WICKED - DVD Taping - Heat Stroke 06/09/2016
May 26, 2016 22:46:46 GMT
Calvin Harris and REDЯUM like this
Post by The BombTrax on May 26, 2016 22:46:46 GMT
Live from The Pure Arena
Purity, LA
Thursday, June 9th, 2016 at 10 pm CST
Pure Amusement Wrestling
Proudly Presents:
Opening Bout
{Three Stages of Hell - Part 1}
Singles Match
(The winner of this match will determine the stipulations of the Titans of the Midway Contest later in the show)
Johnny Raike versus Calvin Harris
PERCY: Trouble in paradise already?
CAT: Looks like James Spade and Amanda Rhodes are enjoying the park. I wonder if that's a pretense that they are interested in PAW?
PERCY: I'm not sure, but it looks like if they are, they may have just found their first two opponents in Nomad and Pixie, who both have business here tonight at Heat Stroke.
CAT: And what about Johnny Raike! I've never seen him fired up like that.
PERCY: Calvin Harris has a way of getting under your skin. Looks like he's managed to do that for Johnny.
CAT: Well, I for one can't wait. Rhonda's in the ring with the particulars!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ladies and gentlemen, the following is the opening contest in our three stages of hell match. It is a singles match and will be wrestled to one fall, with the victor picking the stipulations for the second stage. Introducing first, the challenger, from Astoria, Queens, New York, weighing in tonight it ‘Don’t you fucking dare say it three times,’ the Thigh High Thriller, JOOOOOHHHNNNNNNNNYYY!!! RAIKE!!!!
The PAW faithful on hand at the Pure Arena for Heat Stroke react strong for the American Wet Dream, and as he glides onto the stage to the slow riff of “Pure Morning” he pauses to show off his coat for the night, a reflexive silver vinyl, inviting the viewing to “See Yourself in Greatness.” He is mostly business tonight, still returning waves and well wishes, but making his way into the ring to await Calvin Harris.
PERCY: Last time Raike wore that coat was at the start of the last HoliCraze Tournament, a tourny where he won three matches in a row.
CAT: Yeah, but that wasn’t on one night. I don’t get how sane people can believe in a coat helping them win a wrestling match. That said, Johnny Raike is wearing the fuck out of that coat. Oh, why does he still not give me a card?
PERCY: Doesn’t look like anyone got his card tonight. Doubt even Raike thinks he’ll have it in him for victory sex.
Bullet For My Valentine "Your Betrayal" began to hit the arena's speakers. The guitar riff kicking it all off and it was something the thousands in attendance were able to recognize from the start. Didn't take long at all for those fans to begin to change their tune. They went from being excited for action to completely and utterly loathing the show. All because of who was about to make their to the ring.
Only a few seconds had passed since the song began to play. That's when the curtain could be seen being slowly pulled back. Stepping out a moment later happened to be none other than the man known as the Martyr of Pro Wrestling himself, Calvin Harris. Seeing the man caused the crowd to uproar again, but this time with louder boos and jeers. All of them hoping that this was going to be enough to get him to go away. However they should've known better than that. Standing center of the stage, Calvin looked at Johnny Raike this contemptuous sneer on his lips. The type of smug smirk that would make people see clear that Calvin Harris intends to make Johnny Raike a victim.
That being said Calvin found himself stretching his arms out to either side of him, gesturing at his Titan of the Midway Belt. Almost like he was encouraging the crowd to give him more hate. For this was something that actually motivated him and something that actually drove him. Like puppets the fans gave in booing even louder and vocally expressing their hatred for him anyway that they could. After a few moments he lowered his arms back down at his side and began to slowly make his way down the ramp.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And Introducing his opponent, all the way from Chicago, Illinois. Weighing in at two hundred and twenty seven pounds. He is known as the Martyr of Pro Wrestling, and is the current Titan of the Midway. . . CALVIN HARRIS!
Hearing that announcement put the crowd on edge. It was like they were hearing nails running down a chalkboard. Not a pleasant situation at all. Again they were vocal getting louder with their boos. At this point they were so loud it was hard for people to even hear themselves think. Let alone begin to form an actual thought that made any sense. By this time that he had been introduced to the crowd. Calvin was halfway down the ramp, seemingly taking his time. That sneer of his remained on his expression as he let out a couple of chuckles at those fans he deemed pathetic. Though, he had finally made it to the end of the ramp.
Calvin took a couple of steps towards the ring and reached up with his right hand grabbing the middle rope. He proceeded to pull himself up onto the apron and onto his knees. He pushed himself right up to his feet and in a pretty swift motion. He lifted one leg over the middle rope, ducked down under the top, and found himself right in the ring. That's when Calvin took it upon himself to take the nearest turnbuckle. He climbed it right up to the second rung and looked out at the booing crowd. Not a single one of them were backing down from how they felt about him. Something that was just making him happier and happier with each boo he heard.
All of the sudden he brought his hands up and out to each side of him while tilting his head back a bit. It was almost like he was in a position where he was forcing the crowd to "bask" in all his glory or as if he was wanting them to "praise" him. Something that wasn't going to happen. Not even on his best day. That taunt remained for only a couple of seconds. At least until the theme song found itself fading out. At that point Calvin turned himself around leaping down from the turnbuckle and found himself bouncing around on his two feet, handing off his belt to the ring crew.
*DING*
The crowd is hot to start both the show and the first stage as Calvin Harris and Johnny Raike begin to circle one another. They lock up and jockey for position, with Harris whipping Raike to the rope, but Johnny backrolls away from the follow up chop, pops up, hits the ropes and rebounds with a crossbody. Harris is the one dodge this time, hitting his knees and popping up to hit the ropes at about the same time Raike does. The two collide with a mighty double clothesline, one-eightying each other on the impact, landing hard, and popping right back to their feet, to get in each other’s faces, staring hard.
PERCY: Raike giving up a bit of height to Calvin Harris, and I’d say a good thirty pounds, but neither man wanting to be the first to flinch here tonight. There’s a lot riding tonight.
CAT: Well of course there is Percy, it’s PPV. Do you know how good we have to be to sell a show on a dying format?
Raike is first to swing a chop, which is quickly blocked by Harris before being repaid with a right hook to the American Wet Dream’s chin. Raike staggers back, but uses the space to fire a kick into the Martyr of Professional Wrestling’s shoulder. Harris absorbs the blow and hits a fierce two handed chop to Raike’s midsection, turning him away. The crowd boos and yays with vigor for Calvin and Johnny, starting to buzz as Raike turns his tactical retreat into a full head of stream, hitting the ropes and firing a knee into Harris’s gut, sending him reeling back into the corner. Raike charges in with another quick knee to the gut and a bulldog, but Calvin powers out of the hold before the Thigh High Thriller can take him down, follows with a stiff shot to the back of the head, And takes Johnny down with a quickly belly-to-back suplex. A few clubbing blows to the back of the head keep the Beautiful Nightmare struggling while Harris gets back to standing and fires stomps to the back of Raike. Johnny eats a few boots before he can roll away from the attack and regroup, Once again Raike and Harris begin to circle.
PERCY: Harris coming out ahead in that first exchange, taking Raike off his feet. Still seem to be feeling each other out though; this is the first time these men have faced in a one on one, weapons free environment.
CAT: Perhaps they just don’t know how to fight without savaging each other. Dare say they’ll do plenty of that before the night is done.
Harris shoot in with a waist lock, which Johnny quickly breaks and reverses. Johnny backs himself and Harris into the rope to get some momentum, pushes Harris and lands an axe kick to the shoulder on the rebound. Harris stops in his tracks as Raike hits the rope, but regains his awareness to sidesteps the Sissyboy Savior and send him rebounding off the rope. Raike ducks the elbow from Harris, leaps to the second rope, and scores a pair of boots right to Calvin’s chin. Raike pops up, arms wide as if awaiting embrace, which the crowd indulges him in starting a Johnny Raike chant.
CAT: These guys always go for the cheers, don’t they realize cheers don’t win a match?
PERCY: Never underestimate the power of a cheering crowd, sometimes all you need to get back into a match is the knowledge that thousands of people want you to win.
Johnny drops into a stalk as Calvin Harris regains his composure, the Martyr bringing himself back to his feet only to find himself in a waist lock. Harris tries to fight out, causing Raike to instead transition to a side headlock. The Party Queen of Queens tries to follow through with a snapmare, But Harris takes a knee to stop the momentum, grabbing Raike about the chest from behind and returning both fighters to their feet. As he tries to lift Johnny up the smaller man kicks his legs desperately, allowing him to fall through the hold and deliver an arm drag to put space between himself and Harris. Raike charges in with a big lucha push, sending Harris into the corner. The Beautiful Nightmare once more builds up a head of steam, running with all he has at the corner to deliver a huge Yakuza, but Harris rolls away from the corner just in time leaving Johnny Raike to trap his own leg against the rope. The Titan of the Midway champion follows up quick as a flash with a school boy roll up against Johnny, grabbing at the back of his trunks for extra leverage.
1…
2…
Break!
A-Ref calls for a break on the pin, having spotted Calvin Harris with a handful of Johnny Raike tights. Harris tries to argue for a moment, while Raike uses the chance to get back to his feet and get some air, eyes never leaving Harris. A-Ref holds firm in his call though, and Harris returns to the match just in time to eat a roundhouse.
PERCY: Harris trying to end things quick, but A-Ref makes the call and that was an illegal pin.
CAT: Yeah, yeah, it’s only illegal if you get caught, and Calvin Harris nearly wasn't. So either he’s amazing, or A-Ref needs an eye exam.
PERCY: Speaking of, I bet Calvin Harris is seeing things a little blurry after that roundhouse.
Raike stays on Harris, following up the kick to the face with a pair to the back of the legs as Calvin tries to create space between himself and Johnny Raike. Johnny finally spins Harris around, but whatever plan the Hedonistic Hellcat had in mind is stopped in it’s tracks by a rake of the eyes from Calvin Harris.
CAT: Ha! Harris rakes Raike, and I’m betting Johnny is having second thoughts about all the times he’s done that to people over the years.
PERCY: Certainly an effective way to take control of the match, but A-Ref looks none too happy with our Titan right now.
A-Ref is indeed admonishing Harris, but the Martyr of Professional Wrestling ignores it, kicks at Raikes knee to make him kneel, and delivers a huge elbow to the back of the head. Raike pitches forward onto his hands and knees, earning himself a smug look from Calvin. Harris puts his foot in the middle of Raikes back and stomps him hard to the mat, following up by standing right in the middle of Raike back. A-Ref calls him off quickly enough, but the grimace on Johnny’s face tells the story.
PERCY: Harris, still playing fast and loose with the rules.
CAT: Oh, Harris has hardly done anything worth actually DQing over. Not like he’s beating Raike with a chair, or choking him out with the mic cords, he’s just standing on him.
Johnny uses the interference from A-Ref to get back up, smile on his face as he faces down Harris, though his eyes show no trace of mirth. Harris throws out some smack talk and challenges Johnny to come in for a test of strength. Raike snorts in laughter, shaking his head, but Harris persists in the challenge, calling Johnny a coward. Raike looks to the crowd for guidance, and they cheer, causing Raike to step forward and put his hands up. Harris goes to take his hands, but before he can Raike jumps, takes out Calvin’s knee with a drop kick, rolls up and nails the now kneeling man with a baby Ace crusher. Raike uses the momentum of the move to roll out of the ring for a moment.
PERCY: And Johnny’s turn to get a little tricky, suckering Harris in for that Ace crusher.
CAT: I think we can expect a lot of tricks and sucker punches from both of these men tonight, sportsmanship be damned.
PERCY: Since when do you care about sportsmanship?
Harris isn’t down for long, and Raike is back up onto the ring apron as Harris makes his feet. Raike climbs back in slowly, using the ropes to get A-Ref to repeatedly call Harris off. The Martyr of Professional Wrestling gets more and more visibly frustrated, finally turning to yell at A-Ref, only to find himself blindsided by an elbow to the temple. A-Ref gets the hell out of dodge as Raike begins to fire a machine gun series of chops to the chest of Calvin Harris. The overwhelming assault seems to stun Harris for the moment, but as he shakes off the shot to the temple he fires off a thunderous slap to the face of Johnny Raike, pushes the Sissyboy Savior to the ropes, and flattens him to the mat with a Fameasser. Calvin rolls him over and hooks the leg for a cover.
1…
2…
Kickout!
PERCY: Raike trying to chop the Martyr down, but Harris just powers through.
CAT: I think both men are running on rage, testosterone and ego tonight. Neither man is really showing the effects of the match so far, but I say that’s just false bravado.
Calvin brings Johnny back to his vertical base, a club to the back of the neck keeping Raike dazed, before sending him to the ropes. As Johnny rebounds back to him Harris ducks, scooping Raik up on his shoulders. Raike tries to struggle, but Harris gets him right in place and plants him in the center of the ring with a Death Valley driver.
PERCY: DVD! Raike landing hard on his neck and shoulders right in the center of the ring, this could be it!
Harris stops to yell at the crowd, asking them what they think of Johnny now. The response is a massive wave of boos, followed by a Johnny Raike chant. Harris scoffs at the crowd and makes cover with a simple lateral press.
CAT: Lazy cover from Harris.
1…
2…
Kickout!
CAT: Told ya it was lazy!
PERCY: Harris taking too much time to rub it in, and Raike stays alive in this match.
Harris, while clearly unhappy, keeps on top of Johnny, pulling him up to his knees and delivering a stinging slap. Calvin backs up to the ropes, taking a moment to line up a shot. The Martyr rolls up his pant leg, pushes off against the ropes and charges.
PERCY: Contact Kill!
Harris swings the knee in hard, but Raike ducks, surges upward, and grabs Harris in a teardrop suplex. The crowd roars its approval as Johnny sits back up, smile on his face, jumps to his feet, runs the ropes and meets the rising Calvin Harris with a lung blower. Harris pops up from the impact and stumble into the corner, where Johnny immediately charges in and scores with a Yakuza.
PERCY: Raike connects with the Yakuza that time, and look at Harris, he might be out on his feet.
CAT: Harris always looks like there’s no one home though, how can you ever really be certain?
Harris sinks down into a sitting position, and Johnny takes the moment to snap off a quick kick to the side of the head before pushing him forward and hooking the leg for the cover.
1…
2…
Ropebreak!
Johnny can’t believe it for a moment, even when he sees Harris’s arm under the rope. With a yell of frustration the Panty Wearing Panty Dropper returns to his feet, stalking back enough for Harris to get out of the ropes. Now it is Calvin’s turn to stay in the ropes, using the rules to catch a breath while Raike paces the ring in front of him. Finally the two lock up in the middle of the ring again, Harris applying a quick arm and hammer lock. Raike fights it and spins out, getting Harris into a standing arm wringer, which Harris quickly breaks, pulling Raike in for the Northern Lights suplex. Raike fights out as Harris tries to isolate the leg, landing to the side and firing in a stiff superkick! Harris is sent staggering into the ropes, but he digs deep, pushes off and nails Raike with a superkick of his own! Both men fall to the mat, motionless.
PERCY: A pair of superkicks and both men are down! Could we see a double count out right now?
CAT: If we do, who picks the stips for the next match? Fan vote?
A-Ref gives it a moment for the crowd to come down, starting to administer the count just as soon as it can be heard. By five neither man has stirred, Harris starting to move at six, Raike right behind him at seven. At nine both men are on their feet, if a little shakey, and A-Ref stops the count. The two men look across the ring at one another, and with a snarl rush to meet in the center of the ring. Calvin goes for a wild swing, but Raike ducks it, hooking his arm, then his other, and dropping down into a backslide pin.
1...
2...
Calvin kicks backwards forcing his shoulders off the mat, and coming up to his feet right in front of Johnny Raike, who hops up quickly. Raike goes for a kick to the midsection, but Calvin catches his leg, diving over the trapped appendage only to hook Raike through the legs for a school boy pin with a handful of tights.
1...
2...
Thre-Raike manages to kick out just before three, and when both men come up to meet one another, Raike hooks Calvin around the head, pulling him down into a small package.
PERCY: These pin attempts are coming fast and furious! Both men are tired, and still have two more matches to go!
1...
2...
Harris manages to rock his body somehow, reversing the small package to where now Raike is the one pinned.
1...
2...
Raike kicks out of the pinning predicament, and when he comes up to his feet, he immediately puts some separation between he and Calvin by falling back into the ropes for some momentum. As he springs back, Calvin drops his head for a back body drop, but Raike leaps over Harris, hooking him on the hips on his way over, and taking him down into a sunset flip.
1...
2...
Thre-At the last possible second, Harris is able to roll backwards, ending the pin attempt. On his way through he grabs Raike by the ankles, throwing the man's legs into his chest, and then driving his shoulders into the back of the knee's for a pin attempt of his own. Just as A-Ref moves into position again, tired from the many counts, he fails to notice as Harris tosses his feet backwards where they end up on the middle rope to provide illegal leverage.
1...
2...
3!!!
Raike manages to kick Calvin off of him, but it's too late, and quick as a whip Harris scoots beneath the bottom rope, a smug expression on his face as he throws his fists out at his sides in order to taunt Johnny Raike. The Most Liberated Man In Wrestling looks up at A-Ref in disbelief, slapping the mat three times, and then rolling his shoulder to show that he got it up. A-Ref adamantly shakes his head, and Raike slaps the mat again as Rhonda comes across the loud speakers with the announcement.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The winner of this first contest, and the man to name the stipulations for the next Stage of Hell, CALVIN HARRIS!!!
Calvin begins to back up the ramp, the devilish grin still on his face as he calls for a microphone. A technician readily runs up to the Martyr of Wrestling, and delivers one, and he can't hid his satisfaction as he raises it to his lips.
CALVIN HARRIS: The Titans of the Midway Championship will be a Last Man Standing Match on The Midway!
Raike stares bullets into Calvin Harris as he tosses the mic down, continuing to back up the ramp. Raike places his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disgust.
PERCY: Calvin Harris steals the first fall in the First Stage Of Hell, and quite frankly, I agree with Johnny Raike. I'm disgusted.
CAT: What the hell are you talking about, Percy?! Calvin did what anyone would have done! He took his opportunity, and it paid off.
PERCY: Wrap it up however you like Cat, but the man cheated!
CAT: Exactly what I said! Opportunity!
PERCY: Whatever. Let's head to the back and see if we can't find something that might take the tarnish off this travesty.
The Mimes sat side-by-side on the green room couch with their gloves hands on their knees watching Francis stand beside a new entry into their bizarre little quartet. A short man, probably in his early twenties wearing a red shirt with a star trek communicator badge stood beside Francis who's arm remained in a sling from his vicious altercation with the mimes earlier.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Mimes. This is my new assistant, your new boss, say hello to G-Reg. He's here to help keep you regular.
Francis winks cleverly. The Mimes wave in unison. Greg the Redshirt shakes his head at Francis.
GREG THE REDSHIRT: No, no. Mister Cuppola. For the last time, it's not "G-Reg".
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Okay, then what is it?
GREG THE REDSHIRT: Like I told you, call me Lieutenant First-Class Greg Larson from the Federation Starship Mazerunner.
Greg flashed the vulcan salute to the room. The mime's eyes drifted dismally back to monitor Francis' nonplussed reaction to this news. Double F C just stared at the kid in front of him with a sudden, deflated lack of interest and narrowed eyes.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: *deadpan* Gregg, I'm going to need you to go on an away mission...
The mime's looked to Greg.
GREG THE REDSHIRT: Excellent, Mister Cuppola. Will it be to the Andromeda--
Francis starts ushering Greg towards the door.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: No, no. No foreign solar systems for you, G-re-- I mean, Lieutenant Captain Greg.
GREG THE REDSHIRT: It's Lieuten--
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Absolutely. Yep.
Francis pushes Greg out the door where the redshirted young fellow turns to look at Francis quizzically as he slips open his tricorder and begins scanning the hallway.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Even better. You take your toy thing there and take some scans out in the parking lot for me, okay Timmy?
GREG THE REDSHIRT: It's not Tim--
Francis closes the door quickly and locks it in Greg's face. He turns back to rest against the door with an exhausted and bewildered look to the mimes who maintain the characteristic dead stare that unnerves Francis so. Chills run up his spine as he shakes his head and begins pacing. The mimes watch blankly.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: I can't believe what I'm doing. Can I do this without him?
Francis pauses and glances at the mimes who keep staring. He returns to pacing.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: What the hell am I supposed to do without Rodney? Rodney knows what sort of food you mimes eat, he knows your names, he knows everything... without him--
There's a knock on the door that interrupts him. Francis grows annoyed and angrily goes to the door, unlocks then opens it a crack to poke his head out and tell Timmy, or Greg, or whoever it is, off.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Dammit, Tim go back to the S.S. Enterpri-- Rodney.
Francis straightens up, the door swings open. There, like a blast of welcome heaven stands Rodney P, Francis' estranged assistant, with bruises and cuts still marring his features.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Rodney!
His arms open wide for a much-needed hug. Rodney brushes past him into the room, to Francis' disappointment.
RODNEY P: I'm not here to reconcile, Francis.
Francis turns to regard his still estranged assistant.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: That's not what you're supposed to say.
Rodney slips in between the mimes on the couch, resting his palms on their knees with a confident smirk. Francis eyes him with growing consternation.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Okay, then why are you here then, Rodney?
Rodney's smirk grows, patting the mime's knees loudly.
RODNEY P: I'm here to wish you, and your charges here good luck, of course, Francis.
Francis' eyes narrow suspiciously.
RODNEY P: And to watch them fail.
Francis gets his back up.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Oh really?
Rodney pats the mimes on the knees once more and uses them to help him stand up with a condescending smirk as he gets right into his former employer's face.
RODNEY P: Yes. Really. And I'm here to tell you that I'm putting together my own tag team.
Francis is speechless. Rodney loves it.
RODNEY P: Yep. Of real professional wrestlers. None of this amateur hour bullshit you've got going for you.
The mimes watch the altercation blankly from the couch.
RODNEY P: And then, after you're sufficiently starved of my presence and officially on the bottom rung of this federation's ladder...
Francis is offended, saddened, shocked at the way Rodney is speaking and acting.
RODNEY P: I'm going to sign my team up so they can crush yours. How's that sound, Francis?
Rodney lifts his palms and pats Francis' cheeks. Francis is flustered, speechless even as Rodney brushes past him chuckling his way out the door. Francis stands in shock, the mimes watch him from the couch as the door is shut behind Rodney. Francis blinks, and gets angry after shrugging it off.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: You see that, Mimes? THAT'S your motivation! My duncecap of a former assistant doesn't believe in you. But I do, Mimes. I do.
The mimes stare blankly at him. Francis' speech is emboldened.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: He thinks I'm a joke, you see? Well... I'll show him. We'll show him, won't we? Tonight? This battle royal? We're going to win it, aren't we!?
The pep talk resonates in the tiny room. The mimes stare back at Francis. He looks at them with a slowly raising eyebrow before nodding with false confidence and silently pumps his fist, eyeing down at them like a general who can only mime to his soldiers.
Francis gives them the thumbs up and whispers.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: And we're ready.
Sixteen Man Battle Royal
(This match will determine the #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship)
Bryan Williams, Flaming Youth, Amanda Reynolds, Alexandra Kelly, Nirvana,
Nova Wonder, Ava, Johnny Sykes, The French Mime Assassins,
Roy Baker, Redrum, S.O.B., The Lost Boyz, James Radford
{Grudge Match}
Singles Match
Luke Knux versus Jack Nomad
The lights around the steel girdered Entrance Arch dim. Amber and red emergency lights start spin to cast a diffused orange glow a short distance through the fog. The familiar sound of Edsel Dope's voice screams over the PA System.
"Violence" by Dope continues to play. The fog is parted by the forward motion of a tattooed Jack Nomad suddenly bursting forth with a long legged stride.
His attire consists of a hooded, patchwork leather vest decorated with the word "HARDCORE" on his shoulders, black leather tights done in similar fashion to his vest, maroon boots with silver knee and kick pads, and tape on his fists. In his hand is a barbwire wrapped silver mop handle sporting black electrical tape at both ends.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: making his way to the ring! He stands at six foot two and weighs in at 241 lbs. Hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey....
PERCY: Jack Nomad, as usual, bringing his barbed wire mop handle with him to the ring. Entering into a match that has a mountain of bad feelings behind it, on both sides, yet standard wrestling rules still apply? I don't envy A-Ref making sure it or anything else doesn't come into play.
CAT: Luke's known to do just as bad. And really, between that disgusting little ditty Luke Knox played out here in front of everyone and him saying the things he did about Alexandra Kelly? That mask isn't going to protect Luke from the consequences tonight.
Arriving at ringside, he climbs onto the ring apron and walks to the very center of that apron. Turning to face the fans, Jack throws his arms out at his sides. His face is a burning, intense scowl as he surveys the crowd. He then turns and enters the ring.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: HARDCORE... JACK NOOOOMAD!!!
He throws his hood back to reveal his slightly crooked nose and dark brown eyes. Long stringy black hair hangs in his face as he lowers his head forward to glare at the camera from beneath the ridge of his brow. Jack then throws his arms out at his sides, fists clenched tightly with the mop handle held firmly in hand and spins around to scowl at the audience. He removes his vest and tosses it over to his corner where a ring attendant takes it.
PERCY: You say it can't protect him, and not long ago you were saying it was Luke's weapon. Saying that he's shown himself capable of paying back everything he's given would be an understatement.
CAT: Well, he's got to do more than pay back what Nomad dishes out. Luke Knux has to back up his own mouth and ego, and that's one hell of a tall order.
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators' "World On Fire" hits the sound system and the lights go down. Smoke begins filling the stage as we hear the opening of the song. A few riffs of a guitar, then when the drums hit and lyrics kick in, Luke Knux comes out from the back in his usual attire. A cigarette hangs from his lips as he walks out staring down the crowd. He walks from one end of the stage to the other staring down the crowd before returning to the middle and then raising the metal horns. He puts them down and begins down the ramp.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Hailing from Castle Knux on Knuxy Island, weighing in at 190 pounds, he is the Suicidal Scumbag, LUKE KNUUUXXX!!!
Luke is now at the end of the ramp as he stops to look around the arena. Knux takes the last hit of the cigarette and then tosses it on the ground and stomps it out. He runs and slides into the ring before hopping up to his feet and leaning over the ropes. He points to his head, fingers like a gun, and fires. He walks backwards and spins around before handing off his entrance gear. He then leans against the corner and waits for the match to begin.
PERCY: This might be too lackadaisical an approach to this match, I fear.
CAT: It appears that Knux isn't going to show Jack Nomad any more respect than he has before tonight.
The bell rings and Nomad plows right into Knux before he can get more than a couple steps out of his corner, bulldozing him right back into the turnbuckle. He drives his shoulder into Knux's midsection, then pulls back to slam knees into his ribs and stomach repeatedly. Knux is given no room to recover, but still attempting to get knees up to block the blows or twist out of the way.
PERCY: DAMN! Nomad too angry to mess with anything but direct assault tonight, going right for the gut-- literally.
CAT: You have to admit, even if it's potentially driven by blind fury, it's a pretty smart tactic. He's using that fifty pound weight advantage to take the air out of Knux right off the bat. If you can't breathe, you can't do much of anything else.
PERCY: If Nomad doesn't get his anger under control he'll wind up kneeing a turnbuckle and hurt himself.
A-Ref has hit four on the DQ count and Nomad backs off, hands in the air... then he charges right back in, slamming an elbow into Knux's face with high velocity-- only for his elbow to bounce right off the clear mask shielding Knux's broken nose!
PERCY: I'm not sure if that was blind anger or a hope to smash the thing right into Knux's face, but it didn't pay off!
Nomad has backed off for real this time, cluching his elbow, a small trickle of blood seeping between his fingers, and Knux sucks in a breath. The laugh isn't heard but it's seen on his face, Knux coming in quick-- Nomad's arm in the way cradling his opposite elbow cuts off the opportunity to kick him in the gut, though he goes for it anyway, "accidentally" landing it low. Nomad doubles over, of course, and gets planted with a swinging snap DDT. Luke goes for a quick pin attempt, promptly failing before the one, but making Nomad waste the effort. A-Ref immediately reprimands him to keep it above the belt.
Knux obliges, immediately throwing fists into Nomad's face, taking advantage of the opportunity his target doesn't have on him. After a moment this only seems to fire Nomad up again, snarling and catching the arm of one of Knux's thrown fists in a top wristlock, sitting up partially as he cranks it. Knux changes targets, hammering a fist into the exposed midsection of Nomad, making Jack wheeze, but Nomad is committed to the hold he's got locked in and cranks the arm back, leaving Knux to have to struggle with both arms' worth of strength unless he wants to lose the use of one of them.
They struggle to their feet, and Knux is beginning to loosen Nomad's grip, but Jack hauls him over with a snap suplex. Jack's rolling them both and retaining his grip, hauling Knux up again for another suplex. Raising slower this time from the sustained effort, still with Knux in his grasp, gathering up again--
PERCY: He's going for a triple--
Knux waits till he feels Nomad brace to snap him over, then uses that momentum combined with his own leap to drive a knee blindly into Nomad's face.
PERCY: AAAUGH!
CAT: BRUTAL COUNTER! Neither one of them is fooling around tonight.
Nomad is hit right below the eye, and as soon as he rolls over we can see it beginning to swell up ugly. Knux rolls the opposite way, having gained the momentary advantage, but the two suplexes that did connect have left him with the wind knocked out of him again this fast.
PERCY: Luke Knux really needs to press the advantage right now!
Nomad's up first, wobbling heavily. Knux slides out of the ring quickly to put distance between them, trying to walk off the sting in his own knee, and as Nomad follows it's Luke's turn to charge-- Nomad goes low and heaves him up for a powerbomb-- Knux catches the ropes in his hands and hauls himself to the apron. Nomad turns and steps backwards, still wobbly on his feet from the blow that's already starting to turn all the wrong colors, and eats a moonsault for his troubles!
PERCY: Jack's head just got smashed between Knux and the floor!
CAT: It's a shitty night to be Jack Nomad's brains. He seriously should've ripped that plastic mask off Knux and introduced his nose to his cheek while he had the chance.
Both men are down for the moment recovering, Luke rolling out of the way, stopping on his back with heaving breaths. Jack stares at the ceiling, glassy-eyed.
PERCY: Would that even be legal, though?
CAT: I didn't say he should beat him with the mask! Though now that I kinda just did, that's a great idea. I'm surprised they've kept it this clean for this long already.
Both men are stirring, but Knux is considerably faster. He grabs one of Nomad's arms, looking to the ring for a moment as if considering rolling him in for a pin, but Nomad begins to rouse and try to get his feet under him. Knux swerves, whipping Nomad towards a ring post-- Nomad counters, either on animal instinct or from being more awake than he was acting, slamming Knux face first into the steel post. Knux falls back, his nose protected but the parts of his face the mask braces against still definitely feeling all of that unforgiving impact. Nomad grabs the straps on Knux's mask, looking to pry it off, but A-Ref starts shouting the numbers of his count out louder. Knux is rolled back into the ring instead, Nomad grabbing him up by the hair to haul him upright. It's one of those perfect moments for a punch, to stay right on his face, payback for the grotesque eye swelling that's got to be affecting Nomad's sight.
CAT: Jack Nomad's mentally cussing so loud right now, I'd swear I can hear it.
PERCY: This mask takes out a really significant part of Jack's arsenal. You have to question how the Spine Jacker would work with this as a factor. If he tried the Face Breaker that got them both into this position to begin with? Well, Luke feeling that metal post is one thing, and Jack might be tough with his knee strikes, but his elbow already got a taste of how much more he'd pay than Knux would.
Nomad scoffs at the protection, not bothering with it yet, and snaps right into action, the force of frustration behind a legsweep STO. He rolls Knux over--
PERCY: Pin, why isn't he going for a pin?!
CAT: He's not done punishing him yet!
PERCY: Somebody needs to check Jack Nomad for a concussion.
--hooking in a half nelson and deadlifting Knux to his feet, taking him right back over with a half-nelson suplex.
CAT: HAH! Might not be able to punch through that thing, but just like the turnbuckle, if he can make the ring take the blow for him, he can still hurt him!
This time he goes for the pin.
1...
2...
THR--Knux kicks out.
PERCY: Luke Knux is still in this thing!
Nomad starts throwing clubbing blows down on his back and ribs, slamming knees into his kidneys, trying to weaken his back in addition to his midsection so he just can't kick out again. Knux is clawing his way across the canvas, trying to get to the salvation of the ropes. He's nearly there when Nomad rolls him over away from the ropes, going in for a pin-- Knux gouges him right in the bad eye.
CAT: NO! Did you see that? NO!
Jack Nomad falls back, hand covering his eye, howling.
PERCY: Jack's blinded, and with just one eye, he won't have depth perception!
Luke's ignoring A-Ref, stumbling to his feet, ripping off his own face mask. A-Ref is redoubling, warning him that he can't hit Jack with that. He doesn't, dropping it to the mat and grabbing the still-half-blind Jack in a headlock, hauling him to his feet and wincing as his back muscles protest. He does it, immediately dropping him with the Scumbag Salute onto the mask.
CAT: No no no!
PERCY: Well, he didn't hit him with it.
1...
2...
THR--NO!
Luke falls back in utter disbelief, then scrambles to try the cover again, hooking a leg tight.
1...
2...
Nomad slams his knee dead into Luke's exposed nose, and blood immediately splatters the canvas. Both men get hit, A-Ref even gets caught by it. Luke backs away in horror, holding his misshapen nose. Nomad's trying to scramble to his feet.
CAT: He looks like a horror movie zombie! Jack Nomad isn't home!
That one glazed eye is boring holes into Luke, the other swelled shut. A-Ref is pulled aside by safety personnel, trying to get the blood off him, and Luke spots opportunity. He goes right for the now-cracked mask, but Jack's closer. Luke charges in anyway, seeing how dazed Nomad is, but what's left of Nomad's mind is only on one goal-- smashing that mask right into what it was supposed to be protecting!
PERCY: Does Nomad have enough left for the Spine Jacker!?
Nomad doesn't even go for the Spine Jacker. He flings the mask away and doesn't even pull Luke up from his knees, snaring his arms again and throwing those smashing knee blows.
PERCY: THE FACE BREAKER! GOD ALMIGHTY, WHAT A MESS!
A-Ref turns at the sound and the reaction from the crowd, sliding in far enough to see Luke Knux's face before he motions for the bell to be rung.
PERCY: This is savage! I'm guessing Luke is knocked out?
Nomad crumples to his knees at the call, head too rattled to make his feet, A-Ref raising a hand from there. After a few seconds he comes to his feet, breathing, looking down on Luke in disgust as the Rock Star rolls from the ring. Luke Knux is a bloodied, battered mess, when hets to his feet, but he suddenly stops at the sight of Alexandra Kelly smiling oh so sweetly at him as she stands in the center of the aisle leading to the backstage area. She's a little rough looking from the royal rumble, but by and far, in better shape than Luke. The only difference is that we find her wearing a shirt that says "Whore" on it.
{Three Stages of Hell - Part 2}
-Titans of the Midway Championship-
(Last Man Standing on The Midway)
Johnny Raike versus Calvin Harris(c)
As the camera switches over Johnny Raike has Calvin Harris lying on his back on top of one of the shooting galleries. He drops hammer fists onto his chest before shoving him over behind the counter.
PERCY: We apologize everyone. We tried to get the cameras on as quick as we could, but apparently Johnny Raike and Calvin Harris were not going to wait!
Johnny grabs the water gun and waits as Calvin starts to pull himself up. He looks at Johnny just in time to catch a mouthful of water as well as a shot to the eyes. Calvin covers his face just as Johnny launches himself off the counter and connects with a closeline that sends them both to the floor.
PERCY: These two have already fought once tonight and they still have one more match to go.
CAT: This one has the potential to be a blood fest.
Johnny gets to his feet grabs a front facelock and throws his right knee up into Calvin’s chest before grabbing a handful of his tights. He looks to the crowd that’s formed and yells before lifting him up and planting him face first with an implant DDT on the counter.
PERCY: Calvin could be out after that DDT.
CAT: I seriously doubt it.
PERCY: Remember this was changed into a Last Man Standing match so he has to be unable to answer the referee's count of ten.
Johnny holds his hands up and backs away as A-Ref starts the count.
1…
2…
3…
4…
Calvin rolls off the counter and lands on his feet in the center of the Midway breaking the count.
CAT: Too early to celebrate for sure.
Johnny hops up on the counter and launches himself off just in time to get caught with a European uppercut that sends him crashing to the ground. Calvin steps away and shakes the cobwebs loose before running up and kicking Johnny in the ribs.
PERCY: Vicious shot to the ribs!
Calvin pulls Johnny to his feet and shoves him back against the shooting arcade before grabbing the water gun and ramming it into his ribs. Johnny clutches at his right ribcage as Calvin shoves the water gun back into his ribs again before tossing it to the side.
CAT: Calvin taking it to those ribs.
Calvin pulls Johnny away from the counter and throws a hard knee into his midsection before connecting with a vicious right into the ribs dropping him to a knee. Calvin grabs his head and throws a hard knee into his face connecting with his nose busting him open.
PERCY: And we have blood!
CAT: That was quicker than I expected.
Calvin pulls Johnny to his feet and hooks him in a front facelock. He lifts him up and spikes him into the midway with a brainbuster. He gets to his feet and backs away as A-Ref starts his count.
1…
2…
3…
4…
PERCY: Johnny starting to stir.
5…
6…
Johnny rolls onto all fours and pushes up to one knee. Calvin charges over and connects with a shining wizard to the face sending blood flying.
CAT: What a shot!
Johnny looks up into the sky as he tries to keep his eyes focused. Calvin grabs Johnny and drags him to his feet slowly. Johnny fires off a hard right, followed by another to the midsection of Calvin breaking himself free. He grabs the left arm and and hooks it before falling down with an arm breaker.
PERCY: Johnny with an arm breaker.
Both men lie on the floor as A-Ref checks on both of them. Johnny slowly gets to his feet first as he stumbles forward and grabs onto a nearby counter for balance. He reaches over and grabs a giant hammer that’s used for the test of strength game.
CAT: Oh this could be interesting.
PERCY: Johnny has bad intentions in mind with that thing.
Calvin gets to his feet and watches as Johnny swings the big hammer his way. He grabs it mid swing and yanks it out of his hands. Calvin swings but before he can connect Johnny kicks him in the crotch causing him to drop the hammer.
CAT: Right in the babymaker!
Calvin drops to his knees as Johnny grabs the hammer. He swings the hammer hard connecting with his ribs. Calvin clutches his ribs as Johnny fires off another hammer shot. Calvin collapses to the Midway clutching at his ribs.
PERCY: Those ribs could be broken after those shots.
Calvin lies on the Midway as Johnny steps back throwing the sledgehammer over his shoulder.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5....
Calvin tries to get to his knees slowly.
6…
7…
Calvin finally gets to his knees before stumbling to his feet.
PERCY: Calvin back to his feet.
CAT: I figured that would be it.
Johnny wipes the blood from his face and slings it to the ground as he readies the sledgehammer once more. Calvin turns and catches another sledgehammer shot to the ribs before Johnny drops it to the floor. He pulls Calvin in for a standing headscissor and hoists him up spiking him on the midway with a piledriver. Calvin rolls onto his stomach clutching his head in pain as Johnny gets to his feet pulling him up with him. He throws him hard into the nearby dunking booth shaking the water inside.
CAT: Someone’s getting wet tonight.
PERCY: Gross.
CAT: Didn’t say it was me. However….
Johnny slams Calvin’s face against the plexiglass holding the water causing it to sway even more upon impact. Seeing the water Johnny climbs up to the top and grabs Calvin dragging him up with him. He stands on the seat and hoists him up for a powerbomb but before he can dump him someone runs up and punches the paddle sending both men crashing into the water.
PERCY: What the hell was that?
CAT: Everyone wants to get into the act. This is why matches on the Midway are so dangerous.
The shock of cold water gives Calvin a burst of energy as he grabs Johnny and shoves him under the water holding him towards the bottom. Johnny kicks and claws trying to get free as Calvin continues to press him down further.
PERCY: He’s trying to kill him!
CAT: He wants to keep that title.
Johnny grabs Calvin by the balls and squeezes forces him to release the hold and giving him a chance to float back to the top and get air into his lungs.
PERCY: What the hell??
CAT: Cat got your tongue?
PERCY: Johnny's got his balls.
Calvin claws at the Plexiglas trying to get free as Johnny holds on tight to his crown jewels. Out of desperation Calvin headbutts Johnny breaking his grip before reaching up and grabbing the board pulling himself out. Calvin climbs out of the tank and up onto one of the nearby booths.
PERCY: Is he running for it?
CAT: I think he’s got something else planned.
Johnny climbs up after him shaking himself dry before running to the top of the building where Calvin is standing. Johnny fires off a hard kick but Calvin catches it before bringing an elbow down across the knee. He grabs him and hoists him up for a package piledriver before walking to the edge of the building.
PERCY: Calvin will kill him!
CAT: He already tried once. Why not again?
Johnny wiggles free and gets behind Calvin before flipping backwards and connecting with a pele kick. The shot sends him off the edge of the building crashing into a nearby stand shattering it upon impact. The momentum sends Johnny off the edge as well only to land inside the dunking booth.
PERCY: Holy shit!
CAT: What did I just see?
A-Ref checks on Calvin who isn’t moving. He walks over to check on Johnny who swims to the top and waves him off as he tries to climb back one.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
Calvin slowly starts to stir.
6…
7…
8…
Calvin is gets halfway to his feet only to fall back down.
PERCY: This could be it!
9…
10!
PERCY: New champion! Johnny has won the title back!
A-Ref grabs the title and hands it to Johnny as he climbs out of the tank.
CAT: Calvin would still be champion if he had pulled off that move.
PERCY: Regardless folks, Johnny wins the Second Stage of Hell, and that means we're tied at 1-1! That means that Hell In A Cell will decide everything here tonight, including who will be the new #1 contender!
CAT: Right, but how in the hell are these two guys gonna make it back out to the ring for that match?
PERCY: Good question, but right now, we've got some voyeurs in the backstage area.
In a quiet, isolated part of the park, The Shadow works in his mysterious ways, setting someone up for their inevitable fall, or so he thinks. Ironically, lurking in shadows out of his sight is one Jack Nomad with a crowbar in his hand. As soon as the Shadow's back is to him, Jack rushes from the shadows and into the minimal light that the hooded 'superhero' is standing in, cracking him violently across the back of his head to drop him to the floor. The man cries out in pain as Jack smashes the crowbar across his back once... twice... three times. He circles him while he's down and as he tries to push up one last time, Jack twirls the crowbar and cracks him across the face, blood spraying from his lips to the floor in a dramatic arc.
JACK NOMAD: You think you're Batman motherfucker? Heh...
Jack violently stomps upon upon the man's sternum. The Shadow rolls onto his side, curled up and letting out croaked coughs.
JACK NOMAD: ...I warned you. I told you to back the fuck off, but you wouldn't listen. You see, I don't start shit. I finish it. Everything that has happened between me and others was because someone said something, did something, or pulled something that pissed me off. Whether it's being a poor sport...
He cracks Shadow across his gut with the crowbar.
JACK NOMAD: ...being an old fuck who should know better...
Another violent swing of the crowbar across Shadow's raised arm, potentially injuring it by the indication of the man clutching his arm and rolling onto his stomach.
JACK NOMAD: ...Or just annoying the shit out of me with pretentious cloak and dagger bullshit. I told you to go play your stupid little game with someone else. I'm not here for you to fuck with, but now I'm beating on you like the Joker beat the fuck out of Robin and not because I'm the villain you paint me as, but because...
*CRACK!*
That was the sound his ribs made as Jack smashed the crowbar across The Shadow's side.
JACK NOMAD: You picked the wrong motherfucker to mess with. I'm not the dumb fuck you think I am. I know where all the hidey holes in this park are and there were only maybe two or three places that give you direct access to the Park's control facilities through either computer backdoor access or through directly patching in wires. I had Alexandra scope the only computer access point. I figured you weren't that clever, so I waited here for you and boy, do I love being right.
And one final blow to the head from the crowbar puts The Shadow out with blood trickling across his forehead.
JACK NOMAD: Now, back the fuck off or next time, you're Gator food motherfucker. I'm a professional, not a fucking amateur. I don't strike without provocation or reason. Next motherfucker that provokes me, attacks me, or otherwise, will meet the same fate as you, Shadow boy.
On that note, Jack kicks the unconscious Shadow straight in the guts and then walks away, twirling the crowbar and whistling the Joker's theme song as he does so.
{PAW versus GZW2k1}
Interfed 6 Man Tag Match
William Saint, Tapioca Joe, Johnathan Alexander versus John Champa, Red Dragon, Shane Lawrence
NELSON: Welcome back to Pure Amusement Wrestling’s Heat Stroke super show! Your eyes do not deceive you, ladies and gentlemen. Patrick Nelson, Todd Crumb, and Joshua Samson are live and in color! The Stooges are here as special guest commentators for this first ever GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 versus Pure Amusement Wrestling wrestling match!
