Post by silentpartner on Mar 24, 2019 16:14:42 GMT -5
Both Julie Miri and Caroline O’Hara Burchill came down to the ring to a modest pop from the crowd. Soon to follow was a fiercely contested stand-off with no disrespect whatsoever. The two locked horns early on with neither woman coming out with a clear advantage after both matched one another takedown for takedown in a rapid fire set of exchanges that set the crowd on its toes. Miri caught an early break, catching Burchill with a step enziguri that put the returning veteran on the backfoot. Miri dazzled the fans with a good solid couple of minutes of offense, from sharp knee strikes to a missile dropkick from the top rope that looked to be getting the better of Burchill.
Miri looked to put her opponent away early with an attempted bridging fisherman suplex, but Burchill showed exactly why her return was as lauded as it was,blocking Miri’s finisher attempt and rallying with a double underhook suplex which she expertly shifted into a double underhook submission that almost had Miri ready to submit were her proximity to the ropes not a very lucky coincidence. Miri looked at Burchill from then on wearily, with renewed respect as Burchill put Miri through her paces, locking her up in a guillotine choke and going to work on Miri’s upper body, managing to shift every movement fluidly into a brand new, painful hold that, luckily for Julie, she had an answer to with a narrow escape or rope break. On many occasions Julie Miri rolled to the outside to slow this one down.
On one such trip to the outside to relax her aching neck and shoulder muscles, Burchill looked to catch Miri off-guard with a springboard cross armbreaker but Miri surprised the fans and Caroline by turning the attempt into a makeshift hip toss accidentally sending Caroline into the guard rail. It was a painful collision, and Miri capitalized with some wicked stomps before eventually breaking up the close count out from the official by bringing Burchill back into the ring. Miri assaulted the winded Burchill with some attention to Burchill’s head and upper body as well, a triangle choke, a hammerlock into an armbreaker. Burchill looked ready to snap literally on several occasions, but just like Julie, the expert ring technician kept finding the ropes, and her way out of the painful submission attempts.
Burchill managed to step out of the way of a lethal looking running knee lift that saw Julie Miri manage to keep up her momentum and charge the ropes only to be hit by a sudden tornado DDT from Caroline Burchill which she looked set to capitalize on with a crossface chickenwing, her patented Killer Queen finisher but Julie was again, like she scouted it, rolling under the ropes and free of Burchill’s grasp which definitely set The New Classic angrily pursuing her opponent to the outside.
A pursuit which worked back into Miri’s favour once more with a reversal of a diving elbow Julie Miri turned into an unexpectedly impromtpu STO which looked to stun Burchill enough for Miri to roll her back into the ring and look to end the match. But it was Burchill’s moment to subvert expectations as a diving sommersault legdrop found nobody home and Burchill went to work keeping Miri down for a 3 count, but Julie kicked out after several attempts. Burchill had enough and set Julie running for the ropes, but on the return was stunned with a jumping heel kick that couldn’t quite topple Caroline, but Julie took the moment to finish Caroline with a quick and opportunistic gory neckbreaker The Moon Child calls the Blood Moon. Julie Miri got the three count but it didn’t come easy some unexpected 15 minutes later of a solid back and forth match the fans didn't want to end.
Miri looked to put her opponent away early with an attempted bridging fisherman suplex, but Burchill showed exactly why her return was as lauded as it was,blocking Miri’s finisher attempt and rallying with a double underhook suplex which she expertly shifted into a double underhook submission that almost had Miri ready to submit were her proximity to the ropes not a very lucky coincidence. Miri looked at Burchill from then on wearily, with renewed respect as Burchill put Miri through her paces, locking her up in a guillotine choke and going to work on Miri’s upper body, managing to shift every movement fluidly into a brand new, painful hold that, luckily for Julie, she had an answer to with a narrow escape or rope break. On many occasions Julie Miri rolled to the outside to slow this one down.
On one such trip to the outside to relax her aching neck and shoulder muscles, Burchill looked to catch Miri off-guard with a springboard cross armbreaker but Miri surprised the fans and Caroline by turning the attempt into a makeshift hip toss accidentally sending Caroline into the guard rail. It was a painful collision, and Miri capitalized with some wicked stomps before eventually breaking up the close count out from the official by bringing Burchill back into the ring. Miri assaulted the winded Burchill with some attention to Burchill’s head and upper body as well, a triangle choke, a hammerlock into an armbreaker. Burchill looked ready to snap literally on several occasions, but just like Julie, the expert ring technician kept finding the ropes, and her way out of the painful submission attempts.
Burchill managed to step out of the way of a lethal looking running knee lift that saw Julie Miri manage to keep up her momentum and charge the ropes only to be hit by a sudden tornado DDT from Caroline Burchill which she looked set to capitalize on with a crossface chickenwing, her patented Killer Queen finisher but Julie was again, like she scouted it, rolling under the ropes and free of Burchill’s grasp which definitely set The New Classic angrily pursuing her opponent to the outside.
A pursuit which worked back into Miri’s favour once more with a reversal of a diving elbow Julie Miri turned into an unexpectedly impromtpu STO which looked to stun Burchill enough for Miri to roll her back into the ring and look to end the match. But it was Burchill’s moment to subvert expectations as a diving sommersault legdrop found nobody home and Burchill went to work keeping Miri down for a 3 count, but Julie kicked out after several attempts. Burchill had enough and set Julie running for the ropes, but on the return was stunned with a jumping heel kick that couldn’t quite topple Caroline, but Julie took the moment to finish Caroline with a quick and opportunistic gory neckbreaker The Moon Child calls the Blood Moon. Julie Miri got the three count but it didn’t come easy some unexpected 15 minutes later of a solid back and forth match the fans didn't want to end.
After a quick clean up of the last match, E. Bradley Knox made his way down to the ring and began protesting with the ring official by the time Fallon Lockhart stepped onto the ramp in Osaka to a loud welcome from the capacity crowd, which only seemed to irritate and incite Knox further into a tantrum that forced the official, Diego Santiago, from the ring.
Fallon proceeded to the ring, taking her time, ever watchful in the ring, as Knox was not happy on a number of counts and vented his frustration on the ring itself, tearing some turnbuckles from their hooks. There was much confusion with Fallon apprehensive to even climb into the ring with Knox.
Breathless moments of Fallon making it halfway up the ring steps, before she hesitates to climb into the ring. She doesn’t, in fact. Confusingly, much to Knox’ own increasing chagrin, Fallon gets a leg partway across the ropes to enter before stopping, with a look of concern in at him, then steps back down the ring steps and adamantly strides up the ramp away from the ring with Knox watching.
The ring official has no choice but to call this match a no contest which only incited Knox further, bringing security officials down to clear him out of the ring.
This one was a nonstarter for the disappointed fans..
Fallon proceeded to the ring, taking her time, ever watchful in the ring, as Knox was not happy on a number of counts and vented his frustration on the ring itself, tearing some turnbuckles from their hooks. There was much confusion with Fallon apprehensive to even climb into the ring with Knox.
Breathless moments of Fallon making it halfway up the ring steps, before she hesitates to climb into the ring. She doesn’t, in fact. Confusingly, much to Knox’ own increasing chagrin, Fallon gets a leg partway across the ropes to enter before stopping, with a look of concern in at him, then steps back down the ring steps and adamantly strides up the ramp away from the ring with Knox watching.
The ring official has no choice but to call this match a no contest which only incited Knox further, bringing security officials down to clear him out of the ring.
This one was a nonstarter for the disappointed fans..
We join Brad Stokes backstage. Yes, that Brad Stokes whom, previously, we saw having an impromptu intervention with Zack Fantana in order to clear Brad of his pervasive illicit substance dependence. Two weeks of imposed sobriety finds him with the shakes, the chills and seeing spiders crawling over everything.
Brad Stokes: But I’m in bat country…
He says confused following one of those spiders up the ceiling to just above him, looking as though it may spin a web and drop down to greet him. He’s on a couch in a cold sweat staring into space. Somewhere, a pin drops. Brad jumps at the sound. He’s staring in that direction now. Somewhere, in some locker room somewhere else a leaky faucet is dripping
what sounds like the heaviest drops of water ever. Brad startles to look in the other direction. Brad’s jaw is agape as slowly but surely the chemicals and alcohol acting as his lifeblood are sweat from his system in the most agonizingly confusing way imaginable.
Out of the smallest pinprick appears Berlin Anderson literally out of nothing!
Brad Stokes: SWEET MERCIFUL CRAP WHO ARE YOU?
Brad stares in terrified, sweaty awe. Berlin sloooowly walks up to him and finally taps him in the middle of the forehead, bringing a flinch.
Berlin Anderson: Is this thing on?
Brad Stokes: I FELT THAT.
Berlin Anderson: Oh good, the drivers are working. Operation system seems buggy, though.
Brad Stokes: ... buggy would be right, yeah...
Buggy would be what Brad's eyes are doing. Buggy seems to be where he's goingmentally. Anderson's lack of regard and unreactive, chill demeanor as he visually sizes up Stokes just seems to contribute to the surreality. After a few seconds, the mohawked man breaks into a friendly grin.
BerlinAnderson: It's just restoring your default settings. Should turn out alright, just takes a bit of time. Organic systems take longer in some ways, but it's worth it. Not restricted to binary. Though some people seem to choose it anyway.
He sighs. Brad just stares him in the eyes.
Brad Stokes: I have no idea what the heck you just said.
Berlin pats him on the shoulder.
Berlin Anderson: Basically... just hang in there, kitty cat.
Brad Stokes: Am I hallucinating right now?
Finally it's just blurted out. It's the other man's turn to be confused, his forehead creasing.
Berlin Anderson: If you were... how would me answering this help?
They both stare at each other for a beat, neither knowing how to follow that.
Brad Stokes: Who ARE you?
Berlin Anderson: My name's Berlin.
Brad Stokes: Like the band...?
Berlin Anderson: No.
A moment of Brad Stokes processing.
Brad Stokes: You're facing Zack Fantana.
Berlin Anderson: I am, yep. If I'm real. You see what you've done here?
He sighs and shrugs.
Berlin Anderson: Maybe just have some cold water or juice and try not to overthink it all, yeah?
Berlinturns away, striding through the locker room door, and begins to run down the hall, gaining speed and momentum as the far wall grows nearer. At what feels like the last moment, a messy collision inevitable, he plants his feet on the wall itself, getting a few steps before cutting a backflip.
Panting, one hand reaches out to pull back the edge of a curtain and the roar of a live crowd greets the ears. A packed audience of thousands, all lined up in their little orderly spaces and yet moving as individuals, delights the eyes.
Berlin Anderson: Welcome... to Allegiance.
Berlin Anderson: I am, yep. If I'm real. You see what you've done here?
He sighs and shrugs.
Berlin Anderson: Maybe just have some cold water or juice and try not to overthink it all, yeah?
Berlinturns away, striding through the locker room door, and begins to run down the hall, gaining speed and momentum as the far wall grows nearer. At what feels like the last moment, a messy collision inevitable, he plants his feet on the wall itself, getting a few steps before cutting a backflip.
Panting, one hand reaches out to pull back the edge of a curtain and the roar of a live crowd greets the ears. A packed audience of thousands, all lined up in their little orderly spaces and yet moving as individuals, delights the eyes.
Berlin Anderson: Welcome... to Allegiance.
MAIN SHOW
The scene opens to a black background and silence, when suddenly a single sound permeates the void that mimics the sound of two hands clapping together. Another clap, this time the screen pulsating in various colors folding out from the other, followed by...
**CLAP**
An image of Neo Tokyo appears.
An image of Neo Tokyo appears.
"Tag Teams. The combination of two like minded individuals who have come together with a common goal or purpose to compete against others who have come to the same conclusion."
**CLAP**
An image of #Trendsetters appears.
"Friend. A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. A person you can rely on and trust."
**CLAP**
An image of Brennan Devlin & Cosmo Cooper appears.
"Partners. Either of a pair of people engaged together in the same activity. One or two or more people, businesses, etc., that work together or do business together."
**CLAP**
An image of The Zombie Clan appears.
"Family. A group of people related to one another by blood or marriage. A group of people with a strong common interest."
**CLAP**
An Image of Cross Recoba & Spiral
"Allegiance. Loyalty or commitment of an individual to a group or cause. The coming together of allies."
"Allegiance. Loyalty or commitment of an individual to a group or cause. The coming together of allies."
A video package begins to play following the exploits of the Chimera Tag Tournament's first round on Blitz#9, showing how The Zombie Clan defeated Cross Recoba & Alexis Terry, while Roxi Johnson & Davy Blossom knocked out The French Mime Assassins, and finally the team of Andrew Vilar and Zack Fantana advancing over Leela Watts & Allison Sullivan. The first round continues on Blitz#10 with the double elimination of Brodie & Black Blackman and Zachariah Krahe & Rex Rumble due to a count out, while later in the night The Zombie Clan takes out NovaCaine & Danny Rizo, and the surprise cohesiveness of Brennan Devlin & Cosmo Cooper when they served up defeat to Fallon Lockhart & Lorean Moore. The second round commences on Blitz#11 when Roxi Johnson, having to be assigned a new partner in E. Bradley Knox after Blossom's car accident in Rome, watches her opportunity slip away when Knox is pinned by The Zombie Clan. Andrew Vilar and Zack Fantana put on a great showing, but ultimately the team of Brennan Devlin & Cosmo Cooper, dubbed Grandma's Boyz by the villainous Face of Wrestling, were the ones to come out on top. Then the Lethal Lottery Battle Royal to decide the team that will take the open slot left behind by Brodie & Krahe when they were counted out, which resulted in 'The Fox' Cross Recoba and the debuting Spiral outlasting the other competitors in a controversial victory. Finally, on Blitz#12, the final match to determine the Main Event of tonight, where that very same team of Recoba & Spiral defeated the dominating Zombie Clan to cement their shot at the Chimera Tag Team Titles. As the clip comes to an end, the Chimera Tag Team Titles appear on the screen, and the voice over resumes...
"The time for tournaments is over. Turmoil will set the landscape for this war to take place, as five teams, ten superstars, make their way onto the battlefield to determine whose Allegiance will reign supreme!"
The scene pans away from the banner on the big screen above the stage to a shot of the packed out Osaka Jo-Hall as fans still scurry down the aisles to find their seats. 'Another Level' by Oh The Larceny's thrumming opening pulses through the PA System as the lights dim, and as the first stanza completes and the music reaches it's chorus of "I'm Going All The Way" pyro fires off up and down the ramp to end with a crescendo on the stage. The roar of the crowd is deafening as the camera view changes once again, spinning itself around to where it's at the top of the ramp. Suddenly it's rushing down towards the ring, then up over the top rope across the canvas, until finally falling on the announce booth of The Othello Brothers, both men decked out in suits and ties along with glistening PPV smiles.
LAURENCE OTHELLO: Good evening everyone and welcome to Valor Pro Wrestling's ALLEGIANCE, and we are coming to you LIVE from the Osaka Jo-Hall here in Osaka, Japan! God, you can feel the electricity in the air as we are set to have one hell of a show!
KENNETH OTHELLO: That's right, partner, and lest we forget....I am Kenneth Othello, and this handsome devil to my left is Laurence Othello, and together we are....
TOGETHER: THE OTHELLO BROTHERS!
LO: I'm telling you, Ken, it's going to be absolutely insane tonight as in our Main Event we will finally crown Chimera Tag Team Champions!
KO: That's what it's all been about for the past several months on VPW programming, as we just saw in our opening package....a Chimera Tag Tournament that started the show after Equinox, that has led us to a Tag Team Turmoil Elimination match, and buddy, I can't wait!
LO: No doubt! Being a former team ourselves, tag team wrestling has a special place in our hearts, and I'm telling you that I don't think you could ask for a more diverse group of folks to contend for tag titles if you tried.
KO: No joke. Not only do we have teams that have differences with one another, but a few teams in this thing that have major differences between each other..
LO: Did you just dial up Brennan Devlin and Apex Champion, Cosmo Cooper?
KO: I believe I just did. I'm hoping that Cooper has finally come to appreciate the amount of time and effort Brennan has put into helping him get to this point.
LO: Are you kidding me? I'm surprised Cosmo has had the restraint from leaving the bastard laying, let along getting as far as they have. Brennan Devlin certainly hasn't made it easy.
KO: Speaking of not being easy, how about Cross Recoba and Spiral? Recoba had already been eliminated from the tournament once, but found a second chance in the Lethal Lottery Battle Royal. At first he thought he was tagging with Fallon Lockhart, but the The Pale King had other plans!
LO: I hate that for Fallon, who thought she had won until she was unceremoniously unseated by Spiral, who never even got involved in the match until that moment. What a slime!
KO: Whatever! That dude is a genius!
LO: Well, he might think he is, but how do you think that will help him when he steps into the ring with The Zombie Clan?
KO: Technically he already has, and it appeared he did pretty well considering he and Recoba are the ones who advanced, and they didn't!
LO: Not that version, but the team of Aokigahara and Siberia Zombie! Aoki is one of the most unorthodox dangerous men on this planet, and there's a reason they call Siberia the Buzzsaw!
KO: I have to admit, that's a pretty formidable team. I could see them taking this thing considering that there's nothing in this match that says that the other members of The Zombie Clan can't get involved. We could see them attempt to steal one...
LO: I sure hope not, but you're right. Technically it would be legal...
KO: You know, anytime you start talking legalities, I can't help but Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters....how disappointing.
LO: How in the world can you say that, Ken? These two teams were the ones who kicked this whole thing off in the first place, and the reason General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, gave them a bye directly to the Main Event tonight.
KO: Oh, I'm not doubting their ability or their place in the match, what I'm saying is that two members of these respective teams seemed like they were on the path of finally figuring out that this is a do or die environment, but were pulled back from the brink of breakthrough by their do-gooder partners!
LO: I take it you're talking about Brooklyn Light & Dakota Jennings?
KO: Damn right! I mean, do we not have enough naivety in Fallon Lockhart, Leela Watts, Danny Rizzo, and the absolute worst of them....Roxi Johnson!
LO: Well, Fallon Lockhart has already handled her business here tonight with E. Bradley Knox, but each of the other folks you just mentioned will be taking on their super villains, as you would make it out, later tonight.
KO: That's right, and one of them will get a chance at not only championship gold, but becoming the #1 Contender to the Apex Championship!
LO: You know, after everything that Zachariah Krahe and Brodie have been through, and even put each other through, I feel that there is no better place to settle this debt but Hell In A Cell. The unknown factor is going to be the inclusion of Roxi Johnson, who has had issues with Brodie in the past, but earned her spot in this match after everything that happened on Blitz#12.
KO: No doubt this isn't going to be for the weak of heart, and I don't care what kind of Superhero she's deluded herself to be...if she's not willing to fight fire with fire here tonight, Brodie and Krahe will eat her alive, along with setting themselves on fire. It really is going to be HELL tonight!
LO: And if that weren't enough, Danny Rizzo will finally get his one on one opportunity with NovaCaine, and I can't help but hope that he knocks that assholes racist, misogynistic, hateful words right down his throat.
KO: Jeez, Laur. You're painting an awful picture of Nova. He's just misunderstood! He's going out of his way to try and help this young buck step up to the plate and find that killer instinct required to survive this business.
LO: I think he's just a big bully, who thinks that because he used to be a big star he can say and do whatever he wants.
KO: Whatever! How about we move on to Leela Watts, and her foil for the evening. I say Poe Sauer is going to terrify half of our Japanese crowd, while the other half cheer her on like Godzilla!
LO: You're probably right about the terrify part, as Poe is most dangerous in a crowd. You never know what that loony is going to do!
KO: All I know for sure, is that Leela Watts better have her head on a swivel, cause that girl is going to come at her from all sides tonight!
LO: And that leaves us with only one match to talk about, and it is for me personally, the match that I think could possibly steal the show tonight.
KO: Well, we got two guys that compliment each other very well who are about to tear into each other for supremacy. What do you think the victor will get out of this? Top Face of the company?
LO: I don't know, but I'm so excited for it that I'm ready to quit talking about it, so how about we fast track this thing and go in for the kill!
KO: Fine by me, but don't come crying to me when these two fan favorites throw themselves on each others crosses and try and out martyr the other...
LO: You're such a glib bastard. Let's just get to it...
LAURENCE OTHELLO: Good evening everyone and welcome to Valor Pro Wrestling's ALLEGIANCE, and we are coming to you LIVE from the Osaka Jo-Hall here in Osaka, Japan! God, you can feel the electricity in the air as we are set to have one hell of a show!
KENNETH OTHELLO: That's right, partner, and lest we forget....I am Kenneth Othello, and this handsome devil to my left is Laurence Othello, and together we are....
TOGETHER: THE OTHELLO BROTHERS!
LO: I'm telling you, Ken, it's going to be absolutely insane tonight as in our Main Event we will finally crown Chimera Tag Team Champions!
KO: That's what it's all been about for the past several months on VPW programming, as we just saw in our opening package....a Chimera Tag Tournament that started the show after Equinox, that has led us to a Tag Team Turmoil Elimination match, and buddy, I can't wait!
LO: No doubt! Being a former team ourselves, tag team wrestling has a special place in our hearts, and I'm telling you that I don't think you could ask for a more diverse group of folks to contend for tag titles if you tried.
KO: No joke. Not only do we have teams that have differences with one another, but a few teams in this thing that have major differences between each other..
LO: Did you just dial up Brennan Devlin and Apex Champion, Cosmo Cooper?
KO: I believe I just did. I'm hoping that Cooper has finally come to appreciate the amount of time and effort Brennan has put into helping him get to this point.
LO: Are you kidding me? I'm surprised Cosmo has had the restraint from leaving the bastard laying, let along getting as far as they have. Brennan Devlin certainly hasn't made it easy.
KO: Speaking of not being easy, how about Cross Recoba and Spiral? Recoba had already been eliminated from the tournament once, but found a second chance in the Lethal Lottery Battle Royal. At first he thought he was tagging with Fallon Lockhart, but the The Pale King had other plans!
LO: I hate that for Fallon, who thought she had won until she was unceremoniously unseated by Spiral, who never even got involved in the match until that moment. What a slime!
KO: Whatever! That dude is a genius!
LO: Well, he might think he is, but how do you think that will help him when he steps into the ring with The Zombie Clan?
KO: Technically he already has, and it appeared he did pretty well considering he and Recoba are the ones who advanced, and they didn't!
LO: Not that version, but the team of Aokigahara and Siberia Zombie! Aoki is one of the most unorthodox dangerous men on this planet, and there's a reason they call Siberia the Buzzsaw!
KO: I have to admit, that's a pretty formidable team. I could see them taking this thing considering that there's nothing in this match that says that the other members of The Zombie Clan can't get involved. We could see them attempt to steal one...
LO: I sure hope not, but you're right. Technically it would be legal...
KO: You know, anytime you start talking legalities, I can't help but Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters....how disappointing.
LO: How in the world can you say that, Ken? These two teams were the ones who kicked this whole thing off in the first place, and the reason General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, gave them a bye directly to the Main Event tonight.
KO: Oh, I'm not doubting their ability or their place in the match, what I'm saying is that two members of these respective teams seemed like they were on the path of finally figuring out that this is a do or die environment, but were pulled back from the brink of breakthrough by their do-gooder partners!
LO: I take it you're talking about Brooklyn Light & Dakota Jennings?
KO: Damn right! I mean, do we not have enough naivety in Fallon Lockhart, Leela Watts, Danny Rizzo, and the absolute worst of them....Roxi Johnson!
LO: Well, Fallon Lockhart has already handled her business here tonight with E. Bradley Knox, but each of the other folks you just mentioned will be taking on their super villains, as you would make it out, later tonight.
KO: That's right, and one of them will get a chance at not only championship gold, but becoming the #1 Contender to the Apex Championship!
LO: You know, after everything that Zachariah Krahe and Brodie have been through, and even put each other through, I feel that there is no better place to settle this debt but Hell In A Cell. The unknown factor is going to be the inclusion of Roxi Johnson, who has had issues with Brodie in the past, but earned her spot in this match after everything that happened on Blitz#12.
KO: No doubt this isn't going to be for the weak of heart, and I don't care what kind of Superhero she's deluded herself to be...if she's not willing to fight fire with fire here tonight, Brodie and Krahe will eat her alive, along with setting themselves on fire. It really is going to be HELL tonight!
LO: And if that weren't enough, Danny Rizzo will finally get his one on one opportunity with NovaCaine, and I can't help but hope that he knocks that assholes racist, misogynistic, hateful words right down his throat.
KO: Jeez, Laur. You're painting an awful picture of Nova. He's just misunderstood! He's going out of his way to try and help this young buck step up to the plate and find that killer instinct required to survive this business.
LO: I think he's just a big bully, who thinks that because he used to be a big star he can say and do whatever he wants.
KO: Whatever! How about we move on to Leela Watts, and her foil for the evening. I say Poe Sauer is going to terrify half of our Japanese crowd, while the other half cheer her on like Godzilla!
LO: You're probably right about the terrify part, as Poe is most dangerous in a crowd. You never know what that loony is going to do!
KO: All I know for sure, is that Leela Watts better have her head on a swivel, cause that girl is going to come at her from all sides tonight!
LO: And that leaves us with only one match to talk about, and it is for me personally, the match that I think could possibly steal the show tonight.
KO: Well, we got two guys that compliment each other very well who are about to tear into each other for supremacy. What do you think the victor will get out of this? Top Face of the company?
LO: I don't know, but I'm so excited for it that I'm ready to quit talking about it, so how about we fast track this thing and go in for the kill!
KO: Fine by me, but don't come crying to me when these two fan favorites throw themselves on each others crosses and try and out martyr the other...
LO: You're such a glib bastard. Let's just get to it...
As we pan backstage for our first segment. We see Cosmo Cooper. He looks annoyed, but anyone who has had to deal with Brennan Devlin for any length of time would have the same look—his “wife” included. All of Cosmo’s gear has been lost in a series of small fires in his locker room, but still he looks unshaken with a pair of flowery shorts on that he has obviously borrowed from another female somewhere backstage. The Apex Championship is over his shoulder as he takes a deep breath and nods a few times.
COSMO COOPER: I’ve been busy. I’m not proud enough to admit that it bothers me I’ve not been able to defend the Apex Championship. I do hope in that time that you’ll believe me when I say… I’ve missed being a singles competitor, and I’ve missed defending this championship. Fighting for this championship. While I am off trying to make the tag tiles as prestigious as I want to make this Apex Championship, I want to tell you all… my eyes are always on the prize.
He pursed his lips for a moment.
COSMO COOPER: Roxi Johnson, Brodie, Zachariah Karahe. Tonight, even with a huge title match looming I WILL be paying close attention to each of you. Unlike my partner tonight, you each have a chance to actually earn a shot instead of coming out to the ring and beating your fists against the mat like a giant baby until you get a shot. For that? You all have my respect. But don’t think for a second because I’ve had my eyes on the tag tiles. I have my eye on every single piece of gold this company has to offer… so when one of you walk away with that UnYielding Championship and you’ve got your eyes set on the best?
Cosmo motioned to his eyes.
COSMO COOPER: Just know, the best has already got his eyes on you.
He looked to his shoulder where the APEX Championship was, and then to his waist, and then to his other shoulder.
COSMO COOPER: I got plenty more room for trophies. I want you each to enjoy the spotlight while you can in this triple threat match. Enjoy showing off that singles belt. Enjoy your time in line because you can ask my partner. No matter how big you think the spotlight is. No matter what you think you had inside of you that you had to pull out for you to win the UnYielding or become the number one contender. There is no stage like when you’re standing across from THE MAN. There’s no stage you can replicate until you’re standing across from Cosmo Cooper… for THE APEX… Championship. One of you? Two of you? All three of you? Throw in Devlin because in his faux reality world he still thinks he is a contender despite having like six losses. I’ll be ready for you all. At the top.
With that, Cosmo held up the Apex Championship as we fade.
COSMO COOPER: I’ve been busy. I’m not proud enough to admit that it bothers me I’ve not been able to defend the Apex Championship. I do hope in that time that you’ll believe me when I say… I’ve missed being a singles competitor, and I’ve missed defending this championship. Fighting for this championship. While I am off trying to make the tag tiles as prestigious as I want to make this Apex Championship, I want to tell you all… my eyes are always on the prize.
He pursed his lips for a moment.
COSMO COOPER: Roxi Johnson, Brodie, Zachariah Karahe. Tonight, even with a huge title match looming I WILL be paying close attention to each of you. Unlike my partner tonight, you each have a chance to actually earn a shot instead of coming out to the ring and beating your fists against the mat like a giant baby until you get a shot. For that? You all have my respect. But don’t think for a second because I’ve had my eyes on the tag tiles. I have my eye on every single piece of gold this company has to offer… so when one of you walk away with that UnYielding Championship and you’ve got your eyes set on the best?
Cosmo motioned to his eyes.
COSMO COOPER: Just know, the best has already got his eyes on you.
He looked to his shoulder where the APEX Championship was, and then to his waist, and then to his other shoulder.
COSMO COOPER: I got plenty more room for trophies. I want you each to enjoy the spotlight while you can in this triple threat match. Enjoy showing off that singles belt. Enjoy your time in line because you can ask my partner. No matter how big you think the spotlight is. No matter what you think you had inside of you that you had to pull out for you to win the UnYielding or become the number one contender. There is no stage like when you’re standing across from THE MAN. There’s no stage you can replicate until you’re standing across from Cosmo Cooper… for THE APEX… Championship. One of you? Two of you? All three of you? Throw in Devlin because in his faux reality world he still thinks he is a contender despite having like six losses. I’ll be ready for you all. At the top.
With that, Cosmo held up the Apex Championship as we fade.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following singles contest is scheduled for one fall or submission....
The lights dim low as 'Hourglass' by A Perfect Circle hits over the PA System, and out steps Berlin Anderson wearing a velvet burgundy overcoat with tails, and a pair of leather pants with red straps crisscrossing down their sides. He pauses at the top of the stage as the fans begin to cheer, and he lowers the rose colored glasses he's wearing to peer out at the crowd. He pushes them back up and straightens up, smoothing out his jacket, and checking his rooster style haircut before making his way down to the ring with a confident grin.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, standing at five foot eleven and weighing in at 182 pounds, hailing from Ash Tree Lane, this is....BERLIN ANDERSOOONNN!!
Anderson reaches ringside and hops up onto the apron, then walks along it to climb up to the second turnbuckle to stare out at the cheering crowd. He grins, shaking free from his overcoat to allow it to fall to the ground, and then lowers his shades once more before peeling them from his face to send them hurtling into the crowd. A group of overzealous fans reach for the sky to take home their very own keepsake from the show as Berlin leaps the rest of the way over the top rope to land in the ring.
LO: Berlin Anderson had an impressive victory over Rex Rumble on Blitz#12 where he quite frankly out maneuvered the man...
KO: No doubt, it should be interesting to see what he does with a guy of a similar build and style like Fantana. I don't think he'll run circles around the leader of Fantanasy!
LO: Either way, I suggest you put your hands over your ears, cause the roof is about to explode off of this building...
'Lucid Dreams' by Franz Ferdinand blares over the PA, and the building does as Laurence Othello predicted as Zack Fantana steps out onto the stage. He looks up with a genuine smile for the Japenese crowd, and claps his hands in admiration of his fans before starting his strut down to the ring. Fantanasy signs and T-shirts dot the masses as he slaps a few hands, and pauses for selfies.
Ring Announcer: And his opponent, standing at six foot even and weighting in at 205 pounds, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...He is a former VPW UnYielding Champion, and The LEADER OF THE FANTANSY MOVEMENT........ZACK FANTANNNAAAA!!!
The crowd pops huge for Zack as he reaches ringside, and then takes a running go to leap up onto the apron where he swings around and hangs off the ropes, bouncing along with the music. Just as quickly he spins around and through the ropes into the ring, where he rushes a neutral corner and leaps to the second, throwing his hands over his head to another huge ovation. He nods to the crowd before dropping down and turning to face his opponent.
LO: Zack Fantana walked away from 'Where There's Stokes, There's Fire' last Blitz, and it appeared that he had really helped Brad out with some of his issues. His tweets have been halfway intelligible the last few weeks, and I actually heard him asking a few wrestlers in the back real questions.
KO: WHOA! You don't think he's gunning for our job, do you?
LO: I wouldn't worry, Ken. We've already got one middle-aged and crazy announcer already at the booth.
KO: Shouldn't talk about me that way, Laur. We both know that you were the one born first...
LO: Yeah, yeah. There's the bell!
Fantana and Anderson begin to circle one another in the center of the ring and then move in for Collar and Elbow Tie Up. They jockey for position for just a moment, before Berlin swings around under Zack's arm into a go behind into a waist lock. Zack grabs at Anderson's wrists to try and break the hold, but Berlin suddenly pushes Zack forwards into the ropes. Fantana's chest hits off the top rope and he's pulled back into a rolling pin, but quickly kicks out. Both men come up to their feet and Zack moves in on the attack, and is immediately taken over by a Headlock Takeover from Berlin. The minute Zack is on the mat, he spins over, slipping out of the headlock, and grabbing for Anderson's arm to pull it back into a hammerlock. This results in Berlin looking for an escape, but finding none, forcing both men back to their feet. From a standing position Berlin reaches through his own legs to grab Zack behind the back of his left Knee, and yanks hard forcing Fantana to let go of the hold and fall to his back. Quickly Berlin spins around, dropping an elbow into Zack's inner thigh, pops up, drops another, and then up again for a third elbow drop before locking the leg behind his own in a modified leg lock.
LO: Back and Forth chain wrestling between these two high flyers, and now Berlin Anderson looks to wear Fantana's legs out to prevent him from doing what he does best.
KO: SO I guess you could say that he's clipping Zack's wings?
LO: I don't think anyone would say that, Ken...
Zack uses his free boot to place the sole on Berlin's chest, and he forces the man down onto his back, and then uses the heel to drive down into Anderson's skull. After about three unchecked shots Berlin is unable to retain his hold on the Leg Lock, and Zack scoots away, both men coming quickly to their feet. Zack is a step quicker although he stomps his left foot into the mat to try and keep the blood flowing after the hold, giving Berlin a chance to come right at him. Fantana must have been baiting him, as Anderson finds himself suddenly taken to the mat with a Japanese Armdrag. Both men pop up and again Berlin walks right into another. They pop up for a third time, and Fantana meets him with a High Standing Dropkick that sends him crashing to the mat. Fantana gets a big ovation from the crowd as he gets to his feet, rushes the ropes, and sprinboards off the second into a Spinning Senton that finds nothing but mat. Berlin, whose worked his way back up, waits for Fantana to roll up to his feet before taking off into a sprint in that direction. Just as Zack turns around Berlin leaps up to his shoulders in Powerbomb position, and then flips backwards taking Fantana with him into a Hurricanrana that spikes his skull off the mat. He quickly slides in after the move to hook the leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: KICK OUT! Beautiful Frankensteiner by Berlin Anderson who has been compared to Zack Fantana for the past few weeks, much to the Leader of Fantanasy's chagrin.
The lights dim low as 'Hourglass' by A Perfect Circle hits over the PA System, and out steps Berlin Anderson wearing a velvet burgundy overcoat with tails, and a pair of leather pants with red straps crisscrossing down their sides. He pauses at the top of the stage as the fans begin to cheer, and he lowers the rose colored glasses he's wearing to peer out at the crowd. He pushes them back up and straightens up, smoothing out his jacket, and checking his rooster style haircut before making his way down to the ring with a confident grin.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, standing at five foot eleven and weighing in at 182 pounds, hailing from Ash Tree Lane, this is....BERLIN ANDERSOOONNN!!
Anderson reaches ringside and hops up onto the apron, then walks along it to climb up to the second turnbuckle to stare out at the cheering crowd. He grins, shaking free from his overcoat to allow it to fall to the ground, and then lowers his shades once more before peeling them from his face to send them hurtling into the crowd. A group of overzealous fans reach for the sky to take home their very own keepsake from the show as Berlin leaps the rest of the way over the top rope to land in the ring.
LO: Berlin Anderson had an impressive victory over Rex Rumble on Blitz#12 where he quite frankly out maneuvered the man...
KO: No doubt, it should be interesting to see what he does with a guy of a similar build and style like Fantana. I don't think he'll run circles around the leader of Fantanasy!
LO: Either way, I suggest you put your hands over your ears, cause the roof is about to explode off of this building...
'Lucid Dreams' by Franz Ferdinand blares over the PA, and the building does as Laurence Othello predicted as Zack Fantana steps out onto the stage. He looks up with a genuine smile for the Japenese crowd, and claps his hands in admiration of his fans before starting his strut down to the ring. Fantanasy signs and T-shirts dot the masses as he slaps a few hands, and pauses for selfies.
Ring Announcer: And his opponent, standing at six foot even and weighting in at 205 pounds, hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...He is a former VPW UnYielding Champion, and The LEADER OF THE FANTANSY MOVEMENT........ZACK FANTANNNAAAA!!!
The crowd pops huge for Zack as he reaches ringside, and then takes a running go to leap up onto the apron where he swings around and hangs off the ropes, bouncing along with the music. Just as quickly he spins around and through the ropes into the ring, where he rushes a neutral corner and leaps to the second, throwing his hands over his head to another huge ovation. He nods to the crowd before dropping down and turning to face his opponent.
LO: Zack Fantana walked away from 'Where There's Stokes, There's Fire' last Blitz, and it appeared that he had really helped Brad out with some of his issues. His tweets have been halfway intelligible the last few weeks, and I actually heard him asking a few wrestlers in the back real questions.
KO: WHOA! You don't think he's gunning for our job, do you?
LO: I wouldn't worry, Ken. We've already got one middle-aged and crazy announcer already at the booth.
KO: Shouldn't talk about me that way, Laur. We both know that you were the one born first...
LO: Yeah, yeah. There's the bell!
Fantana and Anderson begin to circle one another in the center of the ring and then move in for Collar and Elbow Tie Up. They jockey for position for just a moment, before Berlin swings around under Zack's arm into a go behind into a waist lock. Zack grabs at Anderson's wrists to try and break the hold, but Berlin suddenly pushes Zack forwards into the ropes. Fantana's chest hits off the top rope and he's pulled back into a rolling pin, but quickly kicks out. Both men come up to their feet and Zack moves in on the attack, and is immediately taken over by a Headlock Takeover from Berlin. The minute Zack is on the mat, he spins over, slipping out of the headlock, and grabbing for Anderson's arm to pull it back into a hammerlock. This results in Berlin looking for an escape, but finding none, forcing both men back to their feet. From a standing position Berlin reaches through his own legs to grab Zack behind the back of his left Knee, and yanks hard forcing Fantana to let go of the hold and fall to his back. Quickly Berlin spins around, dropping an elbow into Zack's inner thigh, pops up, drops another, and then up again for a third elbow drop before locking the leg behind his own in a modified leg lock.
LO: Back and Forth chain wrestling between these two high flyers, and now Berlin Anderson looks to wear Fantana's legs out to prevent him from doing what he does best.
KO: SO I guess you could say that he's clipping Zack's wings?
LO: I don't think anyone would say that, Ken...
Zack uses his free boot to place the sole on Berlin's chest, and he forces the man down onto his back, and then uses the heel to drive down into Anderson's skull. After about three unchecked shots Berlin is unable to retain his hold on the Leg Lock, and Zack scoots away, both men coming quickly to their feet. Zack is a step quicker although he stomps his left foot into the mat to try and keep the blood flowing after the hold, giving Berlin a chance to come right at him. Fantana must have been baiting him, as Anderson finds himself suddenly taken to the mat with a Japanese Armdrag. Both men pop up and again Berlin walks right into another. They pop up for a third time, and Fantana meets him with a High Standing Dropkick that sends him crashing to the mat. Fantana gets a big ovation from the crowd as he gets to his feet, rushes the ropes, and sprinboards off the second into a Spinning Senton that finds nothing but mat. Berlin, whose worked his way back up, waits for Fantana to roll up to his feet before taking off into a sprint in that direction. Just as Zack turns around Berlin leaps up to his shoulders in Powerbomb position, and then flips backwards taking Fantana with him into a Hurricanrana that spikes his skull off the mat. He quickly slides in after the move to hook the leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: KICK OUT! Beautiful Frankensteiner by Berlin Anderson who has been compared to Zack Fantana for the past few weeks, much to the Leader of Fantanasy's chagrin.
KO: Yeah, I heard he didn't care too much for that, siting that while he's been here making VPW a household name, Berlin Anderson has been collecting cobwebs.
LO: Well, the man looks like he's doing just fine right now, but the match is not over by any means.
Zack comes up near the ropes clutching the top of his head, and he looks up just in time to receive a lariat from Berlin that sends him up and over the top rope to smack off the concrete floor. The fans give the move a pop as Anderson steps back to the center of the ring, watching intently as Fantana forces himself to his feet. With a quick gallop Anderson leaps over the top rope to dive out onto Fantana in a rolling senton that sends both men crashing down to the floor. He gets an even bigger reaction when he rolls up to his feet, and with a wink to the front row turns to pull Zack up to his feet. He tosses the man back inside, and hops up onto the ring apron, gripping the top rope and calling for Zack to get up. Eventually Zack complies, stumbling until stepping into the perfect position for a new aerial attack.
