Post by silentpartner on Jun 2, 2019 17:57:21 GMT -5
THE FOX
Cunning, Mischievous, Engaging, Opportunist...
Cunning, Mischievous, Engaging, Opportunist...
THE SUBMISSION MACHINE
Cold, Calculating, Mechanical, Unrelenting...
Cold, Calculating, Mechanical, Unrelenting...
THE FACELESS
Remote, Impersonal, Destructive, Vengeful
Remote, Impersonal, Destructive, Vengeful
THE APEX
Versatile, Pedigree, Culmination, Prestige...
Versatile, Pedigree, Culmination, Prestige...
'Glitter and Gold' by Barns Courtney blares across the PA as the camera sits affixed to the Rite of Kings banner in the center of the screen. As the shot pulls back it reveals it is on the Big Screen above the stage, and even farther back gives a perfect shot of the capacity crowd of The Covered Hall. Gold Pyro explodes on the stage, and the fans begin to scream at noticing themselves on the large projection. Signs dot the landscape of the Egyptian crowd, many focusing on the main event, while others for the Battle Royal. Rizzo and Djurdjevic signs can be seen, along with several for the entire Zombie Clan. A few signs have a vertigo pattern on them to indicate Spiral, and those individuals are dressed like their favorite rebel. The camera continues to pan around the arena until coming to hover over the ring, where the VPW logo is emblazoned, just before the shot cuts to the announce booth where Laurence and Kenneth Othello are seen wearing excited faces.
LAURENCE OTHELLO: Welcome everyone to The Covered Hall in Cairo, Egypt for Rite of Kings!
KENNETH OTHELLO: That's right, I am Kenneth Othello and to my left is my brother and tag team partner, Laurence Othello, and together we are...
TOGETHER: THE OTHELLO BROTHERS!
LO: And folks we could not have a more action packed show for you hear tonight, and the weeks leading up to Rite of Kings have been eventful!
KO: That's right...Blitz #13 we saw Cross Recoba defeat the Apex Champion, Cosmo Cooper...
LO: On Blitz#14 we saw Brodie take out Brennan Devlin, while Cosmo performed in our first ever inter-promotional match against SILK.
KO: On Blitz#15 Cosmo would defend the Apex Championship for the first time ever against the #1 Contender, Brodie, in a steel cage match that saw Cosmo barely escape, and left The Submission Machine a cyclops.
LO: And finally, on our go home show, Blitz #16, Cross Recoba and Brennan Devlin went head to head, and in the end The Fox overcame The Faceless...
KO: A lot of people are saying that's the only reason Recoba is in this match, but I don't know if I believe that or not...He's been on one hell of a roll, and though beating Devlin is big for him, I'm sure winning The Chimera Tag Championships alongside Dakota Jennings was another big boon.
LO: Either way, it's Fatal Four Way rules, which really puts Cosmo Cooper's back against the wall considering that he doesn't even have to be pinned in order to lose his championship!
KO: That's right, Laur! This could finally be the other three challenger's opportunity to finally knock The King from the mountaintop, but I predict that may be a little tougher than they think considering everything we've seen Cooper overcome.
LO: And what about our Semi-Main Event? A Fifteen Man Battle Royal where even the runner's up will get a prize.
KO: Damndest thing I've ever heard of. Usually it's winner take all, but now it appears that the last two eliminated will get championship opportunities as well...
LO: That's right, and this Battle Royal has a cast of characters. We have debuts, we have established, we have a legend, and we even have an entire Stable!
KO: You have to believe that The Zombie Clan has the advantage here. I mean, if they work together they could eliminate everyone else, and then claim those last three spots for themselves...
LO: Yeah, but I have a feeling that the rest of the participants in this match are aware of that fact, and we could see them band together to eliminate The Zombie's early.
KO: Either way, that is guaranteed to be one hell of a showing. With that many bodies in the ring, there's no way it won't be a complete cluster!
LO: And Lord knows you love a good cluster. Before that, however, we have UnYielding action, with a fresh face to Valor Pro being afforded a very early opportunity at a title.
KO: Interesting thing about this one is how similar Katya Djurdjevic's attitude is to Danny Rizzo's, when he first started at least.
LO: That's right, we saw Danny Rizzo rise through the rankings so fast that he was even dubbed 'The Risen' by the Valor Pro Faithful, and the fans still love him despite some of the more recent controversies he's been caught up in.
KO: Dude's been benefiting off of some well timed distractions, Laur. There was a time that I thought that dude would fall on his sword before accepting a victory like that, but now he's learned that this is the Wrestling Business. It's Dog Eat Dog!
LO: I don't know about that, but I can say that Danny has had a bit of an attitude shift as of late. The pressure of being a champion at such a young stage of his career can do that to a person. The target is always on your back, but even more so with a title that is defended every show...
KO: Well, I say good on him. Bout time he lost that new veneer.
LO: He'll certainly have his hands full with Katya, who seems more determined than ever to show us a successful version of her new finisher, Thundering Skies...
KO: Who knows...if she can pull it off tonight, we could have a new UnYiedling Champion.
LO: Speaking of new champions, the team of Rekota dethroned The Zombie Clan to become the Chimera Tag Team Champions on Blitz#15, and they will defend their belts for the first time tonight against the newcomers, NSFW.
KO: Those two put away Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson in an epic tag confrontation on Blitz#16, and proved that they weren't here to mess around. They claim to be the Kings of Tag Team Wrestling, but I don't know if they've ever faced a team quite like Rekota...
LO: You have to wonder what Cross Recoba's mindset is going into this match. I mean, he knows that he has an opportunity to become the Apex Champion in our Main Event, but so does NSFW. Matter of fact, they made sure to mention it several times in the weeks leading up to tonight.
KO: Normally, I'd say never doubt The Fox, but its a valid point. But you're forgetting, if they lose here tonight, Dakota Jennings is out of a job, and you have to believe that the Power Couple will do anything necessary to ensure that they walk out of the venue as the Champions!
LO: Very true. That added stipulations makes The Firecracker one dangerous lady...
KO: Danger...heh...nice segue.
LO: I didn't think it was too bad, because when we talk about dangerous, our Opening Bout for the Unleashed Championship contains two of the most volatile men in our industry.
KO: Aokigahara Zombie led The Zombie Clan to Chimera Tag Team excellence, dominating. Not only that, but he holds a win over Cross Recoba, which could lead to other opportunities for the top prize later down the road...
LO: But tonight, he's focused on the enigmatic Spiral, a man who just recently filed an injunction against Valor Pro Wrestling, specifically General Manager, Vanessa Byrne.
KO: Don't get fancy, Laur. He's suing their ass!
LO: Fair point. However, you have to wonder what that means for the lawsuit if he loses here tonight? Even more interesting, if he wins?
KO: No doubt it could get nasty, and I predict that's not only in terms of the legal issues, but also in this Falls Count Anywhere match.
LO: Knowing these two, that is almost a certainty, but folks....we don't have to just talk about it. We can get down to business, because Rite of Kings starts right NOW!
Feverish activity filled the The Covered Deck as techies, stage hands and other backstage officials made last minute check before the Pay-Per-View got underway
Amidst the movement, sat one constant. Savouring. Enjoying. Breathing this tension in. Katya Djurdjevic heaves a sigh as she rises from her steel chair. It’s been a long week for the Russian. Her body will be a temple to nothing but pain come week’s end. The nerves are written on her face but she looks prepared for what is ahead for tonight.
She is in the frame to become the next UnYielding champion in what would be a famous night in Cairo.
Katya Djurdjevic: “Hello, my friendly friends. Rite of Kings is finally here. It’s time for me to see what a champion of Valor Pro, someone who is constantly on the frontlines, is capable of. Valor prides itself on having the most combative contests in all of America. I came to Valor Pro because I didn’t want to play small. I wanted to send myself into the fiercest matches, time after time. Now I gotta do my stuff under the gaze of all those in attendance. From the Valor Pro faithful, to the roster backstage.”
Katya limbers up as she fixes her eyes on us.
Katya Djurdjevic: “I’ve had my eyes on the UnYielding Crown from the very beginning of my tenure here. There’s reason to believe it is one of the most beautiful crowns in pro wrestling today. And one of the heaviest. From its design, its lineage, its stipulation and even down to its name… everything it represents is what a champion should be. And it would be out of this world to claim it as my own. The pressure that comes from defending the UnYielding title every show would accelerate my growth… and I believe I can add something tangible… meaningful… to what that title strap represents.
But it all comes down to whether I can beat its champion tonight… the man I squared off with yesterday in the Quag Cup… Danny Rizzo. Yesterday was a hard hitting encounter but it only adds weight to what it means to be UnYielding champion. Tonight is a test to see how durable and robust I am. To see if I’m worthy. You doubt that, Danny… but I will use up everything to prove my worth. It’s time to pass the crown. See you out there."
Nothing, the endless stretch of nothing exists only in this room. It feels like forever since you’ve been here and yet, somehow this room will always feel like home. The thick darkness hanging heavy in the air, almost a scent of day old rain on wet sidewalks. Musty and forgotten, but ever present somewhere at the back of your brain.
It doesn’t occur to you how this place can always exist, where she goes, it seems to follow. An empty room with a bare bulb, just her and you and the truth. An awfully apt day for it really. Father’s Day.
She will celebrate her creation at the hands of the Father by taking what means the most from them. All three, inflated egos and tired words, rinsed and repeated as though they were ever original or new. But she knows and now you do too, That this was always about more than a strip of leather.
“Time grows short with each passing second, like cloaked and clothed followers we will march, one by one to our destiny. Fare awaits us all, tonight only one can be crowned. Only one will rise above all that came before.
Tonight, there will be an ascension,ma cemented seat upon the throne that will be left settled and without question. Nothing else will matter, in those fleeting moments it will just be us and the violence and the blood.
Until the dust settles, until one arises, only one, ready to take their place upon a seat of misery and bones.”
The light flickers, for a moment you believe that you can see her. But it is nothing more than the shadows themselves. She is ready, the most ready she has ever felt and as she stands on the precipice of battle it is with you, only you, she shares her innermost thoughts.
“The time for fluffing up and displaying feathers is over. There is no seconds left to grasp at final hopes and desires. Everything is set, we can only now go on into battle and pray we come out the other side.
Come out the same, but different at the same time. That is all that is left to know. We will choose one, above all others and they will stand tall.
A crown, atop their heavy head.”
Amidst the movement, sat one constant. Savouring. Enjoying. Breathing this tension in. Katya Djurdjevic heaves a sigh as she rises from her steel chair. It’s been a long week for the Russian. Her body will be a temple to nothing but pain come week’s end. The nerves are written on her face but she looks prepared for what is ahead for tonight.
She is in the frame to become the next UnYielding champion in what would be a famous night in Cairo.
Katya Djurdjevic: “Hello, my friendly friends. Rite of Kings is finally here. It’s time for me to see what a champion of Valor Pro, someone who is constantly on the frontlines, is capable of. Valor prides itself on having the most combative contests in all of America. I came to Valor Pro because I didn’t want to play small. I wanted to send myself into the fiercest matches, time after time. Now I gotta do my stuff under the gaze of all those in attendance. From the Valor Pro faithful, to the roster backstage.”
Katya limbers up as she fixes her eyes on us.
Katya Djurdjevic: “I’ve had my eyes on the UnYielding Crown from the very beginning of my tenure here. There’s reason to believe it is one of the most beautiful crowns in pro wrestling today. And one of the heaviest. From its design, its lineage, its stipulation and even down to its name… everything it represents is what a champion should be. And it would be out of this world to claim it as my own. The pressure that comes from defending the UnYielding title every show would accelerate my growth… and I believe I can add something tangible… meaningful… to what that title strap represents.
But it all comes down to whether I can beat its champion tonight… the man I squared off with yesterday in the Quag Cup… Danny Rizzo. Yesterday was a hard hitting encounter but it only adds weight to what it means to be UnYielding champion. Tonight is a test to see how durable and robust I am. To see if I’m worthy. You doubt that, Danny… but I will use up everything to prove my worth. It’s time to pass the crown. See you out there."
It doesn’t occur to you how this place can always exist, where she goes, it seems to follow. An empty room with a bare bulb, just her and you and the truth. An awfully apt day for it really. Father’s Day.
She will celebrate her creation at the hands of the Father by taking what means the most from them. All three, inflated egos and tired words, rinsed and repeated as though they were ever original or new. But she knows and now you do too, That this was always about more than a strip of leather.
“Time grows short with each passing second, like cloaked and clothed followers we will march, one by one to our destiny. Fare awaits us all, tonight only one can be crowned. Only one will rise above all that came before.
Tonight, there will be an ascension,ma cemented seat upon the throne that will be left settled and without question. Nothing else will matter, in those fleeting moments it will just be us and the violence and the blood.
Until the dust settles, until one arises, only one, ready to take their place upon a seat of misery and bones.”
The light flickers, for a moment you believe that you can see her. But it is nothing more than the shadows themselves. She is ready, the most ready she has ever felt and as she stands on the precipice of battle it is with you, only you, she shares her innermost thoughts.
“The time for fluffing up and displaying feathers is over. There is no seconds left to grasp at final hopes and desires. Everything is set, we can only now go on into battle and pray we come out the other side.
Come out the same, but different at the same time. That is all that is left to know. We will choose one, above all others and they will stand tall.
A crown, atop their heavy head.”
OPENING BOUT
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is set for FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE and is for THE UNLEASHED CHAMPIONSHIP....
'Courage' by The Minutemen hits over the PA system, and Aokigahara Zombie bursts through the curtain wearing his trademark leather jacket and beaming a toothy grin. The fans give a cheer despite themselves, knowing that whenever Aoki is involved, more than likely, insanity is sure to follow. The leader of the Zombie Clan stalks around the stage, beating his chest and letting out maniacal fits of laughter, until finally settling his gaze on the ring, running his thumb across his throat in the sign of execution. He laughs again just as he starts his walk down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 230 pounds, hailing from Yamanashi, Japan....Representing the Zombie Clan...AOKIGAHARA ZOMMBBBIIEEE!!!
Zombie reaches ringside and rolls under the bottom rope into the ring, popping up and immediately steps over to the far corner, peeling his jacket off and tossing it to the ringside attendant before spinning around and waggling his fingers out in front of him to indicate that Spiral should bring it on.
LO: Zombie looks ready to compete here tonight, and is impatient to get this thing started...
KO: Of course he is, Laur. The guy's insane. He doesn't think about things the same way you or I do. Most people would enter into an environment like this with a little trepidation, but Aoki seems to almost enjoy it. He's sick!
LO: No doubt that The Zombie Clan are different, and Aoki is no exception. I would argue that's the reason he was afforded this championship opportunity here tonight, despite Spiral's claim that the Unleashed Championship is not VPW's property.
KO: He has a point, but at the same time, why bring the title out here if he wasn't planning on defending it?
LO: I don't know, but either way you look at it, according to General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, it will be on the line tonight regardless of any pending legal battles.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. The camera pulls back into a wide shot of the arena, and the the house lights fade. Darkness. Thousands of voices come alive. Cell phones light up throughout the crowd and wave in the arena. At the entrance a warm spotlight casts down to the stage. In the beam, white flakes flutter in the air from the vast nothingness above. The cheers and whistles of those in attendance are cut off by a belting chant of powerful voices in an unknown tongue. From the tunnel emerges two lines of men and women dressed in Viking regalia. Bodies encased in armor. Faces painted and tattooed with runes. They march out onto the stage and spread out to surround its entirety, leaving only an opening to the ramp. They drop to their knees on the gathering snow and, after removing their helmets, bow their heads to the floor. A second chant carries throughout the arena as a black silhouette appears before the warriors. It steps forward into the light, revealing his identity as SPIRAL. His face is covered in white paint with red around his eyes and running down his cheeks, neck, and chest. A crown of massive teeth, perhaps from a whale or some other large beast, sits upon his head. His arms covered in leather bands. On his left wrist a metal ring. His usual ring gear abandoned for a set of lace-up leather pants and matching boots. He walks to the end of the stage and extends his arms out to his sides and pauses for as fireworks shoot around the stage with a thunderous boom followed by Anthrax’s BLOOD EAGLE WINGS shredding across the sound system. The house lights raise now as he marches down the ramp toward the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: and introducing his opponent, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 205 pounds, hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark...He is the current UNLEASHED CHAMPION....THE PALE KING...SPIRALLLL!!
Spiral reaches ringside to ascend the stairs and walks the length of the apron to the next corner where he climbs up and over the steel post. He stays at the top long enough to carefully remove the crown from his head then jumps down into the ring. He hands the crown over to the referee who hands it off to a crew member at ringside for safe keeping. Spiral stares at Aokigahara Zombie and slowly a devilish little grin spreads across his painted lips. Zombie just claps and laughs like a mad man, nodding his head at the entire spectacle.
LO: Just when we didn't think that Spiral could get any more ghoulish, he comes down to the ring in this strange get up....I suppose a reflection of The Pale King...
KO: It's just theatrics, Laur. Head games to mess with Aoki, though I think he picked the wrong Zombie for that, cause he's a loony!
LO: Well, either way, these two eccentric characters are about to tear each other apart, cause there's the bell!
The bell rings and Aokigahara and Spiral do not move. They stare at each other and the audience buzzes with anticipation. They run at each other and Spiral stops to strike in the middle of the ring but Aokigahara keeps going and barrels into Spiral knocking him back. They bounce against the ropes and Aokigahara sends Spiral flying to the middle of the ring with an arm drag. Spiral rolls on the ground and scores a double leg takedown on Aokigahara when he approaches. Aokigahara places his legs against Spiral’s hips to stop the mount and pulls his head down to flip him over. Spiral shifts his hips in mid-air to slip out and lands on Aokigahara’s leg to work a submission. Aokigahara places a foot on Spiral’s back and pushes while pulling his leg free. They sprawl to their feet and throw punches at each other. Aokigahara gets lucky with a few wild punches while Spiral puts his guard up and chooses his spots and hits Aokigahara as much as he can. They step away from each other and look around at the roaring crowd then dash out of the ring to the audience.
LO: Zombie and Spiral on their way out of the ring after a wild flurry of offense, and I think business is about to pick up!
KO: Spiral’s request that the fans bring weapons has been fulfilled as many in the first few rows hold out all sorts of things to Aokigahara and Spiral.
LO: They both of have their pick of foreign objects, and now they have slid back into the ring...
Aokigahara holds up a rolling pin. Spiral nods and reveals a cleaver behind his back. Spiral swings his cleaver and Aokigahra swings the rolling pin to block the blow. Spiral advances swaying the cleaver around as Aokigaraha blocks with the thick wood of the rolling pin. Spiral backs Aokigahara into the corner and brings the cleaver down into an overhead swing down. Aokigahara as nowhere to go. It looks like he takes the cleaver to his shoulder but he has managed to put the rolling pin in between the sharp metal and his flesh. The knife is embedded in the wood.
LO: GOOD GOD! SPIRAL IS TRYING TO KILL AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE!
KO: DUDE IS INSANE!
Aokigahara throws the pin out of the ring and the cleaver goes with it. He rushes forward and hits Spiral with a headbutt before tackling him. Spiral quickly places his leg in between Aokigahara’s legs and throws him over himself. Spiral then rolls back to get on top of Aokigahara and lands some ground and pound. Aokigahara brings his hands up to clutch at Spiral’s neck and Spiral goes for an armbar. Aokigahara keeps his hands together and doesn’t allow Spiral to get his arm. As they struggle Aokigahara brings his foot over and stomps on Spiral’s head. It takes another hit for Spiral to let go. Aokigahara hits an elbow drop and wraps his arms around Spiral’s head to pick him up in a headlock. He hits a Running Bulldog then rolls out of the ring.
LO: Smash Mouth offense from both competitors, Zombie now pulling Spiral out of the ring with him, but he manages to grab the bottom rope to keep from going...
KO: OH! Stiff kick to Aoki that launches him hard into the steel barricade!
LO: Spiral slips fully out onto the apron, and gets to his feet....Aoki stumbling forward, and SOCCER KICK RIGHT TO THE FACE SENDS AOKI TO THE GROUND!
KO: AOKI'S BEEN BUSTED OPEN FROM SOMEWHERE, AND HE'S HOLDING HIS NOSE......LOOK AT THIS GUY...HE JUST GRINNED AT SPIRAL IN WHAT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A GRIN!
LO: SPIRAL ANSWERS THAT GRIN WITH A LEAP FROM THE APRON INTO A SOARING KNEE STRIKE THAT TAKES AOKI BACK DOWN TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
KO: Spiral now stepping over to the crowd, just holding his hand palm up for a weapon....OH GOD! SOMEONE JUST HANDED HIM A POLICE BATON!
Spiral first nails Aoki in his gut to double him over, and then hits The Zombie across the back with the baton and Aokigahara reels in pain. Spiral beats him some more with the baton then puts his foot on him to pin. The ref slides out of the ring to count it.
1…
2…
LO: NO! KICK OUT! And now Spiral slides his foot from his chest to his throat, and is pressing down to choke the man!
KO: He's damn near standing on his neck, Laur!
After a moment Aokigahara puts his hands around the foot and rolls up to wrap his legs around Spiral to bring him down. He stands up keeping a hold on one of Spiral’s legs to lock in the Single Leg Boston Crab. Aokigahara reaches back blindly into the crowd and someone puts something in his hand. When he looks it is a piece of steel chain. Aokigahara lets go of Spiral’s leg and wraps the chain around Spiral’s neck. He picks Spiral up and uses the chain to choke Spiral a little before throwing him into the barricades. He grabs a chair and places it down to sit Spiral onto it. He runs back and points at Spiral before running at him.
LO: AOKI ON FAST APPROACH FOR A RUNNING KNEE...NO! SPIRAL EXPLODES OUT OF THE CHAIR AND NAILS ZOMBIE IN THE FACE WITH A STILETTO HIGH HEEL SHOE!
KO: WHERE THE HELL DID HE EVEN GET THAT?
LO: I'm not sure, but the ringside area has begun to fill up with various objects and products thanks to this madman's open invitation to the Cairo crowd!
Spiral collects Aokigahara and sits him down in the chair he was just sitting in, and he unwraps the chain around his neck and wraps it around his arm and fist. Spiral punches Aokigahara in the head repeatedly busting him open with the chain. One of those shots knocks him completely back over the chair, and he does his best to roll up to his feet, but Spiral rushes in with a chain induced haymaker that sends Aokigahara over the barricades and into the audience.
LO: Aokigahara is now for sure wearing a crimson mask, not just a little blood from the nose, and Spiral still wearing the chain is following him out into this sea of people...
KO: Spiral pulling Aoki up now....what the hell is he doing? He just slipped behind him and applied a Half Nelson....AND SUPLEXES HIM RIGHT THROUGH A ROW OF STEEL CHAIRS!
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! IF THOSE FANS HADN'T GOT OUT OF THE WAY HE WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THEM ALONG WITH ZOMBIE! THIS MAN IS A MENACE!
KO: FORGET THAT, LAURIE! ARE YOU SEEING THIS! ZOMBIE SOME HOW CAME UP TO HIS FEET!
Spiral reacts to the 'No Sell' by kicking Aoki in the gut and hits a Double Underhook Suplex onto the other side of the row. Aoki crashes through another row of chairs, making a complete mess of this section of the audience, and is much slower to rise than before. Spiral nods, wading over the crumpled chairs and hits him with a few jabs that send Aokigahara back stumbling over people and empty seats. Spiral follows him and when he gets to Aokigahara further down the aisle, Aokigahara jabs him in the face with a bat from out of nowhere.
LO: Aokigahara gets hold of another one of these fan participation weapons, and now holds the bat up to a huge applause!
KO: Zombie now getting into position to swing big and...SENDS SPIRAL FALLING BACK WITH A HOMERUN TO THE CHEST!!
Spiral lands crashing into another cleared out section of chairs. Aokigahara limps over to him but Spiral holds another procured weapon out which causes him some pause. Aokigahara backs up, mostly in confusion, as Spiral holds out a genie lamp. They look back at a kid dressed up as Aladdin waving at them. Spiral shrugs and dashes forward in a wild lunge to hit Aokitahara in the head with the lamp, but blue powder flies out of the lamp when he does masking Aokigahara in a cloud of blue. Aokigahara waves his hands in the air to clear it up, trying to wipe his face to clear the effects, but it becomes clear soon enough this is no special effect. He sways groggily and drops to the ground to put his hands under his head and falls asleep. Spiral looks for the ref that follows them and drags him to Aokigahara. He very carefully rolls Aokigahara onto his back and covers him. The crowd starts to make a lot of noise.
1…
2…
LO: AOKIGAHARA KICKS OUT BECAUSE OF THE PLEAS OF THE AUDIENCE!
KO: It's obvious there was something in that genie lamp to knock the psychopath out, but he didn't stay down for long...
LO: Maybe that's something in becoming a Zombie. Drugs just don't work on you the same...
KO: I don't know, but Spiral is pulling Aoki up by the head, and is dragging him towards that opening that will take them into the stadium corridors!
LO: I hope our cameraman can stay with them....
Spiral throws Aokigahra against the wall and is followed by the ref, a few cameramen, and some braver sections of the audience. Spiral grabs a camera from a crew member and we get a first-person view of Spiral throwing Aoki into the glass display of a pizza kiosk. Aokigahara gets cut up even more, and Spiral follows him in, kicks some of the glass off the stand and picks Aokigahara out. Then he throws him over the counter as the workers run out. Spiral gives the camera back and follows Aokigahara in. He picks Aokigahara up and tries to shove his head into the oven, but the sly Zombie throws both hands out to try and keep himself from going in.
LO: GOOD LORD! HE'S TRYING TO FORCE ZOMBIE INTO THAT OVEN!
KO: PRETTY SURE THAT'S NOW HOW YOU BAKE A CAKE, LAUR!
Aokigahara manages to get his foot against the wall and elbows Spiral in the chest, and then tries to shove Spiral into the oven now. Spiral puts his hand against the edge and recoils back burning it. Zombie follows his momentum to hit a Russian Leg Sweep back into the glass refrigerator door where the drinks are held shattering it. Spiral grimaces as he falls inside, but gets little reprieve as Aokigahara throws Spiral back over the counter then overturns a garbage can. A lot of glass soda bottles fall out, and he pauses to take two of them and then smashes one over Spiral’s head.
LO: SPIRAL IS BUSTED WIDE OPEN, BLOOD MINGLING WITH THAT PAINT HE'S COVERED IN!
KO: WAIT...WHAT THE HELL IS AOKI DOING?!?
LO: HE JUST HANDED HIM THAT SECOND BOTTLE AND NODDED!
KO: Spiral is staring at Aoki in utter disbelief....AND JUST SHATTERED IT OVER ZOMBIE'S SKULL, SENDING HIM STUMBLING BACK...BUT HE HAS ONE OF THOSE GLASS SHARDS! OH MY GOD!
LO: ZOMBIE JUST JABBED THAT SHARD INTO SPIRAL'S ARM!
KO: The first real emotion we've seen from The Pale King as he screams, and then knocks the jagged bottle aside, opening up his bicep even further....oh...God, Laur...I think I'm going to be sick.
LO: NO! NOOO!! ZOMBIE JUST THRUST HIMSELF ONTO SPIRAL AND IS GNAWING ON SPIRAL INJURED FOREHEAD! THIS IS DISGUSTING!
KO: No...(burp)....Seriously....(Blarp)....I need them to stop....
LO: Zombie has Spiral pushed up against the wall, still chomping away...and SPIRAL GETS HIS HANDS UP TO ZOMBIE'S FACE AND JUST GOUGED HIM IN THE EYES! Zombie trying to shake it off....BUT OH MY GOD! SPIRAL JUST FISH HOOKED AOKI'S LIPS...AND HE'S PULLING HIS FACE APART!
KO: THAT'S IT....(BARF)
Spiral, fingers deeply embedded in Zombie's lips, manages to turn Aokigahara’s face to the side then knees him in the chest, abdomen, and head. He goes for another knee to the head when Aokigahara shakes his head to get free of the fishhook and tackles Spiral down. Aokigahara takes hold of Spiral’s legs and looks around. He drags Spiral to the rails that separate the people in a line and swings Spiral’s body into them. Aokigahara, still maintaining his hold of the legs, then swings Spiral in the air again sending him crashing into the doors of an elevator. Aokigahra picks Spiral up by the neck as the doors of the elevator open and the people inside are met with the battered and bloodied bodies of Spiral and Zombie. They run out and Aoki throws Spiral in, following behind to try to lock on the Itai Claw, but Spiral clutches at Aokigahara’s wrists to stop him. The elevator door closes and the ref runs to the stairs. The shot changes to a security feed of inside the elevator as soft Egyptian music plays to Aokigahra and Spiral engaged in a brawl on the inside of the elevator.
LO: This is the damndest thing I've ever seen....
KO: (Wiping his mouth) More damnedable than a guy named Zombie trying to eat someone's bloody face?
LO: Well we have a shot of Santiago navigating the stairs, followed by a shaky camera....and they just reached the Parking Garage!
The ref is winded after his run down the stairs and he finds himself all the way down in the parking garage looking at the elevator. It dings and the doors slide open but it is empty. The ref looks back at the camera and shrugs. He carefully looks in but files back as Aokigahara and Spiral fall out of a hole above the elevator to slam onto the floor. They crawl out of the floor and use each other to get up.
LO: GOOD GOD! What the hell just happened?
KO: I don't know but these two agents of chaos just came brawling out of the elevator, and now it's Spiral who has Zombie by the back of the head....and RUNS HIM FACE FIRST INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR!
LO: Zombie drops to one knee, but Spiral isn't having it....both these men a bloody battered mess!
Spiral yanks Zombie up, still retaining control of the head, and he half drags/half leads him towards the first row of parked cars. The people in the arena's attention picks up, the low hum of the arena filtering through the camera audio even from this deep underground. He stalks over to a Volkswagen Jetta, and slams Aoki face first down across the trunk, and the car's alarm system kicks off with a dull droning tune. He drags the Zombie along to a beat up Ford Bronco, and whips him so that his spine strikes the tailgate, the back of his head striking the back glass with enough force to cause it to crack.
LO: Zombie looks like he's out on his feet as Spiral prevents him from sliding down that SUV, and now continues to drag him down the line. God, do you think he's going to bounce him off every vehicle in the garage?
KO: I DON'T KNOW, BUT HE SHOULDN'T DO THAT ONE!
LO: Why?
KO: CAUSE THAT'S MY RENTAL!
Spiral lifts Zombie partially to get him rolled up onto the trunk of the 2014 Honda Civic, and he hops up to join him, dragging Aoki to his feet so both men are now standing on the trunk of the car. He tucks Zombie's head between his legs, and goes for what looks to be a Powerbomb, but Zombie kicks his feet furiously which forces Spiral to set him back down. Spirals eyes go wide as suddenly Zombie lifts abruptly to a standing position, and sends him soaring over with a Back Body Drop that finds him crashing right through the hood of the Honda. Glass shatters in every direction from the impact, and creates a huge indention where the top of the car has caved in on itself. Zombie picks a way up onto the car with the least amount of glass, and drapes himself over Spiral for a cover. The referee doesn't even try and climb up there, instead banging his hand off the dented trunk.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! SPIRAL SOMEHOW GETS THE SHOULDER UP, SAVING HIS CHAMPIONSHIP!
KO: ........
Kenneth Othello sits there in stunned silence after viewing his rental get demolished thanks to these two insane superstars. Remember kids....make sure to get that extra insurance! Zombie shakes his head now, blood pooling on his lip where he grins at the camera as he pulls Spiral from the wreckage. He not so much as gets him free as dumps him out of the hole they created and onto the garage floor where he slaps the concrete hard. Aoki drops beside him, reaching down to help get the man to his feet, and drags him out between the cars and to the next vehicle down the line...a Ford F150. The driver had pulled the vehicle into the spot, meaning that the two competitors are at the bed of the truck, and Aoki pulls Spiral's head back so he can bounce his skull of the tailgate. The Pale King, however, manages to get a boot up on the bumper to stop his momentum, and after three sharp elbows to Aoki's aching ribs, gets free. Aoki tries to move back in on the attack, but Spiral ducks under the swing and manages to pull Aoki up onto his back into a torture wrack. Just as quickly as he's in place, Spiral throws him up and out, and instead of using his knee to strike Zombie, throws him in such a way that his body lands in the bed of the truck while the back of his head strikes the top of the tailgate on the way down!
LO: OH MY GOD!
KO: SPIRAL EFFECT USING A FREAKING F150!
LO: Yeah, but Spiral just fell to his knee's.....This would have been it, you gotta believe, if he could get up into that truck and make a cover....But these two men have been through hell tonight!
KO: Not a God Damn thing about this match has been conventional, save for maybe that Arm Drag at the very beginning.....I mean.....I threw up, Laur!
LO: I know you did, Ken! It still stinks out here! Thanks for that by the way!
KO: I can't help it! These guys are deranged...their sick! They need professional help for all we've seen out of this one contest!
LO: I can't argue with you there, but the match continues as Spiral has finally reached up to grab the tailgate, and is trying to navigate up to his feet...
KO: I think even The Pale King is ready to end this thing...
Zombie hasn't been seen for some time, still in the bowels of the bed of the F150, as Spiral slowly drags himself to his feet and places one boot on the back bumper. He hoists himself up gingerly, placing the other boot down inside the bed of the truck, and just when he's about to swing the other in...A hand shoots up, fingers burying themselves right into his mouth.
LO: ITAI CLAW!
KO: HOW THE HELL DO EITHER OF THESE MEN HAVE ANYTHING LEFT!
Spiral looks surprised at first as he finds his body lowering to sit, straddling the tailgate, but then his eyes turn grim, as he grips at the wrist and tries to force it down and out. Aokigahara, however, rises from the bed like a slow moving phoenix, his other hand raring back to drive vicious strikes into the side of Spiral's head. Spiral's hands drop from around Zombie's wrist, and the leader of Zombie Clan guides the man down so that his back now rests on the top of the tailgate as well. His eyes flutter, and for just a moment it looks like he's out, but when the referee moves in to check his arm, Spiral suddenly comes alive. The leg still in the bed of the truck rises up for a knee strike into Aoki's ribs, followed by another, and then another! Each blow lifts The Zombie off his feet, so that by the third time he's forced to recoil, breaking the hold. Unfortunately the added weight of Zombie on Spiral was all that was holding him in position, so now that it's gone he slips right off of the edge of the tailgate, striking the back bumper on his way down to smack against the concrete on his back.
LO: Spiral got out of the Claw, but took a nasty tumble as a result....and now Zombie is clutching his ribs as he steps up to balance himself on the tailgate....
KO: OH NO! DIVING ELBOW DROP CRUSHES SPIRAL, BUT A SICKENING SMACK COMES FROM ZOMBIE'S LANDING AS WELL!
Zombie groans as he grabs at his tailbone and left hip, imagining the bruise that will probably follow such an impact, and then slumps over to his side, putting him partially on top of Spiral. Santiago drops to make the count on the cold concrete.
1...
2...
3!!!
LO: I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! ZOMBIE DID IT!
KO: BOTH MEN ARE BATTERED AND BROKEN....BUT SOMEHOW AOKI FOUND HIS WAY ON TOP OF SPIRAL!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of the match via pinfall.....AND NEW UNLEASHED CHAMPION....AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE!!
The fans erupt as medical staff rush in on the two men, pulling them apart to lie side by side as the team goes to work. The referee takes the Unleashed Title and lays it at Zombie's side, and after some smelling salts Zombie comes too. He looks around bewildered by the attention, shoving the medical team away as he works to sit up. He barks a command at the referee who looks confused at first, but then indicates to Zombie by lifting his hand to signify that he had won. Suddenly a look of elation creeps onto Zombie's bloodied face, and he starts to cackle, looking around for the belt he had just procured. His face screws up into confusion upon not being able to find it, and he grabs the edge of the F150 to get to his feet, thinking this will help in his search. When he manages to reach his feet he looks up just in time to see the face plate of the Unleashed Championship smashing into his skull!
LO: WHAT THE HELL! COME ON!
KO: SPIRAL JUST CROWNED THE NEW UNLEASHED CHAMPIONSHIP WITH HIS OWN BELT!
LO: THIS ISN'T RIGHT! HE LOST THE TITLE BY HIS OWN RULES!
KO: Yeah, but....I think that's part of the lawsuit, Laur! Spiral is claiming that he never gave VPW the right to use the Unleashed Championship!
LO: THEN WHY THE HELL HAS HE BEEN FIGHTING FOR IT?!?
KO: I don't know man...I'm just telling you what the affidavit said!
LO: Well Zombie is back out cold, and Security is arriving on the scene....AND SPIRAL JUST TOOK OFF IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WITH THE TITLE!
KO: What does this mean, Laur?
LO: It means that Spiral is a damn thief, and there is more legal ramifications to follow, I guarantee you that!
The camera focuses on a downed Zombie in what should have been a moment of triumph, and then swings around to see Spiral disappearing behind the doors of the elevator that will take him back up into the building, the Unleashed Title slung over his shoulder. The scene then cuts backstage.
'Courage' by The Minutemen hits over the PA system, and Aokigahara Zombie bursts through the curtain wearing his trademark leather jacket and beaming a toothy grin. The fans give a cheer despite themselves, knowing that whenever Aoki is involved, more than likely, insanity is sure to follow. The leader of the Zombie Clan stalks around the stage, beating his chest and letting out maniacal fits of laughter, until finally settling his gaze on the ring, running his thumb across his throat in the sign of execution. He laughs again just as he starts his walk down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 230 pounds, hailing from Yamanashi, Japan....Representing the Zombie Clan...AOKIGAHARA ZOMMBBBIIEEE!!!
Zombie reaches ringside and rolls under the bottom rope into the ring, popping up and immediately steps over to the far corner, peeling his jacket off and tossing it to the ringside attendant before spinning around and waggling his fingers out in front of him to indicate that Spiral should bring it on.
LO: Zombie looks ready to compete here tonight, and is impatient to get this thing started...
KO: Of course he is, Laur. The guy's insane. He doesn't think about things the same way you or I do. Most people would enter into an environment like this with a little trepidation, but Aoki seems to almost enjoy it. He's sick!
LO: No doubt that The Zombie Clan are different, and Aoki is no exception. I would argue that's the reason he was afforded this championship opportunity here tonight, despite Spiral's claim that the Unleashed Championship is not VPW's property.
KO: He has a point, but at the same time, why bring the title out here if he wasn't planning on defending it?
LO: I don't know, but either way you look at it, according to General Manager, Vanessa Byrne, it will be on the line tonight regardless of any pending legal battles.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. The camera pulls back into a wide shot of the arena, and the the house lights fade. Darkness. Thousands of voices come alive. Cell phones light up throughout the crowd and wave in the arena. At the entrance a warm spotlight casts down to the stage. In the beam, white flakes flutter in the air from the vast nothingness above. The cheers and whistles of those in attendance are cut off by a belting chant of powerful voices in an unknown tongue. From the tunnel emerges two lines of men and women dressed in Viking regalia. Bodies encased in armor. Faces painted and tattooed with runes. They march out onto the stage and spread out to surround its entirety, leaving only an opening to the ramp. They drop to their knees on the gathering snow and, after removing their helmets, bow their heads to the floor. A second chant carries throughout the arena as a black silhouette appears before the warriors. It steps forward into the light, revealing his identity as SPIRAL. His face is covered in white paint with red around his eyes and running down his cheeks, neck, and chest. A crown of massive teeth, perhaps from a whale or some other large beast, sits upon his head. His arms covered in leather bands. On his left wrist a metal ring. His usual ring gear abandoned for a set of lace-up leather pants and matching boots. He walks to the end of the stage and extends his arms out to his sides and pauses for as fireworks shoot around the stage with a thunderous boom followed by Anthrax’s BLOOD EAGLE WINGS shredding across the sound system. The house lights raise now as he marches down the ramp toward the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: and introducing his opponent, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 205 pounds, hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark...He is the current UNLEASHED CHAMPION....THE PALE KING...SPIRALLLL!!
