Post by silentpartner on Sept 8, 2019 14:17:32 GMT -5
A black hardtop 1967 Chevy Impala, meanders its way through parking at Rogers Place Arena. The parking lights slide over the steel beast's sleek black body like a lover's caress. Despite being in the first match of the night the driver doesn't appear to be in any particular hurry. He takes his time to find the perfect spot before carefully sliding the classic car into its resting place for the next few hours. A moment later Zachariah Krähe emerges from the vehicle, one boot on the ground, duffle bag over shoulder, and a cigarette already perched on his lips waiting to be lit. He didn't even make it all the way out before Valor Pro's very own Emily Burlingame and her camera crew manages to converge upon him. Leaving the Catalyst looking almost surprised.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Krähe there have been a lot of mixed reactions and high emotions in regards to your return, which is of course putting it lightly. What does The Catalyst have in store for Valor Pro tonight?
Krähe blinks his eyes once, then again, before giving a small huff of a laugh. He gestures for them to step back with a silver lighter in his hand, and a lazy smile that had Emily wetting her lips unconsciously. Seeing the tell Krähe's smile took on a hint of mischief. Within moments the small group complied with Krähe silent demand for space, and he was able to fully step out of the vehicle. More importantly however, he was able to finish lighting his cigarette, and tuck his lighter (a Bic lighter with the word Jitterbug written on it in stylized script) away. He pulls the cigarette from his mouth with his mischievous grin still in place, as he looked down at the reporter.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Didn't you hear Emily? I'm supposedly facing myself tonight, going to toe to toe with the man in the mirror. If I didn't know how to beat the shit out of me better than anyone else I would be worried.
Emily's eyes light up as she latches on to his answer with acrylic claws, while Krähe takes a draw from his cigarette, and courteously exhales his smoke away from the other's.
EMILY BURLINGAME: You are of course talking about your new nemesis and rival Roman Novack The Brat Prince-
The sound of Krähe's laughter cuts off whatever Emily's next words would have been. Taking a moment gets himself under control and waves his hand in apology.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Sorry about that Em, I can call you Em right?
Thrown off guard Emily found herself nodding in agreement, before she even realized her head was moving.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Yes I am facing Roman Novack tonight, but the man isn't my rival, or gods forbid my nemesis. As I've said before, if anything I feel for the guy. This match is centered around some doppelganger bullshit, which is truly ridiculous because outside a few vague resemblances we are nothing alike. It's like comparing-
He looked down and gestured at his own clothing before continuing.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: A pair of broken in leather boots, faded jeans, and a fifteen year old well loved leather jacket to the brand new off the shelf designer version. The guy has more in common with Cross's silver spooned ass than me, and honestly I don't know who should be more offended by the comparison me, him, or Cross? There is so much insult to go around Em, but that doesn't mean I have anything against the guy, and I'm not going to underestimate him.
He pauses here to take another draw of his cigarette, holding one finger up when Emily starts to talk, indicating he isn't finished. Seeing her frustration he winks, while exhaling away once more. A few tendrils of smoke still managing to coil around him.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: In fact Em tonight I am going to do Roman a big favor. I'm going to go in that ring and show everyone just how different we really are, and then move on to take my belt back.
Emily stares at Krähe as he rocks back on his heels. Half a minute ticks quietly by, before a cameraman gently nudges her.
She startles slightly, a blush on her cheeks. When she catches Krähe smirking at her knowingly her stomach burns with mortified irritation, but that is just what she needs to set herself straight. With a sharp sweet smile she continues with a little more bite in her tone.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Glad to hear you're confident Krähe, but do you worry that you may be overconfident in those claims. No offense, we all know you are a force to be reckoned with, but ring rust is a real thing.
Rather than look offended Krähe seems even more amused at her small show of claws.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Your right Em, ring rust is a "real thing" which is why I'm happy to have this match before the real fight. Plenty of time for me to take my time in the ring to knock all that rust off. You see, I'm confident because I know I'm dedicated, and when I'm dedicated I'm all out. No matter how long or hard it is, I will take the time, and go the distance to reach my goal.
His smile is innocent and politely expectant, as he waits for her next move. Emily was flabbergasted at his skilful sexual innuendo, all while mentally asking herself if she really was just over analyzing his words. This man is one of the most frustrating individuals she had ever encountered, and she wanted this interview to be over, but she wasn't done yet.
EMILY BURLINGAME: That outlook is truly inspiring...in a way. Do you happen to know what Brodie thinks about this match?
Krähe froze at the question mid draw from his cigarette. It only lasted for a moment, most would probably miss it, but his entire body had gone still. Grey eyes suddenly lost all sign of mischievous amusement leaving behind something far darker in its stead, his smile suddenly cold and mocking.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I couldn't say Em, maybe you should ask her that yourself. Anymore questions?
Emily had finally hit her mark, and this was clearly a dismissal for her efforts.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Last question then. You're well known for the effect you tend to have on those around you, whether it's by chance or design, the effect is undeniable.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Is there a question in there...somewhere?
EMILY BURLINGAME: Can you give the Valor Pro faithful any hints of what surprises your return might bring us tonight?
While she spoke Krähe had adopted a rather bored expression, but this final question brings a spark in his eyes, and a cheshire grin.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Well Emily, I can tell you this-
With those few words he abruptly cuts himself off, and walks away, leaving Emily blinking in confusion at her cameraman.
EMILY BURLINGAME: What just happened?
EMILY BURLINGAME: Krähe there have been a lot of mixed reactions and high emotions in regards to your return, which is of course putting it lightly. What does The Catalyst have in store for Valor Pro tonight?
Krähe blinks his eyes once, then again, before giving a small huff of a laugh. He gestures for them to step back with a silver lighter in his hand, and a lazy smile that had Emily wetting her lips unconsciously. Seeing the tell Krähe's smile took on a hint of mischief. Within moments the small group complied with Krähe silent demand for space, and he was able to fully step out of the vehicle. More importantly however, he was able to finish lighting his cigarette, and tuck his lighter (a Bic lighter with the word Jitterbug written on it in stylized script) away. He pulls the cigarette from his mouth with his mischievous grin still in place, as he looked down at the reporter.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Didn't you hear Emily? I'm supposedly facing myself tonight, going to toe to toe with the man in the mirror. If I didn't know how to beat the shit out of me better than anyone else I would be worried.
Emily's eyes light up as she latches on to his answer with acrylic claws, while Krähe takes a draw from his cigarette, and courteously exhales his smoke away from the other's.
EMILY BURLINGAME: You are of course talking about your new nemesis and rival Roman Novack The Brat Prince-
The sound of Krähe's laughter cuts off whatever Emily's next words would have been. Taking a moment gets himself under control and waves his hand in apology.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Sorry about that Em, I can call you Em right?
Thrown off guard Emily found herself nodding in agreement, before she even realized her head was moving.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Yes I am facing Roman Novack tonight, but the man isn't my rival, or gods forbid my nemesis. As I've said before, if anything I feel for the guy. This match is centered around some doppelganger bullshit, which is truly ridiculous because outside a few vague resemblances we are nothing alike. It's like comparing-
He looked down and gestured at his own clothing before continuing.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: A pair of broken in leather boots, faded jeans, and a fifteen year old well loved leather jacket to the brand new off the shelf designer version. The guy has more in common with Cross's silver spooned ass than me, and honestly I don't know who should be more offended by the comparison me, him, or Cross? There is so much insult to go around Em, but that doesn't mean I have anything against the guy, and I'm not going to underestimate him.
He pauses here to take another draw of his cigarette, holding one finger up when Emily starts to talk, indicating he isn't finished. Seeing her frustration he winks, while exhaling away once more. A few tendrils of smoke still managing to coil around him.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: In fact Em tonight I am going to do Roman a big favor. I'm going to go in that ring and show everyone just how different we really are, and then move on to take my belt back.
Emily stares at Krähe as he rocks back on his heels. Half a minute ticks quietly by, before a cameraman gently nudges her.
She startles slightly, a blush on her cheeks. When she catches Krähe smirking at her knowingly her stomach burns with mortified irritation, but that is just what she needs to set herself straight. With a sharp sweet smile she continues with a little more bite in her tone.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Glad to hear you're confident Krähe, but do you worry that you may be overconfident in those claims. No offense, we all know you are a force to be reckoned with, but ring rust is a real thing.
Rather than look offended Krähe seems even more amused at her small show of claws.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Your right Em, ring rust is a "real thing" which is why I'm happy to have this match before the real fight. Plenty of time for me to take my time in the ring to knock all that rust off. You see, I'm confident because I know I'm dedicated, and when I'm dedicated I'm all out. No matter how long or hard it is, I will take the time, and go the distance to reach my goal.
His smile is innocent and politely expectant, as he waits for her next move. Emily was flabbergasted at his skilful sexual innuendo, all while mentally asking herself if she really was just over analyzing his words. This man is one of the most frustrating individuals she had ever encountered, and she wanted this interview to be over, but she wasn't done yet.
EMILY BURLINGAME: That outlook is truly inspiring...in a way. Do you happen to know what Brodie thinks about this match?
Krähe froze at the question mid draw from his cigarette. It only lasted for a moment, most would probably miss it, but his entire body had gone still. Grey eyes suddenly lost all sign of mischievous amusement leaving behind something far darker in its stead, his smile suddenly cold and mocking.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I couldn't say Em, maybe you should ask her that yourself. Anymore questions?
Emily had finally hit her mark, and this was clearly a dismissal for her efforts.
EMILY BURLINGAME: Last question then. You're well known for the effect you tend to have on those around you, whether it's by chance or design, the effect is undeniable.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Is there a question in there...somewhere?
EMILY BURLINGAME: Can you give the Valor Pro faithful any hints of what surprises your return might bring us tonight?
While she spoke Krähe had adopted a rather bored expression, but this final question brings a spark in his eyes, and a cheshire grin.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Well Emily, I can tell you this-
With those few words he abruptly cuts himself off, and walks away, leaving Emily blinking in confusion at her cameraman.
EMILY BURLINGAME: What just happened?
"For The Glory" by All Good Things blares across the PA system while the camera shifts up to the main banner displayed at the top of the screen, and then to a sweeping shot of the Rogers Place arena. Pyro begins firing off across the stage, and the Edmonton fans come to their feet at the sight of themselves on the big screen, cheering wildly and holding up their signs. There are a multitude of signs in the audience, one reading "Callum Thinned The Herd!", while another says "I'm Here For The Catalyst", and another still says "I Want My Own Fantanasy". T-shirts permeate the crowd for superstars such as Danny Rizzo, The Zombie Clan, Brodie, NSFW, Katya Djurdjevic, Roman Novack, and Moxie James, with many more holding up Canadian flags. The camera view shifts suddenly to one overlooking the two rings. The camera zooms down the ramp, rises up over the top rope, through the ring, and finally drops down to settle on the announce booth where The Othello Brothers await with excited expressions.
LAURENCE OTHELLO: Welcome everyone to another exciting episode of Blitz as we come to you live from Rogers Place in the beautiful city of Edmonton, Canada!
KENNETH OTHELLO: I'm already souring on the place...
LO: Why's that, Ken?
KO: Eh...these people...they are so Canadian!
LO: Well, we are in Canada...
KO: I saw a guy the other day walking down the street with a map of Canada tattooed on his ass. Every time he sat down Quebec would separate!
LO: That's...that's not very nice, Ken.
KO: Tell me about it. And why was he naked?
LO: Um...so anyways, we have a great show lined up for you tonight, where you will finally see Danny Rizzo go one one with the Apex Champion, Chris Callum.
KO: Yeah, but it's non-title though.
LO: Yes, but you have to figure if Danny manages to get a win here tonight he'll have earned the right to call himself the #1 Contender.
KO: You say that as if you're implying that Danny needs to somehow earn his way into a title match, when he is clearly the next in line already.
LO: Make a declaration doesn't make it so, Ken.
KO: It does if you've got the track record to prove it, and you tell me of one other Valor Superstar that has the same record as Danny Rizzo as of late?
LO: Aokigahara Zombie!
KO: Are you kidding me? That guy has wins causes he's a stunt artist. I'm talking about wrestling.
LO: Wow! I didn't realize the fact that he makes you throw up for every Hardcore Match had led you to such bias...
KO: Whatever! I'm not biased about this contest coming up between Fantanasy and Zombie Vice Squad! I believe the Zombies are looking for blood, especially considering they weren't even involved in the finishes of those two Triple Threat's last show.
LO: True, but Fantanasy proved with their victories that they're here to do some business, and you can never count out the special guest announcers for that match when the Chimera Tag Team Champions come out here to do our jobs.
KO: About that...Are they trying to steal our thunder or something?
LO: Of course not. They just want to get an up close and personal chance to observe their potential challengers. I get it.
KO: Speaking of up close and personal, how do you think it's going to be when Zachariah Krahe & Roman Novack finally come face to face in this 7 Pillars Qualifying match?
LO: I figure it's going to be strange, for sure. I mean, Roman Novack came in here to show what he can do and almost immediately became the subject of Brodie's attention just because of his resemblance to Krahe.
KO: It is sort of uncanny...
LO: After their match at Honor Bound, Roman Novack got the chance to confront Brodie and let her know he's ready to dance, only for Zachariah Krahe to take the stage with a very short lipped warning...
KO: Well, he was vocal enough at the top of the show tonight. And how do you think Brodie's going to handle hearing that?
LO: I don't know, but she's got her own problems with Katya Djurdjevic.
KO: I don't envy her. She got a big win over Drell last FTS, but now she walks into a 7 Pillars Qualifier against an unhinged Submission Machine!
LO: Dangerous to be sure, but Katya has dreamed of that UnYielding Title for months, and now she gets an opportunity to finally get her hands on it. Not to mention there's no Danny Rizzo this time to try and hold her down by cheating.
KO: Nah, only six other competitors including Moxie James, the guaranteed number seven spot in the Gauntlet.
LO: If you have to compete in a gauntlet, I'd assume that's where you want to be.
KO: Sure, but she's still seemed pretty pissed about the whole situation when she burst into the Production Office and demanded answers from our GM, Francis Ford Cuppola.
LO: Well, she'll get a whole platform here tonight when she comes out to interview with Brad Stokes on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire.
KO: I wonder who Brad will be tonight?
LO: I honestly don't want to think about it.
KO: Fine, then how about we just get on with the show and our Opening Bout after these words from our sponsors...
LO: Couldn't agree more to tha--
LAURENCE OTHELLO: Welcome everyone to another exciting episode of Blitz as we come to you live from Rogers Place in the beautiful city of Edmonton, Canada!
KENNETH OTHELLO: I'm already souring on the place...
LO: Why's that, Ken?
KO: Eh...these people...they are so Canadian!
LO: Well, we are in Canada...
KO: I saw a guy the other day walking down the street with a map of Canada tattooed on his ass. Every time he sat down Quebec would separate!
LO: That's...that's not very nice, Ken.
KO: Tell me about it. And why was he naked?
LO: Um...so anyways, we have a great show lined up for you tonight, where you will finally see Danny Rizzo go one one with the Apex Champion, Chris Callum.
KO: Yeah, but it's non-title though.
LO: Yes, but you have to figure if Danny manages to get a win here tonight he'll have earned the right to call himself the #1 Contender.
KO: You say that as if you're implying that Danny needs to somehow earn his way into a title match, when he is clearly the next in line already.
LO: Make a declaration doesn't make it so, Ken.
KO: It does if you've got the track record to prove it, and you tell me of one other Valor Superstar that has the same record as Danny Rizzo as of late?
LO: Aokigahara Zombie!
KO: Are you kidding me? That guy has wins causes he's a stunt artist. I'm talking about wrestling.
LO: Wow! I didn't realize the fact that he makes you throw up for every Hardcore Match had led you to such bias...
KO: Whatever! I'm not biased about this contest coming up between Fantanasy and Zombie Vice Squad! I believe the Zombies are looking for blood, especially considering they weren't even involved in the finishes of those two Triple Threat's last show.
LO: True, but Fantanasy proved with their victories that they're here to do some business, and you can never count out the special guest announcers for that match when the Chimera Tag Team Champions come out here to do our jobs.
KO: About that...Are they trying to steal our thunder or something?
LO: Of course not. They just want to get an up close and personal chance to observe their potential challengers. I get it.
KO: Speaking of up close and personal, how do you think it's going to be when Zachariah Krahe & Roman Novack finally come face to face in this 7 Pillars Qualifying match?
LO: I figure it's going to be strange, for sure. I mean, Roman Novack came in here to show what he can do and almost immediately became the subject of Brodie's attention just because of his resemblance to Krahe.
KO: It is sort of uncanny...
LO: After their match at Honor Bound, Roman Novack got the chance to confront Brodie and let her know he's ready to dance, only for Zachariah Krahe to take the stage with a very short lipped warning...
KO: Well, he was vocal enough at the top of the show tonight. And how do you think Brodie's going to handle hearing that?
LO: I don't know, but she's got her own problems with Katya Djurdjevic.
KO: I don't envy her. She got a big win over Drell last FTS, but now she walks into a 7 Pillars Qualifier against an unhinged Submission Machine!
LO: Dangerous to be sure, but Katya has dreamed of that UnYielding Title for months, and now she gets an opportunity to finally get her hands on it. Not to mention there's no Danny Rizzo this time to try and hold her down by cheating.
KO: Nah, only six other competitors including Moxie James, the guaranteed number seven spot in the Gauntlet.
LO: If you have to compete in a gauntlet, I'd assume that's where you want to be.
KO: Sure, but she's still seemed pretty pissed about the whole situation when she burst into the Production Office and demanded answers from our GM, Francis Ford Cuppola.
LO: Well, she'll get a whole platform here tonight when she comes out to interview with Brad Stokes on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire.
KO: I wonder who Brad will be tonight?
LO: I honestly don't want to think about it.
KO: Fine, then how about we just get on with the show and our Opening Bout after these words from our sponsors...
LO: Couldn't agree more to tha--
Bury me six feet deep, bury me six feet deep
Bury me six feet deep, bury me six feet deep
LO: What the hell?
KO: I don't know...
KO: I don't know...
The camera view switches from the Othello Brothers to a sweeping view over a city, a helicopter-like view, as a slow air raid siren and solemn whispery vocals by Poppy set the mood. It begins to circle around a bridge.
Bury me six feet deep, cover me in concrete, turn me into a street
Bury me six feet deep, cover me in concrete, turn me into a street
Bury me six feet deep, cover me in concrete, turn me into a street
It moves in, approaching the darkness under the bridge-- and a terrible visage pops out at it, wild threatening with fangs and claws. Painted green and covered in heavy prosthetics, our "troll" breaks into cackling.
Chewy, chewy, yummy, yummy, yummy
Sharp and pointy, yummy, yummy, yummy
Break me off a piece of that tasty treat
Sugar in my teeth, demons in my dreams
Watch me while I sleep for eternity
Sharp and pointy, yummy, yummy, yummy
Break me off a piece of that tasty treat
Sugar in my teeth, demons in my dreams
Watch me while I sleep for eternity
The ICKYBABIES' wild guitar riff morphs from "Concrete" to "Voicemail" as we return to the live arena, where yellow spotlights throb and roam. At the top of the entrance stage, two women the Valor audience is unfamiliar with appear. One much shorter than the other even in her heels, a brunette with a slight but curvy figure, clad in a peacock-blue lacy dress and matching couture eyepatch over her right eye, a smart Birkin on her arm. The larger of the two takes center stage and attention, also brunette, arms upraised, much more defined musculature, wearing by contrast a dystopian-flavored denim and leather outfit in yellow and black. A title belt, also unfamiliar here, is around her waist. They move to the ring, the taller woman climbs the ring steps and reaches a hand down to her companion, locking wrists and boosting her up to the apron in a move that looks well practiced. The taller of the two back rolls over the top rope, then holds the bottom and middle open for the other to enter. A mic is retrieved, and the smaller woman begins to speak in an announcer-like voice.
?: Please welcome, for the first time in a Valor Pro Wrestling ring... one half of the World Wrestling Headquarters Tag Team Champions... an eight-year veteran of the squared circle... THE HAPPIEST SADIST, GIA VAN ZANT!
The crowd aren't quite sure what to make of the new person yet, but applaud politely. Gia hands her title belt to the manager and walks to the midpoint of the ropes between corners, steps up on the bottom rope, one leg hooked over the middle, and puts a hand over her heart.
GIA VAN ZANT: Ohhh, Caaaanaaadaaaa....
The crowd catches their national anthem on the first syllable and chimes in, taking a quick liking to the new wrestler in the house. The manager hands her two big bottles of maple syrup, tops removed, and she holds them overhead before cracking them together, sending a burst of fragrant syrup overhead. She starts to tilt them towards her face, as if she's going to chug it all, in the manner of a certain wrestling legend of the past, sending the crowd apeshit once again, laughing and cheering--Which quickly turns to screeching in the first few rows and booing throughout as she slings them all over the crowd, coating men, women, and children in sticky pancake condiment. She slings the bottles at them, plastic ones thankfully, and wipes her hands on the top rope carelessly while stepping down. She's passed a microphone next, her cackling growing louder as it comes closer to her face. The music fades out.
GIA VAN ZANT: You people are a blast already. I warned you all before I ever stepped into this ring what the hell I was, and you still fall for it.
She stops, one hand on her hip, looking into the camera, which zooms in.
GIA VAN ZANT: But I guess that's what you get when you host a wrestling show in Edmonton, right? Every fool in this area's gonna show up, because what else are they gonna do on a Sunday night? What other 'major' promotion is gonna run a show here? And half the upper card just whooshed out of this place; Brennan Devlin gone, Spiral actually gone, the standard-bearer long term champ Cosmo Cooper gone that joke Maurice Yensman even gone, a bunch of false-start signings not hanging to fill these spots. So you're here paying for a ticket to see...
She brazenly checks her hand, where she's clearly taken notes.
GIA VAN ZANT: A couple doppelgangers fight each other like it's a bad sci-fi show falling back on tired tropes, some Asians in spooky spooky greasepaint fighting whatever the blue fuck a Fantanasy is, an interview by somebody who's not as good a talker as me, a woman who doesn't wear an eyepatch as well as Hel here facing Some Russian Girl, and-- since Cross Recoba wackily got thrown on the preshow and NSFW is fuck knows where tonight-- the lone decent thing of Chris Callum versus...
Distaste is audible in her voice, after a pause.
GIA VAN ZANT: Danny Rizzo.
She shakes her head. The audience, which has been soured on her since the maple syrup stunt and not thrilled by her dissing the people they came to see, lets out a puzzled boo over Danny. Mutual disdain is at least there for one person between them.
GIA VAN ZANT: I mean, you know that Drell guy's just gonna show up and cheat for him. Not that I reeeeally mind people cheating, to be fair, but at least have the good manners to shake it up and keep us guessing how. But no fear, Valor faithful, Gia Van Zant is here, taking time out of her other commitments to slot a little international travel on her schedule for you all in a pious act of charity, ready and able to shake things up a little.
A little shoulder shimmy punctuates that final line, followed with a leering grin for the cameras. The audience really doesn't want to acknowledge excitement for a potential shakeup with her third-person pompousness.
GIA VAN ZANT: OH COME ON! Don't tell me I wasted my time hauling it up here to Canadida for you lot when I could've been enjoying the last of the summer in California still. At least they know a star when they see one--
She's cut off mid-rant as someone from the syrup-drizzled section of the crowd hurls one of the maple bottles back at her, clunking off the microphone and grazing her hand. She drops the mic abruptly and fires herself out of the ring like a projectile, tearing over the barricade as crowd security swarms to keep her from assaulting a fan over the well-deserved trivial insult. "Voicemail" starts up again as the Valor producers decide her time tonight is over.
LO: What the fuck is this woman's problem! She's going to start a freakin riot!
KO: They don't have riots in Canada. Just apology wars.
LO: Either way, we need to cut to that commercial to give staff time to clear the ring of this mess.
LO: What the fuck is this woman's problem! She's going to start a freakin riot!
KO: They don't have riots in Canada. Just apology wars.
LO: Either way, we need to cut to that commercial to give staff time to clear the ring of this mess.
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
ONLY ON BATTLEGROUND NETWORK!
OPENING BOUT
LO: And we're back, and it appears that Gai Van Zant has signed with Valor Pro Wrestling, and that's why she so rudely interrupted us here tonight.
KO: I like her. Anyone that can incite these fans like that, especially here in Canada, land of the whine...get it Laur...I said whine like a baby instead of wine like the drink.
LO: Hilarious...
KO: Christ, you're no fun anymore. Let's just get to the opening bout!
KO: I like her. Anyone that can incite these fans like that, especially here in Canada, land of the whine...get it Laur...I said whine like a baby instead of wine like the drink.
LO: Hilarious...
KO: Christ, you're no fun anymore. Let's just get to the opening bout!
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is scheduled for one fall or submission, and is a 7 Pillars Gauntlet Qualifier Match...
The lights go completely out in the arena as 'Feeling Good' by Michael Buble starts his slow open to the song. The moment the jazz bass hits a spotlight drops on the center of the stage where Roman Novack stands staring down at the floor. He's wearing a white blazer with a black handkerchief in the right front pocket, white pants with a black belt, and a white Fedora with a black ribbon around it. The ensemble along with the lightening gives off the effect of a Black and White movie as his head slowly lifts to stare out at the mixed reaction he receives. With a wink he heads down to the ring with a strut to his step and a smile, the lights seeming to glint off his teeth. Following him is Ayla Lang, who up to his moment was unseen during the grand entrance.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Ayla Lang, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 170 pounds, hailing from Atlantic City, New Jersey....He is THE PRESTIGE...ROMAN NOVACCKKK!!
