Clash of the Icons - LIVE from Northfield Park, OH!
May 31, 2019 23:05:20 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 1 more like this
Post by ForeverKuroi on May 31, 2019 23:05:20 GMT -5
The AWF Presents:
Live at MGM Grand
Northfield Park, OH
Capacity: 10,000
6/2/19
Clash of the Icon begins by showing bits and pieces of the flashbacks which make this show what it is tonight.
~Road to Victory - March 7th, 2019~
Danica: I'm leaving.
Felix: OK. Well, have a safe trip h-
Danica: No. I mean I'm leaving you. Legally, this time. And you may not like to hear this, but I'm taking the company from you as well.
Felix's eyes grow wide.
Felix: You're not...
Danica: Taking the company that you created and leaving you with nothing? I'd be a fool not to.
Felix: Danica. This place. We've worked so hard for this. This isn't just a wrestling promotion. This is a dream.
Danica smiles. She walks over to Felix and starts massaging the back of his head with her hand.
Danica: I know, Felix, and you've done a great job. But the XHF Network is a lot like real life. The network teaches us a lot of lessons. The strong win. They get their hands raised at the end of the match and are rewarded with gold. The weak?
Danica tightens the grip on the back of Felix's head and shoves his head forward to the desk. She then jerks it back. Felix's chair falls backwards and Felix hits the ground. Danica laughs as she walks away.
Danica: They end up where you are. On the floor. And you are weak, Felix - but you are right about one thing. The AWF is a dream, and just like all dreams, they come to an end. The AWF dream that you've envisioned is now dead. We have now embarked the age of the AWF. Effective immediately, I'm the new CEO of the Ascension Wrestling Federation.
~Prestige 31 - April 5th, 2019~
That's when the suited individual walks into the ring. He's holding a clipboard. He hands it over to Felix Ziko, along with a very fancy pen.
Danica: Felix, you might know Mr. William Gordon. He's an associate of our AWF Prestige Champion, Christopher Card, who was so kind to allow me the use of his team members. Mr. Gordon, if you could do the honors.
As Felix Ziko looks through the papers, Mr. Gordon goes through the documentation.
Mr. Gordon: It is your responsibility to examine everything listed in this documents, but by signing this contract, you are agreeing to freely forfeit ownership of the Ascension Wrestling Federation.
Felix sighs. He looks down and traces the pen down the contract, quickly skimming it. He stops as he gets to the dotted line. He begins to press the pen to the page. That's when...
"AWWW FUCK YO' HEAD PHONE."
Timebomb by Beck plays and Seth Dillinger comes out to a pop from the crowd. He has a microphone in hand.
Seth Dillinger: Felix... do you know why I came here? Do you know why I stay here? It's because AWF has always been about honor. Respect. Doing things the right way. YOU built that, Felix. You did. Danica... Danica doesn't give a rat's ass about that stuff, man.
Danica gets back on the mic, barking at Felix.
Danica: FELIX! Don't listen to this little drug-addled dickhead. This is what you want. You were about to sign.
Seth motions at Danica and her face boils bright red.
Seth Dillinger: Don't back down, Felix. Stay and fight for what's right.
Felix looks back at the contract in his hands... he reaches for it... and he TEARS IT UP, letting the pieces fall to the ground as the crowd cheers. Seth glances up at Danica, feeling pretty satisfied. Danica shakes her head.
Danica: See, the reason why money is most important... is because money talks. Money can buy you things. It can buy you... jewelry.
She motions to a fancy gold ring on her finger.
Danica: It can buy you happiness. But most importantly...
She leans in close to the microphone.
Danica: It can buy you loyalty.
Seth and Felix look confused and slowly start to turn, only to get laid out by a double lariat from Kuroi! Felix hits the floor hard and Seth bounces his head off the ground, then quickly scrambles back up to his feet. He meets Kuroi on the ramp and gets in a few good shots on him, but he's still staggered from the surprise attack. Kuroi uses his meaty palm to block one of Seth's punches and latches on, grabbing Seth's fist and wrenching his arm around. Seth's face twists into a contorted visage of pain as Kuroi drives him down to his knees... then blasts him in the face with a vicious knee strike! Danica looks on, proud of her work from the ring.
~Prestige 33 - May 4th, 2019~
Mr. Gordon: Ms. Danica is a young woman and without financial security, she will be placed into a financially, mentally and physically dangerous environment. For someone who has turned a small business into a regional success, it would be irresponsible to not assist her as she tries to make it through.
Felix: She took my business from me! She has that com-
Judge: Mr. Ziko! I have already spoken to you about this. Do we need to throw this case out automatically in Ms. Ziko's favor?
Felix: ...No. No, your honor.
Judge: Good. Now, Mr. Gordon, have you tried to work with Mr. Ziko?
Mr. Gordon: We have, your honor. We tried to settle in a way beneficial to both parties. Mr. Ziko has proven himself to be non-compliant. He has refused every offer that we have made. He has shown no regard for the woman he has been married with for so long, and clearly has no interest in her welfare.
Judge: Mr. Ziko, is this true?
Felix: It's not!
Judge: Oh? Which offer have you accepted?
Felix: I haven't. I mean... I do have interest in her welfare.
Mr. Gordon: Just not enough to actually help her support herself, right? Just good wishes and hoping she gets a winning lottery ticket?
Ziko: No, I mean...
Mr. Gordon: Mr. Ziko, what have you actually done to help your soon-to-be ex-wife?
Felix: Her? Why is it always about her? Danica is a bully! She stole my company from me!
Judge: Mr. Gordon, is this true?
Mr. Gordon: No, your honor. He gave her the AWF Corporation out of his own free will.
Felix: Free will? She coerced me! Intimidated me! She attacked me!
Mr. Gordon: Your honor, please look at the two parties here. There is nearly a three foot difference in height and 200 pounds in weight. There is absolutely no way that this person who is not only a man, but is a man triple the size of most men is afraid of someone that he has been financially neglecting for years upon years.
Judge: Alright. I've heard enough. Obviously we have a lot more to discuss here, but we'll stop for now. We'll continue this later on. Hopefully, we will be able to find some sort of...
The judge eyes Felix.
Judge: ...compromise the next time we meet again.
The screen fades to black as Felix's eyes grow big, his lips quivering in fear.
~Prestige 34 - May 18th, 2019~
The chaos between nearly every member of the Ascension Wrestling Federation sees no end in sight, and that is until...
Steele: Enough already!
Jackson Steele comes in, sunglasses off and eyes red. Everyone knows him as the AWF Commissioner, and know better than to go against his word.
Steele: I'm putting an end to this. Five matches. Three wins determine the fate of the AWF.
Team Danica's Kira Izumi against Team Felix's Johnny Sniper in a flag match!
Team Danica's Drago against Team Felix's Danny Ray for the XHF Phoenix Championship!
Kuroi, representing Danica to take on The Mad Titan himself, Hyperion, representing Felix Ziko!
The AWF Prestige Champion, Chris Card, will side with Danica to take on Raiden Ishimori, who represents Felix - all for the gold!
And then the final match - Seth, who will represent Felix Ziko, will go off against Danica's representative - Maverick, and all for the X*Crown Championship!
Of course, this will only work if Felix and Danica agree to this.
Felix: I'll do it. If there's one thing I'm successful in, it's knowing my team and the strength of the AWF.
Steele: So that's how she chooses to play this. Alright, well th-
Danica: By accepting this challenge, not only am I legally the victor, but I'll be beating you in your own game. Then when I win, I never want to see your face in the AWF again. So Felix, it's a deal.
~Clash of the Icons - Present~
For the first time in AWF History, pyros begin blazing at the entrance stage of the MGM Grand arena in Northfield Park, OH. The camera pans around the 10,000 word arena before stopping at our two announcers.
Taylor: Good evening one and all to the grandest stage in the AWF - Clash of the Icons! I am Tommy Taylor!
Romano: And I'm Cassius Romano and what you just saw is what brings us all together today. Two people, formerly husband and wife. Felix and Danica, both duking it out to see who takes control, and who takes the pink slip.
Taylor: This will be determined by five matches. Kira Izumi vs. Johnny Sniper in a flag match, Danny Ray vs. Drago for the XHF Phoenix Championship, Kuroi vs. Hyperion, Chris Card vs. Raiden Ishimori for the AWF Prestige Championship, and Seth Dillinger vs. Maverick for the X*Crown Championship! Three wins takes the cake!
Romano: But if you think that's all the matches we have for you, you're sorely mistaken! Danica has pitted friend against friend in the ring. James Dragon vs. Fargo will be forced to fight one another in a pinfall/submission only match! More so, if they refuse to fight, they are fired and then subsequently sued!
Taylor: And we also have a cluster-f match with many of our new talent in the AWF, along with our CFO Terry Bradshaw and former 2x XHF Phoenix Champion, Natasha!
Romano: This is also the beginning match for a former XHF European Champion, Stormcrow! In fact... Yes! This match is beginning right now! Be excited, everyone! Clash of the Icons begins... RIGHT NOW!
Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall…
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Jessie Love: And is for a title shot of the winner’s choice.
The arena goes dark, with only a couple of spotlights highlighting the ring. Suddenly smoke begins to billow around the ring forming a thick cover as the synthesised choral intro to This Corrosion plays. As the main riff of the song kicks in, the smoke subsides and Natasha is standing there, mid ring. She links her hands together at the thumbs, forming the sign of the spider, and screams loudly.
GIMME THE RING
KISSED AND TOLD
GIMME SOMETHING THAT I MISSED
A HAND TO HOLD
WILD AND WHAT IT SEEMS
KILL THE KING WHEN LOVE IS THE LAW AND THE WHEEL TURNED ROUND
GIMME DREAM CHILD AND DO YOU HEAR ME CALL?
Jessie Love: Introducing first, fighting out of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, she weighed in tonight at…
Jessie Love and the Crowd: A LADY NEVER TELLS!
Jessie Love: “The Gothic Goddess” NAAAAAAATAAAAAAAAASHA!
Taylor: Natasha looks FURIOUS.
Romano: Natasha always looks furious.
Taylor: But, more furious than usual.
Romano: Yes, I see what you mean. Just try to think of some more synonyms throughout the match, Taylor. Keep you commentary hot.
Natasha walks up to the ropes facing the hard camera and leans forward over the top rope, staring out blankly into the crowd.
“Pervert” by the Descendents begins playing as “Guttertrash” Greg Adkins walks out from the back with a busty woman under each arm. They’re dressed in almost not there swimsuits. Adkins beams for the crowd as his hands wander slightly... southwards.
Jessie Love: Her first opponent, weighing in tonight at one hundred-sixty-five pounds and fighting out of Tuscola, Illinois, “Guttertrash” GREEEEEEEEEG ADKIIIIIIIINS.
Taylor: Greg Adkins, the XHF Network’s premiere ladies’ man.
Romano: Every woman loves a bad man. And there are few men with worse behaviour than Greg Adkins.
Taylor: On the Network?
Romano: Anywhere. Ever.
Greg Adkins makes his way down to the ring, dancing, and making eyes at the men and women as he goes.
Romano: I think the bi rate just went up in here.
Greg Adkins rolls into the ring and continues to dance, doing some pelvic thrusts to drive the crowd nuts (they either love him or hate him with no middle ground).
I WAS BORN IN THE SOUL OF MISERY
AND I NEVER HAD ME A NAME
THEY JUST GAVE ME A NUMBER WHEN I WAS YOUNG
Bloodbath McGrath strides out into the arena to the sound of his theme music and the roaring rumble of many an anticipant Gorrorcore junkie. Pausing a moment at the top of the ramp, Bloodbath leans forward at the waist and points a finger toward the ring. A warning some would say. The Bastard Butcher then takes to the ring, so focused and enthralled by Gorrorcore visions that he fails to notice ringside fans who want a picture or who slap him on the back.
Jessie Love: Fighting out of Athens, Tennessee, he weighed in tonight at two hundred-ninety three pounds, “The Bastard Butcher” BLOOOOOOODBAAAAAAAAAATH MCGRAAAAAAAAAAATH!
Sliding into the ring, Bloodbath takes to one side where he lurches his torso over the ropes and roars at the crowd. The photo opportunity over, the Butcher takes to his corner and stoically awaits the freeing sound of the bell.
As the bells toll and the music begins, the lights dim. Once the song kicks in, a singular spotlight shines down on Arron Black. He makes his way to the ring with the spotlight still shining down on him.
Jessie Love: From London, England, He weighed in tonight at twenty-two stone, two pounds. He is “The London Nightmare” AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRON BLAAAAAAAAAACK
Taylor: Arron Black. No flash. All business.
Romano: You don’t need to be flashy when you’re that physically large and in charge.
As the arena darkens, RATM begins to play. The screen plays old images of crows flying through the skies, as the music builds up. As the music kicks in, StormCrow walks out from the gorilla position with his arms outstretched, to cheers from the fans. In one hand he is holding a bottle of whiskey, swishing it as he takes a spin on stage before continuing to the ring.
Jessie Love: Hailing from Seattle, Washington, he weighed in at two hundred-two pounds, THE STOOOOOOORMCROOOOOOOOOOW!
Taylor: The StormCrow is here in AWF.
Romano: I have to say, Taylor, maybe this is the place he’s always belonged.
He circles the ring and slaps hands with fans before getting to the announcers table, depositing his coat and alcohol before sliding into the ring. He mounts the corner turnbuckle, arm in the air for the fans and remains there until his other opponents arrive.
Copycat walks out into the entrance gate with a roll of fabric under one arm. He rushes ahead of Terry Bradshaw as the Chief Finanical Officer steps out, hurriedly rolling out a red carpet for his boss. Terry Bradshaw beings to power walk to the ring. He mugs for the camera, smiles at the fans and waves as if he is the greatest hero that the people have ever seen in their lives. As he walks down, Copycat’s very, very poor singing voice can be heard throughout the arena.
Copycat: THIS IS TERRY BRADSHAW’S ENTRANCE SOOOOOOOOONG!
THIS IS THE ENTRANCE SONG OF TERRY BRAAAAAAAADSHAAAAAAAAAW!
TERRY BRADSHAW IS ENTERING THE RING!
AND SO I SING THE SONG OF TERRY BRAAAAAAAAAAADSHAAAAAAW!
Jessie Love: From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weighing in tonight at FOUR Superbowl Titles…
Jessie is handed a piece of paper by Copycat.
Jessie Love: He is TERRY… ahem... “TERRY BRADSHAW” BRAAAAAAAAAAADSHAAAAAAAAAW!