Spiral reaches ringside to ascend the stairs and walks the length of the apron to the next corner where he climbs up and over the steel post. He stays at the top long enough to carefully remove the crown from his head then jumps down into the ring. He hands the crown over to the referee who hands it off to a crew member at ringside for safe keeping. Spiral stares at Aokigahara Zombie and slowly a devilish little grin spreads across his painted lips. Zombie just claps and laughs like a mad man, nodding his head at the entire spectacle.
LO: Just when we didn't think that Spiral could get any more ghoulish, he comes down to the ring in this strange get up....I suppose a reflection of The Pale King...
KO: It's just theatrics, Laur. Head games to mess with Aoki, though I think he picked the wrong Zombie for that, cause he's a loony!
LO: Well, either way, these two eccentric characters are about to tear each other apart, cause there's the bell!
The bell rings and Aokigahara and Spiral do not move. They stare at each other and the audience buzzes with anticipation. They run at each other and Spiral stops to strike in the middle of the ring but Aokigahara keeps going and barrels into Spiral knocking him back. They bounce against the ropes and Aokigahara sends Spiral flying to the middle of the ring with an arm drag. Spiral rolls on the ground and scores a double leg takedown on Aokigahara when he approaches. Aokigahara places his legs against Spiral’s hips to stop the mount and pulls his head down to flip him over. Spiral shifts his hips in mid-air to slip out and lands on Aokigahara’s leg to work a submission. Aokigahara places a foot on Spiral’s back and pushes while pulling his leg free. They sprawl to their feet and throw punches at each other. Aokigahara gets lucky with a few wild punches while Spiral puts his guard up and chooses his spots and hits Aokigahara as much as he can. They step away from each other and look around at the roaring crowd then dash out of the ring to the audience.
LO: Zombie and Spiral on their way out of the ring after a wild flurry of offense, and I think business is about to pick up!
KO: Spiral’s request that the fans bring weapons has been fulfilled as many in the first few rows hold out all sorts of things to Aokigahara and Spiral.
LO: They both of have their pick of foreign objects, and now they have slid back into the ring...
Aokigahara holds up a rolling pin. Spiral nods and reveals a cleaver behind his back. Spiral swings his cleaver and Aokigahra swings the rolling pin to block the blow. Spiral advances swaying the cleaver around as Aokigaraha blocks with the thick wood of the rolling pin. Spiral backs Aokigahara into the corner and brings the cleaver down into an overhead swing down. Aokigahara as nowhere to go. It looks like he takes the cleaver to his shoulder but he has managed to put the rolling pin in between the sharp metal and his flesh. The knife is embedded in the wood.
LO: GOOD GOD! SPIRAL IS TRYING TO KILL AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE!
KO: DUDE IS INSANE!
Aokigahara throws the pin out of the ring and the cleaver goes with it. He rushes forward and hits Spiral with a headbutt before tackling him. Spiral quickly places his leg in between Aokigahara’s legs and throws him over himself. Spiral then rolls back to get on top of Aokigahara and lands some ground and pound. Aokigahara brings his hands up to clutch at Spiral’s neck and Spiral goes for an armbar. Aokigahara keeps his hands together and doesn’t allow Spiral to get his arm. As they struggle Aokigahara brings his foot over and stomps on Spiral’s head. It takes another hit for Spiral to let go. Aokigahara hits an elbow drop and wraps his arms around Spiral’s head to pick him up in a headlock. He hits a Running Bulldog then rolls out of the ring.
LO: Smash Mouth offense from both competitors, Zombie now pulling Spiral out of the ring with him, but he manages to grab the bottom rope to keep from going...
KO: OH! Stiff kick to Aoki that launches him hard into the steel barricade!
LO: Spiral slips fully out onto the apron, and gets to his feet....Aoki stumbling forward, and SOCCER KICK RIGHT TO THE FACE SENDS AOKI TO THE GROUND!
KO: AOKI'S BEEN BUSTED OPEN FROM SOMEWHERE, AND HE'S HOLDING HIS NOSE......LOOK AT THIS GUY...HE JUST GRINNED AT SPIRAL IN WHAT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A GRIN!
LO: SPIRAL ANSWERS THAT GRIN WITH A LEAP FROM THE APRON INTO A SOARING KNEE STRIKE THAT TAKES AOKI BACK DOWN TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
KO: Spiral now stepping over to the crowd, just holding his hand palm up for a weapon....OH GOD! SOMEONE JUST HANDED HIM A POLICE BATON!
Spiral first nails Aoki in his gut to double him over, and then hits The Zombie across the back with the baton and Aokigahara reels in pain. Spiral beats him some more with the baton then puts his foot on him to pin. The ref slides out of the ring to count it.
1…
2…
LO: NO! KICK OUT! And now Spiral slides his foot from his chest to his throat, and is pressing down to choke the man!
KO: He's damn near standing on his neck, Laur!
After a moment Aokigahara puts his hands around the foot and rolls up to wrap his legs around Spiral to bring him down. He stands up keeping a hold on one of Spiral’s legs to lock in the Single Leg Boston Crab. Aokigahara reaches back blindly into the crowd and someone puts something in his hand. When he looks it is a piece of steel chain. Aokigahara lets go of Spiral’s leg and wraps the chain around Spiral’s neck. He picks Spiral up and uses the chain to choke Spiral a little before throwing him into the barricades. He grabs a chair and places it down to sit Spiral onto it. He runs back and points at Spiral before running at him.
LO: AOKI ON FAST APPROACH FOR A RUNNING KNEE...NO! SPIRAL EXPLODES OUT OF THE CHAIR AND NAILS ZOMBIE IN THE FACE WITH A STILETTO HIGH HEEL SHOE!
KO: WHERE THE HELL DID HE EVEN GET THAT?
LO: I'm not sure, but the ringside area has begun to fill up with various objects and products thanks to this madman's open invitation to the Cairo crowd!
Spiral collects Aokigahara and sits him down in the chair he was just sitting in, and he unwraps the chain around his neck and wraps it around his arm and fist. Spiral punches Aokigahara in the head repeatedly busting him open with the chain. One of those shots knocks him completely back over the chair, and he does his best to roll up to his feet, but Spiral rushes in with a chain induced haymaker that sends Aokigahara over the barricades and into the audience.
LO: Aokigahara is now for sure wearing a crimson mask, not just a little blood from the nose, and Spiral still wearing the chain is following him out into this sea of people...
KO: Spiral pulling Aoki up now....what the hell is he doing? He just slipped behind him and applied a Half Nelson....AND SUPLEXES HIM RIGHT THROUGH A ROW OF STEEL CHAIRS!
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! IF THOSE FANS HADN'T GOT OUT OF THE WAY HE WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THEM ALONG WITH ZOMBIE! THIS MAN IS A MENACE!
KO: FORGET THAT, LAURIE! ARE YOU SEEING THIS! ZOMBIE SOME HOW CAME UP TO HIS FEET!
Spiral reacts to the 'No Sell' by kicking Aoki in the gut and hits a Double Underhook Suplex onto the other side of the row. Aoki crashes through another row of chairs, making a complete mess of this section of the audience, and is much slower to rise than before. Spiral nods, wading over the crumpled chairs and hits him with a few jabs that send Aokigahara back stumbling over people and empty seats. Spiral follows him and when he gets to Aokigahara further down the aisle, Aokigahara jabs him in the face with a bat from out of nowhere.
LO: Aokigahara gets hold of another one of these fan participation weapons, and now holds the bat up to a huge applause!
KO: Zombie now getting into position to swing big and...SENDS SPIRAL FALLING BACK WITH A HOMERUN TO THE CHEST!!
Spiral lands crashing into another cleared out section of chairs. Aokigahara limps over to him but Spiral holds another procured weapon out which causes him some pause. Aokigahara backs up, mostly in confusion, as Spiral holds out a genie lamp. They look back at a kid dressed up as Aladdin waving at them. Spiral shrugs and dashes forward in a wild lunge to hit Aokitahara in the head with the lamp, but blue powder flies out of the lamp when he does masking Aokigahara in a cloud of blue. Aokigahara waves his hands in the air to clear it up, trying to wipe his face to clear the effects, but it becomes clear soon enough this is no special effect. He sways groggily and drops to the ground to put his hands under his head and falls asleep. Spiral looks for the ref that follows them and drags him to Aokigahara. He very carefully rolls Aokigahara onto his back and covers him. The crowd starts to make a lot of noise.
1…
2…
LO: AOKIGAHARA KICKS OUT BECAUSE OF THE PLEAS OF THE AUDIENCE!
KO: It's obvious there was something in that genie lamp to knock the psychopath out, but he didn't stay down for long...
LO: Maybe that's something in becoming a Zombie. Drugs just don't work on you the same...
KO: I don't know, but Spiral is pulling Aoki up by the head, and is dragging him towards that opening that will take them into the stadium corridors!
LO: I hope our cameraman can stay with them....
Spiral throws Aokigahra against the wall and is followed by the ref, a few cameramen, and some braver sections of the audience. Spiral grabs a camera from a crew member and we get a first-person view of Spiral throwing Aoki into the glass display of a pizza kiosk. Aokigahara gets cut up even more, and Spiral follows him in, kicks some of the glass off the stand and picks Aokigahara out. Then he throws him over the counter as the workers run out. Spiral gives the camera back and follows Aokigahara in. He picks Aokigahara up and tries to shove his head into the oven, but the sly Zombie throws both hands out to try and keep himself from going in.
LO: GOOD LORD! HE'S TRYING TO FORCE ZOMBIE INTO THAT OVEN!
KO: PRETTY SURE THAT'S NOW HOW YOU BAKE A CAKE, LAUR!
Aokigahara manages to get his foot against the wall and elbows Spiral in the chest, and then tries to shove Spiral into the oven now. Spiral puts his hand against the edge and recoils back burning it. Zombie follows his momentum to hit a Russian Leg Sweep back into the glass refrigerator door where the drinks are held shattering it. Spiral grimaces as he falls inside, but gets little reprieve as Aokigahara throws Spiral back over the counter then overturns a garbage can. A lot of glass soda bottles fall out, and he pauses to take two of them and then smashes one over Spiral’s head.
LO: SPIRAL IS BUSTED WIDE OPEN, BLOOD MINGLING WITH THAT PAINT HE'S COVERED IN!
KO: WAIT...WHAT THE HELL IS AOKI DOING?!?
LO: HE JUST HANDED HIM THAT SECOND BOTTLE AND NODDED!
KO: Spiral is staring at Aoki in utter disbelief....AND JUST SHATTERED IT OVER ZOMBIE'S SKULL, SENDING HIM STUMBLING BACK...BUT HE HAS ONE OF THOSE GLASS SHARDS! OH MY GOD!
LO: ZOMBIE JUST JABBED THAT SHARD INTO SPIRAL'S ARM!
KO: The first real emotion we've seen from The Pale King as he screams, and then knocks the jagged bottle aside, opening up his bicep even further....oh...God, Laur...I think I'm going to be sick.
LO: NO! NOOO!! ZOMBIE JUST THRUST HIMSELF ONTO SPIRAL AND IS GNAWING ON SPIRAL INJURED FOREHEAD! THIS IS DISGUSTING!
KO: No...(burp)....Seriously....(Blarp)....I need them to stop....
LO: Zombie has Spiral pushed up against the wall, still chomping away...and SPIRAL GETS HIS HANDS UP TO ZOMBIE'S FACE AND JUST GOUGED HIM IN THE EYES! Zombie trying to shake it off....BUT OH MY GOD! SPIRAL JUST FISH HOOKED AOKI'S LIPS...AND HE'S PULLING HIS FACE APART!
KO: THAT'S IT....(BARF)
Spiral, fingers deeply embedded in Zombie's lips, manages to turn Aokigahara’s face to the side then knees him in the chest, abdomen, and head. He goes for another knee to the head when Aokigahara shakes his head to get free of the fishhook and tackles Spiral down. Aokigahara takes hold of Spiral’s legs and looks around. He drags Spiral to the rails that separate the people in a line and swings Spiral’s body into them. Aokigahara, still maintaining his hold of the legs, then swings Spiral in the air again sending him crashing into the doors of an elevator. Aokigahra picks Spiral up by the neck as the doors of the elevator open and the people inside are met with the battered and bloodied bodies of Spiral and Zombie. They run out and Aoki throws Spiral in, following behind to try to lock on the Itai Claw, but Spiral clutches at Aokigahara’s wrists to stop him. The elevator door closes and the ref runs to the stairs. The shot changes to a security feed of inside the elevator as soft Egyptian music plays to Aokigahra and Spiral engaged in a brawl on the inside of the elevator.
LO: This is the damndest thing I've ever seen....
KO: (Wiping his mouth) More damnedable than a guy named Zombie trying to eat someone's bloody face?
LO: Well we have a shot of Santiago navigating the stairs, followed by a shaky camera....and they just reached the Parking Garage!
The ref is winded after his run down the stairs and he finds himself all the way down in the parking garage looking at the elevator. It dings and the doors slide open but it is empty. The ref looks back at the camera and shrugs. He carefully looks in but files back as Aokigahara and Spiral fall out of a hole above the elevator to slam onto the floor. They crawl out of the floor and use each other to get up.
LO: GOOD GOD! What the hell just happened?
KO: I don't know but these two agents of chaos just came brawling out of the elevator, and now it's Spiral who has Zombie by the back of the head....and RUNS HIM FACE FIRST INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR!
LO: Zombie drops to one knee, but Spiral isn't having it....both these men a bloody battered mess!
Spiral yanks Zombie up, still retaining control of the head, and he half drags/half leads him towards the first row of parked cars. The people in the arena's attention picks up, the low hum of the arena filtering through the camera audio even from this deep underground. He stalks over to a Volkswagen Jetta, and slams Aoki face first down across the trunk, and the car's alarm system kicks off with a dull droning tune. He drags the Zombie along to a beat up Ford Bronco, and whips him so that his spine strikes the tailgate, the back of his head striking the back glass with enough force to cause it to crack.
LO: Zombie looks like he's out on his feet as Spiral prevents him from sliding down that SUV, and now continues to drag him down the line. God, do you think he's going to bounce him off every vehicle in the garage?
KO: I DON'T KNOW, BUT HE SHOULDN'T DO THAT ONE!
LO: Why?
KO: CAUSE THAT'S MY RENTAL!
Spiral lifts Zombie partially to get him rolled up onto the trunk of the 2014 Honda Civic, and he hops up to join him, dragging Aoki to his feet so both men are now standing on the trunk of the car. He tucks Zombie's head between his legs, and goes for what looks to be a Powerbomb, but Zombie kicks his feet furiously which forces Spiral to set him back down. Spirals eyes go wide as suddenly Zombie lifts abruptly to a standing position, and sends him soaring over with a Back Body Drop that finds him crashing right through the hood of the Honda. Glass shatters in every direction from the impact, and creates a huge indention where the top of the car has caved in on itself. Zombie picks a way up onto the car with the least amount of glass, and drapes himself over Spiral for a cover. The referee doesn't even try and climb up there, instead banging his hand off the dented trunk.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! SPIRAL SOMEHOW GETS THE SHOULDER UP, SAVING HIS CHAMPIONSHIP!
KO: ........
Kenneth Othello sits there in stunned silence after viewing his rental get demolished thanks to these two insane superstars. Remember kids....make sure to get that extra insurance! Zombie shakes his head now, blood pooling on his lip where he grins at the camera as he pulls Spiral from the wreckage. He not so much as gets him free as dumps him out of the hole they created and onto the garage floor where he slaps the concrete hard. Aoki drops beside him, reaching down to help get the man to his feet, and drags him out between the cars and to the next vehicle down the line...a Ford F150. The driver had pulled the vehicle into the spot, meaning that the two competitors are at the bed of the truck, and Aoki pulls Spiral's head back so he can bounce his skull of the tailgate. The Pale King, however, manages to get a boot up on the bumper to stop his momentum, and after three sharp elbows to Aoki's aching ribs, gets free. Aoki tries to move back in on the attack, but Spiral ducks under the swing and manages to pull Aoki up onto his back into a torture wrack. Just as quickly as he's in place, Spiral throws him up and out, and instead of using his knee to strike Zombie, throws him in such a way that his body lands in the bed of the truck while the back of his head strikes the top of the tailgate on the way down!
LO: OH MY GOD!
KO: SPIRAL EFFECT USING A FREAKING F150!
LO: Yeah, but Spiral just fell to his knee's.....This would have been it, you gotta believe, if he could get up into that truck and make a cover....But these two men have been through hell tonight!
KO: Not a God Damn thing about this match has been conventional, save for maybe that Arm Drag at the very beginning.....I mean.....I threw up, Laur!
LO: I know you did, Ken! It still stinks out here! Thanks for that by the way!
KO: I can't help it! These guys are deranged...their sick! They need professional help for all we've seen out of this one contest!
LO: I can't argue with you there, but the match continues as Spiral has finally reached up to grab the tailgate, and is trying to navigate up to his feet...
KO: I think even The Pale King is ready to end this thing...
Zombie hasn't been seen for some time, still in the bowels of the bed of the F150, as Spiral slowly drags himself to his feet and places one boot on the back bumper. He hoists himself up gingerly, placing the other boot down inside the bed of the truck, and just when he's about to swing the other in...A hand shoots up, fingers burying themselves right into his mouth.
LO: ITAI CLAW!
KO: HOW THE HELL DO EITHER OF THESE MEN HAVE ANYTHING LEFT!
Spiral looks surprised at first as he finds his body lowering to sit, straddling the tailgate, but then his eyes turn grim, as he grips at the wrist and tries to force it down and out. Aokigahara, however, rises from the bed like a slow moving phoenix, his other hand raring back to drive vicious strikes into the side of Spiral's head. Spiral's hands drop from around Zombie's wrist, and the leader of Zombie Clan guides the man down so that his back now rests on the top of the tailgate as well. His eyes flutter, and for just a moment it looks like he's out, but when the referee moves in to check his arm, Spiral suddenly comes alive. The leg still in the bed of the truck rises up for a knee strike into Aoki's ribs, followed by another, and then another! Each blow lifts The Zombie off his feet, so that by the third time he's forced to recoil, breaking the hold. Unfortunately the added weight of Zombie on Spiral was all that was holding him in position, so now that it's gone he slips right off of the edge of the tailgate, striking the back bumper on his way down to smack against the concrete on his back.
LO: Spiral got out of the Claw, but took a nasty tumble as a result....and now Zombie is clutching his ribs as he steps up to balance himself on the tailgate....
KO: OH NO! DIVING ELBOW DROP CRUSHES SPIRAL, BUT A SICKENING SMACK COMES FROM ZOMBIE'S LANDING AS WELL!
Zombie groans as he grabs at his tailbone and left hip, imagining the bruise that will probably follow such an impact, and then slumps over to his side, putting him partially on top of Spiral. Santiago drops to make the count on the cold concrete.
1...
2...
3!!!
LO: I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! ZOMBIE DID IT!
KO: BOTH MEN ARE BATTERED AND BROKEN....BUT SOMEHOW AOKI FOUND HIS WAY ON TOP OF SPIRAL!
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of the match via pinfall.....AND NEW UNLEASHED CHAMPION....AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE!!
The fans erupt as medical staff rush in on the two men, pulling them apart to lie side by side as the team goes to work. The referee takes the Unleashed Title and lays it at Zombie's side, and after some smelling salts Zombie comes too. He looks around bewildered by the attention, shoving the medical team away as he works to sit up. He barks a command at the referee who looks confused at first, but then indicates to Zombie by lifting his hand to signify that he had won. Suddenly a look of elation creeps onto Zombie's bloodied face, and he starts to cackle, looking around for the belt he had just procured. His face screws up into confusion upon not being able to find it, and he grabs the edge of the F150 to get to his feet, thinking this will help in his search. When he manages to reach his feet he looks up just in time to see the face plate of the Unleashed Championship smashing into his skull!
LO: WHAT THE HELL! COME ON!
KO: SPIRAL JUST CROWNED THE NEW UNLEASHED CHAMPIONSHIP WITH HIS OWN BELT!
LO: THIS ISN'T RIGHT! HE LOST THE TITLE BY HIS OWN RULES!
KO: Yeah, but....I think that's part of the lawsuit, Laur! Spiral is claiming that he never gave VPW the right to use the Unleashed Championship!
LO: THEN WHY THE HELL HAS HE BEEN FIGHTING FOR IT?!?
KO: I don't know man...I'm just telling you what the affidavit said!
LO: Well Zombie is back out cold, and Security is arriving on the scene....AND SPIRAL JUST TOOK OFF IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WITH THE TITLE!
KO: What does this mean, Laur?
LO: It means that Spiral is a damn thief, and there is more legal ramifications to follow, I guarantee you that!
The camera focuses on a downed Zombie in what should have been a moment of triumph, and then swings around to see Spiral disappearing behind the doors of the elevator that will take him back up into the building, the Unleashed Title slung over his shoulder. The scene then cuts backstage.
Backstage, we find an intense looking NSFW with Emily Burlingame. The two seem focused, but also a bit wary of the interviewer considering their contentious interview several days prior. The interviewer had caught the challengers just moments before their title opportunity.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Rite of Kings has been off to a fantastic start, and it only looks to be getting hotter in the desert as we roll on! I’m here now with the #1 Contenders for tonight’s Chimera Tag Team Championship bout, NSFW. Mike, Bishop, your ascension has been nothing short of amazing, as you look to become Chimera Tag Team Champions in your second match with Valor Pro. Do you feel you’re prepared for such a big challenge so soon?
Mike scoffs.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Lookit you, asking relevant questions. See, I knew you were fuckin’ capable.
EMILY BURLINGAME: I didn’t come here to ask softball questions, Mike.
The two exchange a brief look before Church decides to press on and answer Emily.
BISHOP CHURCH: Yes, Emily. We’re ready. Don’t act like this is a surprise. We said what we were here to do. We are here to take what is ours.
He paused.
BISHOP CHURCH: Mike and I never said anything but that but even so, there’s been this misconception about us. That we are proclaiming ourselves to be heroes in direct relation to this sport. Anyone who claims we’ve done as such is disingenuous. No, this has always been about us. Our legacy.
MIKE MCGUIRE: We’ve earned this in ways you can’t even fucking imagine. The path here? To this moment? Is a lot goddamn longer than a single match. Those who’ve been following us since day one know that.
Emily gives a curt nod of acknowledgement.
EMILY BURLINGAME: You made mention of Dakota Jennings’ do-or-die predicament in your video earlier this week. Should you happen to capture the Chimera Tag Team Championships, will there be any bittersweetness in it for you, given that the consequence is Dakota losing her job?
BISHOP CHURCH: No pleasure in it, said as much. But in this business, you reap what you sow.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Not gonna lie and say it won’t be a shame. But we ain’t gonna flop over at a fingerpoke outta fuckin’ sympathy. Dakota losing her job, much’s it sucks, won’t be our fault, or Ms. Byrne’s fault. If she wants to point fingers at how it came to this, she needs to do it facing a goddamn mirror.
The Bronx Brawler rolls their shoulders, cracking their neck with a quick side-to-side of their head.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Now, sorry to bounce on you, but I think I hear some Disturbed up in the arena. That’s our cue. Ready, Church?
There was an inaudible acknowledgement between the team as they moved past Emily.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Rite of Kings has been off to a fantastic start, and it only looks to be getting hotter in the desert as we roll on! I’m here now with the #1 Contenders for tonight’s Chimera Tag Team Championship bout, NSFW. Mike, Bishop, your ascension has been nothing short of amazing, as you look to become Chimera Tag Team Champions in your second match with Valor Pro. Do you feel you’re prepared for such a big challenge so soon?
Mike scoffs.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Lookit you, asking relevant questions. See, I knew you were fuckin’ capable.
EMILY BURLINGAME: I didn’t come here to ask softball questions, Mike.
The two exchange a brief look before Church decides to press on and answer Emily.
BISHOP CHURCH: Yes, Emily. We’re ready. Don’t act like this is a surprise. We said what we were here to do. We are here to take what is ours.
He paused.
BISHOP CHURCH: Mike and I never said anything but that but even so, there’s been this misconception about us. That we are proclaiming ourselves to be heroes in direct relation to this sport. Anyone who claims we’ve done as such is disingenuous. No, this has always been about us. Our legacy.
MIKE MCGUIRE: We’ve earned this in ways you can’t even fucking imagine. The path here? To this moment? Is a lot goddamn longer than a single match. Those who’ve been following us since day one know that.
Emily gives a curt nod of acknowledgement.
EMILY BURLINGAME: You made mention of Dakota Jennings’ do-or-die predicament in your video earlier this week. Should you happen to capture the Chimera Tag Team Championships, will there be any bittersweetness in it for you, given that the consequence is Dakota losing her job?
BISHOP CHURCH: No pleasure in it, said as much. But in this business, you reap what you sow.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Not gonna lie and say it won’t be a shame. But we ain’t gonna flop over at a fingerpoke outta fuckin’ sympathy. Dakota losing her job, much’s it sucks, won’t be our fault, or Ms. Byrne’s fault. If she wants to point fingers at how it came to this, she needs to do it facing a goddamn mirror.
The Bronx Brawler rolls their shoulders, cracking their neck with a quick side-to-side of their head.
MIKE MCGUIRE: Now, sorry to bounce on you, but I think I hear some Disturbed up in the arena. That’s our cue. Ready, Church?
There was an inaudible acknowledgement between the team as they moved past Emily.
Static fills the speakers as the screen turns to black, flickering intermittently with tracking marks you used to see on VHS tapes. The static fades into the Xylophone opening of Omen by Prodigy and a black and white shot of Dakota Jennings celebrating a win comes into view. It dissolves into a picture of Vanessa Byrne at one of the many press conferences associated with Valor Pro Wrestling.
The synth kicks in as we cut to footage of the Hashtag Trendsetters.
''It's for me?'' Dakota asks. Vannah nods her head along like a child who saved enough allowance money to buy a gift for her mother. Dakota Jennings tears into the gift and smiles. ''Chocolates!? I love chocolate!? What's this... Kvikk Lunsj?''
Vannah grins as she takes the chocolate and unwraps one of the bars. She snaps a piece in half and the duo takes a bite. ''Think Kit Kat only it tastes better. You probably don't want to call it that around these parts though. You know, football, soccer... it's that kinda thing.''
Kota nods her head as she takes another bite and closes her eyes. ''So, I never really got around to asking you... where the hell are the fans and Brad Stokes going to park their cars tonight?''
''I never really got around to thinking that much about to be honest.'' Vannah says casually before she takes another bite. ''It's Christmas and I just thought we should really give back to the fans”
We cut to Blitz 9…
The sound of the crowd starts to build as the tension becomes palpable. Iota and Vannah both realize their partners are still standing their ground, and begin trying to coax them away--but somehow, this just convinces Brooklyn and Dakota to approach one another. The distance between them narrows until they're breathing in each others' faces in the middle of the ring, Iota and Vannah behind each partner, still trying to calm them.
Brooklyn's face is completely stoic behind her sunglasses, while Dakota's smirk is steadily rising. The audience gets louder and louder--enough that by the time Dakota finally says something, it can't be made out on camera. Brooklyn casts a glance aside...and then swings!
Brooklyn decks Dakota in the face. She's caught off guard, for a second, but quickly returns the favor! All hell breaks loose as the two exchange blows. An all out brawl breaks out; Vannah and Iota grab their partners and start trying to forcefully peel them apart while the crowd loses their minds. The women get a few more shots in, Brooklyn's shades getting knocked off her face before the competitors are dragged back to opposite sides of the ring.
SONG LYRICS: It’s an Omen...
Everything seems to have calmed down for a moment…
SONG LYRICS: It’s an Omen...
until Dakota and Brooklyn slip out of their partners' respective grasps, rushing across the ring! They're back at it, furiously punching one another again and again. Vannah and Iota can't get them apart this time. A team of security rushes down the ramp, and it takes every one of them to finally get the fight broken up and the wrestlers some distance. This time it's Dakota that looks eerily calm, maybe a little satisfied, as Brooklyn Light shouts at her over all the commotion.
The song drops into the chorus
Then to Allegiance…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! One sends down Brooklyn Light, CRACK! Iota joins her. CRACK! Down goes Cosmo...CRACK! Down goes Devlin. CRACK! The chair shot to the back levels Cross. It cuts to Vannah.
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!!
We cut to Blitz 13….
*CLANG*
Danny's head snips around at the sound of steel on bone, a sound he has painfully grown accustomed to. His eyes go wide as he watches Dakota Jennings dislodge a steel chair from around Caputo's head, and aims a dangerous stare in his direction.
LO: OH MY GOD!
KO: THAT'S WHAT SHE GETS!
SONG LYRICS: The writing’s on the wall
Dakota Jennings grips her Chimera Tag Championship with one white knuckled hand while the other waves the rest of The Zombie Clan to come meet her on the ramp, where it is taking everything Cross Recoba has to hold The Firecracker back. Suddenly “Lady Venom” by Swollen Members hits the speaker system, and slowly every head turns towards the stage to view the sight of Vanessa Byrne regally pushing past the curtain in a professional looking pantsuit with a microphone already in her hand. She regards the new Chimera Tag Team Champions with a cold smile, bringing her hands up to offer a mock clap. The Zombies settle down in the ring, Aoki looking confused, throwing his arms up on the top rope to lean against them with his head cocked to the side. Dakota Jennings and Cross Recoba share in his confusion, both clutching at the belts that they had just won moments ago. Byrne's slow clap comes to an end, and the hand holding the microphone raises it to her lips.
SONG LYRICS: It won’t go away
VANESSA BYRNE: Quite the showing....nothing that I haven't come to expect out of you two....
She pauses, starting to pace the stage in annoyance.
VANESSA BYRNE: Mrs. Jennings, over the course of several short months, you've cost me a Superstar in Vannah White, you've cost me the medical bills of two more in Leela Watts and Danny Rizzo, and after the last show, you've even cost me a Senior Official for a Main Event that made history for this company. All because you can't seem to keep your hands to yourself, or at least off of those that you aren't sanctioned to bury....
VANESSA BYRNE: In light of the current situation and your victory here tonight, that makes you one of MY champions, so that puts me in a bit of a tight spot. We are only one more Blitz away before our first big Pay-Per-View on HOTV and Battleground Network, so if I suspend you for your actions last Blitz against Senior Official Caputo, that knocks me out of a possible championship match on that card.
Dakota smirks, and says something along the lines of 'Suspend This' followed by a bird leveled in Byrne's direction. This actually causes Byrne to chuckle, nodding her head in a knowing way.
VANESSA BYRNE: Oh yes, quite the Firecracker you are, but here's the business...I'm the boss, whether you or anyone else likes it or not, and I'm out here tonight to put you on notice. Being the reasonable businesswoman I am, I'm not going to jeopardize my card by suspending you. I'm not going even to fine you...
The fans boo at this as Dakota throws her hands out at her sides as if to say, "Then What?", her Chimera Tag Title bouncing around. Again Cross shakes his head, trying to whisper some reason into the woman, but she's not having any of it. By Vanessa Byrne's sudden icy stare, neither is she.
VANESSA BYRNE: No suspensions. No fines. For now. But the minute you lose those Chimera Tag Team Titles, I'll do you one better....I'm going to terminate you!
We cut to Blitz 16, where the ending to the number one contendership match that could decide Dakota’s fate, is shown. Bishop powerbombing his own partner onto Brenna Gordon, followed by an ominous one, two, three count from the referee and both Othello brothers. Their arms raised, NSFW are proclaimed to be ReKota’s first opponents at the Rite of Kings pay per view.
SONG LYRICS, ECHOED: The writing’s on the wall.
The music fades into silence and we cut to Cross and Dakota who are in their locker room. Cross is already in his ring attire for the upcoming match, Dakota is shown from the neck up, the rest of her hidden behind a screen. She throws what looks to be a strapless bra over the lip of the screen with a frown before kneeling down to remove, well, that is left to the imagination.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: Why is it that it’s always me naked in the locker room and never you?
CROSS RECOBA: Fan service, anyway - that sounds like deflection. You ready for our first defence?
DAKOTA JENNINGS: I’d be a whole lot more ready if not for this bullshit Vanessa’s got hanging over my head...if we lose and I get fired, Cross, what am I going to do? Believe it or not, I actually do like this place. Grab me that sports bra and my top, would ya?
Cross grabs it and makes to walk behind the screen with Dakota, who shoves him back as he grins.
DAKOTA JENNINGS: If, IF we win tonight, I’ll let you behind the screen with me, OK?
CROSS RECOBA: IF? When we win. And besides, don’t be so worried about the match, or Vanessa. I’ve got a plan in mind.
The Camera cuts to Vanessa Byrne in her office. She sees a small gift-wrapped box on the table and unwraps it. Opening the box we see a stunningly ornate silver ladies watch. She lifts it up and spots a note.
“We know you’ll do the right thing when the time comes...Cross”
She puts the watch back in the box before throwing it and its contents into the trash.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is set for one fall or submission and is for THE CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS...
Disturbed's cover of Land of Confusion begins to play and the house lights flash along with the beat of the song. Mike McGuire and Bishop Church step out onto the stage. Mike points out for Bishop various fan signs for them. Side by side, they make their way down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 400 pounds, Mike McGuire and Bishop Church, N ...S ...F ...W!
Mike is in the ring bouncing back and forth to either side of the ropes multiple times before John finally climbs up the ring steps. They meet in the middle of the ring and look to the crowd. With Bishop two steps behind, they both pose by standing on the second rope each with a fist raised in the air.
LO: NSFW made waves when they debuted on the last Blitz, a match that awarded them this opportunity against the Chimera Tag Champs!
KO: Yeah, they were impressive, no doubt, especially against a team like Berlin Anderson and Brenna Gordon, but the real test will be here when they take on the Power Couple, Rekota!
LO: If they can keep those two from bending the rules until they break, I think they have a pretty good shot...
KO: That's a big IF, Laur. Cross Recoba is a master at manipulating a situation, and Dakota Jennings....well....she's a little cray cray.
Laurence Othello doesn't get the chance to ask where his brother picked up the lingo, when the lights in The Covered Hall cut out as a static noise. The static changes to the muted bass notes and snare drum for Royal Blood’s Out of the Black. The video screen flashes in time with the beat from darkness to a golden background with the word ‘ReKota’ written in blood red.
Dakota Jennings comes out as alternate red and gold pyros shoot from the stage. The screen now reads ‘THE FOX AND THE FIRECRACKER’. Dakota wears a smile as the crowd meet her with jeers. The red of her one shouldered chiffon dress matches the red on the screen.
Kenneth Othello: Wow! Just look at her
Laurence Othello: Should someone check the title bonus in VPW?
Kenneth Othello: who cares? They’re the power couple in Valor
Laurence Othello: You might think she’s a Siren but is this a warning?
She motions to the entrance as Cross Recoba steps out, no such attire for him. He steps to her, Silver Lionhead cane in hand and Chimera belt emblazoned around his waist. He embraces her before twirling her away and uses the cane to unhook her dress revealing her ring attire. Her VPW Chimera Title now revealed proudly around her waist. As the music settles down into the verse they walk arm in arm to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And their opponents, at a combined weight of 345 pounds, they are the current CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...Dakota Jennings...Cross Recoba.....REKOTAAA!!
The fan continue to boo as they reach ringside, Dakota hopping up on the ring apron as Cross rests his cane against the steps before climbing them. The two enter the ring, and Dakota makes a B-line straight for the challengers, but Recoba manages to hook her around the waist from behind and pulls her back against his chest, whispering something into her ear that puts a devilish smile on her face.
LO: These two were made for each other. One is an arrogant ass who will do any underhanded tactic in the book to pull out a victory, while the other is a headcase that scripts violence as a way of life rather than a result.
KO: Exactly, and that's why they are your Chimera Tag Team Champions!
LO: It wasn't a compliment, Ken.
KO: Laur, come on! These two have been on a tear ever since reuniting! I mean, Cross is going to be pulling double duty tonight in our Main Event for the Apex!
LO: Yeah, and one has to wonder if NSFW was correct in their comments earlier in the week that he won't be able to focus on both.
KO: I guess we're about to find out, cause there goes the bell!
Dakota Jennings and Mike McGuire remain in the ring as their partners exit out to the apron, the two competitors sizing one another up before beginning to circle in the center of the ring. When they finally move close enough to tie up, they jockey for position, with Mike starting to get the upper hand to push Jennings back towards the ropes. Once there the ref calls for a clean break, and as Mike begins to disengage Dakota fires in a right hand to the jaw. Mike stumbles back and the ref admonishes but is shoved to the side, Jennings firing forward with a High Knee Lift to the gut that lifts McGuire off the canvas. Four more right hands drive them all the way back to the opposite ropes, and Jennings finally takes them by the wrist and shoots them to the opposite side. McGuire rebounds and Jennings is there to meet them with a vicious back elbow that puts them down on the canvas. The two exchange a brief glance before Dakota moves to hit off the ropes, but Mike floats over onto their stomach to force Jennings to hop over or be tripped. Kota continues her momentum to rebound off the ropes, as Mike pops up to their feet and tries to catch her coming in with a hip toss. Dakota, however, reverses the move, but finds that Mike has posted up and won't be moved. A knee to the gut doubles them over, and Jennings places the back of her knee on Mike's neck for a Famasser, but Mike lifts up abruptly sending her up and over into a back flip instead. She lands on her feet and has to immediately duck as McGuire moves in for a short clothesline, and when they spin back around is caught with a stiff Side kick to the gut that drops them to their knees.
LO: Action is fast and furious in the start of this one, as the smaller members of the respective teams go to war...Dakota now FIRING IN SHOOT KICKS TO MCGUIRE AS THEY SCRAMBLE TO TRY AND GET OUT OF THE LINE OF HER EDUCATED FEET!
KO: McGuire just took a tough hit to the jaw, and is on the defensive as they fall back into the turnbuckles of the neutral corner, but Jennings is unrelenting, now swinging both lefts and rights to keep the superstar at bay...
LO: Bishop Church is calling for the ref to get in there, but I don't think Santiago wants to tangle with Jennings after what's happened over the last several shows with her and referee's!
Dakota continues to pummel Mike down into a seated position against the turnbuckles, takes a few steps back to appease Santiago, and then rushes forwards to leave her feet and drive both knee's right into McGuire's face! Mike clutches at his nose as she drags them by the ankle away from the ropes, and then drops down with a deep hook of the leg.
1...
2...
LO: McGuire out at two, but is obviously dazed as the assault continues....Jennings pulling them up, hooking them around the waist....AND GUTWRENCH SUPLEX OUT OF THE CORNER TO THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: Dakota with a float over now, and another hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: Only a two count again as Dakota yanks Mike up by the hair of the head, and locks in a deep rear naked choke!
KO: McGuire is reaching for the ropes and trying to get out of it, but their face is already turning red...
Bishop Church starts clapping over in his corner, and the fans begin to fire up as well while Recoba waves them off and tells them to shut up. The crowd reaction seems to have an effect on Mike as they rock until getting up to one knee, and then finally pushing both competitors back to their feet. Dakota tries to maintain control of the head by switching to a Side Headlock, but the minute she does, Mike lifts her up into the air, and then falls abruptly to the mat into a Side Suplex. For a moment both competitors lay on the canvas, but it's Dakota who manages to her feet first, soon followed by Mike. She approaches the NSFW member and is caught with a sharp elbow to the gut that sends her begging off. She tries again, but once more is met with another elbow, this one doubling her over. Mike quickly charges the ropes off to the side of them, rebounds back into a straight boot to the side of Jennings' skull. Dakota hit's the mat, her bell rung, while Mike runs right for their corner and leaps into a tag to Bishop Church!
LO: Church looks ready to get in the ring here, as Jennings gets back to her feet and GET'S PLOWED BACK TO THE MAT WITH A RUNNING LARIAT!
KO: Yeah, but look....the blow damn near knocked Dakota right into her corner, and Cross Recoba just reached through the ropes and tagged himself in...
