcer, take it away...
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a First Round Chimera Tag Tournament Match scheduled for one fall or submission....
The gentle thrum of 'Black Holes' by The Blue Stones comes across the speakers, and the fans in the arena all come to their feet to see the former legend resurface to relevance. No flashy lights or smoke, and NovaCaine steps out onto the stage, a casual look on his weathered face, black trunks, boots, adorning a well muscled body. He smirks at the boo's he recieves, and brushes his shoulder off before making his way cockily down the ramp.
Ring Announcer: Making his way to the ring, standing at six foot three and weighing in at 225 pounds, he hails from the City of Lost Angels, Lost Angeles, California.....He is 'The Cancer of Wrestling', 'Your Moms Favorite Wrestler', NOVA...CAINNNEEE!!
Nova reaches ringside and points out a particularly attractive woman in the front row, sizes her up, and then produces a hotel room key from out of nowhere, and palms it into her hand. She looks at him blankly for a moment, and he just winks and laughs before making his way towards the ring. Just as he leaps to the apron, his music is abruptly cut, and replaced by the opening drums of 'A Warrior's Call' by Volbeat and Danny Rizzo rips through the curtain right at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" wearing a leather vest with 'Rizzo' airbrushed across the back. He takes to one side of the stage jumping up and down, and then to the other, pumping a fist as the song breaks into 'Fight, Fight, Fight'. He finally comes to a stop at the top of the ramp, points down at the ring at NovaCaine, and shakes his head disappointedly before taking off into a sprint.
Ring Announcer: And his partner, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....This Is DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny has slid right into the ring, rushing a neutral corner and taking the second turnbuckle while beating his chest and letting out a warrior yell. The fans come to their feet in cheers, and Danny hops down bobbing his head to the music until coming to a dead stop at the sight of Nova leaned against a neutral just watching him in mock amusement. Danny's excitable nature drops as he shakes out of his vest, and drops it to the ring attendant on the floor.
LO: It is no surprise that Danny is a little unsettled about who he drew as a partner in the Lethal Lottery. These two men don't like each other.
KO: That's only cause Danny want's to shake everyone's hand, while NovaCaine wants to tear everyone's off and beat them with it!
LO: Well, I can understand why Danny isn't thrilled about this partnership, considering what happened to Fallon Lockhart last time we saw him. He's a vile disgusting human being...
KO: I think he's just a man willing to absolutely humiliate his opponents, and thus far it's worked.
The announce team don't get to debate any further after being cut off by the lights going dim, and the big screen above the stage flickering to life with the sound of an army of marching zombies filtering through the screen. Smoke fills the entry way as 'Courage' by the Minutemen comes over the PA System, and out steps Aokigahara Zombie wearing his ring gear and his trademark black leather motor cycle jacket. He's followed by Siberia, wearing her traditional robe with warring dragons, and the two step side by side up to the top of the stage to a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Ring Announcer: And introducing their opponents, weighting in at a combined weight of 360 pounds, and hailing from Japan and Russia respectively, SIBERIA ZOMBIE...AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE....THE ZOMBIE CLAN!
Aoki roars and starts down to the ring, while Siberia stalks beside him, determined eyes never leaving her opponents in the ring. They reach ringside, and Aoki climbs the steps while Siberia leaps to the apron, both entering the ring at the same time. Siberia immediately disrobes, and delivers martial art's style strikes to the top turnbuckle in their corner, while Aoki slips out of his jacket while flashing a grin of anticipation across the ring at their opponents.
LO: The Zombie Clan has come into Valor Pro and taken over, delivering a beat down to Zachariah Krahe at the end of Equinox, and then another one last show. That time, Brodie got caught up in the party, and taken out on one of the biggest victories of her career, becoming the UnYielding Champion!
KO: Not to mention they've already got a team that's advanced in the Tournament in Fukushima and Kowloon, what happens if all four of them make it to Allegiance?
LO: Good question, but for right now they'll have their hands full, because NovaCaine will do anything to get the 'W', and Danny Rizzo has proven he's a force to be reckoned with.
KO: That might be true, Laur, but I think Aoki can dish out just as much as he takes, and he apparently can take quite a lot if reports are to be believed. Did you hear how upset he was last show when Krahe wouldn't torture him? The guy is mental!
LO: Well we're about to find out how much he can take, cause it looks like he's going to start this off with Rizzo, and there's the bell!
Rizzo and Aoki being to circle one another before tying up in the center of the ring. Rizzo quickly pulls Zombie into a side headlock, but Zombie is already pushing his hands through, forcing a top wrist lock which see's him push out of the headlock and force Danny arms over his head as Aoki stands at his side. He continues to push, but Danny is able to resist, that is before Aoki uses his left calf to sweep the legs forcing Danny down to the mat. The ref drops for a count on Danny, but before he can start Danny bridges up onto his head, showing amazing neck strength. Aoki snarls as he tries to force the man back down onto his shoulders, but instead Danny shows a burst of strength by forcing both men back up to their feet. Zombie retains the top wrist lock, but Danny is forcing him back now, and eventually breaks the hold and snatches Aoki back into the side headlock.
LO: Aoki looking for a way out as his head is ground between Rizzo's body and his arm, and now lifts him up for a side suplex, but Danny saw it coming, and just rolled forward, taking Zombie down to the mat in a high headlock takeover.
KO: Kid's showing some tenacity out here. NovaCaine must be rubbing off on him already.
LO: I don't know about that, but Danny is an accomplished wrestler and striker. It should be interesting to see how that compares to someone with Aoki's long standing credentials as a veteran.
Zombie pushes against Danny's chin, and attempts a headscissors, but Rizzo shakes free and avoids it, forcing Aoki to go with a different strategy. Zombie forces himself up to his knee, which in turn forces Danny to his feet, and then pushes off so now he's back in a standing side headlock. Zombie pushes Danny back into the ropes to try and shoot him off, but to everyone's amazement Danny remains latched onto the headlock, dragging Zombie back down to the mat in the center of the ring. Aoki slams his fist off the mat in frustration, while Rizzo torques up on the hold.
LO: Danny Rizzo just wearing Aoki down here, each attempt at getting out of it forcing him to spend that much more energy.
KO: It's a basic hold, but a classic for that reason, Ken.
Zombie, once again gets to his knee forcing both men to their feet, and this time instead of strategy, he tries for blunt force. A elbow into Danny's ribs has the youngster wearing an uncomfortable expression, and two more see's the hold finally broken. Zombie comes up with right hands into Danny's jaw, driving him back towards the ropes where he takes him by the wrist and shoots him off. Danny bounces off the other side, and Zombie lets out a war cry before tearing off to meet him with a lariat, but Rizzo ducks it. He passes through to bounce off the ropes once again, and this time when he comes back Zombie ducks his head for a back body drop. Rizzo leaps into a twist and rolls right across Zombie's back to end up behind him, rushing the ropes for a third time. He bounces back to go on the attack, but is brought to an abrupt stop by a flap jack by Aoki.
LO: Danny Rizzo's face and chest bounced off the canvas, and trying to recover here, but Zombie with a front kick right to the temple sends the man back to the mat.
KO: Aoki wearing an almost euphoric grin as he yanks the man up by his nose...geez...and delivers a headbutt that sends Rizzo stumbling back into the neutral corner.
LO: Zombie wading in now, rights and lefts, just trying to box Danny's ears, and it's funny, because this is more Danny's forte.
KO: Yeah, but Zombie's doing it well, and just stepped up onto the second rope and pushed Danny's forehead back, and RIGHT HANDS reigning down on the Chicago native!
The fans begin to count along with the strikes off Danny's skull, but when they reach six, Rizzo suddenly grabs Aoki around the knee's and walks him out to the center of the ring before lowering him into an inverted atomic drop. Aoki clutches at his lower regions in surprise, turning all the way towards his partner as if wanting to make a tag, but Danny slips his head under his arm from behind, and lifts Zombie up, and drops him for a normal atomic drop across his knee. Now Zombie doesn't know whether to grab his front or his back, as he stumbles around the ring awkwardly. Rizzo flashes right past him into the ropes, and bounces back with a spin wheel kick that pops Zombie right in the face and sends him crashing to the mat. Rizzo scrambles to hook the leg for the cover.
1...
2...
LO: KICK OUT! Zombie out at two, and Danny has him pulled up into a seated position, placing his knee in the mans back, and grabbing both arms and pulling back in a bow and arrow!
KO: Aoki letting out a snarl, but look.....the guy's smiling through the pain. What a whack job!
Aoki indeed continues to smile as he stomps his boot in front of him while Siberia watches on with an expression of concern. Danny, for his part, torques back on Zombies arms while his knee stays firmly pressed into the mans shoulder blades. Eventually Aoki starts to rally some support from the fans, and he manages to roll to his side to get his knee under him, forcing Danny to a standing position. With a big burst of strength Aoki gets to his feet, and Danny comes up with him, and Zombie spins to his right, and then quickly shifts the opposite direction, spinning Rizzo right along with him. He continues to spin until they've made a full revolution, but somehow Aoki has squirmed it so that he has both of Danny's arms hooked, and they are now back to back. He falls forwards to his knee's, pulling Rizzo along with him into a backslide pin.
1...
2...
LO: Danny kicks out at two, and both men quickly to their feet, and OH! Boot to Danny's midsection from Zombie, and SITDOWN JAW BREAKER SNAPS DANNY BACK DOWN TO THE CANVAS WITH AUTHORITY!
KO: Might've broke the boy's face, Laur!
Zombie flashes that strange euphoric grin before sliding over to Siberia and making the tag. She doesn't share any of his elation coming into the ring, rather a focused determination as she approaches Danny whose just worked himself back to his feet. He turns into her as she comes in like a wood chipper, fists, palm strikes, and kicks driving him back into a neutral corner. From there the assault continues, Danny not sure which part to try and protect as she seems to strike them all at different times. Finally, she ends the combo with a spinning roundhouse to the gut that crushes him against the turnbuckles and sends him down into a seated position. Siberia stalks to the opposite side of the ring, and then cuts back to come rushing back in for something devastating when she runs head long into a lariat from NovaCaine that tears her head off.
LO: NOVACAINE JUST INTERJECTED HIMSELF INTO THIS MATCH AND NEARLY DECAPITATED SIBERIA ZOMBIE!
KO: Now that's a man that knows a thing or two about tag teaming.
LO: Are you kidding me, right now? Santiago is trying to get him out of the ring, but he just rushed in on Aoki and blasted him right off the ring apron to the concrete floor!
KO: Alright, see...NOW he's agreeing with the referee, and making his way back out of the ring.
LO: Yeah, after the damage is already done!
NovaCaine steps back out onto the ring apron, still partially jawing with the referee, when he thrusts his hand out in Rizzo's direction, and bluntly tells him to make the 'God Damn Tag'. Rizzo, for his part, looks at the destruction just caused by his tag partner, and shakes his head in dismay. Instead of going for the tag, he steps over to check on Siberia, who reaches up and drags him down into a surprise small package.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Siberia Zombie almost stole one here, and Danny just popped up backpedaling in shock...AND NOVACAINE JUST SLAPPED HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD FOR THE TAG!
KO: Oh, now it's about to get good. You think they'll go at it?
Danny spins around on his partner as he gets into the ring, and jerks his thumb for Rizzo to get out. Danny spits fire, but exits the ring as NovaCaine measures Siberia as she rises for a superkick that catches her right in the spine. Her arms arch back as if she was just hit with a taser, and she falls to her knees clutching at her lower back. Caine steps right in from behind to stand over her, using one hand to grip her by the chin and force her face up as he lays in rabbit like punches right into her forehead. The referee gets onto him about letting her up, and he smirks at Santiago before grabbing Siberia by both arms, putting his foot up on her shoulders, and then face plants her hard down into the canvas.
LO: Good God, NovaCaine is brutal out here....now just stomping the ever loving Bejesus out of Siberia Zombie!
KO: Well, at least Aoki's made it back up onto the apron.....that is if Caine gives her enough room to ever make a tag.
Nova finally abandons stomping the woman, and instead jerks her up by the hair of the head. The referee admonishes him, but a thunderous knife edge chop silences all in the arena as Siberia falls back into the nearby corner with a look of pain. Nova steps in and delivers another, then another, and a fourth that causes Zombie to push past him clutching her chest so she can get out of the trap. Caine just smirks, following her out to the center of the ring where he spins her around and boots her in the midsection. He hooks her around the head while throwing her arm around his, and then lifts her up, holding her in the air in vertical suplex position, before snapping down to the mat in a vicious brain buster.
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! SHE MIGHT BE OUT COLD AFTER THAT ONE!
KO: Caine laughing, wiping his hands clean as he leans back on top of her for a lazy cover...
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! What an arrogant ass?
KO: He would have had the three if he had just hooked the leg, but he seems to be having too much fun for that.
Nova looks over at his opponent with a grin, and pushes up to his feet, helping her up all the same. He pushes her into the ropes, and shoots her off to the far side. Siberia comes rushing back in, and he points up at the sky just as she comes back and he pops her up into the air, and hooks her for a powerbomb, which she promptly turns into a hurricanrana. Instead of flipping over, however, Nova is sent hurtling forwards to land on the middle rope chest first so that he's left there draped across it. Zombie, still feeling the effects of the brutal brain buster, shakes the cobwebs, and upon seeing her opponent displayed before her, hit's off the opposite ropes, and comes rushing back in. She throws both feet through the middle and top rope while hooking it with her body, and spins all the way around to smash them into Nova's face! Nova grabs at his nose as he stands upright, and Siberia stands up on the apron, calling for him to turn around.
LO: Nova looks like he might be in trouble here as Zombie grabs the top rope, and he turns back towards her...SPRINGBOARD CROSS BODY FROM THE TOP!
KO: BUT NOVA WITH A DROP KICK CATCHES HER IN MIDAIR! MY GOD WHAT A REVERSAL!
Zombie skids off the canvas clutching her midsection while Nova is still concerned about his face thanks to the woman's smash mouth offense. By the time he finally manages to focus back on his opponent, he finds that she has nearly made it to her corner for the tag. Nova quickly rushes over to grab her by the ankle to prevent it, but it's already too late, and Aokigahara leaps right over the top rope throwing both feet out to catch Caine square in the chest. Nova is knocked backwards by the move, but doesn't go down, and rushes right back in only to get caught with a spinning back elbow that does send him crashing to the mat. Aoki nods eagerly as Nova starts back peddling across the canvas, holding his jaw, and staring in fury. He spits out some exploitive deletives before reaching back and slapping Danny Rizzo's outstretch hand for a tag.
LO: Well, we're right back to the start here as Danny gets into the ring, and Zombie brings both hands out in front of him and waggles his fingers to say, 'Come get some!'
KO: And would you look at that, Rizzo rushing right in at Aoki, WHO FLOORS HIM WITH A SPRAY OF MIST RIGHT IN THE FACE! What the hell is that stuff?!?
LO: I don't know, but Danny is momentarily blinded here as Zombie moves in and boots him in the midsection, tucks his head, and POWERBOMBS HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: Aoki dropping and hooking the leg for good measure!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Danny just barely made it out, and he's still rubbing at his eyes as Zombie grins out at the crowd who are on their feet in anticipation!
Danny blindly finds the ropes and pulls himself up to his feet, turning around and stumbling right into the waiting arms of Zombie, who rares back and jams two of his fingers forwards right into Rizzo's mouth!
LO: ITAI CLAW ON RIZZO, AND OH MY GOD...I THINK I'M GOING TO BE SICK!
KO: Ewww....That's nasty. Where do you think those fingers have been?
LO: SHUT UP KEN! Seriously...I....I think I might barf.
NovaCaine can be seen pacing the apron, cursing under his breath, and after watching Danny drop to one knee from the mandible claw, he shakes his head and thunders into the ring despite the referee's warnings. Just as he reaches the two men, however, he's suddenly stunned when Aoki jabs out with his free hand and jams two fingers into his mouth as well, both men suddenly suffering the effects of the dread, if not unsanitary, submission hold.
LO: OH MY GOD! DOUBLE ITAI CLAWS!
KO: It's like doublement gum, but not fresh...
LO: NovaCaine and Danny are being subjected to Zombie's will, and Aoki looks absolutely insane....OH! Danny & NovaCaine with a double boot to Zombie's gut, breaking the hold, and now they hook him around the head....DOUBLE SUPLEX HARD TO THE CANVAS!
Aoki clutches at his spine as the referee forces NovaCaine back out to his corner, and he spits the taste of Zombie out of his mouth. Danny coughs and chokes in the center of the ring, doing much the same thing, before getting up off his knee's and stepping to his corner to make the tag. Caine comes back in, and he looks pissed, as he closes the distance and starts laying the boots to Aoki. Zombie laughs between grunts, seeming to enjoy the punishment, which only incites Caine even more. He snatches Aoki up off the canvas and drags him to the nearby corner where he scoop slams him onto the top turnbuckle spine first. Aoki slips down the corner, but before his head can bash off the canvas, his leg gets caught in the top rope trapping him in the tree of woe.
LO: I was really hoping we wouldn't see this happen a second time....
KO: What? He's just going to check and make sure Zombie's packing....hahahaha
Nova smirks at the crowd before using Zombie's crotch as a step, and there is no more amusement from Aoki as Caine grinds his heel into his privates. The referee steps in and admonishes with a five count, and Caine uses every second before dropping down to break the count. He is the one laughing now as he takes a few steps back, and then runs in with a low drop kick that impacts off of Zombie's face. Aoki's leg comes unhooked from the top, and he falls to the mat awkwardly on the back of his head and shoulders, folded up like an accordion. Caine for his part grabs him by the hair of the head and drags him to the center of the ring, where he traps his arms behind his back, and starts barking orders for Danny to go to the top and nail him.
LO: Danny Rizzo is being berated by Caine to cheat, but he's standing steadfast in his corner, refusing to budge..
KO: What an idiot! Take advantage while you can, kid! It will win you matches!
NovaCaine nearly flips his lid as he tosses Zombie to the side, and stalks over to his corner where he buries his finger in Danny's chest and yells for him to get in here and do something. Rizzo slaps the finger out of his chest, and shakes his head 'No' defiantly, resulting in a sudden paint brush slap from Caine. Danny stands there with his jaw clenched, and he makes to enter the ring, but then thinks better of it, and swings his leg back out onto the apron. Danny indicates back into the ring to Nova, and effectively says do it clean, or not at all.
LO: Danny Rizzo showing why he is a class act, and will not be goaded by this bully, NovaCaine!
KO: Whatever! Caine is being awfully generous here, trying to teach this pup a few lessons about the wrestling business, and just like an ungrateful brat he is refusing to listen. Don't bite the hand that feeds you kid.
LO: You're feeding our listeners a whole mess of BS right now, Ken, so I don't think I can agree with that sentiment.
NovaCaine just laughs at Danny's forthrightness, but his smug expression switches to surprise when he's attacked from behind by Ahokigahara Zombie, who hooks him around the waist and shoves him forwards. Caine runs head long into Rizzo, ejecting him from the apron down to the concrete floor, and is pulled back and lifted into a nasty Backdrop Driver.
LO: TO THE LOST ON CAINE, AND NOW AOKI TURNING HIM OVER FOR A COVER!
KO: SEE WHAT YOU DID DANNY RIZZO!!!
1...
2...
3!!!
Danny rises on the outside just in time to see the pinfall, and he slaps the mat, and glowers at NovaCaine who clutches at the back of his skull. Aoki rises clutching his groin area, and is joined by Siberia who slips under his other arm to help prop him up.
Ring Announcer: And the winners of this match via pinfall, THE ZOMBIE CLAN, AOKIGAHARA AND SIBERIA ZOMBIEEEE!!
LO: Folks, that is what I've been saying about this guy all along. Hell, he says it about himself. HE REALLY IS THE CANCER OF WRESTLING!
KO: You sure as hell are focused on him, but what about Danny Rizzo! If he would have just come in and cheated a little, they'd be the ones walking out of this thing as the winners! He cheated himself, and he cheated NovaCaine!
LO: Regardless, it's The Zombie Clan who have moved on to the next round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, which puts all four members still in! What could that mean for the Main Event of Allegiance?
KO: It means that I bet they won't have a damn problem taking advantage of the numbers game, and making sure that The Zombie Clan walks out the champions!
LO: Well, Aoki and Siberia are making their way up the ramp to celebrate in the back, and now Danny Rizzo just rolled into the ring to stare down at Nova. How disappointed he must feel?
Danny shakes his head in disgust at Nova, and starts to exit, but is stopped by Caine grabbing at his ankle. He looks down at the man, and NovaCaine reaches up so that Danny can take his hand and help him to his feet. Danny turns as if to exit again, but pauses, sighing deeply and looking perturbed. He turns back reluctantly and accepts the man's hand, and helps pull the man to his feet. And that is the exact moment that NovaCaine digs his hands into Danny's armpits, lifts him skyward, and then drives him back down to the mat into a modified powerbomb.
LO: THE PAIN KILLER TO DANNY RIZZO! GOD DAMN IT!
KO: That'll teach that mama's boy!
NovaCaine falls back into the ropes so that they can hold him up, staring daggers at Danny, whose laid out on the canvas. He finally shoves off the ropes to exit, and spits on Danny in disgust as he passes. The fans are in complete upheaval at this sign of disrespect.
LO: I can't believe you condone this behavior, Ken. This man is despicable! He cost his time the chance to advance in the Chimera Tag Tournament, and just spat on his tag partner. It isn't right!
KO: I didn't say I condone it, I just said I know where he's coming from. The Cancer of Wrestling warned this kid to do what was necessary and not get in his way, and at the end of the day, Danny didn't take the invitation. Caine has a right to be pissed!
LO: Whatever, can we find something in the back to cut to so that this mess can get sorted out. It's just a damn shame.....
The scene opens backstage to the Apex Champion, Cosmo Cooper, walking down a hallway somewhere in the arena. He turns to address the cameraman that is following him.
COOPER: When I saw Brennan Devlin walk out from the curtain… I honestly thought every bit of decency he ever had had been stripped from him… and then I realized that we would be partners. MOST people would be turned off by this. In fact, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Devlin than to try and make this happen since the last time he won a big match up in Valor was like… October.
Waving his hands, Cosmo continued to walk with the Apex Championship tied around his chest. He walked in a strut.
COOPER: But I am unafraid of the challenge. Whereas Devlin wants to make excuses and turn himself into a meme by using my grandmother as the butt end of his jokes over and over… which like 2 people like out of sympathy like when a little kid draws a shitty picture… I WANT to win the tag titles… why? Because I want to add to my legacy in Valor… where Brennan is just looking for a place to wrestle so he doesn’t just become a Twitter account who tweets about pop culture.
As Cosmo is about to finish, he walks by the door of Leela Watts. Pausing for a moment, he glances at the camera and then puts a hand on the door as if he is about to pop in and say hey. Dropping his head, he lets his hand drop back down to his side.
COOPER: Anyway… what was I saying?
The Champ looks a little out of sorts for a moment, sighs, and then pushes past the camera view to continue down the hall.
COOPER: When I saw Brennan Devlin walk out from the curtain… I honestly thought every bit of decency he ever had had been stripped from him… and then I realized that we would be partners. MOST people would be turned off by this. In fact, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Devlin than to try and make this happen since the last time he won a big match up in Valor was like… October.
Waving his hands, Cosmo continued to walk with the Apex Championship tied around his chest. He walked in a strut.
COOPER: But I am unafraid of the challenge. Whereas Devlin wants to make excuses and turn himself into a meme by using my grandmother as the butt end of his jokes over and over… which like 2 people like out of sympathy like when a little kid draws a shitty picture… I WANT to win the tag titles… why? Because I want to add to my legacy in Valor… where Brennan is just looking for a place to wrestle so he doesn’t just become a Twitter account who tweets about pop culture.
As Cosmo is about to finish, he walks by the door of Leela Watts. Pausing for a moment, he glances at the camera and then puts a hand on the door as if he is about to pop in and say hey. Dropping his head, he lets his hand drop back down to his side.
COOPER: Anyway… what was I saying?
The Champ looks a little out of sorts for a moment, sighs, and then pushes past the camera view to continue down the hall.
Featuring: Zachariah Krahe
“Too Bad” by Nickelback plays and immediately the fans in Thailand boo proving that even half a world away from their country of origin Nickelback is despised. Brad Stokes meanders out with his smarmy, shit-eating grin and thinks they’re all booing him, not the song and the band, and he loves it. He stands at the top of the ramp and makes a show of splitting his leather jacket open to reveal yet another custom made t-shirt - this one says Bradckelback on it, and it’s a picture of the band with his face superimposed onto each member. It’s the same face each time, and it’s disturbing, tbh.
So anyway Brad saunters down to the ring making an exaggerated show of smacking some outstretched hands, clearly going overboard with it. One kid complains about his arm being nearly ripped from his socket, but Brad’s already down a few steps giving some kid an impromptu Fresh Prince of Bel Air hand shake the poor kid is really confused. And up he goes into the ring, catching his foot on the ropes and stumbling in.