Bradshaw steps between the ropes and surveys his five opponents carefully. The referee calls for the bell as Jessie Love hops outside and goes to her seat at the timekeeper’s table. Bradshaw is still waving for the fans as Arron Black steps up towards him. Bradshaw offers him a handshake.
Bradshaw: Put it there, pal!
Opening Clusterfuck Match Presented by Felix Ziko
Winner Gets a Title Shot of Their Choice
Greg Adkins vs Bloodbath McGrath vs Aaron Black vs Terry Bradshaw vs Natasha vs Stormcrow
And The London Nightmare slaps his hand away and forces Bradshaw into a standing head scissors! Black hauls Bradshaw up into a crucifix position and DRIVES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH AUTHORITY!
Taylor: INTO DARKNESS! INTO DARKNESS!
Black holds on for the pinning position but STORMCROW FLIES OFF THE TOP ROPE AND SMASHES THE POINT OF HIS ELBOW INTO BRADSHAW’S CHEST!
Taylor: QUOTE THE STORMCROW… NEVERMORE!
The Bastard Butcher decides that he wants a piece of the early action as well! He looks at the pile in the ring and hauls Bradshaw up to his feet with a handful of whatever hair he has left. Carefully, as much as Bloodbath does anything carefully, lifts Bradshaw up into an Electric Chair! Bloodbath reaches up with a long, rangy arm and cradles Bradshaw’s head before DRIVING HIM DOWN INTO THE MAT WITH FEROCITY!
Taylor: BEARDO BOMB! BEARDO! BOMB!
Adkins reaches down and applies a Full Nelson on the fallen Bradshaw! He wrenches Bradshaw to a standing position and grinds his crotch against Bradshaw’s ass for a couple of seconds…
Taylor: FULL HUMPING! FULL HUMPING!
But before Bradshaw has time to react (and possibly because he is far too stunned TO react), Natasha walks in majestically and wraps her hand around Bradshaw’s throat. Adkins backs off and lets Natasha do her work, not wanting to get in the way as Natasha grips tight, lifts Bradshaw clear off the ground for a few tense seconds and then SITS DOWN DRIVING BRADSHAW BACK FIRST INTO THE MAT!
Taylor: HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE!
All five other competitors assemble at Bradshaw’s fallen body and he gets one quick look at his fate before StormCrow and Adkins lift him. Near lifeless from the mat and throw him towards Natasha. The Gothic Goddess gets one RAPID Daemon’s Palm shotei in, sending Bradshaw staggering across the ring towards Bloodbath and Black. The match’s two big men lift him up in a double military press and throw Bradshaw over the top rope and he lands in a heap on the outside. Bloodbath grins, sickeningly while Black dusts off his hands. The referee asks for order and Bloodbath, Natasha and StormCrow retreat to their respective corners, leaving Black and Adkins in the ring.
Taylor: Well, if Terry Bradshaw thought that everyone loves him then he has been given a reminder that not everyone thinks like him.
Romano: Nobody thinks like Terry Bradshaw. Not even Copycat.
Taylor: Not even?
Romano: Not. Even.
Adkins and Black square off. Arron Black goes for a collar and elbow and muscles Adkins backwards with ease. Adkins slips free and slides underneath Black’s massive legs before reaching through and grabbing straight for Black’s crotch, looking to set up a roll up. Black tunrns around sharpish and Adkins flashes Black a grin before hitting the high road and tagging in Bloobath!
Romano: This is what we’ve been waiting for. The two stud bulls in the match squaring off.
The two behemoths stand face to face mid ring before starting to THROW BOMBS. Black’s strikes are more classically trained, straight for Bloobdath’s jaw. McGrath’s have a slight overhand nature, arcing downwards onto Black’s forehead. A shot from Black, BOOM!, rings out around the arena. A return shot, BOOM!, lands from Bloodbath. Another from The Nightmare. Another from McGrath. They each take a step closer and start wailing away on each other. Far from pretty, but pretty effective. Bloodbath, being the slightly superior brawler manages to bull rush Black back towards the ropes. StormCrow reaches across from his corner and tags the back of Black, hopping into the ring, ready to fight.
Taylor: StormCrow wants in on the action. This is our first real chance to see him in action.
Romano: You’ve not been to the bars around the arena, Taylor.
StormCrow faces off with Bloodbath McGrath, not overawed in the face of the sociopathic big man. Bloodbath swings a meathook at StormCrow but the Crow backs away leaving Bloodbath failing wildly. With McGrath off balance, StormCrow hits a quick spin kick which doubles up McGrath. StormCrow follows up with a kick to the knee and a sharply delivered neckbreaker, dropping Bloodbath to the canvas. Crow covers…
ONE!
T… barely a two count and Bloodbath launches Crow into the air with the force of his kickout. Bloodbath grasps at Crow and looks to sling him across the ring with an Irish Whip but Crow do see do counters and it’s McGrath who ends up heading out of control. As McGrath’s back touches the ropes, Natasha leans out and tags herself in, hopping over the ropes to go head to head with StormCrow.
Taylor: And here comes The Ice Queen
Romano: And the Ice Queen looks less than icy today. Something is deeply disturbing the Gothic One.
The Crow and The Goddess face off, StormCrow unsure how to go about attacking Natasha. StormCrow heads for a left, closed fist. Natasha swats it away casually with an arm and teep kicks StormCrow in the chest, sending him staggering backwards. Natasha follows in with a quick waistlock switch and flips Crow over with a German Suplex, which StormCrow flips out of and lands athletically on his feet. Crow lines up another strike and spins into another gut kick but Natasha swats his leg away, leaving him back first to her. Natasha goes for another German Suplex but Crow AGAIN flips out and lands on his feet.
Taylor:: StormCrow is quite the athlete when he puts his mind to it.
Natasha looks to out muscle StormCrow, possessing as she does surprising power for one her size. Natasha goes collar and elbow, switches to a top wrist lock and then AGAIN for the back waistlock trying a third time for a German Suplex. StormCrow flips out a third time… BUT NATASHA WAS EXPECTING IT AND LEVELS STORMCROW WITH A ROLLING OPEN HANDED SLAP!
Romano: That’ll take the taste out of your mouth.
Natasha opts not to cover, stalking around the disoriented StormCrow. The wily veteran seems completely out of it as he wheels round… RIGHT INTO A DAEMON’S PALM! A wad of spit comes out of StormCrow’s mouth as he staggers backwards. NATASHA GRABS THE WRIST…
Taylor:: HERE IT COMES…
...BEFORE WRAPPING HER HAND AROUND STORMCROW’S NECK AND SITS OUT, DRIVING HIM INTO THE MAT!
Taylor:: HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE!
Natasha covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… BLOODBATH BREAKS IT UP!
Bloodbath grabs Natasha and begins to bite her forehead before punching down on it four, five times in rapid succession. Natasha rolls to the ring apron, wiping the cut on her forehead. She freezes as StormCrow and Bloodbath stare a hole in each other mid ring. Bloodbath locks in the three-quarter nelson, looking to finish StormCrow off with The Cold Shoulder… BUT STORMCROW REVERSES WITH A HIGHLY MODIFIED HEADLOCK TAKEOVER! STORMCROW LOCKS IN THE BULLY CHOKE!
Taylor:: REDRUM! REDRUM!
Romano: That’s murder spelt backwards!
Bloodbath struggles in the hold, but he isn’t going to tap and any lasting damage is moderated by Arron Black walking into the ring and stomping down HARD onto StormCrow’s chest to break the hold. Black grabs for StormCrow and biel tosses him across the ring. Black locks in a rear naked choke onto Bloodbath pinning him into position… but Adkins flies into the ring with a seated senton onto Bloodbath’s chest, breaking THAT up.
Taylor:: GREG ADKINS HAS BUNS OF STEEL!
StormCrow has recovered and slowly hauls himself up onto a corner and HE TAKES FLIGHT AGAIN, DROPPING THE NEVERMORE ELBOW ONTO BLOODBATH AND BLACK!
Crowd: OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!
Meanwhile Natasha has walked back into the ring and looks at the scene of carnage. She… laughs? Adkins clears StormCrow out of the way with a running hip attack. Then he turns to Bloodbath and hits a second running hip attack!
Taylor: ADKINS IS ON FIRE!
Romano: HE’S ON FIRE… WITH HIS ASS! I had a curry that did that once.
Natasha looks for a target and finds that Black is the first to stand. He hits a huge panhandle of a strike to Natasha’s chest… and SHE COCKS HER HEAD TO A SIDE AND NO SELLS IT! NATASHA GIGGLES!
Taylor: Oh no.
Romano: Natasha is busted open. And… that’s not good news. For anyone.
Among the piles of bodies, Adkins stalks, looking for his next target. Natasha gets right in Black’s face. Arron Black throws another wild right hand, frustrated by Natasha and The Bloody Child responds by grasping Black around the waist. With utterly surprising ease, NATASHA INVERTS ARRON BLACK AND LOCKS IN A GOTCH CRADLE!
Taylor: What in the hell is Natasha doing?
Romano: Do you even think SHE knows?
Natasha SITS OUT AND DRIVES ARRON BLACK’S HEAD INTO THE MAT! BLACK TWITCHES SLIGHTLY FOR A SECOND THEN LIES, DEFEATED.
Taylor: DID NATASHA JUST HIT CRADLE TO GRAVE ON A THREE HUNDRED POUND MAN? I DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT I’M SEEING!
Crowd: HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK!
Romano: When a simple “Shit” isn’t enough.
Natasha stands.
Taylor: COVER HIM! THIS MATCH IS OVER!
Adkins stands too, turning to The Bloody Child, almost questioningly. Natasha responds by SKIPPING around the ring! StormCrow is crawling towards making a cover but Adkins cuts him off by stamping on his fingers and booting him in the side. Adkins looks again at Natasha and shrugs his shoulders, sitting on Arron Black, crotch first…
ONE!
TWO!
StormCrow reaches out to try to break the cover up…
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match and a title shot of HIS choice, GREEEEEEEEEEEG AAAAAAAAAAAADKIIIIIIIIIINS!
Taylor: StormCrow couldn’t break it up in time! Greg Adkins wins with...
Romano: ...say it, Taylor
Taylor: With The Teabag. How disgusting.
Romano: It doesn’t matter how you win, IF you win. Greg Adkins has a title shot and he is going to fight whoever he wants while digusting whoever he wants, whenever he wants.
Midwest Championship Presented By Danica
Pinfall/Submissions Only
If Dragon and Fargo don't show up, they're fired and sued.
James Dragon (c) vs. Scott Fargo
The fans erupt in a mixture of cheers and boos at the arrival of James Dragon. He walks out dressed in his usual ring attire alongside a black jacket and ZDS baseball cap., the Midwest Championship draped across his shouler and a microphone in hand. Jessie Love goes to introduce him but Dragon stands atop the ramp and merely holds his hand up in response, the crowd settles into confused silence as his music and titantron switch off.
Dragon: Some of you here alongside the majority of the people backstage will be unamused to find out that tonight Scott Fargo versus James Dragon will once again not be taking place. Now Danica attempted legal contingencies for this outcome, but neglected to remember the old ‘you can’t fire me, I quit’ defense.
The audience begin to murmur.
Dragon: I’m not really one for long speeches and to be honest, I don’t really care enough about those aforementioned people backstage to go on an extended rant on their behalf. The AWF is a small, deeply flawed, part of this network. So when the inevitable think pieces and defences come in that James Dragon “couldn’t hack it” in the AWF, I’ll be somewhere else. Taking it easy.
Dragon drops the Midwest title to the floor where it lands with a thud as metal meets metal. With his usual esteem for the title he kicks it forward as it bounces down the ramp and lands in a heap.
The audience, initially confused, then has the silence taken up by the Pro-Dragon side, as the James himself takes a little bow, same bored expression he always has etched on his face.
Crowd: DRAGON! DRAGON! DRAGON!
Dragon places his hands in the pockets of his jacket and disappears backstage.
Taylor: James Dragon really left!?
Romano: It appears so, Tommy. And I don't see Fargo anywhere... Danica won't be happy to see this.
Cutting in from the last segment, Danica sits in her office backstage, fuming. With her is one of AWF Prestige Champion, Chris Card's most esteemed lawyers, Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon: Miss Danica, of course we will send out the pink slips to both James Dragon and Fargo, but we are obligated to pay them until the end of the week.
Danica: Do you have testicles beneath your underwear or do you have the same genitalia I do!? You are a top tier lawyer that Card hired, aren't you?
Mr. Gordon: Well yes, but-
Danica: You graduated from Yale Law School, didn't you?
Mr. Gordon: I did and we will sue them, but I'm trying to tell you that we are contractua-
Danica: Then get the hell out there and use your fancy schmancy legal terminology to overwhelm them! I don't pay you to give me problems!
Jessie Love: The following is the Flag Match! There are no disqualifications, and the only way to win is to capture your country’s flag!
The camera cuts to the ring, where two large poles have been erected in opposite corners. At the top of one corner is the Japanese flag, the Nissshoki. In the other corner is the Stars and Stripes, the American flag.
Jessie Love: From Shihidaka, Hokkaido, Japan, weighing in at 200 pounds… he is KIRAAAAAAAAAAAAA IZUMMMMMMMIIIIIIIII!
The opening riffs begin as the camera pans around the arena and soon focus on the stage. Kira comes spinning out from the back. He looks around before he starts walking down the ramp as the crowd boo the Japanese wrestler.
Taylor: The King of the Deathmatch, Japan’s own Kira Izumi is ready to go here tonight.
Romano: He’s said some very disrespectful things about soldiers and patriots, I’m not surprised this crowd hates him!
She's gone
Cross a red line
静なる夜
突き落とすその瞬間に
何を巡らせ生きた？
Kira walks around the ring, egging on the American fans who hate him. He goes around the entire ring before walking up the steps. He pause a minute and looks around before entering the ring.
In hell
果てぬ悲愴
流しきれない痛みが
息を殺して沈んでいく
Taylor: Kira made his bed a few weeks ago when he brutally attacked Sniper after a match where they teamed up!
Romano: Even then, these two have been fighting each other since before the Rumble! Tonight they settle their differences.
He climbs up to the top rope and makes an "X" pose with his arms. He looks around at the crowd before he gets down and repeats the process at the other two turnbuckles. When he gets to the corner with the American flag, he disrespectfully shakes his head no which draws the ire of the crowd. He gets down and heads off to the center of the ring where he beats his chest and puts up an "X" again.
