Post by silentpartner on Oct 6, 2019 9:34:48 GMT -5
The sound of boots scuffing against cement steps heralds the appearance of Munin and Krahe at the side door. The somber duo stares at the door in silence for a moment, both seemingly bracing themselves for what awaits them on the other side.
LADY MUNIN: This time last year you didn't care about anything. Now, it feels like you care about everything. Suddenly it's like everything is changing, and those emotions are pulling you in every direction. It's no wonder that you feel adrift. These things take time, but we don't have time Zach. We're already late.
Krahe sighs at those words, and the sound holds more emotion than any thing he could vocalize.
LADY MUNIN: Stop, it's not your fault, it's mine.
He looks at her with a look of surprise.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: How do you figure that?
LADY MUNIN: Because I'm the one you're supposed to look to when you can't tell up from down. I haven't given you the direction you need. That changes tonight.
Slowly a smirk tugs at the corner of Krahe's mouth.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I'm almost afraid to ask.
LADY MUNIN: Then don't. You know what they say; a surprise is the spice of life.
Krahe chuckles while he opens the door.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Obviously, whoever said that never met you.
They slip through the door just as the camera cuts to the Blitz Banner...
LADY MUNIN: This time last year you didn't care about anything. Now, it feels like you care about everything. Suddenly it's like everything is changing, and those emotions are pulling you in every direction. It's no wonder that you feel adrift. These things take time, but we don't have time Zach. We're already late.
Krahe sighs at those words, and the sound holds more emotion than any thing he could vocalize.
LADY MUNIN: Stop, it's not your fault, it's mine.
He looks at her with a look of surprise.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: How do you figure that?
LADY MUNIN: Because I'm the one you're supposed to look to when you can't tell up from down. I haven't given you the direction you need. That changes tonight.
Slowly a smirk tugs at the corner of Krahe's mouth.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: I'm almost afraid to ask.
LADY MUNIN: Then don't. You know what they say; a surprise is the spice of life.
Krahe chuckles while he opens the door.
ZACHARIAH KRAHE: Obviously, whoever said that never met you.
They slip through the door just as the camera cuts to the Blitz Banner...
"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 Pacific Coliseum. Pyro begins firing off across the stage, and the Vancouver 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 "The Eternal Is My God", while another says "Aoki Can Put His Fingers In My Mouth Anytime", and another still says "I'm A Dead End Friend!". T-shirts permeate the crowd for superstars such as The Zombie Clan, Brodie, Katya Djurdjevic, Indi Rhyder, and Moxie James, and many more. The camera view shifts suddenly to one overlooking the ring. 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, coming to you LIVE from the Belle Center in Montreal, Canada!
KENNETH OTHELLO: I am Kenneth Othello
LO: And I am Laurence Othello, and together we are...
TOGETHER: THE OTHELLO BROTHERS!
KO: And man is this show stacked! We got the Chimera Tag Team Championships on the line in an old school Scaffold Match! I haven't seen one of these in years!
LO: I'm excited about that, though I hope no one seriously gets injured. There's a reason why these aren't done very often.
KO: No doubt, but Dead End Friends and NSFW have been locked in a bitter rivalry ever since Honor Bound, and the culmination of that feud will end one way or the other tonight!
LO: That isn't the only major tag team bout on the card, Ken...
KO: Damn skippy! We've got Challengers versus Champions in a special 7 Pillars Preview match that will see the team of Tommy Crimson and Danny Rizzo taking on Aokigahara Zombie and Chris Callum!
LO: This should be interesting considering the contrast of personalities and styles going into this thing. We saw last show a confrontation between Rizzo and Callum during their contract signing on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire, and it looks to me like Leela Watts won't be a factor despite Callum's efforts.
KO: Well that's exactly the kind of thing she would say right before she turns on Danny, so I'm not sold. I guess you heard about the balcony incident?
LO: Say what?
KO: Yeah...Leela was hanging out on the balcony at their apartment for like two days trying to get the attention of Danny and Kaven, and those two asshats were ignoring her. If I was in her position I'd remind them that she's the jam that holds that sandwich together!
LO: Um...that could be taken in so many different ways...
KO: Get your mind out of the gutter, Laur. I'm talking strictly professionally.
LO: Anyways...Lady Munin will be here tonight on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire to address the issues she has with The Zombie Clan before her upcoming match up with Siberia Zombie at 7 Pillars.
KO: Issues....what? Like throwing her off a balcony seven months ago? That was just business.
LO: Well I have it on good authority that Munin is taking that particular business very seriously, and has already led to a No Contest bout between her and Kowloon Zombie last FTS due to some outside interference.
KO: One has to wonder where Zachariah Krahe fits into all of this?
LO: I would suggest that Krahe has his own problems here tonight in The Galactic Princess, Indi Rhyder.
KO: Those two won the tag team Main Event last show to earn this shot against one another for the coveted #6 spot in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match.
LO: Indeed, and it was Indi's pin over Recoba that gave them that opportunity. One has to wonder where her mindset is for this match considering her friendly nature with Zach and Munin.
KO: I don't know, but one thing is for sure, this wouldn't be the first time that Zach Krahe had lured someone into his circle just to beat the brakes off of them.
LO: That's true, but I believe that Krahe has purposefully tried to keep Indi at arms length for that very reason. By all accounts this isn't the same Catalyst that we were dealing with way back when.
KO: We'll just have to see...but before that, we've got another Special 7 Pillars Preview match when #7 entrant, Moxie James, takes on Kaven Drell!
LO: I wonder if it's been revealed to Drell which number he'll be entering the gauntlet as.
KO: Not that I've heard. I'm pretty sure they'll reveal that once all the dust is settled heading into the PPV.
LO: Either way, I know Moxie James will be looking to solidify herself after that lost to Katya Djurdjevic last show, but Kaven Drell will not make that easy.
KO: I predict Drell will make her the same offer he's made to so many others, and if Moxie knows what's good for her she'll take it. Just look at what it did for Rex Rumble.
LO: I'll remind you that Rumble lost to Katya as well, despite the fact that he's shifted gears.
KO: Maybe so, but he looked damn dominant before she put the kabosh on him, and didn't stick around to snivel like he would have if he was still pals with Zachariah Krahe. He almost looked like he was plotting something as he exited the ring...
LO: And that's what's scary. Kaven Drell has had a dramatic effect on not only Rizzo, but now Rumble, and also our audience. More and more those lighters go up in the air, and quite frankly it's disconcerting.
KO: Whatever, Laur. It's called progress for the Let It Burn Movement, and wouldn't be something if Danny Rizzo went on to become the Apex, while Kaven Drell took the UnYielding!
LO: It very well could happen at 7 Pillars, but the competition has never been higher in those title pictures so we'll just have to see!
KO: Before that, how about we get on with this show, as it will give us more answers heading into the betting pool on the PPV.
LO: I couldn't have said it any better myself...Let's start the show!
LAURENCE OTHELLO: Welcome everyone to another exciting episode of Blitz, coming to you LIVE from the Belle Center in Montreal, Canada!
KENNETH OTHELLO: I am Kenneth Othello
LO: And I am Laurence Othello, and together we are...
TOGETHER: THE OTHELLO BROTHERS!
KO: And man is this show stacked! We got the Chimera Tag Team Championships on the line in an old school Scaffold Match! I haven't seen one of these in years!
LO: I'm excited about that, though I hope no one seriously gets injured. There's a reason why these aren't done very often.
KO: No doubt, but Dead End Friends and NSFW have been locked in a bitter rivalry ever since Honor Bound, and the culmination of that feud will end one way or the other tonight!
LO: That isn't the only major tag team bout on the card, Ken...
KO: Damn skippy! We've got Challengers versus Champions in a special 7 Pillars Preview match that will see the team of Tommy Crimson and Danny Rizzo taking on Aokigahara Zombie and Chris Callum!
LO: This should be interesting considering the contrast of personalities and styles going into this thing. We saw last show a confrontation between Rizzo and Callum during their contract signing on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire, and it looks to me like Leela Watts won't be a factor despite Callum's efforts.
KO: Well that's exactly the kind of thing she would say right before she turns on Danny, so I'm not sold. I guess you heard about the balcony incident?
LO: Say what?
KO: Yeah...Leela was hanging out on the balcony at their apartment for like two days trying to get the attention of Danny and Kaven, and those two asshats were ignoring her. If I was in her position I'd remind them that she's the jam that holds that sandwich together!
LO: Um...that could be taken in so many different ways...
KO: Get your mind out of the gutter, Laur. I'm talking strictly professionally.
LO: Anyways...Lady Munin will be here tonight on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire to address the issues she has with The Zombie Clan before her upcoming match up with Siberia Zombie at 7 Pillars.
KO: Issues....what? Like throwing her off a balcony seven months ago? That was just business.
LO: Well I have it on good authority that Munin is taking that particular business very seriously, and has already led to a No Contest bout between her and Kowloon Zombie last FTS due to some outside interference.
KO: One has to wonder where Zachariah Krahe fits into all of this?
LO: I would suggest that Krahe has his own problems here tonight in The Galactic Princess, Indi Rhyder.
KO: Those two won the tag team Main Event last show to earn this shot against one another for the coveted #6 spot in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match.
LO: Indeed, and it was Indi's pin over Recoba that gave them that opportunity. One has to wonder where her mindset is for this match considering her friendly nature with Zach and Munin.
KO: I don't know, but one thing is for sure, this wouldn't be the first time that Zach Krahe had lured someone into his circle just to beat the brakes off of them.
LO: That's true, but I believe that Krahe has purposefully tried to keep Indi at arms length for that very reason. By all accounts this isn't the same Catalyst that we were dealing with way back when.
KO: We'll just have to see...but before that, we've got another Special 7 Pillars Preview match when #7 entrant, Moxie James, takes on Kaven Drell!
LO: I wonder if it's been revealed to Drell which number he'll be entering the gauntlet as.
KO: Not that I've heard. I'm pretty sure they'll reveal that once all the dust is settled heading into the PPV.
LO: Either way, I know Moxie James will be looking to solidify herself after that lost to Katya Djurdjevic last show, but Kaven Drell will not make that easy.
KO: I predict Drell will make her the same offer he's made to so many others, and if Moxie knows what's good for her she'll take it. Just look at what it did for Rex Rumble.
LO: I'll remind you that Rumble lost to Katya as well, despite the fact that he's shifted gears.
KO: Maybe so, but he looked damn dominant before she put the kabosh on him, and didn't stick around to snivel like he would have if he was still pals with Zachariah Krahe. He almost looked like he was plotting something as he exited the ring...
LO: And that's what's scary. Kaven Drell has had a dramatic effect on not only Rizzo, but now Rumble, and also our audience. More and more those lighters go up in the air, and quite frankly it's disconcerting.
KO: Whatever, Laur. It's called progress for the Let It Burn Movement, and wouldn't be something if Danny Rizzo went on to become the Apex, while Kaven Drell took the UnYielding!
LO: It very well could happen at 7 Pillars, but the competition has never been higher in those title pictures so we'll just have to see!
KO: Before that, how about we get on with this show, as it will give us more answers heading into the betting pool on the PPV.
LO: I couldn't have said it any better myself...Let's start the show!
A long, black hooded robe dangles down to the floor, concealing all but the hands and the face of Kaven Drell. He’s flanked on either side by two men who keep their gaze on the floor before them as they walk in lock step with the man they’re flanking. In but a few short moments Drell would step out onto the stage and make his way down to the ring to do combat in a match designed to heighten anticipation for the events to come at 7 Pillars. But, as always, Kaven Drell seems to be unwilling to go by the script. Whether or not his message had been received and accepted by his opponent for the evening was yet to be seen. Her choice would be her own. If she accepted what was offered, he would embrace her as a sister. If she did not, there would be consequences for that as well.
Holding up a single hand, the men on either side of him immediately come to a halt as Kaven takes a few steps farther. Inches away a curtain hangs, and Drell knows that soon enough he will step through that curtain and after a few further heartbeats he would stand before the mass of valor fans, many who despised him, and he would continue to preach the sermon that he had been preaching across the globe for many months now.
KAVEN DRELL: “I know what you all are expecting. A final warning to sweet Moxie James. Sharp words that demand she submit. But that is not who we are. We do not force anyone to follow. Some are comfortable remaining chained. That is their choice but as is the case with all choices that are made, consequences come.”
In unison the two men standing just behind drell nod their heads in agreement.
KAVEN DRELL: “Tonight is not about victories or defeats. Though the machine preaches that this is a preview of what is to come at 7 Pillars, it is not so insignificant as that. My focus this evening is solely upon Moxie James and allowing her the opportunity to change the life that she lives. A life that she professes is not going all that well. I am aware that all of you close minded sheep will beg her not to agree. I know that some, like Laurence Othello, see what we do and are afraid. I know that you fear what you do not understand. You fear what you are not apart of. But if you genuinely care for Moxie James you will aid her. You will join with the rest and help to sever the bonds that keep her restrained.”
The two men behind him again nod in unison.
KAVEN DRELL: “Take my hand when it is offered, Moxie. Freedom only seems terrifying until you embrace it. Take my hand, and see what the world looks like when it rests in your palm.”
Drell pulls the hood back with his right hand and stares directly into the camera.
KAVEN DRELL: “See what it looks like as you let it burn.”
Holding up a single hand, the men on either side of him immediately come to a halt as Kaven takes a few steps farther. Inches away a curtain hangs, and Drell knows that soon enough he will step through that curtain and after a few further heartbeats he would stand before the mass of valor fans, many who despised him, and he would continue to preach the sermon that he had been preaching across the globe for many months now.
KAVEN DRELL: “I know what you all are expecting. A final warning to sweet Moxie James. Sharp words that demand she submit. But that is not who we are. We do not force anyone to follow. Some are comfortable remaining chained. That is their choice but as is the case with all choices that are made, consequences come.”
In unison the two men standing just behind drell nod their heads in agreement.
KAVEN DRELL: “Tonight is not about victories or defeats. Though the machine preaches that this is a preview of what is to come at 7 Pillars, it is not so insignificant as that. My focus this evening is solely upon Moxie James and allowing her the opportunity to change the life that she lives. A life that she professes is not going all that well. I am aware that all of you close minded sheep will beg her not to agree. I know that some, like Laurence Othello, see what we do and are afraid. I know that you fear what you do not understand. You fear what you are not apart of. But if you genuinely care for Moxie James you will aid her. You will join with the rest and help to sever the bonds that keep her restrained.”
The two men behind him again nod in unison.
KAVEN DRELL: “Take my hand when it is offered, Moxie. Freedom only seems terrifying until you embrace it. Take my hand, and see what the world looks like when it rests in your palm.”
Drell pulls the hood back with his right hand and stares directly into the camera.
KAVEN DRELL: “See what it looks like as you let it burn.”
OPENING BOUT
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is a 7 Pillars Preview Match scheduled for one fall or submission....
The cryptic intro of “you should see me in a crown” by Billie Eilish's blares across the PA System and Moxie James bursts through the curtain only to pause at the top of the ramp, cocking her hip to the side while her hand rests upon it. She's wearing a black singlet with a red long coat over top, and a Cat-In-The-Hat like hat but in Black and Red on top of her head. The fans giver her a big ovation and she gives a grin and a wink to the camera as she starts down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot seven and weighting in at 137 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California...She is the Seventh Entrant in the upcoming 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match for the UnYielding Championship...MOXXXIEEE JAMESSSSS!
Moxie reaches ringside and leaps to the apron, hooking the top rope with her arm while kicking a leg out that she swings through the ropes as she enters the ring. She turns to the corner closest to the ramp and hops to the second turnbuckle where she flips the top hat out into the crowd who scramble for the keepsake while she watches with amusement. She then drops down and lets the long coat fall from her shoulders before stepping over to the far corner and stretching out to await her opponent.
LO: Moxie James took a tough loss last show, while Katya Djurdjevic just barely squeaked by with a quick pin victory.
KO: Yeah, that match was intense, but Katya continued her winning ways on FTS yesterday by taking out Rex Rumble.
LO: That's right, and now we're going to see another very possible match up from the upcoming PPV as Kaven Drell makes his way out to the ring.
KO: What entry is Kaven?
LO: I don't think that's been determined, but I hear it will be random drawing.
KO: Well, let's hope the prayers from the Let It Burn Movement gets him a good position...
"Human" by HELLYEAH begins over the PA system as the lights dim and upon the aggressive drums and riffs Kaven Drell steps through the curtain wearing a long sleeveless leather trench coat left open so that you can see his hairy chest and black trunks. He pauses at the top of the stage with his fists balled at his sides and he pans the crowd looking for the lighters through a torrent of boos as they go up and he nods confidently before taking his first steps down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing her opponent, standing at six foot two and weighting in at 215 pounds, hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana...he will also participate in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match and is the current Union Battleground Trench Warfare Champion....KAVEN DRELLL!!
Kaven reaches ringside and uses the steps to get to the apron before swinging himself into the ring. He looks across at Moxie James with a slight smile, shuffling his shoulders so that his coat falls to the ground at his feet. He opens his arms wide as if to offer the woman a hug and when she gives him nothing but a laugh he shakes his head disappointingly and shrugs before turning back to the crowd to raise one fist in the air.
LO: Kaven Drell with an offer to Moxie James who thankfully didn't take him up on it. I mean, what is this guy's deal?
KO: He's just trying to convert the masses, Laur. Bring faith to people who have none. If Moxie James wants to be a heretic, then so be it.
LO: I don't know that I'd go that far, but our church is about to begin cause there goes the bell!
Kaven and James immediately come right at one another! Moxie catches a sharp headbutt from Drell right off the bat!
KO: OUCH!
Moxie catches the lick flush causing her to fall back into the ropes. Drell follows up with a painful knife edged chop before irish whipping Moxie into the ropes! She bounces off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring then comes flying back at an already charging Kaven Drell! Kaven misses the running clothesline! Both wrestlers both bounce off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring to come right back at one another full speed ahead. Moxie catches Kaven with a running arm drag! Drell gets up quickly only to catch a pair of headbutts from James to send him back down on the mat!
LO: These two are throwing headbutts all over the place!
KO: Both of these wrestlers can be violent inside the squared circle. Vicious, in fact.
James stomps down on Drell as if he were ablaze. The pointed stomps leads Kaven to roll around while attempting in vain to cover up. Moxie then uses all her strength to pull Drell back up to his feet. She irish whips him into the ropes, where he bounces off to sling shot back at a charging James! The two meet in the center of the ring with Moxie thinking running forearm but Kaven wraps both arms around her to trap both arms. The larger Drell then hoists her up in the air with a bear hug! James shakes her head to indicate she will not give up.
KO: Kaven has Mox locked up in a bear hug!
LO: Drell is now dodging headbutt attempts left and right.
James comes at Kaven like a trapped predator! She slings her head back then forward attempting to catch him but he continues to avoid. Kaven then uses his upper body strength to transition the bearhug into a beautiful belly to belly suplex! Drell quickly hooks a leg after impact!
...1
LO: Kick out!
Moxie rolls to her feet after getting a shoulder up. She hits the ropes to slingshot herself at Kaven, who catches a shotgun dropkick to the jaw! Drell hits the mat leading James to rush over to the corner in with no time to spare. Kaven shakes his head while he lies flat on his back. He notices James getting to the top turnbuckle which leads him to roll out of the ring and out onto the apron. Moxie wrinkles her forehead with disappointment before shrugging then leaping off anyway! She nails Kaven on the apron with a diving double foot stomp on the apron! The high flying maneuver causes the crowd to pop. Kaven falls off the apron after impact while James hits the outside floor awkward.
KO: WOW! Did you see that!? Moxie came out here looking for a fight tonight.
LO: James may have paid a price there. She hit that outside floor hard but not before nailing Kaven with a double foot stomp.
Moxie stirs on the outside floor while shaking her left ankle. Relief crosses her face when she realizes there’s no sprain. Meanwhile, the referee checks on Drell from a distance encouraging both competitors to get it back i the ring.
LO: The ref just doesn’t want to lose control here.
KO: Moxie is up! And she's pulling Kaven Drell up and badmouthing him all the while...
KO: What did she say?
LO: I’m not repeating that.
Moxie helps Drell back to his feet then pushes him onto the apron but struggles with the larger Kaven. Drell rolls beneath the bottom to end up back in the ring. Moxie works the crowd a bit before sliding in behind Kaven looking to hook a leg. She finds Kaven back on his feet and comes nose to nose with him! Drell lands a big time european uppercut! He then kicks Mox in the gut causing her to bend over. Kaven follows up with a fireman’s carry slam! Drell then takes hold of James legs to apply a texas cloverleaf in the center of the ring. Kaven rises up after locking it in to elevate the hold.
LO: James may be in trouble here! Kaven has his texas cloverleaf locked in! Look how he’s bending the spine of Moxie!
James thrashes both arms about on the mat. She digs her elbows into the canvas to begin a game of tug-of-war with Drell! Moxie digs in to pull herself closer to the ropes. Drell encourages her to tap and end her misery but Mox refuses.
KO: Kaven is doing all he can to break Moxie James in half with this Cloverleaf...
LO: That indeed has been his M.O., hasn't it. If they want join him break them.
KO: No shit, and it's worked pretty well if you ask me.
Drell continues to bend James’s spine like a pretzel as the referee comes in close to look for a tag. Moxie ignores this and continues to focus on the bottom rope. Kaven gets pulled back with a stout lunge from James!
LO: ROPE BREAK!
KO: Mox stays alive in this 7 Pillars preview! How did she manage to pull him to those ropes?!
LO: Pure desperation and focus. Moxie refused to give in there even when it looked bleak.
Moxie gets free and pulls herself up off the mat with the ropes assistance. Drell comes flying in only to catch a right hook from James! Then another! Kaven stumbles back to give enough room for James to catch him with a running forearm smash! Drell stumbles back to fall onto one knee. Moxie hits the ropes just behind her to sling shot forward! She catches the slouched over Kaven with a running big boot! Kaven hits the mat flat on his back directly in front of a corner. James immediately heads for the turnbuckles with real vigor.
LO: James wants to take this brawl to the air.
KO: Drell appears to be in a daze.
James hits the corner to leap up on the middle turnbuckle to bounce up on the top rope to attempt a split legged moonsault! She bounces backwards but Drell quickly rolls out danger!
KO: Miss! I think Kaven was playing possum.
LO: I believe he had just enough bearings to roll out of the way but that now shifts the momentum of this match!
KO: Moxie went high risk there and it did not pay off. Both of these wrestlers want a win heading toward 7 Pillars.
Moxie rolls around on the mat in real pain while Kaven staggers back to his feet in the corner. Drell rushes over to James and hits a leg drop across her neck! The weight of her larger opponent cuts the air supply off for Moxie momentarily! She clutches at her throat attempting in vain to catch her breath while Drell heads for the corner. He climbs up on the ropes to make it all the way to the top. The crowd goes wild as he turns to face back out at James, who continues to regain her ability to breath. Kaven leaps off the top turnbuckle with both arms down by his side as flashes throughout capture the moment forever. Kaven hits his mark with the diving headbutt! Moxie goes limp as Drell quickly hooks a leg!
...1
...2
KO: KICK OUT! That was close, Laurence. James gets a shoulder up at the last possible moment.
LO: Drell looks surprised. Close count.
Moxie slowly gets up after getting her shoulder off the mat . Kaven rolls to his feet and stalks her like a predator would its prey. He comes in fast but catches a knee to the midsection! Then another! Drell finally bends over and James cradles his head for a wicked DDT! Mox implants Drell then quickly rushes over to the corner. Kaven pulls himself up off the mat while James scales the turnbuckles in the corner. She ends up on the top, facing back out in the ring. Drell gets up to turn around only to be caught by the incoming Moxie James with a diving neckbreaker! She then quickly hooks a leg!
...1
...2
KO: Kick out! Wow! Another close pinfall there. These two are going after each other with all they’ve got!
LO: Moxie thought she had it won right there but Drell has other plans.
James looks at the referee with a suspicious eye while still lying on the mat alongside Drell, who reaches over to lock in a crossface chicken wing out of nowhere! Moxie’s eyes both widen as she realizes he’s got the maneuver locked in!
LO: What a turn of events! Drell catches Moxie with her off the ball and strikes!
KO: Kaven wants to win just as much as James.
Drell applies more and more pressure leading Moxie to begin to fade.
KO: James eyes just closed! Is she out!?
The referee comes over to check on James, who does not respond. The referee carefully picks up her free arm to drop it. James arm hits the mat, totally unresponsive. The ref again lifts the limp arm of Mox to drop it once again on the mat.
KO: One more and that's a technical knockout win for Kaven Drell!
LO: This crowd is loving the high drama in this one!
The crowd gets riled as the referee picks up James free hand once more. He lets it go and gravity takes hold. The hand falls fast toward the mat but just before it hits, Moxie comes alive!
LO: SHE LIVES!
KO: I thought she was done! James continues to survive but Drell has no intentions of releasing that chickenwing.
Moxie lunges with all she’s got with her free hand to take hold of the bottom rope. Kaven continues to hold the maneuver on until the referee warns him a second time.
KO: Drell better watch it or he could get disqualified.
LO: Kaven does not care and that does not bode well for Mox.
Drell gets to his feet while James continues to gather her bearings on the canvas. Kaven bends down but gets rolled up by Moxie out of nowhere!
...1
LO: Kick out! Drell gets rolled up by James but manages to get a shoulder up before a count of two.
Moxie gets up slowly to come face to face with Kaven! They both begin swapping blows back and forth! The larger Drell gets the upper hand to send James back but as he comes back she nails him with a kick to the chest! Then follows up with another kick to the ribs causing Drell to hunch over enough for her to cradle up his head from behind looking for a jawbreaker! Kaven begins pushing her from behind to stop this! Drell continues to push as the two wrestlers approach the far corner, where Mox leaps up on the middle rope for a crowd pleasing Shiranui! James is looking for a pin but Kaven has other ideas. He rolls out of the ring.
KO: Veteran move there to get out of the ring and take a moment...
LO: Yeah, but Moxie is now taunting him from inside the ring.
Kaven takes offense to the taunts and as James gets to the ropes, Drell leaps up on the apron to wrap both arms around the back of her neck while facing her on the apron. Kaven then jumps down to the outside floor to pull James into the top rope with authority! Moxie hits throat first to fly backwards to end up flat on her back in the center of the ring.
