AWA OVERPOWER, September 24th, 2006, Phoenix, AZ, US Airways Center
(The AWA logo flashes across the screen. The old classic "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf then begins to play as we find ourselves in a second generation Pontiac Firebird. We drive down an Arizona highway and drive by several signs.)
(The first sign shows highlights from the past few weeks of interaction between the Colorado Stampede participants, including matches between Menace 2 Society and Art Of War, as well as ECW's shocking Tag Team title win over M2S only one week ago.)
(We then pass by a second sign and we see highlights involving Snake and Javex Valerius, including Snake beating Logan Alexander for the US title at Classic, and then their recent confrontations in singles and tag team action.)
(A third signs becomes animated and shows us highlights of Yoshinari Sugiura and Brian Stevens, including the announcement of the cooperation between the AWA and PWJ, Sugiura embarrassing Stevens in the United States, and Stevens laying his hands on Sugiura's sister.)
(We pass a fourth sign and we see scene from the storied history of The Legendary Low and Orlando Ortega, including Low attacking OOO with a frying pan, denying OOO a match due to a vacation, Low beating Brian Williams for the World title and OOO beating Nightmist for the No Limits title at Classic, and their subsequent confrontations, including the heated contract signing.)
(The camera then fades out of the car and we see its license plate, saying "OVRPWR". We then cut into the arena. Fireworks go off on the stage and we pan through the packed arena, focusing on excited fans holding signs such as "OOO has No Limits", "M2S = Stampede" and "DW fears stardom". We then cut to our announcers Herb Summers and Frank Jackson.)
HS: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to AWA Overpower 2006. This will be an exciting night, as we have ten exciting matches for you."
FJ: "That's right, Herb. Tonight, Low will show Orlando Ortega that Ortega indeed has several limits and will take the No Limits title away from him, as Ortega challenges for the World title in a Double Title Match."
HS: "We'll see about that. The United States title will be on the line, as Snake defends the title against Javex Valerius. This match was originally scheduled to be a 4-way Match, but with the recent Tag Team title change, plans changed."
FJ: "And spaking of the Tag Team title, on the sixth anniversary of the original Colorado Stampede, we will witness only the third Colorado Stampede in AWA history. Menace 2 Society look to regain the title from Logan Alexander and Jayson Price, but the teams of Andreas Lasiewicz and A.C. Smith, The Art Of War, NPD, The Operation and Hazard FX Inc. will have a say in this, too."
HS: "Brian Stevens went to Japan a few weeks ago, challenging the Pro Wrestling JAPAN Intercontinental Honored Crown Champion Yoshinari Sugiura to a title match. Part of the IHC title is the old AWA Intercontinental title, that was bought by PWJ years ago. This match will be broadcast live via satellite from Tokyo, Japan."
FJ: "Nathan Hawthorne-Lee and Jeff Christianson have had their differences in the past, and tonight, we will see their first-ever one on one meeting. Also, Quade DeSade and Draven Shadows used to be The Unholy Heroes, but tonight, one man will stuff the other in an Iron Maiden... and this man's AWA career will then be over."
HS: "In other action, Brock will take on Chaos, Mike Judge will take on Markus Maximus and Preston Alway will take on Gabriel. And as a special treat, Mama Ortega is in the front row tonight, watching her son's biggest match in the AWA. Later on, I will interview her about her feelings towards her son's recent rise."
(The camera briefly focuses on Mama Ortega, who is surrounded by fans cheering for her. We head to the back where we see MISSLE and Shaku Endbringer walking into the arena. Both have their bags in their hands as they walk through the halls.)
MISSLE: You ready tonight, kid??
SHAKU: Son, I was born ready.
MISSLE: That's what I like to hear.
SHAKU: There's no sweat running off this face. Time to show everyone how high of a "Standard" we have set.
(With that, the camera fades to black.)
HS: "Our next match could get quite messy."
FJ: "Oh yeah, if there's an Iron Maiden involved then there has to be blood!"
HS: "There is something wrong with you Frank."
(The darkness speaks.)
"I am the new way to go. I am the way of the future."
(The voice repeats it's words as a silhouette rises on the screen;
An emotionless face is lit by an unseen flame, eyes closed, breathless.
Her voice then speaks without neither her eyes nor mouth opening.)
"There's a lot of innocent people being crucified."
(A spotlight from above breaks the darknes to reveal a statue with the same face on it that hangs over the stage. The face begins to be consumed in the fire that only moments before lit causing the the hard features to crack like fine china to reveal the face of ...)
(The iron maiden opens to expel it's contents ...)
FJ: "I wonder if the spikes are real..."
(The screen above the burns with one name ...)
"QUADE DESADE"
(Released from his prison in the real world on screen he is spread out to burn on a cross of his own creation; branded with his own name.)
(Quade staggers down the ramp towards the ring oblivous to the calls of the people on either side of him. His face seem a grim freeze of pain; his body marked and scarred from more than just his confinement within the Iron Maiden. Taking the steps slowly he takes a moment as if to catch his breath and then to look back up the ramp to the Iron Maiden which stands open ..... waiting.)
HS: "Quade looks a bit shaken from that Iron Maiden. Look at the punctures from the spikes!"
FJ: "They're REAL? Oh RIGHT! This is gonna be AWESOME! This is almost better than that time Brickcity raided Malika's panties!"
HS: "Are you EVER going to get over that?"
(A voice proclaims.)
"I am The Forsaken Warrior! I am the Unholy Hero!"
FJ: "Who said that?"
("10,000 Days" by Tool hits the PA system. The arena lights go out as the music begins to play. A light shines down on the top of the rampway revealing Draven Shadows standing under the spotlight. His crimson trench coat reflects the light off and back at the crowd. He carries his barbed wire baseball bat in his hand as he begins to slowly walk to the ring as the lights come back on. He stops in front of the ring and looks around at the crowd members then drops his gaze on deSade who returns the heat full force.)
HS: "These two were tag partners in the not too distant past!"
FJ: "WHO CARES?! Now their going to maim one another!"
(He takes off his coat and hands his bat and coat to a tech guy. Before the tech guy leaves he pulls a red rose out of his coat. He climbs into the ring with the rose in hand. He walks over to his corner and sits down in the corner as he stares at the rose.)
(Distracted by the rose, Draven does not notice that deSade has made his way toward him to deliver a dropkick in the corner as the rose flies to the crowd.)
"DING DING DING!"
FJ: "Here we go! Blood and violence, Blood and Violence!"
HS: "Is that your mantra?"
FJ: "It is now!"
(After regarding Shadows for a moment, deSade returns to the offensive and begins stomping to Draven's exposed torso. Draven tries to block, but is ineffectual, so instead he rolls away from the stomps and to the ground outside. Fortuitiously by his barbed wire bat. Reaching down, he picks up the bat and as Quade runs towards the rope cracks him in the abdomen with it, as bloodly scratches appear across deSades midsection. Quade falls to the ground clutching his wounds.)
FJ: "FIRST BLOOD!"
(Draven reenters the ring with a strut, dragging the bat behind him. He gets near the wounded deSade and raises the bat as if to strike once more. However, deSade noting the blood on his hands, and realizing it was his own quickly kicks his right leg straight into Draven's midsection doubling him over as he drops the bat. A fire burns in the eyes of "The Fiery Cross", and Quade then proceeds to use that same foot for a kick to the face sending him to his back. Quade begins to stand and as he does so, he reaches the barbed wire bat. Picking it up he grins maniacly at his downed opponent.)
HS: "Something strange is happening with deSade!"
FJ: "Something strange and wonderful Herb! I see a WHOLE lot of VIOLENCE in those eyes!"
(Quade reaches and grabs a handful of Dravens hair and drags him to the ring apron where he places his torso and head half hanging off the ring. Draven realizing his peril completes his ring exiting as Quade swings down with the bat catching nothing but air. Draven retreats up the ramp unwitting toward the Iron Maiden.)
HS: "Draven is not paying attention to where he's going!"
(Quade does not fret about his failed attempt, and he begins his stalk. Slowly and methodically ascending the ramp. Draven notices and tries for a full frontal assault running and leaping into the air only for the bat to catch him squarely in the midsection doubling him over.)
FJ: "Paybacks a bitch! God I love this match!"
(However, deSade is not finished with his attack as he again swings the bat again connecting with the doubled over form of Draven Shadows. Quade drives the bat continuously into the abdomen of "The Unholy Hero".)
HS: "They continue to get closer to the Iron Maiden!"
(Quade realizing the end of this match and this agravation is near swings one last time at the back of Dravens knees dropping him hard and painfully, though Shadows looks as if he's out cold.)
FJ: "Alright, Shadows is out and deSade still looks like he's not done!"
(Quade still holding the bat, again grabs Draven by the hair and drags him toward the Iron Maiden. As he gets close, he bends down the lift Draven to his feet. Draven opens his painfilled eyes and locks a hand around deSade's throat!)
HS: "Oh WOW! Looks like the momentum's swayed!"
FJ: "I don't care who goes in it! I just want to see what comes out!"
(Draven gets to his feet still with his hand locked around deSade's throat and with his back to the Iron Maiden. Draven smiles as he flexes his arm tightening his grip readying to put this match way!)
HS: "Draven has this match won if he can toss Quade into the Iron Maiden!"
(Draven begins to turn but is surprised to see a smile on deSade's face! His surprise turns to horror as the bat connects once again to his chest and sends him into the Iron Maiden!)
FJ: "SHUT THE DOOR!!! BLOOD AND VIOLENCE BLOOD AND VIOLENCE!!!"
HS: "Strait Jacket anyone?"
(deSade slams the door shut effectively ending the match, but a piercing scream echoes through the entire arena. Quade covers his ears, but a look of determination crosses his face and he rears back once again and sends the bat into the Iron Maiden creating a gong effect and silencing the screams.)
FJ: "Where's the blood?! WHERE'S THE EFFIN BLOOD?!?!?!?!?!"
HS: "It's inside Frank. Where did you think it would be?"
FJ: "Inside?! What good is it INSIDE?!?! Inside where nobody can see it! I HATE this match!"
HS: "I thought you said you loved it!"
FJ: "I did until it turned out to be a total Tease!"
(deSade glares at the Iron Maiden turned coffin one last time as he leans on the bat. Finally he slowly makes his way off the stage and toward the back.)
(The cameras cut backstage to the boiler room where we see Markus Maximus shadow boxing, obviously preparing for his match against Mike Judge. Beads of sweat begin to drip down from the top of his head as he continues practicing his techniques before finally stopping to wipe his forehead with a nearby towel hanging on a radiator pipe. He looks down at the floor and kneels over to grab a bottle of gatorade and takes several huge swigs of it then wipes his mouth and lets out a satisfied and refreshed sigh. Out of the corner of his eye he notices the camera man and looks on with a stern look on his face.)
MARKUS: It's finally here. The night that Markus Maximus becomes a household name within the AWA is tonight, here on Overpower. Mike Judge, the time for talk is over. It's time to put up or shut up. Either you're gonna face me in that ring and man up, or I'm gonna slap you down like a little bitch. Personally, I think it's gonna be the latter.
(Markus pauses for a moment and takes another swig of his gatorade before continuing on.)
MARKUS: You know, they say that revenge is a dish that has to be eaten cold. After what you did to me last week on Shock, I'd say owe one huge dish of it and as hot as I am, you can best believe that you're gonna wind up with a case of indigestion.
(Markus stops yet again and gulps down the last bit of gatorade before casually tossing the bottle aside.)
MARKUS: So alas, I leave with this, just remember Mike..I'm a man with everything to gain and everything to prove but I ain't got a damn thing to lose either. So what chance could you possibly have of beating me?
(Markus stares deeply into the camera as the camera feed flashes out to static...A camera backstage reveals the locker room. Gabriel hangs his white robe on a peg the takes a bottle of water from his kit bag to take a drink, the camera moves on.
(Orlando Ortega pins a faded picture of a man who looks like himself, just a little older before pinning a soccer banner of some local Colombian team to his locker door.
The camera moves on to witness Jayson Price exit the shower room. Pulling a towel from his wet hair Jason suddenly halts. His face becomes cold and he drops the towel.
Leaning back on a steel chair with a boot up on the bench at his locker Quade deSade seems to be reading a book: a black book.)
(Jayson stands before Quade naked to the nines waiting as The Fiery Cross seems to be otherwise distracted until The Fiery Cross asks a question without taking his eyes off of the page.)
QUADE: "Tell me Misery is it really with a �Y' or without?"
(Price shifts then suddenly Quade slams the book shut with a crack that makes Jayson jump back with concern. Quade stands to stare Misery eye to eye.)
QUADE: "I mean on your birth certificate. Did your parents really put a �Y' in Jayson. I ask merely for the sake of posterity you understand." Quade opens his book again and from inside his coat he pulls out a quilled pen and waits poised for Jayson's answer. There is a moment, a very long moment then inevitably Quade's eyes look down, then rise to meet Misery's.
QUADE: "Feeling the cold all of sudden?"
(The scene fades�)
HS: "Well frank, it's time for next match up, in which Markus Maximus will be taking on Mike Judge."
FJ: "Aww yeah, this match is gonna be off the hizzle fo shizze my nizzle izzle bizzle!"
HS: "Um...right. Well anyway like I saying there's no love lost between these two men and after last week on Shock, Markus will definitely be looking for some sort of retaliation."
FJ: "Yeah you can best believe he gonna do a one-eighty-seven on that bitch! Word Up!"
HS: "God help me, it's gonna be a long night."
("Take A Stand" by Youth Of Today screams over the PA system, Mike Judge seems almost careless as he walks down the ramp to a mixtures of cheers and boos. Judge enters the ring and leans on the ropes awaiting the arrival of Markus Maximus.)
HS: "Mike Judge seems more than ready tonight and as soon as Markus makes his way out, we'll be ready to go!"
( The lights in the arena dim heavily as the sound of gunshots begin to fill the arena with red and blue strobe lights flashing throughout with the fans raising to their feet as "Some Bodies Gonna Get It" by Three 6 Mafia bursts through the PA system as Markus Maximus makes his way through the curtain and stares a hole through Mike Judge from the top of the ramp way and sprints down the isle towards the ring!)
FJ: "Oh yeah, it's time to get Gangsta up in this bitch!"
HS: "Well...at least this time you said it on pay per view."
(The bell rings and the match gets underway as Markus Maximus slides under the bottom rope but is cut off as Mike stomps on him repeatedly, not giving Markus a chance to catch his breath as Judge drops the knee to the back of Markus' head and then drags him over to the corner and unleashes more stomps to the chest and abdomen area.)
HS: "Well Mike Judge is definitely not giving Markus any quarter having publicly announced his frustration and disdain for being booked in this match."
FJ: "Hey..that ain't cool yo, Mike is actin like a straight up sucka, G."
HS: "Maybe I should call up Vanilla Ice and the two of you can start a rap group?"
(Back inside the ring Mike Judge has finally let up on the stomps and grabs Markus by his shirt collar and yanks him up to his feet and Irish whips him hard to the opposite corner to which Markus flips over head first and lands on the floor below! Mike seems content to this and stays inside the ring and begins to mock the fans who respond with a chorus of boos as the referee begins to count out Markus.)
FJ: "Haven't you said a couple of times now that Markus would show that he's a force to be reckoned with?"
HS: "Yes, I have to admit that the Natural Born Gangsta is getting off to a rough start here."
(At the count of eight, Markus finally makes it back into the ring and takes a knee in the nearby corner as he tries to regain his composure as Mike Judge casually makes his way over and throttles Markus, who responds with a clawhold on Mike's testicles! Judge screams out in pain as Markus keeps a tight grip on the hold and uses his free hand to chop Mike across the chest!)
FJ: "What the? That should be a disqualification! Markus is blatantly breaking the rules!"
HS: This match may not be being contested under no limits rules, but Markus will do anything to win a match."
(Markus finally breaks the testicular claw as Mike crumbles into a heap on the mat and gets mounted by Markus who sits on his chest and nails him with stiff right hands but Mike fights back with left hands of his own which causes Markus to back up as Mike quickly scrambles to his feet and two men begin to exchange blows in the middle of the ring which Markus starts to get the upper hand but Mike quickly cuts him off with a kick to the gut and follows up with an elbow to the back of the head and then Irish whips Markus into the ropes and goes for the clothesline but Markus ducks, rebounds off the ropes and leaps into the air, knocking Mike Judge down with a shoulder block!)
HS: "Markus Maximus is on the rebound now!"
FJ: "It's about time, for a minute I thought I was gonna have to revoke his ghetto pass."
HS: "What are you talking about?"
FJ: "His ghetto pass. You got to have a ghetto pass if you don't want the homeboys to bust a cap in yo ass. Holla if ya hear me Herb!"
HS: "How about calling the damn match?"
(Back inside the ring, Markus slams Mike down to the mat with a vertical suplex and stands over him and looks out into the crowd and then looks down at Mike and does a crotch chop which gets a nice little pop from the crowd as Markus makes his way over to the corner and climbs the turnbuckle with his back towards Mike. Markus takes a few seconds to maintain his balance on the top rope which gives Mike more than enough time to recover as he gets to his feet and runs over to Markus, pushing his legs out from underneath him with Markus crotching himself on the top rope as a result.)
HS: "Oohh..Markus took too much time trying to go for a high-risk move and paid a heavy price for it."
FJ: "Damn...now me and homie won't be able to go out ho hunting."
HS: "Can someone cut his mic already please?"
(With Markus straddled on the top rope, Mike takes advantage and delivers several clubbing blows to the small of the back and hangs Markus upside down in a tree of woe position and gets up on the second ropes and steps on Markus' groin with his foot!)
HS: "Damn that Mike Judge! He's obviously giving Markus a receipt for his actions earlier in the match!"
FJ: "You know..."
HS: "Just shut up already, Frank."
(Mike finally releases the nut squash and kicks Markus right in the chest for good measure, causing him to slump down to the mat. Mike signals that it's time to end the match and grabs Markus and hoists him up and places his head in between his legs and goes for a waistlock and lifts Markus up but he manages to wiggle and squirm out of the hold and takes a knee on the mat as Mike delivers several more hard blows and again tries to go for the Hardline Piledriver but Markus reverses it into back body drop. As Mike tries to recover on the mat, Markus starts digging down into his in shorts and pulls out an object.)
HS: "Watch out ref! He's got a damn pencil!
FJ: "That's how we do it in the hood!"
(As Mike starts to get to his feet, Markus lunges back and goes to stab him with the pencil but the referee grabs his hand at the last second and forces the pencil from Markus' grip to which Mike Judge takes advantage of the situation and rolls Markus up with a schoolboy! 1...2...Markus kicks out!)
HS: "Mike Judge came a little bit too close to stealing that one for Markus' comfort!"
FJ: "I bet he can't steal a car radio as good as Markus can."
HS: "Would you just stop?"
(Back in the ring Judge kicks Maximus right in the gut, doubling him over and follows up with a knee to the face and Irish whips him into the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Markus ducks, rebounds off the ropes and catches Mike with a high knee right to the face. Markus quickly follows up with a wrenching rear chinlock and fish hooks both of Mike's nostrils for added pain to which the referee reprimands him for the illegal tactic.)
HS: "Well there's nothing fancy about that. Neither man are classically trained wrestlers so to speak, and so far this match has shown us that."
FJ: "Are you kidding me? This is the greatest thing I've ever seen!"
(Markus finally releases the chinlock and forces Mike down to the mat and drops a knee right to the face and then goes to the turnbuckle and climbs to the second rope and leaps off with a legdrop right to the sternum of Mike and then goes for a cover! 1..2..Mike kicks out! Markus doesn't let up however as he hoists Mike up to his feet and goes for an Irish whip but Mike reverses and catches Markus with a HUGE sidewalk slam off the ropes! However Mike is unable to follow up as both lay motionless on the mat.)
HS: "This match could definitely go either way now, Frank!"
FJ: "C'mon damn it, I got lots of money riding on this!"
(The referee starts to count out both men as they start to try to get up to their feet, 1...2...3...4...5....6...Mike is the first one to get to his feet and nails Markus in the face with a hard left hand to which Markus on his knees responds with a fist to Mike's stomach. Mike doubles over but hits Markus with another left hand to which he receives another blow to the stomach for his troubles. Mike unleashes yet another left hand but Markus quickly shakes it off and this time unleashes a flurry of lefts and rights to the stomach and chest of Mike Judge and finishes him off with an uppercut right to the jaw, backing Mike off several feet as he finally gets to his feet but Judge quickly exits the ring and checks on his jaw. Maximus however continues the assault as he climbs on the apron and climbs on the second rope and leaps off with an asai moonsault right on top of an unsuspecting Mike Judge!)
HS: "My god!"
FJ: "Yeah! Yeah! Do it again!"
(The referee starts the ten count as Markus slowly gets to his feet and grabs Mike Judge up by his sweater and rolls him back into the ring and follows back in and goes for a pin. 1...2.....no Mike Judge kicks out! Agitated, Markus gets up and argues with the ref that it should have been a three count while Mike Judge slowly crawls over blatantly low blows Markus and rolls him up while holding his shorts! The ref gets down into position unable to see Mike holding the tights and counts...1..2..no Markus still manages to kick out!)
FJ: "How the hell did he do that?"
HS: "Obviously Markus is determined as hell to win this match Frank, and Mike seems more angry that he hasn't put him away yet!"
(Mike pounds the mat with both fists in frustration and goes outside of the ring and reaches under the ring apron and pulls out a steel chair and rolls back into the ring as the ref tries to stop him but backs off after Judge threatens to hit him with it and waits for Markus to get to his feet and swings but Markus manages to duck it at the last minute! Mike turns around and gets hit with the .38 Special, a three-quarter front facelock bulldog as Markus goes for the cover! 1...2....3!!)
HS: "Markus did it! He has won this match!"
FJ: "Personally, I think he could have done a lot better but oh well."
HS: "Do you always have to be such a jerk?"
(Markus starts to walk back up the ramp and slaps hands with some of the fans as the referee checks on Mike Judge back in the ring whose more than displeased at his loss.)
(We find ourselves closing in on a door marked "ECW" on the front of it. We enter and find ourselves inside the ECW locker room. There are ECW flags in all corners and one on each side of the door. All five members are present, dressed in their ECW jerseys with their wrestling attire underneath. They sit on the benches against the walls of the room, roughly in a circle. Terry James has his cruiserweight title around his waist, while Logan and Price both have their tag team titles around their waists as well. There is a thick tension in the atmosphere as all men seem to be thinking about their matches. Finally, the one man who doesn't have a match breaks the silence.)
XTJ: "Hey, why is it so damn quiet in here? It's like someone just died or something!"
(Terry gets a chuckle out of that one and looks over to his long-time tag team partner.)
TERRY: "There is never an awkward silence in an ECW locker room when you're in it, eh buddy?"
LOGAN: "Jeff, silent? Those two words don't go together in any language."
(XTJ smirks and stands up from the bench, strolling around the locker room as he talks.)
XTJ: "Well, someone has to start a conversation in here. I'm clearly just the guy with the most initiative here."
TERRY: "Or the guy with the biggest mouth."
PA: "Maybe he just doesn't like silence."
LOGAN: "Nah, you French-Canadians just talk way too much."
(Jeff turns to Terry, who has a wide smirk on his face, while Preston turns to Logan to see the same thing.)
PRICE: "Hey, stop picking on the French-speaking people. Everything you say in French is so much longer than the same thing you say in English, so naturally they will talk more when speaking English to compensate for the lack of words you need to say for a normal sentence."
(Terry raises his hands in defence, but then gets a little more serious.)
TERRY: "Geez, you don't have to get all technical about it buddy. But, Jeff's right anyways. We need to be pumped up for our matches, not moping around. In every match we are the champions when there is a belt on the line. We are champions for a reason guys. We are the best in our class, whether it is the cruiserweight division or the tag team division, ECW is on top."
(Logan and Jayson nod, looking at their tag team belts.)
TERRY: "Now, that's not to say this night will be easy for us. We'll have to work and put out a lot of effort to gain those wins. I'm in a ladder match, a match that is known for brutality, despite its simple concept. Logan and Jayson are in a match where there can be up to four teams in one ring at one time and, at any point, three of those teams could turn on them. Preston is facing a giant religious freak, who is clearly insane and will most likely attempt to injure him in a bad way. Those are some tough situations, but we've been through many of them before. We'll just have to step it up that extra notch and push our opponents to their limits."
(Preston, Price and Logan all nod in complete agreement, but Jeff has a look of confusion on his face.)
XTJ: "Um, what about me?"
(Terry looks up and pauses to think about the question for a moment.)
TERRY: "Just keep doing what you're doing. Make sure these guys don't suddenly wimp out before their matches. ECW doesn't have time for quitters."
(Terry's trademark smirk is there as Preston, Logan and Price just look at him and sarcastically laugh. The view changes to the announcing booth, where Herb and Frank are ready to go on with the show.)
HS: "Well, ECW has three matches tonight. Two of them are for championships that they possess."
FJ: "And the other is going to be a brutal and physical domination from Gabriel. I can't wait!"
Low vs. Ortega - Sunday Night Shock, January 22nd - The First Contact
(We see Ortega standing in the ring, holding a microphone.)
OOO: "Since 1999, the American Wrestling Alliance has become one of, if not the, top wrestling company in the industry today. We get high scores on our weekly shows, we've sold out every single PPV in the last four years and our buy rates are unimaginably high. Fans across the globe love the American Wrestling Alliance� and the AWA loves them all right back!"
(Ortega pauses for the ensuing pop.)
OOO: "The past few years have seen a revolution in the American Wrestling Alliance. A transition into greatness featured by new age styles and outrageous, almost superhuman characters, each one adding his own special piece to the big pie known as the AWA. And at the forefront of that revolution is a man who some say single-handedly changed the face of the AWA and the wrestling world� forever."
(Ortega waits for the fans to die down once more.)
OOO: "I've wrestled this man myself on multiple occasions, and, although he bested me each time, I learned more from him than I could have ever imagined. He helped sculpt me into an elite class of superstars, but, quite frankly, he's in a class all his own. He's a former World Champion, a two time Tag Champion, a former Television Champion, a former Intercontinental Champion, and, most notably, the only man in AWA history to have won the Cruiserweight Championship four unprecedented times!"
(Another pop.)
OOO: "With that said, I've done enough talking. Tonight, we have a special surprise for all of you. In a few moments, in this very same ring, the greatest cruiserweight of ALL TIME... (beep) will be joining me right here in San Diego, California!"
(Pop.)
OOO: "But first, let's take a look at everyone's favorite superhero in a special tribute video package highlighting his brief but illustrious AWA career."
(Ortega points to the AWATron as the fans are electric. Suddenly, your screen goes black. After a few moments the following words pop up on our screen...
"The Legendary President Low will not allow rival promoters based in smoky high school gyms in Florida to promote their risk-taking lightweight excuses for professional wrestlers on his AWA programming. He apologizes to the AWA viewers for the upcoming moment of silence."
(Then the screen goes black.)
(After a few moments, we return back to the arena in San Diego.)
HS: "I don't believe this! What the hell is going on? That man is fired, he was fired by Low two weeks ago!"
FJ: "He's putting us out of our misery!"
(We have returned to see Orlando Ortega lying face down on the mat, unconscious, with former Cruiserweight Champion Rawstarr standing over him with a heavily dented chair. The fans are nearly leaving their seats in fury, both from the turn of events and having been denied their so-called money's worth.)
HS: "This is a travesty. Get security out here right now, he's not an AWA contracted employee. He has no right to be here and he's trespassing! What the hell is he doing?"
FJ: "Show some respect, Herb, for the man who just made the highlight of the night!"
HS: "But what about (beep)? Maybe he'll come out here and aide Ortega!"
(Rawstarr stands over Ortega, nearly looking like a sad kitten, clearly struggling with his own emotions and torn up inside. He looks down at the chair and lowers his head, shaking it. He drops the chair and slumps over. The fans are raining boos down on him, too. Everyone anticipates their hero to come out, but instead of Reel Big Fish, they are greeted by Depeche Mode and The Legendary Low steps out from the back. He is greeted with boos as he pulls a microphone out of his black suit jacket.)
LOW: "Everybody's got a price for the... oh wait... wrong legend."
(Low chuckles to a chorus of boos.)
LOW: "Ortega, Mister 3-Seconds, how naive must you be to believe that I would seriously allow this trash to take place on MY show!"
(Loud, loud boos.)
LOW: "The guy you were talking about won't get a send-off like this. As I said before, if you wanna watch overrated gymnasts doing a bunch of meaningless spins and twists, go to some gym or hotel ballroom in New Jersey or Florida. But you won't abuse my show for that garbage anymore."
"Rawstarr, lay the boots to him some more!"
(Rawstarr stares at Low, but when Low pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket, Rawstarr does as he's been told and stomps away at Orlando Ortega.)
LOW: "See, Rawstarr came to me last week and asked, well, BEGGED for his job! Yeah, that's EXACTLY how it happened! He pleaded with me, talking about some bitch that may or may not be his wife and a bunch of brats that may or may not be his kids. Or something, I didn't really listen because I liked the commercial that was on TV at that time."
"But out of the goodness of my heart, I decided to give Rawstarr another shot, even if I had just fired him after the miserable performance in that battle royal a few weeks ago. In fact, since I am such a good person, I even gave him a raise, a really good one. But there was one condition - he'd have to do my dirty work, whether he agreed with it or not. You don't think I will waste my time with a guy who has lost to Brian Stevens in three seconds, right?"
(More boos as Rawstarr stops stomping Ortega.)