Recoba quickly slips through the ropes to stand over his lover and tag team partner defensively, warning the referee to back up the riled up Church as Jennings rolls under the ropes to the apron. Recoba allows a smirk onto his lips as he begins to circle with the large Pittsburgh Native, and he signals with a flip of his hair just before moving in for a lock up. The minute they touch Recoba slips in behind Church with a Waistlock, but is totally taken off his game as Church grabs his left arm and pitches forwards into a Judo like roll that sends Cross flying. Recoba scrambles to get to his feet, but Bishop is already there with a Front Face Lock, putting pressure on the Chimera Tag Champ as he tries to regain his feet. Cross, no fool to amateur wrestling, slips his hands between Church's arms and his own head, spinning out while controlling the wrist and winding him up with an Arm Twist transitioned into a Top Wrist Lock. Church slaps at his shoulder through gritted teeth, but quickly rolls forward, unwinding his arm, and then kips up, reversing the Arm Twist into one of his own.
LO: Well this has turned into quite the wrestling contest, as Bishop Church and Cross Recoba go through reversal after reversal...
KO: It's only a matter of time, Laur. They don't call him The Fox for nothing!
Almost as if on cue, Cross reaches up and rakes Bishop across the eyes which breaks the hold and sends him stumbling back. Momentarily blinded, he doesn't see Cross quickly move in at his waist from the front, leap to his side and feed his arm through his legs, and then pulls him down into a Schoolboy Pin with a fistful of tights.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! The referee spotted the blatant pull of the tights, and is signaling it isn't a legal pin.
KO: HEY REF! Who do you think you are?!?
LO: He's the official for this match, and his word is law as set by the authority of the VPW General Manager, Vanessa Byrne.
KO: Well...well....what a dick!
Recoba pops up, seeming unperturbed by the referee's call, and sends a stiff boot into the side of Church's head as he tries to gain his feet. As Bishop gets to his full height he's blasted by a thunderous chop that turns his whole chest red, and he falls back into the ropes, arms vibrating from the shock. Another chop has the entire crowd 'Wooooing', and Cross takes Church by the wrist and whips him to the opposite side. Recoba steps out to meet him as he rebounds, ducking his head for a Back Body, but is surprised instead by a Sunset Flip into a Pin!
1...
2...
LO: THR-KICK OUT! Recoba out at two and a half, both men quickly to their feet....Here comes Cross....AND THERE GOES CROSS! OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX SENDS HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING!
KO: AHHHH! And right into the NSFW corner!
Church pops up and wipes spittle from his mouth from where it got rocked by the Chimera Tag Champion, and he stalks towards Recoba as he tries to rise, a violent forearm sending him flopping back into their corner. He posts up on the ropes and starts firing in short, but hard, stomps, before reaching over and giving McGuire the tag. He's quickly out and Mike is quickly in, taking up where his partner left off with stomps of his own. The referee begins counting him down, and just before five they exchange another tag, and in comes Church, resuming the beat down until tagging out one more time to Mike. This time Mike comes in, pushes Cross out to the center of the ropes and whips him to the far side. Recoba rebounds, and Mike gets a running go before throwing his boot straight out to bury it into his opponents midsection, doubling him over. From there, Mike hooks Cross around the head, and with a violent whip to the side takes him crashing to the mat with a Swinging Neckbreaker! Mike rolls over into a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Recoba gets the shoulder up before the count of three, and Mike now dragging him by the wrist back to his corner where he tags in Bishop Church!
KO: Church into the ring...and C'mon ref! They both can't be in there!
Church helps McGuire get Recoba to his feet, and both hook him around the head, snapping him down to the canvas with authority. Dakota Jennings fires into the ring to break this up, but McGuire quickly spins the referee in her direction to intercept her while he departs for the apron. Jennings argues, finger right in Santiago's face, but eventually slips back out to the ring apron with a sinister look on her face. Church rolls Cross over onto his stomach, and then drops down beside him, locking him around the waist in a Bear Hug like maneuver. He torques on The Foxes midsection for a few seconds before pushing up to his knee, and then to his feet, and in a massive amount of strength dead lifts Recoba right off the mat.
LO: GOOD LORD! BISHOP CHURCH IS JUST STALKING AROUND THE RING WITH RECOBA IN TOW!
KO: AHH! PUT HIM DOWN YOU OAF!
LO: Be careful what you wish for, Ken....CAUSE CHURCH JUST GUT WRENCHED RECOBA UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND FELL FORWARDS INTO A POWERBOMB!
KO: NO! HE'S GOING FOR A PIN!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Jennings in with a stomp to the back of Church's head to break the count, BUT HERE COMES MCGUIRE!
The Bronx Brawler and The Firecracker begin exchanging heavy blows, back and forth, but eventually Bishop Church gets to his feet and see's what's going on. He shakes his head, not willing to allow this thing to break down into chaos, and quickly joins his partner, the two hammering Dakota back to the ropes. They take a step back, and then together, clasp hands and clothesline the Arizona Native right up and over the top rope to tumble to the concrete floor! The two look satisfied as they turn their attention back to Recoba, who is clutching at his back while sitting on his knees. The referee signals that Mike is going to have to get out of the ring, and as he complies Santiago follows him to make sure. Church steps up to Cross and grips him by the hair of the head to get him onto his feet, but is utterly shocked when The Fox drives his forearm between his legs. Bishop grabs at his nether regions, surprise and pain etched on his face, and Recoba gives him a shove that sends him over like a tree.
LO: THAT LOW DOWN DIRTY...
KO: GENIUS!
LO: I was going to say bastard...
KO: Are you kidding me! NSFW has been double teaming The Fox this entire time cause they know that he has a Main Event to concern himself with! Now that's underhanded!
LO: No, that's strategy. The Main Event won't be for hours from now, and this is the present! This is for the Chimera Tag Team Championships!
Recoba continues to massage his back as he drags himself over towards his corner, but upon looking up, sees that Dakota is barely hanging onto the ropes after her tumble to the concrete. Meanwhile, Bishop Church is trying to do the same thing, albeit much slower considering the damage done to his lower half. Just as Cross gets to his feet to try and check on Dakota, Church digs in with his knee and launches himself at his partners outstretched hand, and Mike McGuire thunders into the ring. They charge right for Cross, who turns just in time to see them coming, but not in enough time to stop the shotgun like Falling Drop Kick that connects square in his chest. Recoba is flung backwards into his own corner, striking the turnbuckles hard, and his flopping elbow meeting Dakota and knocking her back to the floor.
LO: Mike McGuire is on fire here....hopping up to the second rope, and now hammering right hands down into the exposed skull of The Fox!
KO: SHE CAN'T DO THAT! NOT THE FACE!
LO: They, Ken...
KO: OH TO HELL WITH THAT! WHO CAN BE POLITICALLY CORRECT AT A TIME LIKE THIS!
The fans chant along with McGuire as the fists find their mark all the way to ten, and when they drop down to free Cross, he stumbles out punch drunk and performs a hilarious face bump in the center of the ring. Mike quickly steps past the fallen man and tags in a recovered Bishop Church, who looks ready to exact some revenge for that low blow. Both members of NSFW step out over Cross, the referee admonishing Mike for still being in the ring, when McGuire turns towards Church and ducks their head. Bishop lifts Mike up onto his shoulders, and proceeds to Powerbomb them right down to a still prone Recoba.
LO: CHERRY BOMB! McGuire quickly rolls to the outside, and Church just dropped and hooked the leg!
KO: This isn't happening....
1...
2...
LO: THRE-WHAT THE HELL! The referee just leaped up from the count to intercept a chair wielding Dakota Jennings!
KO: She's gonna CLOCK those fools!
Dakota, indeed, looks very threatening with the chair, especially considering how handily she has used it in the past, but the referee is adamant that he will not only disqualify Rekota, but will award the titles to NSFW if she proceeds. McGuire has made it back up on the apron and calls out disparagingly at Jennings, which only seems to spur her own even more....while Bishop Church has risen to his feet to stare at the scene with hands on hips. The referee gives her another warning, and just when it looks like he is about to throw the match out and fulfill his promise, she tosses the chair off to the side where it skids under the bottom rope and clatters against the concrete floor. As soon as the weapon is out of the way, Church moves to confront the woman, but before he can reach her he's hooked from behind and dragged down into another Schoolboy Pin by Recoba. Jennings grins, flips Mcguire and the refree off, and spins him around to make the count before exiting herself.
1...
2...
LO: NO! Church with a kick out, and now McGuire is bouncing in their corner, calling for the tag....and Bishop is sliding that way!
KO: Yeah, but Recoba is crawling towards Dakota!
LO: HOT TAGS AT THE SAME TIME, AND JENNINGS AND MCGUIRE BACK INTO THE RING LIKE METEORS ON A COLLISION COURSE!
The two competitors meet in the center of the ring, and just like in their previous entanglements, it's fists and feet a flying! The fans are out of their seats as the two beat the hell out of each other, fresh bruises and scrapes presenting themselves in the fallout. Finally it's McGuire who comes out on top, forcing Jennings into the ropes, and then shooting her off to the opposite side. As Dakota rebounds, Mike steps to the center of the ring and leaps up, catching her coming in with a Lous Thesz Press followed by piston like right hands as she rides her all the way down to the mat. Mike quickly peels off of Jennings and hits off the ropes, springing back and then stopping short, dropping forward with a headbutt that connects with Jennings' forehead. She clutches at her face as she rolls away, and Mike gives chase with stomps until they reach the ropes and Dakota slides to the outside for separation.
LO: Jennings able to get the ropes between her and McGuire, but not for long as Mike reaches through to get a fistful of Dakota's hair to try and drag her back into the ring...But what is Cross Recoba doing?
KO: He just came back into the ring and nailed Mike from behind with a forearm shot to the spine that sends her dangerously lurching forwards to hang off the middle rope...AND HERE COMES BISHOP CHURCH!
Church grabs Cross in a waist lock from behind, and then takes him over to the canvas with a German Suplex while the referee has a conniption about the two being in the ring. As Bishop gets to his feet the referee gives him the same warning he gave Dakota earlier, signaling that he would throw the match out and end their chances at becoming Chimera Tag Team Champions. Church's hands go up in acquiescence as he starts to backpeddle, but he looks up just in time to see Dakota Jennings on the outside with the chair brought into the match earlier, and she swings for the fences on his unsuspecting partner. He surges forward as the chair shot goes off like a shotgun blast, but the referee, oblivious to the heinous action steps in his way to cut the man off.
LO: Church just shoved past the referee, and with good reason after that dastardly chair shot by Dakota to Mike McGuire, AND WHAT THE HELL!
KO: RECOBA OUT OF NOWHERE WITH A SPEAR FROM OUT OF NOWHERE SENDS BOTH MEN THROUGH THE ROPES TO TUMBLE ON THE OUTSIDE!
LO: No! NO! IT CAN'T END THIS WAY!
KO: Jennings slides back into the ring as the referee finally turn his attention back to the legal participants, and ROLLS MCGUIRE UP!
1...
2...
3!!!
Bishop Church manages to pull himself up onto the apron just as the referee's hand hits the mat for three, and Dakota Jennings quickly exits the ring under the ropes as he storms in to check on his partner.
LO: This is a god damn travesty!
KO: Oh lighten up, Laur. Rekota just had a better game plan!
LO: YOU CALL CRACKING ANOTHER HUMAN BEING ACROSS THE SKULL WITH A FOREIGN OBJECT A GAME PLAN!
KO: Worked didn't it...
Recoba, sweating and tired, still massaging his aching back comes around the corner where Dakota has backed up to the ramp, the Chimera Tag Titles in his possession. Bishop Church shakes his head in disbelief as he watches Cross hand one of the belts off to Jennings, and then the two of them thrust the titles skywards as if they had just won the Olympics. McGuire starts to come around, drawing Bishop's attention back to his beleaguered partner who begins to ask 'What happened?'.
RING ANNOUNCER: and the Winners of this match via Pinfall....and STILL CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.....REKOTTAAA!!!
Recoba and Jennings continue to celebrate up the ramp until they reach the stage, where Cross does an old school dip on Dakota followed by a kiss that brings down a torrent of boos from the capacity crowd. The Tag Champs seem very pleased with themselves, while a recovering Mike McGuire is helped to their feet by Bishop Church, and NSFW cut a disappointed glare to the stage, watching as the champions disappear behind the curtain. The fans turn their attention back to the team left in the ring, and NSFW receives a standing ovation as they try and regroup and process what just happened.
LO: This capacity crowd showing their appreciation for a legitimate tag team, and you have to believe after such a stellar performance that they'll get another shot at the titles!
KO: C'mon, Laur. Just because Rekota doesn't follow the conventional rules doesn't make them any less of a tag team. Legitimate my ass!
LO: NO! YOU C'MON, KEN! THEY ARE LIARS, CHEATS, AND UNDESERVING OF THOSE BELTS! And don't get me started on the Main Event....I guarantee that Cross Recoba will do any and every cheap tactic in the book to try and become the Apex Champion! Especially considering it looked like this back was worked over in this match..
KO: And why the hell wouldn't he? Fatal Four Way, No Rules! Sounds like the perfect conditions for a Fox. Matter of fact, looking at everyone else that's in that match, seems like there isn't one of them in there a saint!
LO: You know what....we'll see what comes. Now let's check backstage before I blow a gasket and kill my announce partner...
Kenneth Othello shoots his brother a surprised look just before the camera cuts backstage.
Disturbed's cover of Land of Confusion begins to play and the house lights flash along with the beat of the song. Mike McGuire and Bishop Church step out onto the stage. Mike points out for Bishop various fan signs for them. Side by side, they make their way down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 400 pounds, Mike McGuire and Bishop Church, N ...S ...F ...W!
Mike is in the ring bouncing back and forth to either side of the ropes multiple times before John finally climbs up the ring steps. They meet in the middle of the ring and look to the crowd. With Bishop two steps behind, they both pose by standing on the second rope each with a fist raised in the air.
LO: NSFW made waves when they debuted on the last Blitz, a match that awarded them this opportunity against the Chimera Tag Champs!
KO: Yeah, they were impressive, no doubt, especially against a team like Berlin Anderson and Brenna Gordon, but the real test will be here when they take on the Power Couple, Rekota!
LO: If they can keep those two from bending the rules until they break, I think they have a pretty good shot...
KO: That's a big IF, Laur. Cross Recoba is a master at manipulating a situation, and Dakota Jennings....well....she's a little cray cray.
Laurence Othello doesn't get the chance to ask where his brother picked up the lingo, when the lights in The Covered Hall cut out as a static noise. The static changes to the muted bass notes and snare drum for Royal Blood’s Out of the Black. The video screen flashes in time with the beat from darkness to a golden background with the word ‘ReKota’ written in blood red.
Dakota Jennings comes out as alternate red and gold pyros shoot from the stage. The screen now reads ‘THE FOX AND THE FIRECRACKER’. Dakota wears a smile as the crowd meet her with jeers. The red of her one shouldered chiffon dress matches the red on the screen.
Kenneth Othello: Wow! Just look at her
Laurence Othello: Should someone check the title bonus in VPW?
Kenneth Othello: who cares? They’re the power couple in Valor
Laurence Othello: You might think she’s a Siren but is this a warning?
She motions to the entrance as Cross Recoba steps out, no such attire for him. He steps to her, Silver Lionhead cane in hand and Chimera belt emblazoned around his waist. He embraces her before twirling her away and uses the cane to unhook her dress revealing her ring attire. Her VPW Chimera Title now revealed proudly around her waist. As the music settles down into the verse they walk arm in arm to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And their opponents, at a combined weight of 345 pounds, they are the current CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...Dakota Jennings...Cross Recoba.....REKOTAAA!!
The fan continue to boo as they reach ringside, Dakota hopping up on the ring apron as Cross rests his cane against the steps before climbing them. The two enter the ring, and Dakota makes a B-line straight for the challengers, but Recoba manages to hook her around the waist from behind and pulls her back against his chest, whispering something into her ear that puts a devilish smile on her face.
LO: These two were made for each other. One is an arrogant ass who will do any underhanded tactic in the book to pull out a victory, while the other is a headcase that scripts violence as a way of life rather than a result.
KO: Exactly, and that's why they are your Chimera Tag Team Champions!
LO: It wasn't a compliment, Ken.
KO: Laur, come on! These two have been on a tear ever since reuniting! I mean, Cross is going to be pulling double duty tonight in our Main Event for the Apex!
LO: Yeah, and one has to wonder if NSFW was correct in their comments earlier in the week that he won't be able to focus on both.
KO: I guess we're about to find out, cause there goes the bell!
Dakota Jennings and Mike McGuire remain in the ring as their partners exit out to the apron, the two competitors sizing one another up before beginning to circle in the center of the ring. When they finally move close enough to tie up, they jockey for position, with Mike starting to get the upper hand to push Jennings back towards the ropes. Once there the ref calls for a clean break, and as Mike begins to disengage Dakota fires in a right hand to the jaw. Mike stumbles back and the ref admonishes but is shoved to the side, Jennings firing forward with a High Knee Lift to the gut that lifts McGuire off the canvas. Four more right hands drive them all the way back to the opposite ropes, and Jennings finally takes them by the wrist and shoots them to the opposite side. McGuire rebounds and Jennings is there to meet them with a vicious back elbow that puts them down on the canvas. The two exchange a brief glance before Dakota moves to hit off the ropes, but Mike floats over onto their stomach to force Jennings to hop over or be tripped. Kota continues her momentum to rebound off the ropes, as Mike pops up to their feet and tries to catch her coming in with a hip toss. Dakota, however, reverses the move, but finds that Mike has posted up and won't be moved. A knee to the gut doubles them over, and Jennings places the back of her knee on Mike's neck for a Famasser, but Mike lifts up abruptly sending her up and over into a back flip instead. She lands on her feet and has to immediately duck as McGuire moves in for a short clothesline, and when they spin back around is caught with a stiff Side kick to the gut that drops them to their knees.
LO: Action is fast and furious in the start of this one, as the smaller members of the respective teams go to war...Dakota now FIRING IN SHOOT KICKS TO MCGUIRE AS THEY SCRAMBLE TO TRY AND GET OUT OF THE LINE OF HER EDUCATED FEET!
KO: McGuire just took a tough hit to the jaw, and is on the defensive as they fall back into the turnbuckles of the neutral corner, but Jennings is unrelenting, now swinging both lefts and rights to keep the superstar at bay...
LO: Bishop Church is calling for the ref to get in there, but I don't think Santiago wants to tangle with Jennings after what's happened over the last several shows with her and referee's!
Dakota continues to pummel Mike down into a seated position against the turnbuckles, takes a few steps back to appease Santiago, and then rushes forwards to leave her feet and drive both knee's right into McGuire's face! Mike clutches at his nose as she drags them by the ankle away from the ropes, and then drops down with a deep hook of the leg.
1...
2...
LO: McGuire out at two, but is obviously dazed as the assault continues....Jennings pulling them up, hooking them around the waist....AND GUTWRENCH SUPLEX OUT OF THE CORNER TO THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: Dakota with a float over now, and another hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: Only a two count again as Dakota yanks Mike up by the hair of the head, and locks in a deep rear naked choke!
KO: McGuire is reaching for the ropes and trying to get out of it, but their face is already turning red...
Bishop Church starts clapping over in his corner, and the fans begin to fire up as well while Recoba waves them off and tells them to shut up. The crowd reaction seems to have an effect on Mike as they rock until getting up to one knee, and then finally pushing both competitors back to their feet. Dakota tries to maintain control of the head by switching to a Side Headlock, but the minute she does, Mike lifts her up into the air, and then falls abruptly to the mat into a Side Suplex. For a moment both competitors lay on the canvas, but it's Dakota who manages to her feet first, soon followed by Mike. She approaches the NSFW member and is caught with a sharp elbow to the gut that sends her begging off. She tries again, but once more is met with another elbow, this one doubling her over. Mike quickly charges the ropes off to the side of them, rebounds back into a straight boot to the side of Jennings' skull. Dakota hit's the mat, her bell rung, while Mike runs right for their corner and leaps into a tag to Bishop Church!
LO: Church looks ready to get in the ring here, as Jennings gets back to her feet and GET'S PLOWED BACK TO THE MAT WITH A RUNNING LARIAT!
KO: Yeah, but look....the blow damn near knocked Dakota right into her corner, and Cross Recoba just reached through the ropes and tagged himself in...
Recoba quickly slips through the ropes to stand over his lover and tag team partner defensively, warning the referee to back up the riled up Church as Jennings rolls under the ropes to the apron. Recoba allows a smirk onto his lips as he begins to circle with the large Pittsburgh Native, and he signals with a flip of his hair just before moving in for a lock up. The minute they touch Recoba slips in behind Church with a Waistlock, but is totally taken off his game as Church grabs his left arm and pitches forwards into a Judo like roll that sends Cross flying. Recoba scrambles to get to his feet, but Bishop is already there with a Front Face Lock, putting pressure on the Chimera Tag Champ as he tries to regain his feet. Cross, no fool to amateur wrestling, slips his hands between Church's arms and his own head, spinning out while controlling the wrist and winding him up with an Arm Twist transitioned into a Top Wrist Lock. Church slaps at his shoulder through gritted teeth, but quickly rolls forward, unwinding his arm, and then kips up, reversing the Arm Twist into one of his own.
LO: Well this has turned into quite the wrestling contest, as Bishop Church and Cross Recoba go through reversal after reversal...
KO: It's only a matter of time, Laur. They don't call him The Fox for nothing!
Almost as if on cue, Cross reaches up and rakes Bishop across the eyes which breaks the hold and sends him stumbling back. Momentarily blinded, he doesn't see Cross quickly move in at his waist from the front, leap to his side and feed his arm through his legs, and then pulls him down into a Schoolboy Pin with a fistful of tights.
1...
2...
LO: THR-NO! The referee spotted the blatant pull of the tights, and is signaling it isn't a legal pin.
KO: HEY REF! Who do you think you are?!?
LO: He's the official for this match, and his word is law as set by the authority of the VPW General Manager, Vanessa Byrne.
KO: Well...well....what a dick!
Recoba pops up, seeming unperturbed by the referee's call, and sends a stiff boot into the side of Church's head as he tries to gain his feet. As Bishop gets to his full height he's blasted by a thunderous chop that turns his whole chest red, and he falls back into the ropes, arms vibrating from the shock. Another chop has the entire crowd 'Wooooing', and Cross takes Church by the wrist and whips him to the opposite side. Recoba steps out to meet him as he rebounds, ducking his head for a Back Body, but is surprised instead by a Sunset Flip into a Pin!
1...
2...
LO: THR-KICK OUT! Recoba out at two and a half, both men quickly to their feet....Here comes Cross....AND THERE GOES CROSS! OVERHEAD BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX SENDS HALFWAY ACROSS THE RING!
KO: AHHHH! And right into the NSFW corner!
Church pops up and wipes spittle from his mouth from where it got rocked by the Chimera Tag Champion, and he stalks towards Recoba as he tries to rise, a violent forearm sending him flopping back into their corner. He posts up on the ropes and starts firing in short, but hard, stomps, before reaching over and giving McGuire the tag. He's quickly out and Mike is quickly in, taking up where his partner left off with stomps of his own. The referee begins counting him down, and just before five they exchange another tag, and in comes Church, resuming the beat down until tagging out one more time to Mike. This time Mike comes in, pushes Cross out to the center of the ropes and whips him to the far side. Recoba rebounds, and Mike gets a running go before throwing his boot straight out to bury it into his opponents midsection, doubling him over. From there, Mike hooks Cross around the head, and with a violent whip to the side takes him crashing to the mat with a Swinging Neckbreaker! Mike rolls over into a cover.
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Recoba gets the shoulder up before the count of three, and Mike now dragging him by the wrist back to his corner where he tags in Bishop Church!
KO: Church into the ring...and C'mon ref! They both can't be in there!
Church helps McGuire get Recoba to his feet, and both hook him around the head, snapping him down to the canvas with authority. Dakota Jennings fires into the ring to break this up, but McGuire quickly spins the referee in her direction to intercept her while he departs for the apron. Jennings argues, finger right in Santiago's face, but eventually slips back out to the ring apron with a sinister look on her face. Church rolls Cross over onto his stomach, and then drops down beside him, locking him around the waist in a Bear Hug like maneuver. He torques on The Foxes midsection for a few seconds before pushing up to his knee, and then to his feet, and in a massive amount of strength dead lifts Recoba right off the mat.
LO: GOOD LORD! BISHOP CHURCH IS JUST STALKING AROUND THE RING WITH RECOBA IN TOW!
KO: AHH! PUT HIM DOWN YOU OAF!
LO: Be careful what you wish for, Ken....CAUSE CHURCH JUST GUT WRENCHED RECOBA UP ONTO HIS SHOULDERS AND FELL FORWARDS INTO A POWERBOMB!
KO: NO! HE'S GOING FOR A PIN!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Jennings in with a stomp to the back of Church's head to break the count, BUT HERE COMES MCGUIRE!
The Bronx Brawler and The Firecracker begin exchanging heavy blows, back and forth, but eventually Bishop Church gets to his feet and see's what's going on. He shakes his head, not willing to allow this thing to break down into chaos, and quickly joins his partner, the two hammering Dakota back to the ropes. They take a step back, and then together, clasp hands and clothesline the Arizona Native right up and over the top rope to tumble to the concrete floor! The two look satisfied as they turn their attention back to Recoba, who is clutching at his back while sitting on his knees. The referee signals that Mike is going to have to get out of the ring, and as he complies Santiago follows him to make sure. Church steps up to Cross and grips him by the hair of the head to get him onto his feet, but is utterly shocked when The Fox drives his forearm between his legs. Bishop grabs at his nether regions, surprise and pain etched on his face, and Recoba gives him a shove that sends him over like a tree.
LO: THAT LOW DOWN DIRTY...
KO: GENIUS!
LO: I was going to say bastard...
KO: Are you kidding me! NSFW has been double teaming The Fox this entire time cause they know that he has a Main Event to concern himself with! Now that's underhanded!
LO: No, that's strategy. The Main Event won't be for hours from now, and this is the present! This is for the Chimera Tag Team Championships!
Recoba continues to massage his back as he drags himself over towards his corner, but upon looking up, sees that Dakota is barely hanging onto the ropes after her tumble to the concrete. Meanwhile, Bishop Church is trying to do the same thing, albeit much slower considering the damage done to his lower half. Just as Cross gets to his feet to try and check on Dakota, Church digs in with his knee and launches himself at his partners outstretched hand, and Mike McGuire thunders into the ring. They charge right for Cross, who turns just in time to see them coming, but not in enough time to stop the shotgun like Falling Drop Kick that connects square in his chest. Recoba is flung backwards into his own corner, striking the turnbuckles hard, and his flopping elbow meeting Dakota and knocking her back to the floor.
LO: Mike McGuire is on fire here....hopping up to the second rope, and now hammering right hands down into the exposed skull of The Fox!
KO: SHE CAN'T DO THAT! NOT THE FACE!
LO: They, Ken...
KO: OH TO HELL WITH THAT! WHO CAN BE POLITICALLY CORRECT AT A TIME LIKE THIS!
The fans chant along with McGuire as the fists find their mark all the way to ten, and when they drop down to free Cross, he stumbles out punch drunk and performs a hilarious face bump in the center of the ring. Mike quickly steps past the fallen man and tags in a recovered Bishop Church, who looks ready to exact some revenge for that low blow. Both members of NSFW step out over Cross, the referee admonishing Mike for still being in the ring, when McGuire turns towards Church and ducks their head. Bishop lifts Mike up onto his shoulders, and proceeds to Powerbomb them right down to a still prone Recoba.
LO: CHERRY BOMB! McGuire quickly rolls to the outside, and Church just dropped and hooked the leg!
KO: This isn't happening....
1...
2...
LO: THRE-WHAT THE HELL! The referee just leaped up from the count to intercept a chair wielding Dakota Jennings!
KO: She's gonna CLOCK those fools!
Dakota, indeed, looks very threatening with the chair, especially considering how handily she has used it in the past, but the referee is adamant that he will not only disqualify Rekota, but will award the titles to NSFW if she proceeds. McGuire has made it back up on the apron and calls out disparagingly at Jennings, which only seems to spur her own even more....while Bishop Church has risen to his feet to stare at the scene with hands on hips. The referee gives her another warning, and just when it looks like he is about to throw the match out and fulfill his promise, she tosses the chair off to the side where it skids under the bottom rope and clatters against the concrete floor. As soon as the weapon is out of the way, Church moves to confront the woman, but before he can reach her he's hooked from behind and dragged down into another Schoolboy Pin by Recoba. Jennings grins, flips Mcguire and the refree off, and spins him around to make the count before exiting herself.
1...
2...
LO: NO! Church with a kick out, and now McGuire is bouncing in their corner, calling for the tag....and Bishop is sliding that way!
KO: Yeah, but Recoba is crawling towards Dakota!
LO: HOT TAGS AT THE SAME TIME, AND JENNINGS AND MCGUIRE BACK INTO THE RING LIKE METEORS ON A COLLISION COURSE!
The two competitors meet in the center of the ring, and just like in their previous entanglements, it's fists and feet a flying! The fans are out of their seats as the two beat the hell out of each other, fresh bruises and scrapes presenting themselves in the fallout. Finally it's McGuire who comes out on top, forcing Jennings into the ropes, and then shooting her off to the opposite side. As Dakota rebounds, Mike steps to the center of the ring and leaps up, catching her coming in with a Lous Thesz Press followed by piston like right hands as she rides her all the way down to the mat. Mike quickly peels off of Jennings and hits off the ropes, springing back and then stopping short, dropping forward with a headbutt that connects with Jennings' forehead. She clutches at her face as she rolls away, and Mike gives chase with stomps until they reach the ropes and Dakota slides to the outside for separation.
LO: Jennings able to get the ropes between her and McGuire, but not for long as Mike reaches through to get a fistful of Dakota's hair to try and drag her back into the ring...But what is Cross Recoba doing?
KO: He just came back into the ring and nailed Mike from behind with a forearm shot to the spine that sends her dangerously lurching forwards to hang off the middle rope...AND HERE COMES BISHOP CHURCH!
Church grabs Cross in a waist lock from behind, and then takes him over to the canvas with a German Suplex while the referee has a conniption about the two being in the ring. As Bishop gets to his feet the referee gives him the same warning he gave Dakota earlier, signaling that he would throw the match out and end their chances at becoming Chimera Tag Team Champions. Church's hands go up in acquiescence as he starts to backpeddle, but he looks up just in time to see Dakota Jennings on the outside with the chair brought into the match earlier, and she swings for the fences on his unsuspecting partner. He surges forward as the chair shot goes off like a shotgun blast, but the referee, oblivious to the heinous action steps in his way to cut the man off.
LO: Church just shoved past the referee, and with good reason after that dastardly chair shot by Dakota to Mike McGuire, AND WHAT THE HELL!
KO: RECOBA OUT OF NOWHERE WITH A SPEAR FROM OUT OF NOWHERE SENDS BOTH MEN THROUGH THE ROPES TO TUMBLE ON THE OUTSIDE!
LO: No! NO! IT CAN'T END THIS WAY!
KO: Jennings slides back into the ring as the referee finally turn his attention back to the legal participants, and ROLLS MCGUIRE UP!
1...
2...
3!!!
Bishop Church manages to pull himself up onto the apron just as the referee's hand hits the mat for three, and Dakota Jennings quickly exits the ring under the ropes as he storms in to check on his partner.
LO: This is a god damn travesty!
KO: Oh lighten up, Laur. Rekota just had a better game plan!
LO: YOU CALL CRACKING ANOTHER HUMAN BEING ACROSS THE SKULL WITH A FOREIGN OBJECT A GAME PLAN!
KO: Worked didn't it...
Recoba, sweating and tired, still massaging his aching back comes around the corner where Dakota has backed up to the ramp, the Chimera Tag Titles in his possession. Bishop Church shakes his head in disbelief as he watches Cross hand one of the belts off to Jennings, and then the two of them thrust the titles skywards as if they had just won the Olympics. McGuire starts to come around, drawing Bishop's attention back to his beleaguered partner who begins to ask 'What happened?'.
RING ANNOUNCER: and the Winners of this match via Pinfall....and STILL CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.....REKOTTAAA!!!
Recoba and Jennings continue to celebrate up the ramp until they reach the stage, where Cross does an old school dip on Dakota followed by a kiss that brings down a torrent of boos from the capacity crowd. The Tag Champs seem very pleased with themselves, while a recovering Mike McGuire is helped to their feet by Bishop Church, and NSFW cut a disappointed glare to the stage, watching as the champions disappear behind the curtain. The fans turn their attention back to the team left in the ring, and NSFW receives a standing ovation as they try and regroup and process what just happened.
LO: This capacity crowd showing their appreciation for a legitimate tag team, and you have to believe after such a stellar performance that they'll get another shot at the titles!
KO: C'mon, Laur. Just because Rekota doesn't follow the conventional rules doesn't make them any less of a tag team. Legitimate my ass!
LO: NO! YOU C'MON, KEN! THEY ARE LIARS, CHEATS, AND UNDESERVING OF THOSE BELTS! And don't get me started on the Main Event....I guarantee that Cross Recoba will do any and every cheap tactic in the book to try and become the Apex Champion! Especially considering it looked like this back was worked over in this match..
KO: And why the hell wouldn't he? Fatal Four Way, No Rules! Sounds like the perfect conditions for a Fox. Matter of fact, looking at everyone else that's in that match, seems like there isn't one of them in there a saint!
LO: You know what....we'll see what comes. Now let's check backstage before I blow a gasket and kill my announce partner...
Kenneth Othello shoots his brother a surprised look just before the camera cuts backstage.
A face becoming more and more familiar with the Valor fanbase sneers into the camera lens as he rocks back and forth, his arms folded across his chest, on top of an equipment box. There has always been a bit of an unhinged touch to who Kaven Drell is but for those who have followed him closely, it seems he’s enjoying that portion of himself more now than ever before. Holding up his right hand, he waves in a manner that would have made most Miss America contestants proud.
KAVEN DRELL: Hello Valor universe it’s lovely to see you again. I know you were expecting to see your favorite, loveable hero but I’m afraid he’s a bit indisposed at the moment. You know, having a whole championship to defend tonight. I’m sure you’ll understand, right? I’m sure you’re not just using all of his hard work and all of the blood and sweat and even tears that he’s spilled for you for your own satisfaction, are you? No no. I’m sure you genuinely are fans of his and are hoping for what’s best for him. Yes? Because.. Man. It would be a shame if he was enduring all of this for you, and all of you were just using him to feel better about your own existence.
Barking a laugh, Kaven continued to rock back and forth on the edge of the equipment box.
KAVEN DRELL: You see, that’s why I’m here. I’m here because I recognize how swiftly the winds can turn in this business. I know how quickly the whole lot of you will chew up a hero and spit them back out as though they never meant anything to you, and as though they never did anything for you. Oh yes yes, I know. I’ve watched how you’ve feigned horror and shock every time he’s been abused and attacked, but yet you go home whispering and tweeting about it and telling your friends just how gruesome it was, while deep down you found some kind of SICK PLEASURE in his suffering.
The seeming humor and joy that had been present a few moments earlier was gone now. All that remained in his expression now was hatred and malice.
KAVEN DRELL: I see you, Valor Universe. I’m watching. And waiting. Waiting for the day Vanessa Byrne’s incompetence and ignorance goes one step too far. Waiting for the day a man like Spiral, or a woman like Dakota Jennings, goes unanswered one time too many. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Until the day comes when the match is lit…
Rocking and clutching his abdomen tightly, Drell howls with laughter out of nowhere once more.
KAVEN DRELL: When I, the flame, ignites all that you love and adore, and burns it to the ground.
Falling silent, Drells eyes dart all around him. Upward at the ceiling. Down the hallway in either direction. Toward the floor. Until finally, seemingly unsuspecting and unaware of all that had happened and all that had been said up to that point, Danny Rizzo appears with the UnYielding championship around his waistline, ready to make his way out to the ring.
DANNY RIZZO: Kav, you ready man? Remember what you promised me?
Hopping down off of the box, Drell approached him quietly before embracing him.
KAVEN DRELL: I’ve got your back, brother. Always.
In that moment the camera focused in on Danny’s face and relief seemed to wash over him. Slowly, the camera rotated around to close with a final shot of Kaven Drells face, which spoke of far more sinister potential that resided in whatever it was that was going through his mind as the two separated and began to walk down the hallway as Danny readied himself for another championship defense.
KAVEN DRELL: Hello Valor universe it’s lovely to see you again. I know you were expecting to see your favorite, loveable hero but I’m afraid he’s a bit indisposed at the moment. You know, having a whole championship to defend tonight. I’m sure you’ll understand, right? I’m sure you’re not just using all of his hard work and all of the blood and sweat and even tears that he’s spilled for you for your own satisfaction, are you? No no. I’m sure you genuinely are fans of his and are hoping for what’s best for him. Yes? Because.. Man. It would be a shame if he was enduring all of this for you, and all of you were just using him to feel better about your own existence.
Barking a laugh, Kaven continued to rock back and forth on the edge of the equipment box.
KAVEN DRELL: You see, that’s why I’m here. I’m here because I recognize how swiftly the winds can turn in this business. I know how quickly the whole lot of you will chew up a hero and spit them back out as though they never meant anything to you, and as though they never did anything for you. Oh yes yes, I know. I’ve watched how you’ve feigned horror and shock every time he’s been abused and attacked, but yet you go home whispering and tweeting about it and telling your friends just how gruesome it was, while deep down you found some kind of SICK PLEASURE in his suffering.
The seeming humor and joy that had been present a few moments earlier was gone now. All that remained in his expression now was hatred and malice.
KAVEN DRELL: I see you, Valor Universe. I’m watching. And waiting. Waiting for the day Vanessa Byrne’s incompetence and ignorance goes one step too far. Waiting for the day a man like Spiral, or a woman like Dakota Jennings, goes unanswered one time too many. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Until the day comes when the match is lit…
Rocking and clutching his abdomen tightly, Drell howls with laughter out of nowhere once more.
KAVEN DRELL: When I, the flame, ignites all that you love and adore, and burns it to the ground.
Falling silent, Drells eyes dart all around him. Upward at the ceiling. Down the hallway in either direction. Toward the floor. Until finally, seemingly unsuspecting and unaware of all that had happened and all that had been said up to that point, Danny Rizzo appears with the UnYielding championship around his waistline, ready to make his way out to the ring.
DANNY RIZZO: Kav, you ready man? Remember what you promised me?
Hopping down off of the box, Drell approached him quietly before embracing him.
KAVEN DRELL: I’ve got your back, brother. Always.
In that moment the camera focused in on Danny’s face and relief seemed to wash over him. Slowly, the camera rotated around to close with a final shot of Kaven Drells face, which spoke of far more sinister potential that resided in whatever it was that was going through his mind as the two separated and began to walk down the hallway as Danny readied himself for another championship defense.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is set for one fall or submission and is for THE UNYIELDING CHAMPIONSHIP...
The lights dim and purple lights flash as "Warriors" by Papa Roach hit's over the PA System. When the lights come back to full Katya Durdjevic is bounding back and forth on the stage, one arm in the air pointing to the sky. She finally comes to a pause in the center of the stage, hand going to her waist before kicking off her back foot into a running in place walk to the ring. The fans cheer for the newcomer as she moves in a zig zag down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing her opponent, standing at five foot nine and weighing in at 126 pounds, hailing from Moscow, Russia...She is The Straight Line Demon.....KATYA DURDJEVICCCC!!!!
Katya reaches ringside, and with a stutter step leaps to the ring apron, grips the top rope, and then vaults herself over the top rope and into the ring. She quickly steps up to the second turnbuckle of the closest turnbuckle, and again points heavenward while nodding along with her music.
LO: In a short amount of time Katya Djurdjevic has really got the Valor Pro Faithful behind her, and in only her fourth match she finds herself in championship contention against an opponent who can claim a similar rise through the ranks when he first started.
KO: Yeah, the fans love her cause she's one of those goody-two-shoes types, but I'll point out that might be the difference here tonight. Danny started out with that same attitude, and although he's trying really hard to reclaim it, no one can deny that in his last two title defenses, the outcomes weren't without their controversies in his favor.
LO: I take it you're talking about Dakota Jennings and the Referee, and last show against Siberia Zombie when Spiral caused a distraction.
KO: Those would be the ones...
LO: I don't think you can blame Danny Rizzo for the actions caused by others. He just happened to be the one to benefit from them.
KO: EXACTLY! Seems awfully beneficial for it just to be coincidental...