Novack performs a spin to his right once reaching the end of the ramp, and he grabs hold of the ring post to swing around into a fluid leap up to the ring apron. He wipes his feet on the mat while one hand comes up to his fedora to keep it in place as he slips between the ropes into the ring. With a little juke and jive motion with his fingers he slips out of the jacket and flaps it in front of him to drape across the top rope, turning towards the hard camera with upturned eyebrows to flip the fedora from his head, down the length of his arm, to his hand. With a flick of his wrist the hat spins through the air to land perfectly on the ring post. He smiles again as he holds his hands out at his sides, and the fans give more of that mixed reaction. Ayla steps over to stand by the corner the hat landed on, and crosses her arms over her chest looking around the area to gain her bearings.
LO: Well...that was an interesting choice for entrances.
KO: I liked it. It was classy, and this guy reeks of success! And how about that Ayla Lang....whoo hoo!
LO: Well, prepare yourself, Ken. His opponent may look like him, but I'm not so certain that they share the same views.
KO: You're absolutely right. Novack is old time Manhattan, and Krahe is 70's Harlem.
LO: That's an unfair comparison, but I don't think we'll have to wait much longer to find out which of them wants this qualifier more...
The lights dim and a flood light from the entrance kicks on brightly while smoke pillows out onto the stage as 'Beat The Devil's Tatto' by Black Rebel Motorcyle Club hits over the PA. The roaring crowd come to their feet when a silhouette appears in the flood light, and then steps out onto the stage wearing a black leather bikers jacket, mussed hair, and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. A loud cheer goes up from the crowd for the returning superstar as he sends a plume of smoke up into the rafters just before taking his first step down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing his opponent, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 246 pounds, hailing from Hell, Michigan.....he is THE CATALYST, ZACHARIAH KRAHEEEEE!
Krahe stops at the bottom of the ramp to regard the front row to his left, then his right, letting a plume of smoke escape his lips. Sniffing the air as if he could smell the electricity in the air, his eyes narrow on the ring, and he butts the cigarette out on the steel steps just before climbing them, and slipping through the ropes. He stalks over to the corner where he flops back against the turnbuckles, his devil may care attitude eliciting even more of a reaction than before.
LO: Folks, if you are a new viewer and are unaware of Zachariah Krahe's credentials, please let me fill you in. He is the first ever UnYielding Champion, and held the title more times than any other Valor Pro Superstar for a total of three times. He has faced down the likes of Brodie, Zack Fantana, Siberia Zombie, Brennan Devlin, Roxi Johnson, and many more. And now...he's here to, in his own words, put things right.
KO: What the hell does that even mean?
LO: I don't know, Ken, but it starts right now against Roman Novack, who in many ways, is an innocent bystander to all of this mess involving Brodie.
KO: And then this asshat makes his big return to stick his nose in it. You telling me that's cool?
LO: Some could say that it was his story to begin with...besides, these two will have their chance to sort some of this right here and right now cause there's the bell...
The two men begin to circle one another before moving in to lock up and jockey for position. It's Roman who quickly slides his hand back to grab Krahe by the wrist, and ducked under into a Dragon Arm Twist. Krahe slaps at his shoulder a few times before looking to break Roman's grasp, and in response Novack spins through a second time putting even more torque on the arm. Krahe grits his teeth in discomfort and in a surprise to Novack stomps on the man's boot which causes him to let go of the wrist in order for Zach to reach up and pull him down into a Head Lock. Krahe grinds the man's head between his arm and body as Novack grabs at the air looking for an escape. Not finding one he pushes The Catalyst back into the ropes and then shoots him off to the other side, and when Krahe returns he charges forwards to hit him with a Shoulder Tackle that sends his opponent crashing down to the mat. The two men exchange a quick glance before Novack falls back into the side ropes while Zach deftly floats over onto his stomach in the same direction. When Roman rebounds he's forced to leap over Krahe or be tripped and continues on to the other side while Krahe scrambles up to his feet. Novack bounces back and Krahe is in the center of the ring to meet him with a hip toss, but Roman locks his boot behind Krahe's leg which puts on the brakes. Krahe pops the man in the stomach with a closed fist which doubles him over, places the back of his knee on the back of his head, but before he can do any further Novack raises up abruptly sending Krahe up and over into a back flip. Zach lands on his feet, but before he can even react he's clobbered by a Short Arm Clothesline from Novack that puts him on his back!
LO: Action is fast and furious here in the beginning, but that last shot from Novack seems to have rung Krahe's bell!
KO: Yeah, and I can't quite put my finger on it...but Krahe seems to be a little off.
LO: Well, we haven't seen the man since his exit on Allegiance where he left Brodie to face Roxi Johnson in a Hell In A Cell match on her own. I don't know what he's been doing since then, but I'd imagine he has some ring rust.
KO: That's probably it, but now Novack has him up and shoved back into a corner and is giving him some knee's to the gut to welcome him back to active competition!
Roman continues to drive his knee into Krahe's gut while the man is crushed against the turnbuckles thanks to the impact. Finally he grabs Zach by the wrist and whips him towards the far side, following close behind to nail him as soon as he lands. Krahe has just enough time to turn his body so that he strikes the turnbuckles with his spine, but instead of remaining there he lets the blow push him forward and raises his elbow right in the path of Novack. The Prestige slams into the Back Elbow from Krahe and it causes him to stumble back out to the center of the ring while holding his jaw only to turn around and get steam rolled by a Running Lariat that nearly turns him inside out. Krahe still holds his gut a bit as he reaches down to yank Novack up by the hair of the head and pushes him back into the ropes to shoot him off. Novack rebounds and Krahe steps out to meet him with a thunderous Front Spine Buster that rattles the ring.
LO: First big power move of the night, and Krahe pops up off of Novack, walks around the man while lifting his fist into the air...And lazily falls forwards into a Fist Drop right down across Novack's skull!
KO: Krahe now going for a quick cover, but Novack shoved him off before even the count of one!
LO: Krahe allowing Novack to work his way back up to his feet against the ropes, and HERE COMES KRAHE WITH A LARIA-NO!
KO: NOVACK DUCKED THE SHOULDER AND SENT KRAHE SOARING OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A BACK BODY!
LO: Krahe smacks off the concrete, and now Novack drops down and rolls out under the bottom rope to join him...
Krahe clutches at his spine as he tries to get to his feet, but he's sent lurching forward to slam gut first into the ring barrier by a Forearm Club to the back by Novack. Roman grabs Krahe and leads him away from the guardrail and scoops him up so that he's horizontal against his chest, and then rushes towards the nearby ring post to slam Krahe's lower spine off the steel. The fans wince as Novack lets the man drop back to the concrete as he takes a step back to survey the damage. Just off to the side of him Ayla Lang claps for her charges determined approach.
LO: Zachariah Krahe just got cut in half thanks to Roman Novack and the steel ring post, and now the referee is up to a seven count as Novack yanks The Catalyst up and shoots him back into the ring under the bottom rope...
KO: Novack quickly following and hooks the leg in the center of the ring!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Krahe with a kick out at two and a half, and Novack doesn't seem too perturbed by it as he flips the man over onto his stomach and places his knee's dead center of his back...
KO: This isn't good for Zach, cause Roman just grabbed up under his chin and his thigh, and is rocking back...RIGHT INTO A SURFBOARD SUBMISSION!
Krahe lets out a cry of pain as Roman falls onto his back and lifts Zach up so that his lower spine is wracked across his knee's. He pulls back on Krahe's neck while at the same time pulling with his other hand against his thighs, stretching him out in painful fashion that has The Catalyst compromised. All the while Ayla paces outside the ring, encouraging Krahe to save himself and just give up. Krahe on the other hand brings both hands up to Roman's hand just under his chin and grabs him by the wrist to try and force him loose. Krahe, being the stockier of the two, manages to force Novack's grasp free and takes advantage of the sudden reprieve by rocking his own body forward to come up out of the surfboard. The hand on his thigh manages to trip him up, however, and Krahe stumbles to fall against the ropes to keep himself upright. He turns around just in time to see Novack back on his feet and coming right at him.
LO: Krahe tries to take a swing but Novack drops low and baseball slides right between The Catalyst's legs and under the bottom rope to the outside...spins around and grabs Krahe by both his ankles and YANKS THEM OUT FROM UNDER HIM!
KO: Krahe face first to the canvas, and Roman leaps back up onto the apron to begin a climb up to the top turnbuckle...
LO: Krahe getting to his feet and turns towards Roman who has found his perch, and DIVES OFF WITH A DOUBLE AX HANDLE!NO! KRAHE SIDE STEPPED AND BURIED HIS FIST IN ROMAN'S ABDOMEN CAUSING HIM TO CUT A FRONT FLIP THAT SEE'S HIM LAND ON HIS BACK!
Roman scrambles to his feet, surprised at having been knocked off course, and he looks up just in time to see Krahe charging right at him. The Catalyst leaps into the air and catches him with a vaulting Lous Thesz Press that drops both men to the mat to land so that Zach is sitting on top of Novack. Krahe proceeds to hammer in sweeping lefts and rights to crash against Roman's face, and Ayla can be heard screaming at him from ringside. The fiery companion is soon on the apron which draws the referee's attention, and Zach gets to his feet to stalk her way. Just as he makes a grab for her she drops back down to the floor, and Krahe makes a comment to the referee to keep an eye on her before turning his attention back to Novack who nails him with a sucker punch to the jaw.
LO: Krahe distracted by Roman's valet and now stumbling over into the corner...and her comes Novack!
KO: Rights and lefts to the midsection again, and I believe he's found his target zone...pulling Krahe out of the corner to scoop him up onto his shoulder, and SNAKE EYES DOWN ACROSS THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
LO: Krahe grabbing at his face and chest as he claws at the buckles to get back to his feet, but Roman is there to pull him away from the corner, slips his head under his arm, and lifts him into the air TO SLAM HIM DOWN WITH A SIDE SUPLEX!
KO: Roman floats over and hooks the leg for a cover....
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Krahe just barely able to get the shoulder up before the count of three, an I have to tell you, Ken, eighty percent of this match has been all Roman Novack thus far.
KO: I know, right. That's what I've been telling you. Krahe hasn't been able to even get rolling before he gets dropped for one reason or another. Dude may have lost his touch.
LO: Well, Roman Novack doesn't seem to have lost his, as he cradles the man's skull and hammers piston like fists down into his skull!
The referee admonishes Novack while some of the fans boo, and he eventually backs off after the referee starts a count to disqualify him. Novack rises up and places some well targeted boots to Krahe's gut before stepping back and calling for the referee to clear out of his way. As Zachariah forces himself to get at least in a seated position, Roman rushes in at him and commits to a front flip while simultaneously catching Krahe around the head to slam him down to the canvas with a Blockbuster!
LO: SNAKE EYES FROM ROMAN NOVACK!
KO: No, Laur, Snake Eyes is when you lift your opponent over a turnbuckle and then drop him so that he face plants. I mean, theoretically you can do it over a guard rail, a chair, whatever surface is available.
LO: No, you idiot! That's what he calls that Seated Block Buster, and besides that....he's got Zachariah Krahe's shoulder to the mat!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Folks, if that had been a nanosecond faster, we'd be calling Roman Novack the winner in one of the most decisive matches I've ever seen.l
KO: No doubt, but Krahe somehow got that shoulder up an now Novack is looking to the outside to Ayla who is giving him some instruction.
Roman nods at whatever Ayla just yelled at him and pulls Krahe up with him as he gets to his feet. He scoops Zach up on his shoulders, looking to put him away with his finisher, but as soon as he's in this position Krahe begins kicking his feet. He slides down Novack's back and once behind him shove the man forward to put some distance between them. Novack spins around rushes back in to get back the advantage only to walk into a stiff boot to the midsection, a double underhook of his arms, and then snapping motion that drives his skull directly into the mat!
LO: CATALYST DDT FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: Krahe hit that so fast that if you blinked you missed it!
LO: But Krahe has been through the ringer here thanks to Novack, and now both men are just lying on the mat sucking wind.
KO: Referee checking on them while Ayla yells at Novack to get vertical, but Santiago is going ahead with the count!
The referee's count drones on as both superstars claw to try and make it towards opposite sides of the ring to find something to aid them back to their feet. Roman finds the ropes, and grabs at the middle and then the top to achieve a vertical status. Krahe on the other hand finds a corner, grasping at the turnbuckles to do much the same. Novack cradles the top of his head until he heeds the call from his manager to look over at Krahe who is doubled over clutching his midsection. Roman shakes loose the cobwebs and then charges the corner, but as he arrives Krahe suddenly throws both boots up while holding the top rope for support and they slam into The Prestige's face. He snaps down to the mat clutching his skull once more, but this time rolls under the bottom rope to stumble around the floor. Ayla rushes over to check on her man as Krahe steps out to the center trying to recover himself from the damage he's received all contest.
LO: Krahe looking out to see Novack on the outside, and now it appears the gears are turning...
KO: That's usually never good....
LO: Krahe hitting the ropes in front of him only to rebound across the ring, and BIG DIVE UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE OUT ONTO NOVACK!
KO: AYLA JUST BARELY ABLE TO DODGE OUT OF THE WAY AS BOTH MEN ARE WIPED OUT!
Krahe beats his fist off the concrete while clutching his aching midsection after the dangerous dive, while Novack looks completely out of it lying flat on his back. Lang quickly makes her way over to Roman to lightly tap him on the face to bring him back to alertness, but she is forced to abandon him as Zach gets back to his feet. He reaches down to peel Roman off the floor and tosses him back into the ring where he follows shortly after. Roman is already trying to fight to his feet so Krahe doesn't bother with a pin attempt, instead wades into the man with rights and lefts that send him stumbling back into the nearby corner. Krahe hops up to the second turnbuckle, which puts his crotch right in Roman's face while he gets a fistful of hair with his left hand to push the man's head back. He then looks out at the crowd with his trademark grin and gets a cheer before driving right hands down into Roman's skull. The fans count along with him all the way until eight, when Roman suddenly reaches up to grab Krahe by the tights on either sides, lifts him up onto his shoulders, and fires forwards to slam him off the mat hard.
LO: POWERBOMB OUT OF THE CORNER BY NOVACK DRIVES KRAHE INTO THE CANVAS, AND NOW ROMAN FALLS ON TOP OF HIM!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Krahe still able to get the shoulder up, and now he's stomping his boot against the canvas and his upturned fists are shaking! This place is going ballistic!
Roman stares at the man he just drove into the canvas in disbelief, shaking his head as the fans begin to rally behind him. The Catalyst pushes up to a seated position, and then up to a knee, all the while staring at Roman Novack while hulking up. Novack can't believe it, but doesn't wait around to see the result. He rushes in with a right hand just as Krahe pushes to his feet and blocks with his left, and then hammers in a right of his own. Another. Another. One more time drops him back into the ropes, and Krahe takes him by the wrist and whips him to the opposite side. Roman rebounds and there is nothing he can do as he walks right into a charging shoulder thrust from Zach that slams him down into the canvas.
LO: A SPEAR FROM KRAHE! AND THAT COULD DO IT!
KO: He's laying across the body and has the leg hooked!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! MY GOD! IT WAS SO CLOSE EVEN THE REFEREE IS LOOKING AT HIS OWN HAND!
KO: All I know is that was one of Krahe's best shots, and Roman Novack kicked out of it! Even if it was just in the nick of time!
Both men lie cross the ring as the referee starts another count, and Lang paces outside trying to will Novack to his feet. By the time Santiago reaches eight everyone in the arena is anticipating a double count out, but just before nine Krahe rolls over onto his hands and knees. Just when the count is about to reach ten, Krahe leaps up to his feet unsteadily at the same time that Novack kips up to his. The two men exchange surprised glances, and then Krahe goes into motion trying for a clothesline to which Novack ducks under it. Zach continues on to rebound off the ropes and as he returns walks right into a waiting Roman who uses both hands to lift Krahe up by his pits and then abruptly brings them across to the center of his chest as he thunders down to the mat into a sit out.
LO: ROMAN NOVACK NAILS KRAHE WITH THE DECEPTION, AND HE JUST SLIPPED HIS BOOTS OVER KRAHE'S SHOULDERS WHILE HE SITS THERE FOR THE PIN!!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!GOD ALMIGHTY DO THEY KEEP DOING THAT!
LO: I don't know, but another extremely close call that has the referee showing signs of shoulder damage!
Santiago does indeed come off the mat rubbing his shoulder that was forced to stop a nanosecond before striking the mat for the third time, and Roman Novack falls back with his hands over his eyes and shaking his head in dismay. On the outside Ayla Lang looks fit to be tied as she stalks back and forth, wearing a rut into the concrete floor in under her. Krahe lies there motionless, still breathing, but looks to be wiped out. Eventually Novack untangles himself from The Catalyst and gets to his feet so that he can stare down at the man. Finally he shakes his head and reaches down to pull his opponent to his feet to try one last move to try and finally put the man away. Just then, Krahe boots the man in the midsection out of nowhere, double under hooks the arms, and falls back to drive him into the mat for the second time of the contest.
LO: WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM!
KO: CATALYST DDT!
LO: Krahe slowly rolling over and just draping his arm over Novack's chest!
1...
2...
3!!!
LO: Jesus, what a match!
KO: I'm not going to lie, these two went all out and set a tough act to follow for the rest of the roster.
Krahe rolls onto his side and just lays there for a minute as on the outside Ayla Lang leans against the apron shocked. As Zach crawls over to the ropes to find his feet, Roman rolls towards the sound of Ayla's voice which helps coax him out of the ring where he dumps out to land on his knees and cradle the top of his head.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of the match via pinfall, and going on to participate in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match at the next PPV.....ZACHARIAH KRAHE!
LO: For the second time Zachariah Krahe heads into the gauntlet, and My God...we only have one more match to determine all of the participants.
KO: That's right, Laur, it will either be Brodie or Katya Djurdjevic, and wouldn't it be something if it were Brodie!
LO: Certainly she'd have plenty to say if that were to transpire...
KO: Only problem is that Brodie tends to do her talking in the ring!
LO: Truer words have never been spoken.
Novack makes his way to the back in disbelief as Ayla Lang discussed the points in the match where he should have taken the victory while back in the ring Zachariah Krahe stumbles to the center of the ring to stare out at the cheering crowd. He looks like he's been through a war, but when the referee raises his arm it all sinks in. He gives a slight chuckle while clutching at his ribs and nods before making his way towards the ropes to exit himself.
LO: Up next we have tag team action, as Fantanasy and Zombie Vice Squad go head to head...
KO: And NSFW will be out here doing our jobs. Still don't know how I feel about that...
LO: After this match I'm looking forward to the chance to catch my breath, but first...let's see what Fantanasy is up to in the back.
The lights go completely out in the arena as 'Feeling Good' by Michael Buble starts his slow open to the song. The moment the jazz bass hits a spotlight drops on the center of the stage where Roman Novack stands staring down at the floor. He's wearing a white blazer with a black handkerchief in the right front pocket, white pants with a black belt, and a white Fedora with a black ribbon around it. The ensemble along with the lightening gives off the effect of a Black and White movie as his head slowly lifts to stare out at the mixed reaction he receives. With a wink he heads down to the ring with a strut to his step and a smile, the lights seeming to glint off his teeth. Following him is Ayla Lang, who up to his moment was unseen during the grand entrance.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Ayla Lang, standing at five foot eleven and weighting in at 170 pounds, hailing from Atlantic City, New Jersey....He is THE PRESTIGE...ROMAN NOVACCKKK!!
Novack performs a spin to his right once reaching the end of the ramp, and he grabs hold of the ring post to swing around into a fluid leap up to the ring apron. He wipes his feet on the mat while one hand comes up to his fedora to keep it in place as he slips between the ropes into the ring. With a little juke and jive motion with his fingers he slips out of the jacket and flaps it in front of him to drape across the top rope, turning towards the hard camera with upturned eyebrows to flip the fedora from his head, down the length of his arm, to his hand. With a flick of his wrist the hat spins through the air to land perfectly on the ring post. He smiles again as he holds his hands out at his sides, and the fans give more of that mixed reaction. Ayla steps over to stand by the corner the hat landed on, and crosses her arms over her chest looking around the area to gain her bearings.
LO: Well...that was an interesting choice for entrances.
KO: I liked it. It was classy, and this guy reeks of success! And how about that Ayla Lang....whoo hoo!
LO: Well, prepare yourself, Ken. His opponent may look like him, but I'm not so certain that they share the same views.
KO: You're absolutely right. Novack is old time Manhattan, and Krahe is 70's Harlem.
LO: That's an unfair comparison, but I don't think we'll have to wait much longer to find out which of them wants this qualifier more...
The lights dim and a flood light from the entrance kicks on brightly while smoke pillows out onto the stage as 'Beat The Devil's Tatto' by Black Rebel Motorcyle Club hits over the PA. The roaring crowd come to their feet when a silhouette appears in the flood light, and then steps out onto the stage wearing a black leather bikers jacket, mussed hair, and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. A loud cheer goes up from the crowd for the returning superstar as he sends a plume of smoke up into the rafters just before taking his first step down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: And introducing his opponent, standing at six foot three and weighting in at 246 pounds, hailing from Hell, Michigan.....he is THE CATALYST, ZACHARIAH KRAHEEEEE!
Krahe stops at the bottom of the ramp to regard the front row to his left, then his right, letting a plume of smoke escape his lips. Sniffing the air as if he could smell the electricity in the air, his eyes narrow on the ring, and he butts the cigarette out on the steel steps just before climbing them, and slipping through the ropes. He stalks over to the corner where he flops back against the turnbuckles, his devil may care attitude eliciting even more of a reaction than before.
LO: Folks, if you are a new viewer and are unaware of Zachariah Krahe's credentials, please let me fill you in. He is the first ever UnYielding Champion, and held the title more times than any other Valor Pro Superstar for a total of three times. He has faced down the likes of Brodie, Zack Fantana, Siberia Zombie, Brennan Devlin, Roxi Johnson, and many more. And now...he's here to, in his own words, put things right.
KO: What the hell does that even mean?
LO: I don't know, Ken, but it starts right now against Roman Novack, who in many ways, is an innocent bystander to all of this mess involving Brodie.
KO: And then this asshat makes his big return to stick his nose in it. You telling me that's cool?
LO: Some could say that it was his story to begin with...besides, these two will have their chance to sort some of this right here and right now cause there's the bell...
The two men begin to circle one another before moving in to lock up and jockey for position. It's Roman who quickly slides his hand back to grab Krahe by the wrist, and ducked under into a Dragon Arm Twist. Krahe slaps at his shoulder a few times before looking to break Roman's grasp, and in response Novack spins through a second time putting even more torque on the arm. Krahe grits his teeth in discomfort and in a surprise to Novack stomps on the man's boot which causes him to let go of the wrist in order for Zach to reach up and pull him down into a Head Lock. Krahe grinds the man's head between his arm and body as Novack grabs at the air looking for an escape. Not finding one he pushes The Catalyst back into the ropes and then shoots him off to the other side, and when Krahe returns he charges forwards to hit him with a Shoulder Tackle that sends his opponent crashing down to the mat. The two men exchange a quick glance before Novack falls back into the side ropes while Zach deftly floats over onto his stomach in the same direction. When Roman rebounds he's forced to leap over Krahe or be tripped and continues on to the other side while Krahe scrambles up to his feet. Novack bounces back and Krahe is in the center of the ring to meet him with a hip toss, but Roman locks his boot behind Krahe's leg which puts on the brakes. Krahe pops the man in the stomach with a closed fist which doubles him over, places the back of his knee on the back of his head, but before he can do any further Novack raises up abruptly sending Krahe up and over into a back flip. Zach lands on his feet, but before he can even react he's clobbered by a Short Arm Clothesline from Novack that puts him on his back!
LO: Action is fast and furious here in the beginning, but that last shot from Novack seems to have rung Krahe's bell!
KO: Yeah, and I can't quite put my finger on it...but Krahe seems to be a little off.
LO: Well, we haven't seen the man since his exit on Allegiance where he left Brodie to face Roxi Johnson in a Hell In A Cell match on her own. I don't know what he's been doing since then, but I'd imagine he has some ring rust.
KO: That's probably it, but now Novack has him up and shoved back into a corner and is giving him some knee's to the gut to welcome him back to active competition!
Roman continues to drive his knee into Krahe's gut while the man is crushed against the turnbuckles thanks to the impact. Finally he grabs Zach by the wrist and whips him towards the far side, following close behind to nail him as soon as he lands. Krahe has just enough time to turn his body so that he strikes the turnbuckles with his spine, but instead of remaining there he lets the blow push him forward and raises his elbow right in the path of Novack. The Prestige slams into the Back Elbow from Krahe and it causes him to stumble back out to the center of the ring while holding his jaw only to turn around and get steam rolled by a Running Lariat that nearly turns him inside out. Krahe still holds his gut a bit as he reaches down to yank Novack up by the hair of the head and pushes him back into the ropes to shoot him off. Novack rebounds and Krahe steps out to meet him with a thunderous Front Spine Buster that rattles the ring.
LO: First big power move of the night, and Krahe pops up off of Novack, walks around the man while lifting his fist into the air...And lazily falls forwards into a Fist Drop right down across Novack's skull!
KO: Krahe now going for a quick cover, but Novack shoved him off before even the count of one!
LO: Krahe allowing Novack to work his way back up to his feet against the ropes, and HERE COMES KRAHE WITH A LARIA-NO!
KO: NOVACK DUCKED THE SHOULDER AND SENT KRAHE SOARING OVER THE TOP ROPE WITH A BACK BODY!
LO: Krahe smacks off the concrete, and now Novack drops down and rolls out under the bottom rope to join him...
Krahe clutches at his spine as he tries to get to his feet, but he's sent lurching forward to slam gut first into the ring barrier by a Forearm Club to the back by Novack. Roman grabs Krahe and leads him away from the guardrail and scoops him up so that he's horizontal against his chest, and then rushes towards the nearby ring post to slam Krahe's lower spine off the steel. The fans wince as Novack lets the man drop back to the concrete as he takes a step back to survey the damage. Just off to the side of him Ayla Lang claps for her charges determined approach.