LOW: "You see, Rawstarr junior's college education comes at a price, Ortega, and since Rawstarr was on the unemployed list 24 hours ago and had no money to buy the gas for his Toyota Corolla, YOU had to pay that price. Now Rawstarr is going to work extra hours with The Legendary President Low to prove to me that he is worthy the generous contract I have offered him."
LOW: "So Ortega, at Hell On Earth, you will make your in-ring return, taking on none other than The Legendary Low's human property, A/K/A Rawstarr!"
(With that, Low drops the microphone and heads backstage as an unhappy Rawstarr looks after him.)
HS: "After seeing that, there's no doubt in my mind that Orlando Ortega will beat the pulp out of Low! After all he's done and all of the indignities, he will definitely get what's coming to him tonight!"
FJ: "Yeah, ok...sure he will..."
HS: And now, let's get Overpower started! First on
the agenda, Brock...
FJ: Here comes the pain!!!!!
HS: Not THAT Brock, you idiot. But yes, Brock vs.
Chaos!
FJ: Logan Alexander?
HS: Not Chaos Stryke, you moron! Chaos!
FJ: You confuse me.
HS: Most things do, Frank.
("You Can Hate Me Now," by Puff Daddy, begins to
play. As Puffy starts yelling intot he mic, the
pyrotechnics begin to go off (and the lights come back
on)on both sides of him. As the fireworks draw down he
hops up and slams his feet down while throwing his
head back and spitting a mouthful of water into the
air in a spay. Now, in a prone stance, he looks at the
camera and yells at the top of his lungs while flexing
every muscle in his body. Then, continuing his yell he
reaches skyward with both hands to finish his top of
the ramp theatrics. He then walks down the ramp to the
ring, and climbs through the top and middle ropes. He
then waits for his opponent.
He hasn't long to wait, as "Heaven Beside You," by
Alice in Chains, blares over the speakers. Chaos comes
out to a nice pop from the Phoenix crowd before
stepping into the ring. The bell tolls, and we are
underway.)
HS: This should be a great match that sets the tone
for the rest of the night!
FJ: How is this borefest going to set the tone for
when Low fells that Colombian jumping bean Ortega for
good? Or when...
HS: FRANK! Save main event-related stuff for the
main event, at least!
(Brock and Chaos circle the ring in cautious
fashion for a few moments. However, after they finally
lock up, "L.A. Blues," by the Stooges, is heard all
around the arena. This can mean only one thing...)
FJ: THE SQUASHER! The Squasher is here to save us!
Hallelujah!
(He slides into the ring, shaking off a few stomps
from both men before bashing both of their heads
together. He sends Brock into the ropes before hitting
him with a big boot. Chaos tries to attack, but a
forearm from the much-larger Squasher sends him into
the corner. Chaos then meets the ringpost by way of a
pole ram, and he crumples to the arena floor in a
heap. He turns to Brock, picks him up in a gorilla
press slam, and deposits him on the arena floor as
well!)
HS: Somebody stop this! These men are hurt!
FJ: I love it! I love it!
(The Squasher heads outside the ring, picks up
Chaos, and slams him, neck-first, into the guardrail.
Brock falls victim to the same fate as AWA security
finally comes out, and separates a smiling Squasher
from his injured prey. The security personnel call for
EMT's to tend to their neck and chest injuries as the
Squasher is led back to the locker room.)
HS: This is just terrible! The Squasher may have
just ended the careers of Brock and Chaos here in the
opening match at Overpower!
FJ: Na na na na...na na na na...HEY HEY
HEY...GOODBYE!
HS: Frank! Give me a break!
FJ: Like the Squasher just broke their necks and
ribs? OK!
HS: Ugh...Frank, You know what? I get to interview someone now.
FJ: "What? That wasn't in the card! You jerk! Interviewing is for me!"
HS: "Anyway...ladies and gentlemen, I now have the supreme pleasure of interviewing the mother of the AWA No Limits Champion, Mrs. Ortega."
(Herb gets up from his seat.)
FJ: "I hope Herb can stay healthy talking to that woman."
(Herb grabs a microphone and walks to where Mrs. Ortega is sitting in the front row. As the fans recognize her on the AmeriTron they begin to cheer.)
HS: "Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Ortega!"
(Mrs. Ortega gets up from her chair and is cheered even more as she waved to the crowd.)
HS: "Mrs. Ortega, you must be so proud, you must be so excited, for tonight your son has vowed to fulfill the promise he gave his father so many years ago, to become the best wrestler in the world. Tonight, he can achieve that goal by defeating The Legendary Low."
ORTEGA: "Herb, call me Momma. Yes, I am VERY proud of Landy. He has worked so hard for this."
HS: "I bet there is nothing in the world that could have prevented you from being here tonight in Phoenix to watch your son wrestle for the World Heavyweight title."
MOMMA: "No, nothing, Herb. At first I feared I could not heal in time for this show, but I've made it."
HS: "The Ortegas are a strong bunch."
(Suddenly, two men in dark suits and wearing black shades come up behind Herb. They show their IDs to Mrs. Ortega and all we can make out are the words "Department of Homeland Security".)
HS: "Excuse me, what is going on here?"
AGENT 1: "Are you Mrs. Ortega?"
MOMMA: "Yes, I am. You can call me Momma, like everybody else."
AGENT 2: "Could we please see your ID?"
MOMMA: "I... I don't have my ID with me."
AGENT 2: "Do you have any way of identifying yourself to us?"
MOMMA: "All I have with me is my video rental card."
(The two agents briefly stick their heads together.)
AGENT 2: "Give me that one."
(Momma Ortega gives her video card to the agent, who looks at her with a surprised look.)
AGENT 2: "It says 'Momma Ortega'."
MOMMA: "That's my name."
AGENT 1: "Your mother called you Momma?"
HS: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, what is going on here? Why are you disrupting our program? And what would two Homeland Security agents possibly want from Momma Ortega?"
AGENT 1: "We have received solid evidence that Momma Ortega is not only an illegal immigrant - I mean, she couldn't even legitimately identify herself to us. We suspect her to also be heavily involved in distributing cocaine by importing it from her native of Columbia and selling it to dealers all over the United States."
MOMMA: "Que?"
HS: "How could you just get that idea?"
AGENT 2: "Mrs. Ortega regularly receives large packages from Colombia."
MOMMA: "A friend is sending me my favorite coffee which I can't get otherwise!"
AGENT 2: "And what about this?"
(The agent points to traces of white powder on Momma Ortega's dark blue costume.)
MOMMA: "This is baking powder, I baked a celebration cake for my Landy."
AGENT 2: "Baking powder, huh?"
AGENT 1: "I, for one, even doubt this is cocaine. We have received word that your nickname in the underground terror organization 'Mothers for an Organized Middle-American Military Assault', short M.O.M.M.A., is 'Walking Anthrax'. Who knows what your terrible plans for this even here tonight actually are!?!?"
HS: "You've got to be kidding me."
(The fans boo as Momma looks totally overwhelmed and Herb looks on in Shock.)
AGENT 2: "Momma Ortega, you are under suspicion of being an illegal immigrant, drug distributor and are part of a terrorist organization. We have to take you with us for two days of interrogation."
HS: "What? You can't do that! Who set you up for this?"
AGENT 1: "We cannot disclose our sources or the results of our investigations. Mrs. Ortega, you'd be well-served to come with us now."
MOMMA: "Landy! Where is Landy?"
AGENT 1: "Ma'am, please come with us now. Your son is questioned by one of our agents so he would not disrupt our work."
(As the crowd keeps booing, Mrs. Ortega is put in handcuffs and led past the guardrail and up the ramp to the back. Herb returns to Frank.)
HS: "I can't believe this!"
FJ: "Yeah, I know!"
HS: "This is a real shocker!"
FJ: "I agree with you!"
HS: "Who would have ever thought this would go down here tonight?"
FJ: "Yeah, I mean, I knew she was illegal, but a drug dealer AND terrorist? Good thing they got her before she could do any serious damage tonight."
HS: "Shut the fuck up, Frank!"
(Fans flock to the railings as the sound system comes alive with "Bulletproof Skin" by INSTITUTE. Through the haze of blue and silver lighting effects filling the entry way, walks "Assassin" Chris Freytag. Already clad in his wrestling attire, the Assassin also sports his commonly seen black Leather Jacket. With a grin he walks down the aisle, and interacts with a few fans.)
HS: "Here comes tonight's challenger for the Cruiserweight Championship. We'll be witnessing that Ladder Match later tonight."
FJ: "That's going to be a heated match. I guarantee it."
(Chris, almost to the Squared Circle now, stops and leans back against a sea of ringside fans, who anticipating it, flock around him and pat him on the back and attempt to touch the ring-veteran before Security pushes them back. Chris then glances towards a sign in the front row and holds it up for the camera. It loudly reads, "Freytag already owns Terry!" Freytag chuckles and hands it back to the fan. Then he makes his way up the ring steps and enters the Squared Circle. Immediately he runs across the ring and leaps up onto the second buckle and scans the appreciative crowd, giving Freytag a supportive ovation.)
HS: "Phoenix welcomes the Assassin!"
(Chris is handed a microphone from a ringside official.)
ASSASSIN: "How's it goin' tonight Phoenix?"
(The crowd pops.)
ASSASSIN: "Okay people, I'm not looking for a 'cheap pop', I'm looking for a genuine reaction. I know most of you are Assassin fans out there, so I wanna know, HOW ARE MY PEOPLE DOING TONIGHT!?"
(Another loud ovation sweeps the crowd.)
ASSASSIN: "You're ready to watch me make history, yet again, right?"
(Chris sticks the mic in the crowd's direction as they continue screaming in approval.)
ASSASSIN: "Trust me, I feel the adrenaline pumping too. I think it's time somebody slapped Terry James around, and put him in his place. You agree?"
(Another loud pop.)
ASSASSIN: "I'm sure the wrestling fans, the REAL wrestling fans, are ready to see the Cruiserweight Championship become something special. Am I right??"
(A loud chant now forms in the arena: "Brand New Champ! Brand New Champ! Brand New Champ!")
ASSASSIN: "In just a little while, yes..."
(Chris now hops out of the ring and walks casually around the ringside area.)
ASSASSIN: "See, there's one thing that has always set me apart from most others in the business. Today we have a surplus of idiots like Terry James. However the old school guys, who love and live the business, we still care about what the fans think. It's not entirely about US. So what do you guys think? Can Phoenix share with me their opinions of what a Champion is?"
(The crowd cheers.)
ASSASSIN: "You there, in the blue shirt, what do you think a Champion is?"
(Chris holds the microphone up to the fan's mouth.)
BOY: "I've watched wrestling for a long time. And I think what I like most are matches designed specifically for certain titles."
ASSASSIN: "Okay, makes sense. So maybe when I win the Cruiserweight Strap, work up some interesting matches that pertain, specifically, to the Cruiserweight Concept. Right?"
BOY: "Exactly!"
(Chris high fives the boy.)
ASSASSIN: "How about you?"
(Chris looks to a nearby wife who's with her husband.)
WOMAN: "I think somebody acknowledging their Championship would be a refreshing change. If you're a world champion, for example? Travel the world, and defend it. Carry the company."
ASSASSIN: "'Carry the company?' Hmm...your husband dragged you here tonight, right?"
(The crowd laughs.)
WOMAN: *Chuckle* "Maybe..."
ASSASSIN: "Right on. Makes sense too. Thanks."
(Chris strolls further up the ringside area.)
ASSASSIN: "What about you bro? What's a Champion?"
(Freytag holds the mic up for a guy in presumably his mid-30's.)
GUY: "A Champion is someone who makes an impact. Gives us some memorable matches to link up with the Title itself."
ASSASSIN: "Did Terry James and Jeff Christianson do it for ya?"
(The crowd boos.)
GUY: "Nah, I think they might have tried? But I changed the channel."
ASSASSIN: "OOOOH! Ouch!"
GUY: "What can I say? I wasn't entertained."
ASSASSIN: "No worries man, neither was the rest of us."
(Chris turns away now, and continues speaking while rolling back into the ring.)
ASSASSIN: "So...*Pushing to his feet*...we've heard it from the mouth of Phoenix. They want someone to define the Championships in Professional Wrestling. They want their Champions to exude passion, and entertainment. Well guess what? Tonight I BECOME such a Champion! Its assassination number one, Terry James, falling to the superior athlete, and SMARTER athlete. So sit back Phoenix, and prepare for a moment you'll never forget!"
(Chris discards the microphone and makes his exit from the ring as his music fires up once again. The crowd cheers him on as he makes his way backstage to further prepare for the Ladder Match.)
(The lighting diminishes a little bit. People can still see each other's
faces but the ring is not viewable. The audience can see that the AWATron is
showing some video of the city of Montreal while "This Fire Burns" by
Killswitch Engage plays. After about five seconds, Preston Alway comes right
out of the curtain leading to the back. He slowly makes his way toward the
ring, taunting the fans all the way down, and starts doing some gallant
gestures to some good looking women in the first rows, while at the same
time mocks the few big Berthas in attendance. Preston reaches the ring and
climbs up one of the turnbuckles, then looks around him. He then steps down
and waits for his opponent.)
HS: "Preston Alway is a young blue chipper here in the AWA. He has seen a
lot of success for his short amount of time here, but he is facing a man no
one has managed to pin cleanly just yet."
FJ: "How can you pin Gabriel? He's like, three times the size of
everyone."
HS: "Size isn't always a winning factor and Preston is looking to prove
that right now."
(The lights go out in the arena, leaving it in complete and utter
darkness. After a few moments of silence and darkness, a bright shining
light ruptures from the AWATron, causing many to squint and turn away upon
its arrival. It fades away as a bell is heard twice and the hard chords of
"For Whom The Bell Tolls" begin. The bell continues to ring through every
sequence of chords as smoke pours out from above the stage and entrance
ramp. We see two figures in white now. One is a giant shining white cross on
the AWATron and the other is a slowly moving figure. The figure moves
through the smoke at a steady pace, yet he only appears to be a man made of
light as the smoke is dampening our vision of the entire area around him. As
the chords change to a heavier tone, Gabriel steps through the smoke like a
beacon of light to the arena, his white robes shining in the lack of light,
just like the cross behind him. He holds a giant white bible at his side
that glows as well as he stands before the ring for a few moments, looking
to his right and slowly turning his head to his left. The chords become even
heavier as Gabriel now heads up the ring steps and steps through the ropes
into the ring. He reaches the center and a single white strobe light shines
down from the heavens onto him as he slowly raises the bible high above his
head with both hands. The lights in the arena come back on when the bible
reaches the pinnacle of its ascent and Gabriel lowers it afterwards. He
walks over to his corner and places his white robes and bible on the
outside, then turns his attention to the ring. Preston's eyes meet Gabriel's
and the two both stand still as they look upon one another.)
FJ: "Look at that guy! He's freaking huge! How can you say that he won't
win this match?"
HS: "I can say that because I've seen it happen before. A massive giant
comes in and everyone expects him to dominate his opponent. Usually, he is
physically dominant. However, in the end, he can be defeated. Preston will
just have to take away from the strengths of Gabriel, mainly his large
amount of strength."
(The two men step forward as the ref rings the bell, getting right up
into each other's faces. Or, rather, Preston gets right up into the chest of
Gabriel, who is 9 inches taller. Preston defiantly shoves Gabriel, but the
big man barely even steps back. Preston raises an eyebrow as Gabriel shoves
him back, sending him flying into the topes. Preston rebounds and Gabriel
looks for a huge clothesline, but Preston ducks and continues into the ropes
behind Gabriel. Gabriel turns and nails Preston with a big boot that sends
him straight down to the mat! Gabriel starts to hail boots down onto
Preston, but the ECW prospect rolls away quickly and regains his vertical
base. Gabriel steps forward with a stiff punch that Preston ducks and
counters with a quick jab. Gabriel isn't fazed with the jab and he throws a
giant uppercut that Preston once again dodges and counters with another jab.
Preston throws another and another, stringing together combinations that
seem to have Gabriel reeling. However, Gabriel suddenly snaps out of it and
catches Preston with a short-arm clothesline that nearly flips Preston on
the spot!)
HS: "My God! Gabriel just took those straight jabs to the face like they
were nothing and floored Preston for his efforts!"
FJ: "What did I tell you? Gabriel's got this one."
(Gabriel methodically helps Preston back up to his feet and grabs onto
one arm, pulling it forward to force Preston's head into his shoulder.
Gabriel holds on and does this over and over again, clearly putting Preston
into more and more of a daze each time. After roughly ten shoulder blocks to
the head, Gabriel pulls Preston into a full nelson. Preston struggles
against it, but Gabriel quickly converts the hold into a full nelson slam!
Preston holds his back on the ground as Gabriel gets down to his knees and
mounts Preston. Gabriel starts teeing off on Preston's head with huge,
closed fist punches. The ref tells Gabriel to stop, but the massive man
continues to throw them. Finally, the ref gives a long four count before
Gabriel stops his onslaught. By then, Preston has been knocked silly and
Gabriel lifts him up rather effortlessly into a military press. Gabriel
tosses Preston up into the air, looking for a spinebuster on the way down,
but Preston suddenly comes back to life and catches Gabriel with a giant
DDT!)
HS: "Big counter on the big man from Preston Alway!"
FJ: "He's only prolonging his torture, you know."
(Preston slowly rises to his feet, but Gabriel is not far behind. Preston
quickly jumps on Gabriel and catches him with a series of strong punches
that manage to keep him off balance. Preston gets Gabriel back down to a
knee before stepping up onto it and nailing Gabriel with an enzuigiri!
Gabriel stumbles up to his feet and Preston looks for a belly to belly
suplex, but Gabriel is firmly planted. Preston tries once more, but Gabriel
wraps both hands around the neck of Preston and lifts him high into the air.
The ref gives a count that once again manages to reach a long four before
Gabriel stops, only Gabriel doesn't just let Preston go. Instead, Gabriel
slams him down with a double-handed chokeslam! Gabriel pins Preston, but
Preston manages to kick out after two.)
HS: "Preston is looking in a bad way here. He needs to turn this match
around now before Gabriel gets too much of a hold on it."
FJ: "I'm telling you, Gabriel's got this one."
(Gabriel stands up and picks Preston up to his feet, then wraps his arms
around him and lifts him up into a bearhug. Preston squirms around, trying
to break free, but Gabriel is just too powerful. After a few dozen, long
seconds for Preston, Gabriel shifts Preston so that he is now lying
perpendicular to his body. Gabriel then leans forward and throws Preston
backwards, over his head and across the ring, with a fallaway slam. Preston
rolls under the bottom ropes to the outside and the ref begins the ten
count.)
FJ: "Man, I didn't know Preston could fly!"
HS: "Gabriel's physical strength is just so immense. Preston really needs
to avoid falling into Gabriel's grasp."
FJ: "That would require Preston to stay a few meters away from Gabriel at
all times. That would be a boring match."
(The ref has reached a five count, but Preston is starting to get to his
feet. Gabriel sees this and heads to the outside, stepping over the top rope
and then down to the floor. Gabriel grabs Preston by the hair and leads him
over to the guard rails, lifting him back up into a military press. Preston
manages to squirm out of if and push Gabriel from behind, causing him to
trip over the guard rail and fall flat on his face on the other side!
Preston hops over and grabs Gabriel, leading him back over the guard rail
and back into the ring just as the red reaches the nine count. Preston
starts hitting roundhouse kicks on Gabriel, who is on one knee still. Still,
Gabriel is slowly reaching his feet. Preston runs into the ropes and hits a
clothesline on Gabriel that staggers him, but does not drop him. Preston
runs back into the ropes and hits another clothesline that staggers Gabriel
even more, but still doesn't fell him. Preston goes back into the ropes a
third time, but Gabriel beats him to the punch with a clothesline of his
own. Preston ducks under and catches Gabriel with a front face angle slam!)
HS: "What a move! Gabriel is down!"
FJ: "What goes down, must come up."
HS: "I think you mean�"
FJ: "Nah, I know what I'm talking about. Don't worry about it."
(Preston recovers for a few moments before rolling over and pinning
Gabriel. Gabriel kicks out defiantly after two! Preston slams the mat as
Gabriel starts to get up again. Preston climbs back to his feet quickly and
catches a rising Gabriel off guard with a swinging neckbreaker. Gabriel
starts to get up again right after, but Preston doesn't give up and
continues to put on pressure, hailing down some strong punches to Gabriel's
head. Gabriel still continues to rise, despite this, and Preston eventually
abandons the plan to run into the ropes. Preston comes off with a lot of
speed, looking to catch Gabriel with a huge clothesline. Unfortunately,
Gabriel catches him and hits a devastating sidewalk slam! Gabriel covers,
but Preston kicks out on a long two count.)
FJ: "Damn! I think out announce table just shook with that impact!"
HS: "Preston seems to be modifying his usual game plan to try and adapt
to the size of Gabriel. That clothesline looks like it would have taken
Gabriel down, but Gabriel got his arm out first."
(Gabriel picks Preston up and whips him hard into the corner. Preston
collapses, but Gabriel is quick to position him back into a standing
position against the turnbuckles. Gabriel then proceeds to hit Preston with
giant back elbows in the corner repeatedly. Preston looks to be out of it
after a good six elbows to the head and Gabriel takes him out of the corner.
Gabriel whips him into the ropes in front of him and hits a kitchen sink on
the rebound. Preston tumbles forward and Gabriel pursues him, pulling him
back to his feet again. Preston suddenly gets another wind, though, and
kicks him in the gut. Gabriel doubles over, partly out of surprise, and
Preston heaves him up into a fireman's carry position.)
FJ: "OMGWTFOWN3D! I love that name!"
HS: "No! Gabriel has slipped out of it and he has Preston doubled over
now!"
FJ & HS: "Fall of the Forsaken!"
(Preston went for his TKO finisher, but Gabriel managed to shift his
weight to slip out of it and kick Preston in the gut. Preston doubled over
and Gabriel hit the Fall of the Forsaken on him. Gabriel quickly pins
Preston and the ref gets down to count the elementary three.)
FJ: "One! Two! Three!!!"
HS: "NO! KICKOUT! Preston kicked out!"
FJ: "It was too late! The ref says he kicked out after the three!"
(A video replay shows that Preston just barely missed kicking out before
the three. The ref calls for the bell and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by
Metallica begins to play over the PA system. Gabriel retrieves his robe and
Holy Bible, then allows the ref to raise his hand in victory.)
HS: "Preston Alway fought hard and had Gabriel against the ropes a few
times in this match, but Gabriel just proved too much to handle in the end.
Preston barely misses the kickout, but he missed it nonetheless."
FJ: "Who called it!? ME! Frank wins! Yeah!"
HS: "Don't get too excited now. We wouldn't want any accidents happening
on a pay per view."
(The AWA camera focused on the locker room door of the AWA US champ. When the camera came in Snake was seated in a metal folding chair his head bowed. Monica stood behind him massaging his shoulders.)
FJ: "I liked him so much more when he was hurting people."
HS: "Well, hurting people or not he has a Title defense coming up."
FJ: "Yeah and Monica is banned from ringside! That makes me sad in pants."
HS: "Sad in pants? Your just pathetic�"
(Snake never looked up just relaxing waiting for his US Title match as the camera backed out of the room.)
Low vs. Ortega - Springs And Breaks, March 26th - The End Of The Administration
(Lars now applies a sleeper hold on DW, while NHL has gotten the advantage over Stevens with a DDT. As we cut to Low and Cynder, we see Low nailing Cynder with an elbow to the groin, then pulling himself towards Team Gray's door, as the countdown begins one more time.)
HS: "Only a few seconds are left until Travis Gray himself enters the cage!"
FJ: "Yay."
5!
4!
3!
2!
1!!!
(Gray enters just as Low has crawled to his door and Gray, not even quite in the cage, starts pucnhing away at Low. Low, however, is able to nail Gray with another low blow and then slides out of the cage!)
HS: "What is he doing???"
FJ: "Whatever it is, it will be something smart!"
(The referee tells Low to re-enter the cage, but Low just shoves him to the ground and starts walking up the ramp as the fans boo him.)
HS: "He's taking his ball and going home! I can't believe it."
FJ: "I'm sure that's not it."
(Suddenly, the boos turn into cheers, as several wrestlers appear on top of the ramp - Orlando Ortega, Hellraisin' Holly, Rawstarr, Logan Alexander, Terry James and A.C. Smith, men who have party fought among themselves earlier who are now uniting against Low's reign of terror. Low pretends as if he is walking back to the ring, but suddenly turns around and tries to run through the crowd of wrestlers, but Rawstarr is able to get a hold of Low's hair. Holly then nails Low with the kitchen sink and sends him down on the steel. Logan, James and A.C. pick Low up and then Ortega grabs him by the hair and walks him down the ramp. OOO slides Low back into the cage and then locks the door again.)
HS: "Finally the AWA unites against The Administration!"
FJ: "They will all be out of a job tomorrow night!"
(During all this, Team Gray has gotten the complete upper hand over The Administration and Low is rolled right in front of them. Cynder pulls Low up and hits him with another InCynderator. Low doesn't have any time to catch his breath, as NHL pulls him up and hits him with the SlapShot. Finally, Jeff Christianson applies the Ankle Lock and it appears as if Low is ready to tap out.)
HS: "Low has been punished throughout the match, and it seems like Jeff Christianson will finally get his win over Low, handing the AWA back to Travis Gray. Wait, what is this?"
(Suddenly, Gray kneels down in front of Low and DW and begs for something. DW then smiles, nods and releases Low from the hold. Gray mounts Low and starts punching away at him to a loud reaction from the fans. His partners pull Low up to his feet, and Gray starts berating Low and then hits him with several loud slaps to the face.)
FJ: "How humiliating!"
HS: "It's nothing compared to what Low put Gray through when he dressed him up like a woman and treated him like a slave."
(Outside the cage, the group of wrestlers slams their hands against the cage, cheering Team Gray on. Suddenly, though, the tide changes again as Lars Fredrickson comes up from behind and hits NHL with ROD's purse. Cynder tries to take it away from him, but Lars is too fast and nails Cynder as well. As Lars nails Gray with the purse as well, Stevens hits DW with a low blow from behind.)
HS: "And all of a sudden, The Administration has the upper hand again."
FJ: "And you thought it was just a purse. Look at how lethal it is."
(Stevens tends to the grounded ROD, while Low pulls up DW and Lars climbs to the top rope, the purse still in his hands. Low holds DW for Lars and Lars comes off the top rope, but instead of hitting DW, DW ducks and Lars hits Low with the purse, to the cheers of the fans. Low falls to the mat.)
FJ: "NO!"
HS: "DW got out of the way and Lars hit Low!"
(Lars opens the purse and we see there was a brick in it. He drops the purse and immediately goes to revive Low. ROD and Stevens join him, but apparently, to no avail. The referee lifts Low's arm, but there is no response. The Administration now pleads with the referee, but he starts to count Low out... 1..... 2..... 3..... 4..... 5..... DW is helping Travis Gray to his feet..... 6..... 7..... NHL and Cynder regain consciousness..... 8..... 9..... Lars tries to keep the referee from counting on..... 10!)
FJ: "NO! NO! NOOOOOO!"
HS: "It's over! Low has been knocked out and Team Gray wins War Games! The Administration is out of power!"
HS: "That was a great time. Watching Low lose his power over the AWA to Gray was great!"
FJ: "I hope a brick falls on your head tonight...jerk!"
HS: "And speaking of jerks, coming up next, we will see the most selfish jerk of them all, Jeff Christianson, as he take on the wronged Nathan Hawthorne-Lee, in an attempt to prove who just is the better of the two in technical wrestling!"
FJ: "You're a jerk..."
(The lights go out suddenly in the arena, and as they do, a huge white DW
appears across the video screen. "My Life" by The Geto Boys blares over the
PA and the crowd begins to cheer. We see a blue strobe light race throughout
the arena, as well as clips throughout the career of Jeff Christianson.)
HS: "Here we go! Here comes the Dark Warrior!"
FJ: "I prefer him to be a little darker than this. That Canadian Death
Match was a good example."
(Suddenly, we see a huge pyro explosion on stage as the lights come back
on. Standing under the DW is Jeff Christianson! Jeff Christianson has a
stern look on his face as he starts to walk to the ring in his red and white
jumpsuit. Jeff Christianson slaps a lot of hands on the way down do the
ring. Once he reaches the ring apron, he jumps on it, and then walks around
to the camera side.)
HS: "Well, this is not going to be any type of death match. This is going
to be a wrestling match and these two men are going to put on a clinic
tonight."
FJ: "Hopefully someone will bleed a little bit in that clinic."
(Christianson turns around and throws his hood off. We see him pose for a
couple of pictures before stepping through the ropes. Christianson walks
over to the other side, and jumps up on the turnbuckle, holding his arms up.
He hops down and walks to the other side, throwing his arms up again.)
HS: "Christianson looks ready to go."
FJ: "Here comes the split personality I don't like!"
(Green, blue, red, and white lights flash as we hear the beginnings of an
orchestra playing their tuning chord before they start playing. After that
we hear a chorus sing two notes and then the heavy riff of "Symphony of
Destruction" by Megadeth begins to play around the arena.)
HS: "NHL has been having a tough year to say the least. He has just come
off of a horrendous feud with Brian Stevens."
FJ: "NHL may have won the final battle, but I think Stevens won the war.
He took his wife and he ruined almost a year of NHL's life."
(NHL emerges from the back and stands at the base of the ramp for a few
seconds. He looks down at the ramp with a focused look in his face and then
moves down the ramp after standing there for about 10 seconds. As he walks
towards the ring, his focus and intensity is emanating from him as the fans
around him cheer his name and scream for his victory. NHL walks around
ringside and up the ring steps by the time keeper before entering the ring
and climbing the opposite turnbuckle.)