He pulls a microphone from his jacket pocket and lets the crowd die down before arrogantly holding it before his lips. Waiting, and then…
Brad Stokes: Thailand… Brad Stokes is inside you.
Loud boos. Brad loves it.
Brad Stokes: That’s right. I am inside you. AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
More boos.
Brad Stokes: So, tonight, as per contractual obligation, I am once again set before you to break up the absolute bullshit that is whatever the hell wrestling company this is with me, but I gotta tell you, kiddos… I’m a little confused.
There’s sort of a general feeling from the crowd as if to say, yes… of course you are. Brad doesn’t care for their tone.
Brad Stokes: So, I get a little itinerary every time this shithole books me. Tells me where to go. What not to say. Of course I never read any of it. But this time, my eyes caught something so… so stupidly stupid that I’ve been confused all week leading up to this proposed “interview”. And maybe, when I bring this guy out, he can clear up the confusion. You see, I was under the impression that Zack Fantana’s last name… was Fantana… not…
He looks again at his card of information.
Brad Stokes: Whatever this is. What’s with the two stupid dots, you know? Is the MAN picking Zack’s new wrestling monikers? If they are, well… they’re stupid. For, you see, Zack and I go back a ways. You might say I taught him everything he knows.
Brad smirks arrogantly once more.
Brad Stokes: So, it strikes me as a bit strange he’d change his name without telling me. What, did he get married to some idiot and change his name because he’s some stupid ass liberal? Thailand, you know what I’m talking about with the ladyboys, right?
They’re not much for Brad Stokes right now. One fan shouts, “go back to your country”.
Brad Stokes: Whatever. Let’s bring my boy out here and see what he has to say about this stupid name change and whatever else he’s working on lately. Zack… COME ON OUT HERE BUDDY, don’t be scared.
Beat the Devil’s Tattoo by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club plays.
Zachariah Krähe makes his way out to the ramp without any indication of being annoyed. He moves with his typical easy going saunter, and barely acknowledges Brad with a nod before taking his seat. Brad’s confused.
Brad Stokes: Okay, hold the fogelsang up here. Who are you, and what have you done with my boy Zack, and when the hell did they set chairs up in MY segment?
Krähe raises a single brow at the questions, seated as he is in a comfortable looking leather sofa back chair. Brad has one too. It’s like he’s noticed it for the first time. He sits down incredibly awkwardly..
Zachariah Krah: Zachariah Krähe, and you're Richard right? No wait, it was dick? Sorry, I'm horrible with names unless they're actually relevant to me.
Krähe's apologetic tone is at complete odds with his eat shit grin, and he continues rolling forward without missing a beat.
Zachariah Krahe: So, what's a fogelsang, and how long do I actually have to sit out here with you?
Brad Stokes: You’ll sit out here for as damn long as I feel like or until one of our theme song hits. You know the damn drill. How long have you been in this business for, huh? Sheesh.
Brad shakes his head looking out to the crowd with a ‘where did they find this guy’ look.
Brad Stokes: Moving on. So, alright. You’re not the Zack I was expecting. That’s cool. Who the hell are you, and why should any of these idiots care, huh?
Krähe looks at Brad like a kid debating whether or not to burn ants with a microscope. It's clear he isn't quite his usual self tonight. Then the moment passes, and he shrugs his broad shoulders. Replacing the look with his typical charmingly lazy grin.
Zachariah Krähe: Honestly, I don't overly care whether most of these people care or not. They don't pay my big paycheck. I do, however, cater towards a somewhat select demographic.
He turns a mischievous grin towards the crowd, as his misfits show him their love. Their cheers seeming to just push him further into stride.
Brad Stokes: Yeah, the LOSERS. Haha.
They book Brad before settling down. Krahe pulls a flask from his coat, and snags a nearby empty coffee mug.
Zachariah Krähe: I suppose that notably I've won the Unyielding Championship three times now, once by winning a tournament, next by defeating Zack Fantana, and then by beating him plus Cross Recoba again…”
He trails off, his attention on pouring amber liquid into the appropriated mug.
Zachariah Krähe: I wasn't going to say anything before, but after meeting in person I want you to know you have my full support.. I firmly believe that Valorpro should not replace you with Cross’s “Box office”. You’re obviously the professional….He should leave it to a man that knows what he's doing, right?
He finishes pouring at least a double shot into the mug, and hands it out to Brad.
Zachariah Krähe: You seem like a man that could appreciate some Black Label.
Brad eyes Zachariah with a confused lifted eyebrow. He shifts through a series of cue cards, lifting his eyes momentarily to eye Krahe, then back to the cards, searching for some bit of data evidently not on the cards.
Brad Stokes: (under his breath, though the mic picks it up) What the hell is a Cross Recoba… Uh… huh. Whatever. So, first off. We don’t want any racist drinks on my show. I’m in enough trouble as it is. Second, I’d like to return to something you said there… now you say, you’re a three time UnYielding Champion. Let me ask you this, Zach, if that is your real name… if you’re so good, and so hot, and so special… how come you lost the damn belt three times, huh? Who beat ya?
Krähe rolls his eyes, and downs the drink in one go. Grey eyes resting on the man before him trying to figure him out. Attempting to discern any hidden depth of character, before coming to the conclusion that the man was just genuinely an idiot. A fool, and there was no sense in playing a fool.
With a sigh he relaxes into the chair resigned to play along.
Zachariah Krähe: I lost to Cross Recoba and Brodie...Can't say I have any regrets in the loss of the title to her though.
He raises his hand as some of the misfits in the crowd start to make sounds of displeasure.
Zachariah Krähe: She earned that title, and I have no regrets or apologies for it. As far as I'm concerned she represents the misfits in her own way, and she isn't going to treat that belt as a pretty accessory...It means something to her, even if it doesn't mean the same thing to everyone else.
Surprisingly the misfits seem to take his words to heart, and shift their perception. It really didn't take all that much, as Brodie had a steadfast following.
Zachariah Krähe: At the end of the day it doesn't matter who currently holds the title, or who I lost it to in the past, because I will be the one holding it in the future. That title isn't cursed...it just likes to wander, but it always comes home to who it belongs.
Brad Stokes: The Misfits. Wow.
He searches his cards once more before looking like he knows what’s going on.
Brad Stokes: I loved that band, man. Did I tell you how I saw them back in ‘68? Whew haha! That was awesome.
Brad’s lost.
Brad Stokes: Alright… right… lots to, uh… dwell on here. With the belt that returns to its owner and junk…. What the fans really wanna know is…
He looks real Oprah Winfrey all of a sudden.
Brad Stokes: What’s next for Zachariah Krahe, huh? What’s… like… where does he go from these catastrophic career defeats he’ll likely never bounce back from? Retirement? Touring with the Misfits? What you got coming up that I’m gonna be excited for?
Krähe shakes his head with his first genuinely amused smile since he sat down.
Zachariah Krähe: Well Dick, the night's still young, and the show’s not over. I'm sure the fans will have something shocking to talk about by the end of the night.
Brad Stokes laughs uncomfortably.
Brad Stokes: Haha. That’s ominous. You’re not hiding bodies, are you, Zachy? Huh? Hahaha. A-are you hiding bodies?
Krähe gives his host a look of pure innocence.
Zachariah Krähe: I haven't put anybody in my trunk in over a month.
Brad smacked Zach on the knee whimsically.
Brad Stokes: Well I have! Hahahah! You’re a real card, buddy. I like that. That can be, like, your gimmick. Have a couple In Your Trunk matches where the loser gets stuck in the trunk of your car. The kids will love it. The fans eat that stuff up. Not these fans, though. These fans are scum.
There’s boos. Brad glares out at them, spitting only a few feet across the ring, but they all know it was meant for them.
Brad Stokes: So, I guess… the one question I have as time winds down… uh.. There’s no easy way to ask this so I’ll just come right out and ask… do you think you could get me Brodie’s phone number?
Krähe’s smile turns sheepish, as he shrugs his shoulders.
Zachariah Krähe: Sorry, she doesn't send me text messages. She tends to keep things very physical...and bloody.
Brad guffawed, like he knew what Krahe was talking about.
Brad Stokes: Good call, good call. Chicks and their periods, am i right? Hahah! You’re alright, Zach. You’re no Zack. But you’ll do in a pinch. Now give me a shot. I think I’m ready.
Krähe pulls out the flask and hands it over without a second thought.
Zachariah Krähe: You know what man, you keep the whole thing.
Brad Stokes: My man! Hahah!
Brad took the flask and raised it in a salute to his newfound drinking buddy then tipped some of its contents into his mouth, smacking his lips afterward.
Brad Stokes: Not bad.
He blinked, and seemed to be reckonining with the small swig he’d taken..
Brad Stokes: Not bad at--
And he passed out. Right there. In the comfortable chair. From one shot of whisky.
Krähe looks down at Brad with a comical expression of disbelief.
Zachariah Krähe: Dick...Richard...Brad?
Krähe reaches out pinching the fabric of the other man's sleeve, and using it lifts his hand...only to watch it flop back down.
Zachariah Krähe: You've gotta be kidding me…
He shifts closer actually raising Brad's head by the hair, and letting it like the hand flop back down.
He shakes his head and turns wide eyes to the audience with his hands raised.
Zachariah Krähe: I swear I didn't poison him…
Krähe stands and examines the man out cold on the couch, while the crowd buzzes around him.
He picks up the flask and sniffs it, before wiping it clean of prints, and returning it to Brad's hand.
Zachariah Krähe: Well, it’s been nice Brad, but I'm gonna go now.
A chuckle escapes him as he starts backing away.
Zachariah Krähe: No, don't get up. I'll find my own way out.
With that Beat the Devil's Tattoo fills the arena, and he turns to make his way back up the ramp. His shoulders slightly shaking from his laughter.
So anyway Brad saunters down to the ring making an exaggerated show of smacking some outstretched hands, clearly going overboard with it. One kid complains about his arm being nearly ripped from his socket, but Brad’s already down a few steps giving some kid an impromptu Fresh Prince of Bel Air hand shake the poor kid is really confused. And up he goes into the ring, catching his foot on the ropes and stumbling in.
He pulls a microphone from his jacket pocket and lets the crowd die down before arrogantly holding it before his lips. Waiting, and then…
Brad Stokes: Thailand… Brad Stokes is inside you.
Loud boos. Brad loves it.
Brad Stokes: That’s right. I am inside you. AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
More boos.
Brad Stokes: So, tonight, as per contractual obligation, I am once again set before you to break up the absolute bullshit that is whatever the hell wrestling company this is with me, but I gotta tell you, kiddos… I’m a little confused.
There’s sort of a general feeling from the crowd as if to say, yes… of course you are. Brad doesn’t care for their tone.
Brad Stokes: So, I get a little itinerary every time this shithole books me. Tells me where to go. What not to say. Of course I never read any of it. But this time, my eyes caught something so… so stupidly stupid that I’ve been confused all week leading up to this proposed “interview”. And maybe, when I bring this guy out, he can clear up the confusion. You see, I was under the impression that Zack Fantana’s last name… was Fantana… not…
He looks again at his card of information.
Brad Stokes: Whatever this is. What’s with the two stupid dots, you know? Is the MAN picking Zack’s new wrestling monikers? If they are, well… they’re stupid. For, you see, Zack and I go back a ways. You might say I taught him everything he knows.
Brad smirks arrogantly once more.
Brad Stokes: So, it strikes me as a bit strange he’d change his name without telling me. What, did he get married to some idiot and change his name because he’s some stupid ass liberal? Thailand, you know what I’m talking about with the ladyboys, right?
They’re not much for Brad Stokes right now. One fan shouts, “go back to your country”.
Brad Stokes: Whatever. Let’s bring my boy out here and see what he has to say about this stupid name change and whatever else he’s working on lately. Zack… COME ON OUT HERE BUDDY, don’t be scared.
Beat the Devil’s Tattoo by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club plays.
Zachariah Krähe makes his way out to the ramp without any indication of being annoyed. He moves with his typical easy going saunter, and barely acknowledges Brad with a nod before taking his seat. Brad’s confused.
Brad Stokes: Okay, hold the fogelsang up here. Who are you, and what have you done with my boy Zack, and when the hell did they set chairs up in MY segment?
Krähe raises a single brow at the questions, seated as he is in a comfortable looking leather sofa back chair. Brad has one too. It’s like he’s noticed it for the first time. He sits down incredibly awkwardly..
Zachariah Krah: Zachariah Krähe, and you're Richard right? No wait, it was dick? Sorry, I'm horrible with names unless they're actually relevant to me.
Krähe's apologetic tone is at complete odds with his eat shit grin, and he continues rolling forward without missing a beat.
Zachariah Krahe: So, what's a fogelsang, and how long do I actually have to sit out here with you?
Brad Stokes: You’ll sit out here for as damn long as I feel like or until one of our theme song hits. You know the damn drill. How long have you been in this business for, huh? Sheesh.
Brad shakes his head looking out to the crowd with a ‘where did they find this guy’ look.
Brad Stokes: Moving on. So, alright. You’re not the Zack I was expecting. That’s cool. Who the hell are you, and why should any of these idiots care, huh?
Krähe looks at Brad like a kid debating whether or not to burn ants with a microscope. It's clear he isn't quite his usual self tonight. Then the moment passes, and he shrugs his broad shoulders. Replacing the look with his typical charmingly lazy grin.
Zachariah Krähe: Honestly, I don't overly care whether most of these people care or not. They don't pay my big paycheck. I do, however, cater towards a somewhat select demographic.
He turns a mischievous grin towards the crowd, as his misfits show him their love. Their cheers seeming to just push him further into stride.
Brad Stokes: Yeah, the LOSERS. Haha.
They book Brad before settling down. Krahe pulls a flask from his coat, and snags a nearby empty coffee mug.
Zachariah Krähe: I suppose that notably I've won the Unyielding Championship three times now, once by winning a tournament, next by defeating Zack Fantana, and then by beating him plus Cross Recoba again…”
He trails off, his attention on pouring amber liquid into the appropriated mug.
Zachariah Krähe: I wasn't going to say anything before, but after meeting in person I want you to know you have my full support.. I firmly believe that Valorpro should not replace you with Cross’s “Box office”. You’re obviously the professional….He should leave it to a man that knows what he's doing, right?
He finishes pouring at least a double shot into the mug, and hands it out to Brad.
Zachariah Krähe: You seem like a man that could appreciate some Black Label.
Brad eyes Zachariah with a confused lifted eyebrow. He shifts through a series of cue cards, lifting his eyes momentarily to eye Krahe, then back to the cards, searching for some bit of data evidently not on the cards.
Brad Stokes: (under his breath, though the mic picks it up) What the hell is a Cross Recoba… Uh… huh. Whatever. So, first off. We don’t want any racist drinks on my show. I’m in enough trouble as it is. Second, I’d like to return to something you said there… now you say, you’re a three time UnYielding Champion. Let me ask you this, Zach, if that is your real name… if you’re so good, and so hot, and so special… how come you lost the damn belt three times, huh? Who beat ya?
Krähe rolls his eyes, and downs the drink in one go. Grey eyes resting on the man before him trying to figure him out. Attempting to discern any hidden depth of character, before coming to the conclusion that the man was just genuinely an idiot. A fool, and there was no sense in playing a fool.
With a sigh he relaxes into the chair resigned to play along.
Zachariah Krähe: I lost to Cross Recoba and Brodie...Can't say I have any regrets in the loss of the title to her though.
He raises his hand as some of the misfits in the crowd start to make sounds of displeasure.
Zachariah Krähe: She earned that title, and I have no regrets or apologies for it. As far as I'm concerned she represents the misfits in her own way, and she isn't going to treat that belt as a pretty accessory...It means something to her, even if it doesn't mean the same thing to everyone else.
Surprisingly the misfits seem to take his words to heart, and shift their perception. It really didn't take all that much, as Brodie had a steadfast following.
Zachariah Krähe: At the end of the day it doesn't matter who currently holds the title, or who I lost it to in the past, because I will be the one holding it in the future. That title isn't cursed...it just likes to wander, but it always comes home to who it belongs.
Brad Stokes: The Misfits. Wow.
He searches his cards once more before looking like he knows what’s going on.
Brad Stokes: I loved that band, man. Did I tell you how I saw them back in ‘68? Whew haha! That was awesome.
Brad’s lost.
Brad Stokes: Alright… right… lots to, uh… dwell on here. With the belt that returns to its owner and junk…. What the fans really wanna know is…
He looks real Oprah Winfrey all of a sudden.
Brad Stokes: What’s next for Zachariah Krahe, huh? What’s… like… where does he go from these catastrophic career defeats he’ll likely never bounce back from? Retirement? Touring with the Misfits? What you got coming up that I’m gonna be excited for?
Krähe shakes his head with his first genuinely amused smile since he sat down.
Zachariah Krähe: Well Dick, the night's still young, and the show’s not over. I'm sure the fans will have something shocking to talk about by the end of the night.
Brad Stokes laughs uncomfortably.
Brad Stokes: Haha. That’s ominous. You’re not hiding bodies, are you, Zachy? Huh? Hahaha. A-are you hiding bodies?
Krähe gives his host a look of pure innocence.
Zachariah Krähe: I haven't put anybody in my trunk in over a month.
Brad smacked Zach on the knee whimsically.
Brad Stokes: Well I have! Hahahah! You’re a real card, buddy. I like that. That can be, like, your gimmick. Have a couple In Your Trunk matches where the loser gets stuck in the trunk of your car. The kids will love it. The fans eat that stuff up. Not these fans, though. These fans are scum.
There’s boos. Brad glares out at them, spitting only a few feet across the ring, but they all know it was meant for them.
Brad Stokes: So, I guess… the one question I have as time winds down… uh.. There’s no easy way to ask this so I’ll just come right out and ask… do you think you could get me Brodie’s phone number?
Krähe’s smile turns sheepish, as he shrugs his shoulders.
Zachariah Krähe: Sorry, she doesn't send me text messages. She tends to keep things very physical...and bloody.
Brad guffawed, like he knew what Krahe was talking about.
Brad Stokes: Good call, good call. Chicks and their periods, am i right? Hahah! You’re alright, Zach. You’re no Zack. But you’ll do in a pinch. Now give me a shot. I think I’m ready.
Krähe pulls out the flask and hands it over without a second thought.
Zachariah Krähe: You know what man, you keep the whole thing.
Brad Stokes: My man! Hahah!
Brad took the flask and raised it in a salute to his newfound drinking buddy then tipped some of its contents into his mouth, smacking his lips afterward.
Brad Stokes: Not bad.
He blinked, and seemed to be reckonining with the small swig he’d taken..
Brad Stokes: Not bad at--
And he passed out. Right there. In the comfortable chair. From one shot of whisky.
Krähe looks down at Brad with a comical expression of disbelief.
Zachariah Krähe: Dick...Richard...Brad?
Krähe reaches out pinching the fabric of the other man's sleeve, and using it lifts his hand...only to watch it flop back down.
Zachariah Krähe: You've gotta be kidding me…
He shifts closer actually raising Brad's head by the hair, and letting it like the hand flop back down.
He shakes his head and turns wide eyes to the audience with his hands raised.
Zachariah Krähe: I swear I didn't poison him…
Krähe stands and examines the man out cold on the couch, while the crowd buzzes around him.
He picks up the flask and sniffs it, before wiping it clean of prints, and returning it to Brad's hand.
Zachariah Krähe: Well, it’s been nice Brad, but I'm gonna go now.
A chuckle escapes him as he starts backing away.
Zachariah Krähe: No, don't get up. I'll find my own way out.
With that Beat the Devil's Tattoo fills the arena, and he turns to make his way back up the ramp. His shoulders slightly shaking from his laughter.
The image cut to THE MAN. Aged, yet ageless, his face filled the scene, centered between his closed eyes, with wisps of grey hair jutting down to frame his heavy brow. There was a BEAT OF SILENCE…then music. “TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS” by Tiny Tim played, and as the ukulele strummed, the camera tracked backward, pulling away from his face.
Tip-toe through the window
By the window, that is where I'll be
Come tip-toe through the tulips with me
He opened his eyes, each a maelstrom of churning seawater. The camera continued to PULL BACK, slowly revealing more of his face. The narrow bridge of his nose. The slope of his forehead. His sculpted cheekbones, square jaw, strong chin—
Tip-toe from the garden
By the garden of a lily tree
And tip-toe through the tulips with me
—and his thin lips, razor-sharp and corners creeping up his face into a vast, mad rictus, flashing sharp teeth. A deadly smile. A killer’s grin. A hyena’s sneer. FARTHER AWAY the camera dollied, until his body slithered into frame, dressed in a tailored houndstooth tuxedo, black, with a straight tie.
Knee deep in flowers we'll stray
We'll keep the showers away
Looming behind him was a towering mausoleum, carved from stone with Grecian pillars. Burning torches rested in cast iron sconces on either side of the tomb, casting warm light against his back which surrounded him in a fiery halo. Further in the distance, the night sky was black as pitch and devoid of starlight.
And if I kiss you in the garden
In the moonlight, will you pardon me?
And tip-toe through the tulips with me
The music moved into the coda and the man let out a muted chuckle and a long sigh. His countenance relaxed, serious eyes softened, and his lips slipped their way back down his face, straightening into a narrow slice across his mouth. As the final note lingered, he turned and walked out of frame. The camera tracked forward, closing in on the marker on the mausoleum. There, etched into the stonework, was an epitaph, which read:
HERE LIES SPIRAL
“Do not, for one repulse, forego
the purpose you resolved to effect.”
BORN
NOVEMBER 26 1977
DIED
MAIN EVENT
LO: Well, that was...weird.
KO: Yeah, I've heard about this guy...he was a pretty big deal in the MMA circuit, and was even the UNLEASHED World Heavyweight Champion..
LO: I didn't say that I didn't know who he was, I just said it was weird.
KO: Well....Ok.....Generic Ring Announcer?
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a First Round Chimera Tag Tournament Match scheduled for one fall or submission....
The electronic sounds of 'Lionhearted' by Porter Robinson ft. Urban Cone reverberate through the arena, and the lights start flashing along with the beat. Smoke fills the entrance way, and Fallon Lockhart skips out onto the stage to a loud ovation from the crowd. She regards the fans with a sweet smile, pausing at the top of the ramp to take in the capacity crowd with hands on hips. She nods in amazement just before making her way down to the ring, slapping hands as she goes.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, making her way to the ring standing at four foot ten and weighing in at 115 pounds, hailing from Miami, Florida....she is 'THE SKELLICORN' FALLON LOCKHAARRTTT!!
When Fallon reaches ringside she stutter steps and slides into the ring, popping up in the center and spinning around several times before rushing a corner and quickly bounds up to the top with a wide happy grin. The fans cheer wildly just as her music is cut short by 'Royal Jelly' by Deap Jelly coming over the PA System and the lights on stage flash with the repeated riff of the song. When the lyrics kick in Lorean Moore pushes through the curtain a sly smile on her face as she pauses at the top of the stage and lifts her arms out to her side as if offering herself to the world. The fans begin to boo, and she rolls her eyes at the reaction before making her way down to the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing her partner, making her way to the ring from Soho, Manhattan, New York, standing at 5 foot 4 and weighing in at 123 pounds, in her debut performance at Valor Pro, this is LOREAN MOOORREEE!
Moore reaches ringside and uses the steps to climb up onto the apron, wiping her feet, and then slipping into the ring. She steps around the ring looking out at the crowd with that same sly smile before stepping over near Fallon and sizing the woman up with a raised eyebrow.
LO: I can't tell if Lorean Moore is impressed with Fallon Lockhart, or if she's preparing her for the slaughter.
KO: I don't know why you'd say that, Laur. Lorean made it abundantly clear that she expected to win this thing here tonight for her team, and even sent out Tweets indicating that Fallon needed to be ready for this match up.
LO: I felt like there was an implied, 'Or Else', behind those Tweets, Ken.
KO: Didn't I say 'abundantly clear'?
The announce team are cut off by the cue up of 'Salvation Code' by Scandroid, and the fans come to their feet in boo's as the lights begin to flash pink and purple with the techno beat. The big screen above the stage flashes to life, but instead of the usual highlight real for Brennan Devlin, the words 'Grandma's Boyz' appears on the screen, highlighted in purple. The curtain parts, but instead of Devlin, out steps an older silver haired woman using a cane, wearing a flowered dress, and a white apron with bold letters that says "Grandma' on it. She is followed by not one, or two, but an army of Grandma's that slowly make their way down the ramp, lining either side. Finally, after all the Grandma's are seemingly in place, Brennan Devlin charges out from behind the curtain, coming to a stop at the top of the ramp with a huge grin. He runs his fingers up his body, through his hair, and then flicks them out at the crowd shouting, "THE FACE OF WRESTLING", before strutting between the Grandma's on his way to the ring.