CRUMB: Big shout out to Lady Munin for the invite!
SAMSON: Are you nuts, Crumbbum?! Lady Itty Bitty didn’t invite you guys….it was me! If it was left up to Lady Itty Bitty, Percy the Platypus and Catty McCatterson would be on the stick right now.
NELSON: Samson, I am surprised that you are joining us here at the commentator’s table instead of being in the corner of The Takeover since you are their executive representative?
SAMSON: My guys can handle this without me standing near….besides we went over the game plan one last time before I came out here to join you guys.
CRUMB: Hey look over there! It’s Ring of Honor Icons Nathan Williams and Lord Jon H. Kellar!
The camera zooms in to indeed show the two GZW2K1 legends sitting side-by-side in a skybox overlooking the Pure Arena.
SAMSON: Damn Lord Fathead!
The lights go out as the opening guitar of Ministry's “Eureka Pile” begins to play through the arena. The crowd boos as the drums kick in and the stage is soaked in a dark red. Escorted out by Amanda Reynolds and Raze are Red Dragon, John Champa, and Shane Ryder slowly walk out, standing at the top of the ramp, staring out to the booing crowd.
SAMSON: Do you guys hear that hate? These idiotic swamp folk have no idea that Takeover are the good guys and should be cheered.
NELSON: Calling the fans “idiotic swamp folk” surely does not help, Samson.
SAMSON: Shaddup!
The main bass line of the song kicks in and the five make their way down to the ring, the boos getting louder with each step. They make it into the ring, chuckling at the reaction they get.
CRUMB: Who would have ever thought that this collection of GZW2K1 Globalstars would be assembled together in a ring willingly fighting together?
NELSON: Greed and personal gain is a high motive that should never be discounted, Crumb.
SAMSON: Or maybe, Patticake, honor and loyalty for a great wrestling organization known as GZW2K1 is spurring them on?
NELSON: I think greed and personal gain is more amp in this case, Samson.
A pair of bright, golden lights flash across existence as Queen's "Princes of the Universe" sounds out across the arena. At the :15 mark, the lights fall on the center of the platform, where Tapioca Joe, Jonathan Alexander with his wife, Alice, by his side, and William Saint stand. The trio slowly head down the ramp towards the ring, eyes focused on their opponents. William and Jonathan step onto the ring apron as Joe climbs the stairs and meets the two men on the apron. The three men climb into the ring quickly as Shane, John and Red Dragon slide under the ropes and exit the ring quickly leaving PAW alone.
CRUMB: This match will pit two factions with very different philosophies!
SAMSON: That's right. Takeover are all about being above the common people and the PAW Patrol fight for the common people!
NELSON: Well, this match has an extra dimension to it with the holder of the GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 Heavyweight Championship title belt, Lady Munin, as the special referee.
SAMSON: Lady Itty Bitty better call it down the middle or there will be hell to pay!
CRUMB: Speaking of Lady Munin...
The arena is swept into darkness as the lights go out one by one. The opening of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana begins to play, crackling to life the pa. The ramp lights begin to flicker as white and black mist floods the ramp, flowing down to the ring.
SAMSON: That mist has to be some kind health code violation?!
Munin makes her way down to the center of the ring gracefully, the traditional black and white striped referee shirt clinging to her tiny form. She climbs up the stairs as Jonathan Alexander and Tapioca Joe sit on the middle rope pushing it down allowing Lady Munin to climb inside.
NELSON: Lady Munin, former GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 two-time World Heavyweight Champion and 2012 Lord of the Coliseum, here to serve as the special guest referee in this match.
CRUMB: Don’t forget that Lady Munin is also the owner of P.A.W.
SAMSON: And it’s that fact alone why Lady Itty Bitty shouldn’t be out here refereeing this match! There is no way she is going to be unbiased!
The three members of PAW gather in the corner as Tapioca Joe steps to the center while the others climb out onto the apron. A smile comes across the face of John Champa as he climbs into the ring and walks up to Tap mouthing off.
NELSON: Well it seems as if Tapioca Joe and John Champa will start for their respective teams.
Tap smiles before firing off a hard right that rocks Champa back on his heels as Munin calls for the bell.
CRUMB: AND HERE WE GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Champa puts his hands up to defend himself as Tap continues to fire off hard rights to his face pushing him back against the ropes. Tap grabs him and shoots him across the ropes catching him in the jaw with a stiff back elbow that puts him on the mat. He grabs Champa by his head and pulls him to his feet shoving him into the PAW corner. Jonathan reaches in and tags himself in as Munin warns Tap to get out of the ring.
CRUMB: Lady Munin looks like she’s fairly enforcing the rules so far, Joshua.
SAMSON: The match just started, Crumbbum. Give it time, give it time.
Jonathan gets into the ring and stomps away at the midsection of Champa putting him on the mat in a seated position. Jonathan jogs a small circle around the center of the ring before charging in and driving both feet into his chest with a dropkick. Champa grabs his chest and falls out of the corner as Jonathan makes the cover.
1…
2…Champa powers out sending Jonathan into the ropes.
CRUMB: Forceful kick out by John Champa.
NELSON: I still cannot believe that events have came down to this. Saint and Lady Munin are our brother and sister. Whatever happened to peaceful negotiations?
SAMSON: Blame Lady Itty Bitty, Patticake. The time for “peaceful negotiations” has long passed. This could have all been avoided if she just would have given back what she was holding hostage.
Jonathan gets to his feet and grabs Champa who crawls to his knees and fires off a hard right to the midsection. Champa fires off another hard right to the midsection before getting to his feet and lifting Jonathan up before headbutting him. Jonathan staggers back holding his face when Champa steps in and headbutts the bridge of his nose dropping him to the mat. Champa pulls Jonathan up and drags him to his corner tagging in Shane Ryder who hops into the ring. Munin motions for Champa to leave but he mouths off at her before grabbing Jonathan and pinning his arms back. Shane throws several hard rights and lefts to the exposed midsection. Munin threatens to disqualify him if he doesn’t exit.
SAMSON: Look at Lady Itty Bitty cheating! She knows damn well that Champa has three seconds to get out of the ring.
NELSON: Really, Samson?
Champa releases his grip and holds his hands up as he climbs out of the ring. Shane grabs Jonathan in a front facelock and grinds him down into the mat. Jonathan tries to pull Shane’s hands apart but he squeezes tighter on the hold before kicking his legs forward and wrapping them around his waist for a body scissor. Shane adjusts his grip and turns it into a guillotine choke. Jonathan claws at his hands and tries to pull them away from his throat.
NELSON: This is not an MMA match! That is an illegal chokehold!
CRUMB: I bet Icon Lord Kellar is looking on from the skybox and is appreciating that move though.
SAMSON: One of the true great GZW2K1 Old Guard is in the ring right now and the only thing you want to talk about is Lord Fathead?! You really need to kill yourself, Crumbbum.
Jonathan wraps his arms around the waist of Shane as he struggles to get back to his feet. He breaks loose from the body scissor and lifts him up but Red Dragon runs in and drives his shoulder into back of his leg dropping him. Munin is quick to yell at Red Dragon and force him out of the ring. Shane puts him in another body scissor and applies more pressure on the hold.
SAMSON: That’s right, Shane, stay focused, buddy!
Saint and Tap pound on the corner urging Jonathan to his feet as Lady Munin checks the hold and on Jonathan. Shane screams as he squeezes tighter. Jonathan slowly gets back to his feet once more before dropping to his knees causing his chin to slam into the jaw of Shane breaking the hold.
NELSON AND CRUMB: OWWWWW!!!!!
Jonathan drags himself across the ring and reaches for the outstretched hand of William Saint. Champa charges in and grabs his ankle, dragging him back to the center of the ring. Lady Munin yells at Champa, who argues with her as he climbs back out of the ring. Red Dragon eases into the ring as Champa keeps Munin distracted. He picks up Jonathan and shoots him into the far ropes. Shane gets to his feet and lifts Jonathan up for a flapjack as Red Dragon grabs him and drops him with a double knee facebreaker.
NELSON: Takeover are operating like a well oiled machine. Of course it stands to reason that they would since they are all quite familiar with each other by either teaming together or facing each other over the years in GroundZero Wrestling 2K1.
SAMSON: Add to the fact that the are being executively represented by yours truly!
CRUMB: Talk about being self-absorbed...
Munin turns around and sees the double team and gets in the face of Red Dragon warning him to get out or be thrown out. He smirks and holds his hands up as he backs out of the ring. Shane makes the cover and hooks the inside leg, yelling at Munin to turn around and make the count.
SAMSON: Hey, Lady Itty Bitty, do your damn job!
She runs back over and slides into position.
1..
2…
Thre…Jonathan kicks out at the last possible moment.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN SHANE LAWRENCE BE THINKING AS JONATHAN ALEXANDER KICKS OUT OF THE PINNING PREDICAMENT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND?!?!
NELSON: Although many may not view Alexander as being on par with the Takeover Globalstars, Jonathan Alexander is a well renowned veteran on the independent overseas scene having claimed countless championships and Hall of Fame inductions.
SAMSON: Goddamn it, Patticake, no one gives a crap about Broke Back Model Man.
Shane applies a rear chinlock. Jonathan slowly gets up. Shane tries to hold onto the rear chinlock but Jonathan shoots him off and into the ropes. Shane bounces off the ropes and Jonathan nails him with a dropkick. Jonathan then takes Shane over with a hiptoss. He then whips him to the ropes and on the return nails Shane with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Jonathan goes to tag in Saint.
CRUMB: Here comes Mongrel!
NELSON: He goes by William Saint now, Crumb.
CRUMB: Oh yeah…
SAMSON: Big Bad Willie should go by the name traitor!
Jonathan holds Shane as Saint lands several punches to the ribs. Saint goes for an Irish whip. The near seven footer catches Shane and drops him with a powerslam. The cover by Saint but a kickout before a count can be made. Saint scoops up Shane and drives him to the mat with a scoopslam. Saint runs to the ropes for momentum but as he reaches the ropes, Red Dragon lands a kick to the back. Saint turns his attention to Dragon. With Saint's back turned, Shane nails him with a clothesline from behind. Dragon tags in.
SAMSON: You know how disappointed I am in Big Bad Willie’s betrayal? I mean I can accept Lady Itty Bitty going into business for herself because she’s proven time and time again that she’s a selfish whore. But Big Bad Willie siding with the Amusement Park has really crushed my soul!
CRUMB: Tell us how you really feel, Joshua!
SAMSON: Shaddup!
Shane and Dragon execute a double suplex on Saint that shakes the entire ring. Both men stomp away on the former GZW2K1 Globalstar. Munin gets into the face of Shane telling him to get out of the ring. As Shane heads to the corner, Dragon drops a knee to the forehead of Saint. Dragon picks up Saint and executes a snap suplex.
SAMSON: A glorious snap suplex!
NELSON: That was definitely a brilliant show of strength by Red Dragon.
Dragon tags in Champa. The Big Shot tosses Saint into the corner and chokes him with the boot.
CRUMB: John is really testing the count!
Lady Munin threatens to disqualify Champa. The Big Shot backs away with a cocky smile on his face. Champa goes back in for a blatant choke. Munin counts.
1…
2…
3…
4…but Champa shows no sign of breaking the choke. Munin has to pull Champa off of Saint. While Champa argues with Munin, Shane and Dragon choke Saint from the apron.
CRUMB: Damn Champa and Red Dragon!
NELSON: Lady Munin needs eyes in the back of her head to maintain justice in this match!
SAMSON: HAHAAAAA!!!!
Champa turns his attention to Saint once again. He executes a beautiful belly-to-belly suplex. Champa then picks Saint up and tosses him out of the ring. Munin immediately reprimands him for his actions. Meanwhile Shane and Dragon whip Saint into the steel barricade.
CRUMB: NO, NO, LADY MUNIN, LOOK OUTSIDE THE RING!
Shane charges in, but Saint elevates him into the crowd with a back body drop. Dragon charges in next, but Saint grabs him by the throat and chokeslams him onto the thinly padded floor.
NELSON: What a show of heart by the former GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 Globalstar!
SAMSON: But what has Big Bad Willie done lately beside suck Lady Itty Bitty's di…
Champa doesn't see the comeback by Saint. The giant rolls into the ring, pretending to be hurt. Champa goes to pick Saint up, but Saint counters with an inverted atomic drop. Saint then knocks down Champa with a vicious clothesline. Saint goes for an Irish whip, but Champa reverses. Champa drops his head for a back body drop, but Saint counters with a big boot. Saint hooks in an urinage and drops him with a sitdown urinage.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS WILLIAM SAINT DROPS JOHN CHAMPA WITH HIS ACIDBATH?!?!
SAMSON: Probably, "this is some goddamn bullshit!"
Saint makes it to the corner and tags in Tap.
NELSON: Time to taste the pudding, Champa!
SAMSON: You sound stupid, Patticake!
CRUMB: Yeah, you kinda do, Patrick.
NELSON: …
Tap unleashes a series of right hands. Irish whip by Tap followed by a jumping calf kick. He takes Champa over with a snapmare into a seated position. Tap lands several kicks to the back of Champa's head followed by a low dropkick to the back of his head. Tap looks to the crowd as they roar in approval.
CROWD: PAW! PAW! PAW!
Irish whip by Tap. Champa bounces off the ropes and Tap catches him with a release overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Tap looks to his mates and calls for the…
NELSON: Tapioca Joe is going for his Gotch Driver! If he hits this, it is over!
SAMSON: Somebody…anybody…get in there and stop Old Man Pudding Pop!
Tap lifts Champa to his feet. Shane gets into the ring to distract Munin while Dragon comes in and nails Tap with a cheapshot from behind. Jonathan gets into the ring, tosses Dragon out, follows him, and both of them brawl on the floor. Saint comes in, not wanting to be left out of the action, and takes Shane to the floor.
CRUMB: It is pandemonium here!
Meanwhile, Champa regains a second wind and nails Tap with several European uppercuts. Irish whip by Champa. He catches Tap and drops him in a Samoan drop. Champa gives an arrogant smirk to Munin. Champa lifts Tap and nails a Gotch Driver instead. Champa goes for the cover.
SAMSON: That's how you do it, Big Shot!
1…
2…
CRUMB: Tapioca kicks out! Champa cannot believe it!
SAMSON: See…Lady Itty Bitty is biased! That was a damn slow count!
NELSON: That count was legit! You know full well that Lady Munin does not have a biased bone in her body!
Champa gets in the face of the PAW owner to argue the count. Champa shoves Munin back but Tap gets up quickly and gives Champa a schoolboy rollup.
1…
2…
Thr…KICK OUT!
CRUMB: Kick out by Champa!
SAMSON: See…that count was too fast!
NELSON: Listen to you, Samson! Too slow, too fast! Lady Munin has called it down the middle!
Champa gets up and Tap hits a sweet belly-to-belly suplex. Tap goes to the apron and waits for Champa to get up. Tap goes for a springboard missile dropkick. Champa ducks the missile dropkick and Tap hits Munin instead.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS TAPIOCA JOE ACCIDENTLY DROPKICKS LADY MUNIN INSTEAD OF JOHN CHAMPA?!?!
SAMSON: Probably, "Old Man Pudding Pop also hates Lady Itty Bitty's officiating too!"
NELSON: That was an accident and you know it, Samson!
SAMSON: Pfffttt….
Tap tries to help Munin up. Meanwhile, Amanda Reynolds slides a steel chair into the ring to Champa. Tap gets up. Champa charges in and blasts Tap with the chair. Munin sees it and calls for the bell.
NELSON: The Takeover has been disqualified!
SAMSON: Lady Itty Bitty is biased I tell you!
Champa takes the chair and nails Munin with it next. Shane and Dragon get in the ring to lay the boots to Munin. Saint and Jonathan come in to help, but Champa nails them both with the chair. Shane and Dragon lifts up Munin.
CRUMB: What are they going to do now?
SAMSON: It’s called teaching a little respect to a treasonous temptress named Lady Itty Bitty!
Champa drops the chair, lifts Munin up, and spits in her face. Champa Irish whips her to the ring ropes and on her return nails his Rise and Fall pop up powerbomb onto the chair!
NELSON and CRUMB: OWWWWW!!!!!!
Samson by now has made his way into the ring followed by Amanda and Raze. Samson gives Champa a microphone.
CHAMPA: We will not go quietly into that good night. There is no fairness in war. I will not fight fair, we will not fight fair. In times of war you fight out just who is willing to get down and get their hands dirty, all for what they truly believe in. We, the Takeover, has proven that we are more than willing to get a little dirt, or blood, on our hands. This is nothing compared to what is on the horizon. This piece of shit....
Champa kneels down beside the fallen Munin, who lays motionless in the middle of the ring.
CHAMPA: This worthless piece of shit, has betrayed those who made her career worth seeing. She stole from the very company who have her a shot to be something that she could have never achieved anywhere else. Ground Zero gave this piece of shit the air time and the squared circle to become a Champion, to become Lady of our Coliseum, to become an ICON. We, the Ground Zero elite, decided to give her a shot to prove her worth and how does she repay us, she steals our World Heavyweight Championship. She is the one responsible for this battle being fought on your grounds. She is the one who brought war to your doorstep. She is the one responsible for the downfall of Pure Amusement Wrestling, and she will be the one responsible for all of your heroes falling at the hands of the Takeover.
Champa takes some of the blood, trickling from the forehead of Munin, and wipes it on his chest.
CHAMPA: The blood of Munin is now on our hands and pretty soon so will the blood of everyone who decides to oppose the Takeover. This here is the shot heard 'round the world and will serve as a message to all of those who choose to oppose us. But to all of those Critics, all those doubters, and all of those who believe that just because we have not been quiet lately and believe that we are weak, and Lady Munin herself...all of you be DAMNED!
CRUMB: This is disgusting! The Takeover better watch their collective backs after this!
NELSON: Ladies and gentlemen, as much as I would like to see the property of GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 returned, this in no way reflects the overall attitude and/or sentiment of the company as a whole. Joshua Samson, Amanda Reynolds, Red Dragon, Shane Lawrence, John Champa, and Jericho Cross are zealots motivated by their own greed for the limelight!
The lights go out around the arena as the Takeover can be heard asking, “what’s going on?”
CRUMB: Eekkk! Hold me, Patrick!
NELSON: Crumb, if you do not let me go...
Suddenly the lights come back on and standing in the middle of the ring holding two metal pipes is The Shadow.
CRUMB: Who is that?!
Raze quickly gets Samson out of the ring and they are followed by Amanda. The Shadow takes a swing at John Champa just missing him as he escapes under the bottom rope. Red Dragon goes to grab him from behind but he spins around quickly and hits him in the midsection before bringing a pipe up and catching him under the chin. Red Dragon rolls out of the ring and stands next to John Champa who is yelling at the mysterious Shadow.
NELSON: No one has any idea who this enigma is but I have received word that he OR she is being dubbed as The Shadow by Pure Amusement Wrestling.
The Shadow turns his attention to Shane Lawrence who readies himself for an attack but ducks out just as he starts to swing both pipes his way. The Takeover stand on the outside talking as they point to the ring where The Shadow stands ready to fight.
CRUMB: The Shadow has cleared the ring of Takeover and made the save for Lady Munin.
NELSON: Joshua Samson and his group of thugs are in no way pleased at all.
The Shadow backs his way over and checks on Lady Munin who is finally starting to stir, the blood still flowing from her head. Jonathan Alexander, William Saint, and Tapioca Joe start to stir and notice the man standing over the injured Lady Munin.
CRUMB: Uh oh! I think Jonathan, William, and Tap think the Shadow is one of the bad guys! No, guys, The Shadow HELPED save Lady Munin!
The three men approach him as he gets to his feet and holds his hands up. Before they can get too close the lights go out once more for a brief second. They come back on and The Shadow is gone again leaving the PAW wrestlers in the ring with Lady Munin, The Takeover standing outside wondering where he went.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS THE SHADOW DISAPPEARS INTO THIN AIR?!?!
NELSON: I am sure in the weeks to come all will be revealed but for now we have had a phenomenal time commentating for Pure Amusement Wrestling here at their second super show! There is still much more wrestling action coming up tonight. So on behalf of Todd Crumb, and even Joshua Samson, I am Patrick Nelson saying thank you and good night, wrestling world!
The camera picks up with the PAW Enhancement Talent as they walk through the backstage area, their ego's and pride a little bruised after what transpired in the Sixteen Man Battle Royal earlier in the night. The one thing that really stands out about them, besides their dejected expressions, is that they are one man short. Suddenly, the dressing room door off to the side of where they are walking opens up, and out steps Redrum, his back to the boys, as he giggles, and nods his head excitedly while shutting the door behind him. He turns, and comes to a dead stop as the four men stare bullets into the deranged clown.
REDRUM: Well, Hiya boys! Was just coming to find you. Scouts honor.
Redrum put his hand over his heart, while simultaneously holding up a peace sign with the other. His face screwed up into a strange smile, and then a loud farting noise came from behind him, and he exhaled in relief.
REDRUM: Thank God! I've been holding that in since the Battle Royal.
The Enhancement Talent said nothing, the mere mention of the Battle Royal causing their stares to become even more imposing. Redrum laughed a little, and then stopped, taking a few steps back with his hands out at his sides.
REDRUM: Honestly guys, I was just fooling around. I was teaching you tough love. I was...I was....I was...
'Country Fine' James Radford held up his hand, palm forwards, an indication that the sputtering clown should be silent, and then he shook his head.
JAMES RADFORD: Mr. Rum, just tell us why?
S.O.B. broke forward suddenly, and The Lost Boyz were forced to grab him by either arm to keep him from destroying the clown.
S.O.B.: I'll tell you why! That mother fucker right there is a low down, sneaky, underhanded CRACKER!
Redrum took a few more steps back, his hand going to his heart, and a look of shock and distress crossing his features.
REDRUM: Low down? Sneaky? Underhanded? I'm appalled! I can't believe you guys think that I would do anything to actually hurt your chances of getting called up to the big time. I mean, I've been trying to help you, for cripe's sake! I just got caught up in the moment is all, honest. I'd never betray you guys...
Just at that moment, Ji comes walking around the corner, and he pauses to stand beside the clown. He hands Redrum a thick envelope, and shakes his head in disbelief.
JI: I just don't get it. How in the hell did you convince Lady Munin to give you a contract for the main roster. I know she's been preoccupied with this GZW Invasion, and everything, but this is just ludicrous. Hopefully she'll come to her senses after the travesty we just witnessed in the ring.
Redrum's face remained stuck in a clown like smile, but his eyes darted back and forth between Ji and the Enhancement Talent.
REDRUM: Ixnay on the Trac-Con...
JI: WHAT?
Redrum's eyes go desperate.
REDRUM: IXNAY. ON. THE. TRAC-CON!
Ji stares at the deranged clown with a blank expression, and then lets out an exasperated sigh, before turning to walk away.
JI: Just make sure to have that signed on Munin's desk before Saturday.
Redrum, a bit panicked, watches as Ji rounds the corner, leaving him all alone. He slowly turns back to the Enhancement Talent, who are again, boring holes into him.
RUFIO: They gave you a contract for the main roster?
REDRUM: Um....No.
S.O.B.: Of all the god damn bull shit that I've ever seen, this beats the cake. They gave YOUUUUU a contract, but didn't give dick to us? Let me at this sumbitch!
The Lost Boyz retain their hold on S.O.B., but the looks on their faces don't appear that they will hold him back for much longer. Redrum chuckles nervously, and holds his free hand out in front of him, while suspiciously stuffing the envelope into his waistband.
REDRUM: Listen, fellahs. It's not that bad. I'll never forget you. Remember, who's the guy who got three of you spots on WICKED#11? Who's the guy who got you in the Battle Royal to begin with? Who is the GUY who hooked you up with a year's supply of cotton candy?
He said all of this matter-of-factly, his stance and posture signaling justification. Radford's eyes narrowed, and he looked over his shoulder at the Lost Boyz.
JAMES RADFORD: Let the racist go.
Redrum's eyes become as big as saucers as the Lost Boyz comply, and he barely has time to turn tail and run before S.O.B. is on his heels, screaming all the way.
S.O.B.: Told you Crackers we couldn't trust this fucking clown!!
The voice echoes down the hallway, as the scene cuts back to ringside.
{Semi-Main Event}
Singles Match
-PAW Heavyweight Championship-
CJ O'Donnell versus Press(c)
PERCY: Well folks, we're back, thank God.
CAT: Yeah, to think we had to give up our broadcast position to those assholes. I tell you Percy, up til now I sort of dug the GZW guys, but when they start encroaching on our turf, that means WAR!
PERCY: Calm down, Cat, we've got a show to do, and we'll show a little more class than GZW tried to do here tonight by attacking our elustrious boss.
CAT: Fucking A right, we will!
Percy buries his face in the palm of his hand, as Rhonda steps tot he center of the ring with microphone in hand.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The following contest is set for one fall, and is for the PAW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
As the beginning notes of "Beast" begins to play, the arena goes to darkness. With the beats kicking in, "The Distinguished" slowly walks out with a huge smirk on his face as the fans welcome him with a chorus of boos throughout the arena.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first the challenger, weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds, from Boston, Massachusetts, representing "The Unstable"! He is "THE DISTINGUISHED" CEE JAY OOOOOO... DDOONNNNEELLLL!!!
As O'Donnell slowly makes his way down to the ring he can not help but take in all the insults and jeers from the crowd.
Caleb has reached the end of the entrance way and is making his way up the ring steps. Once CJ gets on the top steps he raises his arms up in the air which only receives more boos from the audience tonight.
CJ has entered the ring now and he takes off his black Unstable t-shirt. He rolls it into a ball and acts like he is about to toss it into the crowd but instead he drops it over the top ropes and it lands on the outside on the floor. CJ begins to stretch in the corner as he awaits for the bell to ring.
PERCY: CJ O'Donnell looks to be in tip top condition here tonight, and has a focused demeanor about him.
CAT: Of coarse he does, Percy. He's been waiting for over three months for this match, and even though he's had a few set backs, he knows how important this one is. It's ok to lose a few as long you take home the big one, and this one right here....well it don't get much bigger.
The lights go dim as "Strangle Hold" begins to blare across the arena. Red strobe-lights begin to flicker all around the ring and ramp way, and finally settle on the entry way where the silhouette of the massive Press can be seen standing in the curtain. These words can be seen clearly up on the big screen.
At the chorus of the song Press steps slowly through the curtain, a confident smirk spread across his face. In one hand he holds his infamous black folding chair with the words 'Press Pass' spray painted across the seat in red. In the other is the PAW Heavyweight Championship, dangling from his fist like a prize catch after a long day of fishing. He scans the crowd who come to their feet as he slowly lifts the championship into the air.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing the champion, he stands at an impressive six foot eleven, and weights in at 365 pounds. Hailing from right her in New Orleans, Louisiana, he is one half of The BombTrax, and the PAW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION....PRESS!!!
After the announcement Press begins his march down to the ring, and when he reaches the ringside he throws his chair off to the side, hops up on the apron, and enters the ring by swinging his leg up and over the top rope. He knocks his head to the left & right to get out the kinks, and then throws his championship high into the air all the while letting out an animalistic growl. The crowd goes wild as he stalks over to the corner, and nonchalantly leans into it, staring across the ring at CJ O'Donnell.
PERCY: Good lord, if ever there was a big fight feel in a match it's right here, right now! These two men do 'NOT' like each other, and that fact has been well documented over the past several weeks. I've got a feeling when that bell sounds, that things are going to get brutal quickly.
CAT: Which is why I think I'm going to love this match. I'm surprised that there aren't any stipulations involved, but apparently Munin felt that a normal contest would be enough to settle this.
PERCY: That remains to be seen, but you gotta believe that A-Ref has been given instructions to be liberal in the match considering whats at stakes.
CAT: We can only hope, Percy.
A-Ref steps to the center of the ring, and calls the two competitors to him. They oblige willingly enough, stepping right in front of one another as A-Ref goes over the rules. He looks to O'Donnell who nods his consent, and then to Press who does the same. With the particulars out of the way, he steps back on his heel, signals for the bell, and indicates with a swiping motion for them to get it on. They, however, just stand there, staring one another directly in the eyes. O'Donnell is the first to speak, saying something that the Champion obviously finds funny as he chuckles snidely, providing his own rebuttal. The two jaw back and forth for a moment before O'Donnell says something that Press obviously doesn't like, as the big man goes stone faced, and his nose flares in frustration. The tension could be cut with a knife, but instead, is brought to a climax with a open hand slap from O'Donnell right across Press' face.
PERCY: OH...
CAT: My....
A-REF: Dios!!!
Press' head snaps back around, and he immediately goes for a right hand that O'Donnell ducks, slipping in behind his much larger opponent. When Press turns to face O'Donnell he's peppered with left handed jabs that take him off guard, and after about five of them, CJ finishes off the combo with a big right hand. Press falls back a step, but he snarls, swinging a meaty fist once more. Again CJ ducks it, slipping behind one more time, and when Press turns he catches the same combo, this time knocking him back into the ropes.
PERCY: I can't believe it! O'Donnell using his speed to his advantage, and he's got the big man reeling!
CAT: Yeah, and now he's going to try and shoot him off the ropes.......uh-oh!
CJ yanks on Press wrist to send him to the far side, but the big man holds onto the rope with his other hand, stopping O'Donnell in his tracks. The Irishman looks up at the big man just in time to see a smirk come across the champions face, as he reverses the wrist lock, and whips CJ O'Donnell one handed right over the top rope and to the concrete floor below.
PERCY: Good God! He just threw O'Donnell out of the ring like a rag doll, and he's not wasting any time either, as he comes right through the ropes after him.
CAT: RUN, CJ! RUN!
Just as O'Donnell springs up to his feet, Press is there to meet him with a right hand that spins the man around, knocking him up against the steel guard rail. Press wades in after him, delivering a stiff left to the gut doubling him over, and then cracking him across the jaw with a waylaying right. O'Donnell goes down to one knee, but Press gives him no time to rest, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, and leading him forward towards the steel steps. When they arrive, Press yanks O'Donnell's head far back, and then proceeds to bring it rushing forwards to meet the steel. CJ's skull bounces off the top step, and he slumps to his knees at the Champion's feet. A-Ref berates Press to get it back in the ring, and the big man looks up at the Ref and nods. That's about the time that O'Donnell brings his forearm right up into the big man's nether regions. Press' eyes bulge from their sockets as he grabs at his groin, before falling back into a seated position in shock and pain.
CAT: The great equalizer!
PERCY: Well, I guess he did what he had to do! Press was going to maul him!
O'Donnell grabs at the stairs to assist him back to his feet, and leans back against the ring apron before football kicking the champion right in the face. Press head snaps back from his seated position to the concrete floor, and one hand still clutches his groin, while the other now clutches his face. The fans boo, but CJ waves them off, rolling into the ring to stop any counts, and then rolling back out to ringside.
PERCY: That was a vicious kick to the skull of the champion, and O'Donnell looks to have decided on some coarse of action...WAIT! What is he doing?!?!
CAT: Looks like he's going to use those steel steps to crush the champion's melon.
CJ lifts the top portion of the steps off of the base, and hoists them up high over his head. He makes his way over beside Press with A-Ref screaming at him to stop the entire time. When feels like he's in the best position, he prepares to drive the steps down into Press' skull, but at the last second, the big man reaches out with his boot and kicks O'Donnell in the bread basket. CJ is forced to let loose the steps, which clang to the floor behind him, while Press uses the momentary distraction to pull himself to his feet by use of the guard rail. When O'Donnell see's the big man on his feet, he takes off into a sprint, but Press ducks his head, sending CJ out into the crowd with back body drop.
CAT: Well those are some lucky fans to be this close the action.
PERCY: Yeah, I'd say they are getting their money's worth right now!
As CJ gets back to his feet among the chairs and fans, Press reaches over the guard rail and grabs him on either side of his head, and just lifts him clear off the ground, sending him sailing through the air to land skidding across the concrete of ringside chest first.
PERCY: Jesus Christ! O'Donnell just went across the concrete on bare flesh like a spinning top!
CAT: That's gonna smart in the morning.
Press starts over to where O'Donnell landed, still walking funny after the low blow from earlier. When he reaches him, he grabs him up off the floor by a fist full of hair, and sends him head first back into the ring. CJ's chest is red when he gets to his feet, but he's up before Press can fully get back inside, and he launches himself at the big man with vicious stomps down across his back. This doesn’t stop the big man from rising, but substantially slows his progress, as O’Donnell abandons the stomps for right hands that cause the champion to plop down on the middle rope. The right hands finally come to a stop when CJ grabs Press by the hand, and then makes to shoot him to the far side. This time, instead of stopping the momentum, Press goes with it, reversing it so that it’s now O’Donnell who is sent. Press awaits him in the center of the ring as he returns, but before he can try anything, CJ leaves his feet and drives them into the big man’s knee for a short drop kick.
PERCY: That shot to the knee didn’t drop Press, but it certainly got a reaction. The big man trying to put some distance between him and O’Donnell, but The Distinguished is having none of it.
CAT: Stay on him CJ!
O’Donnell slips in beside Press, and uses his speed to stay out of reach while delivering stiff side kicks into the big man’s thigh. After a few of these Press looks as if his left leg is about to buckle, and CJ changes gears, bouncing into the nearby ropes only to recoil downwards into a chop block. Press goes to the mat hard clutching his knee, while O’Donnell pops up quickly, and takes the injured leg by the ankle. He yanks back for good measure, and then places his boot where the body meet’s the thigh, and rolls forwards, snapping the leg on the way down.
PERCY: Press is beside himself as he’s trying to scoot away, but CJ is right back on him, stomping at the leg. He has him by the ankle again, and drives his knee into the hamstring again and again!
CAT: Smart move from O’Donnell, considering they are the same size while Press is on the mat.
The Irishman yanks Press by his ankle, managing to use the awkward positioning to roll him over onto his stomach. He then places his boot into the back of the knee, hops into the air, and then spikes it hard down into the mat. Press jerks away from O’Donnell’s grasp, and tries to get back to his feet, but CJ rushes right back in with a sidewinder like kick to the thigh that drops him back down to the mat near the ropes. CJ grabs the ankle once more, tossing it onto the bottom rope, and uses his own boot to hold it in place before springing up into the air, and driving his tail bone down across the knee.
PERCY: Press is reeling now, as he uses his elbows to back peddle towards the center of the ring, but O’Donnell is right after him! God, he’s tenacious!
CAT: He has to be, Percy! He knows what’s at stake in this match!
Just as Press thinks that he might have a chance, O’Donnell delivers another stomp on the knee, causing him to grab for the injured leg once more. CJ ignores the attempt, and grabs up the leg, stepping through, completing a full rotation, and then dropping back into a figure four leg lock. Press roars in agony, and his body falls back to the mat where A-Ref drops to make the count.
1…
2…
PERCY: Press just shot up off the mat to end the count, but remaining in that position, it puts even more pressure on the leg.
CAT: Yeah, at this rate I don’t see him holding out for much longer.
O’Donnell rocks all the way back, managing to stay more on his side than his shoulders to ensure that he himself wouldn’t get counted down inadvertently. Meanwhile, Press grits his teeth, vehemently shaking his head no at A-Ref’s inquiries. After the hold has been applied for several minutes, Press finally manages to work through the pain, and lays back on his elbows. In an amazing feat of strength, he manages to shove himself backwards, pulling CJ along with him, only inches away from the ropes. With one more massive pull, he reaches out with his long frame, desperately grabbing the bottom rope.
PERCY: Press has made it to the ropes, but O’Donnell refuses to let go!
CAT: Damn right! Grind those gears, CJ!
PERCY: Damn it, Cat. This isn’t right. He doesn’t have to cheat to win this. He’s already in control for God’s sake!
A-Ref yells at O’Donnell who defiantly continues to wrench back on the hold until finally he begins to count him down. At five, CJ unhooks his leg from Press, who pulls himself closer to the ropes so as to try and sit up. A-Ref and CJ argue for just a moment, but O’Donnell doesn’t waste much time before stepping past the referee to zero in on his target. Just as he’s about to reach the big man, Press rises off of his knee, and drives his elbow full force into CJ’s abdomen. The Irishman recoils, cradling his bread basket, but he turns back towards Press to try and end the resistance. He’s met with another elbow, this one picking him clear up off the mat, before he comes back down on wobbly feet. Press manages to use the distraction to get to his feet, and when CJ comes at him a third time, he fires off with a meaty right hand that sends the Irishman thundering down to the mat.
PERCY: I guess there’s fight left in the champion after all!
CAT: Shush, Percy! He doesn’t need our encouragement.
CJ comes back up to his feet, and Press grabs him around the throat with both hands, hurling him into the nearby corner. O’Donnell doesn’t get any chance to breathe before the big man staggers in with a back elbow to the temple. CJ slumps a bit, but Press lifts him back up, measuring him, and then falls back only to drive home another elbow. He grabs CJ by the wrist, and pulls him hard out of the corner, whipping him to the other side. When CJ impacts with the turnbuckles he’s thrown forwards onto his stomach, and he quickly rolls to the outside after hearing the approach of the much larger champion.
PERCY: CJ wisely moves to the outside…OH NO! When Press got too close to the ropes, CJ grabbed his weak leg and yanked it out from under him…..Now he’s dragging him over to the corner…noo…..NO!
CAT: YES! O’Donnell just wrapped that big bastard’s leg around that ring post like it was a ribbon on a present!
Press howls in pain once more, as CJ rares back, and drives his knee into the steel ring post one more time. Press yanks his leg free, and manages to crawl back towards the safety of the ring, but the damage has been done. He continuously massages at his knee while CJ hops up onto the ring apron, and begins to climb up to the top. Just as CJ reaches his perch, Press tentatively gets to his feet, and he turns just in time to watch as the Irishman takes flight high cross body. Just as CJ is about to connect it, Press turns at the last second, catching CJ with his arm. The sudden halt in his forward momentum causes O’Donnell’s feet to swing forward, and Press reaches up to grab his legs before sitting down into a thunderous sidewalk slam.
PERCY: Jesus Christ! That shook the ring!
CAT: Yeah, but he doesn’t have enough gas left in the tank to go for a cover!
Press sits there, using both hands to massage at his knee, while CJ tries to fight for a breath after the sudden impact. O’Donnell rolls onto his knee, while Press fights to get a vertical base back under him. Just as the two men rise, O’Donnell moves in for another side kick, only to be met by a hand there to catch his foot. With O’Donnell’s leg effectively caught, he stares wide eyed at the champion, shaking his head ‘no’, before Press yanks him forward into a vicious clothesline.
PERCY: CJ sent hard to the mat, but not for long, as Press is already pulling him up by the hair of his head…..grabs him by the wrist, and pushes him out a ways, and then just sent him sailing towards the corner. CJ strikes the turnbuckles sternum first, and here comes Press, limping as fast as he can, and BIG SPLASH CRUSHES O’DONNELL!!
CAT: Damn! He completely blocked out the sun with that one!
O’Donnell is allowed to stumble out of the corner, and do a face bump off the mat, as Press looks out at the capacity crowd that comes to their feet in cheers. He holds up one of his gloved fists, and nods, spelling the end for The Distinguished. CJ tries to get to his feet, then stumbles back down, then pops up again, taking a swing at A-Ref out of confusion. He turns to try to find his true opponent, but finds a boot to the midsection instead, doubling him completely over. Press grabs him by his ears, and tucks his head between his legs, grabbing him around the midsection, and hoists him up on his chest in powerbomb position.
PERCY: Press looking for the Press Release Powerbomb…but CJ O’DONNELL IS HAMMERING AWAY AT THE BIG MAN!
CAT: C’MON CJ! GET OUT OF IT!
CJ continues firing his fist down into the top of Press head like a piston in an engine, until finally pushing up and over the head entirely, to land safely behind him. Seeing his opportunity, CJ rushes towards the ropes as Press turns dazedly to face him, and rebounds for the added momentum. Just as he’s about to reach the big man, he leaps into the air, extending his knee forward for his finisher, Irish Knowledge. Press, however, at the last second, spins out of the way, and CJ delivers the brunt of the impact directly into A-Ref’s jaw. The referee crumples to the mat lifelessly, as the fans come to their feet.
PERCY: A-REF JUST GOT BLASTED WITH IRISH KNOWLEDGE!!
CAT: CJ didn’t mean to do that! He doesn’t even know what to do now!
O’Donnell stares down at A-Ref in shock, and shakes his head ‘no’, before turning to try and get a bead on his opponent. Before he can even assess the situation, Press thunders towards him, throwing his boot out at the very last second, and takes the Irishman’s head off with it.
PERCY: SUDDEN STOP!! OH MY GOD!! Press is going for the cover!
CAT: Yeah, Nimrod, and there ain’t no referee!
Press, exhausted and battle wary, drops down over CJ O’Donnell. The fans cheer wildly, everyone in attendance on their feet, and they even help with the count. When they almost reach ten, Press raises up, realizing somethings wrong, and he looks over to see the downed referee. He shakes his head, crawling over to him, and trying to lightly get him to his feet. Just then the crowd signals him again with a loud burst of jubilation, as The-Ref comes rushing down the ramp. Press quickly crawls back over to CJ, and hooks the leg at the same time The-Ref slides in, ready to make the count.
1…
2…
Thre-At the very last nanosecond CJ O’Donnell’s shoulder rolls up off the mat, and the fans go nuts.
PERCY: I can’t believe it! O’Donnell got the shoulder up, but you gotta believe that if A-Ref had been there, this one would have been over.
CAT: Whatever, Percy! And who does The-Ref think he is, sticking his nose in people’s fucking business!
PERCY: He just came out here to aide his brother, Cat. Damn! I guess they eat the young in your family.
As The-Ref checks on his brother, Press gets vertical, and stares down at the still prone body of CJ O’Donnell. He shakes his head in frustration, before reaching down, and firmly helping the man back up to his feet. He holds CJ in his outstretched hands, says something that only he can hear, before tucking his head back between his legs. The crowd comes alive in anticipation, as Press cinches up once more, and pulls CJ up into powerbomb position. As soon as he’s up, CJ grabs Press by the forehead and shoves, forcing his legs to come loose of the big man’s grasp, and for him to land right in front of the champion. CJ fires in a few sharp thigh kicks to the injured leg, and then abandons the leg to fire in a few forearms to the jaw. Press is rocked all the way back to the ropes, where CJ moves to shoot him off, but the champion reverses it.
PERCY: You’d think that CJ would quit trying to manhandle Press. That just isn’t going to happen.
CAT: Don’t you worry, CJ knows exactly what he’s doing!
CJ impacts off the ropes and rushes back towards the big man who awaits him in the center of the ring. Just as CJ reaches him, he performs an incredible vertical jump, wraps both legs around Press’ head, and then spins forwards with a hurricanrana. Without having the power to really take the big man over, this instead hurls Press off balance towards the nearby corner, where he plows right through The-Ref, knocking him clear out of the ring.
PERCY: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! THAT’S THE SECOND REFEREE!!
CAT: I think he did that on purpose.
PERCY: No, he didn’t, Cat. But we’re fresh out of officials, so something better happen here, and soon!
Press stumbles out of the corner, not believing what just happened, and turns back to face O’Donnell. CJ springs in out of nowhere with a running inziguri that cracks the champion across the back of the head. Press stumbles forwards a few steps, before crumpling to the mat face first. O’Donnell wastes no time stepping over to him, locking his legs in a reverse version of the scorpion death lock, and then reaches down to grab the big man’s arms, and yanks back on them.
PERCY: OH MY GOD! THE CELTIC CURSE SUBMISSION! NO ONE WOULD HAVE DREAMED THAT CJ O’DONNELL COULD GET IT ON THE BIG MAN, BUT HE’S MIRACULOUSLY GOT HIM OFF THE GROUND!!
That doesn’t last for long, as the 365 pounds of dead weight becomes to much for the exhausted superstar to keep aloft. He doesn’t release the hold, however, but simply yanks back on the arms with everything he can muster. The agony is spread across Press face as he shakes his head no, even though there isn’t anyone there to take his submission if he wanted to. Sweat pours off his face, as every once in awhile his mouth opens to let out a growling cry of pain.
PERCY: I don’t know how much longer Press can take this! The thing that makes the hold unique is that it’s very difficult to break! Even in this modified version, CJ’s cut off the ring.
CJ chokes up on his hold on the arms, and torques back even tighter. It’s obvious that the big man shouldn’t bend the way he’s being bent, but the Irishman pulls back further all the same. After a few moments, CJ feels the familiar tap on his forearm, and he thankfully releases the hold, collapsing down beside the big man.
CAT: PRESS TAPPED!
PERCY: Yeah, but I don’t think there was a referee around to see it.
CAT: We have video footage, Percy! CJ O’Donnell is our new champion!
PERCY: Yeah, sort of like how Press retained his title earlier with that Sudden Stop. No dice, Cat. Without an official referee’s ruling, neither one stands.
CAT: OH, this is such bullshit!