LO: Are you suggesting that the vicious attack by Spiral was somehow connected to Rizzo? I don't think those shots from that baseball bat line up with your theory...
KO: I'm just saying...guy is still the champion thanks to some outside forces, and slowly but surely I'm seeing a change in the guy from the bright eyed rookie to the thing that NovaCaine told him he would become.
Before Laurence Othello can say another word the opening drums of 'A Warrior's Call' by Volbeat strikes across the capacity crowd and they all turn to the stage to see Danny Rizzo rip through the curtain right at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" He pauses for a moment to pat the UnYielding Championship that sits snugly around his waist, before he takes off for 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 bounces up and down excitedly before taking off into a sprint.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....He is the UNYIELDING CHAMPION...THE RISEN....DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny has slid right into the ring, rushing a neutral corner and taking the second turnbuckle while beating his chest and letting out a warrior yell. The fans respond favorably, loudly cheering 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' in his direction, and he drops to the mat unhooking the strap from around his waist at the same time. Katya watches on with a nod, stretching herself against the ropes as the referee signals a ready to both competitors. Theodore Refano signals for the bell, and the two competitors begin to circle in the center of the ring....
LO: These two have been trading verbal jabs all week on Twitter, but now it's time to get down to serious business...
KO: How can I take anything serious when the referee is wearing a Luchador mask...
LO: It's true that after all of the recent referee attacks and his sudden appearance on the last Blitz that The Ref has been given a contract to officiate here in Valor Pro, and from what I remember of the man, he won't be allowing any funny business.
KO: The only funny business I see is the moron in zebra stripes...
Challenger and Champion lock up in the center of the ring, and immediately Danny shows his size advantage by forcing Katya back into the nearby corner, but quickly makes a break at The Ref's insistence. It's a clean break with hands kept in the air as he backpedals to the center of the ring. Katya warily watches as Rizzo goes, realization clear on her face at exactly how the strength advantage could factor into this. She nods her head as she steps out of the corner, and the two begin to circle again. They lock up, and again Katya finds herself backed into the corner, but this time, she deftly manages to switch their stance at the last second, and using leverage manages to push Danny up against the turnbuckles. Much like before she quickly disengages, hands in the air, and it's her turn to strut back to the center of the ring. Danny watches, a little impressed, a little irritated, and he shoulder shrugs before stepping out to meet her one more time.
LO: A little cat and mouse between the two, and now they lock up a third time, and it's Danny who takes the wrist and swings under for an Arm Twist....spins through a second time, and as Katya tries to reverse, he pumps the brakes by pushing through into a Hammerlock from behind!
KO: Katya looking for a way out, and she finds one, slipping past Danny and reversing the Hammerlock into one of her own..
LO: Danny really putting up a struggle, and Katya responds by shooting the half on the other arm, and now has a Full Nelson applied but can't lock her fingers....
KO: Danny pulling her all around the ring, and she's riding the storm....He gets one arm free, and tries to spin her, but she shoots right back up and under BACK into the Hammerlock...
LO: Danny keeping a cool head, drops back into a reversal...NO! FALLS TO THE GROUND AND DRAGS HER INTO A SCHOOLBOY PIN!
1...
LO: TW-NO! Katya kicks out, and both competitors up to their feet at the ready....
KO: Stalemate, Laur. The fans clapping as these two now take note of one another in the early going, circling once again...
The two lock up one more time, and this time Katya is as quick as a cat, pulling Danny into a Side Headlock, then swinging around to grab the arm and pull it back into the Hammerlock. She doesn't stop there, releasing the arm to fall to the side and tangle up his legs with a Drop Toe Hold that pitches him face down on the mat, and then quickly floats over his back to hook him into a Front Facelock. Danny wastes zero time in forcing Katya back up to his feet as she tries to tighten up the hold, and in response to getting vertical she hooks him under his arm and rolls her hip into a Judo like throw that puts him onto his back into a pin.
1...
LO: TW-NO! Danny kicks out this time, and both competitors quickly to their feet, and once again pause...taking stock of the other.
KO: Somethings going to have to give here, Laur. The feeling out period can't last forever.
LO: I'm sure things will break down soon enough. The first one to make a real mistake will be the one with advantage.
KO: Wow. So insightful when stating the obvious...
Laurence doesn't get a chance to retort before the action resumes in the ring, the two locking back up for the fifth time, and Katya again pulls Danny into a Side Headlock. This time, however, Rizzo wraps both arms around her waist and starts pushing her towards the ropes, using them for spring to break the hold and send her to the opposite side. Katya rebounds and as she comes charging back in is stopped by the proverbial brick wall, as Danny runs her over with a Shoulder Tackle. Katya hits the mat hard, and she clutches the back of her head as she tries to come to her feet, and Danny starts in on what he does best. Pure striking!
LO: Three short left jabs from Danny has Katya peppered back into the corner, and here he comes now with a HAYMAKER RIGHT that sends the woman stumbling along the ropes massaging her jaw!
KO: Rizzo quick to take her by the wrist and shoot her to the other side, and BEAUTIFUL SPIN WHEEL KICK sends her back to the mat!
LO: The Champion popping up into a sprint for spring from the ropes, and comes back now with a Snap Elbow down into Katya's sternum, followed by a pin!
1...
2...
KO: TH-KICK OUT! Katya out at two and a half, and Danny pushes her up into a seated position and applies a Chin Lock for good measure...
Katya reaches out for the ropes, obviously in discomfort, before spinning so that she comes up to a knee. Danny refuses to let loose the hold, instead switching to a Side Headlock, and follows her up as she pushes to her feet. Katya searches for a way out, but finds she can't really budge Danny, so she opts for desperation instead. With a great heave that belies her strength, she lifts Danny slowly onto her shoulder, and then drops straight down into a Side Suplex that breaks the hold. Both competitors lay there for a moment, having expended a lot of energy at the beginning of the match with their chain wrestling, but when they do move to their feet its at the same time! Katya rushes at Danny who is close by the ropes, and he ducks his head, sending her up and over to the outside. Or he would have, if she hadn't had the presence of mind to grab the top rope as she went, and swing herself back to land safely on the apron.
LO: Rizzo is unaware that Katya didn't go all the way to the floor, and just turned around to find out! Here he comes rushing at the challenger, and OH! KATYA FALLS BACK TO THE APRON WITH A PELE STYLE KICK THAT SMACKS DANNY RIGHT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
KO: Danny clutching at his skull as he stumbles back, and Katya back on her feet...SHE SPRINGBOARDS UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND FLIES OFF...
LO: AND RIZZO RESPONDS WITH A HIGH STANDING DROPKICK THAT KNOCKS HER OFF COURSE AND DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
KO: RIZZO'S SCRAMBLING FOR A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Katya out at two and half, and now Rizzo pulling her up to her feet.....BIG EUROPEAN UPPERCUT sends her back into the nearby corner.
KO: Danny following her ing now, and OH! CHOP! ANOTHER ONE! Katya isn't looking so good...
It's obvious after the dropkick that knocked her out of mid-flight that Djurdjevic has been rocked, and as Danny's thunderous chop finds her chest she slumps in the corner. Danny takes her by the wrist and whips her to the far side where she barely turns so it's her spine instead of her midsection that takes the impact, but when Danny rushes in with a clothesline attempt to crush her, Katya somehow gets both boots up. Danny hits face first and snaps down to the canvas right in front of the corner, and Katya takes that opportunity to hop up to the second, step all the way to the top, and then make a short leap out, driving both boots into Danny's chest.
LO: BIG STOMP FROM THE TOP ROPE DOWN INTO DANNY'S HEART, AND NOW KATYA IS YANKING HIM AWAY FROM THE ROPES AND GOING FOR A PIN OF HER OWN!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Danny kicks out, and now it's Katya pulling him up and KATYA WITH A SCOOP SLAM!
LO: She's showing there is more than just speed in her arsenal, as determination seems to have given the woman superhuman strength!
KO: Hush, Laur! She just stepped through the ropes to the apron....AND SLING SHOT LEG DROPS HER WAY BACK IN ONTO DANNY'S SKULL! ANOTHER PIN!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Danny gets the shoulder up in the nick of time, and now Katya showing a little frustration as she pulls him back to his feet and pushes him against the ropes.
KO: Danny sent to the other side, NO! REVERSAL! Katya rebounds off the ropes, and DANNY CATCHES HER AROUND THE HEAD FOR A SLING BLADE!
Katya clutches the back of her skull as Danny sits up, looking over to see the damage he's inflicted. He shakes his head a bit now as he pushes up to his feet, and steps over to help Katya to hers, quickly slipping beside her and hooking his inside foot onto the back of her calf, and then snapping down to the mat in a Russian Leg Sweep. Danny pops back up this time, and it's obvious he's fired up as he motions to the crowd that this one is over. They respond in kind as he steps out to the apron and begins to climb to the top turnbuckle of the nearest corner. Katya lays prone before him once he ascends, and he stands at his full height with a fist in the air. He leaps forwards, arms and legs retracting, and then pushing back out again for a gravity defying Frog Splash. Then gravity picks up, and Danny descends in rapid fashion, right into the upturned knee's of Katya Djurdjevic!
LO: KATYA GOT HER KNEE'S UP AT THE LAST SECOND, AND DANNY CAME RIBS FIRST RIGHT DOWN ON THEM!
KO: He should have never went high risk, Laur! See how these fans have messed with his head!
LO: Djurdjevic pulling herself up by use of the ropes, and Danny trying to get to his feet as well...Here she comes with a full head of steam, AND DANNY RIZZO WITH A LOW DROP KICK THAT DROPS HER TO HER KNEE!
KO: Danny quickly back up, rushes the ropes, and REBOUNDS INTO A SHINING WIZARD!
LO: BLACK ROSE!
KO: Rizzo with a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! MY GOD! KATYA DJURDJEVIC WITHIN NANOSECONDS OF GOING HOME EMPTY HANDED!
KO: Yeah, that was close, but she got the shoulder up to save this match up, and Rizzo looks completely beside himself...
Danny checks with the referee who waves the count off as two, and then steps over to the corner where he hangs his head in disbelief. Finally, he turns to look over his shoulder at his opponent, and a grim determination comes over his face. Running his thumb across his throat, he turns so he's facing in her direction, and starts begging her to rise. Eventually the stunned challenger does so, slowly pushing up to a knee, and finally to her feet. The Risen charges right for her, and just when he's about to leap into what is sure to be his Kinshasa Knee Strike, Djurdjevic suddenly brings up her foot and manages to grab Danny by his wrists as she snaps down to the canvas with Rizzo's jaw driven right into her boot.
LO: DEATHBLOW FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: Total desperation by Katya Djurdjevic to prevent herself from tasting Danny's knee, and by God it worked!
LO: Both competitors down on the mat now, and The Ref has checked on them and is now starting a ten count!
The Ref gets all the way to five before either competitor begins to stir, and they both move slowly towards opposite sides of the ring. Using the ropes they pull themselves up at the count of eight, and give a haggard look towards the other. Suddenly Katya Djurdjevic rushes right for Rizzo, whose expression goes from surprised to resolute as he drops his head and Back Body Drops her over the top rope. This time she doesn't get the chance to try and grab for the top rope, so she crashes to the concrete floor in a sickening thud. The fans come to their feet in a gasp as she clutches at her spine, grabbing at the apron to try and pull herself up. Meanwhile, Danny watches below him intently, and just when Katya finds her feet he charges the other side of the ring, hits off the ropes, and comes rushing back to....
LO: DANNY RIZZO WITH A SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES BUT KATYA DJURDJEVIC FELL OUT OF THE WAY AND HE CRASHES AND BURNS AGAINST THE STEEL GUARD RAIL!
KO: The kid hit hard, Laur! He might be out!
LO: Katya Djurdjevic just manged to pull herself up once again, and she stumbles her way over to a lifeless UnYielding Champion and is now trying to drag him back towards the ring!
KO: The Ref is all the way up to a count of seven and she can't win the belt on a count out!
Katya drops Danny once she has him halfway back over to the ring, and rolls under the bottom rope to get The Ref to start his count over before rolling back out. She continues to struggle to get Danny over to the steps, where one by one she drags him up so that he's sitting on each step. Just as she gets him up to the top, Danny's hands suddenly reach up to find the back of her head and he stands up so that his chin is right under her jaw, and then abruptly sits back down. Katya's head snaps back as she falls back onto the apron, and then rolls back off to the floor, and this interrupts The Ref's second count for just a second. He eventually picks it back up at six, and Danny pushes off the steps to round to where Katya fell, pulling her up much easier than she had been able to handle him, and shoots her back into the ring. He follows behind her, but upon getting to his feet finds that she has rolled all the way to the other side of the ring where she's hooked the middle rope to try and regain her feet.
LO: You have to respect Katya’s resolve and understanding of the ring, making sure to put distance between her and Rizzo. You can’t teach that…
KO: I have to admit, she’s put on one hell of a performance here, win or lose, but…Hey…what the hell is this guy doing here!
LO: I don’t know, and I don’t like it….Kaven Drell is now making his way to the ring, and he’s not alone….He’s carrying a steel chair!
KO: Danny is just staring at him now as he reaches ringside….and HE JUST TOSSED THE CHAIR UP TO DANNY!
LO: Rizzo looks confused, he’s shaking his head ‘No’, saying this isn’t how he does things…
KO: Haha! I like this guy already! He just said save your championship, and squash this tart!
Danny, still holding the chair, continues to disagree with Drell, moving over to the edge of the ring at the referee’s behest to toss the chair out. Every time he gets into position, Kaven rushes around to that side to get in the way, pointing at his temple, and telling Danny to think. An incredulous expression creeps on Danny’s face, and he turns to move to another spot along the edge of the ring to get rid of the weapon, and spies Katya Djurdjevic coming right at him. Quick as lightening Rizzo brings the chair up and over, smashing it off of Katya’s skull. She doesn’t go down at first….just stands there, blood pouring down into her eyes staring at Danny with a blank expression, and then she seems to fold up all at once, crumpling to the mat.
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! DANNY RIZZO JUST BLASTED KATYA DJURDJEVIC WITH THAT CHAIR!
KO: KAVEN IS CLAPPING AND CHEERING ON THE OUTSIDE, AND DANNY LOOKS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED AND ASHAMED!
LO: There goes the bell…this one is over, and there are some boo’s coming from this capacity crowd now directed at Danny Rizzo.
RING ANNOUNCER: and the winner of this match via Disqualification….KATYA DJURDJEVIC! But still THE UNYIELDING CHAMPION….DANNY RIZZO!
The boos get louder as Danny stares down at the chair, down to a prone Katya, and then back to the chair as the referee shakes his head in disappointment before placing the UnYielding title on Rizzo’s shoulder. Kaven hops up onto the ring apron and snatches the chair out of Danny’s hands, tossing it to the floor and helps direct him out of the ring. Suddenly at ringside, Danny is livid, shoving Drell back and yelling at him. Danny storms for the ramp as Drell solemnly follows behind, and just as Rizzo disappears through the curtain he pauses, turning his head to look back at Katya Djurdjevic with a grim smile of satisfaction.
LO: THAT MAN IS PURE EVIL!
KO: Oh, come on, Laur! He just wants to see Danny hold on to the UnYielding Championship! Maybe form his perspective he saw something we didn’t….
LO: Danny didn’t need his help, Ken! He was on the offensive, and it doesn’t make any sense for it to end like this…
KO: Well, technically Katya did win…
LO: OH SHUT UP, KEN!
Kenneth Othello shrugs as in the ring Djurdjevic tries to sit up, but then falls back to the mat as the referee kneels to check on her. After a moment she allows herself to be pulled up to her feet, and the crowd all cheer as she gives a week smile, waving as she’s helped out of the ring. The scene then cuts backstage.
The lights dim and purple lights flash as "Warriors" by Papa Roach hit's over the PA System. When the lights come back to full Katya Durdjevic is bounding back and forth on the stage, one arm in the air pointing to the sky. She finally comes to a pause in the center of the stage, hand going to her waist before kicking off her back foot into a running in place walk to the ring. The fans cheer for the newcomer as she moves in a zig zag down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing her opponent, standing at five foot nine and weighing in at 126 pounds, hailing from Moscow, Russia...She is The Straight Line Demon.....KATYA DURDJEVICCCC!!!!
Katya reaches ringside, and with a stutter step leaps to the ring apron, grips the top rope, and then vaults herself over the top rope and into the ring. She quickly steps up to the second turnbuckle of the closest turnbuckle, and again points heavenward while nodding along with her music.
LO: In a short amount of time Katya Djurdjevic has really got the Valor Pro Faithful behind her, and in only her fourth match she finds herself in championship contention against an opponent who can claim a similar rise through the ranks when he first started.
KO: Yeah, the fans love her cause she's one of those goody-two-shoes types, but I'll point out that might be the difference here tonight. Danny started out with that same attitude, and although he's trying really hard to reclaim it, no one can deny that in his last two title defenses, the outcomes weren't without their controversies in his favor.
LO: I take it you're talking about Dakota Jennings and the Referee, and last show against Siberia Zombie when Spiral caused a distraction.
KO: Those would be the ones...
LO: I don't think you can blame Danny Rizzo for the actions caused by others. He just happened to be the one to benefit from them.
KO: EXACTLY! Seems awfully beneficial for it just to be coincidental...
LO: Are you suggesting that the vicious attack by Spiral was somehow connected to Rizzo? I don't think those shots from that baseball bat line up with your theory...
KO: I'm just saying...guy is still the champion thanks to some outside forces, and slowly but surely I'm seeing a change in the guy from the bright eyed rookie to the thing that NovaCaine told him he would become.
Before Laurence Othello can say another word the opening drums of 'A Warrior's Call' by Volbeat strikes across the capacity crowd and they all turn to the stage to see Danny Rizzo rip through the curtain right at "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" He pauses for a moment to pat the UnYielding Championship that sits snugly around his waist, before he takes off for 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 bounces up and down excitedly before taking off into a sprint.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio.....He is the UNYIELDING CHAMPION...THE RISEN....DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny has slid right into the ring, rushing a neutral corner and taking the second turnbuckle while beating his chest and letting out a warrior yell. The fans respond favorably, loudly cheering 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' in his direction, and he drops to the mat unhooking the strap from around his waist at the same time. Katya watches on with a nod, stretching herself against the ropes as the referee signals a ready to both competitors. Theodore Refano signals for the bell, and the two competitors begin to circle in the center of the ring....
LO: These two have been trading verbal jabs all week on Twitter, but now it's time to get down to serious business...
KO: How can I take anything serious when the referee is wearing a Luchador mask...
LO: It's true that after all of the recent referee attacks and his sudden appearance on the last Blitz that The Ref has been given a contract to officiate here in Valor Pro, and from what I remember of the man, he won't be allowing any funny business.
KO: The only funny business I see is the moron in zebra stripes...
Challenger and Champion lock up in the center of the ring, and immediately Danny shows his size advantage by forcing Katya back into the nearby corner, but quickly makes a break at The Ref's insistence. It's a clean break with hands kept in the air as he backpedals to the center of the ring. Katya warily watches as Rizzo goes, realization clear on her face at exactly how the strength advantage could factor into this. She nods her head as she steps out of the corner, and the two begin to circle again. They lock up, and again Katya finds herself backed into the corner, but this time, she deftly manages to switch their stance at the last second, and using leverage manages to push Danny up against the turnbuckles. Much like before she quickly disengages, hands in the air, and it's her turn to strut back to the center of the ring. Danny watches, a little impressed, a little irritated, and he shoulder shrugs before stepping out to meet her one more time.
LO: A little cat and mouse between the two, and now they lock up a third time, and it's Danny who takes the wrist and swings under for an Arm Twist....spins through a second time, and as Katya tries to reverse, he pumps the brakes by pushing through into a Hammerlock from behind!
KO: Katya looking for a way out, and she finds one, slipping past Danny and reversing the Hammerlock into one of her own..
LO: Danny really putting up a struggle, and Katya responds by shooting the half on the other arm, and now has a Full Nelson applied but can't lock her fingers....
KO: Danny pulling her all around the ring, and she's riding the storm....He gets one arm free, and tries to spin her, but she shoots right back up and under BACK into the Hammerlock...
LO: Danny keeping a cool head, drops back into a reversal...NO! FALLS TO THE GROUND AND DRAGS HER INTO A SCHOOLBOY PIN!
1...
LO: TW-NO! Katya kicks out, and both competitors up to their feet at the ready....
KO: Stalemate, Laur. The fans clapping as these two now take note of one another in the early going, circling once again...
The two lock up one more time, and this time Katya is as quick as a cat, pulling Danny into a Side Headlock, then swinging around to grab the arm and pull it back into the Hammerlock. She doesn't stop there, releasing the arm to fall to the side and tangle up his legs with a Drop Toe Hold that pitches him face down on the mat, and then quickly floats over his back to hook him into a Front Facelock. Danny wastes zero time in forcing Katya back up to his feet as she tries to tighten up the hold, and in response to getting vertical she hooks him under his arm and rolls her hip into a Judo like throw that puts him onto his back into a pin.
1...
LO: TW-NO! Danny kicks out this time, and both competitors quickly to their feet, and once again pause...taking stock of the other.
KO: Somethings going to have to give here, Laur. The feeling out period can't last forever.
LO: I'm sure things will break down soon enough. The first one to make a real mistake will be the one with advantage.
KO: Wow. So insightful when stating the obvious...
Laurence doesn't get a chance to retort before the action resumes in the ring, the two locking back up for the fifth time, and Katya again pulls Danny into a Side Headlock. This time, however, Rizzo wraps both arms around her waist and starts pushing her towards the ropes, using them for spring to break the hold and send her to the opposite side. Katya rebounds and as she comes charging back in is stopped by the proverbial brick wall, as Danny runs her over with a Shoulder Tackle. Katya hits the mat hard, and she clutches the back of her head as she tries to come to her feet, and Danny starts in on what he does best. Pure striking!
LO: Three short left jabs from Danny has Katya peppered back into the corner, and here he comes now with a HAYMAKER RIGHT that sends the woman stumbling along the ropes massaging her jaw!
KO: Rizzo quick to take her by the wrist and shoot her to the other side, and BEAUTIFUL SPIN WHEEL KICK sends her back to the mat!
LO: The Champion popping up into a sprint for spring from the ropes, and comes back now with a Snap Elbow down into Katya's sternum, followed by a pin!
1...
2...
KO: TH-KICK OUT! Katya out at two and a half, and Danny pushes her up into a seated position and applies a Chin Lock for good measure...
Katya reaches out for the ropes, obviously in discomfort, before spinning so that she comes up to a knee. Danny refuses to let loose the hold, instead switching to a Side Headlock, and follows her up as she pushes to her feet. Katya searches for a way out, but finds she can't really budge Danny, so she opts for desperation instead. With a great heave that belies her strength, she lifts Danny slowly onto her shoulder, and then drops straight down into a Side Suplex that breaks the hold. Both competitors lay there for a moment, having expended a lot of energy at the beginning of the match with their chain wrestling, but when they do move to their feet its at the same time! Katya rushes at Danny who is close by the ropes, and he ducks his head, sending her up and over to the outside. Or he would have, if she hadn't had the presence of mind to grab the top rope as she went, and swing herself back to land safely on the apron.
LO: Rizzo is unaware that Katya didn't go all the way to the floor, and just turned around to find out! Here he comes rushing at the challenger, and OH! KATYA FALLS BACK TO THE APRON WITH A PELE STYLE KICK THAT SMACKS DANNY RIGHT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD!
KO: Danny clutching at his skull as he stumbles back, and Katya back on her feet...SHE SPRINGBOARDS UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND FLIES OFF...
LO: AND RIZZO RESPONDS WITH A HIGH STANDING DROPKICK THAT KNOCKS HER OFF COURSE AND DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
KO: RIZZO'S SCRAMBLING FOR A COVER!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Katya out at two and half, and now Rizzo pulling her up to her feet.....BIG EUROPEAN UPPERCUT sends her back into the nearby corner.
KO: Danny following her ing now, and OH! CHOP! ANOTHER ONE! Katya isn't looking so good...
It's obvious after the dropkick that knocked her out of mid-flight that Djurdjevic has been rocked, and as Danny's thunderous chop finds her chest she slumps in the corner. Danny takes her by the wrist and whips her to the far side where she barely turns so it's her spine instead of her midsection that takes the impact, but when Danny rushes in with a clothesline attempt to crush her, Katya somehow gets both boots up. Danny hits face first and snaps down to the canvas right in front of the corner, and Katya takes that opportunity to hop up to the second, step all the way to the top, and then make a short leap out, driving both boots into Danny's chest.
LO: BIG STOMP FROM THE TOP ROPE DOWN INTO DANNY'S HEART, AND NOW KATYA IS YANKING HIM AWAY FROM THE ROPES AND GOING FOR A PIN OF HER OWN!
1...
2...
KO: THRE-NO! Danny kicks out, and now it's Katya pulling him up and KATYA WITH A SCOOP SLAM!
LO: She's showing there is more than just speed in her arsenal, as determination seems to have given the woman superhuman strength!
KO: Hush, Laur! She just stepped through the ropes to the apron....AND SLING SHOT LEG DROPS HER WAY BACK IN ONTO DANNY'S SKULL! ANOTHER PIN!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Danny gets the shoulder up in the nick of time, and now Katya showing a little frustration as she pulls him back to his feet and pushes him against the ropes.
KO: Danny sent to the other side, NO! REVERSAL! Katya rebounds off the ropes, and DANNY CATCHES HER AROUND THE HEAD FOR A SLING BLADE!
Katya clutches the back of her skull as Danny sits up, looking over to see the damage he's inflicted. He shakes his head a bit now as he pushes up to his feet, and steps over to help Katya to hers, quickly slipping beside her and hooking his inside foot onto the back of her calf, and then snapping down to the mat in a Russian Leg Sweep. Danny pops back up this time, and it's obvious he's fired up as he motions to the crowd that this one is over. They respond in kind as he steps out to the apron and begins to climb to the top turnbuckle of the nearest corner. Katya lays prone before him once he ascends, and he stands at his full height with a fist in the air. He leaps forwards, arms and legs retracting, and then pushing back out again for a gravity defying Frog Splash. Then gravity picks up, and Danny descends in rapid fashion, right into the upturned knee's of Katya Djurdjevic!
LO: KATYA GOT HER KNEE'S UP AT THE LAST SECOND, AND DANNY CAME RIBS FIRST RIGHT DOWN ON THEM!
KO: He should have never went high risk, Laur! See how these fans have messed with his head!
LO: Djurdjevic pulling herself up by use of the ropes, and Danny trying to get to his feet as well...Here she comes with a full head of steam, AND DANNY RIZZO WITH A LOW DROP KICK THAT DROPS HER TO HER KNEE!
KO: Danny quickly back up, rushes the ropes, and REBOUNDS INTO A SHINING WIZARD!
LO: BLACK ROSE!
KO: Rizzo with a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! MY GOD! KATYA DJURDJEVIC WITHIN NANOSECONDS OF GOING HOME EMPTY HANDED!
KO: Yeah, that was close, but she got the shoulder up to save this match up, and Rizzo looks completely beside himself...
Danny checks with the referee who waves the count off as two, and then steps over to the corner where he hangs his head in disbelief. Finally, he turns to look over his shoulder at his opponent, and a grim determination comes over his face. Running his thumb across his throat, he turns so he's facing in her direction, and starts begging her to rise. Eventually the stunned challenger does so, slowly pushing up to a knee, and finally to her feet. The Risen charges right for her, and just when he's about to leap into what is sure to be his Kinshasa Knee Strike, Djurdjevic suddenly brings up her foot and manages to grab Danny by his wrists as she snaps down to the canvas with Rizzo's jaw driven right into her boot.
LO: DEATHBLOW FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: Total desperation by Katya Djurdjevic to prevent herself from tasting Danny's knee, and by God it worked!
LO: Both competitors down on the mat now, and The Ref has checked on them and is now starting a ten count!
The Ref gets all the way to five before either competitor begins to stir, and they both move slowly towards opposite sides of the ring. Using the ropes they pull themselves up at the count of eight, and give a haggard look towards the other. Suddenly Katya Djurdjevic rushes right for Rizzo, whose expression goes from surprised to resolute as he drops his head and Back Body Drops her over the top rope. This time she doesn't get the chance to try and grab for the top rope, so she crashes to the concrete floor in a sickening thud. The fans come to their feet in a gasp as she clutches at her spine, grabbing at the apron to try and pull herself up. Meanwhile, Danny watches below him intently, and just when Katya finds her feet he charges the other side of the ring, hits off the ropes, and comes rushing back to....
LO: DANNY RIZZO WITH A SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE ROPES BUT KATYA DJURDJEVIC FELL OUT OF THE WAY AND HE CRASHES AND BURNS AGAINST THE STEEL GUARD RAIL!
KO: The kid hit hard, Laur! He might be out!
LO: Katya Djurdjevic just manged to pull herself up once again, and she stumbles her way over to a lifeless UnYielding Champion and is now trying to drag him back towards the ring!
KO: The Ref is all the way up to a count of seven and she can't win the belt on a count out!
Katya drops Danny once she has him halfway back over to the ring, and rolls under the bottom rope to get The Ref to start his count over before rolling back out. She continues to struggle to get Danny over to the steps, where one by one she drags him up so that he's sitting on each step. Just as she gets him up to the top, Danny's hands suddenly reach up to find the back of her head and he stands up so that his chin is right under her jaw, and then abruptly sits back down. Katya's head snaps back as she falls back onto the apron, and then rolls back off to the floor, and this interrupts The Ref's second count for just a second. He eventually picks it back up at six, and Danny pushes off the steps to round to where Katya fell, pulling her up much easier than she had been able to handle him, and shoots her back into the ring. He follows behind her, but upon getting to his feet finds that she has rolled all the way to the other side of the ring where she's hooked the middle rope to try and regain her feet.
LO: You have to respect Katya’s resolve and understanding of the ring, making sure to put distance between her and Rizzo. You can’t teach that…
KO: I have to admit, she’s put on one hell of a performance here, win or lose, but…Hey…what the hell is this guy doing here!
LO: I don’t know, and I don’t like it….Kaven Drell is now making his way to the ring, and he’s not alone….He’s carrying a steel chair!
KO: Danny is just staring at him now as he reaches ringside….and HE JUST TOSSED THE CHAIR UP TO DANNY!
LO: Rizzo looks confused, he’s shaking his head ‘No’, saying this isn’t how he does things…
KO: Haha! I like this guy already! He just said save your championship, and squash this tart!
Danny, still holding the chair, continues to disagree with Drell, moving over to the edge of the ring at the referee’s behest to toss the chair out. Every time he gets into position, Kaven rushes around to that side to get in the way, pointing at his temple, and telling Danny to think. An incredulous expression creeps on Danny’s face, and he turns to move to another spot along the edge of the ring to get rid of the weapon, and spies Katya Djurdjevic coming right at him. Quick as lightening Rizzo brings the chair up and over, smashing it off of Katya’s skull. She doesn’t go down at first….just stands there, blood pouring down into her eyes staring at Danny with a blank expression, and then she seems to fold up all at once, crumpling to the mat.
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! DANNY RIZZO JUST BLASTED KATYA DJURDJEVIC WITH THAT CHAIR!
KO: KAVEN IS CLAPPING AND CHEERING ON THE OUTSIDE, AND DANNY LOOKS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED AND ASHAMED!
LO: There goes the bell…this one is over, and there are some boo’s coming from this capacity crowd now directed at Danny Rizzo.
RING ANNOUNCER: and the winner of this match via Disqualification….KATYA DJURDJEVIC! But still THE UNYIELDING CHAMPION….DANNY RIZZO!
The boos get louder as Danny stares down at the chair, down to a prone Katya, and then back to the chair as the referee shakes his head in disappointment before placing the UnYielding title on Rizzo’s shoulder. Kaven hops up onto the ring apron and snatches the chair out of Danny’s hands, tossing it to the floor and helps direct him out of the ring. Suddenly at ringside, Danny is livid, shoving Drell back and yelling at him. Danny storms for the ramp as Drell solemnly follows behind, and just as Rizzo disappears through the curtain he pauses, turning his head to look back at Katya Djurdjevic with a grim smile of satisfaction.
LO: THAT MAN IS PURE EVIL!
KO: Oh, come on, Laur! He just wants to see Danny hold on to the UnYielding Championship! Maybe form his perspective he saw something we didn’t….
LO: Danny didn’t need his help, Ken! He was on the offensive, and it doesn’t make any sense for it to end like this…
KO: Well, technically Katya did win…
LO: OH SHUT UP, KEN!
Kenneth Othello shrugs as in the ring Djurdjevic tries to sit up, but then falls back to the mat as the referee kneels to check on her. After a moment she allows herself to be pulled up to her feet, and the crowd all cheer as she gives a week smile, waving as she’s helped out of the ring. The scene then cuts backstage.
Backstage is a rumble of activity, the dull roar of excitement from the arena can be heard like the rumble of a jet engine. Lyle Vitalis, the fantastic lawyer steps into the view of the camera.
LYLE: HEY! Lyle Vitalis here for another amazing backstage pass, thing, uh, where you get to learn more about Jack. That’s what we’ll call it! Tonight, I’m proud to introduce Lizzy Bardot, the new coach, confidant, and whatever else she said to my client, Jack Dempsey! Step in and introduce yourself.
Lizzy steps into frame and waves. Surprisingly, she looks a bit nervous to be in front of the camera.
LYLE: Lizzy here is going to teach Jack how to be a fighter. I don’t know if you were paying attention to his match with Deathrow, but Jack is a bit rough around the edges. She’s going to sand those edges down and turn Jack into a superstar!
Lizzy’s eyes avoid the camera and under her breath, she offers...
LIZZY: I think he’s alright, the way he is, but yeah, we’ll work on his style.
LYLE: Style? That means new moves! Finishers with cool names! All kinds of stuff. MMA even? Maybe we’ll turn him into one of those annoying white guys who knows KUNG FU! You never know what might happen next!”
Lizzy just scoffs, still avoiding eye contact with the camera.
Lyle smirks.
LYLE: To up the ante, we’re putting an offer on the table. If Jack Dempsey wins any of the three prizes in the Battle Royale tonight, we are going to put his prize on the line in a match at the next Blitz, or whenever, that will depend on the owners, but anyway, we will make this an open invite to anyone who wants to challenge Jack Dempsey for whatever prize he may win!” Lyle catches his breath, “Granted, the third place prize is kind of lame, so if he wins that, he might just throw the match against YOU! Free stuff! Awesome, right?
Lizzy speaks out the corner of her mouth.
LIZZY: Did you clear this with Jack first?
LYLE: Eh, he trusts me. Plus, this is an amazing opportunity!
LIZZY: What if he doesn’t win anything at all?
LYLE: Then they fight for PRIDE!
Lizzy snickers.
LIZZY: Pride.
LYLE: That’s right! Pay attention to tonight’s match and if any of you roster members have the stones, you’ll step up to take on Jack Dempsey for an opportunity at his prize, if he wins one.
Lizzy, still avoiding eye contact asks...
LIZZY: Did you even talk to the higher ups at Valor about this?
LYLE: WHY SHOULD I? It’s an amazing match and...yeah...amazing match equals ratings! SO let’s do this!
Lizzy sighs and disappears from sight. Some other idea registers in Lyle’s brain, sending his right index finger up into the air.
LYLE: And how does a guy get an interview with Brad Stokes? I want in on this, I mean, Jack wants in on this. Yes! Jack’s the star, not me. I mean, I’m awesome, but Jack’s the one who takes the beatings, so he’s gotta step up for that stuff. Although, I could do the interview as a surrogate for Jack, since Jack doesn’t really like talking to people. *pause* Including me.
Lyle looks off into the distance a moment.
LYLE: Yeah, he doesn’t really like me. It hurts, but I don’t let it show. I just bury it deep down inside until it boils over and I take it out on someone while I’m driving. Good ole road rage...
Lyle’s off in la la land for a moment before looking back at the camera.
LYLE: Oh, what was I saying?
He scratches his head.
LYLE: Yea! Watch the Battle Royal, see if Jack wins, and then challenge him for his prize! It’s a great match that should be booked! If he doesn’t win anything, then you can take him on for PRIDE! Winner gets a free Jack-Face trucker hat!
Backstage we find Cosmo Cooper approaching a cameraman. He tilts his cap to the side as he leans in and asks the man a question.
COSMO COOPER: You wanna go start some shit with me?
The cameraman is silent.
COSMO COOPER: Yeah, I thought so. Let’s ride.
The cameraman follows Cosmo through some hallways and around the corner. They arrive in front of a door with a sign taped on it that reads “CHRIS CALLUM - DO NOT ENTER”, and a translation in Arabic underneath. Cosmo turns to the cameraman.
COSMO COOPER: He’ll go for the eyes if you’re not careful. Or the dick. So be ready, brother.
He holds his fists out, jokingly, as the door opens and a furious Aspen Chaud steps through the doorway. As she closes the door behind her and realizes who the intruder is, she smiles.
COSMO COOPER: Aspen Chaud. You look mighty nice boss lady. But I came to see the boss man.
She speaks to him tersely.
ASPEN CHAUD: He doesn’t want to see you right now.
COSMO COOPER: I just wanted to wish him luck for his match tonight. And since I’m in the main event, and he’s working the undercard, I thought I could give him some tips.
ASPEN CHAUD: I have a tip for you actually. Are you ready to hear it?
He scoffs at the idea. Aspen’s smile grows larger.
ASPEN CHAUD: Don’t challenge a man with the power to change the world. He might just change yours if you aren’t careful.
The Champion understands a threat when he hears one. Cosmo holds up his hands and backs away.
COSMO COOPER: Alright boss lady. I have some advice for you too, ready?
She raises an eyebrow. Cosmo moves in close and speaks quietly.
COSMO COOPER: This isn’t GCW anymore… and you can’t do shit to me.
He backed away once again, yelling.
COSMO COOPER: You hear that Chris?! No gauntlets. No ZACK BURTON. Come at me!
He disappeared around the corner. The cameraman got sight of Aspen as she rolled her eyes and went back through the door to the locker room.
(The Winner will be the #1 Contender to the Apex Championship,
The Runner Up will get a shot at the UnYielding Championship on the next Blitz,
and the 2nd Runner Up will get a future opportunity at the Unleashed Championship)
Julie Miri, Matt King, Jack Dempsey, Kingsley Solomon, Roxi Johnson,
Caroline O'Hara Burchill, Sebastian Conner, Dirk Fredrick Buchanan,
Maurice Yensman, Indi Rhyder, Berlin Anderson, Brenna Gordon,Chris Callum,
The Zombie Clan; Siberia, Kowloon, Fukushima
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is THE RITE OF KINGS BATTLE ROYAL! In order to eliminated a competitor must be sent over the top rope, and both feet must touch the floor. The last surviving person in the ring will be crowned the #1 Contender to the Apex Championship, while the first runner up will be given a shot at the UnYielding Championship on the next Blitz, and the second runner up will receive a future opportunity at the Unleashed Championship.......
'Glitter & Gold' by Barns Courtney, the official theme song of Rite of Kings, hits over the PA System, and the lights begin to flash in gold and silver as the participants in the battle royal begin to make their way past the curtain. First comes Julie Miri, absent her [R]ev Pro Championship for the first time on Valor Pro TV, but she still gets a gracious ovation as she starts down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot seven and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Chicago, Illinois and representing The Conglomerate....THE MOON CHILD...JULIIEEE MIRRIII!!
She's soon followed by Deathrow himself, Matt King, who regards the everyone, including the camera, with a level of disgust.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way down the ramp, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 190 pounds, hailing from the Eastern Boulevard....DEATHROW...MATT KINNGGG!!
The man who defeated King on the last episode of Blitz, Jack Dempsey, is next out, and King glances over his shoulder once he reaches ringside to take note of his adversary. Dempsey smirks as he makes his way down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Next, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 200 pounds, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia....He is SECTION 8.....JACK DEMPSEYYY!!
Just as Dempsey reaches the end of the ramp, the masked gambler, Kingsley Solomon pushes through the curtain throwing his hands over his head and nodding to the crowd as he proceeds towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 220 pounds, hailing from Sin City.....THE GAMBLER...KINGSLEY SOLOMON!