Ring Announcer: Introducing their opponents, making his way to the ring from San Andreas, California, standing at six foot one and weighing in at 230 pounds...He is THE FACE OF WRESTLING...BRENNAN DEVLLLIINNN!!
Devlin pauses to give a few of the Grandma's a hug, while threatening to hit others before continuing on with a laugh. He pauses at the bottom of the stage, not entering the ring, but rather leaning against the apron with his arms crossed, the grin never leaving his face as he watches the entrance for his tag partner.
LO: Um....what the hell are we seeing here?
KO: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....Hold on...Let me catch my breath......Those...Those are.....HAHHAHAHAHAHA!
LO: Right. Brennan Devlin is absolute slime.
Kenneth Othello's laughter echoes through the arena for the brief transition from Scandroid to 'Lifted' by CL to hit the PA. The gold lights flash with the opening beat like a usual Cosmo Cooper entrance, but the big screen remains with the 'Grandma's Boyz' logo. After a moment Cosmo steps through the curtain with the Apex Championship secured around his waist, and he comes to a pause at the top of the stage, taking in the Grandma's on either side of him lining the ramp. He shakes his head, turning around to look up at the big screen, before turning his gaze down at Brennan Devlin, whose grin has never left his face. The fans, for their part, cheer for Cooper, that is, the best they can behind stifled moments of laughter. Cosmo doesn't appear amused as he starts down the ramp towards the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his partner, hailing from Santa Rosa, California, standing six foot two and weighing in at 225 pounds....He is THE GRAPS JESUS, AND THE CURRENT APEX CHAMPION....COSMO COOPPPEEEERRRR!!
Upon reaching the end of the ramp Cosmo stalks right up to Devlin, who pushes off the apron and uncrosses his folded arms to open them wide for an embrace. Cosmo shoves past him, and leaps up onto the apron, slipping into the ring and taking the second turnbuckle of the nearest corner. He unstraps the Apex title, and lifts it high over his head as the fans cheer, and he gives a poignant look to Devlin who responds in mock hurt after being refused his hug. The grin quickly returns, however, as he jumps to the apron and steps over into their corner, indicating that Cosmo should start.
LO: How in the hell are these two guys supposed to get along after all of this?
KO: Hehehehe....(ahem)....Whatever do you mean, Laur?
LO: Oh give it a rest, it isn't that damn funny! Cosmo Cooper recently lost a loved one, and Brennan Devlin has had nothing but crass comments since before their epic clash at Equinox, and hasn't paused to take a breath.
KO: He blames the Russians. What more explanation do you need?
LO: Ken.....shut up!
Kenneth Othello continues to snicker as Cosmo finally turns his attention to his opponents across the ring rather than the one in his corner. Lorean Moore seems to be slightly amused by the antics, if for no other reason it bodes well for her team, while Fallon Lockhart looks completely disgusted. She mouths, "I'm Sorry" to Cosmo despite it having nothing to do with her, but he still nods his appreciation as Moore steps out onto the ring apron and Caputo signals for the bell. Fallon and Cosmo begin to circle in the center of the ring, and both of them allow the ridiculousness of the situation evaporate as they move in for a lock up.
LO: Collar and elbow tie up in the center of the ring, but Fallon quickly slipping behind Cosmo and taking his arm with her into a hammerlock. Cooper looking for an escape, and manages to reverse the hold into a hammerlock of his own.
KO: Size difference definitely at play here, as Fallon is having a much tougher time finding an escape than Cooper did. Wow...not bad, reaches between her legs to get Cooper's leg and just tripped him up. He had to let go of the hold or tumble to the mat!
LO: Indeed, and now Fallon quickly into a headlock on Cooper, spins through to switch arms, and feeds right back into a hammerlock!
KO: Cooper having a hard time reversing now that she knows what to look for, and instead just drags her over the ropes and hooks them for a break....
Fallon quickly releases the hold and steps back to the center of the ring, and Cosmo regards her with an eyebrow raise. Eventually he offers a slight smile, before the two lock up again, and this time Fallon manages to take the wrist and move into a dragon twist. Cooper slaps his shoulder, but before he can think of a way out, Fallon is already twisting the arm a second time. This time, Cooper doesn't hesitate, committing to a roll through that puts him on his back, but takes some pressure off his arm, and then kips up, twisting so it's Fallon now tied up in the dragon twist. Fallon, quick as a hiccup, drops flat on her back, brings both boots up into Cooper's chest, and shoves him back breaking the hold. She kips up to her feet as well, and Cooper moves in to gain the advantage, but walks right into a deep arm drag instead. He pops back up, and runs into another one, and on the third pop up is met with a dropkick that knocks him all the way back into his corner.
LO: Fallon Lockhart is super fast, and she's got the Apex Champion stumped...and OH! Devlin just slapped him on the shoulder and tagged himself in!
KO: Haha! Devlin is shooing Cooper out to the ring apron, letting him and the Valor Pro Faithful that he's got this...
Cosmo grits his teeth, but follows the referee's lead as he is directed out onto the apron, and Devlin watches on with a grin. He turns those gleaming teeth in Fallon's direction, and chuckles a bit before the two begin to circle. Suddenly Brennan comes to a dead stop in the center of the ring, and while still beaming at her, lifts his hand to signal for a test of strength.
LO: Oh, you have got to be kidding me! Fallon Lockhart is four foot ten and 115 pounds, while Brennan Devlin is six foot one and 230 pounds. This is absurd!
KO: She's going to have to stand on her tippy toes if she's going to even try this...hehehe
LO: Well I'm glad you think it's so funny, and...No! Fallon, he's suckering you in!
Fallon gradually gets closer and closer, fingers waggling as she has decided to take this challenge, and she does indeed stand on her tip toes in order to reach all the way up and lace her fingers with Devlins. Brennan almost crows as he brings the other hand up, ready to show off this unfair display of strength, when Fallon suddenly grabs the hand, leaps up so that both boots land on his thighs, and then rocks backwards, taking Devlin with her into a monkey flip. Devlin lands flat on his back with Fallon still gripping his hands, and she rolls backwards onto her feet straddling him, pulls him halfway up, and with a boot dead center of his chest, spikes him back down hard so that the back of his head bangs against the mat.
LO: HAHAHAHA! Fallon Lockhart just turned the tables on the cocksure Brennan Devlin, and now she's backed up into a neutral corner waiting for his response!
KO: I don't think it's that damn funny, Laur, and neither does Devlin, who looks like he's about ready to beat this girls ass!
LO: Well, Cosmo seemed to enjoy it, cause he can barely contain his snickering over in their corner...
Devlin shoots Cooper a look before turning his attention back to Lockhart, the smile having completely faded. He signals he's ready to go again, and the two begin to circle in the center of the ring. Both go for a collar and elbow, but Brennan quickly cuts Fallon off with a knee lift to the gut, followed by an elbow to the back of the head. This drops the Skellicorn to one knee, and Devlin takes a short step back just so he can have some room to hammer his boot directly into her face. Lockhart snaps down to the canvas, and Brennan drops down on top of her, straddling her chest while yanking her head up by a fistful full of hair, and reigns down piston like fists into her skull.
KO: Whose laughing now, Laur! You don't try to make a fool out of Brennan Devlin and get away with it, a lesson I figure our Apex Champion might want to examine!
LO: Whatever! Devlin just beating the holy hell out of Fallon, and now back up to his feet and is stomping away at the woman!
Fallon begins to try and roll and dodge the stomps, but Devlin has left her a little out of it so she is only minimally able. He eventually stomps her all the way over to the ropes, where he pulls her up to her feet, and shoots her to the other side. Fallon comes rushing back in, and Brennan meets her dead center of the ring with a lariat that causes her to cut a complete flip before crashing to the canvas. He runs one hand through his hair and flicks his fingers in a sign of disrespect to Cooper, before dropping an elbow down across her throat. He pops up and does so again, and again, and again, and again, until finally pausing over her body....putting his hand to his ear to listen to the outpouring of boo's, and then with a laugh, leaps as high as he can to drop the final elbow. He smirks at Lorean Moore and hooks the leg.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! Fallon out at two and a half, and Brennan just sitting beside her now, paint brushing her in the face! Come On Now! So disrespectful!
KO: He's just trying to make sure she's not unconscious, Laur. And look at Cooper, mock clapping him from their corner.
LO: Yeah, and Devlin just noticed. He's indicating with his hands that maybe Cooper could do better, and Cooper's nodding confidently...God, what egos!
Devlin stands up and saunters over to Cooper, pursing his lips as he tags him in and steps out to the apron, indicating that he should give it a try. Cooper shakes his head and then leaps over the ropes into the ring, and steps out to help Fallon, who was already getting to her feet. Suddenly Lockhart's hands thrust out, knocking Cooper's away just before she delivers a high standing dropkick that knocks the man back into the ropes. Cooper bounces back, and Fallon is back on her feet, another dropkick finding it's mark and this time thundering Cosmo down to the mat. Cooper is already on his way up when Fallon meets him, moving to shoot him into the ropes, but he reverses. Fallon comes barreling back in, and leaps into a cross body to which Cooper catches her in midair, and then drops straight down with his knee flashing out for a back breaker!
LO: Fallon clutching at her lower back as her momentum is abruptly cut short thanks to that back breaker from Cooper. The Apex Champion now stepping back into a neutral corner, hops up to the second, and measures her as he leaps off for a NASTY LEG DROP!
KO: Cooper now going for the cover!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Again, Fallon out at two, but this time Lorean Moore looked concerned from her end of the ring, and she hasn't even had a chance to get in this match up!
Lorean extends her hand into the ring, but Cooper snatches Fallon up off the mat, and then scoop slams her dead center of the ring. He steps back over to the corner, and steps out on the apron, climbing to perch himself on the top. The fans give him a mixed reaction, not so much because they don't like him, but more so because they 'LOVE' Fallon. He shoulder shrugs it off, and then pounces off the top into a beautiful frog splash that finds it's mark. Cosmo clutches at his ribs for a split second before grabbing Fallon's leg, and hooking it deep.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Fallon Lockhart out just before the three, and Cosmo looking at the woman with newfound respect, but Devlin is heckling from the outside. Now it's Cooper whose asking him if he thinks he can do better, and Devlin is indicating the tag.
KO: Um..if they keep this up, there isn't going to be much left of Fallon Lockhart but a stain on the canvas...
Cooper rolls his eyes as he makes the tag to Devlin, who fires into the ring and pulls Lockhart up off the canvas. He runs her into the ropes while taking her wrist, and then shoots her to the other side. She comes barreling back in with velocity, and Devlin rushes out to meet her with a double chop. Fallon, however, manages to duck under, and continues on to the other side. Devlin spins around to catch her with a lariat as she passes through, but again she ducks it. Finally, on the third pass, Devlin posts up in the center of the ring and catches her for what he hopes is a tilt-a-whirl back breaker, but instead Fallon manages to grapevine him around the head as she goes and spins him down to the mat with a head scissors take over. Devlin pops up quickly on the attack, but Fallon ducks his spin wheel kick, and when he comes back up she's there to meet him with stiff side kicks right to his hamstring.
LO: I don't know where she's getting the resolve after the back to back punishment, but Fallon is lighting Devlin up with those low kicks!
KO: Yeah, but she needs to make a tag to Lorean Moore! She's been in there since the match started!
The kicks keep Devlin off balance, and he eventually finds himself backed into a neutral corner. Fallon leaps up to the second rope and pushes his head back before returning the favor with piston like right hands into his skull. The fans count along with the blows, but just when she reaches lucky number seven, Devlin lifts her off the second and then drops straight down, bringing her face crashing down into the top turnbuckle. Fallon clutches at her jaw as she stumbles out to the center of the ring, and turns back around just in time to see Devlin's boot crashing into her face with a super kick. Lockhart snaps down to the canvas, and Brennan rubs his forehead cursing as he drops down and hooks her leg.
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! FALLON ROLLS THE SHOULDER AT THE LAST SECOND! Damn, man, I told you she should have made the tag!
LO: I honestly can't disagree with that, Ken, but somehow she's kept her team in this match, but I don't know for how much longer as now Cooper is cat calling Devlin about the kick out.
Devlin looks pissed as he still rubs at his forehead and stalks over to his corner, getting right in Cooper's face. Cooper continues to grin smugly, calling Devlin out, who points back at Fallon and shrugs, slapping Cooper on the chest to tag him in. Devlin steps out onto the ring apron to fume, while Cooper comes into the ring assuring his hated rival not to worry, he'll get the job done. Fallon is woosy as she tries to make it back to her feet, and a chop from Cooper sends her stumbling back into the neutral corner. He follows her in with more chops, before finally slipping his head under her arm and lifting her up so that she's sitting on the top rope. He follows her up by stepping up onto the second turnbuckle, and then turns around so that his back is to her. He takes one of her arms and uses it to hoist her up onto his shoulders, and the crowd come to their feet for whatever big move he's about to play from the top. Just when he's about to leap off, Fallon suddenly comes alive, scooting herself to his right side and hooking him around the head as her sudden body weight pulling forward knocks Cosmo off balance. The two crash to the canvas with Fallon still clutching his head to her side for a nasty DDT that see's Cooper's skull spiked into the canvas!
LO: OH MY GOD! COSMO COOPER MIGHT BE DEAD!
KO: JESUS! I've never seen a DDT from that height, and I mean straight down.....that guy might be paralyzed!
LO: Fortunately he is moving, clutching the top of his skull, but I don't think there's a lot behind his eyes right now. They are glossed over!
KO: Of course they are, Laur! Christ Almighty, he just got dumped square on his head!
Caputo checks both competitors who lie prone on the canvas, and then steps back as Fallon slowly lifts her head, and starts crawling in the direction of her corner. The fans go ballistic as she gets closer and closer, Lorean Moore offering her hand, if for no other reason than the possibility of becoming a future Valor Pro Champion. Cosmo finally starts to stir, pushing up to a sitting position, and shaking the cobwebs best he can to reach for the ropes to help himself to his feet. At the moment he gets upright Fallon manages to slap Moore's hand, and Lorean comes rushing into the ring right at Cooper. The Apex Champion barely has enough time to turn in her direction before she launches herself into a spin wheel kick that sends him up and over the top rope to the concrete below, while she hooks the rope on her way over to land safely on the ring apron.
LO: Lorean Moore has come in here like a ball of fire, and she's actually getting a decent reaction from this crowd, though I don't think she gives a damn about that at the moment...
KO: Hell no, she's laser focused on the Apex Champion, who just got to his feet and HERE COMES LORI WITH A DIVING KNEE STRIKE RIGHT INTO HIS SKULL!!
Cosmo, whose already had a head injury thanks to that DDT from the top rope by Fallon, is sent hurtling down by the guardrail, looking completely out of it. Brennan Devlin for his part watches all of this with what appears to be conflict. On one hand, he wants to fulfill his mission, which is to be the first ever Chimera Tag Team Champions and rub that fact into Cosmo's brain. On the other hand, he so does enjoy watching the Apex Champion get his bell rung. Brennan bites his fist in indecision, but then finally shrugs, and takes off across his length of apron to dive off onto Moore, who side steps him and buries a fist in his abdomen causing him to cut a front flip to land with a splat on the concrete.
LO: In a surprising turn of events, Brennan Devlin just tried to get the jump on Lorean Moore, but she turned the tables on him. I can't believe he was going to save Cosmo there!
KO: He wasn't trying to save Cosmo, he was trying to save their chances at championship gold. There's a difference, Laur!
LO: Either way, Lorean just pulled Devlin up to his feet, and SENT HIM ROCKETING INTO THE STEEL RING POST! Devlin strikes it spine first, and he just slumped down to the floor while she turns her attention back to Cosmo.
KO: Cosmo is gingerly back on his feet, and he manages to elbow Moore in the gut as she approaches. This begs her off, but she's coming back in and again an elbow to the gut. Cooper now with a fistful of Lorean's hair, and OH! SLAMS HER HEAD OFF THE STEEL BARRICADE!
Cooper looks worse for wear as he drags Moore back over to the ring, and shoves her under the bottom rope. He climbs up onto the apron, and reaches down to pull her up to face him. The ropes separate them as he drapes her arm over his shoulders, and then hooks her around the head, and the fans come to their feet as it looks like he might try and suplex her to the outside. Moore manages to tangle one leg between the ropes, preventing Cooper from pulling her up, and she suddenly breaks free from his arm, and falls straight down, using the arm that was around his head to drape his throat across the top rope. Cooper snaps down to a seated position on the apron, clutching his windpipe and choking to take breath, while Moore gets to her feet to assess the situation. Seeing Cooper grab at the top rope to get back to his feet, she rushes the ropes on the opposite side for spring, and comes rushing back in with a step up Enzuguri from the second rope that ejects Cosmo from the ring apron to crash against the steel barricade ribs first.
LO: GOOD GOD, COSMO ATE THE STEEL ON THAT ONE! Lorean has come in here and cleaned house, and...what the? Fallon is finally back on the apron, and she wants back into this match!
KO: Moore is looking at her doubtfully, but Fallon just rotated her hands end over end.....she's looking to fly!
LO: AND MOORE JUST TAGGED HER IN! Fallon rushing over to the corner, and climbing to the top....Cosmo is getting back to his feet by use of the barricade, but just beneath her is Brennan Devlin whose making his way back over to his corner....decisions, decisions!
Fallon looks from Devlin to Cooper, but decides ultimately to target the legal man. As Cosmo stumbles his way back towards the ring, he's taken completely by surprise when Lockhart comes soaring off the top into a corkscrew shooting star press that lands squarely on the Apex Champion, wiping both of them out.
LO: BLYZZARD ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE FLOOR ON COOPER FROM LOCKHART, AND MY GOD THEY ARE BOTH DEAD!
KO: And look back in the ring, Devlin and Moore are standing there in complete shock. The referee just started counting them out, but Moore just came in and broke up the count, making her way outside to get her partner back into the ring..
LO: She better keep an eye out for Devlin, cause he just dropped down from his corner and is sneaking his way around....OH! MOORE TURNED JUST IN TIME TO EAT A SUPER KICK FROM DEVLIN!
KO: And now he just yanked Cosmo up by a fistful of hair, and tossed him back into the ring.
Devlin laughs down at the two women, and then smirks at his down and out partner as the ref starts the count over. With Cosmo safely in the ring for the count out victory, Devlin steps back up onto the apron, and makes it back to their corner where he non-chalantly throws his feet up on the top rope, while resting his body across the top turnbuckle to count along with the referee.
LO: Well Devlin seems to think they have this one in the bag, as the referee has reached a count of four. I'd really hate for this contest to end in a count out, Ken.
KO: No doubt, but I mean, Fallon wanted to fly. Only problem is, when you do these high risk maneuvers, you usually take just as much punishment as your opponent. Not to mention, she took one hell of a beating earlier in this match.
LO: Yeah, but that DDT from the top though. Cooper hasn't been the same since she hit it.
The ref's count has reached eight, and Fallon manages to get pull herself up on the ring apron. Devlin drops down in his corner and watches intently as right as the ref is about to count ten she rolls in saving the match up. Devlin shakes his head in disappointment, and then starts shouting disparaging remarks at Cooper to get his ass up and make the tag. Cooper manages up to one knee as Fallon gets all the way to her feet, and just when it looks like he might follow Brennan's advice, she springs onto the Apex Champions back locking on a crossface chicken wing, and wraps both legs around his midsection.
LO: FALLON LOCKHART HAS COOPER IN HER PATENTED SUBMISSION, THE MOUSE TRAP, AND HE'S STAGGERING AROUND THE RING LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO GO!
KO: Cooper is fading fast, sluggishly dropping to one knee, with Devlin barking at him to get out of it! Fallon has him all hemmed up!
Cosmo gets to his feet once more, and more on luck than any real plan, stumbles right into his corner before falling to the mat with Fallon still locked on. It's close enough, however, for Devlin to slap one of his flailing hands on his way down, and Devlin vaults up and over the top rope to bring his boot right down into the back of Fallon's head. She releases the hold, and Devlin yanks her up, moving her into position for a Face Off. Instead, Fallon shoves Devlin from behind, and when he turns back to rush in on her she dives out of the way and he runs headlong into Cosmo, who had partially gotten to his feet, which sends him sailing through the middle and top rope to land with a splat on the outside. Devlin stands at the edge of the ring talking smack to his partner in disbelief, when he's scooped down from behind into a schoolboy pin by Lockhart!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Devlin kicks out, and tries to recover quickly, but Fallon already scrambling, and SHE JUST MADE THE TAG TO LOREAN MOORE! Moore recovered back to the apron after that cheap shot from Devlin, and she looks more than ready to come in here and pay The Face of Wrestling back for that super kick!
KO: Devlin tries to cut her off with a lariat, but Moore ducks it, and Brennan turns around RIGHT INTO A USHIRO MAWASHI GERI THAT SENDS HIM STUMBLING BACK INTO THE FAR ROPES!
LO: For those who don't know, that's a reverse roundhouse kick, and now Devlin is stumbling back to the center of the ring off the ropes...and he's out on his feet!
KO: Lorean moving in now, and goes for THE EXTIRPATOR 360 KICK, BUT DEVLIN DUCKED UNDER IT AND FACE OFF!
LO: MY GOD IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: AND THERE'S THE COVER!
1...
2...
3!!!
Brennan rises off the mat like a phoenix, sweat dripping down his body, and nursing a bloody nose thanks to the kick from Moore. He grins over at Cosmo who looks on intently, shaking his head despite just being part of a victory. Fallon slips into the ring behind them rubbing her shoulder, sliding beside Moore and checking on the woman. She helps her to the outside while Brennan stalks around the ring, crowing to a booing crowd, telling them all that he did 'EXACTLY' what he said he would.
Ring Announcer: and the winners of this match by pinfall, COSMO COOPER & BRENNAN DEVVLLINNN!!
He hops up to the second turnbuckle of the far corner, and runs his fingers up his body, up his face, and through his hair, and then flicks his fingers while throwing his hands wide out to his side. The fans boo even louder as he laughs all the more, hopping down and turning around to find Cosmo Cooper in the center of the ring.
Suddenly Cooper lunges forward, thrusting his foot forwards right for Devlin's face in a super kick. Devlin throws both hands up and flinches as Cooper's boot comes within inches of striking, and then suddenly trails back down to the mat. Devlin opens one eye, then the other, and slowly lowers his hands to look at a snickering Cosmo whose already scooping up his Apex Championship and making his way to exit the ring. When he reaches the ropes he pauses, looks over his shoulder, and holds his index finger and thumb up just inches apart and mouths, "That close." Cooper winks, and slips through the ropes to saunter up the ramp, leaving Devlin shaking his head, turning to the crowd indicating that he was never worried. The fans all shower him in jeers and mockery, and Devlin rolls his eyes and shrugs before making his way to follow suit and leave.
LO: Cosmo Cooper just sent a message to Brennan Devlin! That quickly, and it's over.
KO: Yeah, but we both know that isn't true. Those two went for like forty five freakin' minutes, and still only decided a winner after a matter of three steps.
LO: Those three steps were all that was required to win Cooper the Apex Championship, but I have to admit....I don't think it would be that easy. What it did to, however, is get inside Brennan Devlin's head, regardless of whether he's willing to admit it or not.
KO: Either way, these two just advanced in the tournament. Valiant effort to Fallon Lockhart and Lorean Moore, though. They got nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, Fallon took a hell of a beating in the beginning, but fought right back into it when it counted.
LO: No doubt, can't say enough about how I love that girls optimism and perseverance!
KO: Yeah, I have to admit, I guess she's growing on me.
LO: Oh, you big softie....
KO: Stuff it, Laur!
Laurence laughs at his sulking former tag team partner just before the cameras cut backstage.
KO: Yeah, I've heard about this guy...he was a pretty big deal in the MMA circuit, and was even the UNLEASHED World Heavyweight Champion..
LO: I didn't say that I didn't know who he was, I just said it was weird.
KO: Well....Ok.....Generic Ring Announcer?
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a First Round Chimera Tag Tournament Match scheduled for one fall or submission....
The electronic sounds of 'Lionhearted' by Porter Robinson ft. Urban Cone reverberate through the arena, and the lights start flashing along with the beat. Smoke fills the entrance way, and Fallon Lockhart skips out onto the stage to a loud ovation from the crowd. She regards the fans with a sweet smile, pausing at the top of the ramp to take in the capacity crowd with hands on hips. She nods in amazement just before making her way down to the ring, slapping hands as she goes.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, making her way to the ring standing at four foot ten and weighing in at 115 pounds, hailing from Miami, Florida....she is 'THE SKELLICORN' FALLON LOCKHAARRTTT!!