LO: Smart play there by Drell. He needed to buy himself a moment and does just that.
KO: Now he’s back in the ring!
Drell immediately begins to stomp down on Moxie’s joints after getting back in the squared circle. He uses the bottom of his heel to inflict the most pain possible. James covers up before stumbling up to a single knee. She gets to her feet to face Kaven who slings a wicked rip cord elbow her way! The shot catches her flush in the face!
KO: This may be it!
Kaven lifts Mox up off the mat to cradle her head but she uses all her strength to push him off! The sudden shove sends Drell through the ropes and off the apron! Kaven pulls himself back up quickly with assistance from the side of the apron.
LO: These two have been going at it nonstop since the opening bell. They both appear tired but neither will give an inch in this blockbuster match and 7 Pillars preview.
Moxie hits the ropes on the opposite side of the ring to come streaking across the ring aiming at Kaven on the outside. James leaps up on the turnbuckle closest to Drell without his knowledge. Moxie quickly reaches the top just as Kaven notices her. She does a complete twist in the air for a picture perfect tornillo onto Kaven Drell on the outside! Both wrestlers end up down on the floor looking up at the bright lights.
KO: SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM! Beautiful maneuver by the woman who will enter the gauntlet at number 7.
LO: Both wrestlers remain down as the referee counts three while the crowd encourages both to get back up and into the ring!
James slowly begins to crawl toward the ring as the ref counts four. Drell shakes his head then begins to crawl also. Both wrestlers crawl slowly back toward the ring as the ref echoes a count of 5. Moxie pushes herself up to roll onto the apron and back into the ring while Kaven follows close behind. Moxie starts her way back up to her feet but so does Kaven, and when the cult leader sees her he quickly steps forward to get her by a fistful of hair before she can do anymore damage. Moxie delivers some hard shots to Kaven who accepts the punishment to keep his grip, but suddenly brings his forehead crashing forward into Moxie's face causing her resistance to cease. Kaven looks out at the audience as Moxie drops to one knee, a grin spreading over his lips as a thin stream of blood trickles down his forehead thanks to the headbutt. He nods in sinister fashion, forcing her back up to her feet as he rares his head back for a second shot.
LO: Kaven Drell has Moxie at his disposal, and we've seen this before...he calls these repeated headbutts, 'Hush'.
KO: Well he's wound up and thrusts his head forwards...what the hell? MOXIE DROPS TO HER KNEE'S AND USES KAVEN'S FORWARD MOMENTUM TO TAKE HIM OVER IN A FIREMAN'S CARRY!
LO: Drell coming back to his feet, but so is Moxie...Drell marches in and MOXIE WITH A BOOT TO HIS RIGHT KNEE DROPS HIM LOW...STEPS IN...SHORT DDT RIGHT DOWN TO THE HEART OF THE CANVAS!
Moxie is tired now as she pushes up to her feet and falls against the ropes for a moment, but she doesn't get long before Drell starts moving as if to get back to his. She shakes her head in disbelief and rushes the man just in time for him to step into her and send her soaring with a high Belly to Belly Suplex! Moxie hits the mat hard and Drell checks his forehead where that little nick from before is a little wider now. Through gritted teeth he gets to his feet and wheels around to pull Moxie back up to hers and pushes her back into the ropes so he can send her to the opposite side. She comes careening back at him and he steps forward, swinging his head like a cannonball, looking for another head on collision. Moxie, however, manages to duck under the unique attack and continues on to the other side. When she returns this time Kaven steps back and makes a wild swing for a Back Elbow, but again, Moxie ducks under. This time she doesn't hit the ropes, instead leaping up to the second to springboard back into a gravity defying 720 spin, managing to catch Drell around the head as she lands it for another nasty DDT!
LO: TALK TO GOD OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: DRELL MIGHT HAVE TO IF HE WANT'S TO KICK OUT OF THAT, CAUSE SHE HAS THE LEG HOOKED!
1...
2...
3!!!
The fans are stunned at what they just saw as Moxie falls off of Kaven to lie beside him in exhaustion. Then time speeds back up and returns to normal, and a huge ovation goes up in the arena.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via pinfall....MOXIE JAMES!
LO: What a way to start out this episode of Blitz, eh Ken?
KO: No doubt! That finish was insane! I mean...there were a few times in this match where I would have said it could have gone either way, but then Moxie just out of nowhere with that Talk To God DDT!
LO: An impressive win, and an important one. Moxie James just reminded everyone why she is the biggest threat of all in this 7 Pillars contest. She comes in at #7 and will be the freshest competitor in the gauntlet, but more than that...she can win!
KO: I'll admit, I had some doubts after her loss to Katya last show, but putting Kaven down is a step in the right direction. Moxie now having her arm raised by the referee...AND WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT THE HELL!
LO: REX RUMBLE JUST HIT THE RING AND BLASTED MOXIE JAMES FROM BEHIND! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?
The Unkempt Hero shoves the referee out of the way when he tries to intervene and Santiago hits the mat and rolls to the outside. He turns his attentions back to James, who wasn't expecting the attack, and yanks her back up to her feet before tucking her head between his legs and lifting her up only to snap down to the mat with a Piledriver. Moxie grips at her neck as Rex spins her over onto her back and then steps through the ropes to a flurry of boos from the fans before climbing up to the top. He twirls his finger over his head and snaps his head from right to left in confusion as the fans boo him even louder. He shakes their voices from his mind, and then dives high into the air to bring his elbow crashing down across Moxie's throat!
KO: AHH! RUMBLING MOUNTAIN FROM REX RUMBLE TO MOXIE!
LO: WHAT IS THIS GUY DOING OUT HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
KO: I...I think we're about to find out...
Kaven has worked his way up to one knee and watches as Rex gets to his feet, just staring down at Moxie after what he's just done. Slowly he turns his head to look over at Drell, and then steps over and offers the cult leader his hand. Drell starts laughing as he reaches up and embraces his forearm and is helped up to his feet. Both men look down on Moxie James who clutches at her targeted neck while Kaven slaps Rex on the back. Rex nods and reaches up to the neckline of his shirt and rips it down the center, revealing a second black shirt underneath. On the center of his chest in white letters is the words, 'Let It Burn', and he leaps up to the second turnbuckle for all the world to see as Kaven laughs and claps in approval.
LO: My God! I mean, we saw a distinct change in Rumble during his match with Katya Djurdjevic last night on Flipping The Script, but he's gone full blown WACO with this Drell worship!
KO: It makes sense, Laur! Drell's been trying to tell the world what will happen when you don't accept his helping hand. He offered it to Moxie earlier tonight, and when she didn't take it, she signed her own sentence!
LO: But she won the match! This isn't right, Ken. She should be riding a high, and instead she may have a serious injury thanks to this madman and his cohort!
KO: I wonder what Danny and Leela will think of their new dinner guest? Hahahahaha
LO: This isn't a laughing matter. We need to cut backstage or something to sort this mess out in the ring...
The camera catches a shot of Rex pointing at the words on his shirt as Drell continues to beam with approval and then to Moxie James as the referee helps her out of the ring just before cutting backstage.
The cryptic intro of “you should see me in a crown” by Billie Eilish's blares across the PA System and Moxie James bursts through the curtain only to pause at the top of the ramp, cocking her hip to the side while her hand rests upon it. She's wearing a black singlet with a red long coat over top, and a Cat-In-The-Hat like hat but in Black and Red on top of her head. The fans giver her a big ovation and she gives a grin and a wink to the camera as she starts down the ramp towards the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at five foot seven and weighting in at 137 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California...She is the Seventh Entrant in the upcoming 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match for the UnYielding Championship...MOXXXIEEE JAMESSSSS!
Moxie reaches ringside and leaps to the apron, hooking the top rope with her arm while kicking a leg out that she swings through the ropes as she enters the ring. She turns to the corner closest to the ramp and hops to the second turnbuckle where she flips the top hat out into the crowd who scramble for the keepsake while she watches with amusement. She then drops down and lets the long coat fall from her shoulders before stepping over to the far corner and stretching out to await her opponent.
LO: Moxie James took a tough loss last show, while Katya Djurdjevic just barely squeaked by with a quick pin victory.
KO: Yeah, that match was intense, but Katya continued her winning ways on FTS yesterday by taking out Rex Rumble.
LO: That's right, and now we're going to see another very possible match up from the upcoming PPV as Kaven Drell makes his way out to the ring.
KO: What entry is Kaven?
LO: I don't think that's been determined, but I hear it will be random drawing.
KO: Well, let's hope the prayers from the Let It Burn Movement gets him a good position...
"Human" by HELLYEAH begins over the PA system as the lights dim and upon the aggressive drums and riffs Kaven Drell steps through the curtain wearing a long sleeveless leather trench coat left open so that you can see his hairy chest and black trunks. He pauses at the top of the stage with his fists balled at his sides and he pans the crowd looking for the lighters through a torrent of boos as they go up and he nods confidently before taking his first steps down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing her opponent, standing at six foot two and weighting in at 215 pounds, hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana...he will also participate in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match and is the current Union Battleground Trench Warfare Champion....KAVEN DRELLL!!
Kaven reaches ringside and uses the steps to get to the apron before swinging himself into the ring. He looks across at Moxie James with a slight smile, shuffling his shoulders so that his coat falls to the ground at his feet. He opens his arms wide as if to offer the woman a hug and when she gives him nothing but a laugh he shakes his head disappointingly and shrugs before turning back to the crowd to raise one fist in the air.
LO: Kaven Drell with an offer to Moxie James who thankfully didn't take him up on it. I mean, what is this guy's deal?
KO: He's just trying to convert the masses, Laur. Bring faith to people who have none. If Moxie James wants to be a heretic, then so be it.
LO: I don't know that I'd go that far, but our church is about to begin cause there goes the bell!
Kaven and James immediately come right at one another! Moxie catches a sharp headbutt from Drell right off the bat!
KO: OUCH!
Moxie catches the lick flush causing her to fall back into the ropes. Drell follows up with a painful knife edged chop before irish whipping Moxie into the ropes! She bounces off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring then comes flying back at an already charging Kaven Drell! Kaven misses the running clothesline! Both wrestlers both bounce off the ropes on the opposite side of the ring to come right back at one another full speed ahead. Moxie catches Kaven with a running arm drag! Drell gets up quickly only to catch a pair of headbutts from James to send him back down on the mat!
LO: These two are throwing headbutts all over the place!
KO: Both of these wrestlers can be violent inside the squared circle. Vicious, in fact.
James stomps down on Drell as if he were ablaze. The pointed stomps leads Kaven to roll around while attempting in vain to cover up. Moxie then uses all her strength to pull Drell back up to his feet. She irish whips him into the ropes, where he bounces off to sling shot back at a charging James! The two meet in the center of the ring with Moxie thinking running forearm but Kaven wraps both arms around her to trap both arms. The larger Drell then hoists her up in the air with a bear hug! James shakes her head to indicate she will not give up.
KO: Kaven has Mox locked up in a bear hug!
LO: Drell is now dodging headbutt attempts left and right.
James comes at Kaven like a trapped predator! She slings her head back then forward attempting to catch him but he continues to avoid. Kaven then uses his upper body strength to transition the bearhug into a beautiful belly to belly suplex! Drell quickly hooks a leg after impact!
...1
LO: Kick out!
Moxie rolls to her feet after getting a shoulder up. She hits the ropes to slingshot herself at Kaven, who catches a shotgun dropkick to the jaw! Drell hits the mat leading James to rush over to the corner in with no time to spare. Kaven shakes his head while he lies flat on his back. He notices James getting to the top turnbuckle which leads him to roll out of the ring and out onto the apron. Moxie wrinkles her forehead with disappointment before shrugging then leaping off anyway! She nails Kaven on the apron with a diving double foot stomp on the apron! The high flying maneuver causes the crowd to pop. Kaven falls off the apron after impact while James hits the outside floor awkward.
KO: WOW! Did you see that!? Moxie came out here looking for a fight tonight.
LO: James may have paid a price there. She hit that outside floor hard but not before nailing Kaven with a double foot stomp.
Moxie stirs on the outside floor while shaking her left ankle. Relief crosses her face when she realizes there’s no sprain. Meanwhile, the referee checks on Drell from a distance encouraging both competitors to get it back i the ring.
LO: The ref just doesn’t want to lose control here.
KO: Moxie is up! And she's pulling Kaven Drell up and badmouthing him all the while...
KO: What did she say?
LO: I’m not repeating that.
Moxie helps Drell back to his feet then pushes him onto the apron but struggles with the larger Kaven. Drell rolls beneath the bottom to end up back in the ring. Moxie works the crowd a bit before sliding in behind Kaven looking to hook a leg. She finds Kaven back on his feet and comes nose to nose with him! Drell lands a big time european uppercut! He then kicks Mox in the gut causing her to bend over. Kaven follows up with a fireman’s carry slam! Drell then takes hold of James legs to apply a texas cloverleaf in the center of the ring. Kaven rises up after locking it in to elevate the hold.
LO: James may be in trouble here! Kaven has his texas cloverleaf locked in! Look how he’s bending the spine of Moxie!
James thrashes both arms about on the mat. She digs her elbows into the canvas to begin a game of tug-of-war with Drell! Moxie digs in to pull herself closer to the ropes. Drell encourages her to tap and end her misery but Mox refuses.
KO: Kaven is doing all he can to break Moxie James in half with this Cloverleaf...
LO: That indeed has been his M.O., hasn't it. If they want join him break them.
KO: No shit, and it's worked pretty well if you ask me.
Drell continues to bend James’s spine like a pretzel as the referee comes in close to look for a tag. Moxie ignores this and continues to focus on the bottom rope. Kaven gets pulled back with a stout lunge from James!
LO: ROPE BREAK!
KO: Mox stays alive in this 7 Pillars preview! How did she manage to pull him to those ropes?!
LO: Pure desperation and focus. Moxie refused to give in there even when it looked bleak.
Moxie gets free and pulls herself up off the mat with the ropes assistance. Drell comes flying in only to catch a right hook from James! Then another! Kaven stumbles back to give enough room for James to catch him with a running forearm smash! Drell stumbles back to fall onto one knee. Moxie hits the ropes just behind her to sling shot forward! She catches the slouched over Kaven with a running big boot! Kaven hits the mat flat on his back directly in front of a corner. James immediately heads for the turnbuckles with real vigor.
LO: James wants to take this brawl to the air.
KO: Drell appears to be in a daze.
James hits the corner to leap up on the middle turnbuckle to bounce up on the top rope to attempt a split legged moonsault! She bounces backwards but Drell quickly rolls out danger!
KO: Miss! I think Kaven was playing possum.
LO: I believe he had just enough bearings to roll out of the way but that now shifts the momentum of this match!
KO: Moxie went high risk there and it did not pay off. Both of these wrestlers want a win heading toward 7 Pillars.
Moxie rolls around on the mat in real pain while Kaven staggers back to his feet in the corner. Drell rushes over to James and hits a leg drop across her neck! The weight of her larger opponent cuts the air supply off for Moxie momentarily! She clutches at her throat attempting in vain to catch her breath while Drell heads for the corner. He climbs up on the ropes to make it all the way to the top. The crowd goes wild as he turns to face back out at James, who continues to regain her ability to breath. Kaven leaps off the top turnbuckle with both arms down by his side as flashes throughout capture the moment forever. Kaven hits his mark with the diving headbutt! Moxie goes limp as Drell quickly hooks a leg!
...1
...2
KO: KICK OUT! That was close, Laurence. James gets a shoulder up at the last possible moment.
LO: Drell looks surprised. Close count.
Moxie slowly gets up after getting her shoulder off the mat . Kaven rolls to his feet and stalks her like a predator would its prey. He comes in fast but catches a knee to the midsection! Then another! Drell finally bends over and James cradles his head for a wicked DDT! Mox implants Drell then quickly rushes over to the corner. Kaven pulls himself up off the mat while James scales the turnbuckles in the corner. She ends up on the top, facing back out in the ring. Drell gets up to turn around only to be caught by the incoming Moxie James with a diving neckbreaker! She then quickly hooks a leg!
...1
...2
KO: Kick out! Wow! Another close pinfall there. These two are going after each other with all they’ve got!
LO: Moxie thought she had it won right there but Drell has other plans.
James looks at the referee with a suspicious eye while still lying on the mat alongside Drell, who reaches over to lock in a crossface chicken wing out of nowhere! Moxie’s eyes both widen as she realizes he’s got the maneuver locked in!
LO: What a turn of events! Drell catches Moxie with her off the ball and strikes!
KO: Kaven wants to win just as much as James.
Drell applies more and more pressure leading Moxie to begin to fade.
KO: James eyes just closed! Is she out!?
The referee comes over to check on James, who does not respond. The referee carefully picks up her free arm to drop it. James arm hits the mat, totally unresponsive. The ref again lifts the limp arm of Mox to drop it once again on the mat.
KO: One more and that's a technical knockout win for Kaven Drell!
LO: This crowd is loving the high drama in this one!
The crowd gets riled as the referee picks up James free hand once more. He lets it go and gravity takes hold. The hand falls fast toward the mat but just before it hits, Moxie comes alive!
LO: SHE LIVES!
KO: I thought she was done! James continues to survive but Drell has no intentions of releasing that chickenwing.
Moxie lunges with all she’s got with her free hand to take hold of the bottom rope. Kaven continues to hold the maneuver on until the referee warns him a second time.
KO: Drell better watch it or he could get disqualified.
LO: Kaven does not care and that does not bode well for Mox.
Drell gets to his feet while James continues to gather her bearings on the canvas. Kaven bends down but gets rolled up by Moxie out of nowhere!
...1
LO: Kick out! Drell gets rolled up by James but manages to get a shoulder up before a count of two.
Moxie gets up slowly to come face to face with Kaven! They both begin swapping blows back and forth! The larger Drell gets the upper hand to send James back but as he comes back she nails him with a kick to the chest! Then follows up with another kick to the ribs causing Drell to hunch over enough for her to cradle up his head from behind looking for a jawbreaker! Kaven begins pushing her from behind to stop this! Drell continues to push as the two wrestlers approach the far corner, where Mox leaps up on the middle rope for a crowd pleasing Shiranui! James is looking for a pin but Kaven has other ideas. He rolls out of the ring.
KO: Veteran move there to get out of the ring and take a moment...
LO: Yeah, but Moxie is now taunting him from inside the ring.
Kaven takes offense to the taunts and as James gets to the ropes, Drell leaps up on the apron to wrap both arms around the back of her neck while facing her on the apron. Kaven then jumps down to the outside floor to pull James into the top rope with authority! Moxie hits throat first to fly backwards to end up flat on her back in the center of the ring.
LO: Smart play there by Drell. He needed to buy himself a moment and does just that.
KO: Now he’s back in the ring!
Drell immediately begins to stomp down on Moxie’s joints after getting back in the squared circle. He uses the bottom of his heel to inflict the most pain possible. James covers up before stumbling up to a single knee. She gets to her feet to face Kaven who slings a wicked rip cord elbow her way! The shot catches her flush in the face!
KO: This may be it!
Kaven lifts Mox up off the mat to cradle her head but she uses all her strength to push him off! The sudden shove sends Drell through the ropes and off the apron! Kaven pulls himself back up quickly with assistance from the side of the apron.
LO: These two have been going at it nonstop since the opening bell. They both appear tired but neither will give an inch in this blockbuster match and 7 Pillars preview.
Moxie hits the ropes on the opposite side of the ring to come streaking across the ring aiming at Kaven on the outside. James leaps up on the turnbuckle closest to Drell without his knowledge. Moxie quickly reaches the top just as Kaven notices her. She does a complete twist in the air for a picture perfect tornillo onto Kaven Drell on the outside! Both wrestlers end up down on the floor looking up at the bright lights.
KO: SMOKE ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM! Beautiful maneuver by the woman who will enter the gauntlet at number 7.
LO: Both wrestlers remain down as the referee counts three while the crowd encourages both to get back up and into the ring!
James slowly begins to crawl toward the ring as the ref counts four. Drell shakes his head then begins to crawl also. Both wrestlers crawl slowly back toward the ring as the ref echoes a count of 5. Moxie pushes herself up to roll onto the apron and back into the ring while Kaven follows close behind. Moxie starts her way back up to her feet but so does Kaven, and when the cult leader sees her he quickly steps forward to get her by a fistful of hair before she can do anymore damage. Moxie delivers some hard shots to Kaven who accepts the punishment to keep his grip, but suddenly brings his forehead crashing forward into Moxie's face causing her resistance to cease. Kaven looks out at the audience as Moxie drops to one knee, a grin spreading over his lips as a thin stream of blood trickles down his forehead thanks to the headbutt. He nods in sinister fashion, forcing her back up to her feet as he rares his head back for a second shot.
LO: Kaven Drell has Moxie at his disposal, and we've seen this before...he calls these repeated headbutts, 'Hush'.
KO: Well he's wound up and thrusts his head forwards...what the hell? MOXIE DROPS TO HER KNEE'S AND USES KAVEN'S FORWARD MOMENTUM TO TAKE HIM OVER IN A FIREMAN'S CARRY!
LO: Drell coming back to his feet, but so is Moxie...Drell marches in and MOXIE WITH A BOOT TO HIS RIGHT KNEE DROPS HIM LOW...STEPS IN...SHORT DDT RIGHT DOWN TO THE HEART OF THE CANVAS!
Moxie is tired now as she pushes up to her feet and falls against the ropes for a moment, but she doesn't get long before Drell starts moving as if to get back to his. She shakes her head in disbelief and rushes the man just in time for him to step into her and send her soaring with a high Belly to Belly Suplex! Moxie hits the mat hard and Drell checks his forehead where that little nick from before is a little wider now. Through gritted teeth he gets to his feet and wheels around to pull Moxie back up to hers and pushes her back into the ropes so he can send her to the opposite side. She comes careening back at him and he steps forward, swinging his head like a cannonball, looking for another head on collision. Moxie, however, manages to duck under the unique attack and continues on to the other side. When she returns this time Kaven steps back and makes a wild swing for a Back Elbow, but again, Moxie ducks under. This time she doesn't hit the ropes, instead leaping up to the second to springboard back into a gravity defying 720 spin, managing to catch Drell around the head as she lands it for another nasty DDT!
LO: TALK TO GOD OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: DRELL MIGHT HAVE TO IF HE WANT'S TO KICK OUT OF THAT, CAUSE SHE HAS THE LEG HOOKED!
1...
2...
3!!!
The fans are stunned at what they just saw as Moxie falls off of Kaven to lie beside him in exhaustion. Then time speeds back up and returns to normal, and a huge ovation goes up in the arena.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winner of this match via pinfall....MOXIE JAMES!
LO: What a way to start out this episode of Blitz, eh Ken?
KO: No doubt! That finish was insane! I mean...there were a few times in this match where I would have said it could have gone either way, but then Moxie just out of nowhere with that Talk To God DDT!
LO: An impressive win, and an important one. Moxie James just reminded everyone why she is the biggest threat of all in this 7 Pillars contest. She comes in at #7 and will be the freshest competitor in the gauntlet, but more than that...she can win!
KO: I'll admit, I had some doubts after her loss to Katya last show, but putting Kaven down is a step in the right direction. Moxie now having her arm raised by the referee...AND WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT THE HELL!
LO: REX RUMBLE JUST HIT THE RING AND BLASTED MOXIE JAMES FROM BEHIND! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?
The Unkempt Hero shoves the referee out of the way when he tries to intervene and Santiago hits the mat and rolls to the outside. He turns his attentions back to James, who wasn't expecting the attack, and yanks her back up to her feet before tucking her head between his legs and lifting her up only to snap down to the mat with a Piledriver. Moxie grips at her neck as Rex spins her over onto her back and then steps through the ropes to a flurry of boos from the fans before climbing up to the top. He twirls his finger over his head and snaps his head from right to left in confusion as the fans boo him even louder. He shakes their voices from his mind, and then dives high into the air to bring his elbow crashing down across Moxie's throat!
KO: AHH! RUMBLING MOUNTAIN FROM REX RUMBLE TO MOXIE!
LO: WHAT IS THIS GUY DOING OUT HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
KO: I...I think we're about to find out...
Kaven has worked his way up to one knee and watches as Rex gets to his feet, just staring down at Moxie after what he's just done. Slowly he turns his head to look over at Drell, and then steps over and offers the cult leader his hand. Drell starts laughing as he reaches up and embraces his forearm and is helped up to his feet. Both men look down on Moxie James who clutches at her targeted neck while Kaven slaps Rex on the back. Rex nods and reaches up to the neckline of his shirt and rips it down the center, revealing a second black shirt underneath. On the center of his chest in white letters is the words, 'Let It Burn', and he leaps up to the second turnbuckle for all the world to see as Kaven laughs and claps in approval.
LO: My God! I mean, we saw a distinct change in Rumble during his match with Katya Djurdjevic last night on Flipping The Script, but he's gone full blown WACO with this Drell worship!
KO: It makes sense, Laur! Drell's been trying to tell the world what will happen when you don't accept his helping hand. He offered it to Moxie earlier tonight, and when she didn't take it, she signed her own sentence!
LO: But she won the match! This isn't right, Ken. She should be riding a high, and instead she may have a serious injury thanks to this madman and his cohort!
KO: I wonder what Danny and Leela will think of their new dinner guest? Hahahahaha
LO: This isn't a laughing matter. We need to cut backstage or something to sort this mess out in the ring...
The camera catches a shot of Rex pointing at the words on his shirt as Drell continues to beam with approval and then to Moxie James as the referee helps her out of the ring just before cutting backstage.
Backstage at the arena, Indi Rhyder appears to be amusing herself with a small fidget cube, each time she presses one part of the cube; another piece moves and she smiles all over again. This goes on for a few minutes until she finally notices the camera, looking up into the lens she offers an easy smile and a small shrug.
“I was really hoping you’d get it, you know? I already did the what drives you song and dance when I first got here… Despite the booking practices around here, I’m really not one to repeat myself and after last week? I had high hopes that you would be the one to get it.”
She hops a little closer to the camera and frowns just a little.
“You let it go, all you needed was right in front of you and instead of thinking beyond yourself, instead of letting the universe guide you? You just let it go. I mean, come on dude! That was so predictable it kinda hurt. I thought you might be one of us, but now i’m not so sure.
You’re not who you say you are.
You’re not who Cross says you are.”