As Solomon continues to spark an interest from the crowd, Caroline O'Hara Burchill makes her way out onto the stage, and the fans really come alive as The New Classic power walks down the ramp with a look of determination on her face.
RING ANNOUNCER: And yet again, standing at five foot four and weighting in at 120 pounds, hailing from Sydney, Australia.....she is THE NEW CLASSIC.....CAROLINE O'HARA BURCHILL!!
The fans give a great ovation for Caroline, but the next competitor that steps out blows the roof of the place. Roxi Johnson skips out onto the stage, bouncing at the top of the ramp while pumping her fist just before rushing down the ramp, running right past Caroline, and belly slides into the ring. The other competitors that have already arrived bristle a bit as she pops up, but she ignores them, stepping over to a corner and taking it as the Ring Announcer tries to catch up.
RING ANNOUNCER: And our next participant, standing at five foot six and weighting in at 132 pounds, hailing from Tampa, Florida.....she is VALOR PRO'S RESIDENT SUPERHERO.....ROXI JOHNSONNN!!
As the crowd continues to cheer, the mood grows a tad somber as Sebastian Conner steps out onto the stage, pausing to take in the crowd and crossing his arms over his chest. He regards them all with an upturned eyebrow, and then laughs before making his way down to the ring, pointing at the other partipants.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 210 pounds, hailing from Vail, Colorado......THE PROFESSIONAL ASSHOLE.....SEBASTIAN CONNERRR!!
The reaction is mixed as Conner rolls into the ring, but turns positive again as the bearded Dirk Buchanan steps out onto the stage wearing a white T-shirt with the words 'Ruby Magic' printed on it in the shape of a beard. He makes his way to the ring while checking the tape on his wrists, the fans giving him a shout.
RING ANNOUNCER: and standing at six foot two and weighting in at 235 pounds, hailing from The Pacific Northwest.....DIRK BUCHANANNN!
And suddenly the cheers turn to boo's as Chris Callum steps out onto the stage, pausing at the top to arrogantly regard the crowd and shake his head in disdain. The boo's continue to pour in as he waves the fans off and makes his way down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: And coming down the ramp, standing at six foot and weighting in at 180 pounds, hailing from Berkeley, California.....He is THE ETERNAL....CHRIS CALLUMMMM!!
The boo's continue to pour as Maurice Yensman pushes past the curtain, getting his arm tied up for a moment, until finally yanking himself free and stumbling out to the top of the stage. He turns a baleful eye back towards the entrance before turning a shit eating grin on the Cairo crowd who point their thumbs down at him. Taking this personally, he proceeds to curse at the Egyptians while making his way to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Standing at six foot and weighting in at 219 pounds, hailing from New York, New York.....he is MAURICE YENSMANNNN!
Like an emotional roller coaster, the fan's boos turn to cheers as Indi Rhyder steps out onto the stage, and Maurice Yensman pauses before entering the ring to look back to see what all the fuss is about. He begins to argue with the fans at ringside over this being someone that they would cheer and not him, as Indi makes her happy-go-lucky skip down towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making her way to the ring, standing at five foot five and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California.....THE BUTTERFLY....INDI RHYDERRR!!
Indi is all smiles when she reaches ringside, but suddenly comes to a stop to regard Yensman who has hands on hips just staring at her. She indicates the ring to him with a gesture, but he just continues to stare in disgust, prompting her to lead by example and slide into the ring, which is filling up with eager competitors ready to get this ball rolling. Suddenly the roof comes off the place once again, and every eye at ringside is drawn to the top of the stage where Berlin Anderson and Brenna Gordon have appeared, arm in arm. Yensman is found shaking his head again in disbelief as the couple make their way down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making their way to the ring, she stands at five foot eight and weights in at 161 pounds, while he stands at five foot eleven and weights in at 182 pounds, both hailing from Ash Tree Lane......BORN OF MYTH..BRENNA GORDON & THE PERPETUAL MOTION MACHINE...BERLIN ANDERSONNN!
For whatever reason, this reaction to Brenna and Berlin is all that Maurice Yensman can stand, and he rushes the two just as the reach the bottom of the ramp. The two react quickly, separating, and catching the Yensman on his approach with a Double Hip Toss that see's him crash against the steel grating of the ramp. Yensman clutches at his lower back in pain while the other superstars in the ring watch the display, and then all hell breaks loose, the squared circle turning into a melee. Matt King and Jack Dempsey go right after one another, hammering away with right hands, while Julie Miri manages to get out of the way of an onrushing Kingsley Solomon who slams chest first into the corner she was just in. When Solomon spins around, Julie is there with forearm shots that drive him further into the turnbuckles. On the other side of the ring, Sebastian Conner and Chris Callum rush in on Roxi Johnson and Caroline O'Hara Burchill who are at the center of the ring, and both women duck their heads. Caroline is successful with her back body drop, sending Sebastian Conner high into the air and down onto his spine. Roxi, however, isn't so lucky, as Callum catches her around the head and drops straight back into a ring rattling DDT. He pops back up to his feet, and is immediately sent crashing to the mat by a surprise Running Drop Kick from Indi Rhyder. Rhyder looks at Caroline, who points behind her, and turns around just in time to be caught in the midsection by a spear from Dirk Buchanan. Instead of putting her down to the mat, he picks her up and continues his momentum right for Caroline, who tries to dive out of the way but is caught all the same and all three crash to the canvas in a heap.
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! EVERYTHING HAS BROKE DOWN HERE IN THE COVERED HALL, AND BODIES ARE FLAILING AND FLYING!
KO: YEAH, AND I DON'T EVEN THINK EVERYONE IN THIS MATCH HAS EVEN MADE IT OUT HERE YET!
As if Kenneth Othello was a profit, the Big Screen over the stage comes alive with the sounds and sights of marching Zombies, and seconds later The Zombie Clan steps out onto the stage in force. The fans go crazy at the action happening at the ring, and the potential of this unit entering the fray. Fukushima and Kowloon exchange glances, and then look to Siberia who stands at their center. She lets out a war cry just before sprinting down the ramp right for Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson. Maurice Yensman has only a second to look up and see the herd of Zombies coming, and he rolls quickly to the side and off the ramp and onto his feet. He isn't out of danger yet, as Fukushima dives right off the ramp into a Rolling Senton that catches him flush and wipes both of them out on the concrete floor. Berlin and Brenna meet Siberia and Kowloon head on at the base of the ramp, fists and feet flying while the action picks back up in the ring.
Julie Miri hears the crash of bodies behind her as Dirk Buchanan tries to get to his feet after the double spear on Indi and Caroline, and Julie takes Solomon by the wrist and whips him right for the man. Buchanan appears surprised as Solomon is, who quickly accepts his fate, and turns the momentum into a Diving Cross Body. Dirk is sent tumbling backwards, landing on a rising Burchill and Rhyder, crushing them into the mat. Solomon quickly gets to his feet, and just barely has time to dive out of the way of an oncoming Matt King, who was whipped to the far side by Dempsey. Jack follows after him with a build up of speed, and just when Solmon rights himself, his eyes go wide in his mask as his skull is removed from it's shoulders thanks to a Clothesline From Hell. At about the same time King returns from his trip to the ropes, and Jack continues his momentum, nailing him with one as well.
LO: GOOD GOD! DEMPSEY JUST DESTROYED BOTH KINGSLEY SOLOMON AND MATT KING....
KO: YEAH, AND THEN HE TURNS AROUND TO CATCH A DIVING SOMERSAULT SENTON FROM JULIE MIRI OFF THE BACKS OF CAROLINE O'HARA BURCHILL AND INDI RHYDER!
LO: Now they are all wiped out!
Roxi Johnson had been pulled up by Chris Callum and pushed into a corner before the melee that just took place could take place, and he currently works to try and force the much smaller competitor over the top rope. Unfortunately, his focus is such, that he doesn't see Sebastian Conner coming in from behind him with a forearm smash. Callum lurches forwards, and Roxi grabs on to keep from going over, inadvertantly pulling Chris out with her onto the apron. Conner, seeing this golden opportunity to eliminate both, takes a few steps back and rushes at the duo. Roxi, like something out of Spiderman, grips the top rope with one hand while throwing her foot up to kick an approaching Callum in the head which knocks him back while she pivots off his skull to bring that same foot around to slam off of Conner's face. Subsequently she lands back inside the ring, where she hops up to the second turnbuckle, and dives off onto a stunned Sebastian with a Missle Dropkick. Callum wipes spittle from the corner of his mouth where he just got pegged, and with a new determination steps back into the ring after the Superhero.
LO: Crazy Matrix like moves out of Valor Pro's Resident Superhero, and now the fight on the outside has finally come off the ramp and down to ringside....OH! Looks like Maurice was able to slam Fukushima's skull off the ramp before he worked her over by the steps!
KO: Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson are holding their own against Siberia and Kowloon Zombie, but it doesn't seem like they have any designs to get in the ring...
LO: How the hell can you when someone is trying to beat on you, Ken?
Yensman drags Fukushima by the hair of the head, and flings her into the ring apron where she strikes her back hard and slides down to a seated position. He turns around just in time to catch a stray elbow from Kowloon that knocks him to the floor, while the big man drives that hand forward to try and take Berlin Anderson's head off. The parkour expert deftly ducks under the punch and Kowloon stumbles past him, and when he swings around he's surprise to see that Anderson is balancing on the guard rail before diving off and hooking the man around the head with his legs, flipping him over with a Head Scissors Takeover! Just to the side of them Brenna Gordon has managed to knock Siberia back a step up the ramp, but as she moves in to pursue she's caught right under the chin with a High Front Kick that snaps her head back first, and then her body follows.
In the ring, Roxi Johnson turns from Conner to see Callum coming back into the ring with evil intent, and she rushes right for the man to cut him off. The move is telegraphed, giving him plenty of time to drop his head, and send the Superhero flying, literally, right up and over the top rope to come crashing down on a feuding Maurice Yensman, Brenna Gordon, Berlin Anderson, and Zombie Clan. The crew wipes out with Roxi landing squarely on Kowloon's chest, with one foot sitting on Gordon, while the other rests on Yensman. When the referee's round the corner, they see this, and they signal that amazingly, an elimination has yet to occur.
LO: Even Roxi Johnson can't believe that one, and Chris Callum is stunned as well.
KO: Hell, wouldn't you be, Laur. That Superhero aura around Roxi must come with a luck stone!
Callum shakes his head in disbelief, and turns around just in time to take a forearm to the jaw by Julie Miri which knocks him up against the ropes. She whips him hard to the opposite side, and as Caroline and Indi try to rise, they hear him coming, so they both drop flat to force him to hope over them. He rebounds off the ropes as the two pop up to their feet, and catch him with a double Hip Toss that sends him skidding across the mat. The two reluctant partners look to one another in satisfaction, and then concerned expressions give each other a tell, as they suddenly pull each other down to their knees. An instant later Kinsgley Solomon and Dirk Buchanan collide with double clotheslines that take both men off their feet in either direction. The two ladies, still gripping one another, help the other to their feet just as Matt King sends Jack Dempsey stumbling back in their direction. They part like the red sea as Dempsey nearly trips over Buchanan and Solomon at his feet, but the ropes stop him from hitting the mat. King's upper lip curls into a snarl, and he rushes at the man, intent on making the first elimination and finding some vengeance for his loss last show. Unfortunately for him, just as he reaches his target, Jack drops to have a seat, pulling the top rope with him. King's eyes go wide as he tumbles right up and over the top rope to land unceremoniously on the floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: MATT KING HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Just about the time that King dumps over to his doom, Roxi Johnson manages to get her feet under her...right on Kowloon Zombie's chest. The woman wobbles a bit as The Zombie comes out of his stupor, and she shakes her head 'No' as he swipes at her with his bear like paw. This forces her to take a step forwards and to her left, right onto Maurice Yensman, who yells up at the woman as she passes into her next step onto Fukushima Zombie. The horror lover hisses and claws at the woman's legs as she manages to grab the middle rope, and pull herself up onto the apron.
LO: THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! ROXI JOHNSON WITH CAT LIKE GRACE JUST MANAGED TO CRAWL ACROSS THREE OTHER SUPERSTARS TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE APRON!
KO: AND SHE JUST WALKED INTO A MASSIVE CLOTHESLINE FROM A CREEPING SEBASTIAN CONNER THAT JUST TOOK HER HEAD OFF!
LO: She's hanging onto the bottom rope, though, and for the second time in this match manages to save herself from elimination by rolling under and back into the ring!
Conner reigns down stomps into the side of Roxi's ribs, and she latches onto the bottom rope as she weathers the assault. Meanwhile, Indi Rhyder and Caroline Burchill watch as Desmpey pulls himself up to his feet, and the two women having luck working together so far, continue the trend by clasping hands and rushing right for the man with a Double Clothesline. Jack's eyes go wide like a cartoon character, and he rushes forward into a tuck and roll, moving between them before coming up to his feet after they pass. Right into a Jumping Heel Kick from Julie Miri that sends Dempsey back into the waiting arms of Burchill and Rhyder, who slip their heads under his arms, and lift him up and over the top rope to a sure elimination. Or was it? as Jack manages to grab the top rope on his way, flipping all the way back and over to land with both feet on the apron. Indi and Caroline spin around to take a forearm and a headbutt that sends them stumbling back, but once the immediate danger is over, Dempsey looks up to see Miri rushing right at him. He grits his teeth and prepares to be launched from the ring apron, but is shocked instead when Chris Callum trips her up with a Drop Toe Hold that sends her face first into the canvas. Dempsey says something to the sky with a grin, slipping back into the ring.
LO: Even a guy like Dempsey realizes what a Godsend that interruption to Julie Miri's attack was by Callum...
KO: Guy might be a proper asshole, but he's no fool...
The six competitors on the outside have managed to get back to their feet after the Roxi Johnson fiasco and have resumed their Melee just below the ring, but the dance partners have changed. Maurice Yensman is driven back into the guardrail by palm strikes provided by the Siberian Buzzsaw, and he tries his best to cover up as her feet start catching up with her fists. Meanwhile, Kowloon takes three hard shots from Brenna Gordon before roaring, grabbing the woman by the throat and the thigh, and then lifts her high over his head. Anderson knocks Fukushima away from him in concern, but before he can aide his lady friend she's tossed over the top rope, but into the ring instead of out of it. Anderson snarls and rushes at Kowloon, but he's cut off by Fukushima who buries her shoulder into his midsection and runs him spine first into the steel ring post. Kowloon nods to Fuki, and the two climb into the ring.
LO: The Zombie Clan have finally entered this contest....well, two of them at least...
KO: Yeah, and Berlin Anderson took a nasty shot to the ring post before they did.
Roxi is pulled up to her feet by Conner, but is immediately waylaid by Kowloon and Fuki, dragging him off of Johnson and driving him to the mat where they lay unmerciful boots to him much as he had the Superhero. Finally finding some reprieve, Roxi looks around the ring, and sees Kingsley Solomon struggling to try and get Dirk Buchanan out of the ring. The two had made it back to their feet and exchanged blows that took them to the nearby ropes, and at some point Solomon had lifted Buchanan into a hotshot across the top. Now he worked to try and push the man from The Pacific Northwest over the ropes for an elimination. Roxi rushes past where Callum sits on top of Miri and tries to pound her brains in, and past Indi and Caroline, who converged on Dempsey once he got back into the ring, and catches up with Solomon to reach down and give a great heave, dumping both men over the top rope.
RING ANNOUNCER: KINGSLEY SOLOMON AND DIRK BUCHANAN HAVE BOTH BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kingsley comes up, his masked face staring up with hands outspread as Roxi waves both men goodbye. Solomon shakes his head in disgust, and just when he turns to walk away is caught by a right hand from Dirk, who screams at him that this was all his fault. The two men brawl towards the exit until Security comes out to separate them and drag them both away.
LO: Roxi Johnson upset those men’s dreams here tonight, and now looks to go back on the hunt…
KO: Yeah, but there’s still a lot of dangerous players left in this thing.....AND THERE GOES ONE RIGHT NOW!
Chris Callum gets to his feet dragging Julie Miri with him, talking some smack as he goes, and runs the woman straight for the ropes to try and toss her out. Julie, however, manages to hook the top as he manhandles her over the top rope, and Callum turns back to the center of the ring with hands overhead in premature victory. Miri hangs from the ropes for a few seconds, before swinging both legs back up and over, skinning the cat. Julie rushes in at Callum from behind and grips him by the head as she goes, and Roxi slides out of the way as Miri tries to do what had been done to her. The larger Callum manages to put on the brakes against the top rope, and just as it looks like he’s about to fight back out, Roxi Johnson joins Miri. The two women beat The Eternal down, and then resume to try and get him out of the ring as he latches onto the ropes.
Brenna Gordon gets to her feet, watching the action unfold all around her, she being left alone for a brief reprieve. She contemplates heading over to help Johnson and Miri get rid of Callum, and also Rhyder and Burchill who have Jack Dempsey halfway out of the ring as well, barely holding onto the ring post to keep himself from being eliminated. She then turns her attention to Kowloon and Fukushima as they continue to lay the boots to Sebastian Conner, when suddenly something catches the corner of her eye.
At some point Maurice Yensman had managed to get out from under the furious feet of Siberia Zombie, an eye poke, if truth be told, and had knocked her around against various surfaces on the outside. He was currently banging her skull off the steel steps, when suddenly two hands plunge into his hair from inside the ring, and with a shocked expression he finds himself being drug into the ring. Yensman gets to his feet in a huff, turning to see who this would be attacker is, only to find that Gordon had backpedaled a few steps, and was now charging right for him. She soars into the air, hooking him around the neck as she goes, and snaps him hard down to the mat with a sickening looking Sling Blade.
LO: RIP TIDE TO YENSMAN!
KO: Damn, she dropped him like a two dollar hooker!
Brenna looks pretty pleased with herself when she pops up, but then runs into something as she steps away to survey the damage. When she turns around she finds Kowloon Zombie looming over her, Fukushima peeking out from behind his huge frame. Sebastian Conner lays properly beaten down in the corner where they left them. Brenna sighs heavily and shrugs, just before she drives a right hand into the Big Man’s face. Kowloon’s head snaps around, and it slowly turns back to Brenna who raises her eyebrow in surprise. She moves to hit the Zombie again, but this time finds her fist caught in his mitt like hand, and just when he grabs her around the throat to respond, Fukushima screams at him before diving out of the way herself.
LO: BERLIN ANDERSON JUST VAULTED UP TO THE APRON, UP TO THE TOP ROPE, AND COMPLETED LIKE FIVE SPINS BEFORE DRIVING INTO KOWLOON ZOMBIE LIKE A TOP!
KO: Now Brenna Gordon is helping her lover to his feet, and DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE TO FUKUSHIMA WHO RAN BACK IN TO HELP!
While the Zombies taste the boots of a rival tag team, Indi Rhyder and Caroline Burchill abandon trying to get Jack Dempsey out of the ring at this time, and instead pull him out from the corner where they Double Suplex down to the center of the ring. Both ladies get to their feet and give a curt nod as they reach down and pull Jack up to his feet. He surprises both of them when he throws their hands away from him, and suddenly grips both by the hair of the head and rams their skulls together. Indi falls one way as Caroline falls another, and he stumbles forwards to fall to one knee against the middle rope. The two women had done a number on him for what felt like forever, and this was his first chance to catch his breath. No rest for the wicked, however, as when he looks across the ring he sees Sebastian Conner slinking out of the corner away from the Zombies and Gordon & Anderson.
LO: Jack Dempsey finally caught some separation from the beating he was taking at the hands of Indi and Caroline, but now he looks to be plotting something for Conner…
KO: Sebastian is a little out of it himself thanks to The Zombie Clan, but against those ropes isn’t where he wants to be!
Dempsey rises slowly and rolls his shoulder just before charging right for Conner who looks up in time to see the danger coming. Just as Dempsey makes it to the center of the ring, a blur slides in from the outside, and suddenly Siberia Zombie is there, and so is her lethal foot as it swings upwards and takes Jack’s skull clean off. Dempsey hits the canvas clutching at his already broken nose, and Conner gives a chuckle, which draws Siberia’s eye. Sebastian mirth dies in his throat, and he snarls before lunging forward, right into a Superkick from the Siberian Buzzsaw that launches him backwards against the top rope, where his own momentum carries him up and over to land on his feet on the floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: SEBASTIAN CONNER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
One hand slams the apron while the other clutches at his jaw, and Conner curses everyone and everything as he’s shown to the back by the referees. Siberia smirks all the way up until she turns around comes face to face with Indi Rhyder and Caroline O’Hara Burchill. The three women stare at each other like it’s a Mexican standoff, everyone’s fingers twitching over their triggers. Just when it looks like all three are about to make their move, they wiped out by the sudden appearance of Roxi Johnson as she moonsaults her way into the center of them.
LO: TAKE FLIGHT FROM ROXI AND THEY ALL DROP LIKE PINS AT THE BOWLING ALLY!
KO: I can’t keep up with this action, Laur! When did Chris Callum get out from under Roxi and Julie?
LO: I don’t know, Ken, but it’s Callum now who just scooped up Miri and is trying to send her out, but The Moon Child is holding onto the top rope and putting up a struggle!
Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson deliver a double dropkick to Fukushima that sends her like a shotgun blast into the nearby corner where she slumps so that only the top rope is holding her up. They then turn their attention to the slow rising Kowloon, who appears to have bumped his head when Anderson took him out earlier with that impressive dive. Brenna Gordon rushes right for him, leaping into a Cross Body to try and take him back off his feet, but to her surprise it’s like hitting a brick wall. Before she can hit the ground large arms reach out to catch her, and Kowloon holds her cradled to his chest, giving a concerned Berlin a vengeful look. Anderson looks to Brenna, who gives him a nod, and with a determined face he charges at Kowloon and throws both boots out for a Falling Drop Kick that knocks him back with Gordon in tow. What neither superstar could have anticipated was that Kowloon would hit the top rope, and rather than topple over and be eliminated, that he would instead turn that momentum into a Fall Away Slam on Brenna, that sends her sailing out to crash in the front row.
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!
KO: TALK ABOUT ELIMINATING THE COMPETITION!
LO: Kowloon Zombie may have just killed Brenna Gordon, and Berlin Anderson helped!
KO: Yeah, and look at that guy’s face…..he’s almost beside himself!
RING ANNOUNCER: BRENNA GORDON HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kowloon gives Berlin a sneer before bouncing against the rope one more time for some spring, and barreling right at him for a meaty clothesline. Anderson ducks it and rushes the ropes himself, springing back like a bullet into Parafuso Kick!
LO: MOSTLY VOID PARTIALLY STARS UPSIDE KOWLOON ZOMBIE’S SKULL, AND THE MAN JUST CRUMPLED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: Anderson still looks livid despite the killing blow, BUT HE DOESN’T GET A CHANCE TO FOLLOW UP CAUSE MAURICE YENSMAN JUST NAILED HIM FROM BEHIND WITH THE LIBERTY SPEAR!
Anderson clutches at his spine as Yensman rolls away from him, taking the moment to sit against the bottom turnbuckle of the nearest corner for a breather. Meanwhile, across the ring, Chris Callum opens up with chops to Julie Miri, and then gets a fistful of hair as he rushes the woman along the ropes to ram her skull right into Fukushima’s, who was still occupying the space at the time. He yanks Fukushima out of the corner to fall on her knees near the ropes, and then pushes Julie in, slipping his head under her arm and then lifting her up so that she now sits on the top turnbuckle. The Eternal takes a step back and then leaps back in with a Haymaker Right that sends Miri reeling, just barely able to grab the top rope to keep from pitching over to the floor. He grins as he rares back to deliver another one, but his arm is suddenly hooked from behind, and before he knows what’s going on, he finds himself pulled towards the ropes and tied up into a Tarantula Submission by Fukushima!
LO: CHRIS CALLUM IS ALL TIED UP IN THE ROPES WHILE JULIE MIRI JUST RIGHTED HERSELF ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE…
KO: Forget about that! Roxi Johnson and Jack Dempsey are firing off on one another on the other side of the ring, and it looks like Dempsey has the upperhand!
LO: He shoves Roxi up against the ropes and she bounces back…Boot to the midsection….DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DDT!
KO: Dempsey getting to his feet, and he looks quite proud of himself…AND INDI RHYDER SHOOTS PAST HIM AND HOOKS HIM AROUND THE HEAD AS SHE GOES! RUNS UP THE ROPES AND FLIPS BACKWARDS INTO A SHIRANUI!
LO: INDI’S CIRCUIT! MY GOD!
KO: Wait…Caroline is up as well…what is she doing? SHE’S GOING UP TOP! THAT’S SUICIDE!
LO: Well She’s made it without incident….AND DOUBLE FOOT STOMP DOWN ONTO DEMPSEY!
KO: IMPENDING OVERTHROW!
LO: Caroline and Indi now working together again to get Dempsey up, and THERE THE GO TO THROW HIM OVER THE TOP!
KO: HE HOOKED THE MIDDLE ROPE ON THE WAY DOWN AND CAUGHT HIS LEG ON THE APRON!
LO: ONLY ONE FOOT HAS TOUCHED, AND NOW INDI AND CAROLINE ARE WORKING TO TRY AND GET HIS FINGERS LOOSE!
KO: MAURICE YENSMAN FROM BEHIND! HE’S TRYING TO DUMP ALL THREE!
Elbows fire back into Maurice’s face from Caroline and Indi, and he drops back a step as the two women turn their attention to him. He finds himself tripping over a rising Roxi Johnson, like something out of the Three Stooges, and now on his ass he starts scooting towards the center of the ring. He spins up to his feet to go the other direction when he’s caught with a Superkick from Siberia Zombie, who had just kipped up to her feet. The momentum is short lived, as Siberia is caught right in the back of the head by a Single Leg Dropkick by a flying Miri, finally abandoning her dangerous position from the top turnbuckle.
At the same time this happens, Berlin Anderson and Kowloon Zombie are back on their feet on the far side of the ring directly across from where Chris Callum is being ravaged by Fukushima in the Tarantula. To everyone’s surprise, Anderson has the upperhand in a bout of fist-o-cuffs, Kowloon’s bell still obviously rung after taking one of his finishers. Berlin takes the Zombie by the wrist and whips him to the far side, but it’s reversed, sending The Perpetual Motion Machine instead. As he thunders across the ring, right for Callum, he springs off his feet into a low drop kick that catches The Eternal right in the face, and subsequently knocks Fukushima loose, sending her crashing in an awkward manner to the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: FUKUSHIMA ZOMBIE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kowloon lets out an animalistic roar and rushes for Berlin, and by proxy, Callum, who fell back towards the ring when the blow came from Anderson. Roxi, Caroline, and Indi watch as Kowloon bares down on Berlin with massive blows, and the three women give one another a knowing glance just before they charge over and dive onto the Big Man.
LO: Looks like Roxi has joined the team of Indi and Caroline, and all three women now trying to beat on Kowloon while Berlin slips under the bottom rope out of the ring…
KO: Yeah, and Jack Dempsey has wisely slid over into an abandoned corner on the other side of the ring to recover from that near elimination from earlier, while Julie Miri now pulls up a dazed Siberia Zombie!
LO: And look at Yensman…he’s trying to crawl out from between them to the safety of the ropes….
Maurice Yensman reaches the ropes at about the same time that Julie whips Siberia into the closest corner. She rushes in on the woman, looking to crush her with a lariat, but instead eats the soles of the Zombie’s boots as she throws both feet up. Julie begs off in surprise and Siberia fires up, coming out of the corner like a madwoman, chopping and kicking, ending the flurry with a Back Heel Trip that puts Julie on her back. Suddenly she hears movement from behind, and it’s Yensman, rushing in for another Liberty Spear. Much to his surprise The Siberian Buzzsaw leaps into the air with legs spread like a cheerleader, leapfrogging him as he passes harmlessly under her and over Julie. He rolls up to his feet, and spins around just in time to take a running clothesline from Siberia that sends him right up and over the top rope to the concrete below.
RING ANNOUNCER: MAURICE YENSMAN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
LO: Big elimination from Siberia Zombie, and the ring is starting to dwindle down…OH! JULIE MIRI IN ON ZOMBIE FROM BEHIND, TRYING TO PUT HER OVER!
KO: ZOMBIE’S HOLDING ONTO THE APRON FOR DEAR LIFE, DANGLING UPSIDE DOWN….HERE COMES DEMPSEY FROM BEHIND ON MIRI, AND DUMPS BOTH LADIES OVER THE TOP ROPE!
LO: NO! SIBERIA IS STILL HANGING ON, BUT JULIE IS OUT OF HERE!
RING ANNOUNCER: JULIE MIRI HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
KO: Dempsey is trying to push Zombie off the apron, and that would be another feather in his cap in this Battle Royal…
LO: Yeah, but Siberia is as tenacious as they come…she was able to get a knee under her, and SHOULDER THRUST through the rope begs Dempsey off…and Siberia is back in the ring…
KO: Roxi, Caroline, and Indi have Kowloon up in the corner, and he’s all but laying across the top turnbuckle with his hand gripping the ring post to keep from being thrown..Callum is finally back on is feet now, AND BUZZSAW LIKE KICK RIGHT TO THE FACE SENDS THE ETERNAL FALLING BACK!
LO: He just bumped into Caroline, who shoves him away…BUT THAT’S ALL THAT KOWLOON NEEDED!
The Big Man, now with one leg free, swings that foot around to strike Roxi Johnson in the side of the head, and then brings it back around to catch Caroline. She begs off, leaving only Indi Rhyder to try and keep the Zombie in the compromised position, but he simply slides himself off the turnbuckle and onto his feet, gripping her around the head to deliver a massive headbutt. Just as Siberia turns her attention from her partner’s freedom march her eyes go wide as a forgotten Berlin Anderson leaps from the ropes and catches her around the head, and then Hurricanrana’s her to the mat. As soon as he pops up to his feet he is clocked from behind by a Clothesline From Hell from Dempsey that sends him rushing into the top rope where he bounces forward on his sternum and then down to the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: BERLIN ANDERSON HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kowloon grips Indi by the throat as he forces her out of the corner, and as Caroline rushes back in, he catches her around the throat as well. The fans come to their feet as he pulls them in close and lifts them up for a Double Chokeslam, but before he gets the chance, Roxi Johnson rushes past him, leaps to the second rope, and then springboards around into a devastating disaster kick.
LO: RAY OF HOPE RIGHT TO THE FACE OF KOWLOON WHO DROPS RHYDER AND BURCHILL AND IS NOW STAGGERING BACK TO THE ROPES!
KO: THE THREE WOMEN LOOK TO ONE ANOTHER…AND THEY ARE SAYING IT’S TIME….AND ALL THREE RUSH KOWLOON!
LO: ZOMBIE JUST DROPPED AND TOOK THE TOP ROPE WITH HIM! CAROLINE AND INDI JUST TUMBLED TO THE OUTSIDE, BUT ROXI WAS ABLE TO SAVE HERSELF ON THE APRON!
RING ANNOUNCER: INDI RHYDER AND CAROLINE O’HARA BURCHILL HAVE BOTH BEEN ELIMINATED!
Roxi pulls with all her might to get her lower body back under her, and her expression is one of relief. That is until Chris Callum explodes from the mat, having lain so still during the hulking Kowloon’s comeback that most had forgotten he was there, and throws his Boot forward to connect with Johnson’s shocked face. She flies from the apron like a person being ejected from the front seat during a car crash, and lands in a heap on the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: ROXI JOHNSON HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
KO: My God, Laur…We’re in the Final Four, and it’s the debuting Chris Callum and the newbie Jack Dempsey….AND THE ZOMBIE CLAN!
LO: One of these individuals is our next #1 Contender to the Apex Championship, and at least two more will get other Championship opportunities down the line…
KO: One of those on the very next Blitz!
Chris Callum falls back into the nearby corner to survey the battlefield, battered and bruised, and breathing heavily. Jack Dempsey gets to his feet and falls into the opposite corner, while in the center of the ring, a bloody lipped Kowloon grabs for Siberia to help her up to her feet. The crowd becomes electric as the tension builds, the two Zombie Clan members getting back to back while their opponents watch on from their respective areas of the ring to formulate a plan of attack.
Suddenly Callum rushes right for The Zombies, Siberia being the one that’s facing his way, and she rushes out to meet him. Seeing this, and seeing the momentary distraction as Kowloon looks over his shoulder, Dempsey rushes for the big man. Siberia and Callum meet head on, rights and lefts swinging, as Kowloon steps forwards to take a swipe at Dempsey who baseball slides right between his legs. Kowloon tries to turn around, but instead takes a headbutt to the groin for his trouble. He grabs at himself as he falls back against the ropes, and Dempsey pushes up to his feet and follows him in with right hands.
LO: Low Blow by Dempsey to Kowloon and it has the Big Man reeling, while Callum and Siberia trade hands…
KO: I know Chris Callum probably did his homework, but does he really want to go blow for blow against someone known as The Siberian Buzzsaw?
LO: Apparently he didn’t get the memo, as Siberia has now started sneaking in those educated feet of hers!
KO: Siberia Zombie knocking Callum back towards the ropes, and OH! SHE JUST PULLED HIS HEAD DOWN RIGHT INTO A LEAPING KNEE STRIKE JUST UNDER THE CHIN!
Callum falls back against the ropes, his arms draping over the top, and as he goes further down, they somehow get hooked around the middle, to where he is now trapped against the ropes. A grim determination settles over Siberia’s face, and she begins shoot kicking the man in his chest, and there is nothing he can do about it.
On the other side of the ring Dempsey has the big man on the ropes, literally, his back draped across the top rope, legs in the air, and he can feel his greatest asset slowly but surely working against him as Jack presses his advantage. He cries out to Siberia, and the woman’s head suddenly snaps in their direction, a welcome reprieve for Callum who slumps seemingly unconscious.
Seeing her partner in dire straights, Siberia abandons The Eternal and rushes across the ring, launching herself so that as her knee finds Dempsey’s kidney, her arms wrap around Kowloon’s feet, teetering back into the ring. Dempsey spins around to take on this new threat, and catches a roundhouse kick to the gut for his efforts, doubling him over. Siberia grabs Dempsey by the seat of his pants and by the scruff of his neck, and rushes him right for the still trapped Callum for a collision.
LO: OH! Dempsey and Callum strike skulls, but the impact finally frees Chris from the ropes to fall to a seated position…
KO: Dempsey clutching the top of his head as he stumbles back around, and THERE’S KOWLOON WITH A GRIP AROUND HIS THROAT! CHOKE SLAM!
LO: The Zombie Clan is dominating as Siberia steps back over to Callum and pulls him up to his feet against the ropes…..SHE’S DIRECTING TRAFFIC!
Siberia signals for Kowloon to send the man over the ropes while she holds him in place, and he nods tiredly, building up a head of steam before rushing right for him. Suddenly Callum breaks free of The Buzzsaw’s grasp, and at the last second yanks her into the oncoming path of her freight train like partner while he falls back out of the way. Kowloon bowls right over Siberia, sending her up and over the rope to crash against the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: SIBERIA ZOMBIE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
LO: OH MY GOD! KOWLOON JUST ELIMINATED HIS OWN TEAMMATE!
KO: AND HE KNOW’S IT TOO, LAUR! JUST LOOK AT HIS FACE!
Kowloon looks shocked, angry, and sorry all at the same time, his hands thrusting up into his hair as he damn near pulls it out. He shakes his head in disbelief, slowly turning towards where Chris Callum fell, and is waylayed by an oncoming Dempsey and his Single Leg Dropkick to the face. Kowloon hits the top rope and flips over it to crash land right beside Siberia Zombie.
RING ANNOUNCER: KOWLOON ZOMBIE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED, BUT HE WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UNLEASHED CHAMPIONSHIP!
LO: MY GOD! THE ZOMBIE CLAN HAVE BEEN DEPOSED!
KO: IT’S DOWN TO CHRIS CALLUM AND JACK DEMPSEY!
Dempsey spins up to his feet, just in time to duck an oncoming clothesline from The Eternal, eager to press the advantage. The two men separate for a moment after that, doggedly taking in breath, and staring across the ring at one another. They begin to circle, slowly, because after everything they had been through to get to this point, that’s all they could muster.
LO: Jack and Chris move in on each other, and JACK WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE SWING!
KO: CALLUM DUCKS IT! Jack spins around, and BOOT TO THE MIDSECTION..TUCK OF THE HEAD…AND NOW IN POWERBOMB POSITION!
LO: THE ETERNAL RUNNING RIGHT FOR THE ROPES TO TRY AND PUT DEMPSEY OUT…BUT DEMPSEY PUSHES OFF AND SLIDES DOWN HIS BACK TO LAND ON HIS FEET!
KO: Chris Callum spins around now, and DEMPSEY GOES FOR ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL BUT CHRIS DUCKS IT!
LO: Jack Dempsey running all up on the ropes, and damn near eliminated himself….turns around AND CHRIS CALLUM WITH A CLOTHESLINE THAT SENDS DEMPSEY UP AND OVER!
KO: HE HOOKED THE ROPE LAUR!! HE LANDED ON THE APRON…
Callum reaches for Dempsey, but the man known as Section 8 hooks him around the head, and drops to a seated position, yanking him up and over the top rope. For a moment it looks like Callum is going to be eliminated, but a last second shift in mid drop puts him in a seated position on the edge of the ring. He quickly spins on his butt to come up to a knee, and both he and Dempsey rise to their feet at the same time..
LO: These two men are only one slip away from elimination, balancing on the edge of the ring…AND OH! DEMPSEY WITH A SWIFT KICK TO CALLUM’S KNEE DROPS HIM DOWN!
KO: Dempsey backing up to the ring post, calling for Callum to get to his feet….BICYCLE KICK…NO! WAIT! CALLUM DUCKS AND GRABS THE INSIDE OF DEMPSEY’S KNEE….HE’S ON ONE LEG LAUR!
Dempsey is unbalanced, and it’s clear on his face this wasn’t part of the plan when he went for one of his favorite signature maneuvers. Time seems to stand still as Dempsey bounces precariously on one leg, his other being held aloft by a lowered Chris Callum, both just barely fitting on the ring apron in such a position. Jack and Callum share a glance between Jack’s legs, and then there’s a wink from The Eternal, an ‘Oh Shit’ from Dempsey, and then an uppercut from Chris right into his opponent’s undercarriage.
Dempsey cries out in pain and grabs with both hands for his crotch just as Callum releases his hold on the back of his knee. Section 8 falls over like a tree, some of the fans in the front row even chanting ‘Timber’. He hits the concrete floor as Chris dumps himself through the ropes and back into the ring, and the bell sounds out.
RING ANNOUNCER: JACK DEMPSEY HAS BEEN ELIMINATED, BUT WILL FACE THE UNYIELDING CHAMPION AT THE NEXT BLITZ….WHICH MEANS….YOUR WINNER, AND NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE APEX CHAMPIONSHIP…..THE ETERNAL, CHRIS CALLUMMMM!!
LO: OH MY GOD! CHRIS CALLUM IS THE NEW #1 CONTENDER IN HIS DEBUT MATCH!
KO: He told everyone, Laur! He couldn’t have made it anymore clear! He was here to take from those who had taken from him, and never even had the decency to say Thank You!
LO: He called out The Zombie Clan! He called out Cosmo! And now, he is on a collision course with The Apex!
KO: But who will wear the crown after tonight?
LO: I don’t know, Ken. We’ll have to find out what happens in our Main Event!
Aspen Chaud rushes down the ramp and climbs the steps to slip through the ropes and come to her client’s aide. Callum reaches weak fingers to touch Aspen’s face, and she nods, forcing him into a seated position. The crowd, uncertain whether to cheer what they’d just seen, or boo, opt out for a mixture of both as the former head honcho of the CWC is helped to his feet. Callum, almost as if for the first time realizing that he’s won, starts to nod and flash a grin as Aspen steps back and claps, sharing in the glory. The camera focuses on a wide angle of the ring, as Chris Callum takes a turnbuckle and rubs it in the Egyptian crowds face as to why exactly he is called Eternal, before cutting backstage.