When Fallon reaches ringside she stutter steps and slides into the ring, popping up in the center and spinning around several times before rushing a corner and quickly bounds up to the top with a wide happy grin. The fans cheer wildly just as her music is cut short by 'Royal Jelly' by Deap Jelly coming over the PA System and the lights on stage flash with the repeated riff of the song. When the lyrics kick in Lorean Moore pushes through the curtain a sly smile on her face as she pauses at the top of the stage and lifts her arms out to her side as if offering herself to the world. The fans begin to boo, and she rolls her eyes at the reaction before making her way down to the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing her partner, making her way to the ring from Soho, Manhattan, New York, standing at 5 foot 4 and weighing in at 123 pounds, in her debut performance at Valor Pro, this is LOREAN MOOORREEE!
Moore reaches ringside and uses the steps to climb up onto the apron, wiping her feet, and then slipping into the ring. She steps around the ring looking out at the crowd with that same sly smile before stepping over near Fallon and sizing the woman up with a raised eyebrow.
LO: I can't tell if Lorean Moore is impressed with Fallon Lockhart, or if she's preparing her for the slaughter.
KO: I don't know why you'd say that, Laur. Lorean made it abundantly clear that she expected to win this thing here tonight for her team, and even sent out Tweets indicating that Fallon needed to be ready for this match up.
LO: I felt like there was an implied, 'Or Else', behind those Tweets, Ken.
KO: Didn't I say 'abundantly clear'?
The announce team are cut off by the cue up of 'Salvation Code' by Scandroid, and the fans come to their feet in boo's as the lights begin to flash pink and purple with the techno beat. The big screen above the stage flashes to life, but instead of the usual highlight real for Brennan Devlin, the words 'Grandma's Boyz' appears on the screen, highlighted in purple. The curtain parts, but instead of Devlin, out steps an older silver haired woman using a cane, wearing a flowered dress, and a white apron with bold letters that says "Grandma' on it. She is followed by not one, or two, but an army of Grandma's that slowly make their way down the ramp, lining either side. Finally, after all the Grandma's are seemingly in place, Brennan Devlin charges out from behind the curtain, coming to a stop at the top of the ramp with a huge grin. He runs his fingers up his body, through his hair, and then flicks them out at the crowd shouting, "THE FACE OF WRESTLING", before strutting between the Grandma's on his way to the ring.
Ring Announcer: Introducing their opponents, making his way to the ring from San Andreas, California, standing at six foot one and weighing in at 230 pounds...He is THE FACE OF WRESTLING...BRENNAN DEVLLLIINNN!!
Devlin pauses to give a few of the Grandma's a hug, while threatening to hit others before continuing on with a laugh. He pauses at the bottom of the stage, not entering the ring, but rather leaning against the apron with his arms crossed, the grin never leaving his face as he watches the entrance for his tag partner.
LO: Um....what the hell are we seeing here?
KO: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....Hold on...Let me catch my breath......Those...Those are.....HAHHAHAHAHAHA!
LO: Right. Brennan Devlin is absolute slime.
Kenneth Othello's laughter echoes through the arena for the brief transition from Scandroid to 'Lifted' by CL to hit the PA. The gold lights flash with the opening beat like a usual Cosmo Cooper entrance, but the big screen remains with the 'Grandma's Boyz' logo. After a moment Cosmo steps through the curtain with the Apex Championship secured around his waist, and he comes to a pause at the top of the stage, taking in the Grandma's on either side of him lining the ramp. He shakes his head, turning around to look up at the big screen, before turning his gaze down at Brennan Devlin, whose grin has never left his face. The fans, for their part, cheer for Cooper, that is, the best they can behind stifled moments of laughter. Cosmo doesn't appear amused as he starts down the ramp towards the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his partner, hailing from Santa Rosa, California, standing six foot two and weighing in at 225 pounds....He is THE GRAPS JESUS, AND THE CURRENT APEX CHAMPION....COSMO COOPPPEEEERRRR!!
Upon reaching the end of the ramp Cosmo stalks right up to Devlin, who pushes off the apron and uncrosses his folded arms to open them wide for an embrace. Cosmo shoves past him, and leaps up onto the apron, slipping into the ring and taking the second turnbuckle of the nearest corner. He unstraps the Apex title, and lifts it high over his head as the fans cheer, and he gives a poignant look to Devlin who responds in mock hurt after being refused his hug. The grin quickly returns, however, as he jumps to the apron and steps over into their corner, indicating that Cosmo should start.
LO: How in the hell are these two guys supposed to get along after all of this?
KO: Hehehehe....(ahem)....Whatever do you mean, Laur?
LO: Oh give it a rest, it isn't that damn funny! Cosmo Cooper recently lost a loved one, and Brennan Devlin has had nothing but crass comments since before their epic clash at Equinox, and hasn't paused to take a breath.
KO: He blames the Russians. What more explanation do you need?
LO: Ken.....shut up!
Kenneth Othello continues to snicker as Cosmo finally turns his attention to his opponents across the ring rather than the one in his corner. Lorean Moore seems to be slightly amused by the antics, if for no other reason it bodes well for her team, while Fallon Lockhart looks completely disgusted. She mouths, "I'm Sorry" to Cosmo despite it having nothing to do with her, but he still nods his appreciation as Moore steps out onto the ring apron and Caputo signals for the bell. Fallon and Cosmo begin to circle in the center of the ring, and both of them allow the ridiculousness of the situation evaporate as they move in for a lock up.
LO: Collar and elbow tie up in the center of the ring, but Fallon quickly slipping behind Cosmo and taking his arm with her into a hammerlock. Cooper looking for an escape, and manages to reverse the hold into a hammerlock of his own.
KO: Size difference definitely at play here, as Fallon is having a much tougher time finding an escape than Cooper did. Wow...not bad, reaches between her legs to get Cooper's leg and just tripped him up. He had to let go of the hold or tumble to the mat!
LO: Indeed, and now Fallon quickly into a headlock on Cooper, spins through to switch arms, and feeds right back into a hammerlock!
KO: Cooper having a hard time reversing now that she knows what to look for, and instead just drags her over the ropes and hooks them for a break....
Fallon quickly releases the hold and steps back to the center of the ring, and Cosmo regards her with an eyebrow raise. Eventually he offers a slight smile, before the two lock up again, and this time Fallon manages to take the wrist and move into a dragon twist. Cooper slaps his shoulder, but before he can think of a way out, Fallon is already twisting the arm a second time. This time, Cooper doesn't hesitate, committing to a roll through that puts him on his back, but takes some pressure off his arm, and then kips up, twisting so it's Fallon now tied up in the dragon twist. Fallon, quick as a hiccup, drops flat on her back, brings both boots up into Cooper's chest, and shoves him back breaking the hold. She kips up to her feet as well, and Cooper moves in to gain the advantage, but walks right into a deep arm drag instead. He pops back up, and runs into another one, and on the third pop up is met with a dropkick that knocks him all the way back into his corner.
LO: Fallon Lockhart is super fast, and she's got the Apex Champion stumped...and OH! Devlin just slapped him on the shoulder and tagged himself in!
KO: Haha! Devlin is shooing Cooper out to the ring apron, letting him and the Valor Pro Faithful that he's got this...
Cosmo grits his teeth, but follows the referee's lead as he is directed out onto the apron, and Devlin watches on with a grin. He turns those gleaming teeth in Fallon's direction, and chuckles a bit before the two begin to circle. Suddenly Brennan comes to a dead stop in the center of the ring, and while still beaming at her, lifts his hand to signal for a test of strength.
LO: Oh, you have got to be kidding me! Fallon Lockhart is four foot ten and 115 pounds, while Brennan Devlin is six foot one and 230 pounds. This is absurd!
KO: She's going to have to stand on her tippy toes if she's going to even try this...hehehe
LO: Well I'm glad you think it's so funny, and...No! Fallon, he's suckering you in!
Fallon gradually gets closer and closer, fingers waggling as she has decided to take this challenge, and she does indeed stand on her tip toes in order to reach all the way up and lace her fingers with Devlins. Brennan almost crows as he brings the other hand up, ready to show off this unfair display of strength, when Fallon suddenly grabs the hand, leaps up so that both boots land on his thighs, and then rocks backwards, taking Devlin with her into a monkey flip. Devlin lands flat on his back with Fallon still gripping his hands, and she rolls backwards onto her feet straddling him, pulls him halfway up, and with a boot dead center of his chest, spikes him back down hard so that the back of his head bangs against the mat.
LO: HAHAHAHA! Fallon Lockhart just turned the tables on the cocksure Brennan Devlin, and now she's backed up into a neutral corner waiting for his response!
KO: I don't think it's that damn funny, Laur, and neither does Devlin, who looks like he's about ready to beat this girls ass!
LO: Well, Cosmo seemed to enjoy it, cause he can barely contain his snickering over in their corner...
Devlin shoots Cooper a look before turning his attention back to Lockhart, the smile having completely faded. He signals he's ready to go again, and the two begin to circle in the center of the ring. Both go for a collar and elbow, but Brennan quickly cuts Fallon off with a knee lift to the gut, followed by an elbow to the back of the head. This drops the Skellicorn to one knee, and Devlin takes a short step back just so he can have some room to hammer his boot directly into her face. Lockhart snaps down to the canvas, and Brennan drops down on top of her, straddling her chest while yanking her head up by a fistful full of hair, and reigns down piston like fists into her skull.
KO: Whose laughing now, Laur! You don't try to make a fool out of Brennan Devlin and get away with it, a lesson I figure our Apex Champion might want to examine!
LO: Whatever! Devlin just beating the holy hell out of Fallon, and now back up to his feet and is stomping away at the woman!
Fallon begins to try and roll and dodge the stomps, but Devlin has left her a little out of it so she is only minimally able. He eventually stomps her all the way over to the ropes, where he pulls her up to her feet, and shoots her to the other side. Fallon comes rushing back in, and Brennan meets her dead center of the ring with a lariat that causes her to cut a complete flip before crashing to the canvas. He runs one hand through his hair and flicks his fingers in a sign of disrespect to Cooper, before dropping an elbow down across her throat. He pops up and does so again, and again, and again, and again, until finally pausing over her body....putting his hand to his ear to listen to the outpouring of boo's, and then with a laugh, leaps as high as he can to drop the final elbow. He smirks at Lorean Moore and hooks the leg.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! Fallon out at two and a half, and Brennan just sitting beside her now, paint brushing her in the face! Come On Now! So disrespectful!
KO: He's just trying to make sure she's not unconscious, Laur. And look at Cooper, mock clapping him from their corner.
LO: Yeah, and Devlin just noticed. He's indicating with his hands that maybe Cooper could do better, and Cooper's nodding confidently...God, what egos!
Devlin stands up and saunters over to Cooper, pursing his lips as he tags him in and steps out to the apron, indicating that he should give it a try. Cooper shakes his head and then leaps over the ropes into the ring, and steps out to help Fallon, who was already getting to her feet. Suddenly Lockhart's hands thrust out, knocking Cooper's away just before she delivers a high standing dropkick that knocks the man back into the ropes. Cooper bounces back, and Fallon is back on her feet, another dropkick finding it's mark and this time thundering Cosmo down to the mat. Cooper is already on his way up when Fallon meets him, moving to shoot him into the ropes, but he reverses. Fallon comes barreling back in, and leaps into a cross body to which Cooper catches her in midair, and then drops straight down with his knee flashing out for a back breaker!
LO: Fallon clutching at her lower back as her momentum is abruptly cut short thanks to that back breaker from Cooper. The Apex Champion now stepping back into a neutral corner, hops up to the second, and measures her as he leaps off for a NASTY LEG DROP!
KO: Cooper now going for the cover!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Again, Fallon out at two, but this time Lorean Moore looked concerned from her end of the ring, and she hasn't even had a chance to get in this match up!
Lorean extends her hand into the ring, but Cooper snatches Fallon up off the mat, and then scoop slams her dead center of the ring. He steps back over to the corner, and steps out on the apron, climbing to perch himself on the top. The fans give him a mixed reaction, not so much because they don't like him, but more so because they 'LOVE' Fallon. He shoulder shrugs it off, and then pounces off the top into a beautiful frog splash that finds it's mark. Cosmo clutches at his ribs for a split second before grabbing Fallon's leg, and hooking it deep.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Fallon Lockhart out just before the three, and Cosmo looking at the woman with newfound respect, but Devlin is heckling from the outside. Now it's Cooper whose asking him if he thinks he can do better, and Devlin is indicating the tag.
KO: Um..if they keep this up, there isn't going to be much left of Fallon Lockhart but a stain on the canvas...
Cooper rolls his eyes as he makes the tag to Devlin, who fires into the ring and pulls Lockhart up off the canvas. He runs her into the ropes while taking her wrist, and then shoots her to the other side. She comes barreling back in with velocity, and Devlin rushes out to meet her with a double chop. Fallon, however, manages to duck under, and continues on to the other side. Devlin spins around to catch her with a lariat as she passes through, but again she ducks it. Finally, on the third pass, Devlin posts up in the center of the ring and catches her for what he hopes is a tilt-a-whirl back breaker, but instead Fallon manages to grapevine him around the head as she goes and spins him down to the mat with a head scissors take over. Devlin pops up quickly on the attack, but Fallon ducks his spin wheel kick, and when he comes back up she's there to meet him with stiff side kicks right to his hamstring.
LO: I don't know where she's getting the resolve after the back to back punishment, but Fallon is lighting Devlin up with those low kicks!
KO: Yeah, but she needs to make a tag to Lorean Moore! She's been in there since the match started!
The kicks keep Devlin off balance, and he eventually finds himself backed into a neutral corner. Fallon leaps up to the second rope and pushes his head back before returning the favor with piston like right hands into his skull. The fans count along with the blows, but just when she reaches lucky number seven, Devlin lifts her off the second and then drops straight down, bringing her face crashing down into the top turnbuckle. Fallon clutches at her jaw as she stumbles out to the center of the ring, and turns back around just in time to see Devlin's boot crashing into her face with a super kick. Lockhart snaps down to the canvas, and Brennan rubs his forehead cursing as he drops down and hooks her leg.
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! FALLON ROLLS THE SHOULDER AT THE LAST SECOND! Damn, man, I told you she should have made the tag!
LO: I honestly can't disagree with that, Ken, but somehow she's kept her team in this match, but I don't know for how much longer as now Cooper is cat calling Devlin about the kick out.
Devlin looks pissed as he still rubs at his forehead and stalks over to his corner, getting right in Cooper's face. Cooper continues to grin smugly, calling Devlin out, who points back at Fallon and shrugs, slapping Cooper on the chest to tag him in. Devlin steps out onto the ring apron to fume, while Cooper comes into the ring assuring his hated rival not to worry, he'll get the job done. Fallon is woosy as she tries to make it back to her feet, and a chop from Cooper sends her stumbling back into the neutral corner. He follows her in with more chops, before finally slipping his head under her arm and lifting her up so that she's sitting on the top rope. He follows her up by stepping up onto the second turnbuckle, and then turns around so that his back is to her. He takes one of her arms and uses it to hoist her up onto his shoulders, and the crowd come to their feet for whatever big move he's about to play from the top. Just when he's about to leap off, Fallon suddenly comes alive, scooting herself to his right side and hooking him around the head as her sudden body weight pulling forward knocks Cosmo off balance. The two crash to the canvas with Fallon still clutching his head to her side for a nasty DDT that see's Cooper's skull spiked into the canvas!
LO: OH MY GOD! COSMO COOPER MIGHT BE DEAD!
KO: JESUS! I've never seen a DDT from that height, and I mean straight down.....that guy might be paralyzed!
LO: Fortunately he is moving, clutching the top of his skull, but I don't think there's a lot behind his eyes right now. They are glossed over!
KO: Of course they are, Laur! Christ Almighty, he just got dumped square on his head!
Caputo checks both competitors who lie prone on the canvas, and then steps back as Fallon slowly lifts her head, and starts crawling in the direction of her corner. The fans go ballistic as she gets closer and closer, Lorean Moore offering her hand, if for no other reason than the possibility of becoming a future Valor Pro Champion. Cosmo finally starts to stir, pushing up to a sitting position, and shaking the cobwebs best he can to reach for the ropes to help himself to his feet. At the moment he gets upright Fallon manages to slap Moore's hand, and Lorean comes rushing into the ring right at Cooper. The Apex Champion barely has enough time to turn in her direction before she launches herself into a spin wheel kick that sends him up and over the top rope to the concrete below, while she hooks the rope on her way over to land safely on the ring apron.
LO: Lorean Moore has come in here like a ball of fire, and she's actually getting a decent reaction from this crowd, though I don't think she gives a damn about that at the moment...
KO: Hell no, she's laser focused on the Apex Champion, who just got to his feet and HERE COMES LORI WITH A DIVING KNEE STRIKE RIGHT INTO HIS SKULL!!
Cosmo, whose already had a head injury thanks to that DDT from the top rope by Fallon, is sent hurtling down by the guardrail, looking completely out of it. Brennan Devlin for his part watches all of this with what appears to be conflict. On one hand, he wants to fulfill his mission, which is to be the first ever Chimera Tag Team Champions and rub that fact into Cosmo's brain. On the other hand, he so does enjoy watching the Apex Champion get his bell rung. Brennan bites his fist in indecision, but then finally shrugs, and takes off across his length of apron to dive off onto Moore, who side steps him and buries a fist in his abdomen causing him to cut a front flip to land with a splat on the concrete.
LO: In a surprising turn of events, Brennan Devlin just tried to get the jump on Lorean Moore, but she turned the tables on him. I can't believe he was going to save Cosmo there!
KO: He wasn't trying to save Cosmo, he was trying to save their chances at championship gold. There's a difference, Laur!
LO: Either way, Lorean just pulled Devlin up to his feet, and SENT HIM ROCKETING INTO THE STEEL RING POST! Devlin strikes it spine first, and he just slumped down to the floor while she turns her attention back to Cosmo.
KO: Cosmo is gingerly back on his feet, and he manages to elbow Moore in the gut as she approaches. This begs her off, but she's coming back in and again an elbow to the gut. Cooper now with a fistful of Lorean's hair, and OH! SLAMS HER HEAD OFF THE STEEL BARRICADE!
Cooper looks worse for wear as he drags Moore back over to the ring, and shoves her under the bottom rope. He climbs up onto the apron, and reaches down to pull her up to face him. The ropes separate them as he drapes her arm over his shoulders, and then hooks her around the head, and the fans come to their feet as it looks like he might try and suplex her to the outside. Moore manages to tangle one leg between the ropes, preventing Cooper from pulling her up, and she suddenly breaks free from his arm, and falls straight down, using the arm that was around his head to drape his throat across the top rope. Cooper snaps down to a seated position on the apron, clutching his windpipe and choking to take breath, while Moore gets to her feet to assess the situation. Seeing Cooper grab at the top rope to get back to his feet, she rushes the ropes on the opposite side for spring, and comes rushing back in with a step up Enzuguri from the second rope that ejects Cosmo from the ring apron to crash against the steel barricade ribs first.
LO: GOOD GOD, COSMO ATE THE STEEL ON THAT ONE! Lorean has come in here and cleaned house, and...what the? Fallon is finally back on the apron, and she wants back into this match!
KO: Moore is looking at her doubtfully, but Fallon just rotated her hands end over end.....she's looking to fly!
LO: AND MOORE JUST TAGGED HER IN! Fallon rushing over to the corner, and climbing to the top....Cosmo is getting back to his feet by use of the barricade, but just beneath her is Brennan Devlin whose making his way back over to his corner....decisions, decisions!
Fallon looks from Devlin to Cooper, but decides ultimately to target the legal man. As Cosmo stumbles his way back towards the ring, he's taken completely by surprise when Lockhart comes soaring off the top into a corkscrew shooting star press that lands squarely on the Apex Champion, wiping both of them out.
LO: BLYZZARD ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE FLOOR ON COOPER FROM LOCKHART, AND MY GOD THEY ARE BOTH DEAD!
KO: And look back in the ring, Devlin and Moore are standing there in complete shock. The referee just started counting them out, but Moore just came in and broke up the count, making her way outside to get her partner back into the ring..
LO: She better keep an eye out for Devlin, cause he just dropped down from his corner and is sneaking his way around....OH! MOORE TURNED JUST IN TIME TO EAT A SUPER KICK FROM DEVLIN!
KO: And now he just yanked Cosmo up by a fistful of hair, and tossed him back into the ring.
Devlin laughs down at the two women, and then smirks at his down and out partner as the ref starts the count over. With Cosmo safely in the ring for the count out victory, Devlin steps back up onto the apron, and makes it back to their corner where he non-chalantly throws his feet up on the top rope, while resting his body across the top turnbuckle to count along with the referee.
LO: Well Devlin seems to think they have this one in the bag, as the referee has reached a count of four. I'd really hate for this contest to end in a count out, Ken.
KO: No doubt, but I mean, Fallon wanted to fly. Only problem is, when you do these high risk maneuvers, you usually take just as much punishment as your opponent. Not to mention, she took one hell of a beating earlier in this match.
LO: Yeah, but that DDT from the top though. Cooper hasn't been the same since she hit it.
The ref's count has reached eight, and Fallon manages to get pull herself up on the ring apron. Devlin drops down in his corner and watches intently as right as the ref is about to count ten she rolls in saving the match up. Devlin shakes his head in disappointment, and then starts shouting disparaging remarks at Cooper to get his ass up and make the tag. Cooper manages up to one knee as Fallon gets all the way to her feet, and just when it looks like he might follow Brennan's advice, she springs onto the Apex Champions back locking on a crossface chicken wing, and wraps both legs around his midsection.
LO: FALLON LOCKHART HAS COOPER IN HER PATENTED SUBMISSION, THE MOUSE TRAP, AND HE'S STAGGERING AROUND THE RING LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO GO!
KO: Cooper is fading fast, sluggishly dropping to one knee, with Devlin barking at him to get out of it! Fallon has him all hemmed up!
Cosmo gets to his feet once more, and more on luck than any real plan, stumbles right into his corner before falling to the mat with Fallon still locked on. It's close enough, however, for Devlin to slap one of his flailing hands on his way down, and Devlin vaults up and over the top rope to bring his boot right down into the back of Fallon's head. She releases the hold, and Devlin yanks her up, moving her into position for a Face Off. Instead, Fallon shoves Devlin from behind, and when he turns back to rush in on her she dives out of the way and he runs headlong into Cosmo, who had partially gotten to his feet, which sends him sailing through the middle and top rope to land with a splat on the outside. Devlin stands at the edge of the ring talking smack to his partner in disbelief, when he's scooped down from behind into a schoolboy pin by Lockhart!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Devlin kicks out, and tries to recover quickly, but Fallon already scrambling, and SHE JUST MADE THE TAG TO LOREAN MOORE! Moore recovered back to the apron after that cheap shot from Devlin, and she looks more than ready to come in here and pay The Face of Wrestling back for that super kick!
KO: Devlin tries to cut her off with a lariat, but Moore ducks it, and Brennan turns around RIGHT INTO A USHIRO MAWASHI GERI THAT SENDS HIM STUMBLING BACK INTO THE FAR ROPES!
LO: For those who don't know, that's a reverse roundhouse kick, and now Devlin is stumbling back to the center of the ring off the ropes...and he's out on his feet!
KO: Lorean moving in now, and goes for THE EXTIRPATOR 360 KICK, BUT DEVLIN DUCKED UNDER IT AND FACE OFF!
LO: MY GOD IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: AND THERE'S THE COVER!
1...
2...
3!!!
Brennan rises off the mat like a phoenix, sweat dripping down his body, and nursing a bloody nose thanks to the kick from Moore. He grins over at Cosmo who looks on intently, shaking his head despite just being part of a victory. Fallon slips into the ring behind them rubbing her shoulder, sliding beside Moore and checking on the woman. She helps her to the outside while Brennan stalks around the ring, crowing to a booing crowd, telling them all that he did 'EXACTLY' what he said he would.
Ring Announcer: and the winners of this match by pinfall, COSMO COOPER & BRENNAN DEVVLLINNN!!
He hops up to the second turnbuckle of the far corner, and runs his fingers up his body, up his face, and through his hair, and then flicks his fingers while throwing his hands wide out to his side. The fans boo even louder as he laughs all the more, hopping down and turning around to find Cosmo Cooper in the center of the ring.
Suddenly Cooper lunges forward, thrusting his foot forwards right for Devlin's face in a super kick. Devlin throws both hands up and flinches as Cooper's boot comes within inches of striking, and then suddenly trails back down to the mat. Devlin opens one eye, then the other, and slowly lowers his hands to look at a snickering Cosmo whose already scooping up his Apex Championship and making his way to exit the ring. When he reaches the ropes he pauses, looks over his shoulder, and holds his index finger and thumb up just inches apart and mouths, "That close." Cooper winks, and slips through the ropes to saunter up the ramp, leaving Devlin shaking his head, turning to the crowd indicating that he was never worried. The fans all shower him in jeers and mockery, and Devlin rolls his eyes and shrugs before making his way to follow suit and leave.
LO: Cosmo Cooper just sent a message to Brennan Devlin! That quickly, and it's over.
KO: Yeah, but we both know that isn't true. Those two went for like forty five freakin' minutes, and still only decided a winner after a matter of three steps.