HS: "I'd argue that neither man won in their final match. It was one of
the most brutal matches the AWA has ever seen."
FJ: "Yeah, I watch it every night on DVD. It's pretty good."
(NHL raises his arms in the air and then points to himself and the ring.
He hops down and heads to the adjacent corner and hops onto the second
turnbuckle and raises his arms into the air and then lowers his left hand,
leaving his right arm in the air before hopping down into the ring. NHL and
DW's eyes now meet for the first time as they stand in their corners. Both
men look focused as they begin to pace around the ring. The ref explains the
rules and then calls for the bell.)
HS: "This match is officially underway!"
(NHL and DW jump forward and are in a collar and elbow tie-up right off
the bat. After a brief struggle DW goes around with a waist lock. He goes
for a quick German, but NHL blocks it with his leg and gives an elbow to the
side of DW's head that staggers him. NHL quickly rushes forward with a
double leg takedown and looks to turn DW over for a half-boston crab.
However, DW wants nothing of it and rolls through, going for the ankle lock!
NHL quickly kicks away DW and rolls to his feet, giving DW a large smirk.)
HS: "The match could have ended right there if Christianson had gotten
that ankle lock!"
(NHL and DW once again meet in a collar and elbow tie-up. This time NHL
is the victor and he successfully converts it into a hammer lock in his
favour. DW taps the shoulder of NHL with his free hand and suddenly switches
into a hammerlock of his own. NHL cringes, but then spins on the spot and
catches DW with a surprise drop toe hold. NHL floats over, half-crabbing the
leg of DW, looking for the Penalty! This time DW quickly kicks NHL's leg and
rolls to his feet. Now its NHL's turn to smirk as he gets back up to his
feet.)
HS: "These two are really showing off their technical prowess here
tonight!"
FJ: "I expect a broken limb from this match."
(For the third time of the match, the two lock up in a collar and elbow
tie-up. This time DW lunges forward with a knee to the gut that doubles over
NHL and hits a snap suplex. He holds on to NHL and climbs back to his feet,
hitting anther snap suplex. He climbs back up again and hits a third snap
suplex, then goes to pin NHL. He gets a long one count for his efforts, but
wastes no time in helping NHL up again and locking him in a dragon sleeper.
NHL flails his arms to try and shift the hold, but DW has it locked in
tight. NHL's hands drop and the ref lifts one up, allowing it to drop. He
lifts it up again and it drops for the second time. He lifts it up for a
third, but this time NHL suddenly comes back to life and swings his body
while still in the hold. He stands up and takes DW over with a modified back
body drop.)
HS: "NHL was playing possum there to lull Christianson into a false sense
of security."
FJ: "Pfft. He just got lucky and caught Christianson off guard. No one
actually plans these sorts of things."
(DW stumbles up to his feet, holding his back in pain. NHL zones in on
this with a forearm shot to the kidneys. DW stumbles forward into the ropes
and rebounds back into a German suplex. NHL bridges, but only gets a short
two count as DW kicks out. NHL gets back up quickly, helping DW up to his
feet before he can catch his breath. DW suddenly knocks away the hands of
NHL and kicks him in the gut. NHL doubles over and DW nails him with a DDT!
Both men are down!)
HS: "That was a desperation DDT from Christianson. He doesn't have enough
left in the tank right now to get up after his own move."
FJ: "Wus. I would totally be kicking NHL's ass right now."
HS: "Is that so? Why don't you go do that then?"
FJ: "Nah."
(The ref has reached a five count, but DW is now finally starting to
stir. After six, NHL begins to move as well. DW reaches his feet at the
count of eight, with NHL reaching his feet moments later. DW lunges forward
with a clothesline attempt. NHL ducks under the arm and floats into a
neckbreaker. DW holds his neck in pain as his head snaps back from the
whiplash off of NHL's shoulder. NHL rolls back up to his feet and motions
for DW to get up, gaining a cheer from the crowd.)
HS: "NHL is looking to end this match right here, right now!"
FJ: "Thank God! It's so boring!"
HS: "These two are putting on an amazing wrestling match!"
FJ: "I prefer bloody brawls, if you haven't noticed that already."
(DW gets up to his feet slowly and NHL stalks him the whole way up. As
soon as DW reaches his feet, NHL lunges in and hoists DW up for the
SlapShot! DW is able to use the momentum to swing through the move though,
landing on his feet behind NHL. DW turns a surprised NHL around and hoists
him up for his "Drop Dead" fisherman's brainbuster suplex!)
HS: "What a counter!"
FJ: "How did NHL do that!?"
HS: "I don't know, but Christianson is rattled!"
(NHL managed to reverse the move mid-air and hit a HUGE implant DDT on
DW. DW is out of it and NHL quickly goes for the pin! One! Two! Th-DW gets a
shoulder up! NHL can't believe it, but he quickly turns DW over instead of
complaining to the ref. NHL then half crabs one of DW's legs and floats
over, locking on the Penalty!)
HS: "Penalty! NHL has his signature submission locked in on the Dark
Warrior!"
FJ: "Yeah, that's all fine and dandy, but Christianson's right by the
ropes."
(Frank is correct and DW, being the ring veteran that he is, quickly
grabs the ropes to break the hold. NHL quickly lets go, not holding on in an
un-sportsmanlike manor. This allows DW to crawl under the bottom ropes and
out onto the floor. NHL sees this and runs into the opposite ropes. DW turns
around too see NHL flying into him with a suicide dive! DW and NHL land in a
heap on the ground, but NHL is able to get up after a few moments, while DW
is obviously in great pain.)
HS: "What a move! NHL just caught Christianson in a big way and I think
that may have just given NHL the match!"
FJ: "That was the best move I've seen in this entire match. I'll give NHL
that."
(NHL plays to the crowd a bit, receiving a cheer, as he helps DW up to
his feet and rolls him back into the ring. NHL quickly follows and hooks a
leg for a pin on DW! One! Two! Thr-)
HS: "Christianson kicks out! He is showing a lot of heart there. Many men
would have simply given up right there and then."
(NHL nods his head, knowing he'll have to do more to put Christianson
away. He gets up to his feet and dashes into the ropes, springboarding off
the second rope into a moonsault on the downed DW. DW rolls away and NHL
hits the canvas hard! DW gets up to his feet and stalks NHL. NHL reaches his
feet after a few moments and DW catches him with a belly to belly suplex.
NHL pops back up after, arching his back. DW quickly hits a northern lights
suplex and bridges! One! Two! Thre-NHL kicks out!)
HS: "NHL says that he isn't done just yet!"
FJ: "You're such a liar. He didn't say a word!"
HS: "It's a figure of speech."
FJ: "No, NHL didn't say anything. There was no speech."
(DW slams the mat in frustration, but then seems to get an idea as he
looks to the outside of the ring. DW helps NHL up and pulls him over to the
ropes by his head, hooking him in for a suplex. NHL is able to flip over and
land on the apron instead of falling to the floor. DW doesn't notice this
until NHL springboards back into the ring and this a swinging neckbreaker on
DW! NHL covers and hooks a leg!)
HS: "One! Two! Christianson kicks out again!"
FJ: "Man, this match is starting to get good!"
(NHL is a little distraught, but he quickly regains his focus. DW has
rolled over to the ropes and is using them to get up. NHL rushes forward
with a running high knee smash, but DW ducks and NHL flies over the top rope
instead! However, he doesn't hit the ground as the leg he jumped off of gets
caught between the middle and top ropes and he dangles upside-down on the
outside of the ring. DW is like a shark smelling blood in water and he
quickly begins to stomp away on the tangled leg of NHL. NHL can't do
anything as he desperately tries to free his leg, to no avail.)
HS: "This isn't very sportsmanlike at all!"
FJ: "Hey, NHL would have done the same thing. Christianson is just
seizing the opportunity."
(DW finally stops, but only to pull NHL's tangled leg out and drop down,
wrenching down on it with all his might. NHL falls to the outside, instantly
coiling up and holding his left leg, the one that was just pulverized by DW.
DW quickly rolls to the outside and helps NHL up, rolling him back into the
ring as soon as possible. DW follows and quickly locks in a standing ankle
lock on the injured leg of NHL!)
HS: "Ankle lock! DW has an ankle lock on that injured leg and NHL is
facing the wrong way from the ropes!"
FJ: "Break his ankle Christianson!"
(NHL struggles to get to the ropes to the left, but DW pulls him back
into the middle of the ring. NHL tries another side, only for the same thing
to happen. He tries again and DW pulls him back once more, but this time NHL
quickly summersaults and throws DW forward and through the ropes to the
outside!)
HS: "NHL escaped the ankle lock!"
FJ: "For now, Herb, for now."
(DW slowly gets up on the outside as NHL does the same in the ring. DW
crawls up onto the apron as NHL crawls over to the ropes. DW looks up and
sees NHL's arms as NHL hooks DW in for a suplex. DW is able to block the
suplex by putting a foot under the bottom rope, then reverses it into a rope
guillotine as he drops down to the floor!)
HS: "Christianson has a lot of ring awareness and he's managed to bounce
back into the match after being denied in his submission attempt."
FJ: "Christianson knows what he is doing."
(DW gets back up to the apron as NHL stumbles around, gasping for air.
NHL ends up back near the ropes and DW now hoists him up for a suplex! NHL
kicks his legs and managed to land back in the ring, then reverses the
attempt.)
HS: "SlapShot! NHL just hit his finisher on Christianson!"
(NHL quickly rolls DW away from the ropes and hooks his leg for a pin!
One! Two! Three!!! The ref calls for the bell and "Symphony of Destruction"
by Megadeth begins to play around the arena. NHL hobbles up, favouring his
injured leg slightly, allowing for the ref to raise his hand in victory.)
HS: "NHL has out-wrestled Jeff Christianson tonight after Jeff
Christianson said he couldn't!"
FJ: "Whatever. I'd rather see another dog collar match."
HS: Hey Frank, guess what?
FJ: What?
HS: We're headed backstage, where our camera crew has caught up with the Big Apple Asskicker, A.C. Smith!
FJ: YAWN! I'M YAWNING!! HEAR ME YAWN!!!!!
(The camera shows A.C. lacing up his boots. He looks up at the camera, his face deep in thought.)
A.C.: I half-figured this would happen. Here I am, ready to prove to the world that I am the tank of the AWA by taking the AWA Tag Team Championships. Yet my partner, Andreas Lasiewicz, isn't even here yet! He's probably lolly-gagging, taking his sweet time in Poland, peeling potatoes or something. But ya know what? I don't need him. Like I said earlier this week, my life has been based on overcoming obstacles. And trust me. This is an obstacle of epic proportions. Me against five other teams in that ring, dragging dead weight behind me.
(We see a pair of boots in the shot that appear suddenly and stop at the feet of A.C. Smith. The camera goes upward, and we see an angry-looking Andreas Lasiewicz, still in street clothes.)
A.C.: Well...it's about damn time you showed up. What use is dragging dead weight if the dead weight isn't in the building? You've done nothing worthy of teaming with me in months, Lazy-boy. Travis Gray did you the biggest favor in the history of the business. He put you on the back of one of the top rising stars in the AWA, and wants me to carry you back to your past levels of fame and fortune. Undoubtedly, that's what you want, too.
News flash, sausage boy: Tonight, your dream of returning to glory's gonna become a reality. But not through your doing. All that you hope to attain rests on my shoulders. Don't do anything stupid by taking matters into your own hands. Just let me do the work. Because Lasiewicz, nobody in their right mind would trust you with their title hopes, let alone you! Why should I?
(Lasiewicz puts a hand on Smith's shoulder, and shoves him back down to the bench he was sitting on earlier. He puts on his famed Cheshire grin, shakes his head, and walks off as A.C. strides behind him! The scene fades to black as we go back to Herb and Frank.)
HS: Some think tension between A.C. Smith and Andreas Lasiewicz, Frank! They may not make it through to the Colorado Stampede at this rate!
FJ: So much the better. One less team of wrestlers going nowhere fast!
HS: Frank! Both of those guys are former champions here in the AWA! I consider them a threat to steal the tag titles away from ECW tonight.
FJ: Shows what you know...
HS: "Alright, Frank. I'm told by our Producer that it is now time to head to Tokyo, Japan! It's now time for our DREAM MATCH!"
FJ: "Oh, I've been waiting for those words all night!!"
HS: "Tonight's simulcast from the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan is a FIRST in the great sport of Professional Wrestling! Pro Wrestling JAPAN and the American Wrestling Alliance have embraced a partnership this sport has NEVER seen before and may in fact NEVER see again."
FJ: "Yeah. The very fact that this match is even taking place is very, very cool."
HS: "Let's do it, Frank! Let's go now to Tokyo, Japan! Let's go now to the Nippon Budokan! The AWA's Brian Stevens will challenge Pro Wrestling JAPAN's reigning and defending Intercontinental Honored Crown Heavyweight Champion, Yoshinari Sugiura!"
(We see momentary static and seconds later, we are in a completely different world.)
FJ: "Oh, wow."
(The ring adorns a lime green canvas with a large white and black Pro Wrestling JAPAN logo at it's center. The ring skirts are black. The turnbuckle pads are white. The mats that surround the ring are black and are crowded with about twenty photographers as well as cameramen filming tonight's action.)
HS: "The Nippon Budokan is something of a home for Pro Wrestling JAPAN. This establishment was originally built for Judo competition for the 1964 Olympic Games. In English, the Nippon Budokan translates to "Martial Arts Hall."
FJ: "How many people did they stuff into this sardine can?"
HS: "According to the sheet I have in front of me, the crowd is a SELL OUT! 14,201."
FJ: "That's it?"
HS: "That's all that legendary building is capable of legally holding, Frank."
(Connecting to the ring is a raised black stage platform that bridges the ring to the entrance tunnel.)
FJ: "Damn. Look at these people, not only do they all look the same, but they are all like�super subdued."
HS: "First, that statement was INCREDIBLY insensitive. Next, the culture of Japanese wrestling is VERY different than what we see in the United States."
FJ: "Yeah, I've heard. But�I never thought that was true."
HS: "Well, it is. They treat each match with respect. They don't boo, at least not usually. They clap politely when the competitors impress them. It's all about respect here in Japan."
FJ: "Wow. That's just�weird. It's like Bizarro World."
(The lights slowly dim in the Nippon Budokan and the fans start clapping incessantly. Green neon lights take over the arena and our sights as they dance to the guitars that wail over the loud speakers.)
FJ: "What the hell is going on, Herb? I'm scared."
HS: "This is all part of the pageantry involved with the IHC Heavyweight Title. This song, this light show, it all signifies the arrival of the MAIN EVENT�the IHC Heavyweight Title!"
FJ: "Cool."
(BOOM! A wall of red flames explode at the entrance area! The two big screens to each side of the Tunnel both proudly declare the following: IHC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH! One screen reads English while the other reads in Japanese.)
HS: "How cool is that, Frank!? Pro Wrestling JAPAN even went as far as to make sure that both companies needs were met by giving us a screen of our own!"
FJ: "They did it for their health. They knew if Brian Stevens couldn't read that screen, then he'd have to injure more fools."
HS: "Umm�Brian Stevens is fluent in Japanese."
FJ: "Oh."
HS: "They did it for us and our viewers, Frank. God, you really are that dull, aren't you?"
FJ: "I'm�sorry. I don't listen to people who don't like me."
HS: *sigh*
(We head backstage to the gorilla position just before the Entrance Tunnel. We immediately see Brian Stevens hugging Tabitha Rankin. Brian then moves over to his longtime Best Friend, Onslaught. The duo share a handshake and well-wishes. Brian Stevens then moves over to Sarah Hawthorne, who he hugs tightly and gently kisses. We hear "Into The Blinding Light" by Thursday begin to play. Brian breaks his contact with Sarah Hawthorne and takes a long, deep, deliberate breath before heading up the steps.)
(We cut to the front of the Entrance Tunnel as white lights are flashing rabidly. A cloud of smoke sits still on the stage before the wind machines kick in. Standing in the cloud is Brian Stevens. Stevens smirks his trademark smirk before stepping out from the chaos. The fans clap loudly and politely for Brian Stevens, a favorite among the Japanese.)
HS: "A VERY nice reaction for Brian Stevens."
FJ: "They know talent, Herbie."
(Brian Stevens reaches the end of the stage and walks the ring apron to the corner. Brian Stevens quickly steps up on the turnbuckles and plays to the fans. The clapper grows louder and he smiles. Brian hops into the ring and cockily walks to his corner. Brian Stevens' entrance music dies down and the anticipation in the Nippon Budokan is unlike anything we've ever seen before!!)
FJ: "Geez. The anticipation is thick, Herb! So thick that I actually think it's palpable."
HS: "You�can taste the anticipation?"
FJ: "Yessir I can."
HS: "Yikes."
FJ: "I know, pretty amazing."
HS: "Anyways, Yoshinari Sugiura and Brian Stevens is a match that people have been literally BEGGING to see happen since mid-to-late 2004. These two men have NEVER stepped foot into a professional wrestling ring beside OR against the other in their entire careers�until NOW! Until TODAY!"
FJ: "They are the two most premier Strong Style workers this sport has seen in forever! Both men possess STIFF, brutal offense that could kick a person's head clean off their own body!!"
HS: "It's been documented that Brian Stevens trained with Sugiura at the Great Japan Pro Wrestling DOJO back in 2004. Brian Stevens did 5 tours of Great Japan Pro Wrestling in late 2003 and through out 2004. Brian Stevens ALSO did a tour of Pro Wrestling JAPAN in the very FIRST tour PWJ held after the separation from Keiko Ono in late 04 into early 2005."
FJ: "It's actually a miracle these two haven't ever fought or crossed paths during that time."
HS: "That's what makes tonight so special!"
(We head backstage again. Yoshinari Sugiura has his white feathered ring robe on and the IHC Heavyweight Title tightly secured around his waist. Sugiura is focused! Sugiura is determined! His eyes are cold and stern. His breath is heavy. "Through the Fire and Flames" by Dragonforce hits and he immediately reacts by perking up. He turns to the steps and we see the jets pump a thick haze of smoke onto the entrance area. Sugiura quickly hops up the steps and into the haze.)
(We cut to the entrance area and see a HUGE wall of Blue Flames explode and hold their form! Finally, they die down and standing in their wake is the IHC Heavyweight Champion, Yoshinari Sugiura!! The people clap for their champion as he quickly makes a B-line for the ring.)
HS: "WOW! He looks ready for a WAR, Frank!"
FJ: "Can't say I blame him."
HS: "Who could! After what Brian Stevens did to him the past two weeks, I'm actually surprised Sugiura has shown this much restraint thus far!"
FJ: "No doubt."
HS: "Brian Stevens tried to lay the bad mouth on Sugiura two weeks ago on Shock and Sugiura slaps the taste right out of Stevens mouth! So what does Brian do? How does Brian Stevens react to being publicly humiliated after HE tried to do the same to Yoshinari Sugiura in the first place!? Stevens sneak attacks Sugiura, busts him open and gives him 10 stitches! Then the next week in Japan, Brian Stevens kidnaps and terrifies the younger sister of Yoshinari Sugiura, Mariko Sugiura! Brian Stevens and Onslaught then take out the best friend and tag partner of Sugiura, Shiro Hashimoto! Brian Stevens is a goddamn coward and I don't regret saying that! Not one damn bit!"
FJ: "Apparently."
(Yoshinari Sugiura hops over the top rope from the Entrance Stage and immediately pulls the IHC Heavyweight Title from around his waist. Sugiura storms over to Brian Stevens and holds the IHC Title right in his face and doesn't say a word! Sugiura just stares a HOLE through Stevens!)
HS: "Now THERE is a World Champion! That is something OUR company could take pride in! A man who isn't a cocky, arrogant son of a bitch like Low! A man who isn't a vindictive prick like Brian Stevens!"
(Brian Stevens smirks at the actions of Yoshinari Sugiura! He simply scoffs and laughs off Sugiura's attempt to make Brian Stevens intimidated!)
FJ: "I love this kid! Brian Stevens simply LAUGHS at Yoshinari Sugiura! BRILLIANT!"
(The referee, wearing a black shirt and matching slacks, backs Yoshinari Sugiura into his corner as Jun Morishima walks up the ring steps and steps into the ring. The fans applaud the owner of Pro Wrestling JAPAN as a group of four other younger Japanese men step into the ring behind him. The fans all stand up as one of the young business men hands Jun Morishima a piece of paper and a microphone.)
HS: "It's now time for the Pro Wrestling JAPAN IHC Heavyweight Title Declaration to be read."
(Jun Morishima reads the Pro Wrestling JAPAN IHC Heavyweight Title Declaration in Japanese and quickly hands the microphone and paper off to another young Japanese man.)
KEICHI HIDAKA: "I hereby agree that the match of the 21st IHC Heavyweight Champion, Yoshinari Sugiura, and challenger, Brian Stevens, takes place at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan on September 24, 2006 and is IHC Heavyweight Championship authorized by the IHC committee under the official IHC rule. The IHC Heavyweight Title Declaration is dated September 24, 2006."
(The fans politely clap as Jun Morishima and his group of underlings exit the ring. Over the loudspeakers, we hear the ring announcer.)
RING ANNOUNCER : <"First, the Challenger. Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota. He weighs in tonight at 249 pounds. He is a former AWA World Tag Team Champion. He is a former AWA World Heavyweight Champion. He is the Punk Rock Phenom! "The Sensational" Brian Stevens!">
(A sea of black, red, and purple streamers fly into the ring from the audience in the ULTIMATE show of respect as they clap proudly of their favorite Gaijin. Brian Stevens raises his arms confidently before leaning back into the turnbuckles nonchalantly.)
HS: "Well, no change here. Brian Stevens is insanely confident here tonight in Tokyo.."
RING ANNOUCNER : <"Next. He hails from Saitama, Japan! He weighs in tonight at 241 pounds! He is a former 4 time Jr. Heavyweight Champion. A former Jr. Heavyweight Tea Team Champion. He is the current reigning and defending Pro Wrestling JAPAN Intercontinental Honored Crown Heavyweight Champion. He is YOSHINARI SUGIURA!!!">
(Yoshinari Sugiura walks proudly to the center of the ring and hoists his IHC Heavyweight Title high in the air. White streamers fly into the ring and Sugiura sternly flicks off Brian Stevens!!)
HS: "YES! Yoshinari Sugiura is now officially my new favorite wrestler!"
FJ: "Why!? Because he flicked off Stevens like a classless sack of doo-doo!?"
(The reporters, referees, and other random Pro Wrestling JAPAN officials start tearing the streamers and quickly removing them out of the ring and tuck them under the ring skirt.)
DING!!!
HS: "There's the bell, Frank! It's time for the DREAM MATCH of the century! Brian Stevens versus Yoshinari Sugiura for the IHC Heavyweight Title!"
FJ: "I'm telling you, Herb! Someone is gonna die tonight!"
(Brian Stevens pulls himself off the turnbuckles he was leaning on and saunters out of the corner, shaking his broken arm. The white cast is constricting and this will be Brian Stevens first match wrestling with the cast. Across the ring, Sugiura slides his white robe off and kicks it out of the ring.)
FJ: "I gotta ask you, Herb�how do you think Brian Stevens' arm will hold up?"
HS: "Fair question. It's been about 4 weeks now since Brian Stevens broke his arm against Nathan Hawthorne-Lee. The cast is SUPPOSE to be on for about 5-7 weeks."
FJ: "Yeah. Yeah."
HS: "You gotta wonder, does that plaster cast give Brian Stevens a weapon�or does it paint a target on his body for Sugiura to exploit!?"
FJ: "No doubt."
(Yoshinari Sugiura steps center ring and motions for Stevens to join him. Brian Stevens scoffs at the played-out macho act and simply circles Sugiura. Stevens smirks and charges in quickly for a single-leg takedown. Sugiura quickly pulls away and throws a kick towards Stevens, which "The Sensation" avoids. Brian Stevens chuckles and mockingly claps for the close call.)
HS: "What an asshole. I'm sorry, but there really isn't any other way to put it, Frank. This kid�he's an asshole."
(Yoshinari Sugiura holds up a hand for a test of strength. Brian Stevens rolls his eyes and entertains the idea and puts his hand up against Yoshinari Sugiura's! Both men lock hands! Both men get situated! But then, suddenly�SLAP! Sugiura just bitch slapped the face of Brian Stevens!!! The two immediately break the one handed test of strength and Stevens walks away from Sugiura�but after a second of thought, Brian Stevens turns around and gets right in Sugiura's face! The two start talking trash to one another and Brian Stevens PIE FACES Yoshinari Sugiura! Sugiura responds with a STIFF slap! Brian Stevens answers back likewise! Sugiura strikes back! So does Stevens! Sugiura hit's a forearm! Stevens hit's a knife edge chop! Both men waver�but Brian Stevens is the first to react and opens up with a FLURRY of right handed punches, slaps, and chops! Sugiura responds back with a handful of forearm strikes! Stevens screams and hit's the ropes and rushes in at Sugiura and hit's a shoulder tackle that sends Sugiura back and into the ropes�but Sugiura responds with a YAKUZA KICK! The kick staggers Stevens, but he uses the backwards momentum and rebounds of the ropes with ANOTHER shoulder tackle! Sugiura backs up to the ropes and fires back with a ROARING ELBOW! Both men are at a standstill! The crowd is clapping wildly!)
FJ: "DUDE! Neither man has fallen down yet!"
HS: "This is just�BRUTAL!"
(Sugiura screams! Yoshinari unloads with three slaps and twists and connects with a backhand! Stevens is woozy! Sugiura goes for a high roundhouse kick to the head...but Stevens ducks and quickly hit's a Half Nelson Overhead Suplex!!! Brian Stevens shakes off the previous strikes and attempts to punt the head of Yoshinari Sugiura into the crowd�but Sugiura STILL has the wherewithal to move to avoid the strike! Sugiura quickly gets back up to his feet and hit's a twisting side kick to the gut of Stevens! Yoshinari Sugiura quickly pushes Brian Stevens back to the ropes and unleashes a devastating high kick at the skull of Stevens�however, Brian Stevens quickly ducks and leaps backwards, catching his breath. We are at a standstill!)
HS: "My GOD! What action! I can't remember EVER seeing action this hard-hitting in my entire career!"
FJ: "And think about, Herb. Brian Stevens is doing this with only ONE arm to strike with!"
HS: "Good point."
FJ: "Look back to just a few moments ago, Brian Stevens was using right shoulder tackles, something VERY uncommon for Stevens."
(Brian Stevens curses under his breath and shakes off the effects. Sugiura stands proudly and simply eyes his foe. Brian Stevens moves back in towards Sugiura and the two Strong Style masters begin to feel one another out. Both men are testing the waters.)
HS: "Both men a little more cautious now."
FJ: "Well, you don't want to blow your load right away. This match will most likely reach into the 15 plus minute mark."
HS: "That analogy REALLY grosses me out, Frank�but you do have a good point. Unless one of these guys kills the other, I can't foresee this match ending anytime soon."
FJ: "But DAMN! Those shots are STIFF! I couldn't blame them if they just said �screw it.'"
(Both men lock up in a Collar-Elbow. Both men fight! Both men push! Neither will give up ground!)
HS: "These guys are stubborn, Frank! This is as much about PRIDE as it is the IHC Heavyweight Title."
(Yoshinari Sugiura finally is able to make Brian Stevens backtrack into the ropes. Brian Stevens uses the weight advantage and leverages his way into making it Sugiura whose back is against the rope. However, Sugiura counters Stevens! Both men end up in the corner with Sugiura maintaining advantage. Brian Stevens sees an opportunity and slowly starts walking backwards up the turnbuckle pads. Suddenly, and violently, Brian Stevens breaks the tie-up and falls backwards over the ropes with one of Sugiura's arms!!)
HS: "OH! Devastating move by Brian Stevens!"
FJ: "He lured Yoshi into that corner and quickly locked on the brilliant, yet illegal, Cross Armbreaker!"
(Photographers scurry to get out of the way as Brian Stevens wrenches back on the shoulder and arm of Sugiura. The referee counts to 4 before Brian breaks the illegal submission.)
HS: "How much damage is done with that, Frank?"
FJ: "Not NEARLY enough, Herb!"
(Brian Stevens flips backwards and lands on the black mats on the outside. Stevens smiles as the fans applaud his efforts. Brian Stevens seamlessly slides back into the ring. Sugiura finds a corner and shakes off the effects of the illegal Cross Arm Breaker. Brian Stevens locks eyes with Yoshinari and both men are AGAIN at a standstill.)
FJ: "And Herb, I don't know if you were paying attention earlier, but Stevens singled out the right striking hand of Sugiura. He's either trying to take away the sex life of this future Hall of Fame athlete, or he was trying to even the playing field a bit."
HS: "Wow. Excellent observation, Frank."
FJ: "Dude. You have no idea how stoked I am for this."
(Brian Stevens and Yoshinari Sugiura both step center ring and, instead of locking up, Sugiura steps underneath the arms of Stevens and with a go-behind, Sugiura has a rear waist lock applied. Stevens looks for an escape and is finally able to unclamp the hands of Sugiura and quickly executes and deep arm drag. Stevens doesn't allow Sugiura to react and applies a leg scissors to the head and neck of Sugiura. The fans applaud.)
HS: "There you see the Japanese fans in the Nippon Budokan showing a great deal of respect to Brian Stevens."
FJ: "Very classy. It's been well noted that Brian Stevens is one of their favorite Gaijin workers."
HS: "Yes. He's on par with Stan "The Man" Hansen, Hulk Hogan, Lou Thesz, Vader, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy, Bruno Sammartino, and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams in terms of the Japanese fans love and admiration for him."
FJ: "A rare thing in this sport. Hell, it's an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as those names."