Taylor: What would winning do for Kira tonight?
Romano: Probably puts him firmly in line for a championship match, and lets him finally cut loose of Sniper. He’s got to go come out aggressive and keep Sniper at bay.
Jessie Love: From Parris Island, South Carolina, weighing in at 217 pounds… he is JOHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYY SNIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPERRRRRRRRRRR!
Sniper appears on stage to the roar of the crowd. He salutes them and turns his attention towards Kira, who is standing in the ring.
Taylor: Sniper’s got the home field advantage for sure! This crowd loves him!
Romano: They’re proper patriots, Tommy!
Team Felix vs. Team Danica
Flag Match
Live at MGM Grand
Northfield Park, OH
Capacity: 10,000
6/2/19
Clash of the Icon begins by showing bits and pieces of the flashbacks which make this show what it is tonight.
~Road to Victory - March 7th, 2019~
Danica: I'm leaving.
Felix: OK. Well, have a safe trip h-
Danica: No. I mean I'm leaving you. Legally, this time. And you may not like to hear this, but I'm taking the company from you as well.
Felix's eyes grow wide.
Felix: You're not...
Danica: Taking the company that you created and leaving you with nothing? I'd be a fool not to.
Felix: Danica. This place. We've worked so hard for this. This isn't just a wrestling promotion. This is a dream.
Danica smiles. She walks over to Felix and starts massaging the back of his head with her hand.
Danica: I know, Felix, and you've done a great job. But the XHF Network is a lot like real life. The network teaches us a lot of lessons. The strong win. They get their hands raised at the end of the match and are rewarded with gold. The weak?
Danica tightens the grip on the back of Felix's head and shoves his head forward to the desk. She then jerks it back. Felix's chair falls backwards and Felix hits the ground. Danica laughs as she walks away.
Danica: They end up where you are. On the floor. And you are weak, Felix - but you are right about one thing. The AWF is a dream, and just like all dreams, they come to an end. The AWF dream that you've envisioned is now dead. We have now embarked the age of the AWF. Effective immediately, I'm the new CEO of the Ascension Wrestling Federation.
~Prestige 31 - April 5th, 2019~
That's when the suited individual walks into the ring. He's holding a clipboard. He hands it over to Felix Ziko, along with a very fancy pen.
Danica: Felix, you might know Mr. William Gordon. He's an associate of our AWF Prestige Champion, Christopher Card, who was so kind to allow me the use of his team members. Mr. Gordon, if you could do the honors.
As Felix Ziko looks through the papers, Mr. Gordon goes through the documentation.
Mr. Gordon: It is your responsibility to examine everything listed in this documents, but by signing this contract, you are agreeing to freely forfeit ownership of the Ascension Wrestling Federation.
Felix sighs. He looks down and traces the pen down the contract, quickly skimming it. He stops as he gets to the dotted line. He begins to press the pen to the page. That's when...
"AWWW FUCK YO' HEAD PHONE."
Timebomb by Beck plays and Seth Dillinger comes out to a pop from the crowd. He has a microphone in hand.
Seth Dillinger: Felix... do you know why I came here? Do you know why I stay here? It's because AWF has always been about honor. Respect. Doing things the right way. YOU built that, Felix. You did. Danica... Danica doesn't give a rat's ass about that stuff, man.
Danica gets back on the mic, barking at Felix.
Danica: FELIX! Don't listen to this little drug-addled dickhead. This is what you want. You were about to sign.
Seth motions at Danica and her face boils bright red.
Seth Dillinger: Don't back down, Felix. Stay and fight for what's right.
Felix looks back at the contract in his hands... he reaches for it... and he TEARS IT UP, letting the pieces fall to the ground as the crowd cheers. Seth glances up at Danica, feeling pretty satisfied. Danica shakes her head.
Danica: See, the reason why money is most important... is because money talks. Money can buy you things. It can buy you... jewelry.
She motions to a fancy gold ring on her finger.
Danica: It can buy you happiness. But most importantly...
She leans in close to the microphone.
Danica: It can buy you loyalty.
Seth and Felix look confused and slowly start to turn, only to get laid out by a double lariat from Kuroi! Felix hits the floor hard and Seth bounces his head off the ground, then quickly scrambles back up to his feet. He meets Kuroi on the ramp and gets in a few good shots on him, but he's still staggered from the surprise attack. Kuroi uses his meaty palm to block one of Seth's punches and latches on, grabbing Seth's fist and wrenching his arm around. Seth's face twists into a contorted visage of pain as Kuroi drives him down to his knees... then blasts him in the face with a vicious knee strike! Danica looks on, proud of her work from the ring.
~Prestige 33 - May 4th, 2019~
Mr. Gordon: Ms. Danica is a young woman and without financial security, she will be placed into a financially, mentally and physically dangerous environment. For someone who has turned a small business into a regional success, it would be irresponsible to not assist her as she tries to make it through.
Felix: She took my business from me! She has that com-
Judge: Mr. Ziko! I have already spoken to you about this. Do we need to throw this case out automatically in Ms. Ziko's favor?
Felix: ...No. No, your honor.
Judge: Good. Now, Mr. Gordon, have you tried to work with Mr. Ziko?
Mr. Gordon: We have, your honor. We tried to settle in a way beneficial to both parties. Mr. Ziko has proven himself to be non-compliant. He has refused every offer that we have made. He has shown no regard for the woman he has been married with for so long, and clearly has no interest in her welfare.
Judge: Mr. Ziko, is this true?
Felix: It's not!
Judge: Oh? Which offer have you accepted?
Felix: I haven't. I mean... I do have interest in her welfare.
Mr. Gordon: Just not enough to actually help her support herself, right? Just good wishes and hoping she gets a winning lottery ticket?
Ziko: No, I mean...
Mr. Gordon: Mr. Ziko, what have you actually done to help your soon-to-be ex-wife?
Felix: Her? Why is it always about her? Danica is a bully! She stole my company from me!
Judge: Mr. Gordon, is this true?
Mr. Gordon: No, your honor. He gave her the AWF Corporation out of his own free will.
Felix: Free will? She coerced me! Intimidated me! She attacked me!
Mr. Gordon: Your honor, please look at the two parties here. There is nearly a three foot difference in height and 200 pounds in weight. There is absolutely no way that this person who is not only a man, but is a man triple the size of most men is afraid of someone that he has been financially neglecting for years upon years.
Judge: Alright. I've heard enough. Obviously we have a lot more to discuss here, but we'll stop for now. We'll continue this later on. Hopefully, we will be able to find some sort of...
The judge eyes Felix.
Judge: ...compromise the next time we meet again.
The screen fades to black as Felix's eyes grow big, his lips quivering in fear.
~Prestige 34 - May 18th, 2019~
The chaos between nearly every member of the Ascension Wrestling Federation sees no end in sight, and that is until...
Steele: Enough already!
Jackson Steele comes in, sunglasses off and eyes red. Everyone knows him as the AWF Commissioner, and know better than to go against his word.
Steele: I'm putting an end to this. Five matches. Three wins determine the fate of the AWF.
Team Danica's Kira Izumi against Team Felix's Johnny Sniper in a flag match!
Team Danica's Drago against Team Felix's Danny Ray for the XHF Phoenix Championship!
Kuroi, representing Danica to take on The Mad Titan himself, Hyperion, representing Felix Ziko!
The AWF Prestige Champion, Chris Card, will side with Danica to take on Raiden Ishimori, who represents Felix - all for the gold!
And then the final match - Seth, who will represent Felix Ziko, will go off against Danica's representative - Maverick, and all for the X*Crown Championship!
Of course, this will only work if Felix and Danica agree to this.
Felix: I'll do it. If there's one thing I'm successful in, it's knowing my team and the strength of the AWF.
Steele: So that's how she chooses to play this. Alright, well th-
Danica: By accepting this challenge, not only am I legally the victor, but I'll be beating you in your own game. Then when I win, I never want to see your face in the AWF again. So Felix, it's a deal.
~Clash of the Icons - Present~
For the first time in AWF History, pyros begin blazing at the entrance stage of the MGM Grand arena in Northfield Park, OH. The camera pans around the 10,000 word arena before stopping at our two announcers.
Taylor: Good evening one and all to the grandest stage in the AWF - Clash of the Icons! I am Tommy Taylor!
Romano: And I'm Cassius Romano and what you just saw is what brings us all together today. Two people, formerly husband and wife. Felix and Danica, both duking it out to see who takes control, and who takes the pink slip.
Taylor: This will be determined by five matches. Kira Izumi vs. Johnny Sniper in a flag match, Danny Ray vs. Drago for the XHF Phoenix Championship, Kuroi vs. Hyperion, Chris Card vs. Raiden Ishimori for the AWF Prestige Championship, and Seth Dillinger vs. Maverick for the X*Crown Championship! Three wins takes the cake!
Romano: But if you think that's all the matches we have for you, you're sorely mistaken! Danica has pitted friend against friend in the ring. James Dragon vs. Fargo will be forced to fight one another in a pinfall/submission only match! More so, if they refuse to fight, they are fired and then subsequently sued!
Taylor: And we also have a cluster-f match with many of our new talent in the AWF, along with our CFO Terry Bradshaw and former 2x XHF Phoenix Champion, Natasha!
Romano: This is also the beginning match for a former XHF European Champion, Stormcrow! In fact... Yes! This match is beginning right now! Be excited, everyone! Clash of the Icons begins... RIGHT NOW!
Jessie Love: The following match is scheduled for one fall…
Crowd: ONE FALL!
Jessie Love: And is for a title shot of the winner’s choice.
The arena goes dark, with only a couple of spotlights highlighting the ring. Suddenly smoke begins to billow around the ring forming a thick cover as the synthesised choral intro to This Corrosion plays. As the main riff of the song kicks in, the smoke subsides and Natasha is standing there, mid ring. She links her hands together at the thumbs, forming the sign of the spider, and screams loudly.
GIMME THE RING
KISSED AND TOLD
GIMME SOMETHING THAT I MISSED
A HAND TO HOLD
WILD AND WHAT IT SEEMS
KILL THE KING WHEN LOVE IS THE LAW AND THE WHEEL TURNED ROUND
GIMME DREAM CHILD AND DO YOU HEAR ME CALL?
Jessie Love: Introducing first, fighting out of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, she weighed in tonight at…
Jessie Love and the Crowd: A LADY NEVER TELLS!
Jessie Love: “The Gothic Goddess” NAAAAAAATAAAAAAAAASHA!
Taylor: Natasha looks FURIOUS.
Romano: Natasha always looks furious.
Taylor: But, more furious than usual.
Romano: Yes, I see what you mean. Just try to think of some more synonyms throughout the match, Taylor. Keep you commentary hot.
Natasha walks up to the ropes facing the hard camera and leans forward over the top rope, staring out blankly into the crowd.
“Pervert” by the Descendents begins playing as “Guttertrash” Greg Adkins walks out from the back with a busty woman under each arm. They’re dressed in almost not there swimsuits. Adkins beams for the crowd as his hands wander slightly... southwards.
Jessie Love: Her first opponent, weighing in tonight at one hundred-sixty-five pounds and fighting out of Tuscola, Illinois, “Guttertrash” GREEEEEEEEEG ADKIIIIIIIINS.
Taylor: Greg Adkins, the XHF Network’s premiere ladies’ man.
Romano: Every woman loves a bad man. And there are few men with worse behaviour than Greg Adkins.
Taylor: On the Network?
Romano: Anywhere. Ever.
Greg Adkins makes his way down to the ring, dancing, and making eyes at the men and women as he goes.
Romano: I think the bi rate just went up in here.
Greg Adkins rolls into the ring and continues to dance, doing some pelvic thrusts to drive the crowd nuts (they either love him or hate him with no middle ground).
I WAS BORN IN THE SOUL OF MISERY
AND I NEVER HAD ME A NAME
THEY JUST GAVE ME A NUMBER WHEN I WAS YOUNG
Bloodbath McGrath strides out into the arena to the sound of his theme music and the roaring rumble of many an anticipant Gorrorcore junkie. Pausing a moment at the top of the ramp, Bloodbath leans forward at the waist and points a finger toward the ring. A warning some would say. The Bastard Butcher then takes to the ring, so focused and enthralled by Gorrorcore visions that he fails to notice ringside fans who want a picture or who slap him on the back.
Jessie Love: Fighting out of Athens, Tennessee, he weighed in tonight at two hundred-ninety three pounds, “The Bastard Butcher” BLOOOOOOODBAAAAAAAAAATH MCGRAAAAAAAAAAATH!
Sliding into the ring, Bloodbath takes to one side where he lurches his torso over the ropes and roars at the crowd. The photo opportunity over, the Butcher takes to his corner and stoically awaits the freeing sound of the bell.
As the bells toll and the music begins, the lights dim. Once the song kicks in, a singular spotlight shines down on Arron Black. He makes his way to the ring with the spotlight still shining down on him.
Jessie Love: From London, England, He weighed in tonight at twenty-two stone, two pounds. He is “The London Nightmare” AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRON BLAAAAAAAAAACK
Taylor: Arron Black. No flash. All business.
Romano: You don’t need to be flashy when you’re that physically large and in charge.
As the arena darkens, RATM begins to play. The screen plays old images of crows flying through the skies, as the music builds up. As the music kicks in, StormCrow walks out from the gorilla position with his arms outstretched, to cheers from the fans. In one hand he is holding a bottle of whiskey, swishing it as he takes a spin on stage before continuing to the ring.
Jessie Love: Hailing from Seattle, Washington, he weighed in at two hundred-two pounds, THE STOOOOOOORMCROOOOOOOOOOW!
Taylor: The StormCrow is here in AWF.
Romano: I have to say, Taylor, maybe this is the place he’s always belonged.
He circles the ring and slaps hands with fans before getting to the announcers table, depositing his coat and alcohol before sliding into the ring. He mounts the corner turnbuckle, arm in the air for the fans and remains there until his other opponents arrive.
Copycat walks out into the entrance gate with a roll of fabric under one arm. He rushes ahead of Terry Bradshaw as the Chief Finanical Officer steps out, hurriedly rolling out a red carpet for his boss. Terry Bradshaw beings to power walk to the ring. He mugs for the camera, smiles at the fans and waves as if he is the greatest hero that the people have ever seen in their lives. As he walks down, Copycat’s very, very poor singing voice can be heard throughout the arena.
Copycat: THIS IS TERRY BRADSHAW’S ENTRANCE SOOOOOOOOONG!
THIS IS THE ENTRANCE SONG OF TERRY BRAAAAAAAADSHAAAAAAAAAW!