She shrugs again and lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Show me something Krahe, my dude, my bud. Show me something REAL, no more showman, no more rehearsed lines or the things that you think need to be said. Show me that they’re all wrong, PROVE to me that I’m wrong about you. Because I want to be…”
She slowly lifts her arms and flaps them at her side before smiling at the camera once more.
“Be the tornado in Tokyo.”
And with that she turns on her heels and wanders off down the hall.
“I was really hoping you’d get it, you know? I already did the what drives you song and dance when I first got here… Despite the booking practices around here, I’m really not one to repeat myself and after last week? I had high hopes that you would be the one to get it.”
She hops a little closer to the camera and frowns just a little.
“You let it go, all you needed was right in front of you and instead of thinking beyond yourself, instead of letting the universe guide you? You just let it go. I mean, come on dude! That was so predictable it kinda hurt. I thought you might be one of us, but now i’m not so sure.
You’re not who you say you are.
You’re not who Cross says you are.”
She shrugs again and lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Show me something Krahe, my dude, my bud. Show me something REAL, no more showman, no more rehearsed lines or the things that you think need to be said. Show me that they’re all wrong, PROVE to me that I’m wrong about you. Because I want to be…”
She slowly lifts her arms and flaps them at her side before smiling at the camera once more.
“Be the tornado in Tokyo.”
And with that she turns on her heels and wanders off down the hall.
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is scheduled for one fall or submission where the winner will earn the #6 spot in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match at the following PPV...
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 Tattoo' by Black Rebel Motorcycle 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 superstar as he sends a plume of smoke up into the rafters just before taking his first step down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, 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, his eyes narrow on the ring, and he butts the cigarette out on the steel steps just before climbing them to slip through the ropes. He stalks over to the far corner and falls back into the turnbuckles with a devil may care grin to await his opponent.
LO: Last show Zachariah Krahe and Indi Rhyder worked well as tag partners to defeat Fukushima Zombie and Cross Recoba in the Main Event, but as soon as the victory was set they both knew that this moment was coming.
KO: That's right, and we're going to find out which of them will get the next best draw in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match in two weeks!
LO: It should be an interesting match where speed and precision comes up against power and striking ability.
KO: No doubt, and I'm thinking we could have a chance for one more female to get pulled into the web that this guy has woven.
LO: I don't think Indi and Krahe had time to establish that sort of dynamic, but who can tell with a guy nicknamed The Catalyst.
'Karma Chameleon' by the Culture Club hits over the PA System, and Indi Rhyder skips out onto the stage to a pretty big ovation. She leaps back and forth along the stage, a huge bubbly smile placed upon her lips. She turns to give the camera a wink as she passes on by down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing his opponent, standing at five foot five and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California....She is THE GALACTIC PRINCESS, INDI RHYDDEERRR!!
As she reaches ringside she makes a dash across the front row with one hand extended for high fives, and then turns abruptly to leap up onto the ring apron, and then hops up to the second rope from the outside. She waves at the capacity crowd with a grin, and then hops over the top rope to land safely in the ring. She comes to a stop to regard the man she had just been partnered with last show grinning sheepishly in her direction, and she shakes the feeling by stretching out on the ropes.
LO: Indi Rhyder doesn't look to be pulled into anything here...just another match with another opponent.
KO: Just wait, Laur. You'll see. Krahe is going to do something that gets her all flustered and leads to a bad end.
LO: I won't put anything past The Catalyst, but we're about to find out cause there's the bell...
KO: These two are off!
Indi and Krahe begin to circle one another in the ring. Krahe comes in aiming for a right hook that finds its mark! The smaller Rhyder falls back onto her heels leading Z to rush forward at The Butterfly for a lariat!
LO: Krahe strikes first! The size difference is very apparent in this one.
Zachariah slips in behind Indi to apply a standing sleeper! Both her eyes widen while Krahe locks it in tight. The Interstellar Star Child desperately tries to escape Z’s clutches. She reaches up to take hold of the back of Zachariah’s head before dropping down to a seated position for an unorthodox jawbreaker that breaks the hold!
KO: Nice counter! These two are going right at each other. On the last episode of Blitz, they were tag team partners!
LO: Yeah, and won together! Indi will want to use that high flying arsenal to keep this one in her wheelhouse.
KO: Krahe appears to want to ground The Butterfly.
The jawbreaker sends Z back into the ropes leading Indi to rush over to the ropes. She glides through quickly to end up on the apron, facing back inside the ring. Rhyder uses her tight grip on the top rope to leap up onto it, before springboarding off for a flying thrust kick that catches the staggered Krahe on the chin! Rhyder rushes to hook a leg!
…1
LO: Kick out by Z! Indi has already taken to the air in the opening moments of this one, Ken!
KO: Krahe gets the shoulder up before a count of two but that kick obviously rocked him.
Zachariah attempts to get to his feet quickly only to get caught by Rhyder from behind this time! She quickly cradles his head up standing directly behind Krahe, while he still sits on both knees. She then falls down to one knee that she drives into the center of his spine! The violent shot causes Z to fall face first on the mat! He slowly rolls over to end up on his back looking up at the bright lights. Indi quickly makes a mad dash for the closest corner. Krahe continues to writhe in pain on the mat from the sharp knee shot.
KO: Rhyder is headed for the launch pad!
LO: Rhyder pinned Cross to win the tag team match on Blitz 23. Now she looks to do more of the same here!
Indi quickly scales the corner turnbuckles to end up on top. The Interstellar Star Child takes flight! She’s aiming for a shooting star elbow drop, but Krahe holds up both knees at the last possible moment! Indi crashes and burns to end up rolling around on the mat after impact.
KO: Counter by Krahe! Indi was rolling but they may have halted her momentum completely.
LO: She bounces off the knees of her larger opponent, Krahe, in a sadistic manner. Z is up!
Krahe rolls to his feet to staredown Indi, who rolls around on the mat in real pain. Zachariah quickly cradles up Indi’s right leg. He then dead falls to the mat for a DDT on Indi’s leg! Z quickly follows up by falling down on both knees alongside Rhyder. He then takes the same leg to apply an argentine leglock! Krahe carefully gains his balance to slowly stand up! Z holds Indi up with her dangling down his midsection, upside down in the air!
LO: Wow! Krahe uses his argentine leglock with a modification. That being, it’s now a standing maneuver! He uses Rhyders own weight against her to further add pressure!
KO: It’s also the same leg that he just DDT’d! Krahe wants to weaken her sticks to keep her grounded and is putting that plan in full motion right now!
Rhyder dangles out in front of Krahe, who continues to apply more and more pressure to the already sore leg of The Butterfly. She uses her limberness to swing out in an attempt to reach the ropes with no success!
KO: Indi may tap here!
LO: That right leg has been taking damage for minutes now. Krahe wants to cripple Rhyder!
KO: He wants to ground her aerial assault.
Indi focuses on the ropes to fight through the pain. She patiently waits for Zachariah to stumble forward from all of Rhyders movement. As he takes a wobbly step forward, The Butterfly swings out to take hold of the middle rope with her right hand!
LO: ROPE BREAK! How much damage has been done!?
KO: Both of these wrestlers want that sixth spot at 7 Pillars.
Krahe immediately comes in at Rhyder! She ducks his clothesline attempt to swing around backwards with her left foot to trip up Zachariah! Indi catches him square on the shin to cause him to lunge forward out of control! Krahe smashes his face against the unforgiving canvas without warning. Rhyder then leaps back to her feet with a slight limp to take off at the ropes behind Zachariah! She bounces off to slingshot back at Krahe, who pushes himself up on his hands and knees only to catch a bulldog from behind!
KO: Indi has taken back control of this one, Laurence! She can almost taste that sixth spot.
LO: Rhyder heads to the corner looking to take flight again!
Indi leaps up on the middle turnbuckle to boost herself on up to the top. The Interstellar Star child works the crowd up before leaping off the top for a shooting star elbow drop that hits its mark, Krahe, who now lies flat on his back! Indi wastes little time in adjusting her position to make a pin only to find Z has rolled out of the ring!
LO: Veteran move! Krahe knew Indi was rolling and got out of danger before she could even attempt a pin.
KO: I don’t know that Krahe got out of danger…
Indi rushes to the corner closest to Zachariah. She climbs up to the top in moments to face out at Krahe, who continues to gather himself while leaning up against the apron. Z notices that Indi is no longer inside the ring and immediately peers up to find The Interstellar Star Child flying straight at him! Indi aims for a Cool Rhyder which hits flush, but Krahe catches her!
KO: HE CAUGHT HER OUT OF THE AIR!
Indi ends up high in the air bunched up with her knees in front of her body, facing Krahe. The stoughter Z then lunges forward at the ring steps for an unorthodox powerbomb across the steel! Fans in the front row wince, almost able to feel Indi’s pain themselves. Krahe falls back into a seated position on the outside floor after the wicked counter. Rhyder lies draped across the top of the ring steps.
LO: What a counter by Krahe! He caught Indi out of the air to transition into a powerbomb across the ring steps.
KO: Krahe amps up the violence here and that’s not an offense that warrants disqualification even though, I bet it feels like one for Indi.
LO: That’s exactly right, Ken. Krahe dropped her down onto the steel steps rather than physically using them in his own hands as a weapon to gain an advantage.
The referee comes in to begin his count while Zachariah continues to sit on the floor to recover. He slowly gets back to his feet to glare over at Indi, who remains laid out like a limp ragdoll across the steps.
KO: Rhyder may be hurt after that.
LO: Krahe does not care about her well being, he just wants that number six spot.
Zachariah walks slowly toward Rhyder as the referee’s count reaches four. Indi begins to stir as Krahe lifts her up off the steps. He then rolls her back into the ring, beneath the bottom rope. Z then follows closely behind to quickly hook a leg on Indi!
...1
...2
KO: Kick out by The Interstellar Star Child! Amazing!
LO: That was close! I thought Krahe had Indi there to claim that sixth spot.
Krahe looks at the referee to hold up three fingers. He indicates his displeasure with the count but the referee assures it was two and three quarters. Zachariah shakes his head to disagree before turning his ire back at Indi, who attempts to get up on her hands and knees. She tries to push herself up before Krahe crashes an elbow to the center of The Butterfly’s back! Zachariah then applies a crossface!
LO: Krahe continues to show the technical side of his game in this one.
Zachariah locks in the crossface then imposes his will on Indi with reckless abandonment. Rhyder thrashes about on the mat while reaching out. Krahe applied the hold close to the ropes leading Indi to reach out as far as she can! Z realizes this too late and attempts to pull her back, but The Interstellar Star Child lunges forward with all her might to grab hold of the bottom rope!
KO: ROPE BREAK!
LO: Indi manages to get to the ropes to break the hold. Krahe continues to use submissions to ground the aerial game of The Butterfly.
KO: Z has been very successful at doing that thus far.
Zachariah leaps back up to his feet after the rope break. Indi favors her right leg still while pain shoots down her spine as well. Krahe smells blood in the water, leading him to take off at Rhyder full speed ahead! Indi takes off directly at him also! The two meet in the center of the ring with Krahe thinking lou thesz press, but Rhyder ducks to slide between both split legs of her larger opponent! Zachariah had began to leap before she countered and he ends up on his hands and knees, facing away from Indi.
KO: Indi got low to miss that lou thesz press! Now she’s on the move!
Rhyder takes off for the corner and slowly climbs up to the top while Krahe gets up to turn around to find her.
LO: Indi is a little worse for wear but she continues to fight on!
Zachariah turns slowly while Indi hovers high above on the top turnbuckle waiting patiently for the perfect moment. Krahe swings all the way around leading her to leap off aiming for a diving spear! She nails The Catalyst!
KO: What a maneuver! Indi may have a hurt leg with a sore back, but she continues to impress in this match with a much larger opponent.
LO: Rhyder has used her aerial arsenal to sweep Krahe off his feet!
KO: Romantic.
LO: Shhh… Munin may hear.
Rhyder gets to her feet slowly before turning to look at the turnbuckles. She wants to end this one, right now. The crowd can feel it as she struts toward the corner with real purpose in each step.
KO: Indi looks like a woman possessed now. Krahe continues to regain his ability to breath after that vicious diving spear.
LO: Indi has been cleared for take off!
The Interstellar Star Child scales the corner slowly to not further injure her right leg. She gets to the middle turnbuckle to call for her signature maneuver, Kharmic Trip! The crowd gets riled up after this development.
LO: Indi wants to put Krahe away!
Zachariah leaps up off the mat suddenly! Rhyder has her back to him which allows Krahe to rush over to her at the turnbuckles. The Catalyst takes hold of her from behind! Indi fights to release herself from his grip but fails miserably. She manages to climb up to the top rope which she almost immediately realizes was a mistake. Krahe wraps both arms around her while balancing himself on the middle turnbuckle. Zachariah the leaps off backwards while clutching Rhyder tightly in both arms! He releases in mid air for a picture perfect german suplex that wows the entire audience!
KO: DID YOU SEE THAT!
Indi ends up in a pile on the opposite side of the ring. Krahe quickly hustles back to his feet only to find Rhyder roll out of the ring before he can attempt a pin.
LO: How did Rhyder manage to escape!?
KO: The Interstellar Star Child refuses to be beaten in this one. Krahe had her toe tag ready but she rolls out of the ring to save herself.
The Catalyst looks a little exacerbated by this. He looks out at Indi, who recovers alongside the Blitz commentary table. Krahe takes off across the ring directly at Rhyder! Zachariah leaps over the top rope to dive out at The Butterfly, who ducks! Miss! Krahe hits the outside floor face first! The crowd lets out a collective groan after the crash landing.
KO: Krahe could be out completely after that lick. He landed face first with every ounce of his weight to assist in driving his mug into the outside floor.
LO: Indi moved out of the way while Krahe believed she was dead in the water.
KO: She was playing possum! I seen it.
Both wrestlers remain down on the floor. Indi dove out of the way and remains down looking up at the bright lights attempting in vain to gather herself. Krahe rolls over onto his back to reveal a bloody nose that could be broken.
KO: Indi has drawn first blood. Zachariah stirs but the lights do not appear to be on upstairs.
The referee begins his count while Krahe and Indi struggle to get it together. Indi is still in a bit of a daze from the super german suplex while Z bleeds from both nostrils. The crowd gets riled up to push both wrestlers on.
LO: The referee’s count reaches four and both competitors remain down on the outside floor. Can either beat the count!?
KO: Indi looks like she’s headed in that direction but Krahe could have a concussion. Both of these wrestlers have taken so much damage throughout this one. Wow.
The referee continues his count which reaches five. Krahe finally stirs and sits up. Indi struggles to get up on both knees and succeeds in this endeavor finally as six is counted throughout. Krahe adjusts himself to end up on his hands and knees to crawl for the ring while Rhyder already has begun crawling in the same direction, a few feet in front.
KO: Seven… These two could be counted out. Indi could make it…
Krahe takes hold of Indi’s right foot and twists it from behind! This causes her to halt her forward momentum as the already injured ankle swells even more with real pain. Rhyder fights through it to reach her feet. She stumbles a bit on her right leg which still hurts, but she manages to roll into the ring to break the count! Krahe follows close behind for the referee to halt his count completely. Both wrestlers end up in the ring on their backs looking up at the bright lights.
LO: These two have put on a phenomenal showing here tonight, but someone has to get the upper hand. Indi is injured...Krahe is dazed...who will it be?
KO: I don't know, but we're in zero hour here...as both competitors start to push to get to their feet...
Just as they come vertical, Krahe lunges into a lariat aimed at Indi's head, but the Galactic Princess is able to duck under and he continues his momentum towards the ropes. He bounces back and Indi steps to the center to meet him, leaping up to hook both legs around his head. Instead of doing what everyone expects, which is take him down into a Frankensteiner, she instead spins so that she's now sitting on his shoulders right behind his head, and that is when she snaps backwards to deliver a Reverse Dragonrana!
LO: HEAD OVER HEEL'S TO KRAHE, WHO SPIKES OFF THE CANVAS WITH SUCH IMPACT THAT HE'S BACK ON HIS FEET AND FALLS INTO THE ROPES!
KO: Indi is there to meet him as he bounces back all punch drunk, and OH! BOOT TO HER MIDSECTION! CATALYST DDT!
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! THEY BOTH HIT THEIR FINISHERS IN A MATTER OF SECONDS AND NOW BOTH COMPETITORS ARE BACK DOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: Everyone here is stunned! When Indi hit the Head Over Heel's we thought that was it...but then...damn!
LO: Even the referee looks shocked, but if finally coming back to his senses....Santiago is starting a count!
KO: You don't think....You don't think this could be it, do you?
LO: I don't know, but if it is....what the hell does that mean for the #7 spot in the Gauntlet?
KO: Good question. Come on....we can't end like this...
But the referee's count drones on, and just when it looks like Krahe might push up to his knee's he drops back down to the canvas and the referee reaches eight. Indi struggles to sit up but finds herself falling back and the referee reaches nine. There is a huge intake of air as the referee looks pleadingly at both competitors but doesn't get a response, and he shakes his head in disappointment before throwing up the ten. The exhale from the audience is audible and there is a mixed reaction that rises up as everyone watches on in silence. The bell rings and that seems to wake everyone up from this dream, and the question remains, what does this mean for 7 Pillars? The announcement that follows doesn't help provide any answers...
RING ANNOUNCER: Because neither competitor could reach their feet before the referee's count of ten, this match has been declared a DRAW!
LO: I...I don't know what to say?
KO: Crazy ending, but it leaves a whole mess of problems for management...
LO: I think we're all still just in shock. I mean, double finishers and now this...
Just then a gruff clearing of the throat rings through the PA System, and everyone's eyes turn to the entrance where Lead Booker, Dugan Callahan, bursts through the curtain with microphone in hand. Krahe and Rhyder are just now getting to their feet and having it explained to them what just happened, and both competitors plead with the referee for five more minutes. Dugan clears his throat again, and finally the pair look up the ramp to the stage where he's standing with his arms crossed.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: You know, this puts me in a pickle....sure I could give you two five more minutes. Hell, I could give you eternity, but whose to say the result won't be the same. Sure does make for interesting television, eh?
Zachariah Krahe doesn't seem amused, while Indi leans into a corner and runs her fingers through her hair in a little frustration. Dugan lets out a big belly laugh that reverberates through the arena, and the fans aren't sure whether to laugh along or just boo the man off the stage. Either way they decide, Dugan carries on.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: So here's what we're going to do. Last year, the Gauntlet match itself was the first time ever. First time we had hosted a big PPV. First time we would crown an UnYielding Champion. This year, keeping with that tradition, for the first time ever, two competitors will be named the #6 Entrant!
Dugan pauses to let that sink in while Krahe and Indi look to one another in a bit of confusion. The fans voice their own concerns and Dugan waves his hand to simmer everyone down.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: That's right....Indi Rhyder and Zachariah Krahe are both the #6 entrants! And by my reasoning, unless my math is off, that means that guarantee's at least two Triple Threat Matches inside the Gauntlet!
The fans are silent for a moment, reasoning through what they've just heard, but when they come to the same conclusion they explode with cheers. Dugan nods, realizing that the fans would probably appreciate that little added flavor. Indi and Krahe, however, don't seem to share in the Booker's vision, realizing that the deck has just been stacked against them.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: Just so we're clear....whoever makes it to the next to final match in the tournament will be walking into a Triple Threat Match against these two!
He points to the ring...
DUGAN CALLAHAN: And whoever gets eliminated from that will see Moxie James replace them for the final Triple Threat Match, which will also be elimination style. It's just an added extra you see, cause in the end the same rules apply. Survival of the fittest. Who can run the Gauntlet? Good luck to you both....you're going to need it.
The fans continue to pop for the announcement as Dugan turns and heads through the curtain. Krahe watches him go with a furrowed brow while Indi shrugs her shoulders and exits the ring to slap hands with fans at ringside.
LO: Can you believe that bombshell, Ken?
KO: I'm still not sure exactly what all of that means...I suck at math.
LO: What it means is that the last two matches of the Gauntlet will be triple threats, and the final of those will be elimination style!
KO: Oh...well....why didn't he just say so?
LO: Um...he did.
KO: Whatever, Laur! I don't have time to try and decipher that drunks ramblings! What the...did the lights just flicker...
LO: Uh...I believe they did...
A familiar inverted cross glitches across the big screen leading into a full screen story...Six nights ago, Tommy Crimson took a trip…The Fury departed a cryopreservation facility in Michigan to head straight for the Detroit Metro Airport. He then took the first round trip flight to Tokyo on his own dime. Crimson went there for one reason. To learn. The infamous cross flashes across a solid black screen that fades away to reveal a vast forest from overhead. The camera from overhead picks up a light in the trees below. The camera view shifts from the air to underneath the tree canopy. Darkness reigns supreme below the overlapping branches. The moon struggles to shine through the thick overgrowth high above the forest floor. This is Aokigahara. The sea of trees, better known as the suicide forest. Signs at the entrance explain in japanese to would be suicidal individuals, to seek help rather than swing from a tree. This is the largest suicide site on planet earth. The flashlight comes toward the camera that films below the tree tops. A hooded figure walks closer and closer. Tommy Crimson comes into view suddenly. A camera crew had to be hired out of Tokyo because it was cheaper than traveling with his own crew. Baller on a budget. Crimson walks through the dense fog saturates the air all around him. The small filming crew follows cautiously. Tommy walks along a path in the forest. Crimson closes his eyes to walk blind for a moment. He wants to feel what Zombie felt that fateful night. The night Aokigahara came here to end it all. A drunkard failed cop that found his way here.
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 Tattoo' by Black Rebel Motorcycle 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 superstar as he sends a plume of smoke up into the rafters just before taking his first step down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, 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, his eyes narrow on the ring, and he butts the cigarette out on the steel steps just before climbing them to slip through the ropes. He stalks over to the far corner and falls back into the turnbuckles with a devil may care grin to await his opponent.
LO: Last show Zachariah Krahe and Indi Rhyder worked well as tag partners to defeat Fukushima Zombie and Cross Recoba in the Main Event, but as soon as the victory was set they both knew that this moment was coming.
KO: That's right, and we're going to find out which of them will get the next best draw in the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match in two weeks!
LO: It should be an interesting match where speed and precision comes up against power and striking ability.
KO: No doubt, and I'm thinking we could have a chance for one more female to get pulled into the web that this guy has woven.
LO: I don't think Indi and Krahe had time to establish that sort of dynamic, but who can tell with a guy nicknamed The Catalyst.
'Karma Chameleon' by the Culture Club hits over the PA System, and Indi Rhyder skips out onto the stage to a pretty big ovation. She leaps back and forth along the stage, a huge bubbly smile placed upon her lips. She turns to give the camera a wink as she passes on by down the ramp, slapping hands as she goes.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing his opponent, standing at five foot five and weighting in at 130 pounds, hailing from Los Angeles, California....She is THE GALACTIC PRINCESS, INDI RHYDDEERRR!!
As she reaches ringside she makes a dash across the front row with one hand extended for high fives, and then turns abruptly to leap up onto the ring apron, and then hops up to the second rope from the outside. She waves at the capacity crowd with a grin, and then hops over the top rope to land safely in the ring. She comes to a stop to regard the man she had just been partnered with last show grinning sheepishly in her direction, and she shakes the feeling by stretching out on the ropes.
LO: Indi Rhyder doesn't look to be pulled into anything here...just another match with another opponent.
KO: Just wait, Laur. You'll see. Krahe is going to do something that gets her all flustered and leads to a bad end.
LO: I won't put anything past The Catalyst, but we're about to find out cause there's the bell...
KO: These two are off!
Indi and Krahe begin to circle one another in the ring. Krahe comes in aiming for a right hook that finds its mark! The smaller Rhyder falls back onto her heels leading Z to rush forward at The Butterfly for a lariat!
LO: Krahe strikes first! The size difference is very apparent in this one.
Zachariah slips in behind Indi to apply a standing sleeper! Both her eyes widen while Krahe locks it in tight. The Interstellar Star Child desperately tries to escape Z’s clutches. She reaches up to take hold of the back of Zachariah’s head before dropping down to a seated position for an unorthodox jawbreaker that breaks the hold!
KO: Nice counter! These two are going right at each other. On the last episode of Blitz, they were tag team partners!
LO: Yeah, and won together! Indi will want to use that high flying arsenal to keep this one in her wheelhouse.
KO: Krahe appears to want to ground The Butterfly.
The jawbreaker sends Z back into the ropes leading Indi to rush over to the ropes. She glides through quickly to end up on the apron, facing back inside the ring. Rhyder uses her tight grip on the top rope to leap up onto it, before springboarding off for a flying thrust kick that catches the staggered Krahe on the chin! Rhyder rushes to hook a leg!
…1
LO: Kick out by Z! Indi has already taken to the air in the opening moments of this one, Ken!
KO: Krahe gets the shoulder up before a count of two but that kick obviously rocked him.
Zachariah attempts to get to his feet quickly only to get caught by Rhyder from behind this time! She quickly cradles his head up standing directly behind Krahe, while he still sits on both knees. She then falls down to one knee that she drives into the center of his spine! The violent shot causes Z to fall face first on the mat! He slowly rolls over to end up on his back looking up at the bright lights. Indi quickly makes a mad dash for the closest corner. Krahe continues to writhe in pain on the mat from the sharp knee shot.
KO: Rhyder is headed for the launch pad!
LO: Rhyder pinned Cross to win the tag team match on Blitz 23. Now she looks to do more of the same here!
Indi quickly scales the corner turnbuckles to end up on top. The Interstellar Star Child takes flight! She’s aiming for a shooting star elbow drop, but Krahe holds up both knees at the last possible moment! Indi crashes and burns to end up rolling around on the mat after impact.
KO: Counter by Krahe! Indi was rolling but they may have halted her momentum completely.
LO: She bounces off the knees of her larger opponent, Krahe, in a sadistic manner. Z is up!
Krahe rolls to his feet to staredown Indi, who rolls around on the mat in real pain. Zachariah quickly cradles up Indi’s right leg. He then dead falls to the mat for a DDT on Indi’s leg! Z quickly follows up by falling down on both knees alongside Rhyder. He then takes the same leg to apply an argentine leglock! Krahe carefully gains his balance to slowly stand up! Z holds Indi up with her dangling down his midsection, upside down in the air!
LO: Wow! Krahe uses his argentine leglock with a modification. That being, it’s now a standing maneuver! He uses Rhyders own weight against her to further add pressure!