HS: "And while I don't think Brian Stevens will reach those levels of fame Stateside, he always has Japan."
FJ: "Well, regardless. Brian Stevens is MY Hulk Hogan. The kid is amazing."
(Sugiura fights up to his feet while still being stuck in the head scissors. Sugiura puts pressure on the knees and thighs of Stevens with his hands and finally, he is able to slip out of the hold. Sugiura immediately rushes and grabs hold of the head and neck of Stevens in a grounded side headlock. However, that doesn't last as AGAIN, Brian Stevens is able to counter with a head scissors.)
FJ: "That wily Stevens�GOD, I love that man."
HS: "Great wrestling being shown here now, as opposed to that incredible opening of this match that was all strikes and high impact moves."
FJ: "Well, these two men can wrestle better than just about anyone on the planet. I mean, The Legendary Low is about the only active wrestler I can really put in these men's caliber."
(Brian Stevens relinquishes the hold on his own accord and quickly grabs the arm of Yoshinari Sugiura. Brian Stevens brings the unwilling Sugiura to his feet and steps under and locks on a top wrist lock. Stevens quickly brings the arm of Sugiura to his shoulder and drives the forearm into the shoulder, hoping to break the arm of Sugiura. Stevens again regains the hold and begins violently ripping the arm of Sugiura, trying to pull the arm from it's socket!)
FJ: "Oh, utter brilliance by Stevens!"
HS: "It really is. Brian Stevens virtually only has one arm, since his left arm is plastered in a cast. Brian Stevens is wisely targeting the arm and shoulder of Sugiura early in this match, trying to even the battle field."
(Stevens rips the arm once again. Brian maintains the hold before violently kicking the shoulder and chest of Sugiura. Yoshinari lets out a yelp, which makes Brian Stevens only yank harder on the arm of Sugiura AGAIN!)
FJ: "Brian Stevens is�whoa! Wait!"
(Yoshinari Sugiura punches the face of Stevens! Again! Once more! Brian Stevens finally lets go of the hold! Sugiura grabs the left arm of Stevens and applies the SAME hold!!)
FJ: "NO! Stevens has a broken arm!"
HS: "Like we said, Stevens can use that as a weapon and it ALSO doubles as a TARGET!"
(Sugiura doesn't maintain the hold for long and opts for a go-behind into a hammerlock. Applied tightly and properly, Sugiura is able to wrestle Stevens down to a knee. Brian Stevens struggles in the hold for a second before grabbing the head and neck of Sugiura. Both men stand up and Brian Stevens steers both men into the ropes for a break.)
HS: "Are we going to see a clean break here?"
FJ: "With the feelings BOTH these men have for one another�I truly doubt it."
(Frank was right. Brian Stevens draws back his right hand and explodes at the chest of Sugiura with a Knife Edge Chop! Stevens connects! The fans all let out a collective, and rare, "OHH!")
HS: "Ouch. Just�ouch."
(Brian Stevens chuckles as Yoshinari Sugiura stumbles away, clutching his chest! Brian Stevens takes this time to taunt Sugiura and the fans applaud.)
HS: "What an arrogant bastard."
(Sugiura takes exception to Stevens and his taunting! Sugiura screams something in Japanese to Stevens! Stevens raises his eyebrows and the look of cockiness disappears. Brian Stevens meets Yoshinari Sugiura center ring and both young men explode at each other with a tempered Collar-Elbow Tie Up. Brian Stevens quickly escapes with the standing side headlock. Yoshinari Sugiura pushes Stevens off and into the ropes. Sugiura and Stevens collide and Sugiura falls to the shoulder block! Sugiura slowly rises back up to his knees and Brian Stevens is waiting! THUD! Brian Stevens unloads with a SICK stiff kick to the chest of Sugiura!)
FJ: "Holy sweet goddamn!"
(THUD! Brian Stevens connects with ANOTHER trademark STIFF kick! THUD! Yet ANOTHER STIFF KICK to the chest! Brian Stevens slaps the face of Sugiura�)
BRIAN STEVENS: "FUCK YOU, BITCH!"
(Brian Stevens sprints to the ropes, but in doing so, he awakened the beast within Yoshinari Sugiura! Sugiura EXPLODES at Stevens on the rebound and quickly takes him down with a SICK forearm strike! Stevens falls flat on his back and this time, it's Stevens who finds himself slowly getting back up to his knees�THUD! Sugiura connects with a STIFF kick to the chest of Stevens! Stevens is able to get to his feet, but he's definitely reeling. THUD! ANOTHER stiff kick by Sugiura! THUD! AGAIN, a STIFF kick by Sugiura to Stevens' chest! THUD! This kick sends Stevens stumbling back to the ropes! Sugiura takes the momentum and shoots Stevens off the ropes. From the rebound, Sugiura hit's a standing knee strike to the chest of Stevens! Stevens collapses! Stevens starts gasping desperately for air!)
HS: "That is the hardest Brian Stevens has EVER been hit! I guarantee that!"
FJ: "He might have collapsed on of Stevens' lungs!!"
HS: "GOOD! Brian Stevens has injured people with his LETHAL striking abilities, it's time he had the same!"
(Sugiura covers Stevens and hooks the leg.)
HS: "COVER! 1...2...NO! Kick out by the challenger, Brian Stevens."
(Sugiura confirms with the official about the count while Brian Stevens sits up and tries to regain his composure. Sugiura seems content with the Referee and refocuses on Stevens! Stevens is trying to get back up to his feet, but Sugiura decides it's time to play with his victim! Sugiura starts paint brushing the skull of Brian Stevens with kicks, taunting his enemy!!!)
FJ: "Ugh. That takes balls."
(This starts firing up Stevens! He slowly, after every kick, inches his way back up to his feet! Stevens is breathing heavy! He's pissed! Sugiura strikes the now-standing Stevens with a forearm! Stevens fires back with a STIFF chop! Sugiura fires back with another Forearm! Stevens responds back again with a chop! Forearm by Sugiura! Chop by Stevens! Sugiura SLAPS Brian Stevens! Stevens fires right back with a stiff slap of his own! Both men trade at least 10 STIFF slaps a piece before Yoshinari Sugiura gets the better of the exchange! Another two slaps to Stevens and he's staggered! Sugiura hit's the ropes! STEVENS IS READY! Brian Stevens hit's a spinning kick right to the gut of Yoshi! Sugiura buckles and tries to catch his breath, but Stevens has him right where he wants him! SMACK! Brian Stevens unloads with his double jointed LAST DANCE kick to the back of Sugiura's skull!)
HS: "NO! NO! NO!"
FJ: "Ohhhh YES! THE LAST DANCE!"
HS: "That was absolutely TERRIFYING! That�hook kick by Stevens is disgusting!"
(Stevens taunts before hooking the leg and covering Sugiura.)
FJ: "YES! Cover! New champ!"
HS: "1...2..NO! Kick out by Yoshinari Sugiura!!!"
(Brian Stevens is visibly frustrated by the count, but ignores it as he pulls Yoshinari Sugiura off the mat and tosses him into the corner. SMACK! Brian Stevens unloads with a STIFF chop to the chest of Sugiura! SMACK! AGAIN, Stevens chops the chest of Sugiura! Sugiura tries escaping the corner, but is met with a elbow to the back of the skull! Brian Stevens follows that up with a back elbow to the sternum of Sugiura! Stevens follows THAT up with a back elbow to the point of the jaw of Sugiura! Finally, Brian Stevens Irish Whips Sugiura out of the corner. Stevens rushes in but is met with a desperation boot to the face! Stevens staggers back and Sugiura quickly grabs the head of Stevens and heads up the turnbuckles.)
HS: "Nice counter by Yoshinari Sugiura."
FJ: "What's he looking for here? He looks like he may be setting Stevens up for a Tornado DDT."
(Sugiura leaps from the second rope with Stevens head still trapped and twists around and up and over the top rope and drives Stevens' throat on the top rope!!! Stevens tries stumbling away, but Sugiura reaches over and locks on a REAR NAKED CHOKE!)
FJ: "NO!!!"
HS: "That is one of Sugiura's finishing holds! The Rear Naked Choke!"
(Stevens is in the ropes! Sugiura doesn't care! He wraps his legs around Stevens and weaves them through the second rope!!)
HS: "The referee is making the five count! This hold is illegal! DAMN IT!"
FJ: "Of course it's illegal! Stevens is in the ropes!"
(Sugiura breaks the hold at four and Stevens stumbles center ring. Sugiura walks the ring apron and heads up to the turnbuckles and climbs to the top. Stevens turns around and Sugiura takes to the air and connects with a NICE leaping Lariat! Sugiura is quick to cover.)
HS: "Pinfall attempt�1...2...thr�NO! Kick out by Brian Stevens!"
(Sugiura grabs Stevens up by the black and purple hair and quickly snapmares him over. Stevens lands seated. Seeing and anticipating this, Sugiura connects with a sickening kick to the back of Brian Stevens! All Stevens can do is fall back and wince in pain! AGAIN, Sugiura attempts a cover.)
HS: "Cover. 1...2...AGAIN! Kick out by Stevens!"
FJ: "He didn't have the leg hooked! What an idiot!"
(Brian Stevens tries rolling away from Sugiura, but to no avail. Sugiura knees Stevens to the back of the skull before kicking Stevens HARD in the chest! Stevens' eyes light up with fire and Sugiura quickly kills that by tossing Stevens to the outside of the ring. Stevens knocks over a reporter before connecting with the steel guardrail.)
HS: "It should be noted, since we are about to cross this bridge�in Pro Wrestling JAPAN, the utilize a STRICT 20 count, unlike the 10 count we use here in the United States."
(Yoshinari Sugiura follows after Stevens before the count can be administered. In a unique twist, as the referee counts, the ring announcer ALSO counts over the PA System.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "1!"
(Sugiura kicks the chest of Stevens while Stevens is tied up on the guardrail!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "2!"
(Yoshinari Sugiura grabs a handful of Stevens' hair and whips him into another section of guardrail back first!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "3!"
(Yoshinari Sugiura again grabs Stevens by the hair and drags him to the ring, driving the face of Stevens into the hard ring apron!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "4!"
(Yoshinari Sugiura deadlifts Stevens and sets him on the ring apron.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "5!"
(Yoshinari Sugiura rolls into the ring and effectively ends the count. Sugiura quickly grabs the head of Stevens and starts pulling him up and then into the ring between the top and middle rope�but suddenly, Sugiura leaves him prone! THUD! Sugiura kicks the chest of the trapped Stevens! THUD! ANOTHER STIFF kick! THUD! AGAIN! The referee warns Sugiura and tells him to get this action back into the ring. Sugiura complies and pulls Stevens through the ropes. With Stevens landing perpendicular to the ropes, Sugiura decides it's time for something BIG! He leaps over the top rope, near Stevens' head! Sugiura leaps back into the ring, dangerously close to Stevens head�but doesn't hit a move! He stops himself! Until suddenly, Yoshinari Sugiura hit's a disrespectful mule kick to the skull of Brian Stevens!!!)
HS: "OUTSTANDING!"
FJ: "That�was the ULTIMATE INSULT! How DARE he?!"
(Sugiura plays up to the fans, who applaud their hero. Finally, Sugiura smartens up and covers Stevens with a nice body press.)
HS: "Cover�1...2..NOTHING! Stevens manages to AGAIN get his shoulder up!"
FJ: "Thank you baby Jesus!"
(Sugiura stomps on the head of Stevens before bringing him to his feet. Sugiura hit's a nasty looking forearm to Stevens' face! Sugiura connects with ANOTHER forearm�but awoke Stevens in the process! Stevens fires back with a CHOP! Forearm by Sugiura! Chop by Stevens! Forearm by Sugiura! Another! Sugiura hit's the ropes�but Stevens explodes at Sugiura and hit's a BEAUTIFUL rolling CAPO KICK! Stevens is pissed! He's hurt�but he's pissed! He takes only a second to regain his composure before heading over to Sugiura and lifting him off the mat by his hair! Brian Stevens locks Sugiura in a front face lock and proceeds to hoist him up for a suplex�but instead guts him on the top rope! Stevens lets him sit there for a second before hitting a HUGE stiff kick to the chest that sends Yoshinari Sugiura crashing to the mats on the outside!!!)
FJ: "Stevens is BACK!"
HS: "Oh no�look at Stevens! He has SOMETHING on his mind here!"
(Indeed he does! As soon as Sugiura rises to his feet, Brian Stevens explodes to the far ropes and with great speed, Brian Stevens leaps through the ropes and hits his TOPE CON HILO!!!! Brian ends up a few rows back! Yoshinari Sugiura is DECIMATED!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "1!"
(Our cameras catch Stevens! He's laying on top of a few Japanese fans and some folding chairs! He is beat up badly!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "2!"
(We see Brian Stevens moving a little bit�we cut to Yoshinari Sugiura! He is motionless!)
RING ANNOUCNER: "3!"
(Brian Stevens is up! He is clutching at his left arm! He may have re-injured it!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "4!"
(Brian Stevens hopes over the guardrail and looms over the downed Sugiura.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "5!"
(Brian Stevens slowly pulls Sugiura off the floor.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "6!"
(Brian Stevens slowly tosses and rolls Sugiura into the ring, favoring his left arm. Stevens follows in and kills the count. However, Brian Stevens immediately covers Yoshinari Sugiura for the pinfall.)
HS: "COVER! 1...2...NO! Yoshinari Sugiura kicks out!"
FJ: "Crap!"
(Sugiura lifts his head off the mat and immediately, Brian Stevens starts peppering the face and skull of Sugiura with some kicks!)
FJ: "YES! This kid f'ing rules!"
HS: "He's�embarrassing Sugiura! He's toying with Sugiura!"
(Brian Stevens waits for Sugiura to get to a vertical base and then BLASTS him with a European Uppercut! Sugiura wavers, but Stevens catches him and kicks him across the chest AGAIN! This time, Sugiura's PRIDE takes over and he gets right in the face of Brian Stevens! Both men start jawing at the other in Japanese! Stevens is taken aback! Sugiura takes advantage of this and grabs the head of Stevens and starts rocking him with STIFF forearm strikes! After about 4 strikes, Brian Stevens has seen enough! Brian Stevens quickly leaps to the air and hit's a Enzuigiri! Sugiura simply crumbles. Brian Stevens falls on his butt and tends to his arm for a moment.)
HS: "That broken arm is REALLY bothering him, Frank."
FJ: "While that Tope Con Hilo was freaking awesome, it probably wasn't the best idea in hindsight!"
HS: "Correct! Now, Brian Stevens has to face on of the best in the world with a limb that is practically useless!"
(Brian Stevens heads over to Yoshinari Sugiura and by the hair, brings him up to a vertical base. Brian Stevens quickly snaps off a nice suplex and quickly follows up with a snap down leg drop. Stevens covers.)
FJ: "A cover by the Punk Rock Phenom, Summers!"
HS: "1...2...NOPE! Kick out by Sugiura!"
FJ: "BASTARD!"
RING ANNOUCNER: "TEN MINUTES ELAPSED."
HS: "There's our first time warning of the night."
FJ: "Ten minutes of a possible SIXTY down, folks. Who knows how much more these two have in the tanks!"
(Brian Stevens rips Sugiura off the mat and snapmares him over. Brian Stevens doesn't hesitate and quickly hit's a Rolling Neck Snap in tribute to Curt Hennig, "Mr. Perfect." Brian Stevens is quick to lock on a body scissors for a submission.)
HS: "Not sure of the logic here, Frank."
FJ: "Maybe his arm is bothering him that much to the point that he feels more comfortable not using it."
HS: "Hmm�interesting point."
(Two minutes elapse with the hold intact. Finally, Sugiura is able to fight his way to the ropes and breaks the hold.)
FJ: "Damn. Sugiura really had to fight and claw for that break."
HS: "And who knows? Maybe Brian Stevens' left arm is doing better because of it."
(Brian Stevens pushes Sugiura into the corner and hits some shoulders, staying on the now-weakened midsection of his foe. Brian Stevens, feeling comfortable with the weakened Sugiura, walks him out of the corner�but Sugiura strikes! Yoshinari Sugiura hit's a forearm on Stevens followed by a front toe kick to the stomach! Stevens tries to quickly counter Sugiura as he hit's the ropes in a back body drop, but Sugiura flips over and attempts a sunset flip�but Stevens quickly rushes in with a SHINNING WIZARD!! Stevens covers.)
HS: "SHINNING WIZARD! Stevens with the cover! 1...2...NO! NO! Kick out by Yoshi!"
FJ: "Ugh. How are these two still fighting?!"
(Brian Stevens, still with the sore left arm, reapplies the body scissors center ring! The fans start clapping for Yoshinari to get to the ropes and after a minute in the hold�he does! Stevens breaks the hold and brings Sugiura to his feet by his hair. CRACK! Stevens connects with a chop! Sugiura, in an attempt to get away, stumbles back into the ropes. Stevens is quick to follow up and THUD! Stevens connects with a STIFF kick to the chest of Sugiura that sends him through the ropes! Brian Stevens quickly follows in pursuit.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "1!"
(Brian Stevens drags Sugiura up to his feet.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "2!"
(Brian Stevens hoists Sugiura up into a fireman's carry.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "3!"
(Brian Stevens sprints into the guardrail with Sugiura STILL in the fireman's carry and crashes into the guardrail with Yoshinari's neck, completing a modified KRUSH RUSH!!!)
HS: "Oh, no!"
FJ: "KRUSH RUSH into the f'ing guardrail!!!! Unbelievable!"
RING ANNOUNCER: "4!"
(Brian Stevens stands over the broken Sugiura and looks down on his fallen prey.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "5!"
(Finally, Brian Stevens drags Sugiura up by his hair.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "6!"
(Brian Stevens locks on a read waist lock and quickly rushes Yoshinari Sugiura stomach-first into the edge of the ring.)
RING ANNOUNCER: "7!"
(Brian Stevens turns Sugiura around and CRACK! Brian Stevens chops the VERY red chest of Yoshi!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "8!"
(Brian Stevens finally rolls Sugiura back into the ring and immediately covers.)
HS: "Brian Stevens hooks the leg. 1...2...no. Sugiura is not done yet!"
(Brian Stevens shakes his head. He is frustrated. His body hurts. His arm is killing him. However�Brian Stevens decides it's time for this all to end! Brian Stevens waits patiently for Sugiura to get to his feet and Brian Stevens reacts! Brian Stevens runs the ropes to the other side before hitting a VICIOUS Lariat center ring, turning Yoshinari Sugiura inside out!!!)
HS: "LARIAT! LARIAT!"
FJ: "That's a pet move of Stevens!"
(Brian Stevens is slow to cover�but he does hook the leg.)
HS: "Here's the pinfall�1...2...3...NO! NO!"
FJ: "WHAT!?"
HS: "Sugiura kicked out at the last possible second!"
(Brian Stevens sits on his knees. He can't believe it! Sugiura starts trying to crawl away from Brian Stevens, but Stevens won't have it. Stevens grabs Sugiura by the hair and tosses him into the corner! Stevens unloads with a chop! Stevens connects with ANOTHER chop! Brian Stevens whips Sugiura out of the corner and into the opposite side. Stevens rushes in�but gets caught with the boot!! Sugiura rushes in at Stevens�but Stevens is ready and quickly hit's a back elbow to Sugiura's midsection. Stevens hit's the ropes�)
RING ANNOUNCER: "15 minutes elapsed."
(Brian Stevens is caught off guard by Sugiura and is quickly PLANTED with a snap Powerslam!! Both men are down!)
HS: "What fight both men have shown thus far, Frank!"
FJ: "We expected this going in, Herb! This was going to be a war all along and these men are just taking it one step PAST that!"
(Finally, both men are on their feet! Both men have stumbled into opposite corners! Sugiura is the first to move! He rushes in and hit's Brian Stevens with a STIFF Yakuza Kick in the corner! Sugiura watches Stevens as he stumbles out of the corner�Sugiura follows up and hit's the ropes and DRILLS Brian Stevens with the Roaring Elbow! Stevens fights back up to his feet! Sugiura is ready! Sugiura unloads with three, rapid fire kicks to the body of Stevens before hitting a twisting kick to the gut! Sugiura heads to the ropes and springboards off the second rope and DRILLS Stevens with a absolutely disgusting Front Dropkick! Yoshi covers!)
HS: "COVER! 1...2..Kick out!"
FJ: "WOW! Just�wow! This match is absolutely NUTS!"
(Sugiura getting a second wind! He stands over Stevens, begging him to get up! Stevens finally gets up�THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! Stevens gets LIT UP with four STIFF kicks to the chest! Stevens tries fighting away with a backhand, but Sugiura attempts a Fijiwara! Stevens fights, but Sugiura doesn't give up and instead hit's a butterfly suplex! Sugiura floats over and immediately locks on a Cross Armbreaker on Brian Stevens left arm! Brian Stevens immediately cries out! His broken arm is a mess!)
FJ: "It's done! DAMN IT! Brian Stevens can't do anything here."
HS: "You might be right, Frank!"
(For about 30 seconds, Brian Stevens is flipping out! He kicks his legs! He does EVERYTHING humanly possible to get to the ropes�and he succeeds! Brian Stevens hooks the bottom rope with his boot!)
FJ: "Brian Stevens is in the ropes, Herb!"
HS: "But this is all but done now, Frank! Brian's arm is done!"
FJ: "Hey, I can pray!"
(Sugiura wrestles Stevens to his feet and quickly takes him up and snaps him back down in a Falcon Arrow! Cover!)
FJ: "1...2..NADA! Stevens is still kickin'!"
(Sugiura tosses Stevens into the corner after he gets him back to his feet! Sugiura hoists Stevens to the top and quickly follows suit. However, Stevens is ready! Stevens trips Sugiura up on the top and coincidentally, Stevens has Yoshi in the tree of woe! Brian Stevens quickly stands up and comes down with a DOUBLE STOMP on the upper chest and face of Sugiura!!!!)
HS: "Oh, my LORD!"
FJ: "Sugiura is DEAD!"
(The fans start clapping! They sense something special is about to happen! Brian Stevens starts crawling across the ring! Sugiura is STILL in the tree of woe! Finally, Stevens reaches the ring apron and pulls himself up! Stevens springboards in and flies 20 feet and connects with the Van Terminator-style dropkick! Sugiura crumbles out of the tree of woe! The fans start chanting for the first time! "Stevens! Stevens!")
HS: "Like him or hate him�Brian Stevens is a MARVEL!"
FJ: "No doubt!"
(Brian Stevens finally is able to cover Sugiura! He can taste victory!)
HS: "Here it is! COVER!"
FJ: "1...2...3!!!"
HS: "NO! NO! KICK OUT! KICK OUT! Yoshinari Sugiura kicked out!"
FJ: "WHAT!?!!"
(Brian Stevens is desperate! Brian Stevens is frustrated! Stevens brings Sugiura to his feet! He backs him into the ropes and UNLOADS with 30 consecutive chops, shades of the great Kenta Kobashi! Sugiura stumbles off the ropes and Brian Stevens quickly hit's the ropes, leaps to the middle rope and springboards back with his trademark kick! Stevens covers!)
HS: "1...2...NO! Sugiura WILL NOT DIE!"
(Brian Stevens slits his throat! He grabs the head of Sugiura and holds him hunched over! Brian Stevens hits short kick after kick to the face of Sugiura!)
FJ: "KAWADA KICKS!!!"
(Brian Stevens stalls. Sugiura is still standing, albeit woozy! Stevens decides to head upstairs! He's going up top!)
HS: "High risk by Stevens!"
(Suddenly, Sugiura explodes at Stevens! Sugiura, in one astonishing leap, balances himself on the top rope and quickly hits Stevens with his trademark SUPER FALCON ARROW! COVER!!!!)
FJ: "1..2...3!!!"
HS: "NO! Kick out by Stevens!"
FJ: "This match is going to be the death of me, Herb! Seriously! WOW!"
(Both men are down!!)
RING ANNOUNCER: "20 minutes has elapsed."
(Both men crawl to the corners! Both men are broken! Both men are tired! Finally, both men stand! Both men are up! Both men slowly work their broken bodies to the center of the ring�Sugiura slaps Stevens! Stevens slaps Sugiura! Both men exchange STIFF slaps about 20 times a piece! Finally, Stevens comes out with the advantage after ducking one of Sugiura's slaps! Stevens hit's a succession of 5 rapid-fire slaps before hitting attempting a backhand�but Sugiura blocks it and quickly hit's a STIFF forearm! Stevens collapses! Sugiura covers!!!)
HS: "This is it! 1...2..."
FJ: "STILL NO! Stevens won't die! Sugiura won't die!"
HS: "What will it take!?!"
(Sugiura gets to his feet�HE SIGNALS FOR THE END! He signals for GO 2 SLEEP! Sugiura lifts Brian Stevens up�he puts Brian Stevens on his shoulders in a fireman's carry!)
FJ: "NO! This is it!"
HS: "It's time for Brian Stevens to Go 2 Sleep!!!"
(Sugiura presses Stevens�but Stevens holds on and takes Sugiura over with an arm drag! Stevens attempts a quick ACE CRUSHER, but Sugiura pushes Stevens into the turnbuckle! Stevens turns back towards Sugiura�Sugiura captures the head of Stevens and runs up the ropes�SHIRANUI! SHIRANUI!)
HS: "Call it what you will! Sliced Bread #2! Ninja Driver! It doesn't matter! Brian Stevens just got hit with one of Yoshinari Sugiura's finishes! The Shiranui!"
FJ: "Sugiura needs to cover!"
(Sugiura is FINALLY able to cover!!!)
FJ: "Here it is�"
HS: "1...2...3!!!"
FJ: "NO! KICK OUT! KICK OUT!"
HS: "That was 2 �!"
(Sugiura just kneels next to Stevens. He awaits his nemesis! And finally, Brian Stevens gets to his feet. Sugiura takes off to the ropes and leaps at the head of Stevens with his legendary Busaiku Knee Strike�but Stevens catches Sugiura in MID AIR! Stevens quickly traps Sugiura and BAM! NORTH STAR DRIVER!!)
FJ: "Brian Stevens isn't making the cover!"
HS: "In his mind, Frank. He needs that one last BIG TIME move!"
(Brian Stevens waits for Sugiura to get to his feet. Stevens hit's the ropes, rebounds to the other side, and finally, CRACK! Brian Stevens drops Yoshinari Sugiura on his NECK with a SICK LARIAT! Brian Stevens covers!!!)
HS: "1...2...3!!!!"
FJ: "HE DID IT! HE DID IT! BRIAN STEVENS JUST PINNED SUGIURA!"
HS: "BRIAN STEVENS JUST WON THE IHC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE!"
(The bell rings! The fans all stand and applaud rabidly! They just saw a CLASSIC! "Into The Blinding Light" by Thursday hits and the referee raises the hand of Brian Stevens!)
HS: "24 minutes! 15 seconds! Brian Stevens defeats Yoshinari Sugiura! Brian Stevens becomes the FIRST American wrestler to EVER hold the Pro Wrestling JAPAN IHC Heavyweight Title!"
FJ: "This is just�awesome! That MATCH was awesome!"
(The officials from Pro Wrestling JAPAN start making their way into the ring. Jun Morishima has a large silver trophy in one hand, and the coveted IHC Heavyweight Title in the other.)
HS: "This is a momentous occasion, Frank!"
(Sugiura rolls out of the ring. He is LIVID with himself. He takes one glance back at Stevens before walking to the back. Meanwhile, Jun Morishima has handed the IHC trophy to Brian Stevens! Brian Stevens hoists the trophy high into the air and the fans all begin chanting "Stevens! Stevens!" Brian beams proudly as Jun Morishima straps the IHC Heavyweight Title around the waist of Brian Stevens.)
HS: "It's the equivalent of the AWA World Title! It's the premier title in Japan�and now Brian Stevens is the Champion!"
FJ: "Brian Stevens IS the IHC Heavyweight Champion! Brian Stevens is bigger than goddamn Godzilla right now!"
(We see Sarah Hawthorne, Onslaught, and Tabitha Rankin all flood into the ring! The group all hugs as we end our feed with PWJ and we go to the dressing room of The Legendary Low, who is already in his wrestling gear. Low is sitting on a bench, with Richard O. Dickinson III and Debbie Stone standing in the background. Mark Keller is sitting right next to the World Champion, who holds the title belt on his lap.)
MK: "Low, tonight you are going to face the No Limits Champion Orlando Ortega in a title versus title match. For the past several weeks you have tried to make Ortega snap in order to lose his temper and make a fatal mistake in tonight's main event. You were not successful so far, but the situation we saw earlier with Momma Ortega might just put OOO over the edge. Was that your doing?"
(Low grins into the camera.)
MK: "I think it was."
LOW: "Well, go with your gut feeling, Mark Keller! Hey, I've done nothing wrong! In fact, the United States of America should thank me for making this country a much safer place! Momma Ortega will no longer hurt this country's finances by being an illegal immigrant. She will no longer threaten children's lives by selling her cheap Colombian cocaine. And she will no longer threaten thousands of lives and this country's freedom by conspiring with more insane Colombian mothers!"
(Low smiles as Keller looks at him in disgust.)
MK: "So it was you. You should be ashamed of yourself!"
LOW: "Yeah, my mother seems to think the same thing. But do you see my mother anywhere, Keller? No, I am not one to put my family into harm's way to get some sympathy points like Ortega does. I'm not one to offer my opponents a weak spot like Ortega does by bringing his mother out here."
(Low becomes more serious now.)
LOW: "Ortega, teh time for talking is over. The time for games is over. Whether we played your game or my game this past week, it doesn't matter. Tonight, you and I will step inside that ring and compete for most prestigeous price in this sport, the AWA World title. I have controlled this title for five years, and Ortega, long after you're gone, I will continue to do so."