LO: Anderson is poised and Fantana just stepped into his sights, and BERLIN UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND SPRINGBOARDS OFF....RIGHT INTO A SUPERKICK FROM FANTANA!
KO: GOOD LORD HE TOOK HIS HEAD CLEAN OFF!!
Berlin clutches his face as he rolls around on the canvas, and Zack gets back up to his feet, falling over into the nearby corner to look at the man with what appears to be new respect. The moment passes quickly as he smirks out to the cheering crowd, and he slips to the apron and starts climbing the turnbuckles. Once at the top he remains in place, waiting for Berlin to get to his feet, and the minute he does Zack dives off in what appears to be a Blockbuster, but before he can ever hit it, Anderson somehow manages the Highest Standing Dropkick of the night which clips Fantana right in the back of the head during his flip. The impact knocks Zack off course, and the flip turns into a brutal face first landing hard against the mat.
LO: JESUS CHRIST! ZACK FANTANA MIGHT BE DEAD!
KO: Did you see the way he landed? That...That's not good!
Even the referee is concerned after that as Diego Santiago slides down beside Zack to check on him. Despite the glazed over look in his eyes he waves the referee off, and gets to his feet just in time for Berlin Anderson to come in hot, catching him around the head with a short leap and then spinning him down to spike his skull off the canvas in a Tornado DDT! Zack hits with enough impact that he flops over onto his back, and Anderson hooks his leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THREe-KICK OUT! Zack just barely out before the count of three, and I think he might have a damn concussion!
KO: He's got something as Anderson pulls him up to his feet, slips in front while hook his head, and snapmares him over into a seated position....
LO: Now he runs past Zack to hit off the ropes in front of him, and....LOW DROPKICK SMASHES FANTANA RIGHT IN THE FACE! Berlin going for another cover...
1...
2...
KO: THREe-KICK OUT! Zack able to save himself one more time, but how many of those do you think he still has in him after that jacked up landing?
LO: I don't know, but I've learned over the past eight months that you can not count Zack Fantana out of a fight!
Anderson gets to his feet and pulls Zack with him, pushing the man back into the ropes and then sends him shooting off to the opposite side. Zack rebounds and Berlin steps out to meet him in the center with a boot to his midsection. With Zack doubled over in the center of the ring, Anderson takes off to the side to hit off the ropes, and as he explodes back he moves in for what looks like a Swinging Neckbreaker, but Zack keeps spinning until he falls right out of Berlin's grasp. He boots him in the midsection instead, hooks him around the head, and then lifts him up into Suplex position only to drop him straight down into a spinebuster that sees the back of Berlin's head hit Fantana's knee!
LO: THE REVERIE OUT OF NOWHERE, AND IT'S BERLIN'S TURN TO BE OUT OF IT!
KO: Zack isn't done there...he just hopped over the man, and STANDING MOONSAULT CRUSHES ANDERSON INTO THE MAT! Zack with the hook of the leg...
1...
2...
LO: THREe-KICK OUT! Berlin out at two and three quarters, and now Zack pulling him up to his feet and whipping him over into the nearby corner!
KO: Zack follows him in with a WICKED chop! Another! ANOTHER! God! He's flaying flesh from bone!
Anderson reels as Zack continues laying in the thunderous chops, and he cups his hands together and brings them to his mouth with a 'WOOOOO!'. The crowd 'Woooo' right back at him as he takes Berlin by the wrist and whips him hard to the opposite side. Anderson strikes the turnbuckles with authority, but before he can think too much about it, he's being crushed by a Big Splash from the Leader of Fantanasy! Zack Irish Whips Berlin one more time, and again he hits the turnbuckles, and again he's Splashed into oblivion. Zack back peddles out of the corner as Anderson slowly stumbles to follow right into a scoop slam that puts him dead center of the ring.
LO: Fantana on fire here as he steps over to the corner they were just in and starts to scale the ropes....I can't believe he's going back up top after what happened last time!
KO: Well, it's what he knows, Laur! Fantana is always a crowd pleaser and will do anything to make his fans happy.
LO: Well, maybe they could find something that might not kill him?
Kenneth Othello shrugs at the question as Zack reaches the top turnbuckle. With Anderson dead center of the ring, Zack gives himself a bit of a bounce on the top rope before diving off into a Corkscrew Senton that sends him crashing down across Berlin's chest. Zack clutches at the back of his head, the move having hurt him in the process as well, but slides back to lay across Anderson's chest while hooking the leg.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! BERLIN ANDERSON HOOKS ZACK UNDER THE ARM AND PULLS HIM OVER INTO A CRUCIFIX PIN!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-KICK OUT!
LO: MY GOD! IT WAS ALMOST OVER!
Both men are slow to get to their feet, but when they do they are standing right in front of one another, and Zack fires in a chop that results in Berlin spinning around and catching him with a back fist that knocks him off kilter. Berlin takes that opportunity to boot Zack in the gut, hook him around the head, and then Snap Suplex him down to the mat. He moves back up to his feet as Zack clutches his spine, and moves around to stand at his legs, reaching down and pulling them up so that his arms are locked behind Fantana's knees. Falling backwards, Berlin places his own knee's under Zack's tush, the weight differential vaulting him off the mat and sling-shoting him right for the nearby corner. The fans nearly come unglued when Zack lands safely on the second turnbuckle, and when Berlin spins around it's just in time to see Zack spin around on the ropes, springing off for a flying forearm. Unfortunately for Zack, Berlin drops to hug the canvas sending him to crash and burn in the center of the ring.
LO: Big miss by Fantana who is getting to his feet, but here comes Berlin as Zack slowly turns around and...PARAFUSO KICK JUST TOOK ZACK'S HEAD OFF!
KO: Anderson calls that kick Mostly Void Partially Stars, and it looks like for good reason, cause Zack is out of this universe right now!
LO: Anderson just dropped in front of Zack, and man....these guys have been going non-stop, a hundred miles an hour, and that's evident by this pause before the cover. He needs to get on him if he expects to pull out a victory, but after a move like that....Hell, maybe he does have time!
Anderson sucks in breath and shakes the cobwebs, crawling over to flop down on Fantana and hook his leg deep.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! MY GOD THE REFEREE HAD TO THROW HIS SHOULDER OUT TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE THREE AS FANTANA ROLLED THE SHOULDER, AND BERLIN ANDERSON CAN NOT BELIEVE IT!
KO: I can't believe it, Laur! Fantana should be dead in the water, and yet he got the shoulder up!
Anderson stares at the referee who vehemently waves off the three count, and he shakes his head in annoyance as he pushes up to his feet, hands on hips. After a moment he nods and reaches down to pull Zack up to his feet, running him head first into the top turnbuckle of the nearby corner. He slips his head under the mans arm and lifts him up so that he's sitting on the top, and then steps up to the second rope to join him. Zack looks almost unconscious as Berlin tosses his left arm over his shoulder while he reaches across his chest in what looks like a 'Rock Bottom' set up. Suddenly Zack comes alive, driving the point of his elbow right into Anderson's temple, anything he can do to avoid what some sixth sense must have told him was coming. Anderson is forced off the second turnbuckle, and Fantana's boot flashes out a few times to catch him square in the face, forcing him to beg off. Zack stands up on the second turnbuckle now, and when Berlin turns around, he leaps off the ropes into a front flip, catching Anderson's head on his way down to snap him forcefully to the canvas with a thud.
LO: THERE'S THAT BLOCKBUSTER FROM EARLIER, and now Zack is just sitting there rubbing his temples from the kick he took earlier...
KO: It's a wonder he's still able to function after that, and will probably need to get checked for a concussion after the conclusion of this match.
LO: Fantana now getting to his feet, and it's his turn to stalk Berlin as the man slowly gets to his feet....Zack coming in from behind, waistlock.....BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX INTO A LUMBAR CHECK!
KO: SLEEP APNEA!
LO: ZACK FANTANA WITH A COVER!
1...
2...
KO: THREE-NO! MY GOD THESE TWO ARE TRADING THEIR BEST SHOTS AND GETTING NOWHERE!
LO: What in the world are these guys going to have to do? It's brutal!
Zack can't believe it, coming up to his knees and laying his forehead on the mat in frustration before forcing himself back up to his feet. Dripping with sweat he reaches down to pull Berlin up as well, slips in behind him as if to go for Sleep Apnea again, but this time Anderson struggles vehemently to get free of Fantana's grasp. Eventually he does so, rushing the ropes in front of him for spring, and hurtles back at Fantana bowling him over with a shoulder block. Fantana pops back up to his feet, and Berlin runs past him to springboard off the second rope, spin in mid air, and land on the man's shoulders, rocking back to spike his skull off the canvas with a Poisoned Frankensteiner!
LO: HE CALLS THAT I HAVE A TOWER, AND GOOD LORD HE JUST TOPPLED THE WHOLE DAMN THING ONTO FANTANA'S HEAD!
KO: There's the cover!
1...
2...
3!!!
KO: And this one is finally over....Good Lord, what a match!
Berlin falls off of Zack and both men lie on the canvas sucking wind as the bell rings. The Japanese fans instead of cheering, rise in unison to their feet in respectful applause, and slowly Anderson moves to sit up, but then falls back down to the canvas. The referee drops beside him, and lifts his arm, and he nods in appreciation to the crowd.
RING ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match by pinfall.....BERLIN ANDERSOONNN!!
Berlin eventually pushes up to his feet as Zack rolls to move out of the ring, his back aching as he rolls under the bottom rope and gets his legs under him. Inside the ring Berlin celebrates by taking a corner, and holding his hand up to shield his eyes as if he's searching for someone specific in the crowd while they return to a more fancentric nature of cheers.
LO: This was a big match for Berlin Anderson, and he put on one hell of a show with Fantana here tonight, a key victory I'm sure will mark him in the months to follow!
KO: Yeah, this Anderson guy is definitely one to keep your eye on, but the Leader of Fantanasy put on one hell of a performance. I don't think you can take anything away from Zack Fantana.
LO: True story, but I'm hearing we've got a few words in the back from Valor Pro's favorite rookie, Danny Rizzo!
The camera gets one more shot of Zack, now at ringside slapping hands and taking selfies with fans, before cutting backstage.
DR: Andrew, are you there? Are you listening? I know you are. Try as you might, you can’t help but hang on my every word.
Rizzo’s voice echoes from a scene that is completely dark. His form and figure completely obscured by the lack of light and if it wasn’t for the fact that he had spoken it would have been impossible to know that he was even there. Soon, the culmination of everything from the moment that he had signed a contract with Valor would reach its fulfillment. And though the viewing audience couldn’t see him, there was complete calm, and peace, in the words that he spoke.
DR: I know that has to eat at you and, honestly, I feel bad for you. I feel bad that you were never quite able to become what you wanted to. I feel sympathy for you because you fell short of your dreams. I feel pity because of what you are now, just a bitter and angry old man shouting at the clouds in the sky and hoping that someone pays attention.
A heavy sigh rumbles throughout the darkened setting as though Rizzo was disappointed in the man that he was going to be facing.
DR: This event couldn’t have been more aptly named. Allegiance. Tonight, allegiances are revealed. You wear yours on your sleeve. It’s about a paycheck for you. You live for those precious pennies to appear in your bank account. Sure, you toss in a few mentions of championships and glory here and there to try and obscure the truth. But, like with most people, your true allegiances are exposed in your words when you’re speaking from the heart, and in your actions. You’re loyal to yourself. I don’t deny that. You only care about you, and that’s fine. But tonight is not a night where men who care only for themselves find relevance lost years ago.
Stepping forward, a light from above snaps on and illuminates the form of Danny Rizzo.
DR: My Allegiance rests solely with this company. It lies with people like Leela Watts, who gives her heart and soul to everything she does. To someone like Fallon Lockhart, who fights for what is right regardless of what it means for her career. It lies in putting on the best performance for the fans who spend their hard earned money to come and be a part of these events. And when tonight is all said and done, and I have finally and undeniably risen above you, Andrew. There will be no more denying that I, Danny Rizzo, the Boy Scout that you cast aside as unworthy… he’ll be occupying a place that you could never even begin to dream of.
Slowly the light grows brighter and brighter, until all of the darkness is chased away until nothing more can be seen except for that bright, burning light. It remains for a few more moments until finally the scene switches elsewhere.
Rizzo’s voice echoes from a scene that is completely dark. His form and figure completely obscured by the lack of light and if it wasn’t for the fact that he had spoken it would have been impossible to know that he was even there. Soon, the culmination of everything from the moment that he had signed a contract with Valor would reach its fulfillment. And though the viewing audience couldn’t see him, there was complete calm, and peace, in the words that he spoke.
DR: I know that has to eat at you and, honestly, I feel bad for you. I feel bad that you were never quite able to become what you wanted to. I feel sympathy for you because you fell short of your dreams. I feel pity because of what you are now, just a bitter and angry old man shouting at the clouds in the sky and hoping that someone pays attention.
A heavy sigh rumbles throughout the darkened setting as though Rizzo was disappointed in the man that he was going to be facing.
DR: This event couldn’t have been more aptly named. Allegiance. Tonight, allegiances are revealed. You wear yours on your sleeve. It’s about a paycheck for you. You live for those precious pennies to appear in your bank account. Sure, you toss in a few mentions of championships and glory here and there to try and obscure the truth. But, like with most people, your true allegiances are exposed in your words when you’re speaking from the heart, and in your actions. You’re loyal to yourself. I don’t deny that. You only care about you, and that’s fine. But tonight is not a night where men who care only for themselves find relevance lost years ago.
Stepping forward, a light from above snaps on and illuminates the form of Danny Rizzo.
DR: My Allegiance rests solely with this company. It lies with people like Leela Watts, who gives her heart and soul to everything she does. To someone like Fallon Lockhart, who fights for what is right regardless of what it means for her career. It lies in putting on the best performance for the fans who spend their hard earned money to come and be a part of these events. And when tonight is all said and done, and I have finally and undeniably risen above you, Andrew. There will be no more denying that I, Danny Rizzo, the Boy Scout that you cast aside as unworthy… he’ll be occupying a place that you could never even begin to dream of.
Slowly the light grows brighter and brighter, until all of the darkness is chased away until nothing more can be seen except for that bright, burning light. It remains for a few more moments until finally the scene switches elsewhere.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is a Grudge Match, and is set for one fall or submission...
"Shake It Off", the Amelie cover, hits over the PA System and Leela Watts bursts out of the curtain to a raucous ovation. Her blonde hair flips around as she bounces along to the music at the top of the stage, and then finally whips it back from her face as she fiercely roars and thrusts her fists into the air. The fans feed her energy right back to her as she makes her way down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
Ring Announcer: And introducing first, standing at five foot two and weighting in at 110 pounds, hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio...She is LEEELLLAAA WATTTSSSS!
Leela rolls under the bottom rope once reaching ringside, and pops up with an exuberant grin to the crowd, rushing up to the ropes and stepping up to the top to throw her fists over head. She nods along with her music while singing along, and eventually steps down to do the same on the opposite side. The crowd has sufficiently been whipped up into a frenzy by the positive bombshell, and she begins to stretch herself out on the ropes while awaiting her opponent.
LO: Leela and Poe have had problems ever since Poe's debut against Watts, who took home the victory on that occassion. Then they faced off again in the Lethal Lottery Battle Royal, and it was Poe that eliminated Watts only to be surprised by Fallon Lockhart. Then finally, just last Blitz, the team of Watts and Danny Rizzo defeated Poe and NovaCaine, but in the end...it was Leela and Danny who were left waylayed after the match...
KO: And now we're here Laur. Two women who quite frankly don't like one another, and will have this opportunity to settle the score once and for all.
The lights in the arena dim and ”Madame Mittermeier’s Fantastical Festival of Conundrums & Curiosities” by Jean-Marc Griffin hits over the PA system. The stage flashes green and purple as a spotlight drops dead center to reveal Poe Sauer, who somehow made her way out from the curtain without anyone noticing, seeming to appear out of nowhere. Poe's mouth stretches out into a wide maniacal grin as she stares down at Leela Watts and she begins that same rickety horror movie waltz down the ramp as seen previously.
Ring Announcer: And introducing her opponent, standing at five foot nine and weighting in at 166 pounds, hailing from Nuremberg, Germany....She is POEEE SAUEERRR!!!
Poe reaches ringside and the Japanese crowd, having a love of horror and the strange, give her a mixed reaction. She doesn't seem to notice as she slowly crawls under the bottom rope and sits in the corner casting her wicked grin at Leela. Watts shakes her head and steps to the center of the ring as Santiago goes over the rules with an unresponsive Poe.
LO: Poe Sauer is a strange one to be sure, but you have to wonder what sort of psychological advantage such an entrance will have on Leela Watts.
KO: I've be less inclined to believe the entrance will play a factor as much as the unpredictable nature of the woman. It could get lit real early!
Santiago walks away from Poe with a shake of his head, seeming a little disturbed by the woman's leer, and signals for the bell. It chimes out and the fans all buzz in anticipation, but Sauer remains seated, staring across at Watts. Leela moves around her area of the ring impatiently, ready to get the match started, and eventually Poe reaches up and grabs the top rope, pulling herself up to her feet in an awkward but fluid motion. The two women begin to circle, and just as they go for a lock up, Poe reaches up with black fingernails and digs them across Watts' eyes. Leela begs off, momentarily blinded, stumbling towards the ropes as Sauer advances. The Dark Queen's grin never leaves her face as she thunders a forearm down across Leela's back, sticks her boot into the back of her knee, and forces her throat first down across the middle rope where she proceeds to try and choke the life out of her with it.
LO: Poe Sauer with cheap tactics right off the bat, and Santiago is all over her with a count....and just at five she lets go, pulling Leela to her feet and shooting her off the ropes...
KO: Leela rebound back, and Poe rushes out to meet her with a VICIOUS LARIAT that takes her head off!
LO: Poe now dropping an elbow down into Leela's sternum, comes back up, and does it again! Now drops down on top of her and gets by the hair of the head, and IS JUST FURIOUSLY BANGING THE BACK OF HER SKULL OFF THE CANVAS!
Santiago calls out to Poe once again about the illegal hair pulling, and after about five head splitting bangs of the mat, she finally relents to come up to her feet to address the referee. The two exchange heated words, but suddenly Poe finds herself being dragged down to the canvas by Watts who rolls her up into a schoolboy pin.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Poe with a kick out and now she's back on her feet, and she's just laying the boots to Watts, knocking her all the way over to the edge of the ring. Santiago is again having to get onto Poe to let the woman up, but Sauer just gives her another shove with her boot and sends her tumbling out to the concrete floor!
KO: Poe Sauer didn't come here tonight to play! She's out for blood!
Poe ignores the referee as she slips through the ropes to land beside Leela as she rises, and she grabs the fan favorite by a fistful of hair and slams her face first off the ring apron. Leela clutches at her face as she stumbles away, trying to create some separation, but Poe follows behind her, getting another fistful of hair so that she can drag her over to the steel guardrail. She pulls Leela's head way back in an attempt to slam it off the top portion of the barrier, but Leela comes alive with elbows to her gut that causes her to lose her hold, and it's Poe instead that finds her forehead bouncing off the steel. Poe stumbles back over to the ring, and Leela grabs her by the tights and tosses her back in. Watts hops up on the apron as Poe stumbles to her feet, and when she turns in her direction, Leela springboards up to the top rope and launches herself into a Missile Drop Kick that sends Sauer crashing to the mat.
LO: Big Aerial Offense from Leela, who scrambles over for a cover...1...2....NO! Out at two, and Leela is already moving Poe up to her feet....slips in beside her, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS HER HARD TO THE MAT!
KO: Leela is feeling some momentum here after that late start, and she's back on her feet and heading for the corner. She climbs the turnbuckles all the way to the top, but Sauer is getting up behind her and I don't think she see's her.....OH! SAUER LAUNCHING HERSELF AT THE TOP ROPE AND LEELA JUST CROTCHED HERSELF ON THE TURNBUCKLE!!
Poe clutches the back of her head as she snarls and approaches the corner where Leela clutches at her lower region in shock. She steps up to the second turnbuckle to join the woman, putting her behind Leela, and then slips her head underneath her arm to lift her up for what looks like a Side Suplex off the Top! Leela, however, manages to swing around in midair, turning what was supposed to be Sauer's offensive move into one of her own. The woman impact off the canvas with Leela on top of Sauer, and she hooks the woman's leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Poe out at two and a half, and Leela with the where-with-all to reverse what could have easily been the end of this match!
KO: Yeah, that was impressive, but now she's pulling Poe back to her feet, and sending her off the ropes....Poe rebounds and is coming in hot while Leela steps out to meet her with a hip toss, but Poe REVERSES, floating over the front and landing beside her to deliver a hip toss of her own!
Leela strikes the mat, but comes up quickly, spinning around towards her opponent only to walk into a Snap Armdrag, pops up, and right into another one. This time Poe maintains control of the arm, and slides forward to cinch Leela up into a standing armbar. Leela searches for an escape, but she's a far cry from the ropes. Realizing she's in trouble, she rocks her hips so that she comes up to a knee, which forces Poe up to her feet while still maintaining the hold. She yanks back hard on the arm, which momentarily ceases any resistance from Leela, who cries out in pain. Eventually though, Leela manages to get a foot underneath her, and forces herself the rest of the way up, and Poe, rather than letting go of the arm, wrenches it behind her opponent into a Hammerlock. Watts still looks uncomfortable, but at least she's on her feet, and she drags the two women over to the ropes where she manages to hook the top rope with her free arm.
LO: Leela's made it to the ropes, but Poe isn't letting go, and Santiago is forced to start another count....and finally she lets go at the count of four and a half...and OH! BIG BOOT RIGHT INTO THAT INJURED SHOULDER FROM POE!
KO: Leela clutching at her left arm now, and falls back into the corner, and here comes Poe with ANOTHER BOOT TO THE SHOULDER! Now has that arm wrapped around the top rope, and SHE'S JUST TORQUING IT AGAINST THE STEEL CABLE!
Leela cries out at the referee yells for Poe to knock it off, and resumes another count. Just at five Poe lets go, dragging her opponent out of the corner, and places Leela's arm back in hammerlock position, while scooping her up onto her shoulder. She turns to face the center of the ring, and with a short trot, leaves her feat with a massive Hammerlock Powerslam! Leela recoils like she's just been snake bit, grabbing at her left arm and letting out a cry of pain. The wicked grin returns to Poe's lips as she zeroes in on the injury, slinking in behind Leela and then springing upon her to force her into a more traditional Sitting Armbreaker!
LO: Leela Watts in real trouble here as Poe has effectively worked over the arm, and now has her locked into a tough submission hold to get out of!
KO: She's reaching for the ropes, but is just out of range, and now her hand is hovering over the mat! I think she's going to tap!
And Leela looks on the verge of doing just that, but the cheers of the fans seem to do something to her resolve, and she grits her teeth and with a solid pull against the canvas puts herself close enough to fingertip the bottom rope. Poe looks on in amazement at first, but her face turns to rage as she releases the hold before Santiago can even administer a count, and comes up to her feet only to reign down a hail of stomps onto Watts. Santiago counts the woman down...all the way to five, and then physically forces himself between the two, pushing Poe back as she still tries to kick around him. He gives her a shove and throws a warning finger in her face, and for whatever reason this seems to cause her calm down, and she stalks off to a corner to cool off as he turns to check on Leela.
LO: Poe Sauer is homicidal out here, and Leela Watts is pulling herself up by use of the ropes and waving off the official. It appears she isn't going to let this woman's gloom take her out of the fight!
KO: Could be a mistake, cause here comes Poe with a full head of steam out of the corner, and WATTS WITH A BACK BODY DROP THAT JUST VAULTED HER UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR BELOW!
LO: Watts now with a chance to catch her breath, and she casts a wary glance outside the ring where Poe is trying to get to her feet.....and Leela with a full head of steam towards the opposite ropes, rebounds for spring...and HERE SHE COMES WITH A SUPERMAN LIKE DIVE RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE AND DOWN ONTO SAUER!
KO: SHE WAS TEEN FEET IN THE AIR! HOW?!?!
The fans are on their feet, a chant going loud as Watts drives herself to her feet. "LEELA! LEELA! LEELA!" She nods her head to the tune of her own name, and then jerks Poe up to her feet and shoots her back into the ring. She follows close behind and hooks the woman's leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Sauer get the shoulder up at two and a half, and Leela now sitting on her knees and looking out to this capacity crowd for an answer of what to do next.
The crowd cries out for more flight, and Leela gives a sweet grin as she pushes to her feet and makes her way out onto the apron and over to the nearest corner. She climbs up the turnbuckles, all the way to the top, and once perched she stands to her full height. She brings both hands up to her mouth and blows the crowd a big kiss before launching herself high into the air only to come crashing down onto Poe Sauer with a crushing Frog Splash!
LO: MY GOD WHAT HEIGHT ON THAT FROGSPLASH!
KO: No joke, and now Leela with another hook of the leg!
1...
2...
3!!!
The fans explode as the bell sounds and Leela sits back while reaching up into her blonde locks with both hands with a genuine grin of relief. The referee steps over and helps her to her feet as Poe rolls towards the edge of the ring and out, clutching her abdomen, and beating her fist against the ring apron. As Leela's hand gets raised, Poe gives her a baleful look, but rather than try and do anything malicious, she slinks off towards the back as Watts basks in the glory of victory.
Ring Announcer: And the winner of this match by pinfall.....LEELA WATTSSS!!
Leela shakes the referee's hand, and then turns to her adoring fans, taking the second turnbuckle of the nearby corner and winding them up further with victory chants. She pats her heart with her right hand, and points out at the crowd, that brings an even louder ovation than before.
LO: Big win here for Leela Watts, and now she can finally put Poe Sauer behind her.
KO: Yeah, but where does she go from here?
LO: Good question, Ken. I mean, she and Danny have proven that the make one heck of a tag team. Could we see those two come back together and possibly challenge whoever the wins tonight's Main Event, or will they both remain in the singles division and continue to try and climb the ranks?
KO: Why not both?
LO: No real good reason not to, but that can all be decided at a later time, cause tonight, Leela Watt's stands tall!
The camera focuses on Leela as she continues her happy celebration with the Japanese crowd before cutting backstage to the next segment.
"Shake It Off", the Amelie cover, hits over the PA System and Leela Watts bursts out of the curtain to a raucous ovation. Her blonde hair flips around as she bounces along to the music at the top of the stage, and then finally whips it back from her face as she fiercely roars and thrusts her fists into the air. The fans feed her energy right back to her as she makes her way down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
Ring Announcer: And introducing first, standing at five foot two and weighting in at 110 pounds, hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio...She is LEEELLLAAA WATTTSSSS!
Leela rolls under the bottom rope once reaching ringside, and pops up with an exuberant grin to the crowd, rushing up to the ropes and stepping up to the top to throw her fists over head. She nods along with her music while singing along, and eventually steps down to do the same on the opposite side. The crowd has sufficiently been whipped up into a frenzy by the positive bombshell, and she begins to stretch herself out on the ropes while awaiting her opponent.
LO: Leela and Poe have had problems ever since Poe's debut against Watts, who took home the victory on that occassion. Then they faced off again in the Lethal Lottery Battle Royal, and it was Poe that eliminated Watts only to be surprised by Fallon Lockhart. Then finally, just last Blitz, the team of Watts and Danny Rizzo defeated Poe and NovaCaine, but in the end...it was Leela and Danny who were left waylayed after the match...
KO: And now we're here Laur. Two women who quite frankly don't like one another, and will have this opportunity to settle the score once and for all.
The lights in the arena dim and ”Madame Mittermeier’s Fantastical Festival of Conundrums & Curiosities” by Jean-Marc Griffin hits over the PA system. The stage flashes green and purple as a spotlight drops dead center to reveal Poe Sauer, who somehow made her way out from the curtain without anyone noticing, seeming to appear out of nowhere. Poe's mouth stretches out into a wide maniacal grin as she stares down at Leela Watts and she begins that same rickety horror movie waltz down the ramp as seen previously.
Ring Announcer: And introducing her opponent, standing at five foot nine and weighting in at 166 pounds, hailing from Nuremberg, Germany....She is POEEE SAUEERRR!!!
Poe reaches ringside and the Japanese crowd, having a love of horror and the strange, give her a mixed reaction. She doesn't seem to notice as she slowly crawls under the bottom rope and sits in the corner casting her wicked grin at Leela. Watts shakes her head and steps to the center of the ring as Santiago goes over the rules with an unresponsive Poe.
LO: Poe Sauer is a strange one to be sure, but you have to wonder what sort of psychological advantage such an entrance will have on Leela Watts.
KO: I've be less inclined to believe the entrance will play a factor as much as the unpredictable nature of the woman. It could get lit real early!
Santiago walks away from Poe with a shake of his head, seeming a little disturbed by the woman's leer, and signals for the bell. It chimes out and the fans all buzz in anticipation, but Sauer remains seated, staring across at Watts. Leela moves around her area of the ring impatiently, ready to get the match started, and eventually Poe reaches up and grabs the top rope, pulling herself up to her feet in an awkward but fluid motion. The two women begin to circle, and just as they go for a lock up, Poe reaches up with black fingernails and digs them across Watts' eyes. Leela begs off, momentarily blinded, stumbling towards the ropes as Sauer advances. The Dark Queen's grin never leaves her face as she thunders a forearm down across Leela's back, sticks her boot into the back of her knee, and forces her throat first down across the middle rope where she proceeds to try and choke the life out of her with it.
LO: Poe Sauer with cheap tactics right off the bat, and Santiago is all over her with a count....and just at five she lets go, pulling Leela to her feet and shooting her off the ropes...
KO: Leela rebound back, and Poe rushes out to meet her with a VICIOUS LARIAT that takes her head off!
LO: Poe now dropping an elbow down into Leela's sternum, comes back up, and does it again! Now drops down on top of her and gets by the hair of the head, and IS JUST FURIOUSLY BANGING THE BACK OF HER SKULL OFF THE CANVAS!
Santiago calls out to Poe once again about the illegal hair pulling, and after about five head splitting bangs of the mat, she finally relents to come up to her feet to address the referee. The two exchange heated words, but suddenly Poe finds herself being dragged down to the canvas by Watts who rolls her up into a schoolboy pin.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Poe with a kick out and now she's back on her feet, and she's just laying the boots to Watts, knocking her all the way over to the edge of the ring. Santiago is again having to get onto Poe to let the woman up, but Sauer just gives her another shove with her boot and sends her tumbling out to the concrete floor!
KO: Poe Sauer didn't come here tonight to play! She's out for blood!
Poe ignores the referee as she slips through the ropes to land beside Leela as she rises, and she grabs the fan favorite by a fistful of hair and slams her face first off the ring apron. Leela clutches at her face as she stumbles away, trying to create some separation, but Poe follows behind her, getting another fistful of hair so that she can drag her over to the steel guardrail. She pulls Leela's head way back in an attempt to slam it off the top portion of the barrier, but Leela comes alive with elbows to her gut that causes her to lose her hold, and it's Poe instead that finds her forehead bouncing off the steel. Poe stumbles back over to the ring, and Leela grabs her by the tights and tosses her back in. Watts hops up on the apron as Poe stumbles to her feet, and when she turns in her direction, Leela springboards up to the top rope and launches herself into a Missile Drop Kick that sends Sauer crashing to the mat.
LO: Big Aerial Offense from Leela, who scrambles over for a cover...1...2....NO! Out at two, and Leela is already moving Poe up to her feet....slips in beside her, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS HER HARD TO THE MAT!
KO: Leela is feeling some momentum here after that late start, and she's back on her feet and heading for the corner. She climbs the turnbuckles all the way to the top, but Sauer is getting up behind her and I don't think she see's her.....OH! SAUER LAUNCHING HERSELF AT THE TOP ROPE AND LEELA JUST CROTCHED HERSELF ON THE TURNBUCKLE!!
Poe clutches the back of her head as she snarls and approaches the corner where Leela clutches at her lower region in shock. She steps up to the second turnbuckle to join the woman, putting her behind Leela, and then slips her head underneath her arm to lift her up for what looks like a Side Suplex off the Top! Leela, however, manages to swing around in midair, turning what was supposed to be Sauer's offensive move into one of her own. The woman impact off the canvas with Leela on top of Sauer, and she hooks the woman's leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Poe out at two and a half, and Leela with the where-with-all to reverse what could have easily been the end of this match!
KO: Yeah, that was impressive, but now she's pulling Poe back to her feet, and sending her off the ropes....Poe rebounds and is coming in hot while Leela steps out to meet her with a hip toss, but Poe REVERSES, floating over the front and landing beside her to deliver a hip toss of her own!
Leela strikes the mat, but comes up quickly, spinning around towards her opponent only to walk into a Snap Armdrag, pops up, and right into another one. This time Poe maintains control of the arm, and slides forward to cinch Leela up into a standing armbar. Leela searches for an escape, but she's a far cry from the ropes. Realizing she's in trouble, she rocks her hips so that she comes up to a knee, which forces Poe up to her feet while still maintaining the hold. She yanks back hard on the arm, which momentarily ceases any resistance from Leela, who cries out in pain. Eventually though, Leela manages to get a foot underneath her, and forces herself the rest of the way up, and Poe, rather than letting go of the arm, wrenches it behind her opponent into a Hammerlock. Watts still looks uncomfortable, but at least she's on her feet, and she drags the two women over to the ropes where she manages to hook the top rope with her free arm.
LO: Leela's made it to the ropes, but Poe isn't letting go, and Santiago is forced to start another count....and finally she lets go at the count of four and a half...and OH! BIG BOOT RIGHT INTO THAT INJURED SHOULDER FROM POE!
KO: Leela clutching at her left arm now, and falls back into the corner, and here comes Poe with ANOTHER BOOT TO THE SHOULDER! Now has that arm wrapped around the top rope, and SHE'S JUST TORQUING IT AGAINST THE STEEL CABLE!
Leela cries out at the referee yells for Poe to knock it off, and resumes another count. Just at five Poe lets go, dragging her opponent out of the corner, and places Leela's arm back in hammerlock position, while scooping her up onto her shoulder. She turns to face the center of the ring, and with a short trot, leaves her feat with a massive Hammerlock Powerslam! Leela recoils like she's just been snake bit, grabbing at her left arm and letting out a cry of pain. The wicked grin returns to Poe's lips as she zeroes in on the injury, slinking in behind Leela and then springing upon her to force her into a more traditional Sitting Armbreaker!
LO: Leela Watts in real trouble here as Poe has effectively worked over the arm, and now has her locked into a tough submission hold to get out of!
KO: She's reaching for the ropes, but is just out of range, and now her hand is hovering over the mat! I think she's going to tap!
And Leela looks on the verge of doing just that, but the cheers of the fans seem to do something to her resolve, and she grits her teeth and with a solid pull against the canvas puts herself close enough to fingertip the bottom rope. Poe looks on in amazement at first, but her face turns to rage as she releases the hold before Santiago can even administer a count, and comes up to her feet only to reign down a hail of stomps onto Watts. Santiago counts the woman down...all the way to five, and then physically forces himself between the two, pushing Poe back as she still tries to kick around him. He gives her a shove and throws a warning finger in her face, and for whatever reason this seems to cause her calm down, and she stalks off to a corner to cool off as he turns to check on Leela.
LO: Poe Sauer is homicidal out here, and Leela Watts is pulling herself up by use of the ropes and waving off the official. It appears she isn't going to let this woman's gloom take her out of the fight!
KO: Could be a mistake, cause here comes Poe with a full head of steam out of the corner, and WATTS WITH A BACK BODY DROP THAT JUST VAULTED HER UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR BELOW!
LO: Watts now with a chance to catch her breath, and she casts a wary glance outside the ring where Poe is trying to get to her feet.....and Leela with a full head of steam towards the opposite ropes, rebounds for spring...and HERE SHE COMES WITH A SUPERMAN LIKE DIVE RIGHT OVER THE TOP ROPE AND DOWN ONTO SAUER!
KO: SHE WAS TEEN FEET IN THE AIR! HOW?!?!
The fans are on their feet, a chant going loud as Watts drives herself to her feet. "LEELA! LEELA! LEELA!" She nods her head to the tune of her own name, and then jerks Poe up to her feet and shoots her back into the ring. She follows close behind and hooks the woman's leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Sauer get the shoulder up at two and a half, and Leela now sitting on her knees and looking out to this capacity crowd for an answer of what to do next.
The crowd cries out for more flight, and Leela gives a sweet grin as she pushes to her feet and makes her way out onto the apron and over to the nearest corner. She climbs up the turnbuckles, all the way to the top, and once perched she stands to her full height. She brings both hands up to her mouth and blows the crowd a big kiss before launching herself high into the air only to come crashing down onto Poe Sauer with a crushing Frog Splash!
LO: MY GOD WHAT HEIGHT ON THAT FROGSPLASH!
KO: No joke, and now Leela with another hook of the leg!
1...
2...
3!!!
The fans explode as the bell sounds and Leela sits back while reaching up into her blonde locks with both hands with a genuine grin of relief. The referee steps over and helps her to her feet as Poe rolls towards the edge of the ring and out, clutching her abdomen, and beating her fist against the ring apron. As Leela's hand gets raised, Poe gives her a baleful look, but rather than try and do anything malicious, she slinks off towards the back as Watts basks in the glory of victory.
Ring Announcer: And the winner of this match by pinfall.....LEELA WATTSSS!!
Leela shakes the referee's hand, and then turns to her adoring fans, taking the second turnbuckle of the nearby corner and winding them up further with victory chants. She pats her heart with her right hand, and points out at the crowd, that brings an even louder ovation than before.
LO: Big win here for Leela Watts, and now she can finally put Poe Sauer behind her.
KO: Yeah, but where does she go from here?
LO: Good question, Ken. I mean, she and Danny have proven that the make one heck of a tag team. Could we see those two come back together and possibly challenge whoever the wins tonight's Main Event, or will they both remain in the singles division and continue to try and climb the ranks?
KO: Why not both?
LO: No real good reason not to, but that can all be decided at a later time, cause tonight, Leela Watt's stands tall!
The camera focuses on Leela as she continues her happy celebration with the Japanese crowd before cutting backstage to the next segment.
The camera follows Brennan Devlin as he jogs to catch up to his tag partner, the reigning Apex Champion, Cosmo Cooper.
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Cosmo, Cosmo, hey man! What’s up partner?”
COSMO COOPER: “Don’t talk to me, don’t you have a stupid thing about my grandma to do this show? Go do that.”
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Nah that’s not till next show. Anyway, I know we’ve had a hard time you know, the whole feuding thing, the whole grandma thing… Hell, my promo for this very show, that was just talking, you know? Match hype, promoting!”
He lied through his teeth and they both knew it.
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Listen, we need to be in sync tonight, and while normally I’d mean like the boy band… me being Justin Timberlake obviously, I have no time to designate our status in my idea for a all wrestler boy band. So, here, I got you this ring attire to match mine.”
COSMO COOPER: “... What’s the catch?”
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “No catch, free ring attire man. Got your measurements from some ho you were talking to on Twitter.”
COSMO COOPER: “Which one?”
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “All of them.”
COSMO COOPER: “That checks out.”
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “So take it partner, a gift from me to you, and like, I know I tweeted something implying you were my padawan… then I followed it up with a gif… jiff? A gif of the youngling padawans being slaughtered by Anakin. That was a joke, that was witty banter!”
COSMO COOPER: “... Sure Brennan. I have you muted so I never see what you tweet.”
Cosmo was clearly already tired of his partner for the evenings banter.
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Anyway, best of luck tonight buddy, we’ll get you another title… then when you lose that one you’ve got to some stunningly handsome blonde man, maybe wittle Cosmo won’t feel to bad!”
Brennan strutted off as he pulled out a pair of bright orange tights with his nicknames down the legs, along with a matching vest which read ‘Captain’ on one side and had ‘GRANDMAS BOYS’ in all caps on the back.
Cosmo’s curiosity hit him as he opened the bag to find similar gear, his of course seemingly legit with his shorts being fine, only having his name on them. Then the jacket read ‘#1 Piss Baby’ on the front.
COSMO COOPER: “... Fucking asshole.”
He tossed it on the ground only to see the back read ‘My grandma was fucked to death’ in all caps across the back. Soon, Brennan ran back up to him, as if he’d forgot something.
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “Oh, you might wanna get all that off the ground, someone, not me, set your locker room on fire. Everything’s okay, but, I’m pretty sure all the gear you brought here is burned so…”
COSMO COOPER: “If guns were legal here I would shoot you in the face.”
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “This is pretty awkward, huh?”
COSMO COOPER: “Brennan, you… one of these days.”
BRENNAN DEVLIN: “I’m going to be your best friend, I know, I’m flattered, honestly. I don’t think as highly of you. Okay, byesies!!!”
Brennan walked off down the hall, leaving Cosmo to figure things out from there.