KO: It’s also the same leg that he just DDT’d! Krahe wants to weaken her sticks to keep her grounded and is putting that plan in full motion right now!
Rhyder dangles out in front of Krahe, who continues to apply more and more pressure to the already sore leg of The Butterfly. She uses her limberness to swing out in an attempt to reach the ropes with no success!
KO: Indi may tap here!
LO: That right leg has been taking damage for minutes now. Krahe wants to cripple Rhyder!
KO: He wants to ground her aerial assault.
Indi focuses on the ropes to fight through the pain. She patiently waits for Zachariah to stumble forward from all of Rhyders movement. As he takes a wobbly step forward, The Butterfly swings out to take hold of the middle rope with her right hand!
LO: ROPE BREAK! How much damage has been done!?
KO: Both of these wrestlers want that sixth spot at 7 Pillars.
Krahe immediately comes in at Rhyder! She ducks his clothesline attempt to swing around backwards with her left foot to trip up Zachariah! Indi catches him square on the shin to cause him to lunge forward out of control! Krahe smashes his face against the unforgiving canvas without warning. Rhyder then leaps back to her feet with a slight limp to take off at the ropes behind Zachariah! She bounces off to slingshot back at Krahe, who pushes himself up on his hands and knees only to catch a bulldog from behind!
KO: Indi has taken back control of this one, Laurence! She can almost taste that sixth spot.
LO: Rhyder heads to the corner looking to take flight again!
Indi leaps up on the middle turnbuckle to boost herself on up to the top. The Interstellar Star child works the crowd up before leaping off the top for a shooting star elbow drop that hits its mark, Krahe, who now lies flat on his back! Indi wastes little time in adjusting her position to make a pin only to find Z has rolled out of the ring!
LO: Veteran move! Krahe knew Indi was rolling and got out of danger before she could even attempt a pin.
KO: I don’t know that Krahe got out of danger…
Indi rushes to the corner closest to Zachariah. She climbs up to the top in moments to face out at Krahe, who continues to gather himself while leaning up against the apron. Z notices that Indi is no longer inside the ring and immediately peers up to find The Interstellar Star Child flying straight at him! Indi aims for a Cool Rhyder which hits flush, but Krahe catches her!
KO: HE CAUGHT HER OUT OF THE AIR!
Indi ends up high in the air bunched up with her knees in front of her body, facing Krahe. The stoughter Z then lunges forward at the ring steps for an unorthodox powerbomb across the steel! Fans in the front row wince, almost able to feel Indi’s pain themselves. Krahe falls back into a seated position on the outside floor after the wicked counter. Rhyder lies draped across the top of the ring steps.
LO: What a counter by Krahe! He caught Indi out of the air to transition into a powerbomb across the ring steps.
KO: Krahe amps up the violence here and that’s not an offense that warrants disqualification even though, I bet it feels like one for Indi.
LO: That’s exactly right, Ken. Krahe dropped her down onto the steel steps rather than physically using them in his own hands as a weapon to gain an advantage.
The referee comes in to begin his count while Zachariah continues to sit on the floor to recover. He slowly gets back to his feet to glare over at Indi, who remains laid out like a limp ragdoll across the steps.
KO: Rhyder may be hurt after that.
LO: Krahe does not care about her well being, he just wants that number six spot.
Zachariah walks slowly toward Rhyder as the referee’s count reaches four. Indi begins to stir as Krahe lifts her up off the steps. He then rolls her back into the ring, beneath the bottom rope. Z then follows closely behind to quickly hook a leg on Indi!
...1
...2
KO: Kick out by The Interstellar Star Child! Amazing!
LO: That was close! I thought Krahe had Indi there to claim that sixth spot.
Krahe looks at the referee to hold up three fingers. He indicates his displeasure with the count but the referee assures it was two and three quarters. Zachariah shakes his head to disagree before turning his ire back at Indi, who attempts to get up on her hands and knees. She tries to push herself up before Krahe crashes an elbow to the center of The Butterfly’s back! Zachariah then applies a crossface!
LO: Krahe continues to show the technical side of his game in this one.
Zachariah locks in the crossface then imposes his will on Indi with reckless abandonment. Rhyder thrashes about on the mat while reaching out. Krahe applied the hold close to the ropes leading Indi to reach out as far as she can! Z realizes this too late and attempts to pull her back, but The Interstellar Star Child lunges forward with all her might to grab hold of the bottom rope!
KO: ROPE BREAK!
LO: Indi manages to get to the ropes to break the hold. Krahe continues to use submissions to ground the aerial game of The Butterfly.
KO: Z has been very successful at doing that thus far.
Zachariah leaps back up to his feet after the rope break. Indi favors her right leg still while pain shoots down her spine as well. Krahe smells blood in the water, leading him to take off at Rhyder full speed ahead! Indi takes off directly at him also! The two meet in the center of the ring with Krahe thinking lou thesz press, but Rhyder ducks to slide between both split legs of her larger opponent! Zachariah had began to leap before she countered and he ends up on his hands and knees, facing away from Indi.
KO: Indi got low to miss that lou thesz press! Now she’s on the move!
Rhyder takes off for the corner and slowly climbs up to the top while Krahe gets up to turn around to find her.
LO: Indi is a little worse for wear but she continues to fight on!
Zachariah turns slowly while Indi hovers high above on the top turnbuckle waiting patiently for the perfect moment. Krahe swings all the way around leading her to leap off aiming for a diving spear! She nails The Catalyst!
KO: What a maneuver! Indi may have a hurt leg with a sore back, but she continues to impress in this match with a much larger opponent.
LO: Rhyder has used her aerial arsenal to sweep Krahe off his feet!
KO: Romantic.
LO: Shhh… Munin may hear.
Rhyder gets to her feet slowly before turning to look at the turnbuckles. She wants to end this one, right now. The crowd can feel it as she struts toward the corner with real purpose in each step.
KO: Indi looks like a woman possessed now. Krahe continues to regain his ability to breath after that vicious diving spear.
LO: Indi has been cleared for take off!
The Interstellar Star Child scales the corner slowly to not further injure her right leg. She gets to the middle turnbuckle to call for her signature maneuver, Kharmic Trip! The crowd gets riled up after this development.
LO: Indi wants to put Krahe away!
Zachariah leaps up off the mat suddenly! Rhyder has her back to him which allows Krahe to rush over to her at the turnbuckles. The Catalyst takes hold of her from behind! Indi fights to release herself from his grip but fails miserably. She manages to climb up to the top rope which she almost immediately realizes was a mistake. Krahe wraps both arms around her while balancing himself on the middle turnbuckle. Zachariah the leaps off backwards while clutching Rhyder tightly in both arms! He releases in mid air for a picture perfect german suplex that wows the entire audience!
KO: DID YOU SEE THAT!
Indi ends up in a pile on the opposite side of the ring. Krahe quickly hustles back to his feet only to find Rhyder roll out of the ring before he can attempt a pin.
LO: How did Rhyder manage to escape!?
KO: The Interstellar Star Child refuses to be beaten in this one. Krahe had her toe tag ready but she rolls out of the ring to save herself.
The Catalyst looks a little exacerbated by this. He looks out at Indi, who recovers alongside the Blitz commentary table. Krahe takes off across the ring directly at Rhyder! Zachariah leaps over the top rope to dive out at The Butterfly, who ducks! Miss! Krahe hits the outside floor face first! The crowd lets out a collective groan after the crash landing.
KO: Krahe could be out completely after that lick. He landed face first with every ounce of his weight to assist in driving his mug into the outside floor.
LO: Indi moved out of the way while Krahe believed she was dead in the water.
KO: She was playing possum! I seen it.
Both wrestlers remain down on the floor. Indi dove out of the way and remains down looking up at the bright lights attempting in vain to gather herself. Krahe rolls over onto his back to reveal a bloody nose that could be broken.
KO: Indi has drawn first blood. Zachariah stirs but the lights do not appear to be on upstairs.
The referee begins his count while Krahe and Indi struggle to get it together. Indi is still in a bit of a daze from the super german suplex while Z bleeds from both nostrils. The crowd gets riled up to push both wrestlers on.
LO: The referee’s count reaches four and both competitors remain down on the outside floor. Can either beat the count!?
KO: Indi looks like she’s headed in that direction but Krahe could have a concussion. Both of these wrestlers have taken so much damage throughout this one. Wow.
The referee continues his count which reaches five. Krahe finally stirs and sits up. Indi struggles to get up on both knees and succeeds in this endeavor finally as six is counted throughout. Krahe adjusts himself to end up on his hands and knees to crawl for the ring while Rhyder already has begun crawling in the same direction, a few feet in front.
KO: Seven… These two could be counted out. Indi could make it…
Krahe takes hold of Indi’s right foot and twists it from behind! This causes her to halt her forward momentum as the already injured ankle swells even more with real pain. Rhyder fights through it to reach her feet. She stumbles a bit on her right leg which still hurts, but she manages to roll into the ring to break the count! Krahe follows close behind for the referee to halt his count completely. Both wrestlers end up in the ring on their backs looking up at the bright lights.
LO: These two have put on a phenomenal showing here tonight, but someone has to get the upper hand. Indi is injured...Krahe is dazed...who will it be?
KO: I don't know, but we're in zero hour here...as both competitors start to push to get to their feet...
Just as they come vertical, Krahe lunges into a lariat aimed at Indi's head, but the Galactic Princess is able to duck under and he continues his momentum towards the ropes. He bounces back and Indi steps to the center to meet him, leaping up to hook both legs around his head. Instead of doing what everyone expects, which is take him down into a Frankensteiner, she instead spins so that she's now sitting on his shoulders right behind his head, and that is when she snaps backwards to deliver a Reverse Dragonrana!
LO: HEAD OVER HEEL'S TO KRAHE, WHO SPIKES OFF THE CANVAS WITH SUCH IMPACT THAT HE'S BACK ON HIS FEET AND FALLS INTO THE ROPES!
KO: Indi is there to meet him as he bounces back all punch drunk, and OH! BOOT TO HER MIDSECTION! CATALYST DDT!
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! THEY BOTH HIT THEIR FINISHERS IN A MATTER OF SECONDS AND NOW BOTH COMPETITORS ARE BACK DOWN IN THE CENTER OF THE RING!
KO: Everyone here is stunned! When Indi hit the Head Over Heel's we thought that was it...but then...damn!
LO: Even the referee looks shocked, but if finally coming back to his senses....Santiago is starting a count!
KO: You don't think....You don't think this could be it, do you?
LO: I don't know, but if it is....what the hell does that mean for the #7 spot in the Gauntlet?
KO: Good question. Come on....we can't end like this...
But the referee's count drones on, and just when it looks like Krahe might push up to his knee's he drops back down to the canvas and the referee reaches eight. Indi struggles to sit up but finds herself falling back and the referee reaches nine. There is a huge intake of air as the referee looks pleadingly at both competitors but doesn't get a response, and he shakes his head in disappointment before throwing up the ten. The exhale from the audience is audible and there is a mixed reaction that rises up as everyone watches on in silence. The bell rings and that seems to wake everyone up from this dream, and the question remains, what does this mean for 7 Pillars? The announcement that follows doesn't help provide any answers...
RING ANNOUNCER: Because neither competitor could reach their feet before the referee's count of ten, this match has been declared a DRAW!
LO: I...I don't know what to say?
KO: Crazy ending, but it leaves a whole mess of problems for management...
LO: I think we're all still just in shock. I mean, double finishers and now this...
Just then a gruff clearing of the throat rings through the PA System, and everyone's eyes turn to the entrance where Lead Booker, Dugan Callahan, bursts through the curtain with microphone in hand. Krahe and Rhyder are just now getting to their feet and having it explained to them what just happened, and both competitors plead with the referee for five more minutes. Dugan clears his throat again, and finally the pair look up the ramp to the stage where he's standing with his arms crossed.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: You know, this puts me in a pickle....sure I could give you two five more minutes. Hell, I could give you eternity, but whose to say the result won't be the same. Sure does make for interesting television, eh?
Zachariah Krahe doesn't seem amused, while Indi leans into a corner and runs her fingers through her hair in a little frustration. Dugan lets out a big belly laugh that reverberates through the arena, and the fans aren't sure whether to laugh along or just boo the man off the stage. Either way they decide, Dugan carries on.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: So here's what we're going to do. Last year, the Gauntlet match itself was the first time ever. First time we had hosted a big PPV. First time we would crown an UnYielding Champion. This year, keeping with that tradition, for the first time ever, two competitors will be named the #6 Entrant!
Dugan pauses to let that sink in while Krahe and Indi look to one another in a bit of confusion. The fans voice their own concerns and Dugan waves his hand to simmer everyone down.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: That's right....Indi Rhyder and Zachariah Krahe are both the #6 entrants! And by my reasoning, unless my math is off, that means that guarantee's at least two Triple Threat Matches inside the Gauntlet!
The fans are silent for a moment, reasoning through what they've just heard, but when they come to the same conclusion they explode with cheers. Dugan nods, realizing that the fans would probably appreciate that little added flavor. Indi and Krahe, however, don't seem to share in the Booker's vision, realizing that the deck has just been stacked against them.
DUGAN CALLAHAN: Just so we're clear....whoever makes it to the next to final match in the tournament will be walking into a Triple Threat Match against these two!
He points to the ring...
DUGAN CALLAHAN: And whoever gets eliminated from that will see Moxie James replace them for the final Triple Threat Match, which will also be elimination style. It's just an added extra you see, cause in the end the same rules apply. Survival of the fittest. Who can run the Gauntlet? Good luck to you both....you're going to need it.
The fans continue to pop for the announcement as Dugan turns and heads through the curtain. Krahe watches him go with a furrowed brow while Indi shrugs her shoulders and exits the ring to slap hands with fans at ringside.
LO: Can you believe that bombshell, Ken?
KO: I'm still not sure exactly what all of that means...I suck at math.
LO: What it means is that the last two matches of the Gauntlet will be triple threats, and the final of those will be elimination style!
KO: Oh...well....why didn't he just say so?
LO: Um...he did.
KO: Whatever, Laur! I don't have time to try and decipher that drunks ramblings! What the...did the lights just flicker...
LO: Uh...I believe they did...
A familiar inverted cross glitches across the big screen leading into a full screen story...Six nights ago, Tommy Crimson took a trip…The Fury departed a cryopreservation facility in Michigan to head straight for the Detroit Metro Airport. He then took the first round trip flight to Tokyo on his own dime. Crimson went there for one reason. To learn. The infamous cross flashes across a solid black screen that fades away to reveal a vast forest from overhead. The camera from overhead picks up a light in the trees below. The camera view shifts from the air to underneath the tree canopy. Darkness reigns supreme below the overlapping branches. The moon struggles to shine through the thick overgrowth high above the forest floor. This is Aokigahara. The sea of trees, better known as the suicide forest. Signs at the entrance explain in japanese to would be suicidal individuals, to seek help rather than swing from a tree. This is the largest suicide site on planet earth. The flashlight comes toward the camera that films below the tree tops. A hooded figure walks closer and closer. Tommy Crimson comes into view suddenly. A camera crew had to be hired out of Tokyo because it was cheaper than traveling with his own crew. Baller on a budget. Crimson walks through the dense fog saturates the air all around him. The small filming crew follows cautiously. Tommy walks along a path in the forest. Crimson closes his eyes to walk blind for a moment. He wants to feel what Zombie felt that fateful night. The night Aokigahara came here to end it all. A drunkard failed cop that found his way here.
THE FURY: Zombie.
The Fury continues along the path to see various letters nailed to trees explaining failed lives but successful ends. Tommy stops suddenly to pull his right sleeve up. Goose pimples run up his arm. Crimson peers into the darkness to see a tree with a noose hanging from a large branch. Tommy walks over while reaching into his pants pocket. He opens the switchblade at the camera before reaching up to cut down the noose. Crimson holds the small flashlight in his mouth while he does this. He sticks the knife in the tree for a trade of sorts.
THE FURY: I will choke him with this to bring him back to this “place”. I will dishonor Zombie and lead him back here, full circle. He will have to use that knife to slit his wrists because I am keeping the noose.
Crimson taunts at the most significant place from Zombie’s life. Tommy peers around to see tents scattered. The creepy nature of this place lingers all around to thicken the air. The Fury walks straight toward the camera as the shot glitches back to Vancouver, Canada! The large Valor Pro entrance ramp comes in to focus. Indi and Zachariah have already head to the back when the lights go out and the inverted cross flashes across the screen. Megaraptor begins to flood the ears of the VPW fateful with “Lux Aeterna”. The crowd comes unglued. The Detroit Devil walks out onto the stage carrying the noose from the suicide forest. The trip was days ago but how he has presented here has worked up the crowd. Crimson holds the noose high into the air at the edge of the stage to rile everyone in sight. Tommy holds a mic in the other hand.
THE DETROIT DEVIL: I brought it back, Zombie. You can’t kill a real zombie by hanging, but you can a broken down old man that parades around like one.
The Fury loosens the noose to tie it around his own neck as if making some sort of morbid fashion statement.
THE DETROIT DEVIL: I felt what you felt, Aokigahara. I saw what you saw when you were most vulnerable. I will recreate that personal hell for you to relive before our match. That vulnerability will lead to insecurity that I can mold to end you. I want to play with your post traumatic stress as if it were clay.
Crimson takes the noose from around his neck to hold it out from his body. The rope swings from left to right like a pendulum.
THE DETROIT DEVIL: Time’s Up.
The Fury drops the mic on the edge of the stage as the crowd comes down hard on him. Crimson appears to use it as fuel which further enrages the Canadian crowd. “Lux Aeterna” hits to roaring boos. Tommy backs away through the curtain with a wide grin while still causing the noose to move, back and forth, like the ticking of a clock. The scene cuts suddenly backstage...
Aokigahara Zombie grins at the camera while wearing a Crimson t-shirt on. He looks around for a second and holds his palm up.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Just a second I want to make sure of something.
He waits and looks behind him to the blank wall then behind the camera.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Ok good. No wild and wacky apparitions this time around. I guess I’m the exception. Anyway, I figured I would answer a certain something a certain Furious one said last time on Blitz 23. That’s right I am coming right to you people! You can’t deny me now! This person even went so far as to disturb our Emily so much that she was skittish about accepting an interview. Also, I couldn’t find her in time. The hunt will continue later. BUT I am here now! So let’s get something straight here: Jealousy is a hard concept to grasp and I have been unable to do it in all my years in this business. I have tried but when I want something I just go out and get it! It is a simple thing to satisfy yourself, yet so few people are willing.
Aoki peels back a toothy grin.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: People like to speak out their desires and make them gospel. In my experience actions are much stronger than words. So I propose that Tommy Crimson acts on his words. I want him to give me something to be jealous about. I am free in all the ways he is not. I fight in whatever kind of fight I want to be in. My only responsibilities are my greatest pleasures. If he really is the best then one of those pleasures would be seeing how true this is. Make me sour, Crimson. Then you can see what it takes to have this.
He holds up the Unleashed Championship with two fingers under the buckled straps.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Oh, and don’t use the word hate lightly. You really have to earn such strong emotions. Maybe you can try?
He laughs out loudly as the shot fades
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Just a second I want to make sure of something.
He waits and looks behind him to the blank wall then behind the camera.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Ok good. No wild and wacky apparitions this time around. I guess I’m the exception. Anyway, I figured I would answer a certain something a certain Furious one said last time on Blitz 23. That’s right I am coming right to you people! You can’t deny me now! This person even went so far as to disturb our Emily so much that she was skittish about accepting an interview. Also, I couldn’t find her in time. The hunt will continue later. BUT I am here now! So let’s get something straight here: Jealousy is a hard concept to grasp and I have been unable to do it in all my years in this business. I have tried but when I want something I just go out and get it! It is a simple thing to satisfy yourself, yet so few people are willing.
Aoki peels back a toothy grin.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: People like to speak out their desires and make them gospel. In my experience actions are much stronger than words. So I propose that Tommy Crimson acts on his words. I want him to give me something to be jealous about. I am free in all the ways he is not. I fight in whatever kind of fight I want to be in. My only responsibilities are my greatest pleasures. If he really is the best then one of those pleasures would be seeing how true this is. Make me sour, Crimson. Then you can see what it takes to have this.
He holds up the Unleashed Championship with two fingers under the buckled straps.
AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE: Oh, and don’t use the word hate lightly. You really have to earn such strong emotions. Maybe you can try?
He laughs out loudly as the shot fades
Featuring: Lady Munin
'Allo, I'm-a Giuseppe, I got-a something special-a for you, ready?
Uno, duo, tre, quatro!
And the crowd in the Pacific Coliseum is on its feet as Joe Dolce’s “Shaddup Yo Face” starts up. I don’t need to tell you that it’s not exactly the music that pumps you up. Everyone is confused. But Brad Stokes comes out, face still wrapped in bandages, wearing his trademark leather jacket and jeans and a t-shirt with his old face silkscreened on it. And let me just say, Brad’s purposeful ring walk illustrates beyond a doubt that he’s not fucking around.
“When I was a boy just about the eighth-a grade
Mama used to say "don't stay out-a late with the bad-a boys
Always shoot-a pool Giuseppe going to flunk-a school!"
The song keeps rocking as Brad Goldberg stalks down the ramp ready to breathe fire, swinging his fists and looking ready to knock someone the eff out.
Boy it make-a me sick all the t'ing I gotta do
I can't-a get-a no kicks, always got to follow rules
Boy it make-a me sick just to make-a lousy bucks
Got to feel-a like a fool
And-a mama used to say all-a time
Brad stalks the ring looking out into the capacity crowd like he’s ready to spear them all. He climbs the ring with peak intensity, for a moment pausing cause it looks like he threw out his back as he pulled on the ring ropes.
What's-a matter you? Hey! Gotta no respect?
What-a you t'ink you do, why you look-a so sad?
It's-a not so bad, it's-a nice-a place
Ah shaddap-a you face!
That's-a my mama, I can remember!
Brad slides into the ring pretending like anything that he’s not bracing his aching back right now.
Big accordion solo!
Ah, play 'dat again!
Really nice, really nice!
Brad releases a microphone from his jacket pocket.
BRAD STOKES: Cut my music!
The crowd is grateful when the song cuts off and Brad paces the ring occasionally itching his scalp through the bandages.
BRAD STOKES: I’m tired of it, I tell you. I’m tired of being a joke. It’s high time everyone currently face wrapped in bandages to RISE UP and overthrow our cultural oppressors taking our rightful--
"Horns" by Bryce Fox hits over the PA System and Munin steps through the curtain. The petite beauty makes her way down the ramp with brisk graceful steps. A bemused smile flirting at the corners of her mouth combined a neat aline white dress that presents a picture of innocent cheerfulness. It's an illusion quickly shattered when she promptly roundhouse kicks Brad in the head and catches the microphone before the man's body hits the floor. The audience is in a slight state of shock, as she demurely smooths out the creases in her dress. Her eyes look out at the audience with mischievous delight.
LADY MUNIN: It's nothing personal Brad, you're just the poor schmuck they chose to waste my time. I won't tolerate that Brad, no my tolerance is running high in demand but short in supply lately. I suppose going over the side of a building has that effect on a person.
She chuckles while daintily stepping over the host's prone body.
LADY MUNIN: I came to Valor for my pound of flesh, instead I'm being fed scraps. Scraps...
She tsks while shaking her head.
LADY MUNIN: Perhaps you are just incompetent? Do you need someone to spell it out for you to trace? WHOSE FLESH DO I HAVE TO START CARVING, BEFORE YOU GIVE ME THE FLESH I WANT?
She looks around with a calmness completely at odds with the temporary rage in her voice.
LADY MUNIN: Let's not be coy, or play games. Cosmo Cooper marched in with a band demanding the highest place in this company, and you bent over. Legs spread and mouth open...I don't want your trinket. I just want my pound of flesh, and I'll get it. I promise you that. You can feed it to me in the ring, or I can start taking it from the back. At the end of the day, the choice is yours.
Slowly she turns to look up towards the ramp with a knowing smile.
LADY MUNIN: What about you Siberia? Are you willing to sit back, and let others pay your dues? This isn’t all about you of course, but you’re not a bad place to start…
The smile still firmly in place the Lady makes her way back up the ramp, dropping the microphone on Brad Stokes as she passes by. In quite possibly the shortest Where There's Stokes, There's Fire segment in the history of VPW, it's clear as the camera watches her go that the Lady has made her point. The scene then cuts backstage.
Long after the dust has settled from her earlier bout, the cameras find Indi Rhyder just hanging out in the parking lot, she seems to have found a few fans and is enjoying what is one hundred percent water in the water bottle and a just-your-every-day cigarette, because after all she has to set a good example for the fans watching at home...
Anyway.
There she is in the parking lot with these fans and they're all just hanging out and having a good time. Indi has changed out of her ring gear and is now wearing the coolest looking dress ever, hand painted butterfly wings cascade down her back and soft, silk look flowers adorn the rest of the dress. The followers.. uh, fans that she has amassed all have butterflies painted on their faces.
As they sit around the Commodore and enjoy the good vibes, Indi waves the camera over, her usual cheerful smile on her lips.
"well my buds, I been a littttttttle too focused on my match this week and I couldn't let this ride without talking about all the other stuff that is just swirling and moving all about in my head. So, here goes it."
First, she reaches back and she pulls out a small stuffed bear. The bear is obviously brand new and has a bright red ribbon tied around its neck, the soft fluff of the bear has been preened and brushed to look as inviting as it possibly can. After showing the bear off to the camera, Indi then places the bear into a neatly wrapped box and hands it to one of her followers.. uh, fans.
The fan carries the box over to the loading box and carefully places it down, making sure to straighten the bow before the camera moves back to Indi.
"Little zombie, I been thinking about you. You're not like the rest of them, but different? Different is good and I know you were sad last show when I put down the Fox... BUT, you showed real talent. I just... I can't stop thinking about you little Zombie... You're something else."
Indi sighs in a wistful way and then claps her hands together.
"Make sure to hug that bear REAAAAAAL tight, he might just hug you back."
Indi pauses for a moment, letting the idea sink in as the fol-...fans around her nod in agreement.
"Munin."
Indi says the name with a dose of genuine, warm affection.
"See you soon!"
And, in usual Indi fashion, she's done. Just like that and turns her attention back to that water bottle and he impromptu after party she is throwing with a group of butterfly face painted people who are definitely, just fans.