LO: Those three steps were all that was required to win Cooper the Apex Championship, but I have to admit....I don't think it would be that easy. What it did to, however, is get inside Brennan Devlin's head, regardless of whether he's willing to admit it or not.
KO: Either way, these two just advanced in the tournament. Valiant effort to Fallon Lockhart and Lorean Moore, though. They got nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, Fallon took a hell of a beating in the beginning, but fought right back into it when it counted.
LO: No doubt, can't say enough about how I love that girls optimism and perseverance!
KO: Yeah, I have to admit, I guess she's growing on me.
LO: Oh, you big softie....
KO: Stuff it, Laur!
Laurence laughs at his sulking former tag team partner just before the cameras cut backstage.
Brooklyn Light marches her way down a hallway backstage. Her expression is fairly stoic, as usual, but her pace is rapid, maybe a little angry. Her partner, Iota Psi, turns a corner and has to almost sprint to catch up to her.
IOTA PSI: Brooklyn! Wait!
Brooklyn finally stops and, after a slight pause, turns to face the smaller woman. She waits for Iota to catch up to her.
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Lemme guess. You're worried there's gonna be a repeat o' last week. You wanna hear me say I'm gonna contain myself. You already know that's not up to me.
IOTA PSI: Brooklyn... please. It's the main event! This is our opportunity to make up for the... the frankly unbecoming displays of the past few shows. This doesn't have to be a brawl. It's NOT a brawl, it's not some... no holds barred barroom fistfight. A spotlight has been shown on Valor Pro's tag team division, and we have center stage--we need to make the most of it. I know Dakota's found her way under your skin--
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Under my skin? That's what you're callin' it? She hasn't shown an ounce o' regret, not one moment of reflection. Nothin'. You've given her the benefit of th' doubt and that's real sweet of you, but this was never JUST a miscommunication. Nobody accidentally picks up a weapon. Nobody unintentionally rolls into the ring with it, cocked back and ready to go. She didn't instinctively, uh whoops, end one o' the biggest matches of our tag career in a DQ, and since then she's reveled in it. She's not ashamed o' what she did, she wanted it. She wants this--for this to turn into an all out war.
Iota slowly shakes her head.
IOTA PSI: Let's say, for the sake of argument, that you're right. Aren't you just giving her what she wants, then? The two of you are feeding each others' hostilities, escalating a minor disagreement into something far more foul. What should be an exhibition of the top two tag teams in Valor Pro Wrestling is becoming a blood feud, and why? Because of one disqualification? With our match tonight, we could easily make everyone forget that fiasco ever occurred. We just need to go out and be... us. We just need to do what Neo Tokyo does, not succumb to base vengeance over petty issues. We're better than that!
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Nah. It's more than that now, a lot more. You been keepin' up with the news? The roster changes? That anything goes, devil-may-care attitude, that unrepentant venom Dakota's got, people've seen that. We're gettin' some real weirdos in this company now--like, Brodie level weird. The geeks are pushin' in. The air's changin'. We gotta push back. We gotta make it clear, you wanna dance with the devil or whatever? You wanna take joy in actin' like an anti-social psycho? There's people here who aren't gonna stand for it. There's people here that aren't afraid o' that. We gotta send a message.
Iota is silent for a moment, staring hesitantly at her partner.
IOTA PSI: Brooklyn, how far are you planning to take this? I don't know how low Dakota will go to spite you, and I'm starting to wonder how low you'll go to match her. You're playing chicken with not just our reputations on the line, not just our status in the industry hanging in the balance, but soon the Chimera Tag Championships at stake as well. This is going too far--you need to draw a line somewhere.
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Oh, I'm drawin' a line. I'm drawin' a real big, bold, red line... tonight. You want me to just, what? Go talk to her? Have a nice sit, hash out our differences over some tea? You're not seein' what I'm seein', Iota. She can't just be talked down--she doesn't wanna be. You can't just reason with people like that.
Brooklyn turns and, with the same fire in her step, begins to storm off. Iota continues to stand there for another few seconds, watching her partner go, before heaving a long sigh.
IOTA PSI: No, I'm beginning to suspect that I can't.
IOTA PSI: Brooklyn! Wait!
Brooklyn finally stops and, after a slight pause, turns to face the smaller woman. She waits for Iota to catch up to her.
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Lemme guess. You're worried there's gonna be a repeat o' last week. You wanna hear me say I'm gonna contain myself. You already know that's not up to me.
IOTA PSI: Brooklyn... please. It's the main event! This is our opportunity to make up for the... the frankly unbecoming displays of the past few shows. This doesn't have to be a brawl. It's NOT a brawl, it's not some... no holds barred barroom fistfight. A spotlight has been shown on Valor Pro's tag team division, and we have center stage--we need to make the most of it. I know Dakota's found her way under your skin--
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Under my skin? That's what you're callin' it? She hasn't shown an ounce o' regret, not one moment of reflection. Nothin'. You've given her the benefit of th' doubt and that's real sweet of you, but this was never JUST a miscommunication. Nobody accidentally picks up a weapon. Nobody unintentionally rolls into the ring with it, cocked back and ready to go. She didn't instinctively, uh whoops, end one o' the biggest matches of our tag career in a DQ, and since then she's reveled in it. She's not ashamed o' what she did, she wanted it. She wants this--for this to turn into an all out war.
Iota slowly shakes her head.
IOTA PSI: Let's say, for the sake of argument, that you're right. Aren't you just giving her what she wants, then? The two of you are feeding each others' hostilities, escalating a minor disagreement into something far more foul. What should be an exhibition of the top two tag teams in Valor Pro Wrestling is becoming a blood feud, and why? Because of one disqualification? With our match tonight, we could easily make everyone forget that fiasco ever occurred. We just need to go out and be... us. We just need to do what Neo Tokyo does, not succumb to base vengeance over petty issues. We're better than that!
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Nah. It's more than that now, a lot more. You been keepin' up with the news? The roster changes? That anything goes, devil-may-care attitude, that unrepentant venom Dakota's got, people've seen that. We're gettin' some real weirdos in this company now--like, Brodie level weird. The geeks are pushin' in. The air's changin'. We gotta push back. We gotta make it clear, you wanna dance with the devil or whatever? You wanna take joy in actin' like an anti-social psycho? There's people here who aren't gonna stand for it. There's people here that aren't afraid o' that. We gotta send a message.
Iota is silent for a moment, staring hesitantly at her partner.
IOTA PSI: Brooklyn, how far are you planning to take this? I don't know how low Dakota will go to spite you, and I'm starting to wonder how low you'll go to match her. You're playing chicken with not just our reputations on the line, not just our status in the industry hanging in the balance, but soon the Chimera Tag Championships at stake as well. This is going too far--you need to draw a line somewhere.
BROOKLYN LIGHT: Oh, I'm drawin' a line. I'm drawin' a real big, bold, red line... tonight. You want me to just, what? Go talk to her? Have a nice sit, hash out our differences over some tea? You're not seein' what I'm seein', Iota. She can't just be talked down--she doesn't wanna be. You can't just reason with people like that.
Brooklyn turns and, with the same fire in her step, begins to storm off. Iota continues to stand there for another few seconds, watching her partner go, before heaving a long sigh.
IOTA PSI: No, I'm beginning to suspect that I can't.
LO: Looks like there might be trouble on the horizon later on tonight in our Main Event!
KO: Hey, I say it's about time. Dakota Jennings gets it. Brooklyn Light gets it. Time for Vannah White and Iota Psi to get on board, and try and take each others heads off!
LO: Well we'll find out how that goes in a bit, because right now, we've got UnYielding action!
Ring Announcer: The following contest is for the UNYIELDING CHAMPIONSHIP, and is scheduled for one fall or submission....
'Lucid Dreams' by Franz Ferdinand hits over the PA System, and the fans come to their feet in great adulation for Zack Fantana as he bursts through the curtain. He pauses at the top of the steps, his usual excitable self muted a bit by the events of last show. The fans continue to pour forth their love for the Leader of Fantanasy, and he eventually cracks a smile, acknowledging them with his customary hand over the eyes to scan the crowd. If it were possible, you could swear they got louder before that hand dropped to his side, and he started his strut down to the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his opponent, standing at six foot and weighing in at 205 pounds, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....He is the former UnYielding Champion, and the 'Leader of Fantanasy', ZACK FANTANNNAAAA!!
Zack takes the steps two at a time, swinging around on the apron to drape himself across the top rope and hang towards the crowd who continue to show their support. Finally, he swings back around and through the ropes in one fluid motion, and leaps up to the second turnbuckle in the nearest corner to peer out at the crowd once more, soaking in their response.
LO: These fans are hot for Zack Fantana, and a win here tonight could possibly lead to him becoming a double champion if he and Andy Avilar can make it through the second round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, and go on to win the big Tag Team Turmoil at Allegiance!
KO: Don't count your chickens before they hatch! We've already seen Andy Vilar in action earlier tonight, and he didn't have an easy time of Roxi Johnson, and she's nowhere near as crazy as the UnYielding Champion...
LO: That may be the case, but I'm pretty sure we know who the people want to leave here as champion tonight.
KO: Yeah, and the people are stupid and don't know any better. Brodie's just too much for anyone with the roll she's been on.
The lights dim low in the arena as 'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta hits over the system, and mist begins to rise from the entrance way. Just as the first stanza of "I'm The Pro, I'm The Pro, I'm The Prototype' kicks in Brodie bursts through the curtain out onto the stage to mixed, but loud, reaction. She has tape on her fingers from Zombie at Equinox, fresh bruises on her face from tonight and at Blitz#9 from Krahe, and the UnYielding Championship drags behind her as she stalks the stage, carrying on a conversation with what seems to be herself. Suddenly she comes to a dead stop in the center as if a light bulb has just went off, and red lips part to bare glistening white teeth as her sneer leads her down the ring towards Fantana.
Ring Announcer: And making her way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighing 150 pounds, hailing from Manhattan, New York....She is the UNYIELDING CHAMPION...THE SUBMISSION MACHINE...BROODDDIEEE!!
Brodie rolls right under the bottom rope into the ring with the belt in tow, pops up, and steps right in Zack's direction while holding the championship above her head with one hand. The referee intercepts her to hold her back, and she takes a few steps in the opposite direction before handing the belt off to Caputo.
KO: That is one scary woman....
LO: I'd love to argue, but you know, I got nothing...
KO: Well, I hope Zack Fantana knows what he's gotten himself into here, cause there's the bell...AND HERE COMES BRODIE!
Brodie barrels across the ring right for Fantana, blasting away with right hands that drive him back into the corner. Zack fires back with a chop from time to time, but Brodie's tenacity keeps him off balance for a proper comeback, and she eventually wears him down enough she's able to take him by the arm and wind it through the top and middle rope. She places a boot dead center of his chest, and pulls back with everything she has to try and separate the arm at the elbow. Zack for his part cries out, and on instinct starts bouncing his fist off her skull to escape. Eventually he lands enough blows that she's forced to back up, and he fires out of the corner with a chop that echoes throughout the arena.
LO: That chop right there may have torn flesh if Brodie didn't have that top on, and Zack firing in another, and another, forcing Brodie all the way out to the center of the ring...OH! SHE DUCKED THAT ONE!
KO: Brodie slipping in behind Zack and shooting in a half nelson, and putting her boot into the back of his knee to force him down to her level. Now she grabs the wrist at the top with the nelson still in place with the other hand, and right back on the attack on his left arm!
Zack searches for a traditional escape, but finds none, instead using his size and power advantage to swing himself forwards in a leverage play that sees Brodie thrown over flat on her back. Zack pushes up to his feet quickly trying to ring out his arm, but Brodie is right there with him, firing in forearms that force him into the ropes. She takes him by the wrist and shoots him to the far side, but Fantana reverses, sending Brodie instead. She bounces off the ropes and comes rushing back, and eats a high standing drop kick that catches her right in the face for her trouble!
LO: Action fast and furious with a beautiful dropkick from Fantana, but Brodie is already working to get to her feet, and OOOHH! Another Chop sends her stumbling back into the corner....And Fantana runs in and leaps to the second, and now is hammering right hands down into the woman's head!
KO: Crowd is hot for this one, counting along....four....five...six....seven...WAIT! Brodie just dropped down, spins on her behind, pops back up...AND OH MY GOD!
LO: GERMAN SUPLEX FROM THE SECOND ROPE DOWN TO THE CANVAS! GOD ALMIGHTY! Did you see the way Zack Fantana landed on the back of his neck and shoulders?!?
KO: Yeah, and now Brodie just scrambled in for a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Fantana miraculously out at two and a half, and Brodie beats the mat and is talking to herself. God, this woman is kind of scary!
Brodie gets to a vertical base and hovers over Fantana, stretching his left arm out on the canvas, and then dropping a knee right into his elbow joint. He jerks his arm back into his side, holding it with his other as he tries to get away, but a few stomps into the same shoulder halts his escape. She steps over his body and sits down on his hip, hooking the arm she's been working on into a side arm bar. Fantana reaches out to the ropes with his free hand, but he's still a good bit away, so he starts clawing his way in that direction. Just when it looks like he's about to get there, Brodie releases the hold and grabs the top rope to deliver stomps back into the shoulder. Fantana, feeling trapped, still grabs for the bottom rope, and when he gets it, pulls himself under to slip to the outside.
LO: Brodie has been all over Fantana from the get go of this match up, and her target is clear. She beat Zombie using this strategy, won the UnYielding Championship with this strategy, and quite frankly, she's one of the most dangerous competitors for that reason in Valor Pro Wrestling.
KO: No doubt about it. I don't always know who it is she's talking to in there, but whoever it is, they appear to want to maim people!
Brodie steps out onto the ring apron and backs up so that she's leaning all the way against the far ring post, while Fantana wrings out his shoulder, massaging it to get the blood flowing to that area. When he turns back to find his opponent, Brodie rushes across the apron and leaps into a front roll, but at the last second Zack dodges out of the way and she lands in a senton on the concrete floor. The jarring sensation to her hips and spin cause Brodie to sit up, open mouthed in shock and pain, but the following soccer punt to her lower back from Fantana really brings her alive.
LO: Big crash and burn for Brodie, and now Fantana helping her to her feet and delivers a right hand that sends her stumbling over to the steel steps. Zack coming in now to follow up, and gets her by the back of the head and FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP STEP!
KO: Now it's Brodie scrambling to get away from Fantana, but he's not letting up! This is his opportunity to be UnYielding Champion again!
Fantana grabs Brodie by the back of the head and her tights, and tosses her back into the ring, hopping up on the ring apron and begging for her to stand. She eventually does so, clutching at her lower spine, and when she turns around he springboards to the top, and flies off to catch her with a devastating forearm smash that thunders her back down to the canvas.
LO: FLIGHT OF FANTASY ON BRODIE, AND ZACK LOOKING TO PUT HER AWAY WITH A COVER!
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2...
KO: THREe-NO! Brodie rolls the shoulder at the last second, and Zack not paying it any mind as he gets to his feet and starts over to the closest corner. Hops up to the second, and leaps off with a high KNEE DROP right down across Brodie's skull!
LO: He rolls through, and scrambles back over to make the cover!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Brodie out at two and a half this time, and now Zack pulling her up to her feet...
Zack pushes her back into the ropes, and shoots her to the opposite side where Brodie bounces back. On her approach Fantana moves in to position to meet her in the center of the ring, but Brodie baseball slides right between his legs before he can do whatever he had planned, and when he turns around he's caught completely off guard as she grabs his arm and falls straight back, bringing it across her knee's for an arm drop. Fantana recoils, clutching at his arm in pain, and Brodie rises, red lips parting to reveal glistening white teeth. Like a hunter stalking her prey, she moves in behind him and to his left side, grabbing him by the back of his head and tights, and running him right for the corner where she pushes his head down so that his body runs right through the top and middle rope and his shoulder strikes the steel ring post with a sickening thud.
LO: The referee all over Brodie, but she isn't paying her any mind, instead pulling Zack out of the corner, spinning him around, and RUNNING SHOULDER FIRST AGAIN THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE UNFORGIVING STEEL!
KO: This is not good for Zack Fantana. Even if he manages to regain the momentum, he's going to be doing so with just one good arm!
LO: Yeah, but it doesn't look like Brodie's going to give him that chance as Zack falls back to the canvas clutching his left arm, and now Brodie drops down for a cover!
1...
2...
THRE-NO! Zack manages to kick out at two and a half, but even that action seems to aggrivate the shoulder. He scoots over to the ropes, using them to help get him to his feet, as Brodie wades in with a high elbow that puts the point directly down into the shoulder blade. Zack begs off, still clutching at the arm, as Brodie catches up, pushing him into the ropes, and sending him off. To her surprise, he reverses, and it's her that's sent to the other side instead. Brodie bounces back and comes barreling in, and that's when Fantana catches her dead center of the ring with an overhead release belly to belly suplex that sends her flying. She crashes against the canvas hard, but bounces up, and Zack is there to meet her with his good arm for a lariat. She thunders to the mat once again, and again pops back up, but is sent right back down with another lariat. The fans come to their feet as Zack roars, beating his chest with his one good hand.
LO: Fantana on a comeback here, and this capacity crowd are showing their support for the Leader of Fantanasy!
KO: Yeah, Brodie's not getting up as fast as she was a second ago, and now Zack is measuring her.....RUNNING KNEE TO THE SIDE OF HER SKULL PUTS HER BACK TO THE CANVAS! Now it's Zack turn to go for a pin!
1...
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LO: THRE-NO! Brodie out at two and a half, and Zack, with only one good arm, is pulling her up off the canvas!
Zack uses that one good arm once he has her up, to push her back into the nearby corner. He comes in with a chop that lights her up, and then another one for good measure, before slipping his head under her arm and lifts her up so that she's sitting on the top rope. He climbs to the second to join her, forces her so that she's now standing on the top rope, while also hooking her around the head and draping her arm around his neck. Brodie suddenly starts to fire right hands into Fantana's ribs, and he begs off for a moment as she tries to fight out of what he has planned. She takes both hands and grips him by the side of the face, and drives her skull into his for a headbutt, but surprisingly this seems to have the opposite effect of what she had hoped as both cling to the top rope woozily. She raises her fist to strike the man once again, but to her surprise Fantana blocks it, grabs her around the midsection, and launches backwards with her in tow.
LO: OH MY GOD! OVERHEAD RELEASE BELLY TO BELLY FROM THE TOP ROPE! Brodie didn't stop skidding across the canvas until she reached the opposite corner!
KO: Yeah, but Fantana is rolling around clutching that bad shoulder. That may have cost him as much as his opponent!
Brodie seems out of it as she reaches for the turnbuckles in the corner she's in front of, and uses them to slowly pull herself upright. On the opposite side of the ring, Fantana has rolled to the ropes, and is using them to do the same. It's obvious his shoulder is killing him, but when he looks up to see Brodie haggardly hanging onto the top turnbuckle to keep her upright, he takes off into a sprint in that direction and leaps into a high flying splash that crushes her in the corner. The fans come to their feet as Brodie drops to a seated position, clutching her lower spine again, and Fantana rallies the crowd for what looks like the finish!
LO: Fantana has this crowd on their feet as he signals this is the end for Brodie's UnYielding championship reign!
KO: I'm telling you, man, this belt is cursed! Fantana is about to become a two time UnYielding Champion!
Fantana pulls Brodie up to her feet and leads her to the center of the ring, where he spins her around and hooks her from behind, looking to be going for Sleep Apnea. A sudden back elbow from Brodie right into his injured shoulder halts that momentum, giving her enough time to spin to the side, grab his bad arm while simultaneously bring her arm over his shoulder in a leverage move that forces him down to the canvas. The movement is so quick, that before Fantana has a chance to respond, his arm is grapevined, and Brodie locks her hands just under his chin, rocking back violently.
LO: FINALITY CROSSFACE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, AND ZACK FANTANA IS DEAD CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: More like dead in the water! She's worked that shoulder over this entire match, and now Fantana is crying out in pain!
Indeed he does, his first instinct to reach out for the ropes, but seeing them so far away the hand hovers over the canvas instead. Brodie lets out a blood curdling scream as she tears and pulls at Fantana's head, bringing it back away from the shoulder at an awkward slant. Zack claws at the canvas for the ropes, dragging Brodie along, but each time he does his neck gives a little more, rending itself from his trapezious muscle and eliciting an audible cry.
LO: Zack Fantana is showing the heart of a champion here tonight, but the effort may be permanently removing years from his career.
KO: Just tap out, Zack! Live to fight another day!
Zack refuses, however, fighting through the pain to inch his way across the canvas until finally, after being subjected to the crossface for a solid two minutes, he manages to finger the bottom rope. Caputo calls for the break, but Brodie shakes her head violently 'No', and cranks back even further if that were possible. Zack continues to cry out from the pain, and Caputo starts a five count. At four and a half Brodie finally lets go, stalking up to her feet in frustration as the referee follows her, giving her warnings of a disqualification. Fantana, for his part, clutches at his shoulder, spittle, snot, and sweat mixing to make for an ugly sight on the Leader of Fantanasy. He claws at the ropes with his good hand to get back to his feet, and Brodie, upon seeing this, snarls as she stalks back in to do her worst. Just as she's almost upon him, Zack shoves away from the ropes, his boot flashing out and up into Brodie's chin.
LO: BRODIE JUST ATE A WHOLE MOUTHFUL OF SUPER KICK, AND BOTH SHE AND FANTANA ARE NOW DOWN ON THE MAT SUCKING WIND!
KO: I can't believe this guy....he doesn't know the word quit!
Brodie rolls around the center of the ring clutching at her jaw, while Fantana lays face down on the canvas, as if that shot gun blast to the face was his last gasp. Caputo, after checking on both superstars, shrugs and starts a ten count. Both competitors begin to stir at the count of five, and begin pushing up to their feet by the count of seven. Fantana manages to reach upright first, and as Brodie comes up he boots her in the midsection, hooks her around the head and lifts her up into a suplex position, and then abruptly drops her straight down into a brainbuster across his knee!
LO: THE REVERIE TO BRODIE, AND FANTANA WITH THE COVER!
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! Brodie barely gets the shoulder up, and Fantana is shocked, asking the referee three but she's waving him off.
LO: Fantana now up to his feet, and making his way out to the apron, and climbing the turnbuckles. We know the man can fly, and if he hits this it might just be enough!
The fans are on their feet cheering Zack on as he reaches his perch on the top, looking out over the canvas where Brodie remains prone. He stands to his full height and nods to his adoring public, before jettisoning himself into a corkscrew shooting star press. It feels as if he is in the air forever, before time speeds up on his descent, and that is when Brodie rolls quickly to her right! Fantana thunders down on his chest and face, the impact popping him up onto his knees to sit on his feet, while Brodie stumbles up to her feet and then rushes in on him from behind. She baseball slides in beside him, grabbing his arm as she goes, toppling back face down to the mat as she grapevines the arm.
LO: BRODIE GOING FOR THE FINALITY CROSSFACE AGAIN, BUT SHE HASN'T GOT THE HEAD HOOKED....AND FANTANA ROLLS TO HIS SIDE DRAGGING BRODIE WITH HIM INTO A PIN!
1...
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KO: THREe-NO! Brodie kicks out, and both competitors come back up to their feet, and FANTANA HOOKS HER AROUND THE HEAD COMING IN ONLY TO DRAG HER BACK DOWN INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!
1...
2...
THRE-Brodie, using her smaller stature to her advantage, manages to roll herself out from under Fantana while pushing him over, reversing the small package so that he is now the one pinned!
1...
2...
3!!!
Zack kicks out, but it's a millisecond too late as the ref's hand strikes the mat. Caputo signals for the bell and Brodie quickly rolls for the ropes and slips under the bottom to the outside where she falls to her hands and knee's breathing heavily. Fantana sits up in the middle of the ring, shock and awe displayed across his features, getting up to question the referee as she gives the particulars to the time keeper.
Ring Announcer: The winner of this match by pinfall, and STILL UNYIELDING CHAMPION....THE SUBMISSION MACHINE, BROOODDDIEEE!!
The referee tells Zack that it was three while he makes a motion with his hand that his shoulder came off the mat, but she waves him off, taking the UnYielding Championship to the outside to hand it over to Brodie, and lift her arm in victory. Zack drops down to his knee's and rests his chest against the middle rope, watching as Brodie takes the belt and clutches it to her chest while back peddling towards the ramp. The fans give her a mixed reaction when she reaches the top of the stage and lifts the title above her head.
LO: Heartbreaking loss for Zack Fantana, but you know what this means, Ken?
KO: The curse has finally been lifted. The UnYielding Championship has been successfully defended!
LO: Brodie on a streak since before Equinox, and still your UnYielding Champion, but Zack Fantana put on one hell of a showing out here. It really could have went either way...
KO: Yeah, but he still has a shot at the Chimera Tag Belts, so it's not like the guy is out of the hunt for gold, it just wasn't his night.