*****ELSEWHERE*****
The camera cuts to another scene backstage with NovaCaine standing at the monitoring station where he is finishing taping up his wrists moments before his big match. He glances towards the Camera giving a soft smile.
NOVACAINE: Tonight it is all settled Danny. One of us walks out of that ring with the W, and one of us is likely carried out. You are a talented young man Danny, and in any other match I would be the first to put my money on you somehow walking out with the victory. But tonight isn't just any match. Tonight is about Anger, Hatred, and good old fashion violence. I don't think you got what it takes to go as low in the gutter where I live. "
Nova nods to the Camera.
NOVACAINE: Let's go make some history Danny....
Nova smirks as he walks past the camera, making his way for gorilla position.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is a Grudge Match, and is set for one fall or submission...
The opening riffs to 'A Warriors Call' by Volbeat, and at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" Danny Rizzo rips through the curtain using his hands to try and lift the crowd out of their seats. 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, and grins excitedly before taking off into a sprint. Despite his energy, the athletic tape that has been wrapped around his midsection can not be ignored.
Ring Announcer: And making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....This Is DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement comes to an 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 Japanese fans explode in a cheer, returning his pumping fist towards the ring. He drops down and grabs the top rope, stretching himself out before his match.
LO: Danny Rizzo has taken the long way around to getting here ever since the New Kids On The Block Fatal Four Way back in January. Every other member of that match has went on to face NovaCaine and lost, while Danny has been the man's partner, double eliminated one another in the Lethal Lottery Battle Royal, and faced off in tag competition that saw Danny and Leela Watts pick up the win....but this will be the first time they've faced off in singles competition, and according to NovaCaine, Danny Rizzo isn't ready for it.
KO: He's not! This punk kid is one of those SJW's, running around trying to save the world, while NovaCaine is a cantankerous old man who doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself! He's the odds on favorite!
LO: He sort of sounds like someone I know...
KO: HEY! Leave me out of this!
Danny Rizzo's head suddenly snaps up from his stretching as the gentle thrum of 'Black Holes' by The Blue Stones comes across the speakers, and he steps to the center of the ring. The fans in the arena all come to their feet in a chorus of boo's, as NovaCaine steps out onto the stage. He casts casual look around at the fans with a sneer, before he turns his attention to the ring. He licks his bottom lip in anticipation, before chuckling and making his way down the ramp, stopping ever so often to tell a fan to suck it.
Ring Announcer: And 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 pauses to stare up at Danny from the floor, and he laughs while shaking his head at the serious stance that Danny has taken. This seems to only ruffle the kids feathers even more as Nova climbs the steps, and then swings himself into the ring in one fluid motion. He mockingly slaps himself on the jaw, offering Danny a free shot if he wants to take it, and then waves him off before stepping up to the second turnbuckle of the nearby corner to tell the crowd how great he is.
LO: I don't think anyone, well....maybe Cross Recoba...has been able to come into VPW with so much automatic hatred as NovaCaine has. I mean, it's a real testament of what kind of prick this guy really is.
KO: Whatever, Laur. This man is providing a public service! He's providing an education to young Danny here, he's having relations with the dredges of our society, and ever fighting against the censorship that some political parties would have us bow down to! He's a saint!
LO: Oh, Brother-O-Mine, you are dellusional!
Nova eventually drops down from the turnbuckle and turns his attention back to Danny, cockily strutting in front of him, and loosening himself up for the eventual tie up. The bell sounds, and Danny rushes right in, surprising Nova with a fast lockup that pushes him all the way back into the corner he had just come out of. The referee steps in and starts yelling at the two men to let each other go and make a clean break, and it takes a few moments, but eventually Danny finally unlaces himself from Caine and holds his hands up as he backs up clean. This is all that Nova really needs to throw himself forward, swinging his knee around so that he's able to drive the whole of his hip directly into Danny's midsection. Danny doubles over in pain as Caine immediately zeroes in on the taped up ribs with forearm shots that send Danny stumbling back out to the center of the ring.
LO: We didn't mention those taped up ribs earlier, but it's obvious now that Danny Rizzo is not one hundred percent out here...
KO: Oh come on, are you going to use that as an excuse when NovaCaine puts him to the mat?
LO: No, but it should be pointed out that it's thanks to THAT man that Danny is having to compete in this condition!
Danny fires off a right hand into NovaCaine as he follows him out to the center, but a swift Toe Kick to his ribs drops the young man to his knee's in obvious pain. NovaCaine plays this up to the crowd, pointing down at their young hero and mocking them as they pour out hatred for the bully. He just laughs it off as he lifts Danny's chin only to hammer a stiff right hand right into his jaw. Danny drops to the canvas, and NovaCaine comes to stand beside him, raising his right leg off the mat, and then dropping straight down so that his knee finds it's way right into Rizzo's kidney. Danny bucks in pain, rolling away from NovaCaine as he pushes back up to his feet with a grin. He follows his opponent over to the edge of the ropes, where he grabs the top, and unmercifully opens up with stomps down into Danny's midsection. Caputo steps in and warns him, but he just keeps on stomping, until finally a count is started.
LO: NovaCaine finally backing off at the count of four and a half, and God...I hate this smug prick!
KO: Oh, he's just having some funny with ole' Danny Boy!
Rizzo pushes up to his hands and knee's, grabbing the middle rope for support, but NovaCaine comes rushing in with a football like punt to the ribs that sends him tumbling through the middle and bottom rope out to the concrete floor. Danny clutches his ribs as NovaCaine moves past the admonishing referee to slip through and land out beside him, and he pulls the kid up by the hair of the head, takes his wrist, and then whips him hard towards the steel guard rail. Danny hurtles towards the barrier and is barely able to turn himself before striking the hard steel spine first. He winces as the impact sends him stumbling forward, but NovaCaine is there with a burst of speed and a lariat that sends Danny flipping up and over the barrier into the front row. From the ring Caputo has reached a count of six, and rather than follow Danny, Nova quickly belly slides back into the ring to break the count.
LO: NovaCaine just watching Danny now from the ring, and I guess he's willing to accept a count out victory as Caputo restarts at one.
KO: Hey, a 'W' is a 'W'. We've heard that a lot this week from all of our Valor Pro superstars.
LO: Indeed we have, but I just feel like this would be a really cheap way of victory considering all that NovaCaine has put this young man through, and quite frankly, I find it cowardice considering the injury he has quite obviously sustained before this match even got started.
KO: Whatever, look....Danny's climbing back over the guardrail...he'll probably make it back into the ring, so stop your whining.
Danny makes it halfway over the top of the barrier when Nova steps out onto the apron, and then launches himself off with a Double Ax-Handle that crashes down across Rizzo's back and shoulders, effectively crushing his ribs even further down into the top of the guardrail. The impact sends Danny flipping back over to thud hip first against the floor, but he's not there long as Nova pulls him up. He scoops him onto his shoulder, and then putting both hands under the man's chest and dipping into a squat, he abruptly stands up and lifts at the same time, launching Danny up into the air only to come crashing down midsection first across the top of the barrier. Danny recoils, crawling on his knees away from the guardrail before falling prone on his front still clutching his ribs. The fans boo as NovaCaine laughs, coming to stand over Danny and paintbrush him across the back of the head disrespectfully.
LO: And this is the type of man that you think can educate Danny Rizzo? He's nothing more than a neanderthal thug!
KO: Maybe so, but it looks like the neanderthal is the one in complete control of this match, and now that he's got Danny up and back into the ring, it's all but over!
Danny rolls to the center of the ring as NovaCaine hops up onto the apron, and casually slips between the ropes. He steps over to Danny and sneers down at him in contempt before using the toe of his boot to roll him onto his back, and places the sole upon his chest, demanding that Caputo make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! I don't care how hurt Danny Rizzo is, NovaCaine isn't going to beat someone with this much heart like that!
KO: Ok, ok...maybe that's a little extreme. You don't want to count your chickens before they hatch.
LO: FINALLY! SOME COMMON SENSE!
Caine gives the crowd a shrug before pulling Danny up to his feet, and then whips him with extreme authority towards the farthest corner. Danny strikes the turnbuckles with such force that it snaps him forward to slap the canvas chest first, and the impact pops him back upright only to be driven back into the buckles by a crushing Big Splash by NovaCaine. Caine steps out of the way and gives the back of Rizzo's head a push as he falls out of the corner to his front. Danny tries to pull himself forward as Nova hops up to the second rope, pats his elbow, and then dives off to come crashing down with the point dead center of Danny's spine, body on ribs. Danny cries out from the pain, and Nova quickly shoves him over and drapes himself across his chest.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Another lackadaisical cover gets NovaCaine a two and a half, but Danny has obviously been taken completely out of his game...
KO: Yeah, the kids not looking too hot. A little green around the gills like something might be busted up internally.
LO: Well, if it wasn't before it might be after tonight, as Nova pulls Danny up again, and WHIPS him back into the far corner!
Again Danny approaches the corner with authority, but this time he suddenly throws both feet out in front of him and slightly to the side, coming to an abrupt stop and a seated position across the middle rope. Nova's confident smile fades, and he rushes in on Danny who still has his back to him, but when he arrives at his destination, Danny suddenly rocks backwards holding onto the middle rope while his foot snaps up and blasts Nova right in the face in a modified seated Pele Kick. Nova stumbles back clutching his nose, and Danny sits back up, slipping through the ropes to the apron, and then springboards up to the top rope. He winces a bit, holding his elbow close to protect his injured ribs, but then dives off into a perfect High Cross Body that takes Nova down to the canvas hard. He hooks the mans leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-KICK OUT! Danny Rizzo surprising Caine there with that high risk maneuver and almost stole a three, but now both men are coming up to their feet in a flourish!
KO: Nova with a right hand, but it's blocked by Rizzo who fires in one of his own. Another. Another...and he's got Caine rocked all the way back to the ropes! Takes him by the wrist and shoots him off...
LO: Caine on his way back, and WALKS RIGHT INTO A HIGH STANDING DROPKICK THAT SENDS HIM CRASHING TO THE MAT!
KO: Danny back up and the fans are fired up for this comeback, as he roars to the heavens and DROPS DOWN ONTO NOVA WITH UNCHECKED RIGHT HANDS!
LO: Danny Rizzo is taking this bastard to task, and Caine just shoved him away and is working back to his feet...BUT HERE COMES DANNY WITH A LOU THESZ PRESS THAT DROPS NOVA BACK TO THE CANVAS, AND RIGHTS AND LEFTS BOXING HIS SKULL ALL OVER THE PLACE!
The fans are nearly riotous as Danny comes up, fists held low at his side nodding his head in confirmation that shit just got real! NovaCaine pushes up to his feet in a stupor but Danny is there with right hands that knock him back into the nearby corner, and Danny steps up to the second turnbuckle, pushing the mans head back, and then looking out to the crowd with a crazed look. They urge him on, and he complies, opening up with bone on bone fists directly to NovaCaine's forehead. He's only able to get off about six of these, before NovaCaine suddenly drops down to untrap himself, and then spins on his hips to come back up to his feet behind Danny whose still standing on the second turnbuckle. He hooks Rizzo around the waist and moves to take him to the mat with a modified German Suplex, but Danny manages to flip through the move to land safely on his feet. By the time NovaCaine is able to get back to his feet he's met with double boots to the chest from a Running Front Dropkick that sends him hurtling back into the turnbuckles hard. He strikes with such force that the impact takes his legs out from under him, and he falls to a seated position in a daze.
LO: Danny Rizzo is on fire here, and now takes a few steps back to the center of the ring.....Here he comes with a spring towards Caine, and DOUBLE KNEE'S CRUSHES NOVA'S SKULL!
KO: NovaCaine's eyes just rolled into the back of his head, and Danny has him by the ankle and is dragging him out of the corner and into a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Caine rolls the shoulder at the last second, and Danny beating the mat in frustration as he comes up to stare down at the man. This kid is hot!
KO: No, what this kid is, is educated. You see that! That fire! That ferocity! That's exactly what NovaCaine has been trying to teach him, and now he's finally got the upper hand and a chance to beat this guy!
Danny steps past Nova and over to the nearby corner they were just in, and slips out to the apron to climb the turnbuckles from the outside. As he reaches his perch Nova is already struggling to his feet, and Danny waits for him to get into position before taking flight with a flying clothesline. Much to everyone's surprise, however, Caine positions himself in such a way to catch Danny just under the chest, the sudden stop causing his legs to swing up into the air, to which NovaCaine snatches them before sitting straight down into a ring rattling Side Slam. Fans palms smack their foreheads in shock as Danny clutches at his already aching ribs, and NovaCaine retains hold of at least one leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THREe-KICK OUT! Danny just barely able to get enough force out of that kick out to break the pin, and now NovaCaine is working them to their feet, and gone is that smarmy smile he's been carrying this entire time.
KO: That's right, and that means he's more dangerous than ever.
Once on their feet Nova spins Danny around, hooks him from the side and lifts him up, and then drives him back down across his knee. Danny cries out as he slides from the mans appendage down to the canvas, and NovaCaine yells at Caputo to get her 'Ignorant Ass' down to the mat to make the three as he hooks his leg once again.
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! That was more of a roll of the shoulder than an actual kick out, as I believe that sudden side slam took more out of him than we originally thought!
KO: Nova has got him by the wrist and ankle, and is dragging him over to the nearby corner....what's he got planned? Surely he isn't going to fly here when he has everything in hand?
NovaCaine is able to get Danny almost right under the turnbuckles before he abandons him and slips through the ropes to land on the floor outside. He grabs Danny from under the bottom rope and continues to pull him until he's actually under the bottom turnbuckle, placing his ribs right next to the steel ring post while grabbing his wrist and ankle once again. The referee has already started admonishing him when he puts his boot up onto the steel, and pulls with all his might, as if he's trying to rip Danny Rizzo in half. For Danny's part, he cries out in pain once more as The Cancer of Wrestling does his worst.
LO: MY GOD! HE'S GOING TO CAUSE PERMANENT INJURY! DISQUALIFY HIS ASS!
KO: DANNY RIZZO LOOKS LIKE HE'S READY TO GIVE IT UP, But Nova dropped the hold before Caputo reached her five count, and there it is! That smile of his has returned as Danny Rizzo looks like he's completely spent!
NovaCaine slips back into the ring and pops up to his feet, nodding to the booing crowd before running his thumb across his neck to signal it was over. Danny gingerly pushes himself away from the post, clutching at his spine and damaged ribs still in agony. Nova doesn't offer to help this time, instead insuring that he is behind the man at all times as Danny takes several minutes to struggle to his feet. When Rizzo finally gets upright, he stumbles away from the ropes to the center of the ring, looking around confusedly for his opponent until turning right into his waiting arms. Nova places both hands into Danny's pectoral muscles, and then lifts him straight up, grabbing him at his highest into power bomb position, but is completely shocked, along with the crowd, when Danny hooks him around the head for a hurricanrana instead. The move doesn't send Nova down to the mat, but instead sends him hurtling down to the middle rope where he strikes his throat, and when he comes up choking, he spins around to walk right into a Step Up Shining Wizard that drops Nova where he stands.
LO: GOOD LORD! DANNY RIZZO IS STILL IN THIS THING!
KO: BLACK ROSE! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
LO: Both men are down in the center of the ring and neither is moving....the referee has checked on both, and she has no other choice but to start a ten count!
As Caputo's count continues to grow, both men eventually get over onto their stomachs and up to their hands and knees. NovaCaine is up first to break the count at eight, but is dazed and quickly followed by Rizzo. Caine moves in for a swing, but it's ducked, and Danny Rizzo moves in close to hook Nova in a waistlock and with a guttural yell takes him up and over down to the mat in a wicked German Suplex. The back of NovaCaine's head and shoulders slam off the mat, and Danny leaves him like that, folded up like an accordion as he gets back to his feet. Danny stumbles a bit, clutching at his ribs, as he reaches down to pull Caine back up to his feet, pushing him back into the corner and delivering a right hand for good measure. Much to his surprise, especially after the German, is Caine's response as he fires out of the corner with a chop that lights up Danny's chest. Rizzo answers with a right hand, which is equally answered by another chop. Next thing you know, both men are going to town in a flourish, Fist for Chop.
LO: GOOD GOD! THEY ARE BEATING THE HELL OUT OF EACH OTHER!
KO: Well, it's finally come to this...to hell with wrestling moves, we're just going to brawl!
One final well placed chop rattles Danny's bones, and he can feel it in his ribs as he begs off for a moment. When he starts to move back into engage once more, he's taken off his feet by a bull rushing NovaCaine who tears his head off with a falling lariat. Again, both men are down on the mat, and Caputo finds herself forced to start another count. At the count of seven its Danny up to his feet to continue the match, but he falls back into the corner they were just standing in, looking worn out and tired. NovaCaine is up not to far behind him, and as he slowly turns to find his opponent, Danny rushes out of the corner and walks right into a scoop up onto NovaCaine's shoulder. Caine roars as he rushes back towards the corner, lowering the shoulder with Danny on it to ram him hard into the top turnbuckle spine first. Danny's face is awash with agony as he slips down to almost fall on his head...almost because NovaCaine has him by one leg, locking his foot under the top turnbuckle for a tree of woe.
LO: OH Come On! We've seen this before, and it never ends well, with Danny Rizzo tied up in a tree of woe!
KO: heh, heh, heh....I got a weird feeling that Danny's got a few more lessons to learn from good ole' NovaCaine.
Caine proceeds to grab the top rope and stomp away at Danny's unprotected midsection, each boot measured and targeting the ribs he had already damaged at the previous Blitz and throughout this match. Danny cries out in pain as Caputo interjects herself, forcing Nova back. He just laughs and side steps the woman, jumping up to the middle turnbuckle, and places his boot right down into Danny's groin, grinding it around as Rizzo screams in pain.
LO: THIS IS UNCALLED FOR! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DISQUALIFY THIS BASTARD!
KO: Haha, NovaCaine calls this a Photo Opportunity, and by God I think he's right!
Caputo starts to make her way towards the side of the ring where the Time Keeper sits down below on the floor, and Nova notices this and finally leaps down and chases after the woman. She notifies him sternly that if he makes one more false move that she'll throw this match out in favor of Rizzo, and he holds his hands up innocently, crosses his heart and hopes to die while giving her a vile grin. She rolls her eyes and steps back over to the corner where Danny is still strung up, and helps the youth get out of his predicament. Danny clutches his midsection in obvious discomfort, trying to put his feet in under him, but finding that they've gone to spaghetti. NovaCaine just laughs, mocking the crowd once more, calling out to the fans to give their hero strength condescendingly.
LO: What an asshole.
KO: Nah, he's just baiting these morons. Its Danny that is the asshole! He should have enough common sense to shit or get off the pot. You aren't going to beat a guy like this by having morals and virtues. You have to learn to adapt, fight fire with fire.
LO: If Danny Rizzo tried to fight fire with fire with NovaCaine, the kid would have no soul, because I genuinely believe that NovaCaine doesn't!
KO: He might not got a soul, but he's got a Pop-Up Powerbomb, and I think he's gearing up to use it!
NovaCaine moves in behind Danny, begging for him to get to his feet, and just when he does he moves in and shoves him into the ropes, whipping him to the other side. He steps to the center of the ring, ready for the pop-up portion of the move, and when Danny thunders back he sends him up into the air. What NovaCaine didn't expect was any offense to be left out of Danny Rizzo, a mistake that catches up with him when Danny's knee strikes him right in the chin on his way up. Danny lands in front of NovaCaine whose rocked back by the knee shot, and gives him a shove so that he falls back into the ropes. When he springs back Danny comes in hot, leaving his feet, and throwing out his knee to take NovaCaine's head clear off.
KO: WHAT THE EFF!
LO: THE WARRIORS CALL!!
KO: I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS!
LO: DANNY RIZZO CRAWLING OVER AND HOOKING THE LEG!
1...
2...
3!!!
The fans explode in genuine happiness as Danny falls off of Nova still clutching his ribs, and the bell sounds signifying this ordeal is now behind him. NovaCaine continues clutching his face as Danny crawls his way over to the ropes, turning over so that he can take up a sitting position to stare back at the man who had pushed him to his very limit.
RING ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match via pinfall......DANNNNYYY RIZZZZOOO!!
Another explosion comes from the fans at the announcement, and upon hearing it, Danny rests his face in the palm of his hands in a show of emotion. NovaCaine struggles to get up to his feet, but then falls back to the mat...clawing to pull himself under the bottom rope so that he can get out of the ring. Through gritted teeth he shoves Caputo back away from him when she tries to aide his exit, and he spits a little blood from the knee strike that had led to his defeat. Eventually he turns to see that Danny's watching him, and he shakes his head in disbelief as he slowly back peddles up the ramp. Danny reaches up to grab the top rope and pulls himself to his feet, letting his eyes drift away from his nemesis to the Osaka crowd now singing his praises. He offers them a smile, allowing the referee to lift his hand in victory.
LO: HUGE win for Danny Rizzo here tonight, and an equally tough loss for NovaCaine, who I think we both would agree looked like he was going to take this to the bank.
KO: I'm still in shock. How in the hell did this little piss ant get away with this?
LO: Easy, Ken, he's full of heart and he didn't let NovaCaine corrupt it! This proves what I've been saying! Good things come to Good people as long as they keep the faith!
KO: Oh, SHUT UP, LAUR!
LO: Haha, good job, Danny Rizzo, but we aren't done here. Not by a long shot, next is....HELL IN A CELL!!
The camera zooms in on Danny as he struggles to get down out of the ring, his ribs on fire, as he slaps hands with some of the fans at ringside. The camera then cuts to backstage.
The opening riffs to 'A Warriors Call' by Volbeat, and at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" Danny Rizzo rips through the curtain using his hands to try and lift the crowd out of their seats. 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, and grins excitedly before taking off into a sprint. Despite his energy, the athletic tape that has been wrapped around his midsection can not be ignored.
Ring Announcer: And making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....This Is DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement comes to an 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 Japanese fans explode in a cheer, returning his pumping fist towards the ring. He drops down and grabs the top rope, stretching himself out before his match.
LO: Danny Rizzo has taken the long way around to getting here ever since the New Kids On The Block Fatal Four Way back in January. Every other member of that match has went on to face NovaCaine and lost, while Danny has been the man's partner, double eliminated one another in the Lethal Lottery Battle Royal, and faced off in tag competition that saw Danny and Leela Watts pick up the win....but this will be the first time they've faced off in singles competition, and according to NovaCaine, Danny Rizzo isn't ready for it.
KO: He's not! This punk kid is one of those SJW's, running around trying to save the world, while NovaCaine is a cantankerous old man who doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself! He's the odds on favorite!
LO: He sort of sounds like someone I know...
KO: HEY! Leave me out of this!
Danny Rizzo's head suddenly snaps up from his stretching as the gentle thrum of 'Black Holes' by The Blue Stones comes across the speakers, and he steps to the center of the ring. The fans in the arena all come to their feet in a chorus of boo's, as NovaCaine steps out onto the stage. He casts casual look around at the fans with a sneer, before he turns his attention to the ring. He licks his bottom lip in anticipation, before chuckling and making his way down the ramp, stopping ever so often to tell a fan to suck it.
Ring Announcer: And 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 pauses to stare up at Danny from the floor, and he laughs while shaking his head at the serious stance that Danny has taken. This seems to only ruffle the kids feathers even more as Nova climbs the steps, and then swings himself into the ring in one fluid motion. He mockingly slaps himself on the jaw, offering Danny a free shot if he wants to take it, and then waves him off before stepping up to the second turnbuckle of the nearby corner to tell the crowd how great he is.
LO: I don't think anyone, well....maybe Cross Recoba...has been able to come into VPW with so much automatic hatred as NovaCaine has. I mean, it's a real testament of what kind of prick this guy really is.
KO: Whatever, Laur. This man is providing a public service! He's providing an education to young Danny here, he's having relations with the dredges of our society, and ever fighting against the censorship that some political parties would have us bow down to! He's a saint!
LO: Oh, Brother-O-Mine, you are dellusional!
Nova eventually drops down from the turnbuckle and turns his attention back to Danny, cockily strutting in front of him, and loosening himself up for the eventual tie up. The bell sounds, and Danny rushes right in, surprising Nova with a fast lockup that pushes him all the way back into the corner he had just come out of. The referee steps in and starts yelling at the two men to let each other go and make a clean break, and it takes a few moments, but eventually Danny finally unlaces himself from Caine and holds his hands up as he backs up clean. This is all that Nova really needs to throw himself forward, swinging his knee around so that he's able to drive the whole of his hip directly into Danny's midsection. Danny doubles over in pain as Caine immediately zeroes in on the taped up ribs with forearm shots that send Danny stumbling back out to the center of the ring.
LO: We didn't mention those taped up ribs earlier, but it's obvious now that Danny Rizzo is not one hundred percent out here...
KO: Oh come on, are you going to use that as an excuse when NovaCaine puts him to the mat?
LO: No, but it should be pointed out that it's thanks to THAT man that Danny is having to compete in this condition!
Danny fires off a right hand into NovaCaine as he follows him out to the center, but a swift Toe Kick to his ribs drops the young man to his knee's in obvious pain. NovaCaine plays this up to the crowd, pointing down at their young hero and mocking them as they pour out hatred for the bully. He just laughs it off as he lifts Danny's chin only to hammer a stiff right hand right into his jaw. Danny drops to the canvas, and NovaCaine comes to stand beside him, raising his right leg off the mat, and then dropping straight down so that his knee finds it's way right into Rizzo's kidney. Danny bucks in pain, rolling away from NovaCaine as he pushes back up to his feet with a grin. He follows his opponent over to the edge of the ropes, where he grabs the top, and unmercifully opens up with stomps down into Danny's midsection. Caputo steps in and warns him, but he just keeps on stomping, until finally a count is started.
LO: NovaCaine finally backing off at the count of four and a half, and God...I hate this smug prick!
KO: Oh, he's just having some funny with ole' Danny Boy!
Rizzo pushes up to his hands and knee's, grabbing the middle rope for support, but NovaCaine comes rushing in with a football like punt to the ribs that sends him tumbling through the middle and bottom rope out to the concrete floor. Danny clutches his ribs as NovaCaine moves past the admonishing referee to slip through and land out beside him, and he pulls the kid up by the hair of the head, takes his wrist, and then whips him hard towards the steel guard rail. Danny hurtles towards the barrier and is barely able to turn himself before striking the hard steel spine first. He winces as the impact sends him stumbling forward, but NovaCaine is there with a burst of speed and a lariat that sends Danny flipping up and over the barrier into the front row. From the ring Caputo has reached a count of six, and rather than follow Danny, Nova quickly belly slides back into the ring to break the count.
LO: NovaCaine just watching Danny now from the ring, and I guess he's willing to accept a count out victory as Caputo restarts at one.
KO: Hey, a 'W' is a 'W'. We've heard that a lot this week from all of our Valor Pro superstars.
LO: Indeed we have, but I just feel like this would be a really cheap way of victory considering all that NovaCaine has put this young man through, and quite frankly, I find it cowardice considering the injury he has quite obviously sustained before this match even got started.
KO: Whatever, look....Danny's climbing back over the guardrail...he'll probably make it back into the ring, so stop your whining.
Danny makes it halfway over the top of the barrier when Nova steps out onto the apron, and then launches himself off with a Double Ax-Handle that crashes down across Rizzo's back and shoulders, effectively crushing his ribs even further down into the top of the guardrail. The impact sends Danny flipping back over to thud hip first against the floor, but he's not there long as Nova pulls him up. He scoops him onto his shoulder, and then putting both hands under the man's chest and dipping into a squat, he abruptly stands up and lifts at the same time, launching Danny up into the air only to come crashing down midsection first across the top of the barrier. Danny recoils, crawling on his knees away from the guardrail before falling prone on his front still clutching his ribs. The fans boo as NovaCaine laughs, coming to stand over Danny and paintbrush him across the back of the head disrespectfully.
LO: And this is the type of man that you think can educate Danny Rizzo? He's nothing more than a neanderthal thug!
KO: Maybe so, but it looks like the neanderthal is the one in complete control of this match, and now that he's got Danny up and back into the ring, it's all but over!
Danny rolls to the center of the ring as NovaCaine hops up onto the apron, and casually slips between the ropes. He steps over to Danny and sneers down at him in contempt before using the toe of his boot to roll him onto his back, and places the sole upon his chest, demanding that Caputo make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! I don't care how hurt Danny Rizzo is, NovaCaine isn't going to beat someone with this much heart like that!
KO: Ok, ok...maybe that's a little extreme. You don't want to count your chickens before they hatch.
LO: FINALLY! SOME COMMON SENSE!
Caine gives the crowd a shrug before pulling Danny up to his feet, and then whips him with extreme authority towards the farthest corner. Danny strikes the turnbuckles with such force that it snaps him forward to slap the canvas chest first, and the impact pops him back upright only to be driven back into the buckles by a crushing Big Splash by NovaCaine. Caine steps out of the way and gives the back of Rizzo's head a push as he falls out of the corner to his front. Danny tries to pull himself forward as Nova hops up to the second rope, pats his elbow, and then dives off to come crashing down with the point dead center of Danny's spine, body on ribs. Danny cries out from the pain, and Nova quickly shoves him over and drapes himself across his chest.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Another lackadaisical cover gets NovaCaine a two and a half, but Danny has obviously been taken completely out of his game...
KO: Yeah, the kids not looking too hot. A little green around the gills like something might be busted up internally.
LO: Well, if it wasn't before it might be after tonight, as Nova pulls Danny up again, and WHIPS him back into the far corner!
Again Danny approaches the corner with authority, but this time he suddenly throws both feet out in front of him and slightly to the side, coming to an abrupt stop and a seated position across the middle rope. Nova's confident smile fades, and he rushes in on Danny who still has his back to him, but when he arrives at his destination, Danny suddenly rocks backwards holding onto the middle rope while his foot snaps up and blasts Nova right in the face in a modified seated Pele Kick. Nova stumbles back clutching his nose, and Danny sits back up, slipping through the ropes to the apron, and then springboards up to the top rope. He winces a bit, holding his elbow close to protect his injured ribs, but then dives off into a perfect High Cross Body that takes Nova down to the canvas hard. He hooks the mans leg for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-KICK OUT! Danny Rizzo surprising Caine there with that high risk maneuver and almost stole a three, but now both men are coming up to their feet in a flourish!
KO: Nova with a right hand, but it's blocked by Rizzo who fires in one of his own. Another. Another...and he's got Caine rocked all the way back to the ropes! Takes him by the wrist and shoots him off...
LO: Caine on his way back, and WALKS RIGHT INTO A HIGH STANDING DROPKICK THAT SENDS HIM CRASHING TO THE MAT!
KO: Danny back up and the fans are fired up for this comeback, as he roars to the heavens and DROPS DOWN ONTO NOVA WITH UNCHECKED RIGHT HANDS!
LO: Danny Rizzo is taking this bastard to task, and Caine just shoved him away and is working back to his feet...BUT HERE COMES DANNY WITH A LOU THESZ PRESS THAT DROPS NOVA BACK TO THE CANVAS, AND RIGHTS AND LEFTS BOXING HIS SKULL ALL OVER THE PLACE!
The fans are nearly riotous as Danny comes up, fists held low at his side nodding his head in confirmation that shit just got real! NovaCaine pushes up to his feet in a stupor but Danny is there with right hands that knock him back into the nearby corner, and Danny steps up to the second turnbuckle, pushing the mans head back, and then looking out to the crowd with a crazed look. They urge him on, and he complies, opening up with bone on bone fists directly to NovaCaine's forehead. He's only able to get off about six of these, before NovaCaine suddenly drops down to untrap himself, and then spins on his hips to come back up to his feet behind Danny whose still standing on the second turnbuckle. He hooks Rizzo around the waist and moves to take him to the mat with a modified German Suplex, but Danny manages to flip through the move to land safely on his feet. By the time NovaCaine is able to get back to his feet he's met with double boots to the chest from a Running Front Dropkick that sends him hurtling back into the turnbuckles hard. He strikes with such force that the impact takes his legs out from under him, and he falls to a seated position in a daze.
LO: Danny Rizzo is on fire here, and now takes a few steps back to the center of the ring.....Here he comes with a spring towards Caine, and DOUBLE KNEE'S CRUSHES NOVA'S SKULL!
KO: NovaCaine's eyes just rolled into the back of his head, and Danny has him by the ankle and is dragging him out of the corner and into a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Caine rolls the shoulder at the last second, and Danny beating the mat in frustration as he comes up to stare down at the man. This kid is hot!
KO: No, what this kid is, is educated. You see that! That fire! That ferocity! That's exactly what NovaCaine has been trying to teach him, and now he's finally got the upper hand and a chance to beat this guy!
Danny steps past Nova and over to the nearby corner they were just in, and slips out to the apron to climb the turnbuckles from the outside. As he reaches his perch Nova is already struggling to his feet, and Danny waits for him to get into position before taking flight with a flying clothesline. Much to everyone's surprise, however, Caine positions himself in such a way to catch Danny just under the chest, the sudden stop causing his legs to swing up into the air, to which NovaCaine snatches them before sitting straight down into a ring rattling Side Slam. Fans palms smack their foreheads in shock as Danny clutches at his already aching ribs, and NovaCaine retains hold of at least one leg for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THREe-KICK OUT! Danny just barely able to get enough force out of that kick out to break the pin, and now NovaCaine is working them to their feet, and gone is that smarmy smile he's been carrying this entire time.
KO: That's right, and that means he's more dangerous than ever.
Once on their feet Nova spins Danny around, hooks him from the side and lifts him up, and then drives him back down across his knee. Danny cries out as he slides from the mans appendage down to the canvas, and NovaCaine yells at Caputo to get her 'Ignorant Ass' down to the mat to make the three as he hooks his leg once again.
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! That was more of a roll of the shoulder than an actual kick out, as I believe that sudden side slam took more out of him than we originally thought!
KO: Nova has got him by the wrist and ankle, and is dragging him over to the nearby corner....what's he got planned? Surely he isn't going to fly here when he has everything in hand?
NovaCaine is able to get Danny almost right under the turnbuckles before he abandons him and slips through the ropes to land on the floor outside. He grabs Danny from under the bottom rope and continues to pull him until he's actually under the bottom turnbuckle, placing his ribs right next to the steel ring post while grabbing his wrist and ankle once again. The referee has already started admonishing him when he puts his boot up onto the steel, and pulls with all his might, as if he's trying to rip Danny Rizzo in half. For Danny's part, he cries out in pain once more as The Cancer of Wrestling does his worst.
LO: MY GOD! HE'S GOING TO CAUSE PERMANENT INJURY! DISQUALIFY HIS ASS!
KO: DANNY RIZZO LOOKS LIKE HE'S READY TO GIVE IT UP, But Nova dropped the hold before Caputo reached her five count, and there it is! That smile of his has returned as Danny Rizzo looks like he's completely spent!
NovaCaine slips back into the ring and pops up to his feet, nodding to the booing crowd before running his thumb across his neck to signal it was over. Danny gingerly pushes himself away from the post, clutching at his spine and damaged ribs still in agony. Nova doesn't offer to help this time, instead insuring that he is behind the man at all times as Danny takes several minutes to struggle to his feet. When Rizzo finally gets upright, he stumbles away from the ropes to the center of the ring, looking around confusedly for his opponent until turning right into his waiting arms. Nova places both hands into Danny's pectoral muscles, and then lifts him straight up, grabbing him at his highest into power bomb position, but is completely shocked, along with the crowd, when Danny hooks him around the head for a hurricanrana instead. The move doesn't send Nova down to the mat, but instead sends him hurtling down to the middle rope where he strikes his throat, and when he comes up choking, he spins around to walk right into a Step Up Shining Wizard that drops Nova where he stands.
LO: GOOD LORD! DANNY RIZZO IS STILL IN THIS THING!
KO: BLACK ROSE! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
LO: Both men are down in the center of the ring and neither is moving....the referee has checked on both, and she has no other choice but to start a ten count!
As Caputo's count continues to grow, both men eventually get over onto their stomachs and up to their hands and knees. NovaCaine is up first to break the count at eight, but is dazed and quickly followed by Rizzo. Caine moves in for a swing, but it's ducked, and Danny Rizzo moves in close to hook Nova in a waistlock and with a guttural yell takes him up and over down to the mat in a wicked German Suplex. The back of NovaCaine's head and shoulders slam off the mat, and Danny leaves him like that, folded up like an accordion as he gets back to his feet. Danny stumbles a bit, clutching at his ribs, as he reaches down to pull Caine back up to his feet, pushing him back into the corner and delivering a right hand for good measure. Much to his surprise, especially after the German, is Caine's response as he fires out of the corner with a chop that lights up Danny's chest. Rizzo answers with a right hand, which is equally answered by another chop. Next thing you know, both men are going to town in a flourish, Fist for Chop.
LO: GOOD GOD! THEY ARE BEATING THE HELL OUT OF EACH OTHER!
KO: Well, it's finally come to this...to hell with wrestling moves, we're just going to brawl!
One final well placed chop rattles Danny's bones, and he can feel it in his ribs as he begs off for a moment. When he starts to move back into engage once more, he's taken off his feet by a bull rushing NovaCaine who tears his head off with a falling lariat. Again, both men are down on the mat, and Caputo finds herself forced to start another count. At the count of seven its Danny up to his feet to continue the match, but he falls back into the corner they were just standing in, looking worn out and tired. NovaCaine is up not to far behind him, and as he slowly turns to find his opponent, Danny rushes out of the corner and walks right into a scoop up onto NovaCaine's shoulder. Caine roars as he rushes back towards the corner, lowering the shoulder with Danny on it to ram him hard into the top turnbuckle spine first. Danny's face is awash with agony as he slips down to almost fall on his head...almost because NovaCaine has him by one leg, locking his foot under the top turnbuckle for a tree of woe.
LO: OH Come On! We've seen this before, and it never ends well, with Danny Rizzo tied up in a tree of woe!
KO: heh, heh, heh....I got a weird feeling that Danny's got a few more lessons to learn from good ole' NovaCaine.
Caine proceeds to grab the top rope and stomp away at Danny's unprotected midsection, each boot measured and targeting the ribs he had already damaged at the previous Blitz and throughout this match. Danny cries out in pain as Caputo interjects herself, forcing Nova back. He just laughs and side steps the woman, jumping up to the middle turnbuckle, and places his boot right down into Danny's groin, grinding it around as Rizzo screams in pain.
LO: THIS IS UNCALLED FOR! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DISQUALIFY THIS BASTARD!
KO: Haha, NovaCaine calls this a Photo Opportunity, and by God I think he's right!
Caputo starts to make her way towards the side of the ring where the Time Keeper sits down below on the floor, and Nova notices this and finally leaps down and chases after the woman. She notifies him sternly that if he makes one more false move that she'll throw this match out in favor of Rizzo, and he holds his hands up innocently, crosses his heart and hopes to die while giving her a vile grin. She rolls her eyes and steps back over to the corner where Danny is still strung up, and helps the youth get out of his predicament. Danny clutches his midsection in obvious discomfort, trying to put his feet in under him, but finding that they've gone to spaghetti. NovaCaine just laughs, mocking the crowd once more, calling out to the fans to give their hero strength condescendingly.
LO: What an asshole.
KO: Nah, he's just baiting these morons. Its Danny that is the asshole! He should have enough common sense to shit or get off the pot. You aren't going to beat a guy like this by having morals and virtues. You have to learn to adapt, fight fire with fire.
LO: If Danny Rizzo tried to fight fire with fire with NovaCaine, the kid would have no soul, because I genuinely believe that NovaCaine doesn't!
KO: He might not got a soul, but he's got a Pop-Up Powerbomb, and I think he's gearing up to use it!
NovaCaine moves in behind Danny, begging for him to get to his feet, and just when he does he moves in and shoves him into the ropes, whipping him to the other side. He steps to the center of the ring, ready for the pop-up portion of the move, and when Danny thunders back he sends him up into the air. What NovaCaine didn't expect was any offense to be left out of Danny Rizzo, a mistake that catches up with him when Danny's knee strikes him right in the chin on his way up. Danny lands in front of NovaCaine whose rocked back by the knee shot, and gives him a shove so that he falls back into the ropes. When he springs back Danny comes in hot, leaving his feet, and throwing out his knee to take NovaCaine's head clear off.
KO: WHAT THE EFF!
LO: THE WARRIORS CALL!!
KO: I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS!
LO: DANNY RIZZO CRAWLING OVER AND HOOKING THE LEG!
1...
2...
3!!!
The fans explode in genuine happiness as Danny falls off of Nova still clutching his ribs, and the bell sounds signifying this ordeal is now behind him. NovaCaine continues clutching his face as Danny crawls his way over to the ropes, turning over so that he can take up a sitting position to stare back at the man who had pushed him to his very limit.
RING ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match via pinfall......DANNNNYYY RIZZZZOOO!!