There was tension between them. He knew there was and he knew she thought it had to do with the way their relationship had evolved and changed. Deep down he knew it was possible that it was part of what fueled the raging emotions he felt inside as of late but the reality of the situation was that he knew there was more to it than that. Still, they sat in silence. Awkward silence. He hadn’t seen her much in the last week. Part of that had been by choice but mostly it had been because of a wager she had lost to Drell.
In the back of his mind he wondered why she had been so foolish to make a bet with a man like Kaven. But the two of them had both agreed that setting a man on fire, as Kaven had done to Rex Rumble, was above and beyond what was acceptable. That had been the reason she had done so. That was what she had told him, anyway. And he understood, especially since he had asked her to convince him not to go to such measures again. Whether or not she had been successful wasn’t something he had asked about. At least not yet.
The true source of the tension, he knew, was Chris Callum. More the fact that he had the audacity to try and use her against him. And, beyond that, the fact that she hadn’t snapped hi back into place the way he wished she would have. Those thoughts popping into his mind again were what finally broke the silence between them.
DANNY RIZZO: “Why do you let him keep doing this?”
His tongue was a bit more sharp than he had intended it to be with her, but there was no going back now.
DANNY RIZZO: “Callum, I mean. I get that you feel some sense of loyalty to him but surely you can see what he’s doing. Surely you can see he’s trying to use you to get to me. And you just sit there and smile and go on about things like they’re perfectly normal. Why won’t you tell him to back off if you don’t really want to be in the middle of all of this?”
Leela was stunned for a moment by the sudden outburst. It wasn’t like Danny to be like this but she could understand why he felt that way about the situation. She sighed and shook her head.
LEELA WATTS: “I don’t know… I guess part of me thinks being out of it just means that I can be my normal self. That I can completely ignore what’s going on. I know he’s trying to use me against you in a way because it’s part of the mind games people play in this industry. He did it with Cosmo. I hadn’t even been with Cosmo for over a year and it sort of somehow came back to me being involved. I just ignored it.”
She placed her hand on Danny’s shoulder and gave him a comforting rub and forced a small smile before leaning forward and kissing his cheek.
LEELA WATTS: “You’re right though. I should tell him to back off, but you also need to calm down because this reaction you’re having right now? Is just what he wants. I’m being normal because that’s what I feel you should be as well. Normal. Don’t let him know he’s getting under your skin. You know I support you over him in the end but, I don’t want to lose friends because of a title match.”
He let her kiss his cheek and leaned into it slightly, the anger that was burning in him subsiding for half a moment until she spoke again. Her affection, when present, seemed to soothe him but the moment it was gone all of that hatred ignited once more.
DANNY RIZZO: “That’s the crazy thing. That you still look at him like he’s a friend. A man who you yourself just said is exploiting and manipulating you. Not just you, but your pain. After everything that Cosmo put you through, Callum tried to use that, to use you. And if this is the reaction that he wants?”
Danny pushed himself up, standing to face her.
DANNY RIZZO: “Then he can have it. But I promise you when I’m done with him, he’s going to regret it. Tonight is just going to be a taste of that. Just a small morsel of what is coming at 7 Pillars. A preview. A snapshot. I will be the end of Chris Callum.”
Stepping past her toward the door, he paused and turned back to her once more.
DANNY RIZZO: “And I’m not stopping until it’s done.”
Shoving the door open, Danny exited into the hall presumably to head toward the ring for the match that was scheduled in just a few moments. The cameras swung to show Leela standing there, her emotions unreadable as seconds pass by. And then Kaven Drell steps onto the scene, having apparently been eavesdropping on the conversation the entire time. He moves toward Leela with ease and reaches out to stroke her long blonde locks of hair, soothing her.
KAVEN DRELL: “Don’t worry, love. It’s what needs to be done. All will be well in the end.”
LEELA WATTS: “I hope so…”
Leela was a bit defeated at the moment like she hadn’t helped Danny at all. She hung her head for a moment before realizing just how soothing Kaven’s hand stroking her hair was and she casually wrapped her arms around him embracing him in a hug.
LEELA WATTS: “I’ll just be happy when Danny’s Apex Champion and this stuff with Chris is over.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Kaven accepted her embrace and with his voice just above a whisper he nodded his agreement.
KAVEN DRELL: “Everything burns, love. Even Chris Callum.”
Anyway.
There she is in the parking lot with these fans and they're all just hanging out and having a good time. Indi has changed out of her ring gear and is now wearing the coolest looking dress ever, hand painted butterfly wings cascade down her back and soft, silk look flowers adorn the rest of the dress. The followers.. uh, fans that she has amassed all have butterflies painted on their faces.
As they sit around the Commodore and enjoy the good vibes, Indi waves the camera over, her usual cheerful smile on her lips.
"well my buds, I been a littttttttle too focused on my match this week and I couldn't let this ride without talking about all the other stuff that is just swirling and moving all about in my head. So, here goes it."
First, she reaches back and she pulls out a small stuffed bear. The bear is obviously brand new and has a bright red ribbon tied around its neck, the soft fluff of the bear has been preened and brushed to look as inviting as it possibly can. After showing the bear off to the camera, Indi then places the bear into a neatly wrapped box and hands it to one of her followers.. uh, fans.
The fan carries the box over to the loading box and carefully places it down, making sure to straighten the bow before the camera moves back to Indi.
"Little zombie, I been thinking about you. You're not like the rest of them, but different? Different is good and I know you were sad last show when I put down the Fox... BUT, you showed real talent. I just... I can't stop thinking about you little Zombie... You're something else."
Indi sighs in a wistful way and then claps her hands together.
"Make sure to hug that bear REAAAAAAL tight, he might just hug you back."
Indi pauses for a moment, letting the idea sink in as the fol-...fans around her nod in agreement.
"Munin."
Indi says the name with a dose of genuine, warm affection.
"See you soon!"
And, in usual Indi fashion, she's done. Just like that and turns her attention back to that water bottle and he impromptu after party she is throwing with a group of butterfly face painted people who are definitely, just fans.
There was tension between them. He knew there was and he knew she thought it had to do with the way their relationship had evolved and changed. Deep down he knew it was possible that it was part of what fueled the raging emotions he felt inside as of late but the reality of the situation was that he knew there was more to it than that. Still, they sat in silence. Awkward silence. He hadn’t seen her much in the last week. Part of that had been by choice but mostly it had been because of a wager she had lost to Drell.
In the back of his mind he wondered why she had been so foolish to make a bet with a man like Kaven. But the two of them had both agreed that setting a man on fire, as Kaven had done to Rex Rumble, was above and beyond what was acceptable. That had been the reason she had done so. That was what she had told him, anyway. And he understood, especially since he had asked her to convince him not to go to such measures again. Whether or not she had been successful wasn’t something he had asked about. At least not yet.
The true source of the tension, he knew, was Chris Callum. More the fact that he had the audacity to try and use her against him. And, beyond that, the fact that she hadn’t snapped hi back into place the way he wished she would have. Those thoughts popping into his mind again were what finally broke the silence between them.
DANNY RIZZO: “Why do you let him keep doing this?”
His tongue was a bit more sharp than he had intended it to be with her, but there was no going back now.
DANNY RIZZO: “Callum, I mean. I get that you feel some sense of loyalty to him but surely you can see what he’s doing. Surely you can see he’s trying to use you to get to me. And you just sit there and smile and go on about things like they’re perfectly normal. Why won’t you tell him to back off if you don’t really want to be in the middle of all of this?”
Leela was stunned for a moment by the sudden outburst. It wasn’t like Danny to be like this but she could understand why he felt that way about the situation. She sighed and shook her head.
LEELA WATTS: “I don’t know… I guess part of me thinks being out of it just means that I can be my normal self. That I can completely ignore what’s going on. I know he’s trying to use me against you in a way because it’s part of the mind games people play in this industry. He did it with Cosmo. I hadn’t even been with Cosmo for over a year and it sort of somehow came back to me being involved. I just ignored it.”
She placed her hand on Danny’s shoulder and gave him a comforting rub and forced a small smile before leaning forward and kissing his cheek.
LEELA WATTS: “You’re right though. I should tell him to back off, but you also need to calm down because this reaction you’re having right now? Is just what he wants. I’m being normal because that’s what I feel you should be as well. Normal. Don’t let him know he’s getting under your skin. You know I support you over him in the end but, I don’t want to lose friends because of a title match.”
He let her kiss his cheek and leaned into it slightly, the anger that was burning in him subsiding for half a moment until she spoke again. Her affection, when present, seemed to soothe him but the moment it was gone all of that hatred ignited once more.
DANNY RIZZO: “That’s the crazy thing. That you still look at him like he’s a friend. A man who you yourself just said is exploiting and manipulating you. Not just you, but your pain. After everything that Cosmo put you through, Callum tried to use that, to use you. And if this is the reaction that he wants?”
Danny pushed himself up, standing to face her.
DANNY RIZZO: “Then he can have it. But I promise you when I’m done with him, he’s going to regret it. Tonight is just going to be a taste of that. Just a small morsel of what is coming at 7 Pillars. A preview. A snapshot. I will be the end of Chris Callum.”
Stepping past her toward the door, he paused and turned back to her once more.
DANNY RIZZO: “And I’m not stopping until it’s done.”
Shoving the door open, Danny exited into the hall presumably to head toward the ring for the match that was scheduled in just a few moments. The cameras swung to show Leela standing there, her emotions unreadable as seconds pass by. And then Kaven Drell steps onto the scene, having apparently been eavesdropping on the conversation the entire time. He moves toward Leela with ease and reaches out to stroke her long blonde locks of hair, soothing her.
KAVEN DRELL: “Don’t worry, love. It’s what needs to be done. All will be well in the end.”
LEELA WATTS: “I hope so…”
Leela was a bit defeated at the moment like she hadn’t helped Danny at all. She hung her head for a moment before realizing just how soothing Kaven’s hand stroking her hair was and she casually wrapped her arms around him embracing him in a hug.
LEELA WATTS: “I’ll just be happy when Danny’s Apex Champion and this stuff with Chris is over.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Kaven accepted her embrace and with his voice just above a whisper he nodded his agreement.
KAVEN DRELL: “Everything burns, love. Even Chris Callum.”
RING ANNOUNCER: The following contest is a 7 Pillars Preview Tag Match, Challengers versus Champions, set for one fall or submission...
The arena is cast into darkness as the piano intro for Lux Aeterna by Megaraptor hit's over the PA System. The big screen above the stage begins to crackle before becoming a sheet of static and symbols appear with the an upside down cross and the message 'Believe In Yourself'.
The arena is cast into darkness as the piano intro for Lux Aeterna by Megaraptor hit's over the PA System. The big screen above the stage begins to crackle before becoming a sheet of static and symbols appear with the an upside down cross and the message 'Believe In Yourself'.
This flashing light is all that illuminates the stage and as the fans eyes adjust they see Tommy Crimson standing in it's center shrouded by an eerie mist. He's wearing a long red trenchcoat to match his stringy red hair over black leather pants and a sleeveless skin tight mesh shirt with the upside down cross embroidered dead center of his chest. The fans begin to boo the theatrical entrance but The Fury doesn't seem to care as he strides through the mist and makes his way down the ramp.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, standing at six foot two and weighting in at 186 pounds, hailing from Detroit, Michigan...He is THE FURY, TOMMY CRIMMSSSOONNN!!
Tommy reaches the bottom of the ramp and turns to his left to take the ring steps to the apron, swinging into the ring, and then leaping up to the second turnbuckle of the closest turnbuckle. The flashing lights from the big screen make each of Tommy's motions look like a spectral image. He thrusts his arms out at his sides and when the screen goes dark and the lights come back to full he's staring heavenward while his arms remain at his sides to form a human cross.
LO: Tommy Crimson won a huge match against Frenzy last show to earn his spot as the #1 Contender to the Unleashed Championship.
KO: I can't wait for that. Can you imagine? Him and Aokigahara Zombie in some sort of Death Match? It'll be fantastic!
LO: Aren't you the one who vomits every time Aoki fights in a hardcore setting...
KO: HEY! Let's not talk about that and focus on what's to come!
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: Ladies and Gentlemen, there has been a correction...Hailing from Dayton, Ohio and the NEXT APEX CHAMPION...THE UNYIELDING...DANNY RIZZOOOOO!!
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 to take in Tommy Crimson who leans against their corner giving mock applause. Danny spits outside of the ring while still keeping an eye on his partner, then turns to watch the entrance for their opponents.
LO: Danny Rizzo and Chris Callum came face to face last show on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire and the match was made for their match at 7 Pillars.
KO: Not only that, but Leela Watts walked out of the ring after signifying that she isn't going to be put in the middle of the two.
LO: In their first altercation both men were counted out after being unable to make it back to the ring, and one has to wonder if there won't be a stipulation added at the PPV to ensure that a winner is decided.
KO: I hope so. There's nothing worse than a championship being on the line and a completely screwed finish...
'Courage' by The Minutemen hits over the PA system, and Aokigahara Zombie bursts through the curtain wearing his trademark leather jacket, the Unleashed Championship around his waist, and beaming a toothy grin. The fans give a cheer despite themselves, knowing that whenever Aoki is involved, more than likely, insanity is sure to follow. The leader of the Zombie Clan stalks around the stage, beating his chest and letting out maniacal fits of laughter, until finally settling his gaze on the ring, running his thumb across his throat in the sign of execution. He laughs again just as he starts his walk down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, representing The Zombie Clan, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 230 pounds, hailing from Yamanashi, Japan...He is THE CURRENT UNLEASHED CHAMPION...AOKIGAHARA ZOMMBBBIIEEE!!!
Zombie reaches ringside and rolls under the bottom rope into the ring, popping up and immediately peeling his jacket off and tossing it to the ringside attendant before spinning around and waggling his fingers out in front of him Rizzo and Crimson's direction.
LO: Aokigahara Zombie is still undefeated in singles competition and has been the longest reigning Unleashed Champion we've had thus far.
KO: Yeah, but he hardly ever defends it. It's easy to hold onto the championship when you aren't a fighting champion.
LO: Are you serious? Do you have a death wish or something?
KO: What?
LO: After all you've seen that man do to another human being you want to be the one who says he isn't a fighting champion?!?
KO: Uh....I never said that.
LO: You just did!
The announcers continue to bicker as 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 at the other competitors in 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 too bothered by them as he slips into the ring and bounces up and down as he stares across the ring at Rizzo.
LO: The tension has just reached palpable levels, cause THE APEX has arrived!
KO: Callum looks supremely confident here tonight as Tommy and Danny now share a clipped conversation.
LO: It looks to me like Rizzo wants to start this thing and wants Callum in the center of the ring, but Aoki is pleading with Callum to let him start.
KO: Looks like Zombie is going to get his wish and Crimson and Rizzo are still having problems figuring it out...
LO: Finally! Tommy Crimson shakes his head in disdain but then indicates mockingly that the ring is Danny's before stepping out to the apron..
KO: And there goes the bell!
As soon as the bell rings Aoki charges right for Danny and dives at the man with a forearm smash, but Rizzo deftly sides steps him and instead Zombie slams into Tommy Crimson's jaw. Tommy is flung from the apron to the floor, and when Aoki spins around he's met by The Risen with shoot kicks right into his chest that drive him back into the corner. Aoki takes a few of the shots but quickly clamps down on Rizzo's firing leg and pushes him towards the center of the ring on his pivot foot. Danny shakes his head in Aoki's face just as the Zombie lets out a gleeful yell and then swings through into a deep Dragon Leg Drag that drops Danny to the canvas clutching at his knee. Zombie wastes little time gaining control of Rizzo's ankle, spinning the man over onto his stomach only to lift his bottom half up off the canvas and driving his knee cap straight down into the mat. Danny cries out and grabs at the limb, immediately pulling himself away from Aoki's clutches, but the Unleashed Champion continues his pursuit.
LO: Aoki stalking Danny now as he gets himself over to the neutral corner, but Danny rolls over onto his back and FIRES A STIFF BOOT TO ZOMBIE'S FACE THAT BEGS HIM OFF!
KO: Zombie coming back in to grab for him again and ANOTHER shot to the face sends him stumbling back. Danny now grabbing the turnbuckles to get to his feet and HERE COMES ZOMBIE WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM...
LO: BUT RIZZO GETS HIS GOOD LEG UP AND ZOMBIE RUNS FACE FIRST INTO IT! Zombie is dazed as Danny makes the short hop to the second turnbuckle, and DIVES OFF..OH MY GOD!
KO: ZOMBIE'S HAND FLASHED UP LIKE LIGHTENING AND RIGHT INTO RIZZO'S MOUTH! ITAI CLAW ON DANNY AND WE'RE MAYBE TWO MINUTES IN!
LO: LOOK OUT FROM BEHIND CAUSE HERE COMES TOMMY CRIMSON TEARING INTO THE RING AND HE LOOKS PISSED!
Tommy blasts Aoki from behind with a double ax handle that causes him to let loose the debilitating hold on his partner, and despite the referee's objections Tommy spins Aoki around to rest against the turnbuckle while he opens up a can of stiff boots into the man which drives him down to a seated position. The Ref finally grabs Tommy physically by the shoulder and when The Fury turns on him it's all he can do to keep from belting the official. Finally, some semblance of sense returns to the man, and he nods to the official as he bails out of the ring through the ropes to return to his corner. Chris Callum watches all of this intently, the tug of a smirk on his lips as Danny regains his feet and moves in on Aoki with a few stomps of his own. With Zombie effectively grounded, Danny takes a few steps back away from the corner only to rush back in and deliver a Falling Basement Dropkick right to the man's exposed face leaving him to claw at his own features before being yanked from the corner and for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: Zombie with a hard kick out at two and now Danny is working him back up to his feet and pushing him against the ropes to send to the other side...
KO: Aoki on his way back now and DANNY WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE KNEE LAYS HIM LOW, BUT HE'S BACK UP AND RUSHES THE ROPES IN FRONT...FOR A SHINING WIZARD THAT CLIPS ZOMBIE RIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE SKULL!
LO: BLACK ROSE! And now Danny with a deep hook of the leg...
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! Zombie out at two and three quarters and Danny now dragging the man over to his corner where he just tagged in the waiting Tommy Crimson!
LO: These two are scheduled to go one on one for the Unleashed Championship at 7 Pillars, but Tommy looks ready to tear him apart right here and now!
Crimson enters the ring and immediately yanks Aoki to his feet and spins him around to get him in a front chancery only to drive repeated Knee's into the Zombie's already puffy face, a result of Rizzo's offense from earlier before. The knee's look vicious as they drives Zombie up into the air with each blow, and finally Tommy pushes him back to a standing position before leaping up with his knee's tucked into his face and bringing Zombie face down to strike against them for a Double Knee Facebreaker. Zombie recoils down to the mat clutching at his nose while the camera picks up a noticeable golf ball sized contusion raising over his left eyebrow. Tommy rolls into a quick cover, and the ref drops to make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Zombie out again just in the nick of time, and Tommy yanks him up to a seated position to apply a neck crank...God...he's just clawing the man's face as he does so.
KO: Aoki started the match off hot by holding his own against both his opponents, but Danny was able to turn that around thanks in part to Crimson...and now Tommy is capitalizing.
Zombie yells 'No' at the official as he's asked if he'd like to submit, even while his head and neck are being stretched in an unnatural way thanks to The Fury. Crimson chances a glance over at an intense Chris Callum who continues to just calmly watch all of this unfold, but looks ready at a moments notice to enter the fray. Tommy grins at him as he gives a vicious yank in the opposite direction to which he had been turning Aoki's neck, now focusing on the other nerve clusters. Zombie begins to spit things out in Japanese as he rocks until finally rolling up to his knee, and Tommy is forced to turn the neck crank into a Standing Headlock or lose control. Zombie eventually gets all the way to his feet but can't seem to find a way out of the hold until finally driving Crimson into the ropes where he's forced to break and then sent to the opposite side.
LO: Tommy Crimson on his way back now with a head full of steam and ZOMBIE RUSHES OUT TO MEET HIM WITH A SLING BLADE LIKE MANEUVER THAT DRIVES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: Rizzo is bouncing up and down on the bottom rope raising hell at Crimson to get up, and Aoki has managed to stumble back to his feet...here comes Crimson to his..AND SWINGING NECK BREAKER TAKES HIM RIGHT BACK DOWN!
LO: Now both men are laid out in the center of the ring and Aoki need desperately to make a tag, and he's looking in that direction as if he may do so....
KO: Callum still watching on with ice water in his veins...and wait a minute! Crimson has made it over onto his stomach and is crawling towards Rizzo...
LO: Crimson is closer...AND THERE'S THE TAG TO DANNY!
Aoki can hear Rizzo vaulting into the ring and coming for him and so he gets his foot under his body and lunges forward just as The Risen reaches him to tag the waiting hand of one Chris Callum! The fans erupt as Callum comes into the ring while Danny rushes in to meet him. Danny goes for a lariat but Callum ducks it, and when he turns around he catches a boot to the midsection, his arm laced through his legs, and then is lifted and dropped hard into a Pump Handle Slam!
LO: Ring rattling impact as Callum comes back to his feet, and LOOK OUT! Here comes Tommy Crimson AND THERE GOES TOMMY CRIMSON!
KO: CALLUM JUST SIDE STEPPED THE MAN AND GOT HIM BY THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK AND SENT HIM RIGHT UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!
LO: Callum whirls around back to Rizzo whose made it to his feet, and NAILS HIM WITH A CHOP THAT ECHOES THROUGH THE ARENA!
KO: Another one, and another one, and The UnYielding is lit up like Christmas!
LO: Callum now driving Rizzo into the ropes and sends him to the opposite side...steps out to the center to meet him, and SNAP POWERSLAM DRIVES HIM INTO THE CANVAS!
KO: Callum staying ontop and hooking the leg for good measure!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Danny Rizzo with amazing fortitude kicks out at a near three, and Callum now already working him back to his feet...Lifts him up onto his shoulder...
KO: ALABAMA SLAM! GOOD GOD! DAMN NEAR PUT HIM THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE RING!
LO: Callum back down for another hook of the leg...
1...
2...
KO: THREE-NO! Tommy Crimson back in the ring with a stomp to the back of Callum's skull to break up the pin....BUT HERE COMES AOKI! NOW THESE TWO ARE TRADING BLOWS IN THE CENTER OF THE RING AND THE REFEREE HAS LOST ALL CONTROL!
The two brawlers scrap like no one's business, fists and feet flying as blows are either blocked or land in glancing fashion. Aoki suddenly takes the advantage when he performs a lightening fast roundhouse kick to Tommy's gut which doubles him over, but before he can follow up Chris Callum knocks him right out of the way, tucks Crimson's head between his legs, and then lifts him up into a Spin Out Powerbomb! The fans go ballistic as The Eternal pops back up to his feet and Aoki is left just staring at him as he instructs him to get this trash out of his ring. Aoki posts up in Callum's face, but just when it looks like he may take exception to the situation flashes The Eternal a toothy grin and begins to cackle. He reaches down and scoops up Tommy and then spins him around to shoot him through the top and middle rope to the outside before following him out. Callum watches as the referee moves to that edge of the ring to try and convince the two men to return to their corners before turning his attention back to Danny Rizzo, who has worked his way up to his knee's.
LO: The Apex Champion moving in on Rizzo....WHO UPPERCUTS HIM RIGHT IN THE CROTCH! THAT SON OF A BITCH!
KO: Low blow and the referee nowhere to see it! Genius!
Callum's mouth hangs open in shock and pain as he drops to his knees right in front of Danny. Rizzo grips the man by the jaw and says something disparaging into his face before giving him a shove the rest of the way down to the canvas. The referee turns around just in time to see Danny getting to his feet to stand over the Apex, and when questioned about what happened just shrugs before heading to the nearby corner. He deftly climbs to the top turnbuckle as the fans fill the arena with boos, but he doesn't seem to mind in the slightest as he vaults off in a breathtaking Shooting Star Press that crashes down across Callum's back. The Eternal grips at his injured spine as Danny grabs at his knee that was attacked earlier in the match, but it still doesn't stop him from shooting the half on Chris and getting his shoulders to the mat for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! CALLUM WITH A KICK OUT JUST BEFORE THE THREE!
KO: And Danny Rizzo looks pissed now....he's slamming his fists off the mat as this capacity crowd goads him with insults! They better watch themselves, Laur...they are only feeding him to finish Callum before 7 Pillars actually happens!
Meanwhile, on the outside of the ring, Tommy Crimson is sent hurtling shoulder first into the steel steps at ringside with enough impact that the top portion becomes unhinged from the bottom, sending it skittering across the concrete floor as The Fury remains leaning across the bottom. Aoki looks pretty pleased with himself as the fans give him a mixed reaction for his deeds. The Zombie makes his way over to Tommy and pulls him up by the hair of the head to a standing position before pulling it down to tuck his skull between his legs. He posts up like he's going to go for a piledriver right there onthe concrete, but Tommy kicks his legs to prevent him from getting him up for the move. Abruptly Tommy stands up to his full height while giving Zombie's lower half a push with his arms, and Back Body Drops the man so that he lands with a sickening thud across the bottom portion of steps. Zombie's face screws up into one of pain and...is that delight....as Tommy stumbles forward rubbing his shoulder. He looks up into the ring just in time to see Danny Rizzo begging Chris Callum to get to his knee's in the center of the ring!
LO: Danny Rizzo is poised to strike, and as his toe taps against the mat I think we all know what he's wanting here...
KO: Chris Callum is pulling himself up...and Danny is in motion....WARRIOR'S CALL..NO! CALLUM DROPPED BACK TO THE CANVAS AND DANNY SOARS RIGHT OVER HIM TO LAND BEHIND...
LO: The Eternal to his feet as Danny spins around and charges back in...
KO: Callum with a sidestep while hooking him in a waistlock....Lifts him up for a Belly to Back...NO! DROPS HIM FORWARDS INTO A WHEELBARROW FACEBUSTER!
LO: CHRIS CROSS! THIS IS IT! Callum spinning Danny over to his back...WAIT A MINUTE!
KO: TOMMY CRIMSON JUST ROLLED INTO THE RING AND YANKED CALLUM OFF DANNY! SPINS HIM AROUND! SIT OUT FACEBUSTER!
LO: MIND FUCKED!
KO: LAURANCE!
LO: I KNOW! I KNOW! BUT THAT'S WHAT HE CALLS IT!