"You are the current flavor of the month and you may think you'll be the best. Ultimately, I will overcome this latest serious challenge and I will continue being YOUR World Heavyweight Champion."
(Low smiles.)
LOW: "And, of course, I will add the No Limits title to my collection. Ortega, there comes a point in a man's life where his memories are more important than his dreams. I have fulfilled all of my dreams, Ortega, but I am far from done from creating more memories for myself. And tonight will be the night that The Legendary Low disposed of yet another overrated, undersized acrobat!"
MK: "Let's go back to ringside."
(The lights suddenly dim as at the same moment the sounds of "Bulletproof
Skin" by INSTITUTE blare throughout the arena. Silver and blue spotlights
now swallow up the entrance corridor and through the unique lighting
display, emerges "The Assassin" Chris Freytag. The crowd comes alive,
standing on their feet, rushing Security who stand guard at the Security
Railing. Many fans extend their hands and various signs, as Chris now begins
his way towards the Squared Circle, clad in his wrestling attire and
trademark black Leather Jacket. Upon reaching ringside, Chris is immersed in
the crowd as he leans back briefly against the railing, allowing fans to pat
his back and shout their words of admiration. From there Chris then lunges
forward and dives into the ring under the bottom rope. After pushing to his
feet, Freytag paces forward, leaps upon the ropes in the middle of the
strands. There he pauses; bouncing slightly while hollering out at the
crowd, raising their energy level.)
FJ: "Notice the Assassin didn't even glance at that Ladder placed in
mid-isle?"
HS: "It's the focus of a hungry Challenger, make no mistake about it. And
we're now readying for one of the most anticipated matches of the night. The
Ladder Match for the Cruiserweight Championship!"
(The opening guitar of "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC starts to play and the
fans start to chant "Na Na-Na Na Na-Na Na Na!" over and over with the
all-to-familiar guitar chords. The lights in the arena flash on and off for
a few seconds before staying off. On the first "Thunder" the lights starts
flashing on and off again. On the second "Thunder" Terry comes out onto the
stage with an ECW Canadian flag in his hands, the crowd now cheering loudly,
stopping just before the ramp. He looks to both sides, waving the flag and
showing it off to the crowd, before walking down the ramp with a cocky grin
on his face. Terry stops at the end of the ramp and gets onto his knees. He
then raises the flag in his right hand up to the ceiling and keeps it there
for three seconds as pyro jets shoot out, back and forward, along the top of
the ramp in rapid-fire fashion. Terry then gets up and runs to the ring,
sliding in under the ropes. He stops in the middle of the ring and quickly
kips up as a pyro jet shoots from each turnbuckle.)
HS: "The Champion reaches ringside. Prepare for all hell to break loose!"
FJ: "I think we can use that label, �Champion', loosely tonight Herbie.
Because that Title is suspended high above the ring tonight until one of
these two snatches it up, and thereby crowns themselves Champion."
(Terry James now focus in his opponent's direction, and runs right toward
Chris Freytag. The Referee quickly calls for the bell as the two rivals
explode into an aggressive, stiff slug-fest. Back and forth the fists fly,
each finding their mark. Moments into the mayhem, Terry gains the upper-hand
and latches onto the Assassin's wrist and sends him soaring into the ropes
with an Irish Whip. On the rebound he spins and drills Freytag with a hard
back elbow to the mouth. Terry motions for Chris to stand back up, and as he
does, Terry shoves Chris backward into the nearby turnbuckles. There Terry
James explodes into a flurry of stiff knife-edge chops. The excited audience
moans with each chop as the impact is heard the arena over. After the chops
Terry follows up with a couple stiff kicks to the mid-section and then
prepares Freytag for another Irish Whip into the opposite buckles across the
ring. However the Assassin aggressively counters the whip and thrusts Terry
into the corner buckles instead. The fans pop at the reversal and Freytag
wastes no time rushing in to drill the Champion. Terry manages to bring the
boots up at the last minute, however, and the Assassin is knocked backward
from the impact to the face. The fast paced action continues now with Terry
James thundering forward to mid-ring but the Assassin drives into his
mid-section and drops him with a double leg takedown. Quickly Freytag grabs
Terry's legs and tries to slap on a Sharpshooter, but Terry leans up and is
throwing wild punches, preventing the Assassin from turning him over.
Finally he kicks free and Freytag is knocked backwards and down to one knee.
Terry pushes back to his feet but the Assassin is right on his rival, and
nails him with a quick boot to the stomach. Next Chris viciously latches
onto Terry and twirls around and thrusts the Cruiserweight Champion into the
corner buckles but tosses him through the ropes and sends Terry shoulder
first into the steel ring-post!)
FJ: "Good grief! Did you hear that impact?"
HS: "Hear it? I saw it! But we knew this wasn't going to be pretty. In
fact it's only on pay-per-view airwaves that'd we'd be able to safely air
this one. These two individuals are likely to go to great lengths to settle
their differences here tonight."
(We now catch a wide shot of the two competitors in the corner of the
ring, while the AWA Cruiserweight Championship Belt hangs from high above
the ring. Chris pulls Terry back and leans him against the buckles and works
him over with a series of right closed-fisted hands. Freytag then tugs Terry
out of the corner and scoops him up. Freytag walks around a few moments
before then dropping down to one knee, hitting Terry with a harsh Shoulder
Breaker. Terry crashes to the mat and clutches his shoulder in pain. In
response, Chris just stomps down on Terry's upper-torso a couple times,
before then tugging him back up with a handful of hair. The Challenger,
scooping up Terry James once more, looks for another Shoulder Breaker but
Terry squirms free and lands behind the Assassin. Terry rocks Chris with a
forearm shot to the back of the head, then flees towards the ropes. Terry
comes back and as Chris turns to face him, Terry leaps and nails Chris with
a flying forearm. The impact sends Chris rolling on the mat towards the
ropes, and he gradually slips under the bottom rope while holding his nose.
Terry James, slowly fights back to a vertical base, and sizes up Chris'
ring-presence. As the Assassin stands up in a haze on the outer ring apron,
Terry runs towards the nearby corner buckles and leaps up onto the second
rope. The Champion leaps, looking to nail Freytag, but the Assassin falls
down flat on the apron and Terry soars up and comes crashing down on the
outside mats. Fans cringe upon seeing the impact. Freytag, meanwhile, rolls
off the apron and walks along the outside area. While regaining his
composure, the Assassin walks towards mid-aisle where the Ladder is, and is
in pursuit of the 16 feet of steel. Chris begins folding it up, but the
Champion comes running in from behind and throws a few hard shots to the
Assassin's upper-back. Freytag spins around and the two exchange brief
rights and lefts before Chris drives a knee into Terry's abdominal area and
grabs hold of him. The Assassin then mercilessly whips Terry James into the
Steel Steps at ringside. The structure soars apart and Terry rolls around
favoring his injured shoulder.)
HS: "What punishment being inflicted upon the shoulder of Terry James,
both directly and indirectly! And it's a dangerous thing. Without shoulder
strength to help you execute moves, or a climb a ladder as is the case with
this match, your chances of winning are rather bleak."
FJ: "I can't argue that point. But at the same time, we've come to
realize that virtually every AWA competitor turns things up a notch at
Pay-Per-Views!"
(Terry James rolls back into the ring, still clutching his shoulder, but
pushes back up to his feet. Meanwhile the Assassin has folded the ladder
shut and is walking towards the ring. He sets it up onto the apron, trying
to slide it in, but he spots Terry rebounding off the ropes behind him, and
charging towards the Challenger. Immediately Freytag slides the ladder out
of the way as James drops and attempts a Baseball Slide. Terry slides
outside under the bottom rope, missing his mark, and Chris quickly meets him
with a kick to the gut and once again grabs onto him and this time thrusts
him into the nearby steel ring-post. Terry crashes down to the mat in a
heap. Seeing the damage done, Chris hops into the Squared Circle and, as
fast as he can, sets up the ladder in mid-ring. Right away Chris scales the
rungs and begins climbing up towards the hanging Cruiserweight Championship.
Terry musters up enough to energy to roll back inside the ring, and runs in
from behind and clubs Chris in the lower back with a few hard forearms. Next
he latches onto the Assassin's waist and sits him upon onto his shoulders,
only to then walk away from ladder. Terry then simply falls back and the
Assassin slams down on the canvas, bouncing upon the impact. Chris clutches
his back a bit and Terry is quick to tug him up to his feet. Terry shoves
him backward into the corner buckles and hits him with a few hard rights
before taking several steps back, then running into the corner with a stiff
Lariat. Chris drops to one knee, and Terry spins around, folds up the
ladder, and then runs at the Assassin only to drill him face first with the
top of the ladder. Fans again moan out loud.)
HS: "Oh my..."
FJ: "Welcome to concussion city!"
HS: "That shot finds it mark right between the eyes!"
(The Assassin fights to stand once again, but Terry approaches and drives
a stiff chop into his chest. Then he follows up by slamming Freytag
face-first into the top turnbuckle. Terry James, once again, latches onto
the ladder and charges into the corner. He nails Freytag with the top of the
ladder, yet again, this time in the abdominal area. Freytag falls to the
canvas, favoring his ribs. Terry James is now over in the corner and sets up
the ladder straight, leaning against the corner buckles. He next returns
towards Freytag and dishes out a few hard stomps and then yanks him up with
a handful of hair. Terry nails another couple chops and then whips the
Assassin towards the ladder in the corner. With a last-ditch effort,
however, Freytag pulls off an aggressive counter and sends Terry James
soaring into the ladder, colliding viciously with it. The hard smack echoes
the arena over and fans gasp as the force throws Terry James, and the
ladder, over the top rope and they spill on the outside mats.)
FJ: "Son of a..."
HS: "This match up could end up resulting in some permanent damage for
the shoulder of Terry James. The velocity of that fall, oh MAN. Let alone
the nasty impact with those ring mats. Which have little to no give, as
we've said a thousand times before."
FJ: "We'll see how bad he wants to hang onto that Cruiserweight
Championship. Right now Chris Freytag is showing how hungry he is for it. Is
Terry hungry enough to keep it? Speaking of injuries though, I wouldn't be
surprised if Freytag is sportin' a couple broken ribs from those ladder
shots earlier. Terry James held nothing back and NAILED the Assassin with
that ladder!"
(A brief close up captures the pain on Terry's face as he again clutches
his right shoulder. Nevertheless he fights to regain a vertical base.
Spotting the Champion back on his feet, Chris Freytag sizes up Terry's
position and then bounces himself off the ropes. The Assassin charges
towards Terry's direction and then dives through the top and middle ropes at
top speed. However, anticipating his high-risk maneuver, Terry James grabs
the ladder and slides it up and into place; the Assassin suicide dives
directly into the steel ladder! He meets the steel face first and crashes
awkwardly to the floor. The ladder, meanwhile, soars back and smacks the
railing before hitting the ground.)
FJ: "Oooh! Talk about eating steel!"
HS: "I can't believe that! The Assassin attempts a �Suicide' Dive and
believe you me, it certainly lived up to its label! Someone check on Chris
Freytag!"
FJ: "Both men are down and nearly out, here outside the ring, Herbie.
This match is definitely grinding these two down. And who knows how many
years it's shaving off their careers."
HS: "It just goes to show you how bitter this has become!"
(Terry James is the first to moments later, return to his feet. Slowly
the Assassin is trying to shake the cob webs and stand on his own. Terry,
however, latches onto him and locks him in a front chicanery. He stalls for
a moment, preparing his hurt shoulder for the pressure, but then hoists
Freytag up in a suplex position, but then drops him belly first on the
outside guard railing. A loud yell escapes Chris as the wind is knocked out
of him. Terry James then quickly sets up the ladder against the ring apron
and hops up onto the apron himself. He next stands behind the ladder, steps
onto it, and then kicks himself away from the apron and comes soaring down
towards the body of Freytag, which is still hung over the railing. In
desperation the Assassin, at the last second, slides off the railing and
Terry James smacks the railing along with the ladder. The impact throws
Terry against the railing and then onto the floor in awkward fashion. Terry
James rolls around now, clutching his shoulder and hollers out in pain.
While growling a few vulgarities under his breath, Terry stands back up but
the Assassin is waiting for him. Chris charges forward and nails Terry James
face-first with the top of the folder up ladder. Terry drops once again. The
crowd, roaring aloud at the action, continues to eat it all up.)
FJ: "Phoenix is on fire right now Herbie. These people are loving this."
HS: "Indeed they are. Hopefully they'll be able to provide the finest of
hospitals too after this match."
(Freytag hauls up Terry James and tosses him back into the ring. The
Assassin follows him in and then pushes back to his feet. Breathing heavily,
Freytag takes a moment to regain his composure and turns to scan the crowd.
He raises a fist and shouts out several things unheard by the camera's
audio, but the fans respond with a loud reaction. Then, on fire, Freytag
approaches Terry James and vents frustration through a series of hard stomps
to the upper-torso and injured shoulder. Next Chris hauls Terry up and bowls
him over before hoisting him up in Powerbomb fashion. Then Assassin turns
and then drives Terry into the turnbuckles with a nasty Powerbomb into the
corner! Chris drops to one knee and Terry slams up against the buckles and
crashes to the mat, kicking his feet while clutching his back and shoulder.
Chris now hops outside and collects the ladder. He slides it back into the
ring, then slides in himself, and after standing up he picks up the ladder.
Chris measures up Terry James who's fighting back to his feet. A few seconds
later the Assassin charges towards the Cruiserweight Champion and drills him
in the chest with the ladder. Terry and the ladder crumble to the canvas. A
few moments later Chris slowly stands up the ladder in mid-ring. The
Assassin then looks down at Terry James and shouts a few things toward him.
Freytag leans into pick him up yet again, but Terry is able to fire off a
quick jab to the jaw, jarring the Challenger, and Terry is then able to fire
off a couple more right hands, and begin fighting back. Terry then almost
instinctively grabs onto the Assassin's neck and then spins to throw him
directly into the ladder. Chris holds his mouth from the impact, but quickly
kicks Terry in the mid-section, and then turns right back around and quickly
begins climbing up the ladder towards the Belt! Terry James is seconds
behind him now, and begins climbing up the ladder right behind him. Terry
rocks the Assassin with some right hands to the back, but Chris responds
with a hard elbow. Finally, from the aggressive action on one side of the
ladder, it begins to tip. Finally both wrestlers try and hang on as the
ladder tips and both are flung against the ropes and slam down upon the
canvas. The two roll around favoring various parts of their upper-torsos as
the pain is tremendous.)
FJ: "Both men crash and burn after that ladder flings both of them off.
And what a way to land; right on the ropes! That'll knock you to the mat
with a nice little spring!"
(Both wrestlers, fatigued, race one another back to their feet. Terry,
the first one up, picks the ladder up and folds it shut. He then scoops it
up and runs towards the Assassin, but Freytag leaps into a big Standing
Dropkick and knocks it back into Terry James, who crashes back to the mat.
Freytag next grabs the ladder and sets it upright in the corner. He then
returns attention to Terry James, and hauls him up to a vertical base.
Freytag immediately looks to whip Terry into the ladder, but the Champion
pulls off the reversal and Chris is sent smashing into the steel instead. He
crashes to the mat, but Terry wastes no time in approaching the corner
buckles, and setting the ladder upright once again. He next climbs the
turnbuckles, and perches himself up top, awaiting the Challenger to stand.
Once Freytag stands, albeit wobbly, he turns and finds the ladder thrust at
him. Chris catches it and then Terry James leaps off the top rope with an
amazing Missle Dropkick. From a high elevation Terry nails the ladder and it
smacks Chris in the face, sending him crashing to the canvas. The ladder
topples over and leans against the top rope. Spotting the positioning, Terry
climbs to the outside ring apron, and again waits for an exhausted and
battered Challenger to stand. Once Chris reaches his feet, Terry leaps off
the apron, to the floor, yanking down the top of the ladder. The end of it
then flies up in the ring, and nails Freytag under the jaw.)
HS: "Seesaw effect, and what disturbing impact!"
FJ: "It connected under the jaw, but I think I also watched it smack
Chris near the eye too. And that's extremely dangerous!"
HS: "Is this ever going to end Frank? There's been few attempts to
actually seize that Championship Belt. Each time one of these two
competitors has tried, they've failed miserably due to the efforts of their
rival."
FJ: "Too bad. Because there's only one way to win this match. Somebody
has to snatch that Belt. And until that happens, it's more of this barbaric
competition. But soak it up Herbie! This is what AWA Pay-Per-View is all
about! By the way, are you wanting a hot dog too?"
HS: "Perhaps I spoke too soon. Terry James is on his way up!"
(Having now set the ladder back up in mid-ring, Terry James ascends
looking to retain his Championship. Before he can reach the last two rungs
necessary, however, Freytag is right on his trail. A hard forearm to the
back is followed by a blatant headbutt, and another! Terry still hangs on so
the Assassin reaches up and tugs back on the injured right shoulder. Terry
kicks Freytag in the mid-section, and the Assassin drops back down to his
feet. Still he latches onto Terry and pulls him off the ladder, and Terry
now rests on Chris' shoulder, and it looks like Freytag is ready to drop
with a Back Suplex. However Chris keeps backing up further and further, and
finally he thrusts Terry back and off his shoulders, when he reaches the
ropes! The Champion soars into an uncontrolled back-flip before crashing to
the arena floor. Fans next begin a loud chant, the arena over; "This is
Crazy! This is Crazy!" Chris stalls for a moment, and looks both ways, at
the riled up crowd. Now he lunges forward and begins climbing up the
ladder.)
FJ: "This crowd is right on the money!"
HS: "This is it! The Assassin is going to do it! There's nothing stopping
him now."
(Freytag is almost all the way up the ladder. He reaches up and his
fingers just barely brush against the Cruiserweight Championship Belt. Chris
looks down to steady his balance and he tries to climb up one more rung, but
Terry James, startled by the close-call, has an adrenaline surge and dives
back into the Squared Circle and approaches before Chris can complete the
last step. Fans stand on their feet now as Terry rocks Chris with a hard
right to the back, followed by another. Terry then quickly steps around to
the opposite side of the ladder and climbs up the rungs himself! Both
wrestlers now stand toward the top of the ladder, exchanging tired punches.
Finally Chris latches onto Terry James, and quickly motions to the crowd...)
HS: "He's not gonna..."
FJ: "I think so!"
HS: "Assassinator off the top of that Ladder!?"
FJ: "NO! It's blocked!!"
HS: "What the�"
FJ: "THUNDERSTRUCK!"
(After blocking Freytag's attempt to deliver the Champion to the
Assassinator, Terry James stands and lifts his leg for his patented
Thunderstruck Superkick. The kick connects under the Assassin's jaw, and the
Challenger is thrust off the ladder and crashes down to the canvas. However,
following the kick, the ladder grows wobbly and Terry James tries his best
to balance out, but to no avail. The ladder slowly tips and finally turns
over and the crowd gasps as Terry James falls to the canvas, bouncing on
impact.)
HS: "What a dramatic scene here in Phoenix! Terry James nails the
Assassin with the Thunderstruck Superkick, and that could've been perhaps
all she wrote, but there's no way the Ladder could provide any stability!"
FJ: "And now BOTH men are down and this looks like a car wreck."
HS: "What else are we going to see before one of these men claim this
prestigious prize!?"
(Both men lie on the canvas, completely spent. Fans, growing exhausted
themselves, begin cheering ever louder, and gradually start clapping their
hands and stomping their feet. Moments pass and the rumbling becomes
unbelievable.)
FJ: "This sounds like a friggin' stampede, Herbie!"
HS: "WHAT? I didn't hear all of that..."
(Very slowly both men fight back to their feet. Giving it all that they
have, both men inevitably achieve a vertical base once again. Both men
stagger towards the Ladder and attempt pull it up. Chris tries to thwart
Terry's efforts with a harsh European Uppercut, but James after suffering
the blow, responds with a hard kick to the mid-section. Terry is unable to
follow up, however, and just proceeds to begin climbing the Ladder. Chris,
meanwhile, begins climbing up the opposite side. Both wrestlers slowly move
up the steel Ladder, both glancing up at the shining Championship Belt. Upon
reaching the top, Terry leaps up and grabs onto the Belt loop, which the
Belt is fastened upon. The Assassin, desperate to prevent Terry from
snatching the Championship, leaps up as well and now both men are latched
onto the loop. The Ladder, however, from Freytag's quick leap topples over.
The fans eat up the scene as both men now dangle from high above the ring!)
FJ: "Oh my gosh! There's only one way for these two to go!"
(Both men bring up their legs to try and deliver a knee or a kick.
Anything to gain the advantage while in their dangerous, yet desperate
position. Finally Chris Freytag begins losing his grip, and he suddenly
falls from his position! However desperate instincts quickly take over, and
the Assassin latches onto Terry James. Now being pulled off of the high
positioned steel loop, Terry grabs onto the Cruiserweight Championship in an
effort to break his fall. A split-second after grabbing onto the
Championship Belt, it unsnaps free and both men fall down towards the
canvas.)
HS: "THE BELT!"
FJ: "They're both...wait a second..."
(Both wrestlers crash to the canvas. Seconds before, however, the Belt
lashes downward, and slaps Terry James in the back. The Champion crashes
down upon the mat and the Title lands upon it. Freytag lands upon his feet,
but then quickly plops over onto Terry James. The Referee observing the
action sees the Title upon Terry's back and throws his arm towards the Time
Keeper and orders the bell.)
HS: "Look at this scenario, Frank. Both men crash to the canvas, and even
now Freytag is covering Terry James. Had this not been a Ladder Match?
Freytag could've certainly pinned Terry James right now."
FJ: "What's the official word though?"
(The Ring Announcer quickly hops up and confirms the decision with the
Referee.)
ANNOUNCER: "Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, and STILL
your AWA Cruiserweight Champion...TERRY "THE STORM" JAMES!!"
(A loud mixed reaction erupts from the Phoenix crowd. All the while, in
mid-ring, both men still continue lying on the canvas. Officials come down
the aisle from the back, to check on both individuals.)
FJ: "That was a hell of match Herbie, I have to admit. WOW!"
HS: "Terry wins the match, but Chris can pin him for three even though
it's not an official pinfall. That's the scene we've come to find in this
chaotic conclusion, tonight at Overpower. This is unbelievable."
FJ: "I have a feeling this'll be one of those matches talked about in the
NEXT five years. Some of the action we witnessed tonight was just
outrageous."
HS: "Such a close encounter. The back and forth displays of athleticism,
the risks, the drama, the down right insane antics! Both individuals came
prepared to fight for it all tonight, and that's exactly what they did!
THANK YOU gentlemen!"
Low vs. Ortega - Sunday Night Shock, June 11th - King Of The Kage?
(We join Low in the middle of the ring.)
LOW: "Now, Orlando Ortega. By now you should know that The Legendary Low plays to exactly one set of rules, and those are his own. I've battled every legend from Ray Owens to Dave Santini to Lars Fredrickson to Jack Happy to Mortis Valley to Brian Williams and I've never EVER played by anybody's rules but my own."
"Besides, I just couldn't come to the AWA studios last week because I had some important business to attend to. And knowing the business man that I am, Ortega, you just know this piece of business will have a huge impact. But more on that later. Ortega, I would like to ask you to come out and join us out here."
HS: "Ortega isn't stupid enough to throw himself to this pack of wolves."
FJ: "So who's the coward now, huh?"
("Like You" by Daddy Yankee begins to play and the crowd explodes as Ortega marches out in front of his hometown crowd.)
HS: "San Antonio surely likes its adopted son!"
FJ: "Yawn."
(Ortega looks excited as his hometown crowd keeps chanting his name. However, he tugs at the neckbrace around his neck and everyone can't help but notice the huge black eye on his face.)
LOW: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, this is all cute and stuff, but let's cut the music and all that other crap now."
(The music dies down and the crowd boos. Ortega has a microphone in his hand. He looks anxious to see what Lows response is going to be.)
LOW: "Hey Orlando, why don't you join us in the ring so that we can talk face to face?"
OOO: "I'll be just fine up here on the ramp, Low."
LOW: "I'm sure you will. Looks like you've had a rough night. We wouldn't want to bruise up the pretty little face of yours anymore, now would we? So Ortega, for God knows how many months we have this thing brewing. I can't even remember how it started."
OOO: "It started with you betraying Travis Gray, and more importantly, the entire AWA locker room."
LOW: "You're so much into details, Ortega. It started when you stuck your nose where it didn't belong. It started with you trying to rally the AWA locker room against me when it was my business sense that made this company more exciting than it had been in years! You kept on sticking your nose in my business, most notably at Springs And Breaks when you led a bunch of curtain jerkers and joined Lars Fredrickson's ineptitude to take away MY company!"
(The fans cheer as OOO smiles and claps his hands. Low seems about ready to explode.)
LOW: "Oh, you think this is funny? In the long run I am going to lose a fortune because of you! I went from being the most powerful man in the history of the AWA to just one of the boys. The best of the boys, yes. The most legendary of the boys, yes. But still, just one of the boys. And I'm sick and tired of it, Ortega. You want to have that match at King Of The Kage?"
OOO: "Oh yes, Low, you know I do, I've wanted it for the longest time!"
(Low nods.)
LOW: "Do you simple-minded Texas fans want to see Low vs. OOO at King Of The Kage?"
(The fans scream "YEEEESSS!!!" Low keeps on nodding as he gets more intense.)
LOW: "Heck, Ortega, I want that match at King Of The Kage, too!"
(The fans cheer at the prospect of seeing these two men finally fight. Ortega nods and smiles, when suddenly, Low's intensity turns into a huge smile of his own.)
LOW: "Only, it can't happen."
HS: "What?"
(The fans boo as Ortega's smile quickly turns into a frown.)
LOW: "Yeah, because you see, I returned to the AWA in November 2004. And since then, I have won four AWA World titles and one AWA Tag Team title. I have fought King Chozen, Brian Williams, Jeff Christianson, Atlas Johansson, Nathan Hawthorne-Lee, Brian Stevens, C-Rock, Whisper, The Fish, Lars Fredrickson... in short, I have fought the best this company has to offer. Heck, I've RAN this company for almost six months as part-owner and owner."
"This is where last week's important business meeting comes into play."
HS: "I knew there was a catch to it."
(Low keeps on smiling as OOO looks very frustrated.)
LOW: "Ortega, last week I was in a meeting with Susie St. Smith, the owner of Manhattan Travel. Orlando Ortega versus The Legendary Low at King Of The Kage cannot happen because I'm going on vacation!"
(Low and his entourage break out in laughter as the crowd boos. Ortega is shaking in anger.)
LOW: "Yes, that's right, I've earned this vacation and the tickets to Hawaii have already been booked. I might actually buy a summer residence there, isn't that great? Anyway, it's too bad. I was ready to accept your challenge, Orlando, but then I was told that the show was moved from July 2nd to July 9th. Unfortunately, my vacation starts on July 8th, so there is no way I can change any of that. But boy, I would have SO ripped you apart!"
(Low chuckles when suddenly OOO starts running down the ramp to the cheers of the fans.)
HS: "Get him, Orlando!"
(Low, Deborah and ROD immediately get out of the ring and OOO slides right into the hands of The Squasher, who grabs the brace around Orlando's neck and rips it off in one swoop with his massive palms. Orlando falls to a knee in pain, but quickly regains his composure and begins throwing rights at the Squasher's stomach, staggering the behemoth back. Orlando then leaps off the mat from his own knee and lands a dropsault, impressing the crowd. The injured Colombian is very slow to get up, but as soon as he's on level ground, he darts for the ropes. Orlando leaps through the air at the Squasher, which proves to be a near fatal mistake.)
HS: "NO!"
FJ: "He caught him. It's over... here it comes..."
HS: "He can't... no, Orlando's injured neck!"
FJ: "Hey, he's the one who charged the ring! He should use his head."
HS: "OH! BRUTAL CHOKESLAM from Low's liaison. Orlando Ortega may have a broken neck, and now he just recieved a chokeslam. This is disgusting! Low planned this out from the beginning."
FJ: "That's why he's a nine time World Champion."
(The fans boos grow louder and louder as Low, ROD, Deborah and The Squasher head up the ramp.)
HS: "I can't believe it! Low says no to the challenge because he is going on vacation to Hawaii! Who has ever heard of that! What a condescending arrogant prick!"
FJ: "Yeah, I love him, too!"
HS: "See, stuff like that is reason why Low's going to get what's coming to him."
FJ: "I'M YAWNING!!! HERB IS BORING ME TO TEARS!!!"
HS: "Jerk."
(The camera cuts to the back and we see Orlando Ortega standing somewhat impatiently in front of a camera.)
OOO: "LOW! How DARE you do something like that to someone I love! HOW DARE YOU PUT MY MOTHER THROUGH THAT!"
(Ortega begins pacing back and forth, visibly upset.)
OOO: "You know what, Low� you've wanted me to go over the edge? You've wanted me to snap? Well, dammit, this is it! I've snapped, Low. I've gone over the edge, far over it! I'm going to show you just how far by beating your ass all over Pheonix tonight! And then I'm going to take MY World Title!"
(We see Ortega leave in a hurry as we switch back to Herb and Frank.)
HS: "I think Low's going to regret doing what he did tonight."
FJ: "Whatever. I think Orlando's got his panties up in a bunch. His mother probably stole the tickes or acquired them illegally."
HS: "You're an ass. But, getting back to business, up next is a rematch from last week's Shock for the United States championship. Originally scheduled as a four-way elimination match, Jayson Price and Logan Alexander were removed from this match after their Tag Team championship win last week."