Another explosion comes from the fans at the announcement, and upon hearing it, Danny rests his face in the palm of his hands in a show of emotion. NovaCaine struggles to get up to his feet, but then falls back to the mat...clawing to pull himself under the bottom rope so that he can get out of the ring. Through gritted teeth he shoves Caputo back away from him when she tries to aide his exit, and he spits a little blood from the knee strike that had led to his defeat. Eventually he turns to see that Danny's watching him, and he shakes his head in disbelief as he slowly back peddles up the ramp. Danny reaches up to grab the top rope and pulls himself to his feet, letting his eyes drift away from his nemesis to the Osaka crowd now singing his praises. He offers them a smile, allowing the referee to lift his hand in victory.
LO: HUGE win for Danny Rizzo here tonight, and an equally tough loss for NovaCaine, who I think we both would agree looked like he was going to take this to the bank.
KO: I'm still in shock. How in the hell did this little piss ant get away with this?
LO: Easy, Ken, he's full of heart and he didn't let NovaCaine corrupt it! This proves what I've been saying! Good things come to Good people as long as they keep the faith!
KO: Oh, SHUT UP, LAUR!
LO: Haha, good job, Danny Rizzo, but we aren't done here. Not by a long shot, next is....HELL IN A CELL!!
The camera zooms in on Danny as he struggles to get down out of the ring, his ribs on fire, as he slaps hands with some of the fans at ringside. The camera then cuts to backstage.
The camera cuts from the aftermath of Novacaine and Rizzo to the backstage area. VPW Backstage Interviewer, Emily Burlingame, she beams into the camera.
EMILY BURLINGAME: While the ring crew set-up the structure for tonight’s much anticipated TRIPLE THREAT HELL IN A CELL MATCH I managed to gain some access to one of the participants in the five-way Tag-Team Turmoil Main Event to crown the first VALOR PRO WRESTLING CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
The camera follows Emily as she starts to track backwards, talking as she does so.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Now, we’re just one match away from that historic event and I can tell you all at home that all day I’ve seen the competitors arrive and each and every one of them has their game face on. Vannah, it seems, has even imposed a social media embargo...something that I thought I’d never see here in Valor Pro…
Burlingame stops outside of a dressing room as the camera settles once more.
EMILY BURLINGAME: So, here we go…
Emily opens the door to the dressing room and we hear chillstep start to fill the room. The camera pans round to see Recoba performing Hindu squats in front of a monitor that currently shows Cosmo Cooper running across the ropes before hitting the patented rana we’ve seen so many times before in VPW.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Cross…
Cross continues the squats, his focus and the music drowning out the VPW Backstage Interviewer’s voice. The video has now cut to Brennan Devlin applying the Vanishing Point Chickenwing submission, Devlin bores of it and throws his opponent to the mat. They manage to get one knee up but is cut off by the Face Time curb stomp…
EMILY BURLINGAME: CROSS!
Cross stops mid squat and turns to see the video crew. He pauses the music and shuts off the tape before getting back to a vertical base.
CROSS RECOBA: Emily, is it that time already?
Recoba has switched into a charm that drips with a sleaze that seems to unsettle the VPW employee.
EMILY BURLINGAME: It is, we’re just one match away from the main event. How do you handle the pressure going into what, some might say, is your most high profile match since you joined VPW?
Cross pauses as if to consider the question, a smirk breaks across his face.
CROSS RECOBA: Emily, there isn’t pressure, you see I learnt a long time ago that even if some of your preparations don’t go to plan, you can adjust and still get to the end goal...
Burlingame seems like she might have sensed a chink in the armour of The Fox.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Have your preparations been setback then?
Again, Recoba smiles. He motions his hand to his left. The camera pans round and we see a Bunraku puppet that is clearly meant to be Cosmo Cooper.
EMILY BURLINGAME: I’m confused, how does a puppet affect your plans?
CROSS RECOBA: I was going to be glib, have the world see Cooper for what he is but the supplier messed up…
EMILY BURLINGAME: Catch me up here, Cross…
CROSS RECOBA: They didn’t send the Vanessa Byrne puppet I ordered with it…
Burlingame again looks lost.
CROSS RECOBA: Come on, everyone knows that Cooper can only say and do the things that Vanessa Byrne tells him to!
The VPW Interviewer rolls her eyes.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Are you taking the match seriously, Cross? Cosmo and Brennan have fought across arenas worldwide for the Apex title and you’re going to mock them?
CROSS RECOBA: Like I said earlier in the week; when Cosmo turned up here I allowed it to pass without comment. More eyes brought in by the show pony meant more eyes on me, but that was five months ago. Since then all I’ve seen is the constant fawning and adulation thrust upon someone who calls himself ‘Graps Jesus’. A man who, in a public appearance, stated he wasn’t much of a public speaker. Does this sound like the second coming of Christ to you? He’s turkey on white bread, he’s void of taste, he’s an Ed Sheeran B side!
EMILY BURLINGAME: So, has your focus been solely on Cooper? Do you think you have the inside track on other competitors such as Dakota Jennings?
CROSS RECOBA: Truth be told, I’ve not seen Dakota train since last year, well before she took a prosthetic limb to the heads of Neo Tokyo. All I’ve got to go on is what you and the viewers see - VTs and what I can glean backstage. I’ve known this match could come about for a month now, if you can’t come up with plans and contingencies in that timeframe you shouldn’t be here. Spiral has taken a similar view as me, I’ve pored over videos and highlight reels, I’ve memorised every set-up move, every tell that a big move is coming that I can.
EMILY BURLINGAME: What then, if you can share it, is going to be your battleplan going into the match?
CROSS RECOBA: What I’ve noticed since we were in Russia is that Valor is developing more of an edge. Competitors are getting more bloodthirsty, willing to risk more to get what they want, and that’s fine by me. I live in the grey areas of the rulebook, a tag-team turmoil match plays to my strengths, and certainly to Spiral’s. I don’t see ringsteps, I see a platform, a projectile and a dumping ground. I don’t see ropes, I see a modified garotte. Here’s why I’m confident that the gold is coming back with me - we’re the only team with nothing to lose. Apart from Graps and GILFs, every other team is a formalised unit. This should be their domain but none of them come into this match on top form, as for Grandma’s Boys? Why would either of them risk their livelihoods for the other?
Cross places a hand on the shoulder of Emily and looks into the distance with his hand raised to some vision we can’t see.
CROSS RECOBA: It comes down to the four of us, I get the Overrated Adonis into Garibaldi’s Guillotine - if you’re Devlin do you try and win the match and save his back and neck from damage? From potential wear and tear that might make the next match they have the one where the Apex title switches hands? Or do you shrug your shoulders and play possum a little longer?
Cross drops his hand and turns back to the interviewer.
CROSS RECOBA: What you’re going to see tonight is a man take one more step towards wrestling immortality here in Valor Pro! This is just another step before you see me become the first Grand Slam Champion in VPW history!
Cross ushers the crew out the door and slams it shut.
EMILY BURLINGAME: While the ring crew set-up the structure for tonight’s much anticipated TRIPLE THREAT HELL IN A CELL MATCH I managed to gain some access to one of the participants in the five-way Tag-Team Turmoil Main Event to crown the first VALOR PRO WRESTLING CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
The camera follows Emily as she starts to track backwards, talking as she does so.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Now, we’re just one match away from that historic event and I can tell you all at home that all day I’ve seen the competitors arrive and each and every one of them has their game face on. Vannah, it seems, has even imposed a social media embargo...something that I thought I’d never see here in Valor Pro…
Burlingame stops outside of a dressing room as the camera settles once more.
EMILY BURLINGAME: So, here we go…
Emily opens the door to the dressing room and we hear chillstep start to fill the room. The camera pans round to see Recoba performing Hindu squats in front of a monitor that currently shows Cosmo Cooper running across the ropes before hitting the patented rana we’ve seen so many times before in VPW.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Cross…
Cross continues the squats, his focus and the music drowning out the VPW Backstage Interviewer’s voice. The video has now cut to Brennan Devlin applying the Vanishing Point Chickenwing submission, Devlin bores of it and throws his opponent to the mat. They manage to get one knee up but is cut off by the Face Time curb stomp…
EMILY BURLINGAME: CROSS!
Cross stops mid squat and turns to see the video crew. He pauses the music and shuts off the tape before getting back to a vertical base.
CROSS RECOBA: Emily, is it that time already?
Recoba has switched into a charm that drips with a sleaze that seems to unsettle the VPW employee.
EMILY BURLINGAME: It is, we’re just one match away from the main event. How do you handle the pressure going into what, some might say, is your most high profile match since you joined VPW?
Cross pauses as if to consider the question, a smirk breaks across his face.
CROSS RECOBA: Emily, there isn’t pressure, you see I learnt a long time ago that even if some of your preparations don’t go to plan, you can adjust and still get to the end goal...
Burlingame seems like she might have sensed a chink in the armour of The Fox.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Have your preparations been setback then?
Again, Recoba smiles. He motions his hand to his left. The camera pans round and we see a Bunraku puppet that is clearly meant to be Cosmo Cooper.
EMILY BURLINGAME: I’m confused, how does a puppet affect your plans?
CROSS RECOBA: I was going to be glib, have the world see Cooper for what he is but the supplier messed up…
EMILY BURLINGAME: Catch me up here, Cross…
CROSS RECOBA: They didn’t send the Vanessa Byrne puppet I ordered with it…
Burlingame again looks lost.
CROSS RECOBA: Come on, everyone knows that Cooper can only say and do the things that Vanessa Byrne tells him to!
The VPW Interviewer rolls her eyes.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Are you taking the match seriously, Cross? Cosmo and Brennan have fought across arenas worldwide for the Apex title and you’re going to mock them?
CROSS RECOBA: Like I said earlier in the week; when Cosmo turned up here I allowed it to pass without comment. More eyes brought in by the show pony meant more eyes on me, but that was five months ago. Since then all I’ve seen is the constant fawning and adulation thrust upon someone who calls himself ‘Graps Jesus’. A man who, in a public appearance, stated he wasn’t much of a public speaker. Does this sound like the second coming of Christ to you? He’s turkey on white bread, he’s void of taste, he’s an Ed Sheeran B side!
EMILY BURLINGAME: So, has your focus been solely on Cooper? Do you think you have the inside track on other competitors such as Dakota Jennings?
CROSS RECOBA: Truth be told, I’ve not seen Dakota train since last year, well before she took a prosthetic limb to the heads of Neo Tokyo. All I’ve got to go on is what you and the viewers see - VTs and what I can glean backstage. I’ve known this match could come about for a month now, if you can’t come up with plans and contingencies in that timeframe you shouldn’t be here. Spiral has taken a similar view as me, I’ve pored over videos and highlight reels, I’ve memorised every set-up move, every tell that a big move is coming that I can.
EMILY BURLINGAME: What then, if you can share it, is going to be your battleplan going into the match?
CROSS RECOBA: What I’ve noticed since we were in Russia is that Valor is developing more of an edge. Competitors are getting more bloodthirsty, willing to risk more to get what they want, and that’s fine by me. I live in the grey areas of the rulebook, a tag-team turmoil match plays to my strengths, and certainly to Spiral’s. I don’t see ringsteps, I see a platform, a projectile and a dumping ground. I don’t see ropes, I see a modified garotte. Here’s why I’m confident that the gold is coming back with me - we’re the only team with nothing to lose. Apart from Graps and GILFs, every other team is a formalised unit. This should be their domain but none of them come into this match on top form, as for Grandma’s Boys? Why would either of them risk their livelihoods for the other?
Cross places a hand on the shoulder of Emily and looks into the distance with his hand raised to some vision we can’t see.
CROSS RECOBA: It comes down to the four of us, I get the Overrated Adonis into Garibaldi’s Guillotine - if you’re Devlin do you try and win the match and save his back and neck from damage? From potential wear and tear that might make the next match they have the one where the Apex title switches hands? Or do you shrug your shoulders and play possum a little longer?
Cross drops his hand and turns back to the interviewer.
CROSS RECOBA: What you’re going to see tonight is a man take one more step towards wrestling immortality here in Valor Pro! This is just another step before you see me become the first Grand Slam Champion in VPW history!
Cross ushers the crew out the door and slams it shut.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is a Hell In A Cell Triple Threat Match, and is for the UNYIELDING CHAMPIONSHIP!!
The Hell In A Cell pains an ominous backdrop as the lights go dim, and 'The Touch' by Stan Bush's eighties theme hits over the PA System. All of the lead lights pulse pink, and then swing down to illuminate the stage where Roxi Johnson bursts through the curtain full of energy. The Japanese 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.
She steps back to the curtain, reaching behind the fabric to pull forth what looks like a huge cannon, and she steps back up to the ramp, cocks it, and fires confetti and 'Superhero Roxi' T-shirts out into the crowd. They go nuts as she tosses the cannon to the side, and then bebops down to the ring.
Ring Announcer: Introducing the first challenger, 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, however, her demeanor turns serious as she stares up at the twenty foot tall steel behemoth in front of her. She steps through the cage doorway, and rolls into the ring, looking all around her before shaking her head and then rushing a corner only to leap up to the second turnbuckle and spreading her arms out like a bird ready to take flight.
LO: Roxi Johnson realizes exactly where she is, and gave the fourth member of this match it's due deference when she reached ringside.
KO: You're right Laur, the cell itself is almost like a living breathing entity, and it wants for nothing more than your blood.
LO: I have a strange feeling that it's going to get it's fill here tonight...
'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta hits over the system and 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 a mixed, but loud, reaction. She stalks back and forth on the stage, dragging the UnYielding Championship behind her, talking to no one in particular. Suddenly she comes to a dead stop in the center and slowly turns her head towards the cell. She watches the woman who is already inside it, and shakes her head, pulling the title up to her chest as if remembering their last encounter. With a determined gaze she makes her way down to the ring, allowing the title to fall to her side clutched by one hand, the other end of the strap bouncing against the steel ramp as she goes.
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 approaches the cell door and her eyes glitter as she looks up and down the steel monstrosity. She gives the cage a firm shake before stepping through to the interior, where she rolls under the bottom rope, pops up and walks right up to Roxi Johnson thrusting the title above her head. Johnson doesn't back down, instead taking a step forward to get in Brodie's face, and the two women have an exchange of words that no one can hear.
LO: Roxi Johnson and Brodie already at one another, and Zachariah Krahe hasn't even made his way into the match...
KO: Kind of strange that Brodie made her entrance following Roxi. Usually the final entrant is the champion.
LO: I hear that Zachariah Krahe asked to come out last, which begs the question....why?
As if to lend answer to the mystery, "Beat the Devil’s Tattoo" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club hits over the PA system and a lonely spotlight finds the stage as Zachariah Krahe saunters out to greet it. There is a mixed reaction for The Catalyst as he plucks a pre-rolled cigarette from behind his ear, plops it into his mouth, and then lights it up. He exhales a puff of smoke as he lets his hand fall to his side, and he reaches behind him to produce a microphone in his free hand. The music suddenly goes silent, and the lights return to full, revealing that Krahe is not wearing his ring gear. Instead he has on a pair of black jeans, a light grey t-shirt, and his trademark leather jacket. Brodie watches intently from the ring, having abandoned her stare down with Roxi in favor of giving her full attention to her amore. Krahe can't help but notice the woman's gaze as he takes another puff from the cigarette before lifting the microphone to his lips.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: When I first arrived in this company, I didn't care. I didn't care about wins and losses, I didn't care about championships, and I certainly didn't care to get caught up in any interpersonal relationships.
Krahe pauses, some emotion tugging at his vocal chords as he begins to pace at the top of the ramp.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: But then something changed. I met people like Siberia Zombie. I met people like Brodie. I met people like Zack Fantana. Hell, I even struck up a friendship with Rex Rumble. Suddenly I started to care, but not about myself, No, about the people who suddenly had wormed their way into my life. They made it interesting again, and no one could have predicted it, especially not myself, but I would learn to care about you too....My Misfits.
A large portion of the Osaka-Jo Arena erupts at the mention of their select crew, one and all Zachariah Krahe supporters. He nods with a slight smile, but it soon fades as he continues.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Yeah, but even through the haze of uncertainty, the resistance I had to caring about anything or anyone, there has always been one person I cared about. And that person is Lady Munin. And when The Zombie Clan tossed her off of that rooftop, I wasn't there. I wasn't there to stop them, I wasn't there to help her, and quite frankly, I don't know what I'm supposed to do with that.
He pauses again, and Brodie begins to stalk back and forth in the ring, head cocked to the side as she listens intently.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I think the reason I care so much for her, is because she's always cared so much about me. She could see who I had become, see what road I was on, and expected better of me even when I didn't think I was capable. She sent me to this promotion knowing that I didn't care about anything, knowing that as I moved through the ranks that I would end this place caring about everyone. And I guess it's true, but right now, I need to think about whats important, and this...
He indicates the Hell In A Cell below him with a dismissive hand gesture.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Is not. I'm sorry, Brodie, but it isn't. It's been fun while it lasted, but Munin needs me for a change, and I'll be god damned if I'm not going to be there for her.
Brodie comes to a dead stop, her eyes going wide as his words settle over her.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: And that's why I'm not going to be participating in this match. I'm leaving Valor Pro Wrestling to take care of my family.
Brodie begins stalking again, shaking her head violently, dismissing all of this as a dream.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: But hey, I have no doubt that I'll be back, and when that day comes....Zombie Clan....you will be at the top of my list of things to do.
He drops the mic, and turns back towards the exit leaving behind a stunned crowd. Brodie watches Krahe disappear behind the curtain her eyes almost psychotic, and as the cell door is shut, she comes completely unhinged. She stalks back and forth along the edge of the ring closest to the ramp, talking to herself while intermittently screaming in rage up at the stage where he once stood. She's all but forgotten Roxi Johnson, who watches from the other side of the ring. Roxi doesn't seem to be phased in the slightest, using the ropes to stretch herself out for when her opponent actually comes back down to reality.
LO: Brodie has lost it at the news that Zachariah Krahe is stepping out of this match, and quite frankly, I don't blame her. After all, this was supposed to be their big finale...the end of a feud that has culminated over the past six months, and now he's just denied her the satisfaction.
KO: Talk about a tease.....with all the sexual and adversarial frustration these two have shared, I'd probably be a little upset too.
LO: Well be that as it may, we still have a Hell In A Cell match to go, and this may have just taken Brodie's eye completely off the ball.
KO: And you definitely don't want to do that when the stakes are so high. I mean, this isn't just her championship on the line here, Laur, it's the #1 Contendership to the top prize in our company!
LO: I know, and whether she likes it or not, the cell door is locked, and the bell just sounded!
The sound of the bell pulls Brodie out of her tirade, and dangerous eyes flash over to where Roxi Johnson stands ready in her corner of the ring. With a snarl Brodie tears off in that direction, almost like a wild animal, but a High Standing Dropkick from Roxi sends her snapping down to the canvas. Brodie pops up quickly, and Roxi is there to meet her with right hands that drive her back into the ropes. From there she takes Brodie by the wrist and shoots her to the opposite side, and when she rebounds steps out to the center of the ring to duck her head for a back body. Brodie's momentum doesn't slow a bit, but she does pivot to run past Johnson, grabbing two fistfuls of red hair as she goes, yanking the woman backwards and sends the back of her skull crashing to the mat. Brodie roars as she drops down on top of Roxi's chest, and cradles her head as she hammers in unanswered right fists. Roxi rocks her feet forwards and manages to hook Brodie's arm as she rares back to strike her again, and yanks the woman down while she sits up into a pinning situation.
1...
2...
LO: Brodie out at two and is already thundering up to her feet, but she's followed in step by Roxi, who just shoved the woman back from her as she tried to come in with another attack!
KO: Brodie not to be deterred rushes right back in hot and heavy, and HIP TOSS BY ROXI sends her crashing to the mat!
LO: Brodie pops back up and walks RIGHT into another one! Brodie getting to her feet, and Roxi there to meet her, takes her by the wrist and whips her into the nearby corner. Johnson not giving Brodie a moment to rest a she barrels right in after her, and OH!
KO: BRODIE GETS BOTH FEET UP AND ROXI HITS FACE FIRST!
Roxi begs off clutching at her jaw, and when she turns back towards the champion, Brodie tears out of the corner and takes her head off with a double chop. Roxi hits the ground clutching her throat as Brodie reaches down and gets a handful of hair to help guide her to her feet, and then hooks her around the head and delivers a snap suplex that plants the Superhero dead center of the ring. Brodie's face twists into something between a grimace and a smile as she rolls towards the edge of the ropes and slips outside, flipping the ring apron up to search under the ring.
LO: This isn't good, Ken! These two haven't even been in the Cell for all of two minutes, and Brodie is already looking for a weapon!
KO: It's all Legal, Laur. Besides, she wants to end this early so that maybe she can get to the back and catch Zachariah Krahe flat footed before he walks out of her life forever.
LO: Well whatever her reasons, she's found what she was looking for.....and IT'S A SINGAPORE CANE!
KO: We're in Japan, Laur. Here it's known as a Kendo Stick...
Brodie grips the bamboo sword with both hands and gives it a squeeze before turning her attention back to Roxi Johnson, who is slowly getting to her feet in the ring. The Champion quickly rolls under the bottom rope and pops up with stick in hand, winding up for a baseball like swing just as soon as Roxi manages to turn her direction. Eventually she does, but when the swing fires off she has a split second reaction to duck, and the cane sails harmlessly over her head. The momentum of the swing sends Brodie spinning through, and when she comes back to face Johnson, she's met with a stiff boot to the midsection that doubles her over, and then a wicked DDT that spikes her skull off the mat. The Kendo stick rolls harmlessly away from her grasp towards the edge of the ring, and Roxi shoves her over onto her back for a hook of the leg.
1...
2...
LO: THR-KICK OUT! Brodie out at two and a half after that nasty looking DDT, and Roxi Johnson just narrowly avoided disaster there with some quick thinking!
KO: No doubt, but now Johnson getting to her feet and pulling Brodie with her, and she just shoved her back into a corner....AND HERE SHE COMES WITH A SHOULDER THRUST! Another! And Another! She takes a step back into a back flip, and RUSHES BACK IN WITH A SPEAR THAT CRUSHES BRODIE INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!!
LO: Roxi nearly cutting the champion half as she drags her out towards the center of the ring, and scoop slams her down in front of the turnbuckle they were in! Roxi with a few steps back, and there she goes for the corner...leaps up with both legs in the air, and SPLIT LEGGED MOONSAULT DOWN ONTO BRODIE!
KO: Superhero Press might just give Roxi the win here, as she hooks the leg deep!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Brodie kicked out at the last possible second, and now Roxi going back to the drawing board....and it looks like she might have a plan!
Roxi pulls Brodie up to her feet and drags her out to the center of the ring, spinning her so her back is to her front. She slips her head under her arm, and lifts her up into a side suplex position while spinning around for what looks to be a Blue Thunder Bomb. Brodie, however, immediately starts hammering in right hands through the spins and eventually manages to spin herself into an awkward crossbody that sends Roxi down to the canvas with Brodie on top of her. Roxi quickly shoves Brodie away and starts up to her feet, while Brodie rolls towards the edge of the ring. When Roxi reorients she turns around to the thundering 'CRACK' of a kendo stick bouncing off her skull.
LO: MY GOD! BRODIE JUST NAILED ROXI JOHNSON WITH THAT KENDO STICK, BUT THE WOMAN DIDN'T GO DOWN!
KO: She's just sort of dazed in the center of the ring, and OH! KENDO STICK TO THE GUT DOUBLES HER OVER! AND AGAIN DOWN ACROSS HER SPINE SENDS HER TO THE MAT!
LO: Brodie now stalking around the ring with her weapon, and these bloodthirsty fans have apparently forgotten how much they love Roxi Johnson, cause they are cheering this madwoman!
Roxi begins to rise up onto her hands and knees in an attempt to get to her feet, and Brodie steps over her body with one foot so that she's straddling her, and then feeds the cane underneath her throat while grabbing the other end with her free hand. Yanking back she chokes the woman using the stick, a vicious roar coming from her lips as she tries to force the life right out of the Superhero. Roxi spits and sputters as the bamboo digs into her throat, and she crawls on her knee's towards the ropes, dragging Brodie behind her. Brodie intensifies in her strangle attempt, and Roxi manages to grab the top rope to pull herself up to her feet, alleviating a great deal of the pressure. Brodie snarls as she lets go of the top end allowing the handle end to swing back around into her capable hands, and she winds up to strike the woman from behind. Unfortunately for her, Roxi being the veteran she is, reads the body language and drops down while holding the top rope. As Brodie follows through with her swing she topples right over the top rope to land unceremoniously on the concrete floor.
LO: Brodie takes a tumble, and quite frankly that's huge for Johnson, who took a beating with that Kendo Stick!
KO: Yeah, and now she's finally getting a chance to catch her breath while Brodie uses the cell to pull herself to her feet.....Wait...What is Roxi doing?
LO: I don't know, but she just hit off the opposite side for spring, and BASEBALL SLIDES RIGHT INTO BRODIE THAT SENDS HER HURTLING INTO THE STEEL MESH OF THE CELL!
KO: Brodie clutching at her spine as she stumbles back towards the ring, but Roxi is back on her feet...grips the top rope....AND ROLLING SENTON RIGHT OUT ONTO BRODIE!
LO: MY GOD, THEY'RE BOTH DOWN!
For a few moments, indeed, both ladies are down, but Roxi manages to get to her feet just a split second before Brodie, and she spies the woman as she uses the ring apron to try and take her to the other side of the ring. Just as she moves to try and swing around the ring post, she's caught from behind by an oncoming Roxi who gives a huge shove that sends her spiraling face first into the side of the steel mesh. Brodie bounces back, but Roxi is there to get a handful of hair, and drives the woman face first again into the steel. She repeats the motion several times, each time the skull bounces a loud clang ringing out into the crowd. Brodie manages to shove free of Roxi, and stumbles her way down the side of the ring she had previously been trying to reach, but the Superhero will have none of it, coming in from behind and getting her by the back of the head and the seat of the pants and rushing her right towards the steel steps blocking the path of this side. A look of shock crosses Brodie's face just as she lowers her head to try and cover up before crashing into the steel with enough authority that it knocks the top section loose from the bottom. The top of the steps are prevented from going any farther by the cell wall, and bounce down to the floor beside the bottom.
LO: GOOD LORD! BRODIE'S HEAD MIGHT BE CAVED IN AFTER THAT COLLISION!
KO: Oh....That is a lot of blood.....
Brodie barely raises her head, but even from that angle her light colored hair is stained crimson, and the dark red liquid begins to pour down her face and pool on top of the bottom part of the steps. Roxi comes to stand over her, and any mercy she may normally have shown has faded, realizing that she is in the ring with a crazy person who can't be trusted to know when to quit. She pulls Brodie up to her feet, and moves her into position to roll her back into the ring, but Brodie rolls right through and out the other side, trying to buy herself more time. Roxi shakes her head and steps around the ring post to join her opponent, and Brodie turns around just in time to see Roxi step up on the top part of the fallen steps and leap from them to take her head off with a flying clothesline. Both women hit the ground with a thud, but Roxi rolls up to her feet, while Brodie clutches her chest and bleeds.
LO: Roxi Johnson has got the champion in real trouble here, as Brodie, a bloody mess, tries to use the steel mesh of the cell wall to pull herself to her feet.
KO: Roxi stepping back over now, and helps Brodie up, and this time gets her back into the ring and follows her in.
LO: Both women rising to their feet, and Roxi with a boot to the midsection, tucks Brodie's skull between her thighs, and....SIT OUT PILEDRIVER RIGHT INTO THE HEART OF THE CANVAS!
KO: Brodie has left a bloody spot on the mat where her head landed, and now Roxi rolls her over and hooks the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! MY GOD IT WAS SO CLOSE!
KO: So close that even Roxi is questioning Caputo, but the ref is waving her off at two...
Roxi gets to her feet, hands on her hips, as she stares down at the woman in contemplation. Brodie continues clutching her head, not bothering to try and get to her feet when Roxi reaches down and forces her to. She pulls her out to the center of the ring where a boot to her midsection doubles her over, and then Roxi falls back into the ropes from the side, rebounding out and hooking Brodie around the head as she does for a Swining Neck Breaker. Brodie is sent crashing down to the mat again on her skull, and the woman kicks the mat defiantly despite the obvious pain she's in. Roxi slides over and hooks her leg for another pin attempt.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Brodie still able to roll the shoulder up, and you have to wonder what Roxi Johnson is going to have to do here to put the champion away!
KO: Uh, Laur, it looks like she might have just had an idea, cause she's heading to the corner, and starting to climb up the turnbuckles towards the top...
LO: Roxi Johnson is now perched on the top rope, looking back to make sure Brodie is still in position, and TAKES FLIGHT INTO A BEAUTIFUL MOONSAULT!!
KO: OH MY GOD! BRODIE MOVED!! ROXI JUST ATE NOTHING BUT CANVAS!
Roxi rolls around on the mat clutching her midsection, as Brodie continues grabbing at the top of her head, scooting her way towards the corner to use the turnbuckles to gain her feet. Despite the dodge she's lost a lot of blood, and the task is more arduous that she would have thought. She's able to get to her feet about the time that Johnson gets back to hers, and upon sight of one another, the two women tear out to meet in the center of the ring. Roxi goes for a High Cross Body, but Brodie drops and baseball slides under her as Roxi strikes the mat a second time across her midsection. She clutches at her gut as she pushes up to a knee, and looks up just in time to see Brodie barreling right for her, leaving her feat and driving a boot right through her face. Roxi snaps down to the canvas in shock and pain as Brodie pulls herself up, putting her hands out in front of her, realizing for the first time that the blood wasn't her enemies, but hers.
LO: A bloody UnYielding Champion just roared into the heavens, and now she's after Roxi Johnson, getting her to her feet and driving knee after knee into her gut, forcing her back into the ropes!
KO: Brodie takes her by the wrist now and shoots her to the other side, Roxi coming back in hot, and BRODIE STEAM ROLLS OVER HER WITH A VICIOUS BACK ELBOW!
LO: Roxi strikes the canvas hard, but that only seems to pop her back up to her feet, and she stumbles right into Brodie and A T-BONE SUPLEX THAT SENDS HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING!!
Roxi skids across the mat and only comes to a stop thanks to the ropes, which she grabs and starts hauling herself up. She turns around to catch a clothesline that takes her right up and over the top rope and sends her crashing to the concrete floor below. Brodie reaches up to her own wound and smears the blood down her face into her neckline, her white teeth a stark contrast against the crimson mask. She takes off outside through the ropes in pursuit of her prey, landing out beside the top portion of the stairs. She reaches down and in a burst of strength hoists the steel steps up onto her shoulder, turning back towards Johnson who claws her way to her feet. Roxi looks up in time to see Brodie barreling in with the steps, and quickly dashes under the bottom rope to escape being mauled by the Submission Machine.
LO: Narrow miss by Johnson, and Brodie just tossed the steps down and looks even more incensed if you can believe it!
KO: She needs to slow her roll, Laur. After everything that's already happened, before and after this match got started, she's not thinking clearly.
LO: Well why don't you get up there and tell her that, Ken? I'm certainly not going to..
Brodie leaps up onto the ring apron to come back into the ring, and just when she does Roxi takes a few quick paces towards the corner, leaps up to the second, and then springboards back towards Brodie with a dropkick that ejects her from the apron to slam against the cell well and then crash against the floor. The fans go nuts as Roxi gets back up to her feet, one thin red whelp across her forehead from where she had been hit with a kendo stick earlier in the match starting to form. She whips her red hair back from her face as Brodie claws at the cell wall to get back to her feet, and once she feels she's in position, she hits off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring for spring, and then thunders back across to Suicide Dive through the top and middle rope. Brodie, however, dives out of the way, and Roxi Johnson finds nothing but steel mesh to meet her as she collides with it head on.
LO: OH MY WORD! ROXI JOHNSON JUST TASTED THE STEEL!
KO: Why? Why would these women go for any high risk offense in a match like this? I mean...isn't being surrounded by 15 miles of steel enough?
LO: I don't know how to answer that question, Ken, all I know is that Roxi Johnson has been busted wide open after meeting some of it!
Roxi Johnson gets to her knee's, blood pouring down from where her forehead met the steel mesh. She grabs hold of the chain link, and uses it to pull herself to her feet, but she's suddenly gripped from behind in a Full Nelson, and her forehead is plunged painfully back into the mesh. She cries out in pain as her wound is dragged across the links, back and forth, until what had started as a fairly clean cut is now drooping and ripped, blood absolutely pouring. Brodie releases the nelson only to get a fistful of hair, yanking her head back to say something disparaging, and then driving it forward to strike off the steel once more. Roxi drops to one knee, and Brodie pulls her up, shooting her back into the ring where she rolls until falling flat on her back in the center.
LO: Johnson back in the ring a bloody mess, and now Brodie searching under it to find another weapon....God...she should have gotten in there and tried for a cover!
KO: Yeah, but Brodie wants to inflict more punishment.
Brodie rummages around under the ring for a moment, pulling out a steel chair and tossing it in, followed by another. She then pauses, something else having gotten her attention, and she moves along the side of the apron to pull out the edge of a table. A 'TABLES' chant goes up from the crowd, and she obliges by pulling it all the way out, lifting it up onto the edge of the apron, and then sliding it into the ring as well. By the time she hops up and slips into the ring, Roxi has started up to her feet, and she grabs one of the chairs and makes her way after her opponent. Just as she raises it high over her head to bring down across Roxi's spine, the Superhero's boot flashes out to catch her in the midsection. This causes Brodie to beg off, but she comes back with the chair, this time to a much stiffer boot that causes her to drop the chair behind her. While Brodie clutches her gut, Roxi steps in and hooks her around the waist, taking her crashing down to mat with a Gutwrench Suplex.
LO: Roxi Johnson has managed to find some reprieve as both women lie together on the canvas bleeding....Man, this has been brutal.
KO: Yeah, but something tells me we haven't seen the half of it yet, Laur.
Suddenly Roxi rocks her knee's up to her chest, and she kips up to her feet, sending the Osaka crowd into a frenzy. Blood still pours from the gash on her forehead, but beneath that crimson mask hides a face of determination, as she shakes her fists in front of her, building momentum. As if sensing that her championship may be in jeopardy, Brodie rolls over onto her hands and knee's, willing herself to her feet. The minute she's upright Roxi charges in, taking her down with a clothesline, but Brodie pops back up, and is sent crashing back down by a second one. Brodie rolls up to one knee, and Roxi meets her to help her the rest of the way up, pushing her back into the ropes and then sends her hurtling to the other side. Brodie rebounds, and Roxi steps to the center, lowering her head and vaulting Brodie high into the air with a back body drop that sees her come crashing down hip first onto one of the chairs that the champion had brought into the ring.
LO: Roxi Johnson is a ball of fire here, and she looks like she will not be denied as she moves in on Brodie who is massaging her hip after landing on that steel chair...
KO: Roxi getting her to her feet and pushing her back into the corner....and now lifts her up to sit on the top turnbuckle....this doesn't look good.
Roxi steps up to the second turnbuckle to join Brodie, and the UnYielding Champion starts hammering right hands into the woman's ribs in response. Roxi takes the punishment until she's settled, and then she grabs her by the ears to force her head back, and slams her forehead into Brodie's, causing the champion to go limp for the moment. Roxi looks out to the cheering crowd with a nod, steps up to the top rope, and then leaps up to hook Brodie around the head before rocking backwards to send the woman soaring from the top only to crash thunderously in the center of the ring!
LO: GOOD LORD! ROXI WITH A HURRICANRANA OFF THE TOP ROPE, AND NOW SHE'S BACK ON HER FEET.....RUSHING THE ROPES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE....
KO: TAKE FLIGHT MOONSAULT CRUSHES BRODIE INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!! Roxi with a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! GOOD GOD THAT WAS OFF BY A NANOSECOND!
KO: Roxi is just lying across Brodie in shock, staring up at the referee....and Caputo is explaining that Brodie got the shoulder up!
Roxi's head hangs low for a moment, and she appears to be whispering something to herself, perhaps asking what it is she has to do to put Brodie away. Finally she shakes her head, and pushes up to her feet, staring over at the table that was brought into the ring. The fans erupt as Roxi begins a stumble walk over to the table, her body ravaged by the toll of the match. She bends down and opens up one set of legs, and then the other, locking them in place with the metal rings. She then flips the table over onto its side, and lifts it up to where it is now standing upright. She positions the table near one of the nearby corners, and then turns her attention back to Brodie. She lifts the champion up to her feet, and gives her a right hand to knock her up against the table, and with another, has her lying across the structure.
LO: Roxi steps through the ropes to the apron, and is making her way up the turnbuckles. It's now or never, I say, and this is Roxi Johnson's chance to finish this match and become the UnYielding Champion!
KO: No doubt, Laur, but whatever she's got planned is indoubtiably going to have ramifications for her own body. You have to ask, with all of the toys surrounding the ring right now, wouldn't it be easier to just bludgeon Brodie to death with a chair?
LO: Maybe that's just it, Ken. Roxi Johnson isn't here for the easy route. She wants that championship, sure, but she's also driven by her fans, and these fans are directing her to exactly what they want!
Roxi reaches the top and comes to stand her full height, looking out across the ring at her destination. She gives the crowd a half smile of acknowledgement, when suddenly Brodie pushes up to her feet while still standing on the table, leaps from table to the same turnbuckle that Roxi is standing on, wraps her arms around the woman, and then takes both of them hurtling off the top with a Belly To Belly suplex that see's both of them splinter through the table. The fans come to their feet in shock and awe, some Roxi fans holding their hands over their open mouths in concern.
LO: BOTH OF THEM HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN HALF! THIS MATCH IS FINISHED!
KO: That....that was crazy....one minute Brodie was on the table, the next minute she was on the top rope, and then....well.....CRASH!
LO: Both women are down in the center of the ring as Caputo checks on both, and she's saying this match will continue, but I don't see how!
The referee starts tossing splintered wood, the tattered remains of the table, over the side of the ring while the two women writhe on their backs. After a few moments both begin to stir, one crawling one way, the other the opposite direction. By the time they've reached the ropes and pulled themselves upright, they raise wary heads to find both have reached their feet at the same time. Brodie snarls and begs Roxi forward as she stumbles her way towards the center of the ring, and Roxi nods, stepping out to meet her foe. When they reach other a right fist from Brodie rocks Roxi back, nearly toppling her, but she manages to catch her balance and fires right back in with a right of her own. Brodie's head snaps around as she stumbles back several feet, and then quick stumbles forwards again into another right of her own. This one knocks Roxi all the way back into the ropes, and she manages to grab the top before tumbling to the mat. She rubs her jaw, but then uses the ropes to spring forward with a right hand targeting Brodie's unprotected jaw. Suddenly, Brodie ducks under the swing and Roxi stumbles past her, while Brodie grabs her left arm instead, and swings her around to force her to the mat.
LO: BRODIE HAS THE ARM TUCKED BACK AND SCISSORED.......AND SHE JUST LOCKED HER ARMS AROUND ROXI'S HEAD!
KO: FINALITY CROSSFACE!!
LO: It's all but over for Roxi Johnson here in this unbelievable showing, and it's a shame. I really believed at several spots in this match that this was her moment!
KO: Yeah, I can't disagree, but now that she's down with nowhere to go...well....it's done.
Roxi cries out in pain as a still bloody faced Brodie roars into the heavens, rocking as far back while cranking Johnson's head into an unnatural position. Roxi claws with her free arm, and Brodie makes no attempt to stop her, viciously trying to pry the Superhero's head from her shoulders. Eventually Roxi makes it to the ropes, and she latches onto the bottom, but Caputo calls to her that the ropes won't force a break. Roxi cries out again as Brodie applies even more pressure to the painful submission, and she finds herself grabbing at the ring apron and pulling herself under the bottom rope. Brodie, having seen someone break the hold this way before, suddenly releases it while snatching up Roxi's wrist, and gets to her feet to pull the woman back into the center of the ring. Roxi is surprised by the sudden change in motion at first, but as she's being dragged across the canvas, she manages to get a knee under her, pushes up to her feet and putting on the brakes. Brodie growls as she continues to try and pull Roxi back to the center of the ring, but Johnson shows that she is just as tenacious as she pulls in the opposite direction. Finally Brodie lets go and Roxi falls back into the ropes, springing forward only for Brodie to try and grab her arm again and swing her back down to the mat.
LO: Roxi not allowing herself to be forced to the ground this time, and they are just running in circles as Brodie tries to apply an armbreaker from the standing position....
KO: Yeah, but Roxi just switched directions...hahaha...it's almost like they're dancing as Brodie just got unfurled the other way while Roxi holds on her wrist, and then PULLS HER BACK INTO A SPINNING POWERSLAM THAT JUST SHOOK THE RING!
LO: Johnson bounced off of Brodie after the impact, but if she could have retained a hook on the leg, I think that would have been it!
KO: Roxi now crawling towards the ropes one more time, and I guess that will be the theme for the rest of this match, cause I don't think these women can get to their feet unassisted anymore!