TERRY BRADSHAW IS ENTERING THE RING!
AND SO I SING THE SONG OF TERRY BRAAAAAAAAAAADSHAAAAAAW!
Jessie Love: From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weighing in tonight at FOUR Superbowl Titles…
Jessie is handed a piece of paper by Copycat.
Jessie Love: He is TERRY… ahem... “TERRY BRADSHAW” BRAAAAAAAAAAADSHAAAAAAAAAW!
Bradshaw steps between the ropes and surveys his five opponents carefully. The referee calls for the bell as Jessie Love hops outside and goes to her seat at the timekeeper’s table. Bradshaw is still waving for the fans as Arron Black steps up towards him. Bradshaw offers him a handshake.
Bradshaw: Put it there, pal!
Opening Clusterfuck Match Presented by Felix Ziko
Winner Gets a Title Shot of Their Choice
Greg Adkins vs Bloodbath McGrath vs Aaron Black vs Terry Bradshaw vs Natasha vs Stormcrow
And The London Nightmare slaps his hand away and forces Bradshaw into a standing head scissors! Black hauls Bradshaw up into a crucifix position and DRIVES HIM DOWN TO THE MAT WITH AUTHORITY!
Taylor: INTO DARKNESS! INTO DARKNESS!
Black holds on for the pinning position but STORMCROW FLIES OFF THE TOP ROPE AND SMASHES THE POINT OF HIS ELBOW INTO BRADSHAW’S CHEST!
Taylor: QUOTE THE STORMCROW… NEVERMORE!
The Bastard Butcher decides that he wants a piece of the early action as well! He looks at the pile in the ring and hauls Bradshaw up to his feet with a handful of whatever hair he has left. Carefully, as much as Bloodbath does anything carefully, lifts Bradshaw up into an Electric Chair! Bloodbath reaches up with a long, rangy arm and cradles Bradshaw’s head before DRIVING HIM DOWN INTO THE MAT WITH FEROCITY!
Taylor: BEARDO BOMB! BEARDO! BOMB!
Adkins reaches down and applies a Full Nelson on the fallen Bradshaw! He wrenches Bradshaw to a standing position and grinds his crotch against Bradshaw’s ass for a couple of seconds…
Taylor: FULL HUMPING! FULL HUMPING!
But before Bradshaw has time to react (and possibly because he is far too stunned TO react), Natasha walks in majestically and wraps her hand around Bradshaw’s throat. Adkins backs off and lets Natasha do her work, not wanting to get in the way as Natasha grips tight, lifts Bradshaw clear off the ground for a few tense seconds and then SITS DOWN DRIVING BRADSHAW BACK FIRST INTO THE MAT!
Taylor: HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE!
All five other competitors assemble at Bradshaw’s fallen body and he gets one quick look at his fate before StormCrow and Adkins lift him. Near lifeless from the mat and throw him towards Natasha. The Gothic Goddess gets one RAPID Daemon’s Palm shotei in, sending Bradshaw staggering across the ring towards Bloodbath and Black. The match’s two big men lift him up in a double military press and throw Bradshaw over the top rope and he lands in a heap on the outside. Bloodbath grins, sickeningly while Black dusts off his hands. The referee asks for order and Bloodbath, Natasha and StormCrow retreat to their respective corners, leaving Black and Adkins in the ring.
Taylor: Well, if Terry Bradshaw thought that everyone loves him then he has been given a reminder that not everyone thinks like him.
Romano: Nobody thinks like Terry Bradshaw. Not even Copycat.
Taylor: Not even?
Romano: Not. Even.
Adkins and Black square off. Arron Black goes for a collar and elbow and muscles Adkins backwards with ease. Adkins slips free and slides underneath Black’s massive legs before reaching through and grabbing straight for Black’s crotch, looking to set up a roll up. Black tunrns around sharpish and Adkins flashes Black a grin before hitting the high road and tagging in Bloobath!
Romano: This is what we’ve been waiting for. The two stud bulls in the match squaring off.
The two behemoths stand face to face mid ring before starting to THROW BOMBS. Black’s strikes are more classically trained, straight for Bloobdath’s jaw. McGrath’s have a slight overhand nature, arcing downwards onto Black’s forehead. A shot from Black, BOOM!, rings out around the arena. A return shot, BOOM!, lands from Bloodbath. Another from The Nightmare. Another from McGrath. They each take a step closer and start wailing away on each other. Far from pretty, but pretty effective. Bloodbath, being the slightly superior brawler manages to bull rush Black back towards the ropes. StormCrow reaches across from his corner and tags the back of Black, hopping into the ring, ready to fight.
Taylor: StormCrow wants in on the action. This is our first real chance to see him in action.
Romano: You’ve not been to the bars around the arena, Taylor.
StormCrow faces off with Bloodbath McGrath, not overawed in the face of the sociopathic big man. Bloodbath swings a meathook at StormCrow but the Crow backs away leaving Bloodbath failing wildly. With McGrath off balance, StormCrow hits a quick spin kick which doubles up McGrath. StormCrow follows up with a kick to the knee and a sharply delivered neckbreaker, dropping Bloodbath to the canvas. Crow covers…
ONE!
T… barely a two count and Bloodbath launches Crow into the air with the force of his kickout. Bloodbath grasps at Crow and looks to sling him across the ring with an Irish Whip but Crow do see do counters and it’s McGrath who ends up heading out of control. As McGrath’s back touches the ropes, Natasha leans out and tags herself in, hopping over the ropes to go head to head with StormCrow.
Taylor: And here comes The Ice Queen
Romano: And the Ice Queen looks less than icy today. Something is deeply disturbing the Gothic One.
The Crow and The Goddess face off, StormCrow unsure how to go about attacking Natasha. StormCrow heads for a left, closed fist. Natasha swats it away casually with an arm and teep kicks StormCrow in the chest, sending him staggering backwards. Natasha follows in with a quick waistlock switch and flips Crow over with a German Suplex, which StormCrow flips out of and lands athletically on his feet. Crow lines up another strike and spins into another gut kick but Natasha swats his leg away, leaving him back first to her. Natasha goes for another German Suplex but Crow AGAIN flips out and lands on his feet.
Taylor:: StormCrow is quite the athlete when he puts his mind to it.
Natasha looks to out muscle StormCrow, possessing as she does surprising power for one her size. Natasha goes collar and elbow, switches to a top wrist lock and then AGAIN for the back waistlock trying a third time for a German Suplex. StormCrow flips out a third time… BUT NATASHA WAS EXPECTING IT AND LEVELS STORMCROW WITH A ROLLING OPEN HANDED SLAP!
Romano: That’ll take the taste out of your mouth.
Natasha opts not to cover, stalking around the disoriented StormCrow. The wily veteran seems completely out of it as he wheels round… RIGHT INTO A DAEMON’S PALM! A wad of spit comes out of StormCrow’s mouth as he staggers backwards. NATASHA GRABS THE WRIST…
Taylor:: HERE IT COMES…
...BEFORE WRAPPING HER HAND AROUND STORMCROW’S NECK AND SITS OUT, DRIVING HIM INTO THE MAT!
Taylor:: HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE! HAND OF FATE!
Natasha covers…
ONE!
TWO!
THR… BLOODBATH BREAKS IT UP!
Bloodbath grabs Natasha and begins to bite her forehead before punching down on it four, five times in rapid succession. Natasha rolls to the ring apron, wiping the cut on her forehead. She freezes as StormCrow and Bloodbath stare a hole in each other mid ring. Bloodbath locks in the three-quarter nelson, looking to finish StormCrow off with The Cold Shoulder… BUT STORMCROW REVERSES WITH A HIGHLY MODIFIED HEADLOCK TAKEOVER! STORMCROW LOCKS IN THE BULLY CHOKE!
Taylor:: REDRUM! REDRUM!
Romano: That’s murder spelt backwards!
Bloodbath struggles in the hold, but he isn’t going to tap and any lasting damage is moderated by Arron Black walking into the ring and stomping down HARD onto StormCrow’s chest to break the hold. Black grabs for StormCrow and biel tosses him across the ring. Black locks in a rear naked choke onto Bloodbath pinning him into position… but Adkins flies into the ring with a seated senton onto Bloodbath’s chest, breaking THAT up.
Taylor:: GREG ADKINS HAS BUNS OF STEEL!
StormCrow has recovered and slowly hauls himself up onto a corner and HE TAKES FLIGHT AGAIN, DROPPING THE NEVERMORE ELBOW ONTO BLOODBATH AND BLACK!
Crowd: OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!
Meanwhile Natasha has walked back into the ring and looks at the scene of carnage. She… laughs? Adkins clears StormCrow out of the way with a running hip attack. Then he turns to Bloodbath and hits a second running hip attack!
Taylor: ADKINS IS ON FIRE!
Romano: HE’S ON FIRE… WITH HIS ASS! I had a curry that did that once.
Natasha looks for a target and finds that Black is the first to stand. He hits a huge panhandle of a strike to Natasha’s chest… and SHE COCKS HER HEAD TO A SIDE AND NO SELLS IT! NATASHA GIGGLES!
Taylor: Oh no.
Romano: Natasha is busted open. And… that’s not good news. For anyone.
Among the piles of bodies, Adkins stalks, looking for his next target. Natasha gets right in Black’s face. Arron Black throws another wild right hand, frustrated by Natasha and The Bloody Child responds by grasping Black around the waist. With utterly surprising ease, NATASHA INVERTS ARRON BLACK AND LOCKS IN A GOTCH CRADLE!
Taylor: What in the hell is Natasha doing?
Romano: Do you even think SHE knows?
Natasha SITS OUT AND DRIVES ARRON BLACK’S HEAD INTO THE MAT! BLACK TWITCHES SLIGHTLY FOR A SECOND THEN LIES, DEFEATED.
Taylor: DID NATASHA JUST HIT CRADLE TO GRAVE ON A THREE HUNDRED POUND MAN? I DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT I’M SEEING!
Crowd: HOLY FUCK! HOLY FUCK!
Romano: When a simple “Shit” isn’t enough.
Natasha stands.
Taylor: COVER HIM! THIS MATCH IS OVER!
Adkins stands too, turning to The Bloody Child, almost questioningly. Natasha responds by SKIPPING around the ring! StormCrow is crawling towards making a cover but Adkins cuts him off by stamping on his fingers and booting him in the side. Adkins looks again at Natasha and shrugs his shoulders, sitting on Arron Black, crotch first…
ONE!
TWO!
StormCrow reaches out to try to break the cover up…
THREE!
Jessie Love: The winner of this match and a title shot of HIS choice, GREEEEEEEEEEEG AAAAAAAAAAAADKIIIIIIIIIINS!
Taylor: StormCrow couldn’t break it up in time! Greg Adkins wins with...
Romano: ...say it, Taylor
Taylor: With The Teabag. How disgusting.
Romano: It doesn’t matter how you win, IF you win. Greg Adkins has a title shot and he is going to fight whoever he wants while digusting whoever he wants, whenever he wants.
Midwest Championship Presented By Danica
Pinfall/Submissions Only
If Dragon and Fargo don't show up, they're fired and sued.
James Dragon (c) vs. Scott Fargo
The fans erupt in a mixture of cheers and boos at the arrival of James Dragon. He walks out dressed in his usual ring attire alongside a black jacket and ZDS baseball cap., the Midwest Championship draped across his shouler and a microphone in hand. Jessie Love goes to introduce him but Dragon stands atop the ramp and merely holds his hand up in response, the crowd settles into confused silence as his music and titantron switch off.
Dragon: Some of you here alongside the majority of the people backstage will be unamused to find out that tonight Scott Fargo versus James Dragon will once again not be taking place. Now Danica attempted legal contingencies for this outcome, but neglected to remember the old ‘you can’t fire me, I quit’ defense.
The audience begin to murmur.
Dragon: I’m not really one for long speeches and to be honest, I don’t really care enough about those aforementioned people backstage to go on an extended rant on their behalf. The AWF is a small, deeply flawed, part of this network. So when the inevitable think pieces and defences come in that James Dragon “couldn’t hack it” in the AWF, I’ll be somewhere else. Taking it easy.
Dragon drops the Midwest title to the floor where it lands with a thud as metal meets metal. With his usual esteem for the title he kicks it forward as it bounces down the ramp and lands in a heap.
The audience, initially confused, then has the silence taken up by the Pro-Dragon side, as the James himself takes a little bow, same bored expression he always has etched on his face.
Crowd: DRAGON! DRAGON! DRAGON!
Dragon places his hands in the pockets of his jacket and disappears backstage.
Taylor: James Dragon really left!?
Romano: It appears so, Tommy. And I don't see Fargo anywhere... Danica won't be happy to see this.
Cutting in from the last segment, Danica sits in her office backstage, fuming. With her is one of AWF Prestige Champion, Chris Card's most esteemed lawyers, Mr. Gordon.
Mr. Gordon: Miss Danica, of course we will send out the pink slips to both James Dragon and Fargo, but we are obligated to pay them until the end of the week.
Danica: Do you have testicles beneath your underwear or do you have the same genitalia I do!? You are a top tier lawyer that Card hired, aren't you?
Mr. Gordon: Well yes, but-
Danica: You graduated from Yale Law School, didn't you?
Mr. Gordon: I did and we will sue them, but I'm trying to tell you that we are contractua-
Danica: Then get the hell out there and use your fancy schmancy legal terminology to overwhelm them! I don't pay you to give me problems!
Jessie Love: The following is the Flag Match! There are no disqualifications, and the only way to win is to capture your country’s flag!
The camera cuts to the ring, where two large poles have been erected in opposite corners. At the top of one corner is the Japanese flag, the Nissshoki. In the other corner is the Stars and Stripes, the American flag.
Jessie Love: From Shihidaka, Hokkaido, Japan, weighing in at 200 pounds… he is KIRAAAAAAAAAAAAA IZUMMMMMMMIIIIIIIII!
The opening riffs begin as the camera pans around the arena and soon focus on the stage. Kira comes spinning out from the back. He looks around before he starts walking down the ramp as the crowd boo the Japanese wrestler.
Taylor: The King of the Deathmatch, Japan’s own Kira Izumi is ready to go here tonight.
Romano: He’s said some very disrespectful things about soldiers and patriots, I’m not surprised this crowd hates him!
She's gone
Cross a red line
静なる夜
突き落とすその瞬間に
何を巡らせ生きた？
Kira walks around the ring, egging on the American fans who hate him. He goes around the entire ring before walking up the steps. He pause a minute and looks around before entering the ring.