LO: Zachariah Krahe just got cut in half thanks to Roman Novack and the steel ring post, and now the referee is up to a seven count as Novack yanks The Catalyst up and shoots him back into the ring under the bottom rope...
KO: Novack quickly following and hooks the leg in the center of the ring!
1...
2...
LO: THRE-NO! Krahe with a kick out at two and a half, and Novack doesn't seem too perturbed by it as he flips the man over onto his stomach and places his knee's dead center of his back...
KO: This isn't good for Zach, cause Roman just grabbed up under his chin and his thigh, and is rocking back...RIGHT INTO A SURFBOARD SUBMISSION!
Krahe lets out a cry of pain as Roman falls onto his back and lifts Zach up so that his lower spine is wracked across his knee's. He pulls back on Krahe's neck while at the same time pulling with his other hand against his thighs, stretching him out in painful fashion that has The Catalyst compromised. All the while Ayla paces outside the ring, encouraging Krahe to save himself and just give up. Krahe on the other hand brings both hands up to Roman's hand just under his chin and grabs him by the wrist to try and force him loose. Krahe, being the stockier of the two, manages to force Novack's grasp free and takes advantage of the sudden reprieve by rocking his own body forward to come up out of the surfboard. The hand on his thigh manages to trip him up, however, and Krahe stumbles to fall against the ropes to keep himself upright. He turns around just in time to see Novack back on his feet and coming right at him.
LO: Krahe tries to take a swing but Novack drops low and baseball slides right between The Catalyst's legs and under the bottom rope to the outside...spins around and grabs Krahe by both his ankles and YANKS THEM OUT FROM UNDER HIM!
KO: Krahe face first to the canvas, and Roman leaps back up onto the apron to begin a climb up to the top turnbuckle...
LO: Krahe getting to his feet and turns towards Roman who has found his perch, and DIVES OFF WITH A DOUBLE AX HANDLE!NO! KRAHE SIDE STEPPED AND BURIED HIS FIST IN ROMAN'S ABDOMEN CAUSING HIM TO CUT A FRONT FLIP THAT SEE'S HIM LAND ON HIS BACK!
Roman scrambles to his feet, surprised at having been knocked off course, and he looks up just in time to see Krahe charging right at him. The Catalyst leaps into the air and catches him with a vaulting Lous Thesz Press that drops both men to the mat to land so that Zach is sitting on top of Novack. Krahe proceeds to hammer in sweeping lefts and rights to crash against Roman's face, and Ayla can be heard screaming at him from ringside. The fiery companion is soon on the apron which draws the referee's attention, and Zach gets to his feet to stalk her way. Just as he makes a grab for her she drops back down to the floor, and Krahe makes a comment to the referee to keep an eye on her before turning his attention back to Novack who nails him with a sucker punch to the jaw.
LO: Krahe distracted by Roman's valet and now stumbling over into the corner...and her comes Novack!
KO: Rights and lefts to the midsection again, and I believe he's found his target zone...pulling Krahe out of the corner to scoop him up onto his shoulder, and SNAKE EYES DOWN ACROSS THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!
LO: Krahe grabbing at his face and chest as he claws at the buckles to get back to his feet, but Roman is there to pull him away from the corner, slips his head under his arm, and lifts him into the air TO SLAM HIM DOWN WITH A SIDE SUPLEX!
KO: Roman floats over and hooks the leg for a cover....
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Krahe just barely able to get the shoulder up before the count of three, an I have to tell you, Ken, eighty percent of this match has been all Roman Novack thus far.
KO: I know, right. That's what I've been telling you. Krahe hasn't been able to even get rolling before he gets dropped for one reason or another. Dude may have lost his touch.
LO: Well, Roman Novack doesn't seem to have lost his, as he cradles the man's skull and hammers piston like fists down into his skull!
The referee admonishes Novack while some of the fans boo, and he eventually backs off after the referee starts a count to disqualify him. Novack rises up and places some well targeted boots to Krahe's gut before stepping back and calling for the referee to clear out of his way. As Zachariah forces himself to get at least in a seated position, Roman rushes in at him and commits to a front flip while simultaneously catching Krahe around the head to slam him down to the canvas with a Blockbuster!
LO: SNAKE EYES FROM ROMAN NOVACK!
KO: No, Laur, Snake Eyes is when you lift your opponent over a turnbuckle and then drop him so that he face plants. I mean, theoretically you can do it over a guard rail, a chair, whatever surface is available.
LO: No, you idiot! That's what he calls that Seated Block Buster, and besides that....he's got Zachariah Krahe's shoulder to the mat!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Folks, if that had been a nanosecond faster, we'd be calling Roman Novack the winner in one of the most decisive matches I've ever seen.l
KO: No doubt, but Krahe somehow got that shoulder up an now Novack is looking to the outside to Ayla who is giving him some instruction.
Roman nods at whatever Ayla just yelled at him and pulls Krahe up with him as he gets to his feet. He scoops Zach up on his shoulders, looking to put him away with his finisher, but as soon as he's in this position Krahe begins kicking his feet. He slides down Novack's back and once behind him shove the man forward to put some distance between them. Novack spins around rushes back in to get back the advantage only to walk into a stiff boot to the midsection, a double underhook of his arms, and then snapping motion that drives his skull directly into the mat!
LO: CATALYST DDT FROM OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: Krahe hit that so fast that if you blinked you missed it!
LO: But Krahe has been through the ringer here thanks to Novack, and now both men are just lying on the mat sucking wind.
KO: Referee checking on them while Ayla yells at Novack to get vertical, but Santiago is going ahead with the count!
The referee's count drones on as both superstars claw to try and make it towards opposite sides of the ring to find something to aid them back to their feet. Roman finds the ropes, and grabs at the middle and then the top to achieve a vertical status. Krahe on the other hand finds a corner, grasping at the turnbuckles to do much the same. Novack cradles the top of his head until he heeds the call from his manager to look over at Krahe who is doubled over clutching his midsection. Roman shakes loose the cobwebs and then charges the corner, but as he arrives Krahe suddenly throws both boots up while holding the top rope for support and they slam into The Prestige's face. He snaps down to the mat clutching his skull once more, but this time rolls under the bottom rope to stumble around the floor. Ayla rushes over to check on her man as Krahe steps out to the center trying to recover himself from the damage he's received all contest.
LO: Krahe looking out to see Novack on the outside, and now it appears the gears are turning...
KO: That's usually never good....
LO: Krahe hitting the ropes in front of him only to rebound across the ring, and BIG DIVE UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE OUT ONTO NOVACK!
KO: AYLA JUST BARELY ABLE TO DODGE OUT OF THE WAY AS BOTH MEN ARE WIPED OUT!
Krahe beats his fist off the concrete while clutching his aching midsection after the dangerous dive, while Novack looks completely out of it lying flat on his back. Lang quickly makes her way over to Roman to lightly tap him on the face to bring him back to alertness, but she is forced to abandon him as Zach gets back to his feet. He reaches down to peel Roman off the floor and tosses him back into the ring where he follows shortly after. Roman is already trying to fight to his feet so Krahe doesn't bother with a pin attempt, instead wades into the man with rights and lefts that send him stumbling back into the nearby corner. Krahe hops up to the second turnbuckle, which puts his crotch right in Roman's face while he gets a fistful of hair with his left hand to push the man's head back. He then looks out at the crowd with his trademark grin and gets a cheer before driving right hands down into Roman's skull. The fans count along with him all the way until eight, when Roman suddenly reaches up to grab Krahe by the tights on either sides, lifts him up onto his shoulders, and fires forwards to slam him off the mat hard.
LO: POWERBOMB OUT OF THE CORNER BY NOVACK DRIVES KRAHE INTO THE CANVAS, AND NOW ROMAN FALLS ON TOP OF HIM!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Krahe still able to get the shoulder up, and now he's stomping his boot against the canvas and his upturned fists are shaking! This place is going ballistic!
Roman stares at the man he just drove into the canvas in disbelief, shaking his head as the fans begin to rally behind him. The Catalyst pushes up to a seated position, and then up to a knee, all the while staring at Roman Novack while hulking up. Novack can't believe it, but doesn't wait around to see the result. He rushes in with a right hand just as Krahe pushes to his feet and blocks with his left, and then hammers in a right of his own. Another. Another. One more time drops him back into the ropes, and Krahe takes him by the wrist and whips him to the opposite side. Roman rebounds and there is nothing he can do as he walks right into a charging shoulder thrust from Zach that slams him down into the canvas.
LO: A SPEAR FROM KRAHE! AND THAT COULD DO IT!
KO: He's laying across the body and has the leg hooked!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! MY GOD! IT WAS SO CLOSE EVEN THE REFEREE IS LOOKING AT HIS OWN HAND!
KO: All I know is that was one of Krahe's best shots, and Roman Novack kicked out of it! Even if it was just in the nick of time!
Both men lie cross the ring as the referee starts another count, and Lang paces outside trying to will Novack to his feet. By the time Santiago reaches eight everyone in the arena is anticipating a double count out, but just before nine Krahe rolls over onto his hands and knees. Just when the count is about to reach ten, Krahe leaps up to his feet unsteadily at the same time that Novack kips up to his. The two men exchange surprised glances, and then Krahe goes into motion trying for a clothesline to which Novack ducks under it. Zach continues on to rebound off the ropes and as he returns walks right into a waiting Roman who uses both hands to lift Krahe up by his pits and then abruptly brings them across to the center of his chest as he thunders down to the mat into a sit out.
LO: ROMAN NOVACK NAILS KRAHE WITH THE DECEPTION, AND HE JUST SLIPPED HIS BOOTS OVER KRAHE'S SHOULDERS WHILE HE SITS THERE FOR THE PIN!!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!GOD ALMIGHTY DO THEY KEEP DOING THAT!
LO: I don't know, but another extremely close call that has the referee showing signs of shoulder damage!
Santiago does indeed come off the mat rubbing his shoulder that was forced to stop a nanosecond before striking the mat for the third time, and Roman Novack falls back with his hands over his eyes and shaking his head in dismay. On the outside Ayla Lang looks fit to be tied as she stalks back and forth, wearing a rut into the concrete floor in under her. Krahe lies there motionless, still breathing, but looks to be wiped out. Eventually Novack untangles himself from The Catalyst and gets to his feet so that he can stare down at the man. Finally he shakes his head and reaches down to pull his opponent to his feet to try one last move to try and finally put the man away. Just then, Krahe boots the man in the midsection out of nowhere, double under hooks the arms, and falls back to drive him into the mat for the second time of the contest.
LO: WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM!
KO: CATALYST DDT!
LO: Krahe slowly rolling over and just draping his arm over Novack's chest!
1...
2...
3!!!
LO: Jesus, what a match!
KO: I'm not going to lie, these two went all out and set a tough act to follow for the rest of the roster.
Krahe rolls onto his side and just lays there for a minute as on the outside Ayla Lang leans against the apron shocked. As Zach crawls over to the ropes to find his feet, Roman rolls towards the sound of Ayla's voice which helps coax him out of the ring where he dumps out to land on his knees and cradle the top of his head.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of the match via pinfall, and going on to participate in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match at the next PPV.....ZACHARIAH KRAHE!
LO: For the second time Zachariah Krahe heads into the gauntlet, and My God...we only have one more match to determine all of the participants.
KO: That's right, Laur, it will either be Brodie or Katya Djurdjevic, and wouldn't it be something if it were Brodie!
LO: Certainly she'd have plenty to say if that were to transpire...
KO: Only problem is that Brodie tends to do her talking in the ring!
LO: Truer words have never been spoken.
Novack makes his way to the back in disbelief as Ayla Lang discussed the points in the match where he should have taken the victory while back in the ring Zachariah Krahe stumbles to the center of the ring to stare out at the cheering crowd. He looks like he's been through a war, but when the referee raises his arm it all sinks in. He gives a slight chuckle while clutching at his ribs and nods before making his way towards the ropes to exit himself.
LO: Up next we have tag team action, as Fantanasy and Zombie Vice Squad go head to head...
KO: And NSFW will be out here doing our jobs. Still don't know how I feel about that...
LO: After this match I'm looking forward to the chance to catch my breath, but first...let's see what Fantanasy is up to in the back.
We are taken somewhere backstage where Benny Stevens takes his time to tie his all-black wrestling boot laces as his tag team partner, Zack Fantana, observes him in silence. For some unknown, and quite honestly, probably a stupid reason, Benny looks at the camera with a smile on his face the entire moment. Finally, he directs his attention to Fantana.
BENNY STEVENS: So… You have anything inspirational to say now, Zack? Let us take advantage of our screen time and spread a good message, shall we? We got the whole world watching us, my good bud!
Benny raises his eyebrows once and then smiles. We cannot tell exactly what he is up to. Zack looks at the camera warily as he tightens the belt on his pants.
ZACK FANTANA: Why do you keep talking to the camera like that?
BENNY STEVENS: What do you mean, man?
Benny just keeps looking to the camera, still smiling.
BENNY STEVENS: I’m just excited… Now, please, let us hear a nice quote from the great Lea- ummm, Mr. Fantanasy.
The smile doesn’t fade, and we can only assume that it’s getting a bit uncomfortable for the fans to watch.
ZACK FANTANA: I really don’t have anything to-
Zack pauses suddenly.
ZACK FANTANA: Well...
He pulls out the book of daily devotionals that Brad had written him out of his duffle bag, and flips to the September 22nd entry, reading along while tracing the passage with his index finger.
ZACK FANTANA: How is it then, brethren? When ye come together every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation, hath a live microphone, hath a rematch clause-
Benny Stevens interrupts his partner by resting his left elbow on Fantana’s right shoulder, clearly trying his best to look taller than him - an easy task, anyway.
BENNY STEVENS: Yeah, yeah… Beautiful words, indeed, friendo. Say no more.
He then stays silent, looking up a bit as if he’s taking a moment to attempt to absorb the meaning of those words.
BENNY STEVENS: Isn’t it interesting how we can literally say or do whatever we want now, and they have to watch us? Truth is, all of this doesn’t even matter. Unless you wanna say something to our opponents?
Finally, Benny takes his elbow off Zack’s shoulder. Zack places a bookmark into the daily devotional book and reluctantly puts it back into his bag.
ZACK FANTANA: Everything left to be said will be said in that ring.
BENNY STEVENS: Ooo-wee, nice fighting words, man. Getting me pumped up here. Should we shake hands with Kowloon and Siberia after the match, though?
VOICE: That would be sporting.
They look to the side to see Aokigahara Zombie grinning at them with Fukushima Zombie standing in front of him. She opens her mouth to say something and blood seeps out instead. They all look at her and she seems kind of embarrassed.
AOKIGAHARA: How spooky of you. Anyway… Hello, guys. Good luck out there! I just want you guys to know that there are no hard feelings. The fists and the kicks was just a thing that came to my mind and I went out there and did it. It was, after all, a pretty fun time, wasn’t it?
Benny just looks at the man in silence - eyes slightly widened, laser focused. The smile is gone, and so is the whole playful attitude. He has his fists clenched, even. Zack notices the mood switch and the sudden silence; therefore, he decides to take the lead. Zack stands up from the bench and guardedly steps toward Aokigahara.
ZACK FANTANA: Is that what you came to do? Poke us with your olive branch?
Fantana massages his jaw, reminiscing on the ‘fun times’ he’d shared with Aoki a few weeks ago. However, after looking at Stevens, he decides to try to ease the tension in the room before things come to a head.
ZACK FANTANA: Next time you want to have a little fun, just RSVP, pal. I promise we’ll pay your welcoming party favors back in kind.
Finally, Benny walks up in direction of Aokigahara and Fukushima; however, he’s still focusing on Aokigahara only. The man’s whole body language makes him look like there’s still adrenaline pumping through his veins.
BENNY STEVENS: Damn right. Fun times, sure… But, trust me-
He is interrupted by a mere grin from Aokigahara. Fukushima gets close and sniffs the air around him, which throws Benny off for a moment before he collects his thoughts.
BENNY STEVENS: I just hope you are ready to deal with the consequences of your little game.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: I don’t really know the meaning of that word. It just comes into my mind and is bounced around with no effect. If one action were to lead to more action then that’s all the better. Good luck with the ZVS tonight. They’re all ready to show you what I mean.
Benny steps closer to Aoki, looking into his eyes. Fukushima just watches the little confrontation, clearly having fun. Zack nudges Benny with his elbow, realizing that it’s time to go or else things get ugly.
ZACK FANTANA: Let’s roll, Beenie.
A sentence that finally makes Benny let out a chuckle, given the fact that it’s something that he usually says - and so he does. Stevens backs away from Aoki, whom never flinched. The camera shows Benny and Zack walking away, Fantana saying the following to his partner.
ZACK FANTANA: You good?
Benny can be seen patting his own abdomen.
BENNY STEVENS: You know what, man? I think it’s time to gain some weight… Two-oh-six is my next goal.
He just laughs as Zack shakes his head. The camera gets back to Aokigahara and Fukushima.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: What did he smell like?
FUKUSHIMA ZOMBIE: Creme lotion, sweet wine coolers, and fear.
BENNY STEVENS: So… You have anything inspirational to say now, Zack? Let us take advantage of our screen time and spread a good message, shall we? We got the whole world watching us, my good bud!
Benny raises his eyebrows once and then smiles. We cannot tell exactly what he is up to. Zack looks at the camera warily as he tightens the belt on his pants.
ZACK FANTANA: Why do you keep talking to the camera like that?
BENNY STEVENS: What do you mean, man?
Benny just keeps looking to the camera, still smiling.
BENNY STEVENS: I’m just excited… Now, please, let us hear a nice quote from the great Lea- ummm, Mr. Fantanasy.
The smile doesn’t fade, and we can only assume that it’s getting a bit uncomfortable for the fans to watch.
ZACK FANTANA: I really don’t have anything to-
Zack pauses suddenly.
ZACK FANTANA: Well...
He pulls out the book of daily devotionals that Brad had written him out of his duffle bag, and flips to the September 22nd entry, reading along while tracing the passage with his index finger.
ZACK FANTANA: How is it then, brethren? When ye come together every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation, hath a live microphone, hath a rematch clause-
Benny Stevens interrupts his partner by resting his left elbow on Fantana’s right shoulder, clearly trying his best to look taller than him - an easy task, anyway.
BENNY STEVENS: Yeah, yeah… Beautiful words, indeed, friendo. Say no more.
He then stays silent, looking up a bit as if he’s taking a moment to attempt to absorb the meaning of those words.
BENNY STEVENS: Isn’t it interesting how we can literally say or do whatever we want now, and they have to watch us? Truth is, all of this doesn’t even matter. Unless you wanna say something to our opponents?
Finally, Benny takes his elbow off Zack’s shoulder. Zack places a bookmark into the daily devotional book and reluctantly puts it back into his bag.
ZACK FANTANA: Everything left to be said will be said in that ring.
BENNY STEVENS: Ooo-wee, nice fighting words, man. Getting me pumped up here. Should we shake hands with Kowloon and Siberia after the match, though?
VOICE: That would be sporting.
They look to the side to see Aokigahara Zombie grinning at them with Fukushima Zombie standing in front of him. She opens her mouth to say something and blood seeps out instead. They all look at her and she seems kind of embarrassed.
AOKIGAHARA: How spooky of you. Anyway… Hello, guys. Good luck out there! I just want you guys to know that there are no hard feelings. The fists and the kicks was just a thing that came to my mind and I went out there and did it. It was, after all, a pretty fun time, wasn’t it?
Benny just looks at the man in silence - eyes slightly widened, laser focused. The smile is gone, and so is the whole playful attitude. He has his fists clenched, even. Zack notices the mood switch and the sudden silence; therefore, he decides to take the lead. Zack stands up from the bench and guardedly steps toward Aokigahara.
ZACK FANTANA: Is that what you came to do? Poke us with your olive branch?
Fantana massages his jaw, reminiscing on the ‘fun times’ he’d shared with Aoki a few weeks ago. However, after looking at Stevens, he decides to try to ease the tension in the room before things come to a head.
ZACK FANTANA: Next time you want to have a little fun, just RSVP, pal. I promise we’ll pay your welcoming party favors back in kind.
Finally, Benny walks up in direction of Aokigahara and Fukushima; however, he’s still focusing on Aokigahara only. The man’s whole body language makes him look like there’s still adrenaline pumping through his veins.
BENNY STEVENS: Damn right. Fun times, sure… But, trust me-
He is interrupted by a mere grin from Aokigahara. Fukushima gets close and sniffs the air around him, which throws Benny off for a moment before he collects his thoughts.
BENNY STEVENS: I just hope you are ready to deal with the consequences of your little game.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: I don’t really know the meaning of that word. It just comes into my mind and is bounced around with no effect. If one action were to lead to more action then that’s all the better. Good luck with the ZVS tonight. They’re all ready to show you what I mean.
Benny steps closer to Aoki, looking into his eyes. Fukushima just watches the little confrontation, clearly having fun. Zack nudges Benny with his elbow, realizing that it’s time to go or else things get ugly.
ZACK FANTANA: Let’s roll, Beenie.
A sentence that finally makes Benny let out a chuckle, given the fact that it’s something that he usually says - and so he does. Stevens backs away from Aoki, whom never flinched. The camera shows Benny and Zack walking away, Fantana saying the following to his partner.
ZACK FANTANA: You good?
Benny can be seen patting his own abdomen.
BENNY STEVENS: You know what, man? I think it’s time to gain some weight… Two-oh-six is my next goal.
He just laughs as Zack shakes his head. The camera gets back to Aokigahara and Fukushima.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: What did he smell like?
FUKUSHIMA ZOMBIE: Creme lotion, sweet wine coolers, and fear.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall or submission....But Introducing First, THE CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS....MIKE MCGUIRE...BISHOP CHURCH...N.S.F.W!!!
The house lights dim. Green and orange lights pulse with the opening of Papa Roach’s ‘Renegade Music’, the tron remaining black- and then flashing the words with the music
The pulsing lights intensify, accompanied by green and orange lasers, the screen flashing NSFW’s logo as Bishop Church and Mike McGuire appear in the entryway to a rousing ovation, sharing fistbumps with the fans by the barriers as they make their way to the ring. Dressed not to compete, they both diverge around the ring before finally meeting at the announcer’s table. Church and Mike get settled in their seats …
BISHOP CHURCH: Here’s a fun fact. Many people are curious about the ring announcer. Some people think it's a complicated form of artificial intelligence. Reality is that is the ring announcer is a person whose legal name is … Ring Announcer.
MIKE MCGUIRE: That’s a relief. Freakin’ robots can’t be trusted.
BC: I’m proud of you. Cleaning it up for public access TV.
MM: Can’t be polluting the kidlets’ virgin ears, you know. Oh, here we go.
The lights dim and the single chord intro to 'Black Bull' by FOALS comes across the PA. The lights flash with the repeated chord and just as the song starts in on the lyrics Benny Stevens bursts through the curtain doing a high step as Zack Fantana trails in behind him. Both come to a stop at the top of the stage as Benny drops to one knee and does an obnoxious bicep pose while Zack stands behind him with his hand covering his eyes so that he can peer out at the cheering crowd. Benny suddenly pops up and starts strutting down to the ring as Zack gives a shoulder shrug at his over the top partner and follows.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 403 pounds, BENNY STEVENS....ZACK FANTANA....FANTANASYYYYY!!!
At the bottom of the ramp Benny takes off into a run and leaps up onto the ring apron only to front flip into the ring while Zack takes the stares and then springs over as well. Benny has already ran to the far corner where he's taken the second turnbuckle and jukes his shoulders to the music, and Zack takes the corner opposite him to peer back out at the crowd once again and then nod at their approving return. Both men drop down and convene in the corner to watch the stage and converse about the upcoming strategy.
MM: Oh look. It’s these guys.
BC: Our alignments are the same, therefore we are cheering for their victory.
The arena goes dark and the sound of marching feet can be heard throughout the arena as the Big Screen above the stage flickers to life and a scene of zombies marching down a street towards the camera comes into view. Suddenly 'Wanli' by Hyukoh hits over the PA system and Kowloon Zombie bursts through the curtain bigger than life, mouth wide open, muscles rippling, arms out at his side. He stops at the top of the ramp, and enters a dramatic pose, bringing both arms up and flexing his biceps. Just then Siberia Zombie appears wearing her trademark robe with warring dragons which flutters around her as she stalks right past Kowloon and down the ramp. Kowloon drops his pose and nods, following behind his partner confidently.
RING ANNOUNCER: And their opponents, at a combined weight of 402 pounds, SIBERIA ZOMBIE....KOWLOON ZOMBIE.....THE ZOMBIE VICE SQUADDD!!!
Siberia reaches the bottom of the ramp and marches around to the steps and takes them one at a time up to the apron, while Kowloon comes to the side of the ring and in one giant spring ends up beside her. He looks down to Siberia who nods, and the two enter the ring at the same time. Kowloon gives another dramatic pose while Siberia slips out of her robe and tosses it to the ring attendant, knocking her head from side to side to loosen herself up before the match.
BC: Look at that musculature.
MM: Beautiful. I bet that’s two, three bottles of baby oil Kowloon’s got on there. Gleams like a freakin’ star.
BC: Mike and I requested that this match begin via a gong. So …
The camera switches as two crew members roll out the aforementioned gong. A third takes a mallet and crashes it into the cymbal. Benny and Zack confer quietly in their corner as to who will start. Siberia has already made that decision for her team. After what seems to be an extended conversation, Fantana takes pole position for this bout. The long time rivals circle each other, hands reached out. Siberia feigns a strike to the back of the thigh but Zack backs away altogether. The blue haired woman smirks, goes to lock up with Fantana before backing away. She tags in Kowloon. The Zombies’ muscle man enters the ring and disregards the games and locks up with Fantana almost immediately. Within seconds, he shoves Fantana back into a neutral corner. Kowloon charges in and eats a boot to the jaw. The big man stumbles backwards as Fantana senses an opening. He comes out of the corner and transitions into a headscissors takeover… except Kowloon stops him mid revolution and plants him with a bone rattling sidewalk slam! Kowloon transitions right into a pinfall cover by hooking the leg …
...1!