Roxi reaches the ropes and pulls herself up, falling forwards to drape herself across the top, sucking in wind. The fans are still cheering as the exhausted woman turns to look back at Brodie, to see that she is amazingly forcing herself up to her feet as well. Both women stare at one another until Brodie looks down at her feet to find one of the wayward chairs she had brought into the ring. She reaches down and picks it up, while Roxi looks over at a chair that is close proximity her. She hastens to scoop it up as Brodie ambles towards her, and both women meet in the ring taking a swing at the same time. The chairs clash off of one another, and the painful vibration sends a shock wave through both women's hands causing them to loose their grip. As the chairs clatter to the mat, Brodie moves in to take a swing, but Roxi ducks it, taking off into a gallop towards the ropes. Brodie spins around just in time to see the woman leap to the second for a springboard that spins her around for a Disaster Kick. Brodie ducks the move, however, and Johnson's foot sails harmlessly over head causing her to land off balance. She barely has the chance to catch her footing before Brodie is at her side with a grip on her arm, spinning her and trying to drive her towards the mat once more. Roxi refuses to be put down, instead continuing to spin until both women are dizzy and Brodie is eventually sent spiraling away from her.
LO: Both women on spaghetti legs, but neither have went down! Brodie now running back in on Roxi, WHO CATCHES HER COMING IN WITH A SMALL PACKAGE!
1...
2...
KO: THREe-REVERSAL! WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REPEAT OF BLITZ#12!!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-ROXI KICKED OUT! Both women scrambling to their feet, and Brodie rushes in...DROP TOE HOLD BY ROXI SENDS BRODIE FACE FIRST DOWN INTO ONE OF THOSE STEEL CHAIRS!
KO: Both women are a bloody mess, but I think that might have busted the champion back open!
The fans are on their feet in anticipation as Roxi runs past Brodie as she rises to her feet, leaps to the second rope, and spins around for another attempt at her Disaster Kick. Unfortunately for her when Brodie rose, she brought the steel chair with her, and she waffles the woman in midair to send her crashing to he mat in a heap. Brodie stalks over, rolls Roxi over onto her stomach, and then grips the chair by the legs before driving the top end down into Johnson's left shoulder. Roxi lets out a shocked cry of pain as Brodie tosses the chair to the side, and then drops down beside her, trapping the arm in a leg scissors and then locking on her dreaded submission hold.
LO: FINALITY CROSSFACE IS ON ROXI JOHNSON FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THIS MATCH, AND WAS PRECEDED BY A VICIOUS CHAIR SHOT TO THE SHOULDER!
KO: I DON'T THINK SHE CAN HOLD ON HERE! THIS HAS JUST BEEN TOO BRUTAL!
Roxi's hand hovers over the mat as Brodie's face is a mask of rage, sitting back with all she's worth to bend Johnson's head nearly off her shoulders. With a final wrench Johnson's hand hits the mat, and the referee calls for the bell and the break of the hold.
LO: MY GOD! Brodie did it!
KO: She's not only the UnYielding Champion, Laur....she's the #1 Contender to Cosmo Cooper's Apex Championship!
LO: After everything we've seen here tonight, the sheer animalistic brutality, I'm just glad its over as Brodie finally releases the hold and falls back to suck in some much needed air!
RING ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match by submission, and THE NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE APEX CHAMPIONSHIP AND STILL REIGNING UNYIELDING CHAMPION.....BRODDIIEEE!!!
The cell begins to rise as Medical staff wait patiently for it to reach a level so that they can safely pass. The moment it does they rush the ring, helping the women away from one another, and going to work on the two wounded warriors. The fans are still in shock, not knowing whether to boo or cheer, as both women are placed onto stretchers to help get them out of the ring. Caputo places the UnYielding Championship onto Brodie's chest, and with a weak arm she holds it up, getting a reaction at last from the audience.
LO: While the Medical Staff and Clean Up crews attend to this situation at ringside, lets talk about what this means for the future? I mean....Cosmo Cooper is the Apex Champion. Brodie is the UnYielding Champion. Are we talking about title versus title here, or what?
KO: I don't know. In a lot of promotions Brodie would give up the UnYielding Championship if she were to win the Apex Championship, but quite frankly, I don't think anyone thought this would ever happen!
LO: Folks, I'm sure more to this shocking turn of events will play out in the weeks to come, but tonight we still have one more epic to conclude.
KO: That's right....the Chimera Tag Team Tournament finally comes to a head as our Tag Champions will be crowned in the Main Event....and that match starts...NEXT!
The camera pans out to capture both challenger and champion as they are wheeled up the ramp towards the back, some of the fans wearing Roxi Johnson t-shirts crying, while Brodie's brood make devil signs and crow for more blood. The camera eventually cuts backstage.
The Hell In A Cell pains an ominous backdrop as the lights go dim, and 'The Touch' by Stan Bush's eighties theme hits over the PA System. All of the lead lights pulse pink, and then swing down to illuminate the stage where Roxi Johnson bursts through the curtain full of energy. The Japanese 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.
She steps back to the curtain, reaching behind the fabric to pull forth what looks like a huge cannon, and she steps back up to the ramp, cocks it, and fires confetti and 'Superhero Roxi' T-shirts out into the crowd. They go nuts as she tosses the cannon to the side, and then bebops down to the ring.
Ring Announcer: Introducing the first challenger, 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, however, her demeanor turns serious as she stares up at the twenty foot tall steel behemoth in front of her. She steps through the cage doorway, and rolls into the ring, looking all around her before shaking her head and then rushing a corner only to leap up to the second turnbuckle and spreading her arms out like a bird ready to take flight.
LO: Roxi Johnson realizes exactly where she is, and gave the fourth member of this match it's due deference when she reached ringside.
KO: You're right Laur, the cell itself is almost like a living breathing entity, and it wants for nothing more than your blood.
LO: I have a strange feeling that it's going to get it's fill here tonight...
'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta hits over the system and 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 a mixed, but loud, reaction. She stalks back and forth on the stage, dragging the UnYielding Championship behind her, talking to no one in particular. Suddenly she comes to a dead stop in the center and slowly turns her head towards the cell. She watches the woman who is already inside it, and shakes her head, pulling the title up to her chest as if remembering their last encounter. With a determined gaze she makes her way down to the ring, allowing the title to fall to her side clutched by one hand, the other end of the strap bouncing against the steel ramp as she goes.
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 approaches the cell door and her eyes glitter as she looks up and down the steel monstrosity. She gives the cage a firm shake before stepping through to the interior, where she rolls under the bottom rope, pops up and walks right up to Roxi Johnson thrusting the title above her head. Johnson doesn't back down, instead taking a step forward to get in Brodie's face, and the two women have an exchange of words that no one can hear.
LO: Roxi Johnson and Brodie already at one another, and Zachariah Krahe hasn't even made his way into the match...
KO: Kind of strange that Brodie made her entrance following Roxi. Usually the final entrant is the champion.
LO: I hear that Zachariah Krahe asked to come out last, which begs the question....why?
As if to lend answer to the mystery, "Beat the Devil’s Tattoo" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club hits over the PA system and a lonely spotlight finds the stage as Zachariah Krahe saunters out to greet it. There is a mixed reaction for The Catalyst as he plucks a pre-rolled cigarette from behind his ear, plops it into his mouth, and then lights it up. He exhales a puff of smoke as he lets his hand fall to his side, and he reaches behind him to produce a microphone in his free hand. The music suddenly goes silent, and the lights return to full, revealing that Krahe is not wearing his ring gear. Instead he has on a pair of black jeans, a light grey t-shirt, and his trademark leather jacket. Brodie watches intently from the ring, having abandoned her stare down with Roxi in favor of giving her full attention to her amore. Krahe can't help but notice the woman's gaze as he takes another puff from the cigarette before lifting the microphone to his lips.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: When I first arrived in this company, I didn't care. I didn't care about wins and losses, I didn't care about championships, and I certainly didn't care to get caught up in any interpersonal relationships.
Krahe pauses, some emotion tugging at his vocal chords as he begins to pace at the top of the ramp.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: But then something changed. I met people like Siberia Zombie. I met people like Brodie. I met people like Zack Fantana. Hell, I even struck up a friendship with Rex Rumble. Suddenly I started to care, but not about myself, No, about the people who suddenly had wormed their way into my life. They made it interesting again, and no one could have predicted it, especially not myself, but I would learn to care about you too....My Misfits.
A large portion of the Osaka-Jo Arena erupts at the mention of their select crew, one and all Zachariah Krahe supporters. He nods with a slight smile, but it soon fades as he continues.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Yeah, but even through the haze of uncertainty, the resistance I had to caring about anything or anyone, there has always been one person I cared about. And that person is Lady Munin. And when The Zombie Clan tossed her off of that rooftop, I wasn't there. I wasn't there to stop them, I wasn't there to help her, and quite frankly, I don't know what I'm supposed to do with that.
He pauses again, and Brodie begins to stalk back and forth in the ring, head cocked to the side as she listens intently.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I think the reason I care so much for her, is because she's always cared so much about me. She could see who I had become, see what road I was on, and expected better of me even when I didn't think I was capable. She sent me to this promotion knowing that I didn't care about anything, knowing that as I moved through the ranks that I would end this place caring about everyone. And I guess it's true, but right now, I need to think about whats important, and this...
He indicates the Hell In A Cell below him with a dismissive hand gesture.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Is not. I'm sorry, Brodie, but it isn't. It's been fun while it lasted, but Munin needs me for a change, and I'll be god damned if I'm not going to be there for her.
Brodie comes to a dead stop, her eyes going wide as his words settle over her.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: And that's why I'm not going to be participating in this match. I'm leaving Valor Pro Wrestling to take care of my family.
Brodie begins stalking again, shaking her head violently, dismissing all of this as a dream.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: But hey, I have no doubt that I'll be back, and when that day comes....Zombie Clan....you will be at the top of my list of things to do.
He drops the mic, and turns back towards the exit leaving behind a stunned crowd. Brodie watches Krahe disappear behind the curtain her eyes almost psychotic, and as the cell door is shut, she comes completely unhinged. She stalks back and forth along the edge of the ring closest to the ramp, talking to herself while intermittently screaming in rage up at the stage where he once stood. She's all but forgotten Roxi Johnson, who watches from the other side of the ring. Roxi doesn't seem to be phased in the slightest, using the ropes to stretch herself out for when her opponent actually comes back down to reality.
LO: Brodie has lost it at the news that Zachariah Krahe is stepping out of this match, and quite frankly, I don't blame her. After all, this was supposed to be their big finale...the end of a feud that has culminated over the past six months, and now he's just denied her the satisfaction.
KO: Talk about a tease.....with all the sexual and adversarial frustration these two have shared, I'd probably be a little upset too.
LO: Well be that as it may, we still have a Hell In A Cell match to go, and this may have just taken Brodie's eye completely off the ball.
KO: And you definitely don't want to do that when the stakes are so high. I mean, this isn't just her championship on the line here, Laur, it's the #1 Contendership to the top prize in our company!
LO: I know, and whether she likes it or not, the cell door is locked, and the bell just sounded!
The sound of the bell pulls Brodie out of her tirade, and dangerous eyes flash over to where Roxi Johnson stands ready in her corner of the ring. With a snarl Brodie tears off in that direction, almost like a wild animal, but a High Standing Dropkick from Roxi sends her snapping down to the canvas. Brodie pops up quickly, and Roxi is there to meet her with right hands that drive her back into the ropes. From there she takes Brodie by the wrist and shoots her to the opposite side, and when she rebounds steps out to the center of the ring to duck her head for a back body. Brodie's momentum doesn't slow a bit, but she does pivot to run past Johnson, grabbing two fistfuls of red hair as she goes, yanking the woman backwards and sends the back of her skull crashing to the mat. Brodie roars as she drops down on top of Roxi's chest, and cradles her head as she hammers in unanswered right fists. Roxi rocks her feet forwards and manages to hook Brodie's arm as she rares back to strike her again, and yanks the woman down while she sits up into a pinning situation.
1...
2...
LO: Brodie out at two and is already thundering up to her feet, but she's followed in step by Roxi, who just shoved the woman back from her as she tried to come in with another attack!
KO: Brodie not to be deterred rushes right back in hot and heavy, and HIP TOSS BY ROXI sends her crashing to the mat!
LO: Brodie pops back up and walks RIGHT into another one! Brodie getting to her feet, and Roxi there to meet her, takes her by the wrist and whips her into the nearby corner. Johnson not giving Brodie a moment to rest a she barrels right in after her, and OH!
KO: BRODIE GETS BOTH FEET UP AND ROXI HITS FACE FIRST!
Roxi begs off clutching at her jaw, and when she turns back towards the champion, Brodie tears out of the corner and takes her head off with a double chop. Roxi hits the ground clutching her throat as Brodie reaches down and gets a handful of hair to help guide her to her feet, and then hooks her around the head and delivers a snap suplex that plants the Superhero dead center of the ring. Brodie's face twists into something between a grimace and a smile as she rolls towards the edge of the ropes and slips outside, flipping the ring apron up to search under the ring.
LO: This isn't good, Ken! These two haven't even been in the Cell for all of two minutes, and Brodie is already looking for a weapon!
KO: It's all Legal, Laur. Besides, she wants to end this early so that maybe she can get to the back and catch Zachariah Krahe flat footed before he walks out of her life forever.
LO: Well whatever her reasons, she's found what she was looking for.....and IT'S A SINGAPORE CANE!
KO: We're in Japan, Laur. Here it's known as a Kendo Stick...
Brodie grips the bamboo sword with both hands and gives it a squeeze before turning her attention back to Roxi Johnson, who is slowly getting to her feet in the ring. The Champion quickly rolls under the bottom rope and pops up with stick in hand, winding up for a baseball like swing just as soon as Roxi manages to turn her direction. Eventually she does, but when the swing fires off she has a split second reaction to duck, and the cane sails harmlessly over her head. The momentum of the swing sends Brodie spinning through, and when she comes back to face Johnson, she's met with a stiff boot to the midsection that doubles her over, and then a wicked DDT that spikes her skull off the mat. The Kendo stick rolls harmlessly away from her grasp towards the edge of the ring, and Roxi shoves her over onto her back for a hook of the leg.
1...
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LO: THR-KICK OUT! Brodie out at two and a half after that nasty looking DDT, and Roxi Johnson just narrowly avoided disaster there with some quick thinking!
KO: No doubt, but now Johnson getting to her feet and pulling Brodie with her, and she just shoved her back into a corner....AND HERE SHE COMES WITH A SHOULDER THRUST! Another! And Another! She takes a step back into a back flip, and RUSHES BACK IN WITH A SPEAR THAT CRUSHES BRODIE INTO THE TURNBUCKLES!!
LO: Roxi nearly cutting the champion half as she drags her out towards the center of the ring, and scoop slams her down in front of the turnbuckle they were in! Roxi with a few steps back, and there she goes for the corner...leaps up with both legs in the air, and SPLIT LEGGED MOONSAULT DOWN ONTO BRODIE!
KO: Superhero Press might just give Roxi the win here, as she hooks the leg deep!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Brodie kicked out at the last possible second, and now Roxi going back to the drawing board....and it looks like she might have a plan!
Roxi pulls Brodie up to her feet and drags her out to the center of the ring, spinning her so her back is to her front. She slips her head under her arm, and lifts her up into a side suplex position while spinning around for what looks to be a Blue Thunder Bomb. Brodie, however, immediately starts hammering in right hands through the spins and eventually manages to spin herself into an awkward crossbody that sends Roxi down to the canvas with Brodie on top of her. Roxi quickly shoves Brodie away and starts up to her feet, while Brodie rolls towards the edge of the ring. When Roxi reorients she turns around to the thundering 'CRACK' of a kendo stick bouncing off her skull.
LO: MY GOD! BRODIE JUST NAILED ROXI JOHNSON WITH THAT KENDO STICK, BUT THE WOMAN DIDN'T GO DOWN!
KO: She's just sort of dazed in the center of the ring, and OH! KENDO STICK TO THE GUT DOUBLES HER OVER! AND AGAIN DOWN ACROSS HER SPINE SENDS HER TO THE MAT!
LO: Brodie now stalking around the ring with her weapon, and these bloodthirsty fans have apparently forgotten how much they love Roxi Johnson, cause they are cheering this madwoman!
Roxi begins to rise up onto her hands and knees in an attempt to get to her feet, and Brodie steps over her body with one foot so that she's straddling her, and then feeds the cane underneath her throat while grabbing the other end with her free hand. Yanking back she chokes the woman using the stick, a vicious roar coming from her lips as she tries to force the life right out of the Superhero. Roxi spits and sputters as the bamboo digs into her throat, and she crawls on her knee's towards the ropes, dragging Brodie behind her. Brodie intensifies in her strangle attempt, and Roxi manages to grab the top rope to pull herself up to her feet, alleviating a great deal of the pressure. Brodie snarls as she lets go of the top end allowing the handle end to swing back around into her capable hands, and she winds up to strike the woman from behind. Unfortunately for her, Roxi being the veteran she is, reads the body language and drops down while holding the top rope. As Brodie follows through with her swing she topples right over the top rope to land unceremoniously on the concrete floor.
LO: Brodie takes a tumble, and quite frankly that's huge for Johnson, who took a beating with that Kendo Stick!
KO: Yeah, and now she's finally getting a chance to catch her breath while Brodie uses the cell to pull herself to her feet.....Wait...What is Roxi doing?
LO: I don't know, but she just hit off the opposite side for spring, and BASEBALL SLIDES RIGHT INTO BRODIE THAT SENDS HER HURTLING INTO THE STEEL MESH OF THE CELL!
KO: Brodie clutching at her spine as she stumbles back towards the ring, but Roxi is back on her feet...grips the top rope....AND ROLLING SENTON RIGHT OUT ONTO BRODIE!
LO: MY GOD, THEY'RE BOTH DOWN!
For a few moments, indeed, both ladies are down, but Roxi manages to get to her feet just a split second before Brodie, and she spies the woman as she uses the ring apron to try and take her to the other side of the ring. Just as she moves to try and swing around the ring post, she's caught from behind by an oncoming Roxi who gives a huge shove that sends her spiraling face first into the side of the steel mesh. Brodie bounces back, but Roxi is there to get a handful of hair, and drives the woman face first again into the steel. She repeats the motion several times, each time the skull bounces a loud clang ringing out into the crowd. Brodie manages to shove free of Roxi, and stumbles her way down the side of the ring she had previously been trying to reach, but the Superhero will have none of it, coming in from behind and getting her by the back of the head and the seat of the pants and rushing her right towards the steel steps blocking the path of this side. A look of shock crosses Brodie's face just as she lowers her head to try and cover up before crashing into the steel with enough authority that it knocks the top section loose from the bottom. The top of the steps are prevented from going any farther by the cell wall, and bounce down to the floor beside the bottom.
LO: GOOD LORD! BRODIE'S HEAD MIGHT BE CAVED IN AFTER THAT COLLISION!
KO: Oh....That is a lot of blood.....
Brodie barely raises her head, but even from that angle her light colored hair is stained crimson, and the dark red liquid begins to pour down her face and pool on top of the bottom part of the steps. Roxi comes to stand over her, and any mercy she may normally have shown has faded, realizing that she is in the ring with a crazy person who can't be trusted to know when to quit. She pulls Brodie up to her feet, and moves her into position to roll her back into the ring, but Brodie rolls right through and out the other side, trying to buy herself more time. Roxi shakes her head and steps around the ring post to join her opponent, and Brodie turns around just in time to see Roxi step up on the top part of the fallen steps and leap from them to take her head off with a flying clothesline. Both women hit the ground with a thud, but Roxi rolls up to her feet, while Brodie clutches her chest and bleeds.
LO: Roxi Johnson has got the champion in real trouble here, as Brodie, a bloody mess, tries to use the steel mesh of the cell wall to pull herself to her feet.
KO: Roxi stepping back over now, and helps Brodie up, and this time gets her back into the ring and follows her in.
LO: Both women rising to their feet, and Roxi with a boot to the midsection, tucks Brodie's skull between her thighs, and....SIT OUT PILEDRIVER RIGHT INTO THE HEART OF THE CANVAS!
KO: Brodie has left a bloody spot on the mat where her head landed, and now Roxi rolls her over and hooks the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! MY GOD IT WAS SO CLOSE!
KO: So close that even Roxi is questioning Caputo, but the ref is waving her off at two...
Roxi gets to her feet, hands on her hips, as she stares down at the woman in contemplation. Brodie continues clutching her head, not bothering to try and get to her feet when Roxi reaches down and forces her to. She pulls her out to the center of the ring where a boot to her midsection doubles her over, and then Roxi falls back into the ropes from the side, rebounding out and hooking Brodie around the head as she does for a Swining Neck Breaker. Brodie is sent crashing down to the mat again on her skull, and the woman kicks the mat defiantly despite the obvious pain she's in. Roxi slides over and hooks her leg for another pin attempt.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Brodie still able to roll the shoulder up, and you have to wonder what Roxi Johnson is going to have to do here to put the champion away!
KO: Uh, Laur, it looks like she might have just had an idea, cause she's heading to the corner, and starting to climb up the turnbuckles towards the top...
LO: Roxi Johnson is now perched on the top rope, looking back to make sure Brodie is still in position, and TAKES FLIGHT INTO A BEAUTIFUL MOONSAULT!!
KO: OH MY GOD! BRODIE MOVED!! ROXI JUST ATE NOTHING BUT CANVAS!
Roxi rolls around on the mat clutching her midsection, as Brodie continues grabbing at the top of her head, scooting her way towards the corner to use the turnbuckles to gain her feet. Despite the dodge she's lost a lot of blood, and the task is more arduous that she would have thought. She's able to get to her feet about the time that Johnson gets back to hers, and upon sight of one another, the two women tear out to meet in the center of the ring. Roxi goes for a High Cross Body, but Brodie drops and baseball slides under her as Roxi strikes the mat a second time across her midsection. She clutches at her gut as she pushes up to a knee, and looks up just in time to see Brodie barreling right for her, leaving her feat and driving a boot right through her face. Roxi snaps down to the canvas in shock and pain as Brodie pulls herself up, putting her hands out in front of her, realizing for the first time that the blood wasn't her enemies, but hers.
LO: A bloody UnYielding Champion just roared into the heavens, and now she's after Roxi Johnson, getting her to her feet and driving knee after knee into her gut, forcing her back into the ropes!
KO: Brodie takes her by the wrist now and shoots her to the other side, Roxi coming back in hot, and BRODIE STEAM ROLLS OVER HER WITH A VICIOUS BACK ELBOW!
LO: Roxi strikes the canvas hard, but that only seems to pop her back up to her feet, and she stumbles right into Brodie and A T-BONE SUPLEX THAT SENDS HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING!!
Roxi skids across the mat and only comes to a stop thanks to the ropes, which she grabs and starts hauling herself up. She turns around to catch a clothesline that takes her right up and over the top rope and sends her crashing to the concrete floor below. Brodie reaches up to her own wound and smears the blood down her face into her neckline, her white teeth a stark contrast against the crimson mask. She takes off outside through the ropes in pursuit of her prey, landing out beside the top portion of the stairs. She reaches down and in a burst of strength hoists the steel steps up onto her shoulder, turning back towards Johnson who claws her way to her feet. Roxi looks up in time to see Brodie barreling in with the steps, and quickly dashes under the bottom rope to escape being mauled by the Submission Machine.
LO: Narrow miss by Johnson, and Brodie just tossed the steps down and looks even more incensed if you can believe it!
KO: She needs to slow her roll, Laur. After everything that's already happened, before and after this match got started, she's not thinking clearly.
LO: Well why don't you get up there and tell her that, Ken? I'm certainly not going to..
Brodie leaps up onto the ring apron to come back into the ring, and just when she does Roxi takes a few quick paces towards the corner, leaps up to the second, and then springboards back towards Brodie with a dropkick that ejects her from the apron to slam against the cell well and then crash against the floor. The fans go nuts as Roxi gets back up to her feet, one thin red whelp across her forehead from where she had been hit with a kendo stick earlier in the match starting to form. She whips her red hair back from her face as Brodie claws at the cell wall to get back to her feet, and once she feels she's in position, she hits off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring for spring, and then thunders back across to Suicide Dive through the top and middle rope. Brodie, however, dives out of the way, and Roxi Johnson finds nothing but steel mesh to meet her as she collides with it head on.
LO: OH MY WORD! ROXI JOHNSON JUST TASTED THE STEEL!
KO: Why? Why would these women go for any high risk offense in a match like this? I mean...isn't being surrounded by 15 miles of steel enough?
LO: I don't know how to answer that question, Ken, all I know is that Roxi Johnson has been busted wide open after meeting some of it!
Roxi Johnson gets to her knee's, blood pouring down from where her forehead met the steel mesh. She grabs hold of the chain link, and uses it to pull herself to her feet, but she's suddenly gripped from behind in a Full Nelson, and her forehead is plunged painfully back into the mesh. She cries out in pain as her wound is dragged across the links, back and forth, until what had started as a fairly clean cut is now drooping and ripped, blood absolutely pouring. Brodie releases the nelson only to get a fistful of hair, yanking her head back to say something disparaging, and then driving it forward to strike off the steel once more. Roxi drops to one knee, and Brodie pulls her up, shooting her back into the ring where she rolls until falling flat on her back in the center.
LO: Johnson back in the ring a bloody mess, and now Brodie searching under it to find another weapon....God...she should have gotten in there and tried for a cover!
KO: Yeah, but Brodie wants to inflict more punishment.
Brodie rummages around under the ring for a moment, pulling out a steel chair and tossing it in, followed by another. She then pauses, something else having gotten her attention, and she moves along the side of the apron to pull out the edge of a table. A 'TABLES' chant goes up from the crowd, and she obliges by pulling it all the way out, lifting it up onto the edge of the apron, and then sliding it into the ring as well. By the time she hops up and slips into the ring, Roxi has started up to her feet, and she grabs one of the chairs and makes her way after her opponent. Just as she raises it high over her head to bring down across Roxi's spine, the Superhero's boot flashes out to catch her in the midsection. This causes Brodie to beg off, but she comes back with the chair, this time to a much stiffer boot that causes her to drop the chair behind her. While Brodie clutches her gut, Roxi steps in and hooks her around the waist, taking her crashing down to mat with a Gutwrench Suplex.
LO: Roxi Johnson has managed to find some reprieve as both women lie together on the canvas bleeding....Man, this has been brutal.
KO: Yeah, but something tells me we haven't seen the half of it yet, Laur.
Suddenly Roxi rocks her knee's up to her chest, and she kips up to her feet, sending the Osaka crowd into a frenzy. Blood still pours from the gash on her forehead, but beneath that crimson mask hides a face of determination, as she shakes her fists in front of her, building momentum. As if sensing that her championship may be in jeopardy, Brodie rolls over onto her hands and knee's, willing herself to her feet. The minute she's upright Roxi charges in, taking her down with a clothesline, but Brodie pops back up, and is sent crashing back down by a second one. Brodie rolls up to one knee, and Roxi meets her to help her the rest of the way up, pushing her back into the ropes and then sends her hurtling to the other side. Brodie rebounds, and Roxi steps to the center, lowering her head and vaulting Brodie high into the air with a back body drop that sees her come crashing down hip first onto one of the chairs that the champion had brought into the ring.
LO: Roxi Johnson is a ball of fire here, and she looks like she will not be denied as she moves in on Brodie who is massaging her hip after landing on that steel chair...
KO: Roxi getting her to her feet and pushing her back into the corner....and now lifts her up to sit on the top turnbuckle....this doesn't look good.
Roxi steps up to the second turnbuckle to join Brodie, and the UnYielding Champion starts hammering right hands into the woman's ribs in response. Roxi takes the punishment until she's settled, and then she grabs her by the ears to force her head back, and slams her forehead into Brodie's, causing the champion to go limp for the moment. Roxi looks out to the cheering crowd with a nod, steps up to the top rope, and then leaps up to hook Brodie around the head before rocking backwards to send the woman soaring from the top only to crash thunderously in the center of the ring!
LO: GOOD LORD! ROXI WITH A HURRICANRANA OFF THE TOP ROPE, AND NOW SHE'S BACK ON HER FEET.....RUSHING THE ROPES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE....
KO: TAKE FLIGHT MOONSAULT CRUSHES BRODIE INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING!! Roxi with a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! GOOD GOD THAT WAS OFF BY A NANOSECOND!
KO: Roxi is just lying across Brodie in shock, staring up at the referee....and Caputo is explaining that Brodie got the shoulder up!
Roxi's head hangs low for a moment, and she appears to be whispering something to herself, perhaps asking what it is she has to do to put Brodie away. Finally she shakes her head, and pushes up to her feet, staring over at the table that was brought into the ring. The fans erupt as Roxi begins a stumble walk over to the table, her body ravaged by the toll of the match. She bends down and opens up one set of legs, and then the other, locking them in place with the metal rings. She then flips the table over onto its side, and lifts it up to where it is now standing upright. She positions the table near one of the nearby corners, and then turns her attention back to Brodie. She lifts the champion up to her feet, and gives her a right hand to knock her up against the table, and with another, has her lying across the structure.
LO: Roxi steps through the ropes to the apron, and is making her way up the turnbuckles. It's now or never, I say, and this is Roxi Johnson's chance to finish this match and become the UnYielding Champion!
KO: No doubt, Laur, but whatever she's got planned is indoubtiably going to have ramifications for her own body. You have to ask, with all of the toys surrounding the ring right now, wouldn't it be easier to just bludgeon Brodie to death with a chair?
LO: Maybe that's just it, Ken. Roxi Johnson isn't here for the easy route. She wants that championship, sure, but she's also driven by her fans, and these fans are directing her to exactly what they want!
Roxi reaches the top and comes to stand her full height, looking out across the ring at her destination. She gives the crowd a half smile of acknowledgement, when suddenly Brodie pushes up to her feet while still standing on the table, leaps from table to the same turnbuckle that Roxi is standing on, wraps her arms around the woman, and then takes both of them hurtling off the top with a Belly To Belly suplex that see's both of them splinter through the table. The fans come to their feet in shock and awe, some Roxi fans holding their hands over their open mouths in concern.
LO: BOTH OF THEM HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN HALF! THIS MATCH IS FINISHED!
KO: That....that was crazy....one minute Brodie was on the table, the next minute she was on the top rope, and then....well.....CRASH!
LO: Both women are down in the center of the ring as Caputo checks on both, and she's saying this match will continue, but I don't see how!
The referee starts tossing splintered wood, the tattered remains of the table, over the side of the ring while the two women writhe on their backs. After a few moments both begin to stir, one crawling one way, the other the opposite direction. By the time they've reached the ropes and pulled themselves upright, they raise wary heads to find both have reached their feet at the same time. Brodie snarls and begs Roxi forward as she stumbles her way towards the center of the ring, and Roxi nods, stepping out to meet her foe. When they reach other a right fist from Brodie rocks Roxi back, nearly toppling her, but she manages to catch her balance and fires right back in with a right of her own. Brodie's head snaps around as she stumbles back several feet, and then quick stumbles forwards again into another right of her own. This one knocks Roxi all the way back into the ropes, and she manages to grab the top before tumbling to the mat. She rubs her jaw, but then uses the ropes to spring forward with a right hand targeting Brodie's unprotected jaw. Suddenly, Brodie ducks under the swing and Roxi stumbles past her, while Brodie grabs her left arm instead, and swings her around to force her to the mat.
LO: BRODIE HAS THE ARM TUCKED BACK AND SCISSORED.......AND SHE JUST LOCKED HER ARMS AROUND ROXI'S HEAD!
KO: FINALITY CROSSFACE!!
LO: It's all but over for Roxi Johnson here in this unbelievable showing, and it's a shame. I really believed at several spots in this match that this was her moment!
KO: Yeah, I can't disagree, but now that she's down with nowhere to go...well....it's done.
Roxi cries out in pain as a still bloody faced Brodie roars into the heavens, rocking as far back while cranking Johnson's head into an unnatural position. Roxi claws with her free arm, and Brodie makes no attempt to stop her, viciously trying to pry the Superhero's head from her shoulders. Eventually Roxi makes it to the ropes, and she latches onto the bottom, but Caputo calls to her that the ropes won't force a break. Roxi cries out again as Brodie applies even more pressure to the painful submission, and she finds herself grabbing at the ring apron and pulling herself under the bottom rope. Brodie, having seen someone break the hold this way before, suddenly releases it while snatching up Roxi's wrist, and gets to her feet to pull the woman back into the center of the ring. Roxi is surprised by the sudden change in motion at first, but as she's being dragged across the canvas, she manages to get a knee under her, pushes up to her feet and putting on the brakes. Brodie growls as she continues to try and pull Roxi back to the center of the ring, but Johnson shows that she is just as tenacious as she pulls in the opposite direction. Finally Brodie lets go and Roxi falls back into the ropes, springing forward only for Brodie to try and grab her arm again and swing her back down to the mat.
LO: Roxi not allowing herself to be forced to the ground this time, and they are just running in circles as Brodie tries to apply an armbreaker from the standing position....
KO: Yeah, but Roxi just switched directions...hahaha...it's almost like they're dancing as Brodie just got unfurled the other way while Roxi holds on her wrist, and then PULLS HER BACK INTO A SPINNING POWERSLAM THAT JUST SHOOK THE RING!
LO: Johnson bounced off of Brodie after the impact, but if she could have retained a hook on the leg, I think that would have been it!
KO: Roxi now crawling towards the ropes one more time, and I guess that will be the theme for the rest of this match, cause I don't think these women can get to their feet unassisted anymore!
Roxi reaches the ropes and pulls herself up, falling forwards to drape herself across the top, sucking in wind. The fans are still cheering as the exhausted woman turns to look back at Brodie, to see that she is amazingly forcing herself up to her feet as well. Both women stare at one another until Brodie looks down at her feet to find one of the wayward chairs she had brought into the ring. She reaches down and picks it up, while Roxi looks over at a chair that is close proximity her. She hastens to scoop it up as Brodie ambles towards her, and both women meet in the ring taking a swing at the same time. The chairs clash off of one another, and the painful vibration sends a shock wave through both women's hands causing them to loose their grip. As the chairs clatter to the mat, Brodie moves in to take a swing, but Roxi ducks it, taking off into a gallop towards the ropes. Brodie spins around just in time to see the woman leap to the second for a springboard that spins her around for a Disaster Kick. Brodie ducks the move, however, and Johnson's foot sails harmlessly over head causing her to land off balance. She barely has the chance to catch her footing before Brodie is at her side with a grip on her arm, spinning her and trying to drive her towards the mat once more. Roxi refuses to be put down, instead continuing to spin until both women are dizzy and Brodie is eventually sent spiraling away from her.
LO: Both women on spaghetti legs, but neither have went down! Brodie now running back in on Roxi, WHO CATCHES HER COMING IN WITH A SMALL PACKAGE!
1...
2...
KO: THREe-REVERSAL! WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REPEAT OF BLITZ#12!!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-ROXI KICKED OUT! Both women scrambling to their feet, and Brodie rushes in...DROP TOE HOLD BY ROXI SENDS BRODIE FACE FIRST DOWN INTO ONE OF THOSE STEEL CHAIRS!
KO: Both women are a bloody mess, but I think that might have busted the champion back open!
The fans are on their feet in anticipation as Roxi runs past Brodie as she rises to her feet, leaps to the second rope, and spins around for another attempt at her Disaster Kick. Unfortunately for her when Brodie rose, she brought the steel chair with her, and she waffles the woman in midair to send her crashing to he mat in a heap. Brodie stalks over, rolls Roxi over onto her stomach, and then grips the chair by the legs before driving the top end down into Johnson's left shoulder. Roxi lets out a shocked cry of pain as Brodie tosses the chair to the side, and then drops down beside her, trapping the arm in a leg scissors and then locking on her dreaded submission hold.
LO: FINALITY CROSSFACE IS ON ROXI JOHNSON FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THIS MATCH, AND WAS PRECEDED BY A VICIOUS CHAIR SHOT TO THE SHOULDER!
KO: I DON'T THINK SHE CAN HOLD ON HERE! THIS HAS JUST BEEN TOO BRUTAL!
Roxi's hand hovers over the mat as Brodie's face is a mask of rage, sitting back with all she's worth to bend Johnson's head nearly off her shoulders. With a final wrench Johnson's hand hits the mat, and the referee calls for the bell and the break of the hold.
LO: MY GOD! Brodie did it!
KO: She's not only the UnYielding Champion, Laur....she's the #1 Contender to Cosmo Cooper's Apex Championship!
LO: After everything we've seen here tonight, the sheer animalistic brutality, I'm just glad its over as Brodie finally releases the hold and falls back to suck in some much needed air!
RING ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match by submission, and THE NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE APEX CHAMPIONSHIP AND STILL REIGNING UNYIELDING CHAMPION.....BRODDIIEEE!!!
The cell begins to rise as Medical staff wait patiently for it to reach a level so that they can safely pass. The moment it does they rush the ring, helping the women away from one another, and going to work on the two wounded warriors. The fans are still in shock, not knowing whether to boo or cheer, as both women are placed onto stretchers to help get them out of the ring. Caputo places the UnYielding Championship onto Brodie's chest, and with a weak arm she holds it up, getting a reaction at last from the audience.
LO: While the Medical Staff and Clean Up crews attend to this situation at ringside, lets talk about what this means for the future? I mean....Cosmo Cooper is the Apex Champion. Brodie is the UnYielding Champion. Are we talking about title versus title here, or what?
KO: I don't know. In a lot of promotions Brodie would give up the UnYielding Championship if she were to win the Apex Championship, but quite frankly, I don't think anyone thought this would ever happen!
LO: Folks, I'm sure more to this shocking turn of events will play out in the weeks to come, but tonight we still have one more epic to conclude.
KO: That's right....the Chimera Tag Team Tournament finally comes to a head as our Tag Champions will be crowned in the Main Event....and that match starts...NEXT!
The camera pans out to capture both challenger and champion as they are wheeled up the ramp towards the back, some of the fans wearing Roxi Johnson t-shirts crying, while Brodie's brood make devil signs and crow for more blood. The camera eventually cuts backstage.
The camera catches up with Zachariah Krahe as he walks through one of the hallways in the back towards a door with a red 'EXIT' sign hanging over it. He pushes through the door and it leads into a parking garage where a Lexus GS F sits parked with the motor running. He steps up to the fancy sports car and pulls the handle, slipping down into the drivers seat before shutting the door. The camera cuts around to view the interior of the car and in the passengers seat is none other than Lady Munin. Her arm is in a sling that is draped over her shoulder, and a few nicks and bruises can be seen on her cheek, but her eyes still carry with them the same weight that they always do when she gazes over at Krahe.
LADY MUNIN: Zach, what are you doing? You've worked to hard to walk away right now...I'll be fine.
Krahe was already shaking his head, and he lobbed the woman a lopsided grin.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I'm doing exactly what I should be doing, and putting my focus on the things that matter most to me. There will be plenty of time to take care of business whenever I decide to return. I'm just a cog in the wheel, after all, and it's not like the industry will grind to a halt in my absence. So sit back and relax, and I'll drive you around for a change.
Munin regarded the man for a moment with scrutiny, and finding that there seemed to be sincerity in his words, she eventually sighs and indicates with her hand for him to proceed. Krahe flashes the camera knowing grin as the tinted window began to rise, cutting off the view. With a roar the engine the Lexus shot forward, and the camera followed it as it scooted up the ramp, and then turned out onto one of the Osaka streets. The last thing we see of Zachariah Krahe are his taillights as he disappears, perhaps forever.
LADY MUNIN: Zach, what are you doing? You've worked to hard to walk away right now...I'll be fine.
Krahe was already shaking his head, and he lobbed the woman a lopsided grin.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I'm doing exactly what I should be doing, and putting my focus on the things that matter most to me. There will be plenty of time to take care of business whenever I decide to return. I'm just a cog in the wheel, after all, and it's not like the industry will grind to a halt in my absence. So sit back and relax, and I'll drive you around for a change.
Munin regarded the man for a moment with scrutiny, and finding that there seemed to be sincerity in his words, she eventually sighs and indicates with her hand for him to proceed. Krahe flashes the camera knowing grin as the tinted window began to rise, cutting off the view. With a roar the engine the Lexus shot forward, and the camera followed it as it scooted up the ramp, and then turned out onto one of the Osaka streets. The last thing we see of Zachariah Krahe are his taillights as he disappears, perhaps forever.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is the Main Event of the evening, and is a Tag Team Turmoil Elimination Match to crown the first ever CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! The rules are simple; All ten superstars will compete at the same time for their respective teams, and there are no count outs, and no disqualifications. When either member of a team are pinned, then their entire team is eliminated from the match until there is only one surviving team!
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: This is the moment we've all been waiting for, and Neo Tokyo looks primed and ready to put on a show here tonight!
KO: No doubt that Cyberpunk Cyborgs from the future will be a huge hit here in Japan...
LO: Not only that, but they look like all differences have been set aside since the issues between Brooklyn Light and Dakota Jennings subsided. It's good to see...