CJ groggily crawls over to the ropes, rolling over into a seated position, before wiping the sweat from his eyes. He looks over at Press, who lies motionless in the center of the ring, and then over to A-Ref, still down in the corner. He closes his eyes and talks to himself out of sheer frustration, realizing now what Percy had just stated for the people at home. He reaches up to the top rope, pulls himself up to his feet, and then stumbles over to where A-Ref lay unconscious.
PERCY: O’Donnell’s calling for some water, and it looks like our time keeper is going to oblige him.
O’Donnell takes a swig from the bottle, before turning the rest of it’s contents over onto A-Ref. The referee spits and sputters as he suddenly comes awake, and he rolls over onto his side coughing up a lung. CJ tosses the bottle from the ring, and helps the referee to his feet before turning back towards Press. He steps over to the big man, and nudges him with his foot, before reaching down and trying to pull him up to his feet by his stringy long hair. Just then, Press throws CJ’s hands out away from him, hooks him around the midsection, and then hoists him up only to drive him back down to the canvas with a malicious spine buster. He’s unable to stay on top of O’Donnell, rather, he falls off to the side of the man, both men writhing around on the canvas trying to get their barings.
CAT: This would be a damn shame! O’Donnell goes to all that trouble to get A-Ref up, just for him to turn around and count both these fools out!
PERCY: I certainly hope not…but I’m not sure either man can continue.
1…
2…
3…
4…
PERCY: No one can deny that this has been the match of a lifetime! I hate to see it end here, but maybe that’s the only way it can end.
5…
6…
CAT: As much as I dislike him and his partner, I can’t deny that Press has proven why he’s the big man around these parts, and of coarse, CJ O’Donnell’s proved why he’s The Distinguished.
7…
8…
Press slowly lifts up into a push up position, and then shoots his left arm, and crashes back down to the canvas, but with his appendage draped across CJ's chest. A-Ref stops his count, and drops to make a different one.
1...
2...
Thre-At the last possible nano-second CJ's arm shoots up off the canvas, sending the entire arena into a frenzy.
PERCY: What the hell are these two going to have to do to each other for there to be a finish to this match?
CAT: Looks like murder, Percy.
Press slowly lifts himself off of CJ, and gets up to one knee, pausing there to rest for a minute before pushing up to his full height. The Champion looks drained as he sluggishly leans down to pull CJ up to his feet. O'Donnell, however, surprises him with a sudden kick to his face, which causes Press to release his hold, and stumble back. CJ, seeing his opportunity, rolls backwards and up to his feet, falls into the ropes for momentum, and comes leaping back with his knee extended.
PERCY: CJ O'DONNEL WITH IRISH KNOWLE-NO! Press side stepped, CJ turns around, boot the midsection, tuck of the head...PRESS RELEASE POWERBOMB! JESUS, O'DONNELL JUST SPIKED OFF THE CANVAS!
CAT: Like I said, murder.
The crowd goes wild as Press drops to his knees, and hooks CJ's leg deep for the cover.
1...
2...
3!!!
PERCY: THAT'S IT! HE DID IT! Press retained the championship!
CAT: You know, after seeing what he did to Stevie, and now that he's overcome O'Donnell, I don't think I can keep giving the guy such a hard time.
PERCY: Cross Recoba is going to have to pick another person to place his $50,000 prize on, cause CJ O'Donnell was not the guy to knock Press off the mountain.
CAT: Yeah, but he's got two guys coming up in our Main Event that both wouldn't mind having their shot at his head.
PERCY: That's right folks, up next is our Main Event of the evening, and it's huge.
CAT: And we'll have that coming up for you just as soon as we pay the bills with a few sponsors.
CJ O'Donnell is seen crawling out of the ring, holding his spine, while Press stands in the center of the ring, the PAW Heavyweight Championship held out in front of him. He stares at the title for a long moment, before looking up at the crowd with a half-smile, and exhausted as he is, thrusts the title over his head to a standing ovation. The scene cuts to commercial, as he exits the ring to interact with his public.
{Main Event}
{Three Stages of Hell - Part 3}
Hell In A Cell
(This match will determine the #1 Contender to the PAW Heavyweight Championship)
Johnny Raike versus Calvin Harris
Purity, LA
Thursday, June 9th, 2016 at 10 pm CST
Pure Amusement Wrestling
Proudly Presents:
After the WICKED logo fades out, the screen is black, but the soft echo of someone walking down the hallway can be heard through the pitch. An ominous voice filters through the screen as the echo becomes louder and louder.
A Picture of 'Hungry' Jack Swanson flashes onto the screen.
A Picture of Cross Recoba in ring gear flashes.
Finally a Picture of Stevie Harris flashes.
The images disappear, and a light shines down upon a pillar, the PAW Heavyweight Championship sits at it's center.
Flashback: St. Patrick's Day Super Show - Trixie versus CJ O'Donnell for the #1 Contendership to the PAW Heavyweight Championship
"Tonight, two warriors will step into the ring for the first time in singles combat, and they will make war upon one another for the richest prize in all the land. Five months ago sixteen men set out on a journey to acquire it, and after three grueling months, there was only one of them left to claim that prize."
"He has sent those with endless hunger to their feeding grounds."
"He has hunted down the cunning Fox."
"He has survived the onslaught of a Mad Man..."
"But tonight he faces a foe who was forged from his own 'Unstable' beginnings!"
CJ smirks like a lightbulb just went off in his head, and he pulls Trixie forwards by the leg, reaches up taking her by the face, and plants her with a forceful kiss on the lips. The PAW universe comes alive with cheers as CJ lets Trixie loose long enough to look the bewildered woman in the eye. Just as she allowed the stirrings of a smile, he reached up, hooked her around the head, and pulled her down into a swift small package.
PHILO: OH DAMN! HE MIGHT STEAL THIS ONE!
1...
2...
3!!
Flashback: WICKED#7 - The Box Office featuring The BombTrax
Press spins around at this new threat, and upon seeing O'Donnell, swings his meaty fist at The Distinguished's head. CJ ducks the blow, using his speed to slide in behind Press, and hops onto his back, getting him in an illegal choke hold. Press struggles wildly at first, stumbling to the center of the ring, and reaching behind him to try and break the hold. He's unable to get a handhold on his assailant, so instead he rushes backwards towards the desk, slamming O'Donnell's spine against the wood. CJ releases the hold, and has just enough time to bring his arms up as Press spins around and starts swinging. O'Donnell takes a few hard shots that knock him off the desk and into the ropes, to which Press takes him by the wrist, and flings him to the far side.
Upon rebounding, O'Donnell is barely able to duck as Press lines his boot up to take off the Irishman's head with a Sudden Stop. He continues on through with his momentum to the other side, and upon his return, leaps into the air knee first to try and catch the big man with Irish Knowledge. Press, much to O'Donnell's surprise, side steps the maneuver, and when he turns around he's met with a clothesline that takes him up and over the top rope to the floor below. O'Donnell lands on his feet, and makes a go of trying to get back in the ring just as PAW security arrives, swarming the two combatants. They pull a savage O'Donnell back to the floor and carry him towards the ramp, as another group hit the ring and hold back Press.
The light suddenly goes out again on the screen, and the echo of someone walking gets louder and louder.
Flashback: St. Patrick's Day Super Show - Titans of the Midway Championship Match
The fans explode as Johnny points his bat at Harris, and then at Alex, and then shrugs, dropping to lay atop both men. Calvin Harris, however, is the only one with his shoulders down when A-Ref drops for the count.
1...
2...
3!!!
PHILO: I can't believe it! Raike suggested a double team on Harris, Cross tried to betray him, and at the end of the night Johnny Raike is our new champion!
CHARISSA: The first ever PAW champion, as it were.
PHILO: This is huge! Johnny Raike, proving, one more time, why he is a man to be reckoned with!
Flashback: WICKED#7 - Calvin Harris versus CJ O'Donnell
As soon as Harris is vertical, O'Donnell breaks from the ropes into a sprint, once again springing forwards knee first. A dazed Harris somehow side steps the maneuver, much like Press had done earlier in the night, and when CJ turns to get a bead on his opponent, he receives another stiff boot doubling him over. Harris tucks CJ's head between his legs once more, but this time, instead of going for a package piledriver, he hooks him like a powerbomb, but then turns it into an extraordinary vertabreaker.
PHILO: MARTYR'S MASSACRE!! CJ O'DONNELL'S HEAD JUST SPIKED OFF THE MAT, and Harris is going for the cover!
1...
2...
3!!!
Harris falls off of O'Donnell, and rolls over onto his back, sucking in wind after the brutal contest. The-Ref checks O'Donnell, and then on Harris. Calvin shoves The-Ref off of him, sitting up into an upright position with a look of disdain on his face, staring over at CJ's prone body. He rolls backwards to land on his knee's, and then hops up, reaching back to clutch at his back. A slight smile crosses his features, as he looks out at the crowd who shower him with boos. He cockily raises his fists into the air to answer them, his smile quickly spreading into a smug grin.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Here is your winner, by pinfall, CALVIN HARRIS!!
Harris hops up onto the second rope of the far corner, staring out at the hateful crowd, before throwing his arms out at his sides for his victory pose. When he's done, he looks over his shoulder at O'Donnell, who has crawled over to the opposite corner, and is staring up at Harris in disbelief. Calvin just laughs, hopping down, and tracing #1 in the air with his finger, before hopping through the middle ropes, and making his way up the ramp.
CAT: Johnny's trying to climb up Harris, and Calvin's trying to dislodge Johnny with everything that he has.
Calvin relaxes a bit, allowing Johnny to get a better hold on the man, but in turn, giving Calvin a chance to take a chance, and reach up with his hand and unfasten the belt. Both competitors come crashing down to the mat and onto the wreckage that they had created throughout this match. Johnny Raike lay over in a heap by the destroyed table, while Calvin Harris lay across a piece of twisted ladder. Neither man is moving when the bell rings.
PERCY: He did it!
CAT: To be honest, I wouldn't have seen it going this way, but he's proven us all wrong here tonight.
Road Crew begin pulling mutilated ladders and pieces of table out of the ring as EMT crews come rushing down to check on the two gladiators. Rhonda steps forward, and brings the mic to her lips.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The winner of this match.....AND NEW TITANS OF THE MIDWAY CHAMPION....CALVIN HARRIS!!
The camera pans around the ring to get a good view, and there it is, still in Calvin Harris' clutches, the Titans of the Midway Championship. He shoves the EMT's off of him, eyes closed, soaking in the moment as the crowd boos the results. He slides over to the ropes, and pulls himself up, looking over to where Johnny Raike is being slid to the edge of the ring to be loaded onto a cart. He smirks, tilting his gaze to the crowd, and lifts the belt over his head while wincing from the pain. The fans erupt in a chorus of boos, and he nods his head, the smile growing bigger.
PERCY: Both of these men put their bodies on the line in this contest, but love him or hate him, Calvin Harris pulled out the victory.
CAT: I have to agree. In my mind this has to be one of the toughest matches we've seen to date in PAW.
PHILO: OH DAMN! HE MIGHT STEAL THIS ONE!
1...
2...
3!!
Flashback: WICKED#7 - The Box Office featuring The BombTrax
Press spins around at this new threat, and upon seeing O'Donnell, swings his meaty fist at The Distinguished's head. CJ ducks the blow, using his speed to slide in behind Press, and hops onto his back, getting him in an illegal choke hold. Press struggles wildly at first, stumbling to the center of the ring, and reaching behind him to try and break the hold. He's unable to get a handhold on his assailant, so instead he rushes backwards towards the desk, slamming O'Donnell's spine against the wood. CJ releases the hold, and has just enough time to bring his arms up as Press spins around and starts swinging. O'Donnell takes a few hard shots that knock him off the desk and into the ropes, to which Press takes him by the wrist, and flings him to the far side.
Upon rebounding, O'Donnell is barely able to duck as Press lines his boot up to take off the Irishman's head with a Sudden Stop. He continues on through with his momentum to the other side, and upon his return, leaps into the air knee first to try and catch the big man with Irish Knowledge. Press, much to O'Donnell's surprise, side steps the maneuver, and when he turns around he's met with a clothesline that takes him up and over the top rope to the floor below. O'Donnell lands on his feet, and makes a go of trying to get back in the ring just as PAW security arrives, swarming the two combatants. They pull a savage O'Donnell back to the floor and carry him towards the ramp, as another group hit the ring and hold back Press.
"The path that these two warriors are on is set, and there is no chance of altering it. Only one of them can stand at the top of the mountain, and it is talent and skill that will determine which of them will be the one to emerge victorious."
"But they are not on this path alone....."
"Tonight there are two others on a collision coarse with destiny. A destiny that will find them fallen into the deepest pits of Hell"
The fans explode as Johnny points his bat at Harris, and then at Alex, and then shrugs, dropping to lay atop both men. Calvin Harris, however, is the only one with his shoulders down when A-Ref drops for the count.
1...
2...
3!!!
PHILO: I can't believe it! Raike suggested a double team on Harris, Cross tried to betray him, and at the end of the night Johnny Raike is our new champion!
CHARISSA: The first ever PAW champion, as it were.
PHILO: This is huge! Johnny Raike, proving, one more time, why he is a man to be reckoned with!
Flashback: WICKED#7 - Calvin Harris versus CJ O'Donnell
As soon as Harris is vertical, O'Donnell breaks from the ropes into a sprint, once again springing forwards knee first. A dazed Harris somehow side steps the maneuver, much like Press had done earlier in the night, and when CJ turns to get a bead on his opponent, he receives another stiff boot doubling him over. Harris tucks CJ's head between his legs once more, but this time, instead of going for a package piledriver, he hooks him like a powerbomb, but then turns it into an extraordinary vertabreaker.
PHILO: MARTYR'S MASSACRE!! CJ O'DONNELL'S HEAD JUST SPIKED OFF THE MAT, and Harris is going for the cover!
1...
2...
3!!!
Harris falls off of O'Donnell, and rolls over onto his back, sucking in wind after the brutal contest. The-Ref checks O'Donnell, and then on Harris. Calvin shoves The-Ref off of him, sitting up into an upright position with a look of disdain on his face, staring over at CJ's prone body. He rolls backwards to land on his knee's, and then hops up, reaching back to clutch at his back. A slight smile crosses his features, as he looks out at the crowd who shower him with boos. He cockily raises his fists into the air to answer them, his smile quickly spreading into a smug grin.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Here is your winner, by pinfall, CALVIN HARRIS!!
Harris hops up onto the second rope of the far corner, staring out at the hateful crowd, before throwing his arms out at his sides for his victory pose. When he's done, he looks over his shoulder at O'Donnell, who has crawled over to the opposite corner, and is staring up at Harris in disbelief. Calvin just laughs, hopping down, and tracing #1 in the air with his finger, before hopping through the middle ropes, and making his way up the ramp.
Flashback: WICKED#9 - Titans of the Midway Championship Ladder Match
PERCY: OH MY GOD! The ladder just got knocked out from under both men, and they are dangling in the air above the ring! But it's Calvin Harris who has the belt! CAT: Johnny's trying to climb up Harris, and Calvin's trying to dislodge Johnny with everything that he has.
Calvin relaxes a bit, allowing Johnny to get a better hold on the man, but in turn, giving Calvin a chance to take a chance, and reach up with his hand and unfasten the belt. Both competitors come crashing down to the mat and onto the wreckage that they had created throughout this match. Johnny Raike lay over in a heap by the destroyed table, while Calvin Harris lay across a piece of twisted ladder. Neither man is moving when the bell rings.
PERCY: He did it!
CAT: To be honest, I wouldn't have seen it going this way, but he's proven us all wrong here tonight.
Road Crew begin pulling mutilated ladders and pieces of table out of the ring as EMT crews come rushing down to check on the two gladiators. Rhonda steps forward, and brings the mic to her lips.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The winner of this match.....AND NEW TITANS OF THE MIDWAY CHAMPION....CALVIN HARRIS!!
The camera pans around the ring to get a good view, and there it is, still in Calvin Harris' clutches, the Titans of the Midway Championship. He shoves the EMT's off of him, eyes closed, soaking in the moment as the crowd boos the results. He slides over to the ropes, and pulls himself up, looking over to where Johnny Raike is being slid to the edge of the ring to be loaded onto a cart. He smirks, tilting his gaze to the crowd, and lifts the belt over his head while wincing from the pain. The fans erupt in a chorus of boos, and he nods his head, the smile growing bigger.
PERCY: Both of these men put their bodies on the line in this contest, but love him or hate him, Calvin Harris pulled out the victory.
CAT: I have to agree. In my mind this has to be one of the toughest matches we've seen to date in PAW.
"One of the toughest matches we've seen to date in PAW."
"Toughest matches we've seen to date in PAW.
"Toughest matches we've seen........"
The screen goes black once more, and the echoes have almost overtaken the audio."Tonight, these two warriors, these to trail blazers, these two TITANS do battle in one of the most WICKED structures known to man, but before they can even do that, they will have two other contests to prove who is the TOUGHEST of them all. There are three stages to appear on....one for stipulations, one for championships, and one for proving who really is number one!"
The loud pounding footfalls suddenly come to a stop, and the echo fades from the black screen, when suddenly a thin sliver of light can be seen shining through what looks to be the opening of a door. The door is pulled open, and there's someone standing there in the doorway, silhouetted by the outpouring of illumination. The camera speeds forwards at break neck speed, coming to a halt before almost crashing into the back of the individual holding open the door. The figure turns to look over his shoulder, and a familiar hellcat grin spreads over the luscious form of Johnny Raike. He winks to the camera, before nodding towards the open doorway.
JOHNNY RAIKE: Hello, my pretties. Care to join me?
Johnny steps inside the room, and is engulfed in the light until he completely disappears. The camera follows him in, and the screen lights up with an intense flash, and then slowly begins to clear into the image of the Heat Stroke logo.
JOHNNY RAIKE: Hello, my pretties. Care to join me?
Johnny steps inside the room, and is engulfed in the light until he completely disappears. The camera follows him in, and the screen lights up with an intense flash, and then slowly begins to clear into the image of the Heat Stroke logo.
“A Warrior’s Call” by Volbeat is already midway through inside the Pure Arena, revealing a capacity crowd, some spilling out of their seats. The scene pans from the crowd to the ring, running up the ramp to the stage, where an explosion of pyro goes off igniting a huge reaction from the crowd, until finally the focus of the camera falls on the announce table where sits Percival Banion Chord wearing a snazzy tux, and Caitlin Casey in a wine colored evening gown.
PERCY: Folks, we are extremely excited to be here tonight for a record breaking sold out crowd here at the Pure Arena in the Pure Amusement Park located in Purity, Louisiana! I am Percivail Banion Chord, and this lovely creature to my left is Caitlin Casey, and unless you are really late to the dance, this is HEAT STROKE!
CAT: Oh My God, Percy! I AM SO EXCITED!
PERCY: Do tell?
CAT: Are you frickin' kidding me!?!? Calvin Harris and Johnny Raike are about to embark on three stages of hell, That behemoth we call a champion takes on the 'Unstable' CJ O'Donnell, and Luke Knux and Jack Nomad are about to slug it out...shirtless no less....cause they hate each other! What more do you need, Percy?
PERCY: Well, how about a sixteen man battle royal that will see four debuts, plus the likes of Alexandra Kelly, Flaming Youth, Nirvana, and Kelsey Spencer?
CAT: Don't forget about that six man tag match between PAW and GZW! The boss lady's even involved in that one.
PERCY: To think, this show is so packed with action that even Lady Munin wants to be involved.
CAT: Oh, Percy, I just can't wait..
PERCY: Well, the hell with it, let's get this show on the road.
PERCY: Folks, we are extremely excited to be here tonight for a record breaking sold out crowd here at the Pure Arena in the Pure Amusement Park located in Purity, Louisiana! I am Percivail Banion Chord, and this lovely creature to my left is Caitlin Casey, and unless you are really late to the dance, this is HEAT STROKE!
CAT: Oh My God, Percy! I AM SO EXCITED!
PERCY: Do tell?
CAT: Are you frickin' kidding me!?!? Calvin Harris and Johnny Raike are about to embark on three stages of hell, That behemoth we call a champion takes on the 'Unstable' CJ O'Donnell, and Luke Knux and Jack Nomad are about to slug it out...shirtless no less....cause they hate each other! What more do you need, Percy?
PERCY: Well, how about a sixteen man battle royal that will see four debuts, plus the likes of Alexandra Kelly, Flaming Youth, Nirvana, and Kelsey Spencer?
CAT: Don't forget about that six man tag match between PAW and GZW! The boss lady's even involved in that one.
PERCY: To think, this show is so packed with action that even Lady Munin wants to be involved.
CAT: Oh, Percy, I just can't wait..
PERCY: Well, the hell with it, let's get this show on the road.
The Camera is rolling as we go through PAW's amusement park, the sounds of people screaming on the roller coaster can be heard. Before that camera, we find NAW's "Wildkard" James Spade wearing a "I came to PAW and all I got is this T-shirt", blue jeans, a silver chain around his neck, black boots, and a black brace on his wrist and forearm. His arm is around the waist of "The Rebel" Melinda Rhodes, who sports a shredded black tank top, tight fitting acid wash jeans, charm bangles on her wrist, and motorcycle boots. Both sport a variety of tattoos on their exposed arms. Beside the two of them is a young man with scruffy blond hair, a PAW Crew shirt, cargo pants, and sneakers.
INTERVIEWER: Brad Dimpsey here with "Wildkard" James Spade and "The Rebel" Melinda Rhodes, from North Atlantic Wrestling and The Pitt perspectively. First off, glad you accepted Ms. Munin's invitation to our park.
JAMES SPADE: Glad to be here, Brad. It's been a fun little place and I'm amazed I didn't hear of it sooner. Lot's of interesting attractions here.
MELINDA RHODES: Kinda' got a laugh at the kissing booth and the Roller coaster was fun. May go on it again before the night's over. Also, you should have seen James at the Haunted Plantation... it was hysterical as hell watching him jump out of his shoes when the Zombie burst out of the field!
The Rebel smiled and patted The Wildkard's chest, Spade chuckling a bit.
JAMES SPADE: Hey, the guy was really good at his job. He just comes outta' nowhere going 'Grrarrrarrraaaahh!' and I'm like 'Holy crap!' So I gave him his props and even posed for a photo op and gave him an autograph, it was great.
BRAD DIMPSEY: So you guys are really enjoying the park then.
MELINDA RHODES: Oh yeah. Maybe when we get some vacation time we'll hop on down here on our own dime. It's a great little place and we can't wait for the show.
BRAD DIMPSEY: Anyone in particular you're looking to see?
JAMES SPADE: Well we're both friends of Alexandra Kelly, even if the guy she's with is a bit of a prick.
Brad quirks his brow a bit.
BRAD DIMPSEY: You mean Jack Nomad, right?
JAMES SPADE: Yeah, faced him in TSWF when he was still a bit of a neophyte in the wrestling ring. One of the few people who actually got me a little hot under the collar in the ring.
BRAD DIMPSEY: How'd that match go?
JAMES SPADE: Kicked his ass pretty thoroughly.
James stiffened his back a bit, standing a bit taller and tenser as one Jack Nomad steps into the frame with a smile on his face. He sports his patchwork "Hardcore" vest, maroon T-shirt, red cargo pants, and black boots. His fists are, naturally, taped. Melinda stares at Jack oddly for a moment, her brow arched and eyes scanning as if trying to remember something.
JACK NOMAD: Well what's up, Street Samurai, oh wait, you're calling yourself "Wildkard" these days. My bad...
BRAD DIMPSEY: Hey man this is my interview...
Jack shoves Brad back while simultaneously yanking the microphone from him and bringing it to his lips.
JACK NOMAD: Fuck off or I bust your skull motherfucker.
JAMES SPADE: Glad to see you haven't changed any.
JACK NOMAD: You've gotten older, Jimmy.
Spade looks up at the slight recession of Jack's hairline.
JAMES SPADE: ...and you're starting to go bald.
JACK NOMAD: Like I give a fuck. One of these days, James, you and me are going to have to revisit each other in a wrestling ring. I've owed you an ass beating for quite some time.
JAMES SPADE: Yeah but right now, I think you need to worry about Luke Knux. I think he owes you three ass kickings in one match and if you're as focused as you were against me in TSWF, then he is going to surprise you just like I did.
Nomad notices that Melinda is staring at him a bit hard.
JACK NOMAD: WHAT BITCH?!
The Rebel snaps out of it and GLARES at him.
MELINDA RHODES: First, you look familiar. Second, call me bitch again motherfucker and you'll find out just how much of a bitch I can be when I grind your fucking face into the pavement!
At that point Alexandra Kelly rushes in just as Spade pulls Melinda back.
PIXIE: Woah! woah! Woah! Melinda, I like you but you need to fucking chill.
Melinda and Jack's eyes never break contact. Pixie turns to face Jack.
PIXIE: ...and we have other matters to deal with than old grudges, like our matches and that special little project we have to take care of.
Jack slowly breaks his gaze away from The Rebel and looks down at his Pixie with an accepting nod.
JACK NOMAD: Right...
He then gives both Melinda Rhodes and James Spade a hard scowl.
JACK NOMAD: Enjoy the park...
He tosses the microphone down and backs off from the camera.
PIXIE: Melinda, sweetie, this is my playground, not yours. Remember that, and don't overstep your bounds, or I might just forget you're a friend.
There is an icy chill in Alexandra's voice as she backs away, leaving a fuming Melinda with her boyfriend.
JAMES SPADE: That escalated quickly.
MELINDA RHODES: I know him... but I can't quite place the face.
Spade shrugs his shoulders and puts his arm around Melinda.
JAMES SPADE: Come on Mel, we'll go through the fun house. That'll cheer you up.
With that the two turn and walk off camera. Brad Dimpsey finally picks up his microphone.
BRAD DIMPSEY: My first interview and already people are getting up in arms. Can't wait for the show!
Cut to black.
INTERVIEWER: Brad Dimpsey here with "Wildkard" James Spade and "The Rebel" Melinda Rhodes, from North Atlantic Wrestling and The Pitt perspectively. First off, glad you accepted Ms. Munin's invitation to our park.
JAMES SPADE: Glad to be here, Brad. It's been a fun little place and I'm amazed I didn't hear of it sooner. Lot's of interesting attractions here.
MELINDA RHODES: Kinda' got a laugh at the kissing booth and the Roller coaster was fun. May go on it again before the night's over. Also, you should have seen James at the Haunted Plantation... it was hysterical as hell watching him jump out of his shoes when the Zombie burst out of the field!
The Rebel smiled and patted The Wildkard's chest, Spade chuckling a bit.
JAMES SPADE: Hey, the guy was really good at his job. He just comes outta' nowhere going 'Grrarrrarrraaaahh!' and I'm like 'Holy crap!' So I gave him his props and even posed for a photo op and gave him an autograph, it was great.
BRAD DIMPSEY: So you guys are really enjoying the park then.
MELINDA RHODES: Oh yeah. Maybe when we get some vacation time we'll hop on down here on our own dime. It's a great little place and we can't wait for the show.
BRAD DIMPSEY: Anyone in particular you're looking to see?
JAMES SPADE: Well we're both friends of Alexandra Kelly, even if the guy she's with is a bit of a prick.
Brad quirks his brow a bit.
BRAD DIMPSEY: You mean Jack Nomad, right?
JAMES SPADE: Yeah, faced him in TSWF when he was still a bit of a neophyte in the wrestling ring. One of the few people who actually got me a little hot under the collar in the ring.
BRAD DIMPSEY: How'd that match go?
JAMES SPADE: Kicked his ass pretty thoroughly.
James stiffened his back a bit, standing a bit taller and tenser as one Jack Nomad steps into the frame with a smile on his face. He sports his patchwork "Hardcore" vest, maroon T-shirt, red cargo pants, and black boots. His fists are, naturally, taped. Melinda stares at Jack oddly for a moment, her brow arched and eyes scanning as if trying to remember something.
JACK NOMAD: Well what's up, Street Samurai, oh wait, you're calling yourself "Wildkard" these days. My bad...
BRAD DIMPSEY: Hey man this is my interview...
Jack shoves Brad back while simultaneously yanking the microphone from him and bringing it to his lips.
JACK NOMAD: Fuck off or I bust your skull motherfucker.
JAMES SPADE: Glad to see you haven't changed any.
JACK NOMAD: You've gotten older, Jimmy.
Spade looks up at the slight recession of Jack's hairline.
JAMES SPADE: ...and you're starting to go bald.
JACK NOMAD: Like I give a fuck. One of these days, James, you and me are going to have to revisit each other in a wrestling ring. I've owed you an ass beating for quite some time.
JAMES SPADE: Yeah but right now, I think you need to worry about Luke Knux. I think he owes you three ass kickings in one match and if you're as focused as you were against me in TSWF, then he is going to surprise you just like I did.
Nomad notices that Melinda is staring at him a bit hard.
JACK NOMAD: WHAT BITCH?!
The Rebel snaps out of it and GLARES at him.
MELINDA RHODES: First, you look familiar. Second, call me bitch again motherfucker and you'll find out just how much of a bitch I can be when I grind your fucking face into the pavement!
At that point Alexandra Kelly rushes in just as Spade pulls Melinda back.
PIXIE: Woah! woah! Woah! Melinda, I like you but you need to fucking chill.
Melinda and Jack's eyes never break contact. Pixie turns to face Jack.
PIXIE: ...and we have other matters to deal with than old grudges, like our matches and that special little project we have to take care of.
Jack slowly breaks his gaze away from The Rebel and looks down at his Pixie with an accepting nod.
JACK NOMAD: Right...
He then gives both Melinda Rhodes and James Spade a hard scowl.
JACK NOMAD: Enjoy the park...
He tosses the microphone down and backs off from the camera.
PIXIE: Melinda, sweetie, this is my playground, not yours. Remember that, and don't overstep your bounds, or I might just forget you're a friend.
There is an icy chill in Alexandra's voice as she backs away, leaving a fuming Melinda with her boyfriend.
JAMES SPADE: That escalated quickly.
MELINDA RHODES: I know him... but I can't quite place the face.
Spade shrugs his shoulders and puts his arm around Melinda.
JAMES SPADE: Come on Mel, we'll go through the fun house. That'll cheer you up.
With that the two turn and walk off camera. Brad Dimpsey finally picks up his microphone.
BRAD DIMPSEY: My first interview and already people are getting up in arms. Can't wait for the show!
Cut to black.
JOHNNY RAIKE: Really motherfucker?!
The American Wet Dream, face almost touching the camera. He pulls back, dressed for battle in his thigh high green boots and tight bike style shorts. His normally flawless face is drawn in tight lipped, eyes narrow, radiating anger.
JOHNNY RAIKE: You wait until six hours before go time to tell me I'm unoriginal and that you'll beat me in two. Not sure where to start with that. Let's go with the factual error. We're going three matches. Hope for your own sake that I take round one, because I won't be picking last man standing. Not right before I savage you inside a cage. I'm thinking fuck you, I'm not telling you shit. You malignant cancer of a human being. I was already motivated to beat on you, now I almost want to hurt you. Teach you the kind of lesson you might remember. But honestly? I don't give you that much credit. I don't think the point would settle in. Hurting you would only serve to make me feel vindicated, and then I would be the asshole So, maybe I would go that route. Intentionally.
Johnny smirks, though it doesn't reach his eyes. The disdain is clear on his face, and he flairs his nostrils before continuing.
JOHNNY RAIKE: As for me having nothing new to say, well...honey... look what I have to work with. Invaders who won't launch an all out assault, and a man telling me he's categorically unimpressed with me. He doesn't get my hype. As though he fuckin' needs to. Harris, you don't get to call me lazy after waiting until the last fucking second to respond to me. You had the better part of two weeks. But I'm the lazy one. You think I talk to much. I think so did my third grade teacher Ms. Taylor. She couldn't stop me, your dislike won't fucking budge the needles. Tell me it's the same shit week in, week out, that I just ramble on and on. But lets look at the last time you talked to me right before a match and went one for what had to be ten goddamn minutes! On the show the fans paid for! Use Youtube for that shit. And to top it off, had significant moments of overlap to the Youtube post you had posted! Pot kettle black, you raging hypocrite.
The Sissyboy Savior shakes his head, incredulous and annoyed.
JOHNNY RAIKE: It gets better. You claim all my prior success as either luck or irrelevant, you still fail to see that Alex Cross and I both wanting to take it out on your ass was your own damn fault, tell me that nothing I have done to prove myself in wrestling is admissible as proof, and then tell me I'm lazy. Actually, you called me lazy first, but that you can have both opinions...just, mind bending. And not the fun kind. It's the kind of tactics favored of he bully, and perhaps the most lazy tactic of all. Nope. That doesn't count. I could have any number of logical, supported counter-arguments to you, and you wouldn't listen. You wouldn't care. You don't hear. Shit, you didn't care enough to double check the booking sheet and see we were clashing three times tonight, but sure, I'm the lazy one.
A very sarcastic double thumbs up from the Beautiful Nightmare, followed by an a-okay, followed by Johnny quickly pretending to jerk off into the camera. Raike rolls his eyes.
JOHNNY RAIKE: You don't like how much I have to say, don't fucking listen. You want me to talk about something new, give me something to talk about, not a bunch of punk ass bullshit right as we're about to hit go. Calvin, I want you to reflect upon the last Harris that tried to push me beyond me limit, tried to take me out. See him around? Ask yourself why. You can say I'm lazy, you can say I only get where I am because of who I know, you can tell me you aren't impressed. I don't care anymore, Harris. Because you are clearly suffering from some sort of mental illness. Narcissism as a start, and trust me I know the signs. Probably a little megalomania. I can't get through to you. But I can go through you on my way back to the Titan of the Midway belt, and onward to the Pure Amusement Heavyweight championship. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish dressing before they play my song.
With a flip of the middle finger to the camera and a graceful pivot, Raike exits toward the staging area.
The American Wet Dream, face almost touching the camera. He pulls back, dressed for battle in his thigh high green boots and tight bike style shorts. His normally flawless face is drawn in tight lipped, eyes narrow, radiating anger.
JOHNNY RAIKE: You wait until six hours before go time to tell me I'm unoriginal and that you'll beat me in two. Not sure where to start with that. Let's go with the factual error. We're going three matches. Hope for your own sake that I take round one, because I won't be picking last man standing. Not right before I savage you inside a cage. I'm thinking fuck you, I'm not telling you shit. You malignant cancer of a human being. I was already motivated to beat on you, now I almost want to hurt you. Teach you the kind of lesson you might remember. But honestly? I don't give you that much credit. I don't think the point would settle in. Hurting you would only serve to make me feel vindicated, and then I would be the asshole So, maybe I would go that route. Intentionally.
Johnny smirks, though it doesn't reach his eyes. The disdain is clear on his face, and he flairs his nostrils before continuing.
JOHNNY RAIKE: As for me having nothing new to say, well...honey... look what I have to work with. Invaders who won't launch an all out assault, and a man telling me he's categorically unimpressed with me. He doesn't get my hype. As though he fuckin' needs to. Harris, you don't get to call me lazy after waiting until the last fucking second to respond to me. You had the better part of two weeks. But I'm the lazy one. You think I talk to much. I think so did my third grade teacher Ms. Taylor. She couldn't stop me, your dislike won't fucking budge the needles. Tell me it's the same shit week in, week out, that I just ramble on and on. But lets look at the last time you talked to me right before a match and went one for what had to be ten goddamn minutes! On the show the fans paid for! Use Youtube for that shit. And to top it off, had significant moments of overlap to the Youtube post you had posted! Pot kettle black, you raging hypocrite.
The Sissyboy Savior shakes his head, incredulous and annoyed.
JOHNNY RAIKE: It gets better. You claim all my prior success as either luck or irrelevant, you still fail to see that Alex Cross and I both wanting to take it out on your ass was your own damn fault, tell me that nothing I have done to prove myself in wrestling is admissible as proof, and then tell me I'm lazy. Actually, you called me lazy first, but that you can have both opinions...just, mind bending. And not the fun kind. It's the kind of tactics favored of he bully, and perhaps the most lazy tactic of all. Nope. That doesn't count. I could have any number of logical, supported counter-arguments to you, and you wouldn't listen. You wouldn't care. You don't hear. Shit, you didn't care enough to double check the booking sheet and see we were clashing three times tonight, but sure, I'm the lazy one.
A very sarcastic double thumbs up from the Beautiful Nightmare, followed by an a-okay, followed by Johnny quickly pretending to jerk off into the camera. Raike rolls his eyes.
JOHNNY RAIKE: You don't like how much I have to say, don't fucking listen. You want me to talk about something new, give me something to talk about, not a bunch of punk ass bullshit right as we're about to hit go. Calvin, I want you to reflect upon the last Harris that tried to push me beyond me limit, tried to take me out. See him around? Ask yourself why. You can say I'm lazy, you can say I only get where I am because of who I know, you can tell me you aren't impressed. I don't care anymore, Harris. Because you are clearly suffering from some sort of mental illness. Narcissism as a start, and trust me I know the signs. Probably a little megalomania. I can't get through to you. But I can go through you on my way back to the Titan of the Midway belt, and onward to the Pure Amusement Heavyweight championship. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish dressing before they play my song.
With a flip of the middle finger to the camera and a graceful pivot, Raike exits toward the staging area.
Opening Bout
{Three Stages of Hell - Part 1}
Singles Match
(The winner of this match will determine the stipulations of the Titans of the Midway Contest later in the show)
Johnny Raike versus Calvin Harris
PERCY: Trouble in paradise already?
CAT: Looks like James Spade and Amanda Rhodes are enjoying the park. I wonder if that's a pretense that they are interested in PAW?
PERCY: I'm not sure, but it looks like if they are, they may have just found their first two opponents in Nomad and Pixie, who both have business here tonight at Heat Stroke.
CAT: And what about Johnny Raike! I've never seen him fired up like that.
PERCY: Calvin Harris has a way of getting under your skin. Looks like he's managed to do that for Johnny.
CAT: Well, I for one can't wait. Rhonda's in the ring with the particulars!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ladies and gentlemen, the following is the opening contest in our three stages of hell match. It is a singles match and will be wrestled to one fall, with the victor picking the stipulations for the second stage. Introducing first, the challenger, from Astoria, Queens, New York, weighing in tonight it ‘Don’t you fucking dare say it three times,’ the Thigh High Thriller, JOOOOOHHHNNNNNNNNYYY!!! RAIKE!!!!
The PAW faithful on hand at the Pure Arena for Heat Stroke react strong for the American Wet Dream, and as he glides onto the stage to the slow riff of “Pure Morning” he pauses to show off his coat for the night, a reflexive silver vinyl, inviting the viewing to “See Yourself in Greatness.” He is mostly business tonight, still returning waves and well wishes, but making his way into the ring to await Calvin Harris.
PERCY: Last time Raike wore that coat was at the start of the last HoliCraze Tournament, a tourny where he won three matches in a row.
CAT: Yeah, but that wasn’t on one night. I don’t get how sane people can believe in a coat helping them win a wrestling match. That said, Johnny Raike is wearing the fuck out of that coat. Oh, why does he still not give me a card?
PERCY: Doesn’t look like anyone got his card tonight. Doubt even Raike thinks he’ll have it in him for victory sex.
Bullet For My Valentine "Your Betrayal" began to hit the arena's speakers. The guitar riff kicking it all off and it was something the thousands in attendance were able to recognize from the start. Didn't take long at all for those fans to begin to change their tune. They went from being excited for action to completely and utterly loathing the show. All because of who was about to make their to the ring.
Only a few seconds had passed since the song began to play. That's when the curtain could be seen being slowly pulled back. Stepping out a moment later happened to be none other than the man known as the Martyr of Pro Wrestling himself, Calvin Harris. Seeing the man caused the crowd to uproar again, but this time with louder boos and jeers. All of them hoping that this was going to be enough to get him to go away. However they should've known better than that. Standing center of the stage, Calvin looked at Johnny Raike this contemptuous sneer on his lips. The type of smug smirk that would make people see clear that Calvin Harris intends to make Johnny Raike a victim.
That being said Calvin found himself stretching his arms out to either side of him, gesturing at his Titan of the Midway Belt. Almost like he was encouraging the crowd to give him more hate. For this was something that actually motivated him and something that actually drove him. Like puppets the fans gave in booing even louder and vocally expressing their hatred for him anyway that they could. After a few moments he lowered his arms back down at his side and began to slowly make his way down the ramp.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And Introducing his opponent, all the way from Chicago, Illinois. Weighing in at two hundred and twenty seven pounds. He is known as the Martyr of Pro Wrestling, and is the current Titan of the Midway. . . CALVIN HARRIS!
Hearing that announcement put the crowd on edge. It was like they were hearing nails running down a chalkboard. Not a pleasant situation at all. Again they were vocal getting louder with their boos. At this point they were so loud it was hard for people to even hear themselves think. Let alone begin to form an actual thought that made any sense. By this time that he had been introduced to the crowd. Calvin was halfway down the ramp, seemingly taking his time. That sneer of his remained on his expression as he let out a couple of chuckles at those fans he deemed pathetic. Though, he had finally made it to the end of the ramp.
Calvin took a couple of steps towards the ring and reached up with his right hand grabbing the middle rope. He proceeded to pull himself up onto the apron and onto his knees. He pushed himself right up to his feet and in a pretty swift motion. He lifted one leg over the middle rope, ducked down under the top, and found himself right in the ring. That's when Calvin took it upon himself to take the nearest turnbuckle. He climbed it right up to the second rung and looked out at the booing crowd. Not a single one of them were backing down from how they felt about him. Something that was just making him happier and happier with each boo he heard.
All of the sudden he brought his hands up and out to each side of him while tilting his head back a bit. It was almost like he was in a position where he was forcing the crowd to "bask" in all his glory or as if he was wanting them to "praise" him. Something that wasn't going to happen. Not even on his best day. That taunt remained for only a couple of seconds. At least until the theme song found itself fading out. At that point Calvin turned himself around leaping down from the turnbuckle and found himself bouncing around on his two feet, handing off his belt to the ring crew.
*DING*
The crowd is hot to start both the show and the first stage as Calvin Harris and Johnny Raike begin to circle one another. They lock up and jockey for position, with Harris whipping Raike to the rope, but Johnny backrolls away from the follow up chop, pops up, hits the ropes and rebounds with a crossbody. Harris is the one dodge this time, hitting his knees and popping up to hit the ropes at about the same time Raike does. The two collide with a mighty double clothesline, one-eightying each other on the impact, landing hard, and popping right back to their feet, to get in each other’s faces, staring hard.
PERCY: Raike giving up a bit of height to Calvin Harris, and I’d say a good thirty pounds, but neither man wanting to be the first to flinch here tonight. There’s a lot riding tonight.
CAT: Well of course there is Percy, it’s PPV. Do you know how good we have to be to sell a show on a dying format?
Raike is first to swing a chop, which is quickly blocked by Harris before being repaid with a right hook to the American Wet Dream’s chin. Raike staggers back, but uses the space to fire a kick into the Martyr of Professional Wrestling’s shoulder. Harris absorbs the blow and hits a fierce two handed chop to Raike’s midsection, turning him away. The crowd boos and yays with vigor for Calvin and Johnny, starting to buzz as Raike turns his tactical retreat into a full head of stream, hitting the ropes and firing a knee into Harris’s gut, sending him reeling back into the corner. Raike charges in with another quick knee to the gut and a bulldog, but Calvin powers out of the hold before the Thigh High Thriller can take him down, follows with a stiff shot to the back of the head, And takes Johnny down with a quickly belly-to-back suplex. A few clubbing blows to the back of the head keep the Beautiful Nightmare struggling while Harris gets back to standing and fires stomps to the back of Raike. Johnny eats a few boots before he can roll away from the attack and regroup, Once again Raike and Harris begin to circle.
PERCY: Harris coming out ahead in that first exchange, taking Raike off his feet. Still seem to be feeling each other out though; this is the first time these men have faced in a one on one, weapons free environment.
CAT: Perhaps they just don’t know how to fight without savaging each other. Dare say they’ll do plenty of that before the night is done.
Harris shoot in with a waist lock, which Johnny quickly breaks and reverses. Johnny backs himself and Harris into the rope to get some momentum, pushes Harris and lands an axe kick to the shoulder on the rebound. Harris stops in his tracks as Raike hits the rope, but regains his awareness to sidesteps the Sissyboy Savior and send him rebounding off the rope. Raike ducks the elbow from Harris, leaps to the second rope, and scores a pair of boots right to Calvin’s chin. Raike pops up, arms wide as if awaiting embrace, which the crowd indulges him in starting a Johnny Raike chant.
CAT: These guys always go for the cheers, don’t they realize cheers don’t win a match?
PERCY: Never underestimate the power of a cheering crowd, sometimes all you need to get back into a match is the knowledge that thousands of people want you to win.
Johnny drops into a stalk as Calvin Harris regains his composure, the Martyr bringing himself back to his feet only to find himself in a waist lock. Harris tries to fight out, causing Raike to instead transition to a side headlock. The Party Queen of Queens tries to follow through with a snapmare, But Harris takes a knee to stop the momentum, grabbing Raike about the chest from behind and returning both fighters to their feet. As he tries to lift Johnny up the smaller man kicks his legs desperately, allowing him to fall through the hold and deliver an arm drag to put space between himself and Harris. Raike charges in with a big lucha push, sending Harris into the corner. The Beautiful Nightmare once more builds up a head of steam, running with all he has at the corner to deliver a huge Yakuza, but Harris rolls away from the corner just in time leaving Johnny Raike to trap his own leg against the rope. The Titan of the Midway champion follows up quick as a flash with a school boy roll up against Johnny, grabbing at the back of his trunks for extra leverage.