FJ: "I still can't believe they managed to win�"
HS: "Be that as it may, Javex Valerius will now get another chance to win the United States title from the current champion, Snake!"
("Boom" by POD starts to play mid-way through the song as the lights in the arena dim.)
POD: "You didn't know; thought we was new on the scene? Well, it's alright! It's alright! I know you know, I see you smiling at me."
(As "Boom!" is shouted out over the speakers a large red and white pyro ignites on both sides of the stage. The lights come back on and the chorus of the song runs through twice as Jayson Price and Logan Alexander head out from the back, both carrying ECW Canadian flags. They salute the crowd and start down towards the ring as the crowd shows their love in the form of loud cheers.)
POD: "Is that all you got? Haha�I'll take your best shot."
(The phrase repeats over and over again as they make their way down the ramp and then head around to the announce position.)
HS: "Looks like we're going to be joined by Jayson and Logan for this title match."
FJ: "Oh great� Now, they've got me surrounded� How can this night get any worse?"
(Logan takes a seat next to Herb and Jayson takes a seat beside Frank.)
HS: "Gentlemen."
LOGAN: "Hey guys. Hope you don't mind us popping out here."
FJ: "If I said I did, would you leave?"
(Logan and Jayson exchanged a glance.)
JAYSON & LOGAN: "No."
("Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Santa Esmeralda begins playing as golden lighting illuminates the arena. Eventually, the ever "prompt" Javex Valerius parts the curtains and looks around almost dumbfounded as to his presence at that point and time. He looks to the fans and gets some small support then simply gets to the ring and poses on the corners, crossing himself before extending his arms to his fans and catcallers.)
(The cords of "Animal I Have Become" hit the PA system and the lights dim around the arena and the area hears "Someone help me tame this animal I have become�"And Snake burst through the curtains his trench flaring out around him and his belt around his waist, however Monica is nowhere to be found.)
HS: "Looks like Snake plans to honor the gentleman's agreement between he and Javex."
FJ: "Is it that obvious Herb?"
(Snake stands on the stage a moment staring at the crowd. When he finally moves he Makes his way to the ring and jumps onto the apron landing with a single foot and sliding between the second and top rope. Once in the ring Snake spreads his arms and a massive pyro goes off behind him.)
LOGAN: "I've gotta say it's weird sitting out here looking back in, while those two fight over the belt I used to call my own."
HS: "Well you two both have a US title match against the winner of this match up."
JAYSON: "We know� that's why we're out here in the best seats in the house to watch this one."
FJ: "So do you guys have a preference to who you lose to next week?"
LOGAN: "That won't happen. But as for preference as to who we face� I'd have to say Snake."
JAYSON: "I'll have to disagree with you there Logan. I'd much rather face Javex."
(Jayson and Logan glanced at one another.)
LOGAN: "You think Javex will win? Snake's already one up on him."
JAYSON: "Javex will pull this one off. Just wait and see."
(Logan leaned towards Jayson.)
LOGAN: "Care to put a wager on it?"
(Jayson raised an eyebrow slightly.)
JAYSON: "What are the stakes?"
LOGAN: "Covering the cost of post show activities for ECW."
JAYSON: "Might be a little steep� but it's just money. You're on!"
(Logan reach out and shake each other's hand.)
HS: "Well then� let's get back to the action in the ring."
(Javex rushes Snake in a running shoulder thrust to the small of the back. Snake falls the ground bending and grimacing in pain. Javex rips the US Title from around the waist of Snake, and hurls it to the outside, just before he begins stomping on the injured area repeatedly. Turning to grin at the fans, Javex turns his back to Snake and he in turn takes this respite to roll further from the damaging stomps.)
HS: "Snake takes advantage of a rookie mistake there!"
FJ: "Thank you Captain Obvious!"
(Snake rises just as Javex makes his complete circuit and realizes his mistake. He flinches inwardly then shrugs and rushes Snake once again. This time however, Snake expects this and steps to the side raising his knee to connect with Javex's midsection doubling him over. He then bounces from the ropes and raises his foot to connect with the lowered face of Javex Valerius, sending him crashing hard to the ground.)
HS: "Nice modified boot from Snake! Maybe he should seek the pin here!"
FJ: "There is no way that's going to keep Javex down. That wouldn't keep me down Herb!"
HS: "I'm sure Snake would allow your presence in the ring if that's what you want Frank!"
FJ: "Nah, Herb... I uh... I don't think so..."
HS: "I think I might ask him."
FJ: "No thanks Herb. I think I'll keep my stamina to myself."
HS: "Well, that's a given Frank... But as you wish."
(Snake takes his time returning to the fray as he walks off his injured back, though this give Javex time to recover, he is still slow to rise. Seeing his opponent rising, Snake makes his way back toward Javex and helps him to his feet. Finally, as Javex stands on his feet, Snake sends him to the ropes with an Irish whip. On the rebound, Snake goes for the Snake Strike, but Javex ducks under and rebounds off the ropes behind Snake and delivers a running drop kick taking Snake to the ground.)
HS: "I can't believe this, but I think Javex has an advantage here!"
FJ: "Was there ever any doubt?"
(Snake quickly gets to his feet to meet an oncoming Javex who again tries to deliver a running dropkick that Snake dodges easily, catching him and delivering a side walk slam on the way down.)
LOGAN: "Guys, we're out of here."
PRICE: "I need to get ready before the Stampede. Later guys."
FJ: "See you around!"
(Price and Logan get up from their seats and walk around the ring as we see Snake hit a spinebuster on Javex.)
HS: "What great moves here tonight by these two!"
FJ: "Snake is stupid, he's just getting lucky!"
HS: "I'm sure he'd like to know that Frank."
(Snake mounts Javex and begins delivering many powerful fists to the side of Javex's head. Before long however, Javex raises his arms to deflect the flying fists of Snake and realizing the futility of continuing, Snake dismounts and raises Javex by the hair.)
FJ: "He pulled his hair, where is that damn referee!"
HS: "He's in there doin' his job!"
FJ: "And Failing miserably!"
(Snake delivers a knee to the gut once again, but does not stop. He drives his knee repeatedly into the sternum of Valerius, stopping only to drop him down with a powerful standing clothesline. Not to be outdone, Snake drives his foot repeatedly into the injured sternum of Javex, but instead of pandering to the crowd, Snake again brings Javex to his feet to deliver more punishment. But Javex has a surprise and rakes the eyes of Snake!)
HS: "Cheap shot!"
FJ: "No, a cheap shot is what your mom gets Herb."
HS: "My Mom's dead Frank..."
FJ: "Well, uhmmm... YEAH!"
(Snake stumbles back clutching his face as Javex steps back do set up his patented "Javex En Fuego", he runs and leaps straight into the air to catch... NOTHING!!!)
HS: "SNAKE DUCKED UNDER!"
FJ: "COWARD!"
(Javex confused turns slowly and catches a knee to the gut from Snake. Snake sets up for a vicious powerbomb and lifts Javex into the air. However, Javex uses his own momentum to follow through the roll and land NEARLY on his feet coming down painfully in a half splits one knee type of dismount.)
HS: "Swing and a miss."
(Javex recovers quickly however and kicks out the back of Snakes knee. Snake falls to a knee with a grimace, then looks at Valerius. Javex swings a right only to be blocked and forced to duck a return strike. Ducking flat to his stomach, Javex has no choice but to roll away as Snake drops another powerful right hand toward the back of Valerius's head.)
HS: "It's obvious these superstars have done their homework on each other, but Javex isn't our brightest competitor."
FJ: "That's what he wants you to think Herb! Javex has played the mind game since he entered The AWA."
(Both men rise to their feet, obviously regarding one another with grudging respect. Snake feints to the right before coming in with full force to deliver a powerful clothesline, but is thwarted once again as Javex ducks and rebounds off the ropes.)
FJ: "Here it comes!"
HS: "Here what comes?"
(Snake turns around after his failed attempt just as Javex hurls himself into the air and nails him with the "Javex En Fuego". Snake hits the ground as Javex hurries to the cover.)
(1...)
(2...)
(KICKOUT!)
HS: "What's Javex doing?"
FJ: "He lifted Snake's arm to break up the count! He wants to hand out more punishment!"
HS: "Snake had already kicked out!"
FJ: "Are we watching the same match Herb?"
HS: "I ask myself that everyday Frank."
(Javex gets to his feet and moves to a turnbuckle close to Snake he climbs to the top as Snake tries to regain his energy. Javex turns his back to Snake and sets up for a moonsault, but Snake rushes to the turnbuckle and gets beneath Javex, sending him crashing down with a powerbomb!)
HS: "Snake can cover now!"
FJ: "But Javex can still kick out!"
(Snake falls to his knees and covers simply by falling over on top of Javex. The ref starts to count.)
(1...)
(2...)
(Thr... KICKOUT!)
(Enraged, Snake stands up lifting Javex to his feet as well. Snake delivers a hard knee to Valerius's sternum doubling him over. He then lifts him up for "The Injection"!)
HS: "This'll be it! If Snake can hit this move, Javex will be put away!"
(Snake covers.)
(1...)
(2...)
(3!!!)
FJ: "Our United States Champion! Snake! Was there any doubt?"
HS: "I can't believe it! He pulled this one out of nowhere!"
(Backstage a camera catches up with Quade deSade apparently caught up in a muse. With book in hand Quade sits in the scaffold at entrance to ramp. Beyond the curtain the Colorado Stampede match is announced. Below his vantage point Quade watches the seven tag teams prepare for their entrances: Jayson Price and Logan Alexander; Menace 2 Society a.k.a. Missle and Shaku Endbringer; Art of War a.k.a. jai Williams and Malika; The Operation a.k.a. Alexander Melkin and Alexander Karatonov; N.P.D. a.k.a. Rawstarr and Hollywood Rob; Andreas Lasiewicz and A.C. Smith.)
(Quade quickly suddenly start thumbing through the pages cursing at himself enough that he draws their attentions.)
(Quade smile.)
QUADE: "Well this must be nice for you all. Eager and ready to place your careers in the hands of another, and for nothing less than the American Tag Team title. Two gold's for the price of half the effort, it must seem like a payday to each of you and yes there they are Menace Two Society. A chance here to redeem yourselves and is that not my old friend Misery wearing the very gold I am talking of. This should present no significant problems to a man like you, why I can beat at least two of your rivals here today by myself."
(Malika steps forward beside Williams while Shaku and Missle look around for Draven remembering the last time Quade met anyone here at the ramp entrance. It is the former Unholy Hero: Jayson Price that checks himself aware more than most there exactly what kind of man Quade deSade is, and aware that despite everything his gold belt means nothing to deSade.)
QUADE: "Now, now lady and gentlemen I am only here to regale you with a word or two of wisdom: Watch your backs. That is Jayson �Misery' Price who will be in that ring with you. "
QUADE: "Remember what I said Logan. Watch your back!!"
(Quade looks down at the remaining tag teams.)
QUADE: "Really it's good advice � for tag teams most of all."
HS: "Ladies and gentlemen, six years ago tonight, the AWA bared witness to one of its most unique and devastating creations. That night, seven teams would compete in the first ever Colorado Stampede match. High Velocity would go into the match as Tag Champions, but D-Nutts would leave as AWA Hall of Famer Drake Hyde would secure the win for his team and begin his legendary career in the American Wrestling Alliance. Tonight, that tradition continues where it all began when seven more teams compete in the grueling gauntlet style match for the Tag Championship. Perhaps one of these fourteen competitors will be launched into instant superstardome."
FJ: "Of course, the Colorado Stampede isn't your ordinary run of the mill tag match. Two teams will start out, then after every two minutes, a new team, randomly drawn from a hat, will enter the competition until there are four teams in the ring at once. There can be no more than four teams at a time. Should a team be eliminated before the two minute timer runs out, the team waiting will be allowed to immediately come out. The last team remaining wins."
HS: "To be eliminated, the legal member of the team can be pinned, made to submit or counted out. It's important to note that the titles CAN change hands in a count out."
FJ: "Now that we've caught everyone up, let's get this show on the road, shall we?"
(Hazard Fx are already in the ring as the cameras pan around the crowd. The two are stretching in their corner, preparing themselves for their big contest, anxiously awaiting their first opponent. The look of shock on their face is priceless as 'BOOM' by POD hits the P.A. and the crowd roars with cheers.)
HS: "It's the tag champions! The Tag Champions are coming out first tonight!"
FJ: "This bodes well for the other teams, I would think."
HS: "But not for Hazard Fx!"
(Logan Alexander and Jayson Price emerge from the back to huge cheers from the crowd. They pose with their tag titles draped over their shoulders, and point around the arena at their adoring fans. ECW then meet eyes with Hazard Fx in the ring and they begin jawing with them as they confidently stroll down the ramp.)
HS: "Do they look ready tonight, or what?"
FJ: "You wouldn't think they would be so excited. They'll now have to go through every single team tonight to retain their titles!"
HS: "I don't think they'd want it any other way!"
(The Tag champions reach the ring area and then begin talking softly to one another. They both nod to each other and then suddenly charge the ring and slide in headfirst. Corey Hazard and Fully Exposed charge at them, trying to cut them off with stomps. But Logan and Price power out and make it to their feet where all four men begin trading blows. The ECW members each whip one of the Hazard Fx members into the opposite ropes where both men nails spears as their respective opponents return. Corey Hazard gets folded in half by Alexander and goes rolling out of the ring in seizure. Price is mounted atop Fully Exposed and throwing wild rights and lefts that all connect. The fans are going nuts as Price stands up to his feet and points at his tag partner. He then pushes FX back into the ropes for a bit of momentum and on the recoil lifts him up into the air with a one armed flap jack. Alexander readies himself and when FX begins his decent, he intervenes and lands his patented Stryke Force.)
HS: "PEACE KEEPER!"
FJ: "What? I wasn't watching� what happened?"
HS: "Not thirty seconds into the match, ECW are going to eliminate an opponent!"
FJ: "It was only Hazard Fx. By the way you're acting, you'd think it was Damage Inc or something!"
(Price rolls over Fully Exposed as Logan and the fans count along�
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
(The members of ECW hit their feet and raise their arms high while turning their attention towards the entranceway to see who their new opponents are.)
HS: "And just like that, Hazard Fx has been eliminated. It's been well under two minutes, folks, so that means we get to see team #3 a bit early� who is it going to be?"
(All of the sudden, the lights begin to dim out and the crowd begins to cheer very loudly. The clapping gets louder and louder and a few lighters light up the arena. All of a sudden a strong guitar solo begins to play...followed by some lyrics from a distinguishable voice....)
I would never bother you
I would never promise to
I would never follow you
I would never bother you
HS: "That's MISSLE's music! M2S is coming out next! This is huge!"
FJ: "Oh, great� I was surely hoping it Malika. I can never get enough of her!"
(With that, the crowds to cheer even louder as a spotlight enters the entrance ramp.)
Never speak a word again
I will crawl away for good
(The crowd continues to cheer.)
I will move away from here
You won't be afraid of fear
No thought was put into this
Always knew it would come to this
Things have never been so swell
I have never felt this well
(And with that, the big screen reads....)
MISSLE
Time to take back what is ours
Time to secure the future ahead
We've been trying everyday and every hour
Not our fault, if you come up dead
Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn....Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn....Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn....
....You know you're right....You know you're right....You know you're right....
(With that, MISSLE walks out from behind the curtain to a thunderous round of applause. He raises his arms in the air and the entire arena chants, "MISSLE". He has a t-shirt that reads...."Assassin" Chris Freytag", his leather jacket over top of that, a plaid shirt around the waist, ripped blue jeans, and black boots with "No Hype Needed" written in bright yellow. MISSLE begins to make his way down the isle, high fiving fans.)
HS: "MISSLE certainly looks prepared tonight!"
FJ: "How prepared can he be, Herb? His partner isn't even coming out with him!"
I'm so warm and calm inside
I no longer have to hide
Let's talk about someone else
Steaming soup begins to melt
(MISSLE continues to walk down the isle. He grabs a fans sign that reads...."M2S is gonna kill you." He hands the sign back to the fan with a smirk, as he continues his way down to the ring.)
Nothing really bothers her
She just wants to love herself
I will move away from here
You won't be afraid of fear
No thought was put into this
Always knew it would come to this
Things have never been so swell
I have never felt this well
(MISSLE stops at the end of the ramp and looks around at the cheering crowd. Logan and Price tell MISSLE to "bring it" which draws cheers as well. But, MISSLE rather turns his back on them and ushers his arms towards the entrance way.)
Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn....Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn....Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn
....Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn....Paaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnn....
(The music slowly dies down and is replaced by�
WHO SMELLS ASS WHOOPIN?!?!)
HS: "And HERE comes his partner, now! M2S has seemed to have a big chip on their shoulder all week, and have been more than determined to win their titles back. But now both of these teams will have to go throw five more teams just to get the belts, INCLUDING one another."
FJ: "Either of these teams were favored to win, but now the odds are becoming more and more against them!"
HS: "That is exactly what is so unique about the Colorado Stampede! It's so unpredictable! At this point, Rawstarr has just as much chance as anyone else to recapture a tag title! Whoever was fortunate enough to draw #7 definitely has the biggest edge!"
(The lights dim out as an icy blue mist pours from the rampway. 'Minus Human' by Metallica plays through the air and the fans get on their feet.)
Don't you leave me father time
Take me with you
(Out of the mist walks Shaku Endbringer, parting the smoke and stepping into the strobe lights on the rampway as the arena explodes)
Tell me does your sun still shine
Come squeeze the world and drip it down my throat
Down my throat again
(Shaku Endbringer holds his pool stick high into the air, cocked over his head as pyrotechnics explode all around him and sparks shimmer down from above)
You got to breathe man, breathe!
Coming up for air
Breathe man, breathe!
Coming up for air
(Shaku Endbringer paces to the ring casually, dressed in long black pants with blue flames running up the sides. He has a trench coat covering the rest of his body, opened to expose his muscular chest, his eyes covered in sunglasses and his hair slicked and gelled over)
Touch me so I think I'm here
Skin my senses
Barely breathing
Minus human
Please squeeze the world and drip it down my throat again
Down my throat again
(Shaku Endbringer stops at the bottom of the ramp, with his partner MISSLE, and then raises his pool cue again high into the air as camera snapshots fill the arena and the roar of the crowd is loud)
You got to breathe man, breathe!
Coming up for air
Breathe man, breathe!
Coming up for air
(Shaku and MISSILE chat amongst themselves, silently discussing strategy, and then turn their attention towards the members of ECW in the ring. Or, so they think, because as soon as they turn around, both men receive baseball slides to their chests from either Logan Alexander or Jayson Price.)
HS: "ECW wants to prove that they have what it takes! They're being the aggressors here!"
FJ: "They could have at least let M2S get to the ring!"
HS: "This is for that Tag Champions, Frank. This is the biggest tag match of all of their careers! I say, anything goes!"
FJ: "You say that now, but once someone gets a low blow in, or uses the ropes for leverage, you'll call them a cheater� you and your double standards."
HS: "Why� I never�"
(Outside the ring, the four men all begin exchanging blows and it doesn't take long for M2S to gain themselves and edge, despite the surprise attack. The larger men work over the tag champions, Shaku with a huge knee to Misery's gut and MISSILE stuns Logan with a combination of straight punches. ECW is rolled into the ring as their opponents hop up onto the apron and step into the ring. They taunt ECW by gesturing a title around their waist, and then continue their assault. They pull Price to his feet and whip him into the ropes, connecting with a huge double hip toss on the return. Before Logan can intervene, the referee is standing between all four men, ordering that they follow procedure. MISSILE and Logan lock eyes, and both decide that they'll be competing first, while Price crawls to his corner to regain some composure. Shaku laughs aloud as he backs up into his corner and nods at MISSILE in a sign of respect.)
HS: "Menace 2 Society are definitely working well together tonight! If they can keep up this cohesion, they very well have what it takes to win this whole thing."
FJ: "But remember, it was their unpredictability that won Price and Alexander the belts. They could very well be even more successful tonight, having had some experience and training time together."
(MISSILE and Logan square off in the center of the ring, jawing at one another, with the fans cheering behind them. Apparently, MISSILE says something that Alexander dislikes, and receives a shove in the chest for it. With a wry grin, MISSILE shoves Alexander back, and as if a red light went off, both men begin trading away at one another with vicious punches, holding none back. Finally, Alexander breaks the mold, blocking a right from MISSILE and then countering with a head butt. Alexander staggers back a bit, dazed, but MISSILE is visibly dizzy. Logan connects with an armdrag and the momentum carries MISSILE to his feet and on into the ropes. On the rebound, Logan lands another armdrag, to the same effect. As MISSILE comes charging back at Alexander for a second time, he ducks down to land a back body drop. But MISSILE is prepared and counters quickly with a swinging neckbreaker, resulting in both men laying on the mat; Alexander from the impact, MISSILE from trying to regain his composure. While both men are trying to shake the cobwebs, and their teammates are teetering over the ropes, itching for a tag, a small timer pops up in the left corner of the AWATron and viewer's screen. It reads� 10)
HS: "They're going to make a tag!"
FJ: "SEVEN SECONDS!"
HS: "Here comes the tag!"
FIVE!
FOUR!
THREE!
TWO!
ONE!
BUZZZ!
(MISSILE and Logan lunge for their respective corners, making the hot tags, as the fans erupt. Shaku Endbringer and Jayson Price charge towards one another, but then stop dead in their tracks, as 'Change Of Seasons' by Dream Theatre hits the P.A. Out come the tag team Operation, Axle and Ollie, charging towards the ring. They slide head first where Shaku and Price are waiting. Shaku levels Ollie with a huge clothesline and Price catches Axle in a belly to belly suplex, tossing him towards his team's corner. MISSILE scales the turnbuckle quickly and Shaku begins to stalk Ollie. Meanwhile, Logan and Price are setting Axle up for a double vertical suplex. They toss Axle over the top rope and down to the floor with the move, while Ollie has the poor fortune of getting to his feet, only to be lifted up in a daze into an electric chair drop from Shaku. The fans are going nuts as he positions Ollie for his partner. Shaku heaves Ollie over his shoulders and MISSILE completes the move with a somersault three-quarter neckbreaker.)
HS: "RANDOM ACT OF VIOLENCE!"
FJ: "Wow, who didn't see that coming? Has either member of Operation ever even executed a move on another member of the AWA?"
HS: "Shaku with the pin!"
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
HS: "And just like that, The Operation is eliminated!"
(ECW enter the ring to head off M2S, but all four men are distracted by 'Fresh Azimiz' by Bow Wow as Prince Rawstarr and Hollywood Rob make their way to the ring. Rather than charging the ring as most of the previous competitors have, they take their time and nonchalantly walk to the ring, banking on the fact that neither team will make a move with the other team ready to pounce. This strategy prove to be quite effective, as the team wastes about thirty seconds meandering to the ring, ignoring the booing crowd. As Rawstarr hops onto the apron, he gives a look of surprise, just before Shaku can charge him. Shaku stops for a moment to look behind him, where Jayson Price is standing with his arms up, saying he wasn't doing anything. Rawstarr gives a little chuckle at his jest and he and Rob safely enter the ring, Hollywood Rob holding the ropes open for his royal highness. Shaku, Jayson Price and Hollywood Rob must pick up where the match left off, according to the referee.)
HS: "Well that was� different."
FJ: "NPD are all about the mind games, Herb."
HS: "Well, they're the most experienced Tag team in the match tonight, at least in the American Wrestling Alliance. That leaves the Art of War and the team of AC Smith and Andreas Lasiewicz left to enter the Colorado Stampede."
(Hollywood Rob claps his hands to pump himself up as the three men begin circling one another. Suddenly, in what can only be described as an extremely rare and unprecedented moment, Shaku Endbringer and Jayson Price begin working together. They take the giant down with a double clothesline and both continue on into the ropes, landing diving forearms to Rob's face, again sending him to the mat. Rob climbs to his feet and suddenly becomes a human Pong game as Shaku lands a huge lariat that staggers him backward, and around to face Price. Price lands a lariat of his own and sends him back to Shaku. The Endbringer unloads on Rob's jaw with a European uppercut, and Price returns volley with one of his own. Shaku lands a vicious chop that echoes through the arena and so does Price. Another chop; WOOO! Another from Price; WOOO! Both men then double whip Rob into the turnbuckle, but the teamwork soon breaks down as they both charge towards Hollywood Rob. It seems there is only so much room in a corner, which isn't big enough for the both of them, literally and metaphorically. Shaku shoves Price in the chest and points to himself and then Price defiantly returns the favor. The two begin trading rights in a scene eerily similar to that of MISSILE and Logan earlier.)
HS: "There is so much heat between these two teams. For a moment, they almost cooperated, but how quickly that alliance broke down!"
FJ: "Well, there is only one Tag Championship, and they can't share it!"
(The burly 358 pound Hollywood Rob shakes the birdies away and eyes Shaku and Price battling one another only feet in front of him. The big man shocks everyone in the arena by going up top and targeting the two men below. With a thunderous roar, that surprises by Price and Shaku, Rob leaps off the turnbuckle and takes down both men with a flying double clothesline. Just then, the timer pops back up into the corner, but those in the ring don't notice. Instead, all hell breaks loose as soon enough, all six men are in the ring. Rob squares off with Shaku Endbringer, Rawstarr and Logan Alexander meet head on out of their corners, and MISSILE takes on Jayson Price.)
FIVE!
FOUR!
THREE!
TWO!
ONE!
BUZZ!
HS: "Here comes the next team!"
FJ: "But look! I don't think anyone notices!"
(Shaku and Rob seem to be in a stalemate, as well as Logan and Rawstarr, but MISSILE is getting the better of Jayson Price as he is the notably fresher man. Rob and Shaku battle, trading rights and lefts in a display over power versus power. Meanwhile, the fans are giving a mixed reaction to 'Boss Tycoon' while Malika emerges from the back. Following closely is Jai Williams, donned in his trademark hoody, actually hiding his face from everyone.)
HS: "HERE COME ART OF WAR!"
FJ: "Would you take a look at Malika? Wow."
(The six men in the ring don't notice the new team, however, and even if they do, they wouldn't have time to. The camera catches Rob and Shaku stumbling over the top rope in their epic brawl, while MISSILE has Price down in the corner, scraping a boot across his face. MISSILE steps back out, ready to charge, but doesn't realize Logan Alexander is right behind him, and as soon as he wheels around, is met with Styke Force.)
HS & FJ: "STRYKE FORCE!"
(MISSILE and Price roll out onto the apron in pain, as Logan stands triumphantly. But Prince Rawstarr is standing right behind Alexander, waiting for his opportunity to nail his version of the famous maneuver. Logan turns around, unsuspecting, and gets a Raw Execution for his troubles. Logan Alexander convulses on the mat as Rawstarr stands triumphantly in the ring, the only man left standing. The only man in the ring, indeed, because Malika isn't a man at all. No one has noticed that she has hopped up onto the apron, including Prince Rawstarr, until it's too late. Because as soon as Rawstarr turns around, she leaps over the apron with a sunset flip, catching him off guard. She kicks out her legs from beneath her and puts her feet on the ropes.)
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
HS: "Did he kick out?"
FJ: "The referee says no! Malika eliminates NPD!"
HS: "What a wild chain of events that has just occurred. I wasn't sure if I could keep up!"
FJ: "That means that�"
HS: "The last team!"
(Prince Rawstarr is frustrated and begins arguing with the referee as the men on the outside turn their attention to the ring upon hearing the bell. None of them have any clue what just happened, but see Rawstarr being forced from the ring and Malika standing in the ring defiantly. Hollywood Rob comes rushing up behind Rawstarr, asking him what happened, and he just curses and leaves the arena somewhat embarrassed. Just as the NPD reach the side curtain, all six competitors in and around the ring are climbing to their feet and turn their attention towards the entrance way. 'Keep On Rockin' In The Free World' hits the P.A. as the fans prepare for AC Smith to come out. Only, he doesn't. Instead, there is a long pause as the six competitors in the ring look around puzzled at one another. The music hits again, and the fans give a strong reaction, but not because AC Smith is emerging from the curtain, but that he's coming out from the crowd. He and Andreas Lasiewicz slide into the ring and proceed to clear house.)
HS: "THERE THEY ARE!"
FJ: "Surprise attack!"
(AC tosses the smaller Malika out of the ring, and then they take on the remaining competitors as they charge. After the chaos, it is AC Smith, Andreas Lasiewicz and Shaku Endbringer left in the ring. The fans give a worried reaction as they suspect a two on one assault. However, Shaku lifts their hopes, because he ducks a two on one clothesline and then charges into the ropes. He returns with his arms spread wide to knock both men down to the mat. Lassie bounces back up and Shaku takes him out with a T-bone suplex. AC Smith slowly staggers to his feet and Shaku Endbringer begins stalking him. He pulls Smith up the rest of the way to his feet and then whips him into the ropes. AC Smith drops to the mat and slides out onto the apron, however, to avoid the confrontation. He gestures for Andreas Lasiewicz to go after Shaku, but the Poland native shakes his head. They trade a few words as Shaku smiles confidently.)
HS: "There seems to be some tension in their corner after their plan has backfired!"
FJ: "Quite a pair, those two. Whoever thought that they would make a good tag team?"
HS: "No one."
(Shaku suddenly stumbles forward, as Jayson Price is standing behind him, having nailed him in the back of the head with a clothesline. Shaku wheels around and AC Smith quickly strikes, grabbing Shaku by his hair and slamming backward to the mat. Price chargers for Smith, but is met with a back body drop. Malika gets in on the action, too, drop kicking AC Smith in the back causing him to stumble into the corner. Shaku and Price climb to their feet as AC Smith shakes his head in frustration. Now, all four competitors are on their feet, with their teammates in their proper corners, and it's practically like a whole new match has begun.)