The clapping beginning of ''Shooting Stars" by Bag Raiders hit's over the PA System, and the lights around the stage start flashing along with the beat of the song. The fans all come to their feet and clap with the rhythm just as Vannah White rushes out onto stage, pausing at the top of the ramp to soak in the cheers from her adoring audience. She flashes her trademark smile, and walks halfway down the ramp before coming to a stop just as her music fades out and the opening riffs of 'Survival' by Eminem hit's over the PA System, and the fans turn from Vannah to the stage that flashes a bright light just as the lyrics kick in. When the lights go down Dakota is standing center stage, staring up at her one hand pointing skyward. Her head slowly tilts down to her partner along with the finger until she's pointing right at her. A grin comes over her face as the fans send a wave of cheers her way as she starts down the ramp. Upon reaching Vannah, the two share a hug, which sends the male fans wild, and the two slaps hands as they continue down to ringside wearing their newest T-shirts.
Ring Announcer: Introducing next, 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 that hold up signs just for her.
LO: The #Trendsetters equally look ready to go in this contest, and it's nice to see the two friends finally back on the same page.
KO: If you say so...
LO: You just can't be happy for them, can you, Ken?
KO: Not when it holds someone back. Dakota Jennings was well on her way to finding that killer instinct, and it got pulled back down into that happy place by Vannah White. I'm sorry, but that was a mistake in my opinion.
The lights go dim and the big screen above the stage flickers to life with the sound of an army of marching zombies filtering through the arena, while the fans go absolutely crazy for the two team this signifies as coming out next. 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 next, 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 the two opposing teams already 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 Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters.
LO: This may be the favorite to win this whole thing tonight, Ken. The Zombie Clan are not only wrestlers, but a family, and we've seen what they can do against some stiff competition in the tournament.
KO: No doubt, but I predict when all is said and done, this thing is going to be so chaotic that teams may not even matter!
'Turn To Stone' by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spot light illuminates the arena. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, gripping his titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in his right hand. The crowd responds with a chorus of boo's for The Fox while Cross uses the handle of the cane to push his shag hair cut from his face, flicking his head back confidently as he grins out at the audience obnoxiously. He holds up the cane that has caused so much trouble in the past to an even more venomous response from the fans, and he begins down the ramp still holding it aloft.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 230 pounds, hailing from New York, New York...He is a former two time UnYielding Champion, 'THE FOX' CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!
Recoba reaches ringside and heckles the crowd sitting front row, before smugly holding the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips to kiss for luck. The fans continue to boo as he sets the cane down in his corner, and then climbs the steps into the ring, strutting around one edge of the ring, regarding the other teams with a shit eating grin until his eyes lock with Dakota's, and he winks. His music is suddenly interrupted by the sound of war drums banging, followed by a guitar rhythm. The lights dim and the stage lights flash white with the beat as Spiral steps stoically out onto the stage to a mixed reaction. He stares down at the ring as if it is beneath him, and he sniffs the air as if he's a shark looking for blood in the water. His eyes narrow just as he starts down the ramp towards the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his partner, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 205 pounds, hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark...He is 'THE PALE KING' SPIRRRAALLL!!
A statuesque coldness surrounds the man as he reaches ringside and climbs the steps onto the apron, swinging into the squared circle in an easy fluid motion that belies a serpents grace. Cross steps up beside him, clasping him on the back, and Spiral regards him with a withering gaze. Recoba laughs the awkwardness away, but does take a step back letting his hand fall to his side.
LO: That doesn't look like the pinnacle of tag team camaraderie if you ask me...
KO: Of course it doesn't....this guy Spiral is a weird dude, but just remember....they don't have to like each other to work as a team. This is about gold, Laur, and Cross Recoba will do just about anything to get it.
LO: Yeah, that's what I'm worried about...
'Scandroid' by Salvation Code fills the arena, the lights around the stage pulsing blindingly fast when the first robotic voice kicks in. Pyro suddenly flashes, and out of the smoke slinks Brennan Devlin, his head held high in confidence, a cocky grin on his face as he stops at the top of the stage. He runs his fingers down his chest, and then flashes his hands out to his sides soaking in the boo's he receives. Just then a loud 'Bang' can be heard from overhead, and the audience, including those already in the ring, look up to see tiny figurines floating down on parachutes. When the camera finally gets close enough, it can be seen to be Grandma bobble heads wearing the 'I Heart Grandma's To Death' T-shirt.
Ring Announcer: And introducing their opponents, standing at six foot one and weighting in at 230 pounds...hailing from San Andreas, California....'THE FACE OF WRESTLING' BRENNAN DEVLINNNN!!!
Devlin has nearly lost at the top of the ramp, snatching one of the floating figures out of the air, and holding it up to his face in a lewd manner before tossing it out to the crowd and strutting down to the ring. The audience, for their part, can't help but laugh as hands reach for the skies to get their own 'Grandma' keepsake for the night. Upon reaching ringside he leaps up onto the apron, springboards over the top rope, and then leaps up to the second turnbuckle of a nearby corner to do his trademark finger flick to the crowd. All attention is drawn back to the entryway when the first finger snaps of 'Lifted' by CL hit the PA system. Fans with 'Cooper Is King' shirts come to their feet as gold pyro fires off, and out of the flames steps Cosmo Cooper, hat angled slightly to the right, the Apex Championship firmly around his waist. He taps his fingers on the face plate of the title, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looks up from under his brim. He grabs his hat and sends it sailing into the crowd as he takes off down the ramp fired up.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his partner, hailing from Santa Rosa, California, standing six foot two and weighing in at 225 pounds....He is THE APEX CHAMPION....THE GRAPS JESUS, COSMO COOPPPEEEERRRR!!
He comes to a pause halfway down to regard one of the bobble heads that have landed on the ramp, and he shakes his head in disgust before kicking the item into the crowd like a football. His demeanor is now hard as he stalks the rest of the ring, and rolls under the bottom rope to pop up with both fists up over his head. He turns to take a turnbuckle, but walks right into Brennan Devlin's huge grin, holding up one of the bobble heads right beside his face. It looks like it takes some restraint, but Cooper finally unclenches his fists, and pushes past Devlin to leap to the second turnbuckle. He unsnaps the Apex Championship and yanks it up with one arm above him, slapping the face plate with the other and calling out to the Japanese crowd who respond in kind.
LO: Well, Brennan Devlin has managed to do it again...
KO: What, fire this crowd up and make everyone laugh?
LO: No, be a complete ass!
KO: I don't understand what the big deal is at this point. I mean, it's just funny is all.
LO: Well I, and several of our more sensible members of the audience, disagree. It's time to stop. He's been at this for nearly three freakin' months now!
KO: All I know is that we got five teams in the ring, two referee's on the outside who are here just to make pinfalls and take submissions, and the hype is REAL!
LO: I can feel it, and so can this capacity crowd......AND THERE'S THE BELL!
At the first sound of the bell there is a moment where all of the participants stare ate one another as if taking a deep breath, but as the echo of the last ring fades through the arena the exhale comes, and all hell breaks loose. Spiral darts right for Brennan Devlin, who barely manages to get his hands up as the striker barrels in with rights and lefts forcing him towards the corner. Cooper turns as if he's going to respond, but is caught by Recoba who fires in a chop that lights the Apex Champion up. Siberia cuts straight for Neo Tokyo and manages to get in a few clean fists and kicks before the numbers overtake her, Light and Psi forcing her to the ground and swinging away with abandon. Aokigahara does much the same right towards #Trendsetters, ducking his head to accept clubbing fists down onto his back by both women before shoving them and himself through the middle and top rope to tumble out to the floor.
LO: KATY BAR THE DOOR, THIS IS MAYHEM ALREADY!
KO: What did you expect, Laur?!? This is for the championships!
On the outside Aoki, Vannah, and Dakota get back to their feet, and a swift side kick from Zombie to Vannah sends the woman hurtling spine first into the steel guardrail. Aoki turns to Dakota Jennings who drives a boot into his knee dropping him down, and then takes his head off with a spinning back kick that drops him to the floor. She doesn't look to appreciate being lambasted out of the ring by the senior Zombie, so she pulls him up to his feet, takes him by the wrist, and sends him hurtling right for the steel steps. Aoki, however, manages to leap up so that he lands on the top step, and as Dakota comes rushing in to follow him is caught with an Asai Moonsault that drives her down into the concrete floor. Zombie gets to his feet with a sick and twisted grin, but his expression soon turns to surprise as Vannah comes in from behind him with a shove that sends him gut first into the steps he had so narrowly avoided moments before. Zombie slides down to his knee's clutching his midsection as Vannah helps to pull Dakota up to her feet.
Meanwhile, in the ring, Neo Tokyo have regained their feet, pulling Siberia up with them, and double hooking the woman around the head. With a handful of tights by both women, they snap her over into a double suplex that leaves Siberia bucking off the mat as if she had just been shocked with a taser. Light and Psi both kip up to their feet at the same time, give each other a nod, and then take off for opposite sides of the ropes for spring, coming back at the same time to drop elbows down into Zombie's chest in stereo. When the two rise up from that, they look to the outside where they see Vannah pulling Dakota up, and helping dust her off, and they step towards that side of the ring to grab the top rope. Just as the #Trendsetters look up to see who had cast the shadows over them, both members of Neo Tokyo spring over the top rope into splancha's that wipe out the other two women.
Spiral opens up on Devlin in the corner as The Face of Wrestling does his best to cover up, some of the blows landing despite the fact. A sudden uppercut catches Brennan right under the jaw, and he's obviously stunned as he gives Spiral a shove back and pulls himself along the ropes out of the corner. Spiral wades back in, another uppercut finding it's mark, leaving Devlin to droop down, the top rope the only thing keeping him up. The Pale King pulls the man away from the ropes, hooks him around the waist, and sends him hurtling towards the center of the ring with a belly to belly suplex. It just so happens that Siberia is still there, and so Devlin performs an unintended senton when he crashes down across her midsection. One holds his spine, while the other holds her midsection, and Spiral looks on with the slight glimmer of satisfaction.
Cross fires in another chop that knocks Cooper into the opposite corner from the one Devlin and Spiral were occupying, but Cooper fires one right back as Cross moves in to follow. The two men open up after that, chop after chop, 'Wooo' after 'Wooo' from the crowd. Just as it appears that Cooper is about to get the upper hand, a knee lift from Recoba cuts him off, followed by an uppercut that sends him back into the corner. Recoba lowers his head and drives his shoulder directly into Cooper's midsection, followed by three more thrusts that have the champion pushed between the middle and top turnbuckle. When he finally steps back, he smugly grins at Cooper before lifting his chin, and lighting him up with a chop that sends the man out of the turnbuckles to his knee's clutching his chest.
LO: Cooper is reeling after that chop, and on the outside Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters are pulling each other to their feet after that major wipe out, and OH! Brookly Light with repeated high knee lifts into Vannah White's midsection, knocking her back over to the guardrail while Dakota Jennings blocks a right hand from Iota Psi, and sends her head first down into the ring apron!
KO: Things are getting physical here right next to us, Laur! We might have to abandon ship!
Just as Kenneth Othello voices that thought, Dakota pulls Psi up to her feet and bounces her skull off the announce table. Psi lies across the surface of the table as Jennings grabs hold of Laurence Othello's iPad, and cracks it off the back of her skull. Iota stumbles away from the table clutching the back of her head as Dakota tosses the pad back down to the table in pieces, leaving Laurence with a crestfallen expression as she follows her prey. Meanwhile, Aoki is back on his feet, and he thinks about going after the four women, but then notices his own partner in the center of the ring clutching her stomach as Spiral steps over her to pull up Brennan Devlin. He grins maniacally as he silently slips into the ring behind The Pale King, and just as Spiral moves to shoot Devlin into the corner Aoki is occupying, Zombie throws both his feet up to catch The Face of Wrestling square in his chest, sending him snapping down to the mat. Spiral looks on at this stoically, but charges for Zombie as well, who ducks his clothesline attempt. When Spiral spins back to face Aoki, the senior Zombie slams his forehead into the bridge of Spiral's nose, sending him falling back into the corner in shock as blood begins to trickle down into his mouth.
LO: Nasty looking headbutt from Aokigahara to Spiral, and now Aoki is moving in with hard right hands, just slamming the man down into the turnbuckles!
KO: Devlin has managed to roll to the outside on the edge of the ring, and Siberia is finally getting to her feet in the center....she see's the melee in the corner with Aoki, and just joined him...and now they are DOUBLE STOMPING SPIRAL INTO OBLIVION!
The Zombies continue their assault to a loud ovation, while on the other side of the ring, Cross Recoba hooks Cooper by the wrist and pushes him into the ropes only to shoot him off to the other side. As Cooper rebounds, Cross steps to the center and ducks his head for a back body drop, but Cooper leap frogs right over him to land safely behind him. When Cross spins around he's caught with a Discus Elbow Smash that sends him crashing to the mat. Cooper looks from side to side to make sure he's clear as the crowd come to their feet, and he rushes the ropes to springboard off the second only to spin in midair into a senton. Cross quickly sits right up to get out of the way, and Cooper, to his credit, hits the mat and rolls right up to his feet. Recoba not realizing this points at his temple with a smarmy smirk, and turns back towards cooper to receive a Spinning Heel Kick to the much for his trouble. Cooper pops up to a big reaction, but the reaction isn't for him, as he's lambasted behind by The Zombie Clan, who have left Spiral effectively beaten down in the corner.
On the outside Brooklyn Light drags Vannah White away from the guardrail, spins her around and places her head underneath her arm. She lifts the woman up, and then brings her down crotch first across the top steel rail of the barrier, and a look of pain and shock tells the story as Vannah slumps. Brooklyn turns just in time to see her own partner being flung right at her by an irish whip from Dakota Jennings, and the two collide, the force sending Dakota hip first into the guardrail beside Vannah, and right over it into the front row. Fans disperse as Dakota Jennings stalks over to help Vannah down out of the compromising position and the two women turn their attention to Iota Psi who lays at their feet after the collision. They yank the woman up, double hook her around the head while draping her arms around theirs, and then take her over hard to the concrete floor in a double suplex. All three women clutch at their spines after the slam, but #Trendsetters are able to get to their feet just in time to see Brooklyn Light step up onto a chair, step up to the top rail of the barrier, and then leap off with a double clothesline that takes both women's heads off.
LO: Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters have managed to take one another out yet again, and let me tell you....I don't appreciate that use of my Ipad!
KO: Suck it up, buttercup! This thing is bound to get more violent than that!
Brennan Devlin watches as his partner takes a beat down thanks to The Zombie Clan with a smirk, hopping up onto the ring apron, and turning his attention to Cross Recoba who claws to get back to his feet. Seeing that he's in prime position, Devlin quickly slips back into the ring, signaling with his foot that he's looking for his patented Face Time. He takes off in Recoba's direction, leaping up into the air and moving his foot so it's adequately targeting the back of his skull, and then is ripped right out of the air by a massive spear from Spiral who just tore out of the corner he had been left in. Devlin slams down to the canvas in a huff, and Spiral bounces up clutching the back of his head, staring down at the man in disgust as Recoba continues to get to his feet. The two men look at one another, then back to Devlin, and finally back at one another. Cross reaches down and jerks Devlin up to his feet, hooking him around the head, and then leaps high into the air before driving him skull first into the canvas with an Implant DDT. Devlin strikes with such impact that his fly up into the air, and Spiral steps forwards to catch them, swinging him up and back down to the canvas with tremendous force thanks to a wheel-burrow suplex! Spiral spins around and hooks Devlin's leg for a cover! Caputo quickly slides into the ring and starts hammering the mat.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Devlin somehow able to kick out of that all his own, while his partner continues to get beat down over in the corner by The Zombie Clan!
KO: Spiral and Recoba now just standing over Devlin, and Recoba seems surprised while Spiral....well....who can tell what that guy is thinking?!?
LO: I don't know about them, but out here near us Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters are once again getting to their feet...and this time it's Psi going after Vanna, and Light going after Jennings.....seem familiar?
KO: Both ladies hammering it out, and now it looks light has control of Jennings and Vannah has control of Psi, and White just threw Vannah back into the ring!
Recoba and Spiral look over to see Vannah as she gets up to her feet and stares down at Iota Psi, completely unaware of the vultures coming in behind her. Out of nowhere Recoba and Spiral are cut off by The Zombie Clan, who rush out of their corner to leave Cosmo Cooper a moment of reprieve after the beat down. Aoki and Spiral trade blows, Aoki forcing The Pale King back into the far corner, while Siberia with a few swift thigh kicks has Recoba begging off towards the ropes. Vannah has turned to watch all of this, and as Devlin tries to get to his feet, she takes this opportunity to run right for him, leaping over his body while hooking him around the shoulder and thigh, and rolls him around until he's tied up into a pin. This time it's Santiago who slides halfway into the ring to make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Cosmo Cooper launching himself out of the corner to keep his team in this thing, and now is pulling Vannah to her feet, but man...he looks haggard after that Zombie Clan beating he took!
KO: So far, The Zombie Clan have executed the team aspect of this match the best, but I was shocked to see Recoba and Spiral actually work together! Maybe these Chimera Tag Championship's really do bring folks together!
LO: It's the whole reason we're here, Ken!
On the outside, Iota Psi turns her attention back over to her partner, who is still trading blows with Dakota Jennings. She joins the fray, and between both members of Neo Tokyo, they manage to drop Dakota Jennings to the floor. Brooklyn wipes a trickle of blood from her mouth, and points down at Dakota Jennings with a snarl, stepping over to the timekeeper's table and snatching up a steel chair. Iota Psi steps to stand in front of her partner, shaking her head 'No', while Brooklyn yells at her to get out of the way and let this happen. This gives Dakota just enough time to recover and get to her knee's, and she gives Iota Psi a violent shove from behind which sends her face first into her own partner. This results in the chair clattering to the floor, and as Neo Tokyo clutch their faces and turn to face their assailant, they both see that Kota is back on her feet with the steel chair firmly in hand.
KO: OH SHIT!
LO: This isn't going to end well....
CRACK! Dakota swings for the fences, slamming the steel chair into Brooklyn Light's arm and sending the woman crashing into her own partner. This knocks Iota Psi off balance, and leaving her unable to even put a hand up before Jennings brings the weapon down across her skull, smashing her to the ground in the process. Brooklyn moves to get up and intercept, but Dakota boots her back down, and CRACK! Another nasty chair shot puts the Neo Tokyo member up against the guardrail in pain. Meanwhile, in the ring, Cooper flings Vannah over in the corner and comes running in to catch her right across the skull with a high running knee, and then spins to hook her around the head and runs White out into a bulldog that stretches her face across the canvas! Cooper flips her over onto her back, and quickly hooks the leg.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-
CRACK! The count is broken by a chair shot to Cooper's spine by Dakota Jennings, who now stands over the man with a look of rage on her face. Just at that moment, Siberia Zombie, who was pummeling Cross Recoba in the far corner, whips the man towards the center of the ring, right at Dakota Jennings. Cross manages to put the brakes on as Dakota spins around, and his fist comes up as if he's about to strike the woman. The two lovers hesitate for a moment, and Siberia watches on expectantly. A smile creeps over Recoba's face, and his fist slowly drops to his side, shaking his head 'No' and giving the woman a reassuring nod. Dakota returns the nod, and that's about the time the chair swings around and smacks off of Recoba's spine. Cross buckles like he was just tasered, shock and pain etched on his face as he stumbles towards the ropes and then falls to his knee's. Siberia comes rushing out, and CRACK! eats the steel chair as it smashes into her face like a baseball swing. Spiral watches over his shoulder while both hands are around Aokigahara's throat over in their corner, and his eyebrow raises as Dakota turns towards him. He reverses his grip on Aoki, and sends him running out to meet Jennings while he drops down and slips out of the ring. CRACK! Aoki goes to the ground clutching the top of his head as Dakota stands tall in a ring littered with bodies.
LO: MY GOD! DAKOTA JENNINGS HAS JUST SLAUGHTERED EVERYONE WITH THAT STEEL CHAIR!
KO: It's just a hunk of twisted metal at this point!
LO: Sprial was wise enough to get out of the way, and when Devlin looked up to see what was going on, he rolled to the outside to rest against the ring apron...Now what's she doing?
KO: She's going to finish off Siberia Zombie is what she's doing! She just pushed the woman over onto her back, and is going to cave her skull in with the edge of that chair!
Dakota raises the chair high above her head by its legs, but just as she's about to bring it crashing down onto Siberia Zombie's head, she is suddenly dragged back from her target. The chair strikes the mat instead, and Dakota spins around to see Vannah White standing there, concern on her face. Vannah indicates the carnage in the ring with a confused expression, shaking her head 'No', and holding out her palm for Dakota to give her the chair. The fans watch in a hushed tone as Dakota looks around herself, then back to Vannah, and her head slowly drops as she raises the chair out so that Vannah can take a hold of it. Vannah grabs the chair, but when she moves to take it away, she finds that it's still being clutched by Jennings. The woman's head slowly rises, and on her face is an expression of disappointment mingled with determination, fire smoldering from her eyes. Vannah looks on horrified as Dakota yanks the chair free from her grasp, and then brings it crashing down on her own partner's skull.
LO: OH!
KO: MY!
LO: GOD!
LO: DAKOTA JENNINGS HAS COMPLETELY SNAPPED HERE! SHE'S WEARING THE HOLY HELL OUT OF VANNAH WHITE WITH THAT CHAIR!
KO: SHE'S TOTALLY LOST IT, LAUR!!
By the time Dakota Jennings finally tosses the mangled chair out of the ring, it looks like a mangled piece of steel rather than a place where you'd sit down. Vannah white is a battered and bloody mess in the center of the ring, and the rest of the participants of the ring have backed up towards the edges in shock as Dakota comes to stand over her partner. She peels the 'Besties Forever' T-shirt off, and wads it up so that she can lean down and stuff it into Vannah White's mouth. Vannah chokes, turning to the side, as Dakota points at her self and says in a clear and dangerous voice, "I....am in nobodies shadow." With that she spits on the Youtuber and lifts double birds at the crowd as she makes her way towards the ropes. She dumps out between them and makes her way up the ramp as the fans pour out a maelstrom of boo's, the shock having finally warn off.
LO: What the hell was that?!?!
KO: Looks like the #Trendsetters just broke up, Laur...and Dakota Jennings is done with this match!
LO: Well no shit! Vannah White is unmoving in the ring, and Dakota Jennings just disappeared behind the curtain...this is INSANE!
KO: The rest of the participants in this match seem just as shocked as the rest of us....but we've got Chimera Tag Champion's to decide! Come on everyone....up and at 'em!
LO: Cosmo Cooper, technically an opponent to Vannah White, is checking on her now. You have to remember that Cooper and White were brought in together to be Vanessa Byrne's champions of choice, and he even alluded that they should have been the ones partnered in this thing in earlier comments, but...I think this just went beyond a wrestling match...
Medics rush down to the ring carrying a gurney, and they enter as the rest of the participants step off to the side to give them room. After a few seconds to secure the woman's neck, they shift her on to the gurney and the helpless fans watch as one of their favorites is transported out beside the ramp and to the back for emergency assistance. Cooper watches them go with a shake of his head, and turns around just in time to get jumped by Cross Recoba. Aoki and Siberia exchange a glance, and then the two of them rush in and grab Recoba, dragging him out away from the corner while throwing in jabs and elbows into his ribs. Cooper for his part, wipes sweat from his brow, a look of disgust on his face as he hops up to the second, then steps up to the top, and flies across the ring into a High Cross Body that takes out all three competitors.
Meanwhile, on the outside, Spiral notices Devlin as he peeps over the edge of the ring, and starts to make his way along the outside to that area. Just as he comes around the corner, Devlin springs up in a surprise attack, hammering right hands into the man's face and knocking him back against the steel ring post. Devlin's hands manage to find Spiral's ears, and he yanks his head forward before driving it straight back so that it strikes the steel with a sickening thud. He repeats the process three more times before taking a step back, allowing The Pale King to slide down to a seated position. He looks up into the ring to spy Cooper getting to his feet after his death defying leap, and hops up onto the apron to join him in the ring.
LO: Brennan Devlin and Cosmo Cooper now in the ring, and Devlin is pointing down at The Zombie Clan and talks about ejecting them where they can put Recoba away.
KO: Smart strategy if Cooper will just listen to him, but no....he's going after Recoba instead. HEY!
LO: Devlin tried to grab Cooper by the arm to reason with him, and The Graps Jesus just shoved him so hard he fell back into the ropes. Devlin and Cooper now exchanging words, and this doesn't look good!
Brennan starts to step towards Cosmo to get into his face, but he's inexplicably tripped up and falls face first down to the canvas. When Cosmo looks past him to the outside, Neo Tokyo have both of Devlin's ankles, and give them a strong tug to yank him right under the bottom rope to slap off the concrete floor below. Both ladies hop up onto the ring apron, and Cosmo shrugs just before rushing right at them with a double clothesline, but the ladies drop, pulling the top rope with them, sending Cooper tumbling over to land unceremoniously beside his partner. Light and Psi look down at Cooper and Devlin as they struggle to get to their feet, leaving them on the outside as they step through to the inside.
LO: Neo Tokyo showing some in stereo ring work there, and OH! SIBERIA ZOMBIE JUST TOOK IOTA PSI'S HEAD OFF WITH A BUZZSAW LIKE YAKUZA KICK!
KO: AND AOKI JUST NAILED BROOKLYN LIGHT WITH TO THE LOST!
LO: THERE'S A PIN ON LIGHT FROM AOKI!
1...
2...
3!!!
Ring Announcer: NEO TOKYO HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!!
LO: I can't believe it! I thought they were on the verge of getting some of their momentum back, and from out of nowhere The Zombie Clan strikes!
KO: I know what you mean....They literally just took two of Valor Pro's best out of the equation, one of those being the current Apex Champion, and then it was over just like that!
Kenneth Othello snaps his finger with a shake of his head as Neo Tokyo slowly roll under the bottom rope clutching their skulls, much the same way they did everything, in unison. Aoki grins and waves as Neo Tokyo makes their way back up the ramp, and Siberia salutes the two women with a head nod. Meanwhile, behind them, Cross Recoba has slowly risen to his knee's, having been playing possum for quite some time. Suddenly, both his forearms come up between The Zombie Clan's legs respectively, and their look of shock and pain filled faces turn the crowd into a sea of boo's for The Fox. Both Zombies clutch their crotches as they drop to their knee's in the center of the ring, and Recoba pushes up to his feet with a huge grin on his face, strutting and playing up to the boo's.
LO: Cross Recoba in usual fashion taking advantage of the situation, but what he doesn’t see while he’s strutting around is Cosmo Cooper climbing up to the top turnbuckle of the nearby corner!
KO: Come on Fox! Turn around!
Recoba does just that and Cosmo leaps from the top with a diving knee that slams into Cross’ face with authority, sending him crashing down to the mat in a heap. Cosmo quickly pulls Recoba up to his feet, scooping him up onto his shoulder, and proceeds to spin around into a Tombstone Piledriver the leaves him motionless as he grabs for his leg to make the pin.
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2…
LO: THREe-NO! SPIRAL DIVING IN FROM OUTSIDE THE RING TO BREAK UP THE PIN! Spiral now pulls Cooper up to his feet, and LIFTS HIM UP INTO A TORTURE RACK…FLIPPING HIM BACK OVER INTO A KNEE STRIKE RIGHT UNDER HIS JAW!
KO: He calls that The Spiral Effect, Laur, and I think it just knocked our Apex Champion out cold!
LO: Spiral just dropped and went for a cover, but before the ref can even start to count Brennan Devlin is back in the ring yanking Spiral up!
KO: Spiral with a shove to Devlin, but THE FACE OF WRESTLING ANSWERS RIGHT BACK WITH A SUPERKICK THAT KNOCKS SPIRAL BACK INTO THE ROPES…
LO: Springing back now…FACE OFF!! DEVLIN JUST TOOK SPIRAL TO TASK, AND IS NOW GOING FOR THE COVER!
1…
2…
LO: THREe-NO! AOKI AND SIBERIA BOTH SHOVING BRENNAN OFF TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
Devlin comes up hot, but receives a spinning back fist by Aoki for his protests, followed by a roundhouse kick by Siberia that sends him crashing to the mat. Aoki signals to one of the corners, barking instructions to Siberia, as he pulls Devlin off the mat. Siberia heads out onto the apron and starts to climb as Aoki lifts Brennan up in a side slam position, turning so that his head is in line with Siberia who reaches her perch. The Japanese fans come to their feet as Siberia lets out a warriors cry, diving from the top rope into a leg drop that finds Brennan’s skull at the same time that Aoki sits down into the Side Slam.
LO: MY GOD! BRENNAN DEVLIN JUST GOT HIS BODY AND SKULL CRUSHED INTO THE MAT BY THE ZOMBIE CLAN!
KO: Yeah, and they aren’t done, Laur…they are looking to clear the ring so they can put one of these other two teams away.
Siberia and Aoki work together to pull Cosmo and Recoba up off the mat, but are surprised by chops from each respective man that begs the two Zombies off. In unison the two step into more chops, driving their opponents back all the way to the opposite ropes, where they take their wrists and whip them to the far side in stereo. Aoki & Siberia hit off the ropes, and both Cosmo and Cross step out to meet them, catching them with Back Body Drops that send them sailing high into the air only to come crashing back down to the mat with a thud. Cooper and Recoba look down at The Zombie Clan, and then look up to one another, as if for the first time realizing that they had been working together.
LO: That brief alliance is already short lived as Cross fires right in on Cooper with a chop, but the Apex Champion fires right back! I tell you what, it feels like these two have been at each other since the beginning of this matchup!
KO: That’s cause they have! Recoba figures if he’s going for the Chimera Tag Championships anyways, what better way to put an exclamation on it if he were able to pin the Apex Champion to do it.
LO: Out of all the superstars in this match, it does seem that Cooper has the biggest target on his back. Hell, even his own partner would put him down if this wasn’t about championship gold!
The two men continue chopping, the crowd once again getting behind the battle, when suddenly Cooper ducks one of Recoba’s chops sending him off balance. This gives Cosmo the chance to slip in behind him, slip his head under his arm, and then lifts him up and drops straight to the canvas into a Side Suplex. Cooper comes up quickly, making his way to the outside where he begs for the man to get up, and as Recoba does, he grips the top rope, spring boarding over into a perfect torpedo head-butt that sends Cross crashing to the mat.
LO: Cooper was going to go for a pin there, but he sees Siberia on her feet coming right for him, and he rises just in time to take a barrage of kicks that knock him back into the corner!
KO: Siberia is all over him with rights, lefts, and the kitchen sink! Now just delivering shin kicks right to his chest, followed by a spinning roundhouse right in the gut that crushes him against the turnbuckles!
LO: Devlin is finally getting to his feet, but he’s wobbily, and over on the other side of the ring Spiral is doing the same! HERE COMES DEVLIN WITH A CLOTHESLINE, AND THERE GOES SPIRAL UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO TUMBLE DOWN TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
KO: Devlin turning back towards Siberia to pull her off of his partner, BUT AOKI JUST JAMMED HIS FINGERS DOWN THE MAN’S GULLET!
LO: ITAI CLAW ON DEVLIN, AND HE IS STUMBLING AROUND THE RING DRAGGING AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE WITH HIM, BUT HE WON’T LET LOOSE OF THE HOLD!
KO: That is disgusting, Laur…I mean….ew.
The two men struggle all over the ring, nearly tripping over Recoba who tries to get back to his feet after that head-butt from Cooper. Aoki manages to get his boot in behind Devlin’s knee, forcing him down to his and stopping the wayward charge around the canvas. Devlin grips at Aoki’s wrist, but his eyes begin to flutter, a sign that he might be fading. Recoba does manage to get to his feet, and he charges right for Aoki only for the Zombie to cock his head back and then thrust it forwards, spewing white mist right into Recoba’s face. The blinded Recoba bumps in the center of the ring and rolls around rubbing at his eyes, as Zombie nods to an absolutely bonkers crowd.
KO: THE ZOMBIE CLAN ARE IN CONTROL OF THIS MATCH, WITH SIBERIA HOLDING OFF COOPER IN THE CORNER, AND AOKI TAKING ON BOTH DEVLIN AND RECOBA AT THE SAME TIME!
LO: Yeah, but Spiral is back in the ring, and he doesn’t look too happy about it. Here he comes to nail Aoki from behind….wait, WHAT? HE PUT ON THE BRAKES!
KO: HE JUST SAW THAT BRENNAN DEVLIN IS FADING, AND NOW HE’S BACKING OFF! HE’S GOING TO LET THEM ELIMINATE COOPER AND DEVLIN!
That seems like the plan, only Cooper has started hammering and chopping his way out of the corner, reversing the tide as he flips Siberia into the corner, and levels her with shoulder thrusts to the gut. When he rises up he hooks the woman around the head in a side headlock, and rushes out of the corner right for Aokigahara Zombie. The senior Zombie’s eyes go wide as he quickly abandons his hold on Devlin to try and get his arms up in defense, but Cooper uses the top of Siberia’s head like a battering ram that caves in Aoki’s chest. He and Devlin both crumple to the floor, one because of the Itai Claw, and the other because he just got lambasted by his own partner.
LO: Spiral watching these events unfold, and now rushes across the ring right for Cooper, but he just threw Siberia in his path, and HE TAKES HER HEAD OFF WITH A CLOTHESLINE AND JUST KEEPS ON COMING!
KO: SPEAR BY SPIRAL, BUT COOPER JUST LEAP FROGGED IT AND SPIRAL WENT THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!
LO: Cooper stepping over to the ropes, gripping the top with both hands….Spiral coming up to his feet, and ROLLING CORKSCREW SPLANCHA TAKES BOTH MEN DOWN TO THE CONCRETE!
KO: Cooper and Spiral fighting against one another to struggled back to their feet…wait…look up in the ring….RECOBA’S UP AND THUNDERS TOWARDS THAT SIDE…..A MILLION LIRA TAKES ALL THREE OUT OF THIS MATCH UP!
As the three men on the outside are wiped out by aerial offense, Brennan Devlin gets to his feet and falls back into a corner, adjusting his jaw and spitting to try and get Aoki’s taste out of his mouth. About that time The Zombie Clan struggle to help one another up in the center of the ring, and before they can get fully upright, Devlin rushes at both of them, leaps into the air, and delivers Double Famasser’s that drives them face first back into the canvas. Once again, the roof explodes.
LO: DEVLIN HAS LAID OUT BOTH ZOMBIES, AND NOW IT’S LIKE TAKE YOUR PICK AS HE PUSHES SIBERIA OVER ONTO HER BACK AND GOES FOR A PIN!
1…
2…
KO: THREe-KICK OUT! Devlin beats the mat in frustration, and now he’s rolling Aoki onto his back, and hooking the leg deep!
1…
2…
LO: THREe-KICK OUT AGAIN! The Zombies are still in this thing, and Devlin now coming to his feet to argue with the ref, as Caputo signals that it was only a two count!
On the outside, Recoba has crawled to the guardrails to help pull himself up, but he’s followed closely by Cooper near the ring apron. As he finally gets upright, he turns just in time to see Cosmo charging right for him with a clothesline that sends him up and over the guardrail and out into the first row. Cooper runs his fingers through his sweat drenched hair to get it out of his face as he hops the guardrail to join Cross, getting him up to his feet and delivering a chop much to the fans delight. Recoba begs off as he stumbles over towards the aisle running between section, and the two men begin to brawl their way deeper into the cheering crowd.
LO: COSMO COOPER AND CROSS RECOBA ARE DISAPPEARING INTO THAT SEA OF HUMANITY, AND SPIRAL JUST SLIPPED BACK INTO THE RING!
KO: This is dangerous territory, Laur! Devlin and Spiral do not like each other and represent two different teams, but that leaves them in the ring with a unified Zombie Clan.
LO: Certainly seems like the advantage might be swinging their way as circumstances unfold!
Devlin has finally given up his debate with the ref, and turns around to see that Spiral has slipped back into the ring. The two men stare across at each other, and Devlin flashes his shit eating grin as Spiral rolls his shoulder, preparing for whatever melee is to come. The two men approach each other, and just when it looks like Devlin is about to mouth something off, Spiral doesn’t give him the chance, firing in a right hands that sends him stumbling to the ropes. Spiral moves in to follow up, but finds Devlin firing back with a right of his own instead, and it’s his turn to beg off to the other side of the ring. The two men lock eyes and nod, and then sprint right for one another, colliding in the center of the ring with rights and lefts as the crowd goes nuts.
LO: FISTS ARE FLYING HERE IN OSAKA AS SPIRAL AND DEVLIN TRY TO TEAR ONE ANOTHER APART, BUT THE ZOMBIE CLAN JUST ROSE UP BEHIND EITHER MAN, AND YANKED BOTH OF THEM DOWN FOR A SCHOOLBOY PIN!
1…
2…
KO: THREE-NO! BOTH KICKED OUT! GOD ALMIGHTY! If the Zombie Clan had pulled that off, we’d have new Chimera Tag Team Champions right now!
LO: I KNOW! And we still might!
Spiral and Devlin come up to face their respective Zombie, but are met with a series of kicks from each, knocking them both into opposing corners. Siberia squares off with Spiral this time, while Aoki opens up with one-two combinations on Devlin. The Zombies take either man by the wrist, look over their shoulders to signal their ready, and then shoot them off so that they are hurtling right at one another. To everyone’s surprise, instead of colliding, they hook one another’s arms, spinning the other around, and then soar back out in the opposite directions they had come. Spiral delivers a spear to Aokigahara, while Devlin nails Siberia with a spin wheel kick.
LO: All four competitors down in the ring after that exchange, and…wait….we got cameras on Cooper and Recoba!
KO: Well let’s see that shit!
The camera switches focus from the ring to a camera up in the stands where Cosmo Cooper and Cross Recoba have fought their way all the way up the aisle and into the hallways of the Osaka-Jo Arena. Cooper is dragging Cross by a fistful of hair towards a concession stand, and upon arriving, drives him face first down into the counter. Fans have gathered all around the two as the attendants of the stand back as far away as they can, hands going to their paper sailboat like hats in anxious dismay.
LO: Cooper backing Cross up now, and he IRISH WHIPS THE MAN RIGHT AT THE CONCESSION STAND! RECOBA HITS THE COUNTER AND ROLLS RIGHT OVER IT TO THE OTHER SIDE TO SMACK ON THE LENOLIUM!
KO: This isn’t right, Laur! Cross Recoba doesn’t know anything about fast food! He only eats at the finest restaurants! THIS MIGHT RUIN HIS SENSIBLE PALET!
LO: I don’t know anything about that, but Cosmo Cooper just hopped that counter and is pulling Recoba up…OH! Cross just shoved Cooper hard into that concrete wall, and PICKS UP THE CASH REGISTER AND DRIVES IT INTO COSMO’S SKULL!!
KO: CHA-CHING!
LO: Cosmo just slid down the wall, and Recoba tosses the cash register down to the floor and is crawling out of the concession stand….I guess he’s just going to leave the Apex Champion laying so that he can try and get back to the match.
KO: Speaking of…Spiral and Devlin are back on their feet in the ring, and they’ve just stomped the Zombie Clan completely out of the ring.
Spiral shoves Siberia under the bottom rope and to the floor with the toe of his boot, while on the opposite side of the ring Brennan Devlin does the same to Aokigahara. The two men turn back towards each other, and Devlin nods as the fans come to their feet, him indicating with an accusing finger that Spiral was about to get him some of The Face of Wrestling. An unexpected smirk comes to Spiral’s usually stoic expression, and the two men begin to circle in the center of the ring until finally locking up.
LO: Spiral with a go behind on Devlin, lifting him up and slamming him to the mat on his front, but Devlin quickly spins to a seated position, and is already working up to his feet!
KO: Spiral again lifts him up, but this time Brennan rocks forward, taking Spiral to the mat with a modified armdrag!
LO: Both men to their feet quickly, and Spiral goes for a clothesline, but it’s ducked by Devlin…SUPERKICK TAKES SPIRAL’S HEAD OFF!
KO: Devlin dropping for the cover!
1…
2…
LO: THREe-KICK OUT! Spiral just barely got the shoulder up before the count of three, and now Devlin seems pissed. He’s jerking the man up, and pushing him back into the ropes to shoot off to the other side!
The crowd stirs as a spotlight falls on a haggard looking Cross Recoba as he is now making his way back down through the crowd who clasp him on the back as he goes, pausing to threaten to slap the piss out of a few of them as he goes. Miraculously at the top of the aisle Cosmo appears, a huge bruising forming across his right temple and forehead from where the register had crashed against his skull. He starts making his down through the crowd as well just about the time Recoba reaches the front row, and hops the guardrail.
LO: Cross Recoba and Cosmo Cooper are at least back in viewing distance, as Spiral rebounds off the ropes, and IS CAUGHT WITH A SLINGBLADE BY DEVLIN THAT SMACKS THE BACK OF HIS HEAD OFF THE MAT!
KO: On the side that Cross is coming into Siberia is using the apron to get back to her feet, and Recoba just grabbed a steel chair from a fan at ringside…AND BASHES HER ACROSS THE SPINE WITH IT!