1…
2…
Break!
A-Ref calls for a break on the pin, having spotted Calvin Harris with a handful of Johnny Raike tights. Harris tries to argue for a moment, while Raike uses the chance to get back to his feet and get some air, eyes never leaving Harris. A-Ref holds firm in his call though, and Harris returns to the match just in time to eat a roundhouse.
PERCY: Harris trying to end things quick, but A-Ref makes the call and that was an illegal pin.
CAT: Yeah, yeah, it’s only illegal if you get caught, and Calvin Harris nearly wasn't. So either he’s amazing, or A-Ref needs an eye exam.
PERCY: Speaking of, I bet Calvin Harris is seeing things a little blurry after that roundhouse.
Raike stays on Harris, following up the kick to the face with a pair to the back of the legs as Calvin tries to create space between himself and Johnny Raike. Johnny finally spins Harris around, but whatever plan the Hedonistic Hellcat had in mind is stopped in it’s tracks by a rake of the eyes from Calvin Harris.
CAT: Ha! Harris rakes Raike, and I’m betting Johnny is having second thoughts about all the times he’s done that to people over the years.
PERCY: Certainly an effective way to take control of the match, but A-Ref looks none too happy with our Titan right now.
A-Ref is indeed admonishing Harris, but the Martyr of Professional Wrestling ignores it, kicks at Raikes knee to make him kneel, and delivers a huge elbow to the back of the head. Raike pitches forward onto his hands and knees, earning himself a smug look from Calvin. Harris puts his foot in the middle of Raikes back and stomps him hard to the mat, following up by standing right in the middle of Raike back. A-Ref calls him off quickly enough, but the grimace on Johnny’s face tells the story.
PERCY: Harris, still playing fast and loose with the rules.
CAT: Oh, Harris has hardly done anything worth actually DQing over. Not like he’s beating Raike with a chair, or choking him out with the mic cords, he’s just standing on him.
Johnny uses the interference from A-Ref to get back up, smile on his face as he faces down Harris, though his eyes show no trace of mirth. Harris throws out some smack talk and challenges Johnny to come in for a test of strength. Raike snorts in laughter, shaking his head, but Harris persists in the challenge, calling Johnny a coward. Raike looks to the crowd for guidance, and they cheer, causing Raike to step forward and put his hands up. Harris goes to take his hands, but before he can Raike jumps, takes out Calvin’s knee with a drop kick, rolls up and nails the now kneeling man with a baby Ace crusher. Raike uses the momentum of the move to roll out of the ring for a moment.
PERCY: And Johnny’s turn to get a little tricky, suckering Harris in for that Ace crusher.
CAT: I think we can expect a lot of tricks and sucker punches from both of these men tonight, sportsmanship be damned.
PERCY: Since when do you care about sportsmanship?
Harris isn’t down for long, and Raike is back up onto the ring apron as Harris makes his feet. Raike climbs back in slowly, using the ropes to get A-Ref to repeatedly call Harris off. The Martyr of Professional Wrestling gets more and more visibly frustrated, finally turning to yell at A-Ref, only to find himself blindsided by an elbow to the temple. A-Ref gets the hell out of dodge as Raike begins to fire a machine gun series of chops to the chest of Calvin Harris. The overwhelming assault seems to stun Harris for the moment, but as he shakes off the shot to the temple he fires off a thunderous slap to the face of Johnny Raike, pushes the Sissyboy Savior to the ropes, and flattens him to the mat with a Fameasser. Calvin rolls him over and hooks the leg for a cover.
1…
2…
Kickout!
PERCY: Raike trying to chop the Martyr down, but Harris just powers through.
CAT: I think both men are running on rage, testosterone and ego tonight. Neither man is really showing the effects of the match so far, but I say that’s just false bravado.
Calvin brings Johnny back to his vertical base, a club to the back of the neck keeping Raike dazed, before sending him to the ropes. As Johnny rebounds back to him Harris ducks, scooping Raik up on his shoulders. Raike tries to struggle, but Harris gets him right in place and plants him in the center of the ring with a Death Valley driver.
PERCY: DVD! Raike landing hard on his neck and shoulders right in the center of the ring, this could be it!
Harris stops to yell at the crowd, asking them what they think of Johnny now. The response is a massive wave of boos, followed by a Johnny Raike chant. Harris scoffs at the crowd and makes cover with a simple lateral press.
CAT: Lazy cover from Harris.
1…
2…
Kickout!
CAT: Told ya it was lazy!
PERCY: Harris taking too much time to rub it in, and Raike stays alive in this match.
Harris, while clearly unhappy, keeps on top of Johnny, pulling him up to his knees and delivering a stinging slap. Calvin backs up to the ropes, taking a moment to line up a shot. The Martyr rolls up his pant leg, pushes off against the ropes and charges.
PERCY: Contact Kill!
Harris swings the knee in hard, but Raike ducks, surges upward, and grabs Harris in a teardrop suplex. The crowd roars its approval as Johnny sits back up, smile on his face, jumps to his feet, runs the ropes and meets the rising Calvin Harris with a lung blower. Harris pops up from the impact and stumble into the corner, where Johnny immediately charges in and scores with a Yakuza.
PERCY: Raike connects with the Yakuza that time, and look at Harris, he might be out on his feet.
CAT: Harris always looks like there’s no one home though, how can you ever really be certain?
Harris sinks down into a sitting position, and Johnny takes the moment to snap off a quick kick to the side of the head before pushing him forward and hooking the leg for the cover.
1…
2…
Ropebreak!
Johnny can’t believe it for a moment, even when he sees Harris’s arm under the rope. With a yell of frustration the Panty Wearing Panty Dropper returns to his feet, stalking back enough for Harris to get out of the ropes. Now it is Calvin’s turn to stay in the ropes, using the rules to catch a breath while Raike paces the ring in front of him. Finally the two lock up in the middle of the ring again, Harris applying a quick arm and hammer lock. Raike fights it and spins out, getting Harris into a standing arm wringer, which Harris quickly breaks, pulling Raike in for the Northern Lights suplex. Raike fights out as Harris tries to isolate the leg, landing to the side and firing in a stiff superkick! Harris is sent staggering into the ropes, but he digs deep, pushes off and nails Raike with a superkick of his own! Both men fall to the mat, motionless.
PERCY: A pair of superkicks and both men are down! Could we see a double count out right now?
CAT: If we do, who picks the stips for the next match? Fan vote?
A-Ref gives it a moment for the crowd to come down, starting to administer the count just as soon as it can be heard. By five neither man has stirred, Harris starting to move at six, Raike right behind him at seven. At nine both men are on their feet, if a little shakey, and A-Ref stops the count. The two men look across the ring at one another, and with a snarl rush to meet in the center of the ring. Calvin goes for a wild swing, but Raike ducks it, hooking his arm, then his other, and dropping down into a backslide pin.
1...
2...
Calvin kicks backwards forcing his shoulders off the mat, and coming up to his feet right in front of Johnny Raike, who hops up quickly. Raike goes for a kick to the midsection, but Calvin catches his leg, diving over the trapped appendage only to hook Raike through the legs for a school boy pin with a handful of tights.
1...
2...
Thre-Raike manages to kick out just before three, and when both men come up to meet one another, Raike hooks Calvin around the head, pulling him down into a small package.
PERCY: These pin attempts are coming fast and furious! Both men are tired, and still have two more matches to go!
1...
2...
Harris manages to rock his body somehow, reversing the small package to where now Raike is the one pinned.
1...
2...
Raike kicks out of the pinning predicament, and when he comes up to his feet, he immediately puts some separation between he and Calvin by falling back into the ropes for some momentum. As he springs back, Calvin drops his head for a back body drop, but Raike leaps over Harris, hooking him on the hips on his way over, and taking him down into a sunset flip.
1...
2...
Thre-At the last possible second, Harris is able to roll backwards, ending the pin attempt. On his way through he grabs Raike by the ankles, throwing the man's legs into his chest, and then driving his shoulders into the back of the knee's for a pin attempt of his own. Just as A-Ref moves into position again, tired from the many counts, he fails to notice as Harris tosses his feet backwards where they end up on the middle rope to provide illegal leverage.
1...
2...
3!!!
Raike manages to kick Calvin off of him, but it's too late, and quick as a whip Harris scoots beneath the bottom rope, a smug expression on his face as he throws his fists out at his sides in order to taunt Johnny Raike. The Most Liberated Man In Wrestling looks up at A-Ref in disbelief, slapping the mat three times, and then rolling his shoulder to show that he got it up. A-Ref adamantly shakes his head, and Raike slaps the mat again as Rhonda comes across the loud speakers with the announcement.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The winner of this first contest, and the man to name the stipulations for the next Stage of Hell, CALVIN HARRIS!!!
Calvin begins to back up the ramp, the devilish grin still on his face as he calls for a microphone. A technician readily runs up to the Martyr of Wrestling, and delivers one, and he can't hid his satisfaction as he raises it to his lips.
CALVIN HARRIS: The Titans of the Midway Championship will be a Last Man Standing Match on The Midway!
Raike stares bullets into Calvin Harris as he tosses the mic down, continuing to back up the ramp. Raike places his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disgust.
PERCY: Calvin Harris steals the first fall in the First Stage Of Hell, and quite frankly, I agree with Johnny Raike. I'm disgusted.
CAT: What the hell are you talking about, Percy?! Calvin did what anyone would have done! He took his opportunity, and it paid off.
PERCY: Wrap it up however you like Cat, but the man cheated!
CAT: Exactly what I said! Opportunity!
PERCY: Whatever. Let's head to the back and see if we can't find something that might take the tarnish off this travesty.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Mimes. This is my new assistant, your new boss, say hello to G-Reg. He's here to help keep you regular.
Francis winks cleverly. The Mimes wave in unison. Greg the Redshirt shakes his head at Francis.
GREG THE REDSHIRT: No, no. Mister Cuppola. For the last time, it's not "G-Reg".
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Okay, then what is it?
GREG THE REDSHIRT: Like I told you, call me Lieutenant First-Class Greg Larson from the Federation Starship Mazerunner.
Greg flashed the vulcan salute to the room. The mime's eyes drifted dismally back to monitor Francis' nonplussed reaction to this news. Double F C just stared at the kid in front of him with a sudden, deflated lack of interest and narrowed eyes.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: *deadpan* Gregg, I'm going to need you to go on an away mission...
The mime's looked to Greg.
GREG THE REDSHIRT: Excellent, Mister Cuppola. Will it be to the Andromeda--
Francis starts ushering Greg towards the door.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: No, no. No foreign solar systems for you, G-re-- I mean, Lieutenant Captain Greg.
GREG THE REDSHIRT: It's Lieuten--
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Absolutely. Yep.
Francis pushes Greg out the door where the redshirted young fellow turns to look at Francis quizzically as he slips open his tricorder and begins scanning the hallway.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Even better. You take your toy thing there and take some scans out in the parking lot for me, okay Timmy?
GREG THE REDSHIRT: It's not Tim--
Francis closes the door quickly and locks it in Greg's face. He turns back to rest against the door with an exhausted and bewildered look to the mimes who maintain the characteristic dead stare that unnerves Francis so. Chills run up his spine as he shakes his head and begins pacing. The mimes watch blankly.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: I can't believe what I'm doing. Can I do this without him?
Francis pauses and glances at the mimes who keep staring. He returns to pacing.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: What the hell am I supposed to do without Rodney? Rodney knows what sort of food you mimes eat, he knows your names, he knows everything... without him--
There's a knock on the door that interrupts him. Francis grows annoyed and angrily goes to the door, unlocks then opens it a crack to poke his head out and tell Timmy, or Greg, or whoever it is, off.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Dammit, Tim go back to the S.S. Enterpri-- Rodney.
Francis straightens up, the door swings open. There, like a blast of welcome heaven stands Rodney P, Francis' estranged assistant, with bruises and cuts still marring his features.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Rodney!
His arms open wide for a much-needed hug. Rodney brushes past him into the room, to Francis' disappointment.
RODNEY P: I'm not here to reconcile, Francis.
Francis turns to regard his still estranged assistant.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: That's not what you're supposed to say.
Rodney slips in between the mimes on the couch, resting his palms on their knees with a confident smirk. Francis eyes him with growing consternation.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Okay, then why are you here then, Rodney?
Rodney's smirk grows, patting the mime's knees loudly.
RODNEY P: I'm here to wish you, and your charges here good luck, of course, Francis.
Francis' eyes narrow suspiciously.
RODNEY P: And to watch them fail.
Francis gets his back up.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Oh really?
Rodney pats the mimes on the knees once more and uses them to help him stand up with a condescending smirk as he gets right into his former employer's face.
RODNEY P: Yes. Really. And I'm here to tell you that I'm putting together my own tag team.
Francis is speechless. Rodney loves it.
RODNEY P: Yep. Of real professional wrestlers. None of this amateur hour bullshit you've got going for you.
The mimes watch the altercation blankly from the couch.
RODNEY P: And then, after you're sufficiently starved of my presence and officially on the bottom rung of this federation's ladder...
Francis is offended, saddened, shocked at the way Rodney is speaking and acting.
RODNEY P: I'm going to sign my team up so they can crush yours. How's that sound, Francis?
Rodney lifts his palms and pats Francis' cheeks. Francis is flustered, speechless even as Rodney brushes past him chuckling his way out the door. Francis stands in shock, the mimes watch him from the couch as the door is shut behind Rodney. Francis blinks, and gets angry after shrugging it off.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: You see that, Mimes? THAT'S your motivation! My duncecap of a former assistant doesn't believe in you. But I do, Mimes. I do.
The mimes stare blankly at him. Francis' speech is emboldened.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: He thinks I'm a joke, you see? Well... I'll show him. We'll show him, won't we? Tonight? This battle royal? We're going to win it, aren't we!?
The pep talk resonates in the tiny room. The mimes stare back at Francis. He looks at them with a slowly raising eyebrow before nodding with false confidence and silently pumps his fist, eyeing down at them like a general who can only mime to his soldiers.
Francis gives them the thumbs up and whispers.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: And we're ready.
Sixteen Man Battle Royal
(This match will determine the #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship)
Bryan Williams, Flaming Youth, Amanda Reynolds, Alexandra Kelly, Nirvana,
Nova Wonder, Ava, Johnny Sykes, The French Mime Assassins,
Roy Baker, Redrum, S.O.B., The Lost Boyz, James Radford
PERCY: Our next match will be one hell of a spectacle, as it is PAW's first ever Battle Royal!
CAT: That's right, and it features some of the finest names here in PAW, along with a few of those that aren't so fine.
PERCY: ANDDDD....The winner of this match will have the right to claim the #1 Contendership to the Titans of the Midway Championship!
CAT: What are we waiting for, let's see who it's gonna be!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ladies and Gentleman, this is the Sixteen Man Battle Royal! The rules are simple. All sixteen superstars will begin in the ring, and the only way to eliminate your opponents is by sending them up and over the top rope, where both feet must touch the ground. The last superstar in the ring will be declared the winner, and the #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship!
“A Warrior’s Call” by Volbeat, the official music of PAW, fires out over the speakers and the curtain is pulled back from behind the stage. The first wrestlers through the entrance are the enhancement talent, led to the ring by their deranged clown leader.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first, 'The Cotton Candy Savior' REDRUM, THE LOST BOYZ, PAN & RUFIO, 'COUNTRY FINE' JAMES RADFORD, and S.O.B.!!!
PERCY: It looks like Redrum is leading his boys to charge, and you know, that's probably going to be pretty good strategy.
CAT: How do you figure?
PERCY: Think about it, Cat. What better way to survive a Battle Royal than by working as a team to eliminate the competition, and then working it out among yourself over the winner.
CAT: Damn, who would have figured that idiot clown for a strategist.
Soon after the procession has made their way halfway down the ramp, the Laviathon appears on the stage, soon followed by the Wondergirl.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Next is BRYAN WILLIAMS!! And NOVA WONDER!!
After that comes 'The Original Pranksta' and 'Da Bomb Dot Com'.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Followed by JOHNNY SYKES and AVA!!!
Amanda Reynolds appears at the top of the stage, clearly unhappy of being forced to compete here tonight with the likes of the PAW roster.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: GZW's Amanda Reynolds everybody....anyone....Beuler....Beuler....
PERCY: Rhonda having some fun at the Globalster's expense, and I can't say I blame her. Tensions have been high ever since GZW first made their appearance here on PAW, but now Amanda Reynolds is about to step in the ring with all of those superstars she said were beneath her.
CAT: Who knows, Percy, she might surprise us.
Then The Midnight King appears, pausing just long enough to adjust his mask.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Making his way to the ring, NIRVANA!!
The Prince follows as Nirvana makes his way down the ramp.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Coming in now is ROY BAKER!!
PERCY: Baker came up short after that fantastic Triple Threat at WICKED#11, but he's got a chance to redeem himself here tonight in a big way.
CAT: Yeah, well Alexandra Kelly has been putting the whole locker room notice since she arrived her in PAW, but last week put an exclamation point on it!
As if her ears were burning, The Pixie appears, a devilish grin on her face as she starts down to the ring.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing next, ALEXANDRA KELLY!!
Kelly waves at a few of the die hard Pixie fans in the crowd, before hopping up on the apron, and stepping into the packed ring. The tension was palpable as the superstars tried to find a spot where they weren't touching another. The enhancement talent huddled together in the far corner, Redrum sitting on the top turnbuckle, quietly giving them instructions. A-Ref went to signal for the bell, but Rhonda held up her hand in confusion, showing him her cue card with a questioning expression.
CAT: Hey...aren't we missing somebody?
PERCY: Two somebodies actually....where the hell are The French Mime Assassins?
CAT: Oh no! I hate mimes!
PERCY: They are just clowns that don't talk, and act out stuff.
CAT: I know! (whines) I hate clowns too!
PERCY: Better not let Redrum hear you say that.
Just then the opening orchestral flourish of La Marseillaise (The French National Anthem), kicks onto the arena loud speakers and hits the all in attendance like a blast of cold water. Eyes divert to the ramp expecting to see Comme Ci, and Comme Ca, The French Mime Assassins, only instead the dapper as always, (if not for some of the bruises and one black eye) form of Francis Ford Cuppola walks down the ramp, a microphone in one hand, his other arm in a cast and set to his body in a sling.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Hold it, hold it, hold it.
Classically Heel, his voice cuts through the music as he shakes his head in disappointment.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Cut this damn, stupid music. Fire the sound guy. Now, I know you didn't just make the biggest mistake of your lives playing the wrong theme song for this the soon-to-be massacre wrought by MY French Mime Assassins--
The national anthem continues to play. The French Mime Assassins stalk down to the ring, bumping Francis in between them as they do.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: --Oh. This is the real theme song.
The Mimes are oblivious of Francis as they jostle past him and down to the ring.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: All right. My work here is done.
Francis salutes his charges.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Give 'em hell, mimes!
Then winces in pain at his arm and walks back up the ramp. The French Mime Assassins appear to be a no nonsense duo, so upon them hopping onto the apron, and stepping into the ring, it's no surprise when they immediately start swinging. A-Ref & The-Ref on the outside call for the bell, as the French Mime Assassins wade into the fray, Comme Ci tagging Roy Baker, while Comme Ca pops Johnny Sykes. All hell breaks loose among the sixteen competitors, all save for Bryan Williams, who looks around the ring in disgust, and then turns, grabs the top rope, and hops right over it to land on his feet on the floor.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Bryan Williams has been.....er.....eliminated?
PERCY: What the hell was that?
CAT: I don't know, but it looks like Bryan Williams is done. The crowd is booing his decision, and he just waved off the crowd, and the ring, and is heading to the back. He sort of looks pissed.
PERCY: I can't believe this! The first elimination of the night, and he did it to himself!
CAT: Yeah, but the bigger story is what's going on in the ring! Look at what the Enhancement Talent are doing to the Midnight King!
The Lost Boyz, James Radford, and S.O.B. all rush Nirvana at the same time, burying him under their weight, and forcing him to the ground with a collective effort. Once on the ground, they pull back just far enough to lay the boots to him, while Redrum dances around the proceedings clapping and laughing like a mad clown. With their query laid out on the mat, they pull him up to his feet, and drag him over to the ropes. At the instruction of the deranged clown, The Lost Boyz hold him up by the arms against the top rope, while S.O.B. drops back to the center of the ring.
PERCY: It looks like the Enhancement Talent have Nirvana right where they want him, and are about to go for the elimination.
CAT: S.O.B. taking off with a big head of steam, WAIT!
PERCY: NIRVANA JUST BROKE FREE! He's dropping to a seated position, and took the top rope with him!
S.O.B. has no time to stop his momentum as he crashes into The Lost Boyz, and all three go tumbling over the top rope to the concrete below.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: S.O.B., Rufio, and Pan have been eliminated!
PERCY: Nirvana is getting out of dodge after that ordeal, while James Radford has come to the edge of the ring to check on his opponents. He's as shocked as we are.
CAT: S.O.B. doesn't look happy. He and the Lost Boyz are back on their feet, and they are arguing back and forth with each other.
PERCY: Hey, what the hell is Redrum doing?
Redrum slowly but surely sneaks his way behind James Radford, who's focus is still outside the ring where his compatriots are arguing. The deranged clown ducks down, grabs James by his thighs, and then lifts up abruptly, sending him tumbling over the top rope to land at his companion's feet.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: James Radford has been eliminated!
PERCY: The Enhancement Talent can't believe it! Redrum turned on them!
CAT: What do you expect from a psychotic clown? And just look at that ass up in the ring...
As The Enhancement Talent stare up at Redrum in shock and rage, Redrum simply shrugs in their direction, and begins to laugh hysterically. He is still guffawing when he turns back towards the interior of the ring, and is met by a vicious lariat by Nirvana that sends him thundering over the top rope to land in a heap at the betrayed's feet.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Redrum has been eliminated!
PERCY: Redrum just got a dose of his own medicine thanks to the Midnight King, and the Enhancement Talent are now looming over their leader.
CAT: Looks like we might get some post elimination beat downs out of this one!
As the Enhancement Talent contemplate their next move, Nirvana turns back to survey the ring just in time to see Johnny Sykes making an all out sprint in his direction. The wily veteran wastes little time in ducking his head, and when Sykes reaches him, he sends 'The Original Pranksta' up and over the top rope for elimination. Sykes, however, is able to grab the top rope on his way over, changing his direction to land on the ring apron instead. Nirvana turns back to make sure the deed is done, and upon seeing Sykes, makes the short trip to drive his shoulder into the man, sending him flying from the ring, and down onto the unsuspecting enhancement talent.
PERCY: SYKES JUST INADVERTANTLY WIPED OUT THE ENHANCEMENT TALENT!
CAT: Yeah...but...why hasn't Rhonda made the announcement?
PERCY: I don't know. A-Ref and The-Ref are over here inspecting....wait a minute. LOOK! Johnny Sykes never actually touched the floor. He's got his feet and arms in the air, and he's sitting directly on S.O.B.!
Sykes looks around, a bit panicked, but after a few seconds he rocks back, swinging his legs up onto his chest, and lying right across S.O.B.'s face in the process, before pushing his legs forward in a burst of speed, and kipping up to his feet. One foot on Rufio, the other on Pan. He then proceeds to hop across to James Radford, then onto Redrum's back, until finally making one more desperate leap for the ring apron, which he just barely lands.
PERCY: MY GOD! We've seen it all, now! Johnny Sykes just played hop scotch with the Enhancement Talent's bodies to keep from being eliminated!
CAT: That's pretty ingenious if you ask me, Percy.
Sykes slips into the ring, and lies down right beside the edge, hugging the bottom rope and grapevining it with his legs, while the fans cheer, laughing all the while.
PERCY: Sound, albeit strange, strategy by Johnny Sykes.
CAT: Hey! You can't be eliminated if you are on the ground.
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Roy Baker has managed to push Alexandra Kelly into the far corner, and is doing an effective job of keeping her off balance with vicious right hands, while Ava and Nova Wonder exchange chops in the corner across from them. The French Mime Assassins, using double team tactics, have effectively cut Flaming Youth off from the rest of the ring, using their own neutral corner to trade off giving the man brutal shots to the midsection and head. All the while, Amanda Reynolds hangs back in her own corner, not bothering to try and get involved with the other participants, and checking her nails in the process.
Nirvana watches Johnny Sykes hug the bottom rope, and shakes his head, turning to find better action. Upon surveying the ring, he stalks over to where the French Mime Assassins are, and grabs Comme Ci by the arm, spinning him around to pull him into his clutches, wrapping him up in a bear hug. The Assassin's feet leave the ground, as Nirvana backs up to the center of the ring, and like a real bear, jostles the Frenchman viciously, all while cinching up tighter and tighter on the back. Comme Ca turns to see this, and starts to aide his Mime brethren, when he himself is caught by the arm by Youth. When he turns to deal with his assailant, he's met with a vicious forearm that knocks him for a loop, and then he's spun to land in the corner that Youth had been laid up in. Youth proceeds to grab the top rope, and lay vicious boots into the man's midsection, until finally driving him down into a seated position. Once there, Youth takes the heel of his boot, and lays it across Comme Ca's neck, and uses the bottom turnbuckle like a vice, trying to pry the man's head right from his shoulders.
Roy Baker takes Alexandra Kelly by the wrist, and goes to whip her to the far side. No one had bothered to check and see if the way was clear, so when Kelly goes sailing across, she runs head long right into Nirvana and Comme Ci, still locked in the bear hug. She thunders to the mat as if she just ran into a tree, and Nirvana continues to exorcise his hold on the Mime.
Nova Wonder ends up winning the chopping battle with Ava, and now that 'Da Bomb Dot Com' is slumped in the corner, Nova lowers herself to get leverage, and tries with all her might to lift Ava out of the ring. Ava, who's rattled, but not out of the game, grabs onto the top rope, and struggles by kicking her feet, and making herself as much dead weight as possible, giving the self-proclaimed 'Wonder Woman' a hard time at it.
Roy Baker steps out of the corner, and reaches down to grab Kelly, but he's met with a stiff kick right to his face from The Pixie. The blow rings his bell, but he moves in once again, only to find another kick as equally vicious. Baker stumbles back, giving Kelly enough time to get up to her feet, and she rushes at the man, using her entire body to spring into a vicious European Uppercut that sends him sprawling back into the corner that they had come from.
PERCY: X-RAY BY KELLY TO ROY BAKER!
CAT: I can't keep up, Percy! There's too much action!
Amanda Reynolds warily keeps an eye on all over her opponents, and upon spying Ava in trouble, she rushes over, and moves into position to aide Nova Wonder in Da Bomb Dot Com's elimination. Meanwhile, Nirvana finally releases the bear hug on Comme Ci, who slumps to the ground clutching at his spine. The Midnight King turns to move in on where Alexandra Kelly is waylaying Roy Baker with piston like right hands, but is caught by surprise by the sudden appearance of Johnny Sykes. The Original Pranksta drives in hard right hands on Nirvana, knocking him back to the ropes, and then taking him by the wrist, and shooting him off to the far side. Nirvana rebounds, and Sykes rushes him from the opposite end, leaping into the air and taking Nirvana off his feet with a breath taking flying forearm. Sykes is back up quickly, and he pulls Nirvana up with him, before taking him by the hand, and shooting him off once more. This time, however, The Midnight King reverses, sending Sykes instead. Sykes thunders back, and Nirvana catches him with a overhead belly to belly suplex. The momentum is tremendous as Sykes somersaults into the air, and somehow, amazingly, like a cat, lands on the top rope. His legs are shaky as he tries to gain his balance, but he never gets the chance, as Nirvana bounds in, reaching up and nailing him in the back with a double ax handle. Sykes soars from the top rope to land hard on the steel reinforced announce table, sending drinks and papers flying everywhere.
PERCY: MY GOD! JOHNNY SYKES IS LYING RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF US!
CAT: This is too close for comfort, Percy! I'm too young to die!
PERCY: A-Ref and The-Ref are back over here, and....WHAT THE HELL?! They are saying that he hasn't been eliminated yet!
CAT: Well technically, his feet haven't touched the ground. Though with that grimace on his face, I'm thinking that might have been better for him.
PERCY: Well...on one hand, this reinforced steel table just saved Johnny Sykes from elimination. On the other hand, it might have broke his back!
As Johnny Sykes writhes in pain on the announce table, Nirvana turns back to his original plan, by rushing straight into the corner of Pixie and Roy Baker, and nailing both competitors with a big splash. Nirvana takes a few steps back, allowing the two crushed superstars to fall back out of the corner to the mat. Nirvana jerks up Roy Baker, and leads him into the unoccupied corner across the ring, and then proceeds to lift him up, and try and eliminate him. Roy struggles, grapevining the top rope, and refusing to be forced over. Comme Ci has finally gotten to his feet after the brutal bear hug, and stumble his way back over to where Flaming Youth is struggling to get his fellow Mime over the top rope. He delivers a hard forearm straight to Youth's back, taking the superstar by surprise, and dropping him to one knee. He then gets a handful of hair, and drags him out to the center of the ring, where he is soon joined by his partner. Both Mimes grab Youth around the throat, lift him up into the air, and then send him thundering down to the mat with a double choke slam.
PERCY: The French Mime Assassins just asserted their will and dominance on Flaming Youth, and if the other participants in this match don't start paying attention, these two could double team themselves to the finish!
CAT: Yeah, they don't seem to have the same problems that the Enhancement Talent did. They are working like a well oiled machine.
The Pixie gets up to her feet holding her ribs, and looks across the ring to where Nova Wonder and Amanda Reynolds have Ava in a harrowing predicament. She then looks over to where The Midnight King is still trying to eliminate Roy Baker, and then to the center where The French Mime Assassins have just laid waste to Flaming Youth. Seeing the two men as the largest possible threat, she hops up to the second rope, and calls out for them to get their attention. When the two Mimes turn to face her, she springs off the rope, and throws both legs out, boots connecting with the Mime's faces. All three hit the mat, but Kelly rolls back up to her feet, and she wastes no time in dropping down on Comme Ci, cradles his head, and begins firing right hands down into his skull. Comme Ca tries to get to his feet, but Kelly hops off of his partner, and rushes the man, knocking him back down, and dropping onto him to deliver much the same.
PERCY: Alexandra Kelly is single handedly taking on the Mimes, and it looks like Johnny Sykes is starting to stir on our table.
CAT: Watch the hands, grabby man!
Sykes shakes his head to the roar of the crowd as he gets back up to his feet right on the announce table, looking around as if on a deserted island. He looks back at the announcers in question, but all they have for him is a couple of shoulder shrugs. Finally, he calls for one of them to give up their chairs, and it's Percy who gives up his seat to The Original Pranksta. Sykes pulls the rolling chair around to the front of the announce table, steps down into it, and then shoves with all his might, sending the chair across the concrete to the safety of the ring apron on the other side. The Fans come alive with cheers as he hops up onto the apron. He follows it around one of the ring posts, until coming to the side where Nirvana is still struggling with Roy Baker. Signaling the crowd with a fist pump, Sykes rushes across the apron, throwing both feet out to catch Nirvana and Roy Baker with a drop kick. He lands on the apron as Roy falls back into the safety of the ring, and Nirvana holds his mask, stunned. Sykes is quick to get back to his feet, and he grabs the top rope, springboarding into the ring to catch Nirvana with a clothesline that takes him down to the mat.
PERCY: Johnny Sykes has reentered this match like a one man wrecking crew!
With Nirvana down, and taken by surprise, Sykes rushes back to their corner, and begins to climb. When he reaches the top, he doesn't bother pandering to the crowd, before leaping high into the air only to come crashing down onto Nirvana with a Frog Splash.
PERCY: VIVA LA JOHNNY!
CAT: That Nimrod's got enough momentum to win this thing!
Sykes comes up to his feet, holding his midsection, and turns to face whoever might be yet in his way. Just as he comes to face the center of the ring, however, Alexandra Kelly comes out of nowhere, leaping up to catch the man in a head scissors, and then spinning around to end up behind him, grabbing his left arm, and torquing back.
PERCY: THE ALEX EFFECT ON JOHNNY SYKES!
CAT: haha, that idiot can't catch a break!
PERCY: This might not eliminate him, but it sure as hell will wear him down so he can be!
As The Pixie continues to yank back on her patented submission, in the opposite corner, Ava manages to wriggle off the shoulders of Nova Wonder and Amanda Reynolds. When Reynolds turns to face her, she catches a Super Kick for her troubles, that sends her dangerously close to the ropes. Nova spins around just in time for Ava to recover her balance after the massive kick, and she goes for a boot to the midsection on the Wonder Woman, but is caught in the act. With firm control of Ava's boot, she spins the woman around, hooks her around the chin from behind, and then drops straight down to the mat while bringing both of her knee's up into Ava's spine for a double knee back breaker. Ava flounders off to the side clutching her back as Nova gets to her feet. She turns back to her temporary partner, only for Amanda Reynolds to reel out of the corner with a stiff forearm that takes Nova off her feet to land beside Ava.
PERCY: This action is insane! Would-Be Alliances turn to enemies at the drop of a hat!
CAT: Yeah, the only true team in this thing are French. They have no chance of winning with those kind of odds!
Youth has managed to roll over to an unoccupied corner, while The French Mime Assassins get back to their feet. They look over at the haggard young man, and then over to where Alexandra Kelly still has Sykes in The Alex Effect. Perceiving her as the true threat, the Assassins rush in. Unfortunately, they are met by an exploding clothesline from Roy Baker, who has finally regained his feet. The Assassins hit the mat, but bounce right back up, as Roy lays into Comme Ci with right hands, knocking him back towards the ropes. He takes the Mime by the wrist, and shoots him off to the opposite side, right for his tag partner, Comme Ca! Ca, seeing his partner barreling down on him, instinctively ducks his head, and sends Comme Ci up and over the top rope. Ci is able to grab the top rope on his way over, and he lands safely on the apron, immediately entering the ring, and shoving his partner. The two Mimes get in one another's faces, but instead of talking shit, begin using sign language and miming to communicate their displeasure with the other.
PERCY: Uh-Oh! It looks like The French Mime Assassins might be coming unglued.
CAT: Um....are they....having a Mime off?
The miming between the two becomes more animated, which creates the perfect distraction for Roy Baker, who bounces into the ropes for some spring, and then comes sailing across the ring for the two. Both Mimes turn at the same time to deal with this new threat, and both drop their heads this time, sending Roy Baker high into the air with a double back body drop. Baker completely clears the ropes, and lands with a sickening 'thud' on the concrete floor. The fans in the front row all wince, as Rhonda moves to make the announcement.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Roy Baker has been eliminated!
PERCY: Roy Baker just took a nasty landing on that elimination. I hope he's ok.
CAT: He looks to be moving, so I'll think he'll make it. But that's not the big story! Look!
Youth springs out of the corner he had been recouping in, and nails Comme Ci with a super kick to the jaw that sends the Mime crashing to the center of the ring.
PERCY: SLOW BURN BY YOUTH!
Comme Ca goes for a wild swing on his partners attacker, but Youth ducks it, hooking the Assassin around the midsection, and then taking him over with a German release suplex. Comme Ca lands awkwardly on his neck and shoulders, folding up like an accordion. Youth pops up, and throws his fists into the air, and the crowd goes nuts, right before his head is nearly taken off by a clothesline from Nirvana. The Midnight King jerks him up, and sends him head first into Alexandra Kelly, who still has Johnny Sykes in The Alex Effect. Pixie and Youth's head connect, causing her to release the hold, and both go down to the mat, as Sykes falls off to the side, damn near unconscious from the pain.
PERCY: That was almost a mercy for Johnny Sykes!
CAT: Yeah, he had been tapping for like the past minute, but there is no submission in this match.
Meanwhile, Nova Wonder has Amanda Reynolds by a fist full of hair, and is dangling her dangerously over the top rope. Ava gets to her feet, still holding her back, when she notices Nirvana starting to make his way towards Youth and Kelly. The Assassins have both rolled onto their stomachs, and are pushing up to their feet, so she takes the opportunity to rush from her end of the ring, spring across the backs of the half up Assassins, and then dive off, hooking Nirvana around the head as she goes, and taking him down to the mat with a brutal bull dog. She's just able to get to her feet, when The French Mime Assassins both come crashing in with a double back elbow, that sends her sailing backwards and through the middle and top rope, to land in a heap on the concrete floor.
PERCY: Ava with a beautiful bull dog on Nirvana, off the back of Comme Ca, no less, but the French Mime Assassins just nailed her, sending her through the ropes to the outside.
CAT: So she wasn't eliminated?
PERCY: Correct. She has to go over the top rope for that.
The French Mime Assassins survey their handiwork with satisfaction, and then turn back to the prone Nirvana, deciding to pick up where Ava left off. They pick the Midnight King up off the canvas, and each takes a wrist before sending him to the other side. As Nirvana comes back, the Mimes meet him in the center of the ring, ducking their heads for another double back drop. Instead, Nirvana stops short, hooking them both around the head, and falling back into a DDT.
PERCY: DOUBLE DDT BY NIRVANA!
CAT: This insane!
Reynolds manages to drive an elbow back into the face of Nova Wonder, knocking the woman away long enough for Amanda to get safely back into the ring. She then opens up on the stunned Wonder Woman with hard forearm shots to the jaw, rocking her back. Reynolds takes Nova by the wrist, and whips her hard into the closest corner. When Nova hit's her head snaps back awkwardly, and she instinctively grabs for her neck. Amanda wastes no time in rushing in with a clothesline to follow the whip lash, jamming her extended arm right across Nova's throat. Reynolds' doesn't let her hit the ground, instead, lowers herself to try and begin the process of pushing her over the top rope.
Youth and Alexandra Kelly both get vertical over in their corner, Sykes still down at their feet. Kelly is the first to strike, nailing Youth with a European upper cut that knocks him back into the ropes. Kelly moves in for another, but this time, Youth is able to duck his head between the middle and top rope, avoiding the blow. He does, however, manage to wrap his legs around The Pixie's midsection, and as she struggles to free herself, he sits down on the middle rope, reaching over the top with both arms, and hooks her in a sleeper hold.
PERCY: Are you kidding me! Youth has Alexandra Kelly in a grapevine sleeper hold.....THROUGH THE ROPES!
CAT: That guy's got as many innovative moves as Johnny Sykes has ways of staying in this match!
Nirvana gets to his feet, while the Assassins slowly work to do the same. Nirvana is the first one up, and he plows into Comme Ci with wide right hands, while Comme Ca wades in behind, driving forearms into The Midnight King's back. The three brawl with each other, as the crowd get to their feet with cheers, because with each strike the three get closer and closer to the ropes. Finally, Nirvana reaches out and grabs Comme Ci in a bear hug, shoving him against the ropes. Comme Ca continues to hammer down on Nirvana, switching from forearms to double ax handles. They teeter their against the ropes, rolling from one end to the other, when Ava suddenly appears on the ring apron, grabbing the top rope, and pulling down with all her might. The three competitors, completely caught up in their brawl for all, tip over the rope and tumble down to the outside. The fans laugh and cheer as Ava does a bow on the ring apron, before slipping back inside.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The French Mime Assassins and Nirvana have been eliminated!!
PERCY: WOW! The French Mime Assassins and Nirvana just eliminated one another with a little help from Ava!
CAT: Yeah, and it doesn't look like they're done either!
When the three eliminations get back to their feet, the brawl continues. Nirvana doing his best to hold his own against the two French Mimes. Just when it appears that the numbers game is going to get the better of him, Redrum appears out of nowhere, seemingly from the crowd, coming to The Midnight King's aide. The four continue to brawl all the way up the ramp, trading punches, chops, and kicks, before eventually disappearing behind the curtain.
PERCY: What the hell was Redrum doing back out here, and why was he helping Nirvana? Didn't he orchestrate that beat down earlier from the Enhancement Talent?
CAT: Maybe so, but you know what they say. Those old school carnies always stick together.
PERCY: Well the bigger story is, we only have six superstars left in this match!
Ava surveys the ring for which direction she might want to ply her trade, and upon seeing Kelly tied up in the ropes with Youth, she zeros in. Taking off in a sprint, Ava rushes the two competitors, ducking her head, and nailing Kelly with a spear, and by proxy burying The Pixie's midsection into Youth's as well. This sends Youth off balance, and he tumbles awkwardly down to the concrete floor on the back of his head. Pixie almost shares his fate, but Ava is able to hold onto the woman before she falls, pulling her out to the center of the ring, and signaling to the crowd that it's time for something special. Abandoning her hold on Kelly, she balls back into the ropes for spring, and comes sailing back across the ring at The Pixie. At the last second she rolls like a drop down to the mat, while throwing her legs out to straddle Kelly around the midsection. She then pushes up off the mat to rise high into the air, then swings her legs forwards, while simultaneously reaching up to hook Kelly around the head. Or she would have, if Kelly hadn't shoved her away at the last second. Ava comes down hard ass first on the canvas, and Kelly clutches at her midsection, as she looks on at Da Bomb Dot Com in disdain.
PERCY: Kelly averted a disaster there, as Ava was going for her finisher, Welcome To Candy Mountain.
CAT: Yeah, and it looks like she's got designs on her!
As Ava gets up to her feet holding her aching back, The Pixie comes in from behind her, grabbing her by the hair of the head, and the seat of her ring gear, and rushes her towards the side of the ring, tossing her right over the top rope to land hard on the ring apron, and then bounce out to the floor at ringside.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ava has been eliminated!!
PERCY: Ava ejected from the ring by Kelly, who's done some major damage in this match.
CAT: Indeed, but I don't think she see's what's coming at her now!
Amanda Reynolds has abandoned trying to get Nova over the top for the moment, and watches as Pixie looks out at the eliminated Ava in satisfaction. Just when she turns around, Amanda catches her with a running spear that takes the woman down hard to the mat. Amanda quickly scrambles to get on top of Pixie, mounting her with her knees in her shoulders, effectively pinning her arms. She then begins swinging rights and lefts down into the woman's face, until much to the surprise of everyone, Johnny Sykes comes out of nowhere, and grabs the woman from behind.
PERCY: Johnny Sykes has finally recovered enough after that damn near five minute Alex Effect to reenter this match!
CAT: Yeah, but what's he going to do? Amanda Reynolds is a woman, and Sykes doesn't hit women.
Sykes pulls Amanda off of Pixie, but the woman squirms and struggles until she frees herself, and spins around to face her new attacker. Sykes rares back to hit her, and the fans cheer wildly, but he hesitates, giving Amanda enough time to bury her foot in her abdomen with a soccer like kick. Johnny doubles over in shock and pain, and Amanda rushes in with a knee lift that drives him all the way over to the ropes. Before Amanda can follow up with anything else, Nova Wonder suddenly appears from a springboard from across the ring, sending a Pele kick right into Johnny's face, which sends him toppling over the top rope to land on the apron. He grabs at the ropes to keep himself from falling, and gets up to his feet, right about the time that Amanda Reynolds comes charging in at Nova Wonder. Nova ducks the woman's lariat only for Reynolds to crash into Johnny Sykes, who's sent from the ring apron like an ejector seat, coming to a wicked stop across the steel guard rail.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Johnny Sykes has been eliminated!
CAT: We're down to our final four, Percy!
PERCY: That's right, Cat! One of these four is going to be the #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship!
Amanda Reynolds spins around to face Nova Wonder, who comes firing in with vicious chops. She grabs the woman by the wrist, and sends her for the ride to the opposite side, when Youth appears on the ring apron, grabs the top rope, and drops down suddenly. When Amanda hits, it's only at about thigh height, and she stumbles over the top rope, to land in a nasty wipe out at ringside.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Amanda Reynolds has been eliminated!
PERCY: Flaming Youth coming in out of nowhere after he was dumped on his head on the outside!
CAT: Well, she can take that back to the GZW drawing board!
Nova's eyes narrow as she stares across the ring at Youth, and he flashes her his famous boyish grin in response. That's all the provocation she needs to rush across the ring towards him, while he springboards up to the ropes, and dives clear up and over her to land safely behind her. She doesn't stop her momentum, however, and hits off the ropes, as Youth rushes, and hit's off the ropes on the opposite side. The to come careening back at one another, and once near the center of the ring, both go for cross bodies. They nail each other across their midsections, and come flying apart to crash off to the side of one another.
Meanwhile, Alexandra Kelly picks herself up off the mat, and touches her swollen lip, drawing her fingertips back to see a smudge of blood. The look that comes over The Pixie is terrifying, but the fans come to their feet as she slowly turns to see the two superstars down in the ring.
CAT: Well, this doesn't look like it's going to end well.
PERCY: Yeah, we've seen that look on The Pixie's face before, and it usually spells the doom for someone.
Alex stalks forward as Youth tries to make it to his feet, and she lifts her leg, dropping straight down to take the man face first into the canvas with a short famasser. She's up quickly, turning towards Nova, who's made it partially up, and she comes rushing in, leaves her feet, and hooks Nova on the way down with a short DDT that spikes the womans head off the mat.