LO: That's true, and we have a Main Event encounter between two teams that got an automatic bye into the Chimera Tag Team Turmoil match that will crown our first ever Tag Champs at Allegiance, and that happens next!
The camera follows Zack Fantana as he rolls to the outside of the ring and slaps hands with the fans, who all give him a standing ovation, just before cutting backstage.
With that, the camera cuts back to ringside.
KO: Hey, I say it's about time. Dakota Jennings gets it. Brooklyn Light gets it. Time for Vannah White and Iota Psi to get on board, and try and take each others heads off!
LO: Well we'll find out how that goes in a bit, because right now, we've got UnYielding action!
Ring Announcer: The following contest is for the UNYIELDING CHAMPIONSHIP, and is scheduled for one fall or submission....
'Lucid Dreams' by Franz Ferdinand hits over the PA System, and the fans come to their feet in great adulation for Zack Fantana as he bursts through the curtain. He pauses at the top of the steps, his usual excitable self muted a bit by the events of last show. The fans continue to pour forth their love for the Leader of Fantanasy, and he eventually cracks a smile, acknowledging them with his customary hand over the eyes to scan the crowd. If it were possible, you could swear they got louder before that hand dropped to his side, and he started his strut down to the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his opponent, standing at six foot and weighing in at 205 pounds, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....He is the former UnYielding Champion, and the 'Leader of Fantanasy', ZACK FANTANNNAAAA!!
Zack takes the steps two at a time, swinging around on the apron to drape himself across the top rope and hang towards the crowd who continue to show their support. Finally, he swings back around and through the ropes in one fluid motion, and leaps up to the second turnbuckle in the nearest corner to peer out at the crowd once more, soaking in their response.
LO: These fans are hot for Zack Fantana, and a win here tonight could possibly lead to him becoming a double champion if he and Andy Avilar can make it through the second round of the Chimera Tag Tournament, and go on to win the big Tag Team Turmoil at Allegiance!
KO: Don't count your chickens before they hatch! We've already seen Andy Vilar in action earlier tonight, and he didn't have an easy time of Roxi Johnson, and she's nowhere near as crazy as the UnYielding Champion...
LO: That may be the case, but I'm pretty sure we know who the people want to leave here as champion tonight.
KO: Yeah, and the people are stupid and don't know any better. Brodie's just too much for anyone with the roll she's been on.
The lights dim low in the arena as 'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta hits over the system, and mist begins to rise from the entrance way. Just as the first stanza of "I'm The Pro, I'm The Pro, I'm The Prototype' kicks in Brodie bursts through the curtain out onto the stage to mixed, but loud, reaction. She has tape on her fingers from Zombie at Equinox, fresh bruises on her face from tonight and at Blitz#9 from Krahe, and the UnYielding Championship drags behind her as she stalks the stage, carrying on a conversation with what seems to be herself. Suddenly she comes to a dead stop in the center as if a light bulb has just went off, and red lips part to bare glistening white teeth as her sneer leads her down the ring towards Fantana.
Ring Announcer: And making her way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighing 150 pounds, hailing from Manhattan, New York....She is the UNYIELDING CHAMPION...THE SUBMISSION MACHINE...BROODDDIEEE!!
Brodie rolls right under the bottom rope into the ring with the belt in tow, pops up, and steps right in Zack's direction while holding the championship above her head with one hand. The referee intercepts her to hold her back, and she takes a few steps in the opposite direction before handing the belt off to Caputo.
KO: That is one scary woman....
LO: I'd love to argue, but you know, I got nothing...
KO: Well, I hope Zack Fantana knows what he's gotten himself into here, cause there's the bell...AND HERE COMES BRODIE!
Brodie barrels across the ring right for Fantana, blasting away with right hands that drive him back into the corner. Zack fires back with a chop from time to time, but Brodie's tenacity keeps him off balance for a proper comeback, and she eventually wears him down enough she's able to take him by the arm and wind it through the top and middle rope. She places a boot dead center of his chest, and pulls back with everything she has to try and separate the arm at the elbow. Zack for his part cries out, and on instinct starts bouncing his fist off her skull to escape. Eventually he lands enough blows that she's forced to back up, and he fires out of the corner with a chop that echoes throughout the arena.
LO: That chop right there may have torn flesh if Brodie didn't have that top on, and Zack firing in another, and another, forcing Brodie all the way out to the center of the ring...OH! SHE DUCKED THAT ONE!
KO: Brodie slipping in behind Zack and shooting in a half nelson, and putting her boot into the back of his knee to force him down to her level. Now she grabs the wrist at the top with the nelson still in place with the other hand, and right back on the attack on his left arm!
Zack searches for a traditional escape, but finds none, instead using his size and power advantage to swing himself forwards in a leverage play that sees Brodie thrown over flat on her back. Zack pushes up to his feet quickly trying to ring out his arm, but Brodie is right there with him, firing in forearms that force him into the ropes. She takes him by the wrist and shoots him to the far side, but Fantana reverses, sending Brodie instead. She bounces off the ropes and comes rushing back, and eats a high standing drop kick that catches her right in the face for her trouble!
LO: Action fast and furious with a beautiful dropkick from Fantana, but Brodie is already working to get to her feet, and OOOHH! Another Chop sends her stumbling back into the corner....And Fantana runs in and leaps to the second, and now is hammering right hands down into the woman's head!
KO: Crowd is hot for this one, counting along....four....five...six....seven...WAIT! Brodie just dropped down, spins on her behind, pops back up...AND OH MY GOD!
LO: GERMAN SUPLEX FROM THE SECOND ROPE DOWN TO THE CANVAS! GOD ALMIGHTY! Did you see the way Zack Fantana landed on the back of his neck and shoulders?!?
KO: Yeah, and now Brodie just scrambled in for a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Fantana miraculously out at two and a half, and Brodie beats the mat and is talking to herself. God, this woman is kind of scary!
Brodie gets to a vertical base and hovers over Fantana, stretching his left arm out on the canvas, and then dropping a knee right into his elbow joint. He jerks his arm back into his side, holding it with his other as he tries to get away, but a few stomps into the same shoulder halts his escape. She steps over his body and sits down on his hip, hooking the arm she's been working on into a side arm bar. Fantana reaches out to the ropes with his free hand, but he's still a good bit away, so he starts clawing his way in that direction. Just when it looks like he's about to get there, Brodie releases the hold and grabs the top rope to deliver stomps back into the shoulder. Fantana, feeling trapped, still grabs for the bottom rope, and when he gets it, pulls himself under to slip to the outside.
LO: Brodie has been all over Fantana from the get go of this match up, and her target is clear. She beat Zombie using this strategy, won the UnYielding Championship with this strategy, and quite frankly, she's one of the most dangerous competitors for that reason in Valor Pro Wrestling.
KO: No doubt about it. I don't always know who it is she's talking to in there, but whoever it is, they appear to want to maim people!
Brodie steps out onto the ring apron and backs up so that she's leaning all the way against the far ring post, while Fantana wrings out his shoulder, massaging it to get the blood flowing to that area. When he turns back to find his opponent, Brodie rushes across the apron and leaps into a front roll, but at the last second Zack dodges out of the way and she lands in a senton on the concrete floor. The jarring sensation to her hips and spin cause Brodie to sit up, open mouthed in shock and pain, but the following soccer punt to her lower back from Fantana really brings her alive.
LO: Big crash and burn for Brodie, and now Fantana helping her to her feet and delivers a right hand that sends her stumbling over to the steel steps. Zack coming in now to follow up, and gets her by the back of the head and FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP STEP!
KO: Now it's Brodie scrambling to get away from Fantana, but he's not letting up! This is his opportunity to be UnYielding Champion again!
Fantana grabs Brodie by the back of the head and her tights, and tosses her back into the ring, hopping up on the ring apron and begging for her to stand. She eventually does so, clutching at her lower spine, and when she turns around he springboards to the top, and flies off to catch her with a devastating forearm smash that thunders her back down to the canvas.
LO: FLIGHT OF FANTASY ON BRODIE, AND ZACK LOOKING TO PUT HER AWAY WITH A COVER!
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2...
KO: THREe-NO! Brodie rolls the shoulder at the last second, and Zack not paying it any mind as he gets to his feet and starts over to the closest corner. Hops up to the second, and leaps off with a high KNEE DROP right down across Brodie's skull!
LO: He rolls through, and scrambles back over to make the cover!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Brodie out at two and a half this time, and now Zack pulling her up to her feet...
Zack pushes her back into the ropes, and shoots her to the opposite side where Brodie bounces back. On her approach Fantana moves in to position to meet her in the center of the ring, but Brodie baseball slides right between his legs before he can do whatever he had planned, and when he turns around he's caught completely off guard as she grabs his arm and falls straight back, bringing it across her knee's for an arm drop. Fantana recoils, clutching at his arm in pain, and Brodie rises, red lips parting to reveal glistening white teeth. Like a hunter stalking her prey, she moves in behind him and to his left side, grabbing him by the back of his head and tights, and running him right for the corner where she pushes his head down so that his body runs right through the top and middle rope and his shoulder strikes the steel ring post with a sickening thud.
LO: The referee all over Brodie, but she isn't paying her any mind, instead pulling Zack out of the corner, spinning him around, and RUNNING SHOULDER FIRST AGAIN THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE UNFORGIVING STEEL!
KO: This is not good for Zack Fantana. Even if he manages to regain the momentum, he's going to be doing so with just one good arm!
LO: Yeah, but it doesn't look like Brodie's going to give him that chance as Zack falls back to the canvas clutching his left arm, and now Brodie drops down for a cover!
1...
2...
THRE-NO! Zack manages to kick out at two and a half, but even that action seems to aggrivate the shoulder. He scoots over to the ropes, using them to help get him to his feet, as Brodie wades in with a high elbow that puts the point directly down into the shoulder blade. Zack begs off, still clutching at the arm, as Brodie catches up, pushing him into the ropes, and sending him off. To her surprise, he reverses, and it's her that's sent to the other side instead. Brodie bounces back and comes barreling in, and that's when Fantana catches her dead center of the ring with an overhead release belly to belly suplex that sends her flying. She crashes against the canvas hard, but bounces up, and Zack is there to meet her with his good arm for a lariat. She thunders to the mat once again, and again pops back up, but is sent right back down with another lariat. The fans come to their feet as Zack roars, beating his chest with his one good hand.
LO: Fantana on a comeback here, and this capacity crowd are showing their support for the Leader of Fantanasy!
KO: Yeah, Brodie's not getting up as fast as she was a second ago, and now Zack is measuring her.....RUNNING KNEE TO THE SIDE OF HER SKULL PUTS HER BACK TO THE CANVAS! Now it's Zack turn to go for a pin!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Brodie out at two and a half, and Zack, with only one good arm, is pulling her up off the canvas!
Zack uses that one good arm once he has her up, to push her back into the nearby corner. He comes in with a chop that lights her up, and then another one for good measure, before slipping his head under her arm and lifts her up so that she's sitting on the top rope. He climbs to the second to join her, forces her so that she's now standing on the top rope, while also hooking her around the head and draping her arm around his neck. Brodie suddenly starts to fire right hands into Fantana's ribs, and he begs off for a moment as she tries to fight out of what he has planned. She takes both hands and grips him by the side of the face, and drives her skull into his for a headbutt, but surprisingly this seems to have the opposite effect of what she had hoped as both cling to the top rope woozily. She raises her fist to strike the man once again, but to her surprise Fantana blocks it, grabs her around the midsection, and launches backwards with her in tow.
LO: OH MY GOD! OVERHEAD RELEASE BELLY TO BELLY FROM THE TOP ROPE! Brodie didn't stop skidding across the canvas until she reached the opposite corner!
KO: Yeah, but Fantana is rolling around clutching that bad shoulder. That may have cost him as much as his opponent!
Brodie seems out of it as she reaches for the turnbuckles in the corner she's in front of, and uses them to slowly pull herself upright. On the opposite side of the ring, Fantana has rolled to the ropes, and is using them to do the same. It's obvious his shoulder is killing him, but when he looks up to see Brodie haggardly hanging onto the top turnbuckle to keep her upright, he takes off into a sprint in that direction and leaps into a high flying splash that crushes her in the corner. The fans come to their feet as Brodie drops to a seated position, clutching her lower spine again, and Fantana rallies the crowd for what looks like the finish!
LO: Fantana has this crowd on their feet as he signals this is the end for Brodie's UnYielding championship reign!
KO: I'm telling you, man, this belt is cursed! Fantana is about to become a two time UnYielding Champion!
Fantana pulls Brodie up to her feet and leads her to the center of the ring, where he spins her around and hooks her from behind, looking to be going for Sleep Apnea. A sudden back elbow from Brodie right into his injured shoulder halts that momentum, giving her enough time to spin to the side, grab his bad arm while simultaneously bring her arm over his shoulder in a leverage move that forces him down to the canvas. The movement is so quick, that before Fantana has a chance to respond, his arm is grapevined, and Brodie locks her hands just under his chin, rocking back violently.
LO: FINALITY CROSSFACE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, AND ZACK FANTANA IS DEAD CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: More like dead in the water! She's worked that shoulder over this entire match, and now Fantana is crying out in pain!
Indeed he does, his first instinct to reach out for the ropes, but seeing them so far away the hand hovers over the canvas instead. Brodie lets out a blood curdling scream as she tears and pulls at Fantana's head, bringing it back away from the shoulder at an awkward slant. Zack claws at the canvas for the ropes, dragging Brodie along, but each time he does his neck gives a little more, rending itself from his trapezious muscle and eliciting an audible cry.
LO: Zack Fantana is showing the heart of a champion here tonight, but the effort may be permanently removing years from his career.
KO: Just tap out, Zack! Live to fight another day!
Zack refuses, however, fighting through the pain to inch his way across the canvas until finally, after being subjected to the crossface for a solid two minutes, he manages to finger the bottom rope. Caputo calls for the break, but Brodie shakes her head violently 'No', and cranks back even further if that were possible. Zack continues to cry out from the pain, and Caputo starts a five count. At four and a half Brodie finally lets go, stalking up to her feet in frustration as the referee follows her, giving her warnings of a disqualification. Fantana, for his part, clutches at his shoulder, spittle, snot, and sweat mixing to make for an ugly sight on the Leader of Fantanasy. He claws at the ropes with his good hand to get back to his feet, and Brodie, upon seeing this, snarls as she stalks back in to do her worst. Just as she's almost upon him, Zack shoves away from the ropes, his boot flashing out and up into Brodie's chin.
LO: BRODIE JUST ATE A WHOLE MOUTHFUL OF SUPER KICK, AND BOTH SHE AND FANTANA ARE NOW DOWN ON THE MAT SUCKING WIND!
KO: I can't believe this guy....he doesn't know the word quit!
Brodie rolls around the center of the ring clutching at her jaw, while Fantana lays face down on the canvas, as if that shot gun blast to the face was his last gasp. Caputo, after checking on both superstars, shrugs and starts a ten count. Both competitors begin to stir at the count of five, and begin pushing up to their feet by the count of seven. Fantana manages to reach upright first, and as Brodie comes up he boots her in the midsection, hooks her around the head and lifts her up into a suplex position, and then abruptly drops her straight down into a brainbuster across his knee!
LO: THE REVERIE TO BRODIE, AND FANTANA WITH THE COVER!
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! Brodie barely gets the shoulder up, and Fantana is shocked, asking the referee three but she's waving him off.
LO: Fantana now up to his feet, and making his way out to the apron, and climbing the turnbuckles. We know the man can fly, and if he hits this it might just be enough!
The fans are on their feet cheering Zack on as he reaches his perch on the top, looking out over the canvas where Brodie remains prone. He stands to his full height and nods to his adoring public, before jettisoning himself into a corkscrew shooting star press. It feels as if he is in the air forever, before time speeds up on his descent, and that is when Brodie rolls quickly to her right! Fantana thunders down on his chest and face, the impact popping him up onto his knees to sit on his feet, while Brodie stumbles up to her feet and then rushes in on him from behind. She baseball slides in beside him, grabbing his arm as she goes, toppling back face down to the mat as she grapevines the arm.
LO: BRODIE GOING FOR THE FINALITY CROSSFACE AGAIN, BUT SHE HASN'T GOT THE HEAD HOOKED....AND FANTANA ROLLS TO HIS SIDE DRAGGING BRODIE WITH HIM INTO A PIN!
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! Brodie kicks out, and both competitors come back up to their feet, and FANTANA HOOKS HER AROUND THE HEAD COMING IN ONLY TO DRAG HER BACK DOWN INTO A SMALL PACKAGE!
1...
2...
THRE-Brodie, using her smaller stature to her advantage, manages to roll herself out from under Fantana while pushing him over, reversing the small package so that he is now the one pinned!
1...
2...
3!!!
Zack kicks out, but it's a millisecond too late as the ref's hand strikes the mat. Caputo signals for the bell and Brodie quickly rolls for the ropes and slips under the bottom to the outside where she falls to her hands and knee's breathing heavily. Fantana sits up in the middle of the ring, shock and awe displayed across his features, getting up to question the referee as she gives the particulars to the time keeper.
Ring Announcer: The winner of this match by pinfall, and STILL UNYIELDING CHAMPION....THE SUBMISSION MACHINE, BROOODDDIEEE!!
The referee tells Zack that it was three while he makes a motion with his hand that his shoulder came off the mat, but she waves him off, taking the UnYielding Championship to the outside to hand it over to Brodie, and lift her arm in victory. Zack drops down to his knee's and rests his chest against the middle rope, watching as Brodie takes the belt and clutches it to her chest while back peddling towards the ramp. The fans give her a mixed reaction when she reaches the top of the stage and lifts the title above her head.
LO: Heartbreaking loss for Zack Fantana, but you know what this means, Ken?
KO: The curse has finally been lifted. The UnYielding Championship has been successfully defended!
LO: Brodie on a streak since before Equinox, and still your UnYielding Champion, but Zack Fantana put on one hell of a showing out here. It really could have went either way...
KO: Yeah, but he still has a shot at the Chimera Tag Belts, so it's not like the guy is out of the hunt for gold, it just wasn't his night.
LO: That's true, and we have a Main Event encounter between two teams that got an automatic bye into the Chimera Tag Team Turmoil match that will crown our first ever Tag Champs at Allegiance, and that happens next!
The camera follows Zack Fantana as he rolls to the outside of the ring and slaps hands with the fans, who all give him a standing ovation, just before cutting backstage.
The scene opens in a corridor just outside of a door with a sign stuck to it that reads 'Zombie Clan'. A hand comes into the camera view and wraps on the door three times, and then slips back out of the shot. The door creaks open, and Kowloon Zombie peaks through the portal suspiciously, but not seeing anyone, he opens it a little wider to peer down the hall. His eyes go wide when a blinding blur flashes in front of the camera, and the sound of the door being kicked in and an 'Oof' from Kowloon can be heard. The camera can't make out who just caused all of this disturbance as they quickly step back out of view, and something clanks across the ground like a tin can skipping across concrete.
Voices shoot out of the doorway as the camera moves to try and catch a glimpse, but is suddenly thrown back from the opening with a loud 'BANG' and a bright flash of light that momentarily fills the entire view and takes it out of focus. As the light slowly fades and the view comes back into focus, the camera moves into the confines of the dressing room. Inside, laid out on the floor is Kowloon Zombie clutching at his chest, and in the corner Siberia is rubbing at her eyes as if she's been blinded. In the center of the room lays what can only be described as a cylinder like grenade, smoking after having already gone off.
Siberia, halfway back to her senses, squints her eyes as she makes it over to the sink just before puking. She hovers there for a moment, eyes closed in an expression that is uncertain and nauseous, taking in deep breaths through her nose to try and force through the disorientation. Finally, with one final deep breath, she opens her eyes. In the mirror she see's Kowloon still down on the ground, and the Clan's gear bags strewing the room. What she doesn't see, what settles in on her as her face goes ghost white, is Fukushima and Aokigahara. She spins around now, searching in spite of the fact that it is a single room, and in a panic she runs back to the door and peers down both sides of the hallway.
Seeing and finding nothing she turns her attention to the canister still smoking on the floor, and she steps over and scoops it up, staring down at it in the palms of her hands. Recognition kicks in, and she looks up at the camera with a resigned expression. In a quiet whisper, the audio can barely pick up her voice when she says....
"Krahe.."
Voices shoot out of the doorway as the camera moves to try and catch a glimpse, but is suddenly thrown back from the opening with a loud 'BANG' and a bright flash of light that momentarily fills the entire view and takes it out of focus. As the light slowly fades and the view comes back into focus, the camera moves into the confines of the dressing room. Inside, laid out on the floor is Kowloon Zombie clutching at his chest, and in the corner Siberia is rubbing at her eyes as if she's been blinded. In the center of the room lays what can only be described as a cylinder like grenade, smoking after having already gone off.
Siberia, halfway back to her senses, squints her eyes as she makes it over to the sink just before puking. She hovers there for a moment, eyes closed in an expression that is uncertain and nauseous, taking in deep breaths through her nose to try and force through the disorientation. Finally, with one final deep breath, she opens her eyes. In the mirror she see's Kowloon still down on the ground, and the Clan's gear bags strewing the room. What she doesn't see, what settles in on her as her face goes ghost white, is Fukushima and Aokigahara. She spins around now, searching in spite of the fact that it is a single room, and in a panic she runs back to the door and peers down both sides of the hallway.
Seeing and finding nothing she turns her attention to the canister still smoking on the floor, and she steps over and scoops it up, staring down at it in the palms of her hands. Recognition kicks in, and she looks up at the camera with a resigned expression. In a quiet whisper, the audio can barely pick up her voice when she says....
"Krahe.."
With that, the camera cuts back to ringside.
MAIN EVENT
LO: What do you think that means?
KO: Sounds to me like Siberia Zombie suspects Zachariah Krahe for the attack that just happened to The Zombie Clan. Was...was that a flashbang grenade?
LO: Sort of looked like a homemade version of one.
KO: Whatever happened to the good ole' fashioned backstage attacks where a guy blasted you from behind with a steel chair? Now we're talking high tech gadgets and mysterious disappearances?
LO: I guess it's a reflection of the times we're living in, Ken. I don't think there is anything 'normal' about any of our Valor Pro Superstars.
KO: Well these two teams coming up are extraordinary for sure, so lets get Generic Ring Announcer to do his thing...
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a Tag Team Grudge Match, scheduled for one fall or submission....
'Neo Tokyo' by Scandroid hits over the PA system with it's techno sound as the lights go dim, and different colored strobes go off around the arena. Mist rises from the stage, and then a stream of pyro that looks like sparks from a welding project shoot into the sky. From beneath the stage a platform rises, and standing at it's center, back to back, stands Brooklyn Light and Iota Psi! Brooklyn wears a red leather jacket decorated with chains, and on her right hand is a glove with matching studs across the knuckles. Psi on the other hand has what appears to be a cybernetic left arm, and a right leg to match. Both women have on shades that pulse with the beat of the song. Immediately the entrance resonates with the fans that come to their feet with cheers, and the two women play up to the ovation by pushing their glasses up over their heads, and making their way down the ramp.
Ring Announcer: Introducing their opponents, weighting in at a combined weight of 245 pounds and hailing from the year 2020....This is Brooklyn Light....Iota Psi.....NEO TOKYOOOOO!!!!
When they reach ringside, Brooklyn hops up onto the apron for flash photography as Psi marches up the steps and slips into the ring. Brooklyn soon joins her, and both step to the center of the ring where Light drops down with her hands out at her side, and Psi raises her robotic fist skyward. Both women look up as the strobe lights stop, and one single beam shines down to illuminate the two beauties in the ring.
LO: Things nearly exploded between Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters on the last show where we learned that they will receive a bye right into the Main Event of Allegiance in a Tag Team Turmoil Match for the Chimera Tag Team Championships!
KO: Yeah, and mostly between Brooklyn Light and Dakota Jennings. I think those two should drop the Bobbsy Twins, Iota and Vannah, and just duke it out til the end of time...
LO: Come on, Ken. Iota Psi and Vannah White are just trying to keep things professional, and in the vein of true competition. I don't think Brooklyn Light would have been as worked up if Dakota Jennings seemed apologetic about any of this mess.
KO: Apologetic? What the hell does she need to apologize for?!?
LO: Well she did beam Light in the head with her partner's cybernetic prop...
KO: And that deserved an apology? Man, professional wrestling sure has changed since our day. At least it wasn't a cowbell!
"Omen" By The Prodigy hit's over the PA System cutting the two men off, and the lights dim and begin to strobe lights flash, building up until it almost looks like many flashes from a camera. Dakota Jennings steps through the curtain first, stepping into the illumination and pointing heavenward as Vannah White joins her, cocking her hip to the side and striking a pose beside her partner. The fans go nuts as Dakota's finger slowly descends until pointing to the ring, where she pulls her arm back like firing a gun. Vannah offers her a wink as she now takes point down the ramp, slapping hands with fans as Dakota briskly walks beside her, all business.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, making their way to the ring at a combined weight of 240 pounds, they are DAKOTA JENNINNNGGGSSS.....VANNAH WHIITTTEEE.....THE HASHTAG TRENDSETTERSSS!!!