Cross slides into the ring with the chair, causing Devlin to turn his focus from Spiral to The Fox. He rushes over and a boot to the side of Recoba’s head causes him to lose hold of the chair, and it clatters to the outside of the ring as Devlin pulls him in by the hair of the head to the center of the ring. Cross suddenly throws Devlin’s hands away, however, and grabs him by the back of either knee, yanking his legs out from under him. Devlin falls to the canvas and strikes the back of his head, as Cross chokes up, crowing out to the crowd as he spins Devlin over and he steps through into his dreaded finishing hold.
LO: GARABALDI’S GUILLOTINE IS LOCKED IN ON DEVLIN, AND THE FACE OF WRESTLING HAS COME ALIVE IN PAIN!
KO: THERE’S NO WHERE FOR HIM TO GO!
Aoki climbs up onto the apron from his side of the ring, but Spiral has managed to get to his feet, and seeing that his partner has Devlin in trouble, rushes over to cut Zombie off before he can get into the ring. A High Knee Lift through the ropes sends Aoki tumbling back down to the floor just as Cosmo Cooper reaches the ringside barrier and leaps over it.
LO: Cosmo Cooper is back at ringside, and a quick survey of the situation sees him sprinting to belly slide into the ring.
KO: Recoba just dropped the Guillotine to try and cut Cooper off…BUT A HIGH RUNNING KNEE TAKES HIS HEAD OFF, AND RECOBA ROLLS TO THE EDGE OF THE RING CLUTCHING HIS FACE!
LO: Spiral spinning around to see what all the commotion is, and here he comes after Cooper!
Spiral charges at Cooper, but the Apex Champion is ready, catching him coming in with a Superman Punch. The move doesn’t take Spiral down, however, only knocking him back, and Cooper rushes right past him to springboard off the second rope and spin around, catching Spiral around the head as he comes back for a bulldog that drags his face down into the canvas. Cooper gets to his knees after the move, and roars into the heavens, as the capacity crowd goes nuts.
LO: Cosmo Cooper is on fire here, and he just got to his feet to stare down at Spiral as Brennan Devlin pulls himself up by use of the ropes. Devlin’s back has been murdered by Garibaldi’s Guillotine, but he’s indicating to Cooper that it’s time they put Spiral away.
KO: Yeah, but Recoba is sneaking back into the ring behind the two, OH NO!
LO: YEAH, HE WAS SNEAKING! BUT BOTH MEN JUST TURNED TO SPY THE FOX TRYING TO GET ONE OVER ON THEM!
Cross stops dead in his tracks, his eyes going wide, and both hands going out in front of him as he starts vehemently shaking his head no. Cooper and Devlin exchange a brief glance, and then both stalk right for Recoba. Cross quickly turns to try and hightail it out of the ring, but Cooper catches him by the back of his tights, exposing his bottom to the fans of the front row. The crowd cat calls Recoba as he’s dragged back into the ring, and the two men spin him around.
LO: Recoba at the mercies of Brennan Devlin and Cosmo Cooper, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it looks like they are going to work together here!
KO: Hey, it’s like they both have said all along…..this is about championship gold. Their rivalry can be put on hold long enough to decide this contest here tonight!
They drag Recoba out to the center of the ring where Devlin lets go and takes step back, leaving Cooper to fire in a chop that sends Recoba stumbling towards Brennan. Devlin answers with a big right hand that sends Recoba back to Cooper who fires in a chop. This goes on for some time until finally Cooper goes for a low leg sweep at the same time that Devlin fires in a Superkick. Recoba crashes to the mat hard off the momentum.
LO: Cooper sliding over for a cover, but Spiral just dove in and broke it up, and now Devlin is stomping on the back of the man’s head!
KO: Recoba just rolled to the outside of the ring as Cooper gets to his feet, and Devlin pulls Spiral up…AND SPIRAL NAILS HIM WITH A JAW BREAKER THAT SENDS HIM SPRAWLING TO THE NEARBY CORNER INTO A SEATED POSITION!
LO: Cooper spins Spiral around from behind, and WALKS INTO A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT FROM THE PALE KING! Cooper falling back into the ropes, and springing back…SPIRAL WITH ANOTHER SENDS HIM DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
KO: And look….Recoba struggling to his feet, climbing up onto the apron…BUT THE ZOMBIE CLAN JUST YANKED HIS FEET OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND HE WENT FACE FIRST DOWN INTO THE EDGE OF THE RING!
Zombie Clan proceed with stomping out Cross at ringside as Spiral watches on, realizing that his hands are full here in the ring. He reaches down to pull Cosmo to his feet, and then lifts him up into Torture Rack position. Before he can deliver the second Spiral Effect to Cooper for the night, Brennan Devlin charges out of nowhere from his corner, leaping into the air to grab Spiral’s head on his way down.
LO: FACE OFF FROM DEVLIN, AND MY GOD! SPIRAL HAD COOPER UP ON HIS SHOULDERS WHEN HE DID IT, AND ALL OF THAT ADDED WEIGHT CAME DOWN ONTO SPIRAL’S HEAD WHEN IT WAS FORCED INTO THE CANVAS!
KO: DEVLIN SHOVING COSMO OUT OF THE WAY, AND FLIPPING SPIRAL OVER ONTO HIS BACK….THERE’S THE PIN!
1…
2…
3!!!
Ring Announcer: CROSS RECOBA AND SPIRAL HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED!!!
LO: Oh My God! Do you know what that means? We’re down to two teams! Brennan Devlin & Cosmo Cooper or The Zombie Clan!
KO: And one of those teams is destined to be our first ever Chimera Tag Team Champions!
The Zombie Clan cease their ringside beating of Cross Recoba at the announcement, both of them staring up at the ring where Devlin has fallen off of Spiral who is being helped out of the ring by Santiago and Caputo. Brennan’s head lifts up to lock eyes with the Zombies, and they take on determined faces as they stalk towards the ring to leap up onto the ring apron.
LO: Devlin is shaking Cosmo, who is groggily getting to his feet, but The Zombie Clan have already stepped through the ropes….AND DEVLIN RUSHES OUT TO MEET THEM WITH A HIGH CROSSBODY…BUT THEY CAUGHT HIM!
KO: UH-OH!
Siberia has Brennan’s lower half while Aoki has his upper, and the two nod, before popping their hips backwards and delivering an awkward Fallaway Slam that sends Brennan right up and over the top rope to land unceremoniously with a splat on the concrete floor. Both get to their feet and look out at their handiwork satisfied, but turn towards Cosmo to find that he’s charging right for them. He nails them with a double clothesline that sends them up and over the top rope to tumble to the floor as well, and then drops to one knee out of fatigue, clutching the side of his head where the huge bruise is pulsing red.
LO: Cross Recoba and Spiral are being escorted up the ramp by security as their part in this tale is done, and now Cooper has effectively cleared the ring, but the toll of a match like this is now wreaking havoc on everyone!
KO: No doubt! It’s not every day that you have your bell rung by a freakin’ cash register from concessions!
LO: No, and it’s not every day that you have to run the gauntlet like this either. But Cooper is now back on his feet, and as The Zombie Clan try to reach theirs, he falls back into the ropes for spring, thunders back across, and SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES WIPES BOTH OF THEM OUT!
All competitors are down at ringside, but it’s Devlin who finds his feet first, though it’s obvious his spine is out of alignment when he does. He gingerly reaches down to pull Aoki up to his feet, and leads him by a fistful of hair over to the nearby steel steps, sending his skull to bounce off the top. Aoki snarls and pulls away after the impact, stumbling his way towards the announce table with Devlin in pursuit.
LO: OH NO! I don’t like the looks of this…
KO: Yep…that’s our cue to split!
Devlin catches up with Aoki, this time sending his skull bouncing off the announce table, and then swinging him up so that he now lays across it. A few right hands find their mark, while back over on the other side of the ring, Cosmo has reached his feet and rolled back into the ring. Cooper pulls himself up and watches as his partner delivers right hand after right hand into Aoki’s skull, and he steps over to the nearest corner, climbing the turnbuckles until he’s perched on the top.
LO: Devlin has Aokigahara Zombie stretched out on our announce table, and Cosmo Cooper just ascended to the top rope. This cannot end well…
KO: These daredevils are fools, Laur! Just try and win the match…don’t rearrange the damn furniture!
Cosmo yells at Devlin who looks up to notice his partner perched for the first time, and Brennan backs off from the table and signals for Cooper to go for it. The Apex Champion stands to his full height, and every fan in the arena leaves their feet in anticipation as he salutes with two fingers before leaping out into the ether. Cooper seems to hang there forever in the air, and then suddenly descends in fast forward, crashing down through Aokigahara’s chest with an elbow and causing the entire announce table to go up into a hail of splinters. The fans explode with the only chant that could ever explain a match like this.
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! AOKIGAHARA HAS BEEN SENT DOWN INTO THE DEPTH OF HELL, AND BOTH MEN ARE COVERED BY A PLETHORA OF SPLINTERS FROM OUR OWN ANNOUNCE BOOTH!
KO: Devlin is just laughing now, giving a slow clap for his partners sacrifice….OH MY GOD! SIBERIA ZOMBIE IS ON THE RING APRON…SHE’S RUNNING ACROSS….DEVLIN TURNS, AND HIGH RUNNING KNEE TAKES HIS FREAKIN HEAD OFF!
LO: Cooper and Aoki are effectively out of this match, and now Siberia has control of Devlin as she shoots him into the ring, and follows him in!
Siberia pops up to her feet as Devlin stumbles to his, and she rushes in to meet him with a barrage of rights, lefts, palm thrusts, and biting kicks that drive him back into the corner. She pulls his head down, driving lightening like knee strikes into his face as he begins to slump in the corner. As he falls into a seated position Siberia backs away along the ropes, and once she bumps into the adjacent corner, she tears back across the ring throwing her boot out to collide with Brennan’s face, washing her boot painfully across his cheek.
LO: SIBERIA ZOMBIE WITH HUGE IMPACT TO DEVLIN!
KO: Brennan crawling out of the corner to try and escape her, but the Siberian Buzzsaw just stepped in his path, and now Brennan sitting up on his knee’s to stare up into the eyes of a woman who has no mercy!
LO: SHIN KICKS TO DEVLIN’S CHEST BEING FIRED IN, AND HE’S BOBBING AND WEAVING LIKE A SEA-BUOY AS SIBERIA CONTINUES DRIVING THEM IN!
The crowd begin to count along with Siberia as she goes, and when they reach ten she back off into a side jujitsu stance, and spins around with a devastating round kick that takes Devlin’s head off and sends him crumpling down to the mat. Siberia quickly drops down for a cover.
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO!! MY GOD! WHERE IN THE HELL DID COOPER COME FROM! HOW IN THE HELL!
KO: I DON’T KNOW, BUT HE JUST SAVED THIS MATCH FOR HIS TEAM! BIG TIME!
Siberia gets to her feet in a rage, Cooper up to his, but on wobbly legs. Siberia comes in on him much the same as she did Brennan, and Cooper gets his hands up as he’s forced back into the corner to try and deflect some of the blows. He suddenly gives Siberia a shove away from the corner, and when she starts to head back in he brings both boots up to strike her in the chest and send her down to the canvas. As she begins to rise, he rushes out, catching her around the waist, and delivers a Belly to Belly Overhead Release Suplex that sends Siberia soaring to crash awkwardly against the turnbuckles of the corner they were just in.
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! SIBERIA MAY BE DEAD AFTER THAT!
KO: The way she struck those turnbuckles and landed awkwardly on the back of her head and neck…you might be right!
LO: Cooper is lying there sucking wind, but he just sat up, and Devlin is starting to stir as well…Both men are fighting to get to their feet..
Just as they do so, a sudden burst of white mist engulfs the whole ring, and Cooper and Devlin are sent choking, coughing, and sputtering as they blindly stumble around the ring. On the outside, Aokigahara Zombie, holding a high pressure K style fire extinguisher cackles wildly. The man is a bloody and bruised mess. There is even a piece of splintered wood from the announce table sticking out of his shoulder, but he continues to pump the ring full of the white cloud with glee before the tank goes empty, and he tosses it to the side.
LO: Aokigahara Zombie has filled the ring with the contents of that fire extinguisher, and now slips in to blind, choking opponents!
KO: I can’t believe this guy is still functioning, but I guess I could say the same for any of them that have survived to this point!
Aoki rises, slinking to the center of the ring, watching with a toothy grin on his face as Cooper stumbles towards him, rubbing at his eyes. Aoki side steps the Apex Champion, letting him pass, but taps him on the shoulder. Cooper reacts, swinging around with a chop that Aoki has to scramble to avoid. The senior Zombie grins again as Devlin stumbles into view, also rubbing his eyes, and he begins to stomp around the ring, drawing the two men so that they are now nearly back to back with one another. Sneaking up beside them, he lets out a war cry, slapping Devlin on the shoulder. Cooper turns in the direction of the call, while Devlin immediately goes on the defensive in the only way he knows how, the offensive, catching his own partner around the side of the head and leaping out, driving him face first to the mat with a cutter.
LO: FACE OFF! BRENNAN DEVLIN JUST BLINDLY NAILED HIS OWN PARTNER WITH HIS FINISHER!
KO: OH NO! GOD ALMIGHTY!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!
Devlin snaps up, falling back to grab the ropes for support, wiping at his eyes and finally being able to see what’s going on. Aoki grins at Devlin as he looks down at a prone Cooper, then back to Aoki, and finally back to Cooper. He shakes his head in disbelief, and looks up just in time to see Siberia Zombie charging right for him, sending a Yakuza kick into the side of his head that sends him thundering to the mat. Aoki quickly flips Cooper onto his back and makes the cover, Siberia rushing over and sitting on his shoulders for the added leverage.
1…
2…
3!!!
LO: OH MY GOD! THEY DID IT! ZOMBIE CLAN ARE OUR FIRST EVER CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!
KO: That might be the damnedest finish to a match that I’ve ever seen. Seriously….
Siberia helps Aoki, and he falls back into the ropes to help hold him upright as they both stare down at Cooper who rolls over onto his stomach, still rubbing his eyes. Aoki gives the woman a slight grin and nod, as Caputo brings the Chimera Tag Championship belts into the ring, and present it to them.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match, and FIRST EVER CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS....SIBERIA ZOMBIE...AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE.....THE ZOMBBIEEE CLANNNN!!
The Japanese crowd erupts as Aoki reaches out and hugs Siberia's neck while holding up one of the championships with his free hand. Siberia pats Aoki on the back, and she can't help but let a smile pierce through her usual tough demeanor as she holds the championship out in front of her to look at it. The two Zombies take opposing turnbuckles, Siberia thrusting the belt up in victory while Aoki slaps the face plate, and laughs maniacally to the crowd.
LO: The Zombie Clan have outlasted the other four teams in this match, but what a damn match. We saw #Trendsetters all but implode, with Dakota Jennings laying everyone out before she exited the match...and we're receiving word that Vannah White is seriously injured due to concussion. Who knows if she'll even be able to make any future dates after that travesty...
KO: And what about Neo Tokyo getting eliminated right after. They were the team that helped instigate all this tag team carnage to begin with, and were the first to actually get pinnned!
LO: I know, but I think the surprise to me more than anything was how well Spiral and Recoba got along in this match. Something tells me though, those two aren't going to be aspiring to any tag team gold together in the future.
KO: Right, and the same could be said about the team of Devlin and Cooper...well....with the exception of right here at the end...
LO: No doubt, but the team of the night are the ones celebrating in the ring with the Chimera Tag Team Championships. The Zombie Clan rule the tag mountain!
Kowloon and Fukushima come rushing down the ramp as fireworks explode along the stage, confetti raining down from the rafters. They hit the ring and Kowloon rushes in on Siberia, lifting her up in a huge bear hug, and then places her on his shoulder to parade her around the ring while she holds the championship. Fukushima steps right up to Zombie, and then sheepishly gives him a smile and a pat on the head, and the leader of The Zombies laughs, tossing his arm around her shoulder. The quartet continue their celebration along with the fans.
Outside the ring, Brennan Devlin clutches his jaw, standing on the ramp watching the festivities in the ring. He shakes his head in disbelief as Cosmo stumbles up the ramp cradling his skull as he goes, dragging the Apex Championship behind him. He reaches Brennan's spot and looks back, running his free hand through his hair, clear disappointment on his face. That's when Devlin spins him by his shoulder, hooks him around the head, and drops him where he stands with another cutter, this time against the steel grating of the ramp.
LO: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS GUY!
KO: HAHA! He's just reminding Cooper exactly where he stands!
LO: Are you freakin' kidding me! Technically it was that very move that cost them this match! Albeit that one was an accident due to the blinding factor, but that was blatantly deliberate!
KO: Yeah, and I think that's Devlin's way of saying, partnership over, feud back on!
Devlin sneers down at Cooper as he slowly back ups the ramp towards the exit, his own disappointment showing through as he reaches the curtain and disappears. Medical staff rush halfway down the ramp to check on Cooper, but after a moment he shoves them away, the camera clearly picking up 'That son of a bitch!' as he gingerly stalks towards the curtain. The shot returns to The Zombie Clan still celebrating their huge victory with the Chimera Tag Belts on clear display before cutting backstage.
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: This is the moment we've all been waiting for, and Neo Tokyo looks primed and ready to put on a show here tonight!
KO: No doubt that Cyberpunk Cyborgs from the future will be a huge hit here in Japan...
LO: Not only that, but they look like all differences have been set aside since the issues between Brooklyn Light and Dakota Jennings subsided. It's good to see...
The clapping beginning of ''Shooting Stars" by Bag Raiders hit's over the PA System, and the lights around the stage start flashing along with the beat of the song. The fans all come to their feet and clap with the rhythm just as Vannah White rushes out onto stage, pausing at the top of the ramp to soak in the cheers from her adoring audience. She flashes her trademark smile, and walks halfway down the ramp before coming to a stop just as her music fades out and the opening riffs of 'Survival' by Eminem hit's over the PA System, and the fans turn from Vannah to the stage that flashes a bright light just as the lyrics kick in. When the lights go down Dakota is standing center stage, staring up at her one hand pointing skyward. Her head slowly tilts down to her partner along with the finger until she's pointing right at her. A grin comes over her face as the fans send a wave of cheers her way as she starts down the ramp. Upon reaching Vannah, the two share a hug, which sends the male fans wild, and the two slaps hands as they continue down to ringside wearing their newest T-shirts.
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 that hold up signs just for her.
LO: The #Trendsetters equally look ready to go in this contest, and it's nice to see the two friends finally back on the same page.
KO: If you say so...
LO: You just can't be happy for them, can you, Ken?
KO: Not when it holds someone back. Dakota Jennings was well on her way to finding that killer instinct, and it got pulled back down into that happy place by Vannah White. I'm sorry, but that was a mistake in my opinion.
The lights go dim and the big screen above the stage flickers to life with the sound of an army of marching zombies filtering through the arena, while the fans go absolutely crazy for the two team this signifies as coming out next. 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 next, 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 the two opposing teams already 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 Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters.
LO: This may be the favorite to win this whole thing tonight, Ken. The Zombie Clan are not only wrestlers, but a family, and we've seen what they can do against some stiff competition in the tournament.
KO: No doubt, but I predict when all is said and done, this thing is going to be so chaotic that teams may not even matter!
'Turn To Stone' by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spot light illuminates the arena. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, gripping his titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in his right hand. The crowd responds with a chorus of boo's for The Fox while Cross uses the handle of the cane to push his shag hair cut from his face, flicking his head back confidently as he grins out at the audience obnoxiously. He holds up the cane that has caused so much trouble in the past to an even more venomous response from the fans, and he begins down the ramp still holding it aloft.
Ring Announcer: Introducing first, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 230 pounds, hailing from New York, New York...He is a former two time UnYielding Champion, 'THE FOX' CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!
Recoba reaches ringside and heckles the crowd sitting front row, before smugly holding the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips to kiss for luck. The fans continue to boo as he sets the cane down in his corner, and then climbs the steps into the ring, strutting around one edge of the ring, regarding the other teams with a shit eating grin until his eyes lock with Dakota's, and he winks. His music is suddenly interrupted by the sound of war drums banging, followed by a guitar rhythm. The lights dim and the stage lights flash white with the beat as Spiral steps stoically out onto the stage to a mixed reaction. He stares down at the ring as if it is beneath him, and he sniffs the air as if he's a shark looking for blood in the water. His eyes narrow just as he starts down the ramp towards the ring.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his partner, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 205 pounds, hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark...He is 'THE PALE KING' SPIRRRAALLL!!
A statuesque coldness surrounds the man as he reaches ringside and climbs the steps onto the apron, swinging into the squared circle in an easy fluid motion that belies a serpents grace. Cross steps up beside him, clasping him on the back, and Spiral regards him with a withering gaze. Recoba laughs the awkwardness away, but does take a step back letting his hand fall to his side.
LO: That doesn't look like the pinnacle of tag team camaraderie if you ask me...
KO: Of course it doesn't....this guy Spiral is a weird dude, but just remember....they don't have to like each other to work as a team. This is about gold, Laur, and Cross Recoba will do just about anything to get it.
LO: Yeah, that's what I'm worried about...
'Scandroid' by Salvation Code fills the arena, the lights around the stage pulsing blindingly fast when the first robotic voice kicks in. Pyro suddenly flashes, and out of the smoke slinks Brennan Devlin, his head held high in confidence, a cocky grin on his face as he stops at the top of the stage. He runs his fingers down his chest, and then flashes his hands out to his sides soaking in the boo's he receives. Just then a loud 'Bang' can be heard from overhead, and the audience, including those already in the ring, look up to see tiny figurines floating down on parachutes. When the camera finally gets close enough, it can be seen to be Grandma bobble heads wearing the 'I Heart Grandma's To Death' T-shirt.
Ring Announcer: And introducing their opponents, standing at six foot one and weighting in at 230 pounds...hailing from San Andreas, California....'THE FACE OF WRESTLING' BRENNAN DEVLINNNN!!!
Devlin has nearly lost at the top of the ramp, snatching one of the floating figures out of the air, and holding it up to his face in a lewd manner before tossing it out to the crowd and strutting down to the ring. The audience, for their part, can't help but laugh as hands reach for the skies to get their own 'Grandma' keepsake for the night. Upon reaching ringside he leaps up onto the apron, springboards over the top rope, and then leaps up to the second turnbuckle of a nearby corner to do his trademark finger flick to the crowd. All attention is drawn back to the entryway when the first finger snaps of 'Lifted' by CL hit the PA system. Fans with 'Cooper Is King' shirts come to their feet as gold pyro fires off, and out of the flames steps Cosmo Cooper, hat angled slightly to the right, the Apex Championship firmly around his waist. He taps his fingers on the face plate of the title, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he looks up from under his brim. He grabs his hat and sends it sailing into the crowd as he takes off down the ramp fired up.
Ring Announcer: And introducing his partner, hailing from Santa Rosa, California, standing six foot two and weighing in at 225 pounds....He is THE APEX CHAMPION....THE GRAPS JESUS, COSMO COOPPPEEEERRRR!!
He comes to a pause halfway down to regard one of the bobble heads that have landed on the ramp, and he shakes his head in disgust before kicking the item into the crowd like a football. His demeanor is now hard as he stalks the rest of the ring, and rolls under the bottom rope to pop up with both fists up over his head. He turns to take a turnbuckle, but walks right into Brennan Devlin's huge grin, holding up one of the bobble heads right beside his face. It looks like it takes some restraint, but Cooper finally unclenches his fists, and pushes past Devlin to leap to the second turnbuckle. He unsnaps the Apex Championship and yanks it up with one arm above him, slapping the face plate with the other and calling out to the Japanese crowd who respond in kind.
LO: Well, Brennan Devlin has managed to do it again...
KO: What, fire this crowd up and make everyone laugh?
LO: No, be a complete ass!
KO: I don't understand what the big deal is at this point. I mean, it's just funny is all.
LO: Well I, and several of our more sensible members of the audience, disagree. It's time to stop. He's been at this for nearly three freakin' months now!
KO: All I know is that we got five teams in the ring, two referee's on the outside who are here just to make pinfalls and take submissions, and the hype is REAL!
LO: I can feel it, and so can this capacity crowd......AND THERE'S THE BELL!
At the first sound of the bell there is a moment where all of the participants stare ate one another as if taking a deep breath, but as the echo of the last ring fades through the arena the exhale comes, and all hell breaks loose. Spiral darts right for Brennan Devlin, who barely manages to get his hands up as the striker barrels in with rights and lefts forcing him towards the corner. Cooper turns as if he's going to respond, but is caught by Recoba who fires in a chop that lights the Apex Champion up. Siberia cuts straight for Neo Tokyo and manages to get in a few clean fists and kicks before the numbers overtake her, Light and Psi forcing her to the ground and swinging away with abandon. Aokigahara does much the same right towards #Trendsetters, ducking his head to accept clubbing fists down onto his back by both women before shoving them and himself through the middle and top rope to tumble out to the floor.
LO: KATY BAR THE DOOR, THIS IS MAYHEM ALREADY!
KO: What did you expect, Laur?!? This is for the championships!
On the outside Aoki, Vannah, and Dakota get back to their feet, and a swift side kick from Zombie to Vannah sends the woman hurtling spine first into the steel guardrail. Aoki turns to Dakota Jennings who drives a boot into his knee dropping him down, and then takes his head off with a spinning back kick that drops him to the floor. She doesn't look to appreciate being lambasted out of the ring by the senior Zombie, so she pulls him up to his feet, takes him by the wrist, and sends him hurtling right for the steel steps. Aoki, however, manages to leap up so that he lands on the top step, and as Dakota comes rushing in to follow him is caught with an Asai Moonsault that drives her down into the concrete floor. Zombie gets to his feet with a sick and twisted grin, but his expression soon turns to surprise as Vannah comes in from behind him with a shove that sends him gut first into the steps he had so narrowly avoided moments before. Zombie slides down to his knee's clutching his midsection as Vannah helps to pull Dakota up to her feet.
Meanwhile, in the ring, Neo Tokyo have regained their feet, pulling Siberia up with them, and double hooking the woman around the head. With a handful of tights by both women, they snap her over into a double suplex that leaves Siberia bucking off the mat as if she had just been shocked with a taser. Light and Psi both kip up to their feet at the same time, give each other a nod, and then take off for opposite sides of the ropes for spring, coming back at the same time to drop elbows down into Zombie's chest in stereo. When the two rise up from that, they look to the outside where they see Vannah pulling Dakota up, and helping dust her off, and they step towards that side of the ring to grab the top rope. Just as the #Trendsetters look up to see who had cast the shadows over them, both members of Neo Tokyo spring over the top rope into splancha's that wipe out the other two women.
Spiral opens up on Devlin in the corner as The Face of Wrestling does his best to cover up, some of the blows landing despite the fact. A sudden uppercut catches Brennan right under the jaw, and he's obviously stunned as he gives Spiral a shove back and pulls himself along the ropes out of the corner. Spiral wades back in, another uppercut finding it's mark, leaving Devlin to droop down, the top rope the only thing keeping him up. The Pale King pulls the man away from the ropes, hooks him around the waist, and sends him hurtling towards the center of the ring with a belly to belly suplex. It just so happens that Siberia is still there, and so Devlin performs an unintended senton when he crashes down across her midsection. One holds his spine, while the other holds her midsection, and Spiral looks on with the slight glimmer of satisfaction.
Cross fires in another chop that knocks Cooper into the opposite corner from the one Devlin and Spiral were occupying, but Cooper fires one right back as Cross moves in to follow. The two men open up after that, chop after chop, 'Wooo' after 'Wooo' from the crowd. Just as it appears that Cooper is about to get the upper hand, a knee lift from Recoba cuts him off, followed by an uppercut that sends him back into the corner. Recoba lowers his head and drives his shoulder directly into Cooper's midsection, followed by three more thrusts that have the champion pushed between the middle and top turnbuckle. When he finally steps back, he smugly grins at Cooper before lifting his chin, and lighting him up with a chop that sends the man out of the turnbuckles to his knee's clutching his chest.
LO: Cooper is reeling after that chop, and on the outside Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters are pulling each other to their feet after that major wipe out, and OH! Brookly Light with repeated high knee lifts into Vannah White's midsection, knocking her back over to the guardrail while Dakota Jennings blocks a right hand from Iota Psi, and sends her head first down into the ring apron!
KO: Things are getting physical here right next to us, Laur! We might have to abandon ship!
Just as Kenneth Othello voices that thought, Dakota pulls Psi up to her feet and bounces her skull off the announce table. Psi lies across the surface of the table as Jennings grabs hold of Laurence Othello's iPad, and cracks it off the back of her skull. Iota stumbles away from the table clutching the back of her head as Dakota tosses the pad back down to the table in pieces, leaving Laurence with a crestfallen expression as she follows her prey. Meanwhile, Aoki is back on his feet, and he thinks about going after the four women, but then notices his own partner in the center of the ring clutching her stomach as Spiral steps over her to pull up Brennan Devlin. He grins maniacally as he silently slips into the ring behind The Pale King, and just as Spiral moves to shoot Devlin into the corner Aoki is occupying, Zombie throws both his feet up to catch The Face of Wrestling square in his chest, sending him snapping down to the mat. Spiral looks on at this stoically, but charges for Zombie as well, who ducks his clothesline attempt. When Spiral spins back to face Aoki, the senior Zombie slams his forehead into the bridge of Spiral's nose, sending him falling back into the corner in shock as blood begins to trickle down into his mouth.
LO: Nasty looking headbutt from Aokigahara to Spiral, and now Aoki is moving in with hard right hands, just slamming the man down into the turnbuckles!
KO: Devlin has managed to roll to the outside on the edge of the ring, and Siberia is finally getting to her feet in the center....she see's the melee in the corner with Aoki, and just joined him...and now they are DOUBLE STOMPING SPIRAL INTO OBLIVION!
The Zombies continue their assault to a loud ovation, while on the other side of the ring, Cross Recoba hooks Cooper by the wrist and pushes him into the ropes only to shoot him off to the other side. As Cooper rebounds, Cross steps to the center and ducks his head for a back body drop, but Cooper leap frogs right over him to land safely behind him. When Cross spins around he's caught with a Discus Elbow Smash that sends him crashing to the mat. Cooper looks from side to side to make sure he's clear as the crowd come to their feet, and he rushes the ropes to springboard off the second only to spin in midair into a senton. Cross quickly sits right up to get out of the way, and Cooper, to his credit, hits the mat and rolls right up to his feet. Recoba not realizing this points at his temple with a smarmy smirk, and turns back towards cooper to receive a Spinning Heel Kick to the much for his trouble. Cooper pops up to a big reaction, but the reaction isn't for him, as he's lambasted behind by The Zombie Clan, who have left Spiral effectively beaten down in the corner.
On the outside Brooklyn Light drags Vannah White away from the guardrail, spins her around and places her head underneath her arm. She lifts the woman up, and then brings her down crotch first across the top steel rail of the barrier, and a look of pain and shock tells the story as Vannah slumps. Brooklyn turns just in time to see her own partner being flung right at her by an irish whip from Dakota Jennings, and the two collide, the force sending Dakota hip first into the guardrail beside Vannah, and right over it into the front row. Fans disperse as Dakota Jennings stalks over to help Vannah down out of the compromising position and the two women turn their attention to Iota Psi who lays at their feet after the collision. They yank the woman up, double hook her around the head while draping her arms around theirs, and then take her over hard to the concrete floor in a double suplex. All three women clutch at their spines after the slam, but #Trendsetters are able to get to their feet just in time to see Brooklyn Light step up onto a chair, step up to the top rail of the barrier, and then leap off with a double clothesline that takes both women's heads off.
LO: Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters have managed to take one another out yet again, and let me tell you....I don't appreciate that use of my Ipad!
KO: Suck it up, buttercup! This thing is bound to get more violent than that!
Brennan Devlin watches as his partner takes a beat down thanks to The Zombie Clan with a smirk, hopping up onto the ring apron, and turning his attention to Cross Recoba who claws to get back to his feet. Seeing that he's in prime position, Devlin quickly slips back into the ring, signaling with his foot that he's looking for his patented Face Time. He takes off in Recoba's direction, leaping up into the air and moving his foot so it's adequately targeting the back of his skull, and then is ripped right out of the air by a massive spear from Spiral who just tore out of the corner he had been left in. Devlin slams down to the canvas in a huff, and Spiral bounces up clutching the back of his head, staring down at the man in disgust as Recoba continues to get to his feet. The two men look at one another, then back to Devlin, and finally back at one another. Cross reaches down and jerks Devlin up to his feet, hooking him around the head, and then leaps high into the air before driving him skull first into the canvas with an Implant DDT. Devlin strikes with such impact that his fly up into the air, and Spiral steps forwards to catch them, swinging him up and back down to the canvas with tremendous force thanks to a wheel-burrow suplex! Spiral spins around and hooks Devlin's leg for a cover! Caputo quickly slides into the ring and starts hammering the mat.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Devlin somehow able to kick out of that all his own, while his partner continues to get beat down over in the corner by The Zombie Clan!
KO: Spiral and Recoba now just standing over Devlin, and Recoba seems surprised while Spiral....well....who can tell what that guy is thinking?!?
LO: I don't know about them, but out here near us Neo Tokyo and #Trendsetters are once again getting to their feet...and this time it's Psi going after Vanna, and Light going after Jennings.....seem familiar?
KO: Both ladies hammering it out, and now it looks light has control of Jennings and Vannah has control of Psi, and White just threw Vannah back into the ring!
Recoba and Spiral look over to see Vannah as she gets up to her feet and stares down at Iota Psi, completely unaware of the vultures coming in behind her. Out of nowhere Recoba and Spiral are cut off by The Zombie Clan, who rush out of their corner to leave Cosmo Cooper a moment of reprieve after the beat down. Aoki and Spiral trade blows, Aoki forcing The Pale King back into the far corner, while Siberia with a few swift thigh kicks has Recoba begging off towards the ropes. Vannah has turned to watch all of this, and as Devlin tries to get to his feet, she takes this opportunity to run right for him, leaping over his body while hooking him around the shoulder and thigh, and rolls him around until he's tied up into a pin. This time it's Santiago who slides halfway into the ring to make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Cosmo Cooper launching himself out of the corner to keep his team in this thing, and now is pulling Vannah to her feet, but man...he looks haggard after that Zombie Clan beating he took!
KO: So far, The Zombie Clan have executed the team aspect of this match the best, but I was shocked to see Recoba and Spiral actually work together! Maybe these Chimera Tag Championship's really do bring folks together!
LO: It's the whole reason we're here, Ken!
On the outside, Iota Psi turns her attention back over to her partner, who is still trading blows with Dakota Jennings. She joins the fray, and between both members of Neo Tokyo, they manage to drop Dakota Jennings to the floor. Brooklyn wipes a trickle of blood from her mouth, and points down at Dakota Jennings with a snarl, stepping over to the timekeeper's table and snatching up a steel chair. Iota Psi steps to stand in front of her partner, shaking her head 'No', while Brooklyn yells at her to get out of the way and let this happen. This gives Dakota just enough time to recover and get to her knee's, and she gives Iota Psi a violent shove from behind which sends her face first into her own partner. This results in the chair clattering to the floor, and as Neo Tokyo clutch their faces and turn to face their assailant, they both see that Kota is back on her feet with the steel chair firmly in hand.
KO: OH SHIT!
LO: This isn't going to end well....
CRACK! Dakota swings for the fences, slamming the steel chair into Brooklyn Light's arm and sending the woman crashing into her own partner. This knocks Iota Psi off balance, and leaving her unable to even put a hand up before Jennings brings the weapon down across her skull, smashing her to the ground in the process. Brooklyn moves to get up and intercept, but Dakota boots her back down, and CRACK! Another nasty chair shot puts the Neo Tokyo member up against the guardrail in pain. Meanwhile, in the ring, Cooper flings Vannah over in the corner and comes running in to catch her right across the skull with a high running knee, and then spins to hook her around the head and runs White out into a bulldog that stretches her face across the canvas! Cooper flips her over onto her back, and quickly hooks the leg.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-
CRACK! The count is broken by a chair shot to Cooper's spine by Dakota Jennings, who now stands over the man with a look of rage on her face. Just at that moment, Siberia Zombie, who was pummeling Cross Recoba in the far corner, whips the man towards the center of the ring, right at Dakota Jennings. Cross manages to put the brakes on as Dakota spins around, and his fist comes up as if he's about to strike the woman. The two lovers hesitate for a moment, and Siberia watches on expectantly. A smile creeps over Recoba's face, and his fist slowly drops to his side, shaking his head 'No' and giving the woman a reassuring nod. Dakota returns the nod, and that's about the time the chair swings around and smacks off of Recoba's spine. Cross buckles like he was just tasered, shock and pain etched on his face as he stumbles towards the ropes and then falls to his knee's. Siberia comes rushing out, and CRACK! eats the steel chair as it smashes into her face like a baseball swing. Spiral watches over his shoulder while both hands are around Aokigahara's throat over in their corner, and his eyebrow raises as Dakota turns towards him. He reverses his grip on Aoki, and sends him running out to meet Jennings while he drops down and slips out of the ring. CRACK! Aoki goes to the ground clutching the top of his head as Dakota stands tall in a ring littered with bodies.
LO: MY GOD! DAKOTA JENNINGS HAS JUST SLAUGHTERED EVERYONE WITH THAT STEEL CHAIR!
KO: It's just a hunk of twisted metal at this point!
LO: Sprial was wise enough to get out of the way, and when Devlin looked up to see what was going on, he rolled to the outside to rest against the ring apron...Now what's she doing?
KO: She's going to finish off Siberia Zombie is what she's doing! She just pushed the woman over onto her back, and is going to cave her skull in with the edge of that chair!
Dakota raises the chair high above her head by its legs, but just as she's about to bring it crashing down onto Siberia Zombie's head, she is suddenly dragged back from her target. The chair strikes the mat instead, and Dakota spins around to see Vannah White standing there, concern on her face. Vannah indicates the carnage in the ring with a confused expression, shaking her head 'No', and holding out her palm for Dakota to give her the chair. The fans watch in a hushed tone as Dakota looks around herself, then back to Vannah, and her head slowly drops as she raises the chair out so that Vannah can take a hold of it. Vannah grabs the chair, but when she moves to take it away, she finds that it's still being clutched by Jennings. The woman's head slowly rises, and on her face is an expression of disappointment mingled with determination, fire smoldering from her eyes. Vannah looks on horrified as Dakota yanks the chair free from her grasp, and then brings it crashing down on her own partner's skull.
LO: OH!
KO: MY!
LO: GOD!
LO: DAKOTA JENNINGS HAS COMPLETELY SNAPPED HERE! SHE'S WEARING THE HOLY HELL OUT OF VANNAH WHITE WITH THAT CHAIR!
KO: SHE'S TOTALLY LOST IT, LAUR!!
By the time Dakota Jennings finally tosses the mangled chair out of the ring, it looks like a mangled piece of steel rather than a place where you'd sit down. Vannah white is a battered and bloody mess in the center of the ring, and the rest of the participants of the ring have backed up towards the edges in shock as Dakota comes to stand over her partner. She peels the 'Besties Forever' T-shirt off, and wads it up so that she can lean down and stuff it into Vannah White's mouth. Vannah chokes, turning to the side, as Dakota points at her self and says in a clear and dangerous voice, "I....am in nobodies shadow." With that she spits on the Youtuber and lifts double birds at the crowd as she makes her way towards the ropes. She dumps out between them and makes her way up the ramp as the fans pour out a maelstrom of boo's, the shock having finally warn off.
LO: What the hell was that?!?!
KO: Looks like the #Trendsetters just broke up, Laur...and Dakota Jennings is done with this match!
LO: Well no shit! Vannah White is unmoving in the ring, and Dakota Jennings just disappeared behind the curtain...this is INSANE!
KO: The rest of the participants in this match seem just as shocked as the rest of us....but we've got Chimera Tag Champion's to decide! Come on everyone....up and at 'em!
LO: Cosmo Cooper, technically an opponent to Vannah White, is checking on her now. You have to remember that Cooper and White were brought in together to be Vanessa Byrne's champions of choice, and he even alluded that they should have been the ones partnered in this thing in earlier comments, but...I think this just went beyond a wrestling match...
Medics rush down to the ring carrying a gurney, and they enter as the rest of the participants step off to the side to give them room. After a few seconds to secure the woman's neck, they shift her on to the gurney and the helpless fans watch as one of their favorites is transported out beside the ramp and to the back for emergency assistance. Cooper watches them go with a shake of his head, and turns around just in time to get jumped by Cross Recoba. Aoki and Siberia exchange a glance, and then the two of them rush in and grab Recoba, dragging him out away from the corner while throwing in jabs and elbows into his ribs. Cooper for his part, wipes sweat from his brow, a look of disgust on his face as he hops up to the second, then steps up to the top, and flies across the ring into a High Cross Body that takes out all three competitors.