Zack shoots his shoulder up right at one second …
BC: These two teams are in the feeling out process, Mike. Mike?
MM: Huh? I’m awake, I’m awake! These are just really comfy desk chairs, is all.
Zack sits up but whatever he had in mind is cut off by an abrupt elbow drop from Kowloon. He drags Zack from the middle of the ring by his arm to the Zombie Vice Squad corner and tags in Siberia. For whatever reason, she seems more willing to enter the fray. Vauling over the top rope, she immediately makes an impact by dropping a leg across Zack’s throat. Right into another cover!
...1!
...2!
Siberia gets a big two count for her team early on this bout as Zack is forced to expend more energy to stay in this contest. Zombie transitions right into a rear chinlock. The Toronto crowd is restless as Siberia laces her fingers deeper into the hold. Benny stomps his feet on the ring apron, trying to get them engaged but importantly urging Fantana to get him into this match for the first time. The normally cool and collected Fantana raises his hands in the air as Siberia digs in. The referee continually checks for the choke. Zack gets to a knee as the crowd’s anticipation of his escape heightens. He positions his body and notches an elbow into Siberia’s ribcage. The distance between them grows as Zack gets to his feet. Siberia tries to reassert control with a chinlock again but Zack drives that elbow into her ribcage again. He reaches towards his partner and breaks free … only to get a lariat to the back of the head by Siberia.
BC: The Zombie Vice Squad has effectively grounded these two high flyers...
MM: Which is smart. See, the Zombies ain’t stupid. Their philosophy is stupid, they sure do look stupid, but they got ring smarts. Weren’t the first minted Chimeras for nothin’.
Siberia wastes no time and tags back in Kowloon. She gives Benny a knowing look as Kowloon goes to work. Most impressively, he deadlift gut wrenches Zack into the air but the smaller man was perhaps playing possum as he uses the momentum of the lift to flip out of it and drop on his feet. Immediately, he bounces off the ropes, ducks under a Kowloon big boot and on the other side, he spingboards off the second rope right into a tornado DDT much to the crowd’s approval! That energy surges through Zack as he rolls to his feet and tags in Benny Stevens! As Kowloon stumbles to his feet, he’s met with a double dropkick from Fantanasy! With Kowloon prone and referee admonishing them for the double team, Zack uses Benny’s back as a stepping stone to slam into 450 degree splash. With rapid fire precision, Stevens finishes off the dual maneuver with a springboard moonsault!
…1!
...2!
Siberia sensed danger and broke up the pinfall attempt with a kick to the side of Benny’s head!
BC: Effective double team moves there by Zack Fantana and Benny Stevens. I think they call that something. Something about a shower.
MM: ...Golden?
BC: I think that’s it. Thanks, Mike. Zack and Benny give Kowloon the Golden Shower.
MM: He probably really likes it.
That kick for the head allows for Kowloon to recover. As both superstars scramble to their feet, Kowloon blocks a forearm smash from Benny, scoops up him and slams him to the mat with ease. Siberia reaches out from the apron and Kowloon lets her in with a tag. Siberia stomps on Benny, targeting the joints of his limbs. Cinching him up what seems to be a double leg crab, she instead reaches backwards, grabbing his arms, too. Rocking him back in forth in a move that as humiliating as it is painful in the la campana submission. Before the official can check for a submission, Zack hits the ring and nearly superkicks a vulnerable Siberia right in the jaw. She stumbles backwards, letting go of the hold. Benny smartly slings an arm over her chest …
….1!
….2!
Kowloon returns the favor with a boot to the side of the head to break up the pin! The match starts to devolve into chaos as Fantana vaults off the top rope onto Kowloon with a crossbody! The muscle man plucks him out of the sky and rattles the ring with a devastating powerslam! Benny comes up from behind with a reverse waistlock and gets an elbow to the jaw. Benny stumbles backwards right into a reverse neckbreaker from Siberia. The official pleads with the competitors to get this back to a tag match.
BC: Wow. What a match. Almost like something is at stake.
MM: If only everybody there were fighting for something. Maybe something they thought was really important. Wouldn’t that be somethin’?
BC: Not sure, maybe we’ll find out.
But it only depreciates more. Kowloon and Siberia confer. They both focus on Benny, pulling him to his feet. Double suplex attempt but while Benny is in the air, Zack kneecaps Kowloon with a dropkick. Siberia can’t keep him the air and Benny lands on his feet behind her. He spins her around, grabs her by the arm and dumps her over the top rope. Siberia lands on the apron but falls prey to a running elbow strike from the Daredevil. She tumbles to the outside of the ring. Zack meanwhile has more of a struggle trying to overpower Kowloon. He tries the same as his partner but Kowloon resists and reverses the whip. Zack lands on the apron too and has the wherewithal to back body drop the raging bull that is Kowloon to join his partner on the outside in a heap. Zack and Benny look at each other and the crowd comes to life as they sync with running dives in stereo. They crash into Zombie Vice Squad, slamming both their backs into the steel barricades! Both men get to their feet, adrenaline erasing the pain from such a violent impact. The referee starts to count them all out, yelling Benny Stevens and Kowloon Zombie to get back into the ring and the others on the apron. But the four aren’t listening.
...1
...2
The fight continues and the highflying tandem seemed to go to the well once too often as dual high crossbodies off the apron didn’t go so well for them. Kowloon caught Benny and dropped him chest first on the apron while Sibera, clutching her lower back, just sidestepped the entire ordeal.
...3
...4
BC: We could talk about these two teams but why bother? Here we are. The premier tag team here. Watching two teams that we’ve already beat. Having listened to them pretend like we haven’t done so.
MM: Respect seems to be a rare commodity these days. I mean Fantana was nice enough to call us gatekeepers like it was an insult. But maybe that’s what we need to be, y’know?
BC: Yeah…
Kowloon with an impressive display of strength presses Stevens over his head …
...5
Siberia stomps and batters Fantana and then lines him for a roundhouse kick to the back of the skull. Zack telegraphs the kick and ducks under and then out of desperation, shoves her shoulder first into the ring post!
...6
Meanwhile Kowloon finally dumps Benny back through the second and third ropes.
…7
And gets in himself, waiving off the ten count. Zack gathers up Siberia and looks to roll her back into the ring but Siberia counters with an elbow to the gut and then by smashing him face first into the hard part of the apron. She stands back, doubled over as Fantana favors his head. Back in legal ring action, Kowloon continues the power game and even with Benny trying to fight out of it with right hands to the temple, sits out with a vicious powerbomb on Stevens!
…1!
...2!
..3...no! Stevens shoots his shoulder up, getting a sniff of those proverbial smelling salts!
BC: … I mean, we aren’t going to pretend that Zack and Benny didn’t even things up with us. Or the last time that the Zombies fought us, they left us both battered and bruised.
MM: That’s probably ‘cuz we didn’t attend the Cosmo Cooper Wrestling Academy, partner.
BC: I think …
Whatever Church had in mind is interrupted as Siberia grabs Fantana by the back of the neck and tosses him head first over the announce table, right into NSFW!!
MM: ...FUC---
Mike’s mic is cut off by a squelch. Siberia looks at her handiwork with a wry smile. She rolls back into the ring, bypassing the referee. Benny had just countered a second sitout powerbomb attempt with a hurricanrana and as he got to his feet, he is repelled back with a flying hip check! The referee gets between her and Stevens but the damage has been done. Kowloon drops an elbow on Stevens!
…1!
...2!
Benny kicks out! Outside, Fantana has crawled away from the wreckage of NSFW and is just inches away from getting onto the apron. The camera catches a shot of McGuire where Fantana’s boot inadvertently busted open their lips. Church dabs at it with rag, but his glare is uncharacteristically icy towards the ring. Fantana is now on the apron and he blindsides Siberia with a running clothesline that drops her to the outside! Kowloon looks over to see his partner uncerimoniously dumped to the outside and in response rushes in at Zack with a Yakuza Kick. Fantana responds by dropping low while taking the top rope with him which causes Kowloon's foot to pass harmlessly into nothing and get crotched on said rope. Grabbing at his groin Kowloon stumbles back towards the center of the ring where Benny has made it to his feet to receive him. He boots the big man in the gut to double him over, tucks his head, and while grabbing the back of his legs shows an adrenaline fueled bout of strength when he manages to just barely get him into the air. Fantana is already back up on the apron and grabs the top rope only to springboard up and into the air to deliver two boots to the Zombies ass for an Assisted Piledriver known as The Black Bull. Zack quickly ducks out through the ropes on the other side as Benny floats over for a cover.
1...
2...
3!!!
Siberia had just managed to slide into the ring and reach for her partner, but she's a nano-second too late as the referee leaps up and signals for the gong.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of the match via pinfall...FANTANASY!!!
As soon as the gong is sounded once more to end the bout, NSFW enters the ring like a house on fire. Church surprises the rising Siberia with a lariat to the back of the head. A groggy Kowloon gets to his feet and goes to grab Church but gets a kick to the back of the knee from Mike. As he hobbles around to face them, Mike primes up a Knocked for Six that sends him reeling backwards over the top rope. NSFW turns their attention to Zack and Benny who have decided to take a powder to the outside. They watch on with surprise at the sudden retaliation … and perhaps the possibility that they could have been part of it.
Mike wipes away a trickle of blood from their bottom lip, insisting that Fantanasy join them. The crowd settles as NSFW stands over the fallen Siberia …
And what seems to be a split second decision, Church grabs handfuls of blue hair and forces Siberia Zombie onto her feet. Mike looks on, eyebrows raised, as their partner drives a knee into Siberia’s midsection. He throws an arm over his shoulders and lifts her into the air, stalling out into what seems to be a vertical suplex.
But she hangs there for what seems forever. The crowd is abuzz with hushed whispers as Church has seemingly made a decision. Siberia twists in the air as Church drives her skull first into the mat with a sitout tombstone piledriver. For a moment, her rigid body is straight in the air like an exclamation point before she falls sideways to the mat. Mike has to pull Church away as Kowloon, holding his jaw, dives under the bottom rope towards NSFW. The camera pans around to the shock and surprise of the people in the crowd, Zack and Benny, and even Mike. The camera lingers on Church’s expression before returning a like smile to the fallen Zombie. NSFW move to exit the ring when security and more officials arrive, securing their Chimera Tag Team Championships and making their way up the ramp. In the ring, Siberia and Kowloon are helped to their feet and someone has to explain to them what happened as Siberia drops back to one knee. They watch as NSFW reaches the top of the ramp and receive a pretty loud ovation when they thrust the tag titles above their heads just before disappearing behind the curtain. The camera then cuts hard to commercial.
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The house lights dim. Green and orange lights pulse with the opening of Papa Roach’s ‘Renegade Music’, the tron remaining black- and then flashing the words with the music
‘BUT NOTHING CHANGES
UNTIL THE PEOPLE GET LOUD!’
The pulsing lights intensify, accompanied by green and orange lasers, the screen flashing NSFW’s logo as Bishop Church and Mike McGuire appear in the entryway to a rousing ovation, sharing fistbumps with the fans by the barriers as they make their way to the ring. Dressed not to compete, they both diverge around the ring before finally meeting at the announcer’s table. Church and Mike get settled in their seats …
BISHOP CHURCH: Here’s a fun fact. Many people are curious about the ring announcer. Some people think it's a complicated form of artificial intelligence. Reality is that is the ring announcer is a person whose legal name is … Ring Announcer.
MIKE MCGUIRE: That’s a relief. Freakin’ robots can’t be trusted.
BC: I’m proud of you. Cleaning it up for public access TV.
MM: Can’t be polluting the kidlets’ virgin ears, you know. Oh, here we go.
The lights dim and the single chord intro to 'Black Bull' by FOALS comes across the PA. The lights flash with the repeated chord and just as the song starts in on the lyrics Benny Stevens bursts through the curtain doing a high step as Zack Fantana trails in behind him. Both come to a stop at the top of the stage as Benny drops to one knee and does an obnoxious bicep pose while Zack stands behind him with his hand covering his eyes so that he can peer out at the cheering crowd. Benny suddenly pops up and starts strutting down to the ring as Zack gives a shoulder shrug at his over the top partner and follows.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 403 pounds, BENNY STEVENS....ZACK FANTANA....FANTANASYYYYY!!!
At the bottom of the ramp Benny takes off into a run and leaps up onto the ring apron only to front flip into the ring while Zack takes the stares and then springs over as well. Benny has already ran to the far corner where he's taken the second turnbuckle and jukes his shoulders to the music, and Zack takes the corner opposite him to peer back out at the crowd once again and then nod at their approving return. Both men drop down and convene in the corner to watch the stage and converse about the upcoming strategy.
MM: Oh look. It’s these guys.
BC: Our alignments are the same, therefore we are cheering for their victory.
The arena goes dark and the sound of marching feet can be heard throughout the arena as the Big Screen above the stage flickers to life and a scene of zombies marching down a street towards the camera comes into view. Suddenly 'Wanli' by Hyukoh hits over the PA system and Kowloon Zombie bursts through the curtain bigger than life, mouth wide open, muscles rippling, arms out at his side. He stops at the top of the ramp, and enters a dramatic pose, bringing both arms up and flexing his biceps. Just then Siberia Zombie appears wearing her trademark robe with warring dragons which flutters around her as she stalks right past Kowloon and down the ramp. Kowloon drops his pose and nods, following behind his partner confidently.
RING ANNOUNCER: And their opponents, at a combined weight of 402 pounds, SIBERIA ZOMBIE....KOWLOON ZOMBIE.....THE ZOMBIE VICE SQUADDD!!!
Siberia reaches the bottom of the ramp and marches around to the steps and takes them one at a time up to the apron, while Kowloon comes to the side of the ring and in one giant spring ends up beside her. He looks down to Siberia who nods, and the two enter the ring at the same time. Kowloon gives another dramatic pose while Siberia slips out of her robe and tosses it to the ring attendant, knocking her head from side to side to loosen herself up before the match.
BC: Look at that musculature.
MM: Beautiful. I bet that’s two, three bottles of baby oil Kowloon’s got on there. Gleams like a freakin’ star.
BC: Mike and I requested that this match begin via a gong. So …
The camera switches as two crew members roll out the aforementioned gong. A third takes a mallet and crashes it into the cymbal. Benny and Zack confer quietly in their corner as to who will start. Siberia has already made that decision for her team. After what seems to be an extended conversation, Fantana takes pole position for this bout. The long time rivals circle each other, hands reached out. Siberia feigns a strike to the back of the thigh but Zack backs away altogether. The blue haired woman smirks, goes to lock up with Fantana before backing away. She tags in Kowloon. The Zombies’ muscle man enters the ring and disregards the games and locks up with Fantana almost immediately. Within seconds, he shoves Fantana back into a neutral corner. Kowloon charges in and eats a boot to the jaw. The big man stumbles backwards as Fantana senses an opening. He comes out of the corner and transitions into a headscissors takeover… except Kowloon stops him mid revolution and plants him with a bone rattling sidewalk slam! Kowloon transitions right into a pinfall cover by hooking the leg …
...1!
Zack shoots his shoulder up right at one second …
BC: These two teams are in the feeling out process, Mike. Mike?
MM: Huh? I’m awake, I’m awake! These are just really comfy desk chairs, is all.
Zack sits up but whatever he had in mind is cut off by an abrupt elbow drop from Kowloon. He drags Zack from the middle of the ring by his arm to the Zombie Vice Squad corner and tags in Siberia. For whatever reason, she seems more willing to enter the fray. Vauling over the top rope, she immediately makes an impact by dropping a leg across Zack’s throat. Right into another cover!
...1!
...2!
Siberia gets a big two count for her team early on this bout as Zack is forced to expend more energy to stay in this contest. Zombie transitions right into a rear chinlock. The Toronto crowd is restless as Siberia laces her fingers deeper into the hold. Benny stomps his feet on the ring apron, trying to get them engaged but importantly urging Fantana to get him into this match for the first time. The normally cool and collected Fantana raises his hands in the air as Siberia digs in. The referee continually checks for the choke. Zack gets to a knee as the crowd’s anticipation of his escape heightens. He positions his body and notches an elbow into Siberia’s ribcage. The distance between them grows as Zack gets to his feet. Siberia tries to reassert control with a chinlock again but Zack drives that elbow into her ribcage again. He reaches towards his partner and breaks free … only to get a lariat to the back of the head by Siberia.
BC: The Zombie Vice Squad has effectively grounded these two high flyers...
MM: Which is smart. See, the Zombies ain’t stupid. Their philosophy is stupid, they sure do look stupid, but they got ring smarts. Weren’t the first minted Chimeras for nothin’.
Siberia wastes no time and tags back in Kowloon. She gives Benny a knowing look as Kowloon goes to work. Most impressively, he deadlift gut wrenches Zack into the air but the smaller man was perhaps playing possum as he uses the momentum of the lift to flip out of it and drop on his feet. Immediately, he bounces off the ropes, ducks under a Kowloon big boot and on the other side, he spingboards off the second rope right into a tornado DDT much to the crowd’s approval! That energy surges through Zack as he rolls to his feet and tags in Benny Stevens! As Kowloon stumbles to his feet, he’s met with a double dropkick from Fantanasy! With Kowloon prone and referee admonishing them for the double team, Zack uses Benny’s back as a stepping stone to slam into 450 degree splash. With rapid fire precision, Stevens finishes off the dual maneuver with a springboard moonsault!
…1!
...2!
Siberia sensed danger and broke up the pinfall attempt with a kick to the side of Benny’s head!
BC: Effective double team moves there by Zack Fantana and Benny Stevens. I think they call that something. Something about a shower.
MM: ...Golden?
BC: I think that’s it. Thanks, Mike. Zack and Benny give Kowloon the Golden Shower.
MM: He probably really likes it.
That kick for the head allows for Kowloon to recover. As both superstars scramble to their feet, Kowloon blocks a forearm smash from Benny, scoops up him and slams him to the mat with ease. Siberia reaches out from the apron and Kowloon lets her in with a tag. Siberia stomps on Benny, targeting the joints of his limbs. Cinching him up what seems to be a double leg crab, she instead reaches backwards, grabbing his arms, too. Rocking him back in forth in a move that as humiliating as it is painful in the la campana submission. Before the official can check for a submission, Zack hits the ring and nearly superkicks a vulnerable Siberia right in the jaw. She stumbles backwards, letting go of the hold. Benny smartly slings an arm over her chest …
….1!
….2!
Kowloon returns the favor with a boot to the side of the head to break up the pin! The match starts to devolve into chaos as Fantana vaults off the top rope onto Kowloon with a crossbody! The muscle man plucks him out of the sky and rattles the ring with a devastating powerslam! Benny comes up from behind with a reverse waistlock and gets an elbow to the jaw. Benny stumbles backwards right into a reverse neckbreaker from Siberia. The official pleads with the competitors to get this back to a tag match.
BC: Wow. What a match. Almost like something is at stake.
MM: If only everybody there were fighting for something. Maybe something they thought was really important. Wouldn’t that be somethin’?
BC: Not sure, maybe we’ll find out.
But it only depreciates more. Kowloon and Siberia confer. They both focus on Benny, pulling him to his feet. Double suplex attempt but while Benny is in the air, Zack kneecaps Kowloon with a dropkick. Siberia can’t keep him the air and Benny lands on his feet behind her. He spins her around, grabs her by the arm and dumps her over the top rope. Siberia lands on the apron but falls prey to a running elbow strike from the Daredevil. She tumbles to the outside of the ring. Zack meanwhile has more of a struggle trying to overpower Kowloon. He tries the same as his partner but Kowloon resists and reverses the whip. Zack lands on the apron too and has the wherewithal to back body drop the raging bull that is Kowloon to join his partner on the outside in a heap. Zack and Benny look at each other and the crowd comes to life as they sync with running dives in stereo. They crash into Zombie Vice Squad, slamming both their backs into the steel barricades! Both men get to their feet, adrenaline erasing the pain from such a violent impact. The referee starts to count them all out, yelling Benny Stevens and Kowloon Zombie to get back into the ring and the others on the apron. But the four aren’t listening.
...1
...2
The fight continues and the highflying tandem seemed to go to the well once too often as dual high crossbodies off the apron didn’t go so well for them. Kowloon caught Benny and dropped him chest first on the apron while Sibera, clutching her lower back, just sidestepped the entire ordeal.
...3
...4
BC: We could talk about these two teams but why bother? Here we are. The premier tag team here. Watching two teams that we’ve already beat. Having listened to them pretend like we haven’t done so.
MM: Respect seems to be a rare commodity these days. I mean Fantana was nice enough to call us gatekeepers like it was an insult. But maybe that’s what we need to be, y’know?
BC: Yeah…
Kowloon with an impressive display of strength presses Stevens over his head …
...5
Siberia stomps and batters Fantana and then lines him for a roundhouse kick to the back of the skull. Zack telegraphs the kick and ducks under and then out of desperation, shoves her shoulder first into the ring post!
...6
Meanwhile Kowloon finally dumps Benny back through the second and third ropes.
…7
And gets in himself, waiving off the ten count. Zack gathers up Siberia and looks to roll her back into the ring but Siberia counters with an elbow to the gut and then by smashing him face first into the hard part of the apron. She stands back, doubled over as Fantana favors his head. Back in legal ring action, Kowloon continues the power game and even with Benny trying to fight out of it with right hands to the temple, sits out with a vicious powerbomb on Stevens!
…1!
...2!
..3...no! Stevens shoots his shoulder up, getting a sniff of those proverbial smelling salts!
BC: … I mean, we aren’t going to pretend that Zack and Benny didn’t even things up with us. Or the last time that the Zombies fought us, they left us both battered and bruised.
MM: That’s probably ‘cuz we didn’t attend the Cosmo Cooper Wrestling Academy, partner.
BC: I think …
Whatever Church had in mind is interrupted as Siberia grabs Fantana by the back of the neck and tosses him head first over the announce table, right into NSFW!!
MM: ...FUC---
Mike’s mic is cut off by a squelch. Siberia looks at her handiwork with a wry smile. She rolls back into the ring, bypassing the referee. Benny had just countered a second sitout powerbomb attempt with a hurricanrana and as he got to his feet, he is repelled back with a flying hip check! The referee gets between her and Stevens but the damage has been done. Kowloon drops an elbow on Stevens!
…1!
...2!
Benny kicks out! Outside, Fantana has crawled away from the wreckage of NSFW and is just inches away from getting onto the apron. The camera catches a shot of McGuire where Fantana’s boot inadvertently busted open their lips. Church dabs at it with rag, but his glare is uncharacteristically icy towards the ring. Fantana is now on the apron and he blindsides Siberia with a running clothesline that drops her to the outside! Kowloon looks over to see his partner uncerimoniously dumped to the outside and in response rushes in at Zack with a Yakuza Kick. Fantana responds by dropping low while taking the top rope with him which causes Kowloon's foot to pass harmlessly into nothing and get crotched on said rope. Grabbing at his groin Kowloon stumbles back towards the center of the ring where Benny has made it to his feet to receive him. He boots the big man in the gut to double him over, tucks his head, and while grabbing the back of his legs shows an adrenaline fueled bout of strength when he manages to just barely get him into the air. Fantana is already back up on the apron and grabs the top rope only to springboard up and into the air to deliver two boots to the Zombies ass for an Assisted Piledriver known as The Black Bull. Zack quickly ducks out through the ropes on the other side as Benny floats over for a cover.
1...
2...
3!!!
Siberia had just managed to slide into the ring and reach for her partner, but she's a nano-second too late as the referee leaps up and signals for the gong.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of the match via pinfall...FANTANASY!!!
As soon as the gong is sounded once more to end the bout, NSFW enters the ring like a house on fire. Church surprises the rising Siberia with a lariat to the back of the head. A groggy Kowloon gets to his feet and goes to grab Church but gets a kick to the back of the knee from Mike. As he hobbles around to face them, Mike primes up a Knocked for Six that sends him reeling backwards over the top rope. NSFW turns their attention to Zack and Benny who have decided to take a powder to the outside. They watch on with surprise at the sudden retaliation … and perhaps the possibility that they could have been part of it.
Mike wipes away a trickle of blood from their bottom lip, insisting that Fantanasy join them. The crowd settles as NSFW stands over the fallen Siberia …
And what seems to be a split second decision, Church grabs handfuls of blue hair and forces Siberia Zombie onto her feet. Mike looks on, eyebrows raised, as their partner drives a knee into Siberia’s midsection. He throws an arm over his shoulders and lifts her into the air, stalling out into what seems to be a vertical suplex.
But she hangs there for what seems forever. The crowd is abuzz with hushed whispers as Church has seemingly made a decision. Siberia twists in the air as Church drives her skull first into the mat with a sitout tombstone piledriver. For a moment, her rigid body is straight in the air like an exclamation point before she falls sideways to the mat. Mike has to pull Church away as Kowloon, holding his jaw, dives under the bottom rope towards NSFW. The camera pans around to the shock and surprise of the people in the crowd, Zack and Benny, and even Mike. The camera lingers on Church’s expression before returning a like smile to the fallen Zombie. NSFW move to exit the ring when security and more officials arrive, securing their Chimera Tag Team Championships and making their way up the ramp. In the ring, Siberia and Kowloon are helped to their feet and someone has to explain to them what happened as Siberia drops back to one knee. They watch as NSFW reaches the top of the ramp and receive a pretty loud ovation when they thrust the tag titles above their heads just before disappearing behind the curtain. The camera then cuts hard to commercial.