Vannah continues slapping hands with fans as Dakota breaks away and leaps up onto the apron, and swings herself into the ring. Vannah eventually makes it to the steps and climbs them, slipping between the ropes to join her partner. They point to opposite corners, and the two take them by leaping to the second, and watching the crowd go wild as Dakota points to the sky and roars, and Vannah flashes her grin, and waves out to the fans wearing her YouTube T-shirt.
LO: Good God, what an ovation for the Trendsetters here tonight, and Dakota Jennings has already come down from her turnbuckle and is talking smack, and Brooklyn Light is stepping right back in rebuttal!
KO: Aw, look.....Iota and Vannah are already trying to run interference, pushing their partners back into their respective corners.
LO: Who could have guessed that the rivalry between these two teams could get so hot so fast? Dakota and Brooklyn really look like they are ready to kill one another, and I guess that's why their partners are ordering them onto the apron.
Dakota jaws with Vannah for a few moments until finally throwing her hands up and exiting, while on the other side of the ring the same scenario plays out with Brooklyn and Iota. Caputo checks both ladies with a worried expression on her face, then shrugs, and calls for the bell as Iota and Vannah begin to circle in the center of the ring. The two lock up, and Iota quickly shifts to a go behind on Vannah, hooking her in a waistlock, and then running her towards the ropes. When they reach them, Vannah grabs the top rope, preventing Iota from pulling her back into a rolling pin. This results in Iota hitting the mat and rolling backwards up to her feet as Vannah spins around and rushes in with a shoulder tackle. Iota hit's the mat hard, and the two share a brief exchange before Vannah moves to hit off the ropes for spring. Iota floats over onto her stomach in that direction forcing Vannah to hop over her after the bounce, and she follows through to the other side. Iota hops up quickly as Vannah comes back again, and she leap frogs the woman as she passes through. Vannah comes back once more, and Iota, with her back still to her, leap frogs again and Vannah passes through for the fourth time.
LO: Action has started out hot and heavy with reversal after reversal, and Vannah White is barreling in on Iota Psi again, and this time Iota posts up and goes for a hip toss....Reversed by Vannah into one of her own..NO! Reversed again by Iota....and now they are dangerously near the ropes...
KO: Yeah, and Vannah just reversed again, and hip tossed Iota right over the top rope!
LO: But Psi able to get hold of the top rope and twists around to land on the ring apron, and Vannah coming back in on her....Shoulder Thrust through the middle and top rope by Iota begs her off....Vannah moves in one more time, and another shoulder thrust doubles her over.
KO: Iota Psi with a grip on the top rope, pulls herself back up and over into a sunset flip, dragging Vannah to the mat for a pin!
1...
2...
LO: Vannah kicks forward and reverses it, now sitting on Iota for a pin!
1...
2...
KO: Iota out at two, and both women snap up to their feet, and Vannah reaches out and yanks Psi into a standing headlock...
White grinds Psi's head between her arm and body, and Iota searches for a way out, finally deciding to push Vannah back into the ropes to send her off. Vannah shoots off to the other side, and Iota moves to the center to catch her with a high front kick on her way back, but Vannah launches herself to the side to avoid it, and on her way down to the mat reaches between Psi's legs and drags her down into a schoolboy pin.
1...
2...
LO: Iota kicks out again, and both women back up quickly, and it's Psi this time with a side headlock take down that puts Vannah to the mat!
KO: Vannah reaching up with those gorgeous legs of her to hook Iota around the head, and breaks the hold by applying a head scissors!
LO: Iota rolls backwards to land on her feet, and then does a handstand forwards right off of Vannah's legs to snap up out of the head scissors!
KO: Vannah flashing up to her feet, and RUNS RIGHT INTO A JAPANESE ARM DRAG!
LO: Vannah up quickly, and runs right into another one, and now both women coming to their feet, and Iota goes for a dropkick, BUT VANNAH WAVES IT OFF!
Iota hits the mat, but pops up quickly, and it's Vannah who catches her with a deep arm drag that snaps her down to the mat, but instead of releasing she retains control of the arm and keeps her grounded with an arm bar. The Cybernetic Mistress looks for an escape, but finds all of Vannah's weight forcing her face into the mat, and she lets out a slight yelp as Vannah torques up on her arm, bending her shoulder in an awkward position. Eventually she squirms so that she's up off the mat a bit, and she finds enough room to tuck her head and roll to her back, and another kip up breaks the hold as Vannah scrambles to her feet to follow up. When Vannah comes in, however, Iota's foot flashes out in a low side kick that catches her right in the midsection, and she's left doubling over clutching her stomach. Psi hits off the ropes for spring, and thunders back in looking for a swinging neck breaker, but Vannah surprises her by standing fully erect, and catching her from the side into a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Or it would have been, if Iota hadn't caught her around the head with her legs, and sent her flying instead with a head scissors takeover.
LO: God almighty, I'm tired just from watching all of this!
KO: Both women are up now, and just staring across the ring at each other, and the fans are on their feet in applause!
LO: As they should be, this has been reversalpalooza!
Both women nod in mutual respect as the adulation pours over them from the crowd, and they begin to circle again, getting reinforcing comments from their respective partners. Finally, the two lock up again, but this time it's Vannah with the go behind, and she reaches down to get Iota by the ankle and yanks her feet out from under her. Psi hits face first on the mat, and she has just a moment to look up in surprise before Vannah traps one leg behind her, and then falls forward across her to hook her around the head, locking in an STF. Iota comes alive in pain as Vannah yanks back on her head, crying out to the heavens for Iota to submit.
LO: Vannah with a solid STF locked in on Iota, and Psi has her hand poised over the mat. Though not a lot of high impact damage has been done, they've been going fast and furious, and that takes the wind out of you. She has her dead center of the ring, and this move could see an early end to this match!
KO: Yeah, and even if it doesn't, it puts pressure on one of her legs, the lower back, and the neck and shoulders. If she can keep it locked on for any length of time it will grind her opponent down.
Vannah continues to torque as Iota struggles, clawing at the mat to try and pull herself towards the ropes. Suddenly the hold is interrupted by a stomp to the back of Vannah's head by Brooklyn Light, who is immediately pushed back by the referee.
LO: Light apparently thought her partner was in enough trouble to come into this match, and look at Dakota Jennings! She's come right into the ring while the referee is distracted with Brooklyn, and drags Iota over to their corner. AND NOW SHE'S CHOKING HER!
KO: Haha! And Vannah just came up, realizing what is happening, and she's admonishing Jennings who just let Psi go and shrugged! This is great, Laur!
LO: I don't know how great it was, as the referee finally has Light back out on the apron, and turns around just in time to see Vannah reluctantly tag in Dakota!
Dakota lights into the ring quickly, grabbing Iota while she's till in their corner, and gets her by the ears and starts banging the back of her skull of the top turnbuckle. The referee admonishes and starts a five count, and at four Jennings lets go of the woman and backs off, blowing a mocking kiss in Brooklyn's direction. Light starts to come back into the ring, but the referee runs across to prevent it, leaving Dakota enough time to drag Iota out of the corner, push her down so that she's draped across the middle rope, and place her knee on the back of her head to choke her. Light is nearly ballistic, pointing back into the ring, and the referee assures her she'll check it if she stays put. Light finally throws her hands up, and Caputo turns around to find Iota being choked to death. She runs back over to Dakota, and immediately starts a five count again, and just at four and a half Jennings backs off with a grin on her face.
LO: Dakota Jennings really testing the referee's, and Brooklyn Lights, patience here tonight as she drags Iota up from the middle rope, and shoots her to the other side.
KO: Vannah doesn't look to happy about it either, and I just don't get it. Dakota is just showing her the keys to victory...
LO: What, by cheating?
KO: Well, duh!
LO: Iota Psi on her way back now, and Dakota comes tearing across the ring and RUNS HER OVER with a lariat! Damn, what impact!
Iota Psi doesn't know whether to grab her throat or the back of her skull after being jarred down to the mat with such authority, and Dakota Jennings gives her little time to think about it before dropping a knee right into her forehead, and then snapping down to hook the leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-KICK OUT! Iota out at two and a half, and Dakota yanks her up by a handful of hair, and the referee is warning her again....
KO: I don't think she much cares, Laur, as she runs Iota Psi face first into the turnbuckle of the neutral corner!
Dakota spins Iota around, and hammers her with a right hand that has her nearly buckling down to one knee, but Jennings prevents it. Instead, she pulls her up and lays in another heavy right, putting all of her weight behind it. Psi's head snaps back, and she clutches her eye as Dakota slips her head under her armpit, and lifts her up to sit on the top turnbuckle. Dakota steps up to the second to join her, and hooks her around the head, forcing her to now stand on the top. Dakota steps up to join her, but hard forearms into her rib cage prevent her, and Iota finally finds enough room to push Dakota back so that she can deliver a headbutt right into her face. Dakota looks punch drunk on the second, and that is when another headbutt sends her crashing down to the mat in front of the corner. Iota, already perched, nods to the fans before leaping off senton bomb that crushes Jennings into the mat.
LO: BIG MOVE FROM IOTA to turn this around, but she's having some trouble following up.
KO: There...she finally made it over to lay back across Dakota for the cover!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Dakota out at two and a half, and now Iota is looking to make a tag, crawling her way towards her partner...and man does Brooklyn Light look ready to come into this match!
KO: Sure as hell does!
Dakota pulls herself up by use of the corner, while Iota on the other side of the ring reaches up and tags Brooklyn Light. Light fires into the ring, and just as Dakota gets turned around launches herself into Jennings with a big splash that crushes her against the turnbuckles. The fans are on their feet as she immediately spins around, hooks Dakota around the head, and then rushes out of the corner to leap and sit straight down into a running bulldog. Dakota's face skids across the mat, and Brooklyn quickly snaps up, talking junk to the Taiwanese crowd and beating her chest.
LO: I feel like this is the moment we've all been waiting for, as Brooklyn reaches down and gets a fistful of Dakota's hair and yanks her up. She pulls her back in for her inverted Russian leg sweep(Rock Bottom), but Dakota just came alive with elbows to the side of her skull!
KO: Jennings fighting out of the hold, now delivering big right hands that drive Light back into the ropes...she takes her by the wrist, and shoots her off!
Brooklyn hits off the other side, and Dakota moves to the center of the ring to try and run her over with another big lariat, but unlike Iota, Light ducks under it. She hits off the ropes again, and on the second pass, Dakota swings for the fences with a back elbow. Again, Light ducks it to continue on, and when she bounces back for the third time, Dakota doesn't bother going high, instead going low with a straight kick right to the woman's knee. Brooklyn goes down to one knee in surprise, the other leg fully extended behind her, and Dakota wades in with repeated front kicks to the chest that has her bobbing back and forth like a punching clown.
LO: DAKOTA JENNINGS IS LIGHTING BROOKLYN LIGHT UP WITH THIS JENNINGS COMBO, and she winds up.....LIGHT DUCKED THE FINALE TO THE SKULL, SHOOTS UP AND HOOKS HER IN! FUTURE IMPERFECT ON DAKOTA!
KO: Brooklyn still clutching at her chest after all those kicks, but she's sliding over and just draped an arm across Dakota's chest...
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! DAKOTA OUT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND! Good God, these two hate each other...you can just feel it!
KO: I know, and it's awesome! This is what I'm talking about, Laur. Blood and guts, and everything in between!
Iota Psi and Vannah White watch the destruction of their partners in the ring in concern, both stretching their arms out for a tag. Brooklyn, shaking her head in disbelief at the kick out, rolls onto her knee, and then pushes up to her feet. She slowly makes her way towards her partner, when a voice calls out behind her.
"Is that the best you got, you stupid BITCH!"
Light stops dead in her tracks, despite the pleading hand being thrust out in front of her by Iota Psi. Psi shakes her head 'No' as Brooklyn pushes her dark hair back out of her face, and slowly turns to find Dakota Jennings back on her feet, signaling with a twitch of her hands to come get some. Light's jaw tightens and her hands clinch into fists as she lets out a rebel yell, and charges right for Jennings. Much to her surprise, Jennings manages to sidestep, hooking her arm with her own as she passes through, and using that sudden momentum to swing both her feet up to grapevine the arm. She drags her back down to the mat into a crucifix pin from out of nowhere.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Light kicks out, but Dakota hasn't release the crucifix, instead rolling onto her back, and LOCKS IN AN OMOPLATA!
KO: Uh-Oh! The Cross To Bare.....apparently her new attitude has allowed her to use this move again, despite Recoba's absence!
Brooklyn's face is awash with pain as she struggles against the hold, but like an anaconda, the more she struggles the tighter Dakota is able to get it. Iota roots her own to get to the ropes, while Vannah stalks up and down the ring apron, urging Dakota to allow Brooklyn to tap. In her current position with neither arm available, Brooklyn finds it difficult to move towards the ropes, but the redness on her face tells that the end may be near as her shoulders are pulled almost to the point of separation. For Dakota's part, she screams for the woman to tap, choking up on the hold at every possible opportunity.
LO: Brooklyn looks like she may be fading here, and Dakota isn't in any danger of letting go either. Caputo might need to call this one!
KO: Yeah, this is one of those submissions where it is very difficult to get out of once trapped because you don't have any way of creating a counter leverage.
Brooklyn's eyes flutter, and then close altogether, and she is unresponsive to the referee's questions. Concerned, Caputo lifts her leg and it flops to the canvas, and she tries it again to the same result. On the third attempt, however, Brooklyn's eyes snap open, and she starts struggling anew against the hold, despite having nowhere to go. Suddenly, she posts both feet and pushes off the canvas, rolling herself awkwardly across Dakota and over onto her knee's. Dakota never relinquishes the hold, but Light does manage to pull her up onto her back where she's still in crucifix position. Brooklyn manages to get a foot under her, and in a burst of strength stands to her feet. She stumbles around for a moment, and then just as suddenly, thrusts herself backwards into a modified Samoan drop that crushes Dakota, forcing her to break the hold.
LO: Both women are laid out here in front of us, and their partners are beside themselves trying to get them to tag...
KO: How can they tag, Laur....they can't even get to their feet after everything they've been through.
Dakota slowly begins to drag herself towards her corner, while Brooklyn does the same, Iota and Vannah both have their hands outstretched, eager to make the tag. Just as it looks like this is what is going to happen for both teams, Brooklyn spares a glance back at Dakota at the same time that Dakota looks back at Light. The two come to a pause as their faces screw up in anger, and they slowly turn away from their corners to claw back out to the center of the ring. Vannah White and Iota Psi watch on in utter disbelief as they pull themselves up to their knee's, and start trading right hands with one another. As the women are rocked by the blasts they are delivering, Iota and Vannah exchange a disappointed expression from across the ring. Iota sighs heavily, and then drops down from the apron and starts making her way around the ring to her opponents corner. Vannah, seeing her coming, hops down warily to find out what's going on.
KO: What the hell are those two doing?
LO: I don't know, it seems like they're chatting..
KO: What the hell could they have to talk about? We're in the middle of a FREAKIN' MATCH!
LO: Maybe they are discussing the fact that despite their best efforts to keep their partners in check, that Brooklyn Light and Dakota Jennings have been trying to rip each other's heads off, even at the expense of their own teams well being.
KO: They have beef, Laur! That's what you do in this business when you have beef with someone! Good God, don't tell me these two are thinking about leaving!
LO: Sure seems that way, cause they are chatting and shaking their heads as they start up the ramp!
KO: And look at this dumb ass Caputo...she doesn't know what to do. She just said something to Light and Jennings who are still beating the hell out of each other.
Brooklyn Light, with a black eye and busted lip, pauses throwing hands long enough to hear what Caputo said and tiredly looks past Dakota to watch as her partner leaves with her opponent. Dakota, nose dripping blood, and a cut above her left eyebrow chances a glance over her shoulder and see's the same thing. The two women return their gazes back at one another, and they both seem to snarl as they spit blood off to the side of them, and begin to roll towards the ropes to exit the ring. Caputo, along with the crowd, watch on in stunned silence as Dakota and Brooklyn jog up the ramp after their partners. Vannah and Iota cross their arms over their chest as they listen to the two women try to convince them to return to the ring, while the referee has started a count.
KO: Are you kidding me? These two are holding the match hostage, and Caputo's up to a count of four!
LO: Well, this is unexpected, but it looks like Iota Psi and Vannah White would rather prove a point than bother with either team winning this match!
KO: It's unnatural, I tell you! What is this sport coming to?!?
As the count reaches seven, the pleading from Dakota and Brooklyn becomes more intense, and they indicate back to the ring, getting heated in their explanation. For their part, Vannah and Iota continue to listen patiently, offering a quip here and there as their feet tap against the ramp impatiently. Finally at nine, Dakota turns to make a dash back to the ring, but she's blindsided by Brooklyn who grabs her by the arm and whips her back around. When the bell rings signifying the end of the match, the two are nose to nose again, quietly talking smack to one another.
Ring Announcer: Because neither team was able to reach the referee's count, this match is a DRAW!
The fans begin to boo as Dakota and Brooklyn continue to get in one another's face, and Vannah and Iota throw their hands up at the whole thing, and continue making their way up the ramp. Noticing their partners are leaving them behind, the two women shake their heads, and then turn to follow, jibing all the way up the ramp at whose fault it is, and what they are going to do if they can't fix this.
KO: That....that was the damnedest thing I've ever seen!
LO: It just goes to show you, Ken, you don't always have to be a cutthroat asshole to be successful in this business. Vannah White and Iota Psi have standards, and they are demanding that anyone they partner with uphold them.
KO: BUT THEY LOST THE FREAKIN MATCH!
LO: No, technically they just didn't win the match. Neither team won or lost. It was a draw.
KO: But....but...
LO: Gotcha! However, I have to admit I'm a bit at a loss. It doesn't look like Dakota Jennings and Brooklyn Light are ever going to get along long enough to play by the normal rules of a wrestling match. Usually if you're in a tag team, when you're in trouble you tag your partner, but as we saw here....hate can make you do some funny things.
KO: Well then what happens now?
LO: I don't know. Maybe Iota and Vannah can become a tag team. They seemed to get along just fine, and it's obvious they have some great chemistry after what we saw in the early goings of this match. Absolutely fantastic!
KO: Well where would that leave Dakota and Brooklyn then?
Laurence shrugs, and Ken just shakes his head staunchly disgusted with the whole situation. Suddenly Ken perks up, reaching up to finger the earpiece in his right ear.
KO: What do you mean you might have something in the back?
LO: What are you talking about.
KO: Production just had a feed cut into the truck, but it's of a blank space...
LO: What does that mean?
KO: I don't know...just cut to the feed and find out what's going on.
The camera stays on the announce team for a few seconds longer as they ponder over whatever information their being fed by the production truck, and then the feed is suddenly transmitted elsewhere.
She scene opens up to pitch. A pure darkness that eliminates all light. The sound of a switch being flipped suddenly fills the camera with an eerie luminescence, and the camera pans back to reveal Aokigahara Zombie, bound to a chair with a gag in his mouth. Otherwise, Zombie seems untouched other than the slight bruises from his contest earlier in the night, eyes blinking and trying to focus after being kept in darkness. He begins to look around the area, the rest of the room shrouded in darkness and shadow, but when the flicking sound of a lighter being struck comes from off to his side, he focuses in on that spot to see a cigarette flaming to life. The cherry burns hot with an inhale, and the person behind the cigarette is revealed to be Zachariah Krahe. A slight smile tugs at the corners of his lips as he steps more into frame, but it never reaches his eyes. To say they are cold wouldn't be completely accurate, as there is a measure of conscious behind whatever he has planned. Zombie watches him carefully, almost in anticipation, as one would imagine there is a grin somewhere behind the gag. Krahe opens his mouth to speak, but then his jaw clamps shut, thinking better of it. Instead, he reaches out into the darkness and another switch is thrown.
Another light flickers to life providing a spot light of sorts on the third person in the room. Much like Aoki, Fukushima is also bound to a chair about fifteen feet away from him, a ball gag fastened to her open mouth. Her eyes light up in panic as she stares across at Aoki, who takes on a quizzical expression. Both Zombies crane their necks to stare at Krahe, who takes another puff from his cigarette before letting his hand fall to his side. For the first time, Aoki's expression fills with something other than anticipation of torture after reading the expression The Catalyst's face, and realization settles over him as to the reason for Fuki's presence. Aoki begins to struggle against his bonds as Krahe steps into the light behind Fuki, the woman trying to follow his movements, but losing sight of him due to the way she's tied down.
Krahe reaches down under her seat and lifts what looks like two jumper cables up above her head, and Aoki's eyes go as wide as saucers when Krahe brings the two ends together and they send a spray of sparks reigning down on Fuki's head. She cringes at the sound, the terror of being unable to see what's happening behind her obvious in her eyes. The camera pans down the length of the cables to what appears to be a battery jump starter for a car under her seat, dialed up to the highest setting. A myriad of emotions cross Aoki's face in that moment; Panic, Fury, Sorrow, Fear. His usual jovial nature reserved for combat has been washed away by the sight of one of his charges, one of his sisters, possibly injured at the hands of their enemy. He knew there would eventually be repercussions for their actions, only he had assumed that they would have been directed at him.
Krahe watches the flood of emotions wash through the man, and he gives a resigned sigh before dropping the two ends of the jumper cables back to the floor. A look of relief settles over Aoki, but Krahe shakes his head before stepping around Fuki's chair, coming to stand right in front of the Suicidal Angel. He leans down, resting his forearms on his haunches, and stares deep into Aoki's eyes.
"I realized after the last show that taking a pound of flesh from you means absolutely nothing. Not to you or your family, because you simply enjoy it too much. It's a futile act, a waste of energy, and an empty lesson."
He tilts his head to the side, lips twitching into more of a grimace than a smile. Slowly his grey eye move towards Fuki, and there is something boarding on regret in those flinty depths.
"But...She is another matter entirely. Everyone will feel her pound of flesh, and I'll have kept my word."
His eyes shift back to Aoki's any emotion flitting away to cold nothing.
"Sometimes it's the people we care for the most that pay the highest price for our actions."
Krahe lifts himself up and the camera follows him over to Fukushima, and his grey eyes are almost apologetic as he leans down and begins to undo the laces on her boots. He momentarily releases the bonds holding her legs to the chair, and Fuki's first response is to put up a fight. Krahe, with an expert hand, grips her legs, preventing her from kicking, before pulling her boots free from her feet. He then forces one leg to the floor, affixing the limb with duct tape, then the other. When he stands Fuki's bare feet are flat against the floor, and he casts a glance back at Aoki, who is uncertain of what's to happen next. Krahe stands abruptly, making his way to the wall behind the horror fanatic, and the camera focuses on him as he opens a door that floods the dark parts of the room with light to reveal that they are being kept somewhere in the sub-basement level of the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. The Catalyst makes to exit, but pauses, placing his foot on something near the floor. The camera pans down to show that his boot rests on the edge of a bucket filled with water, and the mingled look of confusion and then horrified recognition that crosses Aoki's face, causes Fuki, who can not see what is happening, to hum nervously. Over his shoulder, Krahe's voice goes hard as steel.
"You buy the ticket, you take the ride."
With that, he steps out in the hallway, his foot pushing the bucket over in the direction of Fukushima and the charged battery cables. The sound of water rushing across the floor drowns out The Catalyst's footsteps as he saunters down the hall, and the camera leaves his back to focus on the open doorway. Aoki's muffled screams of warning are suddenly muted by a bright blue arc flash, the sound of sparking flesh, and the blood curdling scream of Fukushima just before the feed is cut to static, then to black.
KO: Sounds to me like Siberia Zombie suspects Zachariah Krahe for the attack that just happened to The Zombie Clan. Was...was that a flashbang grenade?
LO: Sort of looked like a homemade version of one.
KO: Whatever happened to the good ole' fashioned backstage attacks where a guy blasted you from behind with a steel chair? Now we're talking high tech gadgets and mysterious disappearances?
LO: I guess it's a reflection of the times we're living in, Ken. I don't think there is anything 'normal' about any of our Valor Pro Superstars.
KO: Well these two teams coming up are extraordinary for sure, so lets get Generic Ring Announcer to do his thing...
Ring Announcer: The following contest is a Tag Team Grudge Match, scheduled for one fall or submission....
'Neo Tokyo' by Scandroid hits over the PA system with it's techno sound as the lights go dim, and different colored strobes go off around the arena. Mist rises from the stage, and then a stream of pyro that looks like sparks from a welding project shoot into the sky. From beneath the stage a platform rises, and standing at it's center, back to back, stands Brooklyn Light and Iota Psi! Brooklyn wears a red leather jacket decorated with chains, and on her right hand is a glove with matching studs across the knuckles. Psi on the other hand has what appears to be a cybernetic left arm, and a right leg to match. Both women have on shades that pulse with the beat of the song. Immediately the entrance resonates with the fans that come to their feet with cheers, and the two women play up to the ovation by pushing their glasses up over their heads, and making their way down the ramp.