Meanwhile, on the outside, Spiral notices Devlin as he peeps over the edge of the ring, and starts to make his way along the outside to that area. Just as he comes around the corner, Devlin springs up in a surprise attack, hammering right hands into the man's face and knocking him back against the steel ring post. Devlin's hands manage to find Spiral's ears, and he yanks his head forward before driving it straight back so that it strikes the steel with a sickening thud. He repeats the process three more times before taking a step back, allowing The Pale King to slide down to a seated position. He looks up into the ring to spy Cooper getting to his feet after his death defying leap, and hops up onto the apron to join him in the ring.
LO: Brennan Devlin and Cosmo Cooper now in the ring, and Devlin is pointing down at The Zombie Clan and talks about ejecting them where they can put Recoba away.
KO: Smart strategy if Cooper will just listen to him, but no....he's going after Recoba instead. HEY!
LO: Devlin tried to grab Cooper by the arm to reason with him, and The Graps Jesus just shoved him so hard he fell back into the ropes. Devlin and Cooper now exchanging words, and this doesn't look good!
Brennan starts to step towards Cosmo to get into his face, but he's inexplicably tripped up and falls face first down to the canvas. When Cosmo looks past him to the outside, Neo Tokyo have both of Devlin's ankles, and give them a strong tug to yank him right under the bottom rope to slap off the concrete floor below. Both ladies hop up onto the ring apron, and Cosmo shrugs just before rushing right at them with a double clothesline, but the ladies drop, pulling the top rope with them, sending Cooper tumbling over to land unceremoniously beside his partner. Light and Psi look down at Cooper and Devlin as they struggle to get to their feet, leaving them on the outside as they step through to the inside.
LO: Neo Tokyo showing some in stereo ring work there, and OH! SIBERIA ZOMBIE JUST TOOK IOTA PSI'S HEAD OFF WITH A BUZZSAW LIKE YAKUZA KICK!
KO: AND AOKI JUST NAILED BROOKLYN LIGHT WITH TO THE LOST!
LO: THERE'S A PIN ON LIGHT FROM AOKI!
1...
2...
3!!!
Ring Announcer: NEO TOKYO HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!!!
LO: I can't believe it! I thought they were on the verge of getting some of their momentum back, and from out of nowhere The Zombie Clan strikes!
KO: I know what you mean....They literally just took two of Valor Pro's best out of the equation, one of those being the current Apex Champion, and then it was over just like that!
Kenneth Othello snaps his finger with a shake of his head as Neo Tokyo slowly roll under the bottom rope clutching their skulls, much the same way they did everything, in unison. Aoki grins and waves as Neo Tokyo makes their way back up the ramp, and Siberia salutes the two women with a head nod. Meanwhile, behind them, Cross Recoba has slowly risen to his knee's, having been playing possum for quite some time. Suddenly, both his forearms come up between The Zombie Clan's legs respectively, and their look of shock and pain filled faces turn the crowd into a sea of boo's for The Fox. Both Zombies clutch their crotches as they drop to their knee's in the center of the ring, and Recoba pushes up to his feet with a huge grin on his face, strutting and playing up to the boo's.
LO: Cross Recoba in usual fashion taking advantage of the situation, but what he doesn’t see while he’s strutting around is Cosmo Cooper climbing up to the top turnbuckle of the nearby corner!
KO: Come on Fox! Turn around!
Recoba does just that and Cosmo leaps from the top with a diving knee that slams into Cross’ face with authority, sending him crashing down to the mat in a heap. Cosmo quickly pulls Recoba up to his feet, scooping him up onto his shoulder, and proceeds to spin around into a Tombstone Piledriver the leaves him motionless as he grabs for his leg to make the pin.
1…
2…
LO: THREe-NO! SPIRAL DIVING IN FROM OUTSIDE THE RING TO BREAK UP THE PIN! Spiral now pulls Cooper up to his feet, and LIFTS HIM UP INTO A TORTURE RACK…FLIPPING HIM BACK OVER INTO A KNEE STRIKE RIGHT UNDER HIS JAW!
KO: He calls that The Spiral Effect, Laur, and I think it just knocked our Apex Champion out cold!
LO: Spiral just dropped and went for a cover, but before the ref can even start to count Brennan Devlin is back in the ring yanking Spiral up!
KO: Spiral with a shove to Devlin, but THE FACE OF WRESTLING ANSWERS RIGHT BACK WITH A SUPERKICK THAT KNOCKS SPIRAL BACK INTO THE ROPES…
LO: Springing back now…FACE OFF!! DEVLIN JUST TOOK SPIRAL TO TASK, AND IS NOW GOING FOR THE COVER!
1…
2…
LO: THREe-NO! AOKI AND SIBERIA BOTH SHOVING BRENNAN OFF TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
Devlin comes up hot, but receives a spinning back fist by Aoki for his protests, followed by a roundhouse kick by Siberia that sends him crashing to the mat. Aoki signals to one of the corners, barking instructions to Siberia, as he pulls Devlin off the mat. Siberia heads out onto the apron and starts to climb as Aoki lifts Brennan up in a side slam position, turning so that his head is in line with Siberia who reaches her perch. The Japanese fans come to their feet as Siberia lets out a warriors cry, diving from the top rope into a leg drop that finds Brennan’s skull at the same time that Aoki sits down into the Side Slam.
LO: MY GOD! BRENNAN DEVLIN JUST GOT HIS BODY AND SKULL CRUSHED INTO THE MAT BY THE ZOMBIE CLAN!
KO: Yeah, and they aren’t done, Laur…they are looking to clear the ring so they can put one of these other two teams away.
Siberia and Aoki work together to pull Cosmo and Recoba up off the mat, but are surprised by chops from each respective man that begs the two Zombies off. In unison the two step into more chops, driving their opponents back all the way to the opposite ropes, where they take their wrists and whip them to the far side in stereo. Aoki & Siberia hit off the ropes, and both Cosmo and Cross step out to meet them, catching them with Back Body Drops that send them sailing high into the air only to come crashing back down to the mat with a thud. Cooper and Recoba look down at The Zombie Clan, and then look up to one another, as if for the first time realizing that they had been working together.
LO: That brief alliance is already short lived as Cross fires right in on Cooper with a chop, but the Apex Champion fires right back! I tell you what, it feels like these two have been at each other since the beginning of this matchup!
KO: That’s cause they have! Recoba figures if he’s going for the Chimera Tag Championships anyways, what better way to put an exclamation on it if he were able to pin the Apex Champion to do it.
LO: Out of all the superstars in this match, it does seem that Cooper has the biggest target on his back. Hell, even his own partner would put him down if this wasn’t about championship gold!
The two men continue chopping, the crowd once again getting behind the battle, when suddenly Cooper ducks one of Recoba’s chops sending him off balance. This gives Cosmo the chance to slip in behind him, slip his head under his arm, and then lifts him up and drops straight to the canvas into a Side Suplex. Cooper comes up quickly, making his way to the outside where he begs for the man to get up, and as Recoba does, he grips the top rope, spring boarding over into a perfect torpedo head-butt that sends Cross crashing to the mat.
LO: Cooper was going to go for a pin there, but he sees Siberia on her feet coming right for him, and he rises just in time to take a barrage of kicks that knock him back into the corner!
KO: Siberia is all over him with rights, lefts, and the kitchen sink! Now just delivering shin kicks right to his chest, followed by a spinning roundhouse right in the gut that crushes him against the turnbuckles!
LO: Devlin is finally getting to his feet, but he’s wobbily, and over on the other side of the ring Spiral is doing the same! HERE COMES DEVLIN WITH A CLOTHESLINE, AND THERE GOES SPIRAL UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO TUMBLE DOWN TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
KO: Devlin turning back towards Siberia to pull her off of his partner, BUT AOKI JUST JAMMED HIS FINGERS DOWN THE MAN’S GULLET!
LO: ITAI CLAW ON DEVLIN, AND HE IS STUMBLING AROUND THE RING DRAGGING AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE WITH HIM, BUT HE WON’T LET LOOSE OF THE HOLD!
KO: That is disgusting, Laur…I mean….ew.
The two men struggle all over the ring, nearly tripping over Recoba who tries to get back to his feet after that head-butt from Cooper. Aoki manages to get his boot in behind Devlin’s knee, forcing him down to his and stopping the wayward charge around the canvas. Devlin grips at Aoki’s wrist, but his eyes begin to flutter, a sign that he might be fading. Recoba does manage to get to his feet, and he charges right for Aoki only for the Zombie to cock his head back and then thrust it forwards, spewing white mist right into Recoba’s face. The blinded Recoba bumps in the center of the ring and rolls around rubbing at his eyes, as Zombie nods to an absolutely bonkers crowd.
KO: THE ZOMBIE CLAN ARE IN CONTROL OF THIS MATCH, WITH SIBERIA HOLDING OFF COOPER IN THE CORNER, AND AOKI TAKING ON BOTH DEVLIN AND RECOBA AT THE SAME TIME!
LO: Yeah, but Spiral is back in the ring, and he doesn’t look too happy about it. Here he comes to nail Aoki from behind….wait, WHAT? HE PUT ON THE BRAKES!
KO: HE JUST SAW THAT BRENNAN DEVLIN IS FADING, AND NOW HE’S BACKING OFF! HE’S GOING TO LET THEM ELIMINATE COOPER AND DEVLIN!
That seems like the plan, only Cooper has started hammering and chopping his way out of the corner, reversing the tide as he flips Siberia into the corner, and levels her with shoulder thrusts to the gut. When he rises up he hooks the woman around the head in a side headlock, and rushes out of the corner right for Aokigahara Zombie. The senior Zombie’s eyes go wide as he quickly abandons his hold on Devlin to try and get his arms up in defense, but Cooper uses the top of Siberia’s head like a battering ram that caves in Aoki’s chest. He and Devlin both crumple to the floor, one because of the Itai Claw, and the other because he just got lambasted by his own partner.
LO: Spiral watching these events unfold, and now rushes across the ring right for Cooper, but he just threw Siberia in his path, and HE TAKES HER HEAD OFF WITH A CLOTHESLINE AND JUST KEEPS ON COMING!
KO: SPEAR BY SPIRAL, BUT COOPER JUST LEAP FROGGED IT AND SPIRAL WENT THROUGH THE MIDDLE AND TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!
LO: Cooper stepping over to the ropes, gripping the top with both hands….Spiral coming up to his feet, and ROLLING CORKSCREW SPLANCHA TAKES BOTH MEN DOWN TO THE CONCRETE!
KO: Cooper and Spiral fighting against one another to struggled back to their feet…wait…look up in the ring….RECOBA’S UP AND THUNDERS TOWARDS THAT SIDE…..A MILLION LIRA TAKES ALL THREE OUT OF THIS MATCH UP!
As the three men on the outside are wiped out by aerial offense, Brennan Devlin gets to his feet and falls back into a corner, adjusting his jaw and spitting to try and get Aoki’s taste out of his mouth. About that time The Zombie Clan struggle to help one another up in the center of the ring, and before they can get fully upright, Devlin rushes at both of them, leaps into the air, and delivers Double Famasser’s that drives them face first back into the canvas. Once again, the roof explodes.
LO: DEVLIN HAS LAID OUT BOTH ZOMBIES, AND NOW IT’S LIKE TAKE YOUR PICK AS HE PUSHES SIBERIA OVER ONTO HER BACK AND GOES FOR A PIN!
1…
2…
KO: THREe-KICK OUT! Devlin beats the mat in frustration, and now he’s rolling Aoki onto his back, and hooking the leg deep!
1…
2…
LO: THREe-KICK OUT AGAIN! The Zombies are still in this thing, and Devlin now coming to his feet to argue with the ref, as Caputo signals that it was only a two count!
On the outside, Recoba has crawled to the guardrails to help pull himself up, but he’s followed closely by Cooper near the ring apron. As he finally gets upright, he turns just in time to see Cosmo charging right for him with a clothesline that sends him up and over the guardrail and out into the first row. Cooper runs his fingers through his sweat drenched hair to get it out of his face as he hops the guardrail to join Cross, getting him up to his feet and delivering a chop much to the fans delight. Recoba begs off as he stumbles over towards the aisle running between section, and the two men begin to brawl their way deeper into the cheering crowd.
LO: COSMO COOPER AND CROSS RECOBA ARE DISAPPEARING INTO THAT SEA OF HUMANITY, AND SPIRAL JUST SLIPPED BACK INTO THE RING!
KO: This is dangerous territory, Laur! Devlin and Spiral do not like each other and represent two different teams, but that leaves them in the ring with a unified Zombie Clan.
LO: Certainly seems like the advantage might be swinging their way as circumstances unfold!
Devlin has finally given up his debate with the ref, and turns around to see that Spiral has slipped back into the ring. The two men stare across at each other, and Devlin flashes his shit eating grin as Spiral rolls his shoulder, preparing for whatever melee is to come. The two men approach each other, and just when it looks like Devlin is about to mouth something off, Spiral doesn’t give him the chance, firing in a right hands that sends him stumbling to the ropes. Spiral moves in to follow up, but finds Devlin firing back with a right of his own instead, and it’s his turn to beg off to the other side of the ring. The two men lock eyes and nod, and then sprint right for one another, colliding in the center of the ring with rights and lefts as the crowd goes nuts.
LO: FISTS ARE FLYING HERE IN OSAKA AS SPIRAL AND DEVLIN TRY TO TEAR ONE ANOTHER APART, BUT THE ZOMBIE CLAN JUST ROSE UP BEHIND EITHER MAN, AND YANKED BOTH OF THEM DOWN FOR A SCHOOLBOY PIN!
1…
2…
KO: THREE-NO! BOTH KICKED OUT! GOD ALMIGHTY! If the Zombie Clan had pulled that off, we’d have new Chimera Tag Team Champions right now!
LO: I KNOW! And we still might!
Spiral and Devlin come up to face their respective Zombie, but are met with a series of kicks from each, knocking them both into opposing corners. Siberia squares off with Spiral this time, while Aoki opens up with one-two combinations on Devlin. The Zombies take either man by the wrist, look over their shoulders to signal their ready, and then shoot them off so that they are hurtling right at one another. To everyone’s surprise, instead of colliding, they hook one another’s arms, spinning the other around, and then soar back out in the opposite directions they had come. Spiral delivers a spear to Aokigahara, while Devlin nails Siberia with a spin wheel kick.
LO: All four competitors down in the ring after that exchange, and…wait….we got cameras on Cooper and Recoba!
KO: Well let’s see that shit!
The camera switches focus from the ring to a camera up in the stands where Cosmo Cooper and Cross Recoba have fought their way all the way up the aisle and into the hallways of the Osaka-Jo Arena. Cooper is dragging Cross by a fistful of hair towards a concession stand, and upon arriving, drives him face first down into the counter. Fans have gathered all around the two as the attendants of the stand back as far away as they can, hands going to their paper sailboat like hats in anxious dismay.
LO: Cooper backing Cross up now, and he IRISH WHIPS THE MAN RIGHT AT THE CONCESSION STAND! RECOBA HITS THE COUNTER AND ROLLS RIGHT OVER IT TO THE OTHER SIDE TO SMACK ON THE LENOLIUM!
KO: This isn’t right, Laur! Cross Recoba doesn’t know anything about fast food! He only eats at the finest restaurants! THIS MIGHT RUIN HIS SENSIBLE PALET!
LO: I don’t know anything about that, but Cosmo Cooper just hopped that counter and is pulling Recoba up…OH! Cross just shoved Cooper hard into that concrete wall, and PICKS UP THE CASH REGISTER AND DRIVES IT INTO COSMO’S SKULL!!
KO: CHA-CHING!
LO: Cosmo just slid down the wall, and Recoba tosses the cash register down to the floor and is crawling out of the concession stand….I guess he’s just going to leave the Apex Champion laying so that he can try and get back to the match.
KO: Speaking of…Spiral and Devlin are back on their feet in the ring, and they’ve just stomped the Zombie Clan completely out of the ring.
Spiral shoves Siberia under the bottom rope and to the floor with the toe of his boot, while on the opposite side of the ring Brennan Devlin does the same to Aokigahara. The two men turn back towards each other, and Devlin nods as the fans come to their feet, him indicating with an accusing finger that Spiral was about to get him some of The Face of Wrestling. An unexpected smirk comes to Spiral’s usually stoic expression, and the two men begin to circle in the center of the ring until finally locking up.
LO: Spiral with a go behind on Devlin, lifting him up and slamming him to the mat on his front, but Devlin quickly spins to a seated position, and is already working up to his feet!
KO: Spiral again lifts him up, but this time Brennan rocks forward, taking Spiral to the mat with a modified armdrag!
LO: Both men to their feet quickly, and Spiral goes for a clothesline, but it’s ducked by Devlin…SUPERKICK TAKES SPIRAL’S HEAD OFF!
KO: Devlin dropping for the cover!
1…
2…
LO: THREe-KICK OUT! Spiral just barely got the shoulder up before the count of three, and now Devlin seems pissed. He’s jerking the man up, and pushing him back into the ropes to shoot off to the other side!
The crowd stirs as a spotlight falls on a haggard looking Cross Recoba as he is now making his way back down through the crowd who clasp him on the back as he goes, pausing to threaten to slap the piss out of a few of them as he goes. Miraculously at the top of the aisle Cosmo appears, a huge bruising forming across his right temple and forehead from where the register had crashed against his skull. He starts making his down through the crowd as well just about the time Recoba reaches the front row, and hops the guardrail.
LO: Cross Recoba and Cosmo Cooper are at least back in viewing distance, as Spiral rebounds off the ropes, and IS CAUGHT WITH A SLINGBLADE BY DEVLIN THAT SMACKS THE BACK OF HIS HEAD OFF THE MAT!
KO: On the side that Cross is coming into Siberia is using the apron to get back to her feet, and Recoba just grabbed a steel chair from a fan at ringside…AND BASHES HER ACROSS THE SPINE WITH IT!
Cross slides into the ring with the chair, causing Devlin to turn his focus from Spiral to The Fox. He rushes over and a boot to the side of Recoba’s head causes him to lose hold of the chair, and it clatters to the outside of the ring as Devlin pulls him in by the hair of the head to the center of the ring. Cross suddenly throws Devlin’s hands away, however, and grabs him by the back of either knee, yanking his legs out from under him. Devlin falls to the canvas and strikes the back of his head, as Cross chokes up, crowing out to the crowd as he spins Devlin over and he steps through into his dreaded finishing hold.
LO: GARABALDI’S GUILLOTINE IS LOCKED IN ON DEVLIN, AND THE FACE OF WRESTLING HAS COME ALIVE IN PAIN!
KO: THERE’S NO WHERE FOR HIM TO GO!
Aoki climbs up onto the apron from his side of the ring, but Spiral has managed to get to his feet, and seeing that his partner has Devlin in trouble, rushes over to cut Zombie off before he can get into the ring. A High Knee Lift through the ropes sends Aoki tumbling back down to the floor just as Cosmo Cooper reaches the ringside barrier and leaps over it.
LO: Cosmo Cooper is back at ringside, and a quick survey of the situation sees him sprinting to belly slide into the ring.
KO: Recoba just dropped the Guillotine to try and cut Cooper off…BUT A HIGH RUNNING KNEE TAKES HIS HEAD OFF, AND RECOBA ROLLS TO THE EDGE OF THE RING CLUTCHING HIS FACE!
LO: Spiral spinning around to see what all the commotion is, and here he comes after Cooper!
Spiral charges at Cooper, but the Apex Champion is ready, catching him coming in with a Superman Punch. The move doesn’t take Spiral down, however, only knocking him back, and Cooper rushes right past him to springboard off the second rope and spin around, catching Spiral around the head as he comes back for a bulldog that drags his face down into the canvas. Cooper gets to his knees after the move, and roars into the heavens, as the capacity crowd goes nuts.
LO: Cosmo Cooper is on fire here, and he just got to his feet to stare down at Spiral as Brennan Devlin pulls himself up by use of the ropes. Devlin’s back has been murdered by Garibaldi’s Guillotine, but he’s indicating to Cooper that it’s time they put Spiral away.
KO: Yeah, but Recoba is sneaking back into the ring behind the two, OH NO!
LO: YEAH, HE WAS SNEAKING! BUT BOTH MEN JUST TURNED TO SPY THE FOX TRYING TO GET ONE OVER ON THEM!
Cross stops dead in his tracks, his eyes going wide, and both hands going out in front of him as he starts vehemently shaking his head no. Cooper and Devlin exchange a brief glance, and then both stalk right for Recoba. Cross quickly turns to try and hightail it out of the ring, but Cooper catches him by the back of his tights, exposing his bottom to the fans of the front row. The crowd cat calls Recoba as he’s dragged back into the ring, and the two men spin him around.
LO: Recoba at the mercies of Brennan Devlin and Cosmo Cooper, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it looks like they are going to work together here!
KO: Hey, it’s like they both have said all along…..this is about championship gold. Their rivalry can be put on hold long enough to decide this contest here tonight!
They drag Recoba out to the center of the ring where Devlin lets go and takes step back, leaving Cooper to fire in a chop that sends Recoba stumbling towards Brennan. Devlin answers with a big right hand that sends Recoba back to Cooper who fires in a chop. This goes on for some time until finally Cooper goes for a low leg sweep at the same time that Devlin fires in a Superkick. Recoba crashes to the mat hard off the momentum.
LO: Cooper sliding over for a cover, but Spiral just dove in and broke it up, and now Devlin is stomping on the back of the man’s head!
KO: Recoba just rolled to the outside of the ring as Cooper gets to his feet, and Devlin pulls Spiral up…AND SPIRAL NAILS HIM WITH A JAW BREAKER THAT SENDS HIM SPRAWLING TO THE NEARBY CORNER INTO A SEATED POSITION!
LO: Cooper spins Spiral around from behind, and WALKS INTO A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT FROM THE PALE KING! Cooper falling back into the ropes, and springing back…SPIRAL WITH ANOTHER SENDS HIM DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
KO: And look….Recoba struggling to his feet, climbing up onto the apron…BUT THE ZOMBIE CLAN JUST YANKED HIS FEET OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND HE WENT FACE FIRST DOWN INTO THE EDGE OF THE RING!
Zombie Clan proceed with stomping out Cross at ringside as Spiral watches on, realizing that his hands are full here in the ring. He reaches down to pull Cosmo to his feet, and then lifts him up into Torture Rack position. Before he can deliver the second Spiral Effect to Cooper for the night, Brennan Devlin charges out of nowhere from his corner, leaping into the air to grab Spiral’s head on his way down.
LO: FACE OFF FROM DEVLIN, AND MY GOD! SPIRAL HAD COOPER UP ON HIS SHOULDERS WHEN HE DID IT, AND ALL OF THAT ADDED WEIGHT CAME DOWN ONTO SPIRAL’S HEAD WHEN IT WAS FORCED INTO THE CANVAS!
KO: DEVLIN SHOVING COSMO OUT OF THE WAY, AND FLIPPING SPIRAL OVER ONTO HIS BACK….THERE’S THE PIN!
1…
2…
3!!!
Ring Announcer: CROSS RECOBA AND SPIRAL HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED!!!
LO: Oh My God! Do you know what that means? We’re down to two teams! Brennan Devlin & Cosmo Cooper or The Zombie Clan!
KO: And one of those teams is destined to be our first ever Chimera Tag Team Champions!
The Zombie Clan cease their ringside beating of Cross Recoba at the announcement, both of them staring up at the ring where Devlin has fallen off of Spiral who is being helped out of the ring by Santiago and Caputo. Brennan’s head lifts up to lock eyes with the Zombies, and they take on determined faces as they stalk towards the ring to leap up onto the ring apron.
LO: Devlin is shaking Cosmo, who is groggily getting to his feet, but The Zombie Clan have already stepped through the ropes….AND DEVLIN RUSHES OUT TO MEET THEM WITH A HIGH CROSSBODY…BUT THEY CAUGHT HIM!
KO: UH-OH!
Siberia has Brennan’s lower half while Aoki has his upper, and the two nod, before popping their hips backwards and delivering an awkward Fallaway Slam that sends Brennan right up and over the top rope to land unceremoniously with a splat on the concrete floor. Both get to their feet and look out at their handiwork satisfied, but turn towards Cosmo to find that he’s charging right for them. He nails them with a double clothesline that sends them up and over the top rope to tumble to the floor as well, and then drops to one knee out of fatigue, clutching the side of his head where the huge bruise is pulsing red.
LO: Cross Recoba and Spiral are being escorted up the ramp by security as their part in this tale is done, and now Cooper has effectively cleared the ring, but the toll of a match like this is now wreaking havoc on everyone!
KO: No doubt! It’s not every day that you have your bell rung by a freakin’ cash register from concessions!
LO: No, and it’s not every day that you have to run the gauntlet like this either. But Cooper is now back on his feet, and as The Zombie Clan try to reach theirs, he falls back into the ropes for spring, thunders back across, and SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES WIPES BOTH OF THEM OUT!
All competitors are down at ringside, but it’s Devlin who finds his feet first, though it’s obvious his spine is out of alignment when he does. He gingerly reaches down to pull Aoki up to his feet, and leads him by a fistful of hair over to the nearby steel steps, sending his skull to bounce off the top. Aoki snarls and pulls away after the impact, stumbling his way towards the announce table with Devlin in pursuit.
LO: OH NO! I don’t like the looks of this…
KO: Yep…that’s our cue to split!
Devlin catches up with Aoki, this time sending his skull bouncing off the announce table, and then swinging him up so that he now lays across it. A few right hands find their mark, while back over on the other side of the ring, Cosmo has reached his feet and rolled back into the ring. Cooper pulls himself up and watches as his partner delivers right hand after right hand into Aoki’s skull, and he steps over to the nearest corner, climbing the turnbuckles until he’s perched on the top.
LO: Devlin has Aokigahara Zombie stretched out on our announce table, and Cosmo Cooper just ascended to the top rope. This cannot end well…
KO: These daredevils are fools, Laur! Just try and win the match…don’t rearrange the damn furniture!
Cosmo yells at Devlin who looks up to notice his partner perched for the first time, and Brennan backs off from the table and signals for Cooper to go for it. The Apex Champion stands to his full height, and every fan in the arena leaves their feet in anticipation as he salutes with two fingers before leaping out into the ether. Cooper seems to hang there forever in the air, and then suddenly descends in fast forward, crashing down through Aokigahara’s chest with an elbow and causing the entire announce table to go up into a hail of splinters. The fans explode with the only chant that could ever explain a match like this.
“Kore wa sugoi! Kore wa sugoi! Kore wa sugoi!” Translated from Japanese (This Is Awesome!)
KO: Devlin is just laughing now, giving a slow clap for his partners sacrifice….OH MY GOD! SIBERIA ZOMBIE IS ON THE RING APRON…SHE’S RUNNING ACROSS….DEVLIN TURNS, AND HIGH RUNNING KNEE TAKES HIS FREAKIN HEAD OFF!
LO: Cooper and Aoki are effectively out of this match, and now Siberia has control of Devlin as she shoots him into the ring, and follows him in!
Siberia pops up to her feet as Devlin stumbles to his, and she rushes in to meet him with a barrage of rights, lefts, palm thrusts, and biting kicks that drive him back into the corner. She pulls his head down, driving lightening like knee strikes into his face as he begins to slump in the corner. As he falls into a seated position Siberia backs away along the ropes, and once she bumps into the adjacent corner, she tears back across the ring throwing her boot out to collide with Brennan’s face, washing her boot painfully across his cheek.
LO: SIBERIA ZOMBIE WITH HUGE IMPACT TO DEVLIN!
KO: Brennan crawling out of the corner to try and escape her, but the Siberian Buzzsaw just stepped in his path, and now Brennan sitting up on his knee’s to stare up into the eyes of a woman who has no mercy!
LO: SHIN KICKS TO DEVLIN’S CHEST BEING FIRED IN, AND HE’S BOBBING AND WEAVING LIKE A SEA-BUOY AS SIBERIA CONTINUES DRIVING THEM IN!
The crowd begin to count along with Siberia as she goes, and when they reach ten she back off into a side jujitsu stance, and spins around with a devastating round kick that takes Devlin’s head off and sends him crumpling down to the mat. Siberia quickly drops down for a cover.
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO!! MY GOD! WHERE IN THE HELL DID COOPER COME FROM! HOW IN THE HELL!
KO: I DON’T KNOW, BUT HE JUST SAVED THIS MATCH FOR HIS TEAM! BIG TIME!
Siberia gets to her feet in a rage, Cooper up to his, but on wobbly legs. Siberia comes in on him much the same as she did Brennan, and Cooper gets his hands up as he’s forced back into the corner to try and deflect some of the blows. He suddenly gives Siberia a shove away from the corner, and when she starts to head back in he brings both boots up to strike her in the chest and send her down to the canvas. As she begins to rise, he rushes out, catching her around the waist, and delivers a Belly to Belly Overhead Release Suplex that sends Siberia soaring to crash awkwardly against the turnbuckles of the corner they were just in.
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! SIBERIA MAY BE DEAD AFTER THAT!
KO: The way she struck those turnbuckles and landed awkwardly on the back of her head and neck…you might be right!
LO: Cooper is lying there sucking wind, but he just sat up, and Devlin is starting to stir as well…Both men are fighting to get to their feet..
Just as they do so, a sudden burst of white mist engulfs the whole ring, and Cooper and Devlin are sent choking, coughing, and sputtering as they blindly stumble around the ring. On the outside, Aokigahara Zombie, holding a high pressure K style fire extinguisher cackles wildly. The man is a bloody and bruised mess. There is even a piece of splintered wood from the announce table sticking out of his shoulder, but he continues to pump the ring full of the white cloud with glee before the tank goes empty, and he tosses it to the side.
LO: Aokigahara Zombie has filled the ring with the contents of that fire extinguisher, and now slips in to blind, choking opponents!
KO: I can’t believe this guy is still functioning, but I guess I could say the same for any of them that have survived to this point!
Aoki rises, slinking to the center of the ring, watching with a toothy grin on his face as Cooper stumbles towards him, rubbing at his eyes. Aoki side steps the Apex Champion, letting him pass, but taps him on the shoulder. Cooper reacts, swinging around with a chop that Aoki has to scramble to avoid. The senior Zombie grins again as Devlin stumbles into view, also rubbing his eyes, and he begins to stomp around the ring, drawing the two men so that they are now nearly back to back with one another. Sneaking up beside them, he lets out a war cry, slapping Devlin on the shoulder. Cooper turns in the direction of the call, while Devlin immediately goes on the defensive in the only way he knows how, the offensive, catching his own partner around the side of the head and leaping out, driving him face first to the mat with a cutter.
LO: FACE OFF! BRENNAN DEVLIN JUST BLINDLY NAILED HIS OWN PARTNER WITH HIS FINISHER!
KO: OH NO! GOD ALMIGHTY!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!
Devlin snaps up, falling back to grab the ropes for support, wiping at his eyes and finally being able to see what’s going on. Aoki grins at Devlin as he looks down at a prone Cooper, then back to Aoki, and finally back to Cooper. He shakes his head in disbelief, and looks up just in time to see Siberia Zombie charging right for him, sending a Yakuza kick into the side of his head that sends him thundering to the mat. Aoki quickly flips Cooper onto his back and makes the cover, Siberia rushing over and sitting on his shoulders for the added leverage.
1…
2…
3!!!
LO: OH MY GOD! THEY DID IT! ZOMBIE CLAN ARE OUR FIRST EVER CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!!
KO: That might be the damnedest finish to a match that I’ve ever seen. Seriously….
Siberia helps Aoki, and he falls back into the ropes to help hold him upright as they both stare down at Cooper who rolls over onto his stomach, still rubbing his eyes. Aoki gives the woman a slight grin and nod, as Caputo brings the Chimera Tag Championship belts into the ring, and present it to them.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match, and FIRST EVER CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS....SIBERIA ZOMBIE...AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE.....THE ZOMBBIEEE CLANNNN!!
The Japanese crowd erupts as Aoki reaches out and hugs Siberia's neck while holding up one of the championships with his free hand. Siberia pats Aoki on the back, and she can't help but let a smile pierce through her usual tough demeanor as she holds the championship out in front of her to look at it. The two Zombies take opposing turnbuckles, Siberia thrusting the belt up in victory while Aoki slaps the face plate, and laughs maniacally to the crowd.
LO: The Zombie Clan have outlasted the other four teams in this match, but what a damn match. We saw #Trendsetters all but implode, with Dakota Jennings laying everyone out before she exited the match...and we're receiving word that Vannah White is seriously injured due to concussion. Who knows if she'll even be able to make any future dates after that travesty...
KO: And what about Neo Tokyo getting eliminated right after. They were the team that helped instigate all this tag team carnage to begin with, and were the first to actually get pinnned!
LO: I know, but I think the surprise to me more than anything was how well Spiral and Recoba got along in this match. Something tells me though, those two aren't going to be aspiring to any tag team gold together in the future.
KO: Right, and the same could be said about the team of Devlin and Cooper...well....with the exception of right here at the end...
LO: No doubt, but the team of the night are the ones celebrating in the ring with the Chimera Tag Team Championships. The Zombie Clan rule the tag mountain!
Kowloon and Fukushima come rushing down the ramp as fireworks explode along the stage, confetti raining down from the rafters. They hit the ring and Kowloon rushes in on Siberia, lifting her up in a huge bear hug, and then places her on his shoulder to parade her around the ring while she holds the championship. Fukushima steps right up to Zombie, and then sheepishly gives him a smile and a pat on the head, and the leader of The Zombies laughs, tossing his arm around her shoulder. The quartet continue their celebration along with the fans.
Outside the ring, Brennan Devlin clutches his jaw, standing on the ramp watching the festivities in the ring. He shakes his head in disbelief as Cosmo stumbles up the ramp cradling his skull as he goes, dragging the Apex Championship behind him. He reaches Brennan's spot and looks back, running his free hand through his hair, clear disappointment on his face. That's when Devlin spins him by his shoulder, hooks him around the head, and drops him where he stands with another cutter, this time against the steel grating of the ramp.
LO: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS GUY!
KO: HAHA! He's just reminding Cooper exactly where he stands!
LO: Are you freakin' kidding me! Technically it was that very move that cost them this match! Albeit that one was an accident due to the blinding factor, but that was blatantly deliberate!
KO: Yeah, and I think that's Devlin's way of saying, partnership over, feud back on!
Devlin sneers down at Cooper as he slowly back ups the ramp towards the exit, his own disappointment showing through as he reaches the curtain and disappears. Medical staff rush halfway down the ramp to check on Cooper, but after a moment he shoves them away, the camera clearly picking up 'That son of a bitch!' as he gingerly stalks towards the curtain. The shot returns to The Zombie Clan still celebrating their huge victory with the Chimera Tag Belts on clear display before cutting backstage.
Following closely behind the polished wingtip dress shoes of Mr. Richard Swank, FiteTV producer assigned to the production of Valor Pro Wrestling shows. He walks with purpose along the concrete floor of the office area of Osaka Jo-Hall.
Now close on his face. He means business. Serious business. He looks cross.
Inside rented office space within the sports arena, on either side of a spacious desk, are Vanessa Byrne and Dugan Callahan, both leaning back watching satisfied as the Allegiance program goes off the air.
Vanessa Byrne: Thank god that’s over.
Dugan Callahan: It wasn’t so bad. We have our tag team champions. Now we can move on. For the next big event, I'm thinking we can do--
Richard Swank bursts into the office before Vanessa can continue. Both she and Dugan look surprised.
Vanessa Byrne: Mr. Swank.
Dugan Callahan: The hell?
Richard Swank: Sorry to interrupt. We have business to discuss.
Dugan looks to Vanessa with a rather muted expression of disbelief. Ever since the contract with FiteTV had been finalized, they’d seen hide nor hair of Richard Swank. One would be hard-pressed to describe him were he not standing right here in front of them.
Vanessa Byrne: Do we?
Richard Swank: We do. FiteTV has decided to terminate the broadcast contract with Valor Pro Wrestling effective immediately.
Vanessa Byrne: Excuse me?
Dugan Callahan: You can’t do that.
Richard Swank. I just did.
Dugan rises from his seat to his full, imposing height.
Dugan Callahan: I said you can’t do that.
Now close on his face. He means business. Serious business. He looks cross.
Inside rented office space within the sports arena, on either side of a spacious desk, are Vanessa Byrne and Dugan Callahan, both leaning back watching satisfied as the Allegiance program goes off the air.
Vanessa Byrne: Thank god that’s over.
Dugan Callahan: It wasn’t so bad. We have our tag team champions. Now we can move on. For the next big event, I'm thinking we can do--
Richard Swank bursts into the office before Vanessa can continue. Both she and Dugan look surprised.
Vanessa Byrne: Mr. Swank.
Dugan Callahan: The hell?
Richard Swank: Sorry to interrupt. We have business to discuss.
Dugan looks to Vanessa with a rather muted expression of disbelief. Ever since the contract with FiteTV had been finalized, they’d seen hide nor hair of Richard Swank. One would be hard-pressed to describe him were he not standing right here in front of them.
Vanessa Byrne: Do we?
Richard Swank: We do. FiteTV has decided to terminate the broadcast contract with Valor Pro Wrestling effective immediately.
Vanessa Byrne: Excuse me?
Dugan Callahan: You can’t do that.
Richard Swank. I just did.
Dugan rises from his seat to his full, imposing height.
Dugan Callahan: I said you can’t do that.
Richard Swank shrinks slightly in his presence.
Richard Swank: It’s non-negotiable.
Vanessa Byrne: Whatever for? We’re growing quicker than a weed, darling.
Vanessa relaxed. She could handle this type of negotiation effortlessly.
Richard Swank: This isn’t the type of programming FiteTV wishes to be associated with.
Dugan Callahan: What are you talking about, son? We have men and women fighting on T.V. Your name is FiteTV. How is that--
Richard Swank: You also have women being tossed off buildings and tortured. You have an on-air interviewer who just needed an on-air intervention to help kick an actual drug problem.
Vanessa cleared her throat uncomfortably.
Vanessa Byrne: Well… to be fair darling, no drugs or images of drug paraphenalia were used in--
Richard Swank: The man literally drank from a clearly marked bottle of alcohol and handed it to a kid in the crowd shortly before he did a line of cocaine in the ring.
Vanessa and Dugan looked awkwardly to one another.
Dugan Callahan: Brad Stokes is currently suspended.
Richard Swank: It doesn’t matter.
He added with finality.
Richard Swank: This has been ongoing with VPW since the beginning. An increasing disregard for broadcast standards FiteTV has established. You signed the contract. You’ve consistently breached those guidelines. Be glad they sent me here to tell you this decision in person.
Vanessa sensed the gravity of the situation and stood with a prepared entreaty.
Vanessa Byrne: Give us another week. We’ll clean up the programming, and--
Richard Swank: The decision is final. We’re pulling the plug.
Dugan Callahan: What the hell are we supposed to do, we’ve got a tour booked.
Richard Swank: Find yourself a new broadcast partner.
Vanessa Byrne: But how will we broadcast our shows--
Richard Swank: It’s not my problem. As of now… anyone who watches your programming won’t be watching it on FiteTV. Good day.
And with that, he left them. He left them aloof, standing there, shocked, without a broadcaster to stream Valor Pro episodes of Blitz…
Dugan Callahan glanced incredulously to Vanessa.
Richard Swank: It’s non-negotiable.
Vanessa Byrne: Whatever for? We’re growing quicker than a weed, darling.
Vanessa relaxed. She could handle this type of negotiation effortlessly.
Richard Swank: This isn’t the type of programming FiteTV wishes to be associated with.
Dugan Callahan: What are you talking about, son? We have men and women fighting on T.V. Your name is FiteTV. How is that--
Richard Swank: You also have women being tossed off buildings and tortured. You have an on-air interviewer who just needed an on-air intervention to help kick an actual drug problem.
Vanessa cleared her throat uncomfortably.
Vanessa Byrne: Well… to be fair darling, no drugs or images of drug paraphenalia were used in--
Richard Swank: The man literally drank from a clearly marked bottle of alcohol and handed it to a kid in the crowd shortly before he did a line of cocaine in the ring.
Vanessa and Dugan looked awkwardly to one another.
Dugan Callahan: Brad Stokes is currently suspended.
Richard Swank: It doesn’t matter.
He added with finality.
Richard Swank: This has been ongoing with VPW since the beginning. An increasing disregard for broadcast standards FiteTV has established. You signed the contract. You’ve consistently breached those guidelines. Be glad they sent me here to tell you this decision in person.
Vanessa sensed the gravity of the situation and stood with a prepared entreaty.
Vanessa Byrne: Give us another week. We’ll clean up the programming, and--
Richard Swank: The decision is final. We’re pulling the plug.
Dugan Callahan: What the hell are we supposed to do, we’ve got a tour booked.
Richard Swank: Find yourself a new broadcast partner.
Vanessa Byrne: But how will we broadcast our shows--
Richard Swank: It’s not my problem. As of now… anyone who watches your programming won’t be watching it on FiteTV. Good day.
And with that, he left them. He left them aloof, standing there, shocked, without a broadcaster to stream Valor Pro episodes of Blitz…
Dugan Callahan glanced incredulously to Vanessa.
Dugan Callahan: Did--did we just get cancelled?
This, dear fans, is what we call a mild cliffhanger.
This, dear fans, is what we call a mild cliffhanger.