PERCY: PIXIE IS A ONE WOMAN WRECKING CREW!
She reaches down to get a handful of Nova Wonder's hair, and jerks the woman up to her feet, leading her over to a corner, and bouncing her head off the top turnbuckle. Nova falls into the corner, and Pixie turns her around, laying in right hands that rock the woman's head back. After a few more shots to the skull, Pixie grabs the middle rope on either side of Nova, and lowers her shoulder, thrusting it repeatedly into the woman's midsection without relent. When she finally stops, Nova slumps to a seated position in front of her, and Pixie back peddles towards the center of the ring to get a running go. The crowd is electric in anticipation, or so she thinks, until she feels a tap on her shoulder. When she turns around, she's met with a wink from Youth, who hops to the side, and fires an explosive super kick that damn near takes the woman's head off.
PERCY: GOOD GOD! SLOW BURN FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT!
CAT: That's a home run if I ever saw one!
Youth reaches down, pulling the smaller Pixie up to her feet, and grabs her by the scruff of the neck before running her towards the ropes to toss her out. He manages to heave her head first over the top, but she grabs the rope on her way down, and lands on the ring apron instead. He commences to stomping at her to try and get her to fall, and she teeters on the edge, loosing one hand hold, and swinging one of her legs just above the floor.
PERCY: Youth is so entrenched with Pixie, he has no idea that Nova just pulled herself up out of the corner!
CAT: I got a feeling he won't be able to wink his way out of this one.
As Youth changes the focus of his kicks from Kelly's midsection, to her one remaining hand, Nova Wonder takes off in a sprint, leaps into a front flip, and extends her right leg to catch the man right in the back of his head. The forward momentum of the kick sends him springing over the top rope, to land in a seated position on the concrete floor below.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Flaming Youth has been eliminated!!
PERCY: Nova Wonder calls that Koppu Kick the Nebula Collision, and it just sent Youth spiraling out of this match!
CAT: Yeah, and if the bitch hurries, she might get a two for one, and win the whole damn thing.
Nova quickly comes up to her feet, and goes to stomp down on Alexandra Kelly, but The Pixie has all the time she needed with Youth's elimination, to roll up out of the kick, and uses the ropes to pull her up to her feet on the ring apron. Wonder Woman goes for another Pele kick to Kelly on the apron, but Alex ducks low, allowing the foot to go over her head, and Nova to land on her stomach in the ring. Nova scrambles to get up to her feet, but Pixie is already inside, and she dives on her, driving her back to the mat with an elbow drop down across the head. She then gets swiftly to her knee's, grabs the side of Nova's face, and begins driving her right knee into the woman's face with short, stinging blows. Both woman work their way up to their feet, both pawing and clawing at each other, when Pixie suddenly tosses Nova's hands away from her, boots her in the midsection, and hooks her around the back of the head, abruptly dropping to one knee while the other is driven into Nova's face. Wonder Woman's head snaps back, and she stumbles over against the edge of the ring, her back leaning heavily against the top rope to keep her upright.
PERCY: Kelly with The National Anthem, and she's pushing up off that knee to rush at Nova....WHO SIDE STEPPED HER! Kelly bouncing chest first off the ropes, and stumbling back....Nova Wonder with a springboard, looking for a DDT, BUT KELLY WITH A YAKUZA KICK RIGHT TO HER FACE!!
CAT: Oh damn! That was brutal!
Alexandra Kelly, breathing hard from the grueling toll of a match like this, comes up to her feet, and drags Nova Wonder with her. She bends down, hoisting Nova up onto her shoulders, and slowly makes her way towards the edge of the ring with the starlet in tow. Just as she reaches the ropes, Nova begins to struggle, and she manages to unhinge herself from Kelly's shoulders, and land behind her. When Pixie whirls around, Nova throws her foot up into Kelly's chin, grabs her by both arms, and falls straight back. The Pixie's jaw snaps off the end of Nova's boot, and she hurtles backwards to drape herself across the ropes. Nova gets to her knee's, and then explodes forwards with a clothesline that sends her and The Pixie over the top rope. Kelly solidly hit's the floor, while Nova hangs from the top rope, using it to pull herself back into the ring.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Alexandra Kelly has been eliminated! The winner of this match, and your new #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship, NOVA WONDER!!
Nova Wonder gets to her feet, and throws her fists over head in victory as the fans roar their approval. Alexandra Kelly sits on the floor for a second in disbelief before moving to get to her feet. A-Ref moves in to try and help her, but she jerks her arm away from the concerned referee, and casts a glance into the ring that said this wasn't over by a long shot. She got a few 'Pixie' calls from the crowd as she stalked up the ramp, while Nova continued celebrating in the ring.
PERCY: She did it! Wonder Woman did it!
CAT: I can't believe it. To be honest, I thought Pixie would win this thing.
PERCY: I think that was what all the bookies thought too, but if you bet against the house, then you just racked up big with Nova Wonder.
CAT: Maybe so, but I don't know if Pixie's going to let her live with this victory.
PERCY: Only time will tell, Cat, but for right now, I hear we have a prospective superstar who's having some trouble outside the arena.
CAT: That's right, and it features some of the finest names here in PAW, along with a few of those that aren't so fine.
PERCY: ANDDDD....The winner of this match will have the right to claim the #1 Contendership to the Titans of the Midway Championship!
CAT: What are we waiting for, let's see who it's gonna be!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ladies and Gentleman, this is the Sixteen Man Battle Royal! The rules are simple. All sixteen superstars will begin in the ring, and the only way to eliminate your opponents is by sending them up and over the top rope, where both feet must touch the ground. The last superstar in the ring will be declared the winner, and the #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship!
“A Warrior’s Call” by Volbeat, the official music of PAW, fires out over the speakers and the curtain is pulled back from behind the stage. The first wrestlers through the entrance are the enhancement talent, led to the ring by their deranged clown leader.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first, 'The Cotton Candy Savior' REDRUM, THE LOST BOYZ, PAN & RUFIO, 'COUNTRY FINE' JAMES RADFORD, and S.O.B.!!!
PERCY: It looks like Redrum is leading his boys to charge, and you know, that's probably going to be pretty good strategy.
CAT: How do you figure?
PERCY: Think about it, Cat. What better way to survive a Battle Royal than by working as a team to eliminate the competition, and then working it out among yourself over the winner.
CAT: Damn, who would have figured that idiot clown for a strategist.
Soon after the procession has made their way halfway down the ramp, the Laviathon appears on the stage, soon followed by the Wondergirl.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Next is BRYAN WILLIAMS!! And NOVA WONDER!!
After that comes 'The Original Pranksta' and 'Da Bomb Dot Com'.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Followed by JOHNNY SYKES and AVA!!!
Amanda Reynolds appears at the top of the stage, clearly unhappy of being forced to compete here tonight with the likes of the PAW roster.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: GZW's Amanda Reynolds everybody....anyone....Beuler....Beuler....
PERCY: Rhonda having some fun at the Globalster's expense, and I can't say I blame her. Tensions have been high ever since GZW first made their appearance here on PAW, but now Amanda Reynolds is about to step in the ring with all of those superstars she said were beneath her.
CAT: Who knows, Percy, she might surprise us.
Then The Midnight King appears, pausing just long enough to adjust his mask.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Making his way to the ring, NIRVANA!!
The Prince follows as Nirvana makes his way down the ramp.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Coming in now is ROY BAKER!!
PERCY: Baker came up short after that fantastic Triple Threat at WICKED#11, but he's got a chance to redeem himself here tonight in a big way.
CAT: Yeah, well Alexandra Kelly has been putting the whole locker room notice since she arrived her in PAW, but last week put an exclamation point on it!
As if her ears were burning, The Pixie appears, a devilish grin on her face as she starts down to the ring.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing next, ALEXANDRA KELLY!!
Kelly waves at a few of the die hard Pixie fans in the crowd, before hopping up on the apron, and stepping into the packed ring. The tension was palpable as the superstars tried to find a spot where they weren't touching another. The enhancement talent huddled together in the far corner, Redrum sitting on the top turnbuckle, quietly giving them instructions. A-Ref went to signal for the bell, but Rhonda held up her hand in confusion, showing him her cue card with a questioning expression.
CAT: Hey...aren't we missing somebody?
PERCY: Two somebodies actually....where the hell are The French Mime Assassins?
CAT: Oh no! I hate mimes!
PERCY: They are just clowns that don't talk, and act out stuff.
CAT: I know! (whines) I hate clowns too!
PERCY: Better not let Redrum hear you say that.
Just then the opening orchestral flourish of La Marseillaise (The French National Anthem), kicks onto the arena loud speakers and hits the all in attendance like a blast of cold water. Eyes divert to the ramp expecting to see Comme Ci, and Comme Ca, The French Mime Assassins, only instead the dapper as always, (if not for some of the bruises and one black eye) form of Francis Ford Cuppola walks down the ramp, a microphone in one hand, his other arm in a cast and set to his body in a sling.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Hold it, hold it, hold it.
Classically Heel, his voice cuts through the music as he shakes his head in disappointment.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Cut this damn, stupid music. Fire the sound guy. Now, I know you didn't just make the biggest mistake of your lives playing the wrong theme song for this the soon-to-be massacre wrought by MY French Mime Assassins--
The national anthem continues to play. The French Mime Assassins stalk down to the ring, bumping Francis in between them as they do.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: --Oh. This is the real theme song.
The Mimes are oblivious of Francis as they jostle past him and down to the ring.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: All right. My work here is done.
Francis salutes his charges.
FRANCIS FORD CUPPOLA: Give 'em hell, mimes!
Then winces in pain at his arm and walks back up the ramp. The French Mime Assassins appear to be a no nonsense duo, so upon them hopping onto the apron, and stepping into the ring, it's no surprise when they immediately start swinging. A-Ref & The-Ref on the outside call for the bell, as the French Mime Assassins wade into the fray, Comme Ci tagging Roy Baker, while Comme Ca pops Johnny Sykes. All hell breaks loose among the sixteen competitors, all save for Bryan Williams, who looks around the ring in disgust, and then turns, grabs the top rope, and hops right over it to land on his feet on the floor.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Bryan Williams has been.....er.....eliminated?
PERCY: What the hell was that?
CAT: I don't know, but it looks like Bryan Williams is done. The crowd is booing his decision, and he just waved off the crowd, and the ring, and is heading to the back. He sort of looks pissed.
PERCY: I can't believe this! The first elimination of the night, and he did it to himself!
CAT: Yeah, but the bigger story is what's going on in the ring! Look at what the Enhancement Talent are doing to the Midnight King!
The Lost Boyz, James Radford, and S.O.B. all rush Nirvana at the same time, burying him under their weight, and forcing him to the ground with a collective effort. Once on the ground, they pull back just far enough to lay the boots to him, while Redrum dances around the proceedings clapping and laughing like a mad clown. With their query laid out on the mat, they pull him up to his feet, and drag him over to the ropes. At the instruction of the deranged clown, The Lost Boyz hold him up by the arms against the top rope, while S.O.B. drops back to the center of the ring.
PERCY: It looks like the Enhancement Talent have Nirvana right where they want him, and are about to go for the elimination.
CAT: S.O.B. taking off with a big head of steam, WAIT!
PERCY: NIRVANA JUST BROKE FREE! He's dropping to a seated position, and took the top rope with him!
S.O.B. has no time to stop his momentum as he crashes into The Lost Boyz, and all three go tumbling over the top rope to the concrete below.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: S.O.B., Rufio, and Pan have been eliminated!
PERCY: Nirvana is getting out of dodge after that ordeal, while James Radford has come to the edge of the ring to check on his opponents. He's as shocked as we are.
CAT: S.O.B. doesn't look happy. He and the Lost Boyz are back on their feet, and they are arguing back and forth with each other.
PERCY: Hey, what the hell is Redrum doing?
Redrum slowly but surely sneaks his way behind James Radford, who's focus is still outside the ring where his compatriots are arguing. The deranged clown ducks down, grabs James by his thighs, and then lifts up abruptly, sending him tumbling over the top rope to land at his companion's feet.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: James Radford has been eliminated!
PERCY: The Enhancement Talent can't believe it! Redrum turned on them!
CAT: What do you expect from a psychotic clown? And just look at that ass up in the ring...
As The Enhancement Talent stare up at Redrum in shock and rage, Redrum simply shrugs in their direction, and begins to laugh hysterically. He is still guffawing when he turns back towards the interior of the ring, and is met by a vicious lariat by Nirvana that sends him thundering over the top rope to land in a heap at the betrayed's feet.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Redrum has been eliminated!
PERCY: Redrum just got a dose of his own medicine thanks to the Midnight King, and the Enhancement Talent are now looming over their leader.
CAT: Looks like we might get some post elimination beat downs out of this one!
As the Enhancement Talent contemplate their next move, Nirvana turns back to survey the ring just in time to see Johnny Sykes making an all out sprint in his direction. The wily veteran wastes little time in ducking his head, and when Sykes reaches him, he sends 'The Original Pranksta' up and over the top rope for elimination. Sykes, however, is able to grab the top rope on his way over, changing his direction to land on the ring apron instead. Nirvana turns back to make sure the deed is done, and upon seeing Sykes, makes the short trip to drive his shoulder into the man, sending him flying from the ring, and down onto the unsuspecting enhancement talent.
PERCY: SYKES JUST INADVERTANTLY WIPED OUT THE ENHANCEMENT TALENT!
CAT: Yeah...but...why hasn't Rhonda made the announcement?
PERCY: I don't know. A-Ref and The-Ref are over here inspecting....wait a minute. LOOK! Johnny Sykes never actually touched the floor. He's got his feet and arms in the air, and he's sitting directly on S.O.B.!
Sykes looks around, a bit panicked, but after a few seconds he rocks back, swinging his legs up onto his chest, and lying right across S.O.B.'s face in the process, before pushing his legs forward in a burst of speed, and kipping up to his feet. One foot on Rufio, the other on Pan. He then proceeds to hop across to James Radford, then onto Redrum's back, until finally making one more desperate leap for the ring apron, which he just barely lands.
PERCY: MY GOD! We've seen it all, now! Johnny Sykes just played hop scotch with the Enhancement Talent's bodies to keep from being eliminated!
CAT: That's pretty ingenious if you ask me, Percy.
Sykes slips into the ring, and lies down right beside the edge, hugging the bottom rope and grapevining it with his legs, while the fans cheer, laughing all the while.
PERCY: Sound, albeit strange, strategy by Johnny Sykes.
CAT: Hey! You can't be eliminated if you are on the ground.
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Roy Baker has managed to push Alexandra Kelly into the far corner, and is doing an effective job of keeping her off balance with vicious right hands, while Ava and Nova Wonder exchange chops in the corner across from them. The French Mime Assassins, using double team tactics, have effectively cut Flaming Youth off from the rest of the ring, using their own neutral corner to trade off giving the man brutal shots to the midsection and head. All the while, Amanda Reynolds hangs back in her own corner, not bothering to try and get involved with the other participants, and checking her nails in the process.
Nirvana watches Johnny Sykes hug the bottom rope, and shakes his head, turning to find better action. Upon surveying the ring, he stalks over to where the French Mime Assassins are, and grabs Comme Ci by the arm, spinning him around to pull him into his clutches, wrapping him up in a bear hug. The Assassin's feet leave the ground, as Nirvana backs up to the center of the ring, and like a real bear, jostles the Frenchman viciously, all while cinching up tighter and tighter on the back. Comme Ca turns to see this, and starts to aide his Mime brethren, when he himself is caught by the arm by Youth. When he turns to deal with his assailant, he's met with a vicious forearm that knocks him for a loop, and then he's spun to land in the corner that Youth had been laid up in. Youth proceeds to grab the top rope, and lay vicious boots into the man's midsection, until finally driving him down into a seated position. Once there, Youth takes the heel of his boot, and lays it across Comme Ca's neck, and uses the bottom turnbuckle like a vice, trying to pry the man's head right from his shoulders.
Roy Baker takes Alexandra Kelly by the wrist, and goes to whip her to the far side. No one had bothered to check and see if the way was clear, so when Kelly goes sailing across, she runs head long right into Nirvana and Comme Ci, still locked in the bear hug. She thunders to the mat as if she just ran into a tree, and Nirvana continues to exorcise his hold on the Mime.
Nova Wonder ends up winning the chopping battle with Ava, and now that 'Da Bomb Dot Com' is slumped in the corner, Nova lowers herself to get leverage, and tries with all her might to lift Ava out of the ring. Ava, who's rattled, but not out of the game, grabs onto the top rope, and struggles by kicking her feet, and making herself as much dead weight as possible, giving the self-proclaimed 'Wonder Woman' a hard time at it.
Roy Baker steps out of the corner, and reaches down to grab Kelly, but he's met with a stiff kick right to his face from The Pixie. The blow rings his bell, but he moves in once again, only to find another kick as equally vicious. Baker stumbles back, giving Kelly enough time to get up to her feet, and she rushes at the man, using her entire body to spring into a vicious European Uppercut that sends him sprawling back into the corner that they had come from.
PERCY: X-RAY BY KELLY TO ROY BAKER!
CAT: I can't keep up, Percy! There's too much action!
Amanda Reynolds warily keeps an eye on all over her opponents, and upon spying Ava in trouble, she rushes over, and moves into position to aide Nova Wonder in Da Bomb Dot Com's elimination. Meanwhile, Nirvana finally releases the bear hug on Comme Ci, who slumps to the ground clutching at his spine. The Midnight King turns to move in on where Alexandra Kelly is waylaying Roy Baker with piston like right hands, but is caught by surprise by the sudden appearance of Johnny Sykes. The Original Pranksta drives in hard right hands on Nirvana, knocking him back to the ropes, and then taking him by the wrist, and shooting him off to the far side. Nirvana rebounds, and Sykes rushes him from the opposite end, leaping into the air and taking Nirvana off his feet with a breath taking flying forearm. Sykes is back up quickly, and he pulls Nirvana up with him, before taking him by the hand, and shooting him off once more. This time, however, The Midnight King reverses, sending Sykes instead. Sykes thunders back, and Nirvana catches him with a overhead belly to belly suplex. The momentum is tremendous as Sykes somersaults into the air, and somehow, amazingly, like a cat, lands on the top rope. His legs are shaky as he tries to gain his balance, but he never gets the chance, as Nirvana bounds in, reaching up and nailing him in the back with a double ax handle. Sykes soars from the top rope to land hard on the steel reinforced announce table, sending drinks and papers flying everywhere.
PERCY: MY GOD! JOHNNY SYKES IS LYING RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF US!
CAT: This is too close for comfort, Percy! I'm too young to die!
PERCY: A-Ref and The-Ref are back over here, and....WHAT THE HELL?! They are saying that he hasn't been eliminated yet!
CAT: Well technically, his feet haven't touched the ground. Though with that grimace on his face, I'm thinking that might have been better for him.
PERCY: Well...on one hand, this reinforced steel table just saved Johnny Sykes from elimination. On the other hand, it might have broke his back!
As Johnny Sykes writhes in pain on the announce table, Nirvana turns back to his original plan, by rushing straight into the corner of Pixie and Roy Baker, and nailing both competitors with a big splash. Nirvana takes a few steps back, allowing the two crushed superstars to fall back out of the corner to the mat. Nirvana jerks up Roy Baker, and leads him into the unoccupied corner across the ring, and then proceeds to lift him up, and try and eliminate him. Roy struggles, grapevining the top rope, and refusing to be forced over. Comme Ci has finally gotten to his feet after the brutal bear hug, and stumble his way back over to where Flaming Youth is struggling to get his fellow Mime over the top rope. He delivers a hard forearm straight to Youth's back, taking the superstar by surprise, and dropping him to one knee. He then gets a handful of hair, and drags him out to the center of the ring, where he is soon joined by his partner. Both Mimes grab Youth around the throat, lift him up into the air, and then send him thundering down to the mat with a double choke slam.
PERCY: The French Mime Assassins just asserted their will and dominance on Flaming Youth, and if the other participants in this match don't start paying attention, these two could double team themselves to the finish!
CAT: Yeah, they don't seem to have the same problems that the Enhancement Talent did. They are working like a well oiled machine.
The Pixie gets up to her feet holding her ribs, and looks across the ring to where Nova Wonder and Amanda Reynolds have Ava in a harrowing predicament. She then looks over to where The Midnight King is still trying to eliminate Roy Baker, and then to the center where The French Mime Assassins have just laid waste to Flaming Youth. Seeing the two men as the largest possible threat, she hops up to the second rope, and calls out for them to get their attention. When the two Mimes turn to face her, she springs off the rope, and throws both legs out, boots connecting with the Mime's faces. All three hit the mat, but Kelly rolls back up to her feet, and she wastes no time in dropping down on Comme Ci, cradles his head, and begins firing right hands down into his skull. Comme Ca tries to get to his feet, but Kelly hops off of his partner, and rushes the man, knocking him back down, and dropping onto him to deliver much the same.
PERCY: Alexandra Kelly is single handedly taking on the Mimes, and it looks like Johnny Sykes is starting to stir on our table.
CAT: Watch the hands, grabby man!
Sykes shakes his head to the roar of the crowd as he gets back up to his feet right on the announce table, looking around as if on a deserted island. He looks back at the announcers in question, but all they have for him is a couple of shoulder shrugs. Finally, he calls for one of them to give up their chairs, and it's Percy who gives up his seat to The Original Pranksta. Sykes pulls the rolling chair around to the front of the announce table, steps down into it, and then shoves with all his might, sending the chair across the concrete to the safety of the ring apron on the other side. The Fans come alive with cheers as he hops up onto the apron. He follows it around one of the ring posts, until coming to the side where Nirvana is still struggling with Roy Baker. Signaling the crowd with a fist pump, Sykes rushes across the apron, throwing both feet out to catch Nirvana and Roy Baker with a drop kick. He lands on the apron as Roy falls back into the safety of the ring, and Nirvana holds his mask, stunned. Sykes is quick to get back to his feet, and he grabs the top rope, springboarding into the ring to catch Nirvana with a clothesline that takes him down to the mat.
PERCY: Johnny Sykes has reentered this match like a one man wrecking crew!
With Nirvana down, and taken by surprise, Sykes rushes back to their corner, and begins to climb. When he reaches the top, he doesn't bother pandering to the crowd, before leaping high into the air only to come crashing down onto Nirvana with a Frog Splash.
PERCY: VIVA LA JOHNNY!
CAT: That Nimrod's got enough momentum to win this thing!
Sykes comes up to his feet, holding his midsection, and turns to face whoever might be yet in his way. Just as he comes to face the center of the ring, however, Alexandra Kelly comes out of nowhere, leaping up to catch the man in a head scissors, and then spinning around to end up behind him, grabbing his left arm, and torquing back.
PERCY: THE ALEX EFFECT ON JOHNNY SYKES!
CAT: haha, that idiot can't catch a break!
PERCY: This might not eliminate him, but it sure as hell will wear him down so he can be!
As The Pixie continues to yank back on her patented submission, in the opposite corner, Ava manages to wriggle off the shoulders of Nova Wonder and Amanda Reynolds. When Reynolds turns to face her, she catches a Super Kick for her troubles, that sends her dangerously close to the ropes. Nova spins around just in time for Ava to recover her balance after the massive kick, and she goes for a boot to the midsection on the Wonder Woman, but is caught in the act. With firm control of Ava's boot, she spins the woman around, hooks her around the chin from behind, and then drops straight down to the mat while bringing both of her knee's up into Ava's spine for a double knee back breaker. Ava flounders off to the side clutching her back as Nova gets to her feet. She turns back to her temporary partner, only for Amanda Reynolds to reel out of the corner with a stiff forearm that takes Nova off her feet to land beside Ava.
PERCY: This action is insane! Would-Be Alliances turn to enemies at the drop of a hat!
CAT: Yeah, the only true team in this thing are French. They have no chance of winning with those kind of odds!
Youth has managed to roll over to an unoccupied corner, while The French Mime Assassins get back to their feet. They look over at the haggard young man, and then over to where Alexandra Kelly still has Sykes in The Alex Effect. Perceiving her as the true threat, the Assassins rush in. Unfortunately, they are met by an exploding clothesline from Roy Baker, who has finally regained his feet. The Assassins hit the mat, but bounce right back up, as Roy lays into Comme Ci with right hands, knocking him back towards the ropes. He takes the Mime by the wrist, and shoots him off to the opposite side, right for his tag partner, Comme Ca! Ca, seeing his partner barreling down on him, instinctively ducks his head, and sends Comme Ci up and over the top rope. Ci is able to grab the top rope on his way over, and he lands safely on the apron, immediately entering the ring, and shoving his partner. The two Mimes get in one another's faces, but instead of talking shit, begin using sign language and miming to communicate their displeasure with the other.
PERCY: Uh-Oh! It looks like The French Mime Assassins might be coming unglued.
CAT: Um....are they....having a Mime off?
The miming between the two becomes more animated, which creates the perfect distraction for Roy Baker, who bounces into the ropes for some spring, and then comes sailing across the ring for the two. Both Mimes turn at the same time to deal with this new threat, and both drop their heads this time, sending Roy Baker high into the air with a double back body drop. Baker completely clears the ropes, and lands with a sickening 'thud' on the concrete floor. The fans in the front row all wince, as Rhonda moves to make the announcement.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Roy Baker has been eliminated!
PERCY: Roy Baker just took a nasty landing on that elimination. I hope he's ok.
CAT: He looks to be moving, so I'll think he'll make it. But that's not the big story! Look!
Youth springs out of the corner he had been recouping in, and nails Comme Ci with a super kick to the jaw that sends the Mime crashing to the center of the ring.
PERCY: SLOW BURN BY YOUTH!
Comme Ca goes for a wild swing on his partners attacker, but Youth ducks it, hooking the Assassin around the midsection, and then taking him over with a German release suplex. Comme Ca lands awkwardly on his neck and shoulders, folding up like an accordion. Youth pops up, and throws his fists into the air, and the crowd goes nuts, right before his head is nearly taken off by a clothesline from Nirvana. The Midnight King jerks him up, and sends him head first into Alexandra Kelly, who still has Johnny Sykes in The Alex Effect. Pixie and Youth's head connect, causing her to release the hold, and both go down to the mat, as Sykes falls off to the side, damn near unconscious from the pain.
PERCY: That was almost a mercy for Johnny Sykes!
CAT: Yeah, he had been tapping for like the past minute, but there is no submission in this match.
Meanwhile, Nova Wonder has Amanda Reynolds by a fist full of hair, and is dangling her dangerously over the top rope. Ava gets to her feet, still holding her back, when she notices Nirvana starting to make his way towards Youth and Kelly. The Assassins have both rolled onto their stomachs, and are pushing up to their feet, so she takes the opportunity to rush from her end of the ring, spring across the backs of the half up Assassins, and then dive off, hooking Nirvana around the head as she goes, and taking him down to the mat with a brutal bull dog. She's just able to get to her feet, when The French Mime Assassins both come crashing in with a double back elbow, that sends her sailing backwards and through the middle and top rope, to land in a heap on the concrete floor.
PERCY: Ava with a beautiful bull dog on Nirvana, off the back of Comme Ca, no less, but the French Mime Assassins just nailed her, sending her through the ropes to the outside.
CAT: So she wasn't eliminated?
PERCY: Correct. She has to go over the top rope for that.
The French Mime Assassins survey their handiwork with satisfaction, and then turn back to the prone Nirvana, deciding to pick up where Ava left off. They pick the Midnight King up off the canvas, and each takes a wrist before sending him to the other side. As Nirvana comes back, the Mimes meet him in the center of the ring, ducking their heads for another double back drop. Instead, Nirvana stops short, hooking them both around the head, and falling back into a DDT.
PERCY: DOUBLE DDT BY NIRVANA!
CAT: This insane!
Reynolds manages to drive an elbow back into the face of Nova Wonder, knocking the woman away long enough for Amanda to get safely back into the ring. She then opens up on the stunned Wonder Woman with hard forearm shots to the jaw, rocking her back. Reynolds takes Nova by the wrist, and whips her hard into the closest corner. When Nova hit's her head snaps back awkwardly, and she instinctively grabs for her neck. Amanda wastes no time in rushing in with a clothesline to follow the whip lash, jamming her extended arm right across Nova's throat. Reynolds' doesn't let her hit the ground, instead, lowers herself to try and begin the process of pushing her over the top rope.
Youth and Alexandra Kelly both get vertical over in their corner, Sykes still down at their feet. Kelly is the first to strike, nailing Youth with a European upper cut that knocks him back into the ropes. Kelly moves in for another, but this time, Youth is able to duck his head between the middle and top rope, avoiding the blow. He does, however, manage to wrap his legs around The Pixie's midsection, and as she struggles to free herself, he sits down on the middle rope, reaching over the top with both arms, and hooks her in a sleeper hold.
PERCY: Are you kidding me! Youth has Alexandra Kelly in a grapevine sleeper hold.....THROUGH THE ROPES!
CAT: That guy's got as many innovative moves as Johnny Sykes has ways of staying in this match!
Nirvana gets to his feet, while the Assassins slowly work to do the same. Nirvana is the first one up, and he plows into Comme Ci with wide right hands, while Comme Ca wades in behind, driving forearms into The Midnight King's back. The three brawl with each other, as the crowd get to their feet with cheers, because with each strike the three get closer and closer to the ropes. Finally, Nirvana reaches out and grabs Comme Ci in a bear hug, shoving him against the ropes. Comme Ca continues to hammer down on Nirvana, switching from forearms to double ax handles. They teeter their against the ropes, rolling from one end to the other, when Ava suddenly appears on the ring apron, grabbing the top rope, and pulling down with all her might. The three competitors, completely caught up in their brawl for all, tip over the rope and tumble down to the outside. The fans laugh and cheer as Ava does a bow on the ring apron, before slipping back inside.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The French Mime Assassins and Nirvana have been eliminated!!
PERCY: WOW! The French Mime Assassins and Nirvana just eliminated one another with a little help from Ava!
CAT: Yeah, and it doesn't look like they're done either!
When the three eliminations get back to their feet, the brawl continues. Nirvana doing his best to hold his own against the two French Mimes. Just when it appears that the numbers game is going to get the better of him, Redrum appears out of nowhere, seemingly from the crowd, coming to The Midnight King's aide. The four continue to brawl all the way up the ramp, trading punches, chops, and kicks, before eventually disappearing behind the curtain.
PERCY: What the hell was Redrum doing back out here, and why was he helping Nirvana? Didn't he orchestrate that beat down earlier from the Enhancement Talent?
CAT: Maybe so, but you know what they say. Those old school carnies always stick together.
PERCY: Well the bigger story is, we only have six superstars left in this match!
Ava surveys the ring for which direction she might want to ply her trade, and upon seeing Kelly tied up in the ropes with Youth, she zeros in. Taking off in a sprint, Ava rushes the two competitors, ducking her head, and nailing Kelly with a spear, and by proxy burying The Pixie's midsection into Youth's as well. This sends Youth off balance, and he tumbles awkwardly down to the concrete floor on the back of his head. Pixie almost shares his fate, but Ava is able to hold onto the woman before she falls, pulling her out to the center of the ring, and signaling to the crowd that it's time for something special. Abandoning her hold on Kelly, she balls back into the ropes for spring, and comes sailing back across the ring at The Pixie. At the last second she rolls like a drop down to the mat, while throwing her legs out to straddle Kelly around the midsection. She then pushes up off the mat to rise high into the air, then swings her legs forwards, while simultaneously reaching up to hook Kelly around the head. Or she would have, if Kelly hadn't shoved her away at the last second. Ava comes down hard ass first on the canvas, and Kelly clutches at her midsection, as she looks on at Da Bomb Dot Com in disdain.
PERCY: Kelly averted a disaster there, as Ava was going for her finisher, Welcome To Candy Mountain.
CAT: Yeah, and it looks like she's got designs on her!
As Ava gets up to her feet holding her aching back, The Pixie comes in from behind her, grabbing her by the hair of the head, and the seat of her ring gear, and rushes her towards the side of the ring, tossing her right over the top rope to land hard on the ring apron, and then bounce out to the floor at ringside.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ava has been eliminated!!
PERCY: Ava ejected from the ring by Kelly, who's done some major damage in this match.
CAT: Indeed, but I don't think she see's what's coming at her now!
Amanda Reynolds has abandoned trying to get Nova over the top for the moment, and watches as Pixie looks out at the eliminated Ava in satisfaction. Just when she turns around, Amanda catches her with a running spear that takes the woman down hard to the mat. Amanda quickly scrambles to get on top of Pixie, mounting her with her knees in her shoulders, effectively pinning her arms. She then begins swinging rights and lefts down into the woman's face, until much to the surprise of everyone, Johnny Sykes comes out of nowhere, and grabs the woman from behind.
PERCY: Johnny Sykes has finally recovered enough after that damn near five minute Alex Effect to reenter this match!
CAT: Yeah, but what's he going to do? Amanda Reynolds is a woman, and Sykes doesn't hit women.
Sykes pulls Amanda off of Pixie, but the woman squirms and struggles until she frees herself, and spins around to face her new attacker. Sykes rares back to hit her, and the fans cheer wildly, but he hesitates, giving Amanda enough time to bury her foot in her abdomen with a soccer like kick. Johnny doubles over in shock and pain, and Amanda rushes in with a knee lift that drives him all the way over to the ropes. Before Amanda can follow up with anything else, Nova Wonder suddenly appears from a springboard from across the ring, sending a Pele kick right into Johnny's face, which sends him toppling over the top rope to land on the apron. He grabs at the ropes to keep himself from falling, and gets up to his feet, right about the time that Amanda Reynolds comes charging in at Nova Wonder. Nova ducks the woman's lariat only for Reynolds to crash into Johnny Sykes, who's sent from the ring apron like an ejector seat, coming to a wicked stop across the steel guard rail.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Johnny Sykes has been eliminated!
CAT: We're down to our final four, Percy!
PERCY: That's right, Cat! One of these four is going to be the #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship!
Amanda Reynolds spins around to face Nova Wonder, who comes firing in with vicious chops. She grabs the woman by the wrist, and sends her for the ride to the opposite side, when Youth appears on the ring apron, grabs the top rope, and drops down suddenly. When Amanda hits, it's only at about thigh height, and she stumbles over the top rope, to land in a nasty wipe out at ringside.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Amanda Reynolds has been eliminated!
PERCY: Flaming Youth coming in out of nowhere after he was dumped on his head on the outside!
CAT: Well, she can take that back to the GZW drawing board!
Nova's eyes narrow as she stares across the ring at Youth, and he flashes her his famous boyish grin in response. That's all the provocation she needs to rush across the ring towards him, while he springboards up to the ropes, and dives clear up and over her to land safely behind her. She doesn't stop her momentum, however, and hits off the ropes, as Youth rushes, and hit's off the ropes on the opposite side. The to come careening back at one another, and once near the center of the ring, both go for cross bodies. They nail each other across their midsections, and come flying apart to crash off to the side of one another.
Meanwhile, Alexandra Kelly picks herself up off the mat, and touches her swollen lip, drawing her fingertips back to see a smudge of blood. The look that comes over The Pixie is terrifying, but the fans come to their feet as she slowly turns to see the two superstars down in the ring.
CAT: Well, this doesn't look like it's going to end well.
PERCY: Yeah, we've seen that look on The Pixie's face before, and it usually spells the doom for someone.
Alex stalks forward as Youth tries to make it to his feet, and she lifts her leg, dropping straight down to take the man face first into the canvas with a short famasser. She's up quickly, turning towards Nova, who's made it partially up, and she comes rushing in, leaves her feet, and hooks Nova on the way down with a short DDT that spikes the womans head off the mat.
PERCY: PIXIE IS A ONE WOMAN WRECKING CREW!
She reaches down to get a handful of Nova Wonder's hair, and jerks the woman up to her feet, leading her over to a corner, and bouncing her head off the top turnbuckle. Nova falls into the corner, and Pixie turns her around, laying in right hands that rock the woman's head back. After a few more shots to the skull, Pixie grabs the middle rope on either side of Nova, and lowers her shoulder, thrusting it repeatedly into the woman's midsection without relent. When she finally stops, Nova slumps to a seated position in front of her, and Pixie back peddles towards the center of the ring to get a running go. The crowd is electric in anticipation, or so she thinks, until she feels a tap on her shoulder. When she turns around, she's met with a wink from Youth, who hops to the side, and fires an explosive super kick that damn near takes the woman's head off.
PERCY: GOOD GOD! SLOW BURN FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT!
CAT: That's a home run if I ever saw one!
Youth reaches down, pulling the smaller Pixie up to her feet, and grabs her by the scruff of the neck before running her towards the ropes to toss her out. He manages to heave her head first over the top, but she grabs the rope on her way down, and lands on the ring apron instead. He commences to stomping at her to try and get her to fall, and she teeters on the edge, loosing one hand hold, and swinging one of her legs just above the floor.
PERCY: Youth is so entrenched with Pixie, he has no idea that Nova just pulled herself up out of the corner!
CAT: I got a feeling he won't be able to wink his way out of this one.
As Youth changes the focus of his kicks from Kelly's midsection, to her one remaining hand, Nova Wonder takes off in a sprint, leaps into a front flip, and extends her right leg to catch the man right in the back of his head. The forward momentum of the kick sends him springing over the top rope, to land in a seated position on the concrete floor below.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Flaming Youth has been eliminated!!
PERCY: Nova Wonder calls that Koppu Kick the Nebula Collision, and it just sent Youth spiraling out of this match!
CAT: Yeah, and if the bitch hurries, she might get a two for one, and win the whole damn thing.
Nova quickly comes up to her feet, and goes to stomp down on Alexandra Kelly, but The Pixie has all the time she needed with Youth's elimination, to roll up out of the kick, and uses the ropes to pull her up to her feet on the ring apron. Wonder Woman goes for another Pele kick to Kelly on the apron, but Alex ducks low, allowing the foot to go over her head, and Nova to land on her stomach in the ring. Nova scrambles to get up to her feet, but Pixie is already inside, and she dives on her, driving her back to the mat with an elbow drop down across the head. She then gets swiftly to her knee's, grabs the side of Nova's face, and begins driving her right knee into the woman's face with short, stinging blows. Both woman work their way up to their feet, both pawing and clawing at each other, when Pixie suddenly tosses Nova's hands away from her, boots her in the midsection, and hooks her around the back of the head, abruptly dropping to one knee while the other is driven into Nova's face. Wonder Woman's head snaps back, and she stumbles over against the edge of the ring, her back leaning heavily against the top rope to keep her upright.
PERCY: Kelly with The National Anthem, and she's pushing up off that knee to rush at Nova....WHO SIDE STEPPED HER! Kelly bouncing chest first off the ropes, and stumbling back....Nova Wonder with a springboard, looking for a DDT, BUT KELLY WITH A YAKUZA KICK RIGHT TO HER FACE!!
CAT: Oh damn! That was brutal!
Alexandra Kelly, breathing hard from the grueling toll of a match like this, comes up to her feet, and drags Nova Wonder with her. She bends down, hoisting Nova up onto her shoulders, and slowly makes her way towards the edge of the ring with the starlet in tow. Just as she reaches the ropes, Nova begins to struggle, and she manages to unhinge herself from Kelly's shoulders, and land behind her. When Pixie whirls around, Nova throws her foot up into Kelly's chin, grabs her by both arms, and falls straight back. The Pixie's jaw snaps off the end of Nova's boot, and she hurtles backwards to drape herself across the ropes. Nova gets to her knee's, and then explodes forwards with a clothesline that sends her and The Pixie over the top rope. Kelly solidly hit's the floor, while Nova hangs from the top rope, using it to pull herself back into the ring.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Alexandra Kelly has been eliminated! The winner of this match, and your new #1 Contender to the Titans of the Midway Championship, NOVA WONDER!!
Nova Wonder gets to her feet, and throws her fists over head in victory as the fans roar their approval. Alexandra Kelly sits on the floor for a second in disbelief before moving to get to her feet. A-Ref moves in to try and help her, but she jerks her arm away from the concerned referee, and casts a glance into the ring that said this wasn't over by a long shot. She got a few 'Pixie' calls from the crowd as she stalked up the ramp, while Nova continued celebrating in the ring.
PERCY: She did it! Wonder Woman did it!
CAT: I can't believe it. To be honest, I thought Pixie would win this thing.
PERCY: I think that was what all the bookies thought too, but if you bet against the house, then you just racked up big with Nova Wonder.
CAT: Maybe so, but I don't know if Pixie's going to let her live with this victory.
PERCY: Only time will tell, Cat, but for right now, I hear we have a prospective superstar who's having some trouble outside the arena.
Backstage, it’s quiet. Quiet like a moon lit night somewhere out on the prairie. It’s an eerie kind of calm which can relax or potentially raises the hair on the back of your neck--depending on who you are. Suddenly the silence is shattered by a cacophony of shouts and grunts. Soon, men appear in the view of the camera. Four security guards surrounding one man putting up a fight. Behind this group is a smaller man who seems to be trying to talk them all down.
MAN: I’m telling you that I’m supposed to be here!
SMALLER MAN: He’s correct! This is all a misunderstanding!
SECURITY: There's nothing to misunderstand about defacing PAW Property!
SMALLER MAN: He drew a mustache on a poster! What's the big deal?
MAN: Yeah! Besides, he looked much better the mustache anyway!
Finally security stops at the door exiting the arena. They allow the man some dignity as he fixes his ruffled jacket. Finally the smaller man pipes up.
SMALLER MAN: We got off to, like, the worst start ever. Let’s all be friends. I’m Tony Chu and this is my client, Strick Plissken.
The security guards speak among themselves for a moment.
STRICK: Hey hey hey. So what if I got a little artistic with your poster? I came here to make my presence known and how’s a fella supposed to do that when he’s got storm troopers all up in his business?
TONY CHU: What Mr. Plissken is trying to say is… I’ve ordered him to not be so foul, to be respectful, and he’s been taking the frustration out in more creative ways.
STRICK: Yeah, what he said. The head-doctor told me I should look into creative outlets. I figure drawing a (expletive deleted) mustache on a (expletive deleted) poster was a very creative way to express myself.
SECURITY: We’re going to need you to leave. When you’re able to return with the proper credentials, then you’ll be allowed to remain. Until then, please exit the building or we will ensure your exit by force.
STRICK: (Expletive deleted series of words that seem to go on entirely too long) Fascists!
Strick shakes his head in a bewildered way. Tony lets out a desperate little chuckle, trying to ease the tension.
TONY CHU: Ok so I need to get an assistant to do paper work for me, obviously. Also, and more importantly, Strick still needs to work on controlling his temper. A wee bit.
STRICK: The...heck...kind of manager are you, anyway?
Strick turns to the security guards and forces a very fake, but happy looking smile.
TONY CHU: A very good one, I'll tell you.
They’re interrupted.
SECURITY: Out, now.
STRICK: Fine. We’ll leave. Though, when I return? Ohhh baby, you’re not going to like what you see. Things are about to get a whole lot more (expletive deleted) amusing around here.
Strick opens the door and pushes Tony through. Before he leaves, he points at the security guards.
STRICK: I think each and every last one of you would look better with a (expletive deleted) mustache, but I appreciate you guys not pulling out the tasers on us! Oh and my manager? I'm...pretty sure he's a moron, but he's a likable one.
With that said, Strick exits the building. The security guards look on at the door as it closes behind him as the scene fades away.
MAN: I’m telling you that I’m supposed to be here!
SMALLER MAN: He’s correct! This is all a misunderstanding!
SECURITY: There's nothing to misunderstand about defacing PAW Property!
SMALLER MAN: He drew a mustache on a poster! What's the big deal?
MAN: Yeah! Besides, he looked much better the mustache anyway!
Finally security stops at the door exiting the arena. They allow the man some dignity as he fixes his ruffled jacket. Finally the smaller man pipes up.
SMALLER MAN: We got off to, like, the worst start ever. Let’s all be friends. I’m Tony Chu and this is my client, Strick Plissken.
The security guards speak among themselves for a moment.
STRICK: Hey hey hey. So what if I got a little artistic with your poster? I came here to make my presence known and how’s a fella supposed to do that when he’s got storm troopers all up in his business?
TONY CHU: What Mr. Plissken is trying to say is… I’ve ordered him to not be so foul, to be respectful, and he’s been taking the frustration out in more creative ways.
STRICK: Yeah, what he said. The head-doctor told me I should look into creative outlets. I figure drawing a (expletive deleted) mustache on a (expletive deleted) poster was a very creative way to express myself.
SECURITY: We’re going to need you to leave. When you’re able to return with the proper credentials, then you’ll be allowed to remain. Until then, please exit the building or we will ensure your exit by force.
STRICK: (Expletive deleted series of words that seem to go on entirely too long) Fascists!
Strick shakes his head in a bewildered way. Tony lets out a desperate little chuckle, trying to ease the tension.
TONY CHU: Ok so I need to get an assistant to do paper work for me, obviously. Also, and more importantly, Strick still needs to work on controlling his temper. A wee bit.