In hell
果てぬ悲愴
流しきれない痛みが
息を殺して沈んでいく
Taylor: Kira made his bed a few weeks ago when he brutally attacked Sniper after a match where they teamed up!
Romano: Even then, these two have been fighting each other since before the Rumble! Tonight they settle their differences.
He climbs up to the top rope and makes an "X" pose with his arms. He looks around at the crowd before he gets down and repeats the process at the other two turnbuckles. When he gets to the corner with the American flag, he disrespectfully shakes his head no which draws the ire of the crowd. He gets down and heads off to the center of the ring where he beats his chest and puts up an "X" again.
Taylor: What would winning do for Kira tonight?
Romano: Probably puts him firmly in line for a championship match, and lets him finally cut loose of Sniper. He’s got to go come out aggressive and keep Sniper at bay.
Jessie Love: From Parris Island, South Carolina, weighing in at 217 pounds… he is JOHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNYYYYYYY SNIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPERRRRRRRRRRR!
Sniper appears on stage to the roar of the crowd. He salutes them and turns his attention towards Kira, who is standing in the ring.
Taylor: Sniper’s got the home field advantage for sure! This crowd loves him!
Romano: They’re proper patriots, Tommy!
Team Felix vs. Team Danica
Flag Match
Johnny Sniper vs Kira Izumi
Sniper runs down the ramp and slides under the bottom rope. He immediately tackles Kira and begins nailing him with left and rights as the crowd cheers.
Taylor: Sniper’s wasting no time going after Kira!
Romano: Can you blame him? He’s got to protect the Stars and Stripes tonight! Imagine losing a match like this in front of all of these Ohio fans!
The pure fury and aggression from Sniper is on display as he hammers away at Kira. He gets off of Kira and drags him into the corner with the American flag. He looks up at it and thinks for a second about making an early charge, but then decides to turn his attention back to his opponent. He backs up and charges at Kira, throwing himself into the corner with a rolling senton in the corner!
Taylor: Sniper talked about having the killing instinct. His laser focus has Kira on the ropes here early.
Romano: Kira has to be careful here. Over the past months, we’ve seen that Kira can get rocked by an absolute big move. Sniper could shut him out here if he doesn’t get some offense in.
Sniper picks Kira back up after hearing the cheers of the crowd. He goes to punch his challenger in the face, but Kira breaks Sniper’s grasp and fires off a kick. The crowd boos as Kira gets in a kick, but Sniper strikes back with a hard right hand and the crowd cheers. Kira kicks him again, and Sniper fires back as the crowd realize what’s going on, booing and cheering as the Japanese wrestler and the American strike each other with blow after blow. Eventually, Kira Izumi takes the easy way out, raking the eyes of his opponent. He ducks behind Sniper and pulls his head backward, locking in a Dragon Sleeper.
Taylor: Kira gets dirty and now he’s got Sniper gasping for breath.
Romano: Can’t grab your flag if you can’t breathe!
Sniper looks a bit wobbly on his legs as Kira keeps the dangerous sleeper hold applied. He laughs and taunts the American crowd as he yells at them “(Yer Dead And So Is Your Country!)”. The crowd boos him very loudly, not happy at all with the foreigner. Sniper looks for his opening, but can’t find it and is quickly finding himself struggling to breathe as Kira chokes the life and breath out of him. He begins waving his arm to try to strike Kira, but Kira’s grip has only tightened. Johnny raises his right leg and stomps into the mat once, and then again, to try to get the crowd into the match.
The crowd begin to naturally chant “USA” as Johnny stops stomping his leg. He shakes his arm and tries to find Kira as the referee asks him about surrendering. Johnny can’t even get the words out as his air supply is being sufficiently cut off… until he lifts Kira Izumi from the sleeper and drops him with a powerslam!
Taylor: A hearty powerslam from the American! Sniper’s back in this match!
Romano: Kira choked the hell out of him though! Look how red Johnny’s face is!
Johnny Sniper’s face has turned a few shades pinker as he rests in the corner with the American flag above him. He coughs and struggles for air as Kira’s holds as sucked the air and seemingly the life out of him as well. Realizing that Kira is still down, he immediately turns his attention to his home country’s flag, and begins scaling the ropes to capture Old Glory. He only gets to the second rope though before Kira knocks into him with a running forearm to the back of the head. Kira also makes things worse by quickly grabbing Sniper and sending him shoulder first into the ringpost. The crowd boos as the Japanese heel stays on the offensive.
Taylor: Brutal!
Romano: That’s a very easy way to have your shoulder separated! That’s smart from Kira, cancelling out Sniper’s power!
Kira slides out of the ring and barks at a fan in Japanese to vacate his seat. The fan does so quickly, and Kira reaches over the barricade to take his chair. He takes the chair and measures up for a shot to Sniper’s arm and shoulder before smacking him with it, creating a painful sandwich between the post and the ring ropes. The crowd boos even louder as Kira does it again, and Sniper agonizes in pain as the steel collides with his shoulder blades. Kira is too focused to enjoy the brutal beating he is giving Johnny, and he strikes at Sniper’s shoulder for a third time as the crowd lets him hear their disapproval. Johnny finally manages to drop out of the corner and fall backward, unconsciously getting himself out of the range of Kira and his chair shots.
Kira looks under the ring for something and finally pulls out a wooden table. He slides the table into the ring and then looks back at Sniper, who is laying in the ring and clearly hurting, grabbing his arm as the referee asks if he’s okay and can continue. Kira looks up at the Japanese flag and smiles, hopping up onto the apron and beginning to use the ropes to climb for the flag.
Taylor: Kira’s ascending now for that flag! If he grabs the flag of the land of the Rising Sun, this one’s over!
Romano: What a statement that would be!
Kira Izumi makes it up the top rope before noticing that Sniper is beginning to make it back to his feet. He reaches up for the Japanese flag, but it’s just a bit out of his reach, and Kira quickly has to grab the pole behind him to reaffirm his balance as he stands up top. He decides instead to wait for Sniper to make it to his feet. He stands on the top rope turning backwards to face away from Sniper.
Romano: Are we about to see #FlipKira?
He then leaps from the ropes, flying upside down into a moonsault onto Johnny Sniper!
Taylor: #FLIPKIRA!
BUT RIGHT INTO A KILLSHOT! The crowd pops ferociously as Sniper’s superkick flattens Izumi! Izumi is down and so is Sniper as the crowd pops loudly with “USA” chants!
Romano: Holy shit! Sniper took his damn head off!
Taylor: Kira’s bell just got rung in front of all of these great AWF Fans! He also just crashed very awkwardly into the mat!
Romano: This is Sniper’s chance… what’s he doing?
Sniper rolls outside of the ring and grabs the steel chair from earlier. He rolls back into the ring and stands over Kira as he turns the chair. The crowd can only look on as Sniper drives the chair with force into Kira’s chest. The crowd cheer for him as he does it the first time, and cheer again as he does it again a second time with a savage ferocity. The third time, though, the cheering begins to die down as it is clear the former Marine has no intentions on stopping. He drives the chair down again with force as the crowd notices a look in his eye.
Taylor: Sniper talked about being a trained killing machine, and we’re seeing that killer instinct on display here.
Romano: That’s the fourth time now he’s driven that chair straight into the heart of Kira Izumi! I’m not sure that is killer instinct, I think this is just pure savagery on the part of Johnny Sniper.
Kira’s chest shows brutally red welts on it as Kira drives the chair down for a fifth time, seemingly only releasing his grasp on the chair when Kira Izumi begins to cough up blood. Johnny throws down the chair and grabs at his possibly separated shoulder, but he still has the dedicated look of a killing machine in his eyes. This look only breaks from his face when he tries to lift his right arm above his head and winces in pain. He turns his attention to the American flag, but a spots the table that Kira had begun to set up in the center of the ring. He finishes setting up the table and turns it on its side, establishing it as a border between himself and Izumi before refocusing on the flag. He then turns his attention towards climbing up the American corner.
Taylor: After that vicious assault from a man with the eyes of a soldier, what’s Sniper doing with that table?
Romano: It’s a barrier, Tommy. Sniper set out for blood with that chair and now that he’s got it, he’s making damn sure that Kira can’t stop him.
It becomes clear that it’s going to be a challenge for Sniper to climb as he bangs into his shoulder to try to get the blood circulating through his now injured shoulder. He can’t seem to shake off the pain from Kira’s brutal attacks on his shoulder as he winces in pain. We can see him pull in a swift way at his arm to try to realign the socket, and in doing so he only finds minor comfort. He does his best to ignore the pain and steps up on the ropes. The crowd begins to cheer loudly as he makes his way to the top rope. He steps on the second, and then on the third. He looks back at Kira, who is beginning to stir, but has only finished coughing up blood less than a minute ago. Unlike Kira, Sniper’s not as used to being on the top rope, so he immediately has to grab onto the extended ring post to balance himself. Once he looks up, he sees that the American Flag is just in reach. He extends…
...and just misses the flag. He almost takes a tumble, but he manages to save himself and keep his balance on the top rope. Kira, on the other hand, has seen that Sniper has made his ascent, and quickly pulls himself back over the ropes. He looks at Sniper and takes a running charge, clearing the table with a small leap and knocking it flat, and landing right in front of the turnbuckles. He scales up to the second rope and delivers a jumping blow to nail Sniper with a high low blow. Sniper bends over and winces in pain, hanging onto the pole for balance.
Taylor: Kira with the low blow! Kira with the low blow! Both men in high risk territory as Kira climbs up to the top!
Romano: Kira may not have homefield advantage, but when it comes to being on the top rope he may be better than anyone in the AWF! This is where he excels at making his mark, and Sniper’s in a bad way here!
Kira looks down at the table before looking at Sniper with a sick smile. He grabs the bent over Sniper and begins to lock in his arms for a double underhook.
Taylor: Kira looking for a sick Kira Driver ‘91 through the table! He hits this, it’ll be a cakewalk to his home country’s flag!
Romano: The Japanese Prince of Darkness has Sniper here!
Kira tries to lift Sniper up for the Kira Driver, but Sniper counters, sending him off the top rope with a back body drop instead! The crowd roars as Kira goes flying!
Taylor: Back body - NO!
The incredibly agile Kira Izumi flips and lands on his feet! Sniper can’t believe it as he turns to face Izumi and gets sprayed right in the face with Kira’s red Blood Mist! The crowd boos furiously!
Taylor: Blood Mist! Blood Mist!
Romano: That damned resourceful Izumi cheating once again!
Kira takes back up to the top rope and looks back over the table one last time as he tries to hook Sniper’s arms again, but in a moment of instinct, Sniper manages to pull his head out and punch Kira in the teeth! A tooth goes flying as in a last display of a power he turns Kira around and leaps off the turnbuckle with him, slamming him through the table with his German Suplex into an Uranage Slam!
Taylor: Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome!
Romano: Sniper with the big move through the table!
The crowd pops loudly as Sniper makes it back to his feet. He grabs at his shoulder as he turns his attention back towards the ropes and soldiers on. He climbs up to the top rope and grabs the American Flag as the crowd roars in approval.
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, JOHNNNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY SNIPPPPPPPPPPPPEEER!
Romano: Sniper did it!
Taylor: A brutal match of these two men trying to end each other, and Johnny stands tall in the end!
Romano: A true battle of killer instinct, and at the end, Johnny dug down past Kira’s onslaught to take home the victory!
Johnny stands high above the ring with Old Glory in his hands. He holds the flag high above his head as the crowd chants “USA” with him.
Romano: Kira may have pulled his shoulder out of his socket, but it just wasn’t enough tonight!
Taylor: The American gets it done on his home turf!
Sniper hops down with the flag still in hand. He uses his only good arm left, his left arm, to hold the flag in all of its glory as he exits the ring and heads to the back.
The lights go out as "Family Man" by Craig Campbell starts to play. A rainbow of different colored lights come back on flashing throughout the arena. The Family Man walks down the aisle shaking hands as he heads towards the ring. He slowly walks up the ring steps as he looks out among the crowd waving as he enters the ring and stands in his corner.
Taylor: The Family Man is here! It's Danny Ray!
Romano: This man's journey is nothing but adversity, but he seems renewed here. He really put on quite the smackdown on Team Danica!
Darkness looms. The crowd steers while sitting in the void. Suddenly, a voice booms from the speakers:
"Tap!"
"Nap!"
"Snap!"
"Choose Wisely!"
After a few moments of stirring, light bell ringing, and crowd reaction, FEVER 333's blazing rifts begin. These sounds synchronize with red lights aiming for the ring curtain, which display the back of Drago's heavily tattooed body, and the X his arms are crossed in above his head. Drago whips around to face the audience, then begins his strut to the ring.
Taylor: And here comes the champ. Nathan Santiago.
Romano: Better known as Drago. She's been by Maverick's side, and they've really been putting a hold on the AWF for quite some time now.
Phoenix Championship
Team Felix vs. Team Danica
Danny Ray vs. Drago Santiago (c)
The bell rings and Danny comes out of the box with some strong strikes to the abdomen of Drago, knocking him back into the corner where Danny still continues his striking power on Drago. Drago rakes the eyes of Danny, the referee notices and cautions Drago. Drago kicks Danny straight in the face and Danny stumbles backwards, Drago sweeps the legs of Danny and locks in a Heel Hook. Danny is able to crawl to the ropes and the hold is broken, Drago stomps on Danny but the referee pushes Drago back to let Danny breathe.
Taylor: See how quick Drago was able to turn things around?
Romano: I really wouldn’t count out Danny yet. He’s got the brains to strike at anytime.
Danny gets back to his feet and Drago runs at him but Danny tosses Drago through the second rope, he rebounds off the ropes and go through the second rope to hit Break Time, his signature Suicide Dive. He picks up Drago and tosses him at the barricade and back into the ring, he rolls back in and brings Drago to his feet. Danny kicks him in the gut and hooks both arms, setting up The Sitter, but Drago hits a Back Body Drop on Danny. Danny gets back to his feet but Drago stuns him with a Bicycle Kick, Danny falls back onto the ropes and he rebounds, connecting a huge Lariat to Drago but Drago rolls through and lifts up Danny into a Powerbomb position and hits a Buckle Bomb on Danny. Drago hooks the legs of Danny:
One!
Tw-
Kickout!
Taylor: Everytime Danny makes a move, Drago makes a comeback.
Romano: He needs to, as the Champion.