KO: Crimson quickly rolling to the outside towards his corner leaving both men laid out in the center of the ring...and look...he's back up now on the apron and begging Danny to get over and make the tag!
The fans are in stunned silence as the Apex Title Picture lay prone in the center of the ring while Tommy Crimson is vehemently encouraging Danny to either make the cover or get to their corner. After a few seconds Danny's head lifts off the canvas and he see's Tommy's emphatic mannerisms and follows his finger over to the prone Apex Champion beside him. He nods tiredly and crawls his way over, pushing Chris over onto his back and then falling so that his arm is draped over his chest.
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Callum somehow miraculously gets out just as the referee's hand was about to strike the mat for three!
KO: All of that took too much time, and now Danny is crawling his way towards Crimson who looks ready to finish the job!
Danny gets within fingers length from Tommy, just when he lunges forward to make the tag The Fury suddenly disappears, his leg yanked out from under him by Aokigahara Zombie so that he comes face first down across the apron. Crimson snaps back and down to the concrete floor as Aoki gives Rizzo a toothy grin before wincing and reaches to massage his lower back thanks to that landing on the steel steps from earlier. Aoki begins to make his way around to his side of the ring as Danny just rests against the ropes staring at his downed partner.
LO: Aokigahara Zombie thwarted the plans of Rizzo and Crimson, and now Danny slowly turns back to Chris Callum, who is getting up in the center of the ring...
KO: Here comes Danny with a full head of steam, AND CHRIS CALLUM ANSWERS WITH A BIG BOOT THAT TAKES HIS HEAD OFF!
LO: Callum stumbling around now, and falls back into his corner where Aokigahara Zombie is there to make the tag!
KO: Aoki into the ring like a bat out of hell and BIG Clothesline drops Danny to the mat again, but he pops right back up TO TAKE ANOTHER ONE!
LO: Danny getting to his feet even slower now as Aoki pushes him back into the ropes and shoots him to the other side....Danny rebounds and GETS CAUGHT WITH A LEAPING KNEE!
Danny lies on the canvas stunned as Aoki lets out a wild howl that gets a response from the fans. He gleefully raises his fist in the air with his index and middle finger protruding, and it's obvious what his intentions are as Danny starts to slowly get to his feet. As soon as he's vertical Zombie moves in but Danny ducks under the lunge and rushes the ropes behind them. When Zombie whirls around he doesn't even have time to register the knee that is coming right for him and caves in his already damaged face with such velocity that he nearly cuts a back flip before flopping down to the canvas!
LO: WARRIORS CALL OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: Danny pushing Zombie over onto his back and hooks the leg...
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Callum was there to cut short the three, but Danny is back up to his feet and hammering away at the Apex Champion!
KO: Danny knocking Callum all the way back into the ropes and now shoots him off, the referee screaming for him to get out of the ring!
LO: OH! TOMMY CRIMSON JUST JUMPED UP ON THE RING APRON AND YANKED THE TOP ROPE DOWN! CHRIS CALLUM TUMBLES UP AND OVER TO A NASTY LANDING ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
KO: Rizzo now turning his attention back to Aoki...reaches down to pull the man up...OH! AOKI JUST JAMMED THOSE FINGERS INTO DANNY'S MOUTH!
LO: ITAI CLAW! DANNY IS FIGHTING TO GET FREE BUT ZOMBIE JUST PUSHED UP TO HIS FEET!
KO: Here comes Tommy back in to club Zombie...BUT ZOMBIE TURNS HIS HEAD AND SPRAYS WHITE MIST RIGHT INTO CRIMSON'S FACE! TOMMY'S BLINDED!
LO: Crimson grabbing at the air, trying to find his man....CALLUM IS BACK UP ON THE RING APRON! HE JUST REACHED OVER THE TOP ROPE AND HOOKED HIM FROM BEHIND...GERMAN SUPLEX FROM INSIDE THE RING TO THE OUTSIDE!
KO: GOD ALMIGHTY THE ETERNAL AND THE FURY ARE WIPED OUT AFTER THAT CAR CRASH LANDING!
LO: YEAH, BUT IT LEFT ZOMBIE AND RIZZO IN THE RING WHERE HE STILL HAS THE SUBMISSION LOCKED IN!
Danny clutches at Zombie, but he keeps turning his head to prevent the man from getting near anything vital, and finally Danny Resorts to boots the midsection and thigh kicks to eventually get free of the hold. A lightening fast spinning back elbow from The UnYielding has Aoki stunned and Danny rushes the ropes in front of them for spring. He bounces back towards a punch drunk Aoki, but as he looks for another Warrior's Call, Aoki bursts forwards before he can make the leap and jams his fingers back into Danny's mouth while sweeping his leg behind his knee's for a modified STO. The back of Danny's head hits the mat while Aoki's fingers remain in position, and he stays on top of him as the referee drops for a count.
1...
2...
3!!!
KO: I can't believe it!
LO: Aokigahara Zombie with his third Itai Claw of the night..this one with some forceful impact...has finally picked up the pinfall in this train wreck of a match!
KO: Wait...this didn't go anywhere near how I thought it would....Tommy Crimson is taking on Aoki for the Unleashed, and Danny is taking on Chris Callum for the Apex....but they traded dance partners tonight!
LO: Anything can happen in Valor Pro Wrestling, Ken! All I can say is this was pure chaos!
Aoki finally releases the hold on Danny and The UnYielding turns onto his side and coughs, spitting bile out onto the canvas as the Zombie howls with laughter during bouts of grimaces thanks to his injured face. Chris Callum claws at the mat to get to his feet and peaks over the ring apron to see what's going on, and the sight of Zombie's hand being raised by the referee allows him to plop down to a seated position for a much need rest. They had won, and that's all that really mattered.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match via pinfall....the team of AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE AND CHRIS CALLUM!
Danny makes to roll under the bottom rope out of the ring, still coughing and spitting, while Aoki pulls himself up by use of the ropes. Tommy Crimson crawls on hands and knee's until he finds a barrier a safe distance away from Callum to which he can get himself upright. He stares balefully up at Aoki who gives him a toothy grin, and The Zombie looks a little ridiculous with his face in tatters despite that expression. The Apex Champion takes his belt and takes the steps to enter the ring and the two men have a moment where they stare across the ring at one another. Eventually Callum shrugs and nods in Aoki's direction as some sign of respect, and the Zombie bows ceremonial towards The Eternal.
LO: A sign of respect between the two champions as we head into 7 Pillars, where each of them will have their own hurtles to overcome, but next time they won't have partners in their corners.
KO: Well...Aoki might.
LO: True, but non-the-less, I'm looking forward to those match ups.
KO: No doubt! I can't wait, and we still have a Main Event to get to for the Chimera Tag straps!
LO: Speaking of, why don't we try and catch up with the challengers right now.
The camera swings away from the two champions in the ring to focus on a pissed off Tommy Crimson at ringside and then to the stage where Danny Rizzo seethes in disbelief at what just happened, and then cuts backstage.
LO: Tommy Crimson won a huge match against Frenzy last show to earn his spot as the #1 Contender to the Unleashed Championship.
KO: I can't wait for that. Can you imagine? Him and Aokigahara Zombie in some sort of Death Match? It'll be fantastic!
LO: Aren't you the one who vomits every time Aoki fights in a hardcore setting...
KO: HEY! Let's not talk about that and focus on what's to come!
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: Ladies and Gentlemen, there has been a correction...Hailing from Dayton, Ohio and the NEXT APEX CHAMPION...THE UNYIELDING...DANNY RIZZOOOOO!!
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 to take in Tommy Crimson who leans against their corner giving mock applause. Danny spits outside of the ring while still keeping an eye on his partner, then turns to watch the entrance for their opponents.
LO: Danny Rizzo and Chris Callum came face to face last show on Where There's Stokes, There's Fire and the match was made for their match at 7 Pillars.
KO: Not only that, but Leela Watts walked out of the ring after signifying that she isn't going to be put in the middle of the two.
LO: In their first altercation both men were counted out after being unable to make it back to the ring, and one has to wonder if there won't be a stipulation added at the PPV to ensure that a winner is decided.
KO: I hope so. There's nothing worse than a championship being on the line and a completely screwed finish...
'Courage' by The Minutemen hits over the PA system, and Aokigahara Zombie bursts through the curtain wearing his trademark leather jacket, the Unleashed Championship around his waist, and beaming a toothy grin. The fans give a cheer despite themselves, knowing that whenever Aoki is involved, more than likely, insanity is sure to follow. The leader of the Zombie Clan stalks around the stage, beating his chest and letting out maniacal fits of laughter, until finally settling his gaze on the ring, running his thumb across his throat in the sign of execution. He laughs again just as he starts his walk down to the ring.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing first, representing The Zombie Clan, standing at five foot ten and weighting in at 230 pounds, hailing from Yamanashi, Japan...He is THE CURRENT UNLEASHED CHAMPION...AOKIGAHARA ZOMMBBBIIEEE!!!
Zombie reaches ringside and rolls under the bottom rope into the ring, popping up and immediately peeling his jacket off and tossing it to the ringside attendant before spinning around and waggling his fingers out in front of him Rizzo and Crimson's direction.
LO: Aokigahara Zombie is still undefeated in singles competition and has been the longest reigning Unleashed Champion we've had thus far.
KO: Yeah, but he hardly ever defends it. It's easy to hold onto the championship when you aren't a fighting champion.
LO: Are you serious? Do you have a death wish or something?
KO: What?
LO: After all you've seen that man do to another human being you want to be the one who says he isn't a fighting champion?!?
KO: Uh....I never said that.
LO: You just did!
The announcers continue to bicker as 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 at the other competitors in 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 too bothered by them as he slips into the ring and bounces up and down as he stares across the ring at Rizzo.
LO: The tension has just reached palpable levels, cause THE APEX has arrived!
KO: Callum looks supremely confident here tonight as Tommy and Danny now share a clipped conversation.
LO: It looks to me like Rizzo wants to start this thing and wants Callum in the center of the ring, but Aoki is pleading with Callum to let him start.
KO: Looks like Zombie is going to get his wish and Crimson and Rizzo are still having problems figuring it out...
LO: Finally! Tommy Crimson shakes his head in disdain but then indicates mockingly that the ring is Danny's before stepping out to the apron..
KO: And there goes the bell!
As soon as the bell rings Aoki charges right for Danny and dives at the man with a forearm smash, but Rizzo deftly sides steps him and instead Zombie slams into Tommy Crimson's jaw. Tommy is flung from the apron to the floor, and when Aoki spins around he's met by The Risen with shoot kicks right into his chest that drive him back into the corner. Aoki takes a few of the shots but quickly clamps down on Rizzo's firing leg and pushes him towards the center of the ring on his pivot foot. Danny shakes his head in Aoki's face just as the Zombie lets out a gleeful yell and then swings through into a deep Dragon Leg Drag that drops Danny to the canvas clutching at his knee. Zombie wastes little time gaining control of Rizzo's ankle, spinning the man over onto his stomach only to lift his bottom half up off the canvas and driving his knee cap straight down into the mat. Danny cries out and grabs at the limb, immediately pulling himself away from Aoki's clutches, but the Unleashed Champion continues his pursuit.
LO: Aoki stalking Danny now as he gets himself over to the neutral corner, but Danny rolls over onto his back and FIRES A STIFF BOOT TO ZOMBIE'S FACE THAT BEGS HIM OFF!
KO: Zombie coming back in to grab for him again and ANOTHER shot to the face sends him stumbling back. Danny now grabbing the turnbuckles to get to his feet and HERE COMES ZOMBIE WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM...
LO: BUT RIZZO GETS HIS GOOD LEG UP AND ZOMBIE RUNS FACE FIRST INTO IT! Zombie is dazed as Danny makes the short hop to the second turnbuckle, and DIVES OFF..OH MY GOD!
KO: ZOMBIE'S HAND FLASHED UP LIKE LIGHTENING AND RIGHT INTO RIZZO'S MOUTH! ITAI CLAW ON DANNY AND WE'RE MAYBE TWO MINUTES IN!
LO: LOOK OUT FROM BEHIND CAUSE HERE COMES TOMMY CRIMSON TEARING INTO THE RING AND HE LOOKS PISSED!
Tommy blasts Aoki from behind with a double ax handle that causes him to let loose the debilitating hold on his partner, and despite the referee's objections Tommy spins Aoki around to rest against the turnbuckle while he opens up a can of stiff boots into the man which drives him down to a seated position. The Ref finally grabs Tommy physically by the shoulder and when The Fury turns on him it's all he can do to keep from belting the official. Finally, some semblance of sense returns to the man, and he nods to the official as he bails out of the ring through the ropes to return to his corner. Chris Callum watches all of this intently, the tug of a smirk on his lips as Danny regains his feet and moves in on Aoki with a few stomps of his own. With Zombie effectively grounded, Danny takes a few steps back away from the corner only to rush back in and deliver a Falling Basement Dropkick right to the man's exposed face leaving him to claw at his own features before being yanked from the corner and for a cover.
1...
2...
LO: Zombie with a hard kick out at two and now Danny is working him back up to his feet and pushing him against the ropes to send to the other side...
KO: Aoki on his way back now and DANNY WITH A BASEMENT DROPKICK TO THE KNEE LAYS HIM LOW, BUT HE'S BACK UP AND RUSHES THE ROPES IN FRONT...FOR A SHINING WIZARD THAT CLIPS ZOMBIE RIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE SKULL!
LO: BLACK ROSE! And now Danny with a deep hook of the leg...
1...
2...
KO: THREe-NO! Zombie out at two and three quarters and Danny now dragging the man over to his corner where he just tagged in the waiting Tommy Crimson!
LO: These two are scheduled to go one on one for the Unleashed Championship at 7 Pillars, but Tommy looks ready to tear him apart right here and now!
Crimson enters the ring and immediately yanks Aoki to his feet and spins him around to get him in a front chancery only to drive repeated Knee's into the Zombie's already puffy face, a result of Rizzo's offense from earlier before. The knee's look vicious as they drives Zombie up into the air with each blow, and finally Tommy pushes him back to a standing position before leaping up with his knee's tucked into his face and bringing Zombie face down to strike against them for a Double Knee Facebreaker. Zombie recoils down to the mat clutching at his nose while the camera picks up a noticeable golf ball sized contusion raising over his left eyebrow. Tommy rolls into a quick cover, and the ref drops to make the count.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Zombie out again just in the nick of time, and Tommy yanks him up to a seated position to apply a neck crank...God...he's just clawing the man's face as he does so.
KO: Aoki started the match off hot by holding his own against both his opponents, but Danny was able to turn that around thanks in part to Crimson...and now Tommy is capitalizing.
Zombie yells 'No' at the official as he's asked if he'd like to submit, even while his head and neck are being stretched in an unnatural way thanks to The Fury. Crimson chances a glance over at an intense Chris Callum who continues to just calmly watch all of this unfold, but looks ready at a moments notice to enter the fray. Tommy grins at him as he gives a vicious yank in the opposite direction to which he had been turning Aoki's neck, now focusing on the other nerve clusters. Zombie begins to spit things out in Japanese as he rocks until finally rolling up to his knee, and Tommy is forced to turn the neck crank into a Standing Headlock or lose control. Zombie eventually gets all the way to his feet but can't seem to find a way out of the hold until finally driving Crimson into the ropes where he's forced to break and then sent to the opposite side.
LO: Tommy Crimson on his way back now with a head full of steam and ZOMBIE RUSHES OUT TO MEET HIM WITH A SLING BLADE LIKE MANEUVER THAT DRIVES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT!
KO: Rizzo is bouncing up and down on the bottom rope raising hell at Crimson to get up, and Aoki has managed to stumble back to his feet...here comes Crimson to his..AND SWINGING NECK BREAKER TAKES HIM RIGHT BACK DOWN!
LO: Now both men are laid out in the center of the ring and Aoki need desperately to make a tag, and he's looking in that direction as if he may do so....
KO: Callum still watching on with ice water in his veins...and wait a minute! Crimson has made it over onto his stomach and is crawling towards Rizzo...
LO: Crimson is closer...AND THERE'S THE TAG TO DANNY!
Aoki can hear Rizzo vaulting into the ring and coming for him and so he gets his foot under his body and lunges forward just as The Risen reaches him to tag the waiting hand of one Chris Callum! The fans erupt as Callum comes into the ring while Danny rushes in to meet him. Danny goes for a lariat but Callum ducks it, and when he turns around he catches a boot to the midsection, his arm laced through his legs, and then is lifted and dropped hard into a Pump Handle Slam!
LO: Ring rattling impact as Callum comes back to his feet, and LOOK OUT! Here comes Tommy Crimson AND THERE GOES TOMMY CRIMSON!
KO: CALLUM JUST SIDE STEPPED THE MAN AND GOT HIM BY THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK AND SENT HIM RIGHT UP AND OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!
LO: Callum whirls around back to Rizzo whose made it to his feet, and NAILS HIM WITH A CHOP THAT ECHOES THROUGH THE ARENA!
KO: Another one, and another one, and The UnYielding is lit up like Christmas!
LO: Callum now driving Rizzo into the ropes and sends him to the opposite side...steps out to the center to meet him, and SNAP POWERSLAM DRIVES HIM INTO THE CANVAS!
KO: Callum staying ontop and hooking the leg for good measure!
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! Danny Rizzo with amazing fortitude kicks out at a near three, and Callum now already working him back to his feet...Lifts him up onto his shoulder...
KO: ALABAMA SLAM! GOOD GOD! DAMN NEAR PUT HIM THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE RING!
LO: Callum back down for another hook of the leg...
1...
2...
KO: THREE-NO! Tommy Crimson back in the ring with a stomp to the back of Callum's skull to break up the pin....BUT HERE COMES AOKI! NOW THESE TWO ARE TRADING BLOWS IN THE CENTER OF THE RING AND THE REFEREE HAS LOST ALL CONTROL!
The two brawlers scrap like no one's business, fists and feet flying as blows are either blocked or land in glancing fashion. Aoki suddenly takes the advantage when he performs a lightening fast roundhouse kick to Tommy's gut which doubles him over, but before he can follow up Chris Callum knocks him right out of the way, tucks Crimson's head between his legs, and then lifts him up into a Spin Out Powerbomb! The fans go ballistic as The Eternal pops back up to his feet and Aoki is left just staring at him as he instructs him to get this trash out of his ring. Aoki posts up in Callum's face, but just when it looks like he may take exception to the situation flashes The Eternal a toothy grin and begins to cackle. He reaches down and scoops up Tommy and then spins him around to shoot him through the top and middle rope to the outside before following him out. Callum watches as the referee moves to that edge of the ring to try and convince the two men to return to their corners before turning his attention back to Danny Rizzo, who has worked his way up to his knee's.
LO: The Apex Champion moving in on Rizzo....WHO UPPERCUTS HIM RIGHT IN THE CROTCH! THAT SON OF A BITCH!
KO: Low blow and the referee nowhere to see it! Genius!
Callum's mouth hangs open in shock and pain as he drops to his knees right in front of Danny. Rizzo grips the man by the jaw and says something disparaging into his face before giving him a shove the rest of the way down to the canvas. The referee turns around just in time to see Danny getting to his feet to stand over the Apex, and when questioned about what happened just shrugs before heading to the nearby corner. He deftly climbs to the top turnbuckle as the fans fill the arena with boos, but he doesn't seem to mind in the slightest as he vaults off in a breathtaking Shooting Star Press that crashes down across Callum's back. The Eternal grips at his injured spine as Danny grabs at his knee that was attacked earlier in the match, but it still doesn't stop him from shooting the half on Chris and getting his shoulders to the mat for a pin.
1...
2...
LO: THREE-NO! CALLUM WITH A KICK OUT JUST BEFORE THE THREE!
KO: And Danny Rizzo looks pissed now....he's slamming his fists off the mat as this capacity crowd goads him with insults! They better watch themselves, Laur...they are only feeding him to finish Callum before 7 Pillars actually happens!
Meanwhile, on the outside of the ring, Tommy Crimson is sent hurtling shoulder first into the steel steps at ringside with enough impact that the top portion becomes unhinged from the bottom, sending it skittering across the concrete floor as The Fury remains leaning across the bottom. Aoki looks pretty pleased with himself as the fans give him a mixed reaction for his deeds. The Zombie makes his way over to Tommy and pulls him up by the hair of the head to a standing position before pulling it down to tuck his skull between his legs. He posts up like he's going to go for a piledriver right there onthe concrete, but Tommy kicks his legs to prevent him from getting him up for the move. Abruptly Tommy stands up to his full height while giving Zombie's lower half a push with his arms, and Back Body Drops the man so that he lands with a sickening thud across the bottom portion of steps. Zombie's face screws up into one of pain and...is that delight....as Tommy stumbles forward rubbing his shoulder. He looks up into the ring just in time to see Danny Rizzo begging Chris Callum to get to his knee's in the center of the ring!
LO: Danny Rizzo is poised to strike, and as his toe taps against the mat I think we all know what he's wanting here...
KO: Chris Callum is pulling himself up...and Danny is in motion....WARRIOR'S CALL..NO! CALLUM DROPPED BACK TO THE CANVAS AND DANNY SOARS RIGHT OVER HIM TO LAND BEHIND...
LO: The Eternal to his feet as Danny spins around and charges back in...
KO: Callum with a sidestep while hooking him in a waistlock....Lifts him up for a Belly to Back...NO! DROPS HIM FORWARDS INTO A WHEELBARROW FACEBUSTER!
LO: CHRIS CROSS! THIS IS IT! Callum spinning Danny over to his back...WAIT A MINUTE!
KO: TOMMY CRIMSON JUST ROLLED INTO THE RING AND YANKED CALLUM OFF DANNY! SPINS HIM AROUND! SIT OUT FACEBUSTER!
LO: MIND FUCKED!
KO: LAURANCE!
LO: I KNOW! I KNOW! BUT THAT'S WHAT HE CALLS IT!
KO: Crimson quickly rolling to the outside towards his corner leaving both men laid out in the center of the ring...and look...he's back up now on the apron and begging Danny to get over and make the tag!
The fans are in stunned silence as the Apex Title Picture lay prone in the center of the ring while Tommy Crimson is vehemently encouraging Danny to either make the cover or get to their corner. After a few seconds Danny's head lifts off the canvas and he see's Tommy's emphatic mannerisms and follows his finger over to the prone Apex Champion beside him. He nods tiredly and crawls his way over, pushing Chris over onto his back and then falling so that his arm is draped over his chest.
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Callum somehow miraculously gets out just as the referee's hand was about to strike the mat for three!
KO: All of that took too much time, and now Danny is crawling his way towards Crimson who looks ready to finish the job!
Danny gets within fingers length from Tommy, just when he lunges forward to make the tag The Fury suddenly disappears, his leg yanked out from under him by Aokigahara Zombie so that he comes face first down across the apron. Crimson snaps back and down to the concrete floor as Aoki gives Rizzo a toothy grin before wincing and reaches to massage his lower back thanks to that landing on the steel steps from earlier. Aoki begins to make his way around to his side of the ring as Danny just rests against the ropes staring at his downed partner.
LO: Aokigahara Zombie thwarted the plans of Rizzo and Crimson, and now Danny slowly turns back to Chris Callum, who is getting up in the center of the ring...
KO: Here comes Danny with a full head of steam, AND CHRIS CALLUM ANSWERS WITH A BIG BOOT THAT TAKES HIS HEAD OFF!
LO: Callum stumbling around now, and falls back into his corner where Aokigahara Zombie is there to make the tag!
KO: Aoki into the ring like a bat out of hell and BIG Clothesline drops Danny to the mat again, but he pops right back up TO TAKE ANOTHER ONE!
LO: Danny getting to his feet even slower now as Aoki pushes him back into the ropes and shoots him to the other side....Danny rebounds and GETS CAUGHT WITH A LEAPING KNEE!
Danny lies on the canvas stunned as Aoki lets out a wild howl that gets a response from the fans. He gleefully raises his fist in the air with his index and middle finger protruding, and it's obvious what his intentions are as Danny starts to slowly get to his feet. As soon as he's vertical Zombie moves in but Danny ducks under the lunge and rushes the ropes behind them. When Zombie whirls around he doesn't even have time to register the knee that is coming right for him and caves in his already damaged face with such velocity that he nearly cuts a back flip before flopping down to the canvas!
LO: WARRIORS CALL OUT OF NOWHERE!
KO: Danny pushing Zombie over onto his back and hooks the leg...
1...
2...
LO: THREE!NO! Callum was there to cut short the three, but Danny is back up to his feet and hammering away at the Apex Champion!
KO: Danny knocking Callum all the way back into the ropes and now shoots him off, the referee screaming for him to get out of the ring!
LO: OH! TOMMY CRIMSON JUST JUMPED UP ON THE RING APRON AND YANKED THE TOP ROPE DOWN! CHRIS CALLUM TUMBLES UP AND OVER TO A NASTY LANDING ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR!
KO: Rizzo now turning his attention back to Aoki...reaches down to pull the man up...OH! AOKI JUST JAMMED THOSE FINGERS INTO DANNY'S MOUTH!
LO: ITAI CLAW! DANNY IS FIGHTING TO GET FREE BUT ZOMBIE JUST PUSHED UP TO HIS FEET!
KO: Here comes Tommy back in to club Zombie...BUT ZOMBIE TURNS HIS HEAD AND SPRAYS WHITE MIST RIGHT INTO CRIMSON'S FACE! TOMMY'S BLINDED!
LO: Crimson grabbing at the air, trying to find his man....CALLUM IS BACK UP ON THE RING APRON! HE JUST REACHED OVER THE TOP ROPE AND HOOKED HIM FROM BEHIND...GERMAN SUPLEX FROM INSIDE THE RING TO THE OUTSIDE!
KO: GOD ALMIGHTY THE ETERNAL AND THE FURY ARE WIPED OUT AFTER THAT CAR CRASH LANDING!
LO: YEAH, BUT IT LEFT ZOMBIE AND RIZZO IN THE RING WHERE HE STILL HAS THE SUBMISSION LOCKED IN!
Danny clutches at Zombie, but he keeps turning his head to prevent the man from getting near anything vital, and finally Danny Resorts to boots the midsection and thigh kicks to eventually get free of the hold. A lightening fast spinning back elbow from The UnYielding has Aoki stunned and Danny rushes the ropes in front of them for spring. He bounces back towards a punch drunk Aoki, but as he looks for another Warrior's Call, Aoki bursts forwards before he can make the leap and jams his fingers back into Danny's mouth while sweeping his leg behind his knee's for a modified STO. The back of Danny's head hits the mat while Aoki's fingers remain in position, and he stays on top of him as the referee drops for a count.