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When the commercial is over Blitz returns backstage where we find Siberia Zombie making her way towards the Zombie Clan's locker room still holding her aching head thanks to NSWF. She steps through the door and the camera follows her as she looks around the space. She takes a breath when she confirms that she is alone and sits down on a bench. She rubs her face with a towel hoping to deflate and wash off the stink of this day. She leans back against the wall and closes her eyes. When she opens them she sees Lady Munin gingerly sitting on a stool in front of her with a little smile on her face. Lady Munin waves shaking her fingers in the air. Siberia closes her eyes again.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: I think I’ve had enough of you ghosts.
Munin continues to smile sweetly while her eyes dance with mischief.
LADY MUNIN: Poor Siberia, we haven't had nearly enough of you yet. In fact I'm afraid we're really just getting started.
She trails off waiting patiently for Siberia to open her eyes. Not another sound leaves her lips, and not a muscle twitches. Munin sits there as still and pretty as a doll, until finally Siberia opens her eyes.
LADY MUNIN: You know one of the last things I saw before I fell was you Siberia Zombie.
Siberia lowers her face and shakes her head before raising her head and trying to remain cool.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: I was there, yes. I didn’t have a part to play directly but that does not make me any less guilty. So are you going to prove to me that you are real or are we going to get more visits from the ghosts of my sinful past?
Munin's head canted to the side slightly, like a bird observing something shiny.
LADY MUNIN: I haven't decided yet...I rather fancy being a ghost, and I have questions. Would you sooner answer a ghost's questions?
Siberia slaps her thighs with her hands.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: So it is now or never? I suppose that you are owed your due but please make it quick. I think I have a massive headache coming on.
LADY MUNIN: Did you get a cut of Cross’s blood money? Do you remember the look in my eyes before I went over the edge? Have you ever been thrown off a building before? Would you like to know what it's like to have the sound of your heart competing with the wind in your ears, the helpless feeling of knowing impact will come at any moment, and there is nothing you can do to stop it?
Munin’s words seem to compile on top of each other in a confusing litany, until she finally stops and everything was silent again, leaving Siberia to stare into Munin’s almost black brown eyes devoid of any emotion.
LADY MUNIN: Do the other’s know your secret?
The question was asked in a hushed whisper, as though they were two friends sharing a secret.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: I think moving on is the best remedy for that.
She looks away from the old friend and takes a breath. She leans in to conspire.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: Don’t bother threatening me either just act. Let’s stop playing games and start the cycle again, ok? If your guy is up for it.
A slow smile stretches the corner's of Munin lips into a twisted grin.
LADY MUNIN: Oh Siberia, that's not the way the dice is going to roll this time. You see-
Munin cut herself off abruptly, her hands striking out like a snake to grab the Siberian Buzzsaw by the hair, and in a twisting move brutally slams the woman's head into the nearest locker. She pulls back to look at the dazed woman's face, a moment of hesitation. Not the hesitation most would have in retrospect of the action or any kind of regret, but the kind of hesitation one has when savoring an expensive cut of meat or an aged wine. The moment quickly fades as Munin sends Siberia's skull crashing into the steel locker again and again until finally releasing her to slide down the locker leaving a trail of blood behind. It was a savage attack with no provocation or warning, and it was over as quickly as it began.
LADY MUNIN: This time you play with me…
Siberia offers no response, one cheek resting against the cool floor while she struggled to maintain consciousness. Munin for her part seems completely unaffected by her own action. She looks down at the woman laid out before her as though she had accidentally spilled her drink. Except for the fact that she was checking herself for blood stains instead of tea. Finally content with herself she let out a relieved sigh.
LADY MUNIN: Well that’s a relief. I know it’s petty, but I would have been a little upset with you if this dress was ruined.
This was said in a tone that implied she trusted that the fallen woman would understand her concern. Nobody liked cleaning out blood stains after all. She smooths over her dress, as though erasing the final remnants of violence from herself, and slowly a small sweet smile returned. She was the picture of innocence when she turns to face the camera. Speaking cheerfully to the future Siberia that would soon be repeating this footage.
LADY MUNIN: Siberia, did you know you're eyes are the last thing I remember seeing before I went over the edge. Funny thing is I still see your eyes sometimes when I close mine, and then I’m falling all over again.
Crouching down beside Siberia, one small elegant hand begins to caress the fallen woman’s hair, but there was no gentleness in her next words. Her voice is rough, devoid of emotion, as though someone had carved any feelings she may have had directly out of her vocal cords, leaving the edges raw and exposed.
LADY MUNIN: I’m starting to think I’ll never stop falling...but that’s ok, Siberia...It’s ok.
With a final caress she stands, looking back at the camera once more.
LADY MUNIN: It’s ok, because I am going to drag every single one of you down with me.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: I think I’ve had enough of you ghosts.
Munin continues to smile sweetly while her eyes dance with mischief.
LADY MUNIN: Poor Siberia, we haven't had nearly enough of you yet. In fact I'm afraid we're really just getting started.
She trails off waiting patiently for Siberia to open her eyes. Not another sound leaves her lips, and not a muscle twitches. Munin sits there as still and pretty as a doll, until finally Siberia opens her eyes.
LADY MUNIN: You know one of the last things I saw before I fell was you Siberia Zombie.
Siberia lowers her face and shakes her head before raising her head and trying to remain cool.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: I was there, yes. I didn’t have a part to play directly but that does not make me any less guilty. So are you going to prove to me that you are real or are we going to get more visits from the ghosts of my sinful past?
Munin's head canted to the side slightly, like a bird observing something shiny.
LADY MUNIN: I haven't decided yet...I rather fancy being a ghost, and I have questions. Would you sooner answer a ghost's questions?
Siberia slaps her thighs with her hands.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: So it is now or never? I suppose that you are owed your due but please make it quick. I think I have a massive headache coming on.
LADY MUNIN: Did you get a cut of Cross’s blood money? Do you remember the look in my eyes before I went over the edge? Have you ever been thrown off a building before? Would you like to know what it's like to have the sound of your heart competing with the wind in your ears, the helpless feeling of knowing impact will come at any moment, and there is nothing you can do to stop it?
Munin’s words seem to compile on top of each other in a confusing litany, until she finally stops and everything was silent again, leaving Siberia to stare into Munin’s almost black brown eyes devoid of any emotion.
LADY MUNIN: Do the other’s know your secret?
The question was asked in a hushed whisper, as though they were two friends sharing a secret.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: I think moving on is the best remedy for that.
She looks away from the old friend and takes a breath. She leans in to conspire.
SIBERIA ZOMBIE: Don’t bother threatening me either just act. Let’s stop playing games and start the cycle again, ok? If your guy is up for it.
A slow smile stretches the corner's of Munin lips into a twisted grin.
LADY MUNIN: Oh Siberia, that's not the way the dice is going to roll this time. You see-
Munin cut herself off abruptly, her hands striking out like a snake to grab the Siberian Buzzsaw by the hair, and in a twisting move brutally slams the woman's head into the nearest locker. She pulls back to look at the dazed woman's face, a moment of hesitation. Not the hesitation most would have in retrospect of the action or any kind of regret, but the kind of hesitation one has when savoring an expensive cut of meat or an aged wine. The moment quickly fades as Munin sends Siberia's skull crashing into the steel locker again and again until finally releasing her to slide down the locker leaving a trail of blood behind. It was a savage attack with no provocation or warning, and it was over as quickly as it began.
LADY MUNIN: This time you play with me…
Siberia offers no response, one cheek resting against the cool floor while she struggled to maintain consciousness. Munin for her part seems completely unaffected by her own action. She looks down at the woman laid out before her as though she had accidentally spilled her drink. Except for the fact that she was checking herself for blood stains instead of tea. Finally content with herself she let out a relieved sigh.
LADY MUNIN: Well that’s a relief. I know it’s petty, but I would have been a little upset with you if this dress was ruined.
This was said in a tone that implied she trusted that the fallen woman would understand her concern. Nobody liked cleaning out blood stains after all. She smooths over her dress, as though erasing the final remnants of violence from herself, and slowly a small sweet smile returned. She was the picture of innocence when she turns to face the camera. Speaking cheerfully to the future Siberia that would soon be repeating this footage.
LADY MUNIN: Siberia, did you know you're eyes are the last thing I remember seeing before I went over the edge. Funny thing is I still see your eyes sometimes when I close mine, and then I’m falling all over again.
Crouching down beside Siberia, one small elegant hand begins to caress the fallen woman’s hair, but there was no gentleness in her next words. Her voice is rough, devoid of emotion, as though someone had carved any feelings she may have had directly out of her vocal cords, leaving the edges raw and exposed.
LADY MUNIN: I’m starting to think I’ll never stop falling...but that’s ok, Siberia...It’s ok.
With a final caress she stands, looking back at the camera once more.
LADY MUNIN: It’s ok, because I am going to drag every single one of you down with me.
The arena is settling down from the intense action that always seems non stop with Valor when “Shake it off” by Amelie hits over the PA system the fans instantly are on their feet to cheer loudly knowing full well who this is and sure enough Leela Watts comes bursting out of the curtains with a huge smile on her face. She waves to the fans and takes a moment to breath in their cheers and applause for her before she makes her way down the ramp slapping fans hands, and hugging eager small children before climbing the steps and entering the ring walking over to the ropes to jump up on them and pose causing the fans to go crazy. She jumps down and signals for a mic as her music dies down she sits there with a grin shaking her head.
Leela Watts: “WOW… I cant tell you how much I missed that. Thank you all. Really that’s all the confirmation I need that coming back was the right decision.”
The fans cheer even louder and Leela has to pause and wait for them to calm down as her smile beams and she nods her head. The fans calm down and she puts the mic back up to her lips.
Leela Watts: “The last time you seen me here in Valor you saw me at my worst. You saw me at a time where I wasn’t the best version of me. You saw me get one of the scariest concussions I’ve ever had in my life, and you saw me have to walk away from my dream for a little while.”
Leela hung her head for a moment and sighed before looking up placing her smile back on her face.
Leela Watts: “Everyone deserved a better version of me than they got. I was in my head about things that didn’t matter. I tried to seek glory somewhere else because I felt ashamed of the Version of myself I gave all you fans here at Valor. But that didn’t work out and I’ve since healed and recovered in more ways than one and I’m back and I’m no longer lost with no direction. I know who I want to be and before I tell you that let me tell you who I don’t want to be.”
Leela’s bubbly smile faded as her expression changed to a more serious ones.
Leela Watts: “I don’t want to fit into a box that anybody thinks I deserve to go into. I’m not here to be on the arm of someone. I’m not here to be second best to a significant other or a former one either. I’m here for me. I’m here to show what I can do. I support Danny in everything he does and at this point that’s his business. This time? It’s about me. It’s about what I want to do and I want to show everyone I still am a good competitor. My relationships don’t define who I am. What I’m going to do here in a Valor ring will define my career. I’m going to be back on top and I’m going to do it my way and I’m going to give you all not the Leela you deserve although that too… I’m going to give you the Leela that I know I deserve to be.”
With that Leela’s beaming smile returned to her face as she dropped the mic and “Shake it off” began to play and she left the ring. Slapping fans hands as she walked up the ramp. Stopping at the top to do one final wave to the crowd before disappearing through the curtain.
Featuring: Moxie James
As the crowd dies down after Leela Watts pumped them up The Who’s seminal hit “Who Are You” starts up and everyone in the crowd is loving it. Who doesn’t love The Who, right? Well, the fans are immediately confused when they see a man standing at the top of the ramp with his head and face entirely wrapped in bandages wearing a leather jacket and sweat pants. He looks like a cross between the Invisible Man and Dark Man. It’s kind of tripping some folks out.
….: I LOOK LIKE DARK MAN!
He shouts through the wrapping, and, of course, to anyone in the know, that this is Brad Stokes goes without question. He stands at the top of the ramp surveying the crowd through the incredibly slight gap between bandages covering his eyes a moment longer, seeming to enjoy the music before stalking down with a casual shrug towards ringside.
Brad steps lightly into the ring and comes to stand drop dead center before the audio production crew fades the music.
Brad Stokes: Dammit keep playing the song! I’m Dark Man god dammit!
No dice. The bandaged man is clearly upset.
Brad Stokes: My favorite part is where they go “are you oo are you ooo are you are you ooo” you know that part? I love that. Keep it going. Bring me the piano!
Brad pumps his fist, and his protest is finally answered as the audio crew brings up the audio volume once more on the Who's hit "Who Are You" just as the song is ending and Brad is nodding.
Brad Stokes: That’s it. Love it.
And a few seconds later the music is off again and the crowd is kinda nonplussed, if we're honest.
Brad Stokes: All right. Let’s just get right down to business. Last week… or… two weeks ago, maybe it was a month, whenever the hell that was… I revealed my true identity to the world as a man who looked like another guy who looked like another guy and apparently the other guy showed back up making me look kinda dumb.
Brad shrugs and surveys the crowd to ensure they’re all still following.
Brad Stokes: So, anyway, after all that, I paid for the surgery, I was gonna keep the face... until I ran into a burning building to rescue a family from dying and… well… long story short my face is hideously scarred and I’m waiting to get some skin grafts and shit. It's no big deal. Just another day in Stokestown, U.S.A. How are you all doing?
Before he can continue, “you should see me in a crown” by billie eilish blares over the sound system and the crowd rewards the blonde newcomer who steps out on stage with screams. Moxie James is in her street clothes, jeans and Pantera t-shirt, as she makes her way out to the ring. When Brad sees her he immediately assumes a classic karate stance.
Moxie James: Sorry about that.
Her tone is just this side of teasing. Brad relaxes his stance.
Brad Stokes: It's okay. You're lucky I didn't kill you. I know Fantana.
Moxie James: I just thought you were gonna talk forever. You were pretty into that whole weird thing you were doing.
Beneath all the gauze, he’s likely blushing were his skin not hideously burned and incapable of doing so.
Brad Stokes: Yeah. Doctors say I got a condition.
He scratches the skin of his palm nervously, then his neck.
Brad Stokes: Anyway. You’re clearly out here for a reason, and I’m gonna be entirely honest with you: while you are a hideously attractive woman, my facial scarring leads me to believe I have no chance with you. And beside all that I’ve spent most of my time doing plastic surgery stuff and writing my treatise on the incarnation of Fantana for a seminary school I created and therefore have every chance of graduating from, so I have no idea who you are. I've done no research folks!
He chuckles at how awesome he is, looking out into the crowd to present himself as such. The fans and Mox don’t seem to concur.
Brad Stokes: So, yeah, so why don’t you tell the folks what the hell is going on because my mouth muscles need time to relax.
Moxie James: You might be the actual worst at this. Okay, fine. Hello, my name is Moxie James and people like to ass fuck me out of title shots.
She pauses, tilting her head.
Moxie James: Wait, can I say ass fucked on TV?
Brad Stokes: Who doesn't like to see a little ass-fucking on TV. It's like Nelly Furtado says, homie, say what you want.
Moxie James: Oh, bet. Got it. It’s frustrating but it’s the nature of the beast, I guess. It’s frustrating to fight my way through four other people for a shot, get to that shot and instead of losing to me, Rizzo pussies out so that he can vacate the title. All so that he can claim he was never defeated as the UnYielding champ. How fragile does your ego have to be? Really.
Moxie pauses to roll her eyes.
Moxie James: That whole blah blah blah speech he gave… all I heard was oh shit. Someone who’s actually gonna beat my ass six ways to Sunday is finally challenging me and how will I say I’m the best UnYielding champ now? But that’s on him. It doesn’t say shit about me except that he knew he couldn’t beat me. Soooo, I guess I have two choices. I can keep being mad or I can turn all of that into motivation to come out of all this the UnYielding champion. I think it’s pretty obvious which one I’m going to do. I beat some great wrestlers the first time around to get this shot. It doesn’t matter how many people you put in front of me. Nothing is going to stop the inevitable.
She smirks.
Moxie James: But I hold grudges. And one day, once I get around to it, Rizzo is gonna pay for being a coward.
Throughout the speech Brad, a man who’s face is wrapped in form-fitting gauze due to a plastic surgery accident, has taken to just staring at Moxie. Even after she’s done talking, there’s a beat of this ridiculous person just staring, until…
Brad Stokes: Yeah, that’s all great and all but can I use your face?
Moxie James: What the fuck, dude? Like cut off my face and wear it as a mask?
Brad shrugs.
Brad Stokes: I’m not a doctor, alright? I’m just saying I need a new face and yours seems alright.
Moxie James: Gooonna have to hard pass.
Brad looks perplexed behind al the gauze, setting his thumb and forefinger against his wrapped chin contemplatively.
Brad Stokes: It’s like you said, nothing is going to stop the inevitable. Sooner or later THE BRAD is gonna get a new face. You heard it here first, folks, I am in the market for a new face.
Brad turns with an entreaty to the crowd.
Brad Stokes: Bring me your tired. Your poor. Your huddled masses-no wait. That’s dumb. I don’t want no scrubs. I need premium face claims here, folks.
He turns back to Mox.
Brad Stokes: You got a sister… or… ?
Moxie arched an eyebrow.
Moxie James: Uhhh. Aight, imma head out.
She slowly slinks away, leaving Brad alone with the crowd and her face intact. Brad watches sullenly.
Brad Stokes: Huh… so… I’mma just wait here till you get back alright?
By now he’s watched Moxie step lightly up the ramp and behind the curtain. Brad looks on. Moments pass. Awkward crowd cough. Eventually security storms the ring to get Brad out of there.
….: I LOOK LIKE DARK MAN!
He shouts through the wrapping, and, of course, to anyone in the know, that this is Brad Stokes goes without question. He stands at the top of the ramp surveying the crowd through the incredibly slight gap between bandages covering his eyes a moment longer, seeming to enjoy the music before stalking down with a casual shrug towards ringside.
Brad steps lightly into the ring and comes to stand drop dead center before the audio production crew fades the music.
Brad Stokes: Dammit keep playing the song! I’m Dark Man god dammit!
No dice. The bandaged man is clearly upset.
Brad Stokes: My favorite part is where they go “are you oo are you ooo are you are you ooo” you know that part? I love that. Keep it going. Bring me the piano!
Brad pumps his fist, and his protest is finally answered as the audio crew brings up the audio volume once more on the Who's hit "Who Are You" just as the song is ending and Brad is nodding.
Brad Stokes: That’s it. Love it.
And a few seconds later the music is off again and the crowd is kinda nonplussed, if we're honest.
Brad Stokes: All right. Let’s just get right down to business. Last week… or… two weeks ago, maybe it was a month, whenever the hell that was… I revealed my true identity to the world as a man who looked like another guy who looked like another guy and apparently the other guy showed back up making me look kinda dumb.
Brad shrugs and surveys the crowd to ensure they’re all still following.
Brad Stokes: So, anyway, after all that, I paid for the surgery, I was gonna keep the face... until I ran into a burning building to rescue a family from dying and… well… long story short my face is hideously scarred and I’m waiting to get some skin grafts and shit. It's no big deal. Just another day in Stokestown, U.S.A. How are you all doing?
Before he can continue, “you should see me in a crown” by billie eilish blares over the sound system and the crowd rewards the blonde newcomer who steps out on stage with screams. Moxie James is in her street clothes, jeans and Pantera t-shirt, as she makes her way out to the ring. When Brad sees her he immediately assumes a classic karate stance.
Moxie James: Sorry about that.
Her tone is just this side of teasing. Brad relaxes his stance.
Brad Stokes: It's okay. You're lucky I didn't kill you. I know Fantana.
Moxie James: I just thought you were gonna talk forever. You were pretty into that whole weird thing you were doing.
Beneath all the gauze, he’s likely blushing were his skin not hideously burned and incapable of doing so.
Brad Stokes: Yeah. Doctors say I got a condition.
He scratches the skin of his palm nervously, then his neck.
Brad Stokes: Anyway. You’re clearly out here for a reason, and I’m gonna be entirely honest with you: while you are a hideously attractive woman, my facial scarring leads me to believe I have no chance with you. And beside all that I’ve spent most of my time doing plastic surgery stuff and writing my treatise on the incarnation of Fantana for a seminary school I created and therefore have every chance of graduating from, so I have no idea who you are. I've done no research folks!
He chuckles at how awesome he is, looking out into the crowd to present himself as such. The fans and Mox don’t seem to concur.
Brad Stokes: So, yeah, so why don’t you tell the folks what the hell is going on because my mouth muscles need time to relax.
Moxie James: You might be the actual worst at this. Okay, fine. Hello, my name is Moxie James and people like to ass fuck me out of title shots.
She pauses, tilting her head.
Moxie James: Wait, can I say ass fucked on TV?
Brad Stokes: Who doesn't like to see a little ass-fucking on TV. It's like Nelly Furtado says, homie, say what you want.
Moxie James: Oh, bet. Got it. It’s frustrating but it’s the nature of the beast, I guess. It’s frustrating to fight my way through four other people for a shot, get to that shot and instead of losing to me, Rizzo pussies out so that he can vacate the title. All so that he can claim he was never defeated as the UnYielding champ. How fragile does your ego have to be? Really.
Moxie pauses to roll her eyes.
Moxie James: That whole blah blah blah speech he gave… all I heard was oh shit. Someone who’s actually gonna beat my ass six ways to Sunday is finally challenging me and how will I say I’m the best UnYielding champ now? But that’s on him. It doesn’t say shit about me except that he knew he couldn’t beat me. Soooo, I guess I have two choices. I can keep being mad or I can turn all of that into motivation to come out of all this the UnYielding champion. I think it’s pretty obvious which one I’m going to do. I beat some great wrestlers the first time around to get this shot. It doesn’t matter how many people you put in front of me. Nothing is going to stop the inevitable.
She smirks.
Moxie James: But I hold grudges. And one day, once I get around to it, Rizzo is gonna pay for being a coward.
Throughout the speech Brad, a man who’s face is wrapped in form-fitting gauze due to a plastic surgery accident, has taken to just staring at Moxie. Even after she’s done talking, there’s a beat of this ridiculous person just staring, until…
Brad Stokes: Yeah, that’s all great and all but can I use your face?
Moxie James: What the fuck, dude? Like cut off my face and wear it as a mask?
Brad shrugs.
Brad Stokes: I’m not a doctor, alright? I’m just saying I need a new face and yours seems alright.
Moxie James: Gooonna have to hard pass.
Brad looks perplexed behind al the gauze, setting his thumb and forefinger against his wrapped chin contemplatively.
Brad Stokes: It’s like you said, nothing is going to stop the inevitable. Sooner or later THE BRAD is gonna get a new face. You heard it here first, folks, I am in the market for a new face.
Brad turns with an entreaty to the crowd.
Brad Stokes: Bring me your tired. Your poor. Your huddled masses-no wait. That’s dumb. I don’t want no scrubs. I need premium face claims here, folks.
He turns back to Mox.
Brad Stokes: You got a sister… or… ?
Moxie arched an eyebrow.
Moxie James: Uhhh. Aight, imma head out.
She slowly slinks away, leaving Brad alone with the crowd and her face intact. Brad watches sullenly.
Brad Stokes: Huh… so… I’mma just wait here till you get back alright?
By now he’s watched Moxie step lightly up the ramp and behind the curtain. Brad looks on. Moments pass. Awkward crowd cough. Eventually security storms the ring to get Brad out of there.
DANNY RIZZO: “In just a few moments…”
The voice of the UnYielding one cuts through the silence as he steps from around a corner into camera shot. Already he’s dressed for his match against Chris Callum later that evening but there was still time left before he needed to have anything to do with that.
DANNY RIZZO: “Katya Djurdjevic will get to go toe to toe with the woman that I beat for the UnYielding Championship months ago. She has that opportunity because of me and me alone. Because of the choices that I made and the actions that I took. Three times she’s fallen short in trying to claim the championship that I guided into prosperity and greatness. And now I’ve given that dream back to her after she failed time and again.”
Laughing to himself, Danny shook his head in dismay.
DANNY RIZZO: “But even now she won’t say thank you. Even now she won’t show the proper gratitude. But it matters little. Everywhere she goes there will be an asterisk by her name. No matter what she accomplishes, she’ll have to look back on her career and know that I thwarted and extinguished her dream at every single turn. But tonight, my attention turns to something more. Something greater. The grand puppeteer himself awaits and me? I’m here to set fire to every single one of his strings.”
With a simple nod, Danny turns back around and disappears behind the corner he had emerged from just a few moments earlier.
The voice of the UnYielding one cuts through the silence as he steps from around a corner into camera shot. Already he’s dressed for his match against Chris Callum later that evening but there was still time left before he needed to have anything to do with that.
DANNY RIZZO: “Katya Djurdjevic will get to go toe to toe with the woman that I beat for the UnYielding Championship months ago. She has that opportunity because of me and me alone. Because of the choices that I made and the actions that I took. Three times she’s fallen short in trying to claim the championship that I guided into prosperity and greatness. And now I’ve given that dream back to her after she failed time and again.”
Laughing to himself, Danny shook his head in dismay.
DANNY RIZZO: “But even now she won’t say thank you. Even now she won’t show the proper gratitude. But it matters little. Everywhere she goes there will be an asterisk by her name. No matter what she accomplishes, she’ll have to look back on her career and know that I thwarted and extinguished her dream at every single turn. But tonight, my attention turns to something more. Something greater. The grand puppeteer himself awaits and me? I’m here to set fire to every single one of his strings.”
With a simple nod, Danny turns back around and disappears behind the corner he had emerged from just a few moments earlier.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is scheduled for one fall or submission, and is a 7 Pillars Gauntlet Qualifier Match!
'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta hits over the system and as the first stanza of "I'm The Pro, I'm The Pro, I'm The Prototype' kicks in Brodie steps through the curtain. She is not her usual self, ambling out onto the stage rather than walking. She's wearing nearly the same thing she was wearing on Blitz#21, her make up a mess, hair mussed. The fans still cheer but there are some concerned calls from the crowd as she begins a shaky walk towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making her way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighing 150 pounds, hailing from Manhattan, New York...THE SUBMISSION MACHINE...BROODDDIEEE!!