Drago wraps his arms around the waist of Danny and hits a Deadlift Bridging German Suplex, the pinfall only gets to a one count before Danny kicks out. Drago gets Danny to his feet and tosses him to the outside, he goes to do his own Suicide Dive but Danny moves out of the way and Drago lands on the barricade, he comes off the barricade and Danny hits a Spear. The referee’s count is up to Five and Danny brings Drago back into the ring. Danny looks to hit Nap Time, his signature DDT, but…
*SNAP*
Drago somehow snaps a finger of Danny Ray! Drago lifts up Danny into the Suplex position and drops Danny with the Falcon Arrow and right into a Mounted Armbar, grabbing a finger… *SNAP* ...and another… *SNAP* ...and another… *SNAP* ...and Danny’s hand is broken to pieces, he puts Danny’s hand onto the mat and stomps on the hand with the broken fingers.
Romano: Will Danny come back from this?
Taylor: It’s going to be hard after Drago using the Finger Breaker on Danny.
Drago picks up Danny but Danny rolls up Drago into a Small Package.
One!
Two!
Thr-
Kickout!
Danny surprised Drago with that pin, Danny then connects the Nap Time DDT. Drago rolls out of the ring before Danny can take the advantage. Danny shakes his hand and waits for Drago to get back to his feet, as Drago gets to his feet Danny rebounds off the ropes and hits Break Ti- DRAGO HITS A ROUNDHOUSE KICK ON DANNY IN THE AIR!
Romano: Oh my god!
Drago throws Danny into the ring, picks him up… HEAVY METAL POISONING! The cover and the count:
One!
Two!
Three!
Kickout! DANNY KICKS OUT AT THE LAST SECOND!
Drago picks up Danny again, looking to hit HMP for a second time but Danny counters with Nap Time and then locks in the Camel Clutch that he calls Time Out, Danny wrenches back Drago and uses his arms to get the hold into a choke which the referee does not notice. Danny breaks the hold and looks to hit The Sitter but Drago pushes him back against the ropes, Danny rebounds and hits a Clothesline from Hell onto the referee as Drago ducks the move. Drago tries for the HMP but Danny counters with a boot to the stomach of Drago and hooks the arms.
Taylor: The Sitter! The Sitter! The Sitter!
Romano: Wait a minute! Look in the ring!
Maverick slides into the ring… ICONKICK TO DANNY! Drago picks up Danny into the Electric Chair position and Maverick climbs to the top rope, catching Danny with a Canadian Destroyer off Drago’s shoulders.
Taylor: The Iconic Destroyer! Danny’s going to be robbed for the third time in a row by The AWF Icons!
Romano: This is sick. Truly sickening.
Maverick wakes up the referee to count as Drago hooks the leg of Danny…
One!
Two!
Three!
Ding Ding Ding!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, and STILL XHF Phoenix Champion… “The Surgeon of Death” DRAGO!
Taylor: Once again, The AWF Icons have humiliated Danny Ray. This is the third show in a row that they’ve done this! The Danica vs. Felix series stands at one win a piece!
Romano: And now look at Maverick...
Maverick stands in the ring with Drago as they celebrate but he feels a tugging on his jeans, it’s Danny Ray and he’s trying to pull himself up. Maverick gives Danny a hand before hooking both of his arms, lifting him up, dropping Danny with the Storm of The Prince. Both Icons leave the ring and head up the ramp, not looking back at the fallen Danny Ray in the ring.
Romano: A message sent from Maverick to Seth Dillinger perhaps?
Taylor: It’s something, that’s for sure.
The opening chords begin to play, as the lights darken completely. The crowd reacts to the haunting melody of Hyperion's entrance; the darkness blanketing everyone. Hyperion appears from a distance, walking through the crowd, tall and fierce. A single golden spotlight shines on him as he makes his way to the ring until he climbs over the barrier and approaches the ring steps. He pauses at the side, looking into the crowd with a scowl on his face, before raising his fist over his head to shouts from the audience. He enters over the top rope and prepares for Kuroi.
Taylor: This match is... Oh, it's just big. It's Hyperion and just the sight of him sends shivers down my sign!
Romano: But it's a sign of strength, not weakness. Hyperion isn't just a scary statue. He's the real deal, and if you don't recognize how much he overpowers you, you're as good as dead.
The lights fade to black, then the lights start blaring red along the entrance gate. That's when the opening riff to "Revolution Begins" by Arch Enemy begins to play. Kuroi walks into view with a scowl on his face. He looks left and right, pitying those in the crowd. Those who claim to care about action and excitement, but stay in chairs and judge while sitting on their fat asses. Kuroi shifts his attention to the ring then marches his way inside. As he climbs the stairs and gets inside, he jumps up and down, preparing himself to demolish.
Taylor: And then there's Kuroi, who I don't understand. Hyperion tore him down at Prestige 34... and he enjoys it?
Romano: I don't understand it either, Tommy. It seems these two have an agreement with one another, but it really depends on if they can challenge the other.
Team Felix vs. Team Danica
Hyperion vs. Kuroi
The two men meet in the middle of the ring, standing there as titans, their massive frames completely still as they prepare for battle. The crowd cheers loudly for the impending battle. Kuroi takes a few steps back from Hyperion, charges up, and lunges forward at him. Hyperion sidesteps and grabs the back of Kuroi’s head, tossing him out of the ring and to ringside. Hyperion quickly follows him out and grabs Kuroi by the back of the head, driving a knee into his torso to soften him up, then runs and slams Kuroi into the barrier near the timekeeper’s area. He crumples to the floor from the impact, his eyes open wide in shock. Junior Referee Steve Tyrell calls it.
Tyrell: ONE!
With Kuroi on the ground, Hyperion wastes no time in continuing the assault, slamming his boot on Kuroi’s head. Kuroi turns his head to the side to protect, but Hyperion rams another boot… then another… then another… then another! Hyperion keeps up the impressive momentum, picking Kuroi up by the back of the head and moving him over to slam him face-first into the announcer’s desk. His head dribbles off the top like a basketball, and Hyperion catches the rebound and slams his head back down again.
Tyrell: TWO! THREE!
Hyperion doesn’t stop, because he knows that it takes more than that to put down a beast like Kuroi. With Kuroi dazed, Hyperion wraps an arm across his chest and lifts him into the air, planting him on the announcer’s desk with a devastating ura-nage slam! Taylor & Romano scatter quickly. The desk collapses from the impact and Kuroi gets laid out in the rubble.
Tyrell: FOUR!
Hyperion turns back, annoyed at the count, sliding back into the ring to stop the count. He motions to Kuroi, telling him to get up and bring it back into the ring to face him.
Tyrell: FIVE! SIX!
Kuroi starts to come to, dragging himself up to his feet and using the barrier railing to get stability. He wobbles a bit as the fans take a moment to reach out and pet the sweaty giant on his back.
Tyrell: SEVEN!
Kuroi stumbles forward towards the ring, stopping himself from falling by getting both hands on the steel steps to stabilize for support.
Tyrell: EIGHT!
Hyperion starts to taunt Kuroi even more, begging for the beast to get back in the ring. He motions to himself in the universal gesture for “bring it on”. Kuroi gets a hand onto the ring apron and gazes up at Hyperion, blinking a few times to try to readjust his vision.
Tyrell: NINE!
Finally recognizing the danger he’s in, Kuroi just barely manages to roll under the bottom rope and into the ring in time.
Taylor: He did it! He got back in!
Romano: Was there ever any doubt? It takes more than that to put away Kuroi, even from someone like Hyperion.
Kuroi now uses the ring ropes in the corner to pull himself up to a kneeling position on one knee, still trying to shake out the cobwebs. He finally manages to get to his feet and leans back against the corner to catch his breath, glaring over at Hyperion and smirking. It’s almost as if Kuroi is enjoying being pushed this hard. Not wasting a moment, seeing his competitor back to his feet, Hyperion charges the corner of the ring, driving a devastating shoulder into the big man. Kuroi doesn’t get a moment to breathe, as Hyperion quickly gets a boot against Kuroi’s throat, pressing him against the turnbuckle. The referee waves off Hyperion and begins the count.
Tyrell: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FI--
Hyperion drops the boot and Kuroi slumps down to his knees, holding at his throat and gasping for air. Hyperion is on him immediately, driving elbows into the back of Kuroi’s head. Kuroi, in an act of defensive desperation for a brief reprieve, pushes himself out of the situation with a quick burst of energy, making it to the next turnbuckle, where he leans against the corner. Hyperion grabs Kuroi by the shoulders, spinning him around and locking his arms around his head, driving knee after knee after knee after knee into Kuroi's gut.
Romano: This is some real intensity from Hyperion.
Taylor: It's a show of respect -- he knows he needs to keep the beast off his toes.
Hyperion backs Kuroi up across the ring with muay thai knee after muay thai knee. He gets him against the ropes and Kuroi uses the leverage to bend back and get a knee up into Hyperion's gut. With a slight advantage, Kuroi starts to fire off knees of his own right back into Hyperion! Hyperion gets his arms around Kuroi's head and Hyperion ducks into it, wrapping up Kuroi around the midsection.
Taylor: They're both grabbing on for dear life! Neither man wants to give an inch!
Hyperion manages to get control again and drives Kuroi back into the corner, following up by driving a series of shoulders into the gut of Kuroi. Hype takes a few steps back, then steps forward into a powerful European uppercut on Kuroi in the corner. Hyperion pulls Kuroi out of the corner and wraps up behind him, going for a German suplex on the big man, but Kuroi drops to his knees, dragging Hyperion down to the mat with him. The two of them squirm and struggle on the mat for control. Kuroi manages to muscle his way up to his feet with Hype still wrapped around him, and he carries his momentum forward to sandwich Hyperion between himself and the corner. Kuroi keeps his whole body pressed in against Hyperion, squeezing the life out of him.
Romano: Looks like Kuroi's about to turn the tides, finally!
Kuroi now takes a page out of Hyperion's book and rams his shoulder into Hyperion twice, each time with devastating force. Kuroi steps back and almost skips forward, using the slight airborne momentum to get a knee up high on Hyperion. Kuroi grabs the Titan by the head and pulls him out of the corner to set up some kind of move, but Hyperion hauls back and slams his head into Kuroi's face, headbutting the snot out of him. Kuroi holds his nose and leans back against the ropes with one hand. Hyperion quickly moves in behind him and locks up Kuroi from behind with a sleeper hold.
Taylor: Putting him to sleep! He's gonna put him to sleep!
The crowd gasps and cheers as Kuroi begins to flail his arm back at Hyperion, trying to shake the hold loose. Kuroi starts to fade a bit, his eyes slowly getting droopier from the long-term effects of the hold. Finally, Kuroi takes a few steps forward and drops down, shooting Hyperion face-first into the corner turnbuckle. Hype moves off to the ropes on the side, leaning over them and holding a hand to his head from the impact. Kuroi slowly pulls himself back up to his feet, glancing over his shoulder in bewilderment at the explosive power of Hyperion.
Romano: Smart move from Kuroi to create separation between himself and Hyperion.
Kuroi moves quickly after catching his breath, moving in behind Hyperion and locking his arms around him, then sending him flying with a German suplex! The ring shudders as the two giant men hit the ring. Kuroi wastes no time in scrambling back to his feet, keeping up the pressure and grabbing Hyperion again as he stands up. Kuroi lets out a gutteral roar and manages to lift Hyperion into a crossbody position, then sends him flying over his head with a fallaway slam. Both men stagger up to their feet, Hyperion dazed from the assault and Kuroi still running on fumes. Hyperion turns and Kuroi damn near takes his head off with a POWERFUL lariat! Kuroi's momentum takes him to his knees as Hyperion lands on his back.
Taylor: I felt that one from here.
Romano: Kuroi found just a little bit of breathing room and has finally managed to get some offense in this match.
Both men stay in their positions for a moment. Finally, Hyperion and Kuroi crawl back up to their feet after catching their breath. Kuroi runs up to Hype from behind and wraps around him, setting up for another German suplex... but Hype uses his momentum against him, running forward and locking himself onto the ropes. Kuroi keeps the hold locked in, trying to pry him free from the ropes. The referee gives the count... 1... 2... 3... 4... on five, Kuroi breaks the hold. Given the opportunity, Hyperion kicks out a massive boot behind him, catching Kuroi in the shin and sending him back down to one knee. Hyperion sees the opportunity and stalks over to Kuroi, picking him up off the mat and sending him back down with a ura-nage! He goes for the cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THR--KICKOUT!
Kuroi gets a shoulder up, stopping the count. Hyperion gets up behind Kuroi and motions for him to get off the ground. Stalking behind him, Hyperion narrows his eyes and locks in a look of foreboding vengeance.
Hyperion waits a moment and Kuroi staggers up to his feet. He turns around in a daze and Hyperion charges forward, swinging his arm at Kuroi for the First Principle... but Kuroi ducks it! He pivots to the side and uses Hyperion's momentum against him, picking him up onto his shoulders and holding him there for a moment... and then Kuroi lets out another warcry, dropping Hyperion onto his knees with a double-knee gutbuster!
Taylor: DEATH GRIP! DEATH GRIP! DEATH GRIP! DEATH GRIP!
Hyperion goes down on the mat and Kuroi scrambles on top for the quick cover.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner... KUROIIIIIIII!
Kuroi flips over onto his back, the wind completely taken out of him.
Taylor: The Mad Titan pushed Kuroi to his upper limit. He can't even stand after that victory!
Romano: Kuroi found his brief moments to create space between himself and Hyperion, and ultimately, made enough of those moments to barely eek out a win.
Taylor: What an incredible performance by both men!
Hyperion grits his teeth and struggles to open his eyes as he was taken on a ride with Kuroi. As he blinks his vision back in, he finds Kuroi, who has managed to climb back to his feet, hovering over him. Kuroi extends an arm. Hyperion pauses for a moment before accepting. With a tight warrior's grip, Kuroi brings Hyperion to his feet. The two are back on their feet and that grip remains in the form of a handshake. The two stare toward one another, understanding, appreciating and respecting one another. The crowd grows silence in awe.
Taylor: Is this... Is this what I think?
Romano: Yes, Tommy. An alliance between Kuroi and Hyperion has formed. Things are about to happen and of this, I am certain. As for what exactly? I'm sure we will find out soon.
Jessie Love: The following contest is scheduled for One Fall, and it is for the AWF Prestige Championship!
Taylor: I’ve been looking forward to this match all night, Cassius, and it’s finally here!
Romano: Technical Perfection vs. The Lone Wolf of Osaka, one fall to the finish in what should be a hell of a match!