1...
2...
3!!!
KO: I can't believe it!
LO: Aokigahara Zombie with his third Itai Claw of the night..this one with some forceful impact...has finally picked up the pinfall in this train wreck of a match!
KO: Wait...this didn't go anywhere near how I thought it would....Tommy Crimson is taking on Aoki for the Unleashed, and Danny is taking on Chris Callum for the Apex....but they traded dance partners tonight!
LO: Anything can happen in Valor Pro Wrestling, Ken! All I can say is this was pure chaos!
Aoki finally releases the hold on Danny and The UnYielding turns onto his side and coughs, spitting bile out onto the canvas as the Zombie howls with laughter during bouts of grimaces thanks to his injured face. Chris Callum claws at the mat to get to his feet and peaks over the ring apron to see what's going on, and the sight of Zombie's hand being raised by the referee allows him to plop down to a seated position for a much need rest. They had won, and that's all that really mattered.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match via pinfall....the team of AOKIGAHARA ZOMBIE AND CHRIS CALLUM!
Danny makes to roll under the bottom rope out of the ring, still coughing and spitting, while Aoki pulls himself up by use of the ropes. Tommy Crimson crawls on hands and knee's until he finds a barrier a safe distance away from Callum to which he can get himself upright. He stares balefully up at Aoki who gives him a toothy grin, and The Zombie looks a little ridiculous with his face in tatters despite that expression. The Apex Champion takes his belt and takes the steps to enter the ring and the two men have a moment where they stare across the ring at one another. Eventually Callum shrugs and nods in Aoki's direction as some sign of respect, and the Zombie bows ceremonial towards The Eternal.
LO: A sign of respect between the two champions as we head into 7 Pillars, where each of them will have their own hurtles to overcome, but next time they won't have partners in their corners.
KO: Well...Aoki might.
LO: True, but non-the-less, I'm looking forward to those match ups.
KO: No doubt! I can't wait, and we still have a Main Event to get to for the Chimera Tag straps!
LO: Speaking of, why don't we try and catch up with the challengers right now.
The camera swings away from the two champions in the ring to focus on a pissed off Tommy Crimson at ringside and then to the stage where Danny Rizzo seethes in disbelief at what just happened, and then cuts backstage.
The scene opens in the Dead End Friends locker room, where we find Zack Fantana lacing up his boots. He is wearing black, as advertised, though perhaps synthetic leather and LED lights were not exactly the most tasteful apparel he could’ve worn on the night he’d deemed NSFW’s funeral. Brad Stokes sits on the bench beside him, pestering him.
BRAD STOKES: You sure he didn’t peck you on the cheek?
Zack shakes his head, not even bothering to look up from his laces.
ZACK FANTANA: I’m asking you to let it go, Brad.
For weeks, Brad had been insisting that Benny was going to betray Zack, just as he’d foretold at the last supper they’d had at Outback Steakhouse. And for weeks, he’d stayed vigilant, awaiting that Judas moment, going so far as to review the match at Blitz 23 in the production truck before the show.
BRAD STOKES: Perhaps it was when he applied Icy Hot to your lower back.
ZACK FANTANA: He didn’t betray me, Brad.
BRAD STOKES: He threw you off a fifteen foot stage.
Zack pauses. He couldn’t argue that it was a sound argument. However, he had one minor point of contention.
ZACK FANTANA: NSFW threw me from the stage. Benny just took them with us.
Zack had only just finished tying his laces when the locker room door swung open. Zack is jolted upright, suspecting it to be either ‘Zachariah Krahe or Aokigahara Zombie, but instead, Benny’s father emerges, looking the room over.
ANTHONY STEVENS: So these are the kind of digs my son receives on the road? Alright then.
ZACK FANTANA: Yeah, it’s a sty, huh? That door doesn’t even lock.
ANTHONY STEVENS: I honestly expected worse.
BRAD STOKES: And I’m in!
Behind them, Brad holds up Benny’s cell phone, waving it in the air.
BRAD STOKES: Let’s see if there’s any secret communications between him and NSFW, shall we?
ZACK FANTANA: How did you even know his passcode?
BRAD STOKES: Zack. It’s Benny.
Brad pauses, as if that would be enough explanation. And it was, Zack concedes as he mutters “6969” under his breath. In the meantime, Brad continues to swipe through the phone.
BRAD STOKES: Nothing? There’s nothing? Not a single DM between them?
ZACK FANTANA: Well, NSFW did delete their account.
BRAD STOKES: And you don’t find that suspicious? It’s a cover-up!
ANTHONY STEVENS: May I?
Benny’s father snatches the phone out of Brad’s hand before Brad even has a chance to reply.
BRAD STOKES: Better watch your back tonight, Zack.
Zack shrugs off that notion. He himself had zero doubts about Benny Stevens.
ZACK FANTANA: Benny doesn’t know how to be duplicitous, Brad. He used to hang with a man named Skeeter unironically. I’ll be fine.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Young fellas, what is match.com?
Zack and Brad stop bickering to find Anthony presenting Benny’s bio on the match app.
BRAD STOKES: A matchmaking app. My boy Tad used to fu--
ZACK FANTANA: It’s for independent bookings. With NSFW likely dying soon, Benny wanted to get out ahead of it and look for some tag teams.
Brad laughs.
BRAD STOKES: My boy Tad used to tag team, too. One time he found this girl who--
Zack gives Brad a stern look, giving him pause.
ANTHONY STEVENS: See, I’ve been outta the loop for years when it comes to you millennials and your goddamn lingo. Truth is, I can’t be bothered to keep up. So can either of you tell me what DTF stands for?
BRAD STOKES: Down to--
ZACK FANTANA: Fight. Down to fight any and everybody.
ANTHONY STEVENS: And this?
Anthony holds up the phone with a message posted from Benny which consisted of the peach and eggplant emojis.
ZACK FANTANA: Uh…
Just then, the owner of the phone himself - Benny Stevens, barges in the room. Like his partner, The Daredevil wears all-black wrestling gear. He was caught by surprise once he realized that his father was there.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh, you’re already here… I looked for you everywhere.
He then notices that Anthony has his phone in hands.
BENNY STEVENS: Man, what the fuck?
BRAD STOKES: See!? A man that has nothing to hide wouldn’t react that way! We’re about to catch him red-handed. Keep reading, Mr. Stevens!
Brad then approaches Zack and tries to whisper in his ears. “Try” being the key-word, due to the fact that his emotions get the better of him. Brad could barely keep his voice down.
BRAD STOKES: The Judas is going down!
Anthony takes a deep breath before he puts on his reading glasses.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Here we go. I am going balls deep tonight… Babe.
Benny simply laughs while his father looks at him, bewildered.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Son?
BENNY STEVENS: Imagine saying some stupid shit like that to a female. I can’t relate… What an idiot.
ZACK FANTANA: Ben.
BENNY STEVENS: Let me guess… You googled ‘most stupid pick-up lines ever’, right? Not a bad idea, pops. A couple of laughs might ease the tension.
ZACK FANTANA: Beenieee.
BRAD STOKES: Please, keep reading.
Brad keeps a straight face even though it is obvious that he is finding it hard to contain himself.
BENNY STEVENS: This might be the first time that Brad and I are on the same page. Don’t be jealous now, Zack!
It appeared that Zack was willing to save his partner from getting exposed until that very last sentence. He just shrugs.
ZACK FANTANA: Okay then. Let’s hear it.
Anthony realized what was happening and instead of telling his son, he decided to play along.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Alright. I see more eggplant and… Raindrop emojis? Eggplant emoji, three raindrops and what appears to be the Pac-man emoji with its tongue sticking out.
ZACK FANTANA: He said Pac-man.
BENNY STEVENS: Silence!
Benny just smiles and nods. The man is clearly having fun even though he has no idea that it’s his conversation that is being read.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Hey, babe. I went to a doctor and he said I lack the vitamin U. Come-
Anthony lowers the phone for a moment and grabs the bridge of his nose.
ANTHONY STEVENS: God, this is terrible.
BENNY STEVENS: Just read it, man.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Come vitamin C me so I can give you some… Vitamin D later. More eggplant emojis.
Brad couldn’t control himself this time - he bursts out laughing, and so does Benny. Zack lets out a chuckle while Anthony just shakes his head.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Actually, this one right here is the worst.
BENNY STEVENS: Bullshit. There can’t be anything worse than the vitamin one.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Boy, there is. Here it goes…
Benny looks like he is anticipating the ending of a good joke.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Babe, oh no. Butter my ass and call me a biscuit, tell me you didn’t just say that!
Benny’s smile fades right away.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh, no….
BRAD STOKES: Yes!
BENNY STEVENS: Mother fuckers.
This time, everyone but Benny laugh. Stevens quickly grabs the phone off his father’s hands and begins to read the contents.
BENNY STEVENS: No, no, noooo! How come I never deleted this!?
ANTHONY STEVENS: Please, son, explain yourself.
BENNY STEVENS: Man, this app is from two thousand sixteen. Hold up, you guys unlocked my phone... How? My password is-
BRAD STOKES: Obvious, sixty nine man?
BENNY STEVENS: Damn.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Son…
BENNY STEVENS: Yes, pops?
Benny couldn’t even look to his father, he was too busy swiping and possibly trying his best to delete the app as soon as possible.
ANTHONY STEVENS: I need to meet Sir Francis. Personally.
At the mention of his mentor’s name, Benny looks to Anthony.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh… Why’s that?
ANTHONY STEVENS: I need to meet him because that man deserves nothing but praise. Jesus Christ, you were such a fuckin’ mess!
Anthony laughs, and surprisingly, so does Benny as he gets back to typing on his phone.
BENNY STEVENS: Listen, guys. Stay away from these damn apps. I once went out to meet this hot blonde chick, turned out to be a four hundred pounds trucker. Ya boy was just looking for a quick fu-.
ZACK FANTANA: Fight!
BENNY STEVENS: Ummm… No, I meant fu-.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Okay, we get it. You were DTF.
Stevens looks at his father and Zack, back-and-forth. He then shrugs that last sentence off, knowing that his father is unaware of the actual meaning of that term. Then, he locks his phone and places it back into his gym bag.
Finally, Benny walks toward the center of the room.
BENNY STEVENS: All jokes aside, it’s almost time, gentlemen. I’d like to make a request. Please, join me so we can have a moment of silence.
Both Zack and Brad find it weird, as that’s not exactly Benny’s M.O. Nevertheless, they join him by respectfully standing by his side. Anthony nods as he observes the situation, then smiles.
ANTHONY STEVENS: You were listening to me after all, weren’t you, son? Before going to war, you get your mind right. A moment of silence is all you need.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh, no… This is not for me.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Huh?
BENNY STEVENS: This moment of silence is dedicated to Mike McGuire and John Church - the NSFW.
Anthony chuckles and joins in.
They remain silent for a minute, and yes, the fans all over the arena are watching that. It’s possible to hear the faint sounds of them cheering and chanting unintelligible words.
BENNY STEVENS: To NSFW’s swan song.
BRAD STOKES: You sure he didn’t peck you on the cheek?
Zack shakes his head, not even bothering to look up from his laces.
ZACK FANTANA: I’m asking you to let it go, Brad.
For weeks, Brad had been insisting that Benny was going to betray Zack, just as he’d foretold at the last supper they’d had at Outback Steakhouse. And for weeks, he’d stayed vigilant, awaiting that Judas moment, going so far as to review the match at Blitz 23 in the production truck before the show.
BRAD STOKES: Perhaps it was when he applied Icy Hot to your lower back.
ZACK FANTANA: He didn’t betray me, Brad.
BRAD STOKES: He threw you off a fifteen foot stage.
Zack pauses. He couldn’t argue that it was a sound argument. However, he had one minor point of contention.
ZACK FANTANA: NSFW threw me from the stage. Benny just took them with us.
Zack had only just finished tying his laces when the locker room door swung open. Zack is jolted upright, suspecting it to be either ‘Zachariah Krahe or Aokigahara Zombie, but instead, Benny’s father emerges, looking the room over.
ANTHONY STEVENS: So these are the kind of digs my son receives on the road? Alright then.
ZACK FANTANA: Yeah, it’s a sty, huh? That door doesn’t even lock.
ANTHONY STEVENS: I honestly expected worse.
BRAD STOKES: And I’m in!
Behind them, Brad holds up Benny’s cell phone, waving it in the air.
BRAD STOKES: Let’s see if there’s any secret communications between him and NSFW, shall we?
ZACK FANTANA: How did you even know his passcode?
BRAD STOKES: Zack. It’s Benny.
Brad pauses, as if that would be enough explanation. And it was, Zack concedes as he mutters “6969” under his breath. In the meantime, Brad continues to swipe through the phone.
BRAD STOKES: Nothing? There’s nothing? Not a single DM between them?
ZACK FANTANA: Well, NSFW did delete their account.
BRAD STOKES: And you don’t find that suspicious? It’s a cover-up!
ANTHONY STEVENS: May I?
Benny’s father snatches the phone out of Brad’s hand before Brad even has a chance to reply.
BRAD STOKES: Better watch your back tonight, Zack.
Zack shrugs off that notion. He himself had zero doubts about Benny Stevens.
ZACK FANTANA: Benny doesn’t know how to be duplicitous, Brad. He used to hang with a man named Skeeter unironically. I’ll be fine.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Young fellas, what is match.com?
Zack and Brad stop bickering to find Anthony presenting Benny’s bio on the match app.
BRAD STOKES: A matchmaking app. My boy Tad used to fu--
ZACK FANTANA: It’s for independent bookings. With NSFW likely dying soon, Benny wanted to get out ahead of it and look for some tag teams.
Brad laughs.
BRAD STOKES: My boy Tad used to tag team, too. One time he found this girl who--
Zack gives Brad a stern look, giving him pause.
ANTHONY STEVENS: See, I’ve been outta the loop for years when it comes to you millennials and your goddamn lingo. Truth is, I can’t be bothered to keep up. So can either of you tell me what DTF stands for?
BRAD STOKES: Down to--
ZACK FANTANA: Fight. Down to fight any and everybody.
ANTHONY STEVENS: And this?
Anthony holds up the phone with a message posted from Benny which consisted of the peach and eggplant emojis.
ZACK FANTANA: Uh…
Just then, the owner of the phone himself - Benny Stevens, barges in the room. Like his partner, The Daredevil wears all-black wrestling gear. He was caught by surprise once he realized that his father was there.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh, you’re already here… I looked for you everywhere.
He then notices that Anthony has his phone in hands.
BENNY STEVENS: Man, what the fuck?
BRAD STOKES: See!? A man that has nothing to hide wouldn’t react that way! We’re about to catch him red-handed. Keep reading, Mr. Stevens!
Brad then approaches Zack and tries to whisper in his ears. “Try” being the key-word, due to the fact that his emotions get the better of him. Brad could barely keep his voice down.
BRAD STOKES: The Judas is going down!
Anthony takes a deep breath before he puts on his reading glasses.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Here we go. I am going balls deep tonight… Babe.
Benny simply laughs while his father looks at him, bewildered.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Son?
BENNY STEVENS: Imagine saying some stupid shit like that to a female. I can’t relate… What an idiot.
ZACK FANTANA: Ben.
BENNY STEVENS: Let me guess… You googled ‘most stupid pick-up lines ever’, right? Not a bad idea, pops. A couple of laughs might ease the tension.
ZACK FANTANA: Beenieee.
BRAD STOKES: Please, keep reading.
Brad keeps a straight face even though it is obvious that he is finding it hard to contain himself.
BENNY STEVENS: This might be the first time that Brad and I are on the same page. Don’t be jealous now, Zack!
It appeared that Zack was willing to save his partner from getting exposed until that very last sentence. He just shrugs.
ZACK FANTANA: Okay then. Let’s hear it.
Anthony realized what was happening and instead of telling his son, he decided to play along.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Alright. I see more eggplant and… Raindrop emojis? Eggplant emoji, three raindrops and what appears to be the Pac-man emoji with its tongue sticking out.
ZACK FANTANA: He said Pac-man.
BENNY STEVENS: Silence!
Benny just smiles and nods. The man is clearly having fun even though he has no idea that it’s his conversation that is being read.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Hey, babe. I went to a doctor and he said I lack the vitamin U. Come-
Anthony lowers the phone for a moment and grabs the bridge of his nose.
ANTHONY STEVENS: God, this is terrible.
BENNY STEVENS: Just read it, man.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Come vitamin C me so I can give you some… Vitamin D later. More eggplant emojis.
Brad couldn’t control himself this time - he bursts out laughing, and so does Benny. Zack lets out a chuckle while Anthony just shakes his head.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Actually, this one right here is the worst.
BENNY STEVENS: Bullshit. There can’t be anything worse than the vitamin one.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Boy, there is. Here it goes…
Benny looks like he is anticipating the ending of a good joke.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Babe, oh no. Butter my ass and call me a biscuit, tell me you didn’t just say that!
Benny’s smile fades right away.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh, no….
BRAD STOKES: Yes!
BENNY STEVENS: Mother fuckers.
This time, everyone but Benny laugh. Stevens quickly grabs the phone off his father’s hands and begins to read the contents.
BENNY STEVENS: No, no, noooo! How come I never deleted this!?
ANTHONY STEVENS: Please, son, explain yourself.
BENNY STEVENS: Man, this app is from two thousand sixteen. Hold up, you guys unlocked my phone... How? My password is-
BRAD STOKES: Obvious, sixty nine man?
BENNY STEVENS: Damn.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Son…
BENNY STEVENS: Yes, pops?
Benny couldn’t even look to his father, he was too busy swiping and possibly trying his best to delete the app as soon as possible.
ANTHONY STEVENS: I need to meet Sir Francis. Personally.
At the mention of his mentor’s name, Benny looks to Anthony.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh… Why’s that?
ANTHONY STEVENS: I need to meet him because that man deserves nothing but praise. Jesus Christ, you were such a fuckin’ mess!
Anthony laughs, and surprisingly, so does Benny as he gets back to typing on his phone.
BENNY STEVENS: Listen, guys. Stay away from these damn apps. I once went out to meet this hot blonde chick, turned out to be a four hundred pounds trucker. Ya boy was just looking for a quick fu-.
ZACK FANTANA: Fight!
BENNY STEVENS: Ummm… No, I meant fu-.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Okay, we get it. You were DTF.
Stevens looks at his father and Zack, back-and-forth. He then shrugs that last sentence off, knowing that his father is unaware of the actual meaning of that term. Then, he locks his phone and places it back into his gym bag.
Finally, Benny walks toward the center of the room.
BENNY STEVENS: All jokes aside, it’s almost time, gentlemen. I’d like to make a request. Please, join me so we can have a moment of silence.
Both Zack and Brad find it weird, as that’s not exactly Benny’s M.O. Nevertheless, they join him by respectfully standing by his side. Anthony nods as he observes the situation, then smiles.
ANTHONY STEVENS: You were listening to me after all, weren’t you, son? Before going to war, you get your mind right. A moment of silence is all you need.
BENNY STEVENS: Oh, no… This is not for me.
ANTHONY STEVENS: Huh?
BENNY STEVENS: This moment of silence is dedicated to Mike McGuire and John Church - the NSFW.
Anthony chuckles and joins in.
They remain silent for a minute, and yes, the fans all over the arena are watching that. It’s possible to hear the faint sounds of them cheering and chanting unintelligible words.
BENNY STEVENS: To NSFW’s swan song.
MAIN EVENT
RING ANNOUNCER: The following Tag contest is a Scaffold Match for the Chimera Tag Team Championships! The object of the match is simple...the contest will begin when both teams have made their way up onto the scaffolding, and will end when both members of a team have been tossed off!
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 are wearing matching gear this time around of the bright pink variety, and the scene elicits some cat calls from the crowd. They 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....DEAD END FRIENDS!!!
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 far corner to watch as the scaffolding crew continues to work to get it ready.
LO: The ring crew is still working on the scaffolding out in the middle of everything as Fantana and Stevens discuss strategy.
KO: I never thought I'd see another of these kinds of matches. Old Dugan has outdone himself.
LO: They are a throwback to the past, but I can't think of a more fitting way to end this feud considering what happened last show.
KO: Whose to say that the feud will end here? Other than the fact that the losing team will probably have to have emergency back surgery thanks to the landing.
Before anymore conjecture can be put on the match 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...
RING ANNOUNCER: Now on their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 400 pounds, the CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! MIKE MCGUIRE...BISHOP CHURCH...N ...S ...F ...W!
Dead End Friends have bailed out of the ring as Mike does his customary bouncing back and forth to either side multiple times before John finally climbs up the ring steps. They meet in the middle of the ring and look to the crowd. With Bishop two steps behind, they both pose by standing on the second rope, titles raised in the air. When they descend they look up to take in the gimmick of the match and Mike whistles as Bishop steps over to check one of the steel poles holding the scaffolding in place.
LO: Well it's about to happen folks. Ring Crew is starting to descend which signals that the structure is stable....God, can you imagine a fall from that height.
KO: And not just a fall, Laur. We're talking about someone physically tossing you or shoving you over. That's 20 freakin' feet!
LO: Both Champions and Challengers appear to be pretty confident as they are moving to the outside of the ring to start their climb to the top...
KO: The match will begin when both teams are on the scaffolding so just hang tight and give them a moment...
LO: Benny Stevens has already made his way to the top and looks pretty comfortable...his partner Fantana is a little more hesitant but is climbing up the side.
KO: Mike McGuire is the first to the top for the champions, while Bishop Church is pretty close behind..
Both teams reach the top of the scaffolding after a few more moments and each person finds themselves peering over the side to the long drop to the ring beneath them. Zack gives a Benny a little bit of a head shake while The Daredevil pats him on the shoulder reassuringly and nods with a wide grin. Over on the other side stands McGuire who whistles and give their partner a shrug while Bishop Church looks ready to get to the task at hand. The referee's stand outside the ring and stare up along with everyone else at both teams until finally Caputo points over and signals for the bell.
LO: This match is now officially underway and Bishop Church is already edging his way out towards the center of the structure while Benny and Zack continue to discuss the situation...
KO: The time for discussion is over, Laur! Get out there and fight!
Benny pauses in the Dead End Friends pow-wow to look over his shoulder and peep Bishop Church getting closer and closer and holds his hands out to Fantana in a placating manner. Suddenly he gives a haphazard thumbs up to his partner and then turns and sprints across the scaffolding towards Church who steps right into him and sends him flying with a Release Belly to Belly suplex. The arena is deafening as Benny soars through the air in terror before slamming hard to the steel scaffold with a crash, shaking the entire apparatus and causing everyone else to throw their hands out for balance!
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! BENNY STEVENS CRASH LANDS ON THE SCAFFOLD...AND OH MY GOD!
KO: THAT FOOL JUST ABOUT ELIMINATED HIMSELF!
LO: Folks, this is so dangerous...Stevens was clutching at his back and when he rolled to try and get back to his feet he damn near went off the side of the scaffold!
KO: He's got a good hold on the edge now though and is putting the rest of his body back in the center...BUT HERE COMES MIKE MCGUIRE!
McGuire dives and lands on top of Benny, putting their knees into his chest so that he can't move and starts hammering away on the man with right hands. Fantana watches all of this from the safety of their end of the scaffold where there are rails to hold onto, but when Bishop Church turns his attention to the other half of Dead End Friends he realizes he can't stay here forever. So he throws caution to the wind and rushes forward where Church posts up to do the same to him as he did his partner. Zack, however, shocks everyone when he drops into a baseball slide through the narrow space between Church's legs and pops up behind him to throw a boot square in McGuire's face. Mike falls back clutching their nose and has to grab hold of the edge to keep from falling over the side. Zack reaches down to pull Benny to his feet and he gets him halfway there when he's blasted from behind by Church with a sledgehammer like blow.
LO: Folks this is not a normal match. Those four individuals have only about a five foot wide piece of metal underneath them to work, and danger on either side.
KO: Damn right..one wrong move and it could be your last.
Bishop half drags Fantana away from Stevens who turns his attention back to a rising Mike McGuire. Before they can get completely vertical Stevens moves in quickly, leaps while wrapping his legs around their head, and then delivers a Hurricanrana that drives their skull right into the steel.
LO: GOOD GOD! IS HE INSANE!
KO: They don't call him the Daredevil for nothing, but the idiot is looking to try and get himself killed with a move like that with as little room as they have to do it in!
LO: Well the fans haven't piped down at all...it's just a dull roar in the arena as Bishop Church now has Fantana over in the Dead End Friend's corner of the scaffolding and just bounces his skull off the railing...
KO: Wait...WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?!?
LO: OH MY GOD! HE HAS ZACK UP ON HIS SHOULDER AND JUST TOSSED HIM UP INTO THE AIR!
KO: AND FANTANA COMES DOWN FACE FIRST ON THE RAILING LIKE A SNAKE EYES!
LO: He didn't have any choice, Ken! It was either catch the railing with his face or go sailing off into no man's land....and oh god..
KO: Fantana has been busted wide open thanks to Bishop Church who lifts the man up to his knees just so he can bring twisting right hands down into his skull!
Church releases Fantana who falls back towards the ladder but grabs hold of he railing for dear life. The Tag Champ turns his attention back towards the center of the scaffolding where he sees Benny Stevens doing his damndest to shove his partner over the side. Mike is hanging on by one hand and leg while the rest of them is dangling out in the void. Bishop turns as quick as he can and begins to pick his way across the scaffold in that direction. Benny looks up to see the bigger man coming, and he hops up to his feet and begins to back peddle towards NSFW's ladder. He grabs hold of the rail, looking around in either direction, realizing he has come to the end of the line as the crowd gets even louder. Church continues edging his way that way, and Benny shakes his head before taking a step down to the ladder, then another, until he's now hanging from the top rung. Just as Bishop comes in and tries to stomp on his fingers, Benny swings around to where he's now under the Scaffold, and grabs hold of the metal rungs holding the scaffold floor together and starts swinging his way across like they are a monkey bar.
LO: Are you freakin' kidding me?
KO: That idiot has put himself in even more danger than when he was up on the scaffold!
LO: Yeah, but I'll tell you what he did do. He bought his partner, Zack Fantana, a little time from the clutches of Bishop Church!