HS: "Only four teams remain and our Tag Champions are still in this thing! This could go anyway at this point!"
FJ: "Will we crown new tag champions?"
HS: "We're about to find out!"
(The two big men, Smith and Shaku, take one another on while Price reluctantly squares off with Malika. His concerns are quickly alleviated, however, when Malika rears back and slaps him across the face. This angers Price and he unloads with a clothesline that the agile Malika ducks under, having garnered the precise reaction she had hoped for. She quickly wheels around behind Price and takes him down with a bull dog. Malika quickly continues on into the ropes as Price climbs back to his feet, and she nails him right in the knee with a dropkick, sending Misery down to the mat in pain. Across the ring, AC Smith has shoved Shaku into the corner and has his boot extended in Endbringer's throat. AC Smith releases the choke and Shaku stumbles forward into his arms and, thusly, a powerslam into the center of the ring. The loud impact draws Malika's attention away from Jayson Price and she charges at AC Smith. She tries for a running cross body, but the powerful Smith catches her and, corralled by boos from the fans, gives her a punctuated body slam. Malika rolls out of the ring onto the apron from the crushing move, while AC Smith begins stalking Jayson Price, who is limping to his feet still with a hurt knee. He kicks Price in the gut which doubles him over. He then elbows Price in the back of the head a few times before executing a pristine hip toss. He then turns his attention towards Shaku Endbringer, who is about to charge him. He tosses Endbringer high into the air with another back body drop and then roars arrogantly inside the ring, standing over three fallen victims.)
HS: "AC SMITH JUST TOOK EVERYONE OUT!"
FJ: "Who would have thought�"
(Jayson Price begins crawling on all fours, his knee still hurting him, towards his corner. AC Smith sees this and grabs Price by the ankle and pulls him back towards the center of the ring. Smith then lifts Price's leg into the air and slams it knee first into the ring. Smith then drags Price by his leg towards his own corner and he tags in his partner, Andreas Lasiewicz. Smith places Price's leg on the second rope and holds it there while Lassie hops over the top rope and comes down right across Price's knee. Smith leaves the ring with a smirk as Andreas takes over for his team. It's very apparent from the start that his intention, at least in regards to Misery, is to focus on his knee. He begins stomping away at Price's knee and then he applies a leg lock, putting pressure on. The move doesn't last long, though, as Jayson Price is saved, so to speak, by Malika. She hops over the top rope and lands a leg drop across Lassie's chest, breaking the hold. Lasiewicz climbs to his feet and begins jawing with Malika. The two are suddenly distracted by a loud clapping sound as Shaku Endbringer has managed to tag in his partner behind everyone's back. Lasiewicz and Malika wheel around in time to see MISSILE flying at them both, taking them down from the top rope with a crowd dive.)
HS: "LOOK OUT BELOW!"
FJ: "And all four competitors are on the mat!"
(MISSILE and Malika begin to stir quickly, and upon getting to their feet, their eyes fill with utter hatred. MISSILE seems not at all timid about facing a woman, because the two charge one another and begin trading chops. The fans cheer MISSILE on, rallying behind him as he finally gets Malika inside the ring. Malika has a substantial amount of supporters herself, and a large contradicting chant begins for each wrestler. MISSILE suddenly breaks up their back and forth by clothesline Malika over the top rope. He goes tumbling after her and both of them land hard to the outside. Meanwhile, Andreas Lasiewicz realizes that Jayson Price is trying to get to his feet and he suddenly charges him and takes out his knee from behind with a chop block. Andreas quickly holds up four fingers and the fans boo loudly, which he seems to enjoy by flashing his Cheshire cat grin, and he proceeds to attempt a figure four on Jayson Price.)
HS: "FOUR CARD TRICK!"
FJ: "No rope breaks. Nowhere to go! Price is going to tap!"
(Logan Alexander rushes into the ring to save his partner, kicking Lassie in the back of the head. AC Smith charges into the ring as well, hoping to have stopped Logan from saving Misery so that the champions would be eliminated, but to no avail. Instead, AC takes his frustration out on Alexander with a huge big boot. The referee eventually begins to try and restore order by sending Logan and Smith to their corners. On the outside, MISSILE is in the process of dropping Malika with a guardrail chinbreaker that sends her staggering backward in a daze. MISSILE rolls her into the ring to break the outside referee's count at eight and hops up onto the apron, where he leapfrogs over the ropes and lands facing outward on the second rope. Moments later, the fans are cheering loudly after a springboard moonsault.)
HS: "MISSILE is holding nothing back! He really doesn't like Malika at all!'
FJ: "That really calls into question the actual reason behind M2S stalking ECW in the bathroom!"
HS: "What do you mean?"
FJ: "I mean he's in the same boat with Chris Kanyon!"
HS: "FRANK! MISSILE isn't gay! And even if he was, there's nothing wrong with that."
FJ: "Who said anything about him being gay?"
(On the other side of the ring, Andreas Lasiewicz is still working over Jayson Price's knee. He has Price's leg in a surfboard stretch type move, with his foot planted firmly into the back of Price's knee, rather than his back. Lassie looks over at his partner, who nods, and then Andreas slowly pulls Jayson Price to his feet. AC Smith hops off the apron but our attention is drawn to Lassie whipping Jayson Price into the ropes. Lassie dropkick's Jayson Price right into the knee again and quickly, once more, goes for his Four Card Trick. Only this time, Logan Alexander isn't able to make the save, because AC Smith has snuck behind him and pulled him off the apron, right into the steel railing outside.)
HS: "FOUR CARD TRICK!"
FJ: "Now Price has to tap out!"
(There's no one to help Jayson Price this time, though, because MISSILE and Malika have spilled outside the ring once more. Jai Williams, still hooded, has come over, which naturally brought MISSILE's partner to the scene as well. In the ring, the fans are cheering Jayson Price on, but it doesn't bode well for him. He groans in pain as Andreas Lasiewicz orders him to give up. He scratches and claws his way towards the ropes, but they won't do anything for him. With his knee being injured, Price has no choice but to tap out. Or does he?)
FJ: "TAP! TAP OUT!"
HS: "Jayson Price is struggling with everything he has, but he's got nowhere to go!"
FJ: "He has to tap out!"
(But no one expects the third option. Lasiewicz doesn't break the hold, Jayson Price doesn't break the hold, but instead, ignoring the excruciating pain, Jayson Price manages to turn the figure four over. He then unhooks his own legs and grabs onto one of Lasiewicz's, crawling backward so that he's rested on Lassie's back. He turns his body around and suddenly applies a dragon sleeper as well.)
HS & FJ: "THE POINTLESS STRUGGLE!"
FJ: "How in the�"
HS: "What a valiant effort from Jayson Price! He now� somehow� has the Pointless Struggle locked in on Andreas Lasiewicz!"
(The fans are roaring with cheers as Andreas Lasiewicz begins tapping the mat, frantically, in overwhelming pain.)
HS: "HE'S TAPPING OUT!"
FJ: "Andreas Lasiewicz and AC Smith are eliminated!"
(AC Smith suddenly goes crashing into the steel steps outside, as Jayson Price rolls onto his back, grabbing his knee in tremendous pain. Logan Alexander slides into the ring to check on his partner, having dealt with AC Smith at this point. Andreas slides out of the ring in disappointment, passing by the four on the outside, still brawling. We hear the outside referee yell 'EIGHT' loudly. MISSLE and Malika stop brawling momentarily to focus on getting back into the ring to avoid the count out. Or, so it would seem. MISSILE slides into the ring, but Malika does not follow. Instead, a sly grin overcomes her face and she begins walking away from the ropes towards the announcer's booth. 'NINE!')
HS: "What is she doing?"
FJ: "She's going to get counted out!"
(Shaku and the hooded Jai have ceased their brawl and Shaku takes his corner. Jai, however, follows Malika towards the other side of the ring. 'TEN!' ECW and M2S both look extraordinarily puzzled at what is happening. The Art of War have been counted out, on their own power.)
HS: "So, it's down to two! But what are Malika and Jai doing?"
(After the referee rings the bell to signal their disqualification from the match, Malika calls for a microphone.)
MALIKA: "See? I told you all that my plan wouldn't fail. I told you that I wouldn't lose, tonight. I told you that MISSILE, or anyone, wouldn't beat me. But I see confusion written all over your faces because you don't understand. Well, sometimes, what you see isn't exactly what you get. You see, the man who stands next to me is not Jai Williams. Show them."
(Jai then, with a little bit of a struggle, pulls his hoody from over his head and reveals that he is actually...MARKUS MAXIMUS. The duo has just duped the other competitors, who are now looking bewildered.)
MALIKA: "But, wait. It gets better. Go get him."
(Markus then goes under the apron, and pulls out a beaten, blindfolded, and gagged...JAI WILLIAMS. He drags him to his partner and throws him at Malika's feet.)
HS: "What the hell? That's Markus Maximus� and that's Jai Williams! What the hell is going on?"
FJ: "What you see isn't what you get! She said it herself!"
MALIKA: "This is what happens to people who lack heart, who lack desire. This is also what happens to people that bail out on their partners and are unable to look out for them. But, don't worry, Jai. You don't have to worry about me anymore. The Art of War is FINISHED!"
(She kicks him in the face, and she and Markus make their way up the entranceway, leaving Jai to be tended to by the ring aides and EMT's. ECW and M2S look on, puzzled, and they all begin to eye one another in confusion. Jayson Price is propped up against his corner, and apparently now Logan Alexander is the legal man, along with MISSILE of M2S.)
HS: "I'm still not sure what just happened. But apparently, the Art of War is finished!"
FJ: "Jai Williams got what he deserved for turning his back on Malika. If I were him, I'd keep my eyes on her at all times. Hell, I do that now!"
HS: "It's down to two! The current champions against the former champions! The Elite Canadian Wrestlers have survived so far, but Menace 2 Society want the belts, too. It's a rematch of last week!"
FJ: "Somehow, both of these teams made it through five others! Now it's time to prove who is really the best!"
(Logan Alexander and MISSILE grin confidently at one another, both ready to face the enemy before them. Presently, Jayson Price can do no more then cheer his partner on, having been through hell already. Shaku Endbringer is trying to rally the M2S fans behind MISSILE by stomping on the ring apron. MISSILE and Logan Alexander quickly lock up and the larger MISSILE gains the quick advantage with an arm wringer. Logan counters with an armtwist of his own that MISSILE is able to reverse into a keylock. Before MISSILE can do much more, Logan already has the move chained into a hammerlock. MISSILE drags himself towards the ropes and grabs onto them, using leverage to shake Logan free. Logan rolls backward and to his feet where he meets MISSILE with an arm drag. MISSILE rolls through the move and continues on into the ropes, catching Logan Alexander in a hurricanarana on the rebound. Logan is no worse for wear, however, and slaps the mat in frustration before kipping up to his feet. He ducks a clothesline from MISSILE and reverses it with a Russian leg sweep. MISSILE and Logan both quickly climb to their feet and are standing toe to toe with roars from the fans.)
HS: "Wow! What back and forth action!"
(MISSILE holds up his hands to goad Logan into a knuckle lock and they quickly engage in a show of strength. Logan pushes MISSILE down back towards the mat, but he is able to power himself back up and soon has Logan teetering backward. Logan allows himself to go all the way to the mat, where he quickly pulls MISSILE down with an inside cradle. MISSILE rolls over to a bridge, now pinning Logan, but Alexander quickly kicks out. Both men roll backward to their feet once more, still garnering cheers from the fans for the stalemate. They nod towards one another with respect, but Logan isn't playing nice much longer, because he charges at MISSILE and unloads with some punches. MISSILE battles back so Logan unloads with a kick, that MISSILE is able to catch. SMACK! Logan Alexander catches MISSILE in the side of the head with a wicked enziguri. MISSILE's eyes roll up into his head and he sways back and forth before eventually falling onto his face. Logan aims an elbow drop, but MISSILE rolls out of the way at the last moment, leaving Logan grabbing his elbow. In the down time, MISSILE quickly and wisely tags in his partner, the fresh Shaku Endbringer.)
HS: "Here comes the beast!"
FJ: "WHO SMELLS ASS WHOOPIN?"
(Shaku enters the ring with tremendous speed and levels Logan with a clothesline. Logan pops to his feet, only to be felled immediately with a big boot as Shaku bounces off the ropes. Shaku begins stalking Logan and waits for him to hit his feet, where he lifts him up with a gorilla press. Logan Alexander squirms free, though, before Shaku can hit the slam, and he falls down behind Shaku. Logan tries for a German suplex, but Shaku blocks it and counters with a German suplex of his own that sends Logan Alexander reeling. Jayson Price tries to get behind his opponent, but Shaku is unrelenting, quickly pulling Logan to his feet and whipping him into his team's corner. Shaku follows with a running clothesline, crushing Logan between his large frame and the turnbuckle. The Endbringer then tags in his waiting partner, MISSILE, relatively nonchalantly.)
HS: "M2S certainly are on the same page in this match. I like this strategy here, to work over Logan and keep him away from Jayson Price."
FJ: "Teamwork is the biggest part of tag action: blind tags, double teams, switcheroos. I love it."
(Shaku and MISSILE quickly execute a double snap suplex on Logan , pulling him out of the corner, after which the referee orders Shaku from the ring. MISSILE now has a decided advantage over Logan Alexander, and there will be no back and forth this time. MISSILE now picks Logan up and nails a chop to the chest. We see Logan clutch his chest. MISSILE quickly goes for a headlock takeover before Logan can do anything.. We see Logan struggling to fight out. He rolls MISSILE over. One... Two... MISSILE pulls him back. Jayson Price tries to get the crowd into it, but the crowd seems split over both of the teams. Finally Logan begins to show a little life. He begins to stand up. He elbows MISSILE twice in the stomach, and MISSILE nearly releases the hold. A third elbow happens. Alexander now hits the ropes as MISSILE has let go of the hold, but MISSILE quickly responds with a drop toe hold. He floats over and applies a front facelock.)
HS: Missile is showing what type of wrestler he is."
FJ: "This is kind of shocking for him to come in and be this dominate this late in this type of match against one of the best mat wrestlers in the company."
(We now see Logan Alexander begin fighting out of this hold. He does to valiantly. As he pushes MISSILE back and is about to make a tag to Price, we see MISSILE quickly drop Alexander in a DDT, then he floats over to pin him. Being so close to the corner, Price drops off the apron and pulls MISSILE out of the ring. We see Price nail a short-arm clothesline, and then he rolls MISSILE back into the ring. The referee comes over to begin admonishing him. we see both me pulling themselves up by the ropes on opposite sides of Price. MISSILE is still the fresher of the too, so he runs over and nails a Alexander with a forearm smash. He now pulls Alexander to the middle of the ring. He applies the MISSILELOCK. MISSILE quickly picks Alexander up and nails a MISSILELOCK Suplex. Alexander lands near the ropes. MISSILE goes for the cover.)
HS: "It's over here if Logan can't get to the ropes."
FJ: "You've got that right. Nobody can get out of that."
(One... Two... Thr. No Alexander kicks out at the last moment.)
FJ: "WOW!"
HS: "Logan Alexander just kicked out of the MISSILELOCK! This is a shocking event."
(MISSILE looks on in disbelief. Instead of allowing the frustration to sink in, he picks Logan up. Logan shocks him by grabbing his arm and nailing him with a flatliner. Both men land near the ropes. Logan begins heading for Price again. This time Logan makes a huge lunge towards, Price but we see MISSILE lunge towards Alexander's back, knocking him back to the ground. Both men are spent as MISSILE just has a waist lock applied.)
HS: "How long can these two go?"
FJ: "Well, MISSILE is using wrestling 101 with this waist lock so he can catch his breath."
(We see Logan and MISSILE both battling for position. Logan wins this time and takes position near the back. MISSILE tries quickly to reverse it, but is pushed into the ropes. Logan lifts MISSILE up onto his shoulders and quickly nails a Death Valley driver, with the fans roaring behind him with cheers.)
HS: "LOGAN JUST HIT THE OMEGA STRYKE!"
FJ: "What an unexpected turn of events."
(Logan is too worn out to continue any sort of continuation and both men are down. Both men are slowly being counted out by the referee. One... Two... Three... Both men begin to stir. Four.. We see them flash a look at each other. Five, they begin crawling over to their corners. Six, Logan makes the tag. MISSILE makes the tag shortly after that. Price and Shaku now enter the ring.)
HS: "HERE THEY COME!"
(Shaku unloads with a clothesline that Price ducks. Both men continue their momentum, bouncing off the ropes and charging back at one another. This time, Price unloads with a clothesline of his own, that Shaku manages to duck. Shaku turns and reaches up around Price's neck, setting him up for a swinging neck breaker.)
HS: "666 Neckbreaker!"
FJ: "This could end it!"
(Jayson Price wants to have none of it, though, and he frantically tries to break free, successfully doing so. Price swings around behind Shaku and grabs him around the waist, backing up a few feet. Before Shaku can counter, Price uses all his strength to lift the 254 pound star up and OVER the top rope with a German suplex. The fans go nuts with cheers and begin a 'HOLY SHIT' chant as Shaku lands exceptionally hard on the thin mat outside, which could barely break anyone's fall to the concrete below it, let alone from that altitude. Price's knee buckles beneath him while in motion and he falls down to the mat in pain. Price begins slowly staggering to his feet as the fans cheer in anticipation because MISSILE has climbed into the ring to defend his partner's honor and is stalking Price. Jayson wheels around and SMACK! MISSILE lands a superkick square up into his jaw.)
HS: "MISSILE KICK!"
FJ: "Misery didn't see that coming!"
(Price drops to the mat like a sack of potatoes as MISSILE stands triumphantly over him. The fans give another HUGE reaction, because now Logan is in the ring stalking MISSILE. MISSILE wheels around when Logan kicks him square in the gut and then quickly lands a vicious implant DDT.)
HS: "OH! What a move!"
FJ: "This is insane!"
(MISSILE rolls from the ring, clutching his skull as Logan Alexander raises his arm high. The fans cheer loudly, but cheer even louder when the see Shaku Endbringer sliding into the ring behind Logan. Logan turns around and Shaku is standing there with a smile on his face, right in Logan 's face. Logan's eyes are white wide but then he lunges out with a punch. Shaku ducks under the punch and wraps his arm across Logan's chest, quickly dropping him down to the mat.)
HS & FJ: "TICKET TO HELL!"
FJ: "Logan just punched his ticket! M2S is on top of this one! THERE'S THE PIN!"
HS: "Wait a minute! LOGAN 'S NOT THE LEGAL MAN!"
(The referee gets lost amidst the confusion as Shaku hooks Logan 's leg.)
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
(Jayson Price kicks Shaku in the back, having revived, but only moments too late. The referee calls for the bell as Logan slaps the mat in frustration, not realizing right away he's been pinned. Price pulls Logan to his feet as MISSILE joins in with all four men standing in front of one another. Logan and Price jaw with them and then look at one another in frustration. ECW signal that this isn't over by gesturing the titles across their waist and then they drop and roll from the ring. The referee hands the titles to Shaku and MISSILE and they hold them high, celebrating with their fans.)
HS: "Menace 2 Society come out on top this time! But I get the feeling this is far from over! What an amazing performance from all parties. It was another memorable Colorado Stampede!"
FJ: "It's a shame about Art of War though."
HS: "What a match� what a night this is going to be!"
Low vs. Ortega - The Final Four Weeks
AWA Classic, August 27th - Two Champions Are Crowned
(The camera catches EMT's rushing the ring, as a split screen comes up showing what another camera caught during the mayhem. We see Nightmist guide Ortega to the top and Ortega suddenly spurt to life, throwing wild punches. Nightmist begins to retort, but Orlando seems to gain the upper hand out of desperation. Nightmist throws a wild haymaker that Ortega ducks and lunges under, draping his arm across Nightmist's chest. Ortega stands up straight, pulling Nightmist with him, and then he suddenly begins bouncing on the top rope, gaining some momentum. Before Nightmist can react, Ortega leaps backward, off the top rope, bringing Nightmist with him. Ortega does a sort of moonsault in the air, only Nightmist isn't below him, he's riding along side him, and suddenly both men crash through the inferno below them.)
HS: "That was Ortega's brand new move he's been working on called O3! He just nailed it off the top turnbuckle THROUGH A FLAMING TABLE!"
FJ: "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
HS: "Orlando Ortega has done the unthinkable and beaten Nightmist. He's the new No Limits Champion!
FJ: "How� HOW?"
HS: "Ortega battled through everything, including tremendous blood lost. I told you, his heart is unmatched! What a battle between these two men! I can't believe what we just witnessed!"
(We cut to the end of Classic's main event.)
(Low pulls back on the Low Profile, but considering he has done relatively little damage to Brian's lower back area, it seems like Williams is successful in fighting it. He robs towards the ropes and gets close, but just before reaching them, Low pulls him back a few inches, turns around and applies the STF that he calls the TDI.)
FJ: "TAP, DAMN IT!"
HS: "Low just switched from the Low Profile to the TDI and this one actually works more over Williams' upper back and neck!"
FJ: "TAP, DAMN IT! TAP, DAMN IT!"
(But Williams doesn't tap. Instead he gets closer and closer to the ropes yet again, but once again, just before touching the bottom rope, Low releases the TDI, drops down next to Williams and applies the All-Time Low. John Williams is right with the action, waiting to see if his brother has to tap out or is able to get out of this predicament. The fans cheer for Williams to counter and it seems to have an effect on him, as he is able to power himself up with his free arm. He rolls over onto his back and rolls Low with him into a pinning predicament. John counts 1..... 2..... but no, Low is able to roll over again and put the pressure back into the All-Time Low. Williams, however, is able to power his upper body up again, but this time Low releases the All-Time Low, holds on to Brian's left arm, applies a chicken wing-crossface and finally maneuvers into the Low Standard.)
HS: "What a series of holds! Low floats from one submission hold into the next."
FJ: "And this is his most potent weapon of all. At Hell Bowl 2005 Brian Williams was the first and as far as I remember the only man to counter the Low Standard. Can he do it again?"
(Williams tries to reach the ropes one more time, but the two are in the middle of the ring. As Low pulls back on the Low Standard, we hear Brian Williams scream in pain. As he realizes he has no way out, Brian Williams taps out to The Legendary Low.)
HS: "OH MY GOD!"
FJ: "HE DID IT! LOW DID IT! HE HAS WON THE WORLD TITLE FOR THE TENTH TIME!"
HS: "BRIAN WILLIAMS' CAREER IN THE AWA IS OVER!"
Sunday Night Shock, September 3rd - The Match Is Made
(Low is standing in the middle of the ring.)
LOW: "Considering that your father was a drug dealer and your mother is a STD-riddled whore, you have been handed too much already. And as the remains of Lillian Villenueva are my witness, YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO FACE THE LEGENDARY LOW!"
(Suddenly, the fans explode with cheers as Orlando Ortega hops out of his chair and over the barrier.. He slides into the ring, but Low has quickly left the ring and runs up the ramp. As he reaches the top, he realizes that Ortega is in the ring, yelling at him from there, practically begging him to bring it on.)
LOW: "Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! Try pushing yourself ahead of the line with that erratic behavior, but that shit isn't gonna fly with me! My contract very specifically states I have to face who I want, when I want, where I want. Travis Gray was so desperate to get his hands back on this company that he actually agreed to these terms when I sold the company back to him. So Ortega, at Overpower, you can defend your No Limits title against some newcomer, and I will defend MY World Heavyweight title against somebody more worthy, like Tirsodo or Curiously Bruce The Gay Midg..."
(Suddenly somebody pulls the microphone out of Low's hands and we get a mixed fan reaction as Low puts his shocked eyes on none other than AWA President Gray, who seems to be anything but happy.)
GRAY: "I am so sick of the two of you! You know, Ortega, so many times you have the right idea, but you just have this personality that rubs me the wrong way nine times out of ten. Your temperament has stood in your way more times than one, Ortega, and every road block I put in your way was well-deserved. Plus, that contract that Low has, yes, signing it was a mistake, but I did it, and I made Low's reign of terror history, and it was worth it!"
(Low shrugs his shoulders and grins and we can slightly hear him saying that the contract is iron clad. Gray then turns to Low.)
GRAY: "Yeah, it is iron clad, but maybe you should have worded it a little more carefully, Low. It states that you only face who you want, where you want and when you want. Now Low, if I am not completely mistaken, I just heard you say want to tie Ortega up in knots."
(Ortega listen carefully as Low suddenly loses his grin.)
LOW: "No, no, no, I said that on a PERSONAL level I would love to tie him up in knots, but it doesn't do anything for my career. This is all about my career."
GRAY: "You said you want to tie Ortega up in knots! And you know what? I am going to put my foot down for once! At Overpower 2006, Low versus Ortega, title for title! You can scream all you want, you can threaten me all you want, you can sue me all you want, but if you do, Low, I will strip you of your hard-fought tenth World title fast than you can say Arriba!"
(Low yells at Gray as the fans rabidly cheer that announcement, but Gray just presses the microphone against Low's chest and walks to the back.)
Sunday Night Shock, September 10th - No Cage = No Limits
(Low and Ortega are standing in the middle of the ring.)
OOO: "I beat Nightmist at his own game and I can do the same thing to you, Low! That's why, Low, at Overpower, it's going to be the Outrageous One Orlando Ortega against the "Legendary" Low� in a steel cage match!"
(The fans erupt in cheers at the mention of the cage. Low takes notice at this, and it takes a few moments for the crowd to die down.)
OOO: "That's right, Low. You're the best in this business inside a ring, but you're even better inside a cage! Everyone knows your history inside those steel walls, Low. You told me I have a long way to go to prove I'm the greatest. You're right. But once I beat you inside that cage� once I beat you at your OWN game, Low� I'll be a helluva lot closer! And I'll finally have realized my dreams of becoming World Champion!"
(The fans cheer again as Low finally grabs the microphone from Ortega's hands.)
LOW: "Are you done yet?"
(The fans boo as Low's smirk has vanished.)
LOW: "You know that is not how we play this game around here. This is MY game and we play by MY rules. Not only have I earned that little extra leeway, not only have I a contract that gives me a little leeway, no, I am YOUR World Champion, and I am calling the shots!"
"Beating people at their game is MY thing around here. Not yours. You don't steal my gimmick like you steal some dead guy's gimmick, ese. VIVA LA RAZA, Orlandotito!"
(Low chuckles briefly as he gets more boos for this Eddie Guerrero reference.)
LOW: "You can go and pretend I am scared of facing you inside a cage, but the fact of the matter is, just like I decided I wasn't going to face your for nine months, I decide I am not going to face you inside a steel cage!"
HS: "He's such a bastard! He can't even give Ortega that little thing?"
FJ: "Why should he? He's the World Champion! And besides, this way Ortega has at least a semblance of a chance of beating Low. Inside a cage, I wouldn't even bother calling the match. It would be a foregone conclusion."
(The fans are stunned at Low's response, and Orlando Ortega is beside himself. Suddenly, everyone's attention turns to the ring entrance, including the two champions in the ring, when 'Hail To The Chief' hits the P.A.)
HS: "It's Travis Gray! He's come to resolve this issue once and for all!"
FJ: "Why? You heard Low. He's the champion! He makes the rules!"
HS: "I bet Gray has a thing or two to say about that!"
(Gray makes his way to the ring and is already holding a microphone. The music dies down, the fans settle, and Low and Ortega turn their attention away from one another for a moment to hear what Gray has to say.)
GRAY: "Now just wait a damn minute, both of you! Low, you think you can just decide when, where and how you will compete? And Ortega, you think you can just make whatever match you want for one of MY shows? Wipe that sick puppy look off your face. The fact is, as the World Champion, Low indeed does have the right to refuse challenges from his opponents."
(The fans begin booing loudly as Ortega begins mumbling under his breath, shaking his head in disgusted disagreement. Gray holds up his hand to quiet everyone down.)
GRAY: "Hear me out, first. Now, Low here has denied Orlando Ortega's challenge for a cage match at Overpower, and has every right as World Champion. However, as World Champion, Low doesn't quite have the power to overrule MY match. It seems a cage match is out, so I think I've come up with a better, more fair idea, that the fans are going to want to see. Right now, I'm making this 100% official. Low vs Ortega at Overpower will happen� and it WILL be contested� UNDER NO LIMITS RULES!"
(The look of instant shock on Low's face is priceless as a huge smile comes across Orlando Ortega's face. The fans roar in approval as Ortega holds up his No Limits belt, taunting Low with it, making sure that Low knows which of the two has more NL experience.)
Sunday Night Shock, September 17th - Signing The Contract
(We see Low and Ortega in the middle of the ring, with Low singing the Depeche Mode song "Lilian". Low actually makes us sit through this admittedly decent song, but that's not what the fans have come for to The Pit, and their loud booing makes that very clear to the World Champion. However, even though the song has stopped, Low doesn stop singing.)
LOW: "Oh, Lilliaaaaaaaan."
"Oh, Lilliaaaaaaaan."
(Ortega still doesn't let on what his true emotions are, but a look in his eyes gives us a glimpse of fury. Low finally stops singing and sits back down as the fans are yelling "Shut The Fuck Up!")
LOW: "Did you like it, Landy? I'm sure your mother would like it, is she here? I haven't seen her yet, although there are rumours she is backstage passing her STDs on to every dirty New Mexican janitor in town. I bet the authorities would be interested in paying her a visit and check out her immigration status."
(We see Ortega clenching his fists, but he still keeps his eyes squarely on Low. There is some uncertainty in Low's eyes and he looks over his shoulder and nods at ROD. He then grabs the contract and signs it as the fans cheer.)