STRICK: The...heck...kind of manager are you, anyway?
Strick turns to the security guards and forces a very fake, but happy looking smile.
TONY CHU: A very good one, I'll tell you.
They’re interrupted.
SECURITY: Out, now.
STRICK: Fine. We’ll leave. Though, when I return? Ohhh baby, you’re not going to like what you see. Things are about to get a whole lot more (expletive deleted) amusing around here.
Strick opens the door and pushes Tony through. Before he leaves, he points at the security guards.
STRICK: I think each and every last one of you would look better with a (expletive deleted) mustache, but I appreciate you guys not pulling out the tasers on us! Oh and my manager? I'm...pretty sure he's a moron, but he's a likable one.
With that said, Strick exits the building. The security guards look on at the door as it closes behind him as the scene fades away.
{Grudge Match}
Singles Match
Luke Knux versus Jack Nomad
PERCY: That was Tony Chu! Agent of the Stars! What's he doing here?
CAT: Looks like he was trying gain entry for himself and his new client. Do they have a deal worked out with Munin?
PERCY: I don't know, but that would be exciting. Right now, though, we've got a grudge match that's been going back and forth for weeks.
CAT: That's right, Percy, these two have thrown everything at each other. Knee's, kicks, loaded guitars, bags of nickles. This is going to be awesome.
PERCY: Well, what are we waiting for. Take it away, Rhonda!
CAT: Looks like he was trying gain entry for himself and his new client. Do they have a deal worked out with Munin?
PERCY: I don't know, but that would be exciting. Right now, though, we've got a grudge match that's been going back and forth for weeks.
CAT: That's right, Percy, these two have thrown everything at each other. Knee's, kicks, loaded guitars, bags of nickles. This is going to be awesome.
PERCY: Well, what are we waiting for. Take it away, Rhonda!
#What Scares us is... I think we needed.. Violence...
#BREAK IT DOWN LIKE YOU KNOW IT'S LOADED!!!
#I GOT IT COCKED AND LOADED!!!
#I GOT A SICKNESS TO FEED!!
"Violence" by Dope continues to play. The fog is parted by the forward motion of a tattooed Jack Nomad suddenly bursting forth with a long legged stride.
#SO BREAK IT DOWN LIKE YOU'RE UNDEVOTED!!!
#DON'T NEED A FUCKIN' MOTIVE!!
#I HOPE YOU'RE READY TO BBBBLLLLEEEEDDDD!!!
His attire consists of a hooded, patchwork leather vest decorated with the word "HARDCORE" on his shoulders, black leather tights done in similar fashion to his vest, maroon boots with silver knee and kick pads, and tape on his fists. In his hand is a barbwire wrapped silver mop handle sporting black electrical tape at both ends.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: making his way to the ring! He stands at six foot two and weighs in at 241 lbs. Hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey....
PERCY: Jack Nomad, as usual, bringing his barbed wire mop handle with him to the ring. Entering into a match that has a mountain of bad feelings behind it, on both sides, yet standard wrestling rules still apply? I don't envy A-Ref making sure it or anything else doesn't come into play.
CAT: Luke's known to do just as bad. And really, between that disgusting little ditty Luke Knox played out here in front of everyone and him saying the things he did about Alexandra Kelly? That mask isn't going to protect Luke from the consequences tonight.
Arriving at ringside, he climbs onto the ring apron and walks to the very center of that apron. Turning to face the fans, Jack throws his arms out at his sides. His face is a burning, intense scowl as he surveys the crowd. He then turns and enters the ring.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: HARDCORE... JACK NOOOOMAD!!!
He throws his hood back to reveal his slightly crooked nose and dark brown eyes. Long stringy black hair hangs in his face as he lowers his head forward to glare at the camera from beneath the ridge of his brow. Jack then throws his arms out at his sides, fists clenched tightly with the mop handle held firmly in hand and spins around to scowl at the audience. He removes his vest and tosses it over to his corner where a ring attendant takes it.
PERCY: You say it can't protect him, and not long ago you were saying it was Luke's weapon. Saying that he's shown himself capable of paying back everything he's given would be an understatement.
CAT: Well, he's got to do more than pay back what Nomad dishes out. Luke Knux has to back up his own mouth and ego, and that's one hell of a tall order.
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators' "World On Fire" hits the sound system and the lights go down. Smoke begins filling the stage as we hear the opening of the song. A few riffs of a guitar, then when the drums hit and lyrics kick in, Luke Knux comes out from the back in his usual attire. A cigarette hangs from his lips as he walks out staring down the crowd. He walks from one end of the stage to the other staring down the crowd before returning to the middle and then raising the metal horns. He puts them down and begins down the ramp.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Hailing from Castle Knux on Knuxy Island, weighing in at 190 pounds, he is the Suicidal Scumbag, LUKE KNUUUXXX!!!
Luke is now at the end of the ramp as he stops to look around the arena. Knux takes the last hit of the cigarette and then tosses it on the ground and stomps it out. He runs and slides into the ring before hopping up to his feet and leaning over the ropes. He points to his head, fingers like a gun, and fires. He walks backwards and spins around before handing off his entrance gear. He then leans against the corner and waits for the match to begin.
PERCY: This might be too lackadaisical an approach to this match, I fear.
CAT: It appears that Knux isn't going to show Jack Nomad any more respect than he has before tonight.
The bell rings and Nomad plows right into Knux before he can get more than a couple steps out of his corner, bulldozing him right back into the turnbuckle. He drives his shoulder into Knux's midsection, then pulls back to slam knees into his ribs and stomach repeatedly. Knux is given no room to recover, but still attempting to get knees up to block the blows or twist out of the way.
PERCY: DAMN! Nomad too angry to mess with anything but direct assault tonight, going right for the gut-- literally.
CAT: You have to admit, even if it's potentially driven by blind fury, it's a pretty smart tactic. He's using that fifty pound weight advantage to take the air out of Knux right off the bat. If you can't breathe, you can't do much of anything else.
PERCY: If Nomad doesn't get his anger under control he'll wind up kneeing a turnbuckle and hurt himself.
A-Ref has hit four on the DQ count and Nomad backs off, hands in the air... then he charges right back in, slamming an elbow into Knux's face with high velocity-- only for his elbow to bounce right off the clear mask shielding Knux's broken nose!
PERCY: I'm not sure if that was blind anger or a hope to smash the thing right into Knux's face, but it didn't pay off!
Nomad has backed off for real this time, cluching his elbow, a small trickle of blood seeping between his fingers, and Knux sucks in a breath. The laugh isn't heard but it's seen on his face, Knux coming in quick-- Nomad's arm in the way cradling his opposite elbow cuts off the opportunity to kick him in the gut, though he goes for it anyway, "accidentally" landing it low. Nomad doubles over, of course, and gets planted with a swinging snap DDT. Luke goes for a quick pin attempt, promptly failing before the one, but making Nomad waste the effort. A-Ref immediately reprimands him to keep it above the belt.
Knux obliges, immediately throwing fists into Nomad's face, taking advantage of the opportunity his target doesn't have on him. After a moment this only seems to fire Nomad up again, snarling and catching the arm of one of Knux's thrown fists in a top wristlock, sitting up partially as he cranks it. Knux changes targets, hammering a fist into the exposed midsection of Nomad, making Jack wheeze, but Nomad is committed to the hold he's got locked in and cranks the arm back, leaving Knux to have to struggle with both arms' worth of strength unless he wants to lose the use of one of them.
They struggle to their feet, and Knux is beginning to loosen Nomad's grip, but Jack hauls him over with a snap suplex. Jack's rolling them both and retaining his grip, hauling Knux up again for another suplex. Raising slower this time from the sustained effort, still with Knux in his grasp, gathering up again--
PERCY: He's going for a triple--
Knux waits till he feels Nomad brace to snap him over, then uses that momentum combined with his own leap to drive a knee blindly into Nomad's face.
PERCY: AAAUGH!
CAT: BRUTAL COUNTER! Neither one of them is fooling around tonight.
Nomad is hit right below the eye, and as soon as he rolls over we can see it beginning to swell up ugly. Knux rolls the opposite way, having gained the momentary advantage, but the two suplexes that did connect have left him with the wind knocked out of him again this fast.
PERCY: Luke Knux really needs to press the advantage right now!
Nomad's up first, wobbling heavily. Knux slides out of the ring quickly to put distance between them, trying to walk off the sting in his own knee, and as Nomad follows it's Luke's turn to charge-- Nomad goes low and heaves him up for a powerbomb-- Knux catches the ropes in his hands and hauls himself to the apron. Nomad turns and steps backwards, still wobbly on his feet from the blow that's already starting to turn all the wrong colors, and eats a moonsault for his troubles!
PERCY: Jack's head just got smashed between Knux and the floor!
CAT: It's a shitty night to be Jack Nomad's brains. He seriously should've ripped that plastic mask off Knux and introduced his nose to his cheek while he had the chance.
Both men are down for the moment recovering, Luke rolling out of the way, stopping on his back with heaving breaths. Jack stares at the ceiling, glassy-eyed.
PERCY: Would that even be legal, though?
CAT: I didn't say he should beat him with the mask! Though now that I kinda just did, that's a great idea. I'm surprised they've kept it this clean for this long already.
Both men are stirring, but Knux is considerably faster. He grabs one of Nomad's arms, looking to the ring for a moment as if considering rolling him in for a pin, but Nomad begins to rouse and try to get his feet under him. Knux swerves, whipping Nomad towards a ring post-- Nomad counters, either on animal instinct or from being more awake than he was acting, slamming Knux face first into the steel post. Knux falls back, his nose protected but the parts of his face the mask braces against still definitely feeling all of that unforgiving impact. Nomad grabs the straps on Knux's mask, looking to pry it off, but A-Ref starts shouting the numbers of his count out louder. Knux is rolled back into the ring instead, Nomad grabbing him up by the hair to haul him upright. It's one of those perfect moments for a punch, to stay right on his face, payback for the grotesque eye swelling that's got to be affecting Nomad's sight.
CAT: Jack Nomad's mentally cussing so loud right now, I'd swear I can hear it.
PERCY: This mask takes out a really significant part of Jack's arsenal. You have to question how the Spine Jacker would work with this as a factor. If he tried the Face Breaker that got them both into this position to begin with? Well, Luke feeling that metal post is one thing, and Jack might be tough with his knee strikes, but his elbow already got a taste of how much more he'd pay than Knux would.
Nomad scoffs at the protection, not bothering with it yet, and snaps right into action, the force of frustration behind a legsweep STO. He rolls Knux over--
PERCY: Pin, why isn't he going for a pin?!
CAT: He's not done punishing him yet!
PERCY: Somebody needs to check Jack Nomad for a concussion.
--hooking in a half nelson and deadlifting Knux to his feet, taking him right back over with a half-nelson suplex.
CAT: HAH! Might not be able to punch through that thing, but just like the turnbuckle, if he can make the ring take the blow for him, he can still hurt him!
This time he goes for the pin.
1...
2...
THR--Knux kicks out.
PERCY: Luke Knux is still in this thing!
Nomad starts throwing clubbing blows down on his back and ribs, slamming knees into his kidneys, trying to weaken his back in addition to his midsection so he just can't kick out again. Knux is clawing his way across the canvas, trying to get to the salvation of the ropes. He's nearly there when Nomad rolls him over away from the ropes, going in for a pin-- Knux gouges him right in the bad eye.
CAT: NO! Did you see that? NO!
Jack Nomad falls back, hand covering his eye, howling.
PERCY: Jack's blinded, and with just one eye, he won't have depth perception!
Luke's ignoring A-Ref, stumbling to his feet, ripping off his own face mask. A-Ref is redoubling, warning him that he can't hit Jack with that. He doesn't, dropping it to the mat and grabbing the still-half-blind Jack in a headlock, hauling him to his feet and wincing as his back muscles protest. He does it, immediately dropping him with the Scumbag Salute onto the mask.
CAT: No no no!
PERCY: Well, he didn't hit him with it.
1...
2...
THR--NO!
Luke falls back in utter disbelief, then scrambles to try the cover again, hooking a leg tight.
1...
2...
Nomad slams his knee dead into Luke's exposed nose, and blood immediately splatters the canvas. Both men get hit, A-Ref even gets caught by it. Luke backs away in horror, holding his misshapen nose. Nomad's trying to scramble to his feet.
CAT: He looks like a horror movie zombie! Jack Nomad isn't home!
That one glazed eye is boring holes into Luke, the other swelled shut. A-Ref is pulled aside by safety personnel, trying to get the blood off him, and Luke spots opportunity. He goes right for the now-cracked mask, but Jack's closer. Luke charges in anyway, seeing how dazed Nomad is, but what's left of Nomad's mind is only on one goal-- smashing that mask right into what it was supposed to be protecting!
PERCY: Does Nomad have enough left for the Spine Jacker!?
Nomad doesn't even go for the Spine Jacker. He flings the mask away and doesn't even pull Luke up from his knees, snaring his arms again and throwing those smashing knee blows.
PERCY: THE FACE BREAKER! GOD ALMIGHTY, WHAT A MESS!
A-Ref turns at the sound and the reaction from the crowd, sliding in far enough to see Luke Knux's face before he motions for the bell to be rung.
PERCY: This is savage! I'm guessing Luke is knocked out?
Nomad crumples to his knees at the call, head too rattled to make his feet, A-Ref raising a hand from there. After a few seconds he comes to his feet, breathing, looking down on Luke in disgust as the Rock Star rolls from the ring. Luke Knux is a bloodied, battered mess, when hets to his feet, but he suddenly stops at the sight of Alexandra Kelly smiling oh so sweetly at him as she stands in the center of the aisle leading to the backstage area. She's a little rough looking from the royal rumble, but by and far, in better shape than Luke. The only difference is that we find her wearing a shirt that says "Whore" on it.
Before he even has a chance to act, she's on him with a flying tackle. It's only then that we notice that each hand sports a set of steel knuckle dusters which she uses to rain unmitigated punishment upon his skull. Luke isn't even capable of defending himself at this point, so battered and bloodied from his match that had just gone down.
Pixie rises from his semi conscious form and rears her foot up, showing off another difference in her attire as she puts the knuckle dusters in her pockets. She sports a pair of athletic soccer cleats with several points on the heel and ball of her feet. Usually this would be something that gives a player better traction on the soccer field. But Pixie uses them to brutally stomp Luke's gut and groin over and over, causing him untold misery and potential internal injury.
When she's finished and he's sputtering blood on the floor, Pixie removes the "Whore" shirt to reveal a rather nice black sports bra. She then drapes the shirt over Luke Knux's unconscious face, the word "Whore" now planted on him.
She reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a microphone. With a flip of the switch she says only one thing.
THE PIXIE: You know what's sad? I called you my friend. You called me a whore. Maybe you should have been more careful who you branded with that label on twitter. Maybe now you wouldn't be a dead whore in me and Jack's Personal Amusement Wrestling....
She drops the microphone in pipe bomb fashion on Luke Knux's unconscious body and turns, skipping her way to the back with a satisfied smirk on her face.
PERCY: Alexandra Kelly with insult to injury on Luke Knux!
CAT: She's just establishing that she is 'THE' dominant female here in PAW, and won't be talked to like that, Rock God, or not.
PERCY: Either way you look at it, Luke Knux got served by PAW's modern day Bonnie & Clyde, and you have to wonder what's next for the Rock Star. Wait, I hear in my headset we have something going on in the back! WHAT?!?!
CAT: What? What is it, Percy?
PERCY: Johnny Raike and Calvin Harris are already going at it in the Midway! Go! Get camera's back there! GO!!!
PERCY: Alexandra Kelly with insult to injury on Luke Knux!
CAT: She's just establishing that she is 'THE' dominant female here in PAW, and won't be talked to like that, Rock God, or not.
PERCY: Either way you look at it, Luke Knux got served by PAW's modern day Bonnie & Clyde, and you have to wonder what's next for the Rock Star. Wait, I hear in my headset we have something going on in the back! WHAT?!?!
CAT: What? What is it, Percy?
PERCY: Johnny Raike and Calvin Harris are already going at it in the Midway! Go! Get camera's back there! GO!!!
{Three Stages of Hell - Part 2}
-Titans of the Midway Championship-
(Last Man Standing on The Midway)
Johnny Raike versus Calvin Harris(c)
As the camera switches over Johnny Raike has Calvin Harris lying on his back on top of one of the shooting galleries. He drops hammer fists onto his chest before shoving him over behind the counter.
PERCY: We apologize everyone. We tried to get the cameras on as quick as we could, but apparently Johnny Raike and Calvin Harris were not going to wait!
Johnny grabs the water gun and waits as Calvin starts to pull himself up. He looks at Johnny just in time to catch a mouthful of water as well as a shot to the eyes. Calvin covers his face just as Johnny launches himself off the counter and connects with a closeline that sends them both to the floor.
PERCY: These two have already fought once tonight and they still have one more match to go.
CAT: This one has the potential to be a blood fest.
Johnny gets to his feet grabs a front facelock and throws his right knee up into Calvin’s chest before grabbing a handful of his tights. He looks to the crowd that’s formed and yells before lifting him up and planting him face first with an implant DDT on the counter.
PERCY: Calvin could be out after that DDT.
CAT: I seriously doubt it.
PERCY: Remember this was changed into a Last Man Standing match so he has to be unable to answer the referee's count of ten.
Johnny holds his hands up and backs away as A-Ref starts the count.
1…
2…
3…
4…
Calvin rolls off the counter and lands on his feet in the center of the Midway breaking the count.
CAT: Too early to celebrate for sure.
Johnny hops up on the counter and launches himself off just in time to get caught with a European uppercut that sends him crashing to the ground. Calvin steps away and shakes the cobwebs loose before running up and kicking Johnny in the ribs.
PERCY: Vicious shot to the ribs!
Calvin pulls Johnny to his feet and shoves him back against the shooting arcade before grabbing the water gun and ramming it into his ribs. Johnny clutches at his right ribcage as Calvin shoves the water gun back into his ribs again before tossing it to the side.
CAT: Calvin taking it to those ribs.
Calvin pulls Johnny away from the counter and throws a hard knee into his midsection before connecting with a vicious right into the ribs dropping him to a knee. Calvin grabs his head and throws a hard knee into his face connecting with his nose busting him open.
PERCY: And we have blood!
CAT: That was quicker than I expected.
Calvin pulls Johnny to his feet and hooks him in a front facelock. He lifts him up and spikes him into the midway with a brainbuster. He gets to his feet and backs away as A-Ref starts his count.
1…
2…
3…
4…
PERCY: Johnny starting to stir.
5…
6…
Johnny rolls onto all fours and pushes up to one knee. Calvin charges over and connects with a shining wizard to the face sending blood flying.
CAT: What a shot!
Johnny looks up into the sky as he tries to keep his eyes focused. Calvin grabs Johnny and drags him to his feet slowly. Johnny fires off a hard right, followed by another to the midsection of Calvin breaking himself free. He grabs the left arm and and hooks it before falling down with an arm breaker.
PERCY: Johnny with an arm breaker.
Both men lie on the floor as A-Ref checks on both of them. Johnny slowly gets to his feet first as he stumbles forward and grabs onto a nearby counter for balance. He reaches over and grabs a giant hammer that’s used for the test of strength game.
CAT: Oh this could be interesting.
PERCY: Johnny has bad intentions in mind with that thing.
Calvin gets to his feet and watches as Johnny swings the big hammer his way. He grabs it mid swing and yanks it out of his hands. Calvin swings but before he can connect Johnny kicks him in the crotch causing him to drop the hammer.
CAT: Right in the babymaker!
Calvin drops to his knees as Johnny grabs the hammer. He swings the hammer hard connecting with his ribs. Calvin clutches his ribs as Johnny fires off another hammer shot. Calvin collapses to the Midway clutching at his ribs.
PERCY: Those ribs could be broken after those shots.
Calvin lies on the Midway as Johnny steps back throwing the sledgehammer over his shoulder.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5....
Calvin tries to get to his knees slowly.
6…
7…
Calvin finally gets to his knees before stumbling to his feet.
PERCY: Calvin back to his feet.
CAT: I figured that would be it.
Johnny wipes the blood from his face and slings it to the ground as he readies the sledgehammer once more. Calvin turns and catches another sledgehammer shot to the ribs before Johnny drops it to the floor. He pulls Calvin in for a standing headscissor and hoists him up spiking him on the midway with a piledriver. Calvin rolls onto his stomach clutching his head in pain as Johnny gets to his feet pulling him up with him. He throws him hard into the nearby dunking booth shaking the water inside.
CAT: Someone’s getting wet tonight.
PERCY: Gross.
CAT: Didn’t say it was me. However….
Johnny slams Calvin’s face against the plexiglass holding the water causing it to sway even more upon impact. Seeing the water Johnny climbs up to the top and grabs Calvin dragging him up with him. He stands on the seat and hoists him up for a powerbomb but before he can dump him someone runs up and punches the paddle sending both men crashing into the water.
PERCY: What the hell was that?
CAT: Everyone wants to get into the act. This is why matches on the Midway are so dangerous.
The shock of cold water gives Calvin a burst of energy as he grabs Johnny and shoves him under the water holding him towards the bottom. Johnny kicks and claws trying to get free as Calvin continues to press him down further.
PERCY: He’s trying to kill him!
CAT: He wants to keep that title.
Johnny grabs Calvin by the balls and squeezes forces him to release the hold and giving him a chance to float back to the top and get air into his lungs.
PERCY: What the hell??
CAT: Cat got your tongue?
PERCY: Johnny's got his balls.
Calvin claws at the Plexiglas trying to get free as Johnny holds on tight to his crown jewels. Out of desperation Calvin headbutts Johnny breaking his grip before reaching up and grabbing the board pulling himself out. Calvin climbs out of the tank and up onto one of the nearby booths.
PERCY: Is he running for it?
CAT: I think he’s got something else planned.
Johnny climbs up after him shaking himself dry before running to the top of the building where Calvin is standing. Johnny fires off a hard kick but Calvin catches it before bringing an elbow down across the knee. He grabs him and hoists him up for a package piledriver before walking to the edge of the building.
PERCY: Calvin will kill him!
CAT: He already tried once. Why not again?
Johnny wiggles free and gets behind Calvin before flipping backwards and connecting with a pele kick. The shot sends him off the edge of the building crashing into a nearby stand shattering it upon impact. The momentum sends Johnny off the edge as well only to land inside the dunking booth.
PERCY: Holy shit!
CAT: What did I just see?
A-Ref checks on Calvin who isn’t moving. He walks over to check on Johnny who swims to the top and waves him off as he tries to climb back one.
1…
2…
3…
4…
5…
Calvin slowly starts to stir.
6…
7…
8…
Calvin is gets halfway to his feet only to fall back down.
PERCY: This could be it!
9…
10!
PERCY: New champion! Johnny has won the title back!
A-Ref grabs the title and hands it to Johnny as he climbs out of the tank.
CAT: Calvin would still be champion if he had pulled off that move.
PERCY: Regardless folks, Johnny wins the Second Stage of Hell, and that means we're tied at 1-1! That means that Hell In A Cell will decide everything here tonight, including who will be the new #1 contender!
CAT: Right, but how in the hell are these two guys gonna make it back out to the ring for that match?
PERCY: Good question, but right now, we've got some voyeurs in the backstage area.
A camera is watching a monitor in the back as Johnny Raike celebrates on the midway with his Titans of the Midway Championship held over his head. The view suddenly pans around to see The BombTrax watching the monitor as well. Youth is wearing a white wife beater, and baggy black skater pants, and it's obvious he has already taken a shower since his appearance earlier in the night. Press is in his ring gear, the belt slung over his shoulder, and his right hand is rubbing his chin as he watches Johnny's celebration. Youth looks up at the big man with a quizzical expression, and quirks his mouth up in a question.
YOUTH: Looks like they're one and one.
PRESS: Seems so.
YOUTH: So which one would you rather face?
PRESS: Got to get through this next match first. Might not even be the champion.
Youth raises an eyebrow at that, and Press can't hide the forthcoming smirk.
YOUTH: Har, Har.
PRESS: I don't guess it really matters.
YOUTH: What's that?
PRESS: Which one I face. I'll do business with either one of them. I respect Johnny enough to treat him fair, but I'm not going to lie, it'd sort of be nice to see him send this kid's teeth down his throat in the Main Event.
YOUTH: Awww, but him's is special.
Press' face grew grim as he stared at the monitor.
PRESS: No, he's arrogant, disrespectful, and an asshole. Despite his many (air quotes) "YEARS" in the business, he's never come up against anything like us. But he'll never admit that, cause he probably really believes that he knows it all. He'll learn. Even if I have to be his teacher.
YOUTH: Careful, big guy, you're starting to sound an awful lot like an arrogant, disrespectful, asshole.
Press casts Youth an unflattering glance, while Youth beams back at his tag-partner.
PRESS: They'll be ready for me soon. I better get going.
YOUTH: Yeah, about that. Good luck out there, and if you get the chance, put that mother fucker out for a few months so he can see if he likes it.
Press' eyes narrow, and a wicked smile works it's way onto his lips.
PRESS: No problem.
Youth returns the grin before turning back to keep watching the monitor, while Press disappears down the hall.
YOUTH: Looks like they're one and one.
PRESS: Seems so.
YOUTH: So which one would you rather face?
PRESS: Got to get through this next match first. Might not even be the champion.
Youth raises an eyebrow at that, and Press can't hide the forthcoming smirk.
YOUTH: Har, Har.
PRESS: I don't guess it really matters.
YOUTH: What's that?
PRESS: Which one I face. I'll do business with either one of them. I respect Johnny enough to treat him fair, but I'm not going to lie, it'd sort of be nice to see him send this kid's teeth down his throat in the Main Event.
YOUTH: Awww, but him's is special.
Press' face grew grim as he stared at the monitor.
PRESS: No, he's arrogant, disrespectful, and an asshole. Despite his many (air quotes) "YEARS" in the business, he's never come up against anything like us. But he'll never admit that, cause he probably really believes that he knows it all. He'll learn. Even if I have to be his teacher.
YOUTH: Careful, big guy, you're starting to sound an awful lot like an arrogant, disrespectful, asshole.
Press casts Youth an unflattering glance, while Youth beams back at his tag-partner.
PRESS: They'll be ready for me soon. I better get going.
YOUTH: Yeah, about that. Good luck out there, and if you get the chance, put that mother fucker out for a few months so he can see if he likes it.
Press' eyes narrow, and a wicked smile works it's way onto his lips.
PRESS: No problem.
Youth returns the grin before turning back to keep watching the monitor, while Press disappears down the hall.
JACK NOMAD: You think you're Batman motherfucker? Heh...
Jack violently stomps upon upon the man's sternum. The Shadow rolls onto his side, curled up and letting out croaked coughs.
JACK NOMAD: ...I warned you. I told you to back the fuck off, but you wouldn't listen. You see, I don't start shit. I finish it. Everything that has happened between me and others was because someone said something, did something, or pulled something that pissed me off. Whether it's being a poor sport...
He cracks Shadow across his gut with the crowbar.
JACK NOMAD: ...being an old fuck who should know better...
Another violent swing of the crowbar across Shadow's raised arm, potentially injuring it by the indication of the man clutching his arm and rolling onto his stomach.
JACK NOMAD: ...Or just annoying the shit out of me with pretentious cloak and dagger bullshit. I told you to go play your stupid little game with someone else. I'm not here for you to fuck with, but now I'm beating on you like the Joker beat the fuck out of Robin and not because I'm the villain you paint me as, but because...
*CRACK!*
That was the sound his ribs made as Jack smashed the crowbar across The Shadow's side.
JACK NOMAD: You picked the wrong motherfucker to mess with. I'm not the dumb fuck you think I am. I know where all the hidey holes in this park are and there were only maybe two or three places that give you direct access to the Park's control facilities through either computer backdoor access or through directly patching in wires. I had Alexandra scope the only computer access point. I figured you weren't that clever, so I waited here for you and boy, do I love being right.
And one final blow to the head from the crowbar puts The Shadow out with blood trickling across his forehead.
JACK NOMAD: Now, back the fuck off or next time, you're Gator food motherfucker. I'm a professional, not a fucking amateur. I don't strike without provocation or reason. Next motherfucker that provokes me, attacks me, or otherwise, will meet the same fate as you, Shadow boy.
On that note, Jack kicks the unconscious Shadow straight in the guts and then walks away, twirling the crowbar and whistling the Joker's theme song as he does so.
ELSEWHERE
The camera focuses on a monitor that shows Jack kick the unconscious 'Shadow' in the gut and then walk away. There is no audio, so it doesn't pick up the whistling, but there is something happening off camera. It is the sound that leather makes when it becomes taught, and when the camera slowly begins to pan away from the monitor to the opposite end of the room, the little light that creeps into the area reveals two green, leather clad hands, being squeezed into fists, along with eery white eyes peering out at the screen.
THE SHADOW: Jack Nomad, you have failed this city. Your fallibility is as predictable as your current course of action. The man you harmed here tonight dedicated himself to my cause. To Justice! For I am Judge, Jury, and Executioner, and you, Jack Nomad, have just sealed your fate. But for tonight, you're safe, for I have my eye on another...
One of the hands fly open and a round metal object comes flying out to crash directly in the eye of the camera, and the screen goes to black. All that's left is the echoing sound of static, before the scene shifts to ringside.
THE SHADOW: Jack Nomad, you have failed this city. Your fallibility is as predictable as your current course of action. The man you harmed here tonight dedicated himself to my cause. To Justice! For I am Judge, Jury, and Executioner, and you, Jack Nomad, have just sealed your fate. But for tonight, you're safe, for I have my eye on another...
One of the hands fly open and a round metal object comes flying out to crash directly in the eye of the camera, and the screen goes to black. All that's left is the echoing sound of static, before the scene shifts to ringside.
{PAW versus GZW2k1}
Interfed 6 Man Tag Match
William Saint, Tapioca Joe, Johnathan Alexander versus John Champa, Red Dragon, Shane Lawrence
NELSON: Welcome back to Pure Amusement Wrestling’s Heat Stroke super show! Your eyes do not deceive you, ladies and gentlemen. Patrick Nelson, Todd Crumb, and Joshua Samson are live and in color! The Stooges are here as special guest commentators for this first ever GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 versus Pure Amusement Wrestling wrestling match!
CRUMB: Big shout out to Lady Munin for the invite!
SAMSON: Are you nuts, Crumbbum?! Lady Itty Bitty didn’t invite you guys….it was me! If it was left up to Lady Itty Bitty, Percy the Platypus and Catty McCatterson would be on the stick right now.
NELSON: Samson, I am surprised that you are joining us here at the commentator’s table instead of being in the corner of The Takeover since you are their executive representative?
SAMSON: My guys can handle this without me standing near….besides we went over the game plan one last time before I came out here to join you guys.
CRUMB: Hey look over there! It’s Ring of Honor Icons Nathan Williams and Lord Jon H. Kellar!
The camera zooms in to indeed show the two GZW2K1 legends sitting side-by-side in a skybox overlooking the Pure Arena.
SAMSON: Damn Lord Fathead!
The lights go out as the opening guitar of Ministry's “Eureka Pile” begins to play through the arena. The crowd boos as the drums kick in and the stage is soaked in a dark red. Escorted out by Amanda Reynolds and Raze are Red Dragon, John Champa, and Shane Ryder slowly walk out, standing at the top of the ramp, staring out to the booing crowd.
SAMSON: Do you guys hear that hate? These idiotic swamp folk have no idea that Takeover are the good guys and should be cheered.
NELSON: Calling the fans “idiotic swamp folk” surely does not help, Samson.
SAMSON: Shaddup!
The main bass line of the song kicks in and the five make their way down to the ring, the boos getting louder with each step. They make it into the ring, chuckling at the reaction they get.
CRUMB: Who would have ever thought that this collection of GZW2K1 Globalstars would be assembled together in a ring willingly fighting together?
NELSON: Greed and personal gain is a high motive that should never be discounted, Crumb.
SAMSON: Or maybe, Patticake, honor and loyalty for a great wrestling organization known as GZW2K1 is spurring them on?
NELSON: I think greed and personal gain is more amp in this case, Samson.
A pair of bright, golden lights flash across existence as Queen's "Princes of the Universe" sounds out across the arena. At the :15 mark, the lights fall on the center of the platform, where Tapioca Joe, Jonathan Alexander with his wife, Alice, by his side, and William Saint stand. The trio slowly head down the ramp towards the ring, eyes focused on their opponents. William and Jonathan step onto the ring apron as Joe climbs the stairs and meets the two men on the apron. The three men climb into the ring quickly as Shane, John and Red Dragon slide under the ropes and exit the ring quickly leaving PAW alone.
CRUMB: This match will pit two factions with very different philosophies!
SAMSON: That's right. Takeover are all about being above the common people and the PAW Patrol fight for the common people!
NELSON: Well, this match has an extra dimension to it with the holder of the GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 Heavyweight Championship title belt, Lady Munin, as the special referee.
SAMSON: Lady Itty Bitty better call it down the middle or there will be hell to pay!
CRUMB: Speaking of Lady Munin...
The arena is swept into darkness as the lights go out one by one. The opening of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana begins to play, crackling to life the pa. The ramp lights begin to flicker as white and black mist floods the ramp, flowing down to the ring.
SAMSON: That mist has to be some kind health code violation?!
Munin makes her way down to the center of the ring gracefully, the traditional black and white striped referee shirt clinging to her tiny form. She climbs up the stairs as Jonathan Alexander and Tapioca Joe sit on the middle rope pushing it down allowing Lady Munin to climb inside.
NELSON: Lady Munin, former GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 two-time World Heavyweight Champion and 2012 Lord of the Coliseum, here to serve as the special guest referee in this match.
CRUMB: Don’t forget that Lady Munin is also the owner of P.A.W.
SAMSON: And it’s that fact alone why Lady Itty Bitty shouldn’t be out here refereeing this match! There is no way she is going to be unbiased!
The three members of PAW gather in the corner as Tapioca Joe steps to the center while the others climb out onto the apron. A smile comes across the face of John Champa as he climbs into the ring and walks up to Tap mouthing off.
NELSON: Well it seems as if Tapioca Joe and John Champa will start for their respective teams.
Tap smiles before firing off a hard right that rocks Champa back on his heels as Munin calls for the bell.
CRUMB: AND HERE WE GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Champa puts his hands up to defend himself as Tap continues to fire off hard rights to his face pushing him back against the ropes. Tap grabs him and shoots him across the ropes catching him in the jaw with a stiff back elbow that puts him on the mat. He grabs Champa by his head and pulls him to his feet shoving him into the PAW corner. Jonathan reaches in and tags himself in as Munin warns Tap to get out of the ring.
CRUMB: Lady Munin looks like she’s fairly enforcing the rules so far, Joshua.
SAMSON: The match just started, Crumbbum. Give it time, give it time.
Jonathan gets into the ring and stomps away at the midsection of Champa putting him on the mat in a seated position. Jonathan jogs a small circle around the center of the ring before charging in and driving both feet into his chest with a dropkick. Champa grabs his chest and falls out of the corner as Jonathan makes the cover.
1…
2…Champa powers out sending Jonathan into the ropes.
CRUMB: Forceful kick out by John Champa.
NELSON: I still cannot believe that events have came down to this. Saint and Lady Munin are our brother and sister. Whatever happened to peaceful negotiations?
SAMSON: Blame Lady Itty Bitty, Patticake. The time for “peaceful negotiations” has long passed. This could have all been avoided if she just would have given back what she was holding hostage.
Jonathan gets to his feet and grabs Champa who crawls to his knees and fires off a hard right to the midsection. Champa fires off another hard right to the midsection before getting to his feet and lifting Jonathan up before headbutting him. Jonathan staggers back holding his face when Champa steps in and headbutts the bridge of his nose dropping him to the mat. Champa pulls Jonathan up and drags him to his corner tagging in Shane Ryder who hops into the ring. Munin motions for Champa to leave but he mouths off at her before grabbing Jonathan and pinning his arms back. Shane throws several hard rights and lefts to the exposed midsection. Munin threatens to disqualify him if he doesn’t exit.
SAMSON: Look at Lady Itty Bitty cheating! She knows damn well that Champa has three seconds to get out of the ring.
NELSON: Really, Samson?
Champa releases his grip and holds his hands up as he climbs out of the ring. Shane grabs Jonathan in a front facelock and grinds him down into the mat. Jonathan tries to pull Shane’s hands apart but he squeezes tighter on the hold before kicking his legs forward and wrapping them around his waist for a body scissor. Shane adjusts his grip and turns it into a guillotine choke. Jonathan claws at his hands and tries to pull them away from his throat.
NELSON: This is not an MMA match! That is an illegal chokehold!
CRUMB: I bet Icon Lord Kellar is looking on from the skybox and is appreciating that move though.
SAMSON: One of the true great GZW2K1 Old Guard is in the ring right now and the only thing you want to talk about is Lord Fathead?! You really need to kill yourself, Crumbbum.
Jonathan wraps his arms around the waist of Shane as he struggles to get back to his feet. He breaks loose from the body scissor and lifts him up but Red Dragon runs in and drives his shoulder into back of his leg dropping him. Munin is quick to yell at Red Dragon and force him out of the ring. Shane puts him in another body scissor and applies more pressure on the hold.
SAMSON: That’s right, Shane, stay focused, buddy!
Saint and Tap pound on the corner urging Jonathan to his feet as Lady Munin checks the hold and on Jonathan. Shane screams as he squeezes tighter. Jonathan slowly gets back to his feet once more before dropping to his knees causing his chin to slam into the jaw of Shane breaking the hold.
NELSON AND CRUMB: OWWWWW!!!!!
Jonathan drags himself across the ring and reaches for the outstretched hand of William Saint. Champa charges in and grabs his ankle, dragging him back to the center of the ring. Lady Munin yells at Champa, who argues with her as he climbs back out of the ring. Red Dragon eases into the ring as Champa keeps Munin distracted. He picks up Jonathan and shoots him into the far ropes. Shane gets to his feet and lifts Jonathan up for a flapjack as Red Dragon grabs him and drops him with a double knee facebreaker.
NELSON: Takeover are operating like a well oiled machine. Of course it stands to reason that they would since they are all quite familiar with each other by either teaming together or facing each other over the years in GroundZero Wrestling 2K1.
SAMSON: Add to the fact that the are being executively represented by yours truly!
CRUMB: Talk about being self-absorbed...
Munin turns around and sees the double team and gets in the face of Red Dragon warning him to get out or be thrown out. He smirks and holds his hands up as he backs out of the ring. Shane makes the cover and hooks the inside leg, yelling at Munin to turn around and make the count.
SAMSON: Hey, Lady Itty Bitty, do your damn job!
She runs back over and slides into position.
1..
2…
Thre…Jonathan kicks out at the last possible moment.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN SHANE LAWRENCE BE THINKING AS JONATHAN ALEXANDER KICKS OUT OF THE PINNING PREDICAMENT AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND?!?!
NELSON: Although many may not view Alexander as being on par with the Takeover Globalstars, Jonathan Alexander is a well renowned veteran on the independent overseas scene having claimed countless championships and Hall of Fame inductions.
SAMSON: Goddamn it, Patticake, no one gives a crap about Broke Back Model Man.
Shane applies a rear chinlock. Jonathan slowly gets up. Shane tries to hold onto the rear chinlock but Jonathan shoots him off and into the ropes. Shane bounces off the ropes and Jonathan nails him with a dropkick. Jonathan then takes Shane over with a hiptoss. He then whips him to the ropes and on the return nails Shane with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Jonathan goes to tag in Saint.
CRUMB: Here comes Mongrel!
NELSON: He goes by William Saint now, Crumb.
CRUMB: Oh yeah…
SAMSON: Big Bad Willie should go by the name traitor!
Jonathan holds Shane as Saint lands several punches to the ribs. Saint goes for an Irish whip. The near seven footer catches Shane and drops him with a powerslam. The cover by Saint but a kickout before a count can be made. Saint scoops up Shane and drives him to the mat with a scoopslam. Saint runs to the ropes for momentum but as he reaches the ropes, Red Dragon lands a kick to the back. Saint turns his attention to Dragon. With Saint's back turned, Shane nails him with a clothesline from behind. Dragon tags in.
SAMSON: You know how disappointed I am in Big Bad Willie’s betrayal? I mean I can accept Lady Itty Bitty going into business for herself because she’s proven time and time again that she’s a selfish whore. But Big Bad Willie siding with the Amusement Park has really crushed my soul!
CRUMB: Tell us how you really feel, Joshua!
SAMSON: Shaddup!
Shane and Dragon execute a double suplex on Saint that shakes the entire ring. Both men stomp away on the former GZW2K1 Globalstar. Munin gets into the face of Shane telling him to get out of the ring. As Shane heads to the corner, Dragon drops a knee to the forehead of Saint. Dragon picks up Saint and executes a snap suplex.
SAMSON: A glorious snap suplex!
NELSON: That was definitely a brilliant show of strength by Red Dragon.
Dragon tags in Champa. The Big Shot tosses Saint into the corner and chokes him with the boot.
CRUMB: John is really testing the count!
Lady Munin threatens to disqualify Champa. The Big Shot backs away with a cocky smile on his face. Champa goes back in for a blatant choke. Munin counts.
1…
2…
3…
4…but Champa shows no sign of breaking the choke. Munin has to pull Champa off of Saint. While Champa argues with Munin, Shane and Dragon choke Saint from the apron.
CRUMB: Damn Champa and Red Dragon!
NELSON: Lady Munin needs eyes in the back of her head to maintain justice in this match!
SAMSON: HAHAAAAA!!!!
Champa turns his attention to Saint once again. He executes a beautiful belly-to-belly suplex. Champa then picks Saint up and tosses him out of the ring. Munin immediately reprimands him for his actions. Meanwhile Shane and Dragon whip Saint into the steel barricade.
CRUMB: NO, NO, LADY MUNIN, LOOK OUTSIDE THE RING!
Shane charges in, but Saint elevates him into the crowd with a back body drop. Dragon charges in next, but Saint grabs him by the throat and chokeslams him onto the thinly padded floor.
NELSON: What a show of heart by the former GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 Globalstar!
SAMSON: But what has Big Bad Willie done lately beside suck Lady Itty Bitty's di…
Champa doesn't see the comeback by Saint. The giant rolls into the ring, pretending to be hurt. Champa goes to pick Saint up, but Saint counters with an inverted atomic drop. Saint then knocks down Champa with a vicious clothesline. Saint goes for an Irish whip, but Champa reverses. Champa drops his head for a back body drop, but Saint counters with a big boot. Saint hooks in an urinage and drops him with a sitdown urinage.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS WILLIAM SAINT DROPS JOHN CHAMPA WITH HIS ACIDBATH?!?!
SAMSON: Probably, "this is some goddamn bullshit!"
Saint makes it to the corner and tags in Tap.
NELSON: Time to taste the pudding, Champa!
SAMSON: You sound stupid, Patticake!
CRUMB: Yeah, you kinda do, Patrick.
NELSON: …
Tap unleashes a series of right hands. Irish whip by Tap followed by a jumping calf kick. He takes Champa over with a snapmare into a seated position. Tap lands several kicks to the back of Champa's head followed by a low dropkick to the back of his head. Tap looks to the crowd as they roar in approval.
CROWD: PAW! PAW! PAW!
Irish whip by Tap. Champa bounces off the ropes and Tap catches him with a release overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Tap looks to his mates and calls for the…
NELSON: Tapioca Joe is going for his Gotch Driver! If he hits this, it is over!
SAMSON: Somebody…anybody…get in there and stop Old Man Pudding Pop!
Tap lifts Champa to his feet. Shane gets into the ring to distract Munin while Dragon comes in and nails Tap with a cheapshot from behind. Jonathan gets into the ring, tosses Dragon out, follows him, and both of them brawl on the floor. Saint comes in, not wanting to be left out of the action, and takes Shane to the floor.
CRUMB: It is pandemonium here!
Meanwhile, Champa regains a second wind and nails Tap with several European uppercuts. Irish whip by Champa. He catches Tap and drops him in a Samoan drop. Champa gives an arrogant smirk to Munin. Champa lifts Tap and nails a Gotch Driver instead. Champa goes for the cover.
SAMSON: That's how you do it, Big Shot!
1…
2…
CRUMB: Tapioca kicks out! Champa cannot believe it!
SAMSON: See…Lady Itty Bitty is biased! That was a damn slow count!
NELSON: That count was legit! You know full well that Lady Munin does not have a biased bone in her body!
Champa gets in the face of the PAW owner to argue the count. Champa shoves Munin back but Tap gets up quickly and gives Champa a schoolboy rollup.
1…
2…
Thr…KICK OUT!
CRUMB: Kick out by Champa!
SAMSON: See…that count was too fast!
NELSON: Listen to you, Samson! Too slow, too fast! Lady Munin has called it down the middle!
Champa gets up and Tap hits a sweet belly-to-belly suplex. Tap goes to the apron and waits for Champa to get up. Tap goes for a springboard missile dropkick. Champa ducks the missile dropkick and Tap hits Munin instead.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS TAPIOCA JOE ACCIDENTLY DROPKICKS LADY MUNIN INSTEAD OF JOHN CHAMPA?!?!