'Glitter & Gold' by Barns Courtney, the official theme song of Rite of Kings, hits over the PA System, and the lights begin to flash in gold and silver as the participants in the battle royal begin to make their way past the curtain. First comes Julie Miri, absent her [R]ev Pro Championship for the first time on Valor Pro TV, but she still gets a gracious ovation as she starts down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot seven and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Chicago, Illinois and representing The Conglomerate....THE MOON CHILD...JULIIEEE MIRRIII!!
She's soon followed by Deathrow himself, Matt King, who regards the everyone, including the camera, with a level of disgust.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way down the ramp, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 190 pounds, hailing from the Eastern Boulevard....DEATHROW...MATT KINNGGG!!
The man who defeated King on the last episode of Blitz, Jack Dempsey, is next out, and King glances over his shoulder once he reaches ringside to take note of his adversary. Dempsey smirks as he makes his way down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Next, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 200 pounds, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia....He is SECTION 8.....JACK DEMPSEYYY!!
Just as Dempsey reaches the end of the ramp, the masked gambler, Kingsley Solomon pushes through the curtain throwing his hands over his head and nodding to the crowd as he proceeds towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 220 pounds, hailing from Sin City.....THE GAMBLER...KINGSLEY SOLOMON!
As Solomon continues to spark an interest from the crowd, Caroline O'Hara Burchill makes her way out onto the stage, and the fans really come alive as The New Classic power walks down the ramp with a look of determination on her face.
RING ANNOUNCER: And yet again, standing at five foot four and weighting in at 120 pounds, hailing from Sydney, Australia.....she is THE NEW CLASSIC.....CAROLINE O'HARA BURCHILL!!
The fans give a great ovation for Caroline, but the next competitor that steps out blows the roof of the place. Roxi Johnson skips out onto the stage, bouncing at the top of the ramp while pumping her fist just before rushing down the ramp, running right past Caroline, and belly slides into the ring. The other competitors that have already arrived bristle a bit as she pops up, but she ignores them, stepping over to a corner and taking it as the Ring Announcer tries to catch up.
RING ANNOUNCER: And our next participant, standing at five foot six and weighting in at 132 pounds, hailing from Tampa, Florida.....she is VALOR PRO'S RESIDENT SUPERHERO.....ROXI JOHNSONNN!!
As the crowd continues to cheer, the mood grows a tad somber as Sebastian Conner steps out onto the stage, pausing to take in the crowd and crossing his arms over his chest. He regards them all with an upturned eyebrow, and then laughs before making his way down to the ring, pointing at the other partipants.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 210 pounds, hailing from Vail, Colorado......THE PROFESSIONAL ASSHOLE.....SEBASTIAN CONNERRR!!
The reaction is mixed as Conner rolls into the ring, but turns positive again as the bearded Dirk Buchanan steps out onto the stage wearing a white T-shirt with the words 'Ruby Magic' printed on it in the shape of a beard. He makes his way to the ring while checking the tape on his wrists, the fans giving him a shout.
RING ANNOUNCER: and standing at six foot two and weighting in at 235 pounds, hailing from The Pacific Northwest.....DIRK BUCHANANNN!
And suddenly the cheers turn to boo's as Chris Callum steps out onto the stage, pausing at the top to arrogantly regard the crowd and shake his head in disdain. The boo's continue to pour in as he waves the fans off and makes his way down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: And coming down the ramp, standing at six foot and weighting in at 180 pounds, hailing from Berkeley, California.....He is THE ETERNAL....CHRIS CALLUMMMM!!
The boo's continue to pour as Maurice Yensman pushes past the curtain, getting his arm tied up for a moment, until finally yanking himself free and stumbling out to the top of the stage. He turns a baleful eye back towards the entrance before turning a shit eating grin on the Cairo crowd who point their thumbs down at him. Taking this personally, he proceeds to curse at the Egyptians while making his way to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Standing at six foot and weighting in at 219 pounds, hailing from New York, New York.....he is MAURICE YENSMANNNN!
Like an emotional roller coaster, the fan's boos turn to cheers as Indi Rhyder steps out onto the stage, and Maurice Yensman pauses before entering the ring to look back to see what all the fuss is about. He begins to argue with the fans at ringside over this being someone that they would cheer and not him, as Indi makes her happy-go-lucky skip down towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making her way to the ring, standing at five foot five and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California.....THE BUTTERFLY....INDI RHYDERRR!!
Indi is all smiles when she reaches ringside, but suddenly comes to a stop to regard Yensman who has hands on hips just staring at her. She indicates the ring to him with a gesture, but he just continues to stare in disgust, prompting her to lead by example and slide into the ring, which is filling up with eager competitors ready to get this ball rolling. Suddenly the roof comes off the place once again, and every eye at ringside is drawn to the top of the stage where Berlin Anderson and Brenna Gordon have appeared, arm in arm. Yensman is found shaking his head again in disbelief as the couple make their way down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making their way to the ring, she stands at five foot eight and weights in at 161 pounds, while he stands at five foot eleven and weights in at 182 pounds, both hailing from Ash Tree Lane......BORN OF MYTH..BRENNA GORDON & THE PERPETUAL MOTION MACHINE...BERLIN ANDERSONNN!
For whatever reason, this reaction to Brenna and Berlin is all that Maurice Yensman can stand, and he rushes the two just as the reach the bottom of the ramp. The two react quickly, separating, and catching the Yensman on his approach with a Double Hip Toss that see's him crash against the steel grating of the ramp. Yensman clutches at his lower back in pain while the other superstars in the ring watch the display, and then all hell breaks loose, the squared circle turning into a melee. Matt King and Jack Dempsey go right after one another, hammering away with right hands, while Julie Miri manages to get out of the way of an onrushing Kingsley Solomon who slams chest first into the corner she was just in. When Solomon spins around, Julie is there with forearm shots that drive him further into the turnbuckles. On the other side of the ring, Sebastian Conner and Chris Callum rush in on Roxi Johnson and Caroline O'Hara Burchill who are at the center of the ring, and both women duck their heads. Caroline is successful with her back body drop, sending Sebastian Conner high into the air and down onto his spine. Roxi, however, isn't so lucky, as Callum catches her around the head and drops straight back into a ring rattling DDT. He pops back up to his feet, and is immediately sent crashing to the mat by a surprise Running Drop Kick from Indi Rhyder. Rhyder looks at Caroline, who points behind her, and turns around just in time to be caught in the midsection by a spear from Dirk Buchanan. Instead of putting her down to the mat, he picks her up and continues his momentum right for Caroline, who tries to dive out of the way but is caught all the same and all three crash to the canvas in a heap.
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! EVERYTHING HAS BROKE DOWN HERE IN THE COVERED HALL, AND BODIES ARE FLAILING AND FLYING!
KO: YEAH, AND I DON'T EVEN THINK EVERYONE IN THIS MATCH HAS EVEN MADE IT OUT HERE YET!
As if Kenneth Othello was a profit, the Big Screen over the stage comes alive with the sounds and sights of marching Zombies, and seconds later The Zombie Clan steps out onto the stage in force. The fans go crazy at the action happening at the ring, and the potential of this unit entering the fray. Fukushima and Kowloon exchange glances, and then look to Siberia who stands at their center. She lets out a war cry just before sprinting down the ramp right for Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson. Maurice Yensman has only a second to look up and see the herd of Zombies coming, and he rolls quickly to the side and off the ramp and onto his feet. He isn't out of danger yet, as Fukushima dives right off the ramp into a Rolling Senton that catches him flush and wipes both of them out on the concrete floor. Berlin and Brenna meet Siberia and Kowloon head on at the base of the ramp, fists and feet flying while the action picks back up in the ring.
Julie Miri hears the crash of bodies behind her as Dirk Buchanan tries to get to his feet after the double spear on Indi and Caroline, and Julie takes Solomon by the wrist and whips him right for the man. Buchanan appears surprised as Solomon is, who quickly accepts his fate, and turns the momentum into a Diving Cross Body. Dirk is sent tumbling backwards, landing on a rising Burchill and Rhyder, crushing them into the mat. Solomon quickly gets to his feet, and just barely has time to dive out of the way of an oncoming Matt King, who was whipped to the far side by Dempsey. Jack follows after him with a build up of speed, and just when Solmon rights himself, his eyes go wide in his mask as his skull is removed from it's shoulders thanks to a Clothesline From Hell. At about the same time King returns from his trip to the ropes, and Jack continues his momentum, nailing him with one as well.
LO: GOOD GOD! DEMPSEY JUST DESTROYED BOTH KINGSLEY SOLOMON AND MATT KING....
KO: YEAH, AND THEN HE TURNS AROUND TO CATCH A DIVING SOMERSAULT SENTON FROM JULIE MIRI OFF THE BACKS OF CAROLINE O'HARA BURCHILL AND INDI RHYDER!
LO: Now they are all wiped out!
Roxi Johnson had been pulled up by Chris Callum and pushed into a corner before the melee that just took place could take place, and he currently works to try and force the much smaller competitor over the top rope. Unfortunately, his focus is such, that he doesn't see Sebastian Conner coming in from behind him with a forearm smash. Callum lurches forwards, and Roxi grabs on to keep from going over, inadvertantly pulling Chris out with her onto the apron. Conner, seeing this golden opportunity to eliminate both, takes a few steps back and rushes at the duo. Roxi, like something out of Spiderman, grips the top rope with one hand while throwing her foot up to kick an approaching Callum in the head which knocks him back while she pivots off his skull to bring that same foot around to slam off of Conner's face. Subsequently she lands back inside the ring, where she hops up to the second turnbuckle, and dives off onto a stunned Sebastian with a Missle Dropkick. Callum wipes spittle from the corner of his mouth where he just got pegged, and with a new determination steps back into the ring after the Superhero.
LO: Crazy Matrix like moves out of Valor Pro's Resident Superhero, and now the fight on the outside has finally come off the ramp and down to ringside....OH! Looks like Maurice was able to slam Fukushima's skull off the ramp before he worked her over by the steps!
KO: Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson are holding their own against Siberia and Kowloon Zombie, but it doesn't seem like they have any designs to get in the ring...
LO: How the hell can you when someone is trying to beat on you, Ken?
Yensman drags Fukushima by the hair of the head, and flings her into the ring apron where she strikes her back hard and slides down to a seated position. He turns around just in time to catch a stray elbow from Kowloon that knocks him to the floor, while the big man drives that hand forward to try and take Berlin Anderson's head off. The parkour expert deftly ducks under the punch and Kowloon stumbles past him, and when he swings around he's surprise to see that Anderson is balancing on the guard rail before diving off and hooking the man around the head with his legs, flipping him over with a Head Scissors Takeover! Just to the side of them Brenna Gordon has managed to knock Siberia back a step up the ramp, but as she moves in to pursue she's caught right under the chin with a High Front Kick that snaps her head back first, and then her body follows.
In the ring, Roxi Johnson turns from Conner to see Callum coming back into the ring with evil intent, and she rushes right for the man to cut him off. The move is telegraphed, giving him plenty of time to drop his head, and send the Superhero flying, literally, right up and over the top rope to come crashing down on a feuding Maurice Yensman, Brenna Gordon, Berlin Anderson, and Zombie Clan. The crew wipes out with Roxi landing squarely on Kowloon's chest, with one foot sitting on Gordon, while the other rests on Yensman. When the referee's round the corner, they see this, and they signal that amazingly, an elimination has yet to occur.
LO: Even Roxi Johnson can't believe that one, and Chris Callum is stunned as well.
KO: Hell, wouldn't you be, Laur. That Superhero aura around Roxi must come with a luck stone!
Callum shakes his head in disbelief, and turns around just in time to take a forearm to the jaw by Julie Miri which knocks him up against the ropes. She whips him hard to the opposite side, and as Caroline and Indi try to rise, they hear him coming, so they both drop flat to force him to hope over them. He rebounds off the ropes as the two pop up to their feet, and catch him with a double Hip Toss that sends him skidding across the mat. The two reluctant partners look to one another in satisfaction, and then concerned expressions give each other a tell, as they suddenly pull each other down to their knees. An instant later Kinsgley Solomon and Dirk Buchanan collide with double clotheslines that take both men off their feet in either direction. The two ladies, still gripping one another, help the other to their feet just as Matt King sends Jack Dempsey stumbling back in their direction. They part like the red sea as Dempsey nearly trips over Buchanan and Solomon at his feet, but the ropes stop him from hitting the mat. King's upper lip curls into a snarl, and he rushes at the man, intent on making the first elimination and finding some vengeance for his loss last show. Unfortunately for him, just as he reaches his target, Jack drops to have a seat, pulling the top rope with him. King's eyes go wide as he tumbles right up and over the top rope to land unceremoniously on the floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: MATT KING HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Just about the time that King dumps over to his doom, Roxi Johnson manages to get her feet under her...right on Kowloon Zombie's chest. The woman wobbles a bit as The Zombie comes out of his stupor, and she shakes her head 'No' as he swipes at her with his bear like paw. This forces her to take a step forwards and to her left, right onto Maurice Yensman, who yells up at the woman as she passes into her next step onto Fukushima Zombie. The horror lover hisses and claws at the woman's legs as she manages to grab the middle rope, and pull herself up onto the apron.
LO: THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! ROXI JOHNSON WITH CAT LIKE GRACE JUST MANAGED TO CRAWL ACROSS THREE OTHER SUPERSTARS TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE APRON!
KO: AND SHE JUST WALKED INTO A MASSIVE CLOTHESLINE FROM A CREEPING SEBASTIAN CONNER THAT JUST TOOK HER HEAD OFF!
LO: She's hanging onto the bottom rope, though, and for the second time in this match manages to save herself from elimination by rolling under and back into the ring!
Conner reigns down stomps into the side of Roxi's ribs, and she latches onto the bottom rope as she weathers the assault. Meanwhile, Indi Rhyder and Caroline Burchill watch as Desmpey pulls himself up to his feet, and the two women having luck working together so far, continue the trend by clasping hands and rushing right for the man with a Double Clothesline. Jack's eyes go wide like a cartoon character, and he rushes forward into a tuck and roll, moving between them before coming up to his feet after they pass. Right into a Jumping Heel Kick from Julie Miri that sends Dempsey back into the waiting arms of Burchill and Rhyder, who slip their heads under his arms, and lift him up and over the top rope to a sure elimination. Or was it? as Jack manages to grab the top rope on his way, flipping all the way back and over to land with both feet on the apron. Indi and Caroline spin around to take a forearm and a headbutt that sends them stumbling back, but once the immediate danger is over, Dempsey looks up to see Miri rushing right at him. He grits his teeth and prepares to be launched from the ring apron, but is shocked instead when Chris Callum trips her up with a Drop Toe Hold that sends her face first into the canvas. Dempsey says something to the sky with a grin, slipping back into the ring.
LO: Even a guy like Dempsey realizes what a Godsend that interruption to Julie Miri's attack was by Callum...
KO: Guy might be a proper asshole, but he's no fool...
The six competitors on the outside have managed to get back to their feet after the Roxi Johnson fiasco and have resumed their Melee just below the ring, but the dance partners have changed. Maurice Yensman is driven back into the guardrail by palm strikes provided by the Siberian Buzzsaw, and he tries his best to cover up as her feet start catching up with her fists. Meanwhile, Kowloon takes three hard shots from Brenna Gordon before roaring, grabbing the woman by the throat and the thigh, and then lifts her high over his head. Anderson knocks Fukushima away from him in concern, but before he can aide his lady friend she's tossed over the top rope, but into the ring instead of out of it. Anderson snarls and rushes at Kowloon, but he's cut off by Fukushima who buries her shoulder into his midsection and runs him spine first into the steel ring post. Kowloon nods to Fuki, and the two climb into the ring.
LO: The Zombie Clan have finally entered this contest....well, two of them at least...
KO: Yeah, and Berlin Anderson took a nasty shot to the ring post before they did.
Roxi is pulled up to her feet by Conner, but is immediately waylaid by Kowloon and Fuki, dragging him off of Johnson and driving him to the mat where they lay unmerciful boots to him much as he had the Superhero. Finally finding some reprieve, Roxi looks around the ring, and sees Kingsley Solomon struggling to try and get Dirk Buchanan out of the ring. The two had made it back to their feet and exchanged blows that took them to the nearby ropes, and at some point Solomon had lifted Buchanan into a hotshot across the top. Now he worked to try and push the man from The Pacific Northwest over the ropes for an elimination. Roxi rushes past where Callum sits on top of Miri and tries to pound her brains in, and past Indi and Caroline, who converged on Dempsey once he got back into the ring, and catches up with Solomon to reach down and give a great heave, dumping both men over the top rope.
RING ANNOUNCER: KINGSLEY SOLOMON AND DIRK BUCHANAN HAVE BOTH BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kingsley comes up, his masked face staring up with hands outspread as Roxi waves both men goodbye. Solomon shakes his head in disgust, and just when he turns to walk away is caught by a right hand from Dirk, who screams at him that this was all his fault. The two men brawl towards the exit until Security comes out to separate them and drag them both away.
LO: Roxi Johnson upset those men’s dreams here tonight, and now looks to go back on the hunt…
KO: Yeah, but there’s still a lot of dangerous players left in this thing.....AND THERE GOES ONE RIGHT NOW!
Chris Callum gets to his feet dragging Julie Miri with him, talking some smack as he goes, and runs the woman straight for the ropes to try and toss her out. Julie, however, manages to hook the top as he manhandles her over the top rope, and Callum turns back to the center of the ring with hands overhead in premature victory. Miri hangs from the ropes for a few seconds, before swinging both legs back up and over, skinning the cat. Julie rushes in at Callum from behind and grips him by the head as she goes, and Roxi slides out of the way as Miri tries to do what had been done to her. The larger Callum manages to put on the brakes against the top rope, and just as it looks like he’s about to fight back out, Roxi Johnson joins Miri. The two women beat The Eternal down, and then resume to try and get him out of the ring as he latches onto the ropes.
Brenna Gordon gets to her feet, watching the action unfold all around her, she being left alone for a brief reprieve. She contemplates heading over to help Johnson and Miri get rid of Callum, and also Rhyder and Burchill who have Jack Dempsey halfway out of the ring as well, barely holding onto the ring post to keep himself from being eliminated. She then turns her attention to Kowloon and Fukushima as they continue to lay the boots to Sebastian Conner, when suddenly something catches the corner of her eye.
At some point Maurice Yensman had managed to get out from under the furious feet of Siberia Zombie, an eye poke, if truth be told, and had knocked her around against various surfaces on the outside. He was currently banging her skull off the steel steps, when suddenly two hands plunge into his hair from inside the ring, and with a shocked expression he finds himself being drug into the ring. Yensman gets to his feet in a huff, turning to see who this would be attacker is, only to find that Gordon had backpedaled a few steps, and was now charging right for him. She soars into the air, hooking him around the neck as she goes, and snaps him hard down to the mat with a sickening looking Sling Blade.
LO: RIP TIDE TO YENSMAN!
KO: Damn, she dropped him like a two dollar hooker!
Brenna looks pretty pleased with herself when she pops up, but then runs into something as she steps away to survey the damage. When she turns around she finds Kowloon Zombie looming over her, Fukushima peeking out from behind his huge frame. Sebastian Conner lays properly beaten down in the corner where they left them. Brenna sighs heavily and shrugs, just before she drives a right hand into the Big Man’s face. Kowloon’s head snaps around, and it slowly turns back to Brenna who raises her eyebrow in surprise. She moves to hit the Zombie again, but this time finds her fist caught in his mitt like hand, and just when he grabs her around the throat to respond, Fukushima screams at him before diving out of the way herself.
LO: BERLIN ANDERSON JUST VAULTED UP TO THE APRON, UP TO THE TOP ROPE, AND COMPLETED LIKE FIVE SPINS BEFORE DRIVING INTO KOWLOON ZOMBIE LIKE A TOP!
KO: Now Brenna Gordon is helping her lover to his feet, and DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE TO FUKUSHIMA WHO RAN BACK IN TO HELP!
While the Zombies taste the boots of a rival tag team, Indi Rhyder and Caroline Burchill abandon trying to get Jack Dempsey out of the ring at this time, and instead pull him out from the corner where they Double Suplex down to the center of the ring. Both ladies get to their feet and give a curt nod as they reach down and pull Jack up to his feet. He surprises both of them when he throws their hands away from him, and suddenly grips both by the hair of the head and rams their skulls together. Indi falls one way as Caroline falls another, and he stumbles forwards to fall to one knee against the middle rope. The two women had done a number on him for what felt like forever, and this was his first chance to catch his breath. No rest for the wicked, however, as when he looks across the ring he sees Sebastian Conner slinking out of the corner away from the Zombies and Gordon & Anderson.
LO: Jack Dempsey finally caught some separation from the beating he was taking at the hands of Indi and Caroline, but now he looks to be plotting something for Conner…
KO: Sebastian is a little out of it himself thanks to The Zombie Clan, but against those ropes isn’t where he wants to be!
Dempsey rises slowly and rolls his shoulder just before charging right for Conner who looks up in time to see the danger coming. Just as Dempsey makes it to the center of the ring, a blur slides in from the outside, and suddenly Siberia Zombie is there, and so is her lethal foot as it swings upwards and takes Jack’s skull clean off. Dempsey hits the canvas clutching at his already broken nose, and Conner gives a chuckle, which draws Siberia’s eye. Sebastian mirth dies in his throat, and he snarls before lunging forward, right into a Superkick from the Siberian Buzzsaw that launches him backwards against the top rope, where his own momentum carries him up and over to land on his feet on the floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: SEBASTIAN CONNER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
One hand slams the apron while the other clutches at his jaw, and Conner curses everyone and everything as he’s shown to the back by the referees. Siberia smirks all the way up until she turns around comes face to face with Indi Rhyder and Caroline O’Hara Burchill. The three women stare at each other like it’s a Mexican standoff, everyone’s fingers twitching over their triggers. Just when it looks like all three are about to make their move, they wiped out by the sudden appearance of Roxi Johnson as she moonsaults her way into the center of them.
LO: TAKE FLIGHT FROM ROXI AND THEY ALL DROP LIKE PINS AT THE BOWLING ALLY!
KO: I can’t keep up with this action, Laur! When did Chris Callum get out from under Roxi and Julie?
LO: I don’t know, Ken, but it’s Callum now who just scooped up Miri and is trying to send her out, but The Moon Child is holding onto the top rope and putting up a struggle!
Brenna Gordon and Berlin Anderson deliver a double dropkick to Fukushima that sends her like a shotgun blast into the nearby corner where she slumps so that only the top rope is holding her up. They then turn their attention to the slow rising Kowloon, who appears to have bumped his head when Anderson took him out earlier with that impressive dive. Brenna Gordon rushes right for him, leaping into a Cross Body to try and take him back off his feet, but to her surprise it’s like hitting a brick wall. Before she can hit the ground large arms reach out to catch her, and Kowloon holds her cradled to his chest, giving a concerned Berlin a vengeful look. Anderson looks to Brenna, who gives him a nod, and with a determined face he charges at Kowloon and throws both boots out for a Falling Drop Kick that knocks him back with Gordon in tow. What neither superstar could have anticipated was that Kowloon would hit the top rope, and rather than topple over and be eliminated, that he would instead turn that momentum into a Fall Away Slam on Brenna, that sends her sailing out to crash in the front row.
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!
KO: TALK ABOUT ELIMINATING THE COMPETITION!
LO: Kowloon Zombie may have just killed Brenna Gordon, and Berlin Anderson helped!
KO: Yeah, and look at that guy’s face…..he’s almost beside himself!
RING ANNOUNCER: BRENNA GORDON HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kowloon gives Berlin a sneer before bouncing against the rope one more time for some spring, and barreling right at him for a meaty clothesline. Anderson ducks it and rushes the ropes himself, springing back like a bullet into Parafuso Kick!
LO: MOSTLY VOID PARTIALLY STARS UPSIDE KOWLOON ZOMBIE’S SKULL, AND THE MAN JUST CRUMPLED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: Anderson still looks livid despite the killing blow, BUT HE DOESN’T GET A CHANCE TO FOLLOW UP CAUSE MAURICE YENSMAN JUST NAILED HIM FROM BEHIND WITH THE LIBERTY SPEAR!
Anderson clutches at his spine as Yensman rolls away from him, taking the moment to sit against the bottom turnbuckle of the nearest corner for a breather. Meanwhile, across the ring, Chris Callum opens up with chops to Julie Miri, and then gets a fistful of hair as he rushes the woman along the ropes to ram her skull right into Fukushima’s, who was still occupying the space at the time. He yanks Fukushima out of the corner to fall on her knees near the ropes, and then pushes Julie in, slipping his head under her arm and then lifting her up so that she now sits on the top turnbuckle. The Eternal takes a step back and then leaps back in with a Haymaker Right that sends Miri reeling, just barely able to grab the top rope to keep from pitching over to the floor. He grins as he rares back to deliver another one, but his arm is suddenly hooked from behind, and before he knows what’s going on, he finds himself pulled towards the ropes and tied up into a Tarantula Submission by Fukushima!
LO: CHRIS CALLUM IS ALL TIED UP IN THE ROPES WHILE JULIE MIRI JUST RIGHTED HERSELF ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE…
KO: Forget about that! Roxi Johnson and Jack Dempsey are firing off on one another on the other side of the ring, and it looks like Dempsey has the upperhand!
LO: He shoves Roxi up against the ropes and she bounces back…Boot to the midsection….DOUBLE UNDERHOOK DDT!
KO: Dempsey getting to his feet, and he looks quite proud of himself…AND INDI RHYDER SHOOTS PAST HIM AND HOOKS HIM AROUND THE HEAD AS SHE GOES! RUNS UP THE ROPES AND FLIPS BACKWARDS INTO A SHIRANUI!
LO: INDI’S CIRCUIT! MY GOD!
KO: Wait…Caroline is up as well…what is she doing? SHE’S GOING UP TOP! THAT’S SUICIDE!
LO: Well She’s made it without incident….AND DOUBLE FOOT STOMP DOWN ONTO DEMPSEY!
KO: IMPENDING OVERTHROW!
LO: Caroline and Indi now working together again to get Dempsey up, and THERE THE GO TO THROW HIM OVER THE TOP!
KO: HE HOOKED THE MIDDLE ROPE ON THE WAY DOWN AND CAUGHT HIS LEG ON THE APRON!
LO: ONLY ONE FOOT HAS TOUCHED, AND NOW INDI AND CAROLINE ARE WORKING TO TRY AND GET HIS FINGERS LOOSE!
KO: MAURICE YENSMAN FROM BEHIND! HE’S TRYING TO DUMP ALL THREE!
Elbows fire back into Maurice’s face from Caroline and Indi, and he drops back a step as the two women turn their attention to him. He finds himself tripping over a rising Roxi Johnson, like something out of the Three Stooges, and now on his ass he starts scooting towards the center of the ring. He spins up to his feet to go the other direction when he’s caught with a Superkick from Siberia Zombie, who had just kipped up to her feet. The momentum is short lived, as Siberia is caught right in the back of the head by a Single Leg Dropkick by a flying Miri, finally abandoning her dangerous position from the top turnbuckle.
At the same time this happens, Berlin Anderson and Kowloon Zombie are back on their feet on the far side of the ring directly across from where Chris Callum is being ravaged by Fukushima in the Tarantula. To everyone’s surprise, Anderson has the upperhand in a bout of fist-o-cuffs, Kowloon’s bell still obviously rung after taking one of his finishers. Berlin takes the Zombie by the wrist and whips him to the far side, but it’s reversed, sending The Perpetual Motion Machine instead. As he thunders across the ring, right for Callum, he springs off his feet into a low drop kick that catches The Eternal right in the face, and subsequently knocks Fukushima loose, sending her crashing in an awkward manner to the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: FUKUSHIMA ZOMBIE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kowloon lets out an animalistic roar and rushes for Berlin, and by proxy, Callum, who fell back towards the ring when the blow came from Anderson. Roxi, Caroline, and Indi watch as Kowloon bares down on Berlin with massive blows, and the three women give one another a knowing glance just before they charge over and dive onto the Big Man.
LO: Looks like Roxi has joined the team of Indi and Caroline, and all three women now trying to beat on Kowloon while Berlin slips under the bottom rope out of the ring…
KO: Yeah, and Jack Dempsey has wisely slid over into an abandoned corner on the other side of the ring to recover from that near elimination from earlier, while Julie Miri now pulls up a dazed Siberia Zombie!
LO: And look at Yensman…he’s trying to crawl out from between them to the safety of the ropes….
Maurice Yensman reaches the ropes at about the same time that Julie whips Siberia into the closest corner. She rushes in on the woman, looking to crush her with a lariat, but instead eats the soles of the Zombie’s boots as she throws both feet up. Julie begs off in surprise and Siberia fires up, coming out of the corner like a madwoman, chopping and kicking, ending the flurry with a Back Heel Trip that puts Julie on her back. Suddenly she hears movement from behind, and it’s Yensman, rushing in for another Liberty Spear. Much to his surprise The Siberian Buzzsaw leaps into the air with legs spread like a cheerleader, leapfrogging him as he passes harmlessly under her and over Julie. He rolls up to his feet, and spins around just in time to take a running clothesline from Siberia that sends him right up and over the top rope to the concrete below.
RING ANNOUNCER: MAURICE YENSMAN HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
LO: Big elimination from Siberia Zombie, and the ring is starting to dwindle down…OH! JULIE MIRI IN ON ZOMBIE FROM BEHIND, TRYING TO PUT HER OVER!
KO: ZOMBIE’S HOLDING ONTO THE APRON FOR DEAR LIFE, DANGLING UPSIDE DOWN….HERE COMES DEMPSEY FROM BEHIND ON MIRI, AND DUMPS BOTH LADIES OVER THE TOP ROPE!
LO: NO! SIBERIA IS STILL HANGING ON, BUT JULIE IS OUT OF HERE!
RING ANNOUNCER: JULIE MIRI HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
KO: Dempsey is trying to push Zombie off the apron, and that would be another feather in his cap in this Battle Royal…
LO: Yeah, but Siberia is as tenacious as they come…she was able to get a knee under her, and SHOULDER THRUST through the rope begs Dempsey off…and Siberia is back in the ring…
KO: Roxi, Caroline, and Indi have Kowloon up in the corner, and he’s all but laying across the top turnbuckle with his hand gripping the ring post to keep from being thrown..Callum is finally back on is feet now, AND BUZZSAW LIKE KICK RIGHT TO THE FACE SENDS THE ETERNAL FALLING BACK!
LO: He just bumped into Caroline, who shoves him away…BUT THAT’S ALL THAT KOWLOON NEEDED!
The Big Man, now with one leg free, swings that foot around to strike Roxi Johnson in the side of the head, and then brings it back around to catch Caroline. She begs off, leaving only Indi Rhyder to try and keep the Zombie in the compromised position, but he simply slides himself off the turnbuckle and onto his feet, gripping her around the head to deliver a massive headbutt. Just as Siberia turns her attention from her partner’s freedom march her eyes go wide as a forgotten Berlin Anderson leaps from the ropes and catches her around the head, and then Hurricanrana’s her to the mat. As soon as he pops up to his feet he is clocked from behind by a Clothesline From Hell from Dempsey that sends him rushing into the top rope where he bounces forward on his sternum and then down to the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: BERLIN ANDERSON HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
Kowloon grips Indi by the throat as he forces her out of the corner, and as Caroline rushes back in, he catches her around the throat as well. The fans come to their feet as he pulls them in close and lifts them up for a Double Chokeslam, but before he gets the chance, Roxi Johnson rushes past him, leaps to the second rope, and then springboards around into a devastating disaster kick.
LO: RAY OF HOPE RIGHT TO THE FACE OF KOWLOON WHO DROPS RHYDER AND BURCHILL AND IS NOW STAGGERING BACK TO THE ROPES!
KO: THE THREE WOMEN LOOK TO ONE ANOTHER…AND THEY ARE SAYING IT’S TIME….AND ALL THREE RUSH KOWLOON!
LO: ZOMBIE JUST DROPPED AND TOOK THE TOP ROPE WITH HIM! CAROLINE AND INDI JUST TUMBLED TO THE OUTSIDE, BUT ROXI WAS ABLE TO SAVE HERSELF ON THE APRON!
RING ANNOUNCER: INDI RHYDER AND CAROLINE O’HARA BURCHILL HAVE BOTH BEEN ELIMINATED!
Roxi pulls with all her might to get her lower body back under her, and her expression is one of relief. That is until Chris Callum explodes from the mat, having lain so still during the hulking Kowloon’s comeback that most had forgotten he was there, and throws his Boot forward to connect with Johnson’s shocked face. She flies from the apron like a person being ejected from the front seat during a car crash, and lands in a heap on the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: ROXI JOHNSON HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
KO: My God, Laur…We’re in the Final Four, and it’s the debuting Chris Callum and the newbie Jack Dempsey….AND THE ZOMBIE CLAN!
LO: One of these individuals is our next #1 Contender to the Apex Championship, and at least two more will get other Championship opportunities down the line…
KO: One of those on the very next Blitz!
Chris Callum falls back into the nearby corner to survey the battlefield, battered and bruised, and breathing heavily. Jack Dempsey gets to his feet and falls into the opposite corner, while in the center of the ring, a bloody lipped Kowloon grabs for Siberia to help her up to her feet. The crowd becomes electric as the tension builds, the two Zombie Clan members getting back to back while their opponents watch on from their respective areas of the ring to formulate a plan of attack.
Suddenly Callum rushes right for The Zombies, Siberia being the one that’s facing his way, and she rushes out to meet him. Seeing this, and seeing the momentary distraction as Kowloon looks over his shoulder, Dempsey rushes for the big man. Siberia and Callum meet head on, rights and lefts swinging, as Kowloon steps forwards to take a swipe at Dempsey who baseball slides right between his legs. Kowloon tries to turn around, but instead takes a headbutt to the groin for his trouble. He grabs at himself as he falls back against the ropes, and Dempsey pushes up to his feet and follows him in with right hands.
LO: Low Blow by Dempsey to Kowloon and it has the Big Man reeling, while Callum and Siberia trade hands…
KO: I know Chris Callum probably did his homework, but does he really want to go blow for blow against someone known as The Siberian Buzzsaw?
LO: Apparently he didn’t get the memo, as Siberia has now started sneaking in those educated feet of hers!
KO: Siberia Zombie knocking Callum back towards the ropes, and OH! SHE JUST PULLED HIS HEAD DOWN RIGHT INTO A LEAPING KNEE STRIKE JUST UNDER THE CHIN!
Callum falls back against the ropes, his arms draping over the top, and as he goes further down, they somehow get hooked around the middle, to where he is now trapped against the ropes. A grim determination settles over Siberia’s face, and she begins shoot kicking the man in his chest, and there is nothing he can do about it.
On the other side of the ring Dempsey has the big man on the ropes, literally, his back draped across the top rope, legs in the air, and he can feel his greatest asset slowly but surely working against him as Jack presses his advantage. He cries out to Siberia, and the woman’s head suddenly snaps in their direction, a welcome reprieve for Callum who slumps seemingly unconscious.
Seeing her partner in dire straights, Siberia abandons The Eternal and rushes across the ring, launching herself so that as her knee finds Dempsey’s kidney, her arms wrap around Kowloon’s feet, teetering back into the ring. Dempsey spins around to take on this new threat, and catches a roundhouse kick to the gut for his efforts, doubling him over. Siberia grabs Dempsey by the seat of his pants and by the scruff of his neck, and rushes him right for the still trapped Callum for a collision.
LO: OH! Dempsey and Callum strike skulls, but the impact finally frees Chris from the ropes to fall to a seated position…
KO: Dempsey clutching the top of his head as he stumbles back around, and THERE’S KOWLOON WITH A GRIP AROUND HIS THROAT! CHOKE SLAM!
LO: The Zombie Clan is dominating as Siberia steps back over to Callum and pulls him up to his feet against the ropes…..SHE’S DIRECTING TRAFFIC!
Siberia signals for Kowloon to send the man over the ropes while she holds him in place, and he nods tiredly, building up a head of steam before rushing right for him. Suddenly Callum breaks free of The Buzzsaw’s grasp, and at the last second yanks her into the oncoming path of her freight train like partner while he falls back out of the way. Kowloon bowls right over Siberia, sending her up and over the rope to crash against the concrete floor.
RING ANNOUNCER: SIBERIA ZOMBIE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!
LO: OH MY GOD! KOWLOON JUST ELIMINATED HIS OWN TEAMMATE!
KO: AND HE KNOW’S IT TOO, LAUR! JUST LOOK AT HIS FACE!
Kowloon looks shocked, angry, and sorry all at the same time, his hands thrusting up into his hair as he damn near pulls it out. He shakes his head in disbelief, slowly turning towards where Chris Callum fell, and is waylayed by an oncoming Dempsey and his Single Leg Dropkick to the face. Kowloon hits the top rope and flips over it to crash land right beside Siberia Zombie.
RING ANNOUNCER: KOWLOON ZOMBIE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED, BUT HE WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UNLEASHED CHAMPIONSHIP!
LO: MY GOD! THE ZOMBIE CLAN HAVE BEEN DEPOSED!
KO: IT’S DOWN TO CHRIS CALLUM AND JACK DEMPSEY!
Dempsey spins up to his feet, just in time to duck an oncoming clothesline from The Eternal, eager to press the advantage. The two men separate for a moment after that, doggedly taking in breath, and staring across the ring at one another. They begin to circle, slowly, because after everything they had been through to get to this point, that’s all they could muster.
LO: Jack and Chris move in on each other, and JACK WITH A DOUBLE AXE HANDLE SWING!
KO: CALLUM DUCKS IT! Jack spins around, and BOOT TO THE MIDSECTION..TUCK OF THE HEAD…AND NOW IN POWERBOMB POSITION!
LO: THE ETERNAL RUNNING RIGHT FOR THE ROPES TO TRY AND PUT DEMPSEY OUT…BUT DEMPSEY PUSHES OFF AND SLIDES DOWN HIS BACK TO LAND ON HIS FEET!
KO: Chris Callum spins around now, and DEMPSEY GOES FOR ANOTHER CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL BUT CHRIS DUCKS IT!
LO: Jack Dempsey running all up on the ropes, and damn near eliminated himself….turns around AND CHRIS CALLUM WITH A CLOTHESLINE THAT SENDS DEMPSEY UP AND OVER!
KO: HE HOOKED THE ROPE LAUR!! HE LANDED ON THE APRON…
Callum reaches for Dempsey, but the man known as Section 8 hooks him around the head, and drops to a seated position, yanking him up and over the top rope. For a moment it looks like Callum is going to be eliminated, but a last second shift in mid drop puts him in a seated position on the edge of the ring. He quickly spins on his butt to come up to a knee, and both he and Dempsey rise to their feet at the same time..
LO: These two men are only one slip away from elimination, balancing on the edge of the ring…AND OH! DEMPSEY WITH A SWIFT KICK TO CALLUM’S KNEE DROPS HIM DOWN!
KO: Dempsey backing up to the ring post, calling for Callum to get to his feet….BICYCLE KICK…NO! WAIT! CALLUM DUCKS AND GRABS THE INSIDE OF DEMPSEY’S KNEE….HE’S ON ONE LEG LAUR!
Dempsey is unbalanced, and it’s clear on his face this wasn’t part of the plan when he went for one of his favorite signature maneuvers. Time seems to stand still as Dempsey bounces precariously on one leg, his other being held aloft by a lowered Chris Callum, both just barely fitting on the ring apron in such a position. Jack and Callum share a glance between Jack’s legs, and then there’s a wink from The Eternal, an ‘Oh Shit’ from Dempsey, and then an uppercut from Chris right into his opponent’s undercarriage.
Dempsey cries out in pain and grabs with both hands for his crotch just as Callum releases his hold on the back of his knee. Section 8 falls over like a tree, some of the fans in the front row even chanting ‘Timber’. He hits the concrete floor as Chris dumps himself through the ropes and back into the ring, and the bell sounds out.
RING ANNOUNCER: JACK DEMPSEY HAS BEEN ELIMINATED, BUT WILL FACE THE UNYIELDING CHAMPION AT THE NEXT BLITZ….WHICH MEANS….YOUR WINNER, AND NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE APEX CHAMPIONSHIP…..THE ETERNAL, CHRIS CALLUMMMM!!