HS: "Ladies and gentlemen, it is now official, one week from tonight at Overpower, Low versus Ortega, title for title!"
(Suddenly, ROD pulls the microphone out of Herb's hands and walks right next to Low, looking right at Ortega.)
ROD: "Hey, Mexican Jumping Bean, remember me? I am the guy you had to cheat to beat at No More Drama, but now this is MY TIME! You know, the other week my apartment in Manhattan caught a little fire while I was working with a massage stick. Two Mexican firefighters took care of the fire. Do you know what their names were? Hose A and Hose B!"
(The crowd boos loudly as ROD starts laughing hysterically. Low and Debbie look on and observe OOO's reaction. OOO, however, stays calm with that slight rage in his eyes. Suddenly Debbie whispers something into ROD's ear and he looks a little surprised. He turns to Debbie.)
ROD: "Mexican, Colombian, they all look the same to me."
(ROD looks back at OOO.)
ROD: "Colombia, Mexico, makes no difference. Besides, Colombians are so poor, they can't afford decent jokes being written about them. But I hear you live in Texas now, and we all know how dump, ignorant and stupid Texans are."
(ROD chuckles, when suddenly Debbie takes the microphone away from him.)
DEBBIE: "Enough of this already! Ortega, you have made bad decisions from the second part of DNA left one of your daddies' cocks and made his way up your mother's worn-out vagina. Being the one sperm that this old whore conceived and gave birth to was your first big mistake. Your alleged daddy being the one killed instead of you was the next one. Becoming a professional wrestler in a third world country was a huge mistake, but not quite as huge as actually coming to America."
"We don't want you here, Ortega, we have enough homegrown bums, with an unusually high percentage of them in this very building right now."
(Loud boos for Debbie Stone.)
DEBBIE: "The wrestling business is littered with too small jumpingweights making a mockery of what professional wrestling is, and you're not even the best of them. You came to the AWA and that was another mistake. You will never be able to fill the footsteps left behind by that miserable Fish, which is actually pretty bad considering that he was just a joke to begin with. Returning after becoming Mr. Three Seconds was another mistake. Polluting our screens by showing your disgusting mother every other week, BIG MISTAKE!"
"Breaking the sick heart of that little brat last year when you showed your true colors, it's probably what killed her in the end. It would be a mistake if that brat wasn't such an annoying little know-it-all. Even in my former life as suburban mom, I wanted to reach through my TV and slap the little snot-nose."
"You represent the worst of every world, Ortega! You are a lazy lawnmower. You have this 'Don't mess with Texas' attitude, whether you admit to it or not."
(Suddenly, Debbie pulls the table out of the way and now stands right in front of OOO, who keeps staring at her.)
DEBBIE: "Soccer is a game for fags, which explains why you were so good at it. You are a horrible friend, as The Fish or Lilian found out in very hurtful ways. You are a stupid son, constantly defying your mother, claiming you don't want to upset her, when the reality is that you are lying all the time. Quest for The Best? Low ducking YOU? Utter and complete bullshit and you know it."
"I hate you, Ortega, Low hates you, and even these people hate you, yet they are too dumb to even realize it. They feel the need to cheer you, but it's probably either out of pity for your meaningless career in the jumpingweight division that couldn't even secure you a match with Low until now, or some illegal immigrants solidarity deal."
(The fans keep booing while Low, ROD and the lawyers keep looking on. Several fans have started throwing garbage into the ring, missing everybody in it by just a few inches.)
DEBBIE: "You'd love to hit me right now, don't you, Ortega? Come on, hit me! Hit a woman! Stop that pitiful gentlemen crap where you can't even face a female wrestler. HIT ME! HIT ME, YOU ILLEGAL BASTARD! HIT ME OR WE'LL GET YOUR SICK MOTHER DEPORTED! COME ON, I'M BEGGING YOU, HIT ME, YOU BASTARD CHILD! HIT ME! YOU DON'T HAVE THE BALLS TO DO IT, DO YOU? COME ON! SNAP! LET IT OUT! HIT ME! HIT ME! HIT ME!"
(Ortega is biting his lip, making it quite obvious that he's doing everything in his power to hold back his anger and keep from snapping. Suddenly, he stops, takes a deep breath and holds his microphone up. The look of anger on his face is oddly replaced by a very large smile. The fans cheer as Orlando Ortega is about to speak.)
OOO: "Wait a minute, Debbie, stop right there. I have to say, I wasn't listening fully, but did I just hear you call yourself a woman? Hit a woman, Debbie? You're the farthest thing from a woman that I've known. Hell, ROD over there is more of a lady than you are, and I'd gladly whip his ass all over again just like I did at No More Drama."
(His smile turns into a furied look of passion.)
OOO: "But these hands... these fists... aren't reserved for any woman. They're reserved for something much more pathetic than that. These fists are reserved for a coward! These fists are reserved for the bastard over there who has to have two very manly women do the talking for him. These fists are reserved for the man who has been running away from me for nine months with his tail stuck between his legs, like the dog he is. Like the BITCH that he is!"
(Suddenly, Low pushes Debbie out of the way and OOO immediately jumps up from his chair. Low attempts to hit OOO with a right fist, but OOO sidesteps him and sticks his leg out, causing Low to fall flat on his face. The fans laugh at Low and the cheers for Ortega are almost deafening in The Pit, which is famous for accentuating the accoustics inside of it. Low immediately rolls out of the ring, his lawyer, ROD and Debbie following him. He walks up the ramp, shooting a very frustrated look towards Ortega. OOO just stares at Low, obviously spent from keeping his composure, and we see him mouth the words "One more week, Low!")
HS: "Ladies and gentlemen, you've seen and heard it all. Nine months of frustration for Orlando Ortega. Nine months of embarrassent. Nine months of Low denying him a match with him. But now Low has no choice but to face Ortega, right here tonight at Overpower 2006."
FJ: "Yeah, and it's a travesty. Ortega still doesn't deserve it. He should defend the No Limits title against the likes of Tirsodo instead."
HS: "He's already done that and instead, tonight he is defending his title against the AWA World Heavyweight Champion. Ortega has one advantage - Low has never been in a No Limits Match."
FJ: "Oh come on, Herb, these rules aren't anything new for Low. It's basically a Hardcore Match, with the exception that no weapons are allowed while in the ring. Low can easily adjust to that."
HS: "We'll see about that."
(Daddy Yankee's voice booms the P.A. and the fans instantly hit their feet.)
YANKEE: "All my Latinos stand up!
Marcando la historia!
Camina comingo!
Holla back.
AWA... YOU KNOW HOW WE DO MAAAAAAAAAANNN!"
(Orange smoke begins to billow from the entranceway as the fans erupt in enormous cheers. As the first verse begins, Orlando Ortega suddenly leaps through the cloud with a rolling senton. He rolls through and pops to his feet, spreading his arms wide, proudly displaying the AWA No Limits title belt.)
HS: "Here he comes, the Fan Favorite Of The Year. Listen to that response for the No Limits Champion!"
FJ: "I don't want to."
(While looking angry and concerned, OOO high fives fans as he makes his way down the ramp. Just before he reaches the end of the ramp, OOO starts running and then jumps up and over the bottom rope, somersaulting into the ring, drawing even more cheers.)
HS: "Orlando Ortega stands 5'8" and weighs 178 pounds, which would make him the smallest AWA World Champion in history if he'd won. He is almost 23 years and 7 months old, which means he is more than six years younger than his opponent. He made his pay-per-view debut at Wrestlefest VI, winning his first of three AWA Cruiserweight titles. At Classic last month, he legitimized his claim for this title shot by defeating Nightmist for the No Limits title. But to Ortega, this is about far more than either title, this is about payback for Low."
FJ: "One thing he might not have anymore after this show is his mother here in America."
HS: "Yeah, thanks to that dispicable excuse for a human being that is Low."
(The lights return to normal as Ortega stretches himself out in anticipation of his opponent. The cheers quickly turn into boos even before Low's music starts. "Lilian" by Depeche Mode begins to play as The Legendary Low steps out onto the stage to a massive chorus of boos.)
FJ: "See, he said he'd come by himself and he kept his word."
HS: "He's a bastard! Basically handing Mama Ortega to the authorities when I am 100% sure she is innocent."
(Low, wearing the AWA World title belt around his waist, looks into the crowd and smiles as he relishes in the hatred as he begins walking down the ramp.)
HS: "Low's credentials are well-known, so considering what this man can do inside the ring, it is a real shame what he has put Ortega through these past nine months."
FJ: "Oh, I for one loved it. It was fun. And Low was right - Ortega didn't deserve the match."
(As the chorus hits, Low reaches the ring and stops right in front of the ring. He briefly pauses and looks into the crowd, then takes the World title belt off his waist and raises it high into the air. Suddenly, though, Ortega takes off and catapults himself over the top rope, hitting Low with a tope suicida, to the delight of the fans.)
HS: "What a maneuver!"
FJ: "What a cheater!"
(The crowd cheers as Ortega rolls Low into the ring and follows him back in. The referee calls for the bell and the match is officially underway. Ortega mounts Low and starts pucnhign away at him with lefts and rights. He doesn't stop hitting the World Champion, even though the referee warns him to do so.)
FJ: "Disqualify him, ref, disqualify him!"
HS: "Ortega isn't doing anything illegal."
(Finally, the ref steps in and pulls OOO off of Low. Low seizes the moment and immediately rolls out of the ring in an attempt to catch his breath and regroup, but OOO follows him closely. OOO grabs Low by the hair and sends him face first into the steel ringpost. Low staggers towards the steel ramp, where Ortega picks up the World title belt. He holds it into the air to massive cheers.)
FJ: "You haven't won just yet, Ortega!"
(Ortega charges Low and nails his forehead with the belt, sending Low down on the hard steel ramp. As the camera focuses on the World Champion, we can see that he is already busted open.)
HS: "Not even two minutes into this match and Ortega has already drawn blood from the World Champion."
FJ: "So? Low is the true king of hardcore, he's survived a lot more than a bleeding forehead."
(OOO looks at the World title belt. He places it - with the gold part - on Low's forehead and then connects with a legdrop onto the belt.)
FJ: "He's disgracing the World title!"
HS: "Yeah, Low has never used it to his advantage, right?"
(OOO pulls Low up and hooks his head. He lifts him up and sends him over for a snap suplex onto the steel ramp, but instead of letting go, he rolls over and pulls Low up for a second one.)
HS: "What a feat of strength considering the size difference and the angle of the ramp!"
FJ: "He's going for a third amigo!"
(That's what it looks like, but instead of hitting a third snap suplex, OOO instead drops down and nails the bleeding Low with a DDT onto the ramp. Low's head lands with a loud thud.)
HS: "If Ortega gets him back into the ring, I think he can actually beat him NOW!"
FJ: "But that doesn't seem to be Ortega's plan."
(OOO waits for Low to get back up, which takes some time in which OOO relishes in the cheers of his fans. Just as Low gets back up, OOO comes running from behind and hits a running bulldog right onto the ramp, as he and Low have now almost reached the stage. OOO pulls Low up, grabs him by the hair and then runs him into the steel of the stage's AmeriTron set. Low staggers some more, but OOO grabs Low again and slams into the steel again and again and again and again, before Low finally sinks down to his knees. The crowd is in a frenzy.)
HS: "Low is totally dominated by Ortega so far."
(As Low makes it back to his feet, OOO comes running at him, jumps up and takes Low over with a huracanrana. Low rolls back to his feet, but is obviously still dizzy, as he sees OOO coming at him again, but can't do anything against the lariat that almost sends him off the stage.)
FJ: "Hold on, Low!"
HS: "Low barely escaped falling off the stage!"
(Low gets up but is hit by a picture-perfect European dropkick from OOO that sends Low straight off the stage and through the table of the arena technicians below! The crowd erupts in a "Holy shit!" chant.)
FJ: "Oh no! Low has been broken!"
HS: "Ortega just dropkicked Low off the stage and through a table and an assortment of equipment!"
(The camera focuses on Low, who doesn't move at all, blood running down his face and chest. OOO stands at the top of the stage and looks down at the pile of wood, cables and human flesh. OOO walks down the ramp a little and then climbs down, walking over to where Low is buried in debris. For a second it looks as if Ortega might have second thougths about continuing this, but he looks into the crowd and nods as he pulls Low up again and throws him over the guardrail and into the crowd.)
FJ: "Come on, Low! Start defending yourself, damn it!"
HS: "Ortega proves to be too much for Low here tonight."
(OOO is hopping over the guardrail and following Low, who is staggering through people and chairs. OOO just pushes him and Low falls to the ground. OOO grabs the camera of a fan and takes a picture of the beaten Low, then nails Low with the same camera, leaving blood stains as a souvenir for the owner. OOO grabs Low by the hair and tights and then just rams him into a row of chairs, with the chairs tumbling over. OOO takes one of the chairs and slams it hard across Low's back, once, twice, three times, before dropping the chair. He takes Low, runs towards the guardrail and throws Low over, sending him right to the mats surrounding the ring.)
HS: "They've made it all through the crowd and back to ringside. This is a complete destruction of The Legendary Low."
(Low is flat on his back as OOO springboards onto the guardrail and then lands right on top of Low with a perfectly timed shooting star press that gains Ortega another "Holy shit!" chant. But Ortega is apparently far from done. He rattles the guardrail a little and then takes one element and picks it up. He puts it up between the ring apron and another element of the guardrail, then picks Low up and lays him on top of the guardrail, before entering the ring for the first time in a long time to a huge amount of cheers.)
FJ: "I only shudder thinking about what Ortega might do now."
HS: "He starts running!"
(OOO runs towards the ropes and then catapults himself over them, never once touching them, landing on Low with a somersault senton over the top rope. The guardrail gives in and is now folded almost like a triangle, but the impact hurt not only Low, but Ortega as well. The crowd chants "Holy shit!" once again.)
HS: "That's why they call it a high risk move."
FJ: "Ortega sacrificed himself to nail Low with this one. All Low needs is to counter one of those."
HS: "All Low needs is his first offensive move of this match!"
(AWA officials are quick to bring down another guardrail element so there are no disruptions from the crowd. Meanwhile, OOO reaches under the ring where he pulls out a roll of barbed wire! The crowd is stirring now. Low doesn't notice Ortega's latest weapon, so he screams in pain as OOO just whips Low with about three feet from the barbed wire. Low screams as we can see the wire cutting into his back and arms, drawing some blood as Ortega continues to use the wire as a whip. Finally, Low jumps up and runs away from OOO, dropping to the floor in the process. OOO drops the barbed wire and smiles into the crowd, how frantically cheers him.)
HS: "Low hasn't been able to do one offensive move for the duration of this match and now he is even running away from the man he called the Mexican Jumping Bean."
(OOO reaches underneath the ring and this time he pulls out a table. He puts the table over the top rope in the corner, basically creating a launching pad in the corner of the ring. He then walks over to Low, picks him up and rolls him into the ring, where he walks him to the table. OOO lifts Low up and puts him onto the table, then follows him onto it.)
FJ: "Is that even legal? Shouldn't the referee disqualify Ortega right now?"
HS: "Well, I guess it's borderline, but I am sure the referee has gotten orders from President Gray to let this match run as long as any possible."
FJ: "Oh no, not this!"
(As both Low and OOO are on their feet on top of the table, it appears as if OOO sets Low up for a non-springboard version of the O3 off the table and into the ring. The crowd keeps on cheering and Ortega finally makes a mistake - he looks into the crowd for one second, a second that Low uses to drop down to one knee and nail OOO with a low blow that is greeted by a huge amount of boos. OOO releases Low and the bloodied World Champion pie-faces OOO back first off the table. Low then collapses and rolls off the table.)
FJ: "I told you, Herb, one mistake and Low is back in the game."
HS: "First of all, he cheated, and sec..."
FJ: "Come on, after all he just went through!"
HS: "And secondly, he isn't back in the game. So far he merely has given himself a break from the destruction."
(OOO is first back on his feet, but Low isn't far behind, using the ropes to pull himself up. As OOO approaches, Low manages to kick OOO into the stomach and hit him with teh Low Stunner!)
FJ: "Low Stunner! Low Stunner!"
HS: "Low has just bought himself some more time here!"
(Low slowly crawls over to OOO and makes the first cover of the match. The referee counts 1..... 2..... NO! Kick out to the cheers of the fans! Low, however, apparently has found his second wind, as he grabs OOO's feet and applies the Low Profile!)
HS: "Low Profile! Low has now performed both of his original finishers on Ortega."
FJ: "Must be a gift for the sixth anniversary of Low's pay-per-view debut this month."
HS: "They are in the middle of the ring, there is no way for Ortega to reach the ropes."
FJ: "And it wouldn't matter anyway, Herb. Remember - No Limits!"
HS: "But he might be able to use the ropes for leverage to get out of this hold."
(Just as Herb and Frank speak these words, the much smaller OOO shows how much determination is in his rather small frame as he stars crawling towards the ropes, with Low still holding on to the Low Profile. But Low notices that OOO is getting close to the ropes, so he pulls him back into the middle of the ring and releases the Low Profile, but holds onto one of OOO's legs and quickly floats over into the STF.)
HS: "He turned it into the TDI!"
FJ: "TAP, DAMN IT!"
(But OOO refuses to tap. Both men are now screaming, OOO from the pain, Low from the intensity he puts into the TDI. Blood is still running down Low's face, some of it rather disgustingly running down on OOO's head as well. OOO, however, is able to get one arm up and promptly starts hitting Low in the head with it, until Low has no choice but to release the TDI. But Low is immediately up on his feet and hits OOO with an elbow drop into the lower back area. Low then grabs OOO's legs and applies a figure four leglock.)
FJ: "Wooooo!"
HS: "Low really seems intent on making Ortega tap out."
FJ: "Well, he'll take it if possible, but Low will be perfectly happy with a pinfall victory. He just does what he said he'd do - tie Ortega up in knots.)
HS: "Yawn."
(OOO, though, is able to roll over and grab the bottom rope, but Low doesn't release the hold since he doesn't have to. OOO, however, uses all his remaining strength and rolls over again, but this time he stops on the stomach, pushes his upper body up and reverses the pressure on Low's legs. Low immediately rolls over and releases the figure four. Low is slightly limping, while OOO is still on his stomach, so Low seizes the moment and applies and ankle lock on Ortega.)
HS: "Low is like a pitbull who won't let go his victim."
(But OOO fights the ankle lock valiantly as well and even is successful in rolling through and throwing Low over, but Low never releases the ankle lock. Suddenly, though, he drops down right next to OOO, grabs his arm and applies the Fujiwara armbar.)
HS: "Now he's going to the shoulder."
FJ: "He's obviously preparing one of his other finishers now."
(Frank barely finishes that sentence when Low pulls the arm behind his back and then pulls back on OOO's head, applying the All-Time Low.)
HS: "This could be it! This is the move that Low beat Whisper with last year at Classic."
(The crowd is cheering for OOO, clapping their hands in hopes of motivating the No Limits Champion to withstand Low's onslaught of submission holds. And indeed, OOO is able to get one leg under his body, roll over and out of the All-Time Low. Low looks surprised, but not for long, as OOO nails him with a stiff kick to the side of the head. OOO immediately covers and gets 1..... 2..... and a kick out. Low goes to punch OOO, but OOO ducks and picks Low up, connecting with an atomic drop. As Low holds his spine, OOO spins him around and picks him up for an inverted atomic drop, but suddenly Low reaches around OOO's head, shifts his weight and drops down to the mat, applying a guillotine choke on Ortega.)
HS: "And Low goes back to the submission holds."
FJ: "No matter what Ortega claimed, he has a tough time fighting Low arsenal of submission holds."
HS: "Just like Low had a tough time escaping OOO's rage at the start of the match."
(It seems as if OOO is about to pass out, but suddenly he is able to shift his weight as well and put Low into a pinning position that gets him 1..... 2..... only a two-count. Low releases the guillotine choke and pulls OOO up by the hair, but OOO manages to struggle free and hits Low with a European uppercut, followed by a beautiful dropsault that sends Low through the ropes and out of the ring.)
FJ: "Oh oh, there are no limits now in this match."
(As Low gets back up, OOO starts running and connects with a tope through the ropes, sending Low into the guardrail. OOO then picks up a chair from Low and waits for him to get up, but just as he does, Low sees the chair and jumps straight back into the ring to the boos of the fans.)
HS: "And he keeps running away from Ortega."
FJ: "Running away? You'd do nothing else after being beaten up by Ortega and then seeing him with that chair. It's the smart thing to do."
(OOO slides back into the ring and Low is all over him, just stomping away at him, but OOO fights his way back up with several well-placed fists and forearms into Low's stomach. OOO goes for an Irish whip, but Low reverses and sends OOO into the ropes. Low goes for a spinebuster on OOO, but OOO holds on, spins around and hits Low with a tornado DDT. He covers and gets 1..... 2..... and a kick out.)
HS: "OOO is really putting the pressure on Low with these pinfall attempts."
FJ: "As he should be! This is for the World Heavyweight title!"
(OOO now jumps up and goes for a huracanrana, but the bigger Low is able to hold on an counter with a power bomb.)
FJ: "Did you see Ortega's head bouncing off that mat?"
HS: "Yeah, Low is in the unique position of being able to overpower his opponent."
FJ: "How apropos."
(As if Herb predicted Low's shift in gameplan, Low whips Ortega into the ropes and connects with a quick power slam. The cover gets 1..... 2..... and a kick out. Low picks OOO up and sets him up for a vertical suplex, but he holds him up in the air for several seconds before finally sending him down to the mat. Not done yet overpowering the No Limits Champion, Low pulls him up one more time and now actually lifts Ortega over his head in a military press.)
FJ: "I don't think I've ever seen Low do that"
(Low presses Ortega up a few times and then slams him down to the mat. But as Low goes to pick OOO up again, OOO hits Low with a well-placed kick to the forehead and the World Champion drops to the mat. Ortega uses the opportunity to pull himself back up and climb to the top rope. Just as he is about to jump off the top rope, however, Low jumps up as if nothing ever happened, runs up the ropes and sends OOO down with an overhead belly-to-belly superplex! The crowd at first applauds Low, but then goes back to booing him. Now it is Low's turn to climb to the top rope and he comes off, hitting OOO with a flying legdrop.)
FJ: "Low calls this the Manhattan Jam."
HS: "And he hit it perfectly."
(But obviously Low hurt himself upon impact, as he holds his thigh and doesn't follow up with a cover. Both men are slowly getting back up to their feet and Low attempts to land a right fist, but OOO blocks it and nails Low with a punch himself, then takes Low over with a deep arm drag, then a second one and then a third one. Low is dizzy and staggers back a few steps, but OOO is there and Irish whips Low into the corner. OOO follows Low and takes him over again with a monkey flip. Low staggers right into the opposite corner, but as OOO charges, Low kicks him in the gut and puts him into the corner, where he starts chopping away at the No Limits Champion... Wooooo!... Wooooo!... Wooooo!... Wooooo!... Wooooo!... but Ortega counters and now Low is cornered, with OOO hitting Low with chops himself... Uno!... Dos!... Tres!... Quatro!... Cinco!... Siete!... Low counters with a chop, but OOO immediately counters with a chop himself and the crowd goes along... Wooooo!... Uno!... Wooooo!... Uno!... Wooooo!... Uno!... Wooooo!... Uno!... Wooooo!... Uno!... Wooooo!... Uno!... Dos!... Tres!... OOO has gained the upper hand, backing Low into the corner, then sending him over with a hip toss. Low is on the mat and OOO follows with a senton splash, immediately hooking Low's leg and covering to get 1..... 2..... and a close kick out.)
HS: "This match has been going back and forth, with Ortega dominating early and Low dominating in the middle, but it's been totally back and forth for the last few minutes."
(OOO now goes for an asai moonsault, but Low rolls out of the way. OOO notices that and lands on his feet, but Low has gotten up and is behind OOO, taking him over with a German suplex into a bridge. The referee counts 1..... 2..... close kick out. Both men are back up and OOO tries to hit Low with a lariat, but Low ducks, turns around and hits Ortega with a superkick. Low covers and gets 1..... 2..... and another close kick out. Low picks Ortega up and hits a nasty brainbuster. Another cover gets 1..... 2..... and again a kick out.)
FJ: "Now Low is the one putting pressure on Ortega, trying to take this match home."
(Low goes to pick OOO up again, but as he does, OOO surprises him with a palm strike that falls Low like a tree.)
HS: "Palm strike!"
FJ: "Seems like Ortega picked up a thing or two in his matches with Stevens."
(Ortega now steps through the ropes and onto the apron and waits for Low to get back up. As he does, he springboards himself into the ring, going for a senton, but Low ducks and Ortega lands on his feet. Low run at Ortega, but OOO ducks and backdrops Low over the top rope and out of the ring, as the fans cheer.)
HS: "Low is in trouble now. No more limits!"
FJ: "The fight is on the outside!"
(OOO reaches underneath the ring and not only pulls out another table, but also a ladder, to the delight of the fans. Low is on all fours, slowly recovering from being thrown over the top rope. Meanwhile, OOO sets up both the ladder and the table. The ladder stands at the side of the ring, while he table stands at the end of the entrance ramp. OOO climbs on the ring apron and waits for Low to get up, then jumps off the apron and connects with a Penalty Kick! The crowd explodes!)
HS: "He hit the Penalty Kick off the ring apron!"
FJ: "Low looks down and out of it."
(OOO picks Low up and has some trouble doing so at this stage in the match. He then puts the World Champion onto the table and starts climbing the ladder. However, as OOO reaches the top rung, Low stirs and gets up, climbing the ladder from the other side. He meets OOO at the top of the ladder and the two start exchanging lefts and rights.)
HS: "Both men are in a dangerous spot right now."
FJ: "Whoever wins this fistfight will get to use the table as his weapon."
(At first it looks like Ortega is getting the upper hand, but then Low is able to use his superior strength to his advantage and land one straight fist to the jaw that stuns OOO. Low then hooks OOO's head and sets him up for a superplex off the ladder and through the table, but OOO counters with a shot to Low's ribs and frees himself. He then hits Low's head against the top rung of the ladder, causing Low to almost fall off the ladder. He holds on, however, and only slides down two rungs. Suddenly, OOO jumps and sunset flips Low, taking him down with him and power bombing him off the ladder and through the table, shattering it into bits and pieces. This gets another "Holy shit!" chant from the crowd.)
HS: "This is insane!"
FJ: "Low has been broken in half! I have to admit, on this night, and this night only, OOO has found a way to dominate Low in his specialty - no rules."
HS: "Not no rules, Frank, NO LIMITS!"
(The crowd cheers as OOO seems to have gotten an adrenaline rush. OOO takes a piece of wood of the broken table and now wants to put it into Low's eye! Low is screaming for help as he holds on to the piece of wooden, which is dangerously close to his right eye.)
FJ: "What is this Mexican barbarian doing!?!?"
HS: "I have to admit, this goes very far, but Low has brought it onto himself."
(Finally, Low is able to push OOO away and OOO stumbles to the ground. Low quickly rolls up and grabs a chair, nailing OOO right across the head with a sickening thud!)
FJ: "WHOA!"
HS: "What a chair shot!"
(Ortega drops down like he's been shot, and Low drops as well, trying to catch his breath. After taking a few moments, Low gets up and folds the ladder. He picks it up and waits for OOO to regain his footing. Low runs at Ortega, trying to squash him between the ladder and the ringpost, but OOO counters with a spectecular dropkick that sends the ladder right back into Low's face and reopens his wound, sending Low down in the process.)
HS: "It seems like Low has no idea how to fight Ortega on the outside. It would be in his best interest to get back into the ring."
FJ: "Easier said than done!"
(OOO is sliding back into the ring, where he is greeted by more massive cheers from the fans. Slowly, the exhausted Ortega climbs to the top turnbuckle, waiting for Low to get back up outside the ring.)
FJ: "What is he going to do next?"
HS: "I have no clue, but considering he is Orlando Ortega, it has to be spectecular!"
(OOO balances himself as Low is now on all fours, slowly getting back to his feet. But suddenly, Low grabs the ladder that is still lying nearby, turns around and throws it right against OOO's head and chest, as if it were a javelin! OOO falls off the turnbuckle and crotches himself on the top rope, before bouncing into the ring and hitting his neck in an uncomfortable angle.)
FJ: "Ortega just crashed and burned!"
HS: "And now Low smells victory, as he loses no time to get into the ring!"
(Indeed, Low quickly slides back into the ring. He pulls Ortega up, hooks his head and rolls him up in a small package. The referee counts 1..... 2..... 3! Low wins.)
HS: "WHAT!?!? I can't believe it!"
FJ: "He did it! He did it! Low wins! Low retains the World title AND wins the No Limits title!"
HS: "This was a tough match for Low, as Ortega had him at the brink of defeat. Low certainly didn't expect Ortega beating him up the way he did."
FJ: "It doesn't matter, Herb, Low is still YOUR World Champion!"
("Lilian" by Depeche Mode begins to play as the referee hands Low both the World and No Limit title belts. Both Low and OOO lay on the mat, being very exhausted, Low's entire body blood smeared. He finally is able to sit up in the corner and cradle both title belts as the crowd boos on.)
HS: "I have to hand it to Low. He needed that one mistake, and OOO's mistake was going to the top rope at this point, allowing Low time to recover. But with Mama Ortega being held in custody as we speak, the score hasn't been settled."
FJ: "I don't care, and Low doesn't care. All that matters is that Low is a Double Champion - he is the World No Limits Champion!"
(OOO finally gets up to one knee, almost on the other side of the ring, facing Low. Low and Ortega lock eyes as Low cradles the title belts, and the screen slowly fades to black.)
Copyright AWA 2006