Brodie reaches ringside and pauses at the ramp, looking around as if lost before remembering she has to get into the ring. Instead of her usually roll under the bottom rope and pop up to stalk the ring, however, she instead uses the steps and slips in quietly, staring out at the crowd as she finds the far corner and rests against it. Her expression is blank as the referee worriedly checks to see if she's ready to go.
LO: Brodie is usually a ball of fire when she comes to the ring, but she's...well...she looks broken.
KO: Zachariah Krahe's return must have hit her harder than we originally thought.
LO: Well when she finally picked her jaw up off the canvas on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire last show, she immediately left the ring and marched like she was going to seek him out.
KO: Maybe she found him, and that's left her in this state.
LO: Worse yet, maybe she didn't...There are a lot of unanswered questions despite what happened earlier tonight in the Novack/Krahe match.
The announcers don't get a chance to speculate any further when the lights dim and purple bulbs flash as "Warriors" by Papa Roach hit's over the PA System. The lights converge on the center of the stage and standing there is Katya Djurdjevic with one hand pointing to the sky. The crowd goes absolutely nuts as she makes her way down the ramp, slapping hands, and pausing for photo-ops. She only manages to get halfway towards the ring before the announcer decides to go ahead with the particulars.
RING ANNOUNCER: 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 finally reaches ringside and leaps onto the apron, vaulting herself over the top rope. She quickly steps up to the second turnbuckle of the closest turnbuckle, and again points heavenward while nodding along with her music. Brodie for her part doesn't respond at all, just blankly staring around the ring, leaving everyone to try and figure out how she even know to show up in the first place.
LO: Katya Djurdjevic is coming off the heels of putting Kaven Drell away, and is now looking to secure herself an opportunity to compete in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match for the UnYielding Championship..
KO: Um...Brodie hasn't moved, man. She hasn't even looked up to notice that Katya is in the ring.
LO: Well, maybe the bell will wake her up...
The Ref looks at Brodie and shakes his head before signaling for the bell. *DING* Still no reaction. Katya, for her part stares in concern from her side of the ring, and slowly starts to close the gap between the two women. She gets literally within arms length of Brodie and pauses, and she says something to the woman with a genuine look of apology on her face. The fans become restless and start yelling into the ring for the two to go at it, but Brodie remains staring at nothing and Katya waves the more callous fans off. Finally, Djurdjevic places her hand on Brodie's shoulder, and the camera gets a close up shot while the audio hears.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Brodie...it's alright. I know you've been through a lot recently. We don't have to do this...
Brodie responds with a wince, following the voice up to the lips that spoke them, and then all the way up to look into the other woman's eyes pleadingly. Suddenly her face falls, as if some dawn of recognition has finally reached her, and she suddenly reaches up with both hands to grab Katya's wrist and thrusts her face inches from the Russian's to let out a primal scream that causes everyone's blood to run cold. Katya is in complete dismay, so much so that her first reaction isn't to get her arm free but to try and backpedal. That is all Brodie needs to spring into attack mode, yanking her out of the corner and spinning her until she drops her to the mat with her arm locked between her legs. Katya is still stunned by the visceral reaction she received and when Brodie latches both hands under her chin and rears back the surprise fades directly into pain. The fans start going nuts at ringside as Brodie wrenches back with all of her might and Djurdjevic cries out in response, her arm being separated from her shoulder, her lower back being nearly snapped in half. The announcers, for their part, finally get back in the game.
LO: MY GOD! BRODIE HAS KATYA LOCKED IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE AND SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE'S SNAPPED!
KO: LOOKS LIKE! THAT BITCH IS CRAZY!
LO: Katya is clawing at the mat in a panic and all it's doing is having them spin in circles! Brodie is holding on like a great white shark!
KO: The referee is asking Katya, but even he knows that this isn't likely to end with a submission. Brodie has a tendency to take her emotions out on her opponents, even to her own detriment!
Brodie roars with another wrench on Katya's neck, and the Russian Beauty for the first time releases the panic for the real understanding that this woman might end her career. Katya's claws at the mat become more calm and measured, and despite the tremendous pain she's being put through manages to drag herself and Brodie towards the ropes. Brodie doesn't seem to see this, that, or she doesn't care, her one sole mission to remove this limb from Katya's corpse.
LO: Katya's getting closer and closer to the ropes! She's almost there!
KO: Do you think that's really going to matter to Brodie!
LO: I...I don't even know where this is coming from!
Katya finally reaches the ropes, latching on to the taped steel cable with everything she has while her other arm continues to pop and creak behind her. The Ref calls for the break but it doesn't come, and he starts a five count that is unanswered. He yells at Brodie, reaches down to try and physically remove the woman himself, and gets a bite across his forearm that draws blood for his efforts. He falls backwards in his own panic holding his arm, and then looks over to the time keepers table and frantically calls for the bell. It sounds loudly, and doesn't stop sounding as Brodie continues to rock Katya's head back until it looks like the back of her head is touching her shoulder blades.
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! Brodie just bit the referee and won't release the hold!
KO: I told you, Bro! She's crazy!
LO: The Ref is calling for someone to get down here from the back! He's lost complete control of this!
KO: How the hell do you keep control of an animal like this!
LO: Brodie is no animal, Ken! This is a visceral reaction to her mental psyche being toyed with by Zachariah Krahe! She has completely lost it!
KO: Whatever it is, Security is on its way down to the ring to finally break up this carnival of pain!
Five burly security officers wearing black polo shirts with the VPW logo on the left breast rush down the ramp and belly slide into the ring. The first two men reach Brodie and get on either side of her, grabbing her by the arms and forcing them to separate. Katya's head lurches forward to strike the mat face first, but at least it's no longer being ripped from her shoulders. Unfortunately for these first respondents this signals Brodie to get her feet under her and turn her ire from Katya onto them. She thrashes in their arms which causes them to lose their grasp, prompting her to drive elbows blindly backwards. A few of those attacks find their marks, sending the two men stumbling back clutching their noses. This gives Brodie a chance to whirl around and she dives at one of the men tackling them to the ground and firing in right hands to his skull until he stops moving. A third security officer gets into the ring and applies a choke hold from behind, dragging her off his unconscious comrade and trying to put the woman out. Brodie reaches up and finds the man's eyes, and with a rake he's sent howling over into the corner where she promptly takes the only other standing security guard with a broken nose by the back of the head and runs him into the other's skull. Both men slump to the canvas as Brodie turns back to the referee who holds his hands out in front of him defensively while making his way towards the ropes for an exit.
LO: The Ref dives out of the ring to get out of Brodie's war path while the other two men with security have got Katya out of the ring and are helping her to the exit beside the ramp! But I think we're going to need more people out here cause Brodie is starting towards the ropes to pursue...
KO: Damn right we need more people! Get someone down here to protect us!
Brodie reaches the ropes when five more security officers burst through the curtain and start jogging her way. She hits the floor just as they arrive and she rushes right into them to catch the first in line with a Sledgehammer like blow to the chest that takes his feet right out from under him to slam to the steel ramp. She ducks under the punch from another one and send a sharp right boot into his left knee that drops him low, while throwing both hands up to block the incoming fist of the one to her immediate right. She snaps her head forwards with like a viper and her forehead slams into the man's face causing him to draw back as the other two finally catch up to tackle her to the ground. She kicks and screams and fights like a trapped animal, and no one walks away without scrapes and bruises, but they do hold her down long enough so that the others can help contain her and get her hands zip-tied behind her back. They hoist her up and have to be wary of being bitten as her teeth clack together at the various attempts while they make their way to the back.
LO: That...that's the damndest thing I've ever seen.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via disqualification, and earning her spot in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match.....KATYA DJURDJEVIC!
KO: Well no shit, Generic Ring Announcer. I mean...God Damn!
LO: Sort of a statement of the obvious after what we just witnessed. My only real follow up question is what does this mean for Brodie? I mean...she lost it out here tonight, and I think we all know why.
KO: Cause she's an absolute nut job!
LO: Because this situation with Zachariah Krahe and Roman Novack has made her completely unstable! I mean, if this is her response to the situation as it stands, imagine what she's going to do when she's in the ring with one of those two.
KO: I don't want to know, man. This is like a scene from a freakin car wreck!
The camera pans around the ringside area and ramp in a wide angle, showing the absolute carnage left behind by the Submission Machine before cutting backstage.
'Prototype' by Viktoria Modesta hits over the system and as the first stanza of "I'm The Pro, I'm The Pro, I'm The Prototype' kicks in Brodie steps through the curtain. She is not her usual self, ambling out onto the stage rather than walking. She's wearing nearly the same thing she was wearing on Blitz#21, her make up a mess, hair mussed. The fans still cheer but there are some concerned calls from the crowd as she begins a shaky walk towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making her way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and weighing 150 pounds, hailing from Manhattan, New York...THE SUBMISSION MACHINE...BROODDDIEEE!!
Brodie reaches ringside and pauses at the ramp, looking around as if lost before remembering she has to get into the ring. Instead of her usually roll under the bottom rope and pop up to stalk the ring, however, she instead uses the steps and slips in quietly, staring out at the crowd as she finds the far corner and rests against it. Her expression is blank as the referee worriedly checks to see if she's ready to go.
LO: Brodie is usually a ball of fire when she comes to the ring, but she's...well...she looks broken.
KO: Zachariah Krahe's return must have hit her harder than we originally thought.
LO: Well when she finally picked her jaw up off the canvas on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire last show, she immediately left the ring and marched like she was going to seek him out.
KO: Maybe she found him, and that's left her in this state.
LO: Worse yet, maybe she didn't...There are a lot of unanswered questions despite what happened earlier tonight in the Novack/Krahe match.
The announcers don't get a chance to speculate any further when the lights dim and purple bulbs flash as "Warriors" by Papa Roach hit's over the PA System. The lights converge on the center of the stage and standing there is Katya Djurdjevic with one hand pointing to the sky. The crowd goes absolutely nuts as she makes her way down the ramp, slapping hands, and pausing for photo-ops. She only manages to get halfway towards the ring before the announcer decides to go ahead with the particulars.
RING ANNOUNCER: 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 finally reaches ringside and leaps onto the apron, vaulting herself over the top rope. She quickly steps up to the second turnbuckle of the closest turnbuckle, and again points heavenward while nodding along with her music. Brodie for her part doesn't respond at all, just blankly staring around the ring, leaving everyone to try and figure out how she even know to show up in the first place.
LO: Katya Djurdjevic is coming off the heels of putting Kaven Drell away, and is now looking to secure herself an opportunity to compete in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match for the UnYielding Championship..
KO: Um...Brodie hasn't moved, man. She hasn't even looked up to notice that Katya is in the ring.
LO: Well, maybe the bell will wake her up...
The Ref looks at Brodie and shakes his head before signaling for the bell. *DING* Still no reaction. Katya, for her part stares in concern from her side of the ring, and slowly starts to close the gap between the two women. She gets literally within arms length of Brodie and pauses, and she says something to the woman with a genuine look of apology on her face. The fans become restless and start yelling into the ring for the two to go at it, but Brodie remains staring at nothing and Katya waves the more callous fans off. Finally, Djurdjevic places her hand on Brodie's shoulder, and the camera gets a close up shot while the audio hears.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Brodie...it's alright. I know you've been through a lot recently. We don't have to do this...
Brodie responds with a wince, following the voice up to the lips that spoke them, and then all the way up to look into the other woman's eyes pleadingly. Suddenly her face falls, as if some dawn of recognition has finally reached her, and she suddenly reaches up with both hands to grab Katya's wrist and thrusts her face inches from the Russian's to let out a primal scream that causes everyone's blood to run cold. Katya is in complete dismay, so much so that her first reaction isn't to get her arm free but to try and backpedal. That is all Brodie needs to spring into attack mode, yanking her out of the corner and spinning her until she drops her to the mat with her arm locked between her legs. Katya is still stunned by the visceral reaction she received and when Brodie latches both hands under her chin and rears back the surprise fades directly into pain. The fans start going nuts at ringside as Brodie wrenches back with all of her might and Djurdjevic cries out in response, her arm being separated from her shoulder, her lower back being nearly snapped in half. The announcers, for their part, finally get back in the game.
LO: MY GOD! BRODIE HAS KATYA LOCKED IN THE FINALITY CROSSFACE AND SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE'S SNAPPED!
KO: LOOKS LIKE! THAT BITCH IS CRAZY!
LO: Katya is clawing at the mat in a panic and all it's doing is having them spin in circles! Brodie is holding on like a great white shark!
KO: The referee is asking Katya, but even he knows that this isn't likely to end with a submission. Brodie has a tendency to take her emotions out on her opponents, even to her own detriment!
Brodie roars with another wrench on Katya's neck, and the Russian Beauty for the first time releases the panic for the real understanding that this woman might end her career. Katya's claws at the mat become more calm and measured, and despite the tremendous pain she's being put through manages to drag herself and Brodie towards the ropes. Brodie doesn't seem to see this, that, or she doesn't care, her one sole mission to remove this limb from Katya's corpse.
LO: Katya's getting closer and closer to the ropes! She's almost there!
KO: Do you think that's really going to matter to Brodie!
LO: I...I don't even know where this is coming from!
Katya finally reaches the ropes, latching on to the taped steel cable with everything she has while her other arm continues to pop and creak behind her. The Ref calls for the break but it doesn't come, and he starts a five count that is unanswered. He yells at Brodie, reaches down to try and physically remove the woman himself, and gets a bite across his forearm that draws blood for his efforts. He falls backwards in his own panic holding his arm, and then looks over to the time keepers table and frantically calls for the bell. It sounds loudly, and doesn't stop sounding as Brodie continues to rock Katya's head back until it looks like the back of her head is touching her shoulder blades.
LO: GOD ALMIGHTY! Brodie just bit the referee and won't release the hold!
KO: I told you, Bro! She's crazy!
LO: The Ref is calling for someone to get down here from the back! He's lost complete control of this!
KO: How the hell do you keep control of an animal like this!
LO: Brodie is no animal, Ken! This is a visceral reaction to her mental psyche being toyed with by Zachariah Krahe! She has completely lost it!
KO: Whatever it is, Security is on its way down to the ring to finally break up this carnival of pain!
Five burly security officers wearing black polo shirts with the VPW logo on the left breast rush down the ramp and belly slide into the ring. The first two men reach Brodie and get on either side of her, grabbing her by the arms and forcing them to separate. Katya's head lurches forward to strike the mat face first, but at least it's no longer being ripped from her shoulders. Unfortunately for these first respondents this signals Brodie to get her feet under her and turn her ire from Katya onto them. She thrashes in their arms which causes them to lose their grasp, prompting her to drive elbows blindly backwards. A few of those attacks find their marks, sending the two men stumbling back clutching their noses. This gives Brodie a chance to whirl around and she dives at one of the men tackling them to the ground and firing in right hands to his skull until he stops moving. A third security officer gets into the ring and applies a choke hold from behind, dragging her off his unconscious comrade and trying to put the woman out. Brodie reaches up and finds the man's eyes, and with a rake he's sent howling over into the corner where she promptly takes the only other standing security guard with a broken nose by the back of the head and runs him into the other's skull. Both men slump to the canvas as Brodie turns back to the referee who holds his hands out in front of him defensively while making his way towards the ropes for an exit.
LO: The Ref dives out of the ring to get out of Brodie's war path while the other two men with security have got Katya out of the ring and are helping her to the exit beside the ramp! But I think we're going to need more people out here cause Brodie is starting towards the ropes to pursue...
KO: Damn right we need more people! Get someone down here to protect us!
Brodie reaches the ropes when five more security officers burst through the curtain and start jogging her way. She hits the floor just as they arrive and she rushes right into them to catch the first in line with a Sledgehammer like blow to the chest that takes his feet right out from under him to slam to the steel ramp. She ducks under the punch from another one and send a sharp right boot into his left knee that drops him low, while throwing both hands up to block the incoming fist of the one to her immediate right. She snaps her head forwards with like a viper and her forehead slams into the man's face causing him to draw back as the other two finally catch up to tackle her to the ground. She kicks and screams and fights like a trapped animal, and no one walks away without scrapes and bruises, but they do hold her down long enough so that the others can help contain her and get her hands zip-tied behind her back. They hoist her up and have to be wary of being bitten as her teeth clack together at the various attempts while they make their way to the back.
LO: That...that's the damndest thing I've ever seen.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via disqualification, and earning her spot in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match.....KATYA DJURDJEVIC!
KO: Well no shit, Generic Ring Announcer. I mean...God Damn!
LO: Sort of a statement of the obvious after what we just witnessed. My only real follow up question is what does this mean for Brodie? I mean...she lost it out here tonight, and I think we all know why.
KO: Cause she's an absolute nut job!
LO: Because this situation with Zachariah Krahe and Roman Novack has made her completely unstable! I mean, if this is her response to the situation as it stands, imagine what she's going to do when she's in the ring with one of those two.
KO: I don't want to know, man. This is like a scene from a freakin car wreck!
The camera pans around the ringside area and ramp in a wide angle, showing the absolute carnage left behind by the Submission Machine before cutting backstage.
Valor is live in Edmonton, and we find Chris Callum in the back, standing against the Valor logo with a microphone in his hand and the Apex Championship over his shoulder. His face elicits a boo from the audience, which he ignores, before he begins to speak.
CHRIS CALLUM: Tonight, the gauntlet continues. Danny Rizzo replaces Brennan Devlin as the man who wants to claim what I have. Like, Brennan, Danny thinks that he has the edge on me. The element of surprise, maybe… the will to win… but I think that’s a miscalculation. Danny, you seem to forget that I’m not just a man who wrestles in the same company as you. My reach is wide. My connections… endless.
He smiles and lifts his head.
CHRIS CALLUM: Your girlfriend, Leela Watts… everyone here knows her because once upon a time she too was a Valor mainstay. But before all of that, I made her a star in the CWC. Right alongside Cosmo Cooper.
A moment passes and Callum shifts to a new thought.
CHRIS CALLUM: I promoted her like no one else. I helped her become the CWC World Champion. I did what I needed to do to make sure that Leela Watts and Cosmo Cooper were the power couple of professional wrestling.
Suddenly, it turns bitter.
CHRIS CALLUM: And then Cosmo did what he always does, he made an impulsive decision. He dropped Leela. That image I created of the two of them with their championships… Cosmo lifting Leela onto his shoulders in the middle of the ring… the happiness and the grandeur of it all. All gone. And then he moved on. And Leela started up with you, and then her career slowly faded into nothing.
He smiles.
CHRIS CALLUM: I ask you this, Danny, are you certain that she is happy? Are you certain that you can provide for her the way that Cosmo did? The way I did?
A beat.
CHRIS CALLUM: Are you certain that she won’t run back to me the first chance she gets? Tonight? Can you ever really be sure?
Laughter leaks out of him.
CHRIS CALLUM: Leela - I’m talking to you now. This is your moment to make the right decision. Come out to that tonight. Be in my corner. Let me help you finally transition into the star I always knew you were. Let’s use the beaten body of Danny Rizzo to lift you up to the top again.
He peers directly into the camera.
CHRIS CALLUM: Have I ever let you down?
And the scene fades back to ringside.
CHRIS CALLUM: Tonight, the gauntlet continues. Danny Rizzo replaces Brennan Devlin as the man who wants to claim what I have. Like, Brennan, Danny thinks that he has the edge on me. The element of surprise, maybe… the will to win… but I think that’s a miscalculation. Danny, you seem to forget that I’m not just a man who wrestles in the same company as you. My reach is wide. My connections… endless.
He smiles and lifts his head.
CHRIS CALLUM: Your girlfriend, Leela Watts… everyone here knows her because once upon a time she too was a Valor mainstay. But before all of that, I made her a star in the CWC. Right alongside Cosmo Cooper.
A moment passes and Callum shifts to a new thought.
CHRIS CALLUM: I promoted her like no one else. I helped her become the CWC World Champion. I did what I needed to do to make sure that Leela Watts and Cosmo Cooper were the power couple of professional wrestling.
Suddenly, it turns bitter.
CHRIS CALLUM: And then Cosmo did what he always does, he made an impulsive decision. He dropped Leela. That image I created of the two of them with their championships… Cosmo lifting Leela onto his shoulders in the middle of the ring… the happiness and the grandeur of it all. All gone. And then he moved on. And Leela started up with you, and then her career slowly faded into nothing.
He smiles.
CHRIS CALLUM: I ask you this, Danny, are you certain that she is happy? Are you certain that you can provide for her the way that Cosmo did? The way I did?
A beat.
CHRIS CALLUM: Are you certain that she won’t run back to me the first chance she gets? Tonight? Can you ever really be sure?
Laughter leaks out of him.
CHRIS CALLUM: Leela - I’m talking to you now. This is your moment to make the right decision. Come out to that tonight. Be in my corner. Let me help you finally transition into the star I always knew you were. Let’s use the beaten body of Danny Rizzo to lift you up to the top again.
He peers directly into the camera.
CHRIS CALLUM: Have I ever let you down?
And the scene fades back to ringside.
MAIN EVENT
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is scheduled for one fall or submission....
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 at the top of the stage to take in his reception with a sneer and shakes his head as the boos reign down upon him from the capacity crowd. He chuckles slightly, and with a tilt of his head in annoyance he starts down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio....THE RISEN...DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny gets a running go and slides 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 with another volley of boo's in his direction, and his resolve seems to harden to steel as he drops down and turns towards the Ring Announcer. The man shrinks under the wilting gaze just before Danny stalks over and grips him by the tie to intimidatingly whisper something into his ear. The Ring Announcer's head bobs back and forth dumbly in a nod and Danny lets him loose to take a step back while crossing his arms over his chest.
RING ANNOUNCER: Ladies and Gentlemen, there has been a correction...Hailing from Dayton, Ohio and the NEXT APEX CHAMPION...THE UNYIELDING...DANNY RIZZOOOOO!!
The negativity in the room seems to go even lower as Danny sets his jaw to the reaction. He turns with his arms still folded over his chest to stare at the stage in anticipation of his opponents arrival.
LO: Danny Rizzo has come out her full of himself tonight, positive that this is his moment while the rest of us remain unsure.
KO: Speak for yourself, Laur. Danny has every right to be confident considering the accomplishments he's pulled off over these past several months, and I'm a believer in the cause!
LO: Well, Danny may have been nearly booed out of the building, but I couldn't help but notice the occasional lighter being held up in the air by a stoic fan. This Movement of his and Kaven Drell's has corrupted some of the Valor Pro Faithful.
KO: What you call corruption I call liberation! Drell has liberated Danny Rizzo into becoming a man who will do anything to achieve victory, and he's spreading the word among the masses!
The two announcers don't get the chance to debate any further when the lights dim as the opening riffs of "Villain" by Skarlett Riot hits over the PA System. Lights flash around the entrance with the beat of the song, and the curtain pushes back and Chris Callum saunters out onto the stage wearing the Apex Championship around his waist. He pauses at the top of the ramp to take in the cheers, and he closes his eyes, lifting his head while finger tapping the face plate of the title. When his eyes open his head tilts down to stare down at Danny Rizzo staring back at him from the ring and a wave of determination accompanies him as he stalks down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at six foot and weighting in at 180 pounds, hailing from Berkeley, California...He is THE CURRENT APEX CHAMPION, THE ETERNAL, CHRIS CALLUUMMMM!
Callum reaches ringside and rounds to take the steps up to the apron where he starts to swing his leg through the ropes, but then pauses to regard the crowd with a nod. Despite the majority, there are a few fans out in the crowd that hold up lighters defiantly. Callum doesn't seem to bothered by them as he slips into the ring, and bounces up and down as he stares across the ring at Rizzo.
LO: Chris Callum looks ready to go in this contest after taking that damning strike to the skull thanks to Rizzo.
KO: Don't pretend like Danny Rizzo didn't save Brennan Devlin from getting curb stomped onto the freakin' Apex Title belt by Chris Callum.
LO: I'll admit that both men have a penchant for violence, but Rizzo was the only one who had no business being out there.
KO: Are you kidding me? He had every right to be out there! If he isn't the next in line to go after that title you tell me who is?
LO: No arguing that Danny has as much claim as anyone, but it's all in the way he went about it. Trying to get a jump start rather than coming into this contest fairly.
KO: I'm so glad the bell is about to sound, cause your condescending tone is starting to piss me off...
The bell sounds and the two men begin to circle in the center of the ring before moving in for a Collar-And-Elbow Tie Up. They jockey for position back and forth for a moment with Danny ending up working his way under Callum to force him back into the corner. The referee intercedes to try and break the men apart, and Danny disentangles himself with his hands in the air as Callum watches him suspiciously. And for good reason, as Danny snaps his boot into The Eternal's midsection. Caputo protests but is moved aside so that Danny can follow up with a vicious chop that rings throughout the arena. The fans 'Woooo' when the second one strikes, and Callum is forced to grab at his chest while shoving Danny back so that he step out of the corner. Danny follows him along the edge of the ropes and clubs him from behind with a forearm that drops him to one knee but he bounces right back up only for Rizzo to get a grip on the back of his skull and rush him forwards into the top turnbuckle of the corner in front of them.
LO: Danny Rizzo taking the early advantage here thanks to that cheap shot from the lock up...
KO: You just won't let it go, will you?
LO: Sure I will. The minute Danny renounces these tactics and gets back to the young man we all got behind in the first place.
Kenneth Othello shakes his head as Danny drives in a few short but hard left jabs to Callum's jaw and then swings around with a hooking right that causes the champion to give him another shove so he can try and escape. This time Chris heads to the center of the ring, and Danny rushes in from behind to blast him down to the canvas with a behind the back Lariat. Danny comes to stand over Callum and stares out at the booing crowd defiantly. He points down at the man and then to himself, and screams so all can hear, "I AM THE NEXT APEX CHAMPION!" They boo even louder but cheers are soon to follow as Chris swings both arms out to clip Danny behind his knee's, sweeping him hard down to the mat. The champion rolls right ontop of him to sit astride his chest, and then opens up with rights and lefts of his own that box The Risen's ears.