Jessie Love: Introducing first, the challenger from Osaka Japan, weighing in tonight at 207 pounds, is BOOOONEEE COLLLLD, RAIDEN ISHIMORRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIII!
The opening riff of "Black" by Sevendust starts to play and is soon enough accompanied by the drum portion, bringing the fans to their feet as they look down at the stage. Raiden slowly strides his way out, determination set in his eyes as he gazes out into the crowd from beneath his hood. The crowd cheer for him loudly.
Romano: He’s known as the Lone Wolf, but tonight these fans are all on his side.
Taylor: Those watching at home who are in support of Team Felix have to be on his side too. With Drago defending his Phoenix Championship earlier in the night, and Kuroi with the huge win over Hyperion, Team Danica has the chance to close this out right here.
Romano: Danica’s probably got a few bottles of champagne on ice ready to go.
Taylor: I wouldn’t doubt that, but never underestimate Raiden Ishimori.
Voices call, call out my name (my name, my name)
They say I'm different, well I'm not the same (the same)
You say you want to be like me
Well boy let me tell you don't know what I've seen
Taylor: One of the last truly good guys in the AWF and potentially the entire XHF, Raiden’s ready tonight.
Romano: Being a “good guy” doesn’t make you any more capable than anyone else in the ring though, Tommy.
Taylor: Maybe not, but the all-arounder has also had almost three months to prepare for this match, beating Kuroi on a championship match on a pole match back in March at Prestige 30.
Rolling his shoulders, Raiden begins his way down the ramp, adjusting his gloves every so often as he reaches the bottom of the ramp.
They say a devil lives in my soul
I promise not to let him take control...
I'M MINDING, MY OWN BUSINESS!
I AIN'T DOING, NOTHING WRONG! I AIN'T DOING NOTHING WRONG!
With a bit of an added spring in his step, Raiden rolls into the ring, quickly pulling himself back up to his feet as the crowd cheers around him. Walking over to the far corner, he pulls the hood down, running his hands through his hair before taking the hooded vest off and tossing it to the outside, readying himself for the upcoming fight.
Taylor: A year into his wrestling career, and this is his fourth shot at a championship here in the XHF. They say that the third time is the charm, but what about the fourth?
Romano: If he can’t close tonight, Card will make him pay. He’s too damn good at what he does and has certainly come in with a plan for Raiden.
Taylor: Raiden has the heart of a lion though, and those months to prepare and get ready. The all-around wrestler can take to the skies, smash Card in the face, or go toe-to-toe technically. It’s also Raiden’s birthday today, as he turns 27.
Romano: Don’t get me wrong, he’s highly-skilled and very talented. But instead of focusing on the Prestige Championship, I would be more worried if I was him that Card turns him into a member of the 27 Club.
Jessie Love: And his opponent, from The Rosedale Neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, weighing in tonight at 220.25 pounds, he is the AWF Prestige Champion, he is Technical Perfection, he is CHRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS CAAAAAAAAARDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
Romano: 220.25 pounds. That’s how measured and precise he is, Tommy, he even gives us his exact weight to two decimal places!
Taylor: A bit of overkill, if you ask me!
The wild drum fill, followed by the savage harmonica line and guitar riff of DC Sound Attack! plays as purple and white lights swirl and pulse with the beat. Chris Card walks out from the entrance gate and looks out into the crowd, carrying his AWF Prestige Championship around his shoulder. The crowd boos him furiously as he walks, but the champion pays no attention to the lesser men and women who surround the ring, instead focusing on his challenger as he walks.
Romano: Death, taxes, and the Prestige Championship reign of Technical Perfection, Chris Card. These things in life seem inevitable, and Card’s looking for tonight to be no exception.
Taylor: I wouldn’t be so sure, Cassius. Anything can happen on any given night here in the AWF. I think this could be Raiden’s night. I mean, we all saw what happened with Copycat and Seth---
Romano: 162 days ago, Chris Card beat three X-Crown Champions to win that Prestige Championship. Bobby Barratt, Jack Diamond, and Seth Dillinger couldn’t stop him, what could possibly make you think this is Raiden’s night? What makes him better than James Dragon or any of Card’s other previous challengers?
THE OPTICS OF IT ARE NOT IMPORTANT
THE PUBLIC DON'T GIVE A DAMN!
I FEEL IN NEED OF CONSULTATION, NOW
EVERYBODY NEEDS
A SINISTER HAND
Taylor: Card may be the embodiment Technical Perfection, but he seems stuck in his ways. The way he talked about what he could do to Raiden, it sounded to me like he was on auto-pilot.
Romano: You’d be on auto-pilot too if you were any good at your job, Tommy!
Taylor: Hey!
Romano: Card’s walking with purpose and authority. Is he cocky? Sure. But you don’t get that way without building the impressive resumé he has.
Card takes a slow walk down to the ring and steps through the ropes as the lights change from beams to spinning spotlights to mark his presence in the ring. Card poses in the center of the ring, crossing his thumbs over where his heart would sit.
Romano: Look at that man. Cold, cocky, and bold, he’s already probably got three plans to defend his title and win the night for Team Danica.
Taylor: Team Felix is on the ropes here and desperately needs this one to stay in the match! This match is not only for the Prestige Championship, but the control of the entire company can be won or lost right here!
Prestige Championship
Team Felix vs. Team Danica
Raiden Ishimori vs. Chris Card (c)
The lights go up and Card moves over to his own corner and relaxes, the referee checking him over and finding nothing wrong. He hands over his Prestige Championship to the referee, who brings it into the center of the ring to indicate that the title fight is about to begin. The arena is on their feet, waiting for the match to start.
Taylor: Card vs. Raiden for the AWF’s biggest prize, and possibly for the future control of the AWF, here we go!
Romano: This arena is electric!
The bell rings. The two men slowly peel out of their corners, taking the time to analyze each other and really size up their competition. They begin to do circles around the ring and each other, both men looking for their opportunity to strike the first blow, but neither man is budging or giving his opponent even the slightest of an inch. That’s at least until Card stops circling. The cocky and arrogant Chris Card stops the circling and puts his hand out for a test of strength. Raiden Ishimori looks at Card with skepticism as he and the packed to capacity Ohio crowd both wonder what Card has planned. Card even beckons for Raiden to come in close for the hold, challenging him to lock up. Raiden stares for another few moments, thinking about his prey in front of him, before deciding instead to charge in with a running knee right to the bridge of Card’s nose. Card tries to sidestep the charge, but he’s too late, getting nailed right in the face. He goes down like a sack of bricks as the crowd cheers.
Taylor: A hard shot from Ishimori right out the gate!
Romano: Card had something planned there, but he wasn’t expecting to get his face smashed in like that!
The camera tries to pan in for a look at Card’s face after the vicious impact, but Raiden is quickly on top of him for a cover.
ONE!
TWO!
Card powers out!
Romano: A two count this early? What the hell?
Taylor: Look at Card’s face! Look at his face! His nose is bleeding out like a leaky faucet!
Taylor’s words ring to life as the camera and the crowd manage to get their first good look at Chris Card’s face following the knee. He’s been knocked hard and is dripping blood all over the apron. The referee tries to get in and intervene on the champion’s behalf, but Raiden stays on his prey, attacking Card with stomp after stomp to the face. The crowd is loving the onslaught as the camera peels away from the scene to capture them standing on their feet.
Taylor: Look at the intensity coming from Raiden! Raiden is bringing his all here and he’s not about to come up short here tonight!
Romano: Card’s in a bad way here, a really bad way! This is assuredly not part of his plan!
Taylor: I don’t think Raiden gives much of a damn about Card’s plans, or his nose for that matter!
Raiden takes the opportunity to turn Card onto his back. Once he does, he slams his knee into Card’s back to make him hurt in a new way. He does this again before grabbing his legs and folding them back. His next step is to grab Card’s throat and to lean back, locking Card into a Bow and Arrow Lock just off of the center of the ring. Card screams in agony as he realizes how painful the hold is.
Taylor: Bow and Arrow Lock!
Romano: Raiden’s absolutely taking it to Card here in the early going! A possibly broken nose, and now he’s got him locked in this incredibly painful hold!
Card tries to scream again, but the hold is also locked around his throat and he soon comes to remember that in addition to being bent like a pretzel, his air supply is rapidly being cut off. The referee asks him if he wants to submit and for a few seconds, the thought seems to cross his mind, but he quickly buries the thought as the crowd cheers. Card realizes that his opponent’s shoulders are almost down and leans to his side, bringing all 220.25 of his pounds closer to Raiden’s chest. The referee quickly drops to the mat to the count. Raiden is caught off guard!
ONE!
TWO!
Raiden gets his shoulder up, breaking the hold in the process!
Taylor: That was almost it for Raiden there! Card almost stole this one right out from under Raiden’s nose!
Romano: You don’t get to be the Prestige Champion for almost half a year without resourceful moves like that! He’s so smart!
Raiden rolls away from Card and does the honorable thing as the referee checks on Card’s face again. Card takes his sweet time talking to the referee to pull himself back up the ropes, and even pulls him in close when he sees that Raiden is about to charge back in again, forming a barrier. Card takes advantage of this barrier to deliver a thumb right to Raiden’s right eye, just behind the referee’s head and his line of vision. The crowd boos as Card takes this opportunity to go in for an early killshot of his own, nearly taking Raiden’s damn head off with a Question Mark Kick.
Taylor: Eye gouge and then one of those spinning kicks of Card’s!
Romano: If he builds a string of four or five of those kicks together, it’ll turn the lights out for Raiden long enough for Card to retain. But this feels like a Card out here to survive right now, rather than a man with plans.
Card gets back to his feet and wipes the blood away from his mouth. He looks at the blood and the signal of his own potential demise and shakes it off. He quickly falls to the mat and gets behind Raiden, locking him in the beginnings of his Neto Spine Lock. He wraps his legs around Raiden’s back, and then locking in the initial choke. Raiden tries to fight back, but is clearly still dazed from having his clock cleaned by the brutal kick. Card pops his leg around the back of Raiden’s head and connects it with his other leg and pulls, trapping Raiden’s arm as well as he locks in the Chris Card Clutch Beta!
Taylor: Chris Card Clutch! This move has put away opponent after opponent for Card! He may already be reaching into his bag of tricks!
Romano: Raiden may have brought an early assault with him, but if there’s one thing we know about Card, it’s that he has a good spine lock.
Taylor: Not just a good spine lock, an efficiently deadly and effective one!
Raiden screams out in agony as the tightening pressure on his back is hard for him to bear. The crowd tries to will him back into the match as Card screams at him, but their cheers fall on deaf ears. The one thing that we can hear from Card is that he keeps calling Raiden “Stoneforest” as he wrenches on the hold.
Taylor: There’s that Stoneforest taunt as Raiden tries his best to resist the torture of this hold! The reference is a direct translation of Raiden’s name to English!
Romano: One Japanese wrestler already lost tonight, and we might be looking at two right now!
The fans rise to their feet and boo as they realize Raiden is caught in a hellaciously hard hold to break. He looks over at the ropes and realizes that they feel like they’re a mile away, as Card has excellently trapped him in the center of the ring. The fans boo louder as they can feel Raiden’s chances slip away the longer the hold is locked in, and the hold has been locked in for a fairly long time now. The thought of tapping out and losing his fourth chance at a championship weighs almost as heavily on Raiden’s mind as the incredible pain of the submission. It doesn’t help that Card is still screaming “Stoneforest” in his ears.
Taylor: The resistance to the submission is incredible, but I don’t think Raiden has much left! He’s going to have to tap out here!
Romano: Card hasn’t been able to work the spine and back as well as he usually can, but this hold is testing every inch of Raiden’s resolve! I don’t know how much longer Raiden’s back and spine can hold out before Card breaks it!
Taylor: This may be the longest we’ve ever seen this submission hold applied for, Cassisus!
The referee asks Raiden if he’d like to tap out and Raiden can barely shake his head no. He’s in a world of pain and running out of time and options fast. He tries to roll Card onto his side, but Card is fiercely committed to the hold and not budging at all. Raiden realizes that he won’t be able to break the hold and taps!
Taylor: Did Raiden just tap?! This one’s ov-
Raiden taps the mat with his hand and forms a fist. He pushes off the mat as the crowd begins to cheer for him to come back to life in this match. It’s not enough, but this time Raiden adds his legs into the mix, rocking Card a bit. The crowd cheers even louder. The third time, Raiden manages to move Card even further.
Romano: Rock him like a hurricane, Raiden, but you’re still so far away from the ropes!
Taylor: I don’t think that’s what he’s looking for! Look!
The fourth time Raiden tries to rock Card, he catches his feet and manages to form a bridge! Card’s shoulders are down!
Taylor: Raiden with the pin!
Romano: Card gets caught just like he did to Raiden earlier! I don’t think he can break the hold from this position!
ONE!
TWO!
Card shoulders out, but immediately tries to use his beautiful technical skills to lock Raiden into Chris Card Alpha, switching over to a dragon sleeper…
Romano: Beta to Alpha! Beta to Alpha! What a show of-
...but Raiden just won’t let him get it applied! With his free elbow, he rocks Card back in his injured nose! As Card grabs his nose again, Raiden goes for another pinfall!
ONE!
TWO!
T-Card kicks out!
Taylor: Back and forth! This match has become one of survival! Both men doing anything they can to withstand the other’s punishment!
Romano: Card probably came into this match with plans galore, but Raiden came into it with a strategy: beat the hell out of Chris Card!
Taylor: Are the tides changing here? Are we finally looking at the man who can end the longstanding reign of Chris Card?
Romano: I don’t know, but if Raiden has anything left in him after withstanding that agonizing Chris Card Clutch for minutes on end, he might make a believer of me yet!
The crowd cheers the challenger’s efforts as Raiden Ishimori makes it back to his feet. He grabs at his back and curses in his native tongue, knowing that he will be sore tomorrow, but that the opportunity is knocking tonight.
Taylor: What’s Raiden got in mind here?
Romano: He’s laying it all out on the line for the chance he’s been waiting three months for! Raiden said that he wasn’t going to let the strap elude him for a fourth time, that he’d kill on sight if that meant capturing the gold!
Taylor: He believes he can save the AWF from the reign of Chris Card and from Danica’s oppressive tyranny, and these fans on their feet are starting to believe that change might be in the air!