LO: OH MY GOD! CHRIS CALLUM IS THE NEW #1 CONTENDER IN HIS DEBUT MATCH!
KO: He told everyone, Laur! He couldn’t have made it anymore clear! He was here to take from those who had taken from him, and never even had the decency to say Thank You!
LO: He called out The Zombie Clan! He called out Cosmo! And now, he is on a collision course with The Apex!
KO: But who will wear the crown after tonight?
LO: I don’t know, Ken. We’ll have to find out what happens in our Main Event!
Aspen Chaud rushes down the ramp and climbs the steps to slip through the ropes and come to her client’s aide. Callum reaches weak fingers to touch Aspen’s face, and she nods, forcing him into a seated position. The crowd, uncertain whether to cheer what they’d just seen, or boo, opt out for a mixture of both as the former head honcho of the CWC is helped to his feet. Callum, almost as if for the first time realizing that he’s won, starts to nod and flash a grin as Aspen steps back and claps, sharing in the glory. The camera focuses on a wide angle of the ring, as Chris Callum takes a turnbuckle and rubs it in the Egyptian crowds face as to why exactly he is called Eternal, before cutting backstage.
BACKSTAGE a camera man rushes to catch up to Spiral as he marches down a concrete hallway with the UNLEASHED championship slung over his shoulder. The path leads him through a curtain into the GORILLA POSITION. Inside are half a dozen crew members all huddled around a table of flat screen monitors. In the center of the group is Vanessa Byrne. All of them are already looking up as Spiral bursts into the staging area, as they had seen him coming on the screens. Vanessa removes her headphones.
BYRNE: Oh, fantastic. It’s you. Do you know how much damage you and Aoki racked up tonight? We just might have to extend your fine into 2020 if you can’t control yourself.
Spiral suffered a lot of damage during the match but most of it is hidden under a dark blue suit, save for the stitches running across his forehead and the purple mouse under his left eye.
SPIRAL: Why would you continue this pointless vendetta against me? Do you not see what I bring to this company? I put those people in those seats, not you. Not Cosmo. Not Brodie. Not Recoba. ME. I promised them blood. I promised them violence. I gave them everything they hoped for and more and tomorrow it will be MY NAME in the headlines.
BYRNE: You’re a roadside attraction at best and at worst a liability we don’t need. Do you know why we didn’t have a hardcore champion before you decided to make yourself one? Because it’s a joke. No one takes you seriously when you spend half your match hitting the other guy with baking sheets. I should never have allowed you to put that belt on my show because it’s given you an inflated sense of self-importance, and now you've gone and lost it, and on top of that, stolen it from the rightful champion! If you have any hope of getting paid ever again you need to toe the line.
SPIRAL: Au contraire, I have brought more to this company in the last three months than anyone else on your roster. You just can’t stand the fact that I don’t need you but guess what: none of us do. You’re obsolete. You’re a nobody who’s clinging to what little power she has left.
BYRNE: Get out of here or I’ll call security.
With one swift move of his arm, Spiral pushes the monitors and equipment off the table, sending it crashing to the ground. Crew members scatter leaving Spiral and Byrne facing each other down with nothing but an empty table between them.
BYRNE: How dare you! You’re going to pay for that!
SPIRAL: You first.
She stares him down with an incredulous look on her face.
BYRNE: That’s it. You’re FIRED.
And with that one word, Spiral’s entire demeanor changes. The aggression washes away from his disposition. His shoulders relax and the scowl on his face morphs into a very pleased smile. A chuckle builds in his throat, soft and low at first, then grows into a hearty, raspy har-har. He doubles over and slaps his knee a handful of times while laughing, until finally the crowing and cawing dies out. He straightens his back and looks her dead in the eye.
SPIRAL: Thank you, Ms. Byrne. I needed that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a plane to catch.
Byrne stands there dumbfounded for a moment before it hits her: this is what he wanted all along. She rushes around the pile of cables and broken screens, nearly tripping a few of the cords as she hurries after him.
BYRNE: Get back here right now with that belt. It’s Valor Property!
We fade in from whatever shot we were on before to see Cosmo Cooper standing with the Apex Championship over his shoulder. As usual he is very reflective in the way he looks at the belt. The Kings Road Internet Championship is right beside him, but it won’t be the title he will wear around his waist tonight.
COOPER: 140 days… 140 days as Apex Champion. I wish we could erase away whatever abomination to professional wrestling came before me that held this title… but nobody before me had the balls to do what I have done for this championship. I have very simple words for the three of you that will step into that ring with me tonight here in Cairo. I would be crazy to stand here and say I am guaranteed to walk out a winner. I know how odds work. I’m a gambler. But I don’t want some mentally challenged midget turned wrestler like Cross to say I have changed my ways because of a loss.
Cooper shrugged.
COOPER: I did it first. I did it better. And if I am good enough to walk out amongst the three of you… and I get to hear those words… AND STILL? I don’t want any of you sniffing at my fucking feet for a handout anymore. But if you do manage to knock me off? I want management to hear this loud and clear. I want Cross to pay attention, because he sure as fuck needs to learn it after the horrible losses he’s had.
He laid the title in front of him on the ground.
COOPER: If I lose? I want at the back of the line. I don’t want a rematch clause. I don’t want people to think I’m a golden boy and handed anything. I want to go to the very first match on the card, to the people debuting in this company and I want to work my way up… because it’s a lesson each of you need to learn… and if I have to teach it to you by losing, working my way up and winning the damn thing again? Then so be it. I’ve made my case. Cooper swooped down and picked the title back up. COOPER: But I’ve not lost… anything… yet.
With a wink, he walks towards the gorilla position for his match
-MAIN EVENT-
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is your MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING, and is a Fatal Four Way Match for the APEX CHAMPIONSHIP!! All four competitors will start in the ring at the same time, and the first to gain a pinfall or submission will be declared the winner....
'Turn To Stone' by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spot light illuminates the stage. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, a titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in one hand, touching the crucifix with the other, Chimera Tag Team Championship snugly around his waist. 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 one half of the CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS....THE FOX...CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!
Recoba reaches ringside and holds the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips and kisses it for luck. He sets the cane to rest against the ring steps, and then climbs them up onto the apron, and with a wipe of his feet slips between the ropes. He pops up with both hands out at his side, walking forward as if putting his glory on display, and delivers an over exaggerated bow that causes the fans to crow even louder in disdain. Cross stands to his full height and smirks, tapping the face plate of his championship while stepping over to the far corner to await his opponent.
LO: Cross Recoba was just barely successful in holding onto the Chimera Tag Team Championships earlier in the show, and controversy abounds. Not just with how Rekoba retained those championships, but also with what state Recoba's back is in...
KO: Yeah, but this is for the Apex, Laur, and The Fox has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I don't have any doubts that fatigue will not stand in his way as an excuse.
LO: Maybe not, but the reality of the situation is different. He has already been through a grueling exchange where NSFW really put their targets on him knowing that he would be focused here, and the end of that match was saved because of some underhanded chair tactics by Dakota Jennings. It's the only reason he was able to even make it here as a champion...
KO: Whatever. You won't shake my faith...
The announcers are interrupted when ‘Resurrection by Erection’ by Powerwolf thrums through the arena speakers and the lights around the stage begin to flash with the drums. When the chorus kicks off, Brennan Devlin bursts through the curtain wearing a leather vest with 'I Am Faceless' embroidered on the back. The arena explodes with boos as Devlin stops at the top of the ramp to soak them in, his gaze eventually falling on Recoba in the ring. At the sight of The Fox his jaw sets, and he stalks down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at six foot one and weighting in at 230 pounds...hailing from San Andreas, California....FACELESS BRENNAN DEVLINNNN!!!
Devlin reaches ringside and leaps up onto the apron, walking along the side before coming to a stop to peer out at the crowd. He sniffs the air, and as if smelling something not to his liking, he sours and slips through the ropes into the ring. From there he falls back into his corner, Recoba warily watching him as he does so. He doesn't even bother to pretend like Recoba is in the ring, instead focuses on limbering himself up for the match.
LO: Last show we saw the emergence of a new persona for Brennan Devlin, and this one isn't nearly as flashy but has all of his moves...
KO: He's no longer The Face of Wrestling, but now carries the moniker Faceless. I wonder why he decided to scale back?
LO: I think he realize he had to. Devlin has yet to be able to snag the championship that he has desired for the past several months, and he knows to do so he has to take this seriously...
The announcers are cut off from 'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta blaring 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, the patch of her eye an obvious disadvantage as she comes to a halt, and has to turn her entire head towards the ring to catch sight of the two prey in the ring. With a snarl she starts that way, and the fans can feel the buzz in every step she takes.
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 SUBMISSION MACHINE...BROODDDIEEE!!
Brodie rolls under the bottom rope into the ring, pops up, and pauses for a moment to cast her cyclops eye on both men. Devlin doesn't seem to be perturbed in the slightest, while Recoba flashes her a shit eating grin and covers his own eye with his hand. Brodie bristles and starts right for him, but the referee intercedes and directs her into a neutral corner.
LO: Brodie doesn't look to be intimidated or worried about her visibility now that she's working with only one eye, and has just as much fire as any other time we've seen her!
KO: Of course, Brodie isn't called the Submission Machine for nothing, but no matter how you look at it, she IS at a disadvantage!
LO: I can't disagree, but I think she'll make up for it with intensity and skill.
KO: Maybe, but the only competitor who hasn't appeared will probably have just as much of that as anyone, and that is why he's called The Apex!
On cue the lights dim and the familiar finger snaps from 'Lifted' by CL come over the speakers. Stage lights begin flashing gold and silver, converging on the stage where Cosmo Cooper is already standing, baseball cap covering his head that is staring down at the steel. The Apex Championship sits snugly around his waist while the 4CW Kings Road Internet Championship hangs off his shoulder, the Cairo crowd going nuts at the sight of him. After a few moments he allows his head to lift, and he looks out at the crowd under the brim of his hat with a confident grin before reaching up and taking it by the brim, and sends it into the crowd like a discus. Fans clammer to get hold of the keepsake as Cosmo starts his trek down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing his opponent, standing at six foot two and weighting in at 232 pounds....hailing from Santa Rosa, California...He is the General Managers Champion of Choice, The 4CW Kings Road Internet Champion, and THE REIGNING VALOR PRO APEX CHAMPION, THE GRAPS JESUS, COSMO COOOPPPEERRRR!!
Cosmo reaches ringside and steps around to the corner of the ring where the steps reside, and falls back into the guardrail where the front row fans all pat him on the back while he nods, looking up into the ring at the other three competitors he grins confidently as they wall watch him, each having their own opinion of the man. Eventually he shrugs off the guard rail and takes the steps two at a time to the apron, and then swings himself into the ring. He steps right past the other competitors to the only unoccupied corner, and steps up to the second where he unstraps the Apex Championship, and then holds both titles aloft with a nod. He drops down, and hands the Apex off to Caputo who holds it aloft for all the crowd to see before handing it off to the Ring Attendant.
LO: Man the electricity in the room is building now that The Champ has arrived, and all eyes are on Cooper as he turns to face his adversaries.
KO: It's like a Batman Rogue's Gallery out here tonight. You've got 'The Fox' Cross Recoba, 'The Submission Machine' Brodie, and 'Faceless' Brennan Devlin, and every single one of them has an issue with Cosmo Cooper as the Apex Champion.
LO: Different reasons at that. Devlin has always took umbrage with Cooper for being a corporate champion, someone that the VPW Executives seemed to brand as their choice for a representative. Brodie sees Cosmo as a fake, a fraud, and someone who has yet to be challenged. She calls him The Pretender to the throne. And Cross Recoba, well, he believes he is the one who draws in the ratings and the one who deserves that spot. That he has contributed just as much, if not more, than Cooper to Valor's success.
KO: Yeah, and Cooper has defeated all of them with the exception of Cross Recoba, and despite what he says, you have to believe that eats him up inside.
LO: I would tend to agree, but who really knows? Cooper embodies what it means to be a champion, never backing down from the challenge, and never lacking in confidence...but has that confidence finally run out considering the odds are stacked against him under the Fatal Four Way rules?
KO: I don't know, but by God, it's time we find out...cause the bell just sounded, and this Main Event is under way!
The four competitors remain in their respective corners after the sound of the bell, eyes drifting back and forth amongst those opposite of them. Finally, it’s the champion who steps forwards, arms open and a confident grin saying, “We all know why we’re here…” Before he can even finish the sentence Brodie and Devlin rush right for him. Cooper does his best to fire off rights and back elbows to try and fend them off, but their eight limbs to his four overwhelm him, and they drive him back into the corner.
LO: I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! BRODIE AND BRENNAN DEVLIN ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO DESTROY THE APEX CHAMPION!
KO: There’s a lot of hate brewing in this match for Cosmo, but they’ve got him all hemmed up in the corner, and are beating him all the way down to a seated position!
Suddenly Brodie gives Devlin a hard shove that knocks him out of her way, and she grabs the top rope for leverage as she starts stomping a mud hole in the center of Cooper’s chest. Devlin snarls, coming up behind the woman and shoving her with enough force that it sends her to the mat, and he takes up where she left off, stomping away. Brodie pops up quickly, and she grips Brennan by the arm, spinning him around and firing in a right hand, the two suddenly turning their tirade upon one another, trading blow for blow right in front of Cooper.
LO: The Submission Machine and The Faceless squaring off toe to toe, and meanwhile, Cross Recoba has slipped to the outside and is searching around under the ring…
KO: That’s the cunningness of The Fox right there. Let these three take each other out, and get an equalizer for when it’s his time to pick up the scraps!
LO: Maybe so, but while Devlin and Brodie have fought their way back out to the center of the ring…Cooper has pulled himself up, hops up to the second rope, AND LEAPS INTO A DOUBLE DROP KICK, ONE BOOT FOR DEVLIN, AND ONE FOR BRODIE!
All three superstars crash to the mat, but they are back on their feet in equal succession. Brodie tries to bulrush Cooper, but he deftly sidesteps her and sends a back elbow into her shoulders that give her added momentum for when she strikes the top turnbuckle chest first. Devlin moves in on the distraction, but Cooper quickly spins around with a back fist that catches him on the jaw and sends him sprawling for the ropes.
LO: Cooper somehow managing to keep both Brodie and Devlin at bay for the moment, and now turns back to The Submission Machine and LIGHTS HER UP WITH A CHOP!
KO: ANOTHER ONE! And now takes her by the wrist and whips her hard to the opposite side….WAIT! RECOBA JUST SLID INTO THE RING WITH A CHAIR, POPS UP, AND TOOK THE INCOMING BRODIE’S HEAD COMPLETELY OFF!
The sound of steel against bone still reverberates as Brodie slams to the mat, and Cooper shakes his head before rushing at Recoba to try and take him off guard. Unfortunately, no such look against The Fox, as he ducks under the lariat attempt and at the same time whips around with the chair to bringing it crashing down across the top of Cosmo’s skull. The Champion doesn’t immediately go down, but rather does a punch drunk stutter step backwards, falling against the middle rope and tumbling to the outside.
LO: Cross Recoba has effectively put Brodie and Cooper down, and now turns his attention back to Devlin whose still laid up against the ropes…
KO: Here comes Recoba…..SUPERKICK FROM DEVLIN SENDS THE CHAIR SLAMMING RIGHT BACK INTO RECOBA’S FACE!
Recoba hits the mat and the chair skitters to the side out of the way, and Devlin quickly slides into a hook of the leg.
1…
2…
LO: THRE-NO! BRODIE BACK DIVES IN TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
KO: Brodie and Devlin getting back to their feet, and DEVLIN WITH A CHOP TO BRODIE SENDS HER A STEP BACK!
LO: Brennan following her in, stepping over Cross, and swings for another chop, BUT BRODIE SPINS AROUND IT, HOOKS THE ARM ON HER WAY THROUGH…AND IS FORCING DEVLIN DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: Devlin fighting with everything he has as Brodie grapevines the arm and is reaching for his head….if she gets the Finality Crossface locked in, this one is over!
Devlin’s head bobs and weaves, never giving Brodie a chance to find her fingers around his chin, but the Submission Machine roars in defiance and switches tactics, getting a fistful of The Faceless’ hair and driving him face first several times into the mat. Just when she thinks she has him pacified long enough to finally lock in the hold, she’s booted in the back of the head by a recovered Recoba to break up the hold.
LO: Recoba yanking Brodie up by her ears, and RUNS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE OF THE NEARBY CORNER!
KO: Recoba now spins her around, and CHOP! ANOTHER ONE! AND ANOTHER! BRODIE IS BEING LIT UP HERE!
LO: Better watch out from behind, cause here comes Devlin with a full head of speed….AND CROSS MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AS HE SOARS INTO A BIG SPLASH THAT CRUSHES BRODIE!
Brodie slides down the turnbuckles to a seated position as Devlin pulls back, but Cross Recoba is there with a chop to send Brennan stumbling back to the center of the ring. Just as Recoba steps in to pursue him, he walks into a chop from Devlin that paints his chest red. With an almost obsessive tone, the two men begin lighting their chests up red, firing in chop after chop, blow for blow, as the crowd begins to make different ‘Oooo’ sounds for the exchange. Suddenly Cooper appears on the apron just off to the side of them, grips the top rope, and leaps up to springboard off of it. He sails high right between the two men during their exchange, managing to reach out in either direction with his hands to grab them by the head to drive them face first down into the mat upon his landing.
LO: DOUBLE FACE PLANT FROM COOPER AS HE SPRINGBOARDS BACK INTO THE RING! And now he’s back on his feet, rushes the ropes….SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT DOWN ACROSS BOTH MEN IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: AND HE REMAINS ACROSS BOTH…GOING FOR A DOUBLE PIN HERE!
1…
2…
LO: Both men kick out at two, and now Cooper is working Devlin back up to his feet, and HARD CHOP sends him falling back into the corner….following him in, and opening up with palm thrusts to keep him secured!
KO: Recoba trying to get to his feet, AND HERE COMES BRODIE OUT OF THE CORNER HE LEFT HER IN, AND CATCHES HIM WITH A SWINGING NECKBREAKER!
LO: Brodie rolling him over onto his back, and hooking the leg for a cover…
1…
2…
KO: OH! Broken up by Cooper who heard the count from where he was pummeling Devlin…Cooper now has Brodie up on her feet, and grips her by the back of her tights….
LO: AND RUNS HER RIGHT THROUGH THE ROPES TO LAND UNCERIMONIOUSLY ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR OUTSIDE!
KO: Recoba on one knee in the center of the ring, looks up and see’s Cooper….HERE HE COMES CHARGING IN…
LO: AND COOPER SIDES STEPS HIM, GRIPS HIM BY THE BACK OF THE HEAD, AND GUIDES HIM RIGHT UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO CRASH DOWN ONTO BRODIE!
The fans come alive as the Apex Champion nods, smacking his hands in front of him like he just took out the trash, but when he turns back to where he left Devlin in the corner, he finds that The Faceless now wields the steel chair brought into the ring by Cross. The two eyeball each other for a moment, circling the ring, and then Devlin shrugs, and tosses the chair right at Cosmo. Cooper instinctively catches it, and Devlin slides in from the side to try and deliver a Superkick, but Cooper deftly ducks out of the way.
LO: Cooper wielding the chair now just got out of the way of that kick, and whirls around to take a swing of his own…BUT DEVLIN DUCKS UNDER IT AND BURIES A FIST RIGHT INTO COOPER’S CROTCH!
Cooper’s mouth drops open in shock and pain, as he drops the chair and grabs for his groin. He drops to his knees as Devlin grins, scooping up the hair and stepping to the side of him, winds up, and brings it crashing down across the spine of the champion. Cosmo lurches forward all the way to the mat, and Brennan uses the toe of his boot to nudge the Champion onto his back where he grips the chair by the legs, and then thrusts the top of the chair down into Cooper’s lower abdomen.
LO: GOOD GOD! Cosmo Cooper being assaulted with that chair by Brennan Devlin, and just look at Devlin’s face……He HATES this man…
KO: This animosity that’s built up between the two over the past six months has really taken its toll on Devlin, switching personas, coming completely unhinged…
LO: SPEAKING OF UNHINGED! GET OUT OF THE WAY KEN!!
Laurence Othello gives his brother a shove just as Cross Recoba comes half crashing/half skidding across the announce table to crash into the chairs they had just been sitting in. When the camera reorients, Brodie comes stalking forward, both fists clenched at her side and a look of wildness in her eyes. She climbs right up onto the table only to step off on the other side down beside Recoba, reaching down and pulling him up only to slam him face first down into the table’s edge.
LO: The Mayhem is everywhere….In the ring….at ringside…HELL! IT’S RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF US!
KO: Brodie now dragging Cross by a fistful of hair back around to the other side….WAIT! RECOBA REACHES UP TO HOOK BRODIE AROUND THE HEAD FOR A STUNNER….NO! STANDING SITOUT SHIRANUI!
LO: SICILIAN TYPE WRITER BRINGS THE BACK OF BRODIE’S HEAD RIGHT DOWN ONTO OUR TABLE, AND SHE’S LAID OUT ACROSS IT AS CROSS ROLLS OFF CRADLING HIS SPINE!
KO: Move hurt him just as much as it did Brodie, but now he shuffling back towards the ring where…THERE’S A COVER TAKING PLACE ON COSMO COOPER FROM DEVLIN!
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! RECOBA JUST BARELY BACK INTO THE RING TO KNOCK DEVLIN OFF OF COOPER AND SAVE THIS MATCH UP!
Recoba pulls Devlin up to his feet and chops him back into the nearby corner where he traps the man with multiple shoulder thrust, each one pushing him further and further up into the turnbuckles. Meanwhile Cooper manages to scoot his way to the opposite corner, pushing himself up into a seated position, clutching at his midsection after taking a bludgeoning from the steel chair by Devlin. He watches as Recoba damages his nemesis on the other side of the ring, realizing that the distraction could afford him a victory.
LO: Cooper just barely able to pull himself up by use of the ropes after that beating he took at the hands of Brennan Devlin, but the Apex is now zeroed in on the action taking place on the other side of the ring…
KO: Cooper with a running charge across the ring…AND LEAPS INTO A KNEE STRIKE RIGHT TO THE BACK OF RECOBA’S HEAD WHICH SENDS HIM INTO A HEADBUTT ON DEVLIN!
LO: Cooper with a waistlock…pulling Recoba out of the corner….DEAD LIFT GERMAN SUPLEX INTO A BRIDGE!
1…
2…
KO: THREE-NO! DEVLIN FELL FORWARD OUT OF THE CORNER AND LANDED FACE FIRST ON COOPER’S CROTCH TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
LO: I don’t think that was intentional, Ken! Devlin was just out on his face after Recoba’s forehead collided with his, and he just fell….
KO: Either way! The Apex Champion can’t take much more damage to his mommy-daddy button or he and Riley are never going to be able to have kids…
Cosmo once again has hold of his crotch while Devlin lays face first down in the mat, and Recoba clutches at the back of his skull. The fans come alive when Brodie suddenly appears on the ring apron, and begins to climb for the top rope. Upon reaching the top she surveys her downed opponents, and appears to settle on the closest one to her, Cross Recoba. With arms widespread, she leaps out into a freefall that seems to last forever, until gravity catches up and accelerates her down towards the ring.
LO: DIVING HEADBUTT FROM BRODIE ONTO RECOBA OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: High Risk moves take just as much out of the deliverer as it does the delivered, so it’s taking her a minute….BUT SHE’S GOT THE LEG HOOKED!
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! COOPER MANAGES TO ROLL ONTO HIS SIDE, AND JUST MULE KICKS BRODIE IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD TO BREAK UP THE COUNT!
KO: Brodie holding the side of her face as she moves up to her feet, and uh-oh….WITH A SNARL JUST LEAPED OVER CROSS TO BESIDE COOPER, AND SHE’S GOT THE ARM EXTENDED!
LO: HEAD IS HOOKED! FINALITY CROSSFACE!
Cooper cries out in pain as the dreaded submission hold is torqued back by its administrator, The Submission Machine roaring right along with the languished please of her victim. Caputo drops into position right in front of the champion as Brodie tries to pry his skull from his shoulders, and Cosmo’s hand finds itself hovering over the mat of its own accord.
KO: Brodie has the Apex on the verge of submission, but Devlin is pulling himself up to his feet by the nearby ropes…..AND FOOTBALL LIKE PUNT TO BRODIE’S SKULL BREAKS THE HOLD!
LO: Devlin now pulling Brodie up, and slips his head under her arm from the front…lifts her up and walks her right over to the nearby corner where he sets her to sit upon the top turnbuckle…
KO: Devlin steps up to the second to join her, and now fires in right hands to keep her from trying to offer any resistance….
Brennan hooks Brodie around the head, and takes her arm and drapes it over his own shoulders before gripping her by the waistband of her tights. Just when he’s about to lift her up he’s lambasted from behind by a recovered Recoba with a sledgehammer like blow to his spine. Cross then spins around, lowers his body, and pushes himself as far against the turnbuckles as he can, standing up to put Devlin in powerbomb position. At that moment Brodie suddenly comes alive, shoving Brennan’s arm off her and firing in right hands to the man’s skull.
LO: There is a hell of a fight for control over on that one side of the ring…AND WHAT THE HELL! COSMO COOPER JUST SPRANG UP TO HIS FEET….RUSHES THE CORNER, STEPS UP THE ROPES, AND ENZUGURI TO THE BACK OF BRODIE’S HEAD!
KO: AHHHH RECOBA PULLED FORWARD AND TORE DEVLIN FREE FROM BRODIE! POWERBOMB DOWN TO THE CENTER OF THE CANVAS!
LO: Cooper landed and kept himself on his feet by hooking the top rope on his way down….RECOBA COMES RUSHING BACK IN….SUPERKICK FROM COSMO SENDS HIM CRASHING TO THE MAT!
KO: Brodie is just wobbling up on the top rope, dazed after that step up enzuguri, and Cooper now climbing to the top to hook her around the head himself…
LO: BUT BRODIE NOW FIRING IN RIGHT HANDS OF RESISTANCE….COOPER REALING…..Recoba is on his feet just under them, but he’s bent over using the middle rope to keep himself steady…OH MY GOD!
KO: DEVLIN JUST KIPPED UP IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! HE CHARGES THE CORNER, STEPS UP OFF OF RECOBA’S BACK, AND DROPKICKS COOPER IN THE CENTER OF HIS BACK TO SEND HIM AND BRODIE FLYING OFF TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!!
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY IT LOOKS LIKE A CAR CRASH OUT THERE! THEIR BODIES JUST SPLAYED ALL OVER THE FLOOR, ARMS AND LEGS SPRAWLED EVERY WHICH WAY!
KO: Wait…Wait…Recoba is finally standing upright, and Devlin’s begging for him to turn around….THIS COULD BE IT!
Cross does eventually turn around, and Brennan is there to hook him around the head to go for a Face Off, but instinctively The Fox gives him a shove that sends him hurtling for the ropes. Devlin rebounds and comes back with momentum, and Recoba uses that to catch him with a tremendous Spine Buster that rattles the ring. He pops up to his feet off the impact, retaining hold of Devlin’s legs, and then chokes up on them to turn him over into his devastating submission hold.
LO: GARABALDI’S GUILLOTINE! HE HAS DEVLIN DEAD CENTER OF THE RING, AND BRODIE AND COSMO ARE LAID OUT AT RINGSIDE!
KO: Devlin’s face is a mask of pain as he reaches for ropes that wouldn’t break the hold even if he reached them….I think this might be it!
LO: Devlin is struggling to try and get out of the hold somehow, but it’s never been broken…and now his hand is hovering over the mat….He’s seconds from tapping…
KO: WAIT A DAMN MINUTE! HOW IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE!
LO: BRODIE JUST PULLED HERSELF TO HER FEET ON THE OUTSIDE….SHE’S ROLLING UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE INTO THE RING…..RIGHT UP TO DEVLIN…AND SHE JUST LOCKED IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
KO: AHHH! HE’S IN GARABALDI’S GUILLOTINE AND THE FINALITY CROSSFACE! HE CAN’T EVEN TAP, AND WE BOTH KNOW HE WON’T SUBMIT WILLINGLY! THEY ARE GOING TO PUT HIM OUT!
LO: YEAH! BUT WHO WOULD BE THE CHAMPION IF THAT HAPPENS?!?
KO: I HAVE NO IDEA!!
Devlin finds both ends of his body ravaged in the devastating submission holds, and for the first time Cross looks over his shoulder to see what’s happened. He shakes his head in utter disbelief, ending the unbelievable scene by letting Devlin’s legs flop uselessly to the mat. He then turns, and drops a knee into the side of Brodie’s head to get her to let loose of the Crossface. Devlin quickly rolls for the opposite side of the ring, not sure which body to clutch as his entire frame has been destroyed, and he ends up falling to the outside in an unmoving heap.
LO: Recoba finally putting an end to the torture of Brennan Devlin, realizing if he had submitted that the controversy could knock him out of his chance to be champion…
KO: They don’t call him The Fox for nothing, as he moves his attention to Brodie….WAIT! THERE’S COSMO ON THE APRON! RECOBA LOOKS UP JUST IN TIME TO TAKE A TORPEDO HEADBUTT!!
LO: BRODIE, COOPER, AND RECOBA DOWN IN THE RING! DEVLIN DOWN ON THE OUTSIDE! GOD ALMIGHTY WHAT A MATCH!
It takes a few moments for anyone to stir, Caputo and the rest of the capacity crowd watching intently as Cosmo Cooper finally raises his head off the mat. He lifts his arm in the air and makes one lurching move forward before collapsing with it draped over Recoba’s fallen frame.
1…
2…
LO: THREE-KICK OUT! No interference, no saves….that was just a straight kick out from The Fox to save this matchup!
KO: Cosmo now cursing under his breath, and looks up to see that Brodie still hasn’t moved….and he now makes the crawl over to her, and heaves his body onto hers…
1…
2…
LO: THREE-KICK OUT! GOOD GOD THE ROOF JUST CAME OFF THIS PLACE AS BRODIE KICKS OUT AS WELL!
The electricity is nearly palpable as Cosmo pushes up to his knees, head bowed, shoulders limp as he stares down at the canvas. That is when the Valor Pro Faithful come alive, voicing exactly how they feel about this epic Main Event.
“THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME!”
Cooper’s head lazily lifts up to search the sea of humanity, and with a slight smirk and shrug of his shoulders that seems to cause him some pain, he throws both arms out at his sides and lets out a primal roar. The fans respond in kind with cheers as he pushes up to his feet about the same time that Brodie and Recoba attempt to reach theirs.
LO: Brodie looking up JUST IN TIME TO CATCH A LARIAT FROM THE CHAMPION!
KO: RECOBA GET’S THE SAME TREATMENT AS COSMO COOPER FIRES UP!
Cooper reaches down and pulls Recoba up to his feet and pushes him back into the ropes, takes him by the wrist, and the whips him hard to the opposite side. Cross charges the ropes just as Brennan Devlin pulls himself up by use of the ring apron, and instead of rebounding back, makes a death defying leap that clears the top rope into a Missle Drop Kick that lays both competitors out.
LO: SWEET JESUS! A MILLION LIRA WIPES OUT BOTH CROSS AND DEVLIN FROM WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COOPER OFFENSE!
KO: You can’t blink, Laur! If you do you’ll miss something!
Cooper almost laughs, turning his attention back to Brodie, and is completely blindsided when she explodes up from the canvas into a Sledgehammer like blow with both fists to his chest that send him crashing to the mat. Brodie stumbles around the ring, sweating, hair out of place, her body marked with bruises and her one eye like a beacon of rage as she stops to turn it upon Cooper. As he tries to push back up to his feet she gives a roar of her own, rushing in with a high knee that lifts him up and sends him stumbling back into the corner.
LO: Brodie wading in like a hellcat! Rights and lefts pummeling the champion, and Cooper is in troub….OH NO!
KO: COOPER JUST REACHED UP AND RAKED HER GOOD EYE!
LO: Brodie stumbling away blindly, and even some of this capacity crowd is booing as Cooper steps out to grab her by the ears, and flips her around to where she’s the one trapped in the corner….
KO: Brodie blindly throwing punches as Cooper evades them, grips her by the chin and turns her face so it exposes the eye-patch…AND STRAIGHT RIGHT HAND INTO THE WOUNDED EYE!
The blow drops Brodie to one knee, clearly ringing her bell, and Cooper grips either side of the top rope and starts driving knee strikes into her unprotected skull, sinking her further down into a seated position. After a few more strikes he takes several steps back along the ropes, and then rushes forward, throwing his foot out in front of him for a face wash that strikes on the eyepatch side of her skull.
LO: Brodie dropping all the way to the mat clutching at her injured eye, rolling out towards the center of the ring with Cooper watching…
KO: This has already been brutal, but now with the Champions back to the wall he’s vicious…..perhaps a sign of how desperate he is to finish this thing..
LO: Cooper signaling to the crowd it’s over, and despite the tactics it seems the majority are still behind him!
Cooper stalks out in pursuit of Brodie, and reaches down to pull the woman up to her feet. He scoops her up onto his shoulder, obviously looking for his patented Spinning Tombstone Piledriver, but as soon as she’s in place her feet begin kicking to put up resistance. After a second she manages to slide off the shoulder behind him, hooking him just under the chin with her arm as she goes. Cooper struggles as he’s now in a standing Dragon Sleeper, but Brodie doesn’t leave him there for long before swinging around with her elbow in his throat as she drives him to the canvas onto the back of his head with all of her weight on top of him. The referee interprets this as a pin attempt, though likely its more out of exhaustion.
1…
2…
LO: THREE-KICK OUT! IT’S THE CHAMPIONS TURN TO DEFY THE ODDS AND MAKE IT OUT JUST BEFORE THE REFERE’S HAND COULD COME DOWN FOR A THREE COUNT!
KO: Brodie looks stunned as she beats her fists into the side of her head, and now sits up so that she can stare back at the champion…
LO: The fans can’t believe it either…a collective gasp went up as his shoulder came off the mat, but now reality is settling in for The Submission Machine, and she’s got hold of his wrist, trying to extend the arm out…
Usually anytime Brodie took control of the wrist everyone knew exactly what that means, but Brodie surprises everyone when she spins around the arm, pitches herself into a front roll, pulling Cosmo with her until rolling him around into a Luchador like pin...
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! RECOBA OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THE SAVE, AND NOW BRODIE REALLY IS PISSED!
Recoba rises after just leaping in from somewhere on the outside, and Brodie is right there to meet him with forearm shots that rock him back into the ropes. She whips him to the far side, but he reverses it, sending her to rebound instead. She fires back towards him and he steps out to the center of the ring to catch her in a tilt-a-whirl that ends with her on his shoulder, and a sudden snap down into a Tombstone Piledriver!
LO: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA TO BRODIE!
KO: RECOBA IS AS EXHAUSTED AS EVERYONE ELSE, SO IT’S TAKING HIM A MINUTE…..BUT FINALLY THERE’S A COVER!
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! COOPER MANAGED TO THRUST HIMSELF FORWARDS AND SHOVE RECOBA OFF BEFORE THE THREE!
KO: Both men look haggard as they work themselves up to their feet….AND THERE’S A CHOP FROM RECOBA TO THE CHAMPION!
LO: COOPER FIRES RIGHT BACK WITH ONE OF HIS OWN!
KO: TIT-FOR-TAT IN THE CENTER OF THE RING, AND OH! COSMO DUCKED UNDER THAT CHOP AND HOOKS RECOBA IN A WAISTLOCK! RUSHES HIM CHEST FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE OF THE CORNER IN FRONT OF THEM!
LO: Cooper now with a fistful of Recoba’s hair, and HE’S RAMMING HIM FACE FIRST REPEATEDLY INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
KO: AHHH! AND THE CROWD’S COUNTING ALONG!
By the time they reach ten Recoba is slumping, the top rope the only thing keeping him upright. Cooper looks over his shoulder to see Brodie is laid out unmoving in the center of the ring, and he nods, knowing he has to pull out something big. He grips the top rope and uses it to leap up, spinning around so that he lands on the top turnbuckle with his back foot on the ring post. Cross tries to look up to see what is happening, and response, Cooper places his boot right on Recoba’s head, now balancing himself to stand up.
LO: OH MY GOD! I DON’T KNOW WHAT HE’S ABOUT TO DO, BUT COSMO COOPER IS LITERALLY STANDING ON CROSS RECOBA’S HEAD!
KO: THAT ISN’T RIGHT LAUR! WHAT THE….GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!
Cooper leaps forwards into the air, committing himself to the highest Shooting Star Press that the company has ever seen. His body sails through the air at the same time it rotates, leaving him unable to see Brodie rolling desperately out of the way, nor Devlin sliding back into the ring. Just as his rotation completes and his body begins descend, he has only a split second to look on in horror as Devlin pops up to his feet into a leap into the air, hooking him around the head for a Cutter on the way down.
LO: SWEET MARY MOTHER OF GOD! FACE OFF FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME! THAT WAS A FACE OFF COMING OUT OF A SHOOTING STAR PRESS MEANT FOR BRODIE OFF OF CROSS RECOBA’S SKULL!
LO: All four competitors are down and out, and folks….that was the damndest thing I’ve ever seen all around. How in the hell do you even follow that?
KO: You don’t, Laur! This is the Main Event! This is the Apex Championship! THIS IS VALOR PRO WRESTLING!
“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”
The chant reverberates off the halls in the back, all the way out of The Covered Hall, and into the night skies of Cairo, Egypt. There isn’t an occupied seat in the arena, all standing, all chanting or cheering or booing. At this point, for the four competitors in the ring, it doesn’t matter. They are bruised, exhausted, and broken, and not a one of them has attempted to move in several long moments. Finally it's Brodie who shifts over onto her stomach, and she belly crawls past Devlin to drop her arm across Cooper's chest.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! RECOBA SHOVED BRODIE OFF!
KO: Now those too working up to their feet, and Cross goes for a chop...BUT BRODIE SPINS AROUND IT AND GRABS THE ARM TO DROP HIM DOWN TO THE MAT AND SHE'S GOT HIM HOOKED INTO THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
LO: Yeah, but Devlin was working up to his feet just after that...and BOOT TO THE BACK OF BRODIE'S HEAD BREAKS THE HOLD!
KO: Devlin now pulling Brodie up and RUNS HER RIGHT UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO CRASH LAND ONTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
LO: Cosmo is trying to get up as well, just hanging onto the middle rope, and Devlin just got him by the scruff of the neck and the seat of the pants....AND PITCHES HIM THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE!
Devlin is now all alone in the ring with Cross Recoba, and The Faceless stares out at the capacity crowd with emotionless eyes before averting his gaze over to The Fox. Recoba clutches at his shoulder as he slowly tries to will himself up to his feet, having already been through a war with NSFW, and now having been in this match for a grueling thirty-five minutes. Devlin patiently waits, calling for him to rise, and eventually he does push off the canvas and stumbles forwards. Brennan moves in like a vulture, hooks him around the head, and spins round for another cutter. Only this time, Recoba shoves him away, and when he spins around to try and press the attack, Devlin get's scooped up onto Recoba's shoulder, and then plummeted down onto his skull with a Tombstone Piledriver.
LO: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA! THIS IS IT!
KO: CROSS FALLING FORWARDS OVER DEVLIN'S BODY....AND WAIT A MINUTE!
LO: COOPER'S BACK IN THE RING AND HE JUST SCRAMBLED CROSS UP BY THE SCRUFF OF HIS NECK AND THE SEAT OF IS PANTS....AND TOSSES HIM RIGHT THROUGH THE ROPES TO CRASH INTO BRODIE WHO JUST GOT BACK TO HER FEET!
KO: AHH!! THEY'RE BOTH WIPED OUT!
LO: COSMO RUSHING BACK AND SLIDING INTO A HOOK OF THE LEG!!!
KO: HE'S STEALING IT!
1...
2...
3!!!
The roof literally blows off the Covered Hall, the noise and electricity exploding in one crescendo as a tired, sweaty, battered champion falls off of Devlin's laid out body, and stares up at the lights.
RING ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match via pinfall......AND STILL APEX CHAMPION.....COSMO COOPER!!