KO: Benny is at the center of the scaffolding but on the wrong damn side of it....AND OH!
LO: NSFW ARE IN THE CENTER OF THE SCAFFOLD AND ARE JUMPING UP AND DOWN!
KO: AHH! BENNY JUST LOST HIS GRIP WITH HIS LEFT HAND!
LO: HE'S DANGLING BY ONE ARM OVER A TWENTY FOOT DROP!
Benny looks honestly terrified as he swings in the tall space beneath the ring and the fans are all on their feet to witness his peril. Suddenly a loud metal clanking sound can be heard off to the side of NSFW, and when the Tag Champs look in that direction Zack Fantana is rushing towards them with a piece of the metal railing from their corner. Zack plows into both competitors with the railing stretched out in front of him like a modified clothesline, and both slam down to the steel scaffold and just barely grab at the grooves in the flooring to keep from falling over the side!
LO: NOW NSFW ARE HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE...AND LOOK AT BENNY STEVENS! HE'S REESTABLISHED HIS GRIP AND IS SWINGING BACK AND FORTH...
KO: AND DRIVES BOTH FEET INTO BISHOP CHURCH!
LO: CHURCH IS BARELY HANGING ON NOW, AND LOOK AT FANTANA ABOVE...HE'S USING THAT RAILING TO TRY AND PRY THE MAN'S FINGERS LOOSE!
While Dead End Friend's focus their unique offense on Bishop Church to cause him to drop, on the other side Mike McGuire halls themselves back up onto the scaffold. The Bronx Brawler has a look of pure malice on their face when they grab Fantana by the shoulder, swing him around, and lay into him with a Haymaker like Right that nearly sends Zack tumbling over the side himself. He manages to redirect so that he slams down to the scaffolding, but looks to be knocked unconscious by the blow.
LO: KNOCKED FOR SIX TO FANTANA ON TOP OF THE SCAFFOLD AND I BELIEVE HE IS OUT LIKE A LIGHT!
KO: And look! McGuire is now grabbing at Church to help haul him back up...
LO: Yeah..but wait...watch Benny? What is he doing...
Benny begins to swing again, but this time with more momentum until finally, before Church can get completely back onto solid ground, he lets go of his hold and soars forward to land grasping hands that find Bishop's tights. The arena erupts again as Benny dangles from Bishop Church with nothing holding him up but the NSFW member's tights.
LO: CHRIST! BENNY MAKES A DEATH DEFYING DIVE OVER TO CHURCH AND IS NOW JUST DANGLING OFF THE MAN!
KO: McGuire is trying to still pull Bishop up but now has the added weight of Stevens, WHO IS NOW CLIMBING UP CHURCH'S BODY!
LO: THIS IS INSANE!
Benny gets a good grip on Bishop's shoulders and hauls himself up so that now his weight is directly on top of the man. McGuire starts firing right hands into Benny's face as he crests the scaffolding and he nearly drops again, instead planting his feet into Church's hips and hanging just out of McGuire's reach. He looks over to see Fantana beginning to stir, and then looks back at a furious McGuire and a tired Church as if a light bulb just went off in his head. With a grin, he winks up at the Chimera Tag Champion, and then leans in to take a big bite out of their partner's shoulder. Bishop lets out a loud cry of pain at about the same time he relaxes his grip on the scaffolding. Mike makes a desparate grab for her partner, but it's too late. He and Benny fall from the edge of the scaffold as if in slow motion, Bishop still swinging his arms wildly in a grabbing fashion at nothing but air. And then time catches up with them along with gravity, and they both rocket to the canvas below to an arena shattering 'BANG'.
LO: GOOD LORD! THEY ARE BROKEN IN HALF!
KO: THIS LOOKS LIKE A FREAKIN' TRAIN WRECK! CHURCH AND STEVENS ARE DONE!
LO: I....I mean we knew that someone was going to go over, but nothing prepares you for that....I..I just can't believe it.
KO: Believe it, Laur...and now there are only two people left...one from each team....
LO: McGuire is staring down in horror at their partner...AND FANTANA IS RISING UP BEHIND THEM!
KO: Mike turns towards Fantana who fires in a chop...OH! And gets a right hand for his trouble...
LO: Another chop from Zack! Another right hand from McGuire! AND NOW THESE TWO ARE HAMMERING AWAY TRADING BLOW FOR BLOW!
Fists fly on top of the scaffold but it quickly becomes obvious that Mike is getting the upper hand. Eventually Zack stops countering and returning while Mike continues to hammer, driving him back a step each time along the scaffold until they are back in Dead End Friends end of the structure. Fantana is a bloody mess as McGuire grabs him around the throat and then brings him close to mouth something nasty just before giving him a Hip Toss that sends him crashing back out at the center of the steel. Zack sits up and clutches at his back in pain as Mike stalks carefully forward to meet him again, this time getting hold of him by the shoulders and forcing him down to the edge of the scaffold. Zack puts both hands out in front of him to prevent from being pushed over, which works, only that Mike is able to put their knee into his shoulder blades which forces his throat down across the steel pole holding the structure up on that end.
LO: ZACK FANTANA IS BEING CHOKED OUT ON TOP OF THE SCAFFOLD!
KO: Smart move if you ask me...If Zack is too weak to fight back then he won't be able to stop McGuire when they get ready to toss him over.
LO: I don't even want to think about that for either of these competitors, Ken. I mean...Stevens and Church haven't moved an inch since crash landing in the center of the ring!
KO: Yeah, and it looks like we're close to another big ending, cause Fantana is going out!
Fantana's tongue lolls out of his mouth as the air is prevented from reaching his lungs and his eyes begin to flutter into the back of his head. McGuire, seeing all this, looks satisfied as they come back up to their feet and begin to nudge the man's lower body towards that side of the scaffold. Each push with the sole of their boot brings Fantana closer and closer until he's now parallel with the ledge. Just as they are about to lean down to flip him over, Zack surprises everyone when both his feet come up and his boots land center of Mike's chest and pushes back. Mike stutter steps backwards towards the opposite edge, and their arms rotate rapidly at their sides in a comical fashion to keep from going all the way over. The crowd roar as Zack swings his knees back up to his chest again and this time kips up to his feet, and then flashes his right leg out for a Superkick to McGuire!
LO: OH! MCGUIRE DUCKED THE SUPERKICK! ZACK SWINGS AROUND AND HERE THEY COME FOR ANOTHER KNOCKED FOR SIX!
KO: AHHH! ZACK DUCKED THAT AND THEY HAD JUST BARELY ENOUGH ROOM TO PASS SAFELY BY ONE ANOTHER!
LO: Zack able to get turned back towards Mike first....Gets a Waist Lock from behind....SLEEP APNEA ON THE SCAFFOLD!
KO: OH MY GOD! AND HE KEPT MCGUIRE LAID UP ACROSS HIS KNEE'S....WHAT'S HE DOING...OH NO!
LO: FANTANA SPRINGS THEM UP AND OUT AND MCGUIRE GOES FLYING OFF THE SIDE OF THE SCAFFOLD!
Below Benny Stevens and Bishop Church have woken enough to realize that they have an incoming missile, and without really registering who it is they push off of each other to roll out of the way as Mike McGuire crashes and burns with a loud 'BANG' against the canvas. It takes the two men a few minutes after the bell sounds to roll over to see who it was, and Bishop Church looks crestfallen while Stevens falls back in relief and a chuckle.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match...AND NEW CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...ZACK FANTANA....BENNY STEVENS....DEAD END FRIENDS!!!
Fantana remains stretched out on his back across the scaffold as the arena erupts for the umpteenth time. He brings a shaky hand up to rub the bridge of his nose before rolling onto his side to look over the edge at Benny Stevens who lays still crumpled on the mat below. The Daredevil is still chuckling as the Chimera Tag Team Championships are laid at his side, and he grips one of them before looking up to spy Zack and give him a thumbs up. Zack shakes his head a little before rolling back onto his back just to take in the moment from his high perch on top of the mountain. EMT's rush to ringside to check on the three competitors who feel and Benny waves them off as Bishop Church signals for them to help his partner, Mike McGuire.
LO: Folks...I can honestly say I have never seen anything quite like it.
KO: It was a pretty damn good ending to a great show, eh?
LO: What? Are you trying to get Canadian all of a sudden in our last night in Canada?
KO: What can I say...these Canuck's have grown on me. But that doesn't mean I'm not ready to get stateside and get my hands on a New York pie!
LO: That's right ladies and gentlemen...the next time we see you we'll be at Madison Square Garden in New York City and it will be time for 7 Pillars!
KO: It's going to take one hell of a show to top that last match, but I got the sneaking suspicion that the Gauntlet Match will do it...
LO: Just a quick rundown of the card, we have a grudge match between Siberia Zombie & Lady Munin.
KO: An Unleashed Championship match between Tommy Crimson and Aokigahara Zombie.
LO: Unyielding versus Apex, Danny Rizzo versus Chris Callum for the coveted Apex Champion...
KO: And finally, in our Main Event, we'll have the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match for the UnYielding Championship featuring Katya Djurdjevic, Fukushima Zombie, Cross Recoba, Kaven Drell, Indi Rhyder, Zachariah Krahe, and Moxie James!
LO: What about our new Chimera Tag Champs? You think they'll have a match at the PPV?
KO: It's almost guaranteed, Laur, but we'll just have to see who management can come up with as suitable opponents. For that matter, I figure we'll see a few more matches announced before the show airs live.
LO: You're probably right, Ken. Well folks, that's just about all the time we have left for you tonight and we thank you for joining us.
KO: I am Kenneth Othello..
LO: I am Laurence Othello..
TOGETHER: And We Are The Othello Brother's Signing Off!
The camera gets a shot of Dead End Friends, Zack having finally climbed down from the scaffold, as they celebrate with the Chimera Tag Team Championships in the ring before cutting to the Battleground Network Logo, then the VPW logo, and finally to black.
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 are wearing matching gear this time around of the bright pink variety, and the scene elicits some cat calls from the crowd. They 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....DEAD END FRIENDS!!!
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 far corner to watch as the scaffolding crew continues to work to get it ready.
LO: The ring crew is still working on the scaffolding out in the middle of everything as Fantana and Stevens discuss strategy.
KO: I never thought I'd see another of these kinds of matches. Old Dugan has outdone himself.
LO: They are a throwback to the past, but I can't think of a more fitting way to end this feud considering what happened last show.
KO: Whose to say that the feud will end here? Other than the fact that the losing team will probably have to have emergency back surgery thanks to the landing.
Before anymore conjecture can be put on the match 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 wearing the Chimera Tag Team Championships around their waist. The capacity crowd greets them with a rousing ovation, and they share fistbumps with the fans by the barriers as they make their way down the ramp.RING ANNOUNCER: Now on their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 400 pounds, the CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! MIKE MCGUIRE...BISHOP CHURCH...N ...S ...F ...W!
Dead End Friends have bailed out of the ring as Mike does his customary bouncing back and forth to either side multiple times before John finally climbs up the ring steps. They meet in the middle of the ring and look to the crowd. With Bishop two steps behind, they both pose by standing on the second rope, titles raised in the air. When they descend they look up to take in the gimmick of the match and Mike whistles as Bishop steps over to check one of the steel poles holding the scaffolding in place.
LO: Well it's about to happen folks. Ring Crew is starting to descend which signals that the structure is stable....God, can you imagine a fall from that height.
KO: And not just a fall, Laur. We're talking about someone physically tossing you or shoving you over. That's 20 freakin' feet!
LO: Both Champions and Challengers appear to be pretty confident as they are moving to the outside of the ring to start their climb to the top...
KO: The match will begin when both teams are on the scaffolding so just hang tight and give them a moment...
LO: Benny Stevens has already made his way to the top and looks pretty comfortable...his partner Fantana is a little more hesitant but is climbing up the side.
KO: Mike McGuire is the first to the top for the champions, while Bishop Church is pretty close behind..
Both teams reach the top of the scaffolding after a few more moments and each person finds themselves peering over the side to the long drop to the ring beneath them. Zack gives a Benny a little bit of a head shake while The Daredevil pats him on the shoulder reassuringly and nods with a wide grin. Over on the other side stands McGuire who whistles and give their partner a shrug while Bishop Church looks ready to get to the task at hand. The referee's stand outside the ring and stare up along with everyone else at both teams until finally Caputo points over and signals for the bell.
LO: This match is now officially underway and Bishop Church is already edging his way out towards the center of the structure while Benny and Zack continue to discuss the situation...
KO: The time for discussion is over, Laur! Get out there and fight!
Benny pauses in the Dead End Friends pow-wow to look over his shoulder and peep Bishop Church getting closer and closer and holds his hands out to Fantana in a placating manner. Suddenly he gives a haphazard thumbs up to his partner and then turns and sprints across the scaffolding towards Church who steps right into him and sends him flying with a Release Belly to Belly suplex. The arena is deafening as Benny soars through the air in terror before slamming hard to the steel scaffold with a crash, shaking the entire apparatus and causing everyone else to throw their hands out for balance!
LO: GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY! BENNY STEVENS CRASH LANDS ON THE SCAFFOLD...AND OH MY GOD!
KO: THAT FOOL JUST ABOUT ELIMINATED HIMSELF!
LO: Folks, this is so dangerous...Stevens was clutching at his back and when he rolled to try and get back to his feet he damn near went off the side of the scaffold!
KO: He's got a good hold on the edge now though and is putting the rest of his body back in the center...BUT HERE COMES MIKE MCGUIRE!
McGuire dives and lands on top of Benny, putting their knees into his chest so that he can't move and starts hammering away on the man with right hands. Fantana watches all of this from the safety of their end of the scaffold where there are rails to hold onto, but when Bishop Church turns his attention to the other half of Dead End Friends he realizes he can't stay here forever. So he throws caution to the wind and rushes forward where Church posts up to do the same to him as he did his partner. Zack, however, shocks everyone when he drops into a baseball slide through the narrow space between Church's legs and pops up behind him to throw a boot square in McGuire's face. Mike falls back clutching their nose and has to grab hold of the edge to keep from falling over the side. Zack reaches down to pull Benny to his feet and he gets him halfway there when he's blasted from behind by Church with a sledgehammer like blow.
LO: Folks this is not a normal match. Those four individuals have only about a five foot wide piece of metal underneath them to work, and danger on either side.
KO: Damn right..one wrong move and it could be your last.
Bishop half drags Fantana away from Stevens who turns his attention back to a rising Mike McGuire. Before they can get completely vertical Stevens moves in quickly, leaps while wrapping his legs around their head, and then delivers a Hurricanrana that drives their skull right into the steel.
LO: GOOD GOD! IS HE INSANE!
KO: They don't call him the Daredevil for nothing, but the idiot is looking to try and get himself killed with a move like that with as little room as they have to do it in!
LO: Well the fans haven't piped down at all...it's just a dull roar in the arena as Bishop Church now has Fantana over in the Dead End Friend's corner of the scaffolding and just bounces his skull off the railing...
KO: Wait...WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?!?
LO: OH MY GOD! HE HAS ZACK UP ON HIS SHOULDER AND JUST TOSSED HIM UP INTO THE AIR!
KO: AND FANTANA COMES DOWN FACE FIRST ON THE RAILING LIKE A SNAKE EYES!
LO: He didn't have any choice, Ken! It was either catch the railing with his face or go sailing off into no man's land....and oh god..
KO: Fantana has been busted wide open thanks to Bishop Church who lifts the man up to his knees just so he can bring twisting right hands down into his skull!
Church releases Fantana who falls back towards the ladder but grabs hold of he railing for dear life. The Tag Champ turns his attention back towards the center of the scaffolding where he sees Benny Stevens doing his damndest to shove his partner over the side. Mike is hanging on by one hand and leg while the rest of them is dangling out in the void. Bishop turns as quick as he can and begins to pick his way across the scaffold in that direction. Benny looks up to see the bigger man coming, and he hops up to his feet and begins to back peddle towards NSFW's ladder. He grabs hold of the rail, looking around in either direction, realizing he has come to the end of the line as the crowd gets even louder. Church continues edging his way that way, and Benny shakes his head before taking a step down to the ladder, then another, until he's now hanging from the top rung. Just as Bishop comes in and tries to stomp on his fingers, Benny swings around to where he's now under the Scaffold, and grabs hold of the metal rungs holding the scaffold floor together and starts swinging his way across like they are a monkey bar.
LO: Are you freakin' kidding me?
KO: That idiot has put himself in even more danger than when he was up on the scaffold!
LO: Yeah, but I'll tell you what he did do. He bought his partner, Zack Fantana, a little time from the clutches of Bishop Church!
KO: Benny is at the center of the scaffolding but on the wrong damn side of it....AND OH!
LO: NSFW ARE IN THE CENTER OF THE SCAFFOLD AND ARE JUMPING UP AND DOWN!
KO: AHH! BENNY JUST LOST HIS GRIP WITH HIS LEFT HAND!
LO: HE'S DANGLING BY ONE ARM OVER A TWENTY FOOT DROP!
Benny looks honestly terrified as he swings in the tall space beneath the ring and the fans are all on their feet to witness his peril. Suddenly a loud metal clanking sound can be heard off to the side of NSFW, and when the Tag Champs look in that direction Zack Fantana is rushing towards them with a piece of the metal railing from their corner. Zack plows into both competitors with the railing stretched out in front of him like a modified clothesline, and both slam down to the steel scaffold and just barely grab at the grooves in the flooring to keep from falling over the side!
LO: NOW NSFW ARE HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE...AND LOOK AT BENNY STEVENS! HE'S REESTABLISHED HIS GRIP AND IS SWINGING BACK AND FORTH...
KO: AND DRIVES BOTH FEET INTO BISHOP CHURCH!
LO: CHURCH IS BARELY HANGING ON NOW, AND LOOK AT FANTANA ABOVE...HE'S USING THAT RAILING TO TRY AND PRY THE MAN'S FINGERS LOOSE!
While Dead End Friend's focus their unique offense on Bishop Church to cause him to drop, on the other side Mike McGuire halls themselves back up onto the scaffold. The Bronx Brawler has a look of pure malice on their face when they grab Fantana by the shoulder, swing him around, and lay into him with a Haymaker like Right that nearly sends Zack tumbling over the side himself. He manages to redirect so that he slams down to the scaffolding, but looks to be knocked unconscious by the blow.
LO: KNOCKED FOR SIX TO FANTANA ON TOP OF THE SCAFFOLD AND I BELIEVE HE IS OUT LIKE A LIGHT!
KO: And look! McGuire is now grabbing at Church to help haul him back up...
LO: Yeah..but wait...watch Benny? What is he doing...
Benny begins to swing again, but this time with more momentum until finally, before Church can get completely back onto solid ground, he lets go of his hold and soars forward to land grasping hands that find Bishop's tights. The arena erupts again as Benny dangles from Bishop Church with nothing holding him up but the NSFW member's tights.
LO: CHRIST! BENNY MAKES A DEATH DEFYING DIVE OVER TO CHURCH AND IS NOW JUST DANGLING OFF THE MAN!
KO: McGuire is trying to still pull Bishop up but now has the added weight of Stevens, WHO IS NOW CLIMBING UP CHURCH'S BODY!
LO: THIS IS INSANE!
Benny gets a good grip on Bishop's shoulders and hauls himself up so that now his weight is directly on top of the man. McGuire starts firing right hands into Benny's face as he crests the scaffolding and he nearly drops again, instead planting his feet into Church's hips and hanging just out of McGuire's reach. He looks over to see Fantana beginning to stir, and then looks back at a furious McGuire and a tired Church as if a light bulb just went off in his head. With a grin, he winks up at the Chimera Tag Champion, and then leans in to take a big bite out of their partner's shoulder. Bishop lets out a loud cry of pain at about the same time he relaxes his grip on the scaffolding. Mike makes a desparate grab for her partner, but it's too late. He and Benny fall from the edge of the scaffold as if in slow motion, Bishop still swinging his arms wildly in a grabbing fashion at nothing but air. And then time catches up with them along with gravity, and they both rocket to the canvas below to an arena shattering 'BANG'.
LO: GOOD LORD! THEY ARE BROKEN IN HALF!
KO: THIS LOOKS LIKE A FREAKIN' TRAIN WRECK! CHURCH AND STEVENS ARE DONE!
LO: I....I mean we knew that someone was going to go over, but nothing prepares you for that....I..I just can't believe it.
KO: Believe it, Laur...and now there are only two people left...one from each team....
LO: McGuire is staring down in horror at their partner...AND FANTANA IS RISING UP BEHIND THEM!
KO: Mike turns towards Fantana who fires in a chop...OH! And gets a right hand for his trouble...
LO: Another chop from Zack! Another right hand from McGuire! AND NOW THESE TWO ARE HAMMERING AWAY TRADING BLOW FOR BLOW!
Fists fly on top of the scaffold but it quickly becomes obvious that Mike is getting the upper hand. Eventually Zack stops countering and returning while Mike continues to hammer, driving him back a step each time along the scaffold until they are back in Dead End Friends end of the structure. Fantana is a bloody mess as McGuire grabs him around the throat and then brings him close to mouth something nasty just before giving him a Hip Toss that sends him crashing back out at the center of the steel. Zack sits up and clutches at his back in pain as Mike stalks carefully forward to meet him again, this time getting hold of him by the shoulders and forcing him down to the edge of the scaffold. Zack puts both hands out in front of him to prevent from being pushed over, which works, only that Mike is able to put their knee into his shoulder blades which forces his throat down across the steel pole holding the structure up on that end.
LO: ZACK FANTANA IS BEING CHOKED OUT ON TOP OF THE SCAFFOLD!
KO: Smart move if you ask me...If Zack is too weak to fight back then he won't be able to stop McGuire when they get ready to toss him over.
LO: I don't even want to think about that for either of these competitors, Ken. I mean...Stevens and Church haven't moved an inch since crash landing in the center of the ring!
KO: Yeah, and it looks like we're close to another big ending, cause Fantana is going out!
Fantana's tongue lolls out of his mouth as the air is prevented from reaching his lungs and his eyes begin to flutter into the back of his head. McGuire, seeing all this, looks satisfied as they come back up to their feet and begin to nudge the man's lower body towards that side of the scaffold. Each push with the sole of their boot brings Fantana closer and closer until he's now parallel with the ledge. Just as they are about to lean down to flip him over, Zack surprises everyone when both his feet come up and his boots land center of Mike's chest and pushes back. Mike stutter steps backwards towards the opposite edge, and their arms rotate rapidly at their sides in a comical fashion to keep from going all the way over. The crowd roar as Zack swings his knees back up to his chest again and this time kips up to his feet, and then flashes his right leg out for a Superkick to McGuire!
LO: OH! MCGUIRE DUCKED THE SUPERKICK! ZACK SWINGS AROUND AND HERE THEY COME FOR ANOTHER KNOCKED FOR SIX!
KO: AHHH! ZACK DUCKED THAT AND THEY HAD JUST BARELY ENOUGH ROOM TO PASS SAFELY BY ONE ANOTHER!
LO: Zack able to get turned back towards Mike first....Gets a Waist Lock from behind....SLEEP APNEA ON THE SCAFFOLD!
KO: OH MY GOD! AND HE KEPT MCGUIRE LAID UP ACROSS HIS KNEE'S....WHAT'S HE DOING...OH NO!
LO: FANTANA SPRINGS THEM UP AND OUT AND MCGUIRE GOES FLYING OFF THE SIDE OF THE SCAFFOLD!
Below Benny Stevens and Bishop Church have woken enough to realize that they have an incoming missile, and without really registering who it is they push off of each other to roll out of the way as Mike McGuire crashes and burns with a loud 'BANG' against the canvas. It takes the two men a few minutes after the bell sounds to roll over to see who it was, and Bishop Church looks crestfallen while Stevens falls back in relief and a chuckle.
RING ANNOUNCER: And the winners of this match...AND NEW CHIMERA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS...ZACK FANTANA....BENNY STEVENS....DEAD END FRIENDS!!!
Fantana remains stretched out on his back across the scaffold as the arena erupts for the umpteenth time. He brings a shaky hand up to rub the bridge of his nose before rolling onto his side to look over the edge at Benny Stevens who lays still crumpled on the mat below. The Daredevil is still chuckling as the Chimera Tag Team Championships are laid at his side, and he grips one of them before looking up to spy Zack and give him a thumbs up. Zack shakes his head a little before rolling back onto his back just to take in the moment from his high perch on top of the mountain. EMT's rush to ringside to check on the three competitors who feel and Benny waves them off as Bishop Church signals for them to help his partner, Mike McGuire.
LO: Folks...I can honestly say I have never seen anything quite like it.
KO: It was a pretty damn good ending to a great show, eh?
LO: What? Are you trying to get Canadian all of a sudden in our last night in Canada?
KO: What can I say...these Canuck's have grown on me. But that doesn't mean I'm not ready to get stateside and get my hands on a New York pie!
LO: That's right ladies and gentlemen...the next time we see you we'll be at Madison Square Garden in New York City and it will be time for 7 Pillars!
KO: It's going to take one hell of a show to top that last match, but I got the sneaking suspicion that the Gauntlet Match will do it...
LO: Just a quick rundown of the card, we have a grudge match between Siberia Zombie & Lady Munin.
KO: An Unleashed Championship match between Tommy Crimson and Aokigahara Zombie.
LO: Unyielding versus Apex, Danny Rizzo versus Chris Callum for the coveted Apex Champion...
KO: And finally, in our Main Event, we'll have the 7 Pillars Gauntlet Match for the UnYielding Championship featuring Katya Djurdjevic, Fukushima Zombie, Cross Recoba, Kaven Drell, Indi Rhyder, Zachariah Krahe, and Moxie James!
LO: What about our new Chimera Tag Champs? You think they'll have a match at the PPV?
KO: It's almost guaranteed, Laur, but we'll just have to see who management can come up with as suitable opponents. For that matter, I figure we'll see a few more matches announced before the show airs live.
LO: You're probably right, Ken. Well folks, that's just about all the time we have left for you tonight and we thank you for joining us.
KO: I am Kenneth Othello..
LO: I am Laurence Othello..
TOGETHER: And We Are The Othello Brother's Signing Off!
The camera gets a shot of Dead End Friends, Zack having finally climbed down from the scaffold, as they celebrate with the Chimera Tag Team Championships in the ring before cutting to the Battleground Network Logo, then the VPW logo, and finally to black.