SAMSON: Probably, "Old Man Pudding Pop also hates Lady Itty Bitty's officiating too!"
NELSON: That was an accident and you know it, Samson!
SAMSON: Pfffttt….
Tap tries to help Munin up. Meanwhile, Amanda Reynolds slides a steel chair into the ring to Champa. Tap gets up. Champa charges in and blasts Tap with the chair. Munin sees it and calls for the bell.
NELSON: The Takeover has been disqualified!
SAMSON: Lady Itty Bitty is biased I tell you!
Champa takes the chair and nails Munin with it next. Shane and Dragon get in the ring to lay the boots to Munin. Saint and Jonathan come in to help, but Champa nails them both with the chair. Shane and Dragon lifts up Munin.
CRUMB: What are they going to do now?
SAMSON: It’s called teaching a little respect to a treasonous temptress named Lady Itty Bitty!
Champa drops the chair, lifts Munin up, and spits in her face. Champa Irish whips her to the ring ropes and on her return nails his Rise and Fall pop up powerbomb onto the chair!
NELSON and CRUMB: OWWWWW!!!!!!
Samson by now has made his way into the ring followed by Amanda and Raze. Samson gives Champa a microphone.
CHAMPA: We will not go quietly into that good night. There is no fairness in war. I will not fight fair, we will not fight fair. In times of war you fight out just who is willing to get down and get their hands dirty, all for what they truly believe in. We, the Takeover, has proven that we are more than willing to get a little dirt, or blood, on our hands. This is nothing compared to what is on the horizon. This piece of shit....
Champa kneels down beside the fallen Munin, who lays motionless in the middle of the ring.
CHAMPA: This worthless piece of shit, has betrayed those who made her career worth seeing. She stole from the very company who have her a shot to be something that she could have never achieved anywhere else. Ground Zero gave this piece of shit the air time and the squared circle to become a Champion, to become Lady of our Coliseum, to become an ICON. We, the Ground Zero elite, decided to give her a shot to prove her worth and how does she repay us, she steals our World Heavyweight Championship. She is the one responsible for this battle being fought on your grounds. She is the one who brought war to your doorstep. She is the one responsible for the downfall of Pure Amusement Wrestling, and she will be the one responsible for all of your heroes falling at the hands of the Takeover.
Champa takes some of the blood, trickling from the forehead of Munin, and wipes it on his chest.
CHAMPA: The blood of Munin is now on our hands and pretty soon so will the blood of everyone who decides to oppose the Takeover. This here is the shot heard 'round the world and will serve as a message to all of those who choose to oppose us. But to all of those Critics, all those doubters, and all of those who believe that just because we have not been quiet lately and believe that we are weak, and Lady Munin herself...all of you be DAMNED!
CRUMB: This is disgusting! The Takeover better watch their collective backs after this!
NELSON: Ladies and gentlemen, as much as I would like to see the property of GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 returned, this in no way reflects the overall attitude and/or sentiment of the company as a whole. Joshua Samson, Amanda Reynolds, Red Dragon, Shane Lawrence, John Champa, and Jericho Cross are zealots motivated by their own greed for the limelight!
The lights go out around the arena as the Takeover can be heard asking, “what’s going on?”
CRUMB: Eekkk! Hold me, Patrick!
NELSON: Crumb, if you do not let me go...
Suddenly the lights come back on and standing in the middle of the ring holding two metal pipes is The Shadow.
CRUMB: Who is that?!
Raze quickly gets Samson out of the ring and they are followed by Amanda. The Shadow takes a swing at John Champa just missing him as he escapes under the bottom rope. Red Dragon goes to grab him from behind but he spins around quickly and hits him in the midsection before bringing a pipe up and catching him under the chin. Red Dragon rolls out of the ring and stands next to John Champa who is yelling at the mysterious Shadow.
NELSON: No one has any idea who this enigma is but I have received word that he OR she is being dubbed as The Shadow by Pure Amusement Wrestling.
The Shadow turns his attention to Shane Lawrence who readies himself for an attack but ducks out just as he starts to swing both pipes his way. The Takeover stand on the outside talking as they point to the ring where The Shadow stands ready to fight.
CRUMB: The Shadow has cleared the ring of Takeover and made the save for Lady Munin.
NELSON: Joshua Samson and his group of thugs are in no way pleased at all.
The Shadow backs his way over and checks on Lady Munin who is finally starting to stir, the blood still flowing from her head. Jonathan Alexander, William Saint, and Tapioca Joe start to stir and notice the man standing over the injured Lady Munin.
CRUMB: Uh oh! I think Jonathan, William, and Tap think the Shadow is one of the bad guys! No, guys, The Shadow HELPED save Lady Munin!
The three men approach him as he gets to his feet and holds his hands up. Before they can get too close the lights go out once more for a brief second. They come back on and The Shadow is gone again leaving the PAW wrestlers in the ring with Lady Munin, The Takeover standing outside wondering where he went.
CRUMB: WHAT CAN EVERYONE BE THINKING AS THE SHADOW DISAPPEARS INTO THIN AIR?!?!
NELSON: I am sure in the weeks to come all will be revealed but for now we have had a phenomenal time commentating for Pure Amusement Wrestling here at their second super show! There is still much more wrestling action coming up tonight. So on behalf of Todd Crumb, and even Joshua Samson, I am Patrick Nelson saying thank you and good night, wrestling world!
REDRUM: Well, Hiya boys! Was just coming to find you. Scouts honor.
Redrum put his hand over his heart, while simultaneously holding up a peace sign with the other. His face screwed up into a strange smile, and then a loud farting noise came from behind him, and he exhaled in relief.
REDRUM: Thank God! I've been holding that in since the Battle Royal.
The Enhancement Talent said nothing, the mere mention of the Battle Royal causing their stares to become even more imposing. Redrum laughed a little, and then stopped, taking a few steps back with his hands out at his sides.
REDRUM: Honestly guys, I was just fooling around. I was teaching you tough love. I was...I was....I was...
'Country Fine' James Radford held up his hand, palm forwards, an indication that the sputtering clown should be silent, and then he shook his head.
JAMES RADFORD: Mr. Rum, just tell us why?
S.O.B. broke forward suddenly, and The Lost Boyz were forced to grab him by either arm to keep him from destroying the clown.
S.O.B.: I'll tell you why! That mother fucker right there is a low down, sneaky, underhanded CRACKER!
Redrum took a few more steps back, his hand going to his heart, and a look of shock and distress crossing his features.
REDRUM: Low down? Sneaky? Underhanded? I'm appalled! I can't believe you guys think that I would do anything to actually hurt your chances of getting called up to the big time. I mean, I've been trying to help you, for cripe's sake! I just got caught up in the moment is all, honest. I'd never betray you guys...
Just at that moment, Ji comes walking around the corner, and he pauses to stand beside the clown. He hands Redrum a thick envelope, and shakes his head in disbelief.
JI: I just don't get it. How in the hell did you convince Lady Munin to give you a contract for the main roster. I know she's been preoccupied with this GZW Invasion, and everything, but this is just ludicrous. Hopefully she'll come to her senses after the travesty we just witnessed in the ring.
Redrum's face remained stuck in a clown like smile, but his eyes darted back and forth between Ji and the Enhancement Talent.
REDRUM: Ixnay on the Trac-Con...
JI: WHAT?
Redrum's eyes go desperate.
REDRUM: IXNAY. ON. THE. TRAC-CON!
Ji stares at the deranged clown with a blank expression, and then lets out an exasperated sigh, before turning to walk away.
JI: Just make sure to have that signed on Munin's desk before Saturday.
Redrum, a bit panicked, watches as Ji rounds the corner, leaving him all alone. He slowly turns back to the Enhancement Talent, who are again, boring holes into him.
RUFIO: They gave you a contract for the main roster?
REDRUM: Um....No.
S.O.B.: Of all the god damn bull shit that I've ever seen, this beats the cake. They gave YOUUUUU a contract, but didn't give dick to us? Let me at this sumbitch!
The Lost Boyz retain their hold on S.O.B., but the looks on their faces don't appear that they will hold him back for much longer. Redrum chuckles nervously, and holds his free hand out in front of him, while suspiciously stuffing the envelope into his waistband.
REDRUM: Listen, fellahs. It's not that bad. I'll never forget you. Remember, who's the guy who got three of you spots on WICKED#11? Who's the guy who got you in the Battle Royal to begin with? Who is the GUY who hooked you up with a year's supply of cotton candy?
He said all of this matter-of-factly, his stance and posture signaling justification. Radford's eyes narrowed, and he looked over his shoulder at the Lost Boyz.
JAMES RADFORD: Let the racist go.
Redrum's eyes become as big as saucers as the Lost Boyz comply, and he barely has time to turn tail and run before S.O.B. is on his heels, screaming all the way.
S.O.B.: Told you Crackers we couldn't trust this fucking clown!!
The voice echoes down the hallway, as the scene cuts back to ringside.
{Semi-Main Event}
Singles Match
-PAW Heavyweight Championship-
CJ O'Donnell versus Press(c)
PERCY: Well folks, we're back, thank God.
CAT: Yeah, to think we had to give up our broadcast position to those assholes. I tell you Percy, up til now I sort of dug the GZW guys, but when they start encroaching on our turf, that means WAR!
PERCY: Calm down, Cat, we've got a show to do, and we'll show a little more class than GZW tried to do here tonight by attacking our elustrious boss.
CAT: Fucking A right, we will!
Percy buries his face in the palm of his hand, as Rhonda steps tot he center of the ring with microphone in hand.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The following contest is set for one fall, and is for the PAW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
"When the sun rises
I wake up and chase my dreams
I won't regret when the sun sets
Cause I live MY LIFE like I'm a beast
I'm a mothafucking beast"
"Ayo back to make you run around the game like its a fire
I spit acid bitch like I got cyanide in my saliva
Watch me wet and heat shit up like I'm a washer and a dryer
While I beat you in your head until you tire"
"I'm a motherfucking beast"
As the beginning notes of "Beast" begins to play, the arena goes to darkness. With the beats kicking in, "The Distinguished" slowly walks out with a huge smirk on his face as the fans welcome him with a chorus of boos throughout the arena.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first the challenger, weighing in at one hundred and eighty pounds, from Boston, Massachusetts, representing "The Unstable"! He is "THE DISTINGUISHED" CEE JAY OOOOOO... DDOONNNNEELLLL!!!
As O'Donnell slowly makes his way down to the ring he can not help but take in all the insults and jeers from the crowd.
"I'ma motherfucking beast
I'ma, I'ma fuckin' beast
I'ma mothafuckin' beast
Fucking mothafucking beast
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems)
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems with me)
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems)
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems with me)"
"I'm a motherfucking beast right
Homie welcome to the east side, where the killers reside
We playing war games, please hide
Ain't no signs of peace, so fuck a peace sign, we ride
Bust shots from a car seat
Or maybe hang you 'til your neck is broke
Choke with you with a Stethoscope
That's how I kill a motherfucker in a heartbeat on a dark street"
Caleb has reached the end of the entrance way and is making his way up the ring steps. Once CJ gets on the top steps he raises his arms up in the air which only receives more boos from the audience tonight.
"I'ma I'ma fuckin' beast!
I'ma mothafuckin' beast
Fucking mothafucking beast
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems)
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems with me)
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems)
I'ma motherfuckin' beast (you don't want problems with me)"
CJ has entered the ring now and he takes off his black Unstable t-shirt. He rolls it into a ball and acts like he is about to toss it into the crowd but instead he drops it over the top ropes and it lands on the outside on the floor. CJ begins to stretch in the corner as he awaits for the bell to ring.
"I'm a motherfucking beast!"
PERCY: CJ O'Donnell looks to be in tip top condition here tonight, and has a focused demeanor about him.
CAT: Of coarse he does, Percy. He's been waiting for over three months for this match, and even though he's had a few set backs, he knows how important this one is. It's ok to lose a few as long you take home the big one, and this one right here....well it don't get much bigger.
The lights go dim as "Strangle Hold" begins to blare across the arena. Red strobe-lights begin to flicker all around the ring and ramp way, and finally settle on the entry way where the silhouette of the massive Press can be seen standing in the curtain. These words can be seen clearly up on the big screen.
WITH THIS PASS
I CAN GO ANYWHERE I DAMN WELL PLEASE!
At the chorus of the song Press steps slowly through the curtain, a confident smirk spread across his face. In one hand he holds his infamous black folding chair with the words 'Press Pass' spray painted across the seat in red. In the other is the PAW Heavyweight Championship, dangling from his fist like a prize catch after a long day of fishing. He scans the crowd who come to their feet as he slowly lifts the championship into the air.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing the champion, he stands at an impressive six foot eleven, and weights in at 365 pounds. Hailing from right her in New Orleans, Louisiana, he is one half of The BombTrax, and the PAW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION....PRESS!!!
After the announcement Press begins his march down to the ring, and when he reaches the ringside he throws his chair off to the side, hops up on the apron, and enters the ring by swinging his leg up and over the top rope. He knocks his head to the left & right to get out the kinks, and then throws his championship high into the air all the while letting out an animalistic growl. The crowd goes wild as he stalks over to the corner, and nonchalantly leans into it, staring across the ring at CJ O'Donnell.
PERCY: Good lord, if ever there was a big fight feel in a match it's right here, right now! These two men do 'NOT' like each other, and that fact has been well documented over the past several weeks. I've got a feeling when that bell sounds, that things are going to get brutal quickly.
CAT: Which is why I think I'm going to love this match. I'm surprised that there aren't any stipulations involved, but apparently Munin felt that a normal contest would be enough to settle this.
PERCY: That remains to be seen, but you gotta believe that A-Ref has been given instructions to be liberal in the match considering whats at stakes.
CAT: We can only hope, Percy.
A-Ref steps to the center of the ring, and calls the two competitors to him. They oblige willingly enough, stepping right in front of one another as A-Ref goes over the rules. He looks to O'Donnell who nods his consent, and then to Press who does the same. With the particulars out of the way, he steps back on his heel, signals for the bell, and indicates with a swiping motion for them to get it on. They, however, just stand there, staring one another directly in the eyes. O'Donnell is the first to speak, saying something that the Champion obviously finds funny as he chuckles snidely, providing his own rebuttal. The two jaw back and forth for a moment before O'Donnell says something that Press obviously doesn't like, as the big man goes stone faced, and his nose flares in frustration. The tension could be cut with a knife, but instead, is brought to a climax with a open hand slap from O'Donnell right across Press' face.
PERCY: OH...
CAT: My....
A-REF: Dios!!!
Press' head snaps back around, and he immediately goes for a right hand that O'Donnell ducks, slipping in behind his much larger opponent. When Press turns to face O'Donnell he's peppered with left handed jabs that take him off guard, and after about five of them, CJ finishes off the combo with a big right hand. Press falls back a step, but he snarls, swinging a meaty fist once more. Again CJ ducks it, slipping behind one more time, and when Press turns he catches the same combo, this time knocking him back into the ropes.
PERCY: I can't believe it! O'Donnell using his speed to his advantage, and he's got the big man reeling!
CAT: Yeah, and now he's going to try and shoot him off the ropes.......uh-oh!
CJ yanks on Press wrist to send him to the far side, but the big man holds onto the rope with his other hand, stopping O'Donnell in his tracks. The Irishman looks up at the big man just in time to see a smirk come across the champions face, as he reverses the wrist lock, and whips CJ O'Donnell one handed right over the top rope and to the concrete floor below.
PERCY: Good God! He just threw O'Donnell out of the ring like a rag doll, and he's not wasting any time either, as he comes right through the ropes after him.
CAT: RUN, CJ! RUN!
Just as O'Donnell springs up to his feet, Press is there to meet him with a right hand that spins the man around, knocking him up against the steel guard rail. Press wades in after him, delivering a stiff left to the gut doubling him over, and then cracking him across the jaw with a waylaying right. O'Donnell goes down to one knee, but Press gives him no time to rest, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, and leading him forward towards the steel steps. When they arrive, Press yanks O'Donnell's head far back, and then proceeds to bring it rushing forwards to meet the steel. CJ's skull bounces off the top step, and he slumps to his knees at the Champion's feet. A-Ref berates Press to get it back in the ring, and the big man looks up at the Ref and nods. That's about the time that O'Donnell brings his forearm right up into the big man's nether regions. Press' eyes bulge from their sockets as he grabs at his groin, before falling back into a seated position in shock and pain.
CAT: The great equalizer!
PERCY: Well, I guess he did what he had to do! Press was going to maul him!
O'Donnell grabs at the stairs to assist him back to his feet, and leans back against the ring apron before football kicking the champion right in the face. Press head snaps back from his seated position to the concrete floor, and one hand still clutches his groin, while the other now clutches his face. The fans boo, but CJ waves them off, rolling into the ring to stop any counts, and then rolling back out to ringside.
PERCY: That was a vicious kick to the skull of the champion, and O'Donnell looks to have decided on some coarse of action...WAIT! What is he doing?!?!
CAT: Looks like he's going to use those steel steps to crush the champion's melon.
CJ lifts the top portion of the steps off of the base, and hoists them up high over his head. He makes his way over beside Press with A-Ref screaming at him to stop the entire time. When feels like he's in the best position, he prepares to drive the steps down into Press' skull, but at the last second, the big man reaches out with his boot and kicks O'Donnell in the bread basket. CJ is forced to let loose the steps, which clang to the floor behind him, while Press uses the momentary distraction to pull himself to his feet by use of the guard rail. When O'Donnell see's the big man on his feet, he takes off into a sprint, but Press ducks his head, sending CJ out into the crowd with back body drop.
CAT: Well those are some lucky fans to be this close the action.
PERCY: Yeah, I'd say they are getting their money's worth right now!
As CJ gets back to his feet among the chairs and fans, Press reaches over the guard rail and grabs him on either side of his head, and just lifts him clear off the ground, sending him sailing through the air to land skidding across the concrete of ringside chest first.
PERCY: Jesus Christ! O'Donnell just went across the concrete on bare flesh like a spinning top!
CAT: That's gonna smart in the morning.
Press starts over to where O'Donnell landed, still walking funny after the low blow from earlier. When he reaches him, he grabs him up off the floor by a fist full of hair, and sends him head first back into the ring. CJ's chest is red when he gets to his feet, but he's up before Press can fully get back inside, and he launches himself at the big man with vicious stomps down across his back. This doesn’t stop the big man from rising, but substantially slows his progress, as O’Donnell abandons the stomps for right hands that cause the champion to plop down on the middle rope. The right hands finally come to a stop when CJ grabs Press by the hand, and then makes to shoot him to the far side. This time, instead of stopping the momentum, Press goes with it, reversing it so that it’s now O’Donnell who is sent. Press awaits him in the center of the ring as he returns, but before he can try anything, CJ leaves his feet and drives them into the big man’s knee for a short drop kick.
PERCY: That shot to the knee didn’t drop Press, but it certainly got a reaction. The big man trying to put some distance between him and O’Donnell, but The Distinguished is having none of it.
CAT: Stay on him CJ!
O’Donnell slips in beside Press, and uses his speed to stay out of reach while delivering stiff side kicks into the big man’s thigh. After a few of these Press looks as if his left leg is about to buckle, and CJ changes gears, bouncing into the nearby ropes only to recoil downwards into a chop block. Press goes to the mat hard clutching his knee, while O’Donnell pops up quickly, and takes the injured leg by the ankle. He yanks back for good measure, and then places his boot where the body meet’s the thigh, and rolls forwards, snapping the leg on the way down.
PERCY: Press is beside himself as he’s trying to scoot away, but CJ is right back on him, stomping at the leg. He has him by the ankle again, and drives his knee into the hamstring again and again!
CAT: Smart move from O’Donnell, considering they are the same size while Press is on the mat.
The Irishman yanks Press by his ankle, managing to use the awkward positioning to roll him over onto his stomach. He then places his boot into the back of the knee, hops into the air, and then spikes it hard down into the mat. Press jerks away from O’Donnell’s grasp, and tries to get back to his feet, but CJ rushes right back in with a sidewinder like kick to the thigh that drops him back down to the mat near the ropes. CJ grabs the ankle once more, tossing it onto the bottom rope, and uses his own boot to hold it in place before springing up into the air, and driving his tail bone down across the knee.
PERCY: Press is reeling now, as he uses his elbows to back peddle towards the center of the ring, but O’Donnell is right after him! God, he’s tenacious!
CAT: He has to be, Percy! He knows what’s at stake in this match!
Just as Press thinks that he might have a chance, O’Donnell delivers another stomp on the knee, causing him to grab for the injured leg once more. CJ ignores the attempt, and grabs up the leg, stepping through, completing a full rotation, and then dropping back into a figure four leg lock. Press roars in agony, and his body falls back to the mat where A-Ref drops to make the count.
1…
2…
PERCY: Press just shot up off the mat to end the count, but remaining in that position, it puts even more pressure on the leg.
CAT: Yeah, at this rate I don’t see him holding out for much longer.
O’Donnell rocks all the way back, managing to stay more on his side than his shoulders to ensure that he himself wouldn’t get counted down inadvertently. Meanwhile, Press grits his teeth, vehemently shaking his head no at A-Ref’s inquiries. After the hold has been applied for several minutes, Press finally manages to work through the pain, and lays back on his elbows. In an amazing feat of strength, he manages to shove himself backwards, pulling CJ along with him, only inches away from the ropes. With one more massive pull, he reaches out with his long frame, desperately grabbing the bottom rope.
PERCY: Press has made it to the ropes, but O’Donnell refuses to let go!
CAT: Damn right! Grind those gears, CJ!
PERCY: Damn it, Cat. This isn’t right. He doesn’t have to cheat to win this. He’s already in control for God’s sake!
A-Ref yells at O’Donnell who defiantly continues to wrench back on the hold until finally he begins to count him down. At five, CJ unhooks his leg from Press, who pulls himself closer to the ropes so as to try and sit up. A-Ref and CJ argue for just a moment, but O’Donnell doesn’t waste much time before stepping past the referee to zero in on his target. Just as he’s about to reach the big man, Press rises off of his knee, and drives his elbow full force into CJ’s abdomen. The Irishman recoils, cradling his bread basket, but he turns back towards Press to try and end the resistance. He’s met with another elbow, this one picking him clear up off the mat, before he comes back down on wobbly feet. Press manages to use the distraction to get to his feet, and when CJ comes at him a third time, he fires off with a meaty right hand that sends the Irishman thundering down to the mat.
PERCY: I guess there’s fight left in the champion after all!
CAT: Shush, Percy! He doesn’t need our encouragement.
CJ comes back up to his feet, and Press grabs him around the throat with both hands, hurling him into the nearby corner. O’Donnell doesn’t get any chance to breathe before the big man staggers in with a back elbow to the temple. CJ slumps a bit, but Press lifts him back up, measuring him, and then falls back only to drive home another elbow. He grabs CJ by the wrist, and pulls him hard out of the corner, whipping him to the other side. When CJ impacts with the turnbuckles he’s thrown forwards onto his stomach, and he quickly rolls to the outside after hearing the approach of the much larger champion.
PERCY: CJ wisely moves to the outside…OH NO! When Press got too close to the ropes, CJ grabbed his weak leg and yanked it out from under him…..Now he’s dragging him over to the corner…noo…..NO!
CAT: YES! O’Donnell just wrapped that big bastard’s leg around that ring post like it was a ribbon on a present!
Press howls in pain once more, as CJ rares back, and drives his knee into the steel ring post one more time. Press yanks his leg free, and manages to crawl back towards the safety of the ring, but the damage has been done. He continuously massages at his knee while CJ hops up onto the ring apron, and begins to climb up to the top. Just as CJ reaches his perch, Press tentatively gets to his feet, and he turns just in time to watch as the Irishman takes flight high cross body. Just as CJ is about to connect it, Press turns at the last second, catching CJ with his arm. The sudden halt in his forward momentum causes O’Donnell’s feet to swing forward, and Press reaches up to grab his legs before sitting down into a thunderous sidewalk slam.
PERCY: Jesus Christ! That shook the ring!
CAT: Yeah, but he doesn’t have enough gas left in the tank to go for a cover!
Press sits there, using both hands to massage at his knee, while CJ tries to fight for a breath after the sudden impact. O’Donnell rolls onto his knee, while Press fights to get a vertical base back under him. Just as the two men rise, O’Donnell moves in for another side kick, only to be met by a hand there to catch his foot. With O’Donnell’s leg effectively caught, he stares wide eyed at the champion, shaking his head ‘no’, before Press yanks him forward into a vicious clothesline.
PERCY: CJ sent hard to the mat, but not for long, as Press is already pulling him up by the hair of his head…..grabs him by the wrist, and pushes him out a ways, and then just sent him sailing towards the corner. CJ strikes the turnbuckles sternum first, and here comes Press, limping as fast as he can, and BIG SPLASH CRUSHES O’DONNELL!!
CAT: Damn! He completely blocked out the sun with that one!
O’Donnell is allowed to stumble out of the corner, and do a face bump off the mat, as Press looks out at the capacity crowd that comes to their feet in cheers. He holds up one of his gloved fists, and nods, spelling the end for The Distinguished. CJ tries to get to his feet, then stumbles back down, then pops up again, taking a swing at A-Ref out of confusion. He turns to try to find his true opponent, but finds a boot to the midsection instead, doubling him completely over. Press grabs him by his ears, and tucks his head between his legs, grabbing him around the midsection, and hoists him up on his chest in powerbomb position.
PERCY: Press looking for the Press Release Powerbomb…but CJ O’DONNELL IS HAMMERING AWAY AT THE BIG MAN!
CAT: C’MON CJ! GET OUT OF IT!
CJ continues firing his fist down into the top of Press head like a piston in an engine, until finally pushing up and over the head entirely, to land safely behind him. Seeing his opportunity, CJ rushes towards the ropes as Press turns dazedly to face him, and rebounds for the added momentum. Just as he’s about to reach the big man, he leaps into the air, extending his knee forward for his finisher, Irish Knowledge. Press, however, at the last second, spins out of the way, and CJ delivers the brunt of the impact directly into A-Ref’s jaw. The referee crumples to the mat lifelessly, as the fans come to their feet.
PERCY: A-REF JUST GOT BLASTED WITH IRISH KNOWLEDGE!!
CAT: CJ didn’t mean to do that! He doesn’t even know what to do now!
O’Donnell stares down at A-Ref in shock, and shakes his head ‘no’, before turning to try and get a bead on his opponent. Before he can even assess the situation, Press thunders towards him, throwing his boot out at the very last second, and takes the Irishman’s head off with it.
PERCY: SUDDEN STOP!! OH MY GOD!! Press is going for the cover!
CAT: Yeah, Nimrod, and there ain’t no referee!
Press, exhausted and battle wary, drops down over CJ O’Donnell. The fans cheer wildly, everyone in attendance on their feet, and they even help with the count. When they almost reach ten, Press raises up, realizing somethings wrong, and he looks over to see the downed referee. He shakes his head, crawling over to him, and trying to lightly get him to his feet. Just then the crowd signals him again with a loud burst of jubilation, as The-Ref comes rushing down the ramp. Press quickly crawls back over to CJ, and hooks the leg at the same time The-Ref slides in, ready to make the count.
1…
2…
Thre-At the very last nanosecond CJ O’Donnell’s shoulder rolls up off the mat, and the fans go nuts.
PERCY: I can’t believe it! O’Donnell got the shoulder up, but you gotta believe that if A-Ref had been there, this one would have been over.
CAT: Whatever, Percy! And who does The-Ref think he is, sticking his nose in people’s fucking business!
PERCY: He just came out here to aide his brother, Cat. Damn! I guess they eat the young in your family.
As The-Ref checks on his brother, Press gets vertical, and stares down at the still prone body of CJ O’Donnell. He shakes his head in frustration, before reaching down, and firmly helping the man back up to his feet. He holds CJ in his outstretched hands, says something that only he can hear, before tucking his head back between his legs. The crowd comes alive in anticipation, as Press cinches up once more, and pulls CJ up into powerbomb position. As soon as he’s up, CJ grabs Press by the forehead and shoves, forcing his legs to come loose of the big man’s grasp, and for him to land right in front of the champion. CJ fires in a few sharp thigh kicks to the injured leg, and then abandons the leg to fire in a few forearms to the jaw. Press is rocked all the way back to the ropes, where CJ moves to shoot him off, but the champion reverses it.
PERCY: You’d think that CJ would quit trying to manhandle Press. That just isn’t going to happen.
CAT: Don’t you worry, CJ knows exactly what he’s doing!
CJ impacts off the ropes and rushes back towards the big man who awaits him in the center of the ring. Just as CJ reaches him, he performs an incredible vertical jump, wraps both legs around Press’ head, and then spins forwards with a hurricanrana. Without having the power to really take the big man over, this instead hurls Press off balance towards the nearby corner, where he plows right through The-Ref, knocking him clear out of the ring.
PERCY: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! THAT’S THE SECOND REFEREE!!
CAT: I think he did that on purpose.
PERCY: No, he didn’t, Cat. But we’re fresh out of officials, so something better happen here, and soon!
Press stumbles out of the corner, not believing what just happened, and turns back to face O’Donnell. CJ springs in out of nowhere with a running inziguri that cracks the champion across the back of the head. Press stumbles forwards a few steps, before crumpling to the mat face first. O’Donnell wastes no time stepping over to him, locking his legs in a reverse version of the scorpion death lock, and then reaches down to grab the big man’s arms, and yanks back on them.
PERCY: OH MY GOD! THE CELTIC CURSE SUBMISSION! NO ONE WOULD HAVE DREAMED THAT CJ O’DONNELL COULD GET IT ON THE BIG MAN, BUT HE’S MIRACULOUSLY GOT HIM OFF THE GROUND!!
That doesn’t last for long, as the 365 pounds of dead weight becomes to much for the exhausted superstar to keep aloft. He doesn’t release the hold, however, but simply yanks back on the arms with everything he can muster. The agony is spread across Press face as he shakes his head no, even though there isn’t anyone there to take his submission if he wanted to. Sweat pours off his face, as every once in awhile his mouth opens to let out a growling cry of pain.
PERCY: I don’t know how much longer Press can take this! The thing that makes the hold unique is that it’s very difficult to break! Even in this modified version, CJ’s cut off the ring.
CJ chokes up on his hold on the arms, and torques back even tighter. It’s obvious that the big man shouldn’t bend the way he’s being bent, but the Irishman pulls back further all the same. After a few moments, CJ feels the familiar tap on his forearm, and he thankfully releases the hold, collapsing down beside the big man.
CAT: PRESS TAPPED!
PERCY: Yeah, but I don’t think there was a referee around to see it.
CAT: We have video footage, Percy! CJ O’Donnell is our new champion!
PERCY: Yeah, sort of like how Press retained his title earlier with that Sudden Stop. No dice, Cat. Without an official referee’s ruling, neither one stands.
CAT: OH, this is such bullshit!
CJ groggily crawls over to the ropes, rolling over into a seated position, before wiping the sweat from his eyes. He looks over at Press, who lies motionless in the center of the ring, and then over to A-Ref, still down in the corner. He closes his eyes and talks to himself out of sheer frustration, realizing now what Percy had just stated for the people at home. He reaches up to the top rope, pulls himself up to his feet, and then stumbles over to where A-Ref lay unconscious.
PERCY: O’Donnell’s calling for some water, and it looks like our time keeper is going to oblige him.
O’Donnell takes a swig from the bottle, before turning the rest of it’s contents over onto A-Ref. The referee spits and sputters as he suddenly comes awake, and he rolls over onto his side coughing up a lung. CJ tosses the bottle from the ring, and helps the referee to his feet before turning back towards Press. He steps over to the big man, and nudges him with his foot, before reaching down and trying to pull him up to his feet by his stringy long hair. Just then, Press throws CJ’s hands out away from him, hooks him around the midsection, and then hoists him up only to drive him back down to the canvas with a malicious spine buster. He’s unable to stay on top of O’Donnell, rather, he falls off to the side of the man, both men writhing around on the canvas trying to get their barings.
CAT: This would be a damn shame! O’Donnell goes to all that trouble to get A-Ref up, just for him to turn around and count both these fools out!
PERCY: I certainly hope not…but I’m not sure either man can continue.
1…
2…
3…
4…
PERCY: No one can deny that this has been the match of a lifetime! I hate to see it end here, but maybe that’s the only way it can end.
5…
6…
CAT: As much as I dislike him and his partner, I can’t deny that Press has proven why he’s the big man around these parts, and of coarse, CJ O’Donnell’s proved why he’s The Distinguished.
7…
8…
Press slowly lifts up into a push up position, and then shoots his left arm, and crashes back down to the canvas, but with his appendage draped across CJ's chest. A-Ref stops his count, and drops to make a different one.
1...
2...
Thre-At the last possible nano-second CJ's arm shoots up off the canvas, sending the entire arena into a frenzy.
PERCY: What the hell are these two going to have to do to each other for there to be a finish to this match?
CAT: Looks like murder, Percy.
Press slowly lifts himself off of CJ, and gets up to one knee, pausing there to rest for a minute before pushing up to his full height. The Champion looks drained as he sluggishly leans down to pull CJ up to his feet. O'Donnell, however, surprises him with a sudden kick to his face, which causes Press to release his hold, and stumble back. CJ, seeing his opportunity, rolls backwards and up to his feet, falls into the ropes for momentum, and comes leaping back with his knee extended.
PERCY: CJ O'DONNEL WITH IRISH KNOWLE-NO! Press side stepped, CJ turns around, boot the midsection, tuck of the head...PRESS RELEASE POWERBOMB! JESUS, O'DONNELL JUST SPIKED OFF THE CANVAS!
CAT: Like I said, murder.
The crowd goes wild as Press drops to his knees, and hooks CJ's leg deep for the cover.
1...
2...
3!!!
PERCY: THAT'S IT! HE DID IT! Press retained the championship!
CAT: You know, after seeing what he did to Stevie, and now that he's overcome O'Donnell, I don't think I can keep giving the guy such a hard time.
PERCY: Cross Recoba is going to have to pick another person to place his $50,000 prize on, cause CJ O'Donnell was not the guy to knock Press off the mountain.
CAT: Yeah, but he's got two guys coming up in our Main Event that both wouldn't mind having their shot at his head.
PERCY: That's right folks, up next is our Main Event of the evening, and it's huge.
CAT: And we'll have that coming up for you just as soon as we pay the bills with a few sponsors.
CJ O'Donnell is seen crawling out of the ring, holding his spine, while Press stands in the center of the ring, the PAW Heavyweight Championship held out in front of him. He stares at the title for a long moment, before looking up at the crowd with a half-smile, and exhausted as he is, thrusts the title over his head to a standing ovation. The scene cuts to commercial, as he exits the ring to interact with his public.
Wednesdays at 10 PM (EST)
{Main Event}
{Three Stages of Hell - Part 3}
Hell In A Cell
(This match will determine the #1 Contender to the PAW Heavyweight Championship)
Johnny Raike versus Calvin Harris
PERCY: This is it folks! This will decide all the marbles!
CAT: Oh, Percy! Isn't it glorious. Look at the size of it.
PERCY: My illustrious partner is of course eluding to the demonic structure that's being lowered around the ring as we speak. Some people call it 'The Devil's Playground', while we in the wrestling world just call it, HELL IN A CELL!
CAT: The cell just thunked against the ground, and Rhonda's in the ring! Let's get it on!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ladies and Gentleman, this is the moment you've all been waiting for, your Pure Amusement Wrestling MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!! This will be the Final Stage, in the Three Stages of Hell match, and will be concluded in a Hell In A Cell! The winner of this match will be crowned the #1 Contender for the PAW Heavyweight Championship!
'Pure Morning' by Placebo blasts through the arena speakers, and for the third time tonight, Johnny Raike appears in front of the PAW Universe. His ribs have been bandaged after the brutal Titans of the Midway Championship Match, and he cradles his midsection as he makes his way down to the ring. Johnny is past his usual hijinx this time, as he ignores the beauitful people in favor of staring straight ahead a the steel structure in front of him.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first, weighting in at 195 pounds, and hailing from Astoria, Queens, New York....He is the Most Liberated Man In Wrestling, and THE TITANS OF THE MIDWAY CHAMPION......JOHNNY RAIKE!
When he reaches ringside, he walks along the edge of the cage, testing it in spots by shaking the chain link, until finally reaching the door, and stepping inside. He hops up on the ring apron, and then slips into the ring, looking up at this new surroundings, and working the kinks out of his neck as he awaits his opponent for their last contest.
PERCY: As you can see by the taped up ribs, that the previous two matches have taken their toll on these two competitors. This, their final match, is sure to be the test of true grit as they face off in this demonic structure.
CAT: I know, and it's going to be awesome!
Cat's excitement is drown out by 'Your Betrayal' by Bullet For My Valentine rips across the arena, and the fans begin to boo as Calvin Harris hobbles out on stage. His left knee has been heavily wrapped, his shoulder too, and he stares down at the ring with baleful eyes at Johnny Raike. He doesn't pause for any of his usual mocking gestures and poses, but makes a B-Line straight for the ring, incensed at having lost the second match, and his Titans of the Midway Championship.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing his opponent, weighting in at 227 pounds, and hailing from Chicago, Illinois....He is the Martyr of Wrestling, CALVIN HARRIS!!!
Calvin reaches ringside, and makes his way along the cage until reaching the door to the cell. An eager fan tries to reach out and touch him, but he jerks his hand away, and yells something in the fans face, before turning and entering the structure. He hops up on the ring apron, wincing as he puts weight on his bum knee, and then enters the ring, standing across from Johnny Raike, but never taking his eyes off of him. Rhonda exits the cage, while A-Ref and The Ref secure the door, and then check it by pulling and tugging on it. Once satisfied, A-Ref enters the ring, while The-Ref remains by the door outside of it.
PERCY: These two haven't taken their eyes off of each other, and you gotta believe that this is the biggest match in either man's career to date.
CAT: The way they are cutting each other down with their eyes, you'd think so!
The fans come alive with the sound of the bell, and Calvin Harris sprints, as best he can, across the ring at Johnny Raike. Raike ducks his head, sending Calvin over the ropes with a back body drop. Calvin is able to grab the top rope on his way over, and readjusts his body to land on the ring apron instead. When Raike turns around, he's caught right in his bruised ribs by a spear through the middle and top rope by Harris. Johnny recoils, holding his injured midsection, but stumbles back towards Harris only to receive another spear. He doubles over in pain, clutching at his bread basket, as Calvin grabs the top rope, leaps up to the top, and spring boards off, looking for a Meeting Kryptonite. Instead, Johnny throws all caution to the wind, and leaps into the air himself, angling his feet heavenward, and catching Calvin in midflight with an odd angled drop kick. Both men hit the mat, holding their already ailing body parts.
PERCY: Johnny Raike with some cat like moves there, springing up and stopping Calvin Harris from nailing him with that signature move with a drop kick of his own!
CAT: Hey, Percy, let's get this straight! I'm the only Cat around here, got that.
The Hedonistic Hellcat would probably argue the point, except at this moment he's trying everything he can to get back to his feet. Once he's vertical, he looks over to where Calvin Harris is doing the same by the ropes. Johnny gets a full head of steam, rushing at Calvin much the same as Harris had done him before. The Martyr of Wrestling looks up just in the nick of time, dropping his shoulder and sending Johnny up and over the top rope with a similar back drop. Just like his opponent earlier, Raike grabs the top rope, and lands safely on the ring apron. This time, however, Calvin rushes towards the nearest corner, leaps to the second rope, and then springs off with a drop kick that catches Johnny right in the chest, and sends him careening off the side of the ring only to crash into the unforgiving steel of the cell.
PERCY: Johnny Raike meets the cage first, and with a hell of an impact! Calvin Harris one step ahead of Johnny this time.
CAT: Yeah, and he's limping his way out to the floor to finish it up.
Harris hobbles over to Raike, reaching down to get a fistful of hair, and then dragging the fuckboi up to his feet. He takes Raike by the wrist, and proceeds to whip him hard towards the closest cell wall. Raike rushes head long, but much to everyone's surprise, puts on the breaks by jumping straight at the cage, and landing on it like veritable Spiderman. Harris looks on in disbelief, as Raike pushes off the cage, swinging his body around, and wiping Harris out with a cross body.
PERCY: RAIKE WITH A CROSS BODY OFF THE CAGE DOWN ONTO HARRIS! THAT WAS INSANE!
CAT: Hey, he warned Harris that he feels at home inside a cage, and I guess he just proved it.
Raike pops up off of Harris, holding his ribs, and stares out through the chain link at the capacity crowd that is solidly behind him. The cheers turn into a chant, and Raike nods his head with the rhythm while pulling Harris up to his feet.
CROWD: Raike, Raike, Raike, Raike....
Raike leads Harris over to the cell wall by a fistful of hair, and drives his head against the steel mesh, before grabbing him by either side of his head, and dragging his face against the chain link fencing.
PERCY: Oh, that's brutal. Raike using the cell to his advantage, and much more of that, and Harris is going to be busted open.
CAT: Here's hoping, Percy.
Johnny makes one final deep drag across the steel with Calvin's head, and then lets him drop to the floor in front of him. Calvin somehow manages to get into a seated position as Johnny climbs up onto the ring apron, and then takes a few steps back so he can have some room to maneuver. While Calvin sits there holding his raw forehead, Johnny takes off along the Apron, and then barrel rolls into a somersault to come crashing down onto Harris. The fans come alive once again as both men lie on the concrete for a bit, before finally Johnny Raike pulls himself up by use of the cage.
PERCY: That was an innovative move by Johnny Raike, and Calvin Harris is looking the worse for ware.
CAT: Yeah, he's got to get some momentum going, or at least stop Johnny's.
Johnny helps Calvin up, and even manages to shove him beneath the bottom rope and into the ring, before slipping in behind him, and going for a cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: Thre-KICK OUT! Harris able to get the shoulder up, but Johnny doesn't look too perturbed.
Raike remains down, but rolls along the canvas until slipping under the bottom rope to end up back outside. He pulls the ring apron up, and begins rummaging around under the ring.
CAT: This looks like it's about to get real interesting, Percy!
PERCY: There are all sorts of things under that ring, folks. My colleague says interesting, I say nasty.
The crowd cheers as Raike starts pulling out weapons and throwing them into the ring. First comes a steel folding chair, then a second, and a third. Then an aluminum trash can, a Singapore cane, a wooden table, and then finally, what he was looking for. He pulls one of the ring tech's tool boxes from under the ring, and sets it on the ring apron for all to see. The crowd becomes electric as he opens it up, sifts threw a few items, and then pulls forth a large lead pipe. He looks up from the toolbox to across the ring where Calvin Harris is starting to stir, and he closes and tosses the tool box back underneath the ring, before slipping in to pop up to his feet. Harris pulls himself up by use of the ropes, taking hold of one of the stray chairs that Johnny had thrown into the ring as he goes. He turns to see Johnny barreling in on him with the lead pipe, and has just enough time to bring the chair up to deflect the attack. Lead on Steel clangs through out the arena, and the blow knocks Harris off balance, and he stumbles back into a corner. Johnny moves to come in after him, swinging the pipe like a madman. Calvin is able to bring his chair/shield up in front of him again, and throws his shoulder into it to knock Johnny back away from him. The defensive move buys him enough time to whip the chair around, and bring it sailing up and over, nailing Raike with a glancing blow on the top of his head. A thin trickle of blood begins to dribble down Johnny's face from his hairline, and he stands there on wobbly legs as Harris rares back, and swings the chair like a baseball bat right for Raike's skull.
PERCY: GOD ALMIGHTY WHAT A CHAIR SHOT!! Raike looked to have sustained a small gash on top of his head, but that shot just opened him up like a faucet!
CAT: I've never seen a man who can wear blood like that, and look so good while doing it!
Raike lay on the canvas, as Harris tosses the ruined chair over the top rope to the floor, and then steps over to scoop up a fresh one. He turns back to Johnny with an evil glint in his eye, as the fuckboi rolls over onto his stomach, and crawls on his hands and knee's towards the ropes. Harris moves in to stand right over Raike, lifts the chair high up into the air, and brings it crashing down across the man's spine. Raike cries out as he's driven face first into the mat, and Harris screams for the fans to make their hero rise, as he lifts the chair back over his head, and brings it down again, again, and again. When Calvin Harris finally quits hitting Johnny Raike, the chair is completely unrecognizable, and he discards it much the same as the first one.
PERCY: Good Lord, I don't even know what to say.
CAT: Well, I do. THAT WAS GREAT!
PERCY: Jesus, Cat. What that was, was heinous. That's on par with a frickin' mugging.
Harris nudges Raike over onto his side with his boot, and then signals to A-Ref that he's ready for the cover.
PERCY: Thank God, this is mercifully going to be over.
1...
2...
PERCY: Thre-GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY HE KICKED OUT! I can't believe it!
CAT: Neither can Calvin Harris! He looks like he's just seen a ghost!