LO: Chris Callum opening up on a cocksure Danny Rizzo, and now back up to his feet and is stomping down at the man with abandon!
KO: Oh yeah, this is your role-model, Laur! This is YOUR Apex Champion! A guy who acts like a wild jackayl the minute he gets an opportunity.
LO: I never said that Callum was perfect, just that ever since he made his stand against Aspen Chaud and her ilk, he's made great strides to do things on his own without having to resort to cheating.
KO: Callum stomping Danny all the way out of the ring now, shoving him under the bottom rope to fall off the edge of the apron down to the hard concrete!
Chris slips through the ropes to drop down beside Danny and helps the man up to his feet. He says something into his ear as the camera moves in to try and catch it, but all that anyone can hear is the name 'Leela' before Callum rushes Danny forward to slam gut first into the steel barricade. Danny clutches bitterly at his gut as Callum steps into him to get a fistful of The Risen's hair, pulls back, and then slams it forward to spike off the top of the guard rail. Danny snaps away from the barrier clutching his face and stumbles around the ring to the ramp while Callum follows like a hunter stalking his prey. Just as Callum makes to grab for Danny again, he's surprised by a sharp elbow to his own ribs from the former UnYielding Champ. Another one has Chris begging off, and Danny explodes from out of nowhere with a running Lariat that drops Callum hard to the floor.
LO: Danny starting to make a comeback here as he pulls Callum back to his feet and WHIPS HIM RIGHT AT THE STEEL RING POST!
KO: WHOA! Instead of striking it Callum redirected and was able to hook the post with his arm and swung his entire body up onto the apron and under the bottom rope back into the ring.
LO: Rizzo looks pissed as he leaps up to the ring apron, and OH! RUNNING BIG BOOT SEND DANNY CRASHING DOWN TO THE APRON!
KO: Wait a minute...what is this guy doing?
LO: Callum slipping back through the ropes to the apron and pulling Danny up...Oh God...NO!
Callum hooks Rizzo around the head and before anyone can even register whats going on, lifts the man up into the air into a vertical suplex position, and then snaps straight down for a Brain Buster across the edge of the ring. The Eternal clutches at his spine where it collided with the apron, and Danny grabs at the top of his head while kicking his legs before rolling to fall flat onto the concrete floor. The Referee looks on stunned with her hands buried into her long red hair, before coming to the edge of the ring to demand that Callum get things back in the squared circle.
KO: GOOD GOD!
LO: CHRIS CALLUM WITH A BRAINBUSTER TO THE APRON ON RIZZO, AND WE'RE ONLY FIVE MINUTES INTO THIS MATCH!
KO: Callum is pulling Rizzo up to his feet, and now tosses Danny back into the ring...follows him in...and here's a cover!
1...
2...
LO: THREe!NO! Rizzo kicks out after a long two count, and now Callum is pulling him back up to his feet and pushing him back into the ropes to shoot him to the other side...
KO: Danny rebounds and Callum catches him coming back with a STIFF Back Elbow that drops Danny back to the mat. Callum now nudging Danny onto his back, AND DOUBLE KNEE'S STRAIGHT DOWN INTO DANNY'S SPINE!
LO: Danny clutching at his back but Callum is keeping his knee's dead center of the spine and reaches forward to get a hold of the man under his jaw and yanks back into a modified Camel Clutch!
Danny grunts in pain as he's stretched back unnaturally and the fans left unsure whether its his lower spine or neck that is taking the worst of the punishment. Caputo drops in front of him to accept his submission, but the man continues to yell 'No' every time she questions. Callum, for his part, continues to wrench back while calling out, "Come on, Danny! Do it for Leela!" The crowd isn't sure what to make of this so they give a mixed reaction to the comments. After a few seconds Danny starts using his arms to try and drag himself towards the ropes, a difficult task with Callum all but sitting on the man's lower spine. But eventually some progress is made and he's fingertips away from the bottom rope, when Callum suddenly releases the hold and used the Middle to springboard high into the air and drive his knees right back down into the center of Danny's spine.
KO: Nasty shot to Danny Rizzo's already aching back, and now Danny pulling himself under the bottom rope to the outside of the ring.
LO: Callum looks on satisfied that he's done his damage as he moves to join Danny, and you remember what happened last time they were out here!
KO: Yeah, and it doesn't look too good this time either!
Callum gets a fistful of Danny's hair from behind and the former UnYielding Champion finds himself being rushed towards the steel barricade once again! This time Danny manages to get his foot out in front of him, which stops the momentum, and three sharp elbows to Callum's rib cage causes him to beg off. Danny's head suddenly snaps sharply in The Eternal's direction and his forehead slams off of Callum's nose causing the man to stumble back and have to grab the top of the barrier to keep from going down. When his hand moves away from his face blood pours out of his nostrils, and Danny doesn't give him a second to think about it before booting him in the midsection to lay him low. Danny hooks him around the head and lifts him for what looks to be a Suplex, but instead of falling back onto the concrete, he launches Callum forwards to land with a painful sounding 'CLANG' against the top of the steel guardrail.
LO: DAMN! THAT MAY HAVE BROKE HIS STERNUM!
KO: Doesn't look like Danny cares much as he hops back up onto the ring apron, and now what is he doing?
The crowd boo but a few of them stand up with their lighters in the air, nodding their heads as Danny salutes those supporters before getting a running go on the apron only to leap through the air into a Spinning Leg Drop down across the back of Chris Callum's head that snaps the man over the guardrail to slam hard off the concrete floor!
LO: GOOD LORD! Rizzo with a death defying leap with tremendous results as he pulls Callum up to his feet and now shoots him back into the ring!
KO: Danny up on the apron and starting up the turnbuckles as Callum flops over just under the corner...
LO: What do you think we'll see here?
KO: Something High Risk if he can pull it off!
Danny gets perched on the top rope and the fans come to their feet as he stands to his full height to look down on the Apex Champion. He beats his chest with both fists while letting out a war cry, and then leaps out into the ether...
LO: SHOOTING STAR PRESS CRUSHES CALLUM INTO THE MAT, AND NOW DANNY HOOKING THE LEG FOR A COVER!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Callum just barely able to get his shoulder up after that incredible landing by Rizzo, and now Danny is back on his feet looking completely unhinged!
Danny stalks around the ring his fist and head shaking uncontrollably in a rage. He gets almost all the way across the ring from the man who just kicked out of one of his big moves, and he glares over at the champion as he still tries to recover from having his ribs crushed in. Like a light bulb going off, Danny settles into the opposite corner, the tip of his right boot tapping against the mat while he lowers himself to watch Callum get back to his feet. Just as soon as he does, Rizzo charges out of the corner and just when he's about to reach a turning Callum he leaps into the air to extend his knee for The Warrior's Call. Callum's eyes open wide like a deer caught in the headlights, but instead of standing there dumbly he hits the deck while Danny sails harmlessly overhead. Danny has to reach out to grab the top rope before being sent tumbling out of the ring as he had on other occasions, but by the time he whips around to go back on the attack he walks right into a Snap Northern Lights Suplex that stops his momentum cold.
LO: Chris Callum narrowly avoided disaster there but answers with a great suplex, and now is pulling Danny up....has him by the arm and then feeds it through his legs....PUMP HANDLE SLAM DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
KO: Callum with a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Danny kicks out before the three, and now Callum pulling him back to his feet and looks ready to finish the job....what's this?
KO: Callum lowers his shoulder into Danny's midsection and lifts him up only to grab him by his calves....
LO: THUNDEROUS ALABAMA SLAM, AND MY GOD! I THINK HE WAS TRYING TO PUT HIM THROUGH THE RING!
KO: Whatever he was doing he just dropped for another cover, and this might be over!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! MY GOD THAT WAS SO CLOSE! Danny just barely beat the count, and it's Callum's turn to show some concern with the referee.
KO: Caputo's waving it off as two, and now Callum is rounding to Danny's legs...Oh No! IF HE LOCKS THIS IN IT'S OVER!
Callum yanks Danny's legs up off the canvas and then chokes up on them to hook him just behind the knee's. Danny, feeling the motion and knowing what comes next, suddenly comes alive and begins to squirm on the mat with all he has to avoid being turned over onto his stomach. The fans know the King's Wrath when they see it and immediately come to their feet to cheer in anticipation of the finish. Danny, however, refuses to give up, thrashing and wriggling along the canvas until he finally gets one foot free. That foot fires out several times to strike Callum right in his face, the nose that was already damaged but had finally stopped bleeding starting to pour again. Callum is forced to let loose of the hold, and Danny somehow manages to roll both feet over his head and up to his feet, falls back into the ropes and thunders back in to catch Callum with a low dropkick to the knee that drops him to it. Rizzo scrambles for a second hit off the ropes and charges back in with a step up Shining Wizard that connects with the back of the Apex Champion's head and sends him crumpling down to the mat.
LO: BLACK ROSE FROM DANNY RIZZO TO CHRIS CALLUM!
KO: AND CALLUM IS OUT!
LO: Yeah, but Danny is sucking wind on his hands and knees just beside the man, cause these two have been conducting a war!
KO: Rizzo finally able to slide over and shoot the half on Callum to get him over onto his back!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Callum kicks out and Danny Rizzo looks completely stunned. He doesn't even have the energy to be pissed as he falls back and lays there in utter disbelief!
Both men lie there for awhile before Danny finally sits up with newfound resolve. He pulls himself to his feet while getting Callum to his, pushing him back towards the ropes to shoot him off. Callum rebound and Danny rushes out to try and catch him with a Yakuza Kick, but Callum manages to duck under it. Danny shakes his head no as Callum hits the ropes one more time, and on his return Danny swings around into a Spin Wheel Kick in an attempt to take Callum's head off. Callum on the other hand drops into a baseball slide that slips under Danny who falls to the canvas and rolls up to his feet. He rushes in on Callum as he rises and The Eternal turns to his side and catches Rizzo coming in with a lightening fast Tilt-A-Whirl Back Breaker! He doesn't even go for a cover, instead pulling Danny back to his feet, tucking his head between his legs and then grips him around the waist to yank him up only to thunder him back down to the mat...
KO: SPIN OUT POWERBOMB!
LO: RIZZO NAILED TWICE THERE WITH BIG POWER MOVES, AND NOW CALLUM HOOKS THE LEG FOR A PIN!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Danny gets the should up at the last possible nano-second, and Callum is beating his fist against the mat in frustration.
LO: Both of these men have thrown some of their best shots at one another, and nothing has been enough...it's Apex versus UnYielding, and quite frankly, I'm not sure how much longer it can go on!
Callum eventually pushes up to his feet and falls back into the ropes while Danny rolls over onto his side to massage his lower back. The camera man on that side of the ring does a close up on Chris and he smirks into the lens while holding up his hand like a phone and says, "Call me, Leela". He turns his attention back to Danny who has halfway gotten to his feet and he moves in behind him to hook him in a Waist Lock. The fans come to their feet in anticipation of whats to come, but before he can commit to the Belly To Back motion of his finisher, Danny hunkers down to place the top of his head just under Callum's jaw while locking his hands on top of his head and drops straight down into a seated position!
KO: MODIFIED JAW BREAKER SENDS CALLUM REELING!
LO: Danny back up to his feet and Callum stumbling back into him...Boot to the midsection, tuck of the head...HAS HIM UP....TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB!
KO: GOOD LORD HE MIGHT BE DEAD FROM THE WHIPLASH!
Callum drops down to sit in the corner completely out of it, while Danny drops to his knees exhausted. Both men have taken a lot out of one another, but that last move has knocked the champion loopy. Rizzo, seeming to sense this, pushes back up to his feet so that he can fall back into the ropes to the side of him and thunders back across the ring to nail Callum with a Foot Wash that drops the superstar all the way down under the bottom rope. Danny untangles his foot from between the ropes and hunkers down to grab Callum by his ankle and wrist and pulls him away from the ring, but to much of his and everyone's amazement, The Eternal grabs hold of the bottom rope with his other hand and won't let go.
LO: Are you seeing this! Danny Rizzo and Chris Callum are playing tug of war with the champion's body, and CALLUM SUDDENLY LET GO OF THE ROPE AND WHIPPED HIS OTHER LEG AROUND TO SLAM OFF OF DANNY'S FACE!
KO: Danny falls back clutching his jaw, and now Callum using the turnbuckles to get himself up...HERE COMES DANNY!
LO: RIGHT INTO A MASSIVE EUROPEAN UPPERCUT FROM CALLUM THAT SENDS THE RISEN CRASHING TO THE CANVAS!
Callum stumbles forwards to reach down to pull Danny up to his feet, but Rizzo surprises him by hooking him around the head and dragging him down into a Small Package Pin instead!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Callum manages to get a leg free to kick out just in time to prevent the three, and now both men are coming to their feet...
LO: Callum goes for a right hand but Danny ducks under it and ends up behind him...Elbow strikes from Callum cause Danny to back off...
KO: Callum rushes the ropes in front of him for spring and WALKS RIGHT INTO A HIGH STANDING DROPKICK FROM RIZZO!
LO: Rizzo coming up and looks completely wiped as he makes his way over to the corner and starts to climb the turnbuckles...what do you think he's going for here?
KO: I don't know, but Callum is already pushing up to his feet....Danny just reached the top and is facing away from the ring..
LO: AND CHRIS CALLUM JUST RUSHED THE CORNER, LEAPS UP TO THE SECOND, AND AVALANCHE GERMAN SUPLEX!!
KO: GOD ALMIGHTY BOTH MEN FOLDED UP LIKE ACCORDIONS IN THE EXCHANGE AND ARE LYING ON THE CANVAS BESIDE EACH OTHER IN A HEAP!
The fans are all stunned along with the referee as she paces the ring trying to process what she just saw. A chant starts to go up from the crowd for 'FIGHT FOREVER' which seems to bring her back to her senses and start a ten count. The count drones on until reaching seven and Chris Callum begins to stir. On eight he lifts his left arm into the air and begins to dramatically start to roll in a prone Rizzo's direction. Just as the intent referee reaches nine Callum allows his arm to fall and it drapes across Danny's chest. Caputo hits the mat in a flash to make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! WHAT THE HELL?!
KO: MORE LIKE HOW THE HELL?!
The roof is nearly taken off the place as Callum falls off the Risen to lie beside him, both men sucking wind. Eventually Callum rolls away and pushes up to his feet, staggering to fall chest first into the ropes where he remains draped for a few seconds. Miraculously, Danny Rizzo somehow rolls over and pushes up to his hands and knees, and as Callum uses the fans reaction like a signal he turns to see Danny slowly pushing to his feet. Callum shakes his head tiredly and moves out to approach him when suddenly Danny lurches forwards into a chop that reverberates through the arena. Chris falls back holding his chest, but before Danny can capitalize The Eternal fires one right back begging him off. Callum pushes off the ropes to give him another one, but this time Danny ducks under it and in a desperation move leaves his feet to connect with the back of Callum's head with a Pele Kick. Callum stumbles forwards and then drops to his knees in the center of the ring...
LO: These two men are somehow still going at it, and now Danny Rizzo is back on his feet...
KO: Yeah, but he's like a newborn foal man! Those legs are not stable!
LO: Non-The-Less he just rushed past Callum to hit the ropes in front of him, and BLASTS BACK WITH THE WARRIOR'S CALL!
KO: NO! CALLUM DROPPED FORWARD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!
LO: Rizzo trying to put on the brakes and swing back around, Callum pushing up to his feet....AND SUPERKICK SENDS DANNY'S TEETH DOWN HIS THROAT!
KO: Callum went down as well but is crawling towards Rizzo...and LOOK! CALLUM DESPERATELY GRASPING FOR RIZZO AS HE ROLLS UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE TO FALL TO THE FLOOR!
LO: Rizzo showing ring strategy well beyond his years there, and the Apex Champion is left lying in the ring in disbelief!
Callum crawls the rest of the way to the ropes and then rolls under the bottom to land on his feet beside Rizzo. He reaches down to pull the man to his feet but once he has him up Danny suddenly throws his hands away, hops to the side, and fires a Superkick of his own right into Callum's jaw. The Eternal falls back grabbing at the apron but it doesn't aid him as he wipes out on the floor. The referee starts her count from inside the ring as Danny hangs onto the bottom rope to keep from going down himself. Callum doesn't stay down for long, both men running on instinct at this point, grabbing at the steel steps to push up to his feet and stumbles over to the guardrail for assistance.
LO: Danny Rizzo is in motion, charging at Callum AND HIGH CROSS BODY SENDS BOTH MEN DUMPING OUT INTO THE FRONT ROW!
KO: Well those fans are getting a taste of Valor Pro action up close and personal, but I don't know if that's going to help the competitors case as the referee's count just reached five!
Both men clamor with fans, chairs, and the guardrail to try and get back to their feet, but Danny's up first. He delivers a right hand to a rising Callum which knocks him into the laps of more fans, but they helpfully push him off and back into the fight to deliver a right of his own. Security begins to make its way around to try and thin out the fans from the two competitors, leaving Callum an opportunity to deliver a short clothesline to Danny that sends him flipping backwards over the first row of chairs into the second. Callum steps up onto a chair to follow but takes a boot to the gut from a Danny, whose lying on his back, and it lays the Apex Champion low. Meanwhile, back in the ring the referee's count is at eight, and the fans begin to pick up the count.
LO: Rizzo getting to his feet and he's looking around now, realizing how close he is to being counted out!
KO: He's moving to get back over into the front row..BUT CALLUM CATCHES HIM BY THE BACK OF HIS TIGHTS! PULLS HIM BACK IN...OH MY GOD!
LO: RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE FOURTH FREAKIN ROW!
Fans bowl over as Rizzo collides into them just as the bell rings. Callum looks over his shoulder in confusion as the referee signals that both men have been counted out. The bell sounds and he curses under his breath as the crowd begins to gather again to pat him on the back.
RING ANNOUNCER: This match has been declared a NO CONTEST, as BOTH men have been COUNTED OUT!
Callum shakes his head and then turns back in the direction he had sent Rizzo flying only to see The Risen standing on the back of two chairs in the fourth row. His eyes go wide as Danny dives over the third row back to the second, extending his knee and driving it into The Eternal's face. Callum crashes over the front row seats while Rizzo lands on them painfully, and both men lie in a heap once again in the front row.
LO: GOOD GOD!
KO: WARRIORS CALL FROM THE FOURTH ROW!
LO: Both men were counted out of the match, but Christ Almighty...we need to get some medical staff out here for both competitors and fans!
KO: You talk about fan participation! These Edmonton son's of bitches should have had to pay extra!
This time, instead of trying to keep the people back, security moves in to stand over both men to ensure there isn't anymore brawling. EMT's move their way down the aisles between the seats to reach the fourth row where several fans complain of injury after being wiped out by a flying Danny. Others in the second and first receive the same attention after the two superstars conducted much of their business in their midst. The camera swings around to catch a shot of both Callum and Rizzo laid out in the front row as Security stands watchful guard.
LO: As magnificent as this match was, I don't think this settled anything...
KO: All it did for me is give me a chubby, Laur, cause I know these two are going to clash again!
LO: I'm being told in my headset that VPW Management agrees with you! It's Official! Danny Rizzo and Chris Callum will go head to head at 7 Pillars, and this time it will be for the Apex Championship!
KO: Hot damn! UnYielding versus Apex! Finally!
LO: I'll remind you that after 7 Pillars there will be a new UnYielding Champion!
KO: Damn it, Laur! Haven't you been listening! Danny doesn't need the belt to be UnYielding! He just is!
LO: Be that as it may, I'm receiving word that a camera has caught up with Katya Djurdjevic in the trainers room, so it looks like we will be making that update we promised earlier in the night.
KO: Sure, get back there and see how everyone's hero is doing while I bask in the glory of this Apex Title news!
The camera zooms out to take in all the chaos going on at ringside before cutting backstage.
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 at the top of the stage to take in his reception with a sneer and shakes his head as the boos reign down upon him from the capacity crowd. He chuckles slightly, and with a tilt of his head in annoyance he starts down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: And making his way to the ring, standing at five foot eleven and 202 pounds, hailing from Dayton, Ohio....THE RISEN...DANNY RIZZZOOOO!!
Before the announcement even has a chance to end Danny gets a running go and slides 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 with another volley of boo's in his direction, and his resolve seems to harden to steel as he drops down and turns towards the Ring Announcer. The man shrinks under the wilting gaze just before Danny stalks over and grips him by the tie to intimidatingly whisper something into his ear. The Ring Announcer's head bobs back and forth dumbly in a nod and Danny lets him loose to take a step back while crossing his arms over his chest.
RING ANNOUNCER: Ladies and Gentlemen, there has been a correction...Hailing from Dayton, Ohio and the NEXT APEX CHAMPION...THE UNYIELDING...DANNY RIZZOOOOO!!
The negativity in the room seems to go even lower as Danny sets his jaw to the reaction. He turns with his arms still folded over his chest to stare at the stage in anticipation of his opponents arrival.
LO: Danny Rizzo has come out her full of himself tonight, positive that this is his moment while the rest of us remain unsure.
KO: Speak for yourself, Laur. Danny has every right to be confident considering the accomplishments he's pulled off over these past several months, and I'm a believer in the cause!
LO: Well, Danny may have been nearly booed out of the building, but I couldn't help but notice the occasional lighter being held up in the air by a stoic fan. This Movement of his and Kaven Drell's has corrupted some of the Valor Pro Faithful.
KO: What you call corruption I call liberation! Drell has liberated Danny Rizzo into becoming a man who will do anything to achieve victory, and he's spreading the word among the masses!
The two announcers don't get the chance to debate any further when the lights dim as the opening riffs of "Villain" by Skarlett Riot hits over the PA System. Lights flash around the entrance with the beat of the song, and the curtain pushes back and Chris Callum saunters out onto the stage wearing the Apex Championship around his waist. He pauses at the top of the ramp to take in the cheers, and he closes his eyes, lifting his head while finger tapping the face plate of the title. When his eyes open his head tilts down to stare down at Danny Rizzo staring back at him from the ring and a wave of determination accompanies him as he stalks down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Making his way to the ring, standing at six foot and weighting in at 180 pounds, hailing from Berkeley, California...He is THE CURRENT APEX CHAMPION, THE ETERNAL, CHRIS CALLUUMMMM!
Callum reaches ringside and rounds to take the steps up to the apron where he starts to swing his leg through the ropes, but then pauses to regard the crowd with a nod. Despite the majority, there are a few fans out in the crowd that hold up lighters defiantly. Callum doesn't seem to bothered by them as he slips into the ring, and bounces up and down as he stares across the ring at Rizzo.
LO: Chris Callum looks ready to go in this contest after taking that damning strike to the skull thanks to Rizzo.
KO: Don't pretend like Danny Rizzo didn't save Brennan Devlin from getting curb stomped onto the freakin' Apex Title belt by Chris Callum.
LO: I'll admit that both men have a penchant for violence, but Rizzo was the only one who had no business being out there.
KO: Are you kidding me? He had every right to be out there! If he isn't the next in line to go after that title you tell me who is?
LO: No arguing that Danny has as much claim as anyone, but it's all in the way he went about it. Trying to get a jump start rather than coming into this contest fairly.
KO: I'm so glad the bell is about to sound, cause your condescending tone is starting to piss me off...
The bell sounds and the two men begin to circle in the center of the ring before moving in for a Collar-And-Elbow Tie Up. They jockey for position back and forth for a moment with Danny ending up working his way under Callum to force him back into the corner. The referee intercedes to try and break the men apart, and Danny disentangles himself with his hands in the air as Callum watches him suspiciously. And for good reason, as Danny snaps his boot into The Eternal's midsection. Caputo protests but is moved aside so that Danny can follow up with a vicious chop that rings throughout the arena. The fans 'Woooo' when the second one strikes, and Callum is forced to grab at his chest while shoving Danny back so that he step out of the corner. Danny follows him along the edge of the ropes and clubs him from behind with a forearm that drops him to one knee but he bounces right back up only for Rizzo to get a grip on the back of his skull and rush him forwards into the top turnbuckle of the corner in front of them.
LO: Danny Rizzo taking the early advantage here thanks to that cheap shot from the lock up...
KO: You just won't let it go, will you?
LO: Sure I will. The minute Danny renounces these tactics and gets back to the young man we all got behind in the first place.
Kenneth Othello shakes his head as Danny drives in a few short but hard left jabs to Callum's jaw and then swings around with a hooking right that causes the champion to give him another shove so he can try and escape. This time Chris heads to the center of the ring, and Danny rushes in from behind to blast him down to the canvas with a behind the back Lariat. Danny comes to stand over Callum and stares out at the booing crowd defiantly. He points down at the man and then to himself, and screams so all can hear, "I AM THE NEXT APEX CHAMPION!" They boo even louder but cheers are soon to follow as Chris swings both arms out to clip Danny behind his knee's, sweeping him hard down to the mat. The champion rolls right ontop of him to sit astride his chest, and then opens up with rights and lefts of his own that box The Risen's ears.
LO: Chris Callum opening up on a cocksure Danny Rizzo, and now back up to his feet and is stomping down at the man with abandon!
KO: Oh yeah, this is your role-model, Laur! This is YOUR Apex Champion! A guy who acts like a wild jackayl the minute he gets an opportunity.
LO: I never said that Callum was perfect, just that ever since he made his stand against Aspen Chaud and her ilk, he's made great strides to do things on his own without having to resort to cheating.
KO: Callum stomping Danny all the way out of the ring now, shoving him under the bottom rope to fall off the edge of the apron down to the hard concrete!