He looks over at the ring ropes and scales them without even a second thought. He seems to stop and think for a few seconds, before shaking his head. The Lone Wolf of Osaka riles up the crowd as he clutches his back, seemingly knowing what he’s about to do next is either going to be a bold move to finally end the reign of Chris Card or a great disaster. Chris Card is still down on the mat as he leaps and flips in the air, landing down hard on Card back-first with a Swanton Bomb! The cover and the count!
Taylor: Swanton! This is it! The fans are on their feet! First he was a merciless hunter, and now he’s taken to the skies as an aerial artist!
Romano: Is this the move that finally brings down Chris Card?1
ONE!
TWO!
TH-Card kicks out!
The crowd cheers and boos loudly as Raiden rolls off, clutching his back in agony and pain. The reward wasn’t worth it as he kicks the mat repeatedly with his feet, like a toddler throwing a tantrum. He is hurt in a bad way. To make matters worse for him, Card is beginning to stir.
Taylor: High risk, low reward! Raiden’s back can’t take much more damage!
Romano: A mistake from Raiden there! He could have done any move in his arsenal off the top rope, but he chose to crash down onto Card as hard as he could!
Taylor: This is all for the Prestige Championship. Raiden’s sacrificing everything he can in order to get the job done tonight!
Card makes it back to his feet first and watches Raiden slowly make it back to his own. He lets the man he believes to be weaker than him catch his breath as he tries to finally plan for his next move. The clock begins to rapidly tick toward tonight midnight for Raiden’s Cinderella-esque chances of winning the Prestige Championship as Card smiles through the dried blood on his face and positions himself. Raiden makes it back to his feet, but has his back to Card. The crowd yells and screams at Raiden, knowing what Card’s in position for.
Taylor: Don’t turn around, Raiden! Don’t do it!
Romano: He can’t hear you, Tommy!
Raiden Ishimori finally turns around. He is met with a Calling Card from Card, right on his chin! He goes down in a hurry as the crowd boos very loudly!
Taylor: CALLING CARD!
Romano: Pop the champagne bottles, Danica! Card just pulled out Ol’ Reliable and finished the job!
ONE!
TWO!
THR-Raiden gets a shoulder up! The crowd cheers loudly for the challenger! The bloody and broken Card immediately pounces on him with left and right hands in a fiery rage of frustration! Boos rain down from the crowd as Card punches with every ounce of energy he has left!
Taylor: NO! Raiden gets a shoulder up! But Card is PISSED!
Romano: I’ve never seen him snap like this before, Tommy! Card can’t seem to believe his eyes!
The referee yells at Card, but Card doesn’t stop beating on Raiden. He eventually bends over to grab Card and pull him off, but Card winds up a fist and ends up elbowing the referee in the face on the recoil. The referee grabs his face in pain as Chris Card quickly takes out a small bottle from his trunks and sprays it right in Raiden’s eyes! Raiden immediately screams in burning agony as Card chucks the bottle out of the ring!
Taylor: Card just sprayed him with that damn aerosol can!
Romano: Raiden knocked him off his flow tonight, but twenty years of wrestling knowledge and a willingness to do anything it takes might just take this for Card! The cover and the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE-Raiden somehow gets the shoulder up at the last possible second!
Taylor: THREE - NO! Raiden’s still in it! Raiden’s still in it!
Romano: Incredible! What a match!
The crowd roar in approval. Card looks on in disbelief as he realizes that his plan failed him. Raiden is still grabbing his eyes in immense pain from having his eyes sprayed. Card shakes his head, unable to come to grips and comprehend what has happened. He wipes the dried blood off of his face with his arm and goes back to work, not even taking the time to complain to the referee. He pulls himself up and positions himself. He is angrily standing in the corner, biding his time, waiting to strike hard against Raiden one last time.
Romano: Card’s got a look in his eyes, I think he’s looking for that Gathering Storm set! He hits this, it’s all over!
Raiden makes it back to his feet, but quickly has his standing questioned by the first kick of Gathering Storm, a roundhouse kick to the ribs. The second kick rattles Raiden, but incredibly, he stays on his feet and punches Card as hard as he can. Card stands in the ring and takes the blow by firing back with the Teep Kick, the crowd booing each blow and cheering as Raiden again responds with another fist, this time to Card’s injured nose! The crowd roars!
Taylor: Raiden was told to stand his ground and fight back, and by God, he’s doing it! He’s taking everything Card can dish out!
Romano: I don’t know if either man has much left in the tank! Both men are showing signs of fatigue and wear and tear as they battle on! Any costly mistake from here on could be the end of the match!
Card spins and nails the backfist, the fourth move of his set. Raiden doesn’t respond with a punch this time. Card waits a few extra split seconds for positioning and spins around again for a kick, but Raiden ducks at the last possible minute and grabs his leg! He quickly knocks Card to the floor while still holding the leg, and uses his own legs to lock up Technical Perfection in the Bone Cold Seal! Card screams out in pain as he makes a costly mistake!
Taylor: Bone Cold Seal! The crowd roars and cheers again! They are fully behind Raiden and chanting for him as he tries to break Card with a submission!
Romano: The greatest technical submission artist in the XHF today might be about to tap out himself! Listen to him scream! He can’t take this hold for very much longer!
Card screams out in pain as his body is painfully contorted in the torturous submission of Raiden’s creation. The crowd is now fully chanting “RAID-EN, RAID-EN” as Raiden notches up the pressure. Card looks away from Raiden and underneath the bottom ropes, his eyes locked back on his AWF Prestige Championship. He realizes that his reign may be about to end as he lifts an arm and considers tapping out to end the agonizing pain.
Taylor: He’s so close! Raiden’s almost got this!
Romano: The problem is, Card is also close!
Card looks back at his hand. He realizes that the rope is right there and grabs on. The crowd boos very loudly as a small smile appears on his face, but it is immediately wiped away as Raiden holds the submission for the referee’s count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Raiden releases the hold!
Taylor: Card shows his own incredible stamina and breaks the hold, but at what cost?
Romano: Those extra few seconds may be enough to do him in, but Raiden has to be careful not to throw away everything he’s done in this match for a few extra seconds of punishment!
Taylor: What a crying shame that would be!
Raiden injures his prey again, socking him in the face. He immediately pins the champion, keeping on him and not letting his opponent catch his breath.
ONE!
TWO!
Card kicks out!
Raiden beats the mat in anger as he gets off of Card. He stares at the fallen champion and looks back at the gold. It’s so close, but yet still so far from his grasp. He tries to do everything he can with his injured back, but it may not be enough. He springboards off the ropes and hits his moonsault, the Flight Over Osaka. Surprisingly, he doesn’t go for the pin this time, instead taking the time to grab his back and roll over to the ropes to use them for leverage and to pull himself back up. He looks over his prey and the wounds Card has sustained in this match and shakes his head, knowing that it wouldn’t have been over there.
Taylor: No pin there! Is that a mistake that will cost him Cassius?
Romano: He’s in a lot of pain, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s lost the ability to think straight! This late into a match, the plans go out the window as you empty the tank and use everything at your disposal!
Raiden waits for his opponent to get back up, but not from a distance. He instead stands over Card, watching and waiting as Card writhes in pain on the mat. He has the look of a man who could kill in his eyes as Card makes it back to his feet. Raiden digs down deep into the reserves, clutching Card’s wrist and lifting him up into the air as the crowd roars! The crowd cheers loudly as Raiden struggles to keep Card above his head, screaming in pain as his tortured back might have suffered too much!
Taylor: He’s going for it all here!
Romano: If his back gives out, Card’ll make him pay!
His back begins to give out, but not before he can drop Card with the Climhazzard!
Taylor: Climhazzard! Climhazzard! Raiden got him!
Romano: Card might be out! But Raiden’s back’s in shambles and he’s gotta crawl for that cover!
Raiden clutches his back and screams, physically dragging himself across the ring to cover the champion. All he can muster left is to throw an arm over. The referee drops to the floor and counts!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Taylor: THREE! RAIDEN’S DONE IT!
Jessie Love: Here is your winner, and the NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW AWF PRESSSSSSSSSSSTIGGGGGGGEEEE CHAMPIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN, RAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIDEEEEEEEEN ISHIMOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
The crowd roars in approval.
Romano: I don’t believe what I just saw! What a match!
Taylor: Raiden Ishimori took his prey to the limit and then finished him off! The reign of Card is over! The reign of Card is over!
The crowd is ecstatic. The referee grabs the AWF Prestige Championship from the timekeeper and hands it to Raiden, who is sitting on the mat, leaning his body against the body of the former champion. When he is handed the championship, the camera might be catching him even shedding a tear. Whether that tear is in pure joy or in pure agony from his back giving out is up to the viewer.
Romano: For three months, Raiden waited and bided his time, and tonight he came out and had the answer to all of Chris Card’s plans: withstand the onslaught and beat the absolute hell of him!
Taylor: Card was thrown off his game from the minute the bell rang, and while he gave Raiden everything he could, Raiden made him throw all of his gameplans out the window!
Romano: Chris may be Technical Perfection, but Raiden proved tonight with his stamina and tenacity that he truly is Bone Cold!
Raiden rolls out of the ring and falls to the floor. He uses the apron to pull himself back up and finally has a good look at his new championship. The camera catches him smiling as he realizes the honor he has restored to himself and the Ishimori name. The crowd roars loudly for the honorable Japanese wrestler as he raises the Prestige Championship high above his head!
Taylor: Congratulations to Raiden Ishimori, the new AWF Prestige Champion! What a match! He dug down deep and outbattled Card, and now he has the championship to show for it, finally ending Card’s reign! And guess what else, Cassius?
Romano: What else?
Taylor: With this win, it’s now 2-2! Team Danica and Team Felix are now tied headed into the main event!
Raiden throws the championship over his shoulder and begins to walk up the ramp. The camera catches Chris Card laying on the mat as the referee finally manages to get a medic to look at his potentially broken nose. The camera cuts back to Raiden smiling again as he proudly holds his new championship above his head.
Taylor: A great wrestler with skills, tenacity, and perhaps most importantly to Team Felix, a strong heart! Congratulations once again to the NEW champion, Raiden Ishimori!
Romano: Congratulations! What a show!
"Timebomb" by Beck blasts into the arena and all the lights change to a cool shade of neon blue. Seth Dillinger struts out to the top of the ramp wearing sunglasses, jeans, and a button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing off just a bit of his pecs. After the countdown timer hits zero, Seth starts to stroll down to the ring, smirking at the crowd and soaking up their applause. When he reaches the bottom of the ramp, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, then paces around to each side of the ring, smiling at the crowd.
Taylor: We're tied, folks! It's two and two, and now the X*Crown Champion is here! Seth Dillinger is here and he's defending his belt for the first time against the leader of the AWF Icons - Maverick!
Romano: ...first time? Didn't he just defend it against Copycat?
Taylor: Can we all just forget that match ever happened?
In a place where they fail to inspire
I'm drinking the bleach so that I feel the fire
Inside is a riot but I'm in too deep
A mile in
A mile in
“21st Century Liability” by YUNGBLUD begins to play as the lights go dark and the stage begins to strobe in multiple neon colours.
In a place where they think I'm a stranger
I'm shaving my face with a coke covered razor
I press hard so it goes in deep
A mile in
A mile in
That’s when Maverick comes out onto the stage with the XHF Tag Team Championship around his waist and in his hands are two flares that are lit up. The crowd explode to The Iconic Prince’s entrance, who’s now sporting jet black hair than his silver curls.
I'm a 21st Century liability
I'm a 21st Century liability
I'm a 21st Century liability
Bang, bang, bang, it's all bollocks
Maverick drops the flares and the lights in the building turn back on, the lights go back to the red/yellow colour scheme as they normally are and sparkling pyro rains down right behind Maverick. He unstraps the title from around his waist and raises the title high as the pyro keeps on pouring down from the heavens.
When I was younger I had a proper plan
Keep myself naive, take advice from the man
But then I turned seventeen and I saw in my head
He was blowin' up the world with a ballpoint pen
We get a closer look at his attire which is a throwback to all his past attires, his shirt reads “DIE, DILLINGER, DIE!” which is a call back to his shirt design against Hyperion. Maverick begins to make his way to the ring, the fans reach out to The Iconic Prince as he high-fives them back. He gets to ringside where he climbs up the Steel Cage structure and sits on top.
I'm a 21st Century liability
I'm a 21st Century liability
I'm a 21st Century liability
Bang, bang, bang, it's all bollocks
He raises the XHF Tag Team Championship up high to a loud reception, he begins to climb down the cage and once his feet touch the ropes, he throws his title to the referee and does a backflip off the ropes and to the center of the ring. He stands there, his arms stretched out and a smile on his face, as he awaits for Seth to make his entrance.
Taylor: Maverick has a fancy new entrance today, and he plans of making the most of it! The last time he did that, he defeated the one and only Hyperion, and now, he's planning on beating Seth Dillinger and being the new X*Crown Champion!
Romano: I'm not so sure his way of entering the ring means he's going to be the winner, but Maverick is indeed one of the best wrestlers in the AWF today. Maybe ever. He really has a fire lit under his ass, and we're going to see an intense match tonight!
X*Crown Championship
Team Felix vs. Team Danica
Cage Match
Seth Dillinger (c) vs. Maverick
As Seth Dillinger and Maverick both sit inside the ring. A motorized noise begins and both competitors look up to find that the cage begins to descend. They both glance down toward one another as the steel entrapment slowly enclose around both competitors. As the steel cage fully comes to a stop, the noise of the cage coming to a snug fit around both competitors makes itself known with a thud. Jessie Love, chipper with a microphone in her hand, steps between the two competitors.
Jessie Love: Ladies and gentlemen, we are here at the main event of the evening - the X*Crown Championship match. On my left, he is the challenger. Reigning from Wexford, Ireland, standing tall at 5'10" and weighing 192 pounds. He is known as The Iconic Prince, he is Maverick!
The crowd boos, knowing how Maverick has assaulted Seth at Prestige 34 in such a nefarious way.
Jessie Love: And on my right is the custodian of the 19 belts comprising of the X*Crown Championship. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, standing at six feet and weighing 215 pounds. He is the two-time X*Crown Champion himself, Seth Dillinger!
The crowd stands up, cheering on the winner of the 2019 XHF Rumble. The crowd eats up everything Seth has to offer. Still, the two stare toward one another.
Jessie Love: Our series of matches in the Felix versus Danica is reaching its thrilling conclusion. Each side has accumulated two victories each and right here, right now, we will be finding out who takes all! So will it be Danica? Or will it be Felix? Will the X*Crown Champion be Seth Dillinger or will it be Maverick? Let's find out! Ring that bell