LO: Folks, let me just tell you right now, everyone in this match put it all on the line, but in the end, Cosmo Cooper is still The Apex of this industry, and with good reason...
KO: He literally just stole that victory from Cross Recoba, and you're greasing his monkey...
LO: I'm stating a fact! The match is a Fatal Four Way, and puts the champion at a major disadvantage, and somehow he still pulled off the victory...
KO: Alright, fine. How about the fact that he's going to have to face one of the other guys who made it to the top of the industry, and won huge here tonight as well, Chris Callum.
LO: That is going to be an epic showdown when and wherever it takes place, and we have the exclusive chance to see it right here at Valor Pro! Can't deny that I'm excited for that...
KO: Damn right, but I guess tonight...it's all about The Apex!
Cosmo Cooper takes the championship he won so many moons ago, and hoists it over his head as the Egyptian crowd celebrates all around him. Cross Recoba falls back against the announce table to stare up into the ring, a look of complete disbelief on his face. That disbelief quickly turns to a snarl, and the wheels are already turning in The Foxes brain as he doesn't even bother making his way for the ramp, but jumps the guardrail and exits through the crowd. Brodie sits against the ring steps, knees pulled up to her chest, her one eye staring blankly at the concrete floor as Cooper's music plays overhead. She shakes her head slowly before getting to her feet and making her way towards the ramp. Devlin eventually rolls out from the center of the ring, and lands on the outside. The Faceless' expression reads of disgust as he pushes off the apron and clutches the top of his head, walking along the trail between ramp and guardrail. The camera swings back around to Cosmo one last time, doing a little shoulder dance while cradling the Apex Championship and then cuts backstage.
'Turn To Stone' by Joe Walsh fills the arena as the lights dim and a single spot light illuminates the stage. Out from the curtain steps Cross Recoba, a titanium cane with a golden lion's head handle in one hand, touching the crucifix with the other, Chimera Tag Team Championship snugly around his waist. 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 one half of the CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS....THE FOX...CROSS RECOBBBAAA!!
Recoba reaches ringside and holds the lions head handle of the cane up to his lips and kisses it for luck. He sets the cane to rest against the ring steps, and then climbs them up onto the apron, and with a wipe of his feet slips between the ropes. He pops up with both hands out at his side, walking forward as if putting his glory on display, and delivers an over exaggerated bow that causes the fans to crow even louder in disdain. Cross stands to his full height and smirks, tapping the face plate of his championship while stepping over to the far corner to await his opponent.
LO: Cross Recoba was just barely successful in holding onto the Chimera Tag Team Championships earlier in the show, and controversy abounds. Not just with how Rekoba retained those championships, but also with what state Recoba's back is in...
KO: Yeah, but this is for the Apex, Laur, and The Fox has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I don't have any doubts that fatigue will not stand in his way as an excuse.
LO: Maybe not, but the reality of the situation is different. He has already been through a grueling exchange where NSFW really put their targets on him knowing that he would be focused here, and the end of that match was saved because of some underhanded chair tactics by Dakota Jennings. It's the only reason he was able to even make it here as a champion...
KO: Whatever. You won't shake my faith...
The announcers are interrupted when ‘Resurrection by Erection’ by Powerwolf thrums through the arena speakers and the lights around the stage begin to flash with the drums. When the chorus kicks off, Brennan Devlin bursts through the curtain wearing a leather vest with 'I Am Faceless' embroidered on the back. The arena explodes with boos as Devlin stops at the top of the ramp to soak them in, his gaze eventually falling on Recoba in the ring. At the sight of The Fox his jaw sets, and he stalks down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at six foot one and weighting in at 230 pounds...hailing from San Andreas, California....FACELESS BRENNAN DEVLINNNN!!!
Devlin reaches ringside and leaps up onto the apron, walking along the side before coming to a stop to peer out at the crowd. He sniffs the air, and as if smelling something not to his liking, he sours and slips through the ropes into the ring. From there he falls back into his corner, Recoba warily watching him as he does so. He doesn't even bother to pretend like Recoba is in the ring, instead focuses on limbering himself up for the match.
LO: Last show we saw the emergence of a new persona for Brennan Devlin, and this one isn't nearly as flashy but has all of his moves...
KO: He's no longer The Face of Wrestling, but now carries the moniker Faceless. I wonder why he decided to scale back?
LO: I think he realize he had to. Devlin has yet to be able to snag the championship that he has desired for the past several months, and he knows to do so he has to take this seriously...
The announcers are cut off from 'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta blaring 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, the patch of her eye an obvious disadvantage as she comes to a halt, and has to turn her entire head towards the ring to catch sight of the two prey in the ring. With a snarl she starts that way, and the fans can feel the buzz in every step she takes.
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 SUBMISSION MACHINE...BROODDDIEEE!!
Brodie rolls under the bottom rope into the ring, pops up, and pauses for a moment to cast her cyclops eye on both men. Devlin doesn't seem to be perturbed in the slightest, while Recoba flashes her a shit eating grin and covers his own eye with his hand. Brodie bristles and starts right for him, but the referee intercedes and directs her into a neutral corner.
LO: Brodie doesn't look to be intimidated or worried about her visibility now that she's working with only one eye, and has just as much fire as any other time we've seen her!
KO: Of course, Brodie isn't called the Submission Machine for nothing, but no matter how you look at it, she IS at a disadvantage!
LO: I can't disagree, but I think she'll make up for it with intensity and skill.
KO: Maybe, but the only competitor who hasn't appeared will probably have just as much of that as anyone, and that is why he's called The Apex!
On cue the lights dim and the familiar finger snaps from 'Lifted' by CL come over the speakers. Stage lights begin flashing gold and silver, converging on the stage where Cosmo Cooper is already standing, baseball cap covering his head that is staring down at the steel. The Apex Championship sits snugly around his waist while the 4CW Kings Road Internet Championship hangs off his shoulder, the Cairo crowd going nuts at the sight of him. After a few moments he allows his head to lift, and he looks out at the crowd under the brim of his hat with a confident grin before reaching up and taking it by the brim, and sends it into the crowd like a discus. Fans clammer to get hold of the keepsake as Cosmo starts his trek down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing his opponent, standing at six foot two and weighting in at 232 pounds....hailing from Santa Rosa, California...He is the General Managers Champion of Choice, The 4CW Kings Road Internet Champion, and THE REIGNING VALOR PRO APEX CHAMPION, THE GRAPS JESUS, COSMO COOOPPPEERRRR!!
Cosmo reaches ringside and steps around to the corner of the ring where the steps reside, and falls back into the guardrail where the front row fans all pat him on the back while he nods, looking up into the ring at the other three competitors he grins confidently as they wall watch him, each having their own opinion of the man. Eventually he shrugs off the guard rail and takes the steps two at a time to the apron, and then swings himself into the ring. He steps right past the other competitors to the only unoccupied corner, and steps up to the second where he unstraps the Apex Championship, and then holds both titles aloft with a nod. He drops down, and hands the Apex off to Caputo who holds it aloft for all the crowd to see before handing it off to the Ring Attendant.
LO: Man the electricity in the room is building now that The Champ has arrived, and all eyes are on Cooper as he turns to face his adversaries.
KO: It's like a Batman Rogue's Gallery out here tonight. You've got 'The Fox' Cross Recoba, 'The Submission Machine' Brodie, and 'Faceless' Brennan Devlin, and every single one of them has an issue with Cosmo Cooper as the Apex Champion.
LO: Different reasons at that. Devlin has always took umbrage with Cooper for being a corporate champion, someone that the VPW Executives seemed to brand as their choice for a representative. Brodie sees Cosmo as a fake, a fraud, and someone who has yet to be challenged. She calls him The Pretender to the throne. And Cross Recoba, well, he believes he is the one who draws in the ratings and the one who deserves that spot. That he has contributed just as much, if not more, than Cooper to Valor's success.
KO: Yeah, and Cooper has defeated all of them with the exception of Cross Recoba, and despite what he says, you have to believe that eats him up inside.
LO: I would tend to agree, but who really knows? Cooper embodies what it means to be a champion, never backing down from the challenge, and never lacking in confidence...but has that confidence finally run out considering the odds are stacked against him under the Fatal Four Way rules?
KO: I don't know, but by God, it's time we find out...cause the bell just sounded, and this Main Event is under way!
The four competitors remain in their respective corners after the sound of the bell, eyes drifting back and forth amongst those opposite of them. Finally, it’s the champion who steps forwards, arms open and a confident grin saying, “We all know why we’re here…” Before he can even finish the sentence Brodie and Devlin rush right for him. Cooper does his best to fire off rights and back elbows to try and fend them off, but their eight limbs to his four overwhelm him, and they drive him back into the corner.
LO: I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! BRODIE AND BRENNAN DEVLIN ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO DESTROY THE APEX CHAMPION!
KO: There’s a lot of hate brewing in this match for Cosmo, but they’ve got him all hemmed up in the corner, and are beating him all the way down to a seated position!
Suddenly Brodie gives Devlin a hard shove that knocks him out of her way, and she grabs the top rope for leverage as she starts stomping a mud hole in the center of Cooper’s chest. Devlin snarls, coming up behind the woman and shoving her with enough force that it sends her to the mat, and he takes up where she left off, stomping away. Brodie pops up quickly, and she grips Brennan by the arm, spinning him around and firing in a right hand, the two suddenly turning their tirade upon one another, trading blow for blow right in front of Cooper.
LO: The Submission Machine and The Faceless squaring off toe to toe, and meanwhile, Cross Recoba has slipped to the outside and is searching around under the ring…
KO: That’s the cunningness of The Fox right there. Let these three take each other out, and get an equalizer for when it’s his time to pick up the scraps!
LO: Maybe so, but while Devlin and Brodie have fought their way back out to the center of the ring…Cooper has pulled himself up, hops up to the second rope, AND LEAPS INTO A DOUBLE DROP KICK, ONE BOOT FOR DEVLIN, AND ONE FOR BRODIE!
All three superstars crash to the mat, but they are back on their feet in equal succession. Brodie tries to bulrush Cooper, but he deftly sidesteps her and sends a back elbow into her shoulders that give her added momentum for when she strikes the top turnbuckle chest first. Devlin moves in on the distraction, but Cooper quickly spins around with a back fist that catches him on the jaw and sends him sprawling for the ropes.
LO: Cooper somehow managing to keep both Brodie and Devlin at bay for the moment, and now turns back to The Submission Machine and LIGHTS HER UP WITH A CHOP!
KO: ANOTHER ONE! And now takes her by the wrist and whips her hard to the opposite side….WAIT! RECOBA JUST SLID INTO THE RING WITH A CHAIR, POPS UP, AND TOOK THE INCOMING BRODIE’S HEAD COMPLETELY OFF!
The sound of steel against bone still reverberates as Brodie slams to the mat, and Cooper shakes his head before rushing at Recoba to try and take him off guard. Unfortunately, no such look against The Fox, as he ducks under the lariat attempt and at the same time whips around with the chair to bringing it crashing down across the top of Cosmo’s skull. The Champion doesn’t immediately go down, but rather does a punch drunk stutter step backwards, falling against the middle rope and tumbling to the outside.
LO: Cross Recoba has effectively put Brodie and Cooper down, and now turns his attention back to Devlin whose still laid up against the ropes…
KO: Here comes Recoba…..SUPERKICK FROM DEVLIN SENDS THE CHAIR SLAMMING RIGHT BACK INTO RECOBA’S FACE!
Recoba hits the mat and the chair skitters to the side out of the way, and Devlin quickly slides into a hook of the leg.
1…
2…
LO: THRE-NO! BRODIE BACK DIVES IN TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
KO: Brodie and Devlin getting back to their feet, and DEVLIN WITH A CHOP TO BRODIE SENDS HER A STEP BACK!
LO: Brennan following her in, stepping over Cross, and swings for another chop, BUT BRODIE SPINS AROUND IT, HOOKS THE ARM ON HER WAY THROUGH…AND IS FORCING DEVLIN DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: Devlin fighting with everything he has as Brodie grapevines the arm and is reaching for his head….if she gets the Finality Crossface locked in, this one is over!
Devlin’s head bobs and weaves, never giving Brodie a chance to find her fingers around his chin, but the Submission Machine roars in defiance and switches tactics, getting a fistful of The Faceless’ hair and driving him face first several times into the mat. Just when she thinks she has him pacified long enough to finally lock in the hold, she’s booted in the back of the head by a recovered Recoba to break up the hold.
LO: Recoba yanking Brodie up by her ears, and RUNS HER FACE FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE OF THE NEARBY CORNER!
KO: Recoba now spins her around, and CHOP! ANOTHER ONE! AND ANOTHER! BRODIE IS BEING LIT UP HERE!
LO: Better watch out from behind, cause here comes Devlin with a full head of speed….AND CROSS MOVES OUT OF THE WAY AS HE SOARS INTO A BIG SPLASH THAT CRUSHES BRODIE!
Brodie slides down the turnbuckles to a seated position as Devlin pulls back, but Cross Recoba is there with a chop to send Brennan stumbling back to the center of the ring. Just as Recoba steps in to pursue him, he walks into a chop from Devlin that paints his chest red. With an almost obsessive tone, the two men begin lighting their chests up red, firing in chop after chop, blow for blow, as the crowd begins to make different ‘Oooo’ sounds for the exchange. Suddenly Cooper appears on the apron just off to the side of them, grips the top rope, and leaps up to springboard off of it. He sails high right between the two men during their exchange, managing to reach out in either direction with his hands to grab them by the head to drive them face first down into the mat upon his landing.
LO: DOUBLE FACE PLANT FROM COOPER AS HE SPRINGBOARDS BACK INTO THE RING! And now he’s back on his feet, rushes the ropes….SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT DOWN ACROSS BOTH MEN IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: AND HE REMAINS ACROSS BOTH…GOING FOR A DOUBLE PIN HERE!
1…
2…
LO: Both men kick out at two, and now Cooper is working Devlin back up to his feet, and HARD CHOP sends him falling back into the corner….following him in, and opening up with palm thrusts to keep him secured!
KO: Recoba trying to get to his feet, AND HERE COMES BRODIE OUT OF THE CORNER HE LEFT HER IN, AND CATCHES HIM WITH A SWINGING NECKBREAKER!
LO: Brodie rolling him over onto his back, and hooking the leg for a cover…
1…
2…
KO: OH! Broken up by Cooper who heard the count from where he was pummeling Devlin…Cooper now has Brodie up on her feet, and grips her by the back of her tights….
LO: AND RUNS HER RIGHT THROUGH THE ROPES TO LAND UNCERIMONIOUSLY ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR OUTSIDE!
KO: Recoba on one knee in the center of the ring, looks up and see’s Cooper….HERE HE COMES CHARGING IN…
LO: AND COOPER SIDES STEPS HIM, GRIPS HIM BY THE BACK OF THE HEAD, AND GUIDES HIM RIGHT UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO CRASH DOWN ONTO BRODIE!
The fans come alive as the Apex Champion nods, smacking his hands in front of him like he just took out the trash, but when he turns back to where he left Devlin in the corner, he finds that The Faceless now wields the steel chair brought into the ring by Cross. The two eyeball each other for a moment, circling the ring, and then Devlin shrugs, and tosses the chair right at Cosmo. Cooper instinctively catches it, and Devlin slides in from the side to try and deliver a Superkick, but Cooper deftly ducks out of the way.
LO: Cooper wielding the chair now just got out of the way of that kick, and whirls around to take a swing of his own…BUT DEVLIN DUCKS UNDER IT AND BURIES A FIST RIGHT INTO COOPER’S CROTCH!
Cooper’s mouth drops open in shock and pain, as he drops the chair and grabs for his groin. He drops to his knees as Devlin grins, scooping up the hair and stepping to the side of him, winds up, and brings it crashing down across the spine of the champion. Cosmo lurches forward all the way to the mat, and Brennan uses the toe of his boot to nudge the Champion onto his back where he grips the chair by the legs, and then thrusts the top of the chair down into Cooper’s lower abdomen.
LO: GOOD GOD! Cosmo Cooper being assaulted with that chair by Brennan Devlin, and just look at Devlin’s face……He HATES this man…
KO: This animosity that’s built up between the two over the past six months has really taken its toll on Devlin, switching personas, coming completely unhinged…
LO: SPEAKING OF UNHINGED! GET OUT OF THE WAY KEN!!
Laurence Othello gives his brother a shove just as Cross Recoba comes half crashing/half skidding across the announce table to crash into the chairs they had just been sitting in. When the camera reorients, Brodie comes stalking forward, both fists clenched at her side and a look of wildness in her eyes. She climbs right up onto the table only to step off on the other side down beside Recoba, reaching down and pulling him up only to slam him face first down into the table’s edge.
LO: The Mayhem is everywhere….In the ring….at ringside…HELL! IT’S RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF US!
KO: Brodie now dragging Cross by a fistful of hair back around to the other side….WAIT! RECOBA REACHES UP TO HOOK BRODIE AROUND THE HEAD FOR A STUNNER….NO! STANDING SITOUT SHIRANUI!
LO: SICILIAN TYPE WRITER BRINGS THE BACK OF BRODIE’S HEAD RIGHT DOWN ONTO OUR TABLE, AND SHE’S LAID OUT ACROSS IT AS CROSS ROLLS OFF CRADLING HIS SPINE!
KO: Move hurt him just as much as it did Brodie, but now he shuffling back towards the ring where…THERE’S A COVER TAKING PLACE ON COSMO COOPER FROM DEVLIN!
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! RECOBA JUST BARELY BACK INTO THE RING TO KNOCK DEVLIN OFF OF COOPER AND SAVE THIS MATCH UP!
Recoba pulls Devlin up to his feet and chops him back into the nearby corner where he traps the man with multiple shoulder thrust, each one pushing him further and further up into the turnbuckles. Meanwhile Cooper manages to scoot his way to the opposite corner, pushing himself up into a seated position, clutching at his midsection after taking a bludgeoning from the steel chair by Devlin. He watches as Recoba damages his nemesis on the other side of the ring, realizing that the distraction could afford him a victory.
LO: Cooper just barely able to pull himself up by use of the ropes after that beating he took at the hands of Brennan Devlin, but the Apex is now zeroed in on the action taking place on the other side of the ring…
KO: Cooper with a running charge across the ring…AND LEAPS INTO A KNEE STRIKE RIGHT TO THE BACK OF RECOBA’S HEAD WHICH SENDS HIM INTO A HEADBUTT ON DEVLIN!
LO: Cooper with a waistlock…pulling Recoba out of the corner….DEAD LIFT GERMAN SUPLEX INTO A BRIDGE!
1…
2…
KO: THREE-NO! DEVLIN FELL FORWARD OUT OF THE CORNER AND LANDED FACE FIRST ON COOPER’S CROTCH TO BREAK UP THE PIN!
LO: I don’t think that was intentional, Ken! Devlin was just out on his face after Recoba’s forehead collided with his, and he just fell….
KO: Either way! The Apex Champion can’t take much more damage to his mommy-daddy button or he and Riley are never going to be able to have kids…
Cosmo once again has hold of his crotch while Devlin lays face first down in the mat, and Recoba clutches at the back of his skull. The fans come alive when Brodie suddenly appears on the ring apron, and begins to climb for the top rope. Upon reaching the top she surveys her downed opponents, and appears to settle on the closest one to her, Cross Recoba. With arms widespread, she leaps out into a freefall that seems to last forever, until gravity catches up and accelerates her down towards the ring.
LO: DIVING HEADBUTT FROM BRODIE ONTO RECOBA OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: High Risk moves take just as much out of the deliverer as it does the delivered, so it’s taking her a minute….BUT SHE’S GOT THE LEG HOOKED!
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! COOPER MANAGES TO ROLL ONTO HIS SIDE, AND JUST MULE KICKS BRODIE IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD TO BREAK UP THE COUNT!
KO: Brodie holding the side of her face as she moves up to her feet, and uh-oh….WITH A SNARL JUST LEAPED OVER CROSS TO BESIDE COOPER, AND SHE’S GOT THE ARM EXTENDED!
LO: HEAD IS HOOKED! FINALITY CROSSFACE!
Cooper cries out in pain as the dreaded submission hold is torqued back by its administrator, The Submission Machine roaring right along with the languished please of her victim. Caputo drops into position right in front of the champion as Brodie tries to pry his skull from his shoulders, and Cosmo’s hand finds itself hovering over the mat of its own accord.
KO: Brodie has the Apex on the verge of submission, but Devlin is pulling himself up to his feet by the nearby ropes…..AND FOOTBALL LIKE PUNT TO BRODIE’S SKULL BREAKS THE HOLD!
LO: Devlin now pulling Brodie up, and slips his head under her arm from the front…lifts her up and walks her right over to the nearby corner where he sets her to sit upon the top turnbuckle…
KO: Devlin steps up to the second to join her, and now fires in right hands to keep her from trying to offer any resistance….
Brennan hooks Brodie around the head, and takes her arm and drapes it over his own shoulders before gripping her by the waistband of her tights. Just when he’s about to lift her up he’s lambasted from behind by a recovered Recoba with a sledgehammer like blow to his spine. Cross then spins around, lowers his body, and pushes himself as far against the turnbuckles as he can, standing up to put Devlin in powerbomb position. At that moment Brodie suddenly comes alive, shoving Brennan’s arm off her and firing in right hands to the man’s skull.
LO: There is a hell of a fight for control over on that one side of the ring…AND WHAT THE HELL! COSMO COOPER JUST SPRANG UP TO HIS FEET….RUSHES THE CORNER, STEPS UP THE ROPES, AND ENZUGURI TO THE BACK OF BRODIE’S HEAD!
KO: AHHHH RECOBA PULLED FORWARD AND TORE DEVLIN FREE FROM BRODIE! POWERBOMB DOWN TO THE CENTER OF THE CANVAS!
LO: Cooper landed and kept himself on his feet by hooking the top rope on his way down….RECOBA COMES RUSHING BACK IN….SUPERKICK FROM COSMO SENDS HIM CRASHING TO THE MAT!
KO: Brodie is just wobbling up on the top rope, dazed after that step up enzuguri, and Cooper now climbing to the top to hook her around the head himself…
LO: BUT BRODIE NOW FIRING IN RIGHT HANDS OF RESISTANCE….COOPER REALING…..Recoba is on his feet just under them, but he’s bent over using the middle rope to keep himself steady…OH MY GOD!
KO: DEVLIN JUST KIPPED UP IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! HE CHARGES THE CORNER, STEPS UP OFF OF RECOBA’S BACK, AND DROPKICKS COOPER IN THE CENTER OF HIS BACK TO SEND HIM AND BRODIE FLYING OFF TO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!!
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY IT LOOKS LIKE A CAR CRASH OUT THERE! THEIR BODIES JUST SPLAYED ALL OVER THE FLOOR, ARMS AND LEGS SPRAWLED EVERY WHICH WAY!
KO: Wait…Wait…Recoba is finally standing upright, and Devlin’s begging for him to turn around….THIS COULD BE IT!
Cross does eventually turn around, and Brennan is there to hook him around the head to go for a Face Off, but instinctively The Fox gives him a shove that sends him hurtling for the ropes. Devlin rebounds and comes back with momentum, and Recoba uses that to catch him with a tremendous Spine Buster that rattles the ring. He pops up to his feet off the impact, retaining hold of Devlin’s legs, and then chokes up on them to turn him over into his devastating submission hold.
LO: GARABALDI’S GUILLOTINE! HE HAS DEVLIN DEAD CENTER OF THE RING, AND BRODIE AND COSMO ARE LAID OUT AT RINGSIDE!
KO: Devlin’s face is a mask of pain as he reaches for ropes that wouldn’t break the hold even if he reached them….I think this might be it!
LO: Devlin is struggling to try and get out of the hold somehow, but it’s never been broken…and now his hand is hovering over the mat….He’s seconds from tapping…
KO: WAIT A DAMN MINUTE! HOW IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE!
LO: BRODIE JUST PULLED HERSELF TO HER FEET ON THE OUTSIDE….SHE’S ROLLING UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE INTO THE RING…..RIGHT UP TO DEVLIN…AND SHE JUST LOCKED IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
KO: AHHH! HE’S IN GARABALDI’S GUILLOTINE AND THE FINALITY CROSSFACE! HE CAN’T EVEN TAP, AND WE BOTH KNOW HE WON’T SUBMIT WILLINGLY! THEY ARE GOING TO PUT HIM OUT!
LO: YEAH! BUT WHO WOULD BE THE CHAMPION IF THAT HAPPENS?!?
KO: I HAVE NO IDEA!!
Devlin finds both ends of his body ravaged in the devastating submission holds, and for the first time Cross looks over his shoulder to see what’s happened. He shakes his head in utter disbelief, ending the unbelievable scene by letting Devlin’s legs flop uselessly to the mat. He then turns, and drops a knee into the side of Brodie’s head to get her to let loose of the Crossface. Devlin quickly rolls for the opposite side of the ring, not sure which body to clutch as his entire frame has been destroyed, and he ends up falling to the outside in an unmoving heap.
LO: Recoba finally putting an end to the torture of Brennan Devlin, realizing if he had submitted that the controversy could knock him out of his chance to be champion…
KO: They don’t call him The Fox for nothing, as he moves his attention to Brodie….WAIT! THERE’S COSMO ON THE APRON! RECOBA LOOKS UP JUST IN TIME TO TAKE A TORPEDO HEADBUTT!!
LO: BRODIE, COOPER, AND RECOBA DOWN IN THE RING! DEVLIN DOWN ON THE OUTSIDE! GOD ALMIGHTY WHAT A MATCH!
It takes a few moments for anyone to stir, Caputo and the rest of the capacity crowd watching intently as Cosmo Cooper finally raises his head off the mat. He lifts his arm in the air and makes one lurching move forward before collapsing with it draped over Recoba’s fallen frame.
1…
2…
LO: THREE-KICK OUT! No interference, no saves….that was just a straight kick out from The Fox to save this matchup!
KO: Cosmo now cursing under his breath, and looks up to see that Brodie still hasn’t moved….and he now makes the crawl over to her, and heaves his body onto hers…
1…
2…
LO: THREE-KICK OUT! GOOD GOD THE ROOF JUST CAME OFF THIS PLACE AS BRODIE KICKS OUT AS WELL!
The electricity is nearly palpable as Cosmo pushes up to his knees, head bowed, shoulders limp as he stares down at the canvas. That is when the Valor Pro Faithful come alive, voicing exactly how they feel about this epic Main Event.
“THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS AWESOME!”
Cooper’s head lazily lifts up to search the sea of humanity, and with a slight smirk and shrug of his shoulders that seems to cause him some pain, he throws both arms out at his sides and lets out a primal roar. The fans respond in kind with cheers as he pushes up to his feet about the same time that Brodie and Recoba attempt to reach theirs.
LO: Brodie looking up JUST IN TIME TO CATCH A LARIAT FROM THE CHAMPION!
KO: RECOBA GET’S THE SAME TREATMENT AS COSMO COOPER FIRES UP!
Cooper reaches down and pulls Recoba up to his feet and pushes him back into the ropes, takes him by the wrist, and the whips him hard to the opposite side. Cross charges the ropes just as Brennan Devlin pulls himself up by use of the ring apron, and instead of rebounding back, makes a death defying leap that clears the top rope into a Missle Drop Kick that lays both competitors out.
LO: SWEET JESUS! A MILLION LIRA WIPES OUT BOTH CROSS AND DEVLIN FROM WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COOPER OFFENSE!
KO: You can’t blink, Laur! If you do you’ll miss something!
Cooper almost laughs, turning his attention back to Brodie, and is completely blindsided when she explodes up from the canvas into a Sledgehammer like blow with both fists to his chest that send him crashing to the mat. Brodie stumbles around the ring, sweating, hair out of place, her body marked with bruises and her one eye like a beacon of rage as she stops to turn it upon Cooper. As he tries to push back up to his feet she gives a roar of her own, rushing in with a high knee that lifts him up and sends him stumbling back into the corner.
LO: Brodie wading in like a hellcat! Rights and lefts pummeling the champion, and Cooper is in troub….OH NO!
KO: COOPER JUST REACHED UP AND RAKED HER GOOD EYE!
LO: Brodie stumbling away blindly, and even some of this capacity crowd is booing as Cooper steps out to grab her by the ears, and flips her around to where she’s the one trapped in the corner….
KO: Brodie blindly throwing punches as Cooper evades them, grips her by the chin and turns her face so it exposes the eye-patch…AND STRAIGHT RIGHT HAND INTO THE WOUNDED EYE!
The blow drops Brodie to one knee, clearly ringing her bell, and Cooper grips either side of the top rope and starts driving knee strikes into her unprotected skull, sinking her further down into a seated position. After a few more strikes he takes several steps back along the ropes, and then rushes forward, throwing his foot out in front of him for a face wash that strikes on the eyepatch side of her skull.
LO: Brodie dropping all the way to the mat clutching at her injured eye, rolling out towards the center of the ring with Cooper watching…
KO: This has already been brutal, but now with the Champions back to the wall he’s vicious…..perhaps a sign of how desperate he is to finish this thing..
LO: Cooper signaling to the crowd it’s over, and despite the tactics it seems the majority are still behind him!
Cooper stalks out in pursuit of Brodie, and reaches down to pull the woman up to her feet. He scoops her up onto his shoulder, obviously looking for his patented Spinning Tombstone Piledriver, but as soon as she’s in place her feet begin kicking to put up resistance. After a second she manages to slide off the shoulder behind him, hooking him just under the chin with her arm as she goes. Cooper struggles as he’s now in a standing Dragon Sleeper, but Brodie doesn’t leave him there for long before swinging around with her elbow in his throat as she drives him to the canvas onto the back of his head with all of her weight on top of him. The referee interprets this as a pin attempt, though likely its more out of exhaustion.
1…
2…
LO: THREE-KICK OUT! IT’S THE CHAMPIONS TURN TO DEFY THE ODDS AND MAKE IT OUT JUST BEFORE THE REFERE’S HAND COULD COME DOWN FOR A THREE COUNT!
KO: Brodie looks stunned as she beats her fists into the side of her head, and now sits up so that she can stare back at the champion…
LO: The fans can’t believe it either…a collective gasp went up as his shoulder came off the mat, but now reality is settling in for The Submission Machine, and she’s got hold of his wrist, trying to extend the arm out…
Usually anytime Brodie took control of the wrist everyone knew exactly what that means, but Brodie surprises everyone when she spins around the arm, pitches herself into a front roll, pulling Cosmo with her until rolling him around into a Luchador like pin...
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! RECOBA OUT OF NOWHERE WITH THE SAVE, AND NOW BRODIE REALLY IS PISSED!
Recoba rises after just leaping in from somewhere on the outside, and Brodie is right there to meet him with forearm shots that rock him back into the ropes. She whips him to the far side, but he reverses it, sending her to rebound instead. She fires back towards him and he steps out to the center of the ring to catch her in a tilt-a-whirl that ends with her on his shoulder, and a sudden snap down into a Tombstone Piledriver!
LO: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA TO BRODIE!
KO: RECOBA IS AS EXHAUSTED AS EVERYONE ELSE, SO IT’S TAKING HIM A MINUTE…..BUT FINALLY THERE’S A COVER!
1…
2…
LO: THREE-NO! COOPER MANAGED TO THRUST HIMSELF FORWARDS AND SHOVE RECOBA OFF BEFORE THE THREE!
KO: Both men look haggard as they work themselves up to their feet….AND THERE’S A CHOP FROM RECOBA TO THE CHAMPION!
LO: COOPER FIRES RIGHT BACK WITH ONE OF HIS OWN!
KO: TIT-FOR-TAT IN THE CENTER OF THE RING, AND OH! COSMO DUCKED UNDER THAT CHOP AND HOOKS RECOBA IN A WAISTLOCK! RUSHES HIM CHEST FIRST INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE OF THE CORNER IN FRONT OF THEM!
LO: Cooper now with a fistful of Recoba’s hair, and HE’S RAMMING HIM FACE FIRST REPEATEDLY INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
KO: AHHH! AND THE CROWD’S COUNTING ALONG!
By the time they reach ten Recoba is slumping, the top rope the only thing keeping him upright. Cooper looks over his shoulder to see Brodie is laid out unmoving in the center of the ring, and he nods, knowing he has to pull out something big. He grips the top rope and uses it to leap up, spinning around so that he lands on the top turnbuckle with his back foot on the ring post. Cross tries to look up to see what is happening, and response, Cooper places his boot right on Recoba’s head, now balancing himself to stand up.
LO: OH MY GOD! I DON’T KNOW WHAT HE’S ABOUT TO DO, BUT COSMO COOPER IS LITERALLY STANDING ON CROSS RECOBA’S HEAD!
KO: THAT ISN’T RIGHT LAUR! WHAT THE….GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!
Cooper leaps forwards into the air, committing himself to the highest Shooting Star Press that the company has ever seen. His body sails through the air at the same time it rotates, leaving him unable to see Brodie rolling desperately out of the way, nor Devlin sliding back into the ring. Just as his rotation completes and his body begins descend, he has only a split second to look on in horror as Devlin pops up to his feet into a leap into the air, hooking him around the head for a Cutter on the way down.
LO: SWEET MARY MOTHER OF GOD! FACE OFF FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME! THAT WAS A FACE OFF COMING OUT OF A SHOOTING STAR PRESS MEANT FOR BRODIE OFF OF CROSS RECOBA’S SKULL!
LO: All four competitors are down and out, and folks….that was the damndest thing I’ve ever seen all around. How in the hell do you even follow that?
KO: You don’t, Laur! This is the Main Event! This is the Apex Championship! THIS IS VALOR PRO WRESTLING!
“HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!”
The chant reverberates off the halls in the back, all the way out of The Covered Hall, and into the night skies of Cairo, Egypt. There isn’t an occupied seat in the arena, all standing, all chanting or cheering or booing. At this point, for the four competitors in the ring, it doesn’t matter. They are bruised, exhausted, and broken, and not a one of them has attempted to move in several long moments. Finally it's Brodie who shifts over onto her stomach, and she belly crawls past Devlin to drop her arm across Cooper's chest.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! RECOBA SHOVED BRODIE OFF!
KO: Now those too working up to their feet, and Cross goes for a chop...BUT BRODIE SPINS AROUND IT AND GRABS THE ARM TO DROP HIM DOWN TO THE MAT AND SHE'S GOT HIM HOOKED INTO THE FINALITY CROSSFACE!
LO: Yeah, but Devlin was working up to his feet just after that...and BOOT TO THE BACK OF BRODIE'S HEAD BREAKS THE HOLD!
KO: Devlin now pulling Brodie up and RUNS HER RIGHT UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO CRASH LAND ONTO THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
LO: Cosmo is trying to get up as well, just hanging onto the middle rope, and Devlin just got him by the scruff of the neck and the seat of the pants....AND PITCHES HIM THROUGH THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE!
Devlin is now all alone in the ring with Cross Recoba, and The Faceless stares out at the capacity crowd with emotionless eyes before averting his gaze over to The Fox. Recoba clutches at his shoulder as he slowly tries to will himself up to his feet, having already been through a war with NSFW, and now having been in this match for a grueling thirty-five minutes. Devlin patiently waits, calling for him to rise, and eventually he does push off the canvas and stumbles forwards. Brennan moves in like a vulture, hooks him around the head, and spins round for another cutter. Only this time, Recoba shoves him away, and when he spins around to try and press the attack, Devlin get's scooped up onto Recoba's shoulder, and then plummeted down onto his skull with a Tombstone Piledriver.
LO: UP ALL NIGHT IN DAKOTA! THIS IS IT!
KO: CROSS FALLING FORWARDS OVER DEVLIN'S BODY....AND WAIT A MINUTE!
LO: COOPER'S BACK IN THE RING AND HE JUST SCRAMBLED CROSS UP BY THE SCRUFF OF HIS NECK AND THE SEAT OF IS PANTS....AND TOSSES HIM RIGHT THROUGH THE ROPES TO CRASH INTO BRODIE WHO JUST GOT BACK TO HER FEET!
KO: AHH!! THEY'RE BOTH WIPED OUT!
LO: COSMO RUSHING BACK AND SLIDING INTO A HOOK OF THE LEG!!!
KO: HE'S STEALING IT!
1...
2...
3!!!
The roof literally blows off the Covered Hall, the noise and electricity exploding in one crescendo as a tired, sweaty, battered champion falls off of Devlin's laid out body, and stares up at the lights.
RING ANNOUNCER: The winner of this match via pinfall......AND STILL APEX CHAMPION.....COSMO COOPER!!
LO: Folks, let me just tell you right now, everyone in this match put it all on the line, but in the end, Cosmo Cooper is still The Apex of this industry, and with good reason...
KO: He literally just stole that victory from Cross Recoba, and you're greasing his monkey...
LO: I'm stating a fact! The match is a Fatal Four Way, and puts the champion at a major disadvantage, and somehow he still pulled off the victory...
KO: Alright, fine. How about the fact that he's going to have to face one of the other guys who made it to the top of the industry, and won huge here tonight as well, Chris Callum.
LO: That is going to be an epic showdown when and wherever it takes place, and we have the exclusive chance to see it right here at Valor Pro! Can't deny that I'm excited for that...
KO: Damn right, but I guess tonight...it's all about The Apex!
Cosmo Cooper takes the championship he won so many moons ago, and hoists it over his head as the Egyptian crowd celebrates all around him. Cross Recoba falls back against the announce table to stare up into the ring, a look of complete disbelief on his face. That disbelief quickly turns to a snarl, and the wheels are already turning in The Foxes brain as he doesn't even bother making his way for the ramp, but jumps the guardrail and exits through the crowd. Brodie sits against the ring steps, knees pulled up to her chest, her one eye staring blankly at the concrete floor as Cooper's music plays overhead. She shakes her head slowly before getting to her feet and making her way towards the ramp. Devlin eventually rolls out from the center of the ring, and lands on the outside. The Faceless' expression reads of disgust as he pushes off the apron and clutches the top of his head, walking along the trail between ramp and guardrail. The camera swings back around to Cosmo one last time, doing a little shoulder dance while cradling the Apex Championship and then cuts backstage.
Aokigahara Zombie appears with bloodied gauze all over his body, not having cleaned up much since his match. He drinks from a can and throws it at the wall to clap as much as he is able to, watching the closing moments of the show on the screen. He then looks around the room and notices that it is eerily quiet. He starts to laugh and whistle as he stands up to search.
AOKIGAHARA: Hello, doc?
He limps to the back section of the room then comes out slowly.
AOKIGAHARA: Siberia? Is this a joke? Are you trying to scare me, Fuki?
He laughs again then sits back down on the stool to wait and act surprised when the little ghost jumps out at him. All his mirth melts away when he hears an approaching tapping sound outside of the room. The tapping grows to thuds as someone gets closer to the room. A dejected Aokigahara looks down and wipes his face manically. He stares at the door and waits.
When it opens the shot goes down to catch Aokigahara avert his eyes to the side and the bottom of a long white kimono barely covering the waraji straw sandals and a staff hitting the floor. When they do metallic rings on the top of the staff jingle together only once before the person swings the staff towards Aokigarara. The man enters the room and towers over Aokigahara. He is dressed like a monk and when they remove their Kasa bamboo hat their bald head is covered in kanji script tattoos. The shot swings around to Aokigahara’s mangled back to reveal that the man’s face is also covered in the kanji. His eyes are white with no pupils but they stare a hole into Aokigahara until he speaks.
AOKIGAHARA: What are you doing here?
MONK: When thoughts vanish, then do all things vanish. Your chaos is fitting for the genesis of our mission here, Bakemono. However, it is time that you receive some guidance. You strike with purpose now. When thoughts arise, then do all things rise.
Aokigahara waves his hands in the air and puts them in a praying position bow his head sarcastically.
AOKIGAHARA: Whatever you say,boss.
He looks at the quiet monk for a moment then jerks up off the stool and turns around fuming.
AOKIGAHARA: You know I have everything un-
He turns around and the monk is gone. He sighs and puts his hands on his waist.
AOKIGAHARA: I hate when he does that.
The camera view transitions into the Battleground Network logo, the HOTV logo, the Valor Pro logo, and then fade to black.