Chris slips through the ropes to drop down beside Danny and helps the man up to his feet. He says something into his ear as the camera moves in to try and catch it, but all that anyone can hear is the name 'Leela' before Callum rushes Danny forward to slam gut first into the steel barricade. Danny clutches bitterly at his gut as Callum steps into him to get a fistful of The Risen's hair, pulls back, and then slams it forward to spike off the top of the guard rail. Danny snaps away from the barrier clutching his face and stumbles around the ring to the ramp while Callum follows like a hunter stalking his prey. Just as Callum makes to grab for Danny again, he's surprised by a sharp elbow to his own ribs from the former UnYielding Champ. Another one has Chris begging off, and Danny explodes from out of nowhere with a running Lariat that drops Callum hard to the floor.
LO: Danny starting to make a comeback here as he pulls Callum back to his feet and WHIPS HIM RIGHT AT THE STEEL RING POST!
KO: WHOA! Instead of striking it Callum redirected and was able to hook the post with his arm and swung his entire body up onto the apron and under the bottom rope back into the ring.
LO: Rizzo looks pissed as he leaps up to the ring apron, and OH! RUNNING BIG BOOT SEND DANNY CRASHING DOWN TO THE APRON!
KO: Wait a minute...what is this guy doing?
LO: Callum slipping back through the ropes to the apron and pulling Danny up...Oh God...NO!
Callum hooks Rizzo around the head and before anyone can even register whats going on, lifts the man up into the air into a vertical suplex position, and then snaps straight down for a Brain Buster across the edge of the ring. The Eternal clutches at his spine where it collided with the apron, and Danny grabs at the top of his head while kicking his legs before rolling to fall flat onto the concrete floor. The Referee looks on stunned with her hands buried into her long red hair, before coming to the edge of the ring to demand that Callum get things back in the squared circle.
KO: GOOD GOD!
LO: CHRIS CALLUM WITH A BRAINBUSTER TO THE APRON ON RIZZO, AND WE'RE ONLY FIVE MINUTES INTO THIS MATCH!
KO: Callum is pulling Rizzo up to his feet, and now tosses Danny back into the ring...follows him in...and here's a cover!
1...
2...
LO: THREe!NO! Rizzo kicks out after a long two count, and now Callum is pulling him back up to his feet and pushing him back into the ropes to shoot him to the other side...
KO: Danny rebounds and Callum catches him coming back with a STIFF Back Elbow that drops Danny back to the mat. Callum now nudging Danny onto his back, AND DOUBLE KNEE'S STRAIGHT DOWN INTO DANNY'S SPINE!
LO: Danny clutching at his back but Callum is keeping his knee's dead center of the spine and reaches forward to get a hold of the man under his jaw and yanks back into a modified Camel Clutch!
Danny grunts in pain as he's stretched back unnaturally and the fans left unsure whether its his lower spine or neck that is taking the worst of the punishment. Caputo drops in front of him to accept his submission, but the man continues to yell 'No' every time she questions. Callum, for his part, continues to wrench back while calling out, "Come on, Danny! Do it for Leela!" The crowd isn't sure what to make of this so they give a mixed reaction to the comments. After a few seconds Danny starts using his arms to try and drag himself towards the ropes, a difficult task with Callum all but sitting on the man's lower spine. But eventually some progress is made and he's fingertips away from the bottom rope, when Callum suddenly releases the hold and used the Middle to springboard high into the air and drive his knees right back down into the center of Danny's spine.
KO: Nasty shot to Danny Rizzo's already aching back, and now Danny pulling himself under the bottom rope to the outside of the ring.
LO: Callum looks on satisfied that he's done his damage as he moves to join Danny, and you remember what happened last time they were out here!
KO: Yeah, and it doesn't look too good this time either!
Callum gets a fistful of Danny's hair from behind and the former UnYielding Champion finds himself being rushed towards the steel barricade once again! This time Danny manages to get his foot out in front of him, which stops the momentum, and three sharp elbows to Callum's rib cage causes him to beg off. Danny's head suddenly snaps sharply in The Eternal's direction and his forehead slams off of Callum's nose causing the man to stumble back and have to grab the top of the barrier to keep from going down. When his hand moves away from his face blood pours out of his nostrils, and Danny doesn't give him a second to think about it before booting him in the midsection to lay him low. Danny hooks him around the head and lifts him for what looks to be a Suplex, but instead of falling back onto the concrete, he launches Callum forwards to land with a painful sounding 'CLANG' against the top of the steel guardrail.
LO: DAMN! THAT MAY HAVE BROKE HIS STERNUM!
KO: Doesn't look like Danny cares much as he hops back up onto the ring apron, and now what is he doing?
The crowd boo but a few of them stand up with their lighters in the air, nodding their heads as Danny salutes those supporters before getting a running go on the apron only to leap through the air into a Spinning Leg Drop down across the back of Chris Callum's head that snaps the man over the guardrail to slam hard off the concrete floor!
LO: GOOD LORD! Rizzo with a death defying leap with tremendous results as he pulls Callum up to his feet and now shoots him back into the ring!
KO: Danny up on the apron and starting up the turnbuckles as Callum flops over just under the corner...
LO: What do you think we'll see here?
KO: Something High Risk if he can pull it off!
Danny gets perched on the top rope and the fans come to their feet as he stands to his full height to look down on the Apex Champion. He beats his chest with both fists while letting out a war cry, and then leaps out into the ether...
LO: SHOOTING STAR PRESS CRUSHES CALLUM INTO THE MAT, AND NOW DANNY HOOKING THE LEG FOR A COVER!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Callum just barely able to get his shoulder up after that incredible landing by Rizzo, and now Danny is back on his feet looking completely unhinged!
Danny stalks around the ring his fist and head shaking uncontrollably in a rage. He gets almost all the way across the ring from the man who just kicked out of one of his big moves, and he glares over at the champion as he still tries to recover from having his ribs crushed in. Like a light bulb going off, Danny settles into the opposite corner, the tip of his right boot tapping against the mat while he lowers himself to watch Callum get back to his feet. Just as soon as he does, Rizzo charges out of the corner and just when he's about to reach a turning Callum he leaps into the air to extend his knee for The Warrior's Call. Callum's eyes open wide like a deer caught in the headlights, but instead of standing there dumbly he hits the deck while Danny sails harmlessly overhead. Danny has to reach out to grab the top rope before being sent tumbling out of the ring as he had on other occasions, but by the time he whips around to go back on the attack he walks right into a Snap Northern Lights Suplex that stops his momentum cold.
LO: Chris Callum narrowly avoided disaster there but answers with a great suplex, and now is pulling Danny up....has him by the arm and then feeds it through his legs....PUMP HANDLE SLAM DOWN TO THE CANVAS!
KO: Callum with a hook of the leg!
1...
2...
LO: THREe-NO! Danny kicks out before the three, and now Callum pulling him back to his feet and looks ready to finish the job....what's this?
KO: Callum lowers his shoulder into Danny's midsection and lifts him up only to grab him by his calves....
LO: THUNDEROUS ALABAMA SLAM, AND MY GOD! I THINK HE WAS TRYING TO PUT HIM THROUGH THE RING!
KO: Whatever he was doing he just dropped for another cover, and this might be over!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! MY GOD THAT WAS SO CLOSE! Danny just barely beat the count, and it's Callum's turn to show some concern with the referee.
KO: Caputo's waving it off as two, and now Callum is rounding to Danny's legs...Oh No! IF HE LOCKS THIS IN IT'S OVER!
Callum yanks Danny's legs up off the canvas and then chokes up on them to hook him just behind the knee's. Danny, feeling the motion and knowing what comes next, suddenly comes alive and begins to squirm on the mat with all he has to avoid being turned over onto his stomach. The fans know the King's Wrath when they see it and immediately come to their feet to cheer in anticipation of the finish. Danny, however, refuses to give up, thrashing and wriggling along the canvas until he finally gets one foot free. That foot fires out several times to strike Callum right in his face, the nose that was already damaged but had finally stopped bleeding starting to pour again. Callum is forced to let loose of the hold, and Danny somehow manages to roll both feet over his head and up to his feet, falls back into the ropes and thunders back in to catch Callum with a low dropkick to the knee that drops him to it. Rizzo scrambles for a second hit off the ropes and charges back in with a step up Shining Wizard that connects with the back of the Apex Champion's head and sends him crumpling down to the mat.
LO: BLACK ROSE FROM DANNY RIZZO TO CHRIS CALLUM!
KO: AND CALLUM IS OUT!
LO: Yeah, but Danny is sucking wind on his hands and knees just beside the man, cause these two have been conducting a war!
KO: Rizzo finally able to slide over and shoot the half on Callum to get him over onto his back!
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Callum kicks out and Danny Rizzo looks completely stunned. He doesn't even have the energy to be pissed as he falls back and lays there in utter disbelief!
Both men lie there for awhile before Danny finally sits up with newfound resolve. He pulls himself to his feet while getting Callum to his, pushing him back towards the ropes to shoot him off. Callum rebound and Danny rushes out to try and catch him with a Yakuza Kick, but Callum manages to duck under it. Danny shakes his head no as Callum hits the ropes one more time, and on his return Danny swings around into a Spin Wheel Kick in an attempt to take Callum's head off. Callum on the other hand drops into a baseball slide that slips under Danny who falls to the canvas and rolls up to his feet. He rushes in on Callum as he rises and The Eternal turns to his side and catches Rizzo coming in with a lightening fast Tilt-A-Whirl Back Breaker! He doesn't even go for a cover, instead pulling Danny back to his feet, tucking his head between his legs and then grips him around the waist to yank him up only to thunder him back down to the mat...
KO: SPIN OUT POWERBOMB!
LO: RIZZO NAILED TWICE THERE WITH BIG POWER MOVES, AND NOW CALLUM HOOKS THE LEG FOR A PIN!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Danny gets the should up at the last possible nano-second, and Callum is beating his fist against the mat in frustration.
LO: Both of these men have thrown some of their best shots at one another, and nothing has been enough...it's Apex versus UnYielding, and quite frankly, I'm not sure how much longer it can go on!
Callum eventually pushes up to his feet and falls back into the ropes while Danny rolls over onto his side to massage his lower back. The camera man on that side of the ring does a close up on Chris and he smirks into the lens while holding up his hand like a phone and says, "Call me, Leela". He turns his attention back to Danny who has halfway gotten to his feet and he moves in behind him to hook him in a Waist Lock. The fans come to their feet in anticipation of whats to come, but before he can commit to the Belly To Back motion of his finisher, Danny hunkers down to place the top of his head just under Callum's jaw while locking his hands on top of his head and drops straight down into a seated position!
KO: MODIFIED JAW BREAKER SENDS CALLUM REELING!
LO: Danny back up to his feet and Callum stumbling back into him...Boot to the midsection, tuck of the head...HAS HIM UP....TURNBUCKLE POWERBOMB!
KO: GOOD LORD HE MIGHT BE DEAD FROM THE WHIPLASH!
Callum drops down to sit in the corner completely out of it, while Danny drops to his knees exhausted. Both men have taken a lot out of one another, but that last move has knocked the champion loopy. Rizzo, seeming to sense this, pushes back up to his feet so that he can fall back into the ropes to the side of him and thunders back across the ring to nail Callum with a Foot Wash that drops the superstar all the way down under the bottom rope. Danny untangles his foot from between the ropes and hunkers down to grab Callum by his ankle and wrist and pulls him away from the ring, but to much of his and everyone's amazement, The Eternal grabs hold of the bottom rope with his other hand and won't let go.
LO: Are you seeing this! Danny Rizzo and Chris Callum are playing tug of war with the champion's body, and CALLUM SUDDENLY LET GO OF THE ROPE AND WHIPPED HIS OTHER LEG AROUND TO SLAM OFF OF DANNY'S FACE!
KO: Danny falls back clutching his jaw, and now Callum using the turnbuckles to get himself up...HERE COMES DANNY!
LO: RIGHT INTO A MASSIVE EUROPEAN UPPERCUT FROM CALLUM THAT SENDS THE RISEN CRASHING TO THE CANVAS!
Callum stumbles forwards to reach down to pull Danny up to his feet, but Rizzo surprises him by hooking him around the head and dragging him down into a Small Package Pin instead!
1...
2...
KO: THREE!NO! Callum manages to get a leg free to kick out just in time to prevent the three, and now both men are coming to their feet...
LO: Callum goes for a right hand but Danny ducks under it and ends up behind him...Elbow strikes from Callum cause Danny to back off...
KO: Callum rushes the ropes in front of him for spring and WALKS RIGHT INTO A HIGH STANDING DROPKICK FROM RIZZO!
LO: Rizzo coming up and looks completely wiped as he makes his way over to the corner and starts to climb the turnbuckles...what do you think he's going for here?
KO: I don't know, but Callum is already pushing up to his feet....Danny just reached the top and is facing away from the ring..
LO: AND CHRIS CALLUM JUST RUSHED THE CORNER, LEAPS UP TO THE SECOND, AND AVALANCHE GERMAN SUPLEX!!
KO: GOD ALMIGHTY BOTH MEN FOLDED UP LIKE ACCORDIONS IN THE EXCHANGE AND ARE LYING ON THE CANVAS BESIDE EACH OTHER IN A HEAP!
The fans are all stunned along with the referee as she paces the ring trying to process what she just saw. A chant starts to go up from the crowd for 'FIGHT FOREVER' which seems to bring her back to her senses and start a ten count. The count drones on until reaching seven and Chris Callum begins to stir. On eight he lifts his left arm into the air and begins to dramatically start to roll in a prone Rizzo's direction. Just as the intent referee reaches nine Callum allows his arm to fall and it drapes across Danny's chest. Caputo hits the mat in a flash to make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! WHAT THE HELL?!
KO: MORE LIKE HOW THE HELL?!
The roof is nearly taken off the place as Callum falls off the Risen to lie beside him, both men sucking wind. Eventually Callum rolls away and pushes up to his feet, staggering to fall chest first into the ropes where he remains draped for a few seconds. Miraculously, Danny Rizzo somehow rolls over and pushes up to his hands and knees, and as Callum uses the fans reaction like a signal he turns to see Danny slowly pushing to his feet. Callum shakes his head tiredly and moves out to approach him when suddenly Danny lurches forwards into a chop that reverberates through the arena. Chris falls back holding his chest, but before Danny can capitalize The Eternal fires one right back begging him off. Callum pushes off the ropes to give him another one, but this time Danny ducks under it and in a desperation move leaves his feet to connect with the back of Callum's head with a Pele Kick. Callum stumbles forwards and then drops to his knees in the center of the ring...
LO: These two men are somehow still going at it, and now Danny Rizzo is back on his feet...
KO: Yeah, but he's like a newborn foal man! Those legs are not stable!
LO: Non-The-Less he just rushed past Callum to hit the ropes in front of him, and BLASTS BACK WITH THE WARRIOR'S CALL!
KO: NO! CALLUM DROPPED FORWARD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!
LO: Rizzo trying to put on the brakes and swing back around, Callum pushing up to his feet....AND SUPERKICK SENDS DANNY'S TEETH DOWN HIS THROAT!
KO: Callum went down as well but is crawling towards Rizzo...and LOOK! CALLUM DESPERATELY GRASPING FOR RIZZO AS HE ROLLS UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE TO FALL TO THE FLOOR!
LO: Rizzo showing ring strategy well beyond his years there, and the Apex Champion is left lying in the ring in disbelief!
Callum crawls the rest of the way to the ropes and then rolls under the bottom to land on his feet beside Rizzo. He reaches down to pull the man to his feet but once he has him up Danny suddenly throws his hands away, hops to the side, and fires a Superkick of his own right into Callum's jaw. The Eternal falls back grabbing at the apron but it doesn't aid him as he wipes out on the floor. The referee starts her count from inside the ring as Danny hangs onto the bottom rope to keep from going down himself. Callum doesn't stay down for long, both men running on instinct at this point, grabbing at the steel steps to push up to his feet and stumbles over to the guardrail for assistance.
LO: Danny Rizzo is in motion, charging at Callum AND HIGH CROSS BODY SENDS BOTH MEN DUMPING OUT INTO THE FRONT ROW!
KO: Well those fans are getting a taste of Valor Pro action up close and personal, but I don't know if that's going to help the competitors case as the referee's count just reached five!
Both men clamor with fans, chairs, and the guardrail to try and get back to their feet, but Danny's up first. He delivers a right hand to a rising Callum which knocks him into the laps of more fans, but they helpfully push him off and back into the fight to deliver a right of his own. Security begins to make its way around to try and thin out the fans from the two competitors, leaving Callum an opportunity to deliver a short clothesline to Danny that sends him flipping backwards over the first row of chairs into the second. Callum steps up onto a chair to follow but takes a boot to the gut from a Danny, whose lying on his back, and it lays the Apex Champion low. Meanwhile, back in the ring the referee's count is at eight, and the fans begin to pick up the count.
LO: Rizzo getting to his feet and he's looking around now, realizing how close he is to being counted out!
KO: He's moving to get back over into the front row..BUT CALLUM CATCHES HIM BY THE BACK OF HIS TIGHTS! PULLS HIM BACK IN...OH MY GOD!
LO: RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE FOURTH FREAKIN ROW!
Fans bowl over as Rizzo collides into them just as the bell rings. Callum looks over his shoulder in confusion as the referee signals that both men have been counted out. The bell sounds and he curses under his breath as the crowd begins to gather again to pat him on the back.
RING ANNOUNCER: This match has been declared a NO CONTEST, as BOTH men have been COUNTED OUT!
Callum shakes his head and then turns back in the direction he had sent Rizzo flying only to see The Risen standing on the back of two chairs in the fourth row. His eyes go wide as Danny dives over the third row back to the second, extending his knee and driving it into The Eternal's face. Callum crashes over the front row seats while Rizzo lands on them painfully, and both men lie in a heap once again in the front row.
LO: GOOD GOD!
KO: WARRIORS CALL FROM THE FOURTH ROW!
LO: Both men were counted out of the match, but Christ Almighty...we need to get some medical staff out here for both competitors and fans!
KO: You talk about fan participation! These Edmonton son's of bitches should have had to pay extra!
This time, instead of trying to keep the people back, security moves in to stand over both men to ensure there isn't anymore brawling. EMT's move their way down the aisles between the seats to reach the fourth row where several fans complain of injury after being wiped out by a flying Danny. Others in the second and first receive the same attention after the two superstars conducted much of their business in their midst. The camera swings around to catch a shot of both Callum and Rizzo laid out in the front row as Security stands watchful guard.
LO: As magnificent as this match was, I don't think this settled anything...
KO: All it did for me is give me a chubby, Laur, cause I know these two are going to clash again!
LO: I'm being told in my headset that VPW Management agrees with you! It's Official! Danny Rizzo and Chris Callum will go head to head at 7 Pillars, and this time it will be for the Apex Championship!
KO: Hot damn! UnYielding versus Apex! Finally!
LO: I'll remind you that after 7 Pillars there will be a new UnYielding Champion!
KO: Damn it, Laur! Haven't you been listening! Danny doesn't need the belt to be UnYielding! He just is!
LO: Be that as it may, I'm receiving word that a camera has caught up with Katya Djurdjevic in the trainers room, so it looks like we will be making that update we promised earlier in the night.
KO: Sure, get back there and see how everyone's hero is doing while I bask in the glory of this Apex Title news!
The camera zooms out to take in all the chaos going on at ringside before cutting backstage.
Katya Djurdjevic sits on a trainer table flexing and unflexing her left hand which rests in a sling along with the rest of her tattered arm. The doc had said that there wasn’t any permanent damage, but she would need to give it a good rest in the next two weeks leading up to her next appearance on Blitz. Her mind went back to the insanity of what had happened earlier in the night with Brodie and she couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of the dead eyes she had seen as the Submission Machine had tried to separate her arm from her body. Just then a gruff clearing of someones throat brought her head up, and there leaning against the door frame was Valor Pro’s Lead Booker, Dugan Callahan.
Dugan crossed his arms over his chest after giving her a concerned expression, and his lips twitch before speaking, as if searching for the words.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: That Brodie’s a spitfire, isn’t she?
He watched Katya’s face as it seemed to tighten a bit, and he realized he probably could have approached the woman with a little less jest, and more positivity. So he pushes off the wall, arms still crossed, and enters the room with a more serious tone.
DUGAN CALAHAN: All wasn’t lose, though. I mean, you are going into the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match. It seems that no one can keep The Straight Line Demon away from her dreams of one day being the UnYielding Champion.
He says the last with a knowing wink, as if he had confidence in that statement all along. For a few breaths, Katya appears vacant. She glances at her injured arm and resumes flexing and unflexing her hand testingly. She half smiles hollowly.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: That’s just the start of the dream…
Glancing at her arm, Katya laughed then, but it was not her laugh of old. It was a strangled, half-committed sound.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: And you’re right… I won’t be jumping around the ceiling about how it happened, but I’m in the gauntlet. And after what Two-Faced Danny Rizzo did last Blitz... there’s much work to be done.
Katya clenches her fist and grimaces. The Russian stares at her injury for a time. Her eyes were inscrutable and frost-hard. She looks back to Callahan, as if taking a measure of the man. The silence hangs in the air briefly.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Last year… the 7 Pillars gauntlet main evented 7 Pillars over the contest for the Apex championship.
Dugan nods.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: Don't doubt it will this year too. It's a big match for a big prize. I didn't name it UnYielding for nothing.
Katya quirks a delicate eyebrow at that.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Hoh... so you're the one who made it.
Pleased with his remarks, Katya rose to her feet with fresh purpose.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Yes, and that will become more of a trend...and at 7 Pillars the first steps to that can be taken. It is time people were reminded what UnYielding truly means.
Dugan casts a questioning eye at the woman. He could hear more was coming by the tone of her voice.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: I sense you have a design on that..Out with it.
She looked directly at him then, almost defiantly.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Our dear former UnYielding Champion beat six talented stars across the span of his reign. I’ll one up him on that by doing what’s never been done in Valor. Defeating six talented stars in ONE night. You can keep #6 or whatever. Put me in at #1 in the gauntlet.
Dugan's eyebrows shoot up in surprise but quickly settle back down with a rueful smile forming at the corners of his lips.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: Very well then, #1 it is. Run the whole gauntlet and you'll be the champion. Slip just once and you're back where you originally started. It's high drama for the fans, that's for sure, but more than that, if you can pull it off you'll be a legend.
He pauses, bringing his hand up to massage the stubble on his chin.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: However, as nice a thought as that is to contemplate it's also highly unlikely. The odds are not in your favor. This could mean you and the #7 spot, Moxie James, never come face to face. I don't think i'd want to deny the people that, so next Blitz we'll have ourselves a little 7 Pillars preview match between Moxie James and Katya Djurdjevic!
The crowd out in the arena pop huge for the announcement as Dugan gives Katya a wink before back out of the room and the Straight Line Demon nods determinedly while checking her sling before the cameras cut to the Battleground Network logo, then the VPW logo, and then to black.
Dugan crossed his arms over his chest after giving her a concerned expression, and his lips twitch before speaking, as if searching for the words.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: That Brodie’s a spitfire, isn’t she?
He watched Katya’s face as it seemed to tighten a bit, and he realized he probably could have approached the woman with a little less jest, and more positivity. So he pushes off the wall, arms still crossed, and enters the room with a more serious tone.
DUGAN CALAHAN: All wasn’t lose, though. I mean, you are going into the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match. It seems that no one can keep The Straight Line Demon away from her dreams of one day being the UnYielding Champion.
He says the last with a knowing wink, as if he had confidence in that statement all along. For a few breaths, Katya appears vacant. She glances at her injured arm and resumes flexing and unflexing her hand testingly. She half smiles hollowly.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: That’s just the start of the dream…
Glancing at her arm, Katya laughed then, but it was not her laugh of old. It was a strangled, half-committed sound.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: And you’re right… I won’t be jumping around the ceiling about how it happened, but I’m in the gauntlet. And after what Two-Faced Danny Rizzo did last Blitz... there’s much work to be done.
Katya clenches her fist and grimaces. The Russian stares at her injury for a time. Her eyes were inscrutable and frost-hard. She looks back to Callahan, as if taking a measure of the man. The silence hangs in the air briefly.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Last year… the 7 Pillars gauntlet main evented 7 Pillars over the contest for the Apex championship.
Dugan nods.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: Don't doubt it will this year too. It's a big match for a big prize. I didn't name it UnYielding for nothing.
Katya quirks a delicate eyebrow at that.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Hoh... so you're the one who made it.
Pleased with his remarks, Katya rose to her feet with fresh purpose.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Yes, and that will become more of a trend...and at 7 Pillars the first steps to that can be taken. It is time people were reminded what UnYielding truly means.
Dugan casts a questioning eye at the woman. He could hear more was coming by the tone of her voice.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: I sense you have a design on that..Out with it.
She looked directly at him then, almost defiantly.
KATYA DJURDJEVIC: Our dear former UnYielding Champion beat six talented stars across the span of his reign. I’ll one up him on that by doing what’s never been done in Valor. Defeating six talented stars in ONE night. You can keep #6 or whatever. Put me in at #1 in the gauntlet.
Dugan's eyebrows shoot up in surprise but quickly settle back down with a rueful smile forming at the corners of his lips.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: Very well then, #1 it is. Run the whole gauntlet and you'll be the champion. Slip just once and you're back where you originally started. It's high drama for the fans, that's for sure, but more than that, if you can pull it off you'll be a legend.
He pauses, bringing his hand up to massage the stubble on his chin.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: However, as nice a thought as that is to contemplate it's also highly unlikely. The odds are not in your favor. This could mean you and the #7 spot, Moxie James, never come face to face. I don't think i'd want to deny the people that, so next Blitz we'll have ourselves a little 7 Pillars preview match between Moxie James and Katya Djurdjevic!
The crowd out in the arena pop huge for the announcement as Dugan gives Katya a wink before back out of the room and the Straight Line Demon nods determinedly while checking her sling before the cameras cut to the Battleground Network logo, then the VPW logo, and then to black.