Harris' eyes have bugged out of his skull as he stares at Johnny Raike in shock. That surprise swiftly turns to rage, as he gets up to his feet, and yells at A-Ref, who shrugs apologetically. Shoving the referee out of his way, he stalks over to the aluminum trash can, and snatches it off the canvas, moving it to the center of the ring where he sets it up, top end down and bottom side up. He then turns back to Johnny Raike, who hasn't moved an inch since kicking out, and snatches the man up by a fistful of hair. He swings Johnny around, and shoves his head between his legs, mouthing off at the crowd who begin to boo him. He hooks both of Raike's arms, and then uses them to yank Johnny up into a powerbomb position, only to have The Most Liberated Man In Wrestling hook Calvin around the head with his thighs, and then fall backwards into a head scissors take over. The move doesn't actually take Calvin over, however, as it sends him awkwardly into the ropes chest first, causing him to rebound backwards. Just as he reaches Johnny, the Thigh High Thriller takes the conveniently set up trash can, hoists it up into the air, and cracks Calvin across the back of the head with it. This sends Harris down to his knee's, in which Raike flips the trash can over, and jams it down over top of Calvin, trapping half his body, including his arms, inside.
PERCY: This is amazing! I was sure that Johnny Raike was done, and he just keeps coming back!
CAT: He know's whats on the line here, Percy! Never say die!
Raike steps around to in front of Harris, and sends a stiff sweeping kick into the side of the trash can. Harris can be heard yelling from inside, but that only seems to urge Johnny on, as he begins to open up with similar kicks, up and down the trash can. The fans come alive, and begin helping him keep count.
4....
5....
6....
7....
8....
9....
Whoooooooooaaaaaaaaaaa!
When Johnny reaches nine he stops with the sweeping kicks, backpeddles to bounce off the ropes, and comes rushing back to send a Yakuza kick into the trash can right where Calvin's head should be. Trash Can Harris snaps back to the mat, and he kicks his feet, crying out in pain.
PERCY: Good Lord! Do you see that dent in the trash can!
CAT: Yep, and to think, there's a body inside there.
The crowd goes banana's as Johnny moves around the ring, crimson mask and all, and cat calls to his fan base. Just then, his boot nudges something familiar, and he pauses to look down at the lead pipe lying just a few inches from his foot. Johnny reaches down and brings the pipe up in front of his face, staring at it for a moment, while the crowd goes wild with anticipation. He turns to look at Harris, who's still partially trapped inside the trash can.
PERCY: Oh, God. No, Johnny! Don't do it! That's a human being in there!
CAT: Don't listen to this idiot, Johnny. Listen to us! Do it! Do it!
Johnny Raike needs no prompting as he comes to stand over Trash Can Harris. He lifts the pipe high into the air, and just when the fans reach their crescendo, he brings it crashing down into the aluminum trash can. He repeats the process repeatedly, wearing out the trash can, and the man inside, until the aluminum looks completely pulverized. He then tosses the pipe over into the corner, and drops to his knee's to removed Calvin from his prison.
PERCY: You know, I don't care what any of you say. This is professional wrestling, not the Gladiator Arena, and this is going too far. Calvin Harris could have a concussion now, or worse.
CAT: Oh, come on, Percy. You had to believe that this was going to end this way. Both men want that #1 contendership so bad they can taste it!
PERCY: I don't care. That was nothing short of murder, right there, and I don't think that PAW should be apart of it. I'm sorry to say, but Johnny Raike just displayed a ruthlessness we've not seen since Stevie Harris.
Just as Percy makes that statement, Raike is able to finally rip the trash can from Calvin Harris. The Martyr of Wrestling's face was already starting to swell, and he had nicks, scrapes, and bruises all over his neck and arms. Johnny fell on top of him for a cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: Thre-ARE YOU KIDDING ME! HE KICKED OUT! CALVIN HARRIS KICKED OUT!
CAT: Now it's Johnny Raike's turn to stare in shock at the man who just wouldn't stay down!
PERCY: This thing has already spiraled out of control, what more could they do to one another?
Johnny sits there and stares at Harris, shaking his head much the same as Harris had done him earlier in the contest. He pops up to his feet, but the loss of blood, and the exhaustion from the other two matches earlier in the night finally catch up with him, and he stumbles a bit, catching hold of the ropes to keep him upright. While he tries to take a minute to recoup, Harris begins crawling towards the edge of the ring on the opposite side. When he reaches the ring apron, he swings his boots out in front of him so that he ends up on his feet on the outside. He grabs hold of the chain link for dear life, letting it help keep him on his feet, as he slowly makes his way towards the door.
PERCY: What is Calvin Harris doing? There's no escape from this. Someone's going to have to give here!
CAT: Maybe he's done, Percy. It'd be a shame if he walked away from the match now, with everything he's already been through.
The-Ref watches from outside of the cell as Harris reaches the door from the inside, and he demands that The-Ref opens the door. The-Ref shakes his head 'No', and the two begin arguing back and forth. A-Ref sees all of this from inside the ring, and decides to help try and explain it to Harris. As soon as A-Ref reaches the superstar, however, Harris reaches out and grabs him by his masked head, and throws him face first into the steel cell. The-Ref goes nuts on the outside, as Harris turns A-Ref around, puts his shoulder in the mans abdomen, and then drives him repeatedly into one of the steel supports that help make up the structure for the cage. A-Ref clutches at his back when Harris finally stops, and the official slumps to the floor in pain.
PERCY: That despicable bastard!
CAT: And to think, just a minute ago he was a human being.
PERCY: God damn it, he can't just go around crippling referee's!
CAT: Press did in the title match before.
PERCY: That was inadvertent, and I'll remind you that CJ O'Donnell did as well.
CAT: Sounds like a tough time to be a referee here in PAW if you ask me.
PERCY: Wait! What is The-Ref doing?!?
CAT: He's giving in. He's opening the cell door!
Johnny Raike wipes some of the smeared blood from his forehead, and turns just in time to see The-Ref pop open the cell door. He enters to check on his brother, and then pops up to get in Calvin's face, who simply shoves the man down out of the way. Harris stumbles for the open door, falling to his hands and knee's on the outside, and begins crawling towards the ramp. He's just about made it when Johnny Raike comes running around the side of the cage, and football kicks him in the midsection, sending him rolling to crash against the ring barrier.
PERCY: Johnny Raike stopped Calvin Harris from exiting this match, but now, both men are outside the Hell In A Cell! I thought that was the whole point of putting them in this structure to begin with, so they couldn't get out!
CAT: Yeah, well Calvin Harris didn't much care for confinement, so he staged a break out.
PERCY: Well, it looks like Johnny Raike is about to make him pay for that mistake.
Johnny reaches down to pull Harris up to his feet, but the Martyr of Wrestling knocks Raike back a step once he's vertical, and boots him in the midsection. This doubles Raike over, and Calvin grabs Johnny by the scruff of his neck, and the seat of his pants, and shoves him head first into the cell wall. Johnny crashes into it, and falls to his knees, still holding onto the chain link to keep him upright. Harris stalks over now, grabs a fist full of hair, and then begins slamming Raike's face off the cell wall repeatedly, until finally Johnny slumps, and falls at his feet. Harris grabs Raike up, and leads him along the outside of the cell towards the announce table area, but is abruptly cut off by elbows to the midsection by Johnny.
PERCY: They looked to have been making their way over here, but Johnny Raike just cut him off. We don't need any action this close to us, thanks!
CAT: C'mon, Percy! Where's your sense of adventure?
PERCY: I don't think having either one of these bloodied warriors around our table would be a goo....OH MY GOD! Johnny Raike just blasted Calvin over the head with what looks to be a fan's prosthetic leg!
CAT: Haha, he just tossed it back to her, and she's getting a standing ovation!
PERCY: Oh, the irony of that statement!
Harris crawls his way towards the corner of the cell, and Johnny Raike follows him, the fans reaching out to pat the popular superstar on the back and shoulder. He pays them little mind as he reaches down to get a fistfull of hair, and pulls Harris up to his feet, only to smash him face first into the large steal beam that connects that corner of the cell together. Blood cascades down Harris' face as Johnny leads him ever closer to the announce table.
PERCY: Come on guys, there's a cell there for a reason! No need to....Oh my god!
Percy abandons reason, and the table, by throwing himself out of the way of an oncoming Harris, who skitters across the table to land where Percy had been sitting. Cat has already moved away, but she claps her hands in glee as Johnny Raike moves over to trap Harris between the table and the guard rail, and in unusual fashion, begins opening up on him with right hands down into the skull.
PERCY: Johnny Raike is like a man possessed here tonight!
CAT: Calvin's not looked too hot ever since the lead pipe incident. He might want to think of just giving it up.
Raike delivers one final shot with his fist, and then steps off of Harris, to look for some stratagem to get the man back into the cell. As he investigates the path around the side of the cage to where the door still lay open, Calvin pulls himself up by use of the table, and he's a complete mess. His hair is matted to his face with blood and sweat, and the puffy bruises under his eyes and cheek bones tell the tale of a man who's been through hell. He looks over to see Johnny checking the cell, and he climbs up on the table, waiting for the fuckboi to turn around. Just as Raike makes a move to go back for Calvin, Harris leaps high into the air off of the table, and comes crashing down with a vicious fist right into Raike's jaw.
PERCY: MEETING KRYPTONITE OFF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE, AND BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!!
Harris claws at the cell wall to help pull him to his feet, and he grabs up Johnny Raike, half dragging him back over to the announce table. He double underhooks the man's arms, and then lifts him up, releasing the arms, and grabbing his hips to powerbomb him down across the steel reinforced announce booth. The table shudders, but doesn't buckle, and Johnny's face is a mask of agony, as he grabs at his back, and his already injured ribs.
PERCY: Jesus, Johnny Raike may be broken in half!
CAT: Hey..uh....What is Calvin doing?
PERCY: Wha? I don't get it. Where is he going?
Calvin Harris grabs hold of the side of the steel mesh wall of the cell, and begins to climb. Immediately, the fans in the arena come to their feet, and begin to buzz as Calvin treks up the side of the cage. When he finally reaches the top, he swings a leg over, and then the other, then gets up to his feet to look down, where Johnny Raike still lays across the table. The fans become electric as he gets closer and closer to the edge, and he looks out at the capacity crowd, for the first time in a long time, are on their feet cheering on Calvin Harris. He flashes a cocky grin just before leaping forward, entering a corkscrew, and managing to turn it into a shooting star press. He hangs in the air for what seems like forever, before gravity finally catches up with him, and drags him crashing down onto the body of Johnny Raike. The table, reinforced as it may be, obliterates upon impact, and both men lay in a pile of their own destruction. The crowd, the announcers, and even the referee stare at the point of impact in disbelief, before the fans come alive to accentuate what everyone is thinking.
CROWD: Holy Shit! Holy Shit! Holy Shit!
PERCY: OH....MY....GOD!!
CAT: What you guys said....
EMT's appear on the stage as the Hell In A Cell begins lifting up into the air to clear a way around ringside. They rush past the squared circle, ignoring the debris from the match, and descend on the two downed superstars. Neck braces are pulled from packs, hard stretcher boards laid out so that they can lift them on the rolling carts. Everyone remains glued to the situation as first Calvin Harris is peeled off of Johnny Raike, and loaded up on one of the carts. As they begin to push Calvin away, Johnny is already being lifted onto his own, and they apply a neck brace to ensure the Hedonistic Hellcat doesn't do himself further injury by moving around. They get him loaded on his own cart, and are soon behind Harris, whose EMT's are having trouble getting the rollers to work on the steel ramp. They push Johnny Raike's gurney up beside Calvin's, and the EMT's make a collective effort to push the carts up the ramp.
PERCY: Well folks, this one, sad to say, is over, but there is no way these two can continue after that. Calvin Harris took an incredible risk coming off the side of that Cell, and he and Johnny Raike both have paid the price for it.
CAT: I agree, but it was one hell of a spectacle, to say the least. Both these guys got crazy out here, but that's just how much the PAW Heavyweight Championship meant to them.
Just as Harris and Raike reach the stage, Raike rolls onto his side, while the EMT's try and hold him steady, and begin to argue with him. Raike shoves one of the EMT's and they fall back through the curtain, and he reaches up and shoves the other with his boot sending them right off of the stage down to the floor below. The fans come alive as Raike sits up on his gurney, and grabs at Calvin Harris, who still lay motionless across from him.
PERCY: GOOD GOD! The whole world's gone mad, and Johnny Raike right along with it! I've never seen the man so hellbent on destroying someone in my life!
CAT: This may have started out as just another match for these two, but it's turned into a bloody war, and neither side appears to be willing to give in here.
Harris reaches out and grabs hold of Raike's arm, and the two men pull the gurneys together, before Raike fires in a right hand on Harris. Harris rocks back, but then retaliates with a right hand of his own. Before long, even the EMT's have had enough, and they back away from the scene, when the unthinkable happens. The gurney's begin to tip back towards ringside, and before anyone can bother to stop them, both take off in a rocket trip towards the ring. The fans go wild as the gurney's hit the floor, turning up on their end, and sending both Raike and Harris sailing right into the ring apron. Both men clutch at their broken bodies as they hit the floor, while the recovered A-Ref, and his brother, The-Ref, come around to check on the two superstars once more.
PERCY: Johnny Raike and Calvin Harris just nodded to the officials....what the hell is this all about?
CAT: Look, Percy! HELL IN A CELL IS BEING LOWERED!!
PERCY: Oh my God, are you serious?! They are going to continue?
The fans come alive as the cell drops into place, and both men pull themselves up by the ring skirt onto wobbly legs. Calvin is the first to stand on his own, and he throws in a shaky right hand that snaps Raike's head back. Johnny bobs there for a minute, before letting go of the skirt himself, and sneaking in a thunderous chop that sends Calvin stumbling away towards the closest corner, holding his chest. Raike leans against the cell wall, taking in deep measured breaths before rushing forward, running past Harris while hooking him around the head, and leaving his feet so that his body sails over the steel steps while driving Calvin's face down into them with a bulldog.
PERCY: I can't believe this! Johnny Raike, even after being the bearer of that ridiculous move off the top by Harris, is still mounting offense!
CAT: That's got to be the toughest man in PAW!
Johnny just sits on the floor for a minute breathing, every ounce of energy he has being put on the alter of the PAW Universe. He slowly pulls himself to the feet, with a little help from the cage wall, and then helps Harris off the steps, and shoves him into the ring. He rolls in after him, and nudges him with his forehead to roll him over onto his back, before falling on top of him in exhaustion.
PERCY: This has got to be it!
1...
2...
Thre-KICK OUT! The announcers just shake their head in disbelief, along with everyone else. Raike looks up at A-Ref who shrugs in answer, and the Thigh High Thriller rolls his eyes before rolling towards the ropes to try and pick himself back up again. Harris struggles to even get up to his hands and knees, so he belly crawls towards the edge of the ring, while Raike falls into a corner, cradling his chest with his arms, and rubbing his shoulders. When Johnny finally looks up to see where Harris is, Calvin has made it to the corner opposite him, and is pulling himself up to his feet. Raike brings his arms out to grab the top rope, and with a nod of his head, takes off in a sprint across the ring towards his opponent. Harris has just enough time to grab the top rope, hop to the second, and then kick his feet out high so that Raike runs right underneath him, and chest first into the turnbuckle. Calvin lands behind Johnny, who stumbles out, clutching at his busted ribs in pain. Harris reaches out and grabs him by the arm, spins him around to face him, before booting him in the midsection to double him over. He then grabs him by the ears, tucks his head between his legs, and then leans forwards to reach through the man's legs, before lifting up, and sitting straight down into a package pile driver.
PERCY: ART OF BETRAYAL!!
CAT: Is even that enough after all we've seen?
Harris manages to slip around to the side of Raike, and lays back, draping his back and arms across the man.
1...
2...
3!!!
PERCY: Calvin Harris wins!
CAT: Now you can finally calm down, Percy. It's over. I seriously thought you were going to pop a blood vessel back there.
PERCY: It's just that these two guys have put everything on the line here tonight, and some of it, well, it made my hair stand on end.
CAT: Oooo....here's Rhonda with the official announcement!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The winner of this, The Final Stage of Hell, and the NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE PAW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.....CALVIN HARRIS!!!
As Rhonda dolls out the announcement, one look in the ring, and neither competitor looks like a winner right now. Calvin still lays across Raike, barely moving, while the Thigh High Thriller hasn't moved since the Art of Betrayal. Finally, with the help of The-Ref and A-Ref, Calvin is able to make to his feet, but he promptly knocks the ref's away from him, and falls into the ropes to look back at where Johnny Raike lay. The look on his face is confusing to most, as it isn't filled with his usual smug expression. He knows, regardless of what's been said and done, that they had just went through a war together the likes of which has never been seen in PAW. It supersedes even what Stevie Harris and Press had achieved with their feud. It was the kind of night, that could very well write their names among the stars. Harris continues to watch, until finally Raike begins to stir, and then he slips beneath the ropes, and the cocky smile everyone's familiar with appears on his face. He nods his head at the fans as he back peddles up the ramp, still cradling his body, and probably wishing he had more hands to massage more places. He pauses at the stop of the stage, and with one poignant comment to the camera, tells the world what he, himself, always knew.
'I told you so...'
He disappears behind the curtain just as Johnny Raike has made it up to his feet. The Most Liberated Man In Wrestling buries his face in the palms of his hands, and leans heavily on the ropes, while the fans applaud, giving him a standing ovation. He lets one hand fall to his side, as he runs the other through his blood encrusted hair, and he nods at the crowd who pour even more love onto him. He shakes his head before exiting the ring, and slowly making his way to the back.
The big screen shows one more shot of the death defying corkscrew shooting star press off the cell, before cutting to the PAW logo, and fading to black.
CAT: Oh, Percy! Isn't it glorious. Look at the size of it.
PERCY: My illustrious partner is of course eluding to the demonic structure that's being lowered around the ring as we speak. Some people call it 'The Devil's Playground', while we in the wrestling world just call it, HELL IN A CELL!
CAT: The cell just thunked against the ground, and Rhonda's in the ring! Let's get it on!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Ladies and Gentleman, this is the moment you've all been waiting for, your Pure Amusement Wrestling MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!! This will be the Final Stage, in the Three Stages of Hell match, and will be concluded in a Hell In A Cell! The winner of this match will be crowned the #1 Contender for the PAW Heavyweight Championship!
'Pure Morning' by Placebo blasts through the arena speakers, and for the third time tonight, Johnny Raike appears in front of the PAW Universe. His ribs have been bandaged after the brutal Titans of the Midway Championship Match, and he cradles his midsection as he makes his way down to the ring. Johnny is past his usual hijinx this time, as he ignores the beauitful people in favor of staring straight ahead a the steel structure in front of him.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: Introducing first, weighting in at 195 pounds, and hailing from Astoria, Queens, New York....He is the Most Liberated Man In Wrestling, and THE TITANS OF THE MIDWAY CHAMPION......JOHNNY RAIKE!
When he reaches ringside, he walks along the edge of the cage, testing it in spots by shaking the chain link, until finally reaching the door, and stepping inside. He hops up on the ring apron, and then slips into the ring, looking up at this new surroundings, and working the kinks out of his neck as he awaits his opponent for their last contest.
PERCY: As you can see by the taped up ribs, that the previous two matches have taken their toll on these two competitors. This, their final match, is sure to be the test of true grit as they face off in this demonic structure.
CAT: I know, and it's going to be awesome!
Cat's excitement is drown out by 'Your Betrayal' by Bullet For My Valentine rips across the arena, and the fans begin to boo as Calvin Harris hobbles out on stage. His left knee has been heavily wrapped, his shoulder too, and he stares down at the ring with baleful eyes at Johnny Raike. He doesn't pause for any of his usual mocking gestures and poses, but makes a B-Line straight for the ring, incensed at having lost the second match, and his Titans of the Midway Championship.
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: And introducing his opponent, weighting in at 227 pounds, and hailing from Chicago, Illinois....He is the Martyr of Wrestling, CALVIN HARRIS!!!
Calvin reaches ringside, and makes his way along the cage until reaching the door to the cell. An eager fan tries to reach out and touch him, but he jerks his hand away, and yells something in the fans face, before turning and entering the structure. He hops up on the ring apron, wincing as he puts weight on his bum knee, and then enters the ring, standing across from Johnny Raike, but never taking his eyes off of him. Rhonda exits the cage, while A-Ref and The Ref secure the door, and then check it by pulling and tugging on it. Once satisfied, A-Ref enters the ring, while The-Ref remains by the door outside of it.
PERCY: These two haven't taken their eyes off of each other, and you gotta believe that this is the biggest match in either man's career to date.
CAT: The way they are cutting each other down with their eyes, you'd think so!
The fans come alive with the sound of the bell, and Calvin Harris sprints, as best he can, across the ring at Johnny Raike. Raike ducks his head, sending Calvin over the ropes with a back body drop. Calvin is able to grab the top rope on his way over, and readjusts his body to land on the ring apron instead. When Raike turns around, he's caught right in his bruised ribs by a spear through the middle and top rope by Harris. Johnny recoils, holding his injured midsection, but stumbles back towards Harris only to receive another spear. He doubles over in pain, clutching at his bread basket, as Calvin grabs the top rope, leaps up to the top, and spring boards off, looking for a Meeting Kryptonite. Instead, Johnny throws all caution to the wind, and leaps into the air himself, angling his feet heavenward, and catching Calvin in midflight with an odd angled drop kick. Both men hit the mat, holding their already ailing body parts.
PERCY: Johnny Raike with some cat like moves there, springing up and stopping Calvin Harris from nailing him with that signature move with a drop kick of his own!
CAT: Hey, Percy, let's get this straight! I'm the only Cat around here, got that.
The Hedonistic Hellcat would probably argue the point, except at this moment he's trying everything he can to get back to his feet. Once he's vertical, he looks over to where Calvin Harris is doing the same by the ropes. Johnny gets a full head of steam, rushing at Calvin much the same as Harris had done him before. The Martyr of Wrestling looks up just in the nick of time, dropping his shoulder and sending Johnny up and over the top rope with a similar back drop. Just like his opponent earlier, Raike grabs the top rope, and lands safely on the ring apron. This time, however, Calvin rushes towards the nearest corner, leaps to the second rope, and then springs off with a drop kick that catches Johnny right in the chest, and sends him careening off the side of the ring only to crash into the unforgiving steel of the cell.
PERCY: Johnny Raike meets the cage first, and with a hell of an impact! Calvin Harris one step ahead of Johnny this time.
CAT: Yeah, and he's limping his way out to the floor to finish it up.
Harris hobbles over to Raike, reaching down to get a fistful of hair, and then dragging the fuckboi up to his feet. He takes Raike by the wrist, and proceeds to whip him hard towards the closest cell wall. Raike rushes head long, but much to everyone's surprise, puts on the breaks by jumping straight at the cage, and landing on it like veritable Spiderman. Harris looks on in disbelief, as Raike pushes off the cage, swinging his body around, and wiping Harris out with a cross body.
PERCY: RAIKE WITH A CROSS BODY OFF THE CAGE DOWN ONTO HARRIS! THAT WAS INSANE!
CAT: Hey, he warned Harris that he feels at home inside a cage, and I guess he just proved it.
Raike pops up off of Harris, holding his ribs, and stares out through the chain link at the capacity crowd that is solidly behind him. The cheers turn into a chant, and Raike nods his head with the rhythm while pulling Harris up to his feet.
CROWD: Raike, Raike, Raike, Raike....
Raike leads Harris over to the cell wall by a fistful of hair, and drives his head against the steel mesh, before grabbing him by either side of his head, and dragging his face against the chain link fencing.
PERCY: Oh, that's brutal. Raike using the cell to his advantage, and much more of that, and Harris is going to be busted open.
CAT: Here's hoping, Percy.
Johnny makes one final deep drag across the steel with Calvin's head, and then lets him drop to the floor in front of him. Calvin somehow manages to get into a seated position as Johnny climbs up onto the ring apron, and then takes a few steps back so he can have some room to maneuver. While Calvin sits there holding his raw forehead, Johnny takes off along the Apron, and then barrel rolls into a somersault to come crashing down onto Harris. The fans come alive once again as both men lie on the concrete for a bit, before finally Johnny Raike pulls himself up by use of the cage.
PERCY: That was an innovative move by Johnny Raike, and Calvin Harris is looking the worse for ware.
CAT: Yeah, he's got to get some momentum going, or at least stop Johnny's.
Johnny helps Calvin up, and even manages to shove him beneath the bottom rope and into the ring, before slipping in behind him, and going for a cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: Thre-KICK OUT! Harris able to get the shoulder up, but Johnny doesn't look too perturbed.
Raike remains down, but rolls along the canvas until slipping under the bottom rope to end up back outside. He pulls the ring apron up, and begins rummaging around under the ring.
CAT: This looks like it's about to get real interesting, Percy!
PERCY: There are all sorts of things under that ring, folks. My colleague says interesting, I say nasty.
The crowd cheers as Raike starts pulling out weapons and throwing them into the ring. First comes a steel folding chair, then a second, and a third. Then an aluminum trash can, a Singapore cane, a wooden table, and then finally, what he was looking for. He pulls one of the ring tech's tool boxes from under the ring, and sets it on the ring apron for all to see. The crowd becomes electric as he opens it up, sifts threw a few items, and then pulls forth a large lead pipe. He looks up from the toolbox to across the ring where Calvin Harris is starting to stir, and he closes and tosses the tool box back underneath the ring, before slipping in to pop up to his feet. Harris pulls himself up by use of the ropes, taking hold of one of the stray chairs that Johnny had thrown into the ring as he goes. He turns to see Johnny barreling in on him with the lead pipe, and has just enough time to bring the chair up to deflect the attack. Lead on Steel clangs through out the arena, and the blow knocks Harris off balance, and he stumbles back into a corner. Johnny moves to come in after him, swinging the pipe like a madman. Calvin is able to bring his chair/shield up in front of him again, and throws his shoulder into it to knock Johnny back away from him. The defensive move buys him enough time to whip the chair around, and bring it sailing up and over, nailing Raike with a glancing blow on the top of his head. A thin trickle of blood begins to dribble down Johnny's face from his hairline, and he stands there on wobbly legs as Harris rares back, and swings the chair like a baseball bat right for Raike's skull.
PERCY: GOD ALMIGHTY WHAT A CHAIR SHOT!! Raike looked to have sustained a small gash on top of his head, but that shot just opened him up like a faucet!
CAT: I've never seen a man who can wear blood like that, and look so good while doing it!
Raike lay on the canvas, as Harris tosses the ruined chair over the top rope to the floor, and then steps over to scoop up a fresh one. He turns back to Johnny with an evil glint in his eye, as the fuckboi rolls over onto his stomach, and crawls on his hands and knee's towards the ropes. Harris moves in to stand right over Raike, lifts the chair high up into the air, and brings it crashing down across the man's spine. Raike cries out as he's driven face first into the mat, and Harris screams for the fans to make their hero rise, as he lifts the chair back over his head, and brings it down again, again, and again. When Calvin Harris finally quits hitting Johnny Raike, the chair is completely unrecognizable, and he discards it much the same as the first one.
PERCY: Good Lord, I don't even know what to say.
CAT: Well, I do. THAT WAS GREAT!
PERCY: Jesus, Cat. What that was, was heinous. That's on par with a frickin' mugging.
Harris nudges Raike over onto his side with his boot, and then signals to A-Ref that he's ready for the cover.
PERCY: Thank God, this is mercifully going to be over.
1...
2...
PERCY: Thre-GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY HE KICKED OUT! I can't believe it!
CAT: Neither can Calvin Harris! He looks like he's just seen a ghost!
Harris' eyes have bugged out of his skull as he stares at Johnny Raike in shock. That surprise swiftly turns to rage, as he gets up to his feet, and yells at A-Ref, who shrugs apologetically. Shoving the referee out of his way, he stalks over to the aluminum trash can, and snatches it off the canvas, moving it to the center of the ring where he sets it up, top end down and bottom side up. He then turns back to Johnny Raike, who hasn't moved an inch since kicking out, and snatches the man up by a fistful of hair. He swings Johnny around, and shoves his head between his legs, mouthing off at the crowd who begin to boo him. He hooks both of Raike's arms, and then uses them to yank Johnny up into a powerbomb position, only to have The Most Liberated Man In Wrestling hook Calvin around the head with his thighs, and then fall backwards into a head scissors take over. The move doesn't actually take Calvin over, however, as it sends him awkwardly into the ropes chest first, causing him to rebound backwards. Just as he reaches Johnny, the Thigh High Thriller takes the conveniently set up trash can, hoists it up into the air, and cracks Calvin across the back of the head with it. This sends Harris down to his knee's, in which Raike flips the trash can over, and jams it down over top of Calvin, trapping half his body, including his arms, inside.
PERCY: This is amazing! I was sure that Johnny Raike was done, and he just keeps coming back!
CAT: He know's whats on the line here, Percy! Never say die!
Raike steps around to in front of Harris, and sends a stiff sweeping kick into the side of the trash can. Harris can be heard yelling from inside, but that only seems to urge Johnny on, as he begins to open up with similar kicks, up and down the trash can. The fans come alive, and begin helping him keep count.
4....
5....
6....
7....
8....
9....
Whoooooooooaaaaaaaaaaa!
When Johnny reaches nine he stops with the sweeping kicks, backpeddles to bounce off the ropes, and comes rushing back to send a Yakuza kick into the trash can right where Calvin's head should be. Trash Can Harris snaps back to the mat, and he kicks his feet, crying out in pain.
PERCY: Good Lord! Do you see that dent in the trash can!
CAT: Yep, and to think, there's a body inside there.
The crowd goes banana's as Johnny moves around the ring, crimson mask and all, and cat calls to his fan base. Just then, his boot nudges something familiar, and he pauses to look down at the lead pipe lying just a few inches from his foot. Johnny reaches down and brings the pipe up in front of his face, staring at it for a moment, while the crowd goes wild with anticipation. He turns to look at Harris, who's still partially trapped inside the trash can.
PERCY: Oh, God. No, Johnny! Don't do it! That's a human being in there!
CAT: Don't listen to this idiot, Johnny. Listen to us! Do it! Do it!
Johnny Raike needs no prompting as he comes to stand over Trash Can Harris. He lifts the pipe high into the air, and just when the fans reach their crescendo, he brings it crashing down into the aluminum trash can. He repeats the process repeatedly, wearing out the trash can, and the man inside, until the aluminum looks completely pulverized. He then tosses the pipe over into the corner, and drops to his knee's to removed Calvin from his prison.
PERCY: You know, I don't care what any of you say. This is professional wrestling, not the Gladiator Arena, and this is going too far. Calvin Harris could have a concussion now, or worse.
CAT: Oh, come on, Percy. You had to believe that this was going to end this way. Both men want that #1 contendership so bad they can taste it!
PERCY: I don't care. That was nothing short of murder, right there, and I don't think that PAW should be apart of it. I'm sorry to say, but Johnny Raike just displayed a ruthlessness we've not seen since Stevie Harris.
Just as Percy makes that statement, Raike is able to finally rip the trash can from Calvin Harris. The Martyr of Wrestling's face was already starting to swell, and he had nicks, scrapes, and bruises all over his neck and arms. Johnny fell on top of him for a cover.
1...
2...
PERCY: Thre-ARE YOU KIDDING ME! HE KICKED OUT! CALVIN HARRIS KICKED OUT!
CAT: Now it's Johnny Raike's turn to stare in shock at the man who just wouldn't stay down!
PERCY: This thing has already spiraled out of control, what more could they do to one another?
Johnny sits there and stares at Harris, shaking his head much the same as Harris had done him earlier in the contest. He pops up to his feet, but the loss of blood, and the exhaustion from the other two matches earlier in the night finally catch up with him, and he stumbles a bit, catching hold of the ropes to keep him upright. While he tries to take a minute to recoup, Harris begins crawling towards the edge of the ring on the opposite side. When he reaches the ring apron, he swings his boots out in front of him so that he ends up on his feet on the outside. He grabs hold of the chain link for dear life, letting it help keep him on his feet, as he slowly makes his way towards the door.
PERCY: What is Calvin Harris doing? There's no escape from this. Someone's going to have to give here!
CAT: Maybe he's done, Percy. It'd be a shame if he walked away from the match now, with everything he's already been through.
The-Ref watches from outside of the cell as Harris reaches the door from the inside, and he demands that The-Ref opens the door. The-Ref shakes his head 'No', and the two begin arguing back and forth. A-Ref sees all of this from inside the ring, and decides to help try and explain it to Harris. As soon as A-Ref reaches the superstar, however, Harris reaches out and grabs him by his masked head, and throws him face first into the steel cell. The-Ref goes nuts on the outside, as Harris turns A-Ref around, puts his shoulder in the mans abdomen, and then drives him repeatedly into one of the steel supports that help make up the structure for the cage. A-Ref clutches at his back when Harris finally stops, and the official slumps to the floor in pain.
PERCY: That despicable bastard!
CAT: And to think, just a minute ago he was a human being.
PERCY: God damn it, he can't just go around crippling referee's!
CAT: Press did in the title match before.
PERCY: That was inadvertent, and I'll remind you that CJ O'Donnell did as well.
CAT: Sounds like a tough time to be a referee here in PAW if you ask me.
PERCY: Wait! What is The-Ref doing?!?
CAT: He's giving in. He's opening the cell door!
Johnny Raike wipes some of the smeared blood from his forehead, and turns just in time to see The-Ref pop open the cell door. He enters to check on his brother, and then pops up to get in Calvin's face, who simply shoves the man down out of the way. Harris stumbles for the open door, falling to his hands and knee's on the outside, and begins crawling towards the ramp. He's just about made it when Johnny Raike comes running around the side of the cage, and football kicks him in the midsection, sending him rolling to crash against the ring barrier.
PERCY: Johnny Raike stopped Calvin Harris from exiting this match, but now, both men are outside the Hell In A Cell! I thought that was the whole point of putting them in this structure to begin with, so they couldn't get out!
CAT: Yeah, well Calvin Harris didn't much care for confinement, so he staged a break out.
PERCY: Well, it looks like Johnny Raike is about to make him pay for that mistake.
Johnny reaches down to pull Harris up to his feet, but the Martyr of Wrestling knocks Raike back a step once he's vertical, and boots him in the midsection. This doubles Raike over, and Calvin grabs Johnny by the scruff of his neck, and the seat of his pants, and shoves him head first into the cell wall. Johnny crashes into it, and falls to his knees, still holding onto the chain link to keep him upright. Harris stalks over now, grabs a fist full of hair, and then begins slamming Raike's face off the cell wall repeatedly, until finally Johnny slumps, and falls at his feet. Harris grabs Raike up, and leads him along the outside of the cell towards the announce table area, but is abruptly cut off by elbows to the midsection by Johnny.
PERCY: They looked to have been making their way over here, but Johnny Raike just cut him off. We don't need any action this close to us, thanks!
CAT: C'mon, Percy! Where's your sense of adventure?
PERCY: I don't think having either one of these bloodied warriors around our table would be a goo....OH MY GOD! Johnny Raike just blasted Calvin over the head with what looks to be a fan's prosthetic leg!
CAT: Haha, he just tossed it back to her, and she's getting a standing ovation!
PERCY: Oh, the irony of that statement!
Harris crawls his way towards the corner of the cell, and Johnny Raike follows him, the fans reaching out to pat the popular superstar on the back and shoulder. He pays them little mind as he reaches down to get a fistfull of hair, and pulls Harris up to his feet, only to smash him face first into the large steal beam that connects that corner of the cell together. Blood cascades down Harris' face as Johnny leads him ever closer to the announce table.
PERCY: Come on guys, there's a cell there for a reason! No need to....Oh my god!
Percy abandons reason, and the table, by throwing himself out of the way of an oncoming Harris, who skitters across the table to land where Percy had been sitting. Cat has already moved away, but she claps her hands in glee as Johnny Raike moves over to trap Harris between the table and the guard rail, and in unusual fashion, begins opening up on him with right hands down into the skull.
PERCY: Johnny Raike is like a man possessed here tonight!
CAT: Calvin's not looked too hot ever since the lead pipe incident. He might want to think of just giving it up.
Raike delivers one final shot with his fist, and then steps off of Harris, to look for some stratagem to get the man back into the cell. As he investigates the path around the side of the cage to where the door still lay open, Calvin pulls himself up by use of the table, and he's a complete mess. His hair is matted to his face with blood and sweat, and the puffy bruises under his eyes and cheek bones tell the tale of a man who's been through hell. He looks over to see Johnny checking the cell, and he climbs up on the table, waiting for the fuckboi to turn around. Just as Raike makes a move to go back for Calvin, Harris leaps high into the air off of the table, and comes crashing down with a vicious fist right into Raike's jaw.
PERCY: MEETING KRYPTONITE OFF THE ANNOUNCE TABLE, AND BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!!
Harris claws at the cell wall to help pull him to his feet, and he grabs up Johnny Raike, half dragging him back over to the announce table. He double underhooks the man's arms, and then lifts him up, releasing the arms, and grabbing his hips to powerbomb him down across the steel reinforced announce booth. The table shudders, but doesn't buckle, and Johnny's face is a mask of agony, as he grabs at his back, and his already injured ribs.
PERCY: Jesus, Johnny Raike may be broken in half!
CAT: Hey..uh....What is Calvin doing?
PERCY: Wha? I don't get it. Where is he going?
Calvin Harris grabs hold of the side of the steel mesh wall of the cell, and begins to climb. Immediately, the fans in the arena come to their feet, and begin to buzz as Calvin treks up the side of the cage. When he finally reaches the top, he swings a leg over, and then the other, then gets up to his feet to look down, where Johnny Raike still lays across the table. The fans become electric as he gets closer and closer to the edge, and he looks out at the capacity crowd, for the first time in a long time, are on their feet cheering on Calvin Harris. He flashes a cocky grin just before leaping forward, entering a corkscrew, and managing to turn it into a shooting star press. He hangs in the air for what seems like forever, before gravity finally catches up with him, and drags him crashing down onto the body of Johnny Raike. The table, reinforced as it may be, obliterates upon impact, and both men lay in a pile of their own destruction. The crowd, the announcers, and even the referee stare at the point of impact in disbelief, before the fans come alive to accentuate what everyone is thinking.
CROWD: Holy Shit! Holy Shit! Holy Shit!
PERCY: OH....MY....GOD!!
CAT: What you guys said....
EMT's appear on the stage as the Hell In A Cell begins lifting up into the air to clear a way around ringside. They rush past the squared circle, ignoring the debris from the match, and descend on the two downed superstars. Neck braces are pulled from packs, hard stretcher boards laid out so that they can lift them on the rolling carts. Everyone remains glued to the situation as first Calvin Harris is peeled off of Johnny Raike, and loaded up on one of the carts. As they begin to push Calvin away, Johnny is already being lifted onto his own, and they apply a neck brace to ensure the Hedonistic Hellcat doesn't do himself further injury by moving around. They get him loaded on his own cart, and are soon behind Harris, whose EMT's are having trouble getting the rollers to work on the steel ramp. They push Johnny Raike's gurney up beside Calvin's, and the EMT's make a collective effort to push the carts up the ramp.
PERCY: Well folks, this one, sad to say, is over, but there is no way these two can continue after that. Calvin Harris took an incredible risk coming off the side of that Cell, and he and Johnny Raike both have paid the price for it.
CAT: I agree, but it was one hell of a spectacle, to say the least. Both these guys got crazy out here, but that's just how much the PAW Heavyweight Championship meant to them.
Just as Harris and Raike reach the stage, Raike rolls onto his side, while the EMT's try and hold him steady, and begin to argue with him. Raike shoves one of the EMT's and they fall back through the curtain, and he reaches up and shoves the other with his boot sending them right off of the stage down to the floor below. The fans come alive as Raike sits up on his gurney, and grabs at Calvin Harris, who still lay motionless across from him.
PERCY: GOOD GOD! The whole world's gone mad, and Johnny Raike right along with it! I've never seen the man so hellbent on destroying someone in my life!
CAT: This may have started out as just another match for these two, but it's turned into a bloody war, and neither side appears to be willing to give in here.
Harris reaches out and grabs hold of Raike's arm, and the two men pull the gurneys together, before Raike fires in a right hand on Harris. Harris rocks back, but then retaliates with a right hand of his own. Before long, even the EMT's have had enough, and they back away from the scene, when the unthinkable happens. The gurney's begin to tip back towards ringside, and before anyone can bother to stop them, both take off in a rocket trip towards the ring. The fans go wild as the gurney's hit the floor, turning up on their end, and sending both Raike and Harris sailing right into the ring apron. Both men clutch at their broken bodies as they hit the floor, while the recovered A-Ref, and his brother, The-Ref, come around to check on the two superstars once more.
PERCY: Johnny Raike and Calvin Harris just nodded to the officials....what the hell is this all about?
CAT: Look, Percy! HELL IN A CELL IS BEING LOWERED!!
PERCY: Oh my God, are you serious?! They are going to continue?
The fans come alive as the cell drops into place, and both men pull themselves up by the ring skirt onto wobbly legs. Calvin is the first to stand on his own, and he throws in a shaky right hand that snaps Raike's head back. Johnny bobs there for a minute, before letting go of the skirt himself, and sneaking in a thunderous chop that sends Calvin stumbling away towards the closest corner, holding his chest. Raike leans against the cell wall, taking in deep measured breaths before rushing forward, running past Harris while hooking him around the head, and leaving his feet so that his body sails over the steel steps while driving Calvin's face down into them with a bulldog.
PERCY: I can't believe this! Johnny Raike, even after being the bearer of that ridiculous move off the top by Harris, is still mounting offense!
CAT: That's got to be the toughest man in PAW!
Johnny just sits on the floor for a minute breathing, every ounce of energy he has being put on the alter of the PAW Universe. He slowly pulls himself to the feet, with a little help from the cage wall, and then helps Harris off the steps, and shoves him into the ring. He rolls in after him, and nudges him with his forehead to roll him over onto his back, before falling on top of him in exhaustion.
PERCY: This has got to be it!
1...
2...
Thre-KICK OUT! The announcers just shake their head in disbelief, along with everyone else. Raike looks up at A-Ref who shrugs in answer, and the Thigh High Thriller rolls his eyes before rolling towards the ropes to try and pick himself back up again. Harris struggles to even get up to his hands and knees, so he belly crawls towards the edge of the ring, while Raike falls into a corner, cradling his chest with his arms, and rubbing his shoulders. When Johnny finally looks up to see where Harris is, Calvin has made it to the corner opposite him, and is pulling himself up to his feet. Raike brings his arms out to grab the top rope, and with a nod of his head, takes off in a sprint across the ring towards his opponent. Harris has just enough time to grab the top rope, hop to the second, and then kick his feet out high so that Raike runs right underneath him, and chest first into the turnbuckle. Calvin lands behind Johnny, who stumbles out, clutching at his busted ribs in pain. Harris reaches out and grabs him by the arm, spins him around to face him, before booting him in the midsection to double him over. He then grabs him by the ears, tucks his head between his legs, and then leans forwards to reach through the man's legs, before lifting up, and sitting straight down into a package pile driver.
PERCY: ART OF BETRAYAL!!
CAT: Is even that enough after all we've seen?
Harris manages to slip around to the side of Raike, and lays back, draping his back and arms across the man.
1...
2...
3!!!
PERCY: Calvin Harris wins!
CAT: Now you can finally calm down, Percy. It's over. I seriously thought you were going to pop a blood vessel back there.
PERCY: It's just that these two guys have put everything on the line here tonight, and some of it, well, it made my hair stand on end.
CAT: Oooo....here's Rhonda with the official announcement!
RHONDA ARMSTRONG: The winner of this, The Final Stage of Hell, and the NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE PAW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.....CALVIN HARRIS!!!
As Rhonda dolls out the announcement, one look in the ring, and neither competitor looks like a winner right now. Calvin still lays across Raike, barely moving, while the Thigh High Thriller hasn't moved since the Art of Betrayal. Finally, with the help of The-Ref and A-Ref, Calvin is able to make to his feet, but he promptly knocks the ref's away from him, and falls into the ropes to look back at where Johnny Raike lay. The look on his face is confusing to most, as it isn't filled with his usual smug expression. He knows, regardless of what's been said and done, that they had just went through a war together the likes of which has never been seen in PAW. It supersedes even what Stevie Harris and Press had achieved with their feud. It was the kind of night, that could very well write their names among the stars. Harris continues to watch, until finally Raike begins to stir, and then he slips beneath the ropes, and the cocky smile everyone's familiar with appears on his face. He nods his head at the fans as he back peddles up the ramp, still cradling his body, and probably wishing he had more hands to massage more places. He pauses at the stop of the stage, and with one poignant comment to the camera, tells the world what he, himself, always knew.
'I told you so...'
He disappears behind the curtain just as Johnny Raike has made it up to his feet. The Most Liberated Man In Wrestling buries his face in the palms of his hands, and leans heavily on the ropes, while the fans applaud, giving him a standing ovation. He lets one hand fall to his side, as he runs the other through his blood encrusted hair, and he nods at the crowd who pour even more love onto him. He shakes his head before exiting the ring, and slowly making his way to the back.
The big screen shows one more shot of the death defying corkscrew shooting star press off the cell, before cutting to the PAW logo, and fading to black.