Ring Announcer: Introducing their opponents, weighting in at a combined weight of 245 pounds and hailing from the year 2020....This is Brooklyn Light....Iota Psi.....NEO TOKYOOOOO!!!!
When they reach ringside, Brooklyn hops up onto the apron for flash photography as Psi marches up the steps and slips into the ring. Brooklyn soon joins her, and both step to the center of the ring where Light drops down with her hands out at her side, and Psi raises her robotic fist skyward. Both women look up as the strobe lights stop, and one single beam shines down to illuminate the two beauties in the ring.
LO: Things nearly exploded between Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters on the last show where we learned that they will receive a bye right into the Main Event of Allegiance in a Tag Team Turmoil Match for the Chimera Tag Team Championships!
KO: Yeah, and mostly between Brooklyn Light and Dakota Jennings. I think those two should drop the Bobbsy Twins, Iota and Vannah, and just duke it out til the end of time...
LO: Come on, Ken. Iota Psi and Vannah White are just trying to keep things professional, and in the vein of true competition. I don't think Brooklyn Light would have been as worked up if Dakota Jennings seemed apologetic about any of this mess.
KO: Apologetic? What the hell does she need to apologize for?!?
LO: Well she did beam Light in the head with her partner's cybernetic prop...
KO: And that deserved an apology? Man, professional wrestling sure has changed since our day. At least it wasn't a cowbell!
"Omen" By The Prodigy hit's over the PA System cutting the two men off, and the lights dim and begin to strobe lights flash, building up until it almost looks like many flashes from a camera. Dakota Jennings steps through the curtain first, stepping into the illumination and pointing heavenward as Vannah White joins her, cocking her hip to the side and striking a pose beside her partner. The fans go nuts as Dakota's finger slowly descends until pointing to the ring, where she pulls her arm back like firing a gun. Vannah offers her a wink as she now takes point down the ramp, slapping hands with fans as Dakota briskly walks beside her, all business.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, making their way to the ring at a combined weight of 240 pounds, they are DAKOTA JENNINNNGGGSSS.....VANNAH WHIITTTEEE.....THE HASHTAG TRENDSETTERSSS!!!
Vannah continues slapping hands with fans as Dakota breaks away and leaps up onto the apron, and swings herself into the ring. Vannah eventually makes it to the steps and climbs them, slipping between the ropes to join her partner. They point to opposite corners, and the two take them by leaping to the second, and watching the crowd go wild as Dakota points to the sky and roars, and Vannah flashes her grin, and waves out to the fans wearing her YouTube T-shirt.
LO: Good God, what an ovation for the Trendsetters here tonight, and Dakota Jennings has already come down from her turnbuckle and is talking smack, and Brooklyn Light is stepping right back in rebuttal!
KO: Aw, look.....Iota and Vannah are already trying to run interference, pushing their partners back into their respective corners.
LO: Who could have guessed that the rivalry between these two teams could get so hot so fast? Dakota and Brooklyn really look like they are ready to kill one another, and I guess that's why their partners are ordering them onto the apron.
Dakota jaws with Vannah for a few moments until finally throwing her hands up and exiting, while on the other side of the ring the same scenario plays out with Brooklyn and Iota. Caputo checks both ladies with a worried expression on her face, then shrugs, and calls for the bell as Iota and Vannah begin to circle in the center of the ring. The two lock up, and Iota quickly shifts to a go behind on Vannah, hooking her in a waistlock, and then running her towards the ropes. When they reach them, Vannah grabs the top rope, preventing Iota from pulling her back into a rolling pin. This results in Iota hitting the mat and rolling backwards up to her feet as Vannah spins around and rushes in with a shoulder tackle. Iota hit's the mat hard, and the two share a brief exchange before Vannah moves to hit off the ropes for spring. Iota floats over onto her stomach in that direction forcing Vannah to hop over her after the bounce, and she follows through to the other side. Iota hops up quickly as Vannah comes back again, and she leap frogs the woman as she passes through. Vannah comes back once more, and Iota, with her back still to her, leap frogs again and Vannah passes through for the fourth time.
LO: Action has started out hot and heavy with reversal after reversal, and Vannah White is barreling in on Iota Psi again, and this time Iota posts up and goes for a hip toss....Reversed by Vannah into one of her own..NO! Reversed again by Iota....and now they are dangerously near the ropes...
KO: Yeah, and Vannah just reversed again, and hip tossed Iota right over the top rope!
LO: But Psi able to get hold of the top rope and twists around to land on the ring apron, and Vannah coming back in on her....Shoulder Thrust through the middle and top rope by Iota begs her off....Vannah moves in one more time, and another shoulder thrust doubles her over.
KO: Iota Psi with a grip on the top rope, pulls herself back up and over into a sunset flip, dragging Vannah to the mat for a pin!
1...
2...
LO: Vannah kicks forward and reverses it, now sitting on Iota for a pin!
1...
2...
KO: Iota out at two, and both women snap up to their feet, and Vannah reaches out and yanks Psi into a standing headlock...
White grinds Psi's head between her arm and body, and Iota searches for a way out, finally deciding to push Vannah back into the ropes to send her off. Vannah shoots off to the other side, and Iota moves to the center to catch her with a high front kick on her way back, but Vannah launches herself to the side to avoid it, and on her way down to the mat reaches between Psi's legs and drags her down into a schoolboy pin.
1...
2...
LO: Iota kicks out again, and both women back up quickly, and it's Psi this time with a side headlock take down that puts Vannah to the mat!
KO: Vannah reaching up with those gorgeous legs of her to hook Iota around the head, and breaks the hold by applying a head scissors!
LO: Iota rolls backwards to land on her feet, and then does a handstand forwards right off of Vannah's legs to snap up out of the head scissors!
KO: Vannah flashing up to her feet, and RUNS RIGHT INTO A JAPANESE ARM DRAG!
LO: Vannah up quickly, and runs right into another one, and now both women coming to their feet, and Iota goes for a dropkick, BUT VANNAH WAVES IT OFF!
Iota hits the mat, but pops up quickly, and it's Vannah who catches her with a deep arm drag that snaps her down to the mat, but instead of releasing she retains control of the arm and keeps her grounded with an arm bar. The Cybernetic Mistress looks for an escape, but finds all of Vannah's weight forcing her face into the mat, and she lets out a slight yelp as Vannah torques up on her arm, bending her shoulder in an awkward position. Eventually she squirms so that she's up off the mat a bit, and she finds enough room to tuck her head and roll to her back, and another kip up breaks the hold as Vannah scrambles to her feet to follow up. When Vannah comes in, however, Iota's foot flashes out in a low side kick that catches her right in the midsection, and she's left doubling over clutching her stomach. Psi hits off the ropes for spring, and thunders back in looking for a swinging neck breaker, but Vannah surprises her by standing fully erect, and catching her from the side into a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Or it would have been, if Iota hadn't caught her around the head with her legs, and sent her flying instead with a head scissors takeover.
LO: God almighty, I'm tired just from watching all of this!
KO: Both women are up now, and just staring across the ring at each other, and the fans are on their feet in applause!
LO: As they should be, this has been reversalpalooza!
Both women nod in mutual respect as the adulation pours over them from the crowd, and they begin to circle again, getting reinforcing comments from their respective partners. Finally, the two lock up again, but this time it's Vannah with the go behind, and she reaches down to get Iota by the ankle and yanks her feet out from under her. Psi hits face first on the mat, and she has just a moment to look up in surprise before Vannah traps one leg behind her, and then falls forward across her to hook her around the head, locking in an STF. Iota comes alive in pain as Vannah yanks back on her head, crying out to the heavens for Iota to submit.
LO: Vannah with a solid STF locked in on Iota, and Psi has her hand poised over the mat. Though not a lot of high impact damage has been done, they've been going fast and furious, and that takes the wind out of you. She has her dead center of the ring, and this move could see an early end to this match!
KO: Yeah, and even if it doesn't, it puts pressure on one of her legs, the lower back, and the neck and shoulders. If she can keep it locked on for any length of time it will grind her opponent down.
Vannah continues to torque as Iota struggles, clawing at the mat to try and pull herself towards the ropes. Suddenly the hold is interrupted by a stomp to the back of Vannah's head by Brooklyn Light, who is immediately pushed back by the referee.
LO: Light apparently thought her partner was in enough trouble to come into this match, and look at Dakota Jennings! She's come right into the ring while the referee is distracted with Brooklyn, and drags Iota over to their corner. AND NOW SHE'S CHOKING HER!
KO: Haha! And Vannah just came up, realizing what is happening, and she's admonishing Jennings who just let Psi go and shrugged! This is great, Laur!
LO: I don't know how great it was, as the referee finally has Light back out on the apron, and turns around just in time to see Vannah reluctantly tag in Dakota!
Dakota lights into the ring quickly, grabbing Iota while she's till in their corner, and gets her by the ears and starts banging the back of her skull of the top turnbuckle. The referee admonishes and starts a five count, and at four Jennings lets go of the woman and backs off, blowing a mocking kiss in Brooklyn's direction. Light starts to come back into the ring, but the referee runs across to prevent it, leaving Dakota enough time to drag Iota out of the corner, push her down so that she's draped across the middle rope, and place her knee on the back of her head to choke her. Light is nearly ballistic, pointing back into the ring, and the referee assures her she'll check it if she stays put. Light finally throws her hands up, and Caputo turns around to find Iota being choked to death. She runs back over to Dakota, and immediately starts a five count again, and just at four and a half Jennings backs off with a grin on her face.
LO: Dakota Jennings really testing the referee's, and Brooklyn Lights, patience here tonight as she drags Iota up from the middle rope, and shoots her to the other side.
KO: Vannah doesn't look to happy about it either, and I just don't get it. Dakota is just showing her the keys to victory...
LO: What, by cheating?
KO: Well, duh!
LO: Iota Psi on her way back now, and Dakota comes tearing across the ring and RUNS HER OVER with a lariat! Damn, what impact!
Iota Psi doesn't know whether to grab her throat or the back of her skull after being jarred down to the mat with such authority, and Dakota Jennings gives her little time to think about it before dropping a knee right into her forehead, and then snapping down to hook the leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-KICK OUT! Iota out at two and a half, and Dakota yanks her up by a handful of hair, and the referee is warning her again....
KO: I don't think she much cares, Laur, as she runs Iota Psi face first into the turnbuckle of the neutral corner!
Dakota spins Iota around, and hammers her with a right hand that has her nearly buckling down to one knee, but Jennings prevents it. Instead, she pulls her up and lays in another heavy right, putting all of her weight behind it. Psi's head snaps back, and she clutches her eye as Dakota slips her head under her armpit, and lifts her up to sit on the top turnbuckle. Dakota steps up to the second to join her, and hooks her around the head, forcing her to now stand on the top. Dakota steps up to join her, but hard forearms into her rib cage prevent her, and Iota finally finds enough room to push Dakota back so that she can deliver a headbutt right into her face. Dakota looks punch drunk on the second, and that is when another headbutt sends her crashing down to the mat in front of the corner. Iota, already perched, nods to the fans before leaping off senton bomb that crushes Jennings into the mat.
LO: BIG MOVE FROM IOTA to turn this around, but she's having some trouble following up.
KO: There...she finally made it over to lay back across Dakota for the cover!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Dakota out at two and a half, and now Iota is looking to make a tag, crawling her way towards her partner...and man does Brooklyn Light look ready to come into this match!
KO: Sure as hell does!
Dakota pulls herself up by use of the corner, while Iota on the other side of the ring reaches up and tags Brooklyn Light. Light fires into the ring, and just as Dakota gets turned around launches herself into Jennings with a big splash that crushes her against the turnbuckles. The fans are on their feet as she immediately spins around, hooks Dakota around the head, and then rushes out of the corner to leap and sit straight down into a running bulldog. Dakota's face skids across the mat, and Brooklyn quickly snaps up, talking junk to the Taiwanese crowd and beating her chest.
LO: I feel like this is the moment we've all been waiting for, as Brooklyn reaches down and gets a fistful of Dakota's hair and yanks her up. She pulls her back in for her inverted Russian leg sweep(Rock Bottom), but Dakota just came alive with elbows to the side of her skull!
KO: Jennings fighting out of the hold, now delivering big right hands that drive Light back into the ropes...she takes her by the wrist, and shoots her off!
Brooklyn hits off the other side, and Dakota moves to the center of the ring to try and run her over with another big lariat, but unlike Iota, Light ducks under it. She hits off the ropes again, and on the second pass, Dakota swings for the fences with a back elbow. Again, Light ducks it to continue on, and when she bounces back for the third time, Dakota doesn't bother going high, instead going low with a straight kick right to the woman's knee. Brooklyn goes down to one knee in surprise, the other leg fully extended behind her, and Dakota wades in with repeated front kicks to the chest that has her bobbing back and forth like a punching clown.
LO: DAKOTA JENNINGS IS LIGHTING BROOKLYN LIGHT UP WITH THIS JENNINGS COMBO, and she winds up.....LIGHT DUCKED THE FINALE TO THE SKULL, SHOOTS UP AND HOOKS HER IN! FUTURE IMPERFECT ON DAKOTA!
KO: Brooklyn still clutching at her chest after all those kicks, but she's sliding over and just draped an arm across Dakota's chest...
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! DAKOTA OUT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND! Good God, these two hate each other...you can just feel it!
KO: I know, and it's awesome! This is what I'm talking about, Laur. Blood and guts, and everything in between!
Iota Psi and Vannah White watch the destruction of their partners in the ring in concern, both stretching their arms out for a tag. Brooklyn, shaking her head in disbelief at the kick out, rolls onto her knee, and then pushes up to her feet. She slowly makes her way towards her partner, when a voice calls out behind her.
"Is that the best you got, you stupid BITCH!"
Light stops dead in her tracks, despite the pleading hand being thrust out in front of her by Iota Psi. Psi shakes her head 'No' as Brooklyn pushes her dark hair back out of her face, and slowly turns to find Dakota Jennings back on her feet, signaling with a twitch of her hands to come get some. Light's jaw tightens and her hands clinch into fists as she lets out a rebel yell, and charges right for Jennings. Much to her surprise, Jennings manages to sidestep, hooking her arm with her own as she passes through, and using that sudden momentum to swing both her feet up to grapevine the arm. She drags her back down to the mat into a crucifix pin from out of nowhere.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Light kicks out, but Dakota hasn't release the crucifix, instead rolling onto her back, and LOCKS IN AN OMOPLATA!
KO: Uh-Oh! The Cross To Bare.....apparently her new attitude has allowed her to use this move again, despite Recoba's absence!
Brooklyn's face is awash with pain as she struggles against the hold, but like an anaconda, the more she struggles the tighter Dakota is able to get it. Iota roots her own to get to the ropes, while Vannah stalks up and down the ring apron, urging Dakota to allow Brooklyn to tap. In her current position with neither arm available, Brooklyn finds it difficult to move towards the ropes, but the redness on her face tells that the end may be near as her shoulders are pulled almost to the point of separation. For Dakota's part, she screams for the woman to tap, choking up on the hold at every possible opportunity.
LO: Brooklyn looks like she may be fading here, and Dakota isn't in any danger of letting go either. Caputo might need to call this one!
KO: Yeah, this is one of those submissions where it is very difficult to get out of once trapped because you don't have any way of creating a counter leverage.
Brooklyn's eyes flutter, and then close altogether, and she is unresponsive to the referee's questions. Concerned, Caputo lifts her leg and it flops to the canvas, and she tries it again to the same result. On the third attempt, however, Brooklyn's eyes snap open, and she starts struggling anew against the hold, despite having nowhere to go. Suddenly, she posts both feet and pushes off the canvas, rolling herself awkwardly across Dakota and over onto her knee's. Dakota never relinquishes the hold, but Light does manage to pull her up onto her back where she's still in crucifix position. Brooklyn manages to get a foot under her, and in a burst of strength stands to her feet. She stumbles around for a moment, and then just as suddenly, thrusts herself backwards into a modified Samoan drop that crushes Dakota, forcing her to break the hold.
LO: Both women are laid out here in front of us, and their partners are beside themselves trying to get them to tag...
KO: How can they tag, Laur....they can't even get to their feet after everything they've been through.
Dakota slowly begins to drag herself towards her corner, while Brooklyn does the same, Iota and Vannah both have their hands outstretched, eager to make the tag. Just as it looks like this is what is going to happen for both teams, Brooklyn spares a glance back at Dakota at the same time that Dakota looks back at Light. The two come to a pause as their faces screw up in anger, and they slowly turn away from their corners to claw back out to the center of the ring. Vannah White and Iota Psi watch on in utter disbelief as they pull themselves up to their knee's, and start trading right hands with one another. As the women are rocked by the blasts they are delivering, Iota and Vannah exchange a disappointed expression from across the ring. Iota sighs heavily, and then drops down from the apron and starts making her way around the ring to her opponents corner. Vannah, seeing her coming, hops down warily to find out what's going on.
KO: What the hell are those two doing?
LO: I don't know, it seems like they're chatting..
KO: What the hell could they have to talk about? We're in the middle of a FREAKIN' MATCH!
LO: Maybe they are discussing the fact that despite their best efforts to keep their partners in check, that Brooklyn Light and Dakota Jennings have been trying to rip each other's heads off, even at the expense of their own teams well being.
KO: They have beef, Laur! That's what you do in this business when you have beef with someone! Good God, don't tell me these two are thinking about leaving!
LO: Sure seems that way, cause they are chatting and shaking their heads as they start up the ramp!
KO: And look at this dumb ass Caputo...she doesn't know what to do. She just said something to Light and Jennings who are still beating the hell out of each other.
Brooklyn Light, with a black eye and busted lip, pauses throwing hands long enough to hear what Caputo said and tiredly looks past Dakota to watch as her partner leaves with her opponent. Dakota, nose dripping blood, and a cut above her left eyebrow chances a glance over her shoulder and see's the same thing. The two women return their gazes back at one another, and they both seem to snarl as they spit blood off to the side of them, and begin to roll towards the ropes to exit the ring. Caputo, along with the crowd, watch on in stunned silence as Dakota and Brooklyn jog up the ramp after their partners. Vannah and Iota cross their arms over their chest as they listen to the two women try to convince them to return to the ring, while the referee has started a count.
KO: Are you kidding me? These two are holding the match hostage, and Caputo's up to a count of four!
LO: Well, this is unexpected, but it looks like Iota Psi and Vannah White would rather prove a point than bother with either team winning this match!
KO: It's unnatural, I tell you! What is this sport coming to?!?
As the count reaches seven, the pleading from Dakota and Brooklyn becomes more intense, and they indicate back to the ring, getting heated in their explanation. For their part, Vannah and Iota continue to listen patiently, offering a quip here and there as their feet tap against the ramp impatiently. Finally at nine, Dakota turns to make a dash back to the ring, but she's blindsided by Brooklyn who grabs her by the arm and whips her back around. When the bell rings signifying the end of the match, the two are nose to nose again, quietly talking smack to one another.
Ring Announcer: Because neither team was able to reach the referee's count, this match is a DRAW!
The fans begin to boo as Dakota and Brooklyn continue to get in one another's face, and Vannah and Iota throw their hands up at the whole thing, and continue making their way up the ramp. Noticing their partners are leaving them behind, the two women shake their heads, and then turn to follow, jibing all the way up the ramp at whose fault it is, and what they are going to do if they can't fix this.
KO: That....that was the damnedest thing I've ever seen!
LO: It just goes to show you, Ken, you don't always have to be a cutthroat asshole to be successful in this business. Vannah White and Iota Psi have standards, and they are demanding that anyone they partner with uphold them.
KO: BUT THEY LOST THE FREAKIN MATCH!
LO: No, technically they just didn't win the match. Neither team won or lost. It was a draw.
KO: But....but...
LO: Gotcha! However, I have to admit I'm a bit at a loss. It doesn't look like Dakota Jennings and Brooklyn Light are ever going to get along long enough to play by the normal rules of a wrestling match. Usually if you're in a tag team, when you're in trouble you tag your partner, but as we saw here....hate can make you do some funny things.
KO: Well then what happens now?
LO: I don't know. Maybe Iota and Vannah can become a tag team. They seemed to get along just fine, and it's obvious they have some great chemistry after what we saw in the early goings of this match. Absolutely fantastic!
KO: Well where would that leave Dakota and Brooklyn then?
Laurence shrugs, and Ken just shakes his head staunchly disgusted with the whole situation. Suddenly Ken perks up, reaching up to finger the earpiece in his right ear.
KO: What do you mean you might have something in the back?
LO: What are you talking about.
KO: Production just had a feed cut into the truck, but it's of a blank space...
LO: What does that mean?
KO: I don't know...just cut to the feed and find out what's going on.
The camera stays on the announce team for a few seconds longer as they ponder over whatever information their being fed by the production truck, and then the feed is suddenly transmitted elsewhere.
Another light flickers to life providing a spot light of sorts on the third person in the room. Much like Aoki, Fukushima is also bound to a chair about fifteen feet away from him, a ball gag fastened to her open mouth. Her eyes light up in panic as she stares across at Aoki, who takes on a quizzical expression. Both Zombies crane their necks to stare at Krahe, who takes another puff from his cigarette before letting his hand fall to his side. For the first time, Aoki's expression fills with something other than anticipation of torture after reading the expression The Catalyst's face, and realization settles over him as to the reason for Fuki's presence. Aoki begins to struggle against his bonds as Krahe steps into the light behind Fuki, the woman trying to follow his movements, but losing sight of him due to the way she's tied down.
Krahe reaches down under her seat and lifts what looks like two jumper cables up above her head, and Aoki's eyes go as wide as saucers when Krahe brings the two ends together and they send a spray of sparks reigning down on Fuki's head. She cringes at the sound, the terror of being unable to see what's happening behind her obvious in her eyes. The camera pans down the length of the cables to what appears to be a battery jump starter for a car under her seat, dialed up to the highest setting. A myriad of emotions cross Aoki's face in that moment; Panic, Fury, Sorrow, Fear. His usual jovial nature reserved for combat has been washed away by the sight of one of his charges, one of his sisters, possibly injured at the hands of their enemy. He knew there would eventually be repercussions for their actions, only he had assumed that they would have been directed at him.
Krahe watches the flood of emotions wash through the man, and he gives a resigned sigh before dropping the two ends of the jumper cables back to the floor. A look of relief settles over Aoki, but Krahe shakes his head before stepping around Fuki's chair, coming to stand right in front of the Suicidal Angel. He leans down, resting his forearms on his haunches, and stares deep into Aoki's eyes.
"I realized after the last show that taking a pound of flesh from you means absolutely nothing. Not to you or your family, because you simply enjoy it too much. It's a futile act, a waste of energy, and an empty lesson."
He tilts his head to the side, lips twitching into more of a grimace than a smile. Slowly his grey eye move towards Fuki, and there is something boarding on regret in those flinty depths.
"But...She is another matter entirely. Everyone will feel her pound of flesh, and I'll have kept my word."
His eyes shift back to Aoki's any emotion flitting away to cold nothing.
"Sometimes it's the people we care for the most that pay the highest price for our actions."
Krahe lifts himself up and the camera follows him over to Fukushima, and his grey eyes are almost apologetic as he leans down and begins to undo the laces on her boots. He momentarily releases the bonds holding her legs to the chair, and Fuki's first response is to put up a fight. Krahe, with an expert hand, grips her legs, preventing her from kicking, before pulling her boots free from her feet. He then forces one leg to the floor, affixing the limb with duct tape, then the other. When he stands Fuki's bare feet are flat against the floor, and he casts a glance back at Aoki, who is uncertain of what's to happen next. Krahe stands abruptly, making his way to the wall behind the horror fanatic, and the camera focuses on him as he opens a door that floods the dark parts of the room with light to reveal that they are being kept somewhere in the sub-basement level of the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. The Catalyst makes to exit, but pauses, placing his foot on something near the floor. The camera pans down to show that his boot rests on the edge of a bucket filled with water, and the mingled look of confusion and then horrified recognition that crosses Aoki's face, causes Fuki, who can not see what is happening, to hum nervously. Over his shoulder, Krahe's voice goes hard as steel.
"You buy the ticket, you take the ride."
With that, he steps out in the hallway, his foot pushing the bucket over in the direction of Fukushima and the charged battery cables. The sound of water rushing across the floor drowns out The Catalyst's footsteps as he saunters down the hall, and the camera leaves his back to focus on the open doorway. Aoki's muffled screams of warning are suddenly muted by a bright blue arc flash, the sound of sparking flesh, and the blood curdling scream of Fukushima just before the feed is cut